[688]. We find that the Persea grew, likewise, in the island of Rhodes, but there, though flowers came, it produced no fruit.—Theoph. Hist. Plant. iii. 3, 5. For a full description of the tree see iv. 2, 5, and Cf. Caus. Plant. ii. 3, 7.—In its original country, Persia, the fruit of this tree is said to have been poisonous, for which reason the companions of Cambyses carried along with them numerous young trees, which they planted in various parts of Egypt, that the inhabitants, eating of the fruit, might perish. But, through the influence of soil and climate, the nature of the Persea was wholly changed, and, instead of a harsh and fatal berry, produced delicious fruit.—Ælian. de Nat. Animal. ap. Schneid. ad Theoph. Hist. Plant. iv. 2, 5. t. iii. p. 284.—Cf. Athen. xiv. 61.—Schweigh. Animadv. t. xii. p. 585. Plin. xv. 13. xvi. 46.
[689]. Athen. xiv. 63.
[690]. The best pomegranates, however, were grown in Egypt and Cilicia.—Theoph. Caus. Plant. ii. 13. 4.
[691]. Athen. xiv. 64.
[692]. Theoph. Char. pp. 33, 233. Casaub. A very fine palm-tree is at present growing in one of the principal streets of Athens.—Blackwood’s Magazine, April, 1838.
[693]. Pollux, i. 73. Herod. i. 28, 172, 193. ii. 156. iv. 172, 183.
[694]. Plato de Legg. t. viii. p. 106. Bekk. Athen. xiv. 68.
[695]. Athen. xiv. 68. Cf. Bruyerin. de Re Cibaria, xi. 447, sqq.
[696]. Biliothèque Orientale, Article Giamschid.
[697]. Geog. Sacr. I. ii. 13.