Page:The history of silk, cotton, linen, wool, and other fibrous substances 2.djvu/359

 rather the two later authors who quote him, viz. Arrian and Strabo, use the terms for linen in a general sense, as including all fine light cloths made of vegetable substances.

We read in the account of India by Pomponius Mela (L. iii. c. 7.), that the woods produced wool, used by the natives for clothing. He distinctly mentions the use of flax likewise. It has been conjectured, that he may have taken his account from Nearchus, or some other Greek writer, and that he may have intended to speak only of the use of cotton. But in reply to this it is to be observed, that Pomponius Mela here mentions flax in opposition to cotton, and that his assertion, so understood, was probably true, since we have other evidence to show that flax grows in India as well as cotton. (See Part IV.) Nevertheless it seems necessary to understand other authors of the same period as meaning cotton by the term [Greek: linon], or linum. Thus Dyonisius Periegetes (l. 1116), speaking of the employments of the Indians, says, [Greek: Oi de histous hyphoôsi linergeas] which probably meant "some weave muslins". In the same manner we must interpret the assertion of Quintus Curtius, "Terra lini ferax, unde plerisque sunt vestes" i. e., The land produces flax, from which the greater part obtain garments. Soon after this Curtius says in terms more strictly proper,

Corpora usque pedes carbaso velant, soleis pedes, capita linteis vinciunt.

They cover their bodies from head to foot with carbasus; they bind shoes about their feet, linen cloths about their heads.

Again, speaking of the dress of the King, he says,

Distincta sunt auro et purpura carbasa, quæ indutus est. L. viii. 9.

The carbasa which he wore, were spotted with purple and gold.

In like manner, Lucan, describing the Indian nations, says,

Who drink sweet juices from the tender cane, With dyes of crocus stain their hair, and fix With color'd gems the flowing carbasus.

L. iii. v. 239.

Strabo says, (L. xv. c. 1. vol. vi. p. 153. ed. Sieb.)

That the Indians use white raiment, and fine white cloths and carpasa.