The seed of this plant was offered, fried, at the beginning of the second course, and eaten with honey.[X-1] Sometimes it was sprinkled on the crust of a kind of household bread, covered with white of eggs.[X-2] Some of it was also put into the panada, or pap, intended for children[X-3]--perhaps to make them sleep the sooner. SESAME. This seed was used in nearly the same manner as the poppy, and it occupied a distinguished rank among the numerous dainties served at dessert.[X-4] Certain round and light cakes were covered with this seed.[X-5] The Romans brought sesame from Egypt.[X-6] SOW-THISTLE. This plant furnished a kind of milk, which was sometimes drunk: sometimes various kinds of meat were seasoned with it.[X-7] It was afterwards given up to rabbits, and there is every probability that they will retain undisputed possession of it. ORACH. Few vegetables have been more exposed to injurious accusations. Pythagoras reproaches it with causing a livid paleness, dropsy, and the scrofula, in those persons who eat it.[X-8] Nevertheless, a greedy curiosity introduced it into the catalogue of culinary preparations, and the guests of Apicius tasted more than once the fatal orach without knowing its pernicious properties. History does not say that they suffered any pernicious effects from it. This plant is also eaten like spinach, and mixed with sorrel to soften its acidity.--BOSC. ROCKET. Persons about to undergo the punishment of the whip were recommended to swallow a cup of wine, in which rocket had been steeped. It was asserted that this draught rendered pain supportable.[X-9] And again, that this plant, taken with honey, removed the freckles which sometimes appear on the face.[X-10] Whatever may be the degree of credence accorded to these two recipes, this vegetable enjoyed some reputation among the ancients, who mixed the wild and the garden rocket together, so as to temper the heat of the one by the coldness of the other.[X-11] FENNEL. It was employed but seldom in the preparation of dishes or pastry; but it was believed that the juice of its stalk had the property of restoring or strengthening the sight.[X-12] DILL. This plant, which, according to the ancients, weakened the eyes,[X-13] was much renowned for its exquisite odour,[X-14] and its stomachic qualities.[X-15] A much-admired perfume[X-16] was made from it; it produced an agreeable sort of wine or liqueur;[X-17] and a small number of choice dishes, for the enjoyment of connoisseurs, owed to it the reputation they had acquired.[X-18] ANISE-SEED. The production of an umbelliferous plant, which grows wild in Egypt, in Syria, and other eastern countries. Pliny recommends it to be taken in the morning, with honey and myrrh in wine:[X-19] and Pythagoras attributes to it eminent Hygeian properties, whether eaten raw or cooked.[X-20] HYSSOP.