204 THE CLASSICAL PLANTS OF SICILY. 
+ 
Pliny (lib. xiii. cap. 17.) says,—Africa insignem arborem 
Loton gignit, quam vocant Celtin. Incisurz folio crebri- 
ores——fructus color croci, sed ante maturitatem alius atque 
alius, sicut in uvis tam dulci ibi cibo, ut nomen etiam 
genti terrzeque dederit, nimis hospitali advenarum oblivione 
patriee—vinum quoque exprimitur illi simile mulso. 
If we compare the descriptions of the ancient authors with 
the character of the C. australis, we shall be strongly con- 
firmed in the supposition that it is the real Lotus Tree. 
It is a tree of large size, siu£ysése, growing to forty or fifty 
feet in height; the bark dark-coloured ; the wood hard, and 
blackish, which is much prized for making flutes and other 
musical instruments: the leaf resembles that of the Neééle, 
having the edges serrated, 9023.» à: ivropàs xe, from whence 
comes the English name. The fruit or berry is about the 
size of a small cherry, first yellow, and then, when ripe, dark 
brown or black; of an agreeable sweet flavour, and placed 
on a long peduncle. 
Dr. Asso mentions that the berries are eaten in Spain; 
and Dr. Walsh relates that the modern Greeks are very fond of 
them. They are called in Romaic, sduxézxuc, Honey-berries, 
according to Dr. Sibthorp. 
So Homer gives it the epithet 24705«.— Od. lib. ix. v. 93. 
Ta Ò öç vig Awro payor werundsn xagriy, 
O)x ir àrayy hos máy 7züsXs», ovde vésoSou., 
Such was the poetical account of this too sweet fruit, that who- 
ever ate it, forgot his native land. To strangers it was 
therefore, the “ Forbidden Fruit;” but it might, perhaps, in 
one case, be prescribed medicinally in that fatal complaint, 
Nostalgia, or the ardent and lingering desire of return to 
one’s country ! 
This Tree I observed in some gardens, or orchards, on the 
base of Mount Etna; it is also named in Sicily Lotu. 
