318 PLINT'B XATUKAL HISTOH^. [Cook XV. 



we mentioned ; 39 and Flaccus Pompeius, a Roman of Eques- 

 trian rank, who served with, him, introduced it at the same 

 period into Spain. 



CHAP. 25. (23.) EIGHTEEN VARIETIES OF THE CHESNUT. 



We give the name of nut, too, to the chesnut, 40 although it 

 would seem more properly to belong to the acorn tribe. The 

 chesnut has its armour of defence in a shell bristling with 

 prickles like the hedge-hog, an envelope which in the acorn 

 is only partially developed. It is really surprising, however, 

 that Nature should have taken such pains thus to conceal an 

 object of so little value. We sometimes find as many as 

 three nuts beneath a single outer shell. The skin 41 of the nut 

 is limp and flexible : there is a membrane, too, which lies 

 next to the body of the fruit, and which, both in this and in 

 the walnut, spoils the flavour if not taken off. Chesnuts^ are 

 the most pleasant eating when roasted : 42 they are sometimes 

 ground also, and are eaten by women when fasting for reli- 

 gious scruples, 43 as bearing some resemblance to bread. It is 

 from Sardes 44 that the chesnut was first introduced, and hence 

 it is that the Greeks have given it the name of the " Sardian 

 acorn;" for the name " Dios balanon" 45 was given at a later 

 period, after it had been considerably improved by cultivation. 



At the present day there are numerous varieties of the 

 chesnut. Those of Tarentum are a light food, and by no 

 means difficult of digestion ; they are of a flat shape. _ There 

 is a rounder variety, known as the "balanitis;" 46 it is very 

 easily peeled, and springs clean out of the shell, so to say, of 



39 In c. xxi. of this Book. 



40 The tree is the Fagus castanea of Linnaeus. 41 Cortex. 



42 The common mode of eating it at the present day. The Italians also 

 take off the skin and dry the nut ; thus keeping it from year to year. 

 When required for eating, it is softened hy the steam of hoiling water. 



43 Not improbably said in allusion to the fasts introduced hy the Jews, 

 who had become very numerous in Rome. 



41 It was said to have come from Castana, a city of Pontus, whence its 

 name " Castanea." It is probably indigenous to Europe. 



45 The Greek for " Jove's acorn." 



46 Or "acorn chesnut." The same variety, Fee says, that is found in 

 the vicinity of Perigueux, small, nearly round, and without any particular 

 flavour. 



