[956] “Lapis specularis.” See B. xxxvi. c. 45. Columella, De Re Rust. B. xi. c. 3, speaks of this mode of ripening cucumber, and the fondness of the Emperor Tiberius for them.
[957] Theophrastus and Columella say the same of the cucumber, and Palladius of the melon, but there is no ground, probably, for the belief. In very recent times, however, Fée says, it was the usage to steep the seeds of the melon in milk. This liquid, in common with any other, would have the effect of softening the exterior integuments, and thereby facilitating the germination, but no more.
[958] Still known as the “green” or “gherkin” cucumber, and much used, when young, for pickling.
[959] Probably in the sense of a very dark green, for black cucumbers are a thing unheard of.
[960] He is evidently speaking of the pompion, or pumpkin, the Cucurbita pepo of Linnæus: quite distinct from the cucumber.
[961] Cucumbers are not difficult of digestion to the extent that Pliny would have us to believe.
[962] As Fée says, it is a loss of time to combat such absurd prejudices as these.
[963] This is conformable with modern experience.
[964] Fée says that this is the melon, the Cucumis melo of Linnæus.
[965] B. xi. c. 3. Columella professes to borrow it from the people of Mendes in Egypt.