198 
PLTNT's IfATUEAL HISTOET. 
[Book XIIL 
them than those of the time of Cicero, from which it would 
appear that they are a comparatively recent invention. 
CHAP. 31. THE CITRON-TEEE. 
There is another tree also which has the same name of 
citrus," and bears a fruit' that is held by some persons in 
particular dislike for its smell and remarkable bitterness; 
while, on the other hand, there are some who esteem it very 
highly. This tree is used as an ornament to houses ; it re- 
quires, however, no further description. 
CHAP. 32. (17.) THE LOTUS. 
Africa, too, at least that part of it which looks towards 
our shores, produces a remarkable tree, the lotus, by some 
known as the '^celtis,'' which has also been naturalized in Italy, ^ 
though it has been somewhat modified by the change of soil. 
The finest quality of lotus is that found in the vicinity of the 
Syrtes and among the I^asamones. It is the same size as the 
pear-tree, although Cornelius jN'epos states to the effect that it 
is but short. The leaves have numerous incisions, just as with 
those of the holm-oak. There are many varieties of the lotus, 
which are characterized more particularly by the difference in 
their respective fruits. The fruit is of about the size of af 
bean, and its colour is that of saffron, though before it is ripe 
it is continually chaoging its tints, like the grape. It has 
branches thickly set with leaves, like the myrtle, and not, 
as with us in Italy, like the cherry. In the country to 
which this tree is indigenous, the fruit of it is so remarkably 
sweet and luscious, that it has even given its name to a whole 
territory, and to a nation who, by their singular hospitality, 
have even seduced strangers who have come among them, to 
lose all remembrance of their native country. It is said also, 
that those who eat this fruit are subject to no maladies of the 
stomach. The fruit which has no stone in the inside is the 
best : this stone in the other kind seems to be of an osseous 
nature. A wine is also extracted from this fruit very similar 
He alludes to the citron, the Citrus Medica of Linnaeus. See B. xii. c. 7. 
The Rhamnus lotus of Linnaeus ; the Zizyphus lotus of Desfontaines. 
^8 The Celtis australis of Linnaeus. Fee remarks that Pliny is in error 
in giving the name of Celtis to the lotus of Africa. 
69 The Lotophagi. See B. v. c. 7. 
