Page 323 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

286 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

abundance in Oman, but the natives employ
it very sparingly in their medicines. Many
colocynth plants {Cucumus colocynthis of Lin­

naeus) are found in the vicinity of Bedi’ah,
and also along the sea-coast. The melon,

called by the Arabs hungil, is found in some
places strewn over the ground in great pro­
fusion. Several bushes of the milk-hedges

{Euphorbia tiraculla) are found amidst the
mountains ; and notwithstanding the peculiar

acrid nature of its juice, which is sufficient to
inflame and blister the skin, the goats eat the

plants with impunity. Rice {Reta graveolus),
Abysinthium, wild lavender, and many aro­

matic shrubs and plants are also seen: of
these a large collection was made, but being
of no utility to man and of little interest

to the general reader, they are but slightly
noticed here. The champer flower {Michaelis

champaca') and the Arabian jessamine are cul­
tivated for the sake of their perfume, which
is in great request with the females. In

north Oman two varieties of sorrel are found,
of which the Bedowins, who consider them as

a mild laxative, are very fond. Water-cresses
grow on the borders of the streams; the Arabs