367 
Leguminous Fruits . 
rope. It has a very distinct property, which is also noticed by 
the ancients ; namely, the bitterness of the seeds, which makes 
them quite inedible, unless they have been steeped in water, be- 
fore being cooked, and their bitterness extracted. The Lupi- 
nus albus alone is cultivated in the south of Europe, on account 
of its edible fruit. The Lupinus termis , according to Forskal, 
is cultivated in Egypt. The Arabians have retained the Greek 
name in their language. L. angustifolius is cultivated at Bour- 
deaux as fodder. There are many wild species of Lupinus in 
the south of Europe, L. varius , pelosus , luteus , angustifolius , 
hirsutus ; but it is very remarkable how completely the regular 
and numerous growth of these wild species in the corn fields is 
distinguished from the solitary and rare appearance of L. albus. 
Lathyrus Sativus. 
In the south of Europe, the Lathyrus sativus is frequent- 
ly cultivated, and commonly the variety with Avhite flowers ; 
those with blue flowers came first from Egypt, according to Clu- 
sius. Formerly this plant was more cultivated than at present, 
as we learn from the ancient books of plants. Its use has been 
at different times reckoned hurtful ; and at last it has been be- 
lieved that lameness may arise from eating its meal mixed with 
bread. It is considered to have been the xZ%^ 0 g of the ancients ; 
and Theophrastus’s notices agree with this idea. It has long- 
leaves, and lies upon the ground like (Hist. PI. 1. viii. c. 3.) 
The modern Greeks also call it Theophrastus always 
places xZB-v^og and Zy^og together. Both of them are translated, 
sometimes by cicera , sometimes by cicercula ; also is trans- 
lated by ervilia. Tire translation of Zy^cg by Pisum ochrus , is 
without any foundation. AZS-v^og and Zy^og are certainly not very 
different, and so also are cicera and cicercula. Columella says 
of cicera (1. ii. c. 11.), Hominibus non inutilis nec injucunda, 
sapore certe nil differt a cicercula , colore discernitur , est cbsole- 
tior ei nigro propior. As L. sativus has angular, and L. ci- 
cera round seeds, the cicercula of the ancients is probably not 
L. cicera , otherwise Columella would certainly have noticed 
that distinction, and not the mere colour. We thus come to 
the conclusion, that 7ri<rog, xZB-v^og, Zy^og, pisum , cicera , ci~ 
33 b 2 
