Note 552 — ADDITIONAL NOTES.
Reading edition
Sicale, in French seigle, rye. The name of this grain, written secale, by Pliny, is here in the state of transition to the σίκαλις, sigalis, sigalum, &c. of the middle ages. The synonymous Centenum I have not found in any author; it seems to have been derived from the prolific nature of the grain, which was supposed to yield a hundred-fold. Secale ... nascitur qualicunque solo cum centesimo grano. Plin. H. N. l. 18. c. 40.