Husks. This word in Luke 16:16, describes really the fruit of a particular kind of tree, namely, the carob or Ceratonia siliqua of botanists. It belongs to the locust family.

This tree is very commonly met with in Syria and Egypt; it produces pods, shaped like a horn, varying in length from six to ten inches, and about a finger's breadth, or rather more; it is dark-brown, glossy, filled with seeds and has a sweetish taste. It is used much for food by the poor, and for the feeding of swine.