SELECT SPECIMENS
OF
NATURAL HISTORY,
COLLECTED IN
Travels to discover the Source of the Nile,
IN
EGYPT, ARABIA, ABYSSINIA, AND NUBIA.

ΑΙΕΙ ΦΕΡΕΙ ΤΙ
ΛΙΒΥΗ ΚΑΙΝΟΝ
Arist. Hist. Anim. Lib. 8.
VOL. V.
“AND HE SPAKE OF TREES, FROM THE CEDAR-TREE THAT IS IN LEBANON, EVEN UNTO
THE HYSSOP THAT SPRINGETH OUT OF THE WALL: HE SPAKE ALSO OF BEASTS, AND OF
FOWL, AND OF CREEPING THINGS, AND OF FISHES.”
1 Kings, chap. iv. ver. 33
EDINBURGH:
PRINTED BY J. RUTHVEN,
FOR G. G. J. AND J. ROBINSON, PATERNOSTER-ROW,
LONDON.
M.DCC.XC.

CONTENTS
OF THE
FIFTH VOLUME.

Page
[Introduction,]i
[Of PLANTS, SHRUBS, AND TREES.]
[Papyrus,]1
[Balessan, Balm, or Balsam,]16
[Sassa, Myrrh, Opocalpasum,]27
[Ergett Y’dimmo,]34
[Ergett el Krone,]35
[Ensete,]36
[Kol-quall,]41
[Rack,]44
[Gir Gir, or Gesh el Aube,]47
[Kantuffa,]49
[Gaguedi,]52
[Wanzey,]54
[Farek, or Bauhinia Acuminata,]57
[Kuara,]65
[Walkuffa,]67
[Wooginoos, or Brucea Antidysenterica,]69
[Cusso, or Bankesia Abyssinica,]73
[Teff,]76
[Of QUADRUPEDS.]
[Rhinoceros,]85
[Hyæna,]107
[Jerboa,]121
[Fennec,]128
[Ashkoko,]139
[Booted Lynx,]146
[Of BIRDS.]
[Nisser, or Golden Eagle,]155
[Black Eagle,]159
[Rachamah,]163
[Erkoom,]169
[Abou_hannes,]172
[Moroc,]178
[Sheregrig,]182
[Waalia,]186
[Tsaltsalya, or Fly,]188
[El Adda,]193
[Cerastes, or Horned Viper,]198
[Binny,]211
[Caretta, or Sea Tortoise,]215
[Pearls,]219
MAPS.
[1. General Map.]
[2. Itinerary from Gondar to the Source of the Nile.]
[3. Chart of Solomon’s Voyage to Tarshish.]

INTRODUCTION.

As it has been my endeavour, throughout this history, to leave nothing unexplained that may assist the reader in understanding the different subjects that have been treated in the course of it, I think myself obliged to say a few words concerning the manner of arranging this Appendix. With regard to the Natural History, it must occur to every one, that, however numerous and respectable they may be who have dedicated themselves entirely to this study, they bear but a very small proportion to those who, for amusement or instruction, seek the miscellaneous and general occurrences of life that ordinarily compose a series of travels.

By presenting the two subjects promiscuously, I was apprehensive of incommoding and disgusting both species of readers. Every body that has read Tournefort, and some other authors of merit of that kind, must be sensible how unpleasant it is to have a very rapid, well-told, interesting narrative, concerning the arts, government, or ruins of Corinth, Athens, or Ephesus, interrupted by the appearance of a nettle or daffodil, from some particularity which they may possess, curious and important in the eye of a botanist, but invisible and indifferent to an ordinary beholder.