CHAP. 33. (19.)—THE TREES OF CYENAICA. THE PALIURUS.

The region of Cyrenaica places before the lotus its paliurus,[1] which is more like a shrub in character, and bears a fruit of a redder colour. This fruit contains a nut, the kernel of which is eaten by itself, and is of a very agreeable flavour. The taste of it is improved by wine, and, in fact, the juices are thought to be an improvement to wine. The interior of Africa, as far as the Garamantes and the deserts, is covered with palms, remarkable for their extraordinary size and the lusciousness of their fruit. The most celebrated are those in the vicinity of the Temple of Jupiter Hammon.

1. Probably the Rhamnus paliurus of Linnæus; the Spina Christi of other botanists.