BROAD BEAN. 



349 



origin is not known. Its cultivation dates from pre- 

 historic times. Certain kinds of broad beans were used, 

 even in ancient times, as food for cattle ; and from others 

 meal was made which was often mixed with the flour 

 of cereals. The bean has played an important part in 

 mythology. The seeds were an emblem of death because 

 the black spots on the white flowers were interpreted as 



siijns of mourning. Hence 

 5ean came to be 

 at funeral leasts, 

 igoras forbade his 

 les to eat them 

 as Plin\' tells 

 :onsidered them 

 indigestible, 

 and it was said 

 that the^' made 

 men dull and 

 caused sleep- 

 lessness. On the 

 road to Elusis 



