130 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



and the earth was to be worshipped and 

 glorified. 



The ancients esteemed rice as an aliment 

 of a light substance, and easy of digestion. 

 " As for us Italians," says Pliny, " we set the 

 greatest store on rice, for it affords us groats 

 superior to those which others make from 

 barley." This grain is still very much used 

 among aliments by all eastern nations, and 

 especially the Indians. It is more easily 

 digested, and more grateful to the palate, 

 when boiled in cow's milk, almond cream, or 

 pinguious broths prepared from flesh. It is 

 commonly mixed with aliment intended for 

 those who labour under a dysentery, and 

 boiled in milk in which ignited stones have 

 been extinguished.* Helmont recommends 

 rice to be boiled in water, or chalybeate milk, 

 for those who spit blood. 



Spain produced rice in early days, but 

 whether it was introduced by the Moors or 

 the Romans is uncertain. The latter people 

 would in all probability make the experiment 

 of sowing it in England ; but our situation is 

 too far north to admit of the cultivation of 

 this tropical grain with any degree of success. 



* 



Matth. 



