[1145] Or cabbage-sprout.
[1146] In B. xvi. c. 67. The Asparagus officinalis of Linnæus.
[1147] De Re Rust. c. 161.
[1148] Or wild sperage. See B. xvi. c. 67; also B. xx. c. [43].
[1149] “Spongiis.” Fée is at a loss to know why the name “spongia” should have been given to the roots of asparagus. Probably, as Facciolati says, from their growing close and matted together. See the end of this Chapter.
[1150] De Re Rust. c. 161.
[1151] See B. xvii. c. 47.
[1152] On the contrary, Martial says that the asparagus of Ravenna was no better than so much wild asparagus.
[1153] In B. xvi. c. 67. See also c. [19] of this Book.
[1154] Dioscorides mentions this absurdity, but refuses to credit it.