Distincta sunt auro et purpurâ carbasa, quæ indutus est. L. viii. 9.
The carbasa which he wore, were spotted with purple and gold.
In like manner, Lucan, describing the Indian nations, says,
Who drink sweet juices from the tender cane,
With dyes of crocus stain their hair, and fix
With color’d gems the flowing carbasus.
L. iii. v. 239.
Strabo says, (L. xv. c. 1. vol. vi. p. 153. ed. Sieb.)
That the Indians use white raiment, and fine white cloths and carpasa.
Also the Periplus of the Erythrean Sea states, that the region about the Gulf of Barygaza in India was productive “of Carpasus and of the fine Indian cloths made of it[417].” These were what we now call India muslins. These muslins we are informed by Dr. Vincent, were imported into Egypt, and accordingly Pacatus[418] represents Antony’s army as wearing cotton in that country.