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;"[1]
though by some it is called "granatum."[2] This fruit has
been distinguished into a variety of kinds; the name of
"apyrenum"[3] being given to the one which has no[4] 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
[5]
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.[6] 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;[7] also for dyeing cloths a colour which
from it has derived its name.[8]
1. The pomegranate, the Punica granatum of botanists.
2. Or "grained apple."
3. From the Greek a)pu/rhnon, "without kernel." This Fée would not
translate literally, but as meaning that by cultivation the grains had been
reduced to a very diminutive size. See B. xxiii. c. 67.
4. This variety appears to be extinct. Fée doubts if it ever existed.
5. See B. xxiii. c. 57
6. See B xxiii. c. 57.
7. See B. xxiii. c. 60.
8. "Puniceus," namely, a kind of purple.