The Lotus
The lotus is not a large tree; but it is rough and thorny,
note
and has a green leaf, like the rhamnus (black or
white thorn), a little longer and broader. The
fruit is like white myrtle-berries when they are
come to perfection; but, as it grows, it becomes purple in colour,
and in size about equal to round olives, and has a very small
stone. When it is ripe they gather it: and some of it they
pound up with groats of spelt, and store in vessels for their
slaves; and the rest they also preserve for the free inhabitants,
after taking out the stones, and use it for food. It tastes like
a fig or a date, but is superior to them in aroma. A wine is
made of it also by steeping it in water and crushing it, sweet
and pleasant to the taste, like good mead; and they drink it
without mixing it with water. It will not keep, however, more
than ten days, and they therefore only make it in small
quantities as they want it. Vinegar also is made out of it. . . .
