ELM FAMILY 



states. The fruit is sweet and not unpleasant, and is loved 

 by the birds. 



The t3-pe is ancient, traces of Celtis have been found in the 

 miocene rocks of Europe. 



The European Nettle, Celtis ausiyalis, is supposed to have 

 been the Lotus of the ancients, whose fruit Herodotus, Dios- 

 corides, and Theophrastus describe as sweet, pleasant, and 

 wholesome. Homer makes LTlysses say ; 



I sent explorers forth — two chosen men, 



A herald was the third — to learn what race 



Of mortals nourished by the fruits ot earth 



Possessed the land. Thc)- went and found themselves 



Among the Lotus-eaters soon, wiio used 



No violence against tlieir lives, but gave 



Into their hands the lotus plant to taste. 



Whoever tasted once ot that sweet food 



Wished not to see his nati\e country more 



Nor give his friends the knowledge of his fate ; 



And then my messengers desired to dwell 



Among the Lotus-eaters, and to feed 



Upon the lotus, never to return. 



— Ouvssiiiv, Book DL 



3^2 



