LENTIL. 



(Common Lentil.] Oicer Lens, and 



LEGUMINOS^E. Ervum Lens. (Knight.) 



MONG the various kinds of pulse or beans the lentil is 

 mentioned first, and it formed one of the most ancient 

 articles of food. The lentil is one of those plants 

 which formerly flourished where now it seems to be 

 rapidly disappearing. Other articles of food are taking 

 its place, and its cultivation is therefore of little importance. 

 The plant is inclined to fasten itself after the manner of the 

 pea, bears similar blossoms, and has a pod in which the small 

 brown or reddish seeds or beans are found. 



Esau s pottage consisted of red lentils. They are mentioned 

 among the articles of food furnished to David when flying from 

 Absalom, as recorded in 2 Sam. xvii. ; and the prophet Ezekiel 

 speaks of them as forming with other grains the material of 

 the bread he was to use in his affliction. These are the only 

 places wherein it is mentioned in the Scriptures. The French 

 traveller D Arvieux speaks of a tradition existing among the 

 Arabs that Esau sold his birthright in Hebron, near the cave 

 of Machpelah ; and in commemoration of this event a college 

 of dervises at this place daily cook pottage of lentils and dis 

 tribute to the poor. The red lentil is supposed to be the best 

 of the three kinds cultivated in the South of Europe, Barbary, 

 Egypt, and the Levant. 



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