And so Cummin is justly set down among things of vulgar and common use, when it is said in _Matthew_ 23. v. 23. _You pay Tithe of Mint, Annise and Cummin_: but how to make out the translation of Annise we are still to seek, there being no word in that Text which properly signifieth Annise: the Original being Ἄνηθον, which the Latins call _Anethum_, and is properly englished Dill. That among many expressions, allusions and illustrations made in Scripture from Corns, there is no mention made of Oats, so usefull a Grain among us, will not seem very strange unto you, till you can clearly discover that it was a Grain of ordinary use in those parts; who may also find that _Theophrastus_, who is large about other Grains, delivers very little of it. That _Dioscorides_ is also very short therein. And _Galen_ delivers that it was of some use in _Asia minor_, especially in _Mysia_, and that rather for Beasts than Men: And _Pliny_ affirmeth that the _Pulticula_ thereof was most in use among the Germans. Yet that the Jews were not without all use of this Grain seems confirmable from the Rabbinical account, who reckon five Grains liable unto their Offerings, whereof the Cake presented might be made; that is, Wheat, Oats, Rye, and two sorts of Barley. [Sidenote: _Ears of Corn._ Matt. 12. 1.] 19. Why the Disciples being hungry pluck'd the Ears of Corn, it seems strange to us, who observe that men half starved betake not themselves to such supply; except we consider the ancient Diet of _Alphiton_ and _Polenta_, the Meal of dried and parched Corn, or that which was Ὠμήλυσις, or Meal of crude and unparched Corn, wherewith they being well acquainted, might hope for some satisfaction from the Corn yet in the Husk; that is, from the nourishing pulp or mealy part within it. [Sidenote: _Stubble of_ Ægypt Exod. 5.7, etc.] 20. The inhumane oppression of the Ægyptian Task-masters, who, not content with the common tale of Brick, took also from the Children of Israel their allowance of _Straw_, and forced them to gather _Stubble_ where they could find it, will be more nearly apprehended, if we consider how hard it was to acquire any quantity of Stubble in _Ægypt_, where the Stalk of Corn was so short, that to acquire an ordinary measure, it required more than ordinary labour; as is discoverable from that account, which _Pliny_[193] hath happily left unto us. In the Corn gather'd in _Ægypt_ the Straw is never a Cubit long: because the Seed lieth very shallow, and hath no other nourishment than from the Mudd and Slime left by the River; For under it is nothing but Sand and Gravel. [193] _Lib. 18. Nat. Hist._