POMEGRANATE. 



MYRTACE^:. Punica Granatum. 



F all the fruits and flowers we have yet described, no one 

 is more ancient and more beautiful than the pomegranate. 

 At the same time, it is the most frequently praised and 

 referred to by ancient and classic writers. Some suppose, 

 with good reason, that the most ancient temple of Her 

 cules was at Tyre, and was in existence before the city was 

 built, or soon after the flood. * With Hercules is associated the 

 pomegranate; and he is represented as coming forth from Hades 

 with a pomegranate in his hand after visiting Proserpine, to 

 whom this fruit was specially dedicated. Hence it was at a 

 very early period a favorite fruit. Many of the Greek deities, 

 with Jupiter, Juno, and Venus, are often represented holding 

 the pomegranate. It was supposed to have sprung from drops 

 of the blood of Bacchus. The fruit is of the size of an orange : 

 some which we have seen, however, are much larger. The 

 rind is bitter, and contains the principle called tannin, and 

 hence has been used in some countries, where the plant grows 

 plentifully, for tanning leather. The pomegranate can scarcely 

 be considered any thing more than a bush, nd \ften bears 

 abundantly when it is no higher than a manV heacK Occa- 



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* See authorities and fuller notice in &quot;Palestine Past and Present,&quot; pa^ 



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