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SUCCULENT ROOTS. 231 



found throughout the day with his neck bare, his beard 

 lengthened, his body wrapped in a sheep's-skin, eat- 

 ing raw turnips, and drinking quass.'* 



It is said that the root of the turnip cultivated 

 in the plains of Germany seldom exceeds half a pound 

 in weight ; and that in France and countries still far- 

 ther to the south they are yet more diminutive. 

 These are, however, no doubt a particular species 

 naturally of a small growth, and it must not thence 

 be inferred that hot countries are wholly inimical to 

 this production. At Benares, in Hindostan, a latitude 

 of about 26, turnips, radishes, asparagus, cauli- 

 flowers, and other garden vegetables are raised in con- 

 siderable plenty by the natives, and exposed to sale in 

 the bazaars, principally for European purchasers,"!" to 

 whom these plants of home association are welcome 

 even among the rich display of tropical productions, 

 and even though they cannot be obtained in their 

 native excellence, being comparatively tasteless when 

 raised under the fervid sun of India. 



The turnip is a biennial plant ; the appearance of 

 its large radical leaves is familiar to every body. In 

 the second season after sowing, a flowering stem 

 shoots up, which bears flowers having the four petals 

 arranged in the form of a cross, and therefore called 

 cruciform. The varieties both under garden and 

 field culture are very numerous ; while these again 

 differ with soil and climate, and manner of cultivation. 

 When destined for human food, of course the quality 

 more than the size is considered ; but in raising them 

 as an economic aliment for cattle the greatest possible 

 quantity of nourishment which can be produced in a 

 given space is the object most to be desired. Various 

 sorts, differing in size, shape, and colour, but all 

 assuming, in a greater or less degree, the globular or 



* Clarke's Travels in Russia, vol. i, p. 46. 

 t Tennant's Indian Recreations. 



