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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 no4 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 ἀπύρηνον, "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.

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    • Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854), SAMOS
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