CHAP. 13.—INDIAN TREES, THE NAMES OF WHICH ARE UNKNOWN.
INDIAN TREES WHICH BEAR FLAX.
The Macedonians [Note] have made mention of various other
kinds of trees, the greater part of which, however, are without
names. There is one which resembles the terebinth [Note] in every
respect, except the fruit, which is very similar to the almond,
though less in size, and remarkable for its extreme sweetness.
This tree was met with in Bactria, and some persons looked
upon it as a variety of the terebinth, rather than as bearing a
strong resemblance to it. As to the tree from which they
manufacture a kind of linen [Note] cloth, in leaf it resembles the
mulberry-tree, while the calix of the fruit is similar to the
dog-rose. [Note] This tree is reared in the plains, and there is no
sight throughout the cultivated parts of the country that is
more enchanting than the plantations of it.
