122 



pPant Tsore, Tsege^/, aasl "bi^ric/. 



renders the wonder more remarkable is the fact that, when the 

 Boyomez is surrounded by abundant herbage, it hves as long as a 

 lamb, in pleasant pastures ; but when they become exhausted, it 

 wastes away and perishes. It is said that wolves have a liking for 

 it, while other carnivorous animals have not." 



Scaliger, in his Exoteric^ Exercitationes, gives a similar descrip- 

 tion, adding that it is not the fruit, the Melon, but the whole plant, 

 that resembles a lamb. This does not tally with the account 

 given by Odorico da Pordenone, an Indian traveller, who, before 

 the Bavometz had been heard of in Europe, appears to have been 

 informed that a plant grew on some island in the Caspian Sea 

 which bore Melon-like fruit resembling a lamb ; and this tree is 

 described and figured by Sir John Maundevile, who, in speakmg of 

 the countries and isles beyond Cathay, says that when travelling 

 towards Bacharye " men passen be a Kyngdom that men clepen 

 Caldilhe ; that is a fulle fair Contree. And there growethe a maner 

 of fruyt as thoughe it waren Gowrdes ; and whan thei ben rype, 

 men kutten hem a to, and men fynden with inne, a lytylle Best, in 

 flessche, in bon, and blode, as though it were a lytylle Lomb, with 

 outen wolle. And men eten bothe the Frut and the Best ; and that 

 is a gret marveylle. Of that Frute I have eten ; alle thoughe it 

 were wonderfulle ; but that I knowe wel that God is marveyllous 

 in his werkes." 



Ctlt ILamb Zxtt. From MautLdevile's Travels. 



Maundevile, who in his book has left a record of so many 

 marvellous things which he either saw or was told of during his 



