Also the Periplus of the Erythrean Sea states, that the region about the Gulf of Barygaza in India was productive “of _Carpasus_ and of the fine Indian cloths made of it[417].” These were what we now call _India muslins_. These muslins we are informed by Dr. Vincent, were imported into Egypt, and accordingly Pacatus[418] represents Antony’s army as wearing cotton in that country. [417] Arriani Opp. v. ii. p. 165. ed. Blancard. [418] Paneg. Theodosii, c. 33. The term _Carbasus_, is evidently used by the five last-cited authors to signify cotton; for they employ it in describing the common dress of the Indians. As the Greeks and Romans became acquainted with cotton much earlier than with silk, we find that _Carpas_, the proper Oriental name for cotton, was also in use among them at a comparatively early period; and we shall now endeavor to trace the progress of this term from India, Westward. With little variation it is found in the same sense in the Sanscrit, Arabic, and Persic languages[419]. [419] Celsii Hierobot. vol. ii. p. 159. Sir W. Jones, in As. Researches, vol. iv. p. 226. London Edition. Schlegel, Indische Bibliotek, ii. p. 393. E. F. K. Rosenmüller, Biblische Alterthumskunde, 4. 1. p. 173. This word occurs once in the Hebrew Scriptures, viz. Esther, i. 6., and there evidently as a foreign term. The hangings, used to decorate the court of the royal palace at Susa on occasion of the great feast given by Ahasuerus, are thus described in the common version of the Scriptures:-- “Where were white, green, and blue hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver upon a pavement of red and blue and white and black marble.” The word, corresponding to “_green_” in the original is _Carpas_ (כרפס). It has been translated “green” by the authors of the common version on the authority of the Chaldee Paraphrase. The earliest instance of the use of the oriental name in any classical author is the line from Statius Cæcilius, who died 169 B. C. as quoted by Nonius Marcellus (_l._ xvi.) from the _Pausimachus_ of Statius: Carbasina, molochina, ampelina[420]. As these words are all three Greek, and the play, in which the verse occurred, was also called by a Greek name, we cannot doubt, that Statius translated it according to his usual custom from one of the writers of the New Comedy. We may therefore infer with some confidence from this expression, that the Greeks made use of muslins or calicoes, or at least of cotton cloths of some kind, which were brought from India as early as 200 years B. C. [420] See C. C. Statii Fragmenta, a Leonhardo Spengel, Monachii 1829, p. 35. Statius chiefly copied from Menander (_Gellius_ ii. _c._ 16.); but we cannot find, that Menander wrote any play called _Pausimachus_.