Abstract
THE definite identification of νάρθηκα, as used by modern Lesbians, with the giant fennel, Ferula communis, is interesting, and seems to dispose of Theodore Bent's identification of it with a reed. The dry pith inside the fennel stalk would, when ignited, continue to smoulder gently inside the protective casing of the stalk, which would prevent the wind causing the pith tinder to be too rapidly consumed. Bent's explanation of the νάρθηξ as serving to prevent the smouldering tinder “being blown out”, is clearly erroneous. I desire to thank Mr. Eumorfopoulos for his note upon my communication of June 21, 1930.
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BALFOUR, H. [Letters to the Editor]. Nature 127, 630 (1931). https://doi.org/10.1038/127630e0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/127630e0
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