<head>I. The Lotus</head>Polybius in the twelfth book of his histories gives from personal observation the same account as Herodotus of the so‑called lotus of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Africa&groupId=300&placeId=294">Africa</a>.
He says: "The lotus is not a large tree, but it is rough and thorny. Its leaf resembles that of the blackthorn, but is rather wider and flatter.
The fruit at first both in colour and size resembles the white myrtle berry when fully grown, but as it grows it becomes purple in colour and about the size of a round olive. The stone is quite small.
They gather it when ripe, and after pounding what is meant for the slaves pack it with salt in jars. They remove the stones from the portion meant for freemen and store it in the same way and on this they feed.
The food rather resembles figs or dates, but has a better aroma.
Wine is also made from it by moistening it and crushing it in water. This wine is sweet and of an agreeable flavour, resembling very good metheglin, and drink it unwatered.
It does not, however, keep for more than ten days, so that they make it in small quantities when required. They also make vinegar from it."
Walbank Commentary