Chap. 50 Plants of the Red Sea
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 βthirstyβ1024 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.