18 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



Amiternian. The Candia onion was much 

 esteemed, and those of Samos and Sardis 

 were the whitest ; the Cyprus onion drew 

 the most tears, and the Gnidian variety was 

 esteemed the mildest. The ancients ob- 

 served, that the red onions were the most 

 keen, and that the roundest were always the 

 best. Pliny recommends them to be kept in 

 corn or chaff; and informs us, that the Ro- 

 mans made poultices of onions and barley- 

 meal, for those who had watery eyes. He 

 says, onions clear the sight by the tears they 

 draw : they used them to cure the sting of 

 serpents and other reptiles, and the juice 

 was given to those who suddenly became 

 speechless. He also relates, that the physi- 

 cians of his day were of opinion, that onions 

 were hurtful to the parts about the heart, 

 and other vital members; that they hinder 

 digestion, cause flatulencies, &c. ; whereas 

 Asclepiades, a physician of Bithynia, who 

 wrote about ninety years before the Chris- 

 tian era, and all his followers, affirmed, that 

 onions were wholesome, caused strength, and 

 cleared the complexion. This latter physi- 

 cian relied so much on his skill, that he laid 

 a wager he should never be sick ; and won 

 it, as he died of a fall at a very advanced age. 



