Fraxinus 



are in some parts of northern England. In Italy 

 the hot summers often cause a lack of herbage. 



Flower, March and April. 

 Italian name, Frassina. 



Frumentum. 



Ge. i. 134, 150, 176, 189, ii. 205, iii. 176 ; Ae. iv. 406. 



This is a general name for corn, especially spelt 

 and wheat, and when used without qualification 

 usually means wheat. Etymologically the word 

 seems to stand for frugimentum, and so is connected 

 with frux, fruor, fructus, and fruit. 



Genista. 



1 lentae . . . genistae ' {Ge. ii. 12). 

 'humiles . . . genistae' (ib. 434). 



The fine yellow flowers of the Spanish broom 

 (Spartium junceum) have long been an ornament to 

 our gardens. It is common in southern Italy, and 

 and is found also in the north. It grows on the 

 plains and on dry and stony river banks. Virgil 

 counts it among bee plants. The rush-like and 

 almost leafless branches were used for withs to tie 

 up bundles and stalked fruits. Pliny adds that it 

 yields a yellow dye like its near kinsman, the dyer's 

 greenweed, which abounds in the Weald of Sussex. 

 Since the shrub grows to the height of eight feet, 

 a group of it might afford shade to the shepherd, 

 as it does in our second passage. 



It is possible that the name may include also 



49 * 



