Acorns

Acorns, the fruit of the oak, appear to have been held in considerable estimation as an article of food among the ancients. Not only were the swine fattened upon them, as in our own forests, but they were ground into flour, with which bread was made by the poorer classes. Lucretius mentions, that before grain was known they were the common food of man; but we suppose the fruit of the chestnut may also have been included under that term. "That oake whose acornes were our foode before The Cerese seede of mortal man was knowne." SPENSER. The civic crown, given in the palmy days of Rome to the most celebrated men, was also composed of oak leaves.