LIBER XV · CAPUT 10
THE VARIOUS KINDS OF FRUIT-TREES AND THEIR NATURES. FOUR VARIETIES OF PINE-NUTS
Latine · Mayhoff 1906
Grandissimus pineis nucibus altissimeque suspensus. intus exiles nucleos lacunatis includit toris, vestitos alia ferruginis tunica, mira naturae cura molliter semina conlocandi. harum genus alterum Tarentinae digitis fragili putamine aviumque furto in arbore. et tertium sappini e picea sativa, nucleorum cute verius quam putamine adeo molli, ut simul mandatur. quartum pitydia vocant e pinastris, singularis remedii adversus tussim in melle decoctis nucleis. Taurini ravicelos vocant. pinea corona victores apud Isthmum coronantur.
English · Bostock & Riley 1855–57
The largest fruit, and, indeed, the one that hangs at the greatest height, is the pine-nut. It contains within a number of small kernels, enclosed in arched beds, and covered with a coat of their own of rusty iron-colour; Nature thus manifesting a marvellous degree of care in providing its seeds with a soft receptacle. Another variety of this nut is the terentina, the shell of which may be broken with the fingers; and hence it becomes a prey to the birds while still on the tree. A third, again, is known as the “sappinia, ” being the produce of the cultivated pitch-tree: the kernels are enclosed in a skin more than a shell, which is so remarkably soft that it is eaten together with the fruit. A fourth variety is that known as the “pityis;” it is the produce of the pinaster, and is remarkable as a good specific for coughs. The kernels are sometimes boiled in honey among the Taurini, who then call them “aquiceli.” The conquerors at the Isthmian games are crowned with a wreath of pine-leaves.