CHAP. 32. (17.)—THE LOTUS.
Africa, too, at least that part of it which looks towards
our shores, produces a remarkable tree, the lotus,
1 by some
known as the "celtis," which has also been naturalized in Italy,
2
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 Nasamones. It is the same size as the
pear-tree, although Cornelius Nepos 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 a
bean, and its colour is that of saffron, though before it is ripe
it is continually changing 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
3 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
to honied wine; according to Nepos, however, it will not last
above ten days; he states also that the berries are chopped up
with alica,
4 and then put away in casks for the table. Indeed, we read that armies have been fed upon this food when
marching to and fro through the territory of Africa. The
wood is of a black colour, and is held in high esteem for making
flutes; from the root also they manufacture handles for knives,
and various other small articles.
Such is the nature of the tree that is so called in Africa; the
same name being also given to a certain
5 herb, and to a stalk
6
that grows in Egypt belonging to the marsh plants. This last
plant springs up when the waters of the Nile have retired after
its overflow: its stalk is similar to that of the bean, and its
leaves are numerous and grow in thick clusters, but are shorter
and more slender than those of the bean. The fruit grows on
the head of the plant, and is similar in appearance to a poppy
in its indentations
7 and all its other characteristics; within
there are small grains, similar to those of millet.
8 The inhabitants lay these heads in large heaps, and there let them
rot, after which they separate the grain from the residue by
washing, and then dry it; when this is done they pound it,
and then use it as flour for making a kind of bread. What is
stated in addition to these particulars, is a very singular
9 fact;
it is said that when the sun sets, these poppy-heads shut and
cover themselves in the leaves, and at sun-rise they open
again; an alternation which continues until the fruit is perfectly ripe, and the flower, which is white, falls off.
(18.) Even more than this, of the lotus of the Euphrates,
10
it is said that the head and flower of the plant, at nightfall,
sink into the water, and there remain till midnight, so deep in
the water, that on thrusting in one's arm, the head cannot be
reached: after midnight it commences to return upwards, and
gradually becomes more and more erect till sunrise, when it
emerges entirely from the water and opens its flower; after
which it still continues to rise, until at last it is to be seen
raised quite aloft, high above the level of the water. This
lotus has a root about the size of a quince, enveloped in a black
skin, similar to that with which the chesnut is covered. The
substance that lies within this skin is white, and forms very
pleasant food, but is better cooked, either in water or upon
hot ashes, then in a raw state. Swine fatten upon nothing
better than the peelings of this root.