[197] Fée thinks that it is the grain of the Festuca fluitans of Linnæus that is here alluded to, and identifies it with the “ulva palustris” of Virgil, Geor. iii. 174.
[198] The Latin word “degener” cannot here mean “degenerate,” in our sense of the word, but must merely imply a change of nature in the plant.
[199] See B. xvii. c. 3.
[200] We know of no such fruitfulness as this in the wheat of Europe. Fifteen-fold, as Fée remarks, is the utmost amount of produce that can be anticipated.
[201] Fée mentions instances of 150, 92, and 63 stalks arising from a single grain; but all these fall far short of the marvels here mentioned by Pliny.
[202] The Triticum compositum of Linnæus; supposed to have originally come from Egypt or Barbary.
[203] “Centigranium.” Probably the same as the last.
[204] In c. 10 of this Book.
[206] Pinguius.