^■B

OF THE CRIMEA.

449

add the Lathraea Phelypaea, occafionally occurring near thebanks of the Salgir; the Aegilops incurvata, that has beenobferved in various places, on dry eminences ; the honey-fuckle jand fome other common vegetables. I {hall therefore brieflynotice fuch plants as are applicable to economical ufes.

No nation is better qualified to inftruct ns in the nature andproperties of efculent vegetables, than the Greeks; who arecompelled by the ftrict falls of their church, efpecially in thefpring, to fearch for every edible root and herb. Thus, theyeat the thick roots of fome abundant fpecies of Scorzonera; ofthe very common Omithogalum pilofum ; of the Lathyrus tube-ro/us, Chaerophyllum tuberofum, and Hordeum bulbofum^ whichlaft is known to the Tartars under the name of Gerr-Funduk,or earth-nuts; farther, the fprouts of the wild mountain-afparagus; of the Sifymbrium Loefe/ii, and of the Crambe orien-ta/is, which laft greatly refembles brocoli; and the ftalks of afpecies of Herackum, by the Tartars called Baltrakan ; theyoung leaves of the Rumex Patientia, and of the goofe-foot, orwild orache; of the vine; the berberry-bufh, and even of theacrid Arum Maculatum; alfo the corn-falad, ox Valeriana Locufla^that fprouts early in the fpring; brook-lime, thriving in run-ning waters throughout the winter; wild purflane; dandelion,while it is germinating; wild celery; common wild garlic, orAllium defcendens ; and feveral others. Of the caper-bufh, theyeat not only the young fhoots, greatly refembling afparagus,but likewife the buds, fruit, and every other eatable part ofthat fhrub. I have not, however, obferved that they make ufeof the fea-cabbage, though they are well acquainted with theCrithmum, the genuine rock-famphire of the Englifh.

vol. ir. 3 m There