f science" to the
present volume.

Leipzig, April 19, 1875.

GEORG EBERS.

PREFACE TO THE FIFTH GERMAN EDITION.

Again a new edition of "An Egyptian Princess" has been required, and
again I write a special preface because the printing has progressed so
rapidly as unfortunately to render it impossible for me to correct some
errors to which my attention was directed by the kindness of the
well-known botanist, Professor Paul Ascherson of Berlin, who has
travelled through Egypt and the Oases.

In Vol. I, page 7, I allow mimosas to grow among other plants in
Rhodopis' garden. I have found them in all the descriptions of the Nile
valley, and afterwards often enjoyed the delicious perfume of the golden
yellow flowers in the gardens of Alexandria and Cairo. I now learn that
this very mimosa (Acacia farnesiana) originates in tropical America, and
was undoubtedly unknown in ancient Egypt. The bananas, which I mentioned
in Vol. I, p. 64, among other Egyptian plants, were first introduced into
the Nile valley from India by the Arabs. The botanical errors occurring
in the last volume I was able to correct. Helm's admirable work on
"Cultivated Plants and Domestic Animals" had taught me to notice such
things. Theophrastus, a native of Asia Minor, gives the first description
of a citron, and this proves that he probably saw the so-called
paradise-apple, but not our citron, which I am therefore not permitted to
mention among the plants cultivated in ancient Lydia. Palms and birches
are both found in Asia Minor; but I permitted them to grow side by side,
thereby committing an offense against the geographical possibility of
vegetable existence. The birch, in this locality, flourishes in the
mountainous region, the palm, according to Griesbach (Vegetation of the
Earth, Vol. I, p. 319) only appears on the southern coast of the
peninsula. The latter errors, as I previously mentioned, will be
corrected in the new edition. I shall of course owe special thanks to any
one who may call my attention to similar mistakes.

Leipzig, March 5, 1877

GEORG EBERS

PREFACE TO THE NINTH GERMAN EDITION.

I have nothing to add to the ninth edition of "An Egyptian Princess"
except that it has been thoroughly revised. My sincere thanks are due to
Dr. August Steitz of Frankfort on the Main, who has travelled through
Egypt and Asia Minor, for a series of admirable notes, which he kindly
placed