Note 75 — Chapter XI · MALABAR.

Anciently described to be pepper, ivory, timber, and pearls. The three former articles are still produced in great abundance.

We may here notice that Vincent translates ξυλα σαγαλινα, “sandalwood,” and supposes the word to have been originally written σανδαλινα. He is wrong: the tectona grandis, or teak, called throughout Western India sag (σαγ), or sagwan, is alluded to. So also φαλαγγες σησαμηναι is rendered “ebony in large sticks,” and in a note we are informed that it is a corrupt reading, that wood of some sort is meant, but that sesamum is a herb. The σησαμ of the Greeks is manifestly the Indian sisam, or black tree.