The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 3 · the Elder Pliny
CHAP. 34.—NINE VARIETIES OF THE PUNIC APPLE. BALAUSTIUM.
But the vicinity of Carthage is claimed more particularly as its own by the fruit the name of which is the “Punic apple;”[951] though by some it is called “granatum.”[952] This fruit has been distinguished into a variety of kinds; the name of “apyrenum”[953] being given to the one which has no[954] woody seeds inside, but is naturally whiter than the others, the pips being of a more agreeable flavour, and the membranes by which they are separated not so bitter. Their conformation in other respects, which is very similar to the partitions of the cells in the honeycomb, is much the same in all. Of those that have a kernel there are five kinds, the sweet, the acrid, the mixed, the acid, and the vinous: those of Samos and Egypt are distinguished into those with red, and those with white foliage.[955] The skin, while the fruit is yet sour, is held in high esteem for tanning leather. The flower of this tree is known by the name of “balaustium,” and is very useful for medicinal purposes;[956] also for dyeing cloths a colour which from it has derived its name.[957] CHAP. 35. (20.)—THE TREES OF ASIA AND GREECE; THE EPIPACTIS, THE ERICA, THE CNIDIAN GRAIN OR THYMELÆA, PYROSACHNE, CNESTRON, OR CNEORON. In Asia and Greece are produced the following shrubs, the epipactis,[958] by some known as “elleborine,” the leaves of which are of small size, and when taken in drink, are an antidote against poison; just in the same way that those of the erica[959] are a specific against the sting of the serpent.
(21.) Here is also found another shrub, upon which grows the grain of Cnidos,[960] by some known as “linum;” the name of the shrub itself being thymelæa,[961] while others, again, call it “chamelæa”,[962] others pyrosachne, others cnestron, and others cneorum; it bears a strong resemblance to the wild olive, but has a narrow leaf, which has a gummy taste in the mouth. The shrub is of about the size of the myrtle; its seed is of the same colour and appearance, but is solely used for medicinal purposes.
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