The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 3 (of 6)

Chapter 235: CHAP. 50.—PLANTS OF THE RED SEA.

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The work assembles systematic observations on animals, insects, and trees, combining natural history with practical notes. It surveys insect forms and habits, including bees, silk‑producing worms, spiders, and parasitic species, and discusses reproduction, classification, diseases, and useful products like honey and silk. It then examines animal anatomy in detail, limb by limb and organ by organ, comparing organs, vital functions, and bodily peculiarities across species. Later sections catalogue trees and exotic plants, describing aromatic gums, spices, frankincense, myrrh, and methods for producing and testing unguents and perfumes, and noting their uses and regions of origin.

CHAP. 50.—PLANTS OF THE RED SEA.

In the East, it is a very remarkable thing, that immediately after leaving Coptos, as we pass through the deserts, we find nothing whatever growing, with the exception of the thorn that is known as the “thirsty”1024 thorn; and this but very rarely. In the Red Sea, however, there are whole forests found growing, among which more particularly there are plants that bear the laurel-berry and the olive;1025 when it rains also certain fungi make their appearance, which, as soon as they are touched by the rays of the sun, are turned into pumice.1026 The size of the shrubs is three cubits in height; and they are all filled with sea-dogs,1027 to such a degree, that it is hardly safe to look at them from the ship, for they will frequently seize hold of the very oars.