Note 191 — Chapter XII

Humboldt derives this word from acorn. “If the edible gland is formed in the north of Spain, and if this name (artea) is there given to the oak that bears it, then it may be supposed that the Basque artoa, comes from this and from the ancient habit of acorn bread,” referred to by Juvenal (Sat. vi. 10), “glandem ructante marito,” this is nearer than Aratu to plough, or the Greek ἄρτος. I cannot answer for the three suppositions, but when acorns are eaten, they are not made into bread. Juvenal speaks of acorns, not of bread. Larramandi in his introduction, gives the etymology I have quoted in the text; as to deriving a Basque word from the Greek, as well might you so derive a Hebrew or Egyptian one.