Kitap 2
38
With respect to the word κάρυα, the Attic writers and all other prose writers call nearly all berries by the generic name of κάρυα, nuts. And Epicharmus calls the almond the nut, by way of distinction, as we do, saying— We eat roast nuts, that is, almonds. Philyllius says— Eggs, nuts, almonds. And Heracleon the Ephesian writes—They called almonds κάρυα, and chestnuts, which we now call καστάνεια. The tree itself is called καρύα by Sophocles, who says— (κάρυαι,) nut-trees and ash-trees. And Eubulus speaks of Beeches, nut-trees, Carystian nuts. There are some kinds of nuts, too, which are called μόστηνα.
39
With respect to Almonds.—The Naxian almonds are mentioned by the ancient writers; and those in the island of Naxos are superior to all others, as I am well persuaded. Phrynichus says— He knock'd out all my grinders, so that now A Naxian almond I can hardly crack. The almonds in the island of Cyprus also are very excellent, and in comparison of those which come from other quarters, they are very long, and slightly bent at the end. And Seleucus in his Dictionary says, that the Lacedæmonians call soft nuts μύκηροι. And the Servians give that name to sweet nuts. But Arnexias says that it is the almond which is called μύκηρος. We may add, there is nothing which is a greater provocative of drinking than almonds when eaten before meals. Eupolis says in his Taxiarchs— Give me some Naxian almonds to regale me, And from the Naxian vines some wine to drink. For there was a vine called the Naxian vine.
