Hasselquist (Travels, 290) says "they are in Egypt sweet, not nauseous and strong as in other countries .... They eat them roasted, cut into four pieces, with roasted bits of meat (the Turkish kekab); and with this dish they are so delighted that they wish they may enjoy it in paradise." This gives point to Israel's regrets (Numbers 11:5). They were the staple food of the labourers on the pyramids (Herodotus, ii. 125). They contain nitrogen largely, and are considered equivalent in nutriment to four times their weight of any other vegetable. In warm countries they grow to the size of a large orange.