CHAP. 31.—LENTILS. PEASE.
Among the leguminous plants the lentil is sown in the
month of November, and the pea, [Note] among the Greeks. The
lentil thrives best in a soil that is rather thin than rich, and
mostly stands in need of dry weather. There are two kinds
of lentil grown in Egypt; one of which is rounder and blacker
than the other, which has a peculiar shape of its own. The
name of this plant has been applied to various uses, and
among others has given origin to our word "lenticula." [Note] I
find it stated in some authors that a lentil diet is productive of
evenness of temper. The pea requires to be sown in a warm,
sunny spot, and is ill able to endure cold; hence in Italy and
the more rigorous climates, it is sown in the spring only, a light,
loose soil being chosen for the purpose.
