105 



RADISH.— RAPHANUS. 



Natural order, Siliquosce. A genus of the 

 Tetr adynamia Siliquosa class. 



The Greeks called this plant e Pcc(pavos and 

 ( PcL(p<x.v\$, from the speed with which it grows. 

 In Latin, as well as Raphanus and Radicala, 

 it was named Radix, from its being one of 

 the largest of roots : this may appear singular 

 to some of our readers, who are accustomed 

 to see only very small radishes ; but it is from 

 this last name that the English word of 

 Radish originated. 



The Sativus, or garden-radish, is thought 

 to be a native of China by most botanical 

 writers ; but it appears by the accounts left 

 us by ancient naturalists, that its culture is 

 of great antiquity in many parts of Europe, 

 although it was not grown in England prior 

 to 1548. 



The Greeks esteemed radishes above most 

 other roots. We find that in the oblations 

 of garden fruits which they offered to Apollo 



