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. CHAP. 51.—PLANTS OF THE INDIAN SEA. The officers[1028] of Alexander who navigated the Indian seas, have left an account of a marine tree, the foliage of which is green while in the water; but the moment it is taken out, it dries and turns to salt. They have spoken also of bulrushes[1029] of stone bearing a strong resemblance to real ones, which grew along the sea-shore, as also certain shrubs[1030] in the main sea, the colour of an ox’s horn, branching out in various directions, and red at the tips. These, they say, were brittle, and broke like glass when touched, while, on the other hand, in the fire they would become red-hot like iron, and when cool resume their original colour. In the same part of the earth also, the tide covers the forests that grow on the islands, although the trees there are more lofty[1031] than the very tallest of our planes and poplars! The leaves of these trees resemble that of the laurel, while the blossom is similar to the violet, both in smell and colour: the berries resemble those of the olive, and they, too, have an agreeable smell: they appear in the autumn, and the leaves of the trees never fall off. The smaller ones are entirely covered by the waves, while the summits of those of larger size protrude from the water, and ships are made fast to them; when the tide falls the vessels are similarly moored to the roots. We find the same persons making mention of certain other trees which they saw out at sea, which always retained their leaves, and bore a fruit very similar to the lupine. CHAP. 52.—THE PLANTS OF THE TROGLODYTIC SEA; THE HAIR OF ISIS: THE CHARITO-BLEPHARON.