Chap. 24.] 
VAEIETIES OF THE OTT. 
315 
poses. The tree is a good bearer, but does not resemble the 
other kinds, the leaf being nearly that of the plane-tree ; the 
fruit, too, is particularly small. Cato speaks of sorbs being 
preserved in boiled wine. 
CHAP. 24. (22.) NINE VAEIETIES OE THE NUT. 
The walnut, '^^ which would almost claim precedence of the 
sorb in size, yields the palm to it in reference to the esteem 
in which they are respectively held ; and this, although it is 
so favourite an accompaniment of the Fescennine songs at 
nuptials. This nut, taken as a whole, is very considerably 
smaller than the pine nut, but the kernel is larger in propor- 
tion. E'ature, too, has conferred upon it a peculiar honour, in 
protecting it with a two-fold covering, the first of which forms 
a hollowed cushion for it to rest upon, and the second is a 
w^oody shell. It is for this reason that this fruit has been 
looked upon as a symbol consecrated to marriage, its off- 
spring being thus protected in such manifold ways : an expla- 
nation which bears a much greater air of probability than that 
which would derive it from the rattling which it makes when 
it bounds from the floor. The Greek names that have been 
given to this fruit fully prove that it, like many others, has 
been originally introduced from Persis ; the best kinds being 
known in that language by the names of Persicum,"^''' and 
basilicon;"^^ these, in fact, being the names by which they 
Sprengel to be identical with .the Crataegus azarolus of Linnaeus. In 
ripening, tlie fruit of the sorb undergoes a sort of vinous fermentation : 
hence a kind of cider made of it. 
11 De Re Rust. cc. 7 and 145. 12 The Juglans regia of Linnaeus. 
13 Tastes have probahly altered since this was written. 
1* These were rude and sometimes obscene songs sung at festivals, and 
more particularly marriages. "While these songs were being sung at the 
door of the nuptial chamber, it was the custom for the husband to scramble 
walnuts among the young people assembled there. The walnut is the nut 
mentioned in Solomon's Song, vi. 11. 
1^ Or, more probably, from the union of the two portions of the inner shell. 
16 u Tripudium sonivium implying that it was considered sacred to mar- 
riage, from the use made of it by the friends of the bridegroom when 
thrown violently against the nuptial chamber, with the view of drowning 
the cries of the bride. A very absurd notion, to all appearance. 
17 The " Persian nut, 
18 The king's " nut. The walnut-tree still abounds in Persia, and 
is found wild on the slopes of the Himalaya. 
