Cdmmin

The seed of Cuminum eyminum, L., an umbelliferous plant cultivated in Bible lands. It is known in Arab, by the same name as in Heb., kammiin, and is used in cookery as a condiment, esp. in the dislies prepared during the fasts, which, being made with- out meat, require more seasoning to make them palatable. It has also carminative properties, and is used in poultices for the dissijiation of swellings. It has a penetrating odour and savour, not over-agreeable to most Europeans. It is twice mentioned in Scripture. Once the reference is to the mode of threshing it (Is 28"-") by a rod instead of the m6rag. 'This is still practised with this and other seeds of plants cultivated in small quantities. It is also mentioned as subject to tithe (Mt 23=»). G. E. Post. CUN (ps), 1 Oh 18'.— See Berothal