Egypt : handbook for travellers / edited by K. Baedeker.

Date:
1885-1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Egypt : handbook for travellers / edited by K. Baedeker. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    102/628 (page 78)
    and geraniums, all of which have been grown in Egypt from a very early period. A bushy tree, which in its half leafless condition attracts the attention of every traveller on landing at Alexandria in winter, is the Poinsettia pulcherrima. The insignificant blossom is surrounded by leaves of the most brilliant red, presenting a very picturesque and striking ap- pearance. Natural forests, or even solitary wild trees, are never met with in the valley of the Nile or in the valleys of the northern deserts. On the embankments and on the brink of the rivers we occasionally find wild tamarisks and willows (safs&f), but always in the form of mere bushes. In the desert-valleys of Upper Egypt, however, grow live different kinds of acacia and several other shrubs of inferior interest. Another tree of considerable importance is the beautiful dUm palm, which grows wild in the valleys of S. Nubia and even in the oases, hut those which occur in N. Egypt are always planted. Even in Lower Egypt it is not met with beyond 27° N. latitude (indeed hardly beyond Keneli), and attempts to acclimatise it at Cairo have never been successful. Lastly we may mention two circumstances which throw some light on the bo- tanical position of Egypt. One of these is, that the commonest weeds associated with the industrial crops of Egypt, and which occur nowhere else, are of E. Indian origin; and the other, that numerous plants culti- vated by the Egyptians are only now to be found in their wild condition in the central regions of Africa. The Animal Kingdom in Egypt. (By Dr. M. Tlx. v. Heuglin.) I. Domestic Animals. The Horse (hosdn; horses, TcMl; mare, faras; foal, muhr; the rider, khayydl) was probably unknown to the most ancient Egyptians, and was first introduced by the Hyksos (p. 88). It is now to be met with throughout the whole of the valley of the Nile, and even in the oases. Owing to want of proper care and insufficiency of food, the Egyptian horses are generally of insignificant appearance. The Egyptian Donkey (Arab, homar; comp. p. 11) is noted for its power of endurance, its spirited temper, and its moderate requirements. The Mule (Arab, baghl, or baghleh), although admirably adapted for carrying heavy burdens , is less frequently bred in Egypt, but is some- times imported from Abyssinia, Spain, and other parts of southern Europe, Syria, and Asia Minor. The Camel (Arab, gemel, fern. naJca; the camel for riding, begin), was not unknown to the ancient Egyptians, as it is mentioned in several papyri, but it was probably rarely used, particularly during the early monarchy. During the hottest weather the camel can dispense with water for three days or more, while its scanty provender consists of a few handfuls of maize or beans, of the dry and wiry desert grass, of straw, or of prickly acacia leaves. The Buffalo (Arab, gdmds) seems to have been long domesticated in Egypt. Its flesh is not esteemed, but the cows yield milk and butter. The buffalo requires little food and attention, but does not thrive except in swampy ground or in the vicinity of flowing water. The hide forms strong and valuable leather. The Ox (Arab, tdr; cow, baJcara; calf, rigl; milk, leben; sweet milk, halib; sour milk, hamed or rdb) thrives in Egypt on the dry soil of the arable land, and is also reared in the oases. Down to the year 1863 Egypt possessed a long-horned race of oxen which is often represented on the monuments; but the breed was entirely swept away by a cattle- plague. during that year. The fellaliin make both butter and cheese from the milk. Instead of a churn they use a leathern bag suspended from a rope (Icirbeh). The <7oaU(Arab. me'za or ranzeh; he-goat, tes; kid, gidi) is to he found in every cottage on the banks of the Nile, and in every tent in the desert. Its milk is palatable and wholesome. The hide makes durable and waterproof water-hags. Sheep (Arab. Jehartif, na'geh, ghanam, ramis; ram, kebsh) are almost as generally kept by the Egyptian peasantry as goats, the most esteemed