S58 
M. Link on ifie Ancient History of 
was first used, then the root, as the use of the root of pars- 
ley is more recent than the leaf. Celery grows in the nor- 
therh and central parts of Europe, but not in the southern, 
within 39° N. Lat. Instead of celery, the roots of Simrnium 
olus atrum were formerly in use, and the leaves were eaten as 
greens. This is still done in the south of Europe. This plant 
is the (T^ygv/ov of the ancients, as the excellent description of Dios- 
corides (1. ii. c. 29.) shews ; the Olus atrum of the Romans. 
It grows wild every where in the south of Europe, in the bushes 
and hedges. Probably its resemblance to celery may have led 
to the cultivation of this latter plant. 
is placed by Theophrastus among the {Hist. 
FI. 1. vii. c. 5.) The Romans translated the word into Nastur- 
tium. This plant is frequently mentioned by writers, but no 
where described or exactly marked out ; but it is always quoted 
as a sharp-tasted plant. It is extremely probable that it ought to 
be classed among plants of the cress- kind, but it is difficult to 
determine to which species, especially as different plants of this 
natural order are eaten as cresses. 
The use of Rocket {Brassica Eruca) is much lost; and even 
in Bauhin’s time, it was only now and then reared in the garden. 
It was much prized by the ancients. Galen says that the leaves 
could not be eaten by themselves as cabbage, on account of their 
sharp taste, but that they are mixed with lettuce, which is also 
quoted by Pliny, (1. xix, c. 36.) In general, it was rather used 
as food than as seasoning. It had the name from its 
giving broth a pleasant taste. Formerly the seeds were used as 
they now are, for mustard ; and Dioscorides mentions only this 
use, which seems, indeed, to have been by far the most frequent. 
That the eruca of the ancients was our Rocket, is proved by the 
agreement of all its names, Rocclietta^ Roquetta, Raiike ; and 
none of its characters contradicts this idea. It grows wild in 
the central and southern parts of Europe. Our Mustard, three 
species of which were distinguished by the ancients, Sinapis ni- 
gra^ alba^ and arvensis^ was not less frequently used by them 
than by us, as well for seasoning food, as for medicine, and for 
obtaining oil. All these plants grow wild in Europe; 
In Theophrastus’s Hist. PI. 1. vii. c. 1., also is placed 
among the greens. Dioscorides (1. hi. c. 45.) distinguishes a 
