106 FLORA HISTORICA. 



We learn from Columella that Lupines were 

 sometimes flavoured with a Syrian root, and so 

 eaten to provoke drinking, or perhaps to give a 

 reUsh to the Egyptian beer, as our country peo- 

 ple introduce cheese. 



that root 



Which comes of Syrian seed, which slic'd is g-iven 

 With moist' ned Lupines joined, that it may- 

 Provoke fresh bumpers of Pelusian beer." 



Lib. 10. 



The eating of Lupines was also thought to 

 brighten the mind, and quicken the imagination. 

 It is related of Protogenes, a celebrated painter 

 of Rhodes, who flourished about the year 328 

 before Christ, that during the seven years he 

 was employed in painting the hunting piece of 

 Jalysus, who was supposed to be the founder of 

 the state of Rhodes, he lived entirely upon Lupines 

 and water, with an idea that this aliment would give 

 him greater flights of fancy. It was in this pic- 

 ture that he wished to introduce a dog panting, 

 and with foam at his mouth ; but not succeeding 

 to his satisfaction, he threw his sponge upon the 

 painting in a fit of anger, when chance brought 

 to perfection what the utmost of his art could not 

 accomplish, for the sponge falling on the wet 

 paint that was intended to represent the foam. 



