iv.] OF THE ANCIENTS. 127 



ASPARAGUS. 



Four shrubby species are noticed by Sibthorp, 

 of which the acutifolius, and perhaps apht/llus, are 

 designated by Theophrastus m under the name of 

 da-Trdpayos. It is known in Greece at present 

 under the name of acnraLpdyyicL. The cultivated 

 kind of Asparagus does not appear to have been 

 known in Greece, but it was much prized in Italy n . 

 The wild Asparagus was there distinguished by the 

 name of Corruda, that of Asparagus being confined 

 to the kind under cultivation. 



ALOE. 



Aloe vulgaris, or perfoliata, was found by Sib- 

 thorp wild in Cyprus and Andros. It is known 

 at present, as in ancient times, by the name of 

 aAo?;, but is generally met with cultivated, as the 

 Agave is in Sicily. Pliny confounds it with other 

 species of Aloe from the East, and especially with 

 that employed medicinally. It seems to have been 

 familiarly known in Rome from the allusion to it 

 in Juvenal p : 



"Plus aloes quam mellis habere." 

 referring to its bitter flavour. 



Ruscus. 



Of this genus Sibthorp notices two shrubby 

 species, and Manetti one. 



Of these, R. hypoglossum has been already iden- 



m vi. 3. " Pliny, xix. 42. 



Lib. xKvii. 5. p vi. 180. 



