312 HISTORY OF FRUITS. 



their fabulous stones as growing in the Elysian Fields, 

 When Ceres earnestly entreated Jupiter for the restitution 

 of her daughter Proserpine, who had been carried off by 

 Pluto, he promised to grant it on condition that she had 

 tasted no food in the infernal regions. Unfortunately she 

 had gathered a pomegranate from a tree, and eaten a few 

 of the seeds, as she was walking in the Elysian Fields. 

 This was made known by Ascalaphus, who alone had 

 seen it ; and the enraged mother turned him into an owl 

 for his unseasonable information. 



The pomegranate-tree was first brought to Rome from 

 Carthage, in the days of the murderous Sylla. Pliny says, 

 that the territory of Carthage claimed to itself the Punic 

 apple, which some call pomegranate ; from the flowers of 

 which is obtained the colour to dye cloth, called Punioeus 

 (pink or light red.) He speaks of nine varieties ; describes 

 the sw r eet sort, the sour, the temperate, the styptic or 

 austere, and one kind tasting of wine. " The difference," 

 he says, " between the pomegranate of Samos and that 

 of Egypt, consists in their flowers ; the one being white, 

 and the other red. The rind of the sour kind is the best 

 for tanners and curriers to dress their leather with." This 

 author recommends pomegranates to be divided into 

 quarters, and steeped in rain-water for three days ; which, 

 he states, makes a good drink for those who are of weak 

 habits. The flowers, rind, and every part of the fruit, 

 were used medicinally by the Romans ; on which -subject 

 he has written at large, book vi. chap. 23. 



. Some authors affirm, that Grenada, in Spain, owes its 

 name to this fruit, which was brought from Africa, and 

 planted in that district. The capital of this province has 

 a split pomegranate for its arms, which is seen on the 

 gate-posts of the public walks, and is represented in 

 carving, or by painting, on all the public buildings. 



The pomegranate-tree was first cultivated in England 



