BETZAL (5n, in the plural Letaalim) • "." occurs in Numb. xi. 5, where the Israelites mur mur for the leeks, and the onions (betzalinz), and the garlick ' of Egypt. There can be no doubt that Betzal means the common onion, the Allium Cepa of botanists. This is proved by its Arabic name, and its early employment as an article of diet in Egypt. In the present day the onion, distinguished from other species of Allium by its fistular leaves and swelling stalks, is well known to be cultivated in all parts of Europe and in most parts of Asia. Its native country is not known ; but it is probable that some part of the Persian region may have first produced it in a wild state, as many species of Allium are found in the mountainous chain which extends from the Caspian to Cashmere, and like wise in the Himalayan Mountains. It is common in Persia, where it is called piaz., and has been long introduced into India, where it receives the same name. By the Arabs it is called bag or basso!, under which name it is described in their works on Materia Medica, in which the description of KAuktuov given by Dioscorides (ii. 1S1) is adopted.
The Arabic is too similar to the Hebrew name to allow us to doubt that both were originally the same word.
The onions of warm dry countries grow to a con siderable size, and, instead of being acrid and pun gent in taste, are comparatively bland, and mild and nutritious articles of diet. The onions of Egypt, which the Israelites desired, were doubtless of this sort, for Egypt is famed for the production of fine onions, as stated by Hasselquist : Whoever has tasted onions in Egypt, must allow that none can be had better in any part of the universe. Here they are sweet ; in other countries they are nauseous and strong. Here they are soft ; whereas in the northern and other parts they are hard, and their coats are so compact, that they are difficult of digestion. Hence they cannot in any place be eaten with less prejudice and more satisfaction than in Egypt.'—J. F. R.