[1]There is another kind which is said to be abundant in Ethiopia, called the doum-palm[2]; this is a shrubby tree, not having a single stem but several, which sometimes are joined together up to a certain point[3]; and the leaf-stalks are not long,[4] only the length of a cubit, but they are plain,[5] and the leafage is borne only at the tip. The leaf is broad and, as it were, made up of at least[6] two leaflets. This tree is fair to look upon, and its fruit in shape size and flavour differs from the date, being rounder larger and pleasanter to the taste, though not so luscious. It ripens in three years, so that there is always fruit on the tree, as the new fruit overtakes that of last year. And they make bread out of it. The reports then call for enquiry.
[7]The dwarf-palm, as it is called, is a distinct kind, having nothing but its name[8] in common with other palms. For if the head is removed, it survives, and, if it is cut down, it shoots again from the roots. It differs too in the fruit and leaves; for the leaf is broad and flexible, and so they weave their baskets and mats out of it. It is common in Crete and still more so in Sicily.[9] However in these matters we have said more than our purpose required.
- ↑ Plin. 13. 47.
- ↑ κόϊκας conj. Salm. cf. 1. 20. 5, and the probable reading in Plin. l.c.
- ↑ συνηρτημένα μέχρι τινὸς εἰς ἕν conj. W.; συνηρτημένας μὲν εἰς ἕν U; συνηρτημένα μέχρι τινός εἰσι Ald.; συνηρτημένας μὲν μέχρι τινὸς εἶεν MV.
- ↑ μὲν ins. W. after Sch. (omitted above).
- ↑ i.e. without leaflets, except at the tip.
- ↑ ἐλαχίστοιν Bas.; ἐλαχίστων U. cf. Arist. Eth. N. 5. 3. 3, ἐν ἐλαχίστοις δυαίν.
- ↑ Plin. 13. 39.
- ↑ For ὁμώνυμον cf. 9. 10. 1 n.
- ↑ A dwarf palm is now abundant at Selinunte: cf. Verg. Aen. 3. 705, palmosa Selinus.
