CABBAGE. 93 



resemblance to parsley; the second was called 

 Lea, and the third Corambe *. 



This vegetable was so highly regarded by 

 the ancients, that Chrysippus and Dieuches, 

 two physicians, each wrote books on the pro- 

 perties of this plant, as well as Pythagoras 

 and Cato, the latter of whom in later times 

 amply set forth the praises of this pot-herb. 



It is related, that the ancient Romans, 

 having expelled physicians out of their terri- 

 tories, preserved their health for six hundred 

 years, and soothed their infirmities by using 

 and applying this vegetable as their only me- 

 dicine in every disease. 



The verse of Columella informs us that he 

 considered it a universal pot-herb. 



u That herb, which o'er the whole terrestrial globe 

 Doth flourish, and in great abundance yields 

 To low plebeian, and the haughty king, 

 In winter, cabbage ; and green sprouts in spring/' 



Pliny, in speaking of the spring sprouts of 

 cole, says, " Pleasant and sweet as these crops 

 were thought by other men, yet Apicius (that 

 notable glutton) loathed them, and by his 

 example Drusus Caesar held them in no 



# Plin. book xx. c. 19. 



