198 pltny's NATURAL HISTOET. [Book XIII. 



them than those of the time of Cicero, from which it would 

 appear that they are a comparatively recent invention. 



CHAP. 31. THE CTTRON-TBEE. 



There is another tree also which has the same name of 

 " citrus," 66 and hears a fruit that is held by some persons in 

 particular dislike for its smell and remarkable bitterness ; 

 while, on the other hand, there are some who esteem it very 

 highly. This tree is used as an ornament to houses ; it re- 

 quires, however, no further description. 



CHAP. 32. (17.) THE LOTUS. 



Africa, too, at least that part of it which looks towards 

 our shores, produces a remarkable tree, the lotus, 67 by some 

 known as the "celtis," which has also been naturalized in Italy, 63 

 though it has been somewhat modified by the change of soil. 

 The finest quality of lotus is that found in the vicinity of the 

 Syrtes and among the Nasamones. It is the same size as the 

 pear-tree, although Cornelius Nepos states to the effect that it 

 is but short. The leaves have numerous incisions, just as with 

 those of the holm-oak. There are many varieties of the lotus, 

 which are characterized more particularly by the difference in 

 their respective fruits. The fruit is of about the size of a 

 bean, and its colour is that of saffron, though before it is ripe 

 it is continually changing its tints, like the grape. It has 

 branches thickly set with leaves, like the myrtle, and not, 

 as with us in Italy, like the cherry. In the country to 

 which this tree is indigenous, the fruit of it is so remarkably 

 sweet and luscious, that it has even given its name to a whole 

 territory, and to a nation 69 who, by their singular hospitality, 

 have even seduced strangers who have come among them, to 

 lose all remembrance of their native country. It is said also, 

 that those who eat this fruit are subject to no maladies of the 

 stomach. The fruit which has no stone in the inside is the 

 best : this stone in the other kind seems to be of an osseous 

 nature. A wine is also extracted from this fruit very similar 



66 He alludes to the citron, the Citrus Medica of Linnaeus. See B. xii. c. 7. 



67 The Rhamnus lotus of Linnaeus ; the Zizyphus lotus of Desfontaines. 



68 The Celtis australis of Linnaeus. Fee remarks that Pliny is in error 

 in giving the name of Celtis to the lotus of Africa. 



69 The Lotophagi. See B. v. c. 7. 



