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THE LOEB CLASSICAL LIBRARY
EDITED BY
APPS, Ph D., LL.D. T. E. PAGE, LiTT.D. W. H. D. HOUSE, Litt.D.
THEOPHRASTUS
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS
I
THEOPHRASTUS.
VILLA ALBANI.
THEOPHEASTUS
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS
AND MINOR WORKS ON ODOURS AND
WEATHER SIGNS
WITH AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION BY
SIR ARTHUR HORT, Bart., M.A.
FORMERLY FELLOW OF TRINITV COLLEGE, CAMBRIlXiE
IN TWO VOLUMES
I
LONDON : WILLIAM HEINEMANN
NEW YORK : G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
MCMXVI
PREFACE
This is^ I believe, tlie first attempt at an English
translation of the 'Enquiry into Plants.' That it
should be found entirely satisfactory is not to be
expected, since the translator is not, as he should be,
a botanist ; moreover, in the present state at least
of the text, the Greek of Theophrastus is sometimes
singularly elusive. I should never have undertaken
such a responsibility without the encouragement of
that veteran student of plant-lore the Rev. Canon
EUacombe, who first suggested that I should make
the attempt and introduced me to the book. It is a
great grief that he did not live to see the completion
of the work which he set me. If I had thought
it essential that a translator of Theophrastus should
himself grapple with the difficulties of identifying
the jilants which he mentions, I must have declined
a task which has otherwise proved quite onerous
enough. However the kindness and the expert
knowledge of Sir William Thiselton-Dyer came to
my rescue ; to him I not only owe gratitude for
constant help throughout ; the-identifications in the
Index of Plants are entirely his work, compared
with which the compilation of the Index itself was
IL
PREFACE
but mechanical labour. And he has greatly increased
my debt and the reader's by reading the proofs of
my translation and of the Index. This is perhaps
the place to add a note on the translation of the
plant-names in the text : — where possible, I have
given an English equivalent, though I am conscious
that such names as ' Christ's thorn,' ' Michaelmas
daisy ' must read oddly in a translation of a work
written 300 years before Christ; to print. Linnean
binary names would have been at least equally
incongruous. Where an English name was not
obvious, although the plant is British or known in
British gardens, I have usually consulted Britten
and Holland's Dictionary of Plant-names. Where
no English equivalent could be found, i.e. chiefly
where the plant is not either British or familiar in
this country, I have either transliterated the Greek
name (as amkhidria) or given a literal rendering of it
in inverted commas (as ' foxbrush ' for d\u)7r€'Koupos) ;
but the derivation of Greek plant-names being often
obscure, I have not used this device unless the
meaning seemed to be beyond question. In some
cases it has been necessary to preserve the Greek
name and to give the English name after it in
brackets. This seemed desii-able wherever the author
has apparently used more than one name for the
same plant, the explanation doubtless being that he
was drawing on different local authorities; thus Kcpacros
and Xafcapv; both probably represent 'bird-cherry,'
the latter being the Macedonian name for the tree.
II
PREFACE
Apart from this reason, in a few places (as 3.8.2 ;
3.10.3.) it seemed necessary to give both the Greek
and the English name in order to bring out some
particular jwint. On the other hand one Greek
name often covers several plants, e.g. Xwro's ; in such
cases I hope that a reference to the Index will make
all clear. Inverted commas indicate that the render-
ing is a literal translation of the Greek word ; the
identification of the plant will be found in the Index.
Thus (f>e\\68pv<: is rendered ' cork-oak,' though ' holm-
oak ' would be the correct rendering, — cork-oak (quer-
cus Suber) being what Theophrastus calls <^eXA.o?,
which is accordingly rendered cork-oak without
commas. As to the spelling of proper names, con-
sistency without pedantry seems unattainable. One
cannot write names such as Arcadia or Alexander
otherwise than as they are commonly written ; but
I cannot bring myself to Latinise a Greek name if it
can be helped, wherefore I have simply transliterated
the less familiar names ; the line drawn must of
course be arbitrary.
The te.xt jjrinted is in the main that of Wimmer's
second edition (see Introd. p. xiv). The textual notes
are not intended as a complete apparatus criticus ;
to provide a satisfactory apparatus it would probably
be necessary to collate the manuscripts afresh. I have
had to be content with giving Wimmer's statements
as to MS. authority ; this I have done wherever any
question of interpretation dep^ded on the reading ;
but I have not thought it necessary to record mere
PREFACE
variations of spelling. Where the textual notes go
beyond bare citation of the readings of the MSS., Aid.,
Gaza, and Pliny, it is usually because I have there
departed from Wimmer's text. The references to
Pliny will, I hope, be found fairly complete. I am
indebted for most of them to Schneider, but I have
verified these and all other references.
I venture to hope that this translation, with its
references and Index of Plants, may assist some
competent scholar-botanist to "produce an edition
worthy of the author.
Besides those already mentioned I have to thank
also my friends Professor D'Arcy Thompson, C.B.,
Litt.D. of Dundee, Mr. A. W. Hill of Kew, Mr. E. A.
Bowles for help of various kinds, and the Rev. F. W,
Galpin for his learned exposition of a passage which
otherwise would have been dark indeed to me — the
description of the manufacture of the reed mouth-
pieces of wood-wind instruments in Book I V. Sir John
Sandys, Public Orator of Cambridge University, was
good enough to give me valuable help in matters of
bibliography.
■
INTRODUCTION
Bibliography and Abbreviations used
A. Textual Authorities
WiMMER divides the authorities on which the text
of the TTfpl (fivrojp laropia is based into three classes: —
First Class :
U. Codex Urbinas : in the Vatican. Collated by
Bekker and Amati ; far the best extant
MS., but evidently founded on a much
corrupted copy. See note on 9. 8. 1.
Pg. Codex Parisiensis : at Paris. Contains con-
siderable excerpts ; evidently founded on a
good MS. ; considered by Wimmer second
only in authority to U.
(Of other collections of excerpts may
be mentioned one at Munich, called after
Pletho.)
md Class :
M (Mj, Nf.,). Codices Medicei : at Florence.
Agree so closely that they may be re-
garded as a single MS. ; considered by
Wimmer much inferior to U, but of higher
authority than Aid.
INTRODUCTION
P. Codex Parisiensis : at Paris. Considered by
Wimmer somewhat inferior to M and V,
and more on a level with Aid.
mP. Margin of the above. A note in the MS.
states that the marginal notes are not scholia,
but valine leclio7ies aut emendationes.
V. Codex Vindobonensis : at Vienna. Contains
the first five books and two chapters of the
sixth ; closely resembles M in style and
readings.
Third Class :
Aid. Editio Aldina : the editio princeps, printed
at Venice H95-8. Believed by Wimmer
to be founded on a single MS., and that
an inferior one to those enumerated above,
and also to that used by Gaza. Its readings
seem often to show signs of a deliberate
attempt to produce a smooth text : hence
the value of this edition as witness to an
independent MS. authority is much im-
paired.
(Bas. Editio Basiliensis : printed at Bale, 1541.
A careful copy of Aid., in which a number
of printer's errors are corrected and a few
new ones iiitroduced (Wimmer).
Cam. Editio Camotiana (or Aldina minor, altera) :
printed at Venice, 1552. Also copied from
Aid., but less carefully corrected than Bas. ;
the editor Camotius, in a few passages.
INTRODUCTION
altered the text to accord with Gaza's
version.)
The Latin version of Theodore Gaza,^ the
Greek refugee : first printed at Treviso
(Tarvisiuni) in 1483. A wonderful work
for the time at which it appeared. Its
present value is due to the fact that the
translation was made from a different MS.
to any now known. Unfortunately how-
ever this does not seem to have been a
better text than that on which the Aldine
edition was based. Moreover Gaza did not
stick to his authoi'ity, but adopted freely
Pliny's versions of Theophrastus, emending
where he could not follow Pliny. There
ai'e several editions of Gaza's work : thus
G.Par.G.Bas. indicate respectively editions pub-
lished at Paris in 1529 and at Bale in 1534
and 1550. Wimmer has no doubt that the
Tarvisian is the earliest edition, and he
gives its readings, whereas Schneider often
took those of G.Bas.
Vin.Vo.Cod.Cas. indicate readings which Schnei-
der believed to have MS. authority, but
which are really anonymous emendations
from the margins of MSS. used by his pre-
decessors, and all, in Wimmer's opinion
See Sandys, History of Classical ScJiolarship, ii. p. 62, etc.
INTRODUCTION
traceable to Gaza's version. Schneider's
so-called Codex Casauboni he knew, ac-
cording to Wimmer, only from Hofmann's
edition.
B. Editions
H. Editio Heinsii, printed at Leyden, 1613 : founded
on Cam. and very carelessly printed, repeating
the misprints of that edition and adding many
others. In the preface Daniel Heins ^ pretends
to have had access to a critical edition and to a
Heidelberg MS. ; this claim appears to be en-
tirely fictitious. The book indeed contains what
Wimmer calls a farrago emendationum ; he remarks
that ' all the good things in it Heinsius owed
to the wit of others, while all its faults and
follies we owe to Heinsius.' Schneider calls it
editio omnium jjessima.
Bod. Editio Bodaei (viz. of Joannes Bodaeus a
Stapel), printed at Amsterdam, 1644. The text
of Heinsius is closely followed ; the margin con-
tains a number of emendations taken from the
margin of Bas. and from Scaliger, Robertus Con-
stantinus, and Salmasius, with a few due to the
editor himself. The commentary, according to
Sir William Thiselton-Dyer, is ' botanically
monumental and fundamental.'
' See Sandys, op. cif. p. 313 etc.
INTRODUCTION
Stackhouse, Oxford, 1813: a prettily printed
edition with some illustrations ; text founded on
Aid. The editor seems to have been a fair
botanist, but an indifferent scholar, though occa-
sionally he hits on a certain emendation. The
notes are short and generally of slight value.
The book is however of interest, as being appa-
rently the only work on the ' Enquiry ' hitherto
published in England.
J. G. Schneider (and Linck), Leipzig : vols,
i.-iv. published in 1818, vol. v. in 1821 ; contains
also the Trcpl atrtwi/ and the fragments, and a re-
print of Gaza's version (corrected). The fifth,
or supplementary, volume, written during the
author's last illness, takes account of the Codex
Urbinas, which, unfortunately for Schneider,
did not become known till his edition was
finished. It is remarkable in how manv places
he anticipated by acute emendation the readings
of U. The fifth volume also gives an account of
criticisms of the earlier volumes by the eminent
Greek Adamantios Koraes ^ and Kurt Sprengel.
This is a monumental edition, despite the ver-
bosity of the notes, somewhat careless references
and reproduction of the MSS. readings, and an
imperfect comprehension of the compressed
style of Theophrastus, which leads to a good
deal of wild emendation or rewriting of the
text. For the first time we find an attempt at
See Sandys, op. cit. iii. pp. 361 foil.
xiii
Ik
INTRODUCTION
providing a critical text, founded not on the
Aldine edition, but on comparison of the manu-
scripts then known ; the Medicean and Viennese
had been collated a few years before by J. Th.
Schneider. We find also full use made of the
ancient authors, Athenaeus, Plutarch, Pliny,
Dioscorides, Nicander, Galen, etc., who quoted or
adapted passages of Theophrastus, and copious
references, often illuminating, to those who
illustrate him, as Varro, Columella, Palladius,
Aelian, the Geoponica.
Spr. Kurt Sprengel, Halle, 1822. This is not an
edition of the text, but a copious commentary
with German translation. Sprengel was a better
botanist than scholar ; Wimmer speaks dis-
paragingly of his knowledge of Greek and of
the translation. (See note prefixed to the
Index of Plants.)
W. Fr. Wimmer: (1) An edition with introduction,
analysis, critical notes, and Sprengel's identi-
fications of the plant-names ; Breslau, 1842.
(2) A further revised text with new Latin
translation, apparatus criticus, and full indices ;
the Index Plantarum gives the identifications of
Sprengel and Fraas ; Didot Library, Paris, n.d.
(3) A repi'int of this text in Teubner's series,
1854.
These three books are an indispensable supplement
to Schneider's great work. The notes in the edition of
INTRODUCTION
1842 are in the main critical, but the editor's remarks
on the interpretation of thorny passages are often
extremely acute, and always worth attention. The
mass of material collected by Schneider is put into
an accessible form. Wimmer is far more conservative
in textual criticism than Schneider, and has a better
appreciation of Theophrastus' elliptical and some-
what peculiar idiom, though some of his emendations
appear to rest on little basis. A collation of the
Paris MSS. (P and P,) was made for Wimmer; for
the readings of U and M he relied on Schneider,
who, in his fifth volume, had compared U with
Bodaeus' edition. A fresh collation of the rather
exiguous manuscript authorities is perhaps required
before anything like a definitive text can be pro-
\ided. Wimmer's Latin translation is not very-
helpful, since it slurs the difficulties : the Didot
edition, in which it appears, is disfigured with
numerous misprints.
(Sandys' History of Classical Scholarship (ii. p. 380)
mentions ti-anslations into Latin and Italian by
Bandini ; of this work 1 know nothing.)
C. Other Commentators
Seal. J. C. Scaliger : Commenlarii et animadversiones on
the TTcpi ^vroji' la-Topia posthumously published
by his son Sylvius at Leyden, 1584. (He also
WTote a commentary on the Trepi atriwr, which
was edited by Robertus Constantinus and pub-
XV
INTRODUCTION
lished at Geneva in 1566.) The most accurate
and brilliant scholar who has contributed to the
elucidation of Theophrastus.
R.Const. Robertus Constantinus (see above). Added
notes of his own, many of them valuable, which
are given with Scaliger's in Bodaeus' edition.
Salm. Salmasius (Claude de Saumaise). Made many
happy corrections of Theophrastus' text in his
Exercitationes Plinianae.
Palm. Jacobus Palmerius (Jacques de Paulmier).
His Exercitationes in optimos auctores Graecos
(Leyden, 1668) contain a certain number of
acute emendations ; Wimmer considers that he
had a good understanding of Theophrastus'
style.
Meurs. Johannes Meursius (Jan de Meurs). Author
of some critical notes on Theophrastus pub-
lished at Leyden in 1640; also of a book on
Crete.
Dalec. Jean Jacques D'Alechamps : the botanist.
Author of Histona plantarum universalis, Lyons,
1587, and editor of Pliny's Natural History.
Mold. J. J. P. Moldenhauer. Author of Tentanien
in Historiam pkmtarum Theophrasti, Hamburg,
1791. This book, which I have not been able
to see and know only from Wimmer's citations,
contains, according to him, very valuable notes
on the extremely difficult Introduction to the
' Historia ' (Book I. chaps, i.-ii.).
INTRODUCTION
II. — Theophrastus' Life and Works
Such information as we possess concerning the
life of Theophrastus comes mainly from Diogenes
Laertius' Lives of the Philosophers, compiled at least
four hundred years after Theophrastus' death ; it is
given therefore here for what it may be worth ;
there is no intrinsic improbability in most of what
Diogenes records.
He was born in 370 b.c. at Eresos in Lesbos ; at
an early age he went to Athens and there became a
pupil of Plato, ^t may be surmised that it Avas from
him that he first learnt the importance of that
principle of classification which runs through all his
extant works, including even the brochure known as
the ' Characters ' (if it is rightly ascribed to him),
and which is ordinarily considered as characteristic
of the teaching of his second master AristotIe7\ But
in Plato's own later speculations classification had a
very imjxtrtant place, since it was by grouping things
in their ' natural kinds ' that, according to his later
metaphysic, men were to arrive at an adumbration
of the ' ideal forms ' of which these kinds are the
phenomenal counterpart, and which constitute the
world of reality. QV'hether Theophrastus gathered
tlie principle of classification from Plato or from his
fellow-pupil Aristotle, it appears in his hands to
have been for the first time systematically applied
the vegetable wor^ Throughout his botanical
xvii
6
t{.
INTRODUCTION
works the constant implied question is ' What is its
difference ? ' , ' What is its essential nature ? ', viz. ' What
are the characteristic features in virtue of which a
plant may be distinguished from other plants, and
which make up its own ' nature ' or essential
character ?
Theophrastus appears to have been only Aristotle's
junior by fifteen years. On Plato's death he became
Aristotle's pupil, but, the difference in age not being
very great, he and his second master appear to have
been on practically equal terms. We are assured
that Aristotle was deeply attached to his friend ;
while as earnest of an equally deep attachment on
the other side Theophrastus took Aristotle's son
under his particular care after his father's death.
Ai-istotle died at the age of sixty-three, leaving to
his favourite pupil his books, including the auto-
graphs of his own works, and his garden in the
grounds of the Lyceum. The first of these bequests,
if the information is correct, is of great historical
importance ; it may well be that we owe to
Theophrastus the publication of some at least of
his master's voluminous works. And as to the
garden it is evident that it was here that the first
systematic botanist made many of the observations
which are i*ecorded in his botanical works. Diogenes
has preserved his will, and there is nothing in the
terms of this interesting document to suggest that
it is not authentic. Of special interest is the
provision made for the maintenance of the garden ;
xviii
INTRODUCTION
it is bequeathed to certain specified friends and to
those who will spend their time with them in learn-
ing and philosophy ; the testator is to be buried
in it without extravagant expense, a custodian is
apjx)inted, and provision is made for the emancipa-
tion of various gardeners, so soon as they have
earned their freedom by long enough service.
According to Diogenes Theophrastus died at the
age of eighty-five. He is made indeed to say in the
probably spurious Preface to the ' Characters ' that he
is writing in his ninety-ninth year; while St. Jerome's
Chronicle asserts that he lived to the age of 107.
Accepting Diogenes' date, we may take it that he
died about 285 b.c. ; it is said that he complained
that *' we die just when we are beginning to live."
His life must indeed have been a remarkably full
and interesting one, when we consider that he
enjoyed the personal friendship of two such men as
Plato and Aristotle, and that he had witnessed the
whole of the careers of Philip and Alexander of
Macedon. To Alexander indeed he was directly
indebted ; the great conqueror had not been for
nothing the pupil of the encyclopaedic Aristotle.
He took with him to the East scientifically trained
observers, the results of whose obser^^ations were at
Tlieophrastus' disposal. Hence it is that his de-
s^criptions of plants are not limited to the flora of
(jreece and the Levant ; to the reports of Alexander's
followers he owed his accounts of such plants as the
( otton-plant, banyan, pepper, cinnamon, myrrh and
6 2
INTRODUCTION
frankincense. It has been a subject of some con-
troversy whence he derived his accounts of plants
whose habitat was nearer home. Kirchner^ in an
able tract, combats the contention of Sprengel that
his observations even of the Greek flora were not
made at first hand. Now at this period the Peri-
patetic School must have been a very important
educational institution ; Diogenes says that under
Theophrastus it immbered two thousand pupils.
Moreover we may fairly assume that Alexander, from
his connexion with Aristotle, was interested in it,
while we are told that at a later time Demetrius
Phalereus assisted it financially. May we not hazard
and guess that a number of the students were ap-
propriately employed in the collection of facts and
observations ? The assumption that a number of
' travelling students ' were so employed Avould at all
events explain certain references in Theophrastus'
botanical works. He says constantly 'The Maced-
onians say,' ' The men of Mount Ida say ' and so
forth. Now it seems hardly probable that he is
quoting from written treatises by Macedonian or
Idaean writers. It is at least a plausible suggestion
that in such references he is referring to reports of
the districts in question contributed by students
of the school. In that case ' The Macedonians say '
would mean ' This is what our representative was
told in Macedonia.' It is further noticeable that
the tense used is sometimes past, e.g. ' The men of
Mount Ida said ' ; an obvious explanation of this is
INTRODUCTION
supplied by the above conjecture. It is even possible
that in one place (3. 12. i.) the name of one of these
students has been preserved.
Theophrastus, like his master, was a very volu-
mmous writer; Diogenes gives a list of 227 treatises
from his pen, covering most topics of human interest,
as Religion, Politics, Ethics, Education, Rhetoric,
Mathematics, Astronomy, Logic, Meteorology and
other natural sciences. His oratorical works enjoyed
a high reputation in antiquity. Diogenes attributes
to him ten works on Rhetoric, of which one On Style
was known to Cicero, who adopted from it the
classification of styles into the ' grand,' the ' plain,'
and the ' intermediate.' ^ Of one or two other lost
works we have some knowledge. Thus the substance
of an essay on Piety is preserved in Porphyry de
Abstinentia.^ The principal works still extant are
the nine books of the Enquiry into Plants, and the
six books on the Causes of Plants ; these seem to be
complete. We have also considerable fragments of
treatises entitled : — of Sense-perception and objects
of Sense, of Stones, of Fire, of Odours, of Winds, of
W^eather-Signs, of Weariness, of Dizziness, of Sweat,
Metaphysics, besides a number of unassigned excerpts.
The style of these works, as of the botanical books,
suggests that, as in the case of Aristotle, what we
jjossess consists of notes for lectures or notes taken
of lectures. There is no literary charm ; the sen-
1 Sandys, i. p. 99.
' Bemays, Theophrastus, 1866.
INTRODUCTION
tences are mostly compressed and highly elliptical,
to the point sometimes of obscurity. It follows that
translation, as with Aristotle, must be to some extent
paraphrase. The thirty sketches of ' Characters '
ascribed to Theophrastus, which have found many
imitators, and which are well known in this country
through Sir R. Jebb's brilliant translation, stand on
a quite different footing ; the object of this curious
and amusing work is discussed in Sir R. Jebb's
Introduction and in the more recent edition of
Edmonds and Austen. Well may Aristotle, as we
are assured, have commended his pupil's diligence.
It is said that, when he retired from the headship of
the school, he handed it over to Theophrastus. We
are further told that the latter was once prosecuted
for impiety, but the attack failed ; also that he was
once banished from Athens for a year, it does not
appear under what circumstances. He was con-
sidered an attractive and lively lecturer. Diogenes'
sketch ends with the quotation of some sayings
attributed to him, of which the most noteworthy
are ' Nothing costs us so dear as the waste of time,'
' One had better trust an unbridled horse than
an undigested harangue.' He was followed to
his grave, which we may hope was, in accordance
with his own wish, in some peaceful corner of the
Lyceum garden, by a great assemblage of his fellow
townsmen.
INTRODUCTION
The principal references in the notes are to the
following ancient authors : —
ApoUonius, Historia Mi^acidorum.
Aristotle. Bekker, Berlin, 1831.
Arrian. Hercher (Teubner).
Athena«us. Dindorf, Leipzig, 1827.
Columella, de re nistica. Schneider, Leipzig, 1794.
Diodorus.
Pedanius Dioscurides, de materia medica. Well-
mann, Berlin, 1907.
Geoponica. Beckh (Teubner), 1895.
Nicander, Theriaca. Schneider, Leipzig, 1816.
Palladius, de re rustica. Schneider, Leipzig, 1795.
Pausanias. Schubart (Teubner), Leipzig, 1881.
Plinius, NaturaUs Historia. Ma3hoff (Teubner),
1887. (Reference by book and section.)
Plutarch. Hercher (Teubner), Leipzig, 1872.
Scylax, Periplui. Vossius, Amsterdam, 1639.
CONTENTS
PAOE
PREFACE V
[N'TRODUCTIOy
BOOK I
OF THE PARTS OF PLANTS AXD THEIR COMPOSITION".
OF CLASSIFICATION
Introductory : How plants are to be classified ; ditfieulty
of defining what are the essential ' parts ' of a plant,
especially if plants are assumed to correspond to
animals 3
The essential parts of plants, and the materials of which
they are made 9
Definitions of the various classes into which plants may
be divided 23
Exact classification impracticable : other possible bases
of classification 27
Dififerences as to appearance and habitat 29
Characteristic difi'erences in the parts of plants, whether
general, special, or seen in qualities and properties 33
Differences as to qualities and properties 37
Further 'special' differences 39
IMfferences in root 41
Of trees (principally) and their characteristic special
differences : as to knots 55
As to habit 61
As to shedding of leaves 63
Differences in leaves 69
Composition of the various parts of a plant 77
Differences in seeds 79
XXV
CONTENTS
PAGE
Differences in taste 85
Differences in flowers 89
Differences in fruits 97
General differences (affecting the whole plant) .... 99
BOOK II
OF PROPAGATION, ESPECIALLY OF TREES
Of the ways in which trees and plants originate. In-
stances of degeneration from seed 105
Effects of situation, climate, tendance 115
Of spontaneous changes in the character of trees, and
of certain marvels 119
Of spontaneous and other changes in other plants . . . 123
Of methods of propagation, with notes on cultivation . 127
Of the propagation of the date-palm ; of palms in
general • 133
Further notes on the propagation of trees 145
Of the cultivation of trees 145
Of remedies for tlie shedding of the fruit : caprification 151
BOOK III
OF WILD TREES
Of the ways in which wild trees originate 159
Of tlie differences between wild and cultivated trees . 165
Of mountain trees : of the differences found in wild trees 171
Of the times of budding and fruiting of M'ild, as com-
pared with cultivated, trees 179
Of the seasons of budding 185
Of the comparative rate of growth in trees, and of the
length of their roots 191
Of the effects of cutting down the whole or part of a tree 197
Of other things borne by trees besides their leaves
flowers and fruit 199
Of * male ' and ' female ' in trees : the oak as an example
of this and other differences 203
xxvi
CONTENTS
PAGE
Of the differences in firs 211
Of beech, yew, hop-hornbeam, lime 221
Of maple and ash 227
Of cornelian cherry, cornel, 'cedars,' medlar, thorns,
sorb . . . . ' 233
Of bird-cherry, elder, willow • . 243
Of elm, poplars, alder, [semyda, bladder-senna] .... 249
Of filbert, terebinth, box, krataigos 253
Of certain other oaks, arbutus, andrachne, wig-tree . . 259
Of cork-oak, Icobitta, koloitia, and of certain other
trees peculiar to particular localities 265
Of the differences in various shrubs— buckthorn, withy,
Christ's thoni, bramble, sumach, ivy, smilax,
[spindle- tree] 269
BOOK IV
OF THE TREES AND PLANTS SPECIAL TO PAKTICCLAR
DISTRICTS AND POSITIONS
Of the importance of position and climate 287
Of the trees special to Egj'pt, and of the carob .... 291
Of the trees and shrubs special to Libya 303
Of the trees and herbs special to Asia 309
Of the plants special to northern regions 323
Ctf the aquatic plants of the Mediterranean 329
Of the aquatic plants of the 'outer sea' {i.e. Atlantic,
Persian (iulf , etc. ) 337
Of the plants of rivers, marshes, and lakes, especially
in Egypt 345
C>f the plants peculiar to the lake of Orchomenos (Lake
Copals), especially its reeds, and of reeds in general 361
Of rushes 379
Of the length or shortness of the life of plants, and the
causes 383
Of diseases and injuries done by weather conditions . . 391
Of the effects on trees of removing bark, head, heart-
wood, roots, etc. ; of various causes of death . . . 405
xxvii
CONTENTS
BOOK V
OF THE TIMBER OF VARIOUS TREES AND ITS USES
PAGE
Of the seasons of cutting 417
Of the wood of silver-fir and fir 421
Of the effects on timber of climate 427
Of knots and ' coiling ' in timber 429
Of differences in the texture of different woods .... 431
Of diff'erences in timber as to hardness and heaviness . 4.39
Of diff'erences in the keeping quality of timber .... 441
Which kinds of wood are easy and which hard to work.
Of the core and its eff'ects 445
Which woods can best support weight 451
Of the woods best suited for the carpenter's various
purposes
453
Of the woods used in ship-building 455
Of the woods used in house-building 459
Of the uses of the wood of particular trees 459
Of the localities in which the best timber grows . . 463
Of the uses of various woods in making fire : charcoal,
fuel, fire-sticks 467
THEOPHRASTUS
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS
BOOK I
eEO<I>PA2TOY
HEPI OrmN ISTOPIAS
I. T(ov (f>VTa)V TU'i Bia(f)opa<; koX rrjv aXkrjv
<j)va-iv XrjTTTeov Kara re ra fieprj koX ra irddr) /cal
ra(; y€V€crei<i Kot tov<; ySiow ■i]dr] yap koX 7rpd^€i<i
ovK €-)(ovai,v wairep ra ^coa. elal S' al fiev Kara
Trjv yevecnv Kal ra TrdOr) Kal tou9 ^iOv<i evOewprj-
Torepai Kal paov<i, al he Kara ra /xe'/j?; TrXeiou?
e-)(ovat rroLKiXia^. avro yap rovro irpoirov ov^
lKav(o<; d(f)(opiaTat ra iroia Sel fieprj Kal fir] jxeprj
KaXelv, dW e^et Tiva diropiav.
2 To piev ovv fxepo<; are eK rr}^ ISia'i <^vcreo)<; ov del
BoKel Siafieveiv rj aTrXw? •;7 orav yevrjrai, KaOdrrep
iv rot<i ^(ooi<i ra varepov yevrjaop^eva, irXrjv ei ri
^ TO, ins. Sch., om. Ald.H.
^ irddr], a more general word than Swdfifis, 'virtues':
cf. 1. 5. 4 ; 8. 4. 2 ; it seems to mean here something like
' behaviour,' in relation to environment. Instances of wdOri
are given 4. 2. 11 ; 4. 14. 6.
3 fXovffi conj. H.; €x<"'<'^«' W. with Aid.
r
IF^Of thk Parts of Plants and their Ck)MPOSiTio>-.
Of Classificatios.
THEOPHRASTUS
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS
BOOK I
Introductory: How plants are to he classified; difficulty
of defining ivhat are the essential ^parts' of a plant
especially if plants are assumed to correspond to animals.
I. In considering the distinctive characters of
plants and their nature generally one must take
into account their ^ parts, their qualities,^ the
ways in which their life originates, and the course
which it follows in each case : (conduct and actixities
we do not find in them, as we do in animals). Now
the differences in the way in which their life origin-
ates, in their qualities and in their life-history are com-
paratively easy to observe and are simpler, while
those shewn ^ in their ' parts ' present more com-
plexity. Indeed it has not even been satisfactorily
determined what ought and what ought not to be
called 'parts,' and some difficulty is involved in
making the distinction.
Now it appears that by a ' part,' seeing that it is
something which belongs to the plant's characteristic
nature, we mean something which is permanent either
absolutely or when once it has appeared (like those
|iarts of animals which remain for a time undeveloped)
THEOPHRASTUS
Sia voaov r) yrjpa^ r) 7n]pa>aiv airo^aXKeraL. twv
8' iv TOi<; ^fTOi? evia roiavr ecrTtv &crr' eTrereiov
e'xeLV Tr)v ovaiav, olov dv6o<; ^pvov (jivWop
Kap'TTO'i, d7r\c!)<i oa-q, irpo roiv Kupiroiv 7) afia
ytverai rol<; Kapirol^' ere Be avTOf 6 /SXatrro?*
alel yap iiric^vaiv Xafi^dvei to. hevhpa Kar
iviavrov 6fioi(o^ ev re Tol<i dvco koX iv Toi<i irepl
rd<i pl^a<i' cocTTC, el [lev rt? ravra Oijcrei p-eprj, ro
T€ irXrjdo'i d6pi(TT0v earai xal ovSeirore to avro
T(t)v fiopicov' el S' av /xr) fiepyj, crv/j,^7]creTai, St' mv
reketa ylveraL Koi (paiverai, ravra /xrj elvai ixepyy
^aardvovra yap koI OdWovra koI Kapirov
€'X,ovra irdvra KaWico koI reXeiorepa koI BoKel
Kal eariv. al fiev ovv drropiai, a'xehov elcnv
avrai.
Td^^a Be ov')( ofiolcot; diravra ^Tjrrjreov oijre
iv Tot<? aA,Xoi9 ov0^ 6 era 7r/309 rrjv yevecnv,
avrd re rd yevv(i>fieva /neprj dereov olov rov'i
Kap7rov<i. ovBe yap rd e/n^pva rwv ^docov. el
Be iv rfi wpa oyfrei rovro ye KaXKiarov,
^ i.e. the male inflorescence of some trees ; tlie term is
of course wider than ' catkin.'
* i.e. flower, catkin, leaf, fruit, shoot.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. i. z-^
— pennanent, that is, unless it be lost by disease, age
or mutilation. However some of the parts of plants
are such that their existence is limited to a year, for
instance, flower, ' catkin,' ^ leaf, fruit, in fact all
those parts which are antecedent to the fruit or else
apf>ear along with it. Also the new shoot itself must
be included \^■ith these ; for trees always make fresh
growth everj' year alike in the parts above ground
and in those which pertain to the roots. So that if
one sets these ^ down as ' parts,' the number of parts
vdll be indeterminate and constantly changing ;
if on the other hand these are not to be called
' parts,' the result will be that things which are
essential if the plant is to reach its perfection, and
which are its conspicuous features, are nevertheless
not ' parts ' ; for any plant always appears to be, as
indeed it is, more comely and more perfect when it
makes new growth, blooms, and bears fruit. Such,
we may say, are the difficulties involved in defining
a 'part.'
But perhaps we should not expect to find in
plants a complete correspondence with animals
in regard to those things which concern repro-
duction any more than in other respects ; and so
we should reckon as ' ]iarts ' even those things
to which the plant gives birth, for instance their
fruits, although ^ we do not so reckon the unborn
young of animals. (However, if such ^ a product seems
fairest to the eye, because the plant is tlien in its
prime, we can draw no inference from this in
3 ohZt yap : ovSi seems to mean no more than oh (c/. neque
enim = non tnim) ; yap refers back to the beginning of the §.
* fv Tjj Sipa oiJ/e( T>jvr6 y^ I conj. ; rp 5po o'^fi r6 ye vulg.
W. ; TovTo, i.e. flower or fruit.
THEOPHRASTUS
ovSev arj^elov, eirel koI rcov ^cocov evOevel ra
Kvovra.
TloWa he koI ra fiepr] kut eviavrov avo-
^dWei, Kadairep oi re €\a(jioi ra Kepara Kai
ra (f)(/)\€vovra ra Trrepa Koi rplx"^^ TerpaTToBa-
axTT ovSev aroirov aXXo)<; re koL 6p,oiov ov rm
(f)vW0^0\€LV TO TTOlOo^.
'^aavrco<i K ovSe ra irpo'S rrjv <^eveaiv' iirel Kal
iv rol<i ^(ooc<; ra fiev avveKriKrerai ra S' arro-
Kadaiperai Kaddirep aWorpia t?)? cf>v(xea)<;. eoiKe
Be TrapaTrX-tjaiox; Kal ra rrepl rr)v ^Xdarrjaiv
ex^iv. r) 'yap rot /3\da-r7}(n<; yeveaecof Xf^piv earl
rrj^ re\eia^.
"0X0)9 he KaOdrrep eliTOfiev ovhe irdvra
op,oi(t)<i Kal eirl rwv ^docov XrjTrreov. hi o Kal 6
dpL6p.o<i dopiaro^' rravraxv J^P ^aarrjriKov
are Kal iravraxq ^o)V. cocrre ravra jxev ovrw^
VTToXrjTrreov ov fiovov el<i ra vvv dWa Kac roiv
fieWovrcov xApiv ocra yap /ir) olov re d(f)o-
fioiovv Trepiepyov to 7Xt%ecr^at 7rdvr<o<;, iva /nrj
Kal rrjv oiKeiav diro^dXKwixev decopiav. rj he
laropia rSiv <^vrS)v eanv 0)9 dTr\Si<; elirelv 17 Kara
1 fvBfvfi conj. Sch., evOfTii UMVAld. i.e. we do not
argue from the fact that animals are at their handsomest
in the breeding season that the young is therefore ' part ' of
the animal.
2 Lit. ' which are in holes,' in allusion to the well-known
belief that animals (especially birds) which are out of sight
in the winter are hiding in holes ; the text is supported by
[Arist.] de plantis 1. 3, the author of which had evidently
read this passage ; but possibly some such words as raj re
(^oAiSos /coi have dropped out after (puKivovra.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. i. 3-4
support of our argument, since even among animals
those that are with young are at their best.^)
Again many plants shed their parts every year,
even as stags shed their horns/ birds which hiber-
nate 2 their feathers, four-footed beasts their hair :
so that it is not strange that the parts of plants
should not be permanent, especially as what thus
occurs in animals and the shedding of leaves in
plants are analogous processes.
In like manner the parts concerned with repro-
duction are not permanent in plants ; for even
in animals there are things which are separated
from the parent when the young is born, and
there are other things-^ which are cleansed away,
as though neither of these belonged to the animal's
essential nature. And so too it appears to be with
the growth of plants ; for of course groA\i:h leads up
to reproduction as the completion of the process.*
And in general, as we have said, we must not assume
that in all respects there is complete correspondence
between plants and animals. And that is why the
number also of parts is indeterminate ; for a plant has
the power of groA^-th in all its parts, inasmuch as it
has life in all its parts. Wherefore we should assume
the truth to be as I have said, not only in regard to
the matters now before us, but in view also of those
which will come before us presently ; for it is waste
of time to take great pains to make comparisons
where that is impossible, and in so doing we may
lose sight also of our proper subject of enquiry.
The enquiry into plants, to put it generally, may
* i.e. the embryo is not the only thing derived from the
parent animal which is not a 'part' of it ; there is also the
food-supply produced with the young, and the after-birth.
*cf.C.P. 1. 11.8.
. THEOPHRASTUS
ra e^o) /jbopia koI ttjv oXrjv [xopf^rjv r) Kara to,
ivT6<;, axTTrep eVt tmv ^comv to, e/c tmv avaro/xcov.
5 ArjTTTeov S' iv avTOt<; iroid re iracnv vTrdp^ei
ravrd koX irdia cSia Kud* eKaarov <yevo<i, en 8e
TOiV avTOiv TTola ofioia' \eyco S olov <f}vX\ov pL^a
<}>\oi6<i. ov Sel Se ovSe tovto XavOdveiv et ri kut
dvaXoylav decoprjreov, Mcnrep iirl tcov ^cocov, rrjV
dva(f)opap 7rotovfMevov<i BrjXov on Trpo^ ra ifi-
<f)€pearaTa koI TeXeiorara. koX aTrXw? he oaa
t5)V ev (f)VT0l<i d<]>0/J,OL(OT€OV T& ev T0t9 ^(O0l<i, &)?
dv Tt9 T&i 7' dvdXoyov d^ofioioi. raina /jLcv ovv
hioopicrOai rov rpoirov rovrov.
6 At he Twv fiepcov 8ta(f>opal cr^eSov ci)9 tutto)
Xa^eZv elcnv ev rpiaiv, rj rat rd fiev e%eti'
TO. he firj, KaOdrrep ^vXXa koI Kapirov, rj ra
fjLT} ofxoia fxrjSe icra, rj rplrov rm fir) o/iot(»9.
rovrfou he rj jxev dvofioiorr]^ opi^erai a^VH'^'^''
Xpd>fian TTVKPorTjn /juavonjn rpaxvrrjn Xecorrjn
Kol TOt<? dXXoL<i irddeaiv, en he oaat hia(popal
rojv ^(yXoiV. rj he dviaorrjt; inrepo'Xrj kov eXXel-^et
Kara TrXrjOo'i rj /neyedo'?. tw? S' elTrelv rvirw
^ A very obscure sentence ; so W. renders the MSS. text.
^ i.e. 'inequality' might include ' unlikeness.'
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. i. 4-6
either take account of the external parts and the
form of the plant generally, or else of their internal
parts : the latter method corresfKjnds to the study of
animals by dissection.
Further we must consider which parts belong to
all plants alike, which are peculiar to some one
kind, and which of those which belong to all alike
are themselves alike in all cases ; for instance, leaves
roots bark. And again, if in some cases analogy
ought to be considered (for instance, an analogy
presented by animals), we must keep this also iu
view ; and in that case we must of course make the
closest resemblances and the most perfectly de-
veloped examples our standard ; ^ and, finally, the
ways in which the parts of plants are affected must be
compared to the corresponding effects in the case of
animals, so far as one can in any given case find an
analogy for comparison. So let these definitions
stand.
The egsentiai parts of plants^ and the materials of which
they are made.
Now the differences in regard to parts, to take
a general view, are of three kinds : either one plant
may possess them and anotlier not (for instance,
leaves and fruit), or Ld one plant they may be unlike
in appearance or size to those of another, or, thirdly,
they may be differently arranged. Now the unlike-
ness between them is seen in form, colour, closeness of
aiTangement or its opposite, roughness or its opposite,
and the other qualities ; and agaiu there are the
various differences of flavour. The inequality is seen
ir excess or defect as to number or size, or, to speak
gt,'nerally, -all the above-mentioned differences too
THEOPHRASTUS
KcLKelva iravra kuO^ virepoxvv koI eWei'^friv to
7 yap ixaXkov koI rjTrov VTrepo')(r] koX eXkei'^L'i' to
he firj 6fiOiO}<; Tjj diaet Sia^epet' Xeyoo 8' olov to
Tov<i KapTTOv<; TO, fiev eirdvw to, 8' inroKara) tmv
<f)vW(t)v e%6ty Kol avTOV tov SevSpov to, fiev i^
aKpov TO, 5e i/c tmv TrXajicov, evia he koI ck tov
<TTe\e')(pv<i, olov rj AlyvTrTLU crvKdfiivo<i, Kol oaa hrj
Kal VTTO yrjf; (ftepei Kapirov, olov r) re dpa'X^ihva kuv
TO ev AljuTTTq) KaXovfxevov oviyyov, Kal el ra fiev
€')(ei fiiax*^^ "^^ he /ji)j. Kal eVt twv avdecov ofioLQ)<}'
TO, fjbev ydp irepl avTov tov Kapirov Ta he aWax;.
6X(o<; he to t% 0ecr€(o<i ev tovtoc^ Kal Tol^i (f)vWot<i
Kal ev Tol<i ySXacTTOt? XrjTTTeov.
8 Aia(f)epec he evia Kal Ty Ta^ei- to, puev &)?
eTvxe, Trj<i 8' eXaxT;? ol kXcovc^ kot dXKriXov^
eKaTepwOev tmv he Kal ol o^oi St' ccrov re Kal
KaT dpidfiov t(Toi, KaOdirep tmv Tpio^cov.
"0(7X6 TO,^ fxev hia(f)opd'i eK tovtcov XrjTTTeov e^
o)v Kal 7) 6\r] /jiop<f)r) avvhrjXovTai Kad^ eKacTTOV.
9 Aura he to, fiepr] hiapid/Mrjaa/xevov^ TreipaTeov
irepl eKacTTOV Xeyeiv. ecrTt he vr/jcora fiev Kal
fxeytcTTa Kal kolvcl tmv irXe'KXTWv Tohe, pi^a
KavXb<; aKpeficbv KXdho<;, eh a hieXoiT av Tif
' rf. C.P. 5. 1. 9.
2 cf. 1. 6. 11. T. extends the term Kapit6s so as to
include any succulent edible part of a plant.
» T. does not consider that Kaptcos was necessarily ante-
ceded by a flower.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. i. 6-9
are included under excess and^defect : for the ' more '
md the ' less ' are the same thing as excess and
defect, whereas ' differently arranged ' implies a
difference of position ; for instance, the fruit may
be above or below the leaves,' and, as to position on
the tree itself, the fruit ma\' grow on the apex of it
3r on the side brandies, and in some cases even on
the trunk, as in the sycamore ; while some plants
igain even bear their fruit underground, for in-
stance arakhidna ^ and the plant called in Egypt
uingon ; again in some plants the fruit has a stalk, in
;ome it has none. There is a like difference in the
loral organs : in some cases they actually surround
the fruit, in others they are differently placed ^ : in
fact it is in regard to the fruit, the leaves, and the shoots
that the question of position has to be considered.
Or again there are differences as to s}Tnmetry ^ :
in some cases the arrangement is irregular, while the
branches of the silver-fir are arranged opposite one
•mother ; and in some cases the branches are at
ecjual distances apart, and correspond in number, as
where they are in three rows.^
Wherefore the differences between plants must
be observ ed in these particulars, since taken together
they shew forth the general character of each plant.
But, before we attempt to speak about each, we
must make a list of the parts themselves. Now the
primary and most important parts, which are also
common to most, are these — root, stem, branch, twig ;
these are the parts into which we might divide the
plant, regarding them as members,^ corresponding to
* Plin. 16. 122. 5 i.e. ternate.
' i.e. if we wished to make an anatomical division. fjifXrj
Boaj. Sch. cf. 1. 2. 7 ; nfpv Aid.
Ik
THEOPHIIASTUS
atairep eh fiiXr], KaOaTrep eVi tmv ^axov. eKacrrov
re yap avopLOiov koX i^ airdvTOiv Tovroiv ra 6\a.
"Ea-Tt Se pil^a fiev Bl' ov rrjv Tpo^rjv eTrd'yerai.,
Kav\b<i Se 619 (fieperai. KavXov he Xejco to virep
yrj'i 7r6(fiVK0<i e'^' ev' rovro <yap kolvotutov 6fiol(o<;
e7reT€L0i<i koI 'x^povloK, o eVl rcov hevhpcov
KoXeiTai (TTe\e')(^o<i' aKpepiovaf; he tov<; inro
rovrov a')(i^ofievov'i, ov<i evioL KoXovcriv o^ov^.
Kkdhov he TO ^\d(TT7)fMa to eK tovtcov e'^' ev, olov
fidXtcTTa TO i'TTeTeiov.
Kat ravTa jxev oiKeioTepa tmv hivhpcov.
10 6 he KavXo'i, Mcnrep eiprjTai, KoivoTepa' e-^^ei
he ov irdvTa ovhe tovtov, olov evia tmv ttolw-
hSiv. TO, 8' e%6i /tiey ovk del he aXX' eTrereiov,
Koi OCT a ')(povid>Tepa Tai<; pl^at<;. oXw? he
7ro\v'X,ovv TO ipVTOv Kol TTOLKiKov Kol ')(a\eTrov
elirecv KaOoXov arj/xelov he to fiy/hev elvai Kotvov
Xa^elv o Trdcriv vTrdpxei, /caddirep rot? ^(ooc<;
11 (TTOfia Kol KotXia. to, he dvakoyla TuvTa to, h'
dWov TpoTTOv. ovTe <ydp pi^av irdvT e%et ovTe Kav-
Xov ovTe uKpe/xova ovt€ KX-dhov ovTe (f>vWov ovt€
dv9o<i ovTe KapiTOV out av (p<,oibv rj firJTpav tj lva<i rj
(f)\e^a<i, olov p,VKr)<; vhvov ev TovTOi<i he rj ovaia
Kal ev TOt<i TOiovTOi^' dWa puaXicTTa TavTa
^ i.e. before it begins to divide. ^ Qr ' knots.'
s e*' conj. W.; v<p' P2l'3Ald.
"* xpoviiirepa conj. Sell.; xP'"'"^'''€poj' Ald.H.
° ava^oyta conj. Sell. ; avaAoyia UAld. H.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. i. 9-11
the members of animals : for eacli of these is distinct
in character from the rest, and together they make
up the whole.
The root is that by which the plant draws its
nourishment, the stem that to which it is con-
ducted. And by the ' stem ' I mean that part
which grows above ground and is single ^ ; for that
is the part which occurs most generally both in
amiuals and in long-lived plants ; and in the case
of trees it is called the 'trunk.' By 'branches'
I mean the parts which split off from the stem and
are called by some 'boughs.'- By 'twig' I mean
the growth which springs from the branch regarded
as a single whole,^ and especially such an annual
growth.
Now these parts belong more particularly to
tfees. The stem however, as has been said, is more
general, though not all plants possess even this,
for instance, some herbaceous plants are stemless ;
others again have it, not permanently, but as an
annual growth, including some whose roots live bevond
tlie year.* In fact your plant is a thing various and
manifold, and so it is difficult to describe in general
terms : in proof whereof we have the fact that we
cinnot here seize on any universal character which
is common to all, as a mouth and a stomach are com-
mon to all animals ; whereas in plants some characters
are the same in all, merely in the sense that all
have analogous ^ characters, while others correspond
otherwise. For not all plants have root, stem, branch,
t-vig, leaf, flower or fruit, or again bark, core, fibres
or veins ; for instance, fungi and truffles ; and yet
these and such like characters belong to a plant's
essential nature. However, as has been said, these
13
THEOPHRASTUS
vTrdp'X^et, KaOdirep ecprjTai, Tol<i SevSpoL^; KUKeivcav
olK€i6Tepo<; 6 p,epi,a/x6<i- tt/jo? a koX rrjv dva<f)opcLv
TMV dWwv TTotelcrOat Slkulov.
12 2%68oi/ Be /cal T<z? aX\a<; fjbop^a<i eKaarwv
ravra Siaarj/uLatvei. Bta<p€povai yap TrXrjOei tc3
TOVrtOV Kol oXlJOTrjTl. KOl TTVKVOTTJTl Kol fXaVO-
rrjTi KOi TO) 60' €V rj et? TrXeteo o-)(i^€(r6ai Kol
T0t9 aXX,oL<i T0t9 6/j,0L0i<;. eart Be k'/caarov t5>v
elprjfievcov ovx 6fioio/j,€p€<i' Xiyo) Be ovx ofioio-
fiep€<i OTt eK Tcov avTMv fxev oriovv fi€po<i crvy-
Keirat t?}? pt^^?9 koI rov crreXep^of?, aW' ov
Xeyerat (ne\e')(0'i to Xrjijjdev dXka fiopiov, to?
iv Tot9 T(t)v ^(o(ov jxeXeaiv eartv. eV rwv avTcov fiev
yap OTiovv t% KV')]firi<; rj tov dyKcovo<i, ovx
6/x(ovvfiov Be Kaddirep aap^ Kal oarovv, dXX''
dvdovvfiov ovBe Br) tmv dXXcov ovBevb<i oaa jjlovo-
eiBrj tS)v opyaviKwv dirdvTOiv yap twv roiovrwv
dvcovvfia rd fiepr]. rcbv Be ttoXvslBwv oyvofMacrfieva
KaOdirep ttoBo'? x^eipo'i /ce(f>aX't]<i, olov BdKTvXo^
pU 6<f)daX/M6<i. Kal rd /lev /xeyiara jxepri a^^Bov
ravrd eariv.
II. "AXXa Be i^ o)v rav'ra (f)Xotb<; ^vXov fiiJTpa,
oaa e%e4 ixrjTpav. Trdvra 5' ofioiofiepr}. xal rd
Tovrwv Be en irporepa Kal e^ mv ravra, vypov t?
1 There is no exact English equivalent for bfxoioixepes,
which denotes a whole composed of parts, each of which is,
as it were, a miniature of the whole, cf. Arist. H.A. 1. 1.
2 i.e. any part taken of flesh or bone may be called
' flesh' or ' bone.'
3 e.g. bark ; cf.\. 2. 1. * e.g. fruit.
14
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. i. ii-ii. i
characters belong especially to trees, and our
classification of characters belongs more particularly
to these ; and it is right to make these the standard
in treating of the others.
Trees moreover shew forth fairly well the other
features also which distinguish plants; for they exhibit
differences in the number or fewness of these which
they possess, as to the closeness or openness of their
growth, as to their being single or divided, and in
other like respects. Moreover each of the characters
mentioned is not '^composed of like parts ' ^ ; by
which I mean that though any given part of the root
or trunk is composed of the same elements as the
v/hole, yet the part so taken is not itself called
'trunk,' but "^a portion of a trunk.' The case is the
same with the members of an animal's body; to
wit, any part of the leg or arm is composed of the
same elements as the whole, yet it does not bear the
same name (as it does in the case of Hesh or bone ~) ;
it has no special name. Nor again have subdivisions
of any of those other organic parts^ which are uniform
special names, subdivisions of all such being nameless.
But the subdivisions of those parts * which are
compound have names, as have those of the foot,
hand, and head, for instance, toe, finger, nose or eye.
Such then are the largest ^ parts of the plant.
II. Again there are the things of which such parts
are com]M)sed, namely bark, wood, and core (in the
case of those plants which have it <^), and these are
all ' composed of like jmrts.' Further there are
the things which are even prior to these, from which
* i.e the ' compound' parts.
^ ^v\ov nirpa conj. W. from G. n.T]Tpa ^v\oy MSS. ;
l'j\ou, gffa conj. W. ; liiAa, rj otra Ald.H.
^5
THEOPHRASTUS
(f)\e-\Jr adp^- ap)(al yap avTur irXrjv et Tf9 \eyoi
ra? Twp (TroL')(ei(i}v hwdfieLq, avrat Se KOival irdv-
Tcov. rj jxev ovv ovata koI tj oXrj (f)V(Ti<i iv rovTOtf.
"AWa S' eurlv axnrep eTrireta fieprj rd irpb^
rr)v KapiroTOKiav, olov (f>vXkov dvdo<i /itcr^o?*
rovro S' iarlv c5 avvTjprrjTac Trpo? to (pvrbv rb
(jivWov Kol 6 Kapiro'i' en Se [eXt^] ^pvov, oh
virdpxet, fcal eirl irdai aTrepixa rb rov Kapirov'
Kapirb^ S' ecTTt to a-vyKeifxevov airepixa fxerd rov
TrepiKapnlov. irapd he ravra evicov tBia drra,
Kaddrrep rj Kr)Kl<; Bpub<; Koi rj eki^ d/j,7re\ov.
2 Kal rot^ fiev hevhpeaiv ecrrtv ovrco'i StaXa^elv.
roL<i S" eTTereioi'; SrjXov &)? dtravra eTrereia'
fxexpt yctp T(bv Kap-rrSiv r] (pvaa. ocra Brj eVereto-
Kapira kol ocra hieri^ei, Kaddirep aeXivov Kal aW'
drra, Kal oaa Se TrXelco j^povov e%ef, rovTOi<i
diracn Kal 6 Kav\b<; aKoXovOijcrei Kara Xoyov
orav yap a7repp,o(popetv /u,eWQ)cn, rore eKKavXov-
(TLv, 609 €V€Ka rov a7repfiaro<; ovrcov rSiv KavX&v.
Tavra fxev ovv ravry Birjpr]aOa). rSiV Be dpri
elprjfxevcov fiepcov Treipareov eKaarov elirelv rl
eanv to? iv rinrw Xeyovra<;.
8 To /u,ev ovv vypbv (ftavepov o Brj KoXovcri riv€<i
a7rXw9 ev diraaiv oirov, wairep Kal M.evearQ)p, ol
^ ohaia conj. Sch. (but he retracted it) ; ffwovtria MSS. (?)
Aid.
'^ This definition is quoted by Hesych. s.v. yutVxos.
^ ? cm. e'Ai|, which is mentioned below.
^ rh ffvyKiifievov ffvep/na, lit. 'the compound seed,' i.e. as
many seeds as are contained in one irepiKapiriov.
i6 .
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. ii. 13
they are derived — sap, fibre, veins, flesh : for these
are elementary substances — unless one should prefer
to call them the active principles of the elements ;
and they are common to all the parts of the plant.
Thus the essence ^ and entire material of plants
consist in these.
Again there are other as it were annual parts,
which help towards the production of the fruit, as
leaf, flower, stalk (that is, the part by which the
leaf and the fruit are attached to the plant),'- and
again tendril ,3 ' catkin ' (in those plants that have
them). And in all cases there is the seed which
belongs to the fruit : by ' fruit ' is meant the seed
or seeds,'* together with the seed-vessel. Besides
these there are in some cases jieculiar parts, such
as the gall in the oak, or the tendril in the vine.
In the case of trees we may thus distinguish the
annual parts, while it is plain that in annual plants all
the jiarts are annual : for the end of their being is
attained when the fruit is produced. And with
those plants which bear fruit annually, those which
take two years (such as celerj' and certain others *)
and those which have fruit on them for a longer time
— with all these the stem will corres[X)nd to the
plant's length of life : for plants develop a stem at
whatever time they are about to bear seed, seeing
that the stem exists for the sake of the seed.
Let this suffice for the definition of these parts :
and now we must endeavour to say what each of the
parts just mentioned is, giving a general and typical
description.
The sap is obvious : some call it simply in all cases
•juice,' as does Menestor'' among others : others, in
I\ * cf. 7. 1.2 and .3. ^ A Pvthagorean philosopher of Svbaris.
1
I VOL. I. C
THEOPHRASTUS
S' iv jjiev TOt? aXkoL<i av(ovvfji,a)<; iv 8e tktlv ottov
KoX ev oKXoi'i hcbKpvov. lv€<; Be /cal ^Xe/Se? «a^'
avra fiev avcovufia rfi Be o^iolott^ti, jJieTaXa^^d-
vovcrc TOiv ev TOi'i ^o)oi<i fiopioiv. e^^i 8e tcro)?
Kal aX\.a<; 8ia(f)opa<; koX ravra koI 0X009 to tmv
<^VTOiv jevo'i' TToXv^ovv yap atcnrep elp^Kafiev.
aXX^ eirel Bia tmv yvwpip^wTepcov fieTaSicoKeiv Bel
TO, ayvcopiCTTa, 'yv(opip,(OTepa Be ra fiei^co Kal ifi-
(pavfj rfi alcrdijaei, Br]Xov ore Kaddirep ixf) tjyrjrai
4 jrepl rovTcov XeKreov eirava^opav yap e^Ofjuev
roiv dXXcov 7rpb<; ravra peXP'' '^oaov Kal 7rw9
eKaara p^ere^^i rr]<; op.oiorrjro'i. elXr}p,pevcov Be
roiv (xepSiv [xerd ravra XrjTrreov rd<{ rovrcav
Bia(f)opd<i' ovrco<i yap dp,a Kal 77 ovaia cfyavepd
Kal 77 oXt) rS)v yevoiv 7rpo<i dXXrjXa Bi,d<rracn<i.
'H fiev ovv rwv fieyicrrcov (T'xeBov etprjraf Xeyco
S' olov pL^rj(i KavXov rSiv dXXcov at yap Bwdfjuefi
Kal o)v xdpiv CKaarov varepov prjOijcrovrai. i^
oav yap Kal ravra Kal rd dXXa avyKeirai
TTeipareov elrrelv dp^ap.evov'i diro rS)v Trpclorcov.
Upoora Be ean to vypov Kal 6epp,6v' dirav yap
<^vrov ex^i' rivd vyporrjra Kal Oepfiorrjra ctv/jl-
(pvrov Marrep Kal ^a>ov, a>v viroXeiTTovrayv yiverai
yr)pa<i Kal (fiOtcn<i, reXei(o<i Be vTroXcTrovroov ddva-
5 T09 Kal avavcra. ev fiev ovv rol<i irXeiaroif; dvco-
^ Lit. ' muscles and veins.'
^ i.e. the analogy with animals is probably imperfect, but
is useful so far as it goes.
^ 1. 1. 10. * e.g. the root, as such.
^ e.g. the different forms which roots assume,
18
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. ii. 3-5
the case of some plants give it no special name, while
in some they call it 'juice,' and in others "^gum.'
Fibre and ' veins ' ^ have no special names in relation
to plants, but, because of the resemblance, borrow
the names of the corresponding })arts of animals. - It
may be however that, not only these things, but the
world of plants generally, exhibits also other differ-
ences as compared with animals : for, as we have
said,2 the world of plants is manifold. However,
since it is by the help of the better known that we
must pursue the unknown, and better known are the
things which are larger and plainer to our senses,
it is clear that it is right to speak of these things in
the way indicated : for then in dealing with the
less known things we shall be making these better
known things our standard, and shall ask how far and
in what manner comparison is possible in each case.
And when we have taken the parts,* we must next
take the differences which they exhibit,^ for thus
will their essential nature become plain, and at the
same time the general differences between one kind
of plant and another.
Now the nature of the most important parts has
been indicated already, that is, such parts as the
root, the stem, and the rest : their functions and the
reasons for which each of them exists will be set forth
presently. For we must endeavour to state of what
these, as well as the rest, are composed, starting from
their elementary constituents.
First come moisture and warmth : for everj- plant,
like every animal, has a certain amount of moisture
and warmth which essentially belong to it ; and, if
these fall short, age and decay, while, if they fail
altogether, death and withering ensue. Now in
19
THEOPHRASTUS
vv/xo<; 7] L"yp6ri)<;, ev ivioi<i Se oovofuicrfjievT] KaOdnep
eiprjrai. to aurb Se koI eVt tmv ^(ocov inrdpy^er
fiovTj <yap r/ tmv evaiixwv vypoTrj^i MVo/JLacrrai, Bt
o Kol Strjp^-jTai TT/Jo? TOVTO (nepTjaei' to, iiev <ydp
dvatfxa rd 8' evaifia XiyeTai.. ev ri fiev ovv tovto
TO p,epo<i KoX TO TOVTW avvr]pTrjfj.€vov Oep/Jiov.
"AWa B' r}B7] €T€pa tmv eVro?, d kuO' eavTa ^iv
iaTLV dvcovvfjLa, Bid Be ttjv 6/jiowTrjTa aTreiKa^eTai
Tot9 T(bv ^(ocov fioploi^. exovat ydp axxTrep lva<i'
o ecTTi crvve'xe'i koX cr^tcrTOi' Kol e7rl,fir)Ke<;, dirapa-
^XaaTov Be koL d/SXaaTov. eTC Be (f)\€,8a<i. avTUt
Be Td fiev dXka elalv ofjcoLai Ty ivi, fiei^ovi Be koX
iraxuTepai koI irapa^XdaTa^ exovaai koI vypo-
TtjTa. €Tt ^vXop Kol adp^. Td jxev ydp e%et
adpKa Td Be ^vXov. ecTTL Be to fiev ^vXov o"%tcr-
Tov, r] Be crdp^ TravTi) BiaipeiTai Marrep yrj Kai
oaa yrj<i' fieTa^v Be jiveTat lvb<; Kal ^Xe^o<i'
(f)av€pd Be r) (f)vai,<; avTf]<; ev dX\oi<i re /cal ev rot?
T(ov ireptKapTrifov Bepfiacn. ^Xoio'i Be /cal /xrJTpa
Kvpi(o<i fiev XeycTUi, Bel Be avTd Kal tA Xoya
Btopiaai. (f)Xoib<i fxev ovv eVrt to ea^ciTov Kal
Xoypio-Tbv Tov vTroKeifievov crcofx,aTo<i. fxrjTpa Be
TO fieTa^if TOV ^vXov, Tp'iTOV dirb tov (j)Xoiov olov
ev Tol<; 6aT0t<; fjbveX6<;. KaXovat Be Ttye? toOto
1 irXetoTois cony Mold.; -irpirois Ald.H. ^ 1. 1. 3.
•' a.wap<i0\a(TTov con]. R. Const. ; d7ropa;8ArjTO)' UMVAld.
^ €Ti Si conj. W.; fx"" Aid. ^ Fibre.
^ i.e. can be split in one direction.
'' e.g. an unripe walnut.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. ii. 5-6
most 1 plants the moisture has no special name, but
in some it has such a name, as has been said - : and
this also holds good of animals : for it is only the
moisture of those which have blood which has
received a name ; wherefore we distinguish animals
by the presence or absence of blood, calling some
•animals with blood,' others 'bloodless.' Moisture
then is one essential ' jiart,' and so is warmth, which
is closely connected with it.
There are also other internal characters, which in
themselves have no special name, but, because of
their resemblance, have names analogous to those of
the parts of animals. Thus plants have what
corresponds to muscle ; and this quasi-muscle is
continuous, fissile, long : moreover no other growth
starts from it either branching from the side ^ or
in continuation of it. Again ^ plants have veins :
these in other respects resemble the ' muscle,' ^ but
they are longer and thicker, and have side-growths
and contain moisture. Then there are wood and
flesh : for some plants have flesh, some wood. Wood
is fissile,^ while flesh can be broken up in any
direction, like earth and things made of earth : it is
intermediate between fibre and veins, its nature being
clearly seen especially in the outer covering' of
seed-vessels. Bark and core are properly so called,^
yet they too must be defined. Bark then is the
outside, and is separable from the substance which it
covers. Core is that which forms the middle of the
wood, being third ^ in order from the bark, and
•corresponding to the marrow in bones. Some call this
oart the ' heart,' others call it ' heart-wood ' : some
* i.e. not by analogy with animals, like ' muscle,' ' veins,'
flesh.' 5 Reckoning inclusively.
THEOPHRASTUS
KapStav, 01 S' ivrepicovrjv evioL he to evro<i t^9
fj.7]rpa<i avrr)<i KapSlav, ol Se fiveXov.
To. p.ev ovv fjbopia (y^eZov icm roaavra. cru7-
KCirai he to, varepov e'/c tmv irpoTepcov ^vXov
fiev e^ IvM Kul vypov, koX evia aapKo'i' ^vkovrai
yap (TKXrjpvvofjLevr], olov ev Tol<i cfiOivi^i, koI vdp-
0>]^t Kol et rt dWo eK^vXovrai, Mairep al TOiv
pa(f)aviBo)v pi^ar fxrjrpa Be i^ vypov kol aapKO'i'
(fiXoio^; Se 6 fiev Ti9 eV irdvTwv tS)v Tpcwv, olov 6
T^9 8pvo<i Koi alyeipov koI diriov 6 Se r?}? d/j,-
TTeXov i^ vypov koX lv6<i' 6 8e tov (peWov etc
aapKO'i Koi vypov, irdXiv Be etc rovrcov avvOera
rd idLeyiara koI irpSira prjOevra KadairepaveX
/xiXr], irKi-jV ovk eV rwv avTwv TrdvTa ovBe axrav-
T&)9 dWd Bta(f)op(0<;.
J^iXrj/jbfjievoiV Se vdvrwv tcov fiopUov ct)9 elirelv
Ta9 TOVTCov 8ia(f)opd<i ireLpareov aTroBiSovai koI
Ta9 oXcov TOiV hevBpwv kol (f)VTCov ovcriwi.
III. 'Evret he av/jb^aivet cra(f)eaTepav elvat ttjv
fidarjaiv hiaipovfievcov Kara ethr], Ka\S)<i e%6t
TovTo TToielv i(f)^ &v evhe'x^eTai. Trpcora he ian
Koi fieyiara koi cr%eSoi; v(f oiv Trdvr rj rd
7r\ei(XTa ireptex^rai rdhe, hivhpov dd/jivo<i (f)pv-
yavov TToa.
Aevhpov p,ev ovv ian to diro pi^tj'i P'OVoaTe\e')(e<i
' (ptWov conj. H. ; (pvWov UVP2P3Ald. ; (t>v\\od M.
^ i.e. root, stem, branch, twig : cf. 1. 1. 9.
^ ffaipeffrepav conj. W. ; ffa<p4ffrepov Aid.
* el^t) here = yivri ; (f. 6. 1 . 2. u.
5 vivr' fi conj. Sell, after G ; irivrv UMVAld.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. ii. 6-111. i
again call only the inner part of the core itself
the 'heart,' while others distinguish this as the
' marrow.'
Here then we have a fairly complete list of the
'parts,' and those last named are composed of the first
'parts' ; wood is made of fibre and sap, and in some
cases of flesh also; for the flesh hardens and turns to
wood, for instance in palms ferula and in other
plants in which a turning to wood takes place, as in
the roots of radishes. Core is made of moisture and
flesh : bark in some cases of all three constituents,
as in the oak black poplar and pear ; while the
bark of the vine is made of sap and fibre, and that
of the cork-oak ^ of flesh and sap. Moreover out of
these constituents are made the most important
parts,- those which 1 mentioned first, and which may
be called ' members ' : however not all of them are
made of the same constituents, nor in the same
proportion, but the constituents are combined in
various ways.
Having now, we may say, taken all the parts, we
must endeavour to give the differences between them
and the essential characters of trees and plants taken
as wholes.
Definitions of the various classes into which plants may be
divided.
III. Now since our study becomes more illumin-
ating 3 if we distinguish different kinds,* it is well to
follow this plan where it is possible. The first and
most important classes, those which comprise all
or nearly all * plants, are tree, shrub, under-shrub,
herb.
A tree is a thing wliich springs from the root with
23
THEOPHRASTUS
'TTokvKXahov o^coTov ovK evaiToXvTov, olov iXda
(TVKTj a/i7r€Xo9* Od/j,vo<; Se to avro pl^rf<i ttoXv-
KXaSov, olov ^dro<; iTa\iovpo<;. (fipvyavov 8e to
diro pi^r}<; 7roXvo-Te/V6%e<? koi iroXvKkahov olov
KoX Ovjx^pa KOI Tnjyavov. irba 6e to cltto p'ltpr]'^
(jivXko<p6pov irpolov acrTeXe^e?, ov 6 Kavk6<i airep-
fio(f>6po<;, olov 6 alra koX ra \d')(^ava.
2 Aei he Toy? 6pov<i ovrw<i diroBexeaOat koX Xa/x-
^dveiv o)? TVTTtp Kol errrl to irdv Xeyo/xevov^' evia
yap iaco<; eiraXXdrreiv So^eie, rd 8e Kol irapd ttjv
dycoyrjv dXXoioTepa yiveadai kol iK/3aCveiv ti}?
(pvaeQ)<;, olov fiaXaxv ^e et? i/i/ro? dvayofiivr]
Kol aTToSevSpov/jLevT)' a-vfi/SaLvei yap rovro Kal
OVK iv TToXXft) 'X^povrp aXX' iv e^ rj kind jjbrjcnv,
axTTe /jii]Ko<i Kal 7rd')(o<i Sopariatov ylvecrdai, hi o
Kal ^aKTrjpLai^i avTat<} ')(^p(ovTai, irXeiovo'i he XP^'
vov ytvojxevov Kara Xoyov r) d-Trohoai^' Ofxoiwi
he Kal eirl row revrXtov Kal yap ravra Xa/x^dvei
pbeyedo<i' ei-i he ixdXXov dyvoi Kal o TraXlovpo^
Kai o KiTro<;, wad^ ojxoXoyovixevw^ ravTa ylverat
3 hevcpa' Kat rot Oafxvcohr} ye ecniv. 6 he fivppivof;
jjbh dvaKaO aLpbfxevo'^ eKOapLvovTai Kal r) rjpaKXeo)-
TLKT] Kapva. hoKel he avrrj ye Kal rbv Kaprrov
^eXrico Kal irXeia) (pepeiv idv pd^hov<i Ti? id
^ ediJivos . . . ir-hyavov. W.'s text transposes, without
alteration, the definitions of Bdfivos and (ppvyauov as given
in U. (ppvyavov he rh airh piCris Kal noXvareXex^^ " "' Tro\vK\aSoi'
oTov Bdros iraXiovpos, Aid. So also M, but with a lacuna
marked before (ppvyai'ov and a note that the definition of
Odfxvos is wanting, (ppvyauov Ss rh airh fti^v^ ^al iroKvffreAexes
Kal Tro\vK\aSov oTov Kal ydfJ.$pri Kal irriyavov. Odixvos Se airh l>(Cr}s
woXiKXaSov oTov Bdros traKiovpos U. So also very nearly PiPj.
G gives to edfxvo! (frutex) the definition assigned in U to
(ppvyavov [suffnitex) and the other definition is wanting.
24
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. iii. 1-3
a single stem, having knots and several branches,
and it cannot easily be uprooted ; for instance, olive
fig vine. 'A shrub is a thing which rises from the
root with many branches ; for instance, bramble
Christ's thorn. An under-shrub is a thing which
rises from the root with many stems as well as many
branches ; for instance, savor}' - rue. A herb is a
thing which comes up from the root with its leaves
and has no main stem, and the seed is borne on the
stem ; for instance, corn and pot-herbs.
These definitions however must be taken and
accepted as applying generally and on the whole. For
in the case of some plants it might seem that our de-
finitions overlap ; and some under cultivation appear
to become different and depart from their essential
nature, for instance, mallow ^ when it grows tall and
becomes tree-like. For this comes to pass in no long
time, not more than six or seven months, so that in
length and -thickness the plant becomes as great as a
spear, and men accordingly use it as a walking-stick,
and after a longer period the result of cultivation is
proportionately greater. So too is it with the beets ;
they also increase in stature under cultivation, and so
still more do chaste-tree Christ's thorn ivy, so that,
as is generally admitted, these become trees, and yet
tiiey belong to the class of shrubs. On the other
hand the myrtle, unless it is pruned, turns into a
slirub, and so does filbert * : indeed this last appears
to bear better and more abundant fruit, if one leaves
Kote that W.'s transposition gives koI . . . kuI the proper
fcrce; § 4 shews that the typical (ppvyavov in T.'s view was
- Ovfi^pa conj. W.; ydfi0i>ri MSS. But the first <col being
n eaningless, W. also suggests aiav/xfipioy for icat ■yd.u.&pti.
« cf. Plin. 19. 62. * cf. 3. 15, 1.
25
THEOPHRASTUS
TrX-etof? ft)9 tt}? (})vcreco<i dafivooBovi ovar}<i. ov
fiovo(7Te\€')(€<i S' av So^eiev ov8^ rj /jbijXea ouS' rj
pota ovB Tj aTTLo^ elvai, ouS' oXw? oaa 7rapa^\a-
(TTTjTiKa aTTo Tb)V pi^oov aWu TTJ dycoyp TOiavra
irapaipov/xevoyv tmv aXXtov. evia he koI eaxrc
TToXva- TeXe'XT) Sia XenrorrjTa, KadaTrep poav
p,r]\eav eS)(7L he koI Ta9 €Xda<i K07rdSa<; Kol Ta<;
Td'^a S' CIV Ti<; ^airj koI o\(o<; lueyeOei Kol fj,i-
KpoTTjTi Siaipereov elvai, to, he ia-)(vi Kal da-deveia
KOX TToXvXPOVtOTIJTl KOl 6XiyO)(^pOVl6T7}TC. rWV TC
yap (f>puyav(oha)v Kal Xa^avcohcov evia fiovo-
areXe'xri Kal olov hevhpov (fivacv 6')(pvra yuverai,
KaOdnrep pdtpavo^ injyavov, odev Kal KaXoval
Tiv€<; TO, TOiavra hevhpokd'^ava, rd re \a)(avd)hri
Trdvra rj rd TrXeiara orav eyKarafxetvr] Xa/x^dvei
nvdq coarrep dKp€fi6va<; Kal yiverat ro oXov ev
(T')(riiJbari hevhpcohec ttXtjv oXiyo^povLwrepa.
Aid hi) ravra Mcrirep Xeyojjiev ovk aKpi^oXoyr}-
reov ru) opay dXXd ra> rinro) XrjTrreov rov<i
d(j>opi,cr/j,ov';' eVet Kal rd<; hcai-pecrei<i o/xoico'i, olov
r)p,epo)v dypicov, Kaprro^opoav aKdpiTcov, dvdo^opcov
dvavOwv, deicpvXXcov (jivXXo^oXcov. rd [xev yap
dypia Kal rjixepa irapd rrjv dyoiyrjv elvai hoKcl'
irdv yap Kal dypiov Kal ijfiepov (p-t]aiv "Ittttcov
yiveaOai rvy)(dvov rj pbrj rvy^dvov depaireia'i.
^ i.e. so that the tree comes to look like a shrub from the
growth of fresh shoots after cutting, cf. 2 6. 12 ; 2. 7. 2.
^ pa.(\)avos conj. Bod. from (i ; ^a(pav\s Aid.
* cf. 3. 2. 2. The Ionian philosopher. See Zeller, Pre-
Socratic Philosophy (Eng. trans.), 1. 281 f.
* Ka\ add. W. ; so G.
^ ^ conj. Sch, ; koI UAld.Cam.Bas.H.
26
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. iii. 3-5
a good many of its branches untouched, since it is by
nature like a shrub. Again neither the apple nor the
pomegranate nor the pear would seem to be a tree of
a single stem, nor indeed any of the trees which have
side stems from the roots, but they acquire the char-
acter of a tree when the other stems are removed.
However some trees men even leave with their
numerous stems because of their slendemess, for in-
stance, the pomegranate and the apple, and they
leave the stems of the olive and the fig cut short.^
Exact cl'issification impracticable: other 2^0-^ble bases oj
clasinjication.
Indeed it might be suggested that we should
classify in some cases simply by size, and in some
cases by comparative robustness or length of life.
For of under-shrubs and those of the pot-herb
class some have only one stem and come as it were
to have the character of a tree, such as cabbaore^
and rue : wherefore some call these 'tree-herbs'; and
in fact all or most of the pot-herb class, when
they have been long in the ground, acquire a sort
of branches, and the whole plant comes to have a
tree-like shape, though it is shorter lived than a tree.
For these reasons then, as we are saAnng, one
must not make a too precise definition ; we should
make our definitions typical. For we must make
our distinctions too on the same principle, as
those between wild and cultivated plants, fruit-
bearing and fruitless, flowering and flowerless,
evergreen and deciduous. Thus the distinction
between wild and cultivated seems to be due
simply to cultivation, since, as Hippon ^ remarks,
any plant may be either* wild or cultivated ac-
cording as it receives or ^ does not receive attention.
27
THEOPHRASTUS
UKapira he koX KcipTTi/jia koI dv6o(f)opa KoX dvavOrj
irapa rov<i roTrovt; koI tov depa top Trepiexovra'
rov avTov Be rpoTTov koL (f)vWo^6\a Koi dei-
(f)v\'Ka. TTepl yap 'KkecfiavTivrjv ovSe Ta<; d/xireXov^
ovSe ra<i crvKag (f)acn (pvWo^oXelv.
'AXX' o/i<w9 Toiavra hiaLpereov e%6t yap ri tt}?
^vcrea}^ KOivov 6p,oiw<i ev BevSpoi^ Kal ddpivoi^ Kal
T0t9 (f)pvyaviKoc<; Kal iroLcoSecrLV' virep mv kol Ta9
alria^ orav xt? Xeyrj Trepl iravTcov KOipfj SfjXov on
XeKTeov ov)(^ opi^ovra KaO^ eKaarov evXoyov Se
Kal ravra^ KOiva<i elvai rrdvTWV. d/j,a he Kal
(paiveral riva e'^^eiv (jjuaiKrjv Siacjiopdv evOi)^ eVt
rcbv dypiwv Kal twv rjfiepcov, etirep evia fiij ovva-
rai ^rfv wcnrep rd yewpyovp^eva /xt/S' oXw? Six^Tai
Oepaireiav dXkd xeipco yiverat, Kaddirep iXdrr)
TrevKt] KrfKaaTpov Kal dirXM'i oaa ■yjrvxpov^ roirovi
^iXel Kal xf-ovf^hea, waavTW'i he Kal roiv ^pvyavi-
KMV Kal TTOioohcbv, olov Kd'TTTTapi'? Kal depp.o<;.
rjp.6pov he Kal dypiov hiKatov KoXelv dva^epovra
'irpo<i T€ ravra Kal 6Xco<; 7rpo9 to 7jp,ep(OTaT0V' [6
8' dv6pco7ro<i 77 p,6vov rj p,dXiara i]p,epov.]
TV. ^avepal he Kal Kar avrd^i ra? p-op<j>d<i al
hia(f)opal TMV oXcov re Kal fiopiav, olov Xeyto
1 a.v06<popa Kol avavOri conj. Sch. from G : Kapir6(popa &v6-n
P^Ald. - cf. 1. 9. 5 ; Plin. 16. 81.
^ Totavra 'Conj. W. ; Siaiperfov conj. Sch.; tois avrots
atpereov Aid. The sense seems to be : Though these
' secondary ' distinctions are not entirely satisfactory, yet
(if we look to the causes of different characters), they are
indispensable, since they are due to causes which affect all
the four classes of our ' primary ' distinction.
* i.e. we must take the extreme cases.
5 i.e. plants which entirely refuse cultivation.
28
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. hi. 5-iv. i
Again the distinctions between fruitless and fruit-
bearing,! flowering and flowerless, seem to be due
to position and the climate of the district. And
so too with the distinction between deciduous and
evergreen, ^fhus they say that in the district of
Elephantine neither vines nor figs lose their leaves.
Nevertheless we are bound to use such dis-
tinctions.^ For there is a certain common character
alike in trees, shrubs, under-shrubs, and herbs.
Wherefore, when one mentions the causes also,
one must take account of all alike, not gi^'ing
separate definitions for each class, it being reasonable
to suppose that the causes too are common to all.
.\nd in fact there seems to be some natural difference
from the first in the case of wild and cultivated,
seeing that some plants cannot live under the
conditions of those grown in cultivated ground,
and do not submit to cultivation at all, but de-
teriorate under it ; for inst^xnce, silver-fir fir holly,
and in general those which affect cold snowy
country ; and the same is also true of some of the
imder-shrubs and herbs, such as caper and lupin.
Now in using the terms ' cultivated ' and ' wild '
' we must make these ^ on the one hand our standard,
and on the other that which is in the truest sense ^
'cultivated.' "Now Man, if he is not the only
thing to which this name is strictly appropriate, is at
least that to which it most applies.
yb Differences as to appearance and habitat.
\Wiy. Again the differences, both between the plants
F5 wholes and between their parts, may be seen in
SXtiJS TpJ)s rh. ? TToos rb oXais conj. St.
i, 5' &v0panros . . . ?ififpov. I have bracketed this clause,
^vhich seems to be an irrelevant gloss.
29
THEOPHRASTUS
/xey€Oo<i KoX jJiLKporri'i, (TK\,r)p6T>]<i ixakaKorrj'i,
Xeiorr]^ r pa')(yTrj^ , ^Xolov ^vWcov twv dWcov,
o-ttXco? evfJ,opcf)La koI Svafjbop^ta TL<i, en he koI
KaWiKapTTia koX KaKOKapiria. TrXetw p^ev yap
SoKet ra a<ypta (pepeiv, coairep a^pa<i k6tlvo<;, koX-
Xtft) Be Ta r)p,epa koX tou? 'xyXov'i he avTov<i
<y\vKVTepov<; kuI rjSiov^; koL to okov ct)9 elireiv
evKpdrov<? p,aWov.
AvTUi re Br) (pvcriKal TLve'i coairep eiprjrai Bia-
(f>opai, Kol en Br] pdWov tmv uKapTrcov koX Kapiro-
(p6po)v Kol (f)vXko^6\(ov Koi dei<f)vWa>v koX oaa
aXka TOiavra. ttclvtoov Be XrjTTTeov del koI ra?
KUTO, Tovf TOTTOVi' ov yap ovS* olop re icco^
aXX(W9. at Be roiavrai Bo^atev av yeviKov rtva
TTOielv ywpiapov, olov evvBpwv kuI 'xepaaicov, Mcnrep
eVi TMv ^Q)(ov. eart yap evta roiv (f)VT(ov a ov
BvvaTat p^rj ev vyput ^rjv Bi^prjrai Be aWo kut
dWo yevo<i tmv vypcov, cocrre ra fiev ev reXpuicn
ra Be ev \[p,vai'i rh S' ev 7TOTap.ol<i rd Be /cal ev
avrfj rf] OaXdrrrj ^veaOai, rd p,ev ekdrrw Kal ev
rfj Trap rjpuv rd Be pei^co irepl rrjv epvdpdv. evca
Be atairepel Kadvypa Kal eXeia, KaOdirep Irea Kal
irXdravo'?, rd Be ovk ev vBari Bvvdp,€va ^rjv ovB'
oXa)9 dWd BicoKOvra rou<i ^r}pov<; roirovi' rcov B'
eXarrovcov eariv a Kal rot"? alyta\ov<i.
^ Kar avras ras conj. Sch. ; Kal rd r' avrai tAj U ; Kara
ravras ras MVAld.
2 irdvrwv . . . tJttous, text perhaps defective.
^ i.e. as to locality. •* c/. 4. 7. 1.
30
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. iv. 1-2
the appearance itself ^ of the plant. I mean differences
such as those in size, hardness, smoothness or their
opposites, as seen in bark, leaves, and the other
j)arts ; also, in general, differences as to comeliness
or its opposite and as to the production of good or of
inferior fruit. For the wild kinds appear to bear
more fruit, for instance, the wild pear and wild olive,
but the cultivated plants better fruit, having even
flavours which are sweeter and pleasanter and in
general better blended, if one may so say.
These then as has been said, are differences of
natural chai-acter, as it were, and still more so are
those between fruitless and fruitful, deciduous and
evergreen plants, and the like. But with all the
differences in all these cases we must take into
account the locality ,2 and indeed it is hardly possible
to do otherwise. Such ^ differences would seem to
give us a kind of division into classes, for instance,
between that of aquatic plants and that of plants of
the dry land, corresponding to the division which we
make in the case of animals. For there are some
plants which cannot live except in wet ; and again
these are distinguished from one another by their
fondness for different kinds of wetness ; so that some
grow in marshes, others in lakes, others in rivers,
others even in the sea, smaller ones in our own
sea, larger ones in the Red Sea.* Some again, one
may say, are lovers of very wet places,^ or plants
of the marshes, such as the willow and the plane.
Others again cannot live at all ^ in water, but seek
out dry places ; and of the smaller sorts there are
some that prefer the shore.
* i.e. though not actually living in water.
" ovS' o\(os conj. W.; iv tSutois Ald.H. Minime G.
THEOPHRASTUS
Ov /j,r]v ciXXa Kot tovtwv ei ri<; aKpijSoXo-
yeccrdat OeXoi, to, [xev av evpoi /coiva koI axTTrep
dficpL^ia, /caOdirep p,vpiKr]v Ireav KXrjdpav, ra Se
KUL ro)v opoXojov/xevcov 'X^epaaCoiv ire^vKOTa Trore
ev rfi daXdrrrf ^lovv, ^oiviKa a-KiXXav dvQkpiKov.
cCKXa ra roiavra koI 6Xco<; to ovtco aKoireiv ovk
oiKeiw^ earl a-Koirelv ovhe yap ov8^ rj <pvai<i ov-
T&)9 ouS' ev T0i9 TotovToi<; e^et to avw^Kolov. ra<i
p,ev ovv 8iaipecret(; koI oX(W9 ttjv laTopiav tmv <j)V-
tS>v ovto) XrjTTTeov. {airavTa S' ovv Koi TavTa koI
Ta aXXa oLOiaei KadaTrep ecprjTai Taif re twv
oXtov pop(f)at<i Kol Tal<i tmv popuov 8ia(})opal<i, rj
T(p e'xeiv TO, 8e p,rj e%eti', y tm TrXetci) to, S'
iXaTTco, rj tw dvop.oi(a^ rj oaoi TpoTTOi Sc^prjvTai
nrpoTepov. oiKeiov 8e t'cr<»9 koI rov'i tottov^ avp-
TrapaXap^dvecv ev oh cKaaTa irecjiVKev rj p,rj
7r€(f)VK€ ylveaOai. peydXrj yap Kal avTrj 8ia(popd
KUL OV-X^ ijKlCTTa OlKeLU TMV <f)VTCi)V 8l.d TO (TUVrjp-
Ttjadat T^ yfj Kal prj diroXeXvadai KaOd^rep
TO, fwa.]
V. HeipaTeov 8' elirelv Td<; KUTa piepo^ 8ia-
<^opa<s 0)9 av KadoXov XeyovTWi irpcoTov kuI koivm<{,
1 eeKoi conj. Sell.; SeAej Ald.H.
^ evpoi conj. Sell. ; e'vprj Aid. ; fvpr) H.
^ Presumably as being sometimes found on the shore below
high-water mark.
* a-navra . . . ^a>a. This passage seems not to belong
here(W.).
° rpoiroi conj. Sch. ; tottoi UMVAld.
32
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. iv. 3-v. i
However, if one should wish 1 to be precise, one
Avould find - that even of these some are impartial
and as it were am))hibious, such as tamarisk willow
alder, and that others even of those which are
admitted to be plants of the dry land sometimes live
in the sea,^ as palm squill asphodel. But to con-
sider all these exceptions and, in general, to consider
in such a mamier is not the right way to proceed.
For in such matters too nature certainly does not
thus go by any hard and fast law. Our distinctions
therefore and the study of plants in general must be
understood accordingly. * To return — these plants
as well as all others will be found to differ, as has
Ijeen said, both in the shape of the whole and
in the differences between the parts, either as to
Jiaving or not having certain parts, or as to having
a greater or less number of parts, or as to having
them differently arranged, or because of other dif-
ferences ^ such as we have already mentioned. And
it is perhaps also proper to take into account the
situation in which each plant naturally grows or
does not grow. For this is an important distinc-
tion, and specially characteristic of plants, because
they are united to the ground and not free from
it like animals.
Characteristic differences in the parts of plants, whether
general, special, or seen in qualities and properties.
V. Next we must try to give the differences as
to particular parts, in the first instance speaking
])roadly of those of a general character/ and then
'' i.e. those which divide plants into large classes (e.g.
tivergreen and deciduous).
33
THEOPHRASTUS
eXja KaO" eKaa-rov, varepov eVt irXelov wairep
avaO€(i)povvTa<i.
"EcTTi Be ra fxev opOo^vrj koL fiaKpoareXixv
KaOdirep iXdri] ttcvkt] Kvirdpi'no'i, ra Se (tko-
Xicorepa koI ^pa'xyaT€\e')(7] olov irea crvKrj potd,
KoX Kara izdyo'i he koX XeirroTi^Ta ofMovto^.
Kol TTokLV TCb fjL€v fxovoareXexv to, Se iroiXv-
(TT6Xe^>7" Tovjo Se ravrb rpoTrov nvd kol t&
7rapa^\acTTr]TtKd rj dirapd^Xaara elvar Kot
TroXvKXaS-r] kol oXiyoKXaSa Kaddirep 6 (f)otvL^,
Kul iv avTol<i TovTOi<i en Kara la'xyv rj Tra^o? ■^
2 Tci'i roLavTa<i Sca(f)opd<;. TrdXiv rd fxev Xeirro-
(p\oia, Kadd-nep hd^vq (f)i\vpa, rd Se 'jraxv^^oca,
Kadd.irep 8pv<;, en rd puev \ei6(f)Xoia, /caOdrrep
p^rjXea avK-fj, rd Be Tpa')(y<^\oia, Kaddirep dypia
Bpv'i (f>€X\o<i (})oivi,^. Trdvra Be vea p,ev ovra
\€io(f)Xoi6T€pa, diTO'yripdaKovTa Be Tpaxv(f)\oi6-
repa, evia Be koX f)r]^[<f)\oia, KaOdirep a/x7reXo9, rd
Be KOL 0)9 TrepLTriTTTeiv, olov dv8pd')(Xr] firjXea
KOfiapo'i. ecTTL Be koL tmv p.ev (TapK(oBri<; 6 (j)Xoi,6<i,
olov (fieWov Bpv6<i alyetpov rcbv Be IvcoBr}^ kol
d(TapK0<i 6//-otct)9 BevBpwv koX dd/xvcov kol eTrereirov,
olov dp.ireKov KoXdpov rrvpoii. Kal tcov fiev
7ro\v\o7ro<i, olov <^ikvpa<; eXarr]'; dfiTreXov \ivo-
airdprov Kpofivcov, rcov Be /jLovoXotto^, olov a-VKrj^
^ i.e. taking account of differences "in qualities, etc. See
§ 4, but the order in which the three kinds of ' differences '
are discussed is not that which is here given ; the second is
taken first and resumed at 6. 1, the third begins at 5. 4, the
first at 14. 4.
2 ravTh conj. Sch. ; ahrh UMVPAld.
•* Tpaxv<p\oi6Tipa conj. H. from G ; ■iraxv<\). UMAld.
cf. Plin. 16. 126.
34
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. v. 1-2
of special differences between individual kinds ; and
after that we must t^ike a wider range, making as it
were a fresh survey.^
Some plants grow straight up and have tall stems,
as silver-fir fir cypress ; some are by comparison
crooked and have short stems, as willow fig pome-
granate ; and there are like differences as to degree
of thickness. Again some have a single stem, others
many stems ; and this difference corresponds - more
or less to that between those which have side-
growths and those which have none, or that between
those which have many branches and those wliich
have few, such as the date-palm. And in these
very instances we have also differences in strength
thickness and the like. Again some have thin
Ijark, such as bay and lime ; others have a thick
Ijark, such as the oak. And again some have
smooth bark, as apple and fig ; others rough bark,
as 'wild oak' (Valonia oak) cork-oak and date-palm.
However all plants when young have smoother
bark, which gets rougher ^ as they get older; and-
some have cracked bark,* as the vine ; and in some
<;ases it readily drops off, as in andrachne apple ^
and arbutus. And again of some the bark is fleshy,
as in cork-oak oak poplar ; while in others it is
fibrous and not fleshy ; and this applies alike to trees
shrubs and annual plants, for instance to vines
reeds and wheat. Again in some the bark has more
than one layer, as in lime silver-fir vine Spanish
broom <* onions " ; while in some it consists of only
* h^i(p\oia conj. St.; l,iCl<poia (?)U; ^iC^^Aoia P.; K<»-
oKoia PoAld. <•/. 4. 15. 2, Plin. I.e.
' /iTjAs'a conj. H. Steph., etc.; j^Xeta lIMPAld.; trhXeia
}\V. cf. Plin. I.e.
' G appears to have read xlpou, o-wdprov. ' cf. 5. 1, 6.
35
THEOPHRASTUS
KoXdfiov atpa<i. Kara filv 8r] Toi)^ (p\oiov<: iv
TovToa at Sia(})opaL
Tmv Be ^vkoiv avroiv /cat 6\co<; tmv kuvXcov ol
fj,€V elat crapK(o8ei<;, olov 8pvo<i avKrj<i, koX tmv
ekaTTovcav pdjxvov t6vt\ov Kcoveiov ol Se dcrap/coL,
Kaddirep KeSpov Xwrov KVirapiTTOv. koX ol fiev
lvQ)8ei<i' rd jdp rrj<i iXdrr}^ koI tov ^oivtKO<i ^lika
TOtavra- rd Be diva, Kaddnep Trj<i avKrj<;. oocrav-
T6)? Se Kol rd fiev ^Xe^coBr) rd 8' d(f)Xe^a. irepl
Be rd (ppvyaviKd koI OafivooBrj koI oXct)9 rd vXrj-
fiaTa Kol dX\a<; tl<; dv \d,8oi Bia(f)opd^' 6 fiev
rydp KdXafw; <yovaT6iBe^, 6 Be ^dro^ kol 6
7raXiovpo<; aKavdcoBr}. r] Be rv^rj Kol evca twv
eKeiwv rj Xifivaicov 6fjioico<i dBidt^paKra fcal OfiaXrj,
KudaTrep axoivof. 6 Be rov KVireipov /cal /3outo-
fiov Kav\o<i ofMaXoT'ijrd riva e%ei Trapd rovTov<;'
en Be /xaXXov Ifcro)? 6 rov puvK^jro^.
Avrai fxev Br) Bo^aiev dv i^ wv rj crvv6e(Ti<;. al
Be Kara rd TrdOrj Kal ra? BvvdfJ,eL<; olov o-kXt)-
p6rri<i fiaXaKort}^ 'yXi(T')(p6rri(; Kpavp6rrj<; <ttvkv6-
rrj<i> ixavorrj^; /cov<p6rr]<i ^apvri]^ Kal oaa dXXa
roiavra' rj fiev yap irea Kal 'xXwpov evffv Kovtpov,
axTTrep 6 0eXXo9, ?; Be ttv^o^ Kal r] e^€vo<i ovBe
avavOevra. Kal rd fiev (X'xi^erac, Kaddirep rd t^?
^ fid/xvov conj. W. ; Odfivov P2 ; ^aXdvov Ald.H.
'^ Kwveiov conj. Sch.; Kwviov Ald.U (corrected to Kwvtiou).
cf. 7. 6. 4.
' 5e ^iVa conj. fcJcfi from G.: Sc ^Iva U; Se navd Aid. ;
06 . . . ra M.
■* vXiijuMTa conj. Sch. (a general term including shrubs,
under-s'hrubs, etc. cf. 1. 6. 7 ; 1. 10. 6) ; KK-h/xara, Aid.
36
EXQCIRY IXTO PLANTS, I. v. 2-4
one coat, as in fig reed darnel. Such are the
respects in which bark differs.
Next of the woods themselves and of stems
generally some are fleshy, as in oak and fig, and,
among lesser plants, in buckthorn ' beet hemlock ^ ;
while some are not fleshy, for instance, prickly cedar
nettle-tree cypress. Again some are fibrous, for of
this character is the wood of the silver-fir and the
date-palm ; while some are not fibroas,^ as in the
fig. In like manner some are full of ' veins,' others
veinless. Further in shrubby plants and under-
shrubs and in woody plants ^ in general one might
find other differences : thus the reed is jointed,
while the bramble and Christ's thorn have thorns on
the wood. Bulrush and some of the marsh or pond
plants are in like manner'' without joints and smooth,
like the rush ; and the stem of galingale and sedge
has a certain smoothness beyond those just men-
tioned ; and still more perhaps has that of the
mushroom.
Differences as to qtialities and properties.
These then would seem to be the diflerences in
the parts which make up the plant. Those which
belong to the qualities ^ and properties are such as
hardness or softness, toughness or brittleness, close-
ness or openness of texture, lightness or heaviness,
and the like. For willow-wood is light from the
first, even when it is green, and so is that of the
cork-oak ; but box and ebony are not light even
when dried. Some woods again can be split,'^ such
' bfioiais, sense doubtful ; on'xvvfioiv conj. W,
" xd^Tj, rf. 1. 1. 1 n.
' fX'C*''^"' conj. W. ; <rxt(r0(VTa UMVAld. ; ffX'<TTd H. :
nssiles G.
37
THEOPHRASTUS
eA,aTi/9, ra he evdpavara fidWov, olov to, t^9
iXda<;. koI ra fiev ao^a, olov ra rrj'i aKrrj^, ra he
o^cohrj, olov ra Tr]<i 7r€VKr)<; koI eXuTrj^;.
Aet he Koi ra? Toiavra<; vTroXa/ji^dvetv t^9
<f>V(r€co<i. eucrxtCTOV fiev jap rj iXdrr) ra> evdv-
TTopeiv, evOpavarov he 7) e\da hia to (tkoXlov koI
aKXrjpov. evKa/jLTTTOv he r) (f>i\vpa koL oaa dWa
hid TO 'y\la')(^pav e^eiv rrjv vypoTTjra. ^api) he r}
jxev TTvfo? Koi 7] ej3evo<i on irvKvd, -q he hpv<i on
yecohe^. oiaavTa)<; he koI rd dWa Trdvra nrpof
Trjv (f)vcnv ttw? dvdjerai.
VI. Aia^epovcTi he koI ral<i pbrjTpaL^' irpcorov
fiev el evia e%et 17 fit) e%et, KaOdrrrep Tive^ cf^aacv
dWa re koX rrjv uktijv errena koI ev avroc'i
Tot9 e'xpvcn' TMV /xev jdp ecrn crapKcohrji; rcov
he ^vXcohrj'i twv he vfjLev(ohr}<i. kuI <japK(ohr]^
fjbev olov dfiTTeXov avKrj'i /ji,7)Xea<i poidf d.KTrj'i
vdp07}KO<;. ^vX(M)h7]<; he Trlrvo'i iXdTr)<i 7revKi]<i,
KoX fJbdXtaTa avrr} hid to €vhaho<i elvat, tovtcov
S' eVi (TKXrjpoTepai /cat iruKvoTepai KpaveLa<i
irpivov hpvo<i KVTtaov avKa/uLtvov e^evov Xcotov.
Aia^epovai he avTal Kal Tol<; '^(^pcofiaa'r
fxeXaivai ydp t?}9 e^evov Kal Trj<i hpv6<i, r)v KaXovai
fxeXdvhpvov. diraaai he (XKXijpoTepai Kal Kpavpo-
^ i.e. break across the grain. fijdpava-ra mP ; Adpavcrra
VF Aid.; fragilia G. cf. 5. 5, Plin. 16. 186.
2 i-o^a conj. Palm, from G ; Ao|a UPAld.
^ i.a. across the grain. ^ (/. 5. 6. 2. * cf. 5. 1. 4.
^ T. appears not to agree as to elder : see below.
38
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. v. 4-vi. 2
as that of the silver-fir, while others are rather break-
able/ such as the wood of the olive. Again some
are without knots/- as the stems of elder, others
have knots, as those of fir and silver-fir.
Now such differences also must be ascribed to the
essential character of the plant : for the reason why
the wood of silver-fir is easily split is that the
grain is straight, while the reason why olive-wood is
easily broken ^ is that it is crooked and hard. Lime-
wood and some other Moods on the other hand are
easily bent because their sap is viscid.* Boxwood
and ebony are heavy because the grain is close, and
oak because it contains mineral matter.^ In like
manner the other peculiarities too can in some way
be referred to the essential character.
Further 'special' diffennces.
VI. Again there are differences in the ' core ' : in
the first place according as plants have any or have
none, as some say ^ is the case with elder among other
things ; and in the second place there are differences
between those which have it, since in different plants
it is res|>ectively fleshy, woody, or membranous ;
fleshy, as in vine fig apple pomegranate elder ferula ;
woody, as in Aleppo pine silver-fir fir ; in the last-
named " especially so, because it is resinous.- Harder
again and closer than these is the core of dog-wood
kermes-oak oak laburnum mulberry ebony nettle-
tree.
The cores in themselves also differ in colour ; for
that of ebony and oak is black, and in fact in
the oak it is called • oak-black ' ; and in all these the
core is harder and more brittle than the ordinary
'' aurri conj. Sch.; avri} UAld.; avrrj MV ; ovt^j Po.
39
THEOPHRASTUS
repai rwv ^vXcov 8i o koI oy% vTrofievovcn
Kafnrrjv. fxavoTepai he ai fiev at S" ov. v/jiev(o-
§649 5' eV fiev TOt? 8iv8poL<i ovk elaiv rj cT'irdviOL,
iv he Tol<i 9afivu)hecn koL oXco'i rol<i vXtj/xaaiv
olov Kokdixo) re koL vapOtiKi koI Tol<i toiovtoi^
elalv. e%ei he ttjv fxrjrpav ra fiev fieydXrjv koI
(fyavepdv, &)? nrplvo^ hpv^ koX roKXa Trpoeipt]-
fxeva, rd 5' d(f)avearepav, olov eXda ttu^o?* oii
yap eariv dcpcopLO-fxevrjv ovrco Xa^elv, dWd Kac
(^aai Tive<i ov Kara to /xecrov aXXd Kara ro irdv
e-y^etv Mare p,r) elvai ronrov uipi,a \xevov' hi o /cat
evia ovh^ av ho^ecev oXca e')(eLV' eiTel Kal rod
(f>oi,viKO<i ovhefiia (paCverai hia^opd Kar ovhev.
3 Aia(f)€pov(Ti, he Kal ral<i pL^aL<i. rd fxev yap
TToXvppLga Kal p.aKp6ppi,^a, KaOdirep avKrj hpv'i
irXdravci' edv yap e^foo't' rorrov, e<f) oaovovv
7rpoep'X,ovrat. rd he oXiyoppi^a, KaOdirep poid
firjXea' rd he p.ov6ppi^a, KaOdirep eXdrrj rrevKrf
fxovoppc^a he ovrco'i, on, filav fieydXrjv rrjv et9
^d6o<i e'^ei fiiKpd'? he avro ravrr]^ rrXeiov^. e')(ov(n
he Kal r5)V fir) /j,ovoppi^cov evta rrjv e'/c rov fieaov
fieylanjv Kal Kard ^d6ov<;, loairep ujuvyhaXi]'
iXda he jxiKpdv ravrrjv ra? he dXXa<; p,el^ov<i Kal
0)9 KeKapKtvoyp.eva<i. en he rcov fxev 7ra')(^eiat
fxdXXov rMv he dvcofiaXel'i, Kaddirep hd(f3vr]<i eXda^'
4 rcov he jracrat XeTrrai, Kaddrrep d/nTreXov. hca-
<f)epovai he Kal Xecorrjri Kal rpax^JTijri Kal ttvkvo-
rrjri. irdvrcov ydp ai pi^ai fiavorepai roiv avw,
^ yiavo'Tfipa.i . . . oS : text can hardly be sound, but sense is
clear. ^ j- (, homogeneous. =* Plin. 16. 127.
* 3. 6. 4 seems to give a different account.
- ' cf. a P. 3. 23. 5, and icapKivdihi^s G.P. 1. 12. 3 ; 3. 21. 5.
40
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. vi. 2-4
wood ; and for this reason the core of these trees can
not be bent. Again the core differs in closeness
of texture. 1 A membranous core is not common
in trees, if indeed it is found at all ; but it is found
in shrubby plants and woody plants generally, as in
reed ferula and the like. Again in some the core is
large and conspicuous, as in kermes-oak oak and
the other trees mentioned above ; while in others it
is less conspicuous, as in olive and box. For in these
trees one cannot find it isolated, but, as some say, it
is not found in the middle of the stem, being diffused
throughout, so tliat it has no separate place ; and for
this reason some trees might be thought to have no
core at all ; in fact in the date-palm the wood is
alike throughout.-
Differences in root.
2 Again plants differ in their roots, some having
many long roots, as fig oak plane ; for the roots of
these, if they have room, run to any length. Others
.igain have few i-oots, as pomegranate and apple,
others a single root, as silver-fir and fir ; these have
a single root in the sense that they have one long
one * which runs deep, and a number of small ones
branching from this. Even in some of those which
have more than a single root the middle root is the
largest and goes deep, for instance, in the almond ;
in the olive this central root is small, while the
others are larger and, as it were, spread out crab-
wise.^ Again the roots of some are mostly stout, of
some of various degrees of stoutness, as those of
bay and olive ; and of some they are all slender,
as those of the vine. Roots also differ in degree
of smoothness and in density. For the roots of all
THEOPHRASTUS
irvKvoTepai he oKKai aWcov koI ^vXfoBecrrepai'
Kol at fxev IvooBei^, ft>9 ai rfj<i iXdrr]^, al he aapK-
(o8ei<; /xdWov, axnrep al t?}? 8pv6<;, al 8e olov
6^(oSei<i Kal Ovcravoihea, (aairep al t?}? iXda^-
TOVTo Be on rd<i Xevrra? Kal fxtKpa<i 7ro'\Xa<i
e')(ov(Ti Kal d0p6a<i' iirel Trdaau ye Kal ravra^i
dnocfivovaiv aTTO tcou /xeydXcov aW' 01^)^ 6fioi(o<i
ddp6a<i Kal 7roWd<;.
"EcTTt Be Kal TO, fxev ^aOvppi^a, KaOdirep Bpv<i,
TO, S' eTTiTroXaioppc^a, KaOdirep e\da poid firjXea
KvirdpiTTO'i. €TL Be al fiev evOelat Kal ofxaXeh,
al Be (TKoXial Kal irapaXXdrrovcrat' tovto yap
ov jMovov (TVfi^aivei Bid TOv<i tottovi; t& fir)
evoBelv dXXd Kal rr)<i ^vae(o<> avri]<i ecrriv, wairep
eirl T)]<i Bd(f)V7)<; Kal t?}? iXda^' rj Be crvKrj Kal rd
roiavra o-KoXiovrai Bid to fir) evoBelv.
5 "A-iraaai, S' efifirjrpoi KaOdirep Kal rd areXe')(rj
Kal ol aKpefiovd' Kal evXoyov aTTo Tr]<; dpxV'>'
elal Be Kal al fiev 7rapa^XacrT>]TiKal el<; to dv(o,
KaOdirep dfiireXov p6a<i, al Be aTrapd^acrroi,
KaOdirep eXdrt)<i KVirapirTOV irevKr)^. al avral
Be Biacfiopal Kal rwv (ppvyaviKMV Kal rwv ttoicoBmv
Kal TOiv aXXfov TrXrfv el oXtw? evia fir) e^ei,
KaOdirep vBvov fivKrj<i Tre^t? Kcpavviov. rd fiev
iroXvppi^a KaOdirep irvp6<i Ti(j}r) KpiOtj, irdv to
rotovTo, KaOdirep elKa^ovcrai<i- rd 8' oXcyoppi^a
6 KaOdirep rd jdehpoird. a')(^eBov Be Kal rwv Xa-^^av-
wBoiv rd irXelara povoppi^a, olov pd(f)avo<}
^ irefis Kfpavviov : ttv^os Kpdviov UMVAld. ; ireCis conj. Sch.
from Athen. 2. 59 ; Kipawiov conj. W. cf. Plin. 3. 36 and 37,
Juv. 5. 117. '^ elKa^ovixats : word corrupt; so UMVAld.
■^ Plin. 19. 98.
42
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. vi. 4-6
plants are less dense than the parts above ground,
but the density varies in different kinds, as also does
the woodiness. Some are fibrous, as those of the
silver-fir, some fleshier, as those of the oak, some are
as it were branched and tassel-like, as those of the
olive ; and this is because they have a large number
of fine small roots close together ; for all in fact pro-
duce these from their large roots, but the}' are not
so closely matted nor so numerous in some cases as
in others.
Again some plants are dee|>rooting, as the oak,
and some have surface roots, as olive pomegranate
apple cypress. Again some roots are straight and
imiform, others crooked and crossing one another.
For this comes to pass not merely on account of the
situation because they cannot find a straight course ;
it may also belong to the natural character of the
plant, as in the bay and the olive ; while the fig and
such like become crooked because they can not find
a straight course.
All roots have core, just as the stems and branches
do, Avhich is to be expected, as all these parts are
made of the same materials. Some roots again have
side-growths shooting upwards, as those of the vine
find pomegranate, while some have no side-growth,
as those of silver-fir cvpress and fir. The same
cHfferences are found in imder-shrubs and herbaceous
j)lants and the rest, except that some have no roots
at all, as truffle mushroom buUfist ^ ' thunder-truffle.'
(3thers have numerous roots, as wheat one-seeded
"ivheat barley and all plants of like nature, for
instance,- .... Some have few roots, as legu-
minous plants. ° And in general most of the pot-
lierbs have single roots, as cabbage beet celery
43
THEOPHRASTUS
T€Vt\ov aeXivov XaTra^o?* irXrjv evia Kol airn-
(pvdSa^ e%et /x6ydXa<;, olov to aekivov koX to
revTXov' koI 009 av Kara \6you ravra ^aOvppt^-
orepa rwv BevSpcov. elal 8e rcov piev aapK(oSei<;,
KaOdirep pa^avlBo'i joyjvXiSo'i dpov Kpo/cov
TMV he ^vXdoSei'i, olov cu^co/mov &)/c//ioy Kal tmv
dypicov Be tmv TrXeLaroov, oawv pbi] ev9v<i TrXetoi/?
Kol o-)(i^6pLevai, Kaddirep irvpov Kpidf]<; koI rrj^i
KoXov puevT)'^ 7r6a<;. avrrj <ydp ev Tot9 eirereloL'^ kol
iv rol<i TTomSecriv r] 8ia<f)opd rcov pi^cov ware ra?
pbev ev6v<; a')(i^e(x6aL TrXeiov; ovaa<i kol d/zaXet?,
Twv Se dWfov pilav rj Svo Ta<i fxeyiara^ kol aX,Xa<;
ttTTO TOVTOOV.
"OX(c<i he 7rXeiov<i at 8ia(f)opal tcov pt^cov ev
Tot'i vXtjpLaai Kol Xay^avdtheaiv elal yap al jxlv
^vX(o8€i<i, waTrep al rod wKipLOV al he o-apKcohetf,
coaTrep al rod revrXov Kal ert hrj p,aXXov rov
dpov Kal da^oheXov Kal KpoKov al he waiTep
eK ^Xoiov Kal crapKO'i, cocrirep al roiv pa(f)avihcov Kal
ryoyyi>Xih(ov' al he yovarcahei^, wairep at r6)v KoXd-
p^cov Kal dypdiareoov Kal et ri KaXap.whe<i, Kal piovai
hi) avrai r) pdXiaO^ 6p,oiai rol<; virep yi]<;' wairep
yap KdXa/xoi elcriv eppL^cof^evoc Tat? Xerrrac^;. al
he Xe7rvpd)hei<i rj (jiXoicohei';, olov a'i re ri)'; (TKiXXr]<;
Kal rov l3oXl3ov Kal en Kpop,vov Kal ro)v rovroi<i
opboicov. alel yap ecrri Trepiaipelv avrcov.
Jldvra he rd roiavra hoKet KaOdirep hvo ykvr\
pi^fbv e'xeiv rol<; he Kal oXcos rd KeffyaXo^aprj
Kal Kardppi^a irdvra' rrjv re aapKoohrj ravrtjv
^ The same term being applied to ' herbaceous ' plants in
general. ^ piin_ jg, gg.
44
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. vi. 6-8
monk's rhubarb ; but some have large side-roots, as
celery and beet, and in proportion to their size these
root deeper than trees. Again of some the roots are
tieshy, as in radish turnip cuckoo-pint crocus ; of
some they are woody, as in rocket and basil. And
so with most wild plants, except those Avhose roots
are to start with numerous and much divided, as
those of wheat barley and the plant specially ^ called
' grass.' For in annual and herbaceous plants this is
the difference between the roots: — Some are more
numerous and uniform and much divided to start
Avith, but the others have one or two specially large
roots and others springing from them.
To speak generally, the differences in roots are
more numerous in shrubby plants and pot-herbs ;
- for some are woody, as those of basil, some fleshy, as
those of beet, and still more those of cuckoo-pint
asphodel and crocus ; some again are made, as it
were, of bark and flesh, as those of radishes and
turnips ; some have joints, as those of reeds and
dog's tooth grass and of am-thing of a reedy charac-
ter ; and these roots alone, or more than any others,
resemble the parts above ground ; they are in fact
like ^ reeds fastened in the ground by their fine roots.
Some again have scales or a kind of bark, as those of
squill and purse-tassels, and also of onion and things
like these. In all these it is jiossible to strip oft
a coat.
Now all such plants, seem, as it were, to have two
kinds of root ; and so, in the opinion of some, this is
true generally of all plants Avhich have a sohd 'head'*
and send out roots from it downwards. These have,
» i.e. the main root is a sort of repetition of the part
above ground. * i.e. bulb, corm, rhizome, etc
45
THEOPHRASTUS
KoX <f)\oi(o8i], Kaddrrep ?) aKtWa, koI Ta<; dirb
TavTr]<i aTTOTTe^vKVia^' ou yap XeTrror^jn Koi irayy-
rr]TL Sia^epovcri jxovov, Mcnrep at tmv SevSpav koX
ra)V Xa^dvcov, dX)C dWoiov ej(ovarL to <yevo<i.
€K(f)av€crrdTr) S" 57877 77 re rov dpov kol 7) rov kv-
Treipov rj /xev yap 'na')(eia koI Xela koI aapKcoSj)^,
rj 8e XeTTTT) koI lv(ioS7]<;. SiOTvep dTropjjcreiev dv
Ti'i el pL^a<i Ta? Toiavra<i Oereov fi fiev yap Kara
7779 Bo^aiev dv, y Be vTrevavrtai^ e')(pvaL rah
dXXai^ ovK dv Bo^acev. rj fiev yap pi^a Xcttto-
repa tt/oo? to iroppw Kal del avvo^vi' ?) Be rcov
cTKiXXfbv Kal TMV ^oX^Siv Kal TMV dpcov dvd-
iraXiv.
"Eri S" al /xev dXXai Kara to irXdyiov dcpidac
pi^af, al Be tmv ctklXXmv Kal t5)v ^oX^oov ouk
d(f>tdcnv' ovBe twv crKopoBtov Kal tmv Kpopuvcov.
6X(o<i Be ye ev ravrai? al Kara fxeaov Ik Tr]<;
Ke(paXr]<i r/pTr^p^vac (patvovTai pl^ai Kal rpecfiov-
Tai. TovTo 8' Mcnrep Kvpa rj Kap7r6<i, oOev Kal 01
iyyeoTOKa XeyovTe<i ov /ca/cw9" eVt Be tmv dXXcov
TOLOVTO p,ev ovBev eariv eirel Be irXelov 77 (pvai^i
rj Kara pi^av TavTr) diTOpiav e^^t" to yap Brj
irdv Xeyeiv to Kara yrj<; pl^av ovk opdov Kal yap
dv 6 KavX6<i Tov /3oX^ov Kal 6 rod yrjOvov Kal
ras conj. Sch. ; r^s Ald.H. ; rijv . . . airoirf(pvKv7av ¥.
2 aW' a\\o7ov ex"""'' conj. St.; uWa \e7ov exoyrts PMV
Aid.; a\\o7ov e'x- niBas.mP from G; aW' aX\o7ov exovcrat
conj. Seal. ^ cf. 4. 10. 5.
Kal dei Aid. ; M Kal conj. W. ^ pijn, 19, 99.
cf. the definition of ' root,' 1. 1. 9.
iyye6T0Ka Kf-yovres conj. W. ; Cj. ri tSiv eyyeorSKwv
TovToiv yiviffis in Athenaeus' citation of this passage (2. 60) ;
46.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. vi. 8-9
that is to sajj this fleshy or bark-hke root. Hke squill,
as well as the ^ roots which grow from this. For
tliese roots not only differ in degree of stoutness,
like those of trees and pot-herbs ; they are of quite
distinct classes. ^ This is at once quite evident in
cuckoo-pint and galingale/ the root being in the one
case thick smooth and fleshy, in the other thin and
fibrous. Wherefore we might question if such roots
should be called ^ roots ' ; inasmuch as they are under
ground they would seem to be roots, but, inasmuch
as they are of opposite character to other roots, they
Mould not. For your root gets slenderer as it gets
longer and tapers continuously * to a point ; but the
so-called root of squill purse-tassels and cuckoo-pint
does just the opposite.
Again, while the others send out roots at the
sides, this is not the case ^ with squill and purse-
tassels, nor yet with garlic and onion. In general
in these plants the roots which are attached to
tlie ' head ' in the middle appear to be real roots
and receive nourishment,*' and this • head ' is, as
it were, an embryo or fruit ; M-herefore those who
c.ill such plants ' plants which reproduce them-
selves imderground ' " give a fair account of them.
In other kinds of plants there is nothing of this
sort.^ But a difficult question is raised, since here
tlie ' root ' has a character which goes beyond what
one associates with roots. For it is not right to call
al that which is underground 'root,' since in that
case the stalk ^ of purse-tassels and that of long
onion and in general any part which is under-
eiTeo-j oiaaAeyoi-Tfs U ; (v re roh oaTois aKtyovres MV (omit-
ting T€) Aid. (omitting tois).
* Totovro /xiv ovSev conj, W. ; tovto ixev MSS.
* &I' 6 Kav\6s conj. St.; avaKuvXos Aid.
47
THEOPHRASTUS
o\co<t ocra Kara ^ddovi icrrlv e'irjaav av pC^ai,
Kal TO vBvov Se Kal o KaXovai rtve'i acryiov Kal
TO ouiyyov KUi eo tl aXko vTrojetov ea-TiV oiv
ovSev ecTTL pi^a' 8vvdfj,€i <ydp Bel (fiva-iKfj Siaipelv
Kal OV TOTTft).
10 Tdxoi Be TOVTO /jL€V opOm Xeyerai, pl^a Be ovBev
TjTTov iaTiv dWd Bi.a(f)opd Tt? avT')j tmv pi^&v,
ware rrjv puev Tiva roiavTTjv elvai rrjv Be TOiavrtjv
Kal rpe(pea0ai ttjv erepav inrb t^? erepa^. Kairoi
Kal avral at aapKdoBei'i eoiKacnv eXKeiv. ra?
yovv TMV dpcov Trpo tov /BXaardvecv arpecpova-i
Kal ylyvovjai fi€L^ou<i Kco\v6p,evai BiajSrjvaL irpo^
TTjV /SXdcrTrjcriv. eTrel on ye Trdvrcov tmv tolov-
Tcov r) ^v(Ti.<; eirl to kutco fidXXov perrei (fyavepov
01 fiev yap KavXol Kal oX&)9 rd dvco ^paj^ea Kal
dadevrj, rd Be Kdrco fieydXa Kal TToXXd Kal
l(T')(ypd ov [xovov eirl twv elprjpLevcov dXXd Kal eVt
KaXdfMov Kal dypd)artBo<; Kal oXo)<; ocra KaXafxcoBrj
Kal TOvroL<; o/xota. Kal ocra Brj vapOtjKcoBr), Kal
TOvro)v pl^ai fxeydXai Kal aapKd)BeL<i.
11 rioX,A,a Be Kal roiv ttolwBmv e^^t roiaina^ pl^a<i,
olov airdXa^ KpoKo^ Kal to TrepBiKiov KaXovjievov
Kal yap tovto Tra^eta? re Aral irXeiovi e^et ra?
pi^a<; 7} (pvXXa' KaXetTai Be irepBiKLov Bid to tou?
irepBiKa'^ eyKvXUaOai Kal opvTreiv. 6ixoi(o<; Be
1 $deovs conj. Sch. ; fidOos Aid.
^ Koi h W. after U ; koI om. Aid. ; G omits also rh before
oijiyyov, making the three plants synonymous. The passage
is cited by Athen., I.e., with considerable variation.
* ToiavTr]v conj. St.; T0(TavT7]v MSS.
* i.e. the fleshy root (tubei', etc.).
•' i.e. the fibrous root (root proper).
48
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. vi. 9-11
ground ^ would be a root, and so would the tiniffle,
the plant which 2 some call puff-ball, the iiingon, and
all other underground plants. Whereas none of these
is a root ; for we must base our definition on natural
function and not on position.
However it rasLj be that this is a true account and
yet that such things are roots no less ; but in that
case we distinguish two different kinds of root, one
being of this character ^ and the other of the other,
and the one* getting its nourishment from the
other ^ ; though the fleshy roots too themselves seem
to draw nourishment. At all events men invert ^ the
roots of cuckoo-pint before it shoots, and so they
become larger by being prevented from pushing'
through to make a shoot. For it is evident that the
nature of all such plants is to turn downwards for
choice ; for the stems and the upper parts generally
are short and weak, while the underground parts
are large numerous and strong, and that, not only in
the instances given, but in reeds dog's-tooth grass
and in general in all plants of a reedy character and
those like them. Those too which resemble ferula ^
have large fleshy roots.
^Many herbaceous plants likewise have such roots,
as colchicum '^^ crocus and the plant called ' par-
tridge-plant ' ; for this too has thick roots which are
more numerous than its leaves. ^^ (It is called the
' partridge-plant ' because partridges roll in it and
grub it up.) So too with the plant called in Egjpt
^ arpi(povai conj. Sch.; Tp4<povffi MVAld.; cf. 7. 12. 2.
" 5iaj87jvat conj. W. ; Stadeivai UMV.
** i.e. have a hollow stem (umbelliferous plants, more or
less). 9 Plin. 19. 99.
^* o-TaA.a| UMV; o(rw<iAa| mBas. : perhaps corrupt.
" Plin. 21. 102.
49
THEOPHRASTUS
Kol TO iv AlyvTTTq) KoKovfievov ovlyyov' to, fiev
yap (pvWa jxeyaXa koX 6 ^\a(no<i avTOv y8/oa%i;9,
rj Se pL^a fia/cpa Kai iajiv Mcnrep 6 KUpiro'^.
Stacfjepec re Kal eaOierai, koI avWeyovai Be orav
12 o TroTafio<; arro^r) arpe^ovTe<i Ta9 ^(o\ov<i. (pave-
poiiTara he koX TrXeicrTrjv e^ovra tt/jo? to, aXka
Sia(popav TO alXcfitov Kal r) KaXovfxivTj puayvhapt,'^'
dp^orepcov yap tovtwv Kal uTTavTcov rcov rocovrcov
iv Tat<i pi^aa p,aKXov rj (f)vai<;. ravra p.ev ovv
ravTr} XrjTTTea.
"Eviai 8e Tcov pc^MV Trkeiw ho^aiev av e'xeiv
Sia(f)opav irapa ra^ elpr]p,eva<;' olov aX re rrj<i apa-
'^iSvTj'i Kal rov opoiov tS apuKW' (pepovac yap
dfxcfeoTepat Kapirov ovk ekdrrco rov dvw Kal fiiav
fxev pi^av to dpaKoohe<i tovto iTaj(e'i'CLV e^^t ttjv
Kara ^ddov<i, rd'i S' a\Xa<i ecf oov 6 Kapiro^
\€7rT0Tepa<i Kal eir aKpw [/cat] o-^t^ofieva<i ttoX-
\a')(ri' (piXel Se p,d\i(TTa %&)/3ta to, vcpafi/xa- (pvX-
Xov Se ovherepov e%et rovruyv ov8^ op,oia rot<{
<pvXXoi<;, dXX oicnrep dp(f)i,Kap7ra pdXXov eaTiv o
Kal (paiveraL Oavpdaiov. al fiev ovv (f>vaei<i
Kal 8vvdp,et<i Toaavra<i e')(ovaL Siacpopd^.
VII. Av^dvea-Oai Se irdvrwv Sokovctiv al pi^ai
TTporepov TOiV dvw Kal yap (pverai el<; ^ddo<i'
ovSepLca 8e KadrjKei irXiov r) oaov 6 ijXio'i icpiKvel-
raf TO yap deppiov ro yevvoiv ov /jltjv dXXd
^ oijiyyov mBas.H. ; ovCrov MV; ov'irov Aid.; cf. 1. 1. 7 ;
Plin. 21. 88 {oetum).
^ /j.eyd\a : text doubtful (W. ).
^ Sm^e'pei : text doubtful (Sch.).
* (TTpftpovTes ras l3di\ovs conj. Coraes ; atecpovTes 0a>ixovs
UMVAld. s ^^ ins. Sch.
50
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. vi. ii-vii. i
iiingon ^; for its leaves are large- and its shoots short,
while the root is long and is, as it were, the fruit.
It is an excellent thing ^ and is eaten ; men gather
it when the river goes down by turning the clods>
But the plants which afford the most conspicuous
instances and shew the greatest difference as com-
pared with others are silphium and the plant called
magydaris ; the character of both of these and of all
sucli plants is especially shewn in ^ their roots. Such
is the account to be given of these plants.
Again some roots would seem to shew a gi-eater
difference ^ than those mentioned, for instance, those
of arakhidna,'' and of a plant ^ which resembles
arakos. For both of these bear a fruit underground
which is as large as the fruit above ground, and this
arakos-\\\i.e^ plant has one thick root, namely, the
one which runs deep, while the others which bear
the ' fruit ' are slenderer and branch ^"^ in many
directions at the tip. It is specially fond of sandy
ground. Neither of these plants has a leaf nor
anj-thing resembling a leaf, but they bear, as it
were, two kinds of fruit instead, which seems sur-
prising. So many then are the differences shewn
in the characters and functions of roots.
VII. The roots of all plants seem to grow earlier
than the parts above ground (for growth does take
place downwards ^^). But no root goes down further
than the sun reaches, since it is the heat which
induces growth. Nevertheless the nature of the sod,
^ i.e. to be even more abnormal: Sia<l>opav conj. Sch. ;
Sia<!>opa\ Aid. • Plin. 21. 89.
* tine-tare. See Index, App. (1).
® apaKuSes conj. Sch. ; trapKuhfs Ald.G.
^'^ Koi before ax^C- o™- Sch. from G.
11 c/. G.P. 1. 12. 7. (cited by Vano, 1. 45. 3); 3. 3. 1.
51
THEOPHRASTUS
Tuvra fxeydXa avfx^dWeraL 7rpb<i ^aOvppi^lav
Kol eTL fidXkov 7r/909 fxaKpoppc^iav, rj Tr}<; ')(a>pa<i
(f)vai<; eav y Kovcprj kuI fiavrj koI evhioho<i' ev yap
ral<i roiavTac(; iroppunepw kol p,ei^ov<i al av^rj-
<rei9. <f>avepov 8e eVl tcov rj/nepoofidTcov eyovja
yap vSo)p oirovovv BUiaiv d><i elirelv, eTreioav 6
r67ro<i rj Kevo<; Ka\ /xrjSev to dvTLcnaTOVv. rjyovv
iv Tft) AvKei(c rj TrXdravo^ 97 /card rbv o^eTov eVt
via ovaa iirl rpel<i kuI rpidKovra 7r?7%ei9 d(f)r]K€v
e')(pvaa tottov re d/na Kal Tpo(f)'^v.
Ao^eie Se &)? eliretv r) avKTj fiaKpoppi^orarov
elvai Kal oXto? Se [xaXkov rd jjuavd Kal evdvppt^a.
nravTa he rd vecorepa rwv TraXaiMV, idv el<j aKfirjv
rjKwaiv, 7]Sr] /SaOvppi^orepa Kal p^aKpoppi^orepa.
av/xcjidivovart yap Kal al pi^ai tm aAXw crcofiaTC.
irdvTwv he ofioio)^ ol 'xyXol rol^ (f)VTol<i hetvorepoi,
Tot? he ft)? iiriTrav hi Kal ivicov TriKpal wv 01
Kapirol y\vKet<;' al he Kal <f)ap/jLaKcoh€i<i' eviai S"
€V(t)8ei,<;, wairep al T779 'lptho<;.
^Ihla he pi^r)<; (f)V(ri<i Kal hvvapi<i r) ri]<i ^lvhiKrj<i
(TVKr)^' diTO ydp rcov ^Xaaroov dipLrjai, p-exp^ ov
dv avvd-yjrrj rfj yrj Kal pi^wOfj, Kal yiverat ire pi rb
hevhpov kvkXw avvex^'i to rcov pi^wv ovx dirTo-
fievov Tov crre\exov<i aXV d<f)€crT'r]K6<;.
^ ravra before ^eyaAa om. W.
^ rtfjifpoofiaTaiv conj. Sch.; TifiipuiraTcav UPgAld. : cf. C.P.
5. 6. 8.
^ bvovovv MSS. ; b-Koffovovv conj. W. from G, in quantum
liheat. * ineiVav conj. Sch. ; iirf\ Kt^v UMVPAld.
« Quoted by Varro, 1. 37. 5.
^ ivl conj. Sch. ; vapa Pg ; irepi Aid.
' <rvfi(p6lyovcri : avfjL^wvovffi conj. St.
52
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. vii. 1-3
ii' it is light open and porous, contributes greatly ^ to
deep rooting, and still more to the formation of long
roots ; for in such soils growth goes further and is
more Wgorous. This is evident in cultivated plants.^
For, provided that they have water, they run on, one
may say, wherever it may be,^ whenever ^ the ground
is unoccupied and there is no obstacle. * For instance
the plane-tree by the watercourse in the Lyceum
when it was still young sent out its roots a distance
of^ thirty-three cubits, having both room and
nourishment.
The fig would seem, one may say, to have the
longest roots, and in general plants which have wood
of loose texture and straight roots would seem to
have these longer. Also young plants, provided that
they have reached their prime, root deeper and have
longer roots than old ones ; for the roots decay along
with " the rest of the plant's body. And in all
cases alike the juices of plants '^ are more powerful in
the roots than in other parts, while in some cases
they are extremely j>owerful ; wherefore the roots
are bitter in some plants whose fruits are sweet ;
some roots again are medicinal, and some are frag-
rant, as those of the iris.
The character and function of the roots of the
'^ Indian fig' (banyan) are peculiar, for this plant sends
out roots from the shoots till it has a hold on the
ground ^ and roots again ; and so there comes to be
a continuous circle of roots round the tree, not
connected with the main stem but at a distance
from it.
* Tor? (pvrols Aid. ; rats pi(ais conj. W. from O : text pro-
bably defective.
' rp 7f conj. Seal from G ; itvk^ U; -rp irvKfi PoAld.
53
THEOPHRASTUS
TlapaTrXijcnov Be tovtm fiaWov he rpoTrov riva
Oavfiaa-idoTepov et ti e/c rwv (f)vWa>v acfilrjcn pl^av,
olov (f)a(Ti irepX ^Oirovvra iroidpiov elvai, o koI
iaOUadal iariv rjSv. to yap av tmv Oepfxcov
Oavfjiaarbv rjrrov, on av ev vXtj ^adela airapy
Bieipei rrjv pi^av vpoq rrjv yrjv Kal ^Xaardvei Bia
rrjV layyv. dXka Br) ra<i /xev roiv pi^cov Bia(J30-
pas €K TOVTWV decoprjTeov.
VIII. Twi' BevBpcov TO.? TOLavra<i dv Ti? Xd^oi
Biacfiopd'i. eart yap rd /xev o^coBrj rd S' dvo^a
Kal (pvaet Kal totto) Kara to fidWov Kal tjttov.
dvo^a Be Xeyco ov-^ ware fxrj e'%etz/ oXw^ — ovBev
yap TOiovro BevBpov, dXX^ etiTep, eirl rcov dXXo)v
olov a')(plvo^ Tix^T) KV7reipo<; oXw? eirl rwv Xi/nvo)-
Bmv — ttX-A,' twcTTe 6Xiyov<; e^eti/. (fivaei fj,ev olov
dKTT) Bd<f)V7) crvKT] oXft>9 irdvra rd Xei6cj)Xoia Kal
oaa KolXa Kal fxavd. o^oiBe'i Be eXda irevKT]
K6rivo<i' TOVTWV Be rd p.ev ev iraXLaKioL'i Kal
vr]ve/xoi<; Kal e^vBpot<i, rd Be ev evrjXioi'i Kal •^ei-
p,epioL<i Kal TTvevfxarcoBeac Kal XeTTTOt? Kal ^r)poi'}'
Ta p.ev ydp dvo^orepa, to. Be o^coBeaTepa twv
1 Tj conj. W.; Tis MSS. ^ piju. 21. 104.
3 c/ 8. 11. 8 ; Plin. 18. 133 and 134.
* bieipei conj. Sch. ; Smipe? PgAld. ; cf. C.P. 2. 17. 7.
^ oCos is the knot and the bough starting from it : c/.
Arist. de iuv. et sen. 3.
" cwl Twy conj. Coraes ; ^ t«v UM ; tittov (erased) P (iK
Toiv marg. ) tittov Aid.
54
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. vii. 3-viii. i
Something similar to this, but even more surprising,
occurs in those plants which ^ emit roots from their
leaves, as they say does a certain herb - which grows
about Opus, which is also sweet to taste. The
peculiarity again of lupins ^ is less surprising, namely
that, if the seed is dropped where the ground is
thickly overgrown, it pushes * its root through to the
earth and germinates because of its vigour. But
we have said enough for study of the differences
between roots.
Of trees {principally) and their characteristic special differences:
as to knots.
VIII. One may take it that the following are
the differences between trees : — Some have knots,^
more or less, others are more or less without them,
whether from their natural character or because of
their position. But, when I say 'without knots,' I
do not mean that they have no knots at all (there is
no tree like that, but, if it is true of any plants, it is
only of *^ other kinds, such as rush bulrush" galingale
and plants of the lake side ^ generally) but that they
have few knots. Now this is the natural character
of elder bay fig and all smooth-barked trees, and
in general of those whose wood is hollow or of a
loose texture. Olive fir and wild olive have knots ;
and some of these grow in thickly shaded windless
and wet places, some in sunny positions exposed to
storms and winds,^ where the soil is light and dry ;
for the number of knots varies between trees of the
^ rv(pi} conj. Bod. ; Tiprj UAld.H. ; cf. 1. 5. 3.
* €Ti r<av conj. W. ; et tj iirl tqjv Aid.
* Tj'eu/iaTwSefft conj. Seal.; TrvfiaTw^iffi U; •Kvy^.arcctfa i
MVAld.
55
Ik
THEOPHRASTUS
ofioyevMV. oXo)? Be o^whearepa ra opeiva rwv
ireSeivcov koI ra ^rjpa rwv ekeiwv.
"Ert he Kara rrjv t^vreiav ra fiev irvicva dvo^a
Kol 6p6d, ra 8e fiava oi^wZecrrepa Ka\ (TKoXtmrepa'
avfi^ULvei yap &are ra fiev ev iraXLaKiw elvai ra
8e iv evrjXiO). koI ra dppeva he roiv OijXetcov
o^coBearepa iv oh iariv d/xcjxo, olov Kvirdpirro'i
eXdrrj oarpvU fcpaveia' KaXovai ydp <yevo<; n
dufkvKpaveiav' kuI ra djpia he rwv -^fiipcov, Kal
a7r\w9 /cal ra virb ravrb <yevo<i, olov Korivo'i
eX,da<; Kal epive6<} crvKr]<i koI d')(^pa<i diriov. rrdvra
yap ravra o^coSearepw Kal 0)9 enl to ttoXv
irdvra rd irvKvd rwv /xavMV Kal <ydp rd dppeva
TTVKvorepa Kal rd dypia' 7r\r)v et re Sid ttvkvo-
rrjra 7ravre\a)<i dvo^ov r) oXtyo^ov, olov Try^o?
Xft)T09.
Et(Ti Be rwv jxev draKroc Kal 0)9 ervx^v ol 0^01,
rwv Be rerayfievoi Kal ra Btaarrijfiari Kal rm
rrXrjOet, KaOdirep e'iptjrat' Bi Kal ra^to^cora
ravra KaXovaiv. roiv p,ev ydp olov Bi icrov rwv
Be fiei^ov alel to 7rpb<i rw rrdyei. Kal rovro Kara
Xoyov. orrep p^dXicrra evBrjfXov Kal ev rol'i Korl-
vot<; Kal ev rol'i KaXdjioi^' ro ydp yovv Kaddirep
6^o<;. Kal ol fiev Kar aXXr]Xov<i, warrep ol rwv
1 Plin. 16. 125. M. 8. 1.
' Tafio'^wTa eonj. W. ; a^ioKoywrara Aid.; cf. rafl(pv\\os,
1. 10. 8. " Plin. 16. 122.
56
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. vjii. 1-3
same kind. And in general mountain trees have
more knots than those of the plain, and those that
grow in dry spots than those that grow in marshes.
Again the way in which they are planted makes a
difference in this respect ; those trees that grow close
tx)gether are knotless and erect, those that grow far
apart have more knots and a more crooked growth ;
for it happens that the one class are in shade, the
others in full sun. Again the ' male ' trees have
more knots than the ' female ' in those trees in which
both forms are found, as cy]>ress silver-fir hop-horn-
beam cornelian cherry — for there is a kind called
' female cornelian cheiTv ' (cornel) — and wild trees
liave more knots than trees in cultivation : this is
true both in general and when we compare those of
the same kind, as the wild and cultivated forms of
olive fig and pear. All these have more knots in the
wild state ; and in general those of closer gro\^-th
have this character more than those of open gro-wth ;
for in fact tlie 'male' plants are of closer growth,
and so are the wild ones ; except that in some cases,
as in box and nettle-tree, owing to the closer growth
there are no knots at all, or only a few.
^ Again the knots of some trees are irregular and
set at haphazard, while those of others are regular,
alike in their distance apart and in their number, as
lias been said - ; wherefore also they are called ' trees
-^th regular knots.' ^ ■* For of some the knots are,
i\s it were, at even distances, while in others the
distance between them is greater at the thick end of
the stem. And this proportion holds throughout.
This is especially e\ident in the wild olive and in
i-eeds — in which the joint corresponds to the knot in
trees. Again some knots are opposite one another,
57
THEOPHRASTUS
KOTivcov, 01 S" ft)9 erv)(ev. ecrri, Se to, fxev Sio^a, ra
he Tpio^a, TO. Se TrXetou? e')(0VTa' evta Se •nevrdo^d
iaTi. KoX rrj'; fiev eXaTi/9 opdol koI ol o^oi Koi ol
4 Kkdhoi axTirep e/iTreTTT/yoTe?, rcov Se dXkwv ov. Si*
o Kol IcT'xypov rj i\drr]. ISiooTaTot 8e ol t^?
pbrfKea^i' ojxolol yap Orjpiwv Trpoacovoi^;, eh p^ev 6
juiyiaroq dWot Se Trepl avrov piKpol TrXetou?.
elal Se twv o^cov ol pev rv(f)Xoi, ol 8e yovipoi.
Xeyco Be TV(f)\ov<; d(j) mv p,r]8et<i /SXacrTo?. ovrot,
Be fcal (ftvcrei koX irrjpcoaei, ylvovrai, orav r) p,r)
\v9fi Koi eK^id^rjrai y) koL aTTOKOTrfj koX olov
eiTLKavOel^ Trrjpcodf}' ylvovrat. Be paXkov ev TOt<?
jcayecn rcov aKpepuovcov, evlcov Be koi iv roi^
areXe^eaiv. o\(o<i Be kol rov aTeXexov^ Koi rov
KXdBov KaO^ av iiriKO'yjrr} r] eTTUepbr} Ti<i, 0^09
yiveTai Kadairepavel Biatpoiv to ev koi ttolojv
irepav dpyrp), etVe Blcl rrjv TrrjpcocrLV etre Bi dWrjp
alriav ov yap Brj Kara <pvaiv to vtto rrj^
irXrjyrjf;.
6 Aiel Be ev diracnv ol kXuBol (j>aivovraL ttoXvo-
^orepoL Bid to pLrjiro) Tavd peaov Trpoa-rjv^rja-Oai,
KaOdirep kuI t?}9 avKr)<; ol veo^XaaTOt Tpaxv-
TaTOi Kal T^9 dpireXov Ta aKpa t&v kXt^p^utcov.
ft)9 ydp o^o<; ev Tot9 dXXoi<i ovtq) koI 6(f)0aXp,o<;
1 c/. 4. 4. 12. 2 piiu, 16 122.
^ i.e. primary and secondary branches.
* cf. 5. 2. 2. s Plin. 16. 124.
® cf. Arist. de iuv. et sen. 3 ; Plin. 16. 125.
■^ 8tov . . . ■jTr)pw6ri conj. W. ; i) orav y) ^tj Xuflp koI iK$ia.CvTai
Kal 7] airoKOirr) Kal U ; 'drav tj f^i) \vd^ Kal eK^id(r]Tat f] airoKoirfi
P ; ^^ (irav Aue?) Kal iK^ia(-nTai ^ olwokott^ kuI ol ov Pj ; 'drav ^
At)) KvB^ Kal iK^idCvrai /(«l f) awoKovfi Kal Ald.H. ; G differs
widely.
58
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. vm. 3-5
as those of the wild olive, while others are set at
random. Again some trees have double knots, some
treble,^ some more at the same point ; some have as
many as five. - In the silver-fir both the knots and
the smaller branches ^ are set at right angles, as if
they were stuck in, but in other trees they are not
so. And that is why the silver-fir is such a strong
tree.* Most peculiar ^ are the knots of the apple, for
they are like the faces of wild animals ; there is one
large knot, and a number of small ones round it.
Again some knots are blind,^ others productive ; by
' blind ' I mean those from which there is no growth.
These come to be so either by nature or by mutilation,
according as either the knot' is not free and so the
shoot does not make its way out, or, a bough having
been cut off, the place is mutilated, for example by
burning. Such knots occur more commonly in the
thicker boughs, and in some cases in the stem also.
And in general, wherever one chops or cuts part of
the stem or bough, a knot is formed, as though one
thing were made thereby into two and a fresh
growing point produced, the cause being the mutila-
tion or some other such reason ; for the effect of such
a blow cannot of course be ascribed to nature.
Again in all trees the branches always seem to
have more knots, because the intermediate parts ^
have not yet developed, just as the newly formed
branches of the fig are the roughest,'^ and in the
vine the highest ^"^ shoots. ^^ (For to the knot in other
' i.e. the internodes ; till the branch is fully grown its
knots are closer together, and so seem more numerous : ,u^ir«
rava fifffov irpoffyiv^rjcTdai COnj. Sch. ; fjL-h-ru rava fjitaov irpoaKV-
Cridai U ; /itjt' clvcl aiffov irpoaicvCf^ffdai MAld. ; fi^tror' avdfifffoy
Tpoarfv^TJffdai P,. * i.e. have most knots.
I*' i.e. youngest. " Plin. 16. 1-25.
59
THEOPHRASTUS
iv ajxTrekM koX iv KaXafitp yovv . . . ivioK; Be
Kol olov KpdSat jLVOvrat, KaOdirep irrekea koI
Spvl Kol fxd\i(TTa iv TrXardvqy iav Be iv rpax'^o-u
KoX dvv8pot<i Kol TTvevfMareoBeai Kal iravreXSi^.
TrdvTM^ Be 7rpo9 ry <yfj koI olov tj} K€<f)a\fj tov
<rTeXe%0L'9 dTroyTjpaaKovrwv to irdOo^ tovto
fyuverat.
"EiVta Be Kol t(T%et T0v<i koKov pLevov<i vtto tivcov
rj yoyypov^ rj to dvdXoyov, olov rj iXda- /cupico-
TUTOV yap i-Trl TavTrj'i tovto TOvvojJia koI Trda')(eiv
BoKel fjidXiaTa to elprj/xevov /caXovai S' evict
TOVTO Trpifjivov ol Be KpoTOivvv ol Be aXXo ovo/xa.
Tol<i Be evdeai koX fiovoppi^oi^i koX dirapa^Xa-
cxTOif ov yiveTUL tovO' o\co<i rj tjttov' [(f)olvi^ Be
irapa^XaaTTjTiKov] rj Be iXda koI 6 KOTiva
KoX Ta<i ovXoTTjTa^ tSta9 e^ovac Ta<; iv toI^
a-TeXex^ci"
IX. "EcTTt fiev ovv TO, fiev 009 ek fJir}K0<i av^rj-
TLKa /jbdXia-T fj fiovov, olov iXdTrj ^olut^ Kvird-
piTTO<i Kal oXg)9 tcl fiovocTTeXexv /^"^ ^Va fxrj
TToXvppi^a /jiTjBe iroXvKXaBa- <r) Be ^oivi^ drrapa-
^Xa(TT7]TiK6v'> TO, Be 6/j-ola tovtoi<; dva Xoyov
Kal ek ^ddo<;. evia 8' evdv<i cr;^t^eTat, olov ■^
1 The opening of the description of the diseases of trees
seems to have been lost. ^ KpdSai ; cf. G. P. 5. 1 . 3.
^ TrdvTccs . . . ylverai conj. W.; ttcJctcos Se 6 Trphs ttj yy Kal
otov T. K. <TT. anoyr)pdffK(uv rSiv Traxvrepoov ylverai Aid.; so U
except waxvrepov, and M except iraxvrepos.
* y6yypovs : cf. Hesych., s.vik ySyypos, Kpordivi).
5 The word is otherwise unknown.
^ l\rTov 7) 5e (\aa conj. W. ; ^rrov f) 5e <(>o7vi^ Ttdpa^Kaa-
r}TiK6v v Sf ihda U ; so Aid. except itapa^^acrTiKSi'. The
6o
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. viii. 5-ix. i
trees correspond the ' eye ' in the vine, the joint in
the reed) ^ In some trees again there occurs,
as it were, a diseased formation of small shoots,"- as
in elm oak and especially in the plane ; and this is
universal if they grow in rough waterless or windy
sj)ots. Apart from any such cause ^ this affection
occurs near the ground in what one may call the
* head ' of the trunk, when the tree is getting old.
Some trees agam have what are called by some
' excrescences ' ^ (or something corresponding), as the
olive ; for this name belongs most properly to that
tree, and it seems most liable to the affection ; and
some call it ' stump,' some Arotone,^ others have a
different name for it. It does not occur, or only
occurs to a less extent, in straight young trees, which
have a single root and no side-growths. To the
olive ^ also, both wild and cultivated, are peculiar
certain thickenings ^ in the stem.
Aa (o habit.
IX. ^ Now those trees which grow chiefly or only ^
in the direction of their height are such as silver-fir
date-palm cypress, and in general those which have
a single stem and not many roots or branches (the
date-palm, it may be added, has no side-growths at
alP"). And trees like^^ these have also similar growth
downwards. Some however divide from the first,
note about the palm (^o»ri| 5* -rapaB^atTrririKoy) I have omitted
as untrue as well as irrelevant ; possibly mth oxapa/3«. for
trapaia. it belongs to the next section.
" ovKir-nras conj. W.; KOiAoTTjras MSS. (?) Aid.
8 Plin. 16. 125.
^ IxaXiffT ^ novov conj. W. ; fxaKiffra fiava Ald.H.
>» See 3. 8. 6. n.
^^ Sfioia conj. Sch. ; dfxolas MSS. Sense hardly satisfactory.
6i
THEOPHRASTUS
/j,7]\€a' TO, Be 7ro\vK\a8a koX fiei^o) rbv oyKov
e')(6L rov avQ), KaOdrrep poa' ov firji) aXTC ovv
fiijicrrd j€ av/M^dWeTai 7rp6<; eKaarov rj dywyrj
Kol 6 TOTTO? Kal Tj TpO(f)'/j. CTTJ/jieiOV 8' QTt TOVTO,
TTVKvd fiev ovra /xaKpa koL XeirTa jiverai,, fiava
Se TTW^vrepa /cat ^pa-xyrepw koX eav fxev ev0v<i
Tt9 dfjiif] T0U9 o^ovf; ^pax^ct) ^o,v he dvaKaOaipri
fiaKpd, KaOdirep rj dp,7reXo<i.
'Ikuvov 8e KUKeivo Trpo^ iricmv on koX tmv
Xaxdvcov evia \ap,^dvei SevSpov (j')(rjp,a, KaOdirep
ecTTO/Mev rrjv /jbaXd)(7]v koI to revrXov uTravra
8' €V Tol<; olKeioL<i tottol'^ evav^rj . . . fcal to avro
KdWiarov. iirel Kol rSiv o/xoyevcov dvo^orepa
Koi fiei^w Kal KaXkio) ra iv Tot<i olKeioi<;, olov
iXdrrj r] MaKeSovLKr) rrj^ Tiapvaaia^ koi tcov aX-
Xoiv. diravra he ravra koX oXco9 rj vKrj tj dypia
KaWicov Kal TrXeicov rov 6pov<i iv rol^; irpoa^o-
p€Loi<; fj ev Toh irpo^; fjiearjpb^piav.
"EcTTi he TCL fiev deL<pvWa ra he (pvXko-
^oXa. T&v p,ev jj/xepcov delcpvXXa eXda (polvi.^
hd(f)vr) fiyppiva irevKT]^ tl yevo^ Kvndpnro'i' rS)v
8' dypicov iXdTT] TrevKTj dpKevdo<i p,iXo<i Ovla Kal
7]v 'A/j/caSe? KaXovat ^eXXohpvv (faXvpea Kehpo<i
TTLTV^i dypia [xvpiKr] 7rv^o<i irplvo'i KrjXacTTpov
(fiiXvKr] 6^vdKav6o<i d(f}dpKrj, ravra he (pverai
irepl TOP "OXv/jbirov, dvhpd-xXr] Kofxapo'^ Tepp,iv6o<t
^ olv marked as doubtful in U. '^ 1. 3. 2.
* KoX rh avrh KaWiarov. Tho first part of the sentence to
which these words belong is apparently lost (W.).
^ i.e. the fir and other trees mentioned in the lost words.
6 Plin. 16. 80.
6 fil\os conj. Sch.; a-fiiXa^ PgAld.; c/, 3. 3. 3.
62
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. ix. 1-3
such as apple ; some have many branches, and their
greater mass of growth high up, as the pomegranate :
however^ training position and cultivation chiefly
contribute to all of these characters. In proof of
which we have the fact that the same trees which,
when growing close together, are tall and slender,
when grown farther apart become stouter and
shorter; and if we from the first let the branches
grow fi-eely, the tree becomes short, whereas, if we
prune them, it becomes tall, — for instance, the vine.
This too is enough for proof that even some pot-
herbs acquire the form of a tree, as we said ^ of
mallow and beet. Indeed all things grow well in
congenial places. . . .^ For even among those of the
same kind those which grow in congenial places have
less knots, and are taller and more comely : thus the
silver-fir in Macedon is superior to other silver-firs,
such as that of Parnassus. Not only is this true of
all these,* but in general the wild woodland is more
beautiful and vigorous on the north side of the
raountain than on the south.
As to shedding of leaves.
Again some ^ trees are evergreen, some deciduous.
Of cultivated trees, olive date-palm bay myrtle a
kind of fir and cypress are evergreen, and among
wild trees silver-fir fir Phoenician cedar yew ^ odorous
cedar the tree which the Arcadians call ' cork-oak '
(holm-oak) mock-privet prickly cedar 'wild" pine'
tamarisk box kermes-oak holly alaternus cotoneaster
hybrid arbutus * (all of which grow about Olympus)
■ aypla after xirus conj. Sch.; after mpivos UPAld.: c/.
ofxapos conj. Bod. ; aiyapos UMV; oXvapos Aid. ; avvapos Pg.
63
THEOPHRASTUS
aypta Bd(f)vr}. SoKei S' ?; avhpd')(Xri Kol 6 Kofiapoi
TO, fxev Kara) (pvWo^oXeiv to, Sk ea-^ara rwv
aKpefiovoov dei(^vWa e^etv, im(f)veiv 8e del rov<;
dKp€/ji6va<;,
4 Tcot' fjiev ovv SevSpcou ravra. twv he dafivco-
Soov ATiTTO? ^dTO<i pdfjLVO'i Kd\afio<; «e8/)t?* eari
jdp Ti fiLKpov 01) SevBpovrai. tcov Se (ppuyavLK&v
Kot 7roio)8a)v irrjyavov pd(f)avo<; pohmvla mvia
d^poTOVOv djidpaKOV ep7rvWo<i oplyavov aeXivov
liTTTOcreXLVov fxt^KOiv Kol TOiv dypiwv eiBr) TrXeio).
Sia/jbivet Be koI tovtcov evia Tol<i uKpotf; to, Be
dWa dTTo/SdWei olov oplyavov creXivov . . . €7ret
Koi TO TTTiyavov KUKOvrai kol dWaTrerac.
5 Udvra Be Kal tmv dWcov rd dei^vXKa arevo-
^vXkorepa koX exovrd Tiva XiTraporrjTa koI
evoahiav. evia S' ovk ovra rfj (jyvaei irapd top
roTTOV ecTjlv deitpvXka, Kaddtrep eXex^V Tcpt rwy
ev *^Xe(f>avTivr) kol Me/i^et* Karcorepw S' ev T(p
AeXra puKpov irdvv ')(p6vov BtdXelTrei rod /xrj del
fiXaardvetv. ev Kpijrr} Be Xeyerai nXdravov
Tiva elvai ev rfj Voprvvaia rrpo^ "^VIV '^''^^ V ^^
(f>vXXo^oXei' fxvOoXoyova-i Be (09 virb ravrrj
efiiyrj rfj Eu/Ocottj; o Zeuf ra? Be irXr^aia^ Trdaai;
<f)vXXo^oXelv. ev Be Xv/3dpec Bpv<; ecrriv ev-
avvoirro^ etc rrj<i TroXew? ^ ov <})vXXo^oXei' (f)aat,
1 riin. 16. 80.
* Some words probably missing (W.) which would explain
the next two clauses. ^ Plin. 16. 82. * 1. 3. 5.
5 Plin. 12. 11 ; Varro, 1. 7.
64
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. i.v. 3-5
andrachne arbutus terebinth 'wild bay' (oleander).
Andrachne and arbutus seem to cast their lower
leaves, but to keep those at the end of the twigs
perennially, and to be always adding leafy twigs.
These are the trees which are evergreen.
^ Of shrubby plants these are evergreen : — ivy
bramble buckthorn reed kedris (juniper) — for there
is a small kind of kedros so called which does not
grow into a tree. Among' under-shrubs and herba-
ceous plants there are rue cabbage rose gilliflower
southernwood sweet marjoram tufted thyme mar-
joi'am celery alexanders poppy, and a good many
more kinds of wild plants. However some of these
too, while evergreen as to their top growths, shed
their other leaves, as marjoram and celery 2
lor rue too is injuriously affected and changes its
character.
3 And all the evergreen plants in the other classes
too have narrower leaves and a cerfciin glossiness and
fragrance. Some moreover which are not evergreen
by nature become so because of their position, as
Avas said * about the plants at Elephantine and
Memphis, while lower down the Nile in the Delta
there is but a very short period in which they are not
raaking new leaves. It is said that in Crete ^ in the
district of Gortyna there is a plane near a certain
spring '^ which does not lose its leaves ; (indeed the
story is that it was under '^ this tree that Zeus lay
Afith Europa), while all the other plants in the
neighbourhood shed their leaves. ^ At Sybaris there
15 an oak within sight of the city which does not shed
* xjryj conj. H. from G ; OK-nv^ UMVAld.; Kitvri V^', KpJivy
inBas.
T vxh conj. Hemsterhuis ; ^J Aid. « Plin. 16. 81.
1^ 65
|»OL. I. K
THEOPHRASTUS
Be ov j3\aa-rdv€iv avrrjv afxa ral<i aXXaif dWa
fxera Kvva. Xiyerai Se kuI iv K.inrp(p 7r\dravo<;
elvai ToiavT')].
^vWo^oXei Se iravra rov /j,€T07r(opov Kol jjbera
TO fieTOTrcopov, irXrjv to fiev Sclttov to he ^paSv-
Tepov MCTTe Kol Tov ^€ip.(bi>o<; eTTtXafi^dveiv. ovk
dvdXoyot, Be al (f)vX\,o^o\iai. Tot^ ^XacrTrjaecnv,
SiOTe TO. trpoTepov ^XaaTijaavTa rrpoTepov (f}v\-
Xo^oXeiv, dX)C epia 7rp(o'i/3\a(TTel jnev ovBev Be
•npoTepel TOiv dWwv, dXkd tivcov koI vcTTepei,
KaOdirep rj dfivyBaXrj.
Td Be oi^i^Xacnet fj,ev ovBev Be co? elireiv
vcTTepel TOiV dWcov, wairep tj (TVKd[i,i,vo<i. BokcI Be
Koi t) )((opa avfx^dWeaOai koX 6 Toiro'i 6 eviKfio<;
7r/>09 TO Biafxeveiv. tcl yap iv T0i<i ^ripol<i kuI
oX.&)9 \e7rToyeloi<i TrpoTepa (l)vX\o/3o\el koi to,
Trpea^vTepa Be tcov vewv. evia Be koI irpo tov
Tteirdvai tov Kapirov aTro/SdXXei to, (f)vXXa, KaOd-
irep al oyjnat crvKul /cat d^pdBa.
Tmv S' det(f)vXXo)v r) diro^oXri kuI rj avavai^
KUTo, iJbepo<i' ov yap Br] tuvto, alel Biafievet, dXXa
TO, /xev iiri^XaaTdvei tcl S" dcf)avaiveTai. tovto
Be irepl Tpoird'i /jbaXcaTa yiverat 6epivd<;. el Be
TIVCOV Kal jxeT ^ApKTOvpov rj koI kut dXXr/v a>pav
eTTia-KeTTTeov. Kal ra fiev Trepl Tr)v (pvXXo-
l3o\iav ovT(o^ ^'%^''
1 Piin. 16. 82 and 83.
66
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. ix. 5-7
its leaves, and they say that it does not come into
leaf along with the others, but only after the rising
of the dog-star. It is said that in Cyprus too there
is a plane which has the same peculiarity.
^ The fall of the leaves in all cases takes place in
autumn or later, but it occurs later in some trees
than in others, and even extends into the winter.
However the fall of the leaf does not corres[K)nd to
the growth of new leaves (in M-liich case those that
come into leaf earlier would lose their leaves earlier),
but some (such as the almond) which are early in
coming into leaf are not earlier than the rest in
losing their leaves, but are even comparatively
late.2
^ Others again, such as the mulberry, come into
leaf late, but are hardly at all later than the others
in shedding their leaves. It appears also that position
and a moist situation conduce to keeping the leaves
late ; for those which grow in dry j)laces, and in
general where the soil is light, shed their leaves
earlier, and the older trees earlier than young ones.
Some even cast their leaves before the Iruit is ripe,
iis the late kinds of fig and pear.
In those which are evergreen the shedding and
^vithering of leaves take place by degrees ; for it is
not the same * leaves which always persist, but fresh
ones are growing while the old ones wither away.
This happens chiefly about the summer solstice.
Whether in some cases it occurs even after the rising
of Arcturus or at a quite different season is matter for
enquiry. So much for the shedding of leaves.
- uffTcpercouj. H.; Sffrtpof UMYPAld.
» Plin. 16. 84.
* Tovra conj. Sch.; raura Aid.
67
THEOPHRASTUS
X. Ta Se (f>vX\a tcov fieu dWfov SevBpoyv ofxoia
iravTOiv avTU €avTOi<;, t% 8e XevKT]^; Kal rov
KITTOV Kol TOV KuXoV/xeVOV KpOTCOVO^ dvOflOlU Kul
erepoa-'^tjfjLopa' ra /xev yap vea irepKJieprj ra 8e
iraXaiorepa yoivoeiBr], koX et? toOto t] p,€rdo-Taai<i
iravToov. rov Se kittov dvuTrakiv veov [xev 6vto<;
iyycovtoifepa irpea^vrepov he TrepKpepecrrepa- p^era-
^dXket yap Kal ovro'i. iSiov Be Kal to rfj eXda Kal
TTj (piXvpa Kal rfj irreXea Kal ryXevKy avfi^alvov
arpe(fieiv yap SoKOvacv ra virria p,erd rpo7rd<; 6epi-
vd<;, Kal rovr(p yvcopi^ovcTLv on yeyeviqvrat rpoirai.
2 irdvra Be rd <f)vXXa Bia(f)€pei Kara ra VTrria Kal rd
TTpavr]. Kal rwv p.ev dXXcov rd virria TroKoBearepa
Kal Xeiorepa- rd<; yap Iva^ Kal rd<; <f>Xe/3a<; ev
T0t9 irpaveaiv e^ovaip, wairep r) %6ip <Ta dpOpa>'
tt}? S' iXda^ XevKorepa Kal rjrrov X-em eviore
Kal rd VTTria. irdvra Brj rj rd ye rrXelcrra CKcfyavr]
e'xei rd virria Kal ravra ylverai tw 'tfxiw (pavepd.
Kal (Trpecperai rd TroXXd 7rpo<; rov rjXiov Bi o Kal
ov pdBiov elirelv orrorepov tt/oo? rw kXwvl pdXXov
eariv -q puev ydp vTrrLorrj'? p.dXXov BoKei TTotelv ro
Trpavh, r] Be <f)V(n<i ou;^ rjrrov ^ovXerai ro virriov,
aXXcot re Kal 77 dvdKXaaa Bed rov ijXiov iBoi S'
1 Plin. 16. 85.
- Kol TOV KITTOV Koi TOV MSS. cf. PHii. I.c; Dlosc. 4. 164.
Koi TOV kikIov TOV Kal conj. W. ; Galen, Lex. Hipp., gives
kIkiov as a name for the root of KpoTtav. cf. C.P. 2. 16. 4.
' i.e. not 'entire.' ' Young leaves' = leaves of the young tree.
* This seems to contradict what has just been said.
^ Ta &pepa add. Sch. from Plin. 16. 88, inciauras. cf. Arist.
H.A, 1. 15, M'here Plin. (11. 274) renders UpOpa incisuras.
68
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. x. 1-2
Differences in leaves.
X. ^ Now, while the leaves of all other trees are
all alike in each tree, those of the abele ivy - and
of the plant called kroton (castor-oil plant) are
unhke one another and of different forms. Tlie
young leaves in these are round, the old ones
angular,^ and eventually all the leaves assume that
form. On the other hand* in the ivy, when it is
young, the leaves are somewhat angular, but when
it is older, they become rounder : for in this plant
too a^ change of form takes place. There is a
peculiarity special to the olive lime elm and abele :
their leaves appear to invert the upper surface after
tlie summer solstice, and by this men know that the
solstice is past. Now all leaves differ as to their
upper and under surfaces ; and in most trees the
upper surfaces are greener and smoother, as they
have the fibres and veins in the under surfaces, even
as the human hand has its ' lines,' ^ but even the upper
surface of the leaf of the olive is sometimes whiter
and less smooth.^ So all or most leaves display
their upper surfaces, and it is these surfaces which
are exposed to the light." Again most leaves turn
towards the sun ; wherefore also it is not easy to say
vhich surface is next to the twig^; for, while the
way in which the upper surface is presented seems
rather to make the under surface closer to it, yet
nature desires equally that the upper surface should
l:e the nearer, and this is specially seen in the
turning back ^ of the leaf towards the sun. One
^ ivloTt /col ri vxria conj. W. ; Xela oe koX to tov Ktrrov
ilSS. A makeshift correction of an obscure passage.
' c/. Plin. /.<-. ^ i.e. is the under one.
® Whereby the under surface is exposetl to it : see above.
69
THEOPHRASTUS
civ T<9 oaa irvKva koI Kar aWifKa, KaOavep to,
roiv fiuppivcov.
Oiovrai Se TtV€<; koI rrjv Tpo(f)r)V rw vtttlo) Bia
Tov ■TTpavov<i elvai, Bia to evLKfxov aeX tovto koX
;T^i/oft)8e9 elvai, ov Ka\ci)<; XeyovTe^;. dWa tovto
fiev i(Ta><i crvfi/3aLV€L %c«>/3k t?}? iSta? (f)va€a><; koI
Sea TO fir) 6fiOLa)<; rjXiovaOai, r/ Se Tpo^rj 8ia tmv
^Xe^Siv rj Ivbiv 6fM0i(0<i afxc^oTepoL^' ck daTepov S'
et? daTepov ovk euXoyov firj e)(OvaL 7r6pov<; fii]8e
^ddo<; Bi ov' dWd irepl fxev Tpo(^rj<i hid tlvcov
eVepo? A,o709.
A.ia(f)epov(Ti, Be koc to. (f>vWa nXeloai Bia-
(f)opal<;' Ta /xev 'yap icxTi irXaTVCpvWa, Kaddirep
a/x7reXo9 avKrj TrXdTavo^, Ta Be aTev6(f)vWa,
KaOdirep iXaa poa p,vppLvo<;' Ta 8' Sicntep aKavOo-
(f>vXXa, KaOdirep TrevKrj ttltv^; KeBpo<i' Ta S' olov
aapKocpvXXa- tovto S' otl aapKa)Be<; e^ovai to
(f)vXXov, olov KV7rdpi,TTo<; pbvpiKTj p,rfKea, tmv Be
(ppvyaviKMV Kvecopo'i (TToi^rj kuI ttokoBmv dei^oaov
TToXiov \tovto Be KOI 7rpb<i tou9 a7]Ta<i tou? ev
TOi<i t/iart'ot? dyadov'^ Ta <ydp av tcov TevTXlcov
rj pa(f)dv(av dXXov Tpoirov aapKcoBrj xal Ta TOiV
injyavLoyv KaXovfievoov ev TrXaret yap Kal ovk ev
CTTpoyyvXoTijTi to crapKwBe<i. kol tmv da/xvcoB(t)v
Be ■)] /xvpiKt] aapKOihe-^ to (pvXXov e'^ei. evia Be
1 cf. 1. 8. 3; 1. 10. 8; Plin, 16. 92.
2 iK darepov 5' e/s conj. Sell, from G ; SI he dartpov fls with
stop at IvHv Aid. 3 5«' ov I conj. ; 5i' S>v U.
•• a,Kav06<pv\Aa conj. W. ; <Tirav6fv\\a UMAld.; aviicpvWa
Po; cf. 3. 9. 5, wlience Sch. conj. Tpixo'<^uAAa : Plin. I.e. has
capillata pino cedro.
* fj.ri\(a probably corrupt ; omitted by Plin. I.e.
70
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. x. 2-5
may observe this in trees whose leaves are crowded
and opposite,! such as those of myrtle.
Some think that the nourishment too is conveyed to
the upper surface through the under surface, because
this surface always contains moisture and is downy,
but they are mistaken. It may be that this is not
due to the trees' special chai-acter, but to their not
getting an equal amount of sunshine, though the
nourishment conveyed through the veins or fibres
is the same in both cases. That it should be con-
veyed from one side to the other ^ is improbable,
when there are no passages for it nor thickness for it
to pass through.^ However it belongs to another
part of the enquiry to discuss the means by which
nourishment is conveyed.
Again there are various other differences between
leaves ; some trees are broad-leaved, as vine fig and
plane, some narrow-leaved, as olive pomegranate
myrtle. Some have, as it were, spinous'* leaves,
as fir Aleppo pine prickly cedar ; some, as it were,
fleshy leaves ; and this is because their leaves are of
fleshv substance, as cypress tamarisk apple,^ among
under-shrubs kneoros and stoibe, and among herba-
ceous plants house-leek and hulwort. " This plant
is good against moth in clothes. For the leaves of
beet and cabbage are fleshy in another way, as are
those of the various plants called rue ; for their fleshy
character is seen in the flat instead of in the round.^
Among shrubby plants the tamarisk^ has fleshy
* Prolmbly a gloss.
^ Or ' solid,' sttch leaves being regarded as having, so to
speak, three, and not two dimensions. arpofyvXos = ' thick-
set ' in Arist. H.A. 9. 44.
* Hvpimj probably corrupt ; /i. was mentionerl just above,
among trtts ; iptiKii conj. Dalec.
71
THEOPHRASTUS
KOI KaXafji6(f)v\\a, KaOaTrep o (polvi^ koI 6 Koi^
Koi ocra roiavra- ravra Be 009 /cad^ oXov elirelv
ycoviocjivXXa' koL yap 6 KaXap,o<; kol 6 Kviretpo'?
KoX 6 jBovTopo^ Koi ToXka he twi' \ifj.V(o8a)V
ToiavTa' TTcivra 8e coarrep eK Svolv avvOera kol
TO jxecrov olov rpoTTi'^, ov iv T0t9 aWoL<i pbeya^i
TTopot; 6 fiea-of;. Siacpepovcri 8e /cal rot<i ^^(^i^/xaa-r
ra ixev yap Trepicpeprj, KaOdirep ra Trj<i clttIov, to.
he TTpofirjicecrjepa, KaBdirep ra t?}? /jbr]\ea<i' ra he
eh o^v irporjKOVTa Kal TrapaKavdi^ovra, Kaddnrep
ra rov /j-i\aKO<i. kuI ravra /xep d(T')(^iara' <rd he
cr)(^iara> Kal olov TrpLOvcohr), KaOdirep ra rrj<;
eXdrr]<; Kal ra T779 'nreplho'i' rpoirov he riva
(j)(^L(Trd Kal rd tt}? dfiirekov, Kal ra rr](i avK7]<;
he Mcnrep av elrroL ri<i KopcouoTTohcohT]. evia Be
Kal evrofjidq e-)(ovra, KaOdirep rd rr]<; TTTeXf'a? Kal
rd rrj^ '}ilpaK\€0)riKTJ<i Kal rd rf]<; hpv6<i. rd he
Kal irapaKavOi^ovra Kal eK rov UKpov Kal eK rwv
irXaycMv, olov rd t?79 irpivov Kal rd rrj<i hpvb^
Kal fiiXaKot; Kal ^drov Kal irdXiovpov Kal rd reov
dWo)v. aKavOSihe^ he eK roiv aKpoov Kal ro ri]<i
7r€VKrj<i Kal TTirva Kal e\drrj<i en he Kehpov Kal
Kehpiho<;. ^vWuKavOov he 6\co<i iv fiev roc<;
hevhpoi<i ovK eariv ovhev wv r)fjiei<i 'larfiev, ev he
rol<i dWoL<i vXijfxaaLV eariv, olov r) re aKopva Kal
r] hpvirU Kal 6 dKavo<i Kal a-^^ehov dirav rb rcov
uKavcohoiv yevo<i' cocnrep ydp cf)vXkov earlv rj
aKavOa ttcktiv el he p^rj (f)vWa Tf9 ravra drjo-ei,
1 Plin. I.e. and 13. 80. ^ „i ^^ ^onj. W.; '6e^v Aid. H.
3 TrapaKavQl^ovra <ion}. Sell.; TTapayievl^ovTaXJ'hlYAXd.
* TO. 56 (Txtffra add. W,
72
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. x. 5-6
leaves. Some again have reedy leaves, as date-jwlm
doum-palm and such like. But, generally speaking,
the leaves of these end in a point ; for reeds galin-
gale sedge and the leaves of otl-er marsh plants are
of this character. ^ The leaves of all these are com-
pounded of two parts, and the middle is like a keel,
placed where in - other leaves is a large passage
dividing the two halves. Leaves differ also in their
shapes ; some are round, as those of pear, some
rather oblong, as those of the apple ; some come to a
sharp jx)int and have spinous projections^ at the
side, as those of smilax. So far I have sjwken of
undivided leaves ; but some are divided * and like
a saw, as those of silver-fir and of fern. To a
certain extent those of the vine are also divided,
while those of the fig one might compare to a crow's
foot." ^ Some leaves again have notches, as those of
elm filbert and oak, others have spinous projections
both at the tip and at the edges, as those of kermes-
oak oak smilax bramble Christ's thoni and others.
The leaf of fir Aleppo pine silver-fir and also of prickly
cedar and kedris (juniper)" has a spinous point at
the tip. Among other trees there is none that we
know which has spines for leaves altogether, but it
is so with other Moody plants, as akorna drypis pine-
thistle and almost all the plants which belong to
that class.^ For in all these spines, as it were, take
the place of leaves, and, if one is not to reckon these
' KopajvoroSaiSr) conj. Gesner. The fig-leaf is compared to a
crow's foot. Pint, df defect, orac. 3; VKoXoirciSr) Aid., which
word is applied to thorns by Diosc. * Plin. 16. 90.
~ KeSplSos conj. Dalec. ; iceSplas MSS. cf. Plin. I.e., who
seems to have read aypias.
* aKavuSwy conj. \V., cf. 1. 13. 3; aKavOwSuv MSS.; aKav-
duv Pg.
73
THEOPHRASTUS
(TVfjL^aivoi, av 6X(o<i a<puWa elvai, evioL<i he uKavOav
fiev elvat. (f)uWov 8e oX&)9 ov/c e')(eiv, Kaddirep 6
da(f)dpa'yo<i.
YldXiv S" on TO, jxev dfiia^a, KaOdirep ra t?}?
cTKiX\r]<i Koi rou (3o\^ov, rd 5' e^ovra ixio-'xpv.
Kol rd fiev fiaKpov, olov rj dfjbTreko'i koX 6 kitt6<;,
rd 8e ^pa^vv /cal olov efXTre^vKora, Kaddrrep i\da
Kol oy^ Mairep iirl t% likardvov koX dfXTriXov
TTpoaijpTrjfievov. 8ia<f)opd oe Kol to /mt] e« tmp
auTOiv elvai Trjv 7rp6a(f)vaiv, dWd T0t9 fi€V
irXeiaroi^ i/c tmv K\dhu>v tok 8e koI eK tmv
d/cp€fi6v(ov, rf]<; 8pvb<i 8e koI e/c rov areXexpvfi,
TOiv 8e \a')(avu>8(i}v rol<i TroXXot? €vdv<i i/c T/79
pl^r}^, olov Kpofivov (XK6p8ov Kixopiov, en 8e
da^o8eXov (TKiX\.ti<; /BoX^ov aia-vpcyx^tov kol
o\co<; rwv ^o\^(o8oiV' koI tovtcov 8e ovy(^ 7) TvpcoTi]
jxovov €K(f)uaL<; dWa Kal 0X09 Kau\o<i d(j}vWov.
evicov S' OTav jevrjTai, (f)vWa ecKO'i, olov 6 pi.8aKiV7}<i
coKifiov aeXivov Kal roiv (nrrjpcov 6fiOLCo<i. e-^^ei
S' evca rovTcov koI tov kuuXov elr dKavOi^ovra,
0)9 r) 6pi8aKLvr] Kal rd (pvXXuKavda irdvra Kal
TOW da/j,vo)8(bv 8e Kal en fidXXov, olov ^dro^:
TTaXiovpo'i.
K.01V7] 8e 8ia(f)opd irdvTcov ofioico^ 8ev8p(ov Kal
Tcov dXXcov on rd p,ev TroXucfyuXXa rd S' oXiyo-
(f)vXXa. ft)9 S" eirl to irdv to. 7rXaTV(f)vXXa ra^i-
(pvXXa, Kaddirep fiuppivo<;, rd S' uTaKTa Kal cl)?
eVf^e, KaOdirep a'x^ehov rd TrXelara tmv dXXwv
1 Plin. 16. 91. - eVl conj. W.; ^ Alcl.H.
^ iviwv . . . eUSs. So Scb. explains : text probably de-
fective.
74
EXQriRV INTO PLANTS, 1. x. 6-8
as leaves, they would be entirely leafless, and some
would have spines but no leaves at all, as asjwragus.
1 Again there is the difference that some leaves
have no leaf-stalk, as those of squill and purse-
tassels, while others have a leaf-stalk. And some
of the latter have a long leaf-stalk, as vine
and ivv, some, as olive, a short one which grows, as
it were, into the stem and is not simply attached to
it, as it is in- plane and vine. Another difference is
that the leaves do not in all cases grow from the
same part, but, whereas in most trees they grow from
the branches, in some they grow also from the twigs,
and in the oak from the stem as well ; in most
pot-herbs they grow directly from the root, as in
onion garlic chicory, and also in asphodel squill
purse-tassels Barbary-nut. and generally in plants
of the same class as purse -tassels ; and in these
not merely the original growth but the whole
stidk is leafless. In some, when the stalk is pi'o-
duced, the leaves may be expected to grow,3 as in
lettuce basil celery, and in like manner in cereals.
In some of these the stalk presently becomes spinous,
as in lettuce and the whole class of plants with
spinous leaves, and still more in shrubby plants, as
bramble and Christ's thorn.
* Another difference which is found in all trees
alike and in other plants as well is that some have
many, some few leaves. And in general those that
have flat leaves-' have them in a regular series, as
mvrtle, while in other instances the leaves are in no
particular order, but set at random, as in most other
* Plin. 16. 92.
* r\aTv<f>v\\a UVP ; iroXvtpvWa conj. W. ; but irXaryTT/s is
one of the ' differences ' given in the summary below.
75
THEOPHRASTUS
[-^f], 'iSiov Be eVi tmv \a-)(av(i)hoiv, olov Kpofivov
jr]T€LOV, TO KOtXocfivWov.
'A7rA,w9 5' al 8ia(J3opal tcov ^uXXwi/ tj fieyedet
77 TrXrjdei 7) cT'X^rjfiari rj TrXarvrrjri y crrevoTrjri
rj KOiXorrjTi rj rpa^uTyrt rj XeiorrjTi koX tw irap-
aKavOi^eLV rj jirj. eVi 5e /cara t^v irpcxj^vcnv
66 ev ij hi ov' TO fxev 66 ev, airo p't^rjq r) K\d8ov
rj KavXov rj aKpe/xovo^;' rb he St ov, rj 8ia /xtcr%ou
rj Bi" avrov Kal el Brj iroWa e'/c toO avrov. koI
evia Kap7ro(f)6pa, jiera^v TrepieiXycfyora top /capirov,
wcnrep rj ^AXe^avBpeia Bd(f)vrj iTTt(f)vW6Kap7ro<;.
At /Mcv ovv Bia(f)opal tS)v (pvWcov KoivoTepw^
Trdaat etprjvrai koX o')(eB6v elcnv ev tovtoc<;.
(XvyKcirai Be ra jiev e^ lvo<i koI <p\oLov koL
(rapK6<;, olov ra rfj^ avKrj<i koI rrj<i d/xireXov, ra Be
Mairep e^ lvo<; jiovov, olov rou /caXdfiov koI crirov.
TO Be vypbv dirdvTWV kolvov diracn yap evv-
7rdp)(^ec Kal TOvroi<i Kol Toi<; dXXot<; Tot? iirereioLfi
\^jjiia')(^o<; dv6o<i Kapiro'i el tl aXXo^ judXXov Be Kal
Tot9 firj e7r6Tetoi9' ovBev yap dvev rovrov. BokcI
Be Kal TO)v iJiia')(03V rd jxev e'f IvSiV fiovov crvyKel-
aOat, Kaddirep ra rou (tItov Kal rov KaXdfiov, rd
8' eK TCOV avTMv, axTTrep ol KavXoL
^ tS)V &\\a>v ^v MSS. ; tcov iroiaiSwy conj. W. -^v, at all
events, cannot be right. ^ Plin. 19. 100.
•* fi (mvSrrjri r) koi\6ti}Tl : SO (J ; ^ /coiAo'ttjti ^ (TTecf^rrjTi
MSS. ■• i.e. petiolate. ^ i.e. sessile.
® i.e. compound : et 5^ conj. W. : efSrj UMVAld.
■^ The passage from here to the end of the chapter is a
digression.
76
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. x. 8-9
plants.! 2 It is peculiar to pot-herbs to have hollow
leaves, as in onion and horn-onion.
To sum up, the diflerences between leaves are
shewn in size, number, shape, hollowness, in breadth,^
roughness and their opposites, and in the presence or
absence of spinous projections ; also as to their
attachment, according to the part from which they
spring or the means by which they are attached ;
the part from which they spring being the root or a
branch or the stalk or a twig, while the means by
which they are attached may be a leaf-stalk,^ or they
may be attached directly ; ^ and there may be ^
several leaves attached by the same leaf-stalk.
Further some leaves are fruit-bearing, enclosing the
fruit between them, as the Alexandrian laurel, which
has its fruit attached to the leaves.
These are all the differences in leaves stated some-
what generally, and this is a fairly complete list of
examples.
Comjx)s!tion of the irtrions par-ts of a plant.
' (Leaves are composed some of fibre bark and flesh,
as those of the fig and vine, some, as it were, of
fibre alone, as those of reeds and corn. But moisture
is common to all, for it is found both in leaves and in
the other annual parts,^ leaf-stalk, flower, fruit and so
forth but more especially in the parts which are
not annual ^ ; in fact no part is without it. Again it
appears that some leaf-stalks are composed only of
fibre, as those of corn and reeds, some of the same
materials as the stalks.
- uiffxos . . . 5a\o has no construction ; probably a (correct)
gloss, taken from 1, 2, 1.
^ i.e. while these are young, W.
77
THEOPHRASTUS
10 Tmv S' avOa>v ra fjuev ck (j)Xoiov koI ^XeySo? /cat
aapKO'i, <ra 8' e/c aapKO'i> fiovov, olov ra iv /xea-at
TOiV apu>v.
'0/j,oi(t)<; Se Kol eVl tmv KapTTcov ol [xev lyap eK
<TapKo<i Kal iv6<i, ol Se eK aapKo^ fiovov, ol Se Kal
€K Bep/MiTO<; (TvyKeivrar to Be vypov aKoXovdel
Kot TovTOL^. eK crapKo<; fiev koI lvo<; o rSiv
KOKKVfjbTjXfov Kal aiKvwv, ef tVo9 Be koX 8eppaT0<i
6 TMV avKa/jLLvcov Kal T^9 p6a<;. aWoc Be kut
aWov rpoTTOV fxefiepiapbevoc. TrdvTcov Be &)?
elirelv to fiev e^co (f)\oio<; to 8' eWo9 aap^ r(ov Be
Kal rrvprjv.)
XI. "Ea^arov S' iv airaai to cnrepfxa. rovro
Be e^ov iv eavrw crvfi(f>vTov vjpov Kal Oepp-ov, 5>v
iK\nr6vr(ov dyova, Kaddirep rd cod. Kal tmv /jlcp
evOii TO airepp-a /juerd to irepiexov, olov ^OLVLKO<i
Kapvov dfiv>yBd\ir]'i , ifKeifo Be tovtcov Ta ifiirepi-
e^ovTa, ot)9 Ta tov <^oiviKO<i. tmv Be /xeTa^v adp^
Kal TTvprjv, Siairep i\da<; Kal KOKKVfirj\ea<; Kal
eTepcov. evta Be Kal iv \o^a>, Ta S" iv v/xevi, Ta
8' iv dyyelo), Ta Be Kal yvfivocnrepfia TeXeico^.
2 'El* Xo/3a) fxev ov fxovov Ta eTrcTe/a, Kaddirep Ta
'X^BpoTTa Kal eTepa trXeiw tmv dypicov, dWa Kal
TMV BevBpwv evia, KaOdirep r/ Te Kepwvia, 'ijv Tive<;
KaXovcrt (tvktjv AljuTTTLav, Kal rj KepKh Kal 17
KoXoLTia irepl Anrdpav iv vp,evi S' evia tS>v
1 T^ U ; tJ) Aid.
^ ra 5' in irapKhs preserved only in niBas. ; oni. UMVPj.
Sell, reads rh.
=* Spa>i' conj. W.; aipw)/ MSS. * i.e. rind.
5 Plin. 18. 53. « ov eonj. Sch.; oZv Ald.H.
78
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. x. lo-xi. 2
Of flowers some ^ are com|X)sed of bark veins and
flesh, some of flesh only,^ as those in the middle of
cuckoo-pint.'
So too with fruits ; some are made of flesh and
fibre, some of flesh alone, and some of skin * also.
And moisture is necessarily found in these also.
The fruit of plums and cucumbers is made of flesh
and fibre, that of mulberries and jiomegranates of
fibre and skin. The materials are differently distri-
buted in different fruits, but of nearly all the outside
is bark, the inside flesh, and this in some cases
includes a stone.)
Differences in seeds.
XI. Last in all plants comes the seed. This possesses
in itself natural moisture and warmth, and, if these
fail, the seeds are sterile, like eggs in the like case.
In some plants the seed comes immediately inside
the envelope, as in date filbert almond (however, as
in the case of the date, there may be more than one
covering). In some cases again there is flesh and a
stone between the envelope and th^ seed, as in olive
plum and other fruits. Some seeds again are enclosed
in a pod, some in a husk, some in a vessel, and some
are completely naked.
^ Enclosed in a pod are not ^ only the seeds Oi
annual plants, as leguminous plants, and of con-
siderable numbers of wild plants, but also those of
certain trees, as the carob-tree (which some " call
the ' Egj'ptian fig '), Judas-tree,® and the koloitiu ^
of the Liparae islands. In a husk are enclosed the
" ^v Tivtt conj. St. from G ; Itvriya Ald.H.
" Clearly not the KepKii (aspen) described 3. 14. 2.
* Ko\on\a MSS. ; KoXovrfa conj. St., rf. 3. 17. 2 n.
79
THEOPHRASTUS
eTTeTeicov, Mcnrep 6 ttu/oo? Kal 6 Key^po^;' cocrauTtw?
8e Kal evayyeioaTrep/jLara Kal yv/nvocTTTepfiaTa.
ivayyeioaTripfiaTa fxev olov rj re /jLtJkoov Kal oaa
/xrjKooviKa' to yap arjaafiov lSt,Q)T€pco<i- yvfivo-
(TTrep/xara Be rwv re \aj(^dvu)V ttoWcl, KaOdrrrep
dvqdov Kopiavvov avvrjaov Kvp,ivov fMcipaOov kuI
3 €T€pa TrXeico. rcov 8e SevSpcov ovSev yv/jLVoa-irepfiov
aXV rj aap^l TrepLe')(^op,evov rj KeXv^eaiv, ra p.ev
8epfjLaTiK0i<;, wairep rj ^d\avo<i Kal ro ^v^oIkov,
TO, Be ^vXcoBeatv, Mcnrep i) afjLvyBdXr} Kal rb
Kapvov. ovBev Be ivayyeLocnreppiov, el fxrj ri<i rbv
Kwvov dyyelov Orjcrei Bia to %ft)/3t^eo-^at tmv
KapTTcbv.
Avrd Be rd aireppbara tmv fxev evdv aapKooBr],
KaOdirep oaa Kapvrjpd Kal ^aXavrjpd' twv Be ev
TTvprjvi TO (TapKMBe<i ex^Tai, KadaTrep iXdaf Kal
Ba(f}vlBo<i Kal dXXcov. tmv 6' ifnrvprjva povov rj
TTvprjvcoBr) ye ^ Kal cocnrep ^rjpd, KaOdirep rd
KvrjKcoBr] Kal Keyxpap,iBco8r] Kal TroXXd rS)V
Xa')(avif]pS>v. ep^avearara Be rd rov <f>oiviKO<i'
ovBe ydp KotXorrjra e;^ei rovro ovBepiav aXA,'
oXov ^rjpov ov p.r]V a\A,' vyp6rr]<; Bij Tt? Kal
depp,6r7j<; virdp^et B^Xov on Kal rovrw, Kaddirep
ecTTopep.
^ fxriKwviKo. . . . rh yap conj. W. from G ; uriKwvr Kara "yap
UMVAld.
^ Kopiavvov &vvi}<Tov conj. Sell.; Kopiavvijaov UMAld.; ko-
pivv7)aovY', cf. Plin. 19. 119.
^ ^ K€\v<p€(nv conj. Sch., cf. C.P. 4. 1. 2 ; ^ 8* Kvixaaiv U;
Plin. 15. 112, crusta teguntur glandes. * Plin. 15. 113.
8o
ENQUIRY IXTO PLANTS, I. xi. 2-3
seeds of some annuals, as wheat and millet ; and
in like manner some plants have their seeds in a
vessel, some have them naked. In a vessel are
those of the poppy and plants of the poppy kind ; *
(the case of sesame however is somewhat peculiar),
while many pot-herbs have their seeds naked, as
dill coriander- anise cummin fennel and many
othei-s. No tree has naked seeds, but either they
are enclosed in flesh or in shells,' which are some-
times of leathery nature, as the acorn and the sweet
chestnut, sometimes woody, as almond and nut.
Moreover no tree has its seeds in a vessel, unless one
reckons a cone as a vessel, because it can be separated
from the fruits.
The actual seeds are in some cases fleshy in them-
selves, as all those which resemble nuts or acorns ;
* in some cases the fleshy part is contained in a stone,
as in olive bay and others. The seeds in some
plants again merely consist of a stone,^ or at least
are of stone-like character, and are, as it were,*' dry ;
for instance those of plants like sattlower millet and
many pot-herbs. Most obviously of this character
are those of the date," for they contain no cavity,
but are throughout dry ^ ; — not but what there must
be even in them some moisture and warmth, as we
have said.^
* ffjLirvpTjva fxovov Jj irvp-nvuSri conj. Sell.; iv xvprjvi ix6vov ^
TtvpTivdiSet Aid. (P has itvpTiviibr]}.
* I.e. no seed can reallv be without moisture ; c/. 1. 11. 1.
7 (•/. a P. 5. 18. 4.
* ^Vphy I conj. , as required by the next clause ; e^opdov PAld. ;
t^oppov W. from Sch. conj. The germ in the date-stone is so
small as to be undiscoverable, whence the stone seems to be
homogeneous throughout, with no cavitv for the germ.
9 1. 10. 9.
THEOPHRASTUS
4 Aia(f)epovcn Be fcal rep ra jxev aO poa fier
aWrjXwv elvai, ra 8e BtecrrtoTa /cat (TT0i')(r}B6v,
oiCFirep TO, T?^9 Ko\oKvvTr]<i Kal aiKva<i Kal rcov
SevSpcov, 0)9 UepaLKpjq fjurjXea'i. Kal rSiv aOpocov
ra fiev kvi Tivi irepte^eadai, KaOdirep ra ti}? p6a<i
Kal rri<; airiov Kal /jLrjXea^; Kal rrj-i ap^ireKov Kal
a-vKrj<i' TO, 8e /xer' uXXijXcov p,ev elvai, p,r} irepi-
e'xeardai he v(j)^ ev6<{, wcnrep ra ara')(yr}pa rwv
eTTereioiv, el p^rj ri<; delr) rov ard')(yv &>? 'Trepie')(pv'
ovrco 8' earai Kal 6 ^6rpv<i Kal raWa ra
^orpvcoSr) Kal oaa 8r) <J3ep€i 8i ev^ooiav Kal
'X^oopa'i dperrjv d6poov<i rov<; Kaprrov^i, coairep ev
%vpia (paal Kal aWoOi ra<; e\da^.
5 'AXXa Kal aurr] 8oK€t ri<; elvai 8ia(f)opd rb ra
p,ev d(f evo<{ p,iaj(pv Kal pid<i irpoa^vaew'i
ddpoa yipeadai, KaOdirep eVt re roiv ^orpvrjpMv
Kal ara')(^vr)pa)v etprjrai //.?; 7re/Jie%o/Aei/a koivw
rtvt yLvecrdar rd 8e p,r} ytveaOai. eVei. Ka0^
eKacrrov je Xap^dvovri row arreppudraiv rj r&v
ireptexovroyv I8iav dpxv^ ^xet rr}? rrpoa^vaeaxi,
olov 7] re pd^ Kal rj poa Kal irdXiv 6 TTVpo^ Kal r}
Kpidrj. i'jKiara S' dv 86^eiev rd rSiv pujXcov Kal
rd rcov diricov, on avp^fravei re Kal TrepieiXtjirrai
KaOdirep vpevi rivl 8epp,ariKa> irepl ov ro irepi-
6 KapiTLOv dX\! 6p.o}<i Kal rovrcov eKacrrov I8iav
dpxv^ ^'%^* '^^1' ^vaiv cfiavepcorara 8e rca
^ ffToixn^iv conj. W.; o-xeSbi' Aid.
^ kvi Tivi couj. Sch.; eV Ttvi Aid. ^ cf. Plin. 15. 15.
* ai'TTj conj. Sch.; avrr) Aid. ^ rb conj. W.; rif Aid.
82
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. xi. 4-6
Further seeds differ in that in some cases they are
massed together, in others they ai-e separated and
arranged in roAvs,^ as those of the gourd and
bottle-gourd, and of some trees, such as the citron.
Again of those that are massed together some differ
in being contained in a single '^ case, as those of
pomegranate pear apple vine and fig ; others in
being closely associated together, yet not contained
in a single case, as, among annuals, those which are
in an ear — unless one regards the ear as a case. In
that case the grape-cluster and other clustering fruits
will come under the description, as well as all those
plants which on account of good feeding or excellence
of soil bear their fruits massed together,^ as they
say the olive does in Syria and elsewhere.
But this'* too seems to be a point of difference,
that ^ some grow massed together from a single
stalk and a single attachment, as has been said in
the case of plants with clusters or ears whose seeds
do not grow contained in one common case ; while
others grow otherwise. For in these instances, if
one takes each seed or case separately, it has its own
special point of attachment, for instance each grape
or pomegranate,"^ or again each grain of wheat or
barley. This would seem to be least of all the case
with the seeds of apples and }>eai-s, since " these
touch one another ^ and are enclosed in a sort of
skin-like membrane, outside which is the fruit-case.*^
However each of these too has its own peculiar
point of attachment and character ; this is most
' ^ T€ . . . ^6a. : text perliap.s defective ; f) re po| ^6rpvas
Kol TTJs l>6as b xvpriv conj. Bod.
' 2t« conj. Sch. ; Siri U; o-rot PM Aid.
» cf. 8. 5. 2. » i.e. pulp.
83
THEOPHRASTUS
K€)(^oi)pl<Tdai ra Trj<i p6a<i' o yap Trvprjv e/cacTTO)
irpocnre^vKev, ovx cocnrep rcov avKoov dS7]\a Sea
TTjV vyporrjTa. koI yap tovto) e')(pvaL Sia(f>opav
Kaiirep d/j,cf)6repa Trepie^o/xeva aapKcoSei rivl kul t5>
TOVTO TrepieiXijcfioTi fiCTa tmv dWcov to, fiev yap
776/31 €KaaTov e;^et irvprjva to crapKa)8e<; tovto to
vypov, al 8e /c67%/9a/^t8e9 coaTrep kolvov tl iraaaL,
Kaddirep Koi to yiyapTov koX o<ja top avTOV ex^i
TpoTTOv. aXXd Ta<; fxev ToiavTUf; hia<^opd<i Ta%'
dv Tt9 \dj3oL 7r\€iov<i' 0)v hei Td<; KvpiaTaTa^; Kol
fidXiaTU T?79 (f)va€0)<; fxrj dyvoecv.
XII. At Be KaTO, tov<; %i'Xoi'9 Kal to. a^W^Ta
Koi Td<i 6\a<i fiop(f)d<; a-)(^e8ov (pavepal irdcnv, &(tt€
fir) SeiaOaL Xoyov TrXrjv toctovtov y OTi a')(rjixa
ovBev TrepiKapTTiov evdvypafifiov ovSe y(ovLa<; e%et,
Tcav Be x^Xcbv ol fxev elcriv olvcoBei^;, axnrep dfi-
Trekov avKap-ivov jxvpTOV' ol 8' iXacoBei^i, uxnrep
i\da<i Bd<^vrj<i Kapva<i dp,vyBa\rj<i 7revKr]<i nrtTVOf;
eXaTT/?' ol Be /ieXtTwSet?, olov avKov (polviKO^
Bioa ^aXdvov ol Be Bpifxeh, olov opiydvov 6vfx/3pa<i
KapBdfMOV vdirvoq- ol Be iriKpot, aavep d^lnvOiov
icevTavpiov. Bia(f)epovac Be Kal rat? euwStat?,
olov dvvrjcov K€BpiBo<i' evicav Be vBapel'i dv Bo^aiev,
olov ol Tbiv KOKKvp.rfKeu>v ol Be o^et9, oicnrep powv
' i.e. of the pulp. "^ rovrcf conj. Sch.; toCto Aid.
» r})v om. St.: i.e. the seeds are arranged in compartments
of the pulp.
84
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. xi. 6-\ii. i
obvious in the separation of the pomegranate seeds,
for the stone is attached to each, and the connexion
is not, as in figs, obscured by the moisture.^ For
here ' too there is a difference, although in both
cases the seeds are enclosed in a sort of fleshy
substance, as well as in the case which encloses this
and the other parts of the fruit. For in the pome-
granate the stones have this moist fleshy substance
enclosing each ^ separate stone ; but in the case of
fig-seeds, as well as in that of grape stones and other
plants which have the same arrangement, the same
pulp is common to all.^ However one might find
more such differences, and one should not ignore the
most important of them, namely those which specially
belong to the plant's natural character.
Differences in fade.
XII. The differences in taste, shape, and form as
a whole are tolerably evident to all, so that they do
not need explanation ; except that it should be
stated that ^ the case containing the fruit is never
right-lined in shape and never has angles. ^ Of
tastes some are like wine, as those of vine mul-
berr}' and myrtle : some are like olive-oil, as, besides
olive itself, bay hazel almond fir Aleppo pine silver-
fir ; some like honey, as tig date chestnut ; some are
pungent, as marjoram savoiy cress mustard ; some
are bitter, as wormwood centaury. Some also are
remarkably fragrant, as anise and juniper"; of
some the smell would seem to be insipid,- as in
plums ; of others sharp, as in pomegranates and
* i.e. the fniit is not diWded into compartments.
* »At)v ^ roaovrov conj. W.; xXljv tovovtov ^ UMAId.
« Plin. 19. 186; 15. 109. " cf. 1. 9. 4. « Lit. watery.
85
THEOPHRASTUS
Kol evlrov fJurfKcov. airdvrcov Se olv(oSei<i Koi tov<;
ev TouTO) T(p yevet dereov aWoi Be ev aXXot,<;
etSeatv virrep wv airdvrwv uKpi^earepov ev Tot<?
irepl %fX,coi' prjreov, avrd<; re Ta<i lhea<i BtapiO/xov-
fxevovi OTTocrai koX to.^ Trpo? aXX.rj\ov<i Bia<popd<;
KoX ri'i rj eKaarov (f)vai<; Kol hvvaixL<i.
"E;^et he kol rj tcov BevBpcov avrcov vyp6ri]<;,
wairep e\exOv> Btd(f)opa ecBr)' r) p,ev yap icrriv
ottwSt;?, Mcrirep rj tt)? cruKrjt; koX rr]<; pbrjKwvo<i' i)
he 71 iTr(oBrj<;, olov iXdT7]<; 7rev/ci]<; tmv Kcovocpopwv'
dWt] S' vBap7]<i, olov dfiTiiXov diriov p^rfkea^, Koi
rct)v Xa'^avcoBcbv Be, olov aiKVOv koXokvvtt]^ dpiBa-
Kivri<i' al Be [)]Br]\ BptpvTrjTd riva exovcn, Kaddirep
7] Tou dvfxov Koi 6vfil3pa<;' al Be /cat evwBiav,
wcTTTep al Tov aeXivov dvrjOou fiapddov Kal rcov
roiovTwv. 0)9 8' dirkw'i eiTrelv diracrat Kara rrjv
IBiav (pvaiv eKaarov BevBpov Kal ft)9 Ka6^ oXov
elirelv (f)VT0V' irav yap e'X^L Kpdcriv riva Kal fil^tv
IBiav, Tjirep oiKeia BrjXov on rvyxdvei rol<i viro-
K€ifievoi<i Kap7rol<;' wv rot<; TrXeicrroL^ (Tvvep(j>alve-
ral TL<i 6fj,oi6T7]<i ovK aKpi^rj'i ovBe aa(f))]<;- aXX"
ev T049 7r€pcKap7rL0t<i' Bib fxdXXov Karepyaalav
Xafi^dvei Kal Treylnv KaOapav Kal elXiKpivi] rj tov
1 cf. a P. 6. 6. 4.
^ T. is said to have written a treatise irtpi x^iJ-oiv.
^ dirdSris. ottos is used specially of the juice of the fig
itself.
^ fi^lKCDvos probably corrupt : it should be a tree.
86
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. xii. 1-2
some kinds of apples. ^ But the smells even of
those in this class must in all cases be called wine-
like, though they differ in different kinds, on which
matter we must speak more precisely, when we come
to speak of flavours,- reckoning up the different
kinds themselves, and stating what differences
there are between them, and what is the natural
character and property of each.
Now the sap of the trees themselves assumes
different kinds of tastes as was said ; sometimes it
is milky,^ as that of the fig and poppy,^ some-
times like pitch, as in silver-fir fir and the conifers ;
sometimes it is insipid, as in vine |>ear and apple,
as well as such pot-herbs as cucumber gourd
lettuce ; while others'^ again have a certain pungency,
such as the juice of thyme and savory ; others have
a fragrance, such as the juices of celery dill fennel
and the like. To speak generally, all saps corre-
spond to the special character of the several trees,
one might almost add, to that of each plant. For
every plant has a certain temperament and com-
position of its own, which "^ plainly belongs in a
special sense to tiie fruits of each. And in niost of
these is seen a sort of correspondence with the
character of the plant as a wliole, which is not
however exact nor obvious ; it is chiefly " in the fruit-
cases* that it is seen, and that is why it is the
character of the flavour which becomes more com-
plete and matures into something separate and
* I have bracketed ijBi) : ? a dittography of 01 St.
• fi-wfp mBas.H ; tUfp MAld.
^ aKK' fv . . . fiaWov MSS. (?) Ald.H ; yhp for 5jb conj. W,,
omitting stop before it.
' i.e. the pulp : so G. c/. 1. 11. 6.
87
THEOPHRASTUS
^i/XoO (f)vcri<;' Bet jap coairep to jxev vXrjv vno-
Xa^eiv TO 8e elSo^i koI fj,op(f)7]v.
"E;^6t Se avTCL to. a-Trepfxara Kol ol ^iTft)t'€9 ol
TTepl aura 8ia(f)opav ro)V ')(^uX(ov. ft)9 8' aTrXaJ?
elireiv arravra ra fjbopia tcov hevhpwv Kal (pvrcjv,
olov pi^a Kav\o<i aKpep,c6v (jivWov Kapiro'?, e;^efc
riva OLKeiorrjra 7Tpo<; ttjv oXr/v (pvatv, el koI
TrapaWaTTec /card re Ta<; 6ap.a^ koI Tov<i ')(^v\ov<i,
<09 ra jxev evoa/na /cal evcohrj ra S" aocr/xa Kal
a-xyXa 7ravTe\co<i elvai tmv tov avrov /nopicov.
^EvLcov yap evoafia ra avdiq jxaXkov rj to,
(f)vWa, TMP Se dvaTrdXiv ra (f)vXXa p^aWov Kal
OL K\Mve<i, cocTTrep tcov (Tre<^av(jC)pari,KS)V tcov 8e ol
Kapirol' TCOV S' ouSeTepov ivicov S' at pC^ar tcov
Be Tt nepo<i. 6fWico<i 8e Kal Kara rovf 'xyXov'i' to,
fiev yap ^pcoTa to, 8' a/Spcora rvy')(^dv€i Kal iv
^vWoL'i Kal irepLKapirloi'^. IhidoTaTov he to eirl
Tri<i (f)t\vpa<;' TavT7]<; yap to, /j,ev (f>vX\.a yXvKea
Kal TToWa TCOV ^cocov eaOiei, 6 he Kap7ro<i ovhevl
^p(or6<i' errel to ye dvarraXiv ouSev OavfxaaTov,
cocrre ra pbev cf)vWa p,7) iadUadac tol'9 he Kapirom
ov jxovov v(p^ ri/LLcov dWa Kal viro tcov aWcov
^cocov. dWd Kal irepl tovtov kol tmv aWcov
TCOV ToiovTcov vcTTepov TTecpaTeov deoopelv to.^
aLTia^.
XIII. NOv he ToaovTOV ecxTCO hfjXov, OTi Kara
irdvTa TO. fiepr) irXeiovi elcrl 8ca(f>opal 7roA.Xa%w9"
1 i.e. the pulp. '^ i.e. the flavour.
* Sense : Every tree has a characteristic juice of its own,
which is however specially recognisable in its fruit ; in the
tree as a whole its character is not always apparent. Hence
the importance of the flavour (which is seen in the fruit-
pulp), since it is this which determines the specific character,
88
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. xii. 2-xiii. i
distinct ; in fact we must consider the one ^ as
' matter,' the other - as ' form ' or specific character.^
Again the seeds themselves and the coats con-
taining them have different flavours. And, to speak
generally, all parts of trees and plants, as root stem
branch leaf fruit, have a certain relationship to the
character of the whole, even if* there is variation in
scents and tastes, so that of the parts of the same
plant some are fragrant and sweet to the taste,
while others are entirely scentless and tasteless.
For in some plants the flowers are more fragrant
than the leaves, in others on the contrary it is
rather the leaves and twigs which are fragrant, as in
those used for garlands. In others again it is the
fruits ; in others it is neither ^ of these parts, but, in
some few cases, the root or some part of it. And
so too with the flavours. Some leaves and some
fruit-pulps are, and some are not good for food.
^ Most peculiar is the case of the lime : the leaves
of this are sweet, and many animals eat them, but
the fruit no creature eats, (for, as to the contrary
case, it would not be at all surprising that the leaves
should not be eaten, while the fruits were eaten not
only by us but by other animals). But concerning
this and other such matters we must endeavour to
consider the causes on some other occasion.
Differences in flowers.
XIII. For the present let so much be clear, that
in all the parts of plants there are numerous differ-
the pulp of fruit in general being, in Aristotelian language,
the 'matter,' while the flavour is 'form.' cf. C.P. 6. 6. 6.
* el Kol conj. Sch. ; ri 8f U ; €1 5f MVAld.
* ovStrepov seems inaccurately used, as four parts have been
mentioned. « cf. 3 10. 5 ; Plin 16. 65.
89
THEOPHRASTUS
eVei KoX TMV avOcov to, fxev icni ^(vowhri, KaOdrrrep
TO T779 afiTTeXov kuI avKa/jbivov koI tov kittov-
TO, Se ^vWooSr], KuOdvep djxvyhaX.rj'i ixtfKea<i
diriov KOKKV/jirjXewi. /cat rd fxev fieyedo'i eyei,
TO Be T?79 i\da<; ^i/XXwSe? ov dfxeyede^. 6/xouo<;
Se Kal ev rol<i eTreTeioif koI iroidiheaL rd fiev
(pvWooSr] rd Se ■)(yo(iihri. Travrcov 8e rd fiev Sl-^^poa
rd he fiovo^poa. rd fiev rcov hevhpwv rd ye
TToWd /xovoxpoa Kal XevKavdr}' fxovov ydp co?
el-rrelv ro rr}? p6a<i (f)otviKOvv koI dfivySdXcov
rivwv virepvOpov dXkov he ovhevo<i rwv rj/uLepcov
ovre dvdSihe'i ovre hi')(^povv, dX)C et rivo'i rwv
dypiwv, olov ro t//? i\drr)<i' KpoKivov yap ro
ravrr]<; dv6o<i' Kol ocra hi] <f)aatv ev rfj e^oo Oa\-
drrrj pohcov e%efi^ rrjv XP^^^-
'Ry he roi<; eVeretot? ax^hov rd ye irXeiw
roiavra koI hixpoa koX hiavOrj. Xeyco he hiavOe<i
on erepov dv6o<i ev rw dvOei ex^t /card fieaov,
axTTTcp ro pohov /cal ro Kpivov Kal ro lov ro jxeXav.
evia he Kal ixov6(^vWa ^verat hiaypa(f)7jv exovra
[xovov rSiv 7r\ei6vo)v, wairep ro rr)'^ taaioovr]<i- ov
ydp Kex<'iipi'0'raL ravrrj<i ev rw dvdet ro (f)vX\.ov
cKaarov ovhe hrj rov \eipiov ro Kara) /jbepof;, dX\a
CK rcov aKpcov dTTO(f)V(Tei<i ycovicohei'i. crx(^hov he
Kal ro rr}<; eKaa^ roiovrov earcv.
Aia(})epei he Kal Kard rrjv eKcfyvaiv Kal Oecnv
rd jxev ydp ex^t Trepl avrov rov Kapirov, olov dfi-
^ i.e. petaloid.
2 aypicev Aid. ; alricov U ; avTiwv MV ; iroyrlaiv coiij. W.
^ i.e. corolla and stamens, etc.
* i.e. are gamopetalov\s (or ganios^paloiis).
90
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. xm. 1-3
ences shewn in a variety of ways. Thus of flowers
some are downy, as that of the vine mulberry and
ivy, some are ' leafy,' ^ as in almond apple pear
plum. Again some of these flowers are conspicuous,
while that of the olive, though it is ' leafy,' is incon-
spicuous. Again it is in annual and herbaceous
plants alike that we find some leafy, some downy.
All plants again have flowers either of two colours or
of one ; most of the flowers of trees are of one colour
and white, that of the pomegranate being almost the
only one which is red, while that of some almonds is
reddish. The flower of no other cultivated trees is
gay nor of two colours, though it may be so with
some uncultivated^ trees, as with the flower of silver-
fir, for its flower is of saffron colour ; and so with
the flowers of those trees by the ocean which have,
they say, the colour of roses.
However, among annuals, most are of this charac-
ter — their flowers are two-coloured and twofold. ^ I
mean by ' twofold ' that the plant has another
flower inside the flower, in the middle, as with rose
lily violet. Some flowers again consist of a single
'leaf,' ^ having merely an indication of more, as that
of bindweed.^ For in the flower of this the separate
' leaves ' are not distinct ; nor is it so in the lower
part of the narcissus,'* but there are angular projec-
tions '^ from the edges. And the flower of the olive
is nearly of the same character.
But there are also differences in the way of growth
and the position of the flower ; some plants have it
» c/. C.P. 2. 18. 2 and 3 ; Plin. 21. 65.
^ Xfipiov conj. Sch., i.e. narcissus, cf. 6. 6. 9 ; x*'P^<"' MSS.
^ i.e. something resembling separate 'leaves' (petals or
sepals).
THEOPHRASTUS
TreXo? iXdw 'J79 koI airo'rri'inovTa htarerpi^fieva
^aiverai, koI tovto arj/xetov Xa^^dvovaiv el
/caXw? aTnjvdijKev iav yap avyKavdrj rj ^pe'x^Ofj,
avva7ro/3aX\€i rov Kapirov kol ov rerprj^evov
jLyveTat' cryehov he kol ra iroXka rcov <dvdSiv>
ev fjieatp to TreptKapTriov e%6f, Ta%a oe /cat, eir
avTOV Tov Trepi/capiriov, KaOdrrep poa fieXea dirio'i
KOKKV/MTjXea fivppivo<;, Kal tmv ye (ftpvyaviKWV
poBoovla Kal ra ttoXXo, rwv aTe(})avcoTCKcov Karco
yap viTo TO dv6o<i e%6fc to, aTrep/xara' (fiavepoi)-
rarop Be eVt toO poBov Bia tov oyKov. evia Se
Kal eir^ avTwv twv aTrep/xaTcov, oocnrep 6 aKavo^
Kal 6 KVYjKo^ Kal vavra ra aKavcoBrj' Kad^ eKaa-
rov yap e%et to dvdo<i. o/noico^ Be Kal tmv
iroLwBoiv evia, KaOdirep to avdepuov ev Be Tot?
\axavr]pol<s Te (rLKVo<i Kal rj koXokvvttj Kal 7)
acKva- irdvTa yap enl tmv KapirSiV eyei, Kal
Trpocrav^avo/JLevcov eTTCfJievei to, dvOr] ttoXvv ^(^povov.
4 "AWa Be IBiwripw^, olov 6 kltto^ Kal ?} avKd-
fiivo^' ev avToU /xev yap e%et tol^ oXoti; irepi-
KapirioL'i, ov fxrjv ovt€ eir' dKpot<i ovt iirl
7repi,eiXrj(f)6ac KaG" eKaarov, aXk' ev Tol<i dvd
fieaov el p,r} dpa ov avvBrfKa Bid to 'yvocoBe';.
"Eart Be Kal dyova twv dvOwv evia, Kaddirep
iirl TMV (TiKvoyv d eK twv aKpcov ^veTai rov kXi]-
1 c/. 3. 16. 4. 2 Lacuna in text ; av6Siv I conj.
' Tcixa Aid. ; Tiva W. after Sch. conj.
■* Sttios conj. Bod.; &7J'os Ald.H.
•' i.e. composites.
' ffirepfxaToiy conj. Dalec. from G ; arofidroDV Aid.
"^ St/co"os conj. W. ; S /capos UV.
8 uKavudn conj. W.; iLvBiiSri Ald.H. r/. 1. 10. 6 ; 6. 4. 4.
92
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. xiii. 3-4
close above the fruit, as vine and olive ; in the latter,
when the flowers drop ofF, they are seen to have a
hole through them,i and this men take for a sign
-whether the tree has blossomed well ; for if the
flower is burnt up or sodden, it sheds the fruit along
with itself, and so there is no hole through it. The
majority of flowers ^ have the fruit-case in the middle
of them, or, it may be,^ the flower is on the top of
the fruit-case, as in pomegranate apple pear * plum
and myrtle, and among under-shrubs, in the rose
and in many of the coronary plants. For these have
their seeds below, beneath the flower, and this is
most obvious in the rose because of the size of the
seed-vessel. In some cases ^ again the flower is on
top of the actual seeds,"^ as in pine-thistle " safllower
and all thistle-like ^ plants ; for these have a flower
attached to each seed. So too with some herba-
ceous plants, as anthemon, and among pot-herbs, with
cucumber^ gourd and bottle-gourd; all these have
their flowers attached on top of the fruits,^'' and the
flowers persist for a long time while the fruits are
developing.
In some other plants the attachment is peculiar,
as in ivv and mulberry ; in these the flower is closely
attached to the whole ^^ fruit-case ; it is not however
set above it, nor in a seed-vessel that envelops each''^
separately, but it occurs in the middle part of the
structure — except that in some cases it is not easily
recognised because it is downy.
13 Again some flowers are sterile, as in cucumbers
those which grow at the ends of the shoot, and that
* T6 a'lKvos conj. W. ; oirep aixvos UM ; 6 TrepaiKvos Aid.
^° KapirSiv eonj. Sch. ; &Kpa>v Ald.H.
" i.e. compound. ^- ovt' exl I conj. for oin-i.
i=* cf. Arist. Probl. 20. 3.
93
THEOPHRASTUS
fiaTo<;, Sl KoX d^aipovcriv avrd' KcoXvei jdp rrjv
Tov (TiKvov ^Xdarrjcnv. (f)aal Be Koi ri}? firjXea^
T?}? M.rjBiKrj^ oaa fiev e;^et tmp dvOSiv wcyrrep
TjXaKcirrjv tlvo. 7r€(f)VKv2av eK fxicrov ravr eivat
jovifia, oaa Be fit) e;\;ei ravr^ dyova. el Be /col eV
dWov riv6<i ravra av/x^aivei twv dvOo^opav
coo-re d'yovov dvOo'i (f)veiv eiVe Ke)(^ci)ptafievov ecre
firj, (TKeTneov. eirel yev^] je evia koI dfiireXov koI
p6a<; dBvvarei reXeoKapTrelv, dXXd fiexpi' tov
dv6ov<i r) yepeaL<;.
(TiveraL Be koL to ye t?}9 p6a<i dv6o<i ttoXv koX
TTVKvov Kol 6Xco<i 6 6yK0<i TrXarv'^ wd-nep 6 riov
poBoyv KdrcoOev S" erepoio^- olo<i Bicoro^: /ic/cpo^
bicnrep iKrerpa/jifievo'i 6 KVTivo<i e'X^cov rd ^etX?;
^vxd>Bi].) ^
^^aal Be Tive<; Kol rdv ofjioyevoiv rd fxev dvdelv
rd 8' ou, Kaddirep rdv (poivUcov rov fiev dppeva
dvdelv TOV Be OrfKvv ovk dvdelv a\X' f^vdi) trpo-
ipaiveiv TOV Kap'rvov.
Ta fiev ovv tS> yevei rayra TOiavTrjv Trjv Bia-
^ i.e. tlie pistil.
2 i.e. as seen from above: koI o\o>v , . . poSuv describes the
corolla, KarwOev . . . ^ux'^Sij the undeveloped ovary, including
the adherent calyx.
•* l)6Suiv conj. Bod. ; powv Aid.
■* Karwdev . . . (jlvx^o^ I conj. ; 5' erepot St' &v ois niKphv
w(Tvep eKT€Tpa/UjueVoj k6tivos ex'^" '"'* X^'^'J |Uux<<J57j UMVAld.
(except that Aid. has dvco for x^^^V and fKrerpanixevoy : so
also P, but iKTeTpa.fj.iJ.(yos). The sentence explains incidentally
why the pomegranate flower was called kvtivos (cf. 2. 6. 12 ;
C.P. 1. 14. 4 ; 2. 9. 3 ; 2. 9. 9 ; Diosc. 1. 110 ; Plin. 23. 110
94
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. xiii. 4-5
is why men pluck them off, for they hinder the
growth of the cucumber. And they say that in the
citron those flowers which have a kind of distaff^
growing in the middle are fruitful, but those that
have it not are sterile. And we must consider
whether it occurs also in any other flowering plants
that they produce sterile flowers, whether apart
from the fertile flowers or not. For some kinds of
vine and pomegranate certainly are unable to mature
their firuit, and do not produce anything beyond the
flower.
(The flower of the pomegranate is produced abun-
dantly and is solid "^ : in general appearance it is a
substantial structure with a flat top, like the flower
of the rose ^ ; but,"* as seen from below, the inferior
l^art of the flower is different-looking, being like a
little two-eared jar turned on one side and having
its rim indented.)
Some say that even of plants of the same kind ^
some specimens flower while others do not ; for
instance that the ' male ' date-palm flowers but the
' female ' does not, but exhibits its fruit without any
antecedent flower.
Such "^ is the difference which we find between
and 111), I.e. because it resembled a jcutoj (see LS. s.v.). T.
chooses the particular form of jar called Siwtos, because the
indentations between the sepals suggest this : \J. This is
called itcTfTpafififvos, because the weight of the developing
fruit causes it to take up at one stage a horizontal position,
like a jar hing on its side ; x**^'? refers to the jar (for the
plural c/. the use of ivrvyes), fLvx<^^V to the indentations in
the calyx (a jar ha\-ing ordinarily an unindented rim).
* ifjioytvwv Qon}. Sch.; ofLoioytvuv A\i{.
* ravra roiavTrjv I conj. from G ; roiavra riiv UM ;
ToiauTijc P.
95
THEOPHRASTUS
(f)opav e%ef, Kaddirep o\a)<; ocra fxrj ZvvaraL reXeo-
fcapTrecv. i) he tov dvdov<i (f>vai.<i otl Trkeiovi e;\^et
Bia^opa<; (jiavepbv eK tmv irpoeiprjp.evwv.
XIV. Aiacjiepei 8e to, hevhpa koI roi<; tolovtol<;
Kara ttjv KapTTOTOKiav ra /xev yap e'/c rcov vecov
^Xacrrcov cfiepei ra S" eV t6)u evcov to, 8' e^ dfX(f)o-
Tepoiv. eK fiev rcov vecov crvKr} d/j,7re\o<;' eK Be tmv
evcov iXda poa p.T]\ea d/uLvySaXrj dmof; p,vppivo<;
Kol a-)(ehov rd roiavra irdvra' e« Be rcov vewv
idv dpa Ti (TV/x^fj Kvijaai koI dvOrjaai (jLverat
yap Kal ravT eVtoi?, wairep koI tm pvppivw Kal
pdXiaO^ CO? elirelv irepl rd<; ^\a(Trr)creL<i rd'i /xer'
^ApKTOvpov) ov Bvvarui reXeovv «X,X' rjp^iyevrj
(pOeiperar i^ dfi(f)OT€pa)V Be Kal tmv evcov Kal rcov
vecov eo Tive<; dpa p,r)\eai rcov Bi(f>6pcov ?) et ri
dXKo KdpTTipbov 'in Be 6 6\vv6o<i eKirerrcov Kal
avKa cpepcov ck rcov vecov.
^iBicordrrj Be r) eV rov CTeXe^ou? eK<f)vai<;,
wairep rri<i ev Pdyvirrcp avKafiivov raurrjv ydp
(paac (pepeiv €K rov ar€\e-^ov<;' ol Be ravrrj re Kal
eK rcov dKpe/Movcov, coairep rt]v Kepcoviav avrrj ydp
Kal eK rovrcov cf)epei ttXtjv ov ttoXvv KaXovai Be
Kepcoviav dcft^ rj<; rd crvKa rd Alyinrrca KaXovfieva.
^ ? i.e. that, like the 'female' date-palm, they have no
flower.
^ toioCto iravra- fV 5e rSiv vewv iav &pa ti conj. W. ; TOiavTW
irdvra yap e/c raiv evuiv eav Se &pa tj MSS.
» cf. 3. 5. 4.
* SifSpuv conj. Sell, from G ; Sta(p6pu)v UAld.
96
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. xiii. 5-xiv. 2
plants of the same kind ; and the like may be said ^
in general of those which cannot mature their fruit.
And it is plain from what has been said that flowers
shew many differences of character.
Differences in fruits.
XIV. Again as to the production of fruit trees
differ in the folloAving respects. Some bear on their
new shoots, some on last year's wood, some on both.
Fig and \-ine bear on their new shoots ; on last year's
wood olive pomegranate apple almond pear myrtle
and almost all such trees. And, if any of these does *
happen to conceive and to produce flowers on its new
shoots, (for this does occur in some cases, as with
myrtle, and especially, one may say, in the growth
which is made at^er the rising of Arcturus) ^ it can
not bring them to perfection, but they perish half-
formed. Some apples again of the twice-bearing *
kinds and certain other fruit-trees bear both on last
year's wood and on the new shoots ; and so does the
olynihos,^ which ripens its fruit as well as bearing figs
on the new shoots.
Most peculiar is the growtli of fruit direct from
the stem, as in the sycamore ; for this, they say,
bears fruit on the stem. Others say that it bears
both in this way and "^ also on the branches, like the
carob ; for the latter bears on the branches too,
though not abundantly : (the name carob is given to
the tree which produces what are called ' Egyptian
' 6Xyydoi is not elsewhere used for a kind of fig: fri 5«
rvKrf Tovs oXvvOous fK-rerTovaa, koI gvKa <t>fpovaa conj. Sch.
somewhat drastically.
• ravTTi T« Kol iK conj. W. ; ravTiji fiiy iK UMVAld. cf.
4. 2. 4.
97
THEOPHRASTUS
€(TTi 8e Koi ra fiev aKpoKapira tS)v BevSpav koI
oXw? T&v (f>VTa)v TO, 8e TrXajLOKapira ra S' dfjL(f)o-
repca. TrXeico 5' uKpoKapira tmv dWav tj roiv
SevSpcov, olov Toov re atrypcov ra aTa)(^vcoB7] koX
Tcov Oa/jLvoyScov ipeiKrj koi aneipaLa koI dyvo<; koi
dXk' uTTa Kol Twv \ax(tvooB(t)v rd Ke(jiaX6ppi^a.
i^ dfXifiOTipcov 8e koI tmv SevSpcov evia koI twv
Xaxci'VcoB&v, olov /SXcrov d8pd(pa^v<; pd<f)avo<;'
errel kol iXda Troiei ttw? rovro, Kai (f)acrcv orav
aKpov ivejKri cnj/jueiov ev^optwi elvai. dKpo-
KapTro<i Be tto)? koi 6 (poipt^' irXrjv rovro ye koL
aKpo^vXXov KOL dKpo^Xaarov 6Xw<i yap iv ra)
dvco rrdv to ^coriKov. rd^ fxev ovv Kurd <rd>
fMepr] 8ia(f>opd<i ireipareov ix rovrwv Oecopelv.
At Be roiavrai rr]<i oX.-^? ovcria<; (patvovrar BrjXov
on rd fiev rjfiepa rd S' dypia' kuI rd fxlv /cdpmfia
rd S" uKapira' koI del^vXXa koX (f)vXXo^6Xa,
KaOdirep eke')(dr], rd S' oX,&)9 d(pvXXa' koX rd jxev
dvdrjriKd rd 5' dvavdrj' koX Trpcoi/SXaarrj Be koI
irpcoi/capTra rd Be o'yjrL^aarr} koi osfrlKapTra'
axravrwi Be Koi oaa iraparrXricna rovroi<;. Kai
7ra)<? rd ye roiavra iv roi<; jxepecnv rj ovk dvev rwv
jxepSiv eariv. aXV eKeivrj IBicordrr) Kai rpoirov riva
jxeyicrrrj Bidara(Ti<;, ^irep Kai eVt rcov ^(ocov, on rd
fiev evvBpa rd Be ')(epaala' Kai ydp rcov <pvrcov
1 Plin. 16. 1J2.
^ TovTO conj. Sch. ; tovtov UAld. ; tovtov M.
' Tiadd. W.; cf. 1. 13. 1.
98
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. xiv. 2-3
figs '). ^ Again some trees, and gome plants in general,
produce fruit at the top, others at the sides, others in
both ways. But bearing fruit at the top is less
common in trees than in other plants, as among
grains in those which have an ear, among shrubby
plants in heath privet chaste tree and certain others,
and among pot-herbs in those with a bulbous
root. Among plants which bear both on the top
and at the sides are certain trees and certain pot-
herbs, as blite orach cabbage. I say trees, since
the olive does this too in a way, and they say that,
when it bears at the top, it is a sign of fruitfulness.
The date-palm too bears at the top, in a sense, but
this 2 tree also has its leaves and shoots at the top ;
indeed it is in the top that its whole activity is
seen. Thus we must endeavour to study in the
light of the instances mentioned the differences seen
in the ^ various parts of the plant.
General differences {affecting the ichole plant).
But there appear to be the following differences
which affect the plant's whole being : some are culti-
vated, some wild ; some fruitful, some barren ; some
evergreen, some deciduous, as was said, while some
again have no leaves at all ; some are flowering plants,
some flowerless; some are early, some late in producing
their shoots and fruits ; and there are other differences
similar to these. Now it may be said that ^ such
differences are seen in the parts, or at least that
particular parts are concerned in them. But the
special, and in a way the most important distinction
is one which may be seen in animals too, namely,
that some are of the water, some of the land. For
* KaL -Kws Tci ye toioCto conj. Sch. ; /cal irwv to. 76 Tuvra U ;
*a2 rd ye roiavra Aid.
99
H 2
THEOPHRASTUS
ecrri tl tolovtov yevo<i b ov Svvarat (f)vea9ai <iir}>
iv vypo)' ra 8e (pverai, fiev, ov^ o/j.oia 8e aXXa
X^i^pf^' rrdvTcov he roiv hevhpwv C09 aTrXw? elirelv
Kol TMV (pVTMP etSrj vrXeto) rvyxavei Kad^ eKuarov
4 yivo'i' (T'X^eSov yap ovBiv iartv cnrXovv a)OC oaa
fjb€V Tjnepa Koi aypia Xeyerai Tavrrjv efi<^ave-
aTaTTjv Kol ixeylaTrjv e^et BiacfiOpdv, olov avKr]
ipive6<i, ekda Kortvof, dino'i d'^pd'i' oaa S' ev
eKaripo) rovrcov Toi<i KapTToi<i re koi (f)vWoi<i /cal
Tal<i aXXai<i fiopcf)ai<; re kol roi<; fiopLoi<;. dWd
T03V fiev dypioav dvcovvfxa rd TrXeiara koX efiireipoi
oXiyor T(ov Se rjfjbipcov koX otyvofiaafieva rd irXeia)
Kal 7] al<j6'r](Ti<^ KoivoTepa' Xeyw S' olov dfnreXov
(TVKrjf; 'p6a<; firjXea^ diriov hd<^vri<i pvpplvri<; tmv
dXXwv 77 yap %/3^o-t<? ovcra kolvt] avvOecopelv
iTOtel Td<i 8ia(f)opd<;.
6 "I81-0V Se /cal TovT €(f) eKaTepcov rd fiev ydp
dypia To5 dppevL Kal rw OrjXeL rj p,6voi<i rf fidXiara
Biaipovcn, rd Se rjfiepa TrXeioaiv Iheai^. ecrri Se
roiv [xev paov Xa^elv Kal Siapi,$p,rjcrai rd ecSrj,
rcbv Se ')(aXe'iT(i>r€pov Sid rr)v iroXv^otav.
'AXXd Srj rd<i p,ev rcov fiopLcov Sia(f)opd<; Kal roiV
dXXatv ovcnoiv eK rovrcov rreipareov decopeiv. rrepl
Se rcov yevecrecov fjuerd ravra XcKreov rovro ydp
oocnrep €<j)€^r]<i roc<i elpT]fxevoi.<i eariv.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. \iv. 3-5
of plants too there is a class -which cannot grow
except ^ in moisture, while others will indeed grow
on dry land, but they lose their character and are
inferior. Again of all trees, one might almost sa}-,
and of all plants there are several forms to each kind ;
for hardly any kind contains but a single form. But
the plants which are called respectively cultivated
and wild shew this difference in the clearest and
most emphatic way, for instance the cultivated and
wild forms of fig olive and pear. In each of these
I>airs there are differences in fruit and leaves, and in
their forms and parts generally. But most of the
wild kinds have no names and few know about them,
while most of the cultivated kinds have received
names - and they are more commonly observed ; I
mean such plants as vine fig }x)megranate apple pear
bay myrtle and so forth ; for, as many people make
use of them, they are led also to study the differences.
But there is this peculiarity as to the two classes
respectively ; in the wild kinds men find only or
chiefly the distinction of * male ' and ' female,' while
in the cultivated sorts they recognise a number of
distinguishing features. In the former case it is
easy to mark and count up the different forms, in the
latter it is harder because the points of difference are
numerous.
However we have said enough for study of the
differences between parts and between general
characters. We must now speak of the methods of
growth, for this subject comes naturally after what
has been said.
1 ^i, add. W.
^ ivofiafffttva to xAfitu conj. Sch. ; itvofiaafiivuv xXe/v Aid.
tOI
BOOK II
B
I. At j€ve(T€i<i Tb)v hevhpwv KoX oXtw? rmv
(fjvrcov rj avTOfiarai rj airo a7repfiaT0<i rj diro
pL^r)<; rj airo 7rapaa7rdSo<i rj diro dKp€fjiovo<; rj
diro k\(ov6<; rj dir' avrov rov ar€\i')(ov<i elcriv, rj
en Tov ^v\ov KaTaKOTrivroq etV puKpd' koX 'yap
ovT(o<i evia (fjverai. rovrcov 8e 77 fiev avr6piaTo<i
TTpoiTr] Tt9, al Be dirb aTrepfiaro^; fcal pi^r}^ (pvai-
Kcorarai So^aiev dv wcnrep 'yap avTO/MaTUt, /cal
avrai' 8t Kal rot? dypioi'; VTrdp^ovaiv' al 8e
dWai T€'Xvr}<; rj 8r) TrpoaLpeareco^.
2 " Kiravra he ^XacndveL Kara riva tmv rpoTroyv
TOVTcov, TO, 8e TToXkd Kara TrXetoi;?" iXda fiev
yap 7rdvT0)<; (fiverat TrXrjv avro tov KXaivof ov
yap Bvvarat Kara'7rr)yvvfievr}, Kaddirep rj avKrj
rrj<; Kpd8r]<; Kal rj poa t?}? pd^Sov. Kairot (fiacri
ye rive<i rjBr} Kal %a/)a«09 irayeiarj'i Kal irpo'i rov
KiTTOv av/jb^iaxjat, Kal yevecrOai BevBpov dWd
cndvLOV Ti TO roiovTOV Odrepa Be rd iroWd t?}<?
<f)V(Tea)<i. avKrj Be tou? fiev aWov<; rpoirov^
^ evia (pverai conj. Sch.; aytt<pveTai Aid.
104
BOOK II
Of Propagation, especially of Trees.
Of the ways in which trees and plants originate. Instances of
degeneration from seed.
I. The ways in which trees and plants in general
originate are these : — spontaneous growth, growth
iTom seedj from a root, from a piece torn off, from a
branch or twig, from the trunk itself; or again from
small pieces into which the wood is cut up (for some
trees can be produced ^ even in this manner). Of
these methods spontaneous growth comes first, one
may say, but growth from seed or root would seem
most natural ; indeed these methods too may be
called spontaneous ; wherefore they are found even
in wild kinds, while the remaining methods depend
on human skill or at least on human choice.
However all plants sbni; in one or other of these
ways, and most of them in more than one. Thus the
olive is grown in all the ways mentioned, except
iVom a twig ; for an olive-twig will not grow if it is
set in the ground, as a fig or pomegranate will grow
from their young shoots. Not but what some say
that cases have been known in which, when a stake
of olive-wood was planted to support ivy, it actually
lived along with it and became a tree ; but such
an instance is a rare exception, while the other
methods of growth are in most cases the natural
ones. The fig grows in all the ways mentioned,
»o5
THEOPHRASTUS
<f)veTai irdvra'i, diro Be t5>v Trpifivcov koX rwv
^vKjcov ov (f>v€Tar firjXia Be kuI dino^ koX diro
Tcov uKpefMovcov (TTTaviwi. ov fxrjv dXkd rd ye
TToWd rj TrdvO^ ft)9 elirelv ivBix^aOat BokcI koX
diTo TOVTWV, edv Xeloi koX veoi kuI evav^el<i wcnv.
dWd (f)va-LK(i)T€pai iro)^ eKelvai' to Be ivBexo/J'evov
a)<? Bvvarov XrjTrreov.
"OXw^ yap oXiya to, diro tmv dv(o fidXXov
^Xaa-rdvovTa Kol yevvcofieva, Kaddirep dpureXo'^
diTO ra)v KXrjfidrcov avrrj yap ovk dirb t^?
irpfopa^ dXX^ aTTO tov KXi]/jbaTO<; (pverac, kuI el Brj
ri TOiovTov erepov rj BevBpov r) (f)pvyavct)Se<;, oicnrep
Bofcei TO re TTi^yavov Koi r) Icovia kuI to aiavfi-
^piov Kal 6 ep7rvXXo<; Kal to eXeviov. KOivoTdTrj
jxev ovv €(ttI irdcnv rf re diro Trj<i TrapacnrdBa kui
dTTO aireppbaTO'^. diravra yap oaa e')(eL cnrepfiaTa
Kal diro airepfiaTd yiveTac diro Be TrapaairdBo'i
Kal TTjv Bd<pVT]v (fiacTiv, edv Ti? Ta epvr} TrapeXtov
(fyvTeva-ij. Bel Be vTroppL^ov elvai fidXia-Ta ye to
TrapacrTrdo/jLevov rj viroirpepivov. ov firjv dXXd Kac
dvev TOVTov deXet ^Xaardveiv Kal poa Kal fxrjXea
iapivrj' ^Xa(TTdvet Be Kal d/jivyBaXrj (pVTevopevrj.
Kara TrXeiarov^ Be Tpoirovi 609 elirelv rj eXda
^Xaa-Tdver Kal yap dirb tov crTeXe^oi"? Kai airo
TOV Trpe/jbvov KaTaKOTVTop.evov Kal diro ttj'? pi^ri<i
[Kal drro tov ^vXov] Kal dwb pd^Bov Kal xdpaKO<;
coairep e'iprjTai,. twv S' dXXcov o /xvppivo'i' kul
yap o5to9 diro twv ^vXcov Kal twv Trpe/iivcov
^ TO. ye noWa iravB' conj. Sch.; f/ before vdvO' ins. St.; to.
re iroWa irdve'' Aid.
' ehav^tts conj. H ; av^tis UMVAld.
^ OVK I conj. ; ovd' MSS.
106
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. i. 2-4
except from root-stock and cleft wood ; apple .and
|>ear grow also from branches, but rarely. However
it appears that most, if not practically all,^ trees may
grow from branches, if these are smooth yomig and
vigorous. 2 But the other methods, one may say, are
more natural, and we must reckon what may
occasionally occur as a mere possibility.
In fact there are quite few plants which grow and
are brought into being more easily from the upper
parts, as the viae is grown from branches ; for this,
though it cannot ^ be gro^vn from the * head,' * yet
can be grown from the branch, as can all similar
trees and under-shrubs, for instance, as it appears,
nie gilliflower bergamot-mint tufted thyme cala-
mint. So the commonest ways of growth with all
plants are from a piece torn off or from seed ; for all
plants that have seeds grow also from seed. And
they say that the bay too grows ^ from a piece
torn off, if one takes off the young shoots and plants
them ; but it is necessary that the piece torn off
should have part of the root or stock ^ attached to it.
However the pomegranate and ' spring apple ' ^ will
grow even without this, and a slip of almond ^ grows
if it is planted. The olive grows, one may say, in
more ways than any other plant ; it grows from a
])iece of the trunk or of the stock,^ from the root,
from a twig, and from a stake, as has been said.^** Of
other plants the myrtle also can be propagated in
several ways ; for this too grows from pieces of wood
* -r papas, cf. Col. 3. 10. 1, capxU vitis vocat wpiipav. Sch.
•estores the word, C.P. 3. 1-4. 7-
» <•/. C.P. 1. 3. 2. « i.e. a ' heel' (Lat. jaema).
7 «•/. C.P. 2. 11. 6 ; Athen. 3. 23. « cf. Geop. 10. 3. 9.
' Kol arh Toil ^v\ou om. Julius Pontedeva on Varro 1. 39. 3 :
i gloss on airb tov wpt/wov Karcuc. ^' 2. 1, 2.
107
THEOPHRASTUS
<f)V€rai. Bel 8e koI tovtov kuI t% iXda'i ra ^v\a
Siaipeiv fir) eXdrrw airida/xiaLoyv koX tov ^Xoibv
fiTf irepiaipeiv.
Ta fxev ovv hevhpa ^aardvei koX yiverat Kara
TOv<i elprjfievov^ Tp67rou<;' at yap i/xcfiVTeiai, Kal
ol evo^6aXp.L(T[xol KaOdirep /it^et? tlv6<; elcnv
rj KUT^ aXkov rpoirov yeviaei'i, irepl wv varepov
\€KT60V.
II. Tmp Sk (ppvyavcoScov Kal ttolcoScov ra /lev
TrXetara diro aireppaTO'i rj pi^f]^ to. Se kcu
d/ji(f)OT€pco<;' evia he Kal diro rSiv l3\aaT0iv, loairep
€ipi]Tac. poSoivla Se Kal Kpivwvla. KaraKoirevTCOv
T(ov Kavkoiv, wcnrep Kal rj dypcocrri'i. (f)V€rai 8e
7} KpLvwvia Kal rj poScovta Kal 6\ov tov KavXov
reOevTo^. ISioyTdrrj Se r/ aTTO SaKpvov Kal yap
ovro) BoKel to Kpivov (f)vea$ai, orav ^rjpavdfj to
drroppvev. (f)acrl 8e Kal iirl rod ImroaeXivov'
Kal yap rovro d(jiir]ai hdKpvov. (pverat Se ra
Kal KdXapbO'i, idv rc<i Siarifivcov Ta? i]\aKdra<i
7r\ayLa<; riOfj Kal KaraKpvylrrj Koirpw Kal yfj.
lBL(o<i Se drro pl^nri [tw] (pveaOai Kal ra K€(j)a-
Xoppi^a.
TocrafTap^ft)9 Be ova-r](; ri]<i Bvvdp,eo3<; ra fxev
iroWa rcov BevBpcov, wcrirep eX€-)(^dr) irporepov, ev
irXeioaL rpoTroa <f)verai' evia Be drco (T'nepp,aro<i
' (fKpvTfTai conj. R. Const.; ifji.<pv\fai (with erasures) U;
eiJi.(t>v\ilai V; i/j.ipvKe'iaL Aid.
2 2. 1. 3; cf. G.P. 1. 4. 4 and 6.
3 i.e. bulbil, cf. 6. 6. 8 ; 9. 1. 4 ; G.P. 1. 4. 6 ; Plin 21. 24.
* e'Trlconj. W. ; iirb PgAld.
'^ Se T«s Kol Aid,; tis om. W. after Sch.
io8
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. i. 4-11. 2
and also from pieces of the stock. It is necessary
however with this, as with the olive, to cut up the
wood into pieces not less than a span long and not to
strip off the bark.
Trees then grow and come into being in the above-
mentioned ways ; for as to methods of grafting ^ and
inoculation, these are, as it were, combinations of
different kinds of trees ; or at all events these are
methods of growth of a quite different class and
must be treated of at a later stage.
II. Of under-shrubs and herbaceous plants the
greater part grow from seed or a root, and some in
both ways ; some of them also grow from cuttings,
as has been said,"^ while roses and lilies grow from
pieces of the stems, as also does dog's-tooth grass.
Lilies and roses also grow when the whole stem is
set. Most peculiar is the method of growth from an
exudation ^ ; for it appears that the lily grows in
this way too, when the exudation that has been
produced has dried up. They say the same of*
alexanders, for this too produces an exudation.
There is a certain ^ reed also which grows if one cuts
it in lengths from joint to joint and sets them ^
sideways, burying it in dung and soil. Again they
say that plants whicli have a bulbous root are
peculiar in their way of growing ' from the root.
The capacity for growth being shewn in so many
ways, most trees, as was said before,^ originate in
several ways; but some come^ only from seed, as silver-
6 cf. 1. 4. 4 ; Plin. 17. 145 ; Col. 4. 32. 2 ; T<ep conj. Sch.;
% Aid.; ? 0p.
'' i.e. bv" offset bulbs. Text probably defective; c;'. C.P.
1. 4. 1. r4i\J; rbUMV. « 2. 1. 1.
® (pverat I conj.; (p-qaiy itTTiv or (pauiv iariv MSS.; is <paaiv
icrriv Aid. ; TrapayivfTat conj. W.
109
THEOPHRASTUS
<f>v€Tai fjuovov, olov iXdrr) irevKr] irirv^ o\ft)? irav
TO Kwvo<^6pov' en 8e koI <^olvi^, irXrjv el apa iv
^a^vXoiVL Kol airo rcov pd^hiov [eo?] ^acrl rive<i
[xokeveiv. KVirdpiTTO^ 8e irapd jxev TOi<i dX\oi<i
aTTO a7r€pfiaT0<;, iv K/ot^tj; Be kol diro rod areXi-
Xov<i, olov eVt T^9 6peia<i iv Tdppa' irapd tovtoi<;
<ydp iariv rj Kovpi^ofievrj Kvirdprna' avTij Be diro
rrj<; T0fjL7]<i ^aardvei ndvra rpoTrov TepLvofxevq
Kol diro <yr]<; kol aTTo tov /xeaov kol diro rov dvco-
repw ^Xaardvet Be ivia'xpv kol diro rcov pi^oov
(Tiravia)^ Be.
3 Tlepl Be Bpvo<; dfKJua^rjTovaiv ol jjuev yap diro
a'irepixar6<i (^aai p,6vov, ol Be koI diro pL^r]<i
<y\i(T')(^pQ)<;- ol Be KoX dii avrov tov crre'kexov'i
KOTrevTo<i. diro TrapaaTrdBof Be kcu pi^rj<i ovBev
(pveTUL TOiv /JUT) napa^aaravovTcov.
4 'AirdvTcov Be oacov TT\eiov<; al jeveaeif;, rj diro
TTapaa-irdBo^ kol en pdXXov rj uTrb 7rapa(f)vdBo^
Ta%tcrT7/ KOL evav^T]<;, idv diro pi^rj<; 77 iTapa<^vd<i
27. KOI rd fiev 0VTQ)<i rj oXo)<i dirb (pVTevTrjpicov
"TrecpvTev/jLeva iravra BoKel tou? KapTTom i^o/xoiovv.
oaa S' aTTO rov Kapirov rcov Bvva/xevwv /cat ovrw^
^aardveiv, diravO' &)<? elrrelv %et/3ft), rd Be koI
o\(i)<i i^lararat rov yevov^, olov a/iTreXo? p^rfkea
crvKTJ potd diTWi' e/c re yap t^9 Key')(pap,iBo<i ovBev
yiverai yevo<; 0X0)9 rjpepov, dXfC rj eptve6<i rj
dypia (JVKrj, Bia^epovaa 7roWdKi<i Kal rfj ^(^poia'
Kal yap ix ixe\aivr]<i XevKrj Kal e/c \€vk7]<; jxeXaiva
^ fioXcuetv conj. Sch. ; fiouXvetv MSS.; fxocrxevftv conj. R.
Const, (c/. C.P. 1. 2 1). But cf. Hesych. s.v. fxo\eiftv.
2 Plin. 16. 141. 2 eVJ conj. W.; rh UMVAld.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. ii. 2-4
fir fir Aleppo pine, and in general all those that bear
cones : also the date-palm, except that in Babylon it
may be that, as some say, they take cuttings ^ from
it. The cypress in most regions grows from seed,
but in Crete ^ from the trunk also, for instance in ^
the hill country about Tarra ; for there grows the
cypress which they clip, and when cut it shoots in
every p>ossible way, from the part which has been cut,
from the groxmd, from the middle, and from the
upper parts ; and occasionally, but rarely, it shoots
from the roots also.
About the oak accounts differ ; some say it only
grows from seed, some from the root also, but not
vigorously, others again that it grows from the trunk
itself, when this is cut. But no tree grows from a
piece torn off or from a root except those which
make side-growths.
However in all the trees which have several
methods of originating the quickest method and that
which promotes the most vigorous growth is from a
])iece torn off, or still better from a sucker, if this is
taken from the root. And, while all the trees which
are propagated thus or by some kind of slip * seem to
be alike in their fruits to the original tree, those raised
from the fruit, where this method of growing is also
jK)ssible, are nearly all inferior, while some quite lose
ihe character of their kind, as vine apple fig pome-
granate pear. As for the fig,^ no cultivated kind is
raised from its seed, but either the ordinary wild fig
or some wild kind is the result, and this often
differs in colour from the parent ; a black fig gives a
^ (pvrevTTipiov : a general term including vapa^vas and
T-opaffxaj.
* c/. C.P.I. 9.
Ill
THEOPHRASTUS
fylverai' e/c re r'P]<i afnreXov Trj<t yevvata'i ayevvrj^'
Kol 7roX,Xa«t9 erepov yevo';- ore 8e oXw? ovSev
rjjiepov aXX dypiov eviore kol tolovtov ware fir)
€K7r€rT€iv TOP KupTTov at S' ware fxr^he dSpvveiv
aXXa fJ'€'X^pi rov avdrjaai fxovov acjiiKvetaOai.
^vovrac 8e /cal e'/c rcou rrji^ e\da<i Trvpijvcov
dypie\aio<;, Kal i/c rcav ri}<i p6a<i kokkwv raxv
jXvKecov dyevvel'i, koX e/c rcov dirvprjvwv aKkr^pal,
TToWaKi'i he KoX o^elai. rov avrov he rporrov
Kol eK rcov diricov Kal e/c ra)v p,r]\eQ)v eK piev <ydp
rMV dTTLOiv pbO')(drjpa rj d'^pd'i, eK he rcov pirjXecov
•X^eipcov re ra> yevei Kal eK y\vKela<i o^eia, Kal eK
crrpovdiov K.vh(ovio<i. ■)(eip(iiv he Kal 97 dpivyhaXr)
Kal ra> %fA,« Kal rw aKXrjpd eK puiXaKrj'i' hi
Kal av^rjdetcrav e<y Kevr pi^eiv KeXevovcnv, el he prj
ro pioiyyevpa pueracjivreveiv 7roXXdKi<i.
^elpcov he Kal rj hpv<i- diro yovv rr}<f ev Tlvppa
TToXXol ^vrevcravre<; ovk ehvvavB' opoiav Troieiv.
hd(f)vrjv he Kal p,vppivr]v hiacpepeiv irore (paaiv, co?
iirl rb ttoXv S' e^iaraaOai, Kal ouhe ro ypcopia
hiaaco^eiv, aX-V e^ epvOpov Kaprrov yLveaOai
fieXaivav, Mcnrep Kal rrjv ev ^Avrdvhpoy 7roXXdKi<;
he Kal rrjv KVirdpirrov eK OrfXeia^ dppeva.
p,dXiara he rovrcov 6 (f)Oivi,^ hoKel hiapuevetv
wairep elrrelv reXeioo^; rwv diro <nrepparo<i, Kal
TrevKr] r) Koivocpopo^ Kal vrtTU? rj (f>d€ipo7roi6<i.
ravra puev ovv ev rot<i •^p.epcofievoi'i. ev he roi<i
(pvovrai conj. W. ; (pvrevovTai Ald.H. ; <p{ierat Vo.cod.Cas.
■yKvKioiv conj. St. ; jKavKiuv UMVAld.
cf. Athen. 3. 20 and 23. * cf. C.P. 1. 9. 1.
In Lesbos ; cf. 3. 9. 5. « cf. C.P. 1. 9. 2.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. ii. 4-6
white, and conversely. Again the seed of an excel-
lent vine produces a degenerate result, which is
often of quite a diiferent kind ; and at times this is
not a cultivated kind at all, but a wild one of such a
character that it does not ripen its fruit ; with others
again the result is that the seedlings do not even
mature fruit, but only get as far as flowering.
Again the stones of the olive give ^ a wild olive,
and the seeds of a sweet pomegranate " give a
degenerate kind, while the stoneless kind gives a
hard sort and often an acid fruit. So also is it with
seedlings of pears and apples ; pears give a poor sort
of wild pears, apples produce an inferior kind which is
acid instead of sweet ; quince produces wild quince.^
Almond again raised from seed is inferior in taste and
in being hard instead of soft ; and this is why men *
bid us graft on to the almond, even when it is fully
grown, or, failing that, frequently plant the offsets.
The oak also deteriorates from seed ; at least
many persons having raised trees from acorns of the
oak at Pyrrha* could not produce one like the
parent tree. On the other hand they say that bay
and myrtle sometimes improve by seeding, though
usually they degenerate and do not even keep their
colour, but red fruit gives black — as happened with
the tree in Antandros ; and frequently seed of a
' female ' cypress produces a * male ' tree. The date-
palm seems to be about the most constant of these
trees, when raised from seed, and also the ' cone-
bearing pine ' ^ (stone-pine) and the ' lice-bearing
pine.' ^ So much for degeneration in cultivated trees;
among wild kinds it is plain that more in proportion
' Plin. 16. 49. The 'lice' are the seeds which were eaten.
cj. Hdt. 4. 109, (pdfiporpayfovat ; Theocr. 5. 49.
113
vol.. I. I
THEOPMRASTUS
dypCoi<i S^Xov on irXeiw Kara \o<^6V to? taXVpO'
fepoi^i' eTTel Odrepov y€ koI droirov, et 8r) %etyo&)
kal iv €Keivoi<i koI o\&)9 ev tol<; atrh (Tirepfiaro'i
fiovov el fir) Tt rfi Oepairela Svvavrai pera-
^dXkeiv.
Ata(j>epovaL Se koI tottol roTTwv koX dr)p depo<i'
iviaxov yap eKtpepetv rj "xoipa Boxet rd op,oia,
Kaddirep Kal iv ^iXlttttoii;' avdnraXiv oXiya Kal
oXiyaxov Xap^dvetv pera^oXijv, ware e'/c a-irip-
p,aro<i dypiov iroielv rjpepov rj e'/c %et/J0i'09 a7rX.<w9
fiiXriov TovTo yap iirl Tr}<; p6a<i povov aKi^Koap-ev
iv Alyvirro) Kal iv KiXiklo, avp^aiveiv iv
KlyviTTw p,€v yap rrjv o^elav Kal (Tirapelaav Kal
(f)VT€v0eiaav yXvKetav yivecrOai tto)? rj olvcoSrf
trepl he 'ZoXov^ t^9 K.i\iKi,a<: jrepl iroTaphv rov
Uivapov, ov rj pbd^n 'Jrpo^ Aapeiov iyevero, irdaat,
ylvovrai aTrvprjvoi.
EvXoyov Se Kal €c Tf? rov irap ■^p,cov <j)OiviKa
(jiVTCvoL iv ^a^vXcovi, Kapiripov re yiveadai Kal
i^opoiovaOai to?9 e'/cet. rov avrov Se rporrov Kal
et ri<i eripa TrpoadXXrjXov e%et Kapirov roirw'
Kpeurrcov yap ovra rrj<i ipyaaia<i Kal ri]<; Oepa-
ireia^. cqpelov 5' ort peracpepopsva ruKeiOev
aKapira rd he Kal oXa)<i d^Xacrrrj yiver ai.
M.era^dXXei he Kal rfj rpocjifj Kal hid rrjv
^ i.e. that they should improve from seed.
^ Whereas wild trees are produced only from seed.
^ i.e. improve a degenerate seedling.
* hnkws : ? om. Sch. « cf. C.P.I. 9. 2.
114
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. ii. 6-9
degenerate from seed, since the parent trees are
stronger. For tlie contrary ^ would be very strange,
seeing that degenerate forms are found even in
cultivated trees,^ and among these only in those
which are raised from seed. (As a general rule these
are degenerate, though men may in some cases effect
a change ^ by cultivation).
Effects of sit nation, climate, tendance.
Again differences in situation and climate affect the
result. In some places, as at Philippi, the soil seems
to produce plants which resemble their parent ; on
the other hand a few kinds in some few places seem
to undergo a change, so that wild seed gives a
cultivated form, or a poor form one actually better.*
We have heard that this occurs, but only with the
pomegranate, in Egypt ^ and Cilicia ; in Egypt a tree
of the acid kind both from seeds and from cuttings
produces one whose fruit has a sort of sweet taste,^
while about Soli in Cilicia near the river Pinaros
(where the battle with Darius was fought) all those
l)omegranates raised from seed are without stones.
If anyone were to plant our palm at Babylon, it is
reasonable to expect that it would become fruitful
and like the palms of that country. And so would it
be with any other country which has fruits that are
congenial to that particular locality ; for the locality ^
is more important than cultivation and tendance.
A proof of this is the fact that things transplanted
thence become unfruitful, and in some cases refuse
to grow altogether.
There are also modifications due to feeding ^ and
" Or ' wine-like.' Cited by ApoUon, Hist. Mir. 43.
"^ oStoi conj. W. ; ainhi Aid.
* Tp Tpo<p^ conj. W. ; t^s Tpo<^7js UMVAld.
I 2
THEOPHRASTUS
aWrjv eTTifj^eXeiav, ol<i koX to a'^piov €^r]fJ,€povTai
Kol avTcov Se rcov rj/nipcov evia aTraypiovTac, olov
poa Kcu afivyhakrj. tjBt} Si Tive<; koL ck KpiOoiv
dva(f)VvaL <^aai Trvpov'i koX e'/c irvpSiv Kpi6a<i koX
10 eVt Tov avTov 7rvd/jbevo<i afi(f)oi. ravra jxev ovv
009 fivdcoSecrrepa Sei he-xeaOai. fiera^dWec S'
ovv rd /jLera^dWovra tov Tpoirov tovtov avTO-
/xaTft)?' e^aWayfj Se ^(oopa^, waTrep iv AlyuTTTO)
Kot J^iXiKia irepl TOiV pocov ecTrofjiev, ov8e 8td
fjilav Oepaireiav.
'ncrauTcwf he koX ottov tu fcdpiri/Ma aKapira
<yiv€Tai, Kaddirep to Tripcriov to i^ AlyvTTTov koX
6 (potvi^ iv TTJ 'EiWdSc KoX el Srj tc<; Ko/j,lcreie ttjv
iv K.p'^Tr) Xeyofievrjv atyeipov. evioi Be ^aac Kal
Tr]V orjv idv et? dXeeivov eXOrj a<p68pa tottov
d/capTTOV ytvecrdai,' <f)vcrei. yap ylrv^pov. evXoyov
8e djx^oTepa av ix^aiveiv kutu ra? ivavrici)crei<i,
etirep fxtjS' 6\co<i evia (fiveadat deXet /xeTa/9a\-
\ovTa Tov^ TOTTov;. Kol KaTu [xev Ta9 x^P^^
al ToiavTai p^eTa^oXaL
11 Kara Be ttjv (pvTelav Ta diro tmv aTTepp,dT60v
<f)VTev6p,€va, /caOdirep iXe'xP'r]' iravTOiat yap al
i^aWayal Kal tovtcov. ttj OepaTrela Be pbeTa-
^dXkei poa Kal dfivyBaXr)' poa p,ev Koirpov vetav
Xa^ovaa Kal vBaT0<i irXrjOo^ pVTOV' dfMvySaXrj Be
OTav nrdTToXov Ti? ivOfj, Kal to BdKpvov d(J3ai.pfj
TO iiTLppeov irXeiw xpovov Kal ttjv dXXrjv diroBiBS)
^ (Via aTraypiovrai oTov conj. W. ; (vta koI airopj? re ^6a UV;
4. Koi awoprj TO. p6a M ; i. kol avoppel ra l>6a Aid.
2 i.e. cultivation has nothing to do with it.
' 2. 2. 7. * cf. 3. 3. 4. » Plin. 17. 242.
^ i. e. improve, cf. 2. 2. 6 ad fin.
ii6
1
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. ii. 9-1 1
attention of other kinds, which cause the wild to
become cultivated, or again cause some cultivated
kinds to go wild,i such as pomegranate and almond.
Some say that wheat has been known to be produced
from barley, and barley from wheat, or again both
growing on the same stool ; but these accounts should
be taken as fabulous. Anyhow those things which do
change in this manner do so spontaneously,- and the
alteration is due to a change of position (as we said ^
happens with pomegranates in Eg\-pt and Cilicia),
and not to any particular method of cultivation.
So too is it when fruit-bearing trees become un-
fruitful, for instance the persion when moved from
Egypt, the date-palm when planted in Hellas, or the
tree which is called 'poplar' in Crete,'* if anyone
should transplant it. ^ Some again say that the
sorb becomes unfruitful if it comes into a very warm
position, since it is by nature cold-loving. It is
reasonable to suppose that both results follow because
the natural circumstances are reversed, seeing that
some things entirely refuse to grow when their place
is changed. Such are the modifications due to
position.
As to those due to method of culture, the changes
which occur in things grown from seed are as was
said ; (for with things so grown also the changes are
of all kinds). Under cultivation the pomegranate
and the almond change character,*^ the pomegranate
if it receives pig-manure ^ and a great deal of river
water, the almond if one inserts a peg and ^ removes for
some time the gum which exudes and gives the other
^ cf. C.P. 2. 14. 2 ; 3. 9. 3 ; Plin. 17. 259 ; Col. 5. 10. 15
and 16.
8 cf. 2. 7. 6 ; C.P. 1. 17. 10 ; 2. 14. 1 ; Plin. 17. 2-52.
117
THEOPHRASTUS
12 Oepaireiav. a>(7avT(o<i Be BrjXov on koI oaa
i^TjfiepovTai tmv w^ploiv rj aira'ypLOVTai, twv
rjfjLepcov ra fiev yap Oepaireia ra S' adepairevaia
fiera^aXker irXrjv et rt? \iyot fjbrjSe psra^oXrjv
dXX iTrl8o(Tiv et9 to ^iXriov elvai koI '^eipov ov
yap olov re rov kotivov iroieiv ekdav ov8e rrjv
a-^ciBa TToielv dinov ovSe rbv ipiveov avKi]v. o
yap enl rov Korivov (paal crv/M^alveiv, axxr eav
TrepiKOTreU rrjv daXiav oXco<i /j,eTa(j)VT€vOfj (pepeiv
(f)avXia<;, fieTaKivr]aL<f ti<; yiverai ov /jbeyuXrj.
ravra fiev ovv 67roTepco<; Bet Xa^elv ovOev av
Bia(f>epoi.
III. (^aal 8' ovv avTO/JLarijv rtva yiveadai tmv
rotovrcov fiera^oXtjv , ore fiev tcov Kapiroiv ore Be
Kal oX&)9 avTMV twv BevBpcov, a kuI a-rjfjLela vofii-
^ovcTLV at /jbdvTei<i' olov poav o^eiav yXvKelav
e^eveyKelv Kal yXvKeiav o^etav Kal irdXtv aTrXw?
avrd TO, BevBpa fieTa^dXXecv, uxxre i^ 6^eLa<;
yXvKelav yiveadat Kal e'/c yXvKeia<i o^elav 'x^eipov
Be TO ei9 yXvKelav pbera^dXXetv. Kal e^ epiveov
(TVKrjv Kal €K avKrj^ epiveov ')(elpov Be to e'/c
crvKr)<i. Kal e^ eXda<; kotivov Kal eK kotivov
eXdav rjKicrTa Be tovto. irdXiv Be avKrjv eK
^ TrepiKoirels conj. W. ; irepiaKoirreis \] ; irepj/cc^TrTTjs Aid.
* (pavKlas conj. Salm. ; (paiXovi U ; 6a\os Aid. cf. Plin.
16. 244. These olives produced little oil, but were valued
for perfumery : see C.P. 6. 8. 3 and 5 ; de odor., 15.
3 oh add. Salm.; om. MSS. (?) Ald.H.
ii8
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. n. ii-iii. i
attention required. In like manner plainly some wild
things become cultivated and some cultivated things
become wild : for the one kind of change is due to
cultivation, the other to neglect : — however it might
be said that this is not a change but a natural
development towards a better or an inferior form ;
(for that it is not possible to make a wild olive pear
or fig into a cultivated olive pear or fig). As to that
indeed which is said to occur in the case of the wild
olive, that if the tree is transplanted with its top-
growth entirely cut off,^ it produces ' coarse olives,' ^
this is no ^ very great change. However it can make
no difference which way * one takes this.
Of gpcntaneous changes in the character of trees, and of certain
marvels.
III. ^Apart from these changes it is said that in such
plants there is a spontaneous kind of change, some-
times of the fruit, sometimes of the tree itself as a
whole, and soothsayers call such changes portents. For
instance, an acid pomegranate, it is said, may produce
sweet fruit, and conversely ; and again, in general,
the tree itself sometimes undergoes a change, so that
it becomes sweet® instead of acid, or the reverse
happens. And the change to sweet is considered a
worse portent. Again a wild fig may turn into a
cultivated one, or the contrary change take place ;
and the latter is a worse portent. So again a culti-
vated olive may turn into a \sild one, or conversely,
but the latter change is rare. So again a white fig
* i.e. whether nature or man is said to cause the admitted
change. * Plin. 17. 242.
* i.e. all the fruit are now acid instead of sweet, or the
reverse. Sch. brackets 4^ o^elas . . . o^eicw.
119
THEOPHRASTUS
XevKrj^ fiiXaivav koX e/c /jbe\aiV7)<i XevKrjv. 6fiol(o<i
Be Tovro Kol eVt a/x7reXov.
Kal ravTa fiev &)<? repara koI napa <^vaiv vtto-
Xapb^dvovaiv oaa he avvrjOrj tmv toiovtcov ov8e
6avp.d^ovaiv o\a><;' olov to tyjv KaTTvetov dp,'rre\ov
Ka\ovp,evrjv koI gk p,e\avo<i j36Tpvo<; XevKov koX
€K XevKOv fieXava (pepetv ovSe yap ol [jbdvTei<i to,
Totavra KpivovaiV' eVel ovhe eKelva, irap oh
7re(f)VK€V r) %ft)pa fxera^aXXeiv, oicxirep eXex^V
irepl TJ79 poa'i iv AlyvTrro)- dXXa to ivTavOa
davfiaarov, 8ia to fxcav p,6vov rj 8vo, Kal Tavra^
iv TO) TravTt 'x^povw (nravLWi. ov p,r]V aXX' elirep
avix^aivei, [xaXXov iv rot? Kap7roi<i yiveadai. ttjv
irapaXXayrjv rj iv oXoi<; T0i<i SevBpoi'i.
EttcI Kal ToiavTrj rt? aTa^ia ytveTai irepl Tov<i
Kapirov^' olov rjhr) iroTe crvKrj to, crvKa €(f)vaev iK
Tov OTTcaOev tmv dpioov Kal poa Be Kal dfi7reXo<i
iK Tcov (TTeXexfov, Kal dfX7reXo<i dvev (fjvXXcov Kap-
TTov ijvejKev. iXda Be to, /nev (f)vXXa drre^aXe tov
Be Kapirov i^rjvejKev' Kal ®€TTaXM too Ueicri-
(TTpaTov yeveadai XeycTai- av/x^atvec Be Kal Bed
XeLp.oiva<i TovTo Kal Bi dXXa<i alTta<; evia tmv
BoKovvTcov elvat irapd Xojov ovk ovtcov Be- olov
iXda TTOT diroKavdelcra TeXeco'i dve^XdaTrjaev
oXr}, Kal avTT) Kal rj OaXia. iv Be Trj Bot&jTta
/^--'^^prj-ajv TCOV ipvwv vtt' aTTeXe^wv irdXiv
1 6irl conj. Sch.; s'l Ald.H.
2 c/. G.P. 5. 3. 1 and 2 ; Arist. de gen. an. 4. 4 ; Hesych,
s.v. Kairvias; Schol. ad Ar. Vesp. 151. s 2. 2. 7.
* e'lKhs has perhaps dropped oat. Sch.
s epiu>v conj. R. Const., cf. C.P. 5. 1. 7 and 8 ; 5. 2. 2 ;
ipive&v PgAld. cf. also Athen. 3. 11.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. iii. 1-3
mav change into a black one. and conversely ; and
similar changes occur in^ the vine.
Now these changes they interpret as miraculous
and contrary to nature ; but they do not even feel
any surprise at the ordinary changes, for instance,
when the ' smoky ' vine,^ as it is called, produces
alike white grapes instead of black or black grapes
instead of white. Of such changes the soothsayers
t-ake no account, any more than they do of those
instances in which the soil produces a natural change,
as was said ^ of the pomegranate in Egypt. But it is
surprising when such a change occurs in our own
country, because there are only one or two instances
and these separated by wide intervals of time. How-
ever, if such changes occur, it is natural ^ that the
variation should be rather in the trait than in the tree
as a whole. In fact the following irregularity also
occurs in fruits ; a fig-tree has been known to produce
i^.s figs from behind the leaves,^ pomegranate and
vines from the stem, while the vine has been known
to bear fruit ^vithout leaves. The olive again has
been known to lose its leaves and yet produce its
fruit ; this is said to have happened to Thettalos,
son of Pisistratus. This may be due to inclement
weather ; and some changes, which seem to be
abnormal, but are not really so, are due to other
accidental causes ; ^ for instance, there was an olive
that, after being completely burnt down, sprang up
again entire, the tree and all its branches. And in
Boeotia an olive whose young shoots " had been eaten
off by locusts grew again : in this case however ^ the
« c/. Hdt. 8. 55 ; Plin. 17. 241.
'' 4pvwv cony Sch. ; ^p-ycov PoAld. ; KXiicavm\J.
® i.e. the portent was not so great as in the other case
quoted, as the tree itself bad not been destroyed.
THEOPHRASTUS
ave^\d<nrj(Te' ra S' olov atreiTeaev. rjKiara 8'
('0-0)9 ra Toiavra arorra Bia to ^av€pa<i ^x^iv ra^
alrlat;, aWa jxaWov to /xt] e'/c tmv oIk€i,cov tottcov
(pepeiv TOv<; KapTrov<i rj firj olKeiov;' koI [xaXiaTa 8'
el T^? o\ri<i (pv(Tea)<; yiveTai, /xsTa^oX'^, Kaddirep
i^ixOrj. Trepl fiev ovv to, SivBpa ToiavTai
Tive<i elcn ixeTa^dXai.
IV. Tmv he dWwv to re cnavpL^piov eh jxiv-
6av SoKel fMera^dWeiv, iav firj KaTe^qTaL Ty
depaTTeia, hi o koX fieracjiVTevovcn iroWaKi'i, koX
6 'irvpo<i eh alpav. ravTU fiev ovv ev Toi<i hephpoLf;
avTOfidTco<;, etirep yiveTai. rd 8' iv rot? eVeTetoi?
hid irapaaKevr)<i' olov rj t/^t; kol r) ^eid yu-era-
^dWovcriv eh irvpov idv iTTKrOeicai (rireipwvTai,
KoX tout' ovk evOv<i dWd tm t/jito) erei. cr^eSoi'
he irapaTrX^criov tovto ye Ta rd aireppuTa Kara
Ta? xcop^'^ fieTa/SdWeiv p,eTa^dWei yap kuI
TavTa Kad^ eKdaTrjv %(W/5ai' Kal crx^hov iv Tot ta(p
Xpovfp Kal T) Ti(f>r]. fieTajSdWovai he /cat oi
dypioL TTUpol Kal at KpiOal OepaTrevofievai Kal
i^rjfiepovfMevai Kard tov laov XPovov.
Kal TavTa fiev eoiKe %o>pa9 Te jxeTa^oXy Kal
Oepaireia ylveaOat- Kal evia d/ji,(f)OTepoi<;, rd he Tjj
Oepaireia p^ovov olov 'rrp6<; to rd ocTrpia pr) yive-
aOai dTepdp,ova ^pe^avTa KeXevovaiv iv virpw
^ o'lKelovs- /caiIconj.;o//c««oCTojUMV;oi/c«f&)sAld.H.;^oiAc<{Tas
conj. W. 2 J. ins. gch. ^ 2. 3. 1.
* cf. 6. 7. 2 ; Plin. 19. 176.
* i.e. to prevent the change which cultivated soil induces.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. iii. 3-iv. 2
shoots had, so to speak, only been shed. But after
all such phenomena are perhaps far from strange,
since the cause in each case is obvious ; rather is it
strange that trees should bear fruit not at the places
where it naturally forms, or else fruit which does not
belong to the character^ of the tree. And most
surprising of all is it when,^ as has been said,^
there is a change in the entire character of the
tree. Such are the changes which occur in trees.
Of spontantous and other changes in other plants.
IV. ■* Of other plants it appears that bergamot-mint
turns into cultivated mint, unless it is fixed by special
attention ; and this is why men frequently transplant ^
it ; '^ so too wheat turns into darnel. Now in trees
such changes, if they occur, are spontaneous, but in
annual plants they are deliberately brought about :
for instance, one-seeded wheat and rice-wheat change^
into wheat, if bruised before they are sown ; and
this does not happen at once, but in the third year.
This change resembles that produced in the seeds by
difference of soil ^ ; for these grains vary according
to the soil, and the change takes about the same
time as that which occurs in one-seeded wheat.
Again wild wheats and barleys also with tendance
and cultivation change in a like period.
These changes appear to be due to change of soil
and cultivation, and in some cases the change is due
to both, in others to cultivation alone ; for instance,
in order that pulses may not become uncookable,^
" But see reff. under atpa in Index.
' cf.C.P. 5. 6. 12; Plin. 18.93.
* X^pau con j. St. ; Sipav Ald.H.
8 orepa/itoj'a conj. W.; arepafwa UAld. c/. 8. 8. 6 and 7:
C.P. 4. 7. 2 ; 4. 12. 1 and 8 ; Geop. 2. 35. 2 ; 2. 41.
123
THEOPHRASTUS
vvKTa rfj va-repala aTretpeip iv ^rjpa,' (fiaKov'i Mare
dSpov<; <yiveadai cfivrevovaiv iv ^oXltco' tov^
epel3iv6ov<i he, oxne fiejdXovi, avTol<; rol<i Kekv-
(f)€cn ^pe^avra aTreipevv. fierajSaXXovai 8e koI
Kara Ta.9 &pa<i rov airopov 77/909 fcovcjiOTrjTa kol
aXvTTiav olov idv ri<; roii'; opofSov^ iapivov'i
crireipr] rpiaaXviroi 'ylvovrai, kol ov^ &>? ot fiero-
TTcopivol j3apei<;.
Tlverat 8e kol ev toi<; \a')(^dvoi<i ixera^oXr]
8ia rrjv OepaTTeiav olov ro aeXivov, idv cnrapev
KaraTTaTrjdf) koI KvXivSpcodfj, dvacpveadal (paaiv
ovXov. fiera^dXXet Be kuI rrjv ')(^Mpav i^aXXdr-
Tovra, Kaddirep koX rdXXa. koX rd /j,€V roiavra
KOLvd Trdvrcov iartv. el 8e Kard riva Tnjpcoaiv rj
d(j)aipecnv p,epov<i BevSpov djovov ylverai, /cadd-
irep rd ^toa, tovto a/ceTrreov ovSev yovv (pavepov
Kard ye rrjv Siatpeatv et? to irXeto) kol iXdrrw
(pepeiv wdTvep KaKovp^evov, dXX' rj aTroXXvTat to
oXov rj Siap^evov Kapiro^opel. to he 'yrjpa<; kolvt]
Tf<? (jidopd irdcriv.
"Atottov S' dv ho^eie fxdXXov el iv rot? ^coot?
at TOtavTac peTa^oXal (})vaiKal kol TrXeiovi' koI
jdp KUTa TUf; a>pa<; evia hoKel p^eTa^dXXeiv, a>a-
irep 6 lepa^ koX eiro-^ Kal dXXa tmv 6p,oi(ov
opvecav. kol KaTa ra? tmv tottcov dXXoi,coaei<i,
axTirep 6 vhpo<; et? e')(^t'V ^r)paivop,eva)v TOiv Xt^d-
^ vvKra I conj. ; vvkt\ MSS.
2 iv fioXlrcfi conj. Milas. on Geop. 3. 27 ; efiffoKov UMV
Aid. cf. G.P. 5. 6. 11 ; Col. 2. 10. 15; Plin. 18. 198.
3 cf. G.P. 5. 6. 11 ; Oeop. 2. 3. 6.
* a\virlav conj. Sch.; Si" aKvuias M ; 5i' aXv-niav Aid.
124
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. iv. 2-4
men bid one moisten the seed in nitre for a night ^
and sow it in dry ground the next day. To make
lentils vigorous they plant the seeds in dung ^ ; to
make chick-peas large they bid one moisten the
seed while still in the }x>ds,^ before sowing. Also
the time of sowing makes differences which conduce
to digestibility and harmlessness * : thus, if one sows
vetches^ in spring, they become quite harmless and
are not indigestible like those sown in autumn.
Again in pot-herbs change is produced by culti-
vation ; for instance, they say that,^ if celery seed
is trodden and rolled in after so\%'ing, it comes up
curly ; it also varies from change of soil, like other
things. Such variations are common to all ; we must
now consider whether a tree, like animals, becomes
unproductive from mutilation or removal of a part.
At all events it does not appear that division ' is an
injury, as it were, which affects the amount of fruit
j)roduced ; either the whole tree perishes, or else,
if it survives,^ it bears fruit. Old age however is a
cause which in all plants puts an end to life ^
It would seem more surprising if ^"^ the following
changes occurred in animals naturally and frequently ;
some animals do indeed seem to change according to
the seasons, for instance, the hawk the hoojwe and
other similar birds. So also changes in the nature
of the ground produce changes in animals, for instance,
the water-snake changes into a viper, if the marshes
5 c/. Plin. 18. 139 ; Col. 2. 10. 34.
« cj. C.P. 5.6.1; Geop. 12. 23. 2.
" ye conj. Sch.; re Aid.
* Stdfievov conj. Sch ; Sia/xevovra Aid.
^ iSomething seems to have been lost at the end of § 3.
^" ej ins. Sch. ; roiavrai may however mean ' the above-
nentioned,' and refer to something which has been lost.
125
THEOPHRASTUS
Bcov. <f)avepa)TaTa Be koX Kara ra? yevea-ei'i evia,
KoX /jbera^aXkei Bia irXeiovcov ^(ocov olov i/c
KafjLTrrj'i ytverai '^(^pvaaXXl'i elr' e'/c ravrr}^ '^^XV'
KoX eV dWcov S' earl tovto irKeiovoav, ovtev i<Tco<i
aroTTOv, ovS' ofioiov to ^rjrovfievov. aX,\' ixelvo
avfjL^aivei nrepl ra BevBpa koI oXft)9 iraaav ttjv
vXrjv, waTrep iXe^Or] koI irporepov, oiorre avTOfid-
T7}v fieTa^Xaardveiv p€Ta/3o\r]<i Tivo<i ryivo/ji,€vr)(;
ix TMV ovpaviwv TOiavrT}<;. to, p,ev ovv irepi
TO-? yevecrei<i koX peTa/3oXa<; gk rovrcov decopi-jreov.
V. 'EttcI he Kol at ep'^aaiai koX al Oepairelai
p^f^dXa avpu^aXXovrai, Kol en irporepov al
ipvreiaL koI iroiovai pe<yaXa<; 8ia(f)opd<i, Xexreov
fcal irepl tovtohv.
Kat TTpMTOV irepl tmv cjivreicov. al fiev ovv
wpat irporepov eLprjvTat Kaff" a? Bel. to, Be ^vto.
Xap-^dveiv iceXevovaiv co? KuXXiara Kal i^ opotaf
yrj'i et? 7]v p,eXXei<i (jiVTevecv, fj x^ipovo'i' tov<; Be
<yvpov<i irpoopvTreiv a)9 irXelcTTOv 'x^povov /cat
^advrepovi alel Kal roU eTrnroXaioppi^OTepofi.
^ i.e. in the instance given the development of an insect
exhibits, not one, but a series of changes from one creature
to another.
^ Whereas the metamorphoses mentioned above are inde-
pendent of climatic conditions.
* 5€ conj. W.; re Aid.
♦ KiWiffra conj. W., cf. C.P. 3. 24. 1 ; rdx'ffra MVAld.;
rh. X'^TO U.
126
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. iv. 4-v. i
dry up. Most obvious are certain changes in regard
to the way in which animals are produced, and such
changes run through a series of creatures ^ ; thus a
caterpillar changes into a chrysalis, and this in turn
into the perfect insect; and the like occurs in a
number of other cases. But there is hardly anything
abnormal in this, nor is the change in plants, which
is the subject of our enquiry, analogous to it. That
kind of change occurs in trees and in all woodland
plants generally, as was said before, and its effect is
that, when a change of the required character occurs
in the climatic conditions, a s[X)ntaneous change in
the way of growth ensues.^ These instances must
suffice for investigation of the ways in which plants
are produced or modified.
Of methods of propagation, xcith notes on cultivation.
V. Since however methods of cultivation and ten-
dance largely contribute, and, before these, methods
of planting, and cause great differences, of these too
we must speak.
And first of methods of planting : as to the seasons,
we have already stated at what seasons one should
])lant. Further ^ we are told that the plants chosen
should be the best possible,^ and should be taken
from soil resembling that in which you are going to
plant them, or else inferior ^ ; also the holes should
\ye dug ^ as long as possible beforehand, and should
always be deeper than the original holes, even for
those whose roots do not run verj' deep.
* i.e. the shift should be into better soil, if possible, cf.
O.P. 3. 5. 2.
6 yvpoi/s irpoopvTTtiv conj. R. Const.; -rvpovs ■Kpoaopv-nav
\5MNA\A. cf.C.P.3.4.l.
127
THEOPHRASTUS
Aeyovai Be Tive<i ft)9 ovBefiia KarcoTepco BuKveirai
TpiMV rj/jLtTTohlmv' Si o Kol iTTiTifjLcbai Tot^ iv
fiei^ovL ^dOei (^vrevovaw ovk eoiKaai he opdoi^
\eyeiv eVl ttoWmv aW' iav fj ')((OfiaT0'^ e7n\d,8-
rjrai ^aOeo^ rj kol ')(U)pa^ TOLavTrj<i rj koI tottov,
TToXXw /xaKporepav oaOel to t^ <f)vcr€c ^aOvppi^ov.
irevKrjv Se Tf9 ecprj fMeTa(f)VTevcov fiefiox^^^/^^vrjv
fxei^o) rr)v pi^av e%€ii^ OKTaTrrj'xyv Ka'nrep ovx o^^*?
i^aLpe6€Lcrr]<i dXX' aTroppayelarj^;.
Ta Be (ftvTevT'^pca iav p-ev ivBexv^CLi viroppi^a,
el Be /jui], Bet fiaXkov diro rcov kutco t] tmv avw
Xapi^dveiv, ttXtjv d/xTreXov kol to, [xev ex^vra
pi^at opda i/jb^dWeiv, to, Be jmi-j e^ovra vTro^dX-
Xeiv rod (jivrevrrfplov oaov crTndafirjv rj puKpS)
nrXeiov. evioi Be KeXevovcn koX rSiv viroppl^wv
vTTO^dXXeiv, Tt,6evai, Be koX ttjv Oiaiv o/io/co? rjvirep
elx^v iiTL roiv BevBpcov to, Trpocr/Boppa koI ra irpo'i
€03 KOL TO, irpo'i p,e(T7]fi^piav. ocra Be eVSe^erat
TMV (f)VT(OV KOL TTpop,0(7)(^eveiV' TU fiev eV aVTOiV
TMV BevBpcov, olov eXda<; aTTLOv prfkea^; (TVKrj<i- to,
S' d(f)aipovvTa<i, olov dpureXov TavTijv yap ovx
olov re eir' avTij<i fioax^veiv.
^Fidv Be p,r} vTToppi^a to, (f)vra p.7)B€ VTTOTrpefiva
^ a\\' iav . . . TotovTov. eav fj fjikv aoo/xaTos M ; SO V, but ^ ;
1) om. PAld.; x'^A"*'''''* H ; KevtifMuros for adfiaros and €vSi6Sov
for fi Kol tSttov conj. W. x'^P"-^ refers to exposure, etc.,
r6irov (sc. toiovtov) to quality of soil : so G.
''' Plin. 16. 129 ; Xen. Oec. 19. 3. » cf. C.P. 3. 6.
128
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, 11. v. 2-4
Some say that no root goes down further than a
foot and a half, and accordingly they blame those who
plant deeper. However there are many instances
in which it appears that what they say does not
hold good : a plant which is naturally deep-rooting
pushes much deeper if it finds either a deep mass
of soil or a position which favours such growth or
again the kind of ground which favoui'S it.^ In fact,^
a man once said that when he was transplanting a
fir which he had uprooted with levers, he found that
it had a root more than eight cubits long, though
the whole of it had not been removed, but it was
broken off.
The slips for planting should be taken, if possible,
with roots attached, or, failing that, from the lower ^
rather than from the higher parts of the tree, except
in the case of the vine ; those that have roots should
be set upright,^ while in the case of those which
have none about ^ a handsbreadth or rather more ot
the slip should be buried. Some say that part even
of those which have roots should be buried, and that
the jwsition ^ should be the same as that of the tree
from which the slip was taken, facing north or east
or south, as the case may be. With those plants
with which it is possible, shoots from the boughs
should also, they say, be planted, some being set on
the trees themselves,^ as with olive pear apple and
ng, but in other cases, as in that of the vine, they
must be set separately, for that the ^'ine cannot be
grafted on itself. *
If the slips cannot be taken with root or stock
* cf. C.P. 3. 6. 4 ; Xen. Oec. 19. 9.
* Sffov conj. Sch.; ofov P.>AJd.
« cf. C.P. 3. 5. 2. 7 i'.e. grafted.
129
THEOPHRASTUS
\afj,^dv€ii', KaOdirep Trj<i iXda<i, cf')(iaavrd re to
^v\ov Kdrcodev koI XlOov ifi^aXovra (fyvreveiv
ofioiw'i he KoX TT]^ e\da<i koX avKrjf; koX twv dX-
Xcov. (f>VTev6Tat Se r] av/ci] koL edv ti<{ KpdBrjv
Trax^lav d'no^vva'i a^vpa trairi, d)(pi ov dp
CLTroXiTTr] fMiKpbv VTrep Tfj<i lyrj'i, eW avTrjf d/jb/jLOV
^aXcbv dvwdev eTrf^cocrrj- koI lytvecrBai 8ij (^aai
Kol KaXXioo ravra rd (pvrd, fiixp^ ov dv ■§
via,
5 TiapairXTjaia kuI tcov dfiTreXayv, orav diro
Tov TrarrdXov TrpooSoirocei yap 6 7rdTTaXo<i
€KeiV(p ru> KXrjfiari Sid rrjv dadeveiav cjiv-
revovacv ovrco /cat poav Kal dXXa rSiv BevSpcov.
7} avKrj Be, edv ev aKiXXr] ^vrevOfj, duTTOv rrapa-
ylverai Kal rjTTOv vtto (XKcoXrJKoov KareadUrai.
oX&)9 Be ndv ev ctkIXXt) <f)vrev6p,€V0V ev^Xaare<;
Kal ddrrov av^dverac. oaa Be eK tov (TTeXe')(ov^
Kal BiaKOTTTOfieva (f}VTeveTai, /carco TperrovTa Tr]v
TOfMrjv Bel (f)VTeveiv, BiaKOTTTCiv Be fir] eXdTTCo
aTTtOafxiaLcov, wairep eXe')(6r], Kal tov (f>Xoi6v
Trpoaelvar ^veTai 8' eV tmv tocovtcov epvr]' ^Xa-
aTavovToov S' del Trpoa'Xjoovvveiv, d-^^pc ou dv yevrj-
Tai dpTLOV avTt] p,ev ovv t^s" eXda<i IBla Kal tov
fivppivov, at 5' dXXat KoivoTepai trdcnv.
6 " AptaTOv Be Kal pi^coaaaOai Kal <^vTeta^ fidXi-
crra tt}? Tf^oucrJ?? rj (ruKrj. (f)VT€veiv Be p6a<i fiev
^ T] before ttjs om. W. ^ re rh conj. W. ; r6 re MVP.
3 Kal rris i\alas U ; iAdas MVP ; so W.
* Plin. 17, 123. ' c/. C.P. 3. 12. 1.
* c/. 7. 13. 4 ; C.P. 5. 6. 10 (where another bulb, ffxifos, is
mentioned as being put to the same use) ; Athen. 3. 13 ;
Plin. 17. 87.
130
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. v. 4-6
attached, as with the olive,^ they say that one must -
split the wood at the lower end and plant with a
stone on top ; and the fig and other trees must
be treated in like manner with the olive.^ The fig *
is also propagated by sharpening a stout shoot and
driving it in with a hammer, till only a small piece of
it is left above ground, and then piling sand above so
as to earth it up ; and they say that the plants thus
raised grow finer up to a certain age.
Similar is the method used with vines, when they
are propagated by the ' peg ' ^ method ; for the peg
makes a passage for that sort of shoot on account of
its weakness ; and in the same manner men plant the
pomegranate and other trees. The fig progresses
more quickly and is less eaten by grubs, if the cutting
is set in a squill-bulb ^ ; in fact anything so planted is
vigorous and grows faster. All those trees which are
propagated by pieces cut from the stem should be
planted with the cut part downwards,' and the
pieces cut off should not be less than a handsbreadth in
length, as Mas said,^ and the bark should be left on.
From such pieces new shoots grow, and as they grow,
one should keep on heaping up earth about them,
till the tree becomes strong.^ This kind of propa-
gation is peculiar to the olive and myrtle, while the
others are more or less common to all trees.
The fig is better than any other tree at striking
i*oots, and will, more than any other tree, grow by
any method of propagation. '^^ We are told that,
' cj. Geop. 9. 11. 8.
* 2. 5. 3, where however the method of propagation is
different.
' iipnov AlA.; ofnireKri conj. VV. {quoad satis corroboreiurG ;
(lonec robur plania capiat Plin. 17. 124) ; 6.prireuv U ; Sotj
■i»,v MV; ipri rdiv P^. " c/. C.P. 3. 7.
THEOPHRASTUS
Kol fivppivov^i Kal 8d(f)va<i 7rvKva<i KcXevovcri, firj
irXeov hie(rTO)a-a<i rj ivvea TroSa^, firj\ea<i Be fiiKprp
/la/cpoTepov, airiov^ he Kal 6'y)(ya<i ert, fxaWov,
afivy8a\d<} Be Kal crvKca ttoXXw irXeov, o)(TavT(o<i
Be Kal rrjv eXdav. TTOielaOai Be Kal 7rpo<i top
TOTTov rd<i d7roard(7€i<i' ev yap Tot<; 6peivol<i eXdr-
TOi'9 rj ev T0t9 'jreBeivoc'i.
Meyiarov Be a)9 elirelv to ttjv irpocr^opov
eKd(TT(p 'X^copav aTroBtBovaf rore yap evdevel
fidXicTTa. 0)9 5' a7rXft)9 elirelv eXda fxev Kal auKfj
Kal dyu-TreXo) rrjv ireBeivqv cf)aaiv olKeiordTrjv elvai,
Tot9 Be aKpoBpvoi^ Ta9 vTTwpeia'i. XPV ^^ '^'^^ ^^
avToc<i T0t9 Ofioyevecn /xrj dyvoelv Td<i olKeia<;. ev
TrXetcTTr] Be ft)9 ecTrelv Biacjjopd rd tmv dfjLTreXoov
eariv oaa ydp ecm yr)<i elBrf, roaavrd Tive<i (f)acn
Kal dp.iriXcov elvai. cfivrevo/xeva fiev ovv Kara
^vaiv dyadd yiveadat irapd (pvcriv Be aKapira.
ravra fxev ovv ocxxTrep Kotvd irdvrwv.
VI. Tcoy Be (poivLKMv cBto<; r] (jivreta irapd
raXXa Kal rj jierd ravTa Oepaireia. (pvrevovai,
ydp TrXeiovi 6t9 ravrb rt6evT€<i Bvo KaTW Kal Bvo
dvco6ev eTTiBovvTe^, irpavel'i Be irdvra^. rrjv ydp
€K(f)vaiv ovK e/c tcov vtttlwv Kal kolXcov iroietrai,
KaOdirep tiv€<; (j>a(Tiv, dXX^ eK rSiv dvco, Bi o Kal
ev Ty eTTi^ev^ei tmv einriOep.e.vwv ov Bel irepiKa-
Xvirreiv rd<i dp')(^d<; 06 ev r) eK(^vcn^' cftavepal 6'
1 iKday conj. Bod. (c/. Plin. 17. 88) ; {>oihv UAkl.H.
* iXoLTTOVt conj. Sell.; fKarrov Aid.
^ i.e. apples pears plums, etc.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. v. 6-vi. i
in planting the pomegranate myrtle or bay, one
should set two trees close together, not further
than nine feet apart, apples a little further, j)ears and
wild pears still further, almonds and figs further still,
and in like manner the olive. ^ Again the distance
apart must be regulated by the nature of the ground,
being less - in hilly parts than in low ground.
Most important of all, one may say. is it to assign
to each the suitable soil ; for then is the tree most
vigorous. Speaking generally, they say that low
ground is most suitable for the olive fig and vine,
and the lower slopes of hills for fruit trees.^ Nor
should one fail to note what soil suits each variety
even of those closely related. There is the greatest
difference, one may say, between the different kinds of
vine : for they say that there are as many kinds of vine
as there are of soil. If they are planted as their
nature requires, they turn out well, if otherwise, they
are unfruitful. And these remarks apply almost
equally to all trees.
Of the propagation of the date-palm ; of palm* in general.
VI. ■* The method of proj;»agating date-palms is
peculiar and exceptional, as also is their subsequent
cultivation. They plant several seeds together,
putting two below and two above, which are fastened
on ; but all face downwards.^ For germination starts
not, as some say, from the ' reverse ' or hollow side,^
but from the part ' which is uppermost ; wherefore
in joining on the seeds which are placed above one
must not cover up the points from which the growth
« Plin. 13. 32.
'" i.e. with the grooved side downwards.
^ i.e. the grooved side. " i.e. the round side.
133
THEOPHRASTUS
elcrl TOt<? ifjb'ireipoL'i. 8ia tovto 8' et? to avrb
irXeLov; riOiacriv ojl atro rod €vb<; aa-dei'rji; r]
(pvTeLa. TOVTOov Be at re pi^ai 7rp6<; aX\7]\a^
crv/joTrXiKovrai koX evdvq at irpwrai ^Xacnrjaei'^,
ware ev ylvecrOat to o-reXe^o?.
'H fjuev ovv airo tmv KapiTwv ^vreia roiavri]
Ti9* Tj 8' a(ji aiiTOV, orav acpeXcoai ro avw ev
(pirep 6 e7A:e0aXo9' d(f)aipov(TL Se oaov hiirrj-^v
(TXio-avTe^ 8e tovto kutco Tideaai to vypov (f)tXel
8e ^copav d\/j,(oBiy Si o kuI ottov fxr) Toiavrt]
Tvyxdvei TrepnraTTOVo-iv a\a<; ol yecopyoi' tovto
Se Set TToieiv /xr) Trepl avTa<i Ta<i pi^a<i a\V dirodev
dirocTTrja-avTa TrepcTruTTeiv oaov r/fjiie/CTOV otl he
ToiavTrjv ^rjTel 'X^copav KaKelvo TroiovvTai arffxelov
TcavTa')(ov yap ottov TrXrjdo'i (potvLKoyv aX/icoSei? al
')(^SipaL' Kal yap ev Ha/BvXcovt, (paaiv, ottov ol
(f)oivi/ce<? 7re<f)VKaai, teal ev Ai^vrj Se Kal ev AlyviTTO)
Kal ^oivIkt) Kal t^9 Xvpt,a<; 8e tt}? Koi\rj<;, ev y y
ol 7T\€t(TT0i Tvy^avovaiv, ev Tptat fxovoi^ T07roi<i
aXfMcoSeaiv elvai tou? 8vvafievov<; drja-avpi^ea-dai'
Tov'i 8' ev Toh aX\ot<i ov Siafieveiv aXXd crrjiTeaOai,,
'^Xwpov'i S' ■^Sel'i elvai Kal KaTavaXiaKetv ovtw.
^t\el 8e Kal vhpeiav acfioopa to SevSpov TTCpl
8e Koirpov 8iap,(f)ia^r]T0V(riv' ol /xev yap ov ^aai
')(^aipeiv lOOC ivavTKOTaTOV elvai, ol 8e Kal
Xprjo-6ai Kal eirihoaLv TroWrjv iroielv. helv S'
vSpeveiv ev /xaka Kara r^? KoiTpov, KaOdirep ol ev
2 TOVTO . . . i>yp6v : I have inserted 5f, otherwise retaining
the reading of Aid.; tovtov Karw Tideaai 5' evvypnv conj .W.
c/. I'lin. 13. 36. to vyp6v, viz. the cut end.
^ a.\fx(i5r) conj. W. ; afifidSt) P._jAld.H.
134
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. vi. 1-3
is to come ; and these can be recognised by experts.
And the reason why they set several together is that
a plant that grows from one only is weak. The roots
which grow from these seeds become entangled
together and so do the first shoots from the very
start, so that they combine to make a single stem.
Such is the method of growing from the fruits.
But propagation is also possible from the tree itself,
by taking off the top, which contains the 'head.'^
They take off about two cubits' length, and, splitting
it, set the moist end.- It likes a soil which contains
salt ^ ; wherefore, where such soil is not available,
the growers sprinkle salt al)out it ; and this must not
be done about the actual roots : one must keep the
salt some -svay off and sprinkle about a gallon. To
shew that it seeks such a soil they offer the following
proof; wherever date-palms grow abundantly, the
soil is salt,^ both in Babylon, they say, where the tree
is indigenous, in Libya in Eg}-pt and in Phoenicia ;
while in Coele-Syria, where are ^ most palms, only in
three districts, they say, where the soil is salt, are
dates produced which can be stored ; those that grow
in other districts do not keep, but rot, though when
fresh they are sweet and men use ® them at that
stage.
^ The tree is likewise very fond of irrigation ; as
to dung there is a difference of opinion : some say
that the date-palm does not like it, but that it is most
injurious, others that it gladly accepts ^ it and makes
good growth thereby, but plenty of water should be
■* aA/ietf5ei» conj. W. ; afifidiSeis Ald.H.
' 4v f y' oi conj. W.; Ti>' 'IvSoi U ; ^v "IvSoi MVAld.
• KaravaXiffKeiv Aid.; KaravaXiTKeffdai conj.W.
7 Plin. 13. 28.
® Ka\ xp'?<''*«' conj. Sch.; KexpV<^Oat Aid.; ? k«x«'P'?<''^"'-
THEOPHRASTUS
'P68ft). TOVTo ixev ovv iina-KeTrreov' Xam^ fyap ol
fjbev ovTa)<i ol 3' eKeivcd^; depaTrevovcriv, koX fxera
fjLev TOV v8aT0<i mcfieXtfiov rj Koirpo'i avev he tovtov
/3Xa^epd. orav he eviavaio^i yevijrai, jnera-
(pvrevovcri koX twv dXcov avfiTrapa^aXkovcri, koI
irakLv orav hieTrj^' ^(aipeL yap a(f)6Bpa tjj fiera-
(})VT€ia.
MeTa<f)VTevovai Be ol p,ev dWoi tov ^po<i' ol Be
ev "Ba/SvXwvi irepl to aarpov, ore Ka\ o\a><; ol je
TToXkol (^vrevovcTLV, &)9 Koi Trapayivofievov Kai
av^avofjievov Odrrov. veov [xev 6vro<i ovx dirrov-
rai, rrXrjv dvaBov(n rrjv ko/jCtjv, ottco'; opOo^vrj t' rj
Kal al pd^Boi fir) dtraprSivrai. fxerd Be ravra
irepcrifivovaiv, oirorav dBpo<i rjBr] lyevrjrai Kal
'ird')(^o<i exv- diroXeiTrovat Be oaov aindafxrjv rwv
pd^Bcov. (f>ep€i Be etw? pev dv -p veof aTrvprjvov rov
Kapirov, p,erd Be rovro irvpr/vcoBr].
"AXXot Be rive<i Xeyovaiv co? oi ye Kara '%vpiav
ovBep,iav Trpocrdyovcnv epyacriav aXX,' t) Bta-
KadalpovaL Kal ein^pe'XpvaLv, im^Tjrelv Be p,dWov
TO vaparialov vBcop rj to €k rod Ato?" elvai Be
TToXi) roLovrov ev tw avXcovL ev m Kai ra ^otvi-
Kocpvra rvyx^dvei, rov avXwva Be rovrov Xeyeiv
rov<; Xvpov<; on Biareivei Btd ri]<i ^Apa^la^ H'^XP''
rrj<; epvdpd<i daXdacn]f; Kal 7roXXov<i (pdcTKeiv
eXtfXvdevar rovrov Be ev rw KotXordrw 7re(f>v-
KevaL T0U9 (f)OiviKa<i. ravra pev ovv Ta%' dp(f)o-
repQ}<i dv ecrj' Kara yap rd<; 'x^copa^;, oxxirep Kal
] cf. 7. 5. 1. 2 piin. 13. 37.
''^ avfnrapaffdWovffi conj. Sell, from G ; avixirapaXajj-^avouffi
UAld. " cf. Plin. 13. 38.
136
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. vi. 3-5
given, after manuring, as the Rhodians use. This
then is matter for enquiry ; it may be that there are
two distinct methods of cultivation, and that dung,
if accompanied by watering,^ is beneficial, though
without it it is harmful. - When the tree is a year
old, they transplant it and give plenty ^ of salt, and
this treatment is repeated when it is two years old,
for it delights greatly in being transplanted.
* Most transplant in the spring, but the people of
Babylon about the rising of the dog-star, and this is
the time when most people propagate it, since it
then germinates and grows more quickly. As long
as it is young, they do not touch it, except that they
tie up the foliage, so that it may grow straight ^ and
the slender branches may not hang down." At a
later stage they prune it, when it is more vigorous
and has become a stout tree, leaving the slender
branches only about a handsbreadth long. So long
as it is young, it produces its fruit without a stone,
but later on the fruit has a stone.
However some say that the people of Syria use no
cultivation, except cutting out wood and watering, also
that the date-palm requires spring water rather than
water from the skies ; and that such water is abundant
in the valley in which are the palm-groves. And
they add that the Syrians say that this vallev ''
extends through Arabia to the Red Sea,^ and that
many profess to have visited it,^ and that it is in the
lowest part of it that the date-palms grow. Now
both accounts may be true, for it is not strange that
' 6p0o(pvri t' p conj. W. ; 6pBo<piriTai PqAM.
* airapTuvTai conj. R. Const.; aTopOwyrai P.,MAld.
* cf. Diod. 3. 41.
* i.e. the Arabian Gulf.
* i\Ti\v64yai Aid. ; SifKriKv94yai conj. W.
137
THEOPHRASTUS
avra ra SevSpa, Bca(f)€p€iv koX ra^ ipyaaia^ ovk
aroirov.
Vevrj he twi' ^otvtKwv earl TrXetw npcorov fiev
Kol Mairep iv /xeylaTr] htai^opa to /nev KapTrifiov
TO 8e cLKaprrov, ef wv ol irepX ^a^vXwva ra? re
K\Lva<i Koi ToXka axevr} iroiovvTai. eireiTa tS)V
Kapirificov ol fiev appeva al he drjXeiar hiacfiepovai,
he aX\i]\a>v, Kad' a 6 fiev dpprjv av9o<i irpcoTOV
cf)ep€i eVt Tr]<i aTrdOrjf;, 17 he OrjXeia KapTTov evOi)
liLKpbv. avTOiv he tmv Kapircov hiacfiopal TrA-etou?'
ol fiev yap aTrvpTjvoc ol he fjuaXaKOiTV prjvoL' Ta^i
-X^poia^ ol [xev XevKol ol he fx,ekave<i ol he ^avdoi'
TO h' 6\ov OVK iXdrrco ')(pa)fjbaTd (^aaiv elvat tmv
avKOiV ouS' <x7rXw9 to, <yei>rj' hta(jiepeiv he kol Kara
TO, jxe'yeO'q Koi Kara rd cr'X^^fuiTa' koI yap (T(paL-
poeihei<i eviovq maavel firjXa koi rd /jbeyedrj rrjXi-
KOVTOv; ft)9 TGTTapa? et? tov 7rrj-)(^vv elvai, [eTrra
Kal evTToSou?]* aWov<; he jxiKpov'^ r)XiKov<; epe-
yStV^ou?. Kal Tot9 %v\ot9 he ttoXv hia(f>epovTa<;.
K.pdrLaTOv he Kal tmv XevKwv Kal tmv fxeXdvwv
TO jSacnXiKov KaXovfievov yevo<; ev eKarepw Kal
fieyedei Kal dpeTrj' airdvia S' elvat TavTa Xeyovar
(T'xehov yap ev jxovw tm ^aycoov ki^ttw tov
iraXaiov irepl ^a^vXwva, ev Kutt/jw he thiov ri
yevo<; (fyoiviKaiv earlv o ov ireiraivei, tov Kapirov,
dXX^ &)/xo9 (OV r)hv<i a^ohpa Kal yXvKV<i icTTf ttjv
he yXvKVTTjTa ihiav e%et. evLoi 8' ov fiovov hia-
1 Plin. 13. 39.
^ irpwTov conj. Sch. ; trpwros UMVAld.
3 irrjxvv conj. R. Const, from Plin. 13. 45. and G, c/r Died.
2. m- ffTcixv*- UMVAld.
■* ewTo Kal einr6Sovs UMV : the words perhaps conceal a
138
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, 11. vi. 5-7
in different soils the methods of cultivation should
differ, like the trees themselves.
^ There are several kinds of palm. To begin with,
to take first the most important difference ; — some
are fruitful and some not ; and it is from this latter
kind that the people of Babylon make their beds
and other furniture. Again of the fruitful trees
some are 'male,' others 'female'; and these differ
from one another in that the ' male ' first ^ bears a
flower on the sjwithe, while the ' female ' at once
bears a small fruit. Again there are various differences
in the fruits themselves ; some have no stones, others
soft stones ; as to colour, some are white, some black,
some yellow ; and in general they say that there is
not less variety of colour and even of kind than in
figs ; also that they differ in size and shape, some being
round like apples and of such a size that four of them
make up a cubit ^ in length, ... * while others are
small,^ no bigger than chick-peas ; and that there is
also much difference in flavour.
The best kind alike in size and in quality, whether
of the white or black variety, is that which in either
form is called ' the royal palm ' ; but this, they say,
is rare ; it grows hardly anywhere except in the
park of the ancient Bagoas," near Babvlon. In
Cyprus "^ there is a peculiar kind of palm which does
not ripen its fruit, though, when it is unripe, it is
very sweet and luscious, and this lusciousness is of a
peculiar kind. Some palms again ^ differ not merely
glos.s on TTTJxvv, e.g. th irijxwj 5uo iroSes (Salm.) ; om. G ; ivioTt
Kal iirl Tr6Sa conj. W. * Plin. 13. 42.
'^ Baytfov : Bdrrov MSS. corr. by R. Const, from Plin. 13.
41. rov ira\aiov apparentl}' distinguishes this Bagoas from
some more recent wearer of the name.
" Plin. 13. 33. « Plin. 13. 28.
139
THEOPHRASTUS
(pepovai TOi^ Kap'irol<i aXXa Koi avro) ra> SevBpo)
Kara re to p,rjKO<i koi rr)v aWrjv fiopcprjv' ov yap
fieydXoi koi p,aKpol dWa ^pa')(el<;, en he Kapin-
/jLcorepoi TMP dX\o)v koi Kap7ro(f)opovvT€<i ev9v<i
Tpi€Tei<;' TToWol Be koI ovtoi Trepl J^virpov. etcrl
Be KoX irepX ^vpiav koI irepl Atyvirrov (f)OLviKe<;
o'i (f)epovcn rerpaerel^ koI trevTaeTel^ dvBpo/M7]Kei<i
OVT€<;.
"}^repov 8' €Tt yevo^ ev Yivirpw, o koX to (fivWov
ifkarvTepov e^et koi top Kapirov fiel^o) ttoWo)
Koi lBt6/jLop(f)ov' fieyedet jxev rj\lKO<i poa tm (t^tj-
fxa-TL Be irpofJbrjKri'i, ovk ev'xyXo'i Be wairep dXXoi
aXA,' ojxoLO'i Ttti? p6ai<i, ware /xr) KaraBe^eaOai
dWd Btafxacrrja-afxevovi eK^dWeiv. yevrj jxev ovv,
Mairep etprjrai, iroWd. drjcravpt^eadat Be /jl6vov<;
Bvvacrdai ^aai rwv ev %vpia rov<i ev t5) av\(ovi,
rov<i 8' ev AlyuTTTO) koi Kvirpo) koI irapd TOt?
dWoi<; ■)(X,copov'? dvaXicTKeaOai,.
"EiTTi Be 6 (f)oivt^ CO? puev a7rX,w9 ecTrelv fiovo-
crreXe'X^e'i koX fj,ovo(f)ve<i' ov firjv dXXd yivovrai
TLve<i Kca Bi(f)vel<;, wairep ev A.lyvTn(p, KaOdirep
BiKpoav exoVTe<i' to S' dvdcrrtj/jLa rov o-TeXe^ow?
o.^' ov rj cr%t(Tt9 /cal 7revTd7rr]')(^v 77/309 dXXyjXa Be
7rQ)9 lad^ovra. cfyacrl Be Koi TOv<i ev Kpi^ry
TrXeiov^; elvai tou9 Bi(f)vei<;, eviov<; Be koI rpicpveU'
ev Be Ty AaTrala riva koI irevraKecpaXov' ovk
dXoyov yovv ev Tat<i evTpo(j)coTepai<i %&>/9af9 TrXetco
ylveaOai rd roiavra Koi to oXov Be rd ciBt] irXeiw
Kol rd<i Bt,a<^opd<i.
1 '6noios conj. Bod.; bfjLolws UMVAld, ' c/. §5.
^ Plin. 13. 38 ; c/. 4. 2. 7, where the name {KovKi6(popov) of
this tree is given.
140
»
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. vi. 7-9
m their fruits but in the character of the tree itself
as to stature and general sha})e ; for instead of being
large and tall they are low growing ; but these are
more fruitful than the others, and they begin to bear
as soon as they are three years old ; this kind too is
common in Cyprus. Again in Syria and Egypt
there are palms which bear when they are four or
five years old, at which age they are the height of
a man.
There is yet another kind in Cyprus, which has
broader leaves and a much larger fruit of peculiar
shape ; in size it is as large as a pomegranate, in
shape it is long ; it is not however juicy like others,
but like^ a pomegranate, so that men do not
swallow it, but chew it and then spit it out. Thus,
as has been said, there are many kinds. The only
dates that will keep, they say, are those which grow
in the Valley 2 of Syria, while those that grow in
Egj^pt Cyprus and else wli ere are used when fresh.
The palm, speaking generally, has a single and
simple stem ; however there are some with two
stems, as in Egypt,^ which make a fork, as it were ;
the length of the stem up to the point where it
divides is as much as five cubits, and the two
branches of the fork are about equal in length. They
say that the palms in Crete more often than not
have this double stem, and that some of them have
three stems ; and that in Lapaia one with five heads
has been known. It is after all not surprising*
that in more fertile soils such instances should be
commoner, and in general that more kinds and more
variation should be found under such conditions.
■• ovK &\oyov yovv conj. W. (ovk &\oyov h' Sch.) ; oii kuKus
yovv Ald.MU (marked doubtful).
141
THEOPHRASTUS
10 "AWo 8e ri <yevo<i ia-rlv 6 (paai yLveaOat
irXelarov nepl rrjv KWioiriav, o KaXovai KOiKa'i'
ovTOi 8e da/jbvdi)8ei.<i, ov')(l ev rb crreA-e^o? e')(0VTe<i
aWa TrXeto) koX iviore avvqprrifieva y^ky^pi tivo<;
et9 ev, Ta9 Be pd^Sovf ov /j,aKpa<; [xev aX)C oaov
'7rr]')(yaia<i , aWa \eia<i, eirl he tmv aKpcov rrjv
Kofirjp. e-)(ovcn 8e koX to <f)vX\ov TrXarv koX wa-
Trep e'/c Bvolv avyKclfievov iXa^t'O'Toiv. Kokol Be
KoX rfi oyfrec (^aivovrav rov Be Kapirov koI ra axv-
fxart Koi rw /xeyeOec Koi tm XvXw Bid(f)opov exovcrr
crrpoyyvXcorepov yap Kol [xel^oi koi evcrro floor epov
r]jTov Be yXvKvv. ireiraivovcn Be ev rpicrlv ereaiv
w(Tr del Kapirov e%etj', €7riKara\a/ii^dvovTO(;
Tov veov Tov evov rroiovcri Be koi dprov<; e^avrSyv
irepl fiev ovv tovtcov eTnaKeirTeov.
11 Ol Be 'xafxaippi^el'i Kokovpbevoi, tmv (J)oivlk(ov
erepov rt <yevo<; iarlv (oairep op-covvfxov kol yap
e^aip€OevTo<i rov eyKe(f>dXov ^(oai Kal K07revT€<;
diro roiv pi^cov Trapa^XaaTdvovai. 8ia<pepovaL
Be Kal TO) KapiT(o koI rol<i <f)vXXot<i' TrXarv yap
Kal fiaXaKov e'xpvcn ro (pvXXov, Bi o koI TrXe-
Kovatv i^ avrov rd<i re airvpiBa'i Kal rov<i
^op/jiov<i- TToXXol Be Kal ev rfj Y.prjrr} yivovrat Kal
ert, fxdXXov ev %iKeXia. ravra fxev ovv eVt
rrXelov etprjrai t?}9 vrrodea-eco^.
1 Plin. 13. 47.
^ K6XKas conj. Salm. cf. 1. 10. 5, and the probable reading
in Plin. I.e.
^ avvr]prr}neva n^xp^ "^^"^^ *** *'' conj.W. ; avvqpri^nivas fitv
142
^ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. vi
'There is another kind which is said to be
abundant in Ethiojiia, called the doum-palm ^ ; this
is a shrubby tree, not having a single stem but
several, which sometimes are joined together up to
a certain point ^ ; and the leaf-stalks are not long,*
only the length of a cubit, but they are plain,^ and
the leafage is borne only at the tip. The leaf is
broad and, as it were, made up of at least" two
leaflets. This tree is fair to look upon, and its fruit
in shape size and flavour differs from the date,
being rounder larger and pleasanter to the taste,
though not so luscious. It ripens in three years, so
that there is always fruit on the tree, as the new
fruit overtakes that of last year. And thev make
bread out of it. These reports then call for
enquiry.
^ The dwarf-palm, as it is called, is a distinct kind,
having nothing but its name ** in common with other
palms. For if the head is removed, it survives,
.md, if it is cut down, it shoots again from the
roots. It differs too in the fruit and leaves ; for
::he leaf is broad and flexible, and so they weave
their baskets and mats out of it. It is common in
Crete and still more so in Sicily.^ However in
-hese matters we have said more than our purpose
required.
els ev U; auvrjpTTjfifva fiexpi rivos tlffi Aid.; avin)(mtfji(vas fiey
* fiiy ins. W. after Sch. (omitted above).
' i.e. without leaflets, except at the tip.
^ (KaxiffTotv Bas. ; iKaxiffruiv U. cf. Arist. Eth. X. 5. 3. 3,
I'y eXaxiVrois Svaly.
-> Plin. 13. 39. « For ificivvfioy cf. 9. 10. 1 n.
" A dwarf palm is now abundant at Sehnunte : cf. Verg.
Aen. 3. 705, jxilmosa Sdiniis.
143
THEOPHRASTUS
12 'El/ 8e Tat9 TMV aXkcov (j)VTeLai<; avdiraXiv
TidevTai ra (pvrevTrjpia, KaOairep ro)v KXrjfxdroyv.
ol fiev ovv ovdev Biuipepeiv (f)aalv rjKicna he eVt
ro)v dfiTreXcov evioi Be poav SacrvveaOai koI
aKid^eiv fidXXov tov Kapirov €ti Be rjrrov diro-
^dXXeiv TOv<i KVTLVov<;. av/jb^aiveiv Be rovro (paai
KoX enrl Tr)<i avKri<i' ov <yap diro^aXXeiV dvdiraXiv
(pvrevOetaav, ert S' ev^arcorepav yiueaOar ovk
diro^dXXeiv Be ovS' edv Ti<; diroKXdari ^vo/jLevr)<{
evdv<i TO aKpov.
Ac fjiev ovv (fivrelat koi <y€vea-et<; ov rpoirov
exovcri a')(eBov 009 rvirw irepiXa^elv etprjvraL.
VII. Hepl Be T^9 epyaaLa<; koI Trj<; OepaTreiwi
ra fiev eari kolvcl rd Be 'IBia kuO^ eKacrrov. kolvcl
fxev 77 re aKairdvr] koX tj vBpeta koi tj Koirpwai^,
en Be rj BiaKd6apcn<i koX dcpaipecn^ twv avoiv.
Bia^epovcn Be t& fidXXov Kat rjrrov. ra p,ev
(piXvBpa Koi (^CXoKoirpa rd S' ov\^ 6fioico<;, olov 77
KvrrdpLTTO^, rjirep ov (piXoKOTrpov ovBe (piXvBpov,
dXXd Kol aTToXXvcrOai (paaiv edv ye veav ovaav
icbvBpevcoai ttoXXo). poa Be koI dfi7reXo<i (piXvBpa.
avKTJ Be ev^XaaroTepa puev vBpevo/jbivr] tov Be
KapiTov 'icr')(ei %etpa) irX'qv t^9 AaK(i)VLK7]<;' avTTj Be
(j)iXvBpo<;.
1 oj/ciiro\ji' conj. Sch.; TavdiraXiv Aid. c/. C.P. 2. 9. 4 ;
Geop. 10. 45 ; Plin. 17. 84. 2 ^Zu ins. H.
^ SaffvyecrOai : see LS. refF. s.v. Sa<rvs.
" c/. C.P. 2. 9. 3.
^ fvffarwTepav {i.e. ' more manageable '). The reference is
to a method of keeping the tree dwarf (Bod.). Plin. I.e. has
144
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. vi. 12-vii. i
Further notes on the projxigation 0/ trees.
To return to the other trees : — in propagating them
they set the cuttings upside down,^ as with vine-shoots.
Some however^ say that that makes no difference,
and least of all in propagating the vine ; while others
contend that the pomegranate thus projjagated has
a bushier growth ^ and shades the fruit better, and
also that it is then * less apt to shed the flower. This
also occurs, they say, with the fig ; when it is set
upside down, it does not shed its fruit, and it makes
a more accessible ^ tree ; and it does not shed its fruit,
even if one breaks off the top ^ as it begins to grow.
Thus we have given a general sketch of what
we find about methods of propagation, and of the
ways in which these trees are reproduced.
Of the cultivation of trees.
VII. " As to cultivation and tendance some require-
ments apply equally to all trees, some are peculiar to
one. Those which apply equally to all are spade-
work watering and manuring, and moreover pruning
and removal of dead wood. But different trees differ
in the degree. Some love moisture and manure,
some not so much, as the cypress,^ which ^ is fond
neither of manure nor of water, but actually dies,
they say, if it is overwatered when young. But the
pomegranate and vine are water-loving. The fig
grows more vigorously if it is watered, but then its
fruit is inferior, except in the case of the Laconian
variety, which is water-loving. i"
scansilem (so also G), which seems to be a rendering of €v0aT.
ei/BaroTfpay U.
* Th inpov conj. R. Const, after G ; rlv Kaprhy UMVPjAld.
' Plin. 17. 246. « Plin. 17. 247.
9 ?,Tr€p conj. W. from G ; 5<nrep Aid. >^ c/. C.P. 3. 6. 6.
145
VOL. I. L
THEOPHRASTUS
AiaKaBaipea-Oat 8e iravra ^rjTer ySeXxto) yap
roiv avcov acpaipov/jbevwv &a7rep oKkorpiwv, a kuI
TO-? av^rj(TeL<i Kol ra? Tpo(fia<i efMiroBi^ei. Si' o
Kul . . . orav 77 <yepdv8pvov 6\co<i kotttovctiv' rj <yap
^Xda-TTja-i^ vea ylveraL rov SevSpov. 'n\ei(nrj<i he
SiaKaOdpaecof; (prjaiv ^ AvSporicov heladai fivpptvov
KOL ekdav oaa yap av ekdrra) KaTa\L7rr]<i, afxeivov
^aaTtjcrei, Koi rov Kapirov olaei irXeiw irXrjv
dfjLTreXov BrjXov orr ravrr) yap dvayKaiorepov
Kal irpo^ ^Xdcrrrjcnv Kal tt/jo? evKapiriav. dirXw'i
he Kal TavTr}v Kal rrjv dXXrjv Oepaiveiav nrpo'i ttjv
IBiav (pvaiv eKdarqy irocrjreov.
Aeccrdai Be (^rjcnv ^AvBporicov Kal Koirpov
Spi/xvTdTTjf; Kal 7rXeiaTr]<i vBpeia<;, Mcnrep Kal jrj<;
StaKaddpaecof;, iXdav Kal fivppivov Kal poav ov
yap ex^iv ixrjTpav ov8e voarjfia Kara 7^9 ovSev
cOOC eTreiSdv nraXaiov fj to SevSpov, aTTorepiveiv
Belv rov<i dKpeix6va<; eirena to <TTeXep^09 depa-
Treveiv Qyanepav e^ dp'>(i]<; (pvrevdev ovt(o 8e
(pacTL TroXvx^povLOiTepa Kal la-xypoTara fivppivov
elvai Kal eXdav. Tavra fxev ovv eiricTKet^aiT
dv Tt9, Gb Kal fMT] rrravra dXXd irepi ye Trj<i
fMrjTpa<i.
'H he Koirpo'i ovre irdaiv 6fiOL(i)<i ov6^ r] avTt]
irda-LV dpfjbOTTet' rd fxev yap 8pi/x€ia<i 8etrat rd
S' rJTTOV rd 8e izavreXw'i Kov(f)i]<i. Bpi/jLvrdrr] Be
rj rov dvOpMTTOV Kaddirep Kal ^aproBpa'i
dpl(TT'}]v fiev ravrrjv elvai (prjcri, Bevrepav Be rrjv
veiav, Tpirrjv Be aly6<i, rcTdpTijv Be irpo^dTov,
[46
Plin. 17. 248. 2 Name of tree missing. Sch.
c/. C.P. 3. 10. 4. * TdiTri conj. W.; Tairns Aid.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. vii. 2-4
1 All trees require pruning ; for they are improved
by removal of the dead wood, which is, as it were, a
foreign body, and prevents growth and nourishment.
Wherefore when the (tree) - becomes old, they cut
off all its boughs : for then the tree breaks afresh.
Androtion ^ says that the myrtle and olive need more
pruning than any other trees ; for the smaller you
leave them, the better they will grow, and they will
bear better fruit. But the vine of course needs
pruning even more ; for it is in the case of this tree *
more necessary for promoting both growth and
fruitfulness. However, speaking generally, both
this and other kinds of tendance must be suited to
the particular natural character in each case.
Androtion further says that the olive the myrtle
and the pomegranate require the most pungent
manure and the heaviest watering, as well as the
most thorough pruning, for that then they do not
get ' softwood ' ^ nor any disease underground ; but
when the tree is old, he adds, one should cut off the
boughs, and then attend to the stem as though it
were a tree just planted. Thus ^ treated they say
that the mjTtle and olive are longer lived and
verv' robust. These statements might be a subject
for further enquiry, or, if not all of them, at least what
is stated of the 'softwood.'
Manure does not suit all alike, nor is the same
manure equally good for all. Some need it pungent,
some less so, some need it quite light. The most
pungent is human dung : thus Chartodras ^ says
that this is the best, pig-manure being second to it,
goat-manure third, fourth that of sheep, fifth that of
.e. efiFete sap-wood. * ovra> conj. W. ; ol Aid.
' Name perhaps corrupt.
147
THEOPHRASTUS
TrefjLTTTTjv Se ^o6<i, eKrrjv 8e ttjv Xo^ovpoov. rj Be
avpiMajiTL^ aXkrj koI aXkfo<;- 77 fj,ev yap aadeve-
arepa ravrr)^ 1) Be KpeLTTcop.
5 Trjv Be (TKaivdvrjv iracnv olovrai av/x(pepeiv,
(oarrep koX rr)V oaKokcriv T049 eXdrrocriv evrpa-
^earepa yap yiveadai. rpe(j)€iv Be Bo/cet Kol 6 fcovi-
opTo<i evia Kal OaXXeiv TTOielv, olov top ^orpvv, Bi
Kal vTTOKOVLOvat 7roWdKC<i' ol Be koI rd'i auKd<i
vTrocrKdiTTOVcnv evda tovtov Bel. M.eyapot Be
Kal roi)^ aiKVOvi Kal ra? KoXoKvvra^i, orav ol
irrjaLai Trvevcraxn, crKdWovTe^ Kovioprovai Kal
ovTco yXvKurepov^ Kal dnaXcoTepov^; iroiovaiv
ovx vBpevovre^. tovto /nev ovv o/xoXoyovfievov.
TTjv S" dfiTreXov ov (paai rive^ Beiv [rj] vnoKovleiv
ouS' oX&)9 diTTecrOai 7r€pKd^ovTO<i rod ^6rpvo<i,
dX\' eXirep OTav aTro/xeXavOfj. ol Be to oXov firjBe
Tore TrXrjv oaov VTTOTiXat rrjv ^ordvrjv vnep fiev
ovv TovToiv d/j,(bc(r^'r]Tovcnv.
Q 'Eay Be ri fir] (pipy Kapirov dXX! eh ^Xdcrrrjcriv
TpeTrrjrac, (T')(il^ov(7i rou aTeXexov; to Kara yrjv
Kal Xidov evTideaa-iv 6iT0i<i dv payfj, Kal (pacn
(f>epeLV. 6fjLol(o<i Be Kal edv ri<i tmv pc^cjv Ttva<;
ireptTe/xr}, Bl Kal roiv dpnreXwv orav Tpaycoai
TOVTO iroLovcn ra? e7n7roXr}<}. rwv Be avKcov
7r/309 Tft) TrepLrefiveiv Kal re^pav TrepiTrdTTovai
Kal KaTaa^d^ovai rd aTeXe')(7] Kal cpacri ^epeiv
fiaXXov. dfxvyBaXfi Be Kal irdTraXov eyK6y^avTe<i
1 Lit. ' bushy tails,' i.e. horses asses mules.
* c/. G.P. 3. 16. 3. ' Se? ins. H ; so apparently G read.
•* Serv vTTOKovUiv ov5' oKcDs conj. W. (so Sch., but keeping
[fj] after Se7v) ; Selv ^ v-koklvkIv ou5' '6\a>s UMV; Sfiv ^ vttoko-
viuv ^ tKus Aid. « Plin. 17. 253 and 254.
148
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. vii. 4-6
oxen, and sixth that of beasts of burden.^ Litter
manure is of different kinds and is applied in various
ways : some kinds are weaker, some stronger.
Spade-work is held to be beneficial to all trees,
and also hoeing for the smaller ones, as they then
become more vigorous. Even dust ^ is thought to
fertilise some things and make them flourish, for
instance the grape ; wherefore they often put dust to
the roots of the vine. Some also dig in dust about
the figs in places where it is deficient.^ In Megara,
when the etesian winds are past, they cover the
cucumber and gourd plants with dust by raking, and
so make the fruits sweeter and tenderer by not
watering. On this point there is general agreement.
But some say that dust should not be put to the vine,*
and that it should not be meddled ^\^th at all when
the grape is turning, or, if at all, only when it has
turned black. Some again say that even then nothing
should be done except to pluck up the weeds. So
on this f)oint there is a difference of opinion.
* If a tree does not bear fruit but inclines to a
leafy gro^vth, they split that part of the stem which
is underground and insert a stone corresponding ^ to
the crack thus made, and then, they say, it will bear.
The same result follows, if one cuts off some of the
roots, and accordingly they thus treat the surface
roots of the vine when it runs to leaf In the case
of figs, in addition to root-pruning,''^ they also sprinkle
ashes about the tree, and make gashes in the stems,
and then, they say, it bears better. ^ Into the almond
tree they drive an iron peg, and, having thus made
® irus hy ^Tf Aid.: so G ; ? S-rov; o-rms kvtuyri conj. W.
cf. Geop. 5. 35. ^ Plin. I.e.
« c/. 2. 2. 11 ; C.P. 1. 17. 10 ; 2. 14. 1 ; PUn. 7. 253.
149
THEOPHRASTUS
(Tihripovv orav rerpdvcoa-iv aWov dvT€fi^dWovai
Bpvivov Kal rfj yfj KpvTTTOvcriv o koI KaXovcri
rive<; KoXd^eiv ct)9 ii^pi^ov ro SevBpov.
TavTov Se rovTo Kal eVt r^? diriov koI eV
d\\(ov Tivh TTOLovaLV. iv ^ApKaBia Be koL
€v6vv€iv KaXovai ttjv oav ttoXv yap to BevBpov
TovTO irap avTot<i eari. Kai ^aaiv, orav rrdOr]
TovTo, TO.? p,ev pJq <pepovaa<i (pipeiv xa? Be /jlt)
irerTOVcra'i eKTreTjeiv Ka\a)<;. dfjbvyBaXrjv Be Kal
eK TTLKpoLf; yiyveaOai yKvKelav, edv ti<; 7repiopv^a<;
TO crTe\e;^09 Kal TiTpdva<; 6a ov re TraXacaTialov
TO iravra'^odev diroppeov BdKpvov eirl ravTo ea
Karappelv. tovto p,ev ovv av eh] Trpo? re to (f)epeiv
dfMa Kal 7r/909 to evKapirelv.
VIII. W.TTO^dWeL Be irpo rov Triylrai rov Kap-
TTOV dfivyBaXrj p,rfKea poa diriof; Kal fidXtcrra Br)
irdvTwv crvKT] Kal ^olvi^, 7rp6<; a Kal Td<i ^0T}6eLa<;
^rjTOvar oOev Kal 6 epi,vaap,6<i' eK yap rS)V
eKel Kpefj,avvvfx,evcov epivwv yjrijve'i eKBvofievoi Kare-
adiovcn Kal inaivovcri, rd<; Kopv(f)d'i. Bia<f)epova-t
Be Kal at 'xoipai mrpb<i Ta9 d'KojSoK.d'i' irepl yap
^IraXiav ov (jtaatv diro^dWeiv, Bi o ovS" ipi-
^ The operation being performed at the base of the tree,
c/. §7. ^ iKirtTreiv conj. R. Const.; elan (Tretv VMAld.
3 Plin. 17. 252.
* rh iravraxoOev conj. W. ; itavTaxoOev rh MSS.; so ap-
parently G. c/. G.P. 2. 14. 4.
" ire'»|/OJ conj. Sch.; ^ri^^^^lxl. Aid.
" iKel Kfiffiavi'vfj.evoiP ipivwv I conj. ; iKft Kpe^avvvfiivoiv Aid. :
iiriKpe/j.aiJ.ei/aii' ipivuv conj. W. : but the present partic. is used
G.P. 2. 9. 5.
150
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. vii. 6-vm. i
a hole, insert in its place a peg of oak-wood and
buryit^ in the earth, and some call this 'punishing'
the tree, since its luxuriance is thus chastened.
Some do the same with the pear and with other
trees. In x\rcadia they have a similar process which is
called ' correcting ' the sorb (for that tree is com-
mon in that country). And they say that under
this treatment those trees that would not bear do
so, and those that would not ripen their fruit now
ripen ^ them well. ' It is also said that the almond
becomes sweet, instead of bitter, if one digs round
the stem and, having bored a hole about a palms-
breadth, allows the gum which exudes from all
sides * to flow down into it and collect. The object
of this Avould be alike to make the tree bear and to
improve the fruit.
Of remedies fen- the shedding of the fruit : caprifcaiion.
VIII. Trees which are apt to shed their fruit before
ripening 5 it are almond apple jwmegranate pear
and, above all, fig and date-palm ; and men try to
find the suitable remedies for this. This is the
reason for the process called ' caprification ' ; gall-
insects come out of the wild figs which are hanging
there,^ eat the tops of the cultivated figs and so
make them swell. ''^ The shedding of the fruit differs
according to the soil : in Italy * they say that it
does not occur, and so they do not use caprification,^
' iriaivovffi MVAld. ; Stfipovffi conj.W. ? -rfxalvovat, ' ripen,'
which is the word used in the parallel pass. C. P. 2. 9. 6, the
object of the process being to cause the figs to dry.
8 Plin. 15. 81. ' Italy ' means South Italy, cf. 4. 5. 5 and
6 ; 5. 8. 1.
• ipivdi^ovffiv conj. Bod. ; iptvovaiv Ald.H.
THEOPHRASTUS
vd^ovaiv ovS" iv Tot<; Kara^opeioL<i Kal XeTrro-
yeioi^, olov eirl ^oXvkw rrj<i M.eyapiSo'i' ovSe rrjf;
K-optvOla^ ev nai. toitoi';. 0)(TavTCO<i Se fcal r}
TOiv Trvev/xdreov Kard(na(Ti<i' ^op€iOL<; yap paXkov
rj voTLOi'i aTro^dWovai, kolv ■yjrv'X^poTepa Kal
irXeloi yevrjrai pdWov 6tl S' avTWv rcov BevSpcov
T) <^v(n<i' rd 'TTpfola yap diro^dWei, jd S' 6-\\na
ovK cK^dWei, KaOdirep rj AaKcovcKTj Kal at dXXai.
8i Kal OVK ipivd^ovai TavTa<i. ravra pev
ovv ev T€ T0i9 TOTTOL'; Kal Tot9 ykvecn Kal rfj
Karaardaet rov depo<i e%6t ra? Bca(f}opd<;.
2 Ot 8e ■\}r7]V€<; eKSvovrai pev Ik tov epiveov,
KaOdirep eoprjTar yivovTai S' e'/c r(ov K€y')(^papihaiv.
o-rjpelov Se Xeyovaiv, on eTrecBdv cKSvofaiv ovk
eveca-i K€y^papi8€<i. eKBvovrat Be ol ttoWoI
€yKaTa\nr6vTe<i rj iroBa r) irrepov. yevo<i Be rt
Kal erepov ecrri tmv ■\^r}v5)v, o KaXovcn KevTpiva<i'
ovToi 8' dpyol KaOdirep Kr}(f>7Jve<;' Kal T0v<i elcrBvo-
pevovi Twv erepwv Kreivovcnv avrol Be evairo-
OvrjCTKOvaiv. eTraivovai Be pdXiara rSiV epivoov
ra peXava ra €K tcov irer pmBwv '^copimv TroWa?
J yap e%e£ Tavra KeyXpapiBa^. yiyvcoaKerat Be
TO epivaapevov ra> epvdpov elvai Kal ttoikIXov Kal
icrxypov TO S' dvepivacTTov XevKov Kal daOeve^'
TTpocmdeacn Be Toi<i Beopevoc<} orav varj. ottov
Be 7rXet(TT09 KOvtopr6<i, evravda TTXelcna Kal
^ cf. 8. 2. 11.
2 ^vxp^repa Kal nXeio) conj. Sch.; rex^orepa Kal irXflwv MV
Aid. ; TfXpoTfpa Kol ir\fla> U.
* irpcoto conj. Sch. from G ; irpHra Ald.H.
* Plin. 17. 255 and 256.
IE is it 1
■QUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. viii. 1-3
is it practised in places which face north nor in
those with light soils, as at Phalvkos ^ in the
Megarid, nor in certain parts of the district of
Corinth. Also conditions as to wind make a differ-
ence ; the fruit is shed more with northerly than
with southerly winds, and this also happens more
if the winds are cold and frequent.- Moreover the
character of the tree itself makes a difference ; for
some kinds, such as the Laconian and other such
kinds, shed their early ^ figs but not the later
ones. Wherefore caprification is not practised with
these. Such are the changes to which the fig
is subject in respect of locality kind and climatic
conditions.
* Now the gall-insects come, as has been said, out
of the wild fig, and they are engendered from the
seeds. The proof given of this is that, when they
come out, there are no seeds left in the fruit ; and
nost of them in coming out leave a leg or a wing
behind. There is another kind of gall-insect which is
called kentrines; these insects are sluggish, like drones,
-.hey kill those of the other kind who are entering
-he figs, and they themselves die in the fruit. The
olack kind of wild fig which grows in rocky places
is most commended for caprification, as these figs
(Contain numerous seeds.^ A fig which has been
subject to caprification is known bv being red and
])arti-coloured and stout, while one which has not
Ijeen so treated is pale and sickly. The treatment
is applied to the trees which need it, after rain.
The wild figs are most plentiful and most potent
' i.e. and so should produce more gall-insects : iu C.P.
:J. 9. 6 it is implied that the insect is produced by putrefac-
' ion of the seeds of the wild tig.
»53
THEOPHRASTUS
laXvpoTara ra ipiva jlverai. (paal Be ipbvd^eiv
KoX TO TToXiov, oirorav avTa> KapTro<i y 7ro\v<i, koI
Tov<i T7;9 TrreXea? KWpvKOVi' iyyiveTai yap koX iv
TOVTOi<i drjplhC arra. Kvlire'i otuv iv rat? crvKai<i
yivayvrai KareaOiovai Tov<i 'yjrrjva'i. clko^ he tovtov
(paa-lv elvai tov<; KapKivovi irpoaTrepovav irpo^;
yap tovtov; Tpeireadai tov<; Kvlira^i. aXXa
yap Srj Tai<i fxev avKal<i avTui ^c^Oeiai.
Tot? Se (fjOLVi^iv at airo twv appevwv •npo<i tou?
6i]\ei<;' ovToi yap elcrcv ol iTTtfieveiv 7roiovvTe<i
/cat €KTreTT€iv, o KaXovai tiv€<; ex tt}? ofjboioTrjTO^
oXvvOd^eiv. yiveTat he TovSe tov Tpoirov. otuv
dvdfi to appev, aTroTefxvovai ttjv (nrdOrjv e^'
^<; TO avOo<; €vdv<; axnrep e%et, tov re %f ow Kal
TO dv6o<i Kal TOV KOVLopTov KaTacreiov(Tt, KaTa
tov KapiTov Trj<i dr]XeLa<i' kuv tovto Trddrj, hiaTTjpeZ
Kal ovK aTTO^dWei. (paivcTat 8' df^cj^oiv diro tov
appevo<i TOi? OrfKeai ^oijOeia yivea-Oar Orjkv yap
KaXovat TO Kapirof^opov dX)C r) fxev olov fu^i<i'
rj Be KaT aWov Tpoirov.
1 &-K6r Uv . . . iroXvs couj. W. from G, cum copiose fructi-
^cat ; iirorav alyiirvpos ^ ttoXvs MSS. U adds koI before
SirSrav.
^ KcopvKovs I conj. In 3. 14. 1. the elm is said to bear
KtepvKiSes which contain gnat-like creatures ; these growths
are called Kwftvfi<fi^ri riva KolKa 3. 15. 4 ; and in 3. 7. 3. the
154
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. viii. 3-4
where there is most dust. And they say that
huhvort alsOj when it fruits freely,^ and the ' gall-
bags ' 2 of the elm are used for caprification. For
certain little creatures are engendered in these also.
When the knips is found in figSj it eats the gall-insects.
It is to prevent this, it is said, that they nail up
the crabs ; for the k-nips then turns its attention to
these. Such are the ways of assisting the fig-
trees.
With dates it is helpful to bring the male to the
female ; for it is the male which causes the fruit to
j)ersist and ripen, and this process some call, by
analogy, 'the use of the wild fruit.' ^ The process
is thus performed : when the male palm is in floAver,
they at once cut off the spathe on which the flower
is, just as it is, and shake the bloom with the flower
and the dust over the fruit of the female, and, if this
is done to it, it retains the fruit and does not shed
it. In the case both of the fig and of the date it
appears that the ' male ' renders aid to the ' female,'
— for the fruit-bearing tree is called ' female ' —
but while in the latter case there is a union of the
two sexes, in the former the result is brought about
somewhat differently.
same thing is referred to as t^ OvXaKuSes rovro, where rovro
■= ' the well-kno^vn ' ; cf. also 9. 1 . 2, where Sch. restores
raipvKOvs ; cf. Pall. 4. 10. 28. Kxnraipovs (?) U ; Kvirtpovs MV;
KVirfptv Aid. ; KVTTapovs COllj. W.
2 b\vv6d.Ceiv, from oKvvdos, a kind of wild fig, as tpivi^eiv,
from ipiv6s, the wild fig used for caprification. cf. C.P.
o. 18. 1.
55
'
BOOK III
I. 'ETTet Be Trepl tmv rjfiepfov SivSpcov etprjrai,
XcKTeov ojJboiw^ Kol irepl twv ayptcov, et re ri
ravTov Kol erepov e'xpvcn Tol<i r)p,epoi<i eX B" oXtw?
Xhiov T^9 (f>vcreco^.
At fiev ovv yeveaei<i airXal Tive<i avrCov elar
irdvra jap r) airo (yneppuiTO'i rj airo pi^rj'i (pverai.
TovTO 8' oy% ft)9 ovK ev8e')(6/jLevov koI aX\&)9, aA-X'
tcrft)9 Bia TO fiT} iretpdcrdai firjSeva /jbtjhe (pvreveiv
eK^voiTO 8' av el Xafx^dvoiev roTrovi eTnTrjheiov^
Kol depaneiav rrjv dpjjLOTTOvaav toairep koI vvv
ra dXcrdoSr] Koi (jitXvSpa, Xeyco S' olov TrXdravov
Ireav XevKrjv atyeipov ineXeav' diravTa yap
ravra kuI to, rotavra ^vrevofieva ^Xacndvei koi
rd'x^iara Kal KdWicrra diro rcbv irapaairdhwv,
Stare Kal p,eyd\a<; ouaa<; rjhrj Kal laoBevSpov^ dv
Tt9 ixerady BiafMevetv (pvreverai Be rd TroWd
avrwv Kal KuraTrrjyvvfjteva, KaOdirep rj \evKrj Kal
Tj acyeipo<;.
Tovr(ov fiev ovv 7r/jo9 rfj aTrep/xariKfj koI rfj
drro roov pt^cov Kal avrrj yeveai<; earr roiv Be
^ 4K<pvoiTo conj. W. ; iirKpioiro UMVAld.
158
BOOK III
Of Wild Trees.
Of the ways in ichich xoUd trees originate.
Now that we have spoken of cultivated trees,
we must in like manner speak of wild ones, noting
in what respects they agree with or differ from
cultivated trees, and whether in any respects their
character is altogether peculiar to themselves.
Now the ways in which they come into being are
fairly simple ; they all grow either from seed or from
a root. But the reason of this is not that they
could not possibly grow in any other way, but merely
perhaps that no one even tries to plant them other-
wise ; whereas they might grow ^ from slips, if they
were provided with a suitable position and received
the fitting kind of tendance, as may be said even
now of the trees of woodland and marsh, such as
plane willow abele black poplar and elm ; all these
and other similar trees grow very quickly and well
when they are planted from pieces torn off, so that -
they survive, even if at the time of shifting they are
already tall and as big as trees. Most of these are
simply planted by being set firmly, for instance, the
abele and the black poplar.
Such is the way in which these originate as well
as from seed or from roots ; the others grow only
' 5<rT€ Kol tiey. conj. Sch. ; koL Sxne /cai ^67. UM ; koX So-re
Mry. PAld.
159
THEOPHRASTUS
dWcov eKelvai' irX'qv oaa jjlovov airo a7repfxaro<;
(f)V€Tat,, KaOdirep iXdrr) irevKr] ttItv^. oaa Be e^et
(TTTepfia Kol KapiTov, Kav axro pL^r]<; yivTjTai, koI
diro rovTCdv iirel koL rd Sokovvtu aKapira elvai
yepvdv (pacriv, dlov TrreXeav Ireav. a-rj/xelov 8e
Xiyovaiv ov jxovov ore (pverai iroW'd rcov pc^cov
diT'qprriixeva KaO^ ovf hv rj roirov;, dWd Kol rd
(Tvpu^aivovja 6ecopovvTe<i, olov iv ^eveo) rr}<;
^KpKahia<i, C09 i^eppdyrj ro avvad potcrdev v8(op iv
Tft) irehiw ^pa-xOevTwv rwv ^epeOputv oirov piev
6771/9 rjaav Iriai TrecpVKvcai, rov KaraTroOevro'i
Toirov, TO) varepcp erei p^erd tt)v dva^rjpavatv
evravda av0i<i dva(pvvai (paaiv Ireav ottov Se
TTTeXeai avOi<; TrreXea?, Kaddirep koX ottov irevKai
Kol eXarai Treu/ca? /cat eXara?, wairep p,tp,ovp,6V(ov
/cdxelvcov.
'AXXd rrjv Ireav ra^v TrpoKaTa^dXXecv irpo
Tov TeX6ta)9 dSpvvai koI Trei/rat rov KapnTOV
hi Kol TOV Troirjrrjv ov KaK(o<; irpoa-ayopeveiv
avT7)v wXea-iKapTTov.
T'^9 Se 7rTeXea<; KUKeivo crr]p,eiov v7roXap,^d-
vovaiv orav ydp dirb rcov Trvevp^droov 6t9 tou9
exop-evov'i r ottov; 6 KapTTo^ aTrevex^V' (pveaOai
^aai. TTapaTrXrjcnov Be eoiKcv elvai rb crvp,^alvov
o Kot eVl T&v (f) pvyaviKcov koI ttolwBwv tivcov
eajiv ovK ixbvTcov ydp aTTepp,a (pavepov, dXXd
^ cf. 5. 4. 6.
^ ' Katavothra' (now called ' the devil's holes,' see Lawson,
cited below) ; cf. Paus. 8. 14 ; CatuU. 68. 109 ; Pint, de sera
numinis vindicta, 557 c ; Plin. 31. 36 ; Frazer, Pausanias and
other Greek Sketches, pp. 315 foil. ; Lawson, Modern Greek
Folklore and Ancient Greek Religion, p. 85.
160
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. i. 2-3
in these two ways — while some of them, such as
silver-fir fir and Aleppo pine grow only from seed.
All those that have seed and fruit, even if they grow
from a root, will grow from seed too ; for they say
that even those which, like elm and willow, appear
to have no fruit reproduce themselves. For proof
they give the fact that many such trees come up at a
distance from the roots of the original tree, what-
ever the position may be ; and further, they have
observed a thing which occasionally happens ; for in-
stance, when at Pheneos ^ in Arcadia the water which
had collected in the plain since the underground
channels ^ were blocked burst forth, where there
were willows growing near the inundated region, the
next year after it had dried up they say that willows
grew again ; and where there had been elms, elms ^
grew, even as, where there had been firs and silver-
firs, these trees reappeared — as if the former trees
followed the example * of the latter.
But the willow is said to shed its fruit early, before
it is completely matured and ripened ; and so the
poet ^ not unfittingly calls it " the willow which loses
its fruit."
That the elm also reproduces itself the following
is taken to be a proof: when the fruit is carried by
the winds to neighbouring spots, they say that young
trees grow from it. Something similar to this
appears to be what happens in the case of certain
under-shrubs and herbaceous plants ; though they
have no visible seed, but some of them only a sort of
^ -KTfXeas aiOis irreAeos conj. St. ; irreAeas avrl ir«Aeai U ;
TTTfXfas avrl TrreXfas MV; trreXf as aZOis -rrfXtas P; vrfXia
auOiT XTeAeos Aid.
* i. e. by growing from seed, as conifers normally do.
' Homer, Od. 10. 510; c/. Plin. 16. 110.
161
vol.. I. M
THEOPHRASTUS
tcov fiev olov 'xyovv rtov S' av9o<i, wairep rb dufMOV,
oyu-&)9 a-TTO TovTwv ^XacTTavovacv. irrel ?; <ye
7r\dravo<; e'X^ec <pav€pa)<i koI airb tovtcov (pveTUi.
rovTO ^' i^ dWcov re 8rj\ov Ka/cetvo fxiyiarov
arjfielov axf^drj yap 7]Sr] Trore 7re(f)VKVia irXdravo';
ev TpuTToSi '^oXko).
4 TavTa<; re Stj to.? yevecrei^ vTroXTjTrreov eivai
Tcov dypLCOv Koi en Ta9 auTopdrovi, a? Kal ol
(pvaioXojoi Xeyovaiv ^Ava^ay6pa<i pep top depa
irdvTOiv (f)daKcov e'^^^iv airepp^ara koi ravra
avyKaTa(f)ep6p,epa rep vSarc yevvdv rd (pVTd'
Aioyevrji; 8e ai]7rop,evov rov vSaTO<i koi pbi^LV
Tivd Xap,^dvovro<i tt/Oo? ttjp yrjv K\eL8r]p,o<; 8e
(Tvvecndvai puev eK rcov avroiv rol^ ^cooi?, oarp
he doXepcorepoiv Kal ^jrvx^porepcov Toaovrov direxeiv
rov ^coa elvai. \XeyovaL he riv€<i koI dXXoi irepX
rrj<i yeve(Teco<i.^
5 'AXV avrrj puev dirrfprr^pLevr] ttco? ecm rrjf;
al(jdrjaeo3<i. dXXai he 6p,oXoyov/u,evat Kal ipL(pa-
vei<i, olov orav e(f)oho<; yeprjrat TTorapov trapeK^dv-
T09 TO peWpov rj koI 6Xa><; erepoaOc Troirjaapevov,
Kaddirep 6 NeVo? ev rfj ^A^hrjplrihi TroXXdKi'i
pbera^aivei, Kal dp,a rfj ixera^dcrei roaavrrjv
vXy)v avyyevva rou; r6iT0i<i, wcrre rS> rpirw erei
(Tvvrjpe(f}elv. Kal rrdXiv orav eiropi^piai Kurd-
aywai rrXeldi y^povov Kal yap ev ravrai^ iSXacrrrj-
aei<i yivovrai (fivrcov, eocKe he rj pbev rwv irorap.Siv
€(fioho<i eirdyeiv aiTepp,ara Kal KapTTov<;, Kal roi/f
6yerov<; (pacri rd rcov iroLOihoiv' rj S' eiropb^pla
1 cf. C.P. 1. 5. 2.
^ Sc. of Apollonia, the ' Ionian ' philosopher.
3 cf. C.P. 1. 10. 3 ; 3. 23. 1 ; Arist. Meteor. 2. 9.
162
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. i. 3-5
down, and others only a flower, such as thyme, young
plants nevertheless grow from these. As for the
plane, it obviously has seeds, and seedlings grow
from them. This is evident in various ways, and
here is a very strong proof — a plane-tree has before
now been seen which came up in a brass pot.
Such we must suppose are the ways in which wild
trees originate, apart from the spontaneous ways
of which natural philosophers tell. ^ Anaxagoras
says that the air contains the seeds of all things,
and that these, carried down by the rain, produce
the plants ; while Diogenes ^ says that this happens
when water decomposes and mixes in some sort with
earth. ^ Kleidemos maintains that plants are made
of the same elements as animals, but that they fall
short of being animals in proportion as their com-
position is less pure and as they are colder. * And
there are other philosophers also who speak of
spontaneous generation.
But this kind of generation is somehow beyond
the ken of our senses. There are other admitted
and observable kinds, as when a river in flood gets
over its banks or has altogether changed its course,
even as the Nesos in the district of Abdera often
alters its course, and in so doing causes such a
growth of forest in that region that by the third
year it casts a thick shade. The same result ensues
when heavy rains prevail for a long time ; during
these too many plants shoot up. Now, as the
flooding of a river, it would appear, conveys seeds
of fruits of trees, and, as they say, irrigation channels
convey the^ seeds of herbaceous plants, so heavy
Keyovfft . . . yeveaeus apparently a gloss (W.
TAconj. W.; rVMAld.
163
THEOPHRASTUS
rovro TTOiel tuvto' avyKara^epet yap TroWa
TOiV airepixdjwv, koX a/xa crrjylrlv riva rf)^ 7% kuI
Tov vBaTo<i' eVel koI rj fii,^i<i avrtj tt}? Al<yvTTTla<i
) <yrj<i SoKCi TLva jevvdv vXrjv. iviwx^ov 8e, av fxovov
vTrepydaoovTai koi Kiv^jacoaiv, evOv<i dva^Xaardvei
TCL olKela T779 %ft)/9a9, Mairep iv K.pi]Tr} KvirdpiTTOi.
yiverac Be 7rapa7r\'^ari6v ti rovroa koX iv rot?
eXdrroaiv dfui <yap Kivovfi€VT]<; dva^XaaTavet
TToa Tt9 iv eKd(TTOL<i. iv he roL<; rjfMi^po^oi'i iav
vTTOvedarj'i ^aiveaOai cf)aac rpi^oXov. avrat fiev
ovv iv rfj fiera^oXfi r7J<; %«yoa9 elaiv, etre koi
ivvTrap^ovTwv airep/xdrcov etre koX avTri<i ttw?
Siaridep,€vr]<;- oirep laco^i ovk droirov iyKara-
KKeLOfxevcov dfia rcov vypcov ivLa')(pv he koX vhdrcov
i'KLytvop.evcov Ihicorepov dvarelXai v\r](; irXrjOo';,
oiairep iv J^vpijvT] TriTTcohovi rcvo'i yevo/xevov Kol
•nax^o<i' ovTWi yap dve^Xdarrja-ev rj irXyacov v\r}
Trporepov ovk ovcxa. (^acrl he /cal ro ye criXcptov
OVK ov Trporepov iK TOiavTrj<; rivof alria<i (fiavr}-
vai. rpoTTOt fxev ovv roiovroi tcov toiovtcov
yevecrecov.
II. Udvra he Kdpirifia t] aKapira, kuI dei(f)vXka
rj (pvWo^oXa, kuI avdovvra rj dvavOrj' KOival
^ 7) S" . . . TOUT?) conj. W. ; ri 5* iir. toCt' av iwolei TavT6
UMV (5' aS marked doubtful in U) ; r) 5' iir. tovt' avrh cTroiet
Aid. 2 piin iQ 14.7.
■* i.e. and is released by working the ground.
* cf. a P. 1. 5. 1 ; Plin. 16. 143, who gives the date
A.u.c. 130; cf. 19. 41.
164
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. i. 5-11. i
rain acts in the same way ^ ; for it brings down
many of the seeds with it, and at the same time
causes a sort of decomposition of the earth and of
the water. In fact, the mere mixture of earth with
water in Egypt seems to produce a kind of vegeta-
tion. And in some places, if the ground is merely
lightly worked and stirred, the plants native to the
district immediately spring up ; ^ for instance, the
cypress in Crete. And something similar to this
occurs even in smaller plants ; as soon as the earth
is stirred, wherever it may be, a sort of vegetation
comes up. And in partly saturated soil, if you
break up the ground, they say that caltrop appears.
Now these ways of origination are due to the change
which takes place in the soil, whether there were
seeds in it already, or whether the soil itself some-
how produces the result. And the latter explanation
is perhaps not strange, seeing that the moist ele-
ment is also locked up in the soil.^ Again, in some
places they say that after rain a more singular
abundance of vegetation has been known to spring
up ; for instance, at Cvrene, after a heavy pitchy
shower had fallen : for it was under these circum-
stances that there sprang up the wood* which is
near the town, though till then it did not exist.
They say also that silphium^ has been known to
appear from some such cause, where there was none
before. ^ Such are the ways in which these kinds
of generation come about.
Of the differences bttween icild and adtivated trees.
II. All trees are either fruit-bearing or without
fruit, either evergreen or deciduous, either flowering
* c/. 6. 3. • TotovToi MSS. ; rocovrot conj. W.
165
THEOPHRASTUS
fydp Tt.ve<; 8iaipe<T€i<; iirl irdvTwv eialv ofioiwi
rj/xepcov re Kol dypicov. iBca 8e tt/oo? to, 7]fi€pa
TMV dyplfov o-^iKapTTia re Ka\ la')(y^ koI ttoXv-
KapiTia TU) irpo^aiveLV TreTraivei re yap oyjnai-
repov Kol TO 6\ov dvOel koX /SXaaTavei a>9 eVt to
irdv Kol i(7')(yp6Tepa ttj (f)va€r Koi irpoipaLvei,
fjuev •nXe'io) KapTrov e/CTrerrei 6' rJTTOV, el firj Kac
irdvTa dWd ye to, o/jLoyevrj, olov e\da<i koI uTnov
KoTtva Kal dxpd<i. uTTavTa yap ovtw^, irkrjv
e'l TL crirdviov, wairep eVl tmv Kpaveicov Kat tmv
ovcov TUVTa yap 8)] (f)a(Tt ireTraiTepa Kal r)8vTepa
TO, dypia TMV rjfjiepwv elvar Kal el 8i] tl dWo prj
7rpoa8e-^eTac yetopylav t) 8ev8pov rj Kal tl tmv
iXaTTovcov, olov to ctlK^lov Kal r] KdmrapL^ Kai
Tcov ')(e8po'iTOiv 6 6epp,o<i, a Kal fidXccrT dv t49
dypia Tr)v (f)vaiv eliroi. to yap pr) 7rpoa8exopevov
'qpepaxTiv, waTrep iv Tol<i ^dooi'i, tovto dypiov Trj
(fivaei. KaiTOi ^i^crlv "Ittttcov dirav Kal rjpepov
Kal dypiov elvat, Kal depairevop.evov pev rjpepov
pr] depaTreuop-evov 8e dyptov, Trj pbev 6p6m Xeycov
Ty 8e ovK opOS)'?. i^apeXovpevov yap dirav
')(elpov ylveTai, Kal diraypiovTaL, Oepairevopievov
8e ov'X^ dirav ^eXTiov, loairep etpr/Tai. o 81]
')((opLaTeov Kal Ta p,€v dypia Ta S' rjp.epa Xcktcov,
^ el ix^ . . . 6/xoyevrj conj. W.; el ;u)) Kal iravra ra &\\a koI
TO. 6fj.oioyfVTJ UAlVAld.H.
2 cf. G.P. 3. 1. 4. =* cj. 1. 3. 5 11.
* i.e. the terms 'cultivated' and 'wild' do not denote
distinct 'kinds.'
166
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. ii. 1-2
or flowerless ; for certain distinctions apply to all trees
alike, whether cultivated or wild. To wild trees, as
compared with cultivated ones, belong the special
properties of fruiting late, of greater vigour, of
abundance of fruit, produced if not matured ; for they
ripen their fruit later, and in general their time of
flowering and making growth is later ; also they are
more vigorous in growth, and so, though they produce
more fruit, they ripen it less ; if ^ this is not universally
true, at least it holds good of the wild olive and pear
as compared with the cultivated forms of these trees.
This is generally true with few exceptions, as in the
cornelian cherry and sorb ; for the wnld forms of these,
they say, ripen their fruit better, and it is sweeter
than in the cultivated forms. ^ And the rule also does
not hold good of anvthing which does not admit of
cultivation, whether it be a tree or one of the smaller
plants, as silphium caper and, among leguminous
plants, the lupin ; these one might say are specially
wild in their character. For, as with animals which
do not submit to domestication, so a plant which does
not submit to cultivation may be called wild in its
essential character. However Hippon ' declares that
of every plant there exists both a cultivated and a
wild form, and that ' cultivated ' simply means * that
the plant has received attention, while ' wild ' means
that it has not ; but though he is partly right, he is
partly wrong. It is true that any plant deteriorates
by neglect and so becomes wild ; but it is not true
that every plant may be improved by attention,* as
has been said. VVTierefore ** we must make our
distinction and call some things wild, others culti-
* i.e. and so become ' cultivated.'
« ft 8^ MSS. ; ««b conj. Sch. from G.
167
THEOPHRASTUS
wdTTcp roiv ^cowv TO, o-vvavOpcoirevofxeva koX to,
BexofJ'€va Tidaaeiav.
AWa TovTO fiev ovBev caoo^ hia<^epei Trorepca
prjTeov. oLTTav he to i^aypiovfievov roi<; re
Kap7T0L<i ')(elpov jLverai koI auro ^pa^vTepov
Kol (f)vXkoi<i KoX KXcoal KoX (pXoio) Kal rfj 6\y
/iop(f)f]' Kal yap TrvKVorepa /cal ovXorepa /cat
aKXrjpoTepa Kal javra Kal oA-77 r/ (f)vai<; jiverai,
0)9 iv rovTOif fidXiara t?}9 8ia(popd<i tmv rjfiepcov
Kal TMV dypicdv ytvofievTj'i. hi o Kal ocra roiv
rjfiepov/jiivcov roiavra rvyxdvet, ravra dypid
(fiacrcv elvai, KaOdirep ttjv wevKrjv Kal ti-jv Kvnd-
piTTov, 7) oXw9 r) TTjv dppeva, Kal ttjv Kapvav he
Kal rrjv hioa^dXavov.
"Ert re rat ^iXo-ylrv^^pa Kal opeivd /xaXXov elvar
Kal yap rovro XafM^dverat 7rpo9 rrjv dypiorrjTa
TMV hevhpwv Kal oX(W9 tmv ^vtmv, elr ovv Kaff'
avro Xaix^avofxevov eore Kara av/ji/3e^r)K6<;.
'O jxev ovv roiv dypicov dcfiopia/xo^ eW ovrco^
rj Kal dXXo)<; XrjTrjeo^;, ovhev av cao)<; hteveyKOi,
7rpo9 rd vvv eKelvo he dXrj6e<i, w? ye tS> rvirw
Kal a7r\c()9 elirelv, oti fidXXov opetvd rd dypia Kal
evOevel to. irXeioi Kal fjbdXXov ev tovtoc<; Tot9
TOTTOLf, idv pbTj Ti<i Xafi^dvT) Ta (piXvhpa Kal
Trap air ordfjiia Kal dXacohrj. ravra yap Kal to.
roiavTa rvy^dvec Treheivd fidXXov. ov firjv dXX^
ev ye T0t9 fieyaXot^; opeaiv, olov Hapvrja-o) re
Kal KvXXrjvT] Kal ^OXvfnro) r& UiepiKw re Kal
r& Myo-tft) Kal et vov roiovrov erepov, d-rravra
1 TiQaatiav conj. W,, c/. Plat. PoL 264 c ; rieaaiov UMAld.
i68
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. ii. 2-5
vated — the latter class corresponding to those animals
which live with man and can be tamed. ^
But perhaps it does not matter which way this
should be put. Any tree which runs wild deteriorates
in its fruits, and itself becomes dwarfed in leaves
branches bark and appearance generally ; for under
cultivation these parts, as well as the whole
growth of the tree, become closer, more compact -
and harder ; which indicates that the difference
between cultivated and wild is chiefly shown in these
respects. And so those trees which show these
characteristics under cultivation they say are really
wild, for instance fir cypress, or at least the ' male '
kind, hazel and chestnut.
Moreover these wild forms are distinguished by
having greater liking for cold and for hilly country :
for that too is regarded as a means of recognising
wild trees and wild plants generally, whether it is so
regarded in itself or as being only incidentally a
distinguishing mark.
So the definition of wild kinds, whether it should
be thus made or otherwise, perhaps makes no
difference for our present purjjose. But it is certainly
true, speaking ^ broadly and generally, that the wild
trees are more to be found in hilly country, and that
the greater part of them flourish more in such regions,
with the exception of those which love water or grow
by river sides or in woods ; these and such-like trees
are rather trees of the plain. However on great
mountams, such as Parnassus Cyllene the Pierian and
the Mysian Olympus, and such regions anywhere
2 ov\6repa conj. W. from G, spUsiora ; opOSripa MSS. cf.
C.P. 6. 11. 8.
' 5s 7« conj. Sch. ; 5<rT« UM ; is iv Ald.H.
169
THEOPHRASTUS
<f>V€Tai 8ia T-qv irokveihiav tmv tottcov e^ovat
<yap KoX Xifiv(t)8€i<i Koi ivvypovi Kal ^r}pov<i Koi
yecoSei^ Kal 7r€Tp(o8ei<i koI Tov<i ava fiiaov Xei-
fioiva<i /cat a')(ehov ocrai Biacjiopal t^9 7^9* en 8e
rot"? fi€v KOiXov<; Kal ev8i€Lvov<i rov<i 8k fierecopov;
Kal TrpoaTjvifjLovi- ware 8vva(r6ai, Travrola Kal to,
iv TOt<? Tre8ioi<i ^epeiv.
Ov8ev 8' CLTOTTov ovS" el evia fir} ovro) Trd/iupopa
TMV npwv, aXX! I8i,uyrepa<i tcv6<; vXr]<; r) irdarjii r) -rrj^;
TrXelarrj'i, olov ev rrj Kpr]rr) ra ^I8ala' KV7rdpcTT0<i
yap eKel' Kal to, rrepl KikiKLav Kal 'Zvplav, ev
oU K€8po<;' evca'X^ov 8e t>}9 2u/5ta9 Tepfiivdo<;. al
yap 8ia<popal T?y9 %ft)/3a9 rrjv l8t6TrjTa iroLOvaiv.
aXV etpTjTac to l8i,ov 009 eirl irav.
III. "I5ta 8e TO, T0id8e roiv opeivcov, a ev Tot9
'7r€8LOi<i ov (^verai, [iTepl rrjv Ma/ceSot'tat'] iXdrr]
irevKT] ttItv^ dypia cfilXvpa ^vyia (^77709 ttv^o^
dv8pd^Xr] p,iXo<i dpKevOo<i repp,iv6o<i epiveo<i
(^iXvKr) d(f)dpKri Kapva 8ioa^dXavo<; "vrplvo^. rd
8e Kal iv Tot9 'iTe8loi'; /ivpiKrj irreXea XevKt) Irea
atyeipo<i Kpaveia OifXvKpaveia KXrjOpa 8pv<i XaKa-
pr] d'X^pd'; /xijXea oarpva Ki]Xaarpov ixe)da ira-
Xiovpo-i o^vaKavdo'i <<T^ev8a[u>o<;,> fjv ev p,€v tw
^ iv . . . 'lSa7a conj. W. (after Sell., who conj. ra iv) ; tcl
iv K(A)Tri Tp 'l5ofa UAld.
^ i.e. it is not meant that a tree which is ' special ' to
Mount Ida {e.g.) occurs only there.
3 ntepi r))v Muk. ? a gloss ; irepi re rijv Ma«. MPgAld. ; re om. P.
170
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, 111. ii. 5-111. i
else, all kinds grow, because of the diversity of
positions afforded them. For such mountains offer
positions which are marshy, wet, dry, deep-soiled or
rocky ; they have also their meadow land here and
there, and in fact almost every variety of soil ; again
they present positions Avhich lie low and are shel-
tered, as well as others which are lofty and exposed
to wind ; so that they can bear all sorts, even those
which belong to the plains.
Yet it is not strange that there should be some
mountains which do not thus bear all things, but
have a more special kind of vegetation to a great
extent if not entirely ; for instance the range of Ida
in Crete ^ ; for there the c\-press grows ; or the hills
of Cilicia and Syria, on which the Syrian cedar
grows, or certain parts of S}-ria, where the terebinth
grows. For it is the differences of soil which give
a special character to the vegetation. ^ ^However
the word ' special ' is used here in a somewhat
extended sense.)
0/ mountain trees: 0/ the differences found in xcUd trees.
III. The following trees are peculiar to mountain
country and do not grow in the plains ; ^ let us
take Macedonia as an example. Silver-fir fir ' wild
pine ' lime zygia Valonia oak box andrachne yew
Phoenician cedar terebinth wild fig alatemus hybrid
arbutus hazel chestnut kermes-oak. The following
grow also in the plain : tamarisk elm abele willow
black poplar cornelian cherry cornel alder oak lakare
(bird-cherry) wild pear apple hop-hornbeam holly
manna-ash Christ's tiiom cotoneaster maple,* which
■• ff(^«V5a/t»'os add. Palm, in view of what follows ; oluavopro
&Ka,>eoi UPAld.Bas.; &km>Bos Pj.
171
THEOPHRASTUS
opei Tre(f)VKv7av ^vytav KoXovcnv, iv he rro nrehiw
yXetvop. oi S' dWco'i Siaipovai Kal erepov iroi-
ovcTiv elSo^ acpevSdfivov koX ^vylw;.
"Airavra Be oaa Koivd rcov opcov kol twv
irehiwv, fiei^co fiev Koi KoKktw rfj byfrei ra ev rot<i
7re§tot9 <yiV6Tai, KpetTTco Be ry %/oeta rfj re rcov
^vkcov Kol Ttj Twv KapTTMv TO, opeivd' irXrjv
d')(^pdBo'i Kal diriov koI p^rfKea^' avrat 8' iv Tol<i
irehiot^ Kpe'nrovi ov p,6vov rot<; Kapirol^ oKka koI
T0i9 ^liKois' iv yap rol<; opeai piKpal Kal o^coSet?
Kal aKavdcoZei^ yivovrai' irdvra he Kal iv roL<;
opeaiv, orav iiTiXd^covTat roiv oiKeloyp tottcov, Kal
KaWloi (jyverat Kal evdevel p^aXkov co? he d'n\oi<i
elirelv rd iv toI<; opdXeai rcov opoiv Kal p^dXia-ra,
rcov he dWwv rd iv T0t9 Kdrco Kal KOi\oL<;' rd K
iirl rcov aKpcov %et/3fo-Ta, •yrXrjv et ri rfj (f)vaei
(f)i\6ylrvxpov e%ei he Kal ravr av riva hia(f)opdv
iv rot? dvop^oioa rcov ronrcov, vrrep wv varepov
XeKreov vvv he hiatpereov eKaarov Kara rd<; hia-
(f)opd<; rd<i elpr]p,eva<i.
'AeLcjjvWa p,ev ovv iart rwv dypioyv d Kal
rrporepov iXex^V' i^a.rr} rrevKT] tt/tu? dypia iTV^o'i
dvhpdx^V /itA.09 dpKevOo'i repptvdo<i ^iXvkt}
d(f}dpKrj hdcpvr) (f)€X\.6hpv<i KrjXaarpov o^vuKavOo^
7rpivo<; puvpiKiy rd he dWa irdvra (f)vWo^o\el'
7r\r]v et n irepirrov iviaxov, KuOdirep iXexOrj irepl
rrj<i iv rfi Kpijrr) rrXardvov Kal hpvo^ Kal et irov
roTTO^; Ti? oX,<09 evrpo<^o^.
1 8' SWcos conj. Sch. from G ; 8' av Aid. "^ Plin. HJ._77.
^ i.e. are not always of the poorest quality, ravr av riva
conj.W.; ravTa avraiv Ald.H. * 1. 9. 3.
172
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. m. 1-3
when it grows in the mountains, is called ::ygia,
when in the })lain, gleinos : others however,^ classify
differently and make maple and ci/gia distinct trees.
- All those trees which are common to both hill
and plain are taller and finer in aj)pearance when
they grow in the plain ; but the mountain forms are
better as to producing serviceable timber and fruits,
with the exception of wild pear pear and apple ;
these are in the plain better in fruit and also in
timber ; for in the hills they grow small with many
knots and much spinous wood. But even on the
mountains all trees grow fairer and ai*e more vigorous
when they have secured a suitable position ; and, to
speak generally, those which grow on the level parts
of the mountains are specially fair and vigorous ;
next to these come those which grow on the lower
parts and in the hollows ; Avhile those that grow on
the heights are of the poorest quality, except any
that are naturally cold-loving. But even these shew
some variation 3 in different positions, of which we
must speak later ; for the present we must in our
distinctions in each case take account only of the
differences already mentioned.
Now among wild trees those are evergreen which
were mentioned before,* silver-fir fir ' wild pine ' box
andrachne yew Phoenician cedar terebinth alaternus
hybrid arbutus bay phellodrys'^ (holm-oak) holly
cotoneaster kermes-oak tamarisk ; but all the others
shed their leaves, unless it be that in certain places
they keep them exceptionally, as was said'' of the
plane and oak in Crete and in any other place which
is altogether favourable to luxuriant growth.
* il>e\\6hpvs conj. Bod., c/. 1. 9. 3 ; (p^XKhi Spvs UMV(?)Ald.
* 1. 9. 5.
173
THEOPHRASTUS
KapTTi/Jia Be ra fxev aXKa TTavTW ire pi he lrea<;
KoX alyeipov koX TrreXea?, Mcnrep e\e)(dri, Bi,a/ji(f)icr-
^rjToixnv. evtoi Be ttjv aoyeipov fiovrjv (iKapireiv
(paaiv, Mcnrep koX ol ev ^KpKaBla, ra Be aWa
Trdvra ra iv TOL<i opeai KapTrocpopetv. ev K^p^ry
Be Kol atyeipoi Kapiri/uLOi irXeLov; elai' fiia jxev ev
rS> cfTOfMLO) Tov avrpov rov ev rf} "iBrj, ev c5 ra
avaOrjixara avaKetrai, dWr) Be fxiKpa TrXrjaiov
airwrepw Be fidXiara BooBeKU aTaBlovq irepi Tiia
KprjVTjv Savpcv Ka\ovp.evr]v TroWaL elcrl Be koX
ev T« ttXijctlov 6 pel Trj<; "lBr]<i ev rS) KivBplq)
KoXov/xevQ) Kol irepX Wpatcriav Be ev rot? opeaiv.
ol Be [xovov TOiv roiovTcov rrjv ine'K.eav KapTrcfxov
elvai (paai, KaOdnep ol irepX MaKeBovlav.
MeydXr] Be Bca<J3opa 7Tpb<i Kapirov kuI aKapiriav
Kol Tj TMV TOTTcov ^vcn<;, waTrep iirl re rr}'; Trepcrea?
e%ei Kal tcov (f)otviKO)V' rj fxev ev Klyvirrw Kaptro-
<f)opeL Kal ec ttov tcov irXrjaLov tottcov, ev 'PoBo) Be
fie^pi TOV dvOelv fiovov dcpCKveiTai. 6 Be <f)o2vi,^
nrepl fiev ^a^vXSiva OavjjiaaTo^, ev t^ 'FiXXdBi Be
ovBe TTeTvaivei, irap evioL<i Be 6Xw<i ovBe 7Tpo(f>aLvei.
KapTTOV.
'Ofioiax; Be Kal hepa TrXelo) TOiavT eaTLv eVet
Kal TCOV eXaTTOvwv Troapiaiv Kal vXrjfiaTav ev t^
1 2. 2. 10.
2 c/. 2. 2. 10. It appears that the buds of the poplar were
mistaken for fruit (Sch.); c/. Diosc. I. 81. Later writers
perpetuated the error by calling them k6kkoi.
^ TOV ev Tjj "15?; conj. Sch.; rov iv rip "iSp U; tov iv ry 'iSrjy
MV ; iv rp WSr? Ald.H.
174
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. iii. 4-6
Most trees are fruit-bearing, but about willow
black poplar and elm men hold different opinions,
as was said ^ ; and some, as the Arcadians, say that only
the black poplar is without fruit, but that all the
other mountain trees bear fruit. However in Crete
there are a number of black poplars which bear fruit ^ ;
there is one at the mouth of the cave on momit Ida,^
in which the dedicatory offerings are hung, and
there is another small one not far off, and there are
quite a number about a spring called the Lizard's
Spring about twelve furlongs off. There are also
some in the hill-country of Ida in the same neigh-
bourhood, in the district called Kindria and in the
mountains about Praisia.* Others again, as the
Macedonians, say that the elm is the only tree of this
class which bears fruit.
Again the character of the position makes a great
difference as to fruit-bearing, as in the case of the
persea ^ and the date-palm. The persea of Egypt
bears fruit, and so it does wherever it grows in the
neighbouring districts, but in Rhodes ^ it only gets
as far as flowering. The date-palm in the neighbour-
hood of Babylon is marvellously fruitful ; in Hellas it
does not even ripen its fruit, and in some plices it
does not even produce any.
The same may be said of various other trees : in
fact even " of smaller herbaceous plants and bushes
some are fruitful, others not, although the latter are
* Upaialav eonj. Meurs. Greta ; npaaiav UMVAld.
^ cj. 4. 2. 5. -Kfpafai conj. R. Const. ; Trepaelas U ; repffias
Aid.
" 'PoScp conj. R. Const, from G, so too Plin. 16. Ill ; ^6a
Aid. cj. 1. 13. 5. for a similar corruption.
^ eiret Kal conj. Seh. from G ; eirel 8e xal Aid.
THEOPHRASTUS
avTrj %ft>pa Kol avvopco X^P9 '^^ f^^^ KapTTt/Jba ra
S' aKapna fyiverar KaOdirep koX to /cevravpiov ev
rfj 'HXeta, to jxev ev tT] opeivfj Kapnifjiov, to S' ev
Tfp irehiw aKapiTOv aWa jxovov avOel, to 8' ev Tol<i
KOiKoL^ TOTToi'i ovS' civOcl ttXtjv KaK(ti<i. hoKel 8'
ovv KoX TOiv dWcov TOiV opbO'^evoiv KoX ev fxid
irpoarjyopia to fiev aKapirov elvai to 8e KapTrifiov,
olov irplva 6 fiev KapiTLp^o^ 6 S' d/capiro'i' koI
7 KkrjOpa he iiaavTW'i' avOet S' d/x(p(o. cr')(jehov he
oaa Kokovatv dppeva tmv ofioyevcov ciKapTra' koX
TOVTCOv TO, fzev TToWa avOelv ^aai to, S' oXtyov
TO. 8' oXw? ouS' avdelv to, he dvairaXiv, tcl p,ev
dppeva piova Kaprro^opelv, ov pbrjv aX)C utto ye
TMV dv6(ov (pveaduL to, SevSpa, KaOdirep Kol aTrb
TOiV KapjTMV oaa KapinpLa' kuI ev dp,(f)otv ovtw?
evioTe ttukvtjv elvac ttjv €K(f)vaiv a>aTe TOV<i
opeoTVTTOVf; ov hvvaaOai hiievai fir) oSoTroirj-
aafievov;.
8 ^ Ap,(f)i(T^r)TelTat he Kal irepl tmv dvdoov eviwv,
axTTrep eiirop^ev. at p>ev yap Kal hpvv dvdelv
oXovTai Kal Trjv 'HpaKXecoTiv Kapvav Kal hioa-
/BdXavov, eTi he irevK'qv Kal ttItvv ol 8' ovhev
TOVTCOV, dXXd Tov covXov Tov ev Tat? KapvaL<; Kal
TO ^pVOV TO hpvivOV Kal TOV KVTTapOV TOV TTLTV-
^ X<i>pa. Koi Aid. ; f] Kal conj. St.
^ i.e. the 'males' are sterile whether they flower or not.
Kal Tovruiv ra fxkv troWa I COnj. ; rovToiv ra noWa tA fiev Aid.
* ? i.e. the flowers of the ' female ' tree.
* i.e. (a) in those trees whose 'male' form is sterile,
whether it bears flowers or not ; (6) in those whose ' male '
176
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. iii. 6-8
growing in the same place as the former, or ^ quite
near it. Take for instance the centaury in Elea ; where
it grows in hill-countr}-, it is fruitful ; where it grows
in the jilain, it bears no fruit, but only flowers ; and
where it grows in deej) valleys, it does not even
flower, unless it be scantily. Any way it appears
that, even of other plants Avhich are of the same
kind and all go by the same name, one will be
without fruit, while another bears fruit ; for instance,
one kermes-oak will be fruitful, another not ; and the
same is true of the alder, though both produce
flowers. And, generally speaking, all those of any
given kind which are called ' male ' trees are ^vithout
fruit, and that though- some of these, they saj-,
produce many flowers, some few, some none at all.
On the other hand they say that in some cases it is
onl}' the ' males ' that bear fruit, but that, in spite
of this, the trees grow from the flowers,^ (just as in
the case of fruit-bearing trees they grow from the
fruit). And they add that in both cases,^ the crop
of seedlings ^ which comes up is sometimes so thick
that the woodmen camiot get through except by
clearing a way.
There is also a doubt about the flower of some
trees, as we said. Some think that the oak bears
flowers, and also the filbert the chestnut and even
the fir and Aleppo pine ; some however think that
none of these has a flower, but that, — resembling"^
and corresponding to the ^^^ld figs which drop off"
prematurely, we have in the nuts the catkin," in the
form alone bears fruit, but the fruit is infertile. The passage
is obscure : W. gives up the text.
* fKipvcriv. cf. 7. 4. 3.
* ofioiov conj.W.; Sfioiav UAld. cf. 3. 7. 3.
" cf. 3. 5. 5.
177
VOL. I. N
THEOPHRASTUS
ivov 6/u,OLov Kol avaXo'yov elvai Tot9 irpoairo-
TTTMToi^ epivol<;. 01 he Trepl MaKeBovlav ouSe
Tavrd (f)aacv avdeiv dpKevdov o^vrjv apiav a(pev-
Ba/xvov. evioi Be ra'i apKevdov<i Bvo elvai, kuI rrjv
/Mev krepav avdeiv fiev a/capirov 8' elvai, ttjv Be
irepav ovk avOelv fiev Kapirov Be (pepecv ev0v<;
TTpocpaivofjLevov, wairep teal Ta<; crvKa<i to, eptva.
crvfi^atvet B' ovv cocrre eirl Bvo err] tov /capirov
e'xeiv fiovov rovro tmv BevBpcov. ravra fj.ev ovv
iTTicrKeTrreov.
IV. 'H Be ^\d(TTr]cn<; tmv fiev dp,a ytverai, Kal
T(ov rjfiepcov, tmv Se puKpov eTTiXenrofievr), roiv B"
i]Br] irXeov, diravTayv Be Kard rrjv rjpLvrjv wpav.
dWd Twv Kapircov rj TrapaWayrj TrXelcov Marrep
Be Kal irporepov eiTro/xev, ov Kara ra? ^Xaarrjcrei'i
al 7re7rdva6i<i dWd ttoXv Bia(f)6'pov(Tcv eVet Kal
TMV o-^iKapiTOTepoiV, a Brj Tive<i (pacriv iviavro-
(jiopelv, olov dpKevdov Kal Trplvov, ofxca al jSXaa-
rrjaet<i rod rjpo<^. avrd 8' avrcov ra ofMoyevr} rw
irporepov Kal varepov Bia<^epet Kara tov<; roirovi'
Trpcora p.ev 'yap ^Xaardvei rd ev Tol<i eXeaiv, a)9
01 Trepl M^aKeBovlav Xeyovac, Bevrepa Be rd ev roi<i
7reStoi9, €(T')(^ara Be rd ev roi<; opeaiv.
Avrcov Be roiV KaO^ eKacrra BevBpcov rd fiev
^ i.e. the male flower, cf. Schol. on Ar. Vesp. 1111.
&e6<t>pa<nos Kvpiias \4yei KVTTapou r^v irpodvBrjaiv rrjs nirvos :
but no explanation of such a use of the word suggests itself.
c/. 3. 3. 8 ; 4. 8. 7.
2 aplav conj. Sch., cf. 3. 4. 2; 3. 16. 3; 3. 17. 1 ; o^vvriv ayplav
Aid.
178
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. iii. 8-iv. 2
oak the oak-moss, in the pine the ' flowering tuft.* ^
The people of Macedonia say that these trees also
produce no flowers — Phoenician cedar beech aria ^
(holm-oak) maple. Others distinguish two kinds of
Phoenician cedar, of which one bears flowers but
bears no fruit, while the other, though it has no
flower, bears a fruit which shows itself at once ^ —
just as wild figs produce their abortive fruit. How-
ever that may be,* it is a fact that this is the only
tree which keeps its fruit for two years. These
matters then need enquiry.
0/ (he times of budding and fruiting of icUd, as compared
icith cultivated, trees.
IV. Now the budding of wild trees occurs in some
cases at the same time as that of the cultivated forms,
but in some cases somewhat, and in some a good
deal later; but in all cases it is during the spring
season. But there is greater diversity in the time of
fruiting ; as we said before, the times of ripening do
not correspond to those of budding, but there are
wide differences. For even in the case of those
trees which are somewhat late in fruiting, — which
some say take a year to ripen their fruit — such as
Phoenician cedar and kermes-oak, the budding
nevertheless takes place in the spring. Again there
are differences of time between individual trees of
the same kind, according to the locality ; those in
the marshes bud earliest, as the Macedonians Siiy,
second to them those in the plains, and latest those
in the mountains.
Again of particular trees some wild ones bud
* i.e. withoiit antecedent flower.
* 8' oZy conj. W.; ax^Uv UMVAld.
179
THEOPHRASTUS
avvavafiXaardvei roh rj/jiepoi^, olov dv8pd')(\Tj
d(j}dpKr}' d^pd<i 8e /j,iKpa> varepov Tfj<i aTriov. rd
Se Kal TTpo ^e<pvpov koX fierd irvod'i evOv ^ecftvpov.
Kol TTpo ^€(j}vpov jxev KpavBia Kal drfKvKpaveia,
fjuerd ^e(pvpov Se 8d(j)V7j KXrjOpa, irpo lar]fjb6pLa<; Be
/jbtKpov (jilXvpa ^vyia (j)r)yb<; crvKrf Trpcot^Xaara
Se Kal Kapva Kal Spv<; Kal dKT€0<;' en Se /xdWov
rd aKaptra SoKovvra Kal dXcrdoSi], \evK7) irreXea
Irea aiyeipo<;- TrXdravof; Se jXLKpw o^^iaiTepov
TOVTcov. rd Se dXXa (aairep evLcrTapievov rov
ypo<i, olov epLveo<i (fiiXvKTj o^vdKavOo^ iraXiovpo^;
TepfiLv6o<i Kapva Sioa/SdXavo'i' /xrjXea 8' 6-\jrL-
/SXaaxo?' o-ylrtjSXacrToraTov Se a^eSov t-^o<i dpia
rerpayoovla Oveia p,[Xo<i. al fiev ovv ^Xaarrjaei^
oi/Tft)? exovaiv.
At Se dvd7](T€L<; aKoXovOovai fiev to? elTrelv Kara
Xoyov, ov firjv dXXd irapaXXdrTOvai, fidXXov Se
Kal eirl irXeov rj tmv KapTrcov reXeLa>cn<;. Kpavela
fxev ydp dTToSiSoycn irepl rpoirdf; Oepivd<i r) 7rp(oio<;
(T-xeSov wcnrep irpcoTov 17 S' o-^ia, fjv Si] rcve<i
KaXovcri OrjXvKpaveiav, fier avrb to fieroTrcopov
ecrri Se 6 ravT7)<; Kapiro^ d^pa>ro<; Kal to ^vXov
daOeve<i koI 'X^avvov Toaavrrj Sr) Siacpopd irepl
dp.<f>o). Tep/jbivdo<i Se rrepl nvpov dfirjTov rj fxiKpu)
^ See below, n. 4.
^ TO d/c. 5oK. Kal a.\<T. conj.W. ; ra olk. koI Sok. koI a\cr. U
MP ; T^ UK. TO SoK. aK(T. Aid.
'^ &<nrep apologises for the unusual sense given to ivtcrr.
180
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. iv. 2-4
along with the cultivated forms, as andrachne and
hybrid arbutus ; and the wild pear is a little later
than the cultivated. Some again bud both before
zephyr begins to blow, and immediately after it has
been blowing. Before it come cornelian cherry and
cornel, after it bay and alder ; a little before the
spring equinox come lime zygia Valonia oak fig.
Hazel ^ oak and elder are also early in budding, and
still more those trees which seem to have no fruit
and to grow in groves,'^ abele elm willow black
poplar ; and the plane is a little later than these.
The others which bud when the spring is, as it were,
becoming established,^ are such as wild fig alaternus
cotoneaster Christ's thorn terebinth hazel * chestnut.
The apple is late in budding, latest of all generally
are ipsos ^ (cork-oak) aria (holm-oak) tetragonia
odorous cedar yew. Such are the times of budding.
The flowering times in general follow in proportion ;
but they present some irregularity, and so in still
more cases and to a greater extent do the times at
which the fruit is matured. The cornelian cherry pro-
duces its fruit about the summer solstice ; the early
kind, that is to say, and this tree is about the earliest
of all.** The late form, which some call 'female
cornelian cherry ' (cornel), fruits quite at the end of
autumn. The fruit of this kind is inedible and its
wood is weak and spongy ; that is what the difference
between the two kinds amounts to. The terebinth
produces its fruit about the time of wheat-han'est or
(usually ' beginning '). to 5* iXAa ia-rep eytarr. conj. W. ; tb
S' iA.A<»r irep' U ; ra 5e iAA.ci> j irfpitviffTafifvov MAld. H.
* Kapva can hardly be right both here and above.
* See Index.
* aX^^^" 3:arirep -rpStrov not in G, nor in Plin. (16. 105) ; text
perhaps defective.
THEOPHRASTUS
oyjriairepov diroSiScocn kol jxeKia Koi a(j)ivha^vo^
Tov Oepovi rov Kapirow KXrjdpa Sk koi Kupva kol
axpdScov Ti yevo^ fieroTTcopov 8pv<; 8e koI Sioa-
^d\avo<i oy^Lalrepov en irepl nXeiaSo9 Svaiv,
a)cravTa><i he kol (pcX-VKT] koi irplvo'i koX iraXiovpo'i
Koi 6^vdKavdo<i fJbera nXetaSo9 hvcriv rj S' cipia
')(€i/M(ovo<{ dp-)(piJbevov' Kol 7] pbrjXea fxev roU 7rpcoT0i<i
'>^v)(€(Xiv, d'^pd'i 8e o-yjria ^et/iwi'o?' dvSpd^Xr] Be
Kol d(pdpKi] TO fxev TrpcoTOv ireTraivovaiv djxa tm
/SoTpvl irepKd^ovTi, to he vaTepov, hoKel yap TavTa
hUapTra, dp')(opLevov tov '^^eip.wvo'i, iXaTrj he Kol
5 fjitXo<; dvOovai p,iKp6v irpo rfkiov Tporrobv [/cat t^9
ye e\dTri<i to dvdo'i KpoKtvov /cat dWco'i koXov]
TOV he Kap-nov d(f)idai /xeTO, hvaiv TiXeidho'i.
irevKri he koI ttItv^ irpoTepovai ttj ^XaaTrjaei
fiiKpov, ocrov TTevTeKa'iheKa rjpLepai^, T0v<i he Kap-
7rov<i dirohihoacn pbeTO, TiXeidha kuto, \6yov.
TavTu p,ev ovv fxeTpicoTepav p.ev e)(ei irapaWa-
yr]V irdvTwv he nrKeiaT-qv r] apKevOo^; koI rj /crjXaa-
T/909 Kal rj TTplvo<i' 7] p,ev yap dpKevOo<i iviavcnov
e'^eiv hoKel- irepiKaTaXap^dveL yap 6 z/eo? tov irepv-
aivov. ct)? he Tivh <paaiv, ovhe TreTraCvei, hi o Kal
7rpoa<paipovcn teal ')(^p6vov Tivd Tr/povcnv idv he id
6 eVl TOV hevhpov rt?, d7ro^i]paiveTai. (f)aal he Kal ttjv
Trptvov 01 Trepl ^ApKahiav eviavTW TeXeiovv dpua
yap TOV evov TTeiraivei Kal tov veov virocfialvei'
M(TT€ Tot9 T0L0VT0i<i av/ju/Salvei avvexco^ rbv Kapirov
e'X^eiv. (paal he ye Kal ttjv KrfKacrTpov Inro tov
' airoS. Ka\ fxeXia U ; airoS/Scofrc fxeXia Aid. Some confusion
in text, but sense clear.
2 o^^ila. : '>.T)o^ia W.
1 82
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. iv. 4-6
a little later, manna-ash^ and maple in summer ; alder
hazel and a certain kind of wild pear in autumn ;
oak and chestnut later still, about the setting of the
Pleiad ; and in like manner alaternus kermes-oak
Christ's-thorn cotoneaster after the setting of the
Pleiad ; aria (holm-oak) when winter is beginning,
apple with the first cold weather, wild pear late - in
winter. Andrachne and hybrid arbutus first ripen
their fruit Avhen the grape is turning, and again ^
when winter is beginning ; for these trees appear to
bear twice. As for ^ silver-fir and yew, they flower
a little before the solstice ; ^(the flower of the silver-
fir is yellow and otherwise pretty) ; they bear their
fruit after the setting of the Pleiad. Fir and Aleppo
pine are a little earlier in budding, about fifteen
days, but produce their fruit after the setting of the
Pleiad, though proportionately earlier than silver-fir
and yew.
In these trees then the difference of time is not
considerable ; the greatest difference is shewn in
Phoenician cedar holly and kermes-oak ; for Phoe-
nician cedar appears to keep its fruit for a year, the
new fruit overtaking that of last year ; and, accord-
ing to some, it does not ripen it at all ; wherefore
men gather it unripe and keep it, whereas if it is left
on the tree, it shrivels up. The Arcadians say that
the kermes-oak also takes a year to perfect its fruit ;
for it ripens last year's fruit at the same time that
the new fruit appears on it; the result of which is that
such trees always have fruit on them. They say also
^ After Z<mpov Aid. adds aveovmi (so also H and G) ; Plin.
13. 121. omits it ; om. W. after Sch.
* yhp Aid. ; S^ conj. W.
5 Probably an early gloss, W. c/. Plin. 16. 106.
183
THEOPHRASTUS
X^ifJ'Covo'i airo^dWeiv. o-^LKapira Se a(}>6Bpa koI
(f)L\vpa Koi Trv^o<i. [rov 8e Kapirbv d/3p(OTOv
e%e6 TTavrt, ^(oco (jylXvpa drfkyKpaveia 7rv^o<i.
oylrUapTra 8e Kol kltto^ koX dpKevOo^ koX
irevKT] Kol avhpdxKr^.'] co? he ol irepl 'ApKuSlav
(fiaacv, €Tt TovTwv o-y^iKapirorepa a-xeBov
Se irdvTwv 6-\JnaiT€pa rerpaycovLa dveta /it-
X09. at puev ovv tmv Kapiriov diro^okal koI
ireirdvaeii} twv d^ypiayv TOiavra<i exovai 8iacf)opd(i
ov fiovov irpo'i rd rj/jLcpa dWd koI irpo^ eavrd.
Y. ^vfj,/3aLV€i S* OTav dp^covrai ^Xaardveiv
rd fxev dWa avvexv ^V^ T"e /SXdcrrijcnv kol rrjv
av^rjcriv TTOLelcrdaL, irevKiqv Be kol iXdrrjv kol
hpvv BtaXeLireiv, kol rpel^i 6pfid<; elvai xal rpet?
a(f)i,evai (SXaarov'^, Bl o koI rplcrXoTTor irdv yap
Bt) BevBpov orav ^Xaardvr] Xotto,' irpwrov /xev
aKpov €apo<i evdv^ lara/xevov rov Sapyr]Xicovo<;,
ev Be TTJ "IBrj Ttepl irevreKalBeKa /xdXiara rj/jbepwi'
fierd Be ravra BiaXiTrovra wepl TptdKovra rj
IxLKpSt TrXetof 9 eTn^aXXerat. irdXcv dXXov<i ^Xaa-
Tovi cItt' dKpa<; rrj<i KopvvTjcreoo^ t^9 eirl too Trpo-
repcp ^XacTTOf koX rd fiev dvco rd 8' et? rd
irXdyia kvkXw TroieiTai rrjv ^Xdarrjoiv, olov yovv
^ (plKvpa Aid.; <f>i\vpea conj. Sch.
^ rhv Sh . . . . avSpdx^v- Apparently a gloss, W.
^ rerpayaivia conj. Sch. (rerpa- omitted after -repo) : c/, § 2 ;
yojvla MV ; yoivUia U.
* rS>v aypiwv after ireirdvaets Conj. Sch.; after i^uepa Aid.
* Plin. 16. 100.
184
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. iv. 6-v. i
that holly loses its fruit owing to the winter. Lime ^
and box are ver}- late in fruiting, (lime has a fruit
which no animal can eat, and so have cornel and
box. Ivy Phoenician cedar fir and andrachne are
late fruiting-) though, according to the Arcadians,
still later than these and almost latest of all are
teiragonia ^ odorous cedar and yew. Such then
are the differences as to the time of shedding and
ripening their fruit between wild* as compared
with cultivated trees, and likewise as compared with
one another.
Of the itasons of bwldiuy.
V. * Now most trees, when they have once begun
to bud, make their budding and their growth con-
tinuously, but with fir silver-fir and oak there are
intervals. They make three fresh starts in growth
and produce three sejiarate sets of buds ; wherefore
also they lose their bark thrice ^ a year. For every
tree loses its bark when it is budding. This first
happens in mid-spring "^ at the very beginning of the
month Thargelion,8 on Mount Ida within about
fifteen days of that time ; later, after an interval of
about thirty days or rather more, the tree ^ puts on
fresh buds which start from the head of the knobby
growth 1** which formed at the first budding-time; and
it makes its budding partly on the top of this,ii partly
all round it laterally,^- using the knob formed at the
* rpiaXoToi conj. Sch.; TpiaXoixoi UM,V; rpiaXfroi MjAld.
c/. 4. 15. 3 ; 5. 1. 1.
' €opoy conj. R. Const.; atpos VAld. c/. Plin. I.e.
* About May.
* What follows evidently applies only to the oak.
^^ Kopvyrifffus conj. Sch.; Kopivris ?«s UMV; Kopixprjs e«s
Aid.
11 c/. 3. 6. 2. 12 rh add. Sch.
185
THEOPHRASTUS
TTonja-d/xepa rrjv tov Trpcorov /SXacTTOv Kopvvijv,
(oairep koX rj Trpcorr] ^Xdarrjai'i e%6i. yiverai Be
Tovro irepl tov Xfctppo(f)opc(bva Xijyovra.
2 Kara Se ravrrjv rrjv ^XdaTrjcriv koI rj K^]Kl<i
(jiverai- irdaa, kul i) XevKrj koL t] fJueXaiva' ^verai
Se ft)9 eVt TO TToXv vvKro<i ddpoo^- i(f rjfxepav 8e
fxtav av^7}9et(ra, Tr\rjv rr)<i TnTToetSov^;, idv viro
TOV Kavfi.aTO<i \rj^6fj ^rjpatveTai, Kol dvav^r]<; eVl
TO jjiei^ov, ijiveTO yap av p,ei^(ov tw p,eyedei.
hioirep Tive^ avTMV ov fiei^ov e'x^ovai Kvd/j,ov to
pAyeOo^. 7] h\ fxekaiva kol iirl TrXetou? rjfiepa^
€yx^(i>po<i i(TTi, Kol av^dvovTUL KoX Xa/x/Sdvovaiv
evLai fJue<ye6o<i /xrjXov.
AtaXeiTTOVTa Se fxeTO, tovto Trepl irevTeKaiheKa
r]/jbepa<i trdXiv to TpiTov i7ri/3dXX€TaL ^XaaTovi
'EKaTO/ui^aiMVO^;, eX,a;^to-Ta9 rjfiepwi TOiv irpoTe-
pov i(T(o<i yap €^ rj evTTa to irXelcTTOV' rj Be
^XdcrTr)ai<; ofiola Kal tov avTOv Tpoirov. irapeX-
dov<T(ov he TOVTwv ovKeTi eh fir}K0<i dXX^ el<;
7rd^o<; r] av^r}cn<i TperreTaL.
3 Hacn fiev ovv T0i9 Bevhpoi<i at ^XaaTrjaei'^
^avepai, fidXiaTa he Tfj eXdTrj Kal t]] TrevKrj hia
TO cyT0i')(elv tcl ydvaTa Kal e^ taov tov<; o^ov<;
e;^etf. wpa he Kal tt/jo? to TefivecrOai to, ^vXa
TOTS hid TO Xorrav iv yap Tot<; dXXoi<i Kaipoi^
ovK ev7repcaLpeT0<i 6 (}iXoi6<i, dXXd Kal irepiaipe-
devTO<i fxeXav to ^uXov yiveTat Kal Trj 6-\^et, x^ipov
eVet Kal 7rpo9 ye ttjv xP^'^^^ ovhev, dXXd Kal
1 About June.
2 c/. 3. 7. 4 ; 3. 8. 6 ; Plin. 16. 27.
^ ^yX^'^P"^ conj. Coraes ; e(jx>^t^pos Aid.
♦ 5*c(^e/Toi'T« conj. St.; SiaAeiJrovo-oi Ald.H.
1 86
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. v. 1-3
first budding as a sort of joint, just as in the case of
the first budding. This happens about the end of
the month Skirrophorion.i
2 (It is only at the time of this second budding that
the galls also are produced, both the white and the
black ; the liquid forming them is mostly produced in
quantity at night, and, after swelling for one day
— except the part which is of resinous character — it
hardens if it is cauglit by the heat, and so cannot grow
any more ; otherwise it would have grown greater in
bulk ; wherefore in some trees the formation is not
larger than a bean. The black gall is for several
daj's of a pale green ^ colour ; then it swells and some-
times attains the size of an apple.)
Then, after an interval * of about fifteen days, the
tree for the third time puts on buds in the month
Hekatombaion ^ ; but this growth continues for fewer
days than on either of the previous occasions, perhaps
for six or seven at most. However the formation ot
the buds is as before and takes place in the same
manner. After this period there is no increase in
length, but the only increase is in thickness.
The periods of budding can be seen in all trees,
but especially in fir and silver-fir, because the joints
of these are in a regular series and have the knots
at even distances. It is then the season also for
cutting the timber, because the bark is being shed '' ;
for at other times the bark is not easy to strip off,
and moreover, if it is stripped off, the wood turns
black '' and is inferior in app>earance ; for as to its
utility ^ this makes no difference, though the wood
' About July.
* \<yira.v conj. Sch.; Aonrav UMV; Xixav Aid.
" ef. Plin. 16. 74.
^ ye conj. Sch. ; re Aid.
187
THEOPHRASTUS
la-'X^upoTepov, eav fiera rrjv ireiravcnv tmv Kapirwv
T/jbTjOfj.
Tavra fiev ovv i8ia tmv Trpoetprj/xevcov hevhpwv.
at he ^\aaT7](Tei<i a'l irrl }^vv\ kuI ^ApKrovpo) yivo-
fievai p,€Ta rrjv eaptvrjv a'^eSbv Kotval ttclvtcov
evhrfkoL he fjuaXkov ev roi<i rj/xepot,^ kuI tovtcov
fiakLara crvKfi koX dfiireXcp kol poia koI oXco^ oaa
evTpa(f)7] KoX OTTOV %<»/oa rotavrr]' ht o koI ttjv
eV ^ApKTOvpq) irXeiaT'qv ^aal 'yiveadai nrepl Ser-
ToXiav KOL yiaKehoviav afia yap av/j,j3acvei kuI
TO fxeroTTcopov koXov <ytveadai koI puaKpov, Mare
Kol TTjv jjLoXaKOTrjTa crvfi^dWecrdai rod depo<i.
iirel Kol ev AIjuttto) hid rovB' oo'i euTrelv alel
^Xaardvei rd hevhpa, rj /cal fiiKpov Tiva htaXetTrei.
'X^povov.
^AXXd rd p,ev irepl xa? i7rL/3XaaTi]aei<;, wairep
etpTjrai, Koivd, rd he Trepl ra? hiaXeLyfrei<; diro t?}*?
TrpcoTrj'i ihia tmv Xe'X^Oevrcov. thiov S' ivLoi<i
v'irdp')(eL Kol to tt)? KaXovfjLevrjf; Ka'^pvo';, olov
Tol<; [re] Trpoeiprjfievoi'i' e^ei jdp /cal eXaTrj koL
TTevKT) Koi hpv<i, Kol GTC (ptXvpa KoX Kapva koX
hio(7^dXavo<i koi ttItv^. avTUi he jlvoptui hpvi
fiev irpo Tr]<i ^XaaTijaeco'i v'iro(^aLvovcrri<; Tfj<i
r}pivri<i Mpa<;. earc S' wairepel KV7]at<i (pvXXiKrj
jxeTa^i) irlirTOvaa t7J<; e^ dp')(fj<i eTTOihrjaew'i koI
Trjf (})vXXiKr}<; /3XacrT?^crect)9' Trj 5' ot; ecrrt tov
^ SevSpwv conj. R. Const.; Kapir&v Ald.H.
2 cJ.G.P. 1. 10. 6; 1. 12. 4; 1. 13. 3; 1. 13. 5; 1. 13. 10; Plin.
16. 98. 8 c/. C.P. 1. 14. 11. * cf. 5. 1. 4; Plin. 16. 30.
i88
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. v. 3-5
is stronger if it is cut after the ripening of the
fruit.
Now what has been said is peculiar to the above-
mentioned trees.^ 2 ^^^\^ tj^g buddings which take
place at the rising of the dog-star and at that of
Arcturus after the spring budding are common to
nearly all, though they may be most clearly seen in
cultivated trees, and, among these, especially in fig
vine pomegranate, and in general in all those that
are luxuriant in growth or are gi'owing in rich soil.
Accordingly they say that the budding at the rising
of Arcturus is most considerable in Thessaly and
Macedonia ^ ; for it also happens that the autumn in
these countries is a fair and a long season ; so that
the mildness of the climate also contributes. Indeed
it is for this reason, one may say, that in Egypt too
the trees are always budding, or at least that the
process is only suspended for quite a short time.
Now the facts as to the later buddings apply, as
has been said, to all trees alike ; but those which
belong to the intervals after the first period of
budding ai*e peculiar to those mentioned above.
Peculiar to some also is the growth of what are
called ' winter buds,' '^ for instance in the above-
mentioned trees ; silver-fir fir and oak have them, and
also lime hazel chestnut and Aleppo pine. These
are found in the oak before the leaf-buds grow, when
the spring season is just beginning. This growth
consists of a sort of leaf-like formation,^ which occurs
between the first swelling of the leaf-buds and the
time when they burst into leaf. In the sorb^ it
^ f(TTt . . . (pvWiKrj: i(TTi conj. R. Const.; iioTrepfl conj. Sch.;
?Tt Se Zairep tj KVTjffis <pv\aKh UAld.H. ; (pvWiidi mBas. etc.
^ Tf) 5' 077 ((ttI conj. W. (c/. the description of oij, 3. 12. 8) ;
T^ 8' iSidr-nrt Aid.
i8q
THEOPHRASTUS
fieroTr(i)pov fiera T-qv <f>vWol3o\tav €vdv<i Xnrapd
Tt9 Kal warrep i7ro)Sr]Kvia, Kadairepavel /xeWovaa
^Xaardvetv, Kal Siafiiveo tov 'x^ec/xcova /J'i'xpi' tov
rjpo'i. rj Be 'HpaKXecoTiKt) fxerd rrjv aTTo^oXrjV rov
KapTTOv (f)vei TO ^orpvoihe'^ rfK-iKov (JKoykrj^ evpbe-
<y€0r]<;, ef evo<; ixicrxov irXelo) Bt], a KoKoval Tive'i
lovXov^. TovTwv e/caarov eK puKpwv av'^KSirai
pLOpLMV (f)o\iBa)T(ov TTJ TCb^eL, KaOdiTep 01 (TTpo^iKoc
Trj<i 7r€VKT]<;, ooare fi7] dvopuoiav elvai rrjV 6^\nv
crrpo^iXu) ve(p koI 'xXcopw "nXrjv irpopLriKecnepov
Kol ax^^ov IcroTrax^'i BioXov. tovto Be av^erai
TOV ;^6t/i&>z^a' {koX djxa T<p rjpi X'^'^'^^^ '^^ (f)oXi-
BcoTo, Kol ^av6a yiveTat), /cat to /nrjKO'i Xafi^dvei
Kal TpiBdKTvXov OTav Be tov r)po^ to <f)vX\ov
^XaaTdvrj, rauT' dTroiriTrTei Kal to, tov Kapvov
KaXvKooBr] irepLKapina fyiveTai av/xf^efjiVKOTa KaTO,
TOV fXLcrxov, TOcravTa oaa Kal r)v to, avOt]' tovtwv
V ev cKdaTM Kdpvov ev. irepl Be Trj<i <f)iXvpa<i
iTTiaKeiTTeov, Kal et tl dXXo Kaxpvo(fi6pov.
VI. "EcTTt Be Kal to, puev evav^fj to, Be Bvaav^rf.
evav^rj p,ev Td re irdpvBpa, olov ivTeXea 7rXdTavo<;
XevKTj atyecpoii hia' Kai tol irepl TavTr)<i d/ji<f)ia-
firjTovai Tive<i ft)9 Bvaav^ov<i' Kal tcov Kapiroi^opwv
Be eXdTr) irevKT] Bpv<;. evav^ecTTaTov Be . . . /itXo9
^ evOiis \iirapa conj. Sch. ; t<s add. W. ; ev6vs ai trapa rrjs \J.
^ (pvfi conj. W.; (pverai Aid. ^ i.e. catkins, cf. 3. 3. 8.
* TtKilu 5^ conj. Sch.; wjcoSt; UMVAld.; -nXelova U ?.
» cf. 3. 10. 4.
" a-v/LLimenvKOTa Kara, rov fj..: G evidently had a different
text ; ? <rvfine(t>vK6Ta W.
190
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. v. 5-vi. i
occurs in the autumn after the shedding of tlie
leaves, and has from the first a glistening look,' as
though swelling had taken place, just as if it were
about to burst into leaves ; and it persists through
the winter till the spring. The filbert after casting
its fruit produces ^ its clustering growth,^ which is
as large as a good-sized grub : several * of these grow
from one stalk, and some call them catkins. Each
of these is made up of small processes arranged
like scales, and resembles the cone of the fir, so that
its appearance is not unlike that of a young green
fir-cone, except that it is longer and almost of the
same thickness throughout. This grows through the
winter (when spring comes, the scale-like processes
open and turn yellow) ; it grows to the length of three
fingers, but, when in spring the leaves are shooting,
it falls off, and the cup-like ^ fruit-cases of the nut
are formed, closed all down *^ the stalk and coire-
sponding " in number to the flowers ; and in each ot
these is a single nut. The case of the lime and
of any other tree that produces winter-buds needs
further consideration.
Of the comparative rate of growth in trees, and of the length oj
their roots.
VI. Some trees are quick-growing, some slow.
Quick-growing are those which grow by the waterside,
as elm plane abele black poplar willow ; (however
some dispute about the last-named, and consider it
a slow grower :) and of fruit-bearing trees, silver-fir
fir oak. Quickest growing of all are . . .^ yew lakara
' oaa Kol ?iv TO. iv6ri conj. W.; oira koI Kara ivOri Aid.
* Lacuna in text (Sch.W.). The following list of trees also
appears to be in confusion, and includes some of both classes.
191
THEOPHRASTUS
Kai XuKapa ^77709 apKevOo<; cr^ev^afivo^; ocrrpva
^vyta fxeXia KkrjOpa 7riTv<i dvSpd'xXr} Kpaveia
TTu^o? dxp(i<i. Kap7ro(f)opei 8' evdv^ iXdrr] TrevKt)
7riTV<;, Kav otttjXikovovv /j,eje6o<; XajSwaiv.
H he av^7)ai<i koI tj ^\d(jTr\(n<i tmv fiev dWcov
ara/CTO? Kara toi'9 tottov^ tmv ^Xacrrwv, Trj^ 8'
ekdrrjf; wpicTfievr] /cat avvexv^ kuI varepov. orav
ryap eK rov aT€\e')(pv<; rd irpcoTa ax^crd^, irdXiv ef
eKeivov rj erepa ayi(Ti-'i 'yiverai Kara rov avrov
rpoTTOv, Kol Tovr del irotel Kara Trdaa^; Ta.9 eVt-
^\aarr)(Tei<i. ev he TOt<i dWoi<; ov5' 01 0^01 kut
aXXr}\ov<; TrXrjv eiri rivcov oXtycov, olov kotlvov
/cat dXXo)v' e^ei he /cal rrjhe hia<popdv rj av^r)cn<;
Koivfi irdvrwv onolo)^ •^fxepcov re koX dypicov rd
fxev yap koX eK rov dxpov rwv /SXaar&v kol eK
rS)v irXayicov (f)verai, KaOdirep dirio^ poa (tvkt]
fjbvppivo<; a^^hov rd irXelara' rd 8' eK rov aKpov
ixev ovK dvLijcTLv €K he rcov irXayloov, koI avro
'rrpoooO eZr ai ro virdp^ov, wairep koI to oXov are-
Xe%09 Kal 01 dKpefji6ve<i. avpL^aivei he rovro eVt
T779 HepaiKrj^; Kapva<; kol rrj^; '}ipaKXea)riKr)<; koI
dXXaiv. dirdvrwv he rcov roiovrcov et9 ^v (pvXXov
drroreXevrcaaiv ol ^Xaarot, hi o Kal evXSyco^; ovk
eTTi^Xaardvei Kal av^dverai pLrj e^orra dp^/jv.
ippoia he rpoirov rivd rj av^r]ai<; Kal rov crirov
^ Kark . . . ^XaffTwv conj. W. ; Karh, rovs rpSirovs (corrected
to tSttovs) Kal 0\a(rrovs U ; MVP insert rovs before /SAoottowi.
^ eKfivov . . . Kara conj. W. ; eKflvov r) kr4pa (rvf^eTai to tea
Kol UAld.
=* SWwv : ? i\6.as W, ; I suggest &\\<av ^XaSiv.
192
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. vi. 1-3
(bird-cherry) V'alonia oak Phoenician cedar maple
hop-hornbeam zygia manna-ash alder Aleppo pine
andrachne cornelian cherry box wild pear. But
silver-fir fir and Aleppo pine bear fruit from the very
first, whatever size they have attained.
While the growth and budding of most trees are
irregular as regards the position in which the buds
appear,! 1\^q growth and budding of the silver-fir
follow a regular rule, and its development afterwards
is also in a regular sequence. For, when the trunk
first divides, then again from the divided trunk the
second division ^ takes place in like manner, and so the
tree goes on with each fresh formation of buds. In
other trees not even the knots are opposite to one
another, except in some few cases, as wild olive and
others.' Here too we find a difference in the
manner of growth which belongs to all trees alike,
both cultivated and wild : in some cases the growth
is from the top of the shoots and also from the side-
buds,'* as in pear pomegranate fig myrtle and the
majority of trees, one may say : in some cases the
growi:h is not from the top, but only from the side-
buds, and the already existing part is pushed out ^
further, as is the whole trunk with the upper
branches. This occurs in the walnut and in the filbert
as well as in other trees. In all such trees the buds end
in a single leaf**; wherefore it is reasonable that
they should not make fresh buds and growth from this
point, as they have no point of departure. (To a
certain extent the growth of com is similar ; for it
* iK TOW . . . TXayiuv : ? iic rod ixpov Kcd ix ruy ■r\ayiuy
^Keurruv. cj. 3. 5. 1.
* i.e. grows without dividing, cf. Plin. 16. 100. (of dif-
ferent trees).
* ^vAXov perhaps conceals some other word.
193
THEOPHRASTUS
Kol yap ovTO<i ael rfj TTpodxret rov v7rdp'^0VT0<;
av^dverai, kclv KoXo^coOfj ra (pvXka, Kaddirep ev
Tol<i e7n^ocrKO/xevoL<i' TrXrjv outo? ^e ovk eK rov
TrXayiov 7rapa(f)vet, Kaddirep evia tcov x^SpOTrcov.)
avTT} fxev ovv Biacj^opd Ti<i av etrj ^\aaTrjaew<i
dfia Kal av^7]a€W<i.
^aOvppi^a Se ov (pacrl Tive<: eivai rd dypia Bid
TO (fivecrdai 'jrdvra aTTO cr7repparo<;, ovk dyav
6p6(t)<i XeyovTCi;. evhe^erai yap orav e/x/Stcocr?;
iroppco KaOUvac Td<; pi^a<i' eVei Kal tmv \a')(^dv(ov
rd TToWd TovTo nroLel, Kalirep dadevearepa ovra
Kal evapyoi^ (f>v6fj,6va <iv> rfj yfj. ^advppi^oraTov
S* ovv 8oK€l ro)v dyplcov eivai rj Trplvo'i' iXdrr} Be
Kal vrevKr] /j,€Tpi(o<i, eTmroXaioraTOv Be Opavira-
X,09 Kal KOKKvprfKea Kal a7roBt,d<;' avrr] B^ icrrlv
MCTTrep dypla KOKKVjJbrfKea. ravra fiev ovv Kal
oXtyoppi^a' 6 Be dpavrra\o<i rroXvppi^ov. avp,-
^aivei Be toi<; dXkoi<i T0t<; fx,r} Kara ^dOov<; e^ovai.
Kal ovx rjKLara iXdrrj Kal irevKr), 7rpoppi,^oi<; vrro
rSiv TTvevpLaTCdv eKTriirTeiv.
Ot fiev ovv irepl 'ApKaBiav ovtco Xeyovaiv. o'l
8' e'/c TTj^ "1 8779 ^advppi^orepov eXdrr^v Bpvo<; aXX"
eXaTTOf? €X€iv Kal evdvppi^orepav elvar ^aOvppt-
^QTaTov Be Kal rrjv KOKKvpirjXeav Kal rrjv 'Upa-
KXeo)TLK7]V, ra? Be pi^a<i XeTrrd'i Kal laxypd'i ttjv
' HpaKXecoriKrjv, rrjv Be KOKKVpLrjXeav TToXvppi^ov,
dfKpo) 8' e/x^iMvai Belv BvaooXed pov Be Trjv
KOKKVfiTjXeav. e7rt7roX^9 Be a^evBapuvov Kal
rov virdpxovTos coiij. Sch. from G ; tjj virapxovffri Aid.
ohh' : ? ohK W. 3 piin. 16. 127'.
«>;8tci(rT, : cf. 3. 6. 5 ; O.P. 1. 2. 1.
194
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. vi. 3-5
also regularly increases by pushing forward of the
already existing part/ even if the leaves are mutilated,
as in corn which is bitten down by animals. Corn
however does not'^ make side-growths, as some
leguminous plants do.) Here then we may find a
difference which occurs both in the making of buds
and in the making of fresh growth.
3 Some say that wild trees are not deep rooting,
because they all grow from seed ; but this is not a
very accurate statement. For it is possible that,
when they are well established,* they may send
their roots down far ; in fact even most pot-herbs
do this, though these are not so strong as trees, and
are undoubtedly grown from seed planted in the
ground.^ The kermes-oak however seems to be the
deepest rooting of wild trees ; silver-fir and fir are
only moderately so, and shallowest are joint-fir plum
bullace (which is a sort of wild plum). The last
two also have few roots, while joint-fir has many.
Trees which do not root deep,* and especially silver-
fir and fir, are liable to be rooted up b}' winds.
So the Arcadians say. But the people who live
near Mount Ida say that the silver fir is deeper
rooting' than the oak,^ and has straighter roots,
though they are fewer. Also that those which have
the deepest roots are plum and filbert, the latter
having strong slender roots, the former having
many : but they add that both trees must be well
established to acquire these characters ; also that
plum is very tenacious of life. Maple, they say,
* iyapyus . . . 75 : so G ; ^v add. W.
® 0<i0ovs conj. Sch.; j3a0os Aid.
^ $adoppi(6r(poy conj. W.; ^oBvppi^oraiov UMVAld.
"* Proverbial for its hold on the ground ; cf. Verg. Atn. 4.
441 foU.
195
o 2
THEOPHRASTUS
6\i'ya<i' Tr}v ^e fieXiav irXeiov; koX elvat irvKvop-
pi^ov Kal ^aOvppc^ov. i7n7ro\r]<i Se koI apKevdov
KoX KeSpov Kal K\7]dpa<i Xe7rTa9 /cal 6/ia\et9'
en 8' o^vrjv Kal yap tovt iTrnroXacoppi^ov Kal
okiyoppt^ov. rrjv Se ovav €7rnro\aLov<i fiev l(JX^'
pa<i he Kal 7ra%eta9 Kal hvaoiXedpov^ TrXtjOei, Se
fjbeTpLa<i. ^advppi^a pev ovv Kal ov ^advppii^a
ra ToiavT iariv.
VIT. ^ Am-OKoirevro^ he tov o-reXe^oi/? ra pev
aXXa TrdvO^ 0)9 elirelv irapa^Xaardvei, TrXrjv iav
at pi^ai TTporepov Tv-)(U)cn TreTrovTjKvlar TrevKrj
8e Kal iXdrrj TeXicof; eK pi^Mv avTO€Tei<i avaivovrai
Kal edv TO uKpov iTriKOTrfj. avp^alvet, Be tBiov
Tfc irepl Tr}V eXaTrjV orav yap KOirfj rj KoXova-Ofj
VTTO TTveup.aro'; rj koI aXXov TLvb<i irepl to Xelov
rov areXi'Xpv'i — e;j^^et yap p^e'x^pi Tii/09 Xelov Kal
do^ov Kal 6p,aXov iKavov ictto) ttXoIov — irept.-
<f)v€Tai piKpov, viroBeearepov eh v'y^o^, Kal Ka-
XoixTLv 01 p.ev dp(f)av^iv 01 he dp(fiL<f>vav, rq> pev
Xp(op,aTi, p^eXav rfj he (TKXrjporrjTi virep^dXXov,
e^ ov rov'i KpaTrjpa^ iroiovatv 01 irepl ^ApKahlav
2 TO he TTd')(p<i olov av TVj(r) to hevhpov, oacpirep
dv la'xypoTepov Kal iyx^XoTepov rj ira^xyTepov.
avp^aivet he KaKelvo ihiov ev TavTcp tovto) irepl
^ (T(p. Kol oKlyus conj. W. ; <r<^. /car' oXtyov UMVAld.
'^ i.e. not very fibrous.
2 c/. Hdt. 6. 37, and the proverb vItvos rpSvov iKrplffeadai.
* b/xaXov conj. ScaL ; no lov Aid.
' iKavhv 'lirr<(> vXoiov conj. W.; ^ Koi i]\Ikov irXiluv Aid.; so
UH, but with nXoiov.
196
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. vi. 5-vii. 2
has shallow roots and few of them ^ ; but manna-ash
has more and they are thickly matted and run
deep ; . Phoenician cedar and prickly cedar, they say,
have shallow roots, those of alder are slender and
' plain,' - as also are those of beech ; for this too has
few roots, and they are near the surface. Sorb, they
say, has its roots near the surface, but they are
strong and thick and hard to kill, though not very
numerous. Such are the trees which are or are
not deep-rooting.
Of the effects of cutting doicn the rchole or part of a tree.
VII. Almost all trees shoot from the side if the
trunk is cut down, unless the roots have previously
been injured ; but fir and silver-fir wither away ^
completely from the roots within the year, if merely
the top has been cut off. And there is a peculiar
thing about the silver-fir; when it is topped or
broken off short by ^vind or some other cause
affecting the smooth part of the trunk — for up to a
certain height the trunk is smooth knotless and
plain * (and so suitable for making a ship's mast ^), —
a certain amount of new growth forms round it,
which does not however grow much vertically : and
this is called by some amphauxis ^ and by others
amphiphi/a ** ; it is black in colour and exceedingly
hard, and the Arcadians make their mixing-bowls
out of it ; the thickness is in proportion " to the tree,
according as that is more or less vigorous and sappy,
or again according to its thickness. There ^ is this
peculiarity too in the silver-fir in the same connexion ;
* Two words meaning ' growth about,' i.e. callns.
'• oiov ftv conj. W. ; olov 4av Aid. ; ovov tiv conj. ScaL
« Plin. 16. 123.
197
THEOPHRASTUS
TTjV eXdrr/v orav fxev yap ri<i Tov<i 6^ov<i a7ravTa<;
aipeXoiv aTTOKoyJrjj to aKpov, airodprjo-Kei ra^ew?'
orav Be ra Karcorepco ra Kara ro Xeiov a<^e\r],
^fl TO KaToXoLTTOV, TTCpl O St) Kol 7] dfx(f)av^i,<i
<f)veTai. ^fi he SrjXov on t& ey^iiXov elvai koX
XKwpov, etirep airapd^XaaTov. dXXd yap tovto
fiev thiov Tf]<i iXdrrjf;.
3 ^epei 8e rd /jcev dXXa tov re Kapirov rov
eavTOJV Kal rd Kar eviavrov einyivoixeva Tavra,
(pvXXov dvOo<i ^Xaa-Tov rd Se Kal jSpvov rj eXiKa-
rd Se irXelw, KaOdirep rj re irreXea rov re /36rpvv
Kai ro 0vXaK(t)Be^ rovro, Kal crvKrj Kal rd epivd
ra TrpoaTroTTLTrrovra Kal e'i rive'i dpa r&v ctvkmv
oXvvOocfiopovcrcv' iaQ)<; 8e rpoirov rtvd KapiTO'i
ovro'i. rlxV 77 'HpaKXecoriKr) Kapva rov tovXov
Kai, 7] rrplvo'i rov (^oivlkovv kokkov r] he hdtpvri
ro ^orpvov. (pepei jxev Kal rj Kap7ro(f)6po<;, el pur)
Kat Trdaa dXXd roi yevo<i ri avrri>i, ov p^rjv dXXd
rrXeov ;; aKapirof, fjv hrj Kal dppevd Ttve<i KaXov-
<Tiv. aXX 7) rrevKT] rov rrpoairoiTiTrrovra kvt-
rapov.
4 TlXelara Be rravruiv rj Spv<i Trapd rov Kapirov,
olov rriv re KrjKiBa rr)V fiiKpdv Kal rrjv erepav
^ i.e. and so does not, like other trees under like treat-
ment, put its strength into these, cf. C.P. 5. 17. 4.
2 kavTwv conj. Sch. from G ; ahrhv Aid.
« The leaf-gall, cf. 2. 8. 3; 3. 14. I. For tovto cf. 3. 18. 11 ;
4. 7. 1. ■• Lat. r/ms-.st. cf. C.P. 5. 1. 8.
^ Tiva Kupwhs conj. Sch.; tivu &Kapiros UAld.
198
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. vii. 2-4
when, after taking off all the branches, one cuts off
the top, it soon dies ; yet, when one takes off the
lower parts, those about the smooth portion of the
trunk, what is left survives, and it is on this part
that the amphaujcis forms. And plainly the reason
why the tree survives is that it is sappy and green
because it has no side-growths.^ Now this is peculiar
to the silver-fir.
0/ other things borne by trees besides their leaves flowers and
fruit.
Now, while other trees bear merely their own ^
fruit and the obvious parts which form annually, to
wit, leaf Hower and bud, some bear also catkins or
tendrils, and some produce otlier things as well, for
instance the elm its ' cluster ' and the familiar bag-
like thing,^ the fig both the immature figs which drop
off and (in some kinds) the untimely figs •* — though
perhaps in a sense ^ these should be reckoned as
fruit. Again filbert produces its catkin,^ kermes-oak
its scarlet ' berry,' " and bay its ' cluster.' ^ The
fruit-bearing sort of bay also produces this, or at all
events ^ one kind certainly does so ; however the
sterile kind, which some call the ' male,' produces
it in greater quantity. The fir again bears its 'tuft,'^*'
which drops off.
11 The oak however bears more things besides ^^ its
fruit than any other tree ; as the small gall i^ and its
6 c/. 3. 3. 8 ; 3. 5. 5.
' cf. 3. 16. 1. i.e. the kermes gall (whence Eng. 'crimson').
» fiorpvov UMVAld., supported by G. and Plin. 16. 120;
but some editors read ^pvoy on the strength of 3. 11.4. and
C.P. 2. 11. 4. 9 aAAo Toi conj. W. ; aWk koI Aid.
^0 cf. 3. 3. 8 n. " PUn. 16. 28.
12 iraoa conj, W,, c/. § 6 ; <t>fptt Aid. i^ ^y 3 5 o.
199
THEOPHRASTUS
•T^i/ TriTTcoSrj fieKaivav. en he avKafXiVMha dWo
rfj fji'0p(j)f] TrXrjv crKkrjpov koL Sva/cdraKrov,
cnrdviov he rovro' koX erepov alSoicoSr] a')(^ecnv
e^ov, reXeiovfjbevov 8' eV* aK\nf]pov Ka-rd ttjv
eTTavdaraaiv koX rerpvir-qfjievov' 7rpoae/x<pepe<i
rpoTTOv TLvd toOt' icrrl Kal ravpov Ke<^a\fj, Trepi-
Karayvv/Jbevov Be evhodev e%€t 7rvpr}vo<; i\da<i
lao(f)ve<;. (J3vei 8e Kal tov wtt' ivLCOv KoKovfjuevov
ttTKov tovto 3' earl (K^aipiov epi(oSe<; fJioXaicov
•nepl TTvprjvcov aKkrjpoTepov 7recf)VK6<i, m 'X^pcovrai
7rpo<i rov<i '\v')(vov<;' Kacerai yap /caXeo?, wairep
Kal rj /xeXaiva Kr]KL<i. (pvei 8e Kal erepov a(f)aipiov
KOfirjv exov, rd fxev dWa d'^petov, Kard 8e rrjv
iapiVTjv wpav eirl^airrov %i'Xa) /neXLTtjpa) Kal Kard
rrjv d^rjv Kal Kard rrjv yevcriv.
Ilapacfivec 8' evSorepco t>79 tmv pa^hwv ixaaxct-
Xiho'i erepov a-^aipiov dpnayov rj Kal KoiX6fiicr')(^ov
iSiov Kal TToiKiXov rov<i fiev ydp eTravecrrrjKora^
6/jb(f)aXov<i eTTLkevKov; rj eirecrrLyixevovi e%et [xeKa-
j/a? TO S' dvd /LLeaov KOKKo^acf)e<i Kal XafMirpov
dvoiyofxevov S' earl p^eXav Kal eTrlaairpov. airdvtov
8e TTapa^vet, Kal XiOdpiov Kiacr')]poei8e<; iirl
rrXeiov. en S' aXXo rovrov a'rraviairepov (f)vXXi-
Kov crvfM7re7rcXr]fji€Vov irpofirjKe'i crcpaiplov. eirl 8e
rov (pvXXov <f)vei Kard rtp pd'^iv cr(f>atpi,ov XevKov
Biavye^i v8arS)8e<i, orav diraXov -p' rovro 8e Kal
^ TTvprivos e\das Iffofves conj. W.; Trvprjvos tKaia flpov(pvnv
UMV ; irvfjTiva f'Ao/a elpovipirjv Aid.
^ nrepl Trvp'f)viov ffKXT}p6Tepov I conj. ; Trepl irvp-qviov <TK\r\p6Tr\ra
U ; "Kipl TTvpTjviov <TK\rjp6repov M ; trepnrvprjvlov ffKKr)p6Tepov
VAId. W. prints the reading of U. p-or irlKoi see Index.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. vii. 4-5
other black resinous gall. Again it has another
growth, like a mulberry in shape, but hard and
difficult to break ; this however is not common. It
has also another growth like the penis in shape,
which, when it is further developed, makes a hard
prominence and has a hole through it. This to a
certain extent resembles also a bull's head, but, when
split open, it contains inside a thing shaped like the
stone of an olive.' The oak also produces what some
call the ' ball ' ; this is a soft woolly spherical object
enclosing a small stone which is harder,' and men
use it for their lamps ; for it burns well, as does the
black gall. The oak also produces another hairy
ball, which is generally useless, but in the spring
season it is covered with a juice which is like honey
both to touch and taste.
3 Further the oak produces right inside the axil *
of the branches another ball with no stalk or else ^
a hollow one ; this is peculiar and of various colours :
for the knobs which arise on it are whitish or black
and spotted,^ while the part between these is brilliant
scarlet ; but, when it is opened, it is black and
rotten." It also occasionally produces a small stone
which more or less resembles pumice-stone ; also, less
commonly, there is a leaf-like ball, which is oblong
and of close texture. Further the oak produces on the
rib of the leaf a white transparent ball, which is
watery, when it is young ; and this sometimes con-
' Plin. 16. 29.
* iy^orepw . . . fuiaxaf^iSos conj. R. Const. ; ivrepiaivrii rmv
poTuv ^a<rxaA/5oj UAkl. Plin., I.e., giffnuiU et alae ramorum
eiM.s pilulaK. ^ ^ ins. St.
^ Plin., I.e., nigra varietate di^persa.
'' tiriaairpoy; Plin., I.e., has apertis amara inanitaa est,
whence iniwiKpov conj. Sch,
THEOPHRASTUS
fiva^ eviore evhov tcr')(eL. reXeiovfievov he o-kXt]-
pvverai Kr}Ki,8o<; /jLiKpd<; Xeia? rpoirov.
'H fiev ovv Bpv<; roaavra (pepei irapa rov
Kapirov. 01 yap p^vKrjTd airb rSiv pi^cop Kal
irapa ra<; pL^a<i <f>v6fievoi koivoI koI erepcov elaLV.
ft)cravTft)9 he /cat rj l^ia' Kal <yap avrrj ^verat,
KaX ev dWoi<i' aXX! ovBev rjrrov, wairep eKeyOt],
7r\ei(TTO(f)6pov icTTLV el Si ye hrj KaB' 'HcrioSoi/
<f)€pei /jueXi Kal //.eXtrra?, ert fiaWov (^aiverai, S'
ovv Kal 6 p.€\iT(oBr)<i ovto? ')(^v\b<i eK rov depo^
iirl TavTTj /jbaXiara Trpoai^eiv. c^aal he Kal orav
KaraKavOfj ylveadai Xirpov e^ avri]<;. ravra
jxev ovv thia t^9 hpv6<;.
VIII. HdvTcov he, wairep eXex^V' '''^^ hevhpwv
(09 KaB* eKaarov <yevo<; Xa^elv hia(f)opal 7rX.etof9
elaiv r) piev Koivr] nrdaiv, fj hiaipovai to OrjXv Kal
TO dppev, MV TO fiev Kap7ro(f)6pov to he aKapirov
eiri Tivcov. ev oh he dp,(f>co Kapirocf^opa to drjXv
KaXXiKapirorepov Kal iroXvKapTTOTepov' irXrjv
ocroi ravra KaXovaiv dppeva, KaXovcri yap Tive<i.
irapairXriaia S' 17 roiavrrj hia<popd Kal a)9 to
rip^epov htTjprjTat 7r/309 to aypiov. erepa he Kar
elho<i avTo!)V twv op^oyevoiv virep d)V XeKzeov ap,a
<TVvep,(^aivovTa<i Kal Ta<i lhia<i p,op(f)d<; tcov p,r}
(^avepSiv Kal yvmpipiwv.
1 Plin. 16. 31. ■' Hes. Op. 233.
2 Plin. 16. 16. ■» \(KT(ov add. Sch.
202
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. vii. 5-viii. i
tains flies : but as it develops, it becomes hard, like a
small smooth gall.
Such are the growths which the oak produces as
well as its fruit. For as for the fungi ^ which grow
from the roots or beside them, these occur also
in other trees. So too with the oak-mistletoe ;
for this grows on other trees also. However, apart
from that, the oak, as was said, produces more things
than any other tree ; and all the more so if, as
Hesiod ^ says, it produces honey and even bees ;
however, the truth appears to be that this honey-like
juice comes from the air and settles on this more
than on other trees. They say also that, when the
oak is burnt, nitre is produced from it. Such are
the things peculiar to the oak.
0/ ' male ' aiul 'femalt ' in trees-: the oak as an example of
this and other differences.
VIII. 3 Taking, as was said, all trees according to
their kinds, we find a number of differences. Com-
mon to them all is that by which men distinguish
the 'male' and the 'female,' the latter being fruit-
bearing, the former barren in some kinds. In those
kinds in which both forms are fruit-bearing the
' female ' has fairer and more abundant fruit ; how-
ever some call these the ' male ' trees — for there
are those who actually thus invert the names.
This difference is of the same character as that
which distinguishes the cultivated from the wild tree,
while other differences distinguish different forms of
the same kind ; and these we must discuss,* at the
same time indicating the peculiar forms, where these
are not ^ obvious and easy to recognise.
* M conj. St.; yAiTf Ald.H.
203
THEOPHRASTUS
2 Apvo<? Br) yevrj — ravTijv yap jxaXiara Siaipovcri'
Kal hvLOi ye €v6v<; ttjv /xev rjixepov KuXovcrc rrjv S'
ayplav ov tTj yXvKvrrjjL rov Kapirov SiaipovvTe'i-
irrel yXv/cvraTo^ ye 6 Trj<i (prjyov, tuvtijv S'
aypiav rroiovaiv dX\a tw fiaXkov iv roi<i ipya-
(XLfiot(; (pveaOai Kal rb ^vXov ex^iv Xetorepov,
rr}v Be (prjybv Tpa^v Kal iv roi<i opetvoU — yevrj
fiev ovv 01 fiev rerrapa ttoloixtlv ol Be irevre.
BiaWaTTOvai 6' evia Tot9 ovofxacnv, olov rrjv Ta<;
y\vK€i,a<i ^epovaav ol fjuev rj/neplBa Ka\ovvT€<i ol
S' ervfioBpvv. ofioiox; Be Kal eV aWo)v. co? 8'
ovv ol irepl ttjv "iBrjv Biaipovai, raS' eVrt ra eoBr}'
r)p,epl<: alyikw^ TT\arv<^vWo<i <f>r)yo^ a\,i(f)Xoio<i-
oi Be evdv(f>\oiov KaXovciv. KcipTTifia fiev Trdvra'
yXvKvrara Be ra ri)^ (f)7]yov, Kaddirep eiprjrai,
Kal Bevrepov ra tt}? r]p,epiBo<i, eTreira t^9 nXarv-
(f)vXXov, Kal reraprov t) dXL(f)Xoi,o<;, ec'^arov Be
3 Kal TTiKporarov 77 alyiXcoyfr. oy;^ diracat Be
yXvKeiai iv rot? yevecrtv dXX^ ivlore Kal TriKpal,
Kaddirep rj (jjrjyo'i. BLa^epovat Be Kal toI<;
fieyWeai, Kal To2<i cr)(^7]/xaai Kal Tot9 %/oot)/xacr£
TMV ^aXdvcov. iBiov Be e^ovaiv )] re ^77709 Kal
7] dXi,(f)Xoio^' dfxcpoTepai yap TrapaXtOd^ovcriv iv
T0i9 dppecn KaXovfievoc<; i^ aKpcov tmv ^aXdvwv
eKarepcoOev, al /xev 7r/oo9 tu> KeXixpei al Be 7rpo<i
1 Plin. 16. 16 and 17.
^ See Index, 5pvs and fi/j.fpis. vfiepis, lit. 'cultivated oak.'
3 Plin. 16. 20.
204
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. via. 2-3
1 Take then the various kinds of oak ; for in this
tree men recognise more differences than in any
other. Some simply speak of a cultivated and a wild
kind, not recognising any distinction made by the
sweetness of the fruit ; (for sweetest is that of the
kind called Valonia oak, and this they make the wild
kind), but distinguishing the cultivated kind by its
growing more commonly on tilled land and having
smoother timber, while the Valonia oak has rough
wood and grows in mountain districts. Thus some
make four kinds, others five. They also in some
cases vary as to the names assigned ; thus the kind
which bears sweet fruit is called by some hemeris,
by others 'true oak.' So too with other kinds.
However, to take the classification given by the
people of Mount Ida, these ^ are the kinds : hemeris
(gall-oak), aigilops (Turkey-oak), ' broad-leaved ' oak
(scrub oak), Valonia oak, sea-bark oak, which some
call ' straight-bai-ked ' oak. ^ All these bear fruit ;
but the fruits of Valonia oak ai'e the sweetest, as has
been said ; second to these those of hemeris (gall-oak),
third those of the 'broad-leaved' oak (scrub oak),
fourth sea-bark oak, and last aigilops (Turkey-
oak), whose fruits are very bitter. * However the
fruit is not always sweet in the kinds specified as
such ^ ; sometimes it is bitter, that of the Valonia oak
for instance. There are also differences in the size
shape and colour of the acorns. Those of Valonia
oak and sea-bark oak are peculiar ; in both of these
kinds on what are called the ' male ' trees the acorns
become stony at one end or the other ; in one kind
this hardening takes place in the end which is
^ Plin. 16. 19 21.
* oiix . • ■ evioTf conj. W.; text defective in Ald.H.
THEOPHRASTUS
avTrj rfj crapKL. Bi o koX d(f>aiped€vrcov ofioia
f^iverat Koi\(JOfx,aTa T0t9 eVt rcov ^docov.
AiaipepovcTt 8e koI roi<i (pvWoi,<i koX toi<; a-reXe-
^ecrt Kul Tot? ^v\ot<i koX rfj oX-rj fjuopcjjfj. rj puev
yap t)/x€pl<i ovK 6p9o(j>vr}<; ovSe Xela ovSe p^aKpd'
irepiKOfxo'i ryap r) (purela Kal iTrearpa/M/nevr) koX
Tr6\vfid(X')(a\o<i, ware o^ooBr) koL ^pa^eiav ylve-
crdai' TO he ^v\ov lax^pov /xev dadeveaTepov he
T% (f)7]yov' TOVTo yap iayvporarov Kal daaire-
(xrarov. ovk 6p6o(f)vr)<; he ovh' avirj dW yjttov
en Trj<i rjpeplho<;, to he aTeXe^o<i 'Tra'^^vrarov, Mare
Kal rrjv 6\r]v [xop^7]v /3/3a%etai/ elvai' Kal yap
rj (fivreia TrepiKo/xo'i Kal ravrr) Kal ovk el<i opOov.
rj he alyiXcoylr opdoc^vecnaTov Kal vy^r^XoTarov
Kal XeioraTov Kal to ^vXov eU fJirjKo^ la'xyporaTov.
ov (f>veTai he iv rol<; epyaaipbotf; rj crTravio)^.
'H he irXaTV<j)vXXo<; hevrepov 6p6o<pvta Kal
fMrjKei, 7rpo<; he rrjv %/jetai/ rrjv otKohofiLKrjv %et-
ptarov fieTo, ttjv dXlcfiXoLov, (pavXov he Kal ei9 to
Kaieiv Kal dvOpuKeveiv, iocnrep Kal to t?}9 dXi-
(pXoLov, Kal dpiTrrjhearaTOv fxer CKelvrjv rj yap
dXicjiXoio^ 7ra')(v fiev e%€i to cneXexo^ ^(avvov he
Kal KolXov edv e')(r) Trd^o^i a)9 inl to ttoXv, hi
b Kal d'X^pelov eh Ta9 oiKohofid'i' en he o-rjireTai
Td'x^tara' Kal yap evvypov iart to hevhpov hi o
Kal KoiXrj ylveTai. ^aal he TLva ovh^ iyKdphiov
elvai p,6vr]. XeyovcTLV 009 Kal Kepavvo^XrJT€<i
avTai /jbovaL yivovTai Kalirep v-\\ro<i ovk e^ovaai
1 i.e. at the ' top ' end ; irpls : ? eV, irphs being repeated by
mistake.
2 fc^wi/ MSS.; iiwv conj. Palm. » Plin. 16. 22.
206
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, 111. vm. 3-5
attached to the cup, in the other in the flesh itself.^
Wherefore, when the cups are taken off, we find a
cavity like the visceral cavities in animals.^
3 There are also differences in leaves trunk timber
and general appearance. Hemeris (gall-oak) is not
straight-growing nor smooth nor tall, for its gx-owth
is very leafy * and twisted, with many side-branches,
so that it makes a low much-branched tree : its timber
is strong, but not so strong as that of the \'alonia
oak, for that is the strongest and the least liable to
rot. This ^ kind too is not straight-growing, even less
so than the hemeris (gall-oak), but the trunk is very
thick, so that the whole appearance is stunted ; for
in growth this kind too is very leafy * and not erect.
The aigilops (Turkey oak) is the straightest growing
and also the tallest and smoothest, and its wood, cut
lengthways, is the strongest. It does not grow on
tilled land, or very rarely.
The ' broad-leaved ' oak (scrub oak) ^ comes second
as to straightness of growth and length of timber to
be got from it, but for use in building it is the worst
next after the sea-bark oak, and it is even poor wood
for burning and making charcoal, as is also that of
the sea-bark oak, and next after this kind it is the
most worm-eaten. For the sea-bark oak has a thick
trunk, but it is generally spongy and hollow when
it is thick ; wherefore it is useless for building.
Moreover it rots very quickly, for the tree contains
much moisture ; and that is why it also becomes
hollow ; and some say that it is the only ' oak which
has no heart. And some of the Aeolians say that
these are the only oaks which are struck by light-
i.e. of bushy habit. ' aurrj conj. Sch.; avri) UAld.
Plin. If). 23 and 24. ' fi6vr, conj. St.; fiSiniv Ald.H.
207
THEOPHRASTUS
t5>v AloXicov rivet, ov8e 7rpb<; to, lepa 'XpwvTai
Toi<i ^vXoi'?. Kara /juev ovv ra ^v\a Kol rat
o\a<i ixop(^a<i iv rovroi<i al Siacf)opaL
6 K.rjKl8a<i Se itavra cjiepei to, yevrj, povq Se el<;
TO, Sep/Mara ')(^prjaip,riv rj r]p,epi<i. rj he rrj<i alyi-
XwTToi? Kal TTjt 7r\aTV(f)vX\,ov rfj p,ev 6-^et irapo-
pboia ry t?}? rjpepiSo^, irXrjv Xeiojepa, axp€to<; 8e.
(pepei Kal ttjv krepav ttjv p^eXaivav rj ra epia
PdiTTOVcnv. he Kokovcri tiv€<; (fxiaKov op^oiov
T0t9 paKLoi<; T) alyLXw^jr fxovr] (jyepei ttoXiov Kal
Tpa'xy' Kal yap 7Tri')(yalov KaraKpefidvpyrai,
Kaddirep Tpvxo<; oOovlov p,aKp6v. (f)veTai he
TOVTO eK rov (pXoiov Kal ovk e'/c t?}? Kopvprj^;
odev r) /3d\avo<;, ovh^ ef 6(})0aXfxov dXX eK rov
irXayiov roiv dvcodev o^cov. rj K dXi(^Xoto<i eiri-
jxeXav TOVTO (pvec Kal /Spa'x^v.
7 Ot fiev ovv eK t>}9 "lhr)<; ovtco<; hiaipovcriv. ol
he irepl MaKehovtav TeTTapa yevrj iroiovaiv,
eTV/xohpvv fj Ta<f yXvKeia<i, 7rXaTV(}>vXXov f) ra?
TTLKpd'i, (f)rjy6v f) TO.? (TTpoyyvXa<i, daTrpiv TavTTjv
he ol p,€V aKapTTOV 6Xco<; ol he (f)avXov tov Kapirov,
axxTe /M'}]hev iadleiv ^oiov irXrjv v6<i, Kal TavTrjv
OTav eTepav pr) e)(^r]' Kal to, TroXXd Xap/3dvea0ai
TrepiKe^aXala, po^^VP^ ^^ f^^'' ^^ ^vXa' mreXe-
1 Plin. 16. 26.
^ <pd(TKOV . . . ^o/ctojs conj. Sch. (^a«-ioiy Salm. ) : (pdcrKos ojnoios
rois ^paxeiois UP.2 ; (pdffKov dfioioos ro'is fipayx'^"^^ Ald.H. Plin.
16, 33, c/. 12. 108 ; Diosc. 1. 20; Hesych. s.v. (pdcricos.
^ rpaxv conj. W.; &paxv UP. * Kopvvtis. cj. 3. 5. 1.
2o8
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. viii. 5-7
ning, although they are not lofty ; nor do they use
the wood for their sacrifices. Such then are the
differences as to timber and general appearance.
^ All the kinds produce galls, but only hemeris
(gall-oak) produces one which is of use for tanning
hides. That of aigilops (Turkey-oak) and that of the
'broad-leaved' oak (scrub oak) are in appearance
Uke that of hemeris (gall-oak), but smoother and use-
less. This also produces the other gall, the black
kind, with which they dye wool. The substance
which some call tree-moss and which resembles rags*
is borne only by the aigilops (Turkey-oak) ; it is grey
and rough 3 and hangs down for a cubit's length, like
a long shred of linen. This grows from the bark and
not from the knob * whence the acorn starts ; nor
does it grow from an eye, but from the side of the
upper boughs. The sea-bark oak also produces this,
but it is blackish ^ and short.
Thus the people of Mount Ida distinguish. But
the people of Macedonia make four kinds, ' true-oak,'
or the oak which bears the sweet acorns, ' broad-
leaved' oak (scrub oak), or that which bears the
bitter ones, \'alonia oak, or that which bears the
round ones, and aspris^ (Turkey-oak); '^ the last-
named some say is altogether without fruit, some
say it bears poor fruit, so that no animal eats it
except the pig, and only he when he can get no
others, and that after eating it the pig mostly
gets an affection of the head.* The wood is also
wretched ; when hewn with the axe it is altogether
* i'wlfj.eKay tovto cpvei conj. Seal.; (infj.. rovro ^vffft U; ivl
utKlay TOVTO <f>vei MVAld.
« See Index. ^ Plin. 16. 24.
^ rfpiK^paXal^ : apparently the name of a disease.
209
THEOPHRASTUS
KTjOevTa ixev 0X0)9 a')(^pela- Karap'^yvvrat <yap koX
SiaTTLTTTei' aTrekeKtjTa 8e j3e\ri(i), hi o koI ovtw
XpSivrai, fxo')(dr]pa 8e Kot ei9 Kavaiv koI el<i
avOpaKeiav a')(^peto<i yap oA-eo? avdpa^ hia to
TTTjBdv Koi aiTivOripi^eiV ifkrjv T0t9 %aX.«:ei)crt.
TovTOi^ Be 'X^prjai/xcorepo'i tmv aWwv Sea <yap to
airoa^evvvadai, orav iravarjrai <j)vacofi€vo<;, 0X1709
avaXiaKerai. [to he t^9 (i\.i(f>Xoiov 'x^pijcri/xov €t9
Toi'9 d^ova<; fxovov Kal ra TOtavTa.] hpv6<i p,ev
ovv Tavra<i TTOiovat Ta9 lhea<i.
IX. Twy he aXXcov e\dTTOV<i' Kal ax^hov to,
ye TrXetcTTa hiaipovai dppevi Kal drfkei, KaOdirep
etprjTai, TrXrjv o\iy<ov d)v eari Kal tj ivevKt)'
irevK'T]'^ yap to [xev rjixepov Troiovcri to h^ dypiov,
Trj<i S' dypLa<i hvo yevt]' KaXovat, he rrjv fiev ^Ihauav
rrjv he jrapaXiav rovrcov he opOorepa Kal fxaKpo-
repa Kal to (jivXXov e^ovcra 'rra')(vTepov rj ^Ihaia,
TO he (pvWov XeTTTOTepov Kal dfievrjvoTepov ^
TrapaXia Kal Xeiorepov tov ^Xoiov Kal eh ra
hepfiara ')(^priai./j,ov' ij he erepa ov. Kal t&v
arpo^lXfov 6 fiev t?79 irapaXta'i a-rpoyyvXo<i re
Kal hia'X^daKwv ra')(e(o<;, 6 he t^9 ^\haia<i jxaKpo-
Tepo<i Kal ')(Xo)po<i Kal rjrrov ^dcTKCdv 019 av
dyptu)Tepo<i' ro he ^vXov Icr'xvporepov to t^9
7rapaXia<;' hei yap Kal Taf roiavTa^ hca(f)opd<i
1 Plin. 16. 23.
^ rh Se . . . roiavra : this sentence seems out of place, as
a\t<f>\oios was not one of the ' Macedonian ' oaks mentioned
above (Sch.).
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. viii. 7-ix. i
useless, for it bi-eaks in pieces and falls asunder ;
if it is not hewn with the axe it is better, where-
fore they so use it. ^ It is even wretched for
burning and for making charcoal ; for the charcoal
is entirely useless except to the smith, because it
springs about and emits sparks. But for use in the
smithy it is more serviceable than the other kinds,
since, as it goes out when it ceases to be blown, little
of it is consumed. ^ The wood of the sea-bark oak
is only useful for wheel-axles and the like purposes.
Such are the varieties of the oak ' which men
make out.
Of the differences in firs.
IX. *The differences between other trees are fewer;
for the most part men distinguish them merely
.according as they are ' male ' or ' female,' as has been
said, except in a few cases including the fir ; for in this
tree they distinguish the wild and the cultivated *
kinds, and make two wild kinds, calling one the * fir
of Ida ' (Corsican pine ^) the other the ' fir of the
sea-shore ' (Aleppo pine) ; of these the former is
straighter and taller and has thicker leaves," while
in the latter the leaves are slenderer and weaker,
and the bark is smoother and useful for tanning
Jiides, which the other is not. Moreover the cone of
the seaside kind is round and soon splits open, while
that of the Idaean kind is longer and green and
does not open so much, as being of wilder character.
The timber of the seaside kind is stronger, — for one
must note such differences also between trees of the
' T. describes Trpivos cfuKa^, and <p(\\6Spvs in 3. 16,
(ieWSs in 3. 17. 1.
■* Plin. 16. 43. =* Stone pine. See Index.
« Plin. 16. 48. ' ^vWov W. conj.; {uAoj- UMVP.
p 2
THEOPHRASTUS
Xafjb^dvetv tmv avyyevMV jvMpifioi yap Bia rr]p
"^peiav.
2 'OpOorepov Be koX TraxvTepov, wa'jrep elirofxev,
rj 'iSata, koI tt/jo? rovroi? TrirrcoSia-Tepov oXw? to
BevBpov, fjieXavripa Be Tr'mrj koX yXvKvrepa xal
XeTTTOTepa koI evwBearepa, orav ^ oifiTJ- eyjn]-
Oelaa Be x^ipcov eK^aivei Bia to ttoXvv e'X^eiv top
oppov. eoLKacn B' anep oinoi Biatpova-cv ovofiacriv
tStoi? ol dXKot, Biaipeiv t& dppevi koX OrjXei'
^aal S' ol irepl MuKeBoviav koX aKapirov ri jevo^
o\(o<; elvat TrevKijf;, kuI to fxev dppev fipayvTepov
re Kol aK\rjpo(f>vW6repov, to Be OifK-v evfxrjKe-
arepov, koI tcl ^vWa XcTrapa kol aTraXa KaX
K€K\i.fj,eva fidWov e-)(€i,v' cti Be to, ^vXa rrj^ fiev
appevo<i TrepifxrjTpa koL crKXrjpa koI ev Tai<{
epyacriaL^ crTpe(f)6/jbeva, t?}9 Be dr}Xeia<; evepya koI
aai-pa^rj Koi fiaXaKOiTepa.
3 S%eSoi' Be KOivrj ra rj Bcacpopa irdvTWV rwv
dppevcav koI OrjXeiMV, a)9 ol vXorofjLoi (fiacriv. uTrav
yap TO dppev rfj TreXeKrjo-ei kuX ^pa')(yTepov koI
eTrecrTpafifiivov fxaXXov KaX Bvaepyorepov KaX Ttp
■)(^pu)p,aTL pLeXdvTepov, to Be drjXv evp/qKearepov
iireX KaX rrjv alyiBa ttjv KaXovp,€vrjv rj drjXeia Trj<;
trevKT]^ e%ef rovro S* iarX to eyKapBiov avTrj^;'
^ ffvyyevwv conj. R. Const. ; a.'Yyfi(i>v UAld. ; 4yyeiwv MV
mBas.
2 yucaptfioi conj. R. Const.; yvupifios UAld.H, ; yvd>pi/j.a
conj. W.
' dpd6Tepoi' conj. R. Const.; d^vrepoy UMVAld.
* fxeXavTfpa . . . evwSeffTepa conj. W.; fieXavTepat Se it/ttij
Kal y\vKVTfpai Kal \fvr6Tepai koL evuSfffTepai UMV; fieKavrepa
212
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. ix. 1-3
same kind/ since it is by their use that the different
characters are recognised. ^
The Idaean kind is, as we have said, of straighter-^
and stouter growth, and moreover the tree is
altogether more full of pitch, and its pitch is blacker
sweeter thinner and more fragrant ^ when it is
fresh ; though, when it is boiled, it turns out
inferior,^ because it contains so much waterv matter.
However it appears that the kinds which these
people distinguish bv special names are distinguished
by others merely as 'male' and 'female.' The
people of Macedonia say that there is also a kind of
fir which bears no fruit whatever, in which the
male''' (Aleppo pine) is shorter and has harder
leaves, while the 'female' (Corsican pine) is taller
and has glistening delicate leaves which are more
pendent. Moreover the timber of the ' male ' kind
has much heart-wood,^ is tough, and warps in joinerv
work, while that of the ' female ' is easy to work,
does not warp,^ and is softer.
This distinction between ' male ' and ' female '
may, according to the woodmen, be said to be common
to all trees. Any wood of a ' male ' tree, when one
comes to cut it with the axe, gives shorter lengths,
is more twisted, harder to work, and darker in
colour ; while the ' female ' gives better lengths.
For it is the ' female ' fir which contains what is
called the aigis ^ ; this is the heart of the tree ; the
')k Kal y\vKVT€pa Kal \iirroTfpa koi ilaoZiffripa Aid. Kf-KTOTtpa,
'' less viscous.
5 cf. 9. 2. 5 ; Plin. 16. 60. « Plin. 16. 47.
'' irepinvTpa conj. R. Const. : so Mold, explains ; irepifj.T)Tpta
UMV. cf. 3. 9. 6.
8 affTpa^TJ conj. R. Const.; eva-rpafiri Aid.
'•> aiyiSa : c/. 5. 1. 9 ; Plin. 16. 187.
213
THEOPHRASTUS
aiTiov Se oTi airevKorepa Koi rJTTOv evSaBo<i koI
Xeiorepa koI evKreavcorepa. yiverai 8e iv rol^
fi€y€Oo<; exovarc tmv SevSpcov, orav eKTrea-ovra Trepi-
aatry ra \evKa ra kvk\q). tovtcov yap irepi-
aipedevTwv koI KaTa\€i(j)d€Lar}(; rr]<; fjbrjrpa^ €K
TavTr}<; ireXeKUTai' ecrTt 8e evxpovv a^oSpa Kol
XcTTToivov. b 8e ol irepl rrjv "ISrjv BaSovpyol
Ka\ov<n (tvkTjv, to einyiyvofievov iv rat? irevKai';,
ipvOporepov ryv XPOt'CLV Tr]<i SaS6<;, iv rol'i appeaiv
eari jxcDCKov of crwSe? he tovto kol ovk o^ei 8aBb^
ovSe Kalerat oTOC aTroTTTjSd airo too irvpo'i.
H€VKr}<; fjuev ovv ravra yevrj ttocovctiv, rffiepov
re Kol aypLov, koI t?}? aypia<i appevd re koI
drjXeiav koi rpinjv rrjv uKapTrov. ol Be irepX rr/v
Ap/caBiav cure rrjv aKapirov \eyovcnv ovre rrjv
Tjpiepov 'irevK7]v, aXka ttltvv elvai <f>a(n' koX yap ro
are\exo<i i/mcfiepeaTaTov elvat rfi ttLtvI koI exeiv
rrjv re XeTrroTTjra Kal to fxeyedog /cal iv rac^
ipyacnuL^i ravTo to ^v\ov to yap t?79 7r€VKij(i koI
iraxvTepov Kal Xeiorepov Kal ii-^rfkoTepov elvai'
Kal ra (f)vXX.a ttjv ixev TrevKrjv execv iroWa Kal
\17rapa Kal ^adea Kal KeKXifiiva, Tr)v Se ttltvv
Kal Trjv Kcovo(f)6pov ravrrju oXiya re Kal avxP'OoBe-
crrepa Kal irecppiKOTa /jiaXXov' <ap.<^(j) Se rpixo-
<j)vXXa.> en Be rr}v irirrav ifj^epearepav t^?
^ evKTfava>T€pa : evKTrjSovwrepa conj. R. Const, cf. 5. 1. 9 ;
but text is supported by Hesych. s.v. levKreavov.
^ I omit KoX before ra KVK\<fi.
» Plin. 16. 44.
214
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. ix. 3-4
reason being that it is less resinous, less soaked with
pitch, smoother, and of straighter grain.^ This aigis
is found in the larger trees, when, as they have fallen
down, the white outside part ^ has decayed ; when
this has been stripped off and the core left, it is
cut out of this with the axe ; and it is of a good
colour ^^-ith fine fibre. However the substance
which the torch-cutters of Mount Ida call the ' fig,' ^
which forms in the fir and is redder in colour than
the resin, is found more in the ' male ' trees ; it has
an evil smell, not like the smell of resin, nor will it
burn, but it leaps away from the fire.
■* Such are the kinds of fir which they make out,
the cultivated and the wild, the latter including the
'male' and the 'female' and also the kind which
bears no fruit. However the Arcadians say that
neither the sterile kind nor the cultivated is a fir,
but a pine ; for, they say, the trunk closely resembles
the pine and has its slendemess, its stature, and the
same kind^ of wood for purposes of joinery, the
trunk of the fir being thicker smoother and taller ;
moreover that the fir has many leaves, which are
glossy massed together '' and pendent, while in the
pine and in the above-mentioned cone-bearing tree '^
the leaves are few and drier and stifFer ; though in
both the leaves are hair-like.^ Also, they say, the
pitch of this tree is more like that of the pine ; for
* ToCra yevT} con j. R. Const, from G ; ravrd ye UMVAld. ;
Plin. 16. 45-49.
* ravrh conj. W.; avrh Aid.
" /3afle'a : Saaea conj. R. Const, c/. 3. 16. 2.
"^ i.e. the cultivated invK-r) (so called). T. uses this peri-
phrasis to avoid begging the question of the name.
® 6.fjL(pw he rpix- ins. here by Sch. ; in MSS. and Aid. the
words occur in § 5 after TtiTTfc^earepov.
THEOPHRASTUS
TrtTuo9* KoX <yap ttjv Trtrvv e^^iv oXiyrjv re KaX
TTiKpdv, Sxnrep koX rrjv K(ovo(f)6pov, rrjv 8e 7revK7]v
cvooSt) Kal iroWrjv. (pverai S' iv p,ev rfj 'Ayo/caSia
77 TTtTU? oXi'yr} irepl 8e ttjv 'HXetat' ttoWi], ovtoi
piev ovv 6\(p Tw yevei 8ia/x(f)ia^r]TovaLV.
'H Se TTtTU? 8oKet T?}? 7revKr}<i kol 8ia(f)€peiv ra>
\nrap(OTepa re elvat koX XeTrrocf^vWorepa Kal to
plyedo'; iXdrrcov Kal rJTTOV 6p6o(f)urj<;' en Se rov
Koivov eXdrTO) (fiipeiv Kal ire^piKora p,aXXov Kal
TO Kapvov iTiTTcoheaTepov' Kal ra ^v\a XevKorepa
Kal opiOLOTepa ttj iXdry Kal to 6\ov direvKa.
8ia(f>opdv 8' e%et Kal ravTrjv pie<yd\rjv irpo^ rrjv
irevKrjv' 7revK-r)v p,ev yap eTTiKavdeiaSiV t(ov pi^MV
ovK dva^Xaardveiv, ttjv ttLtw 8e (paal rive<i dva-
^Xaardvuv, (ocnrep Kal iv Aea^co ip,7rpr)cr6ivro<;
rov Uvppaieov 6pov<i rov mrv(i)8ov^. vocrrjfxa Se
Tat? irevKat^i roiovrov rt, Xeyovat aufi^aiveiv ol
irepl rrjv "I8r)v &ar , orav /xrj p,6vov ro iyKdp8iov
dXXd Kal ro e^co rov crreXe'Xpv^ 6v8a8ov yevtjrai,
rrjviKavra axmep drroTrviyecrdai. rovro 8e avro-
fiarov (XVfM^aivei 81" evrpo<^iav rov 8ev8pov, £09 dv
Tt9 eiKdcreiev oXov yap ylverat 8d<;' rrepl puev ovv
rrjv TrevKTjv l8iov rovro TrdOo<;.
^EXdrr] S' iarlv 77 p,ev dpprjv 17 8e drjXeia, 8ia-
(f)opd<; 8' e)(^ovaa rot<; c^vWot?* o^vrepa yap Kal
KevrrjTLKwrepa ra rov dppevo<i Kal iirearpafip^iva
fidXXov, 81 Kal ovXorepov rfj 6-^eL (jjaiverai ro
8ev8pov oXov. Kal r5> ^vXw' XevKorepov yap Kal
fiaXaKoorepov Kal evepyecrrepov ro rrjf; di]XeLa<i Kal
^ iriKpav conj. R. Const, from G ; fiiKpav VAld.
^ Kal TuvrrjV fityaXr^v irphs conj. Sch. ; Ka\ rijv fxty. rrphs
QMV; fiiya.\T]v irphs Aid.
2l6
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. ix. 4-6
in the pine too it is scanty and bitter,^ as in this
other cone-bearing tree, but in the fir it is fragrant
and abundant. Now the pine is rare in Arcadia,
but common in Elis. Tlie Arcadians then dispute
altogether the nomenclature.
The pine appears to differ also from the fir in
being glossier and having finer leaves, while it is
smaller in stature and does not grow so straight ;
also in bearing a smaller cone, which is stiffer and
has a more pitchy kernel, while its wood is whiter,
more like that of the silver-fir, and wholly free from
pitch. And there is another great difference 2
between it and the fir ; the fir, if it is burnt down
to the roots, does not shoot up again, while the
pine, according to some, will do so ; for instance
this happened in Lesbos,^ when the pine-forest of
Pyrrha * was burnt. The people of Ida say that the
fir is liable to a kind of disease ; — ^when not only the
heart but the outer part of the trunk becomes glutted ^
with pitch, the tree then is as it were choked. This
happens of its own accord through the excessive
luxuriance of the tree, as one may conjecture ; for
it all turns into pitch-glutted wood. This then is an
affection peculiar to the fir.
' The silver-fir is either ' male ' or ' female,' and
has differences in its leaves "^ ; those of the ' male '
are sharper more needle-like and more bent ; where-
fore the whole tree has a more compact appearance.
There are also differences in the wood, that of the
' female ' being whiter softer and easier to work,
* iv Affffi^ conj. W. from G, and Plin. 16. 46 ; els hia&ov
MSS.
* On the W. of Lesbos, modem CalonL cf. 2. 2. 6 ; Plin. I.e.
» c/. 1. 6. 1 ; Plin. 16. 44.
« PUn. 16. 48, 7 cf. 1. 8. 2.
217
THEOPHRASTUS
TO o\ov crre\6-)(0<i evfirjKeaTepov to Be rov dppe-
ro9 TTOiKiXctyrepov koI ira'xyrepov koI crKXrjporepov
Kal TTspi^irirpov fiaXXov 6\a><; Se (f)av\6r€pov rrjv
oyjriv. iv Be tw kcovq) tw fiev tov appev6<i i(TTt
Kiipva oXiya iirl tov aKpov, tm Be Trj<i 6r}\eCa<;
oA-ft)9 ovBev, &)9 ol eK MaKeBovlw; eXeyov. e'xei Be
Trrepvya'; to (f>vWov Kal eV eXarrov, Mcrre rrjv
oXrjv fiop(f)r]v elvai OoXoeiBrj koL irapofJiOLov fid-
Xicrra Tat9 BofWTtai? Kvveafi' ttvkvov Be ovrco^i
ware fxijre ')(^i6va Bclevat ixr)6^ verov. oXox; Be Kal
rfi o-yjrei ro BevBpov KaXov Kal yap t) ^XdarrjaL'i
IBia Tt9, coairep etprjrai, irapa Ta9 dXXa<i Kal /lovr)
rd^iv exovaa' rm Be ixeyedei, fxeya Kal iroXv t^9
iTevKr\<i evjjbrjKecnepov.
Ai,a(f)epet Be Kal Kara to ^vXov ov fiiKpov to
fiev yap t^ eXdTr)<i IvcoBe'i Kal fxaXaKov Kal kov-
ff)ov, TO Be Trj<; 7revK7)<; Ba8a)B€<; Kal ^api) Kal
aapKwBeaTepov. o^ov<; Be e^^ei 7rXeiov<; fxev rj
TrevKT] (TKXripoTepov<i B^ 77 eXdrrj, a')(eBov Be irdv-
Tcov ft)9 eiTvelv (TKXr]poT€pov<i, TO Be ^vXov fiaXa-
Kcorepov. oXa)<i Be ol 6^01 irvKvoTaTOL Kal (JTepeoi-
TaTOi jxovov ov Biatpavetf iXdTr]<; koI 7revKr)<; Kal
TO) 'X^pcofiaTi BaB(ioSeL<i Kal p,dXiaTa Bid(f)opoi tov
^vXou, fxdXXov Be t^9 eXaTTj'i. e^et Be, axnrep rj
irevKT] Tr]v aly'iBa, Kal r] iXdrrj to XevKov Xovaaov
^ Traxvrepov conj. W. ; irXarvrepoy Aid.
'^ Plin. 16. 48 and 49. ^ For the tense see Intr. p. xx.
^ <t)v\\ov, i.e. the leafy shoot. Sch. considers cpvWov to
be corrupt, and refers the following description to the cone ;
W. marks a lacuna after (piWov. Pliny, I.e., seems to have
read <(>v\\ov, but does not render koI iv' e\arrov . . . Kweais.
The words nal eV tKarrov can hardly be sound as they stand.
For the description of the foliage c/. 1. 10. 5.
218
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. ix. 6-7
while the whole trunk is longer ; that of the ' male '
is less of a uniform colour thicker ^ and harder, has
more heart-wood, and is altogether inferior in appear-
ance. In the cone ^ of the ' male ' are a few seeds at
the apex, while that of the ' female,' according to
what the Macedonians said,^ contains none at all.
The foliage * is feathered and the height dispropor-
tionate so that the general appearance of the tree
is dome-like,^ and closely resembles the Boeotian
peasant's hat^ ; and it is so dense that neither snoAv
nor rain penetrates it. And in general the tree has
a handsome appearance ; for its growth is somewhat
peculiar, as has been said, compared with the others,
it being the only one which is regular, and in stature
it is large, much taller than the fir.
' There is also not a little difference in the wood :
that of the silver-fir is fibrous ^ soft and light, that of
the fir is resinous heavy and more fleshy. The fir
has move knots,^ but the silver-fir harder ones ;
indeed they may be said to be harder than those of
any tree, though the wood otherwise is softer. And
in general the knots of silver-fir and fir are of the
closest and most solid ^^ texture and almost ^^ trans-
parent : in colour they are like resin-glutted wood,
and quite different from the rest of the wood ; and
this is especially so ^- in the silver-fir. And just as
• OoXotiZri conj. Seal.; ffijAo€«5^ U (erased) ; ffijAoctSet ilV;
ut cancamtratum imitetur G ; ? OoXioeiSri ; in Theocr. 15. 39.
Oo\ia seems to be a sun-hat.
® Kvvfais : ef. Hesych. s.v. mivrj Boiarria, apparently a hat
worn in the fields.
' ef. 5. 1. 7. * cf. 5. 1. 5. » cf. 5. 1. 6.
^* cf. 5. 1. 6, KtpecTwSeis. " ov ins. Sch.
" fuiWov 5e conj. W. ; fJiWov f) Aid. " ef. .S. 9. .S
219
THEOPHRASTUS
KaXovfievov, olov avTtarpo^ov rfj alyiSi, jrXrjv to
/jb€V XevKov 77 S' alyU ei;%/3&)9 8ia to evhahov.
TTVKVov oe Koi XevKov yivcTai koX koXov eV ra>v
Trpea^VTeptov rjhr] hevhpav dWa cnrdvLov to
XpV^^'^ov, TO Be Tv^ov Sa-yjriXe^, e^ ov Ta re tmv
^ci)ypd(f)0}v TTCvaKia Troiovcn /cat to, ypafifiaTua to,
TToWd' TO, S" icTTrovSacr/jbeva e/c rov ^eXTiovc;.
01 Be trepl ^ApKaSiav d/McfyoTepa KaXovatv
aljiSa KOI Tr]V t^? TrevKrjt; koX ttjv t^9 eXaTrj^,
KoX eJvai irXeioi ttjv t?}? iXdTr]<; dXXd KaXXioi ttjv
Trj(; TrevKTjf;' etvai yap tt}? fiev iXdTrj'i iroXXijv re
Kal Xelav Kal irvKvijv, tt;? 8e 7TevKr)<; oXtyrjv, ttjv
fievToi ovaav ovXoTepav kuI la^upoTepav koI to
oXov KaXXiQ). ovTOi fiev ovv ioLKaai Tol'i ovofiaai
hia^wvelv. 77 5e iXaTi] TavTa<i ex^i T09 8t,a<^o-
pd<; 77/309 Tr)v TrevKrjv Kal eVi ttjv irepl ttjv dfM-
(fiav^iv, fjv irpoTepov eiTrofiev.
X. 'Ofu?7 8' ovK e%et 8ia(f>opd<i dXX' iaTi fxovo-
y€vi<;' 6pOo(f>v€<; Be Kal Xeiov Kal dvo^ov Kal '7rd')(o<i
Kal v-yfra e)(^ov a'X^eSbv Xcrov ttj iXdTr]- Kal TaXXa
Be TTapofiocov [re] to BevBpov ^vXov Be ev'xpovv
laxvpov evLvov Kal (f)Xoibv Xeiov Kal Tra^w, (f)vX-
Xov 8' dcr'X^iBe'i Trpo/jbrjKea-Tepov dTTiov Kal ijra-
KdvOi^ov i^ aKpov, pv^a<i ovtc iroXXm ovtc KaTa
^dOovr 6 Be Kapiro^i Xeioq ^aXavd)Bi]^ ev ix^vta
c/.^Eur. LA. 99 ; Hipp. 1254.
Ta 5' conj. Seal. ; koI Aid.
irevK-ns conj. Seal, from G ; ixdrrjs Aid.
f\iry]s eonj. Seal, from G ; irtvKrjs Aid.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. ix. 7-x. i
called its white ' centre,' which answers, as it were, to
the aigis of the fir, except that it is white, while
the other is bright-coloured because it is glutted with
pitch. It becomes close white and good in trees
which are of some age, but it is seldom found in good
condition, while the ordinary form of it is abundant
and is used to make painters' boards and ordinary
writing tablets,^ superior ones being 2 made of the
better form.
However the Arcadians call both substances ai^s,
alike that of the fir ^ and the corresponding pai-t of
the silver-fir,* and say that, though the silver-fir
produces more, that of the fir is better ; for that,
though that of the silver-fir is abundant ^ smooth and
close, that of the fir, though scanty, is compacter
stronger and fairer in general. The Arcadians then
appear to differ as to the names which they give.
Such are the differences in the silver-fir as com-
pared with the fir, and there is also that of having
the amphauxis,^ which we mentioned before.
Of beech, yew, hop-homheajn, lime.
X. The beech presents no differences, there being
but one kind. It is a straight-growing smooth and
unbranched tree, and in thickness and height is
about equal to the silver-fir, which it also resembles
in other respects ; the wood is of a fair colour strong
and of good grain, the bark smooth and thick, the
leaf undivided, longer than a pear-leaf, spinous at the
tip," the roots neither numerous nor running deep ;
the fruit is smooth like an acorn, enclosed in a shell,
' iroW^v conj. Gesner ; ov\riv UmBas. ; 3\rjv MVAld.
« cf. 3. 7. 1.
^ i.e. mucroriate. cf. 3. 11. 3.
THEOPHRASTUS
"jtXtjp [ovrc] avaKavOo) koI Xet&), Kal ov^ ft)9 17
8iocr^d\avo<i aKavdoohei, 7rpoa€fi(ji€pr)<i Se Kal
Kara yXvKvrrjra Kal Kara rov ')(y\ov eKelvus.
>yLverai 8e Kal iv rS> opei XevKrj, f) Kal ')(^pT]ai/jLOV
e%6t TO ^vkov Trpo? iroWd' kuI <yap 7rp6<; dfxa^-
ovpyiav Kal tt/oo? KXLPOTrrjyLav Kal el<; 8i.(f)povp-
yiav Kal et? Tpaire^tav Kal et9 vavTrrjjLav rj S' iv
Tot9 7reStoi<? fjbiXaiva Kal d')(p7}aTo<i Trpo? raina'
Tov he KapiTov e^ovat nrapaTrKifjaLov,
yiovoyevT]^ he Kal t) //.tXo?, opdo<^vr)<i he Kal
evav^rj^i Kal ofioua rfj iXdrrj, irXrjv ov^ v'\lr7]\ov
ovrct), TToXvfida-'X^aXov he p,dWov. 6/xotov he Kal
TO ^vWov e^et rrj eXdrrj, XnrapcoTepov he Kal
fiaXaKcorepov. ro he ^v\ov q fiev ef ^ A.pKahia'^
fieXav Kal (^olvlkovv, rj S" eK t% "I877? ^avdov
a(f)6hpa Kal ojxoiov rfj Kehpw, hi Kal rov<; ttco-
\ovvrd<i (paaiv e^aTrardv co? Kehpov 7ra)\ovvTa<;'
irdv jdp elvat Kaphiav, orav 6 (f)\ot6<; irepiaipeOf}'
6/xoiov he Kal rov (pXoiov e-)(eiv Kal rfj rpaxvTriri
Kal TW 'X^p(opM,TC ry Kehpcp, pi^a<i he /jLiKpd<; Kal
XeTTTa? Kal eirnroXalov;. uirdviov he to hevhpov
irepl TTjv ^'Ihrjv, ire pi he M.aKehovLav Kal ^ApKahlav
TToXv' Kal KapTTOv (fiipei arpoyyvKov P'lKpat p^ei^co
KvdpLOV, Tw ')(pdop,aTt S' ipvOpov Kal p,dXaK6v
<f)acrl he rd p.ev \6(f>ovpa edv (pdyrj tmv (pyXkcov
dTToOvrjCTKeiv, rd he p.rjpvKd^ovra ovhev 7rda-')(eiv.
TOV he Kapirov iadiovai Kal tmv avSpcoircov riv€<;
Kal ecTTiv rjhv<i Kal daivrji;.
• ix^''os being otherwise used of a prickly case, such as
that of the chestnut. ir\V a«'af- koI \elci> conj. W.; irX^v
oiiK b.V3i.Kavd<jn koX \tloDi U ; irXV ovk iv UKivd^ MVAld.
222
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. x. 1-2
which is however without prickles ^ and smooth, not
spinous,- like the chestnut, though in sweetness and
flavour it resembles it. In mountain country it also
grows white and has^ timber which is useful for
many purposes, for making carts beds chairs and
tables, and for shipbuilding * ; Avhile the tree of the
plains is black and useless for these purposes ; but
the fruit is much the same in both.
^ The yeAv has also but one kind, is straight-
growing, grows readily, and is like the silver-fir,
except that it is not so tall and is more branched.
Its leaf is also like that of the silver-fir, but glossier
and less stiff. As to the wood, in the Arcadian yew
it is black or red, in that of Ida bright yellow and
like prickly cedar ; wherefore they sjiy that dealers
practise deceit, selling it for that wood : for that it is
all heart, when the bark is stripped off ; its bark also
resembles that of prickly cedar in roughness and
colour, its roots are few slender and shallow. The
tree is rare about Ida, but common in Macedonia and
Arcadia ; it bears a round fruit a little larger than a
bean, which is red in colour and soft ; and they say
that, if beasts of burden *' eat of the leaves they die,
wliile ruminants take no hurt. Even men sometimes
eat the fruit, which is sweet and harmless.
- aKcwddSei conj. R. Const.; aKavddiSyt Ald.H.
^ Xti/Ki) ^ Kol eonj. W. ; \fvicn re koI Ald.H.
^ cj. 5. 6. 4 ; 5. 7. 2 and 6.
^ Plin. 16. 62. (description taken from this passage, but
applied to fraxinus, apparently from confusion between
filKos and fifXla).
« c/. 2. 7. 4 n.
223
THEOPHRASTUS
"EcTTt 8e Kol rj 6arpv<i /j,ovoeiSi]<i, rjv icaXovai
rive<i oarpvav, 6fxocf)ve<i rrj o^va rfj re (pVTeia koI
tS> <f)\ot,&- (fivWa 8e aTrioeiBrj tw ayrj/xari,, 7r\r)v
7rpo/jLr]Kear€pa ttoWw koX el<: o^v avvrj^p-ha koX
p^L^o), TToKvlva he, airo rr)^ p^earjf; ev6eia<i koX
/xeyaXr]<i tmv aXXmv irXevpoeiSoo^; KararecvovaMV
Kol irdxo'i exovawv en he eppvrihcofieva Kara
Ta9 lva<i Kol x^'pf^'yi^ov exovra kvkXq) XeTrrop' to
he ^v\ov (TKXrjpov kol a^povv, eKXevKov Kupirov
he fiiKpov irpop.aKpov opiOLOv KptOfj ^avdov pi^a<i
he ex^t psTcwpov^' evvhpov he koX (fiapayy&heii.
Xeyerac he o)? ovk eTririjheiov ei9 ocKLav ela-(f>e-
peiv hvadavarelv <ydp (f)a<Ti koX hvaroKelv ov
av ^.
T^9 he ^iXvpa^ -q fiev apprjv earl rj he O^Xeia-
hi,a<f)€povai he rrj fiop(f)fj rfj oXtj koX rfj rov ^vXov Kal
Tft) TO p,ev elvai Kapiripbov to S' aKapirov. ro pLev
<ydp rri<i dpp€vo<; ^vXov aKXrjpov Kal ^avdov koX
o^oohearepov Kal rrvKvorepov eari, en h' evcohe-
arepov, to he rrjf 6't]Xeia<i XevKorepov. Kal 6
<^Xoio<i rrjf; puev dppevo<; 7TaxvTepo<i Kal TrepiaipeOel^
aKapbirr}'; hid rrjv a-KXrjporrjra, rr]<; he d7)Xeia<; Xen-
r6repo<; Kal evKap,'nrj<i, e'f ov rd<i Ktcrra<; Troiovacv
Kal 77 piev aKaprro': Kal dvavdrj';, rj he drjXeia
Kal dvOa e^et Kal KapTTov ro piev dvdo<i xaXv-
Ka)he<; rrapd rov rov (f>vXXov pbicrxov Kal irapd
1 c/. 1. 8. 2 [hffrpvis), 3. 3. 1 ; G.P. 5. 12. 9 [harpin) ; PHn.
13. 117.
^ fiftrris , . . Karareivovffwv conj. Sch.; fietrtjs ■iT\fvpoet5ais
rwv &\\wv (vdetwv koI fx(ya\i\v KaTaretyovffuv Aid. cf. 1. 10. 2 ;
3. 17. 3.
224
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. x. 3-4
The oslrys (hop-liornbeam),^ which some call
oslrya, has also but one kind : it is like the beech in
growth and bark ; Its leaves are in shape like a pear's,
except that they are much longer, come to a sharp
point, are larger, and have many fibres, which branch
out like ribs from a large straight one- in the
middle, and are thick ; also the leaves are wrinkled
along the fibres and have a finely serrated edge ; the
wood is hard colourless and whitish ; the fruit is
small oblong and yellow like barley ; it has shallow
roots ; it loves water and is found in ravines. It is
said to be unlucky to bring it into the house, since,
wherever it is, it is supposed to cause a painful
death ^ or painful labour in giving birth.
^ The lime has both ' male ' and ^ female ' forms,
which differ in their general appearance, in that ot
the wood, and in being respectively fruit-bearing
and sterile. The wood of the ' male ' tree is hard
yellow more branched closer, and also more fragrant ^ ;
that of the 'female' is whiter. The bark of the
' male ' is thicker, and, when stripped off, is un-
benduig because of its hardness ; that of the 'female '
is thinner ^ and flexible ; men make their writing-
cases " out of it. The ' male ' has neither fruit nor
flower, but the ' female ' has both flower and fruit ;
the flower is cup-shaped, and appears alongside
of the stalk of the leaf, or alongside of next year's
^ 5u(rfla»'OT€ri' I conj. ; ivtrOivaTov PgAld.; Zvadavarav conj.
Sell. , but hvaBava-rav has a desiderative sense.
* Plin. 16. 65.
* en 5' €110)5. inserted here by Sch.; c/. Plin., I.e. In Aid.
the words, with the addition ri t^i ffqXeias, occur after
•Koiovaiv.
*• Xf-KTurtpoi conj. Scb ; KeuKortpot Aid.
" cf. 3. 13. 1 ; Ar. Vesp. 529.
225
THEOPHRASTUS
TT]V €49 vecora /cd^pw icf)" erepov ixiayov, 'yXoepbv
Se OTav fi KaXvK(o8e<;, iKKaXvTTTOfiei'ov Be eiri^av-
6 dov 77 Be avOijcrt^ afia rot? rjjxepoi^. 6 he Kap7ro<;
a-TpoyyvXofi 7rp6fxaKpo<; rfkiKo<i KvafXO<; o/u,oio<; tw
rov KiTTov, 'ycovla<i e^f^v 6 dSpot; irevre olov IvSiv
e^e-)(^ova(tiv koX el<i o^v avvayofievcov 6 Be firj
dBpb<i dBLapdpoTepo^' BiaKvi^6/jievo<i Be 6 dBp6<i
eyec pi/cp' drra koI Xeirrd cnrepp,d'na rfkiKa /cal
6 rrj'i dBpa(f)d^vo<i. to Be (pvWov Kol 6 (f)\oio<;
rjBea Kot <y\vKea' rrjv Be p,op^7]v Kt,TTa)Be<i to
(fivWov, TrXrjv eK TrpocraycoyT]'; p,dWov rj irepi-
(pepeta, Kara to tt^o? tm P'lo'XV Kvprorarov,
dWd Kara fieaov eh o^vrepov ttjv arvvajoiyrjv
e')(pv Kol p^aKpoTepov, eirovXav Be kvkXo) Ka\ ice')(a-
paypevov. pLrjTpav K e-)(ei to ^vXov p,iKpdv Kal ov
TToXv p,aXaKWTepav tov aXXov p,aXaKov yap Kal
TO dXXo ^vXov.
XI. T'j}? Be cr(f>evBdpvov, KaOdirep e'liropev, Bvo
yevr] iroiovaiv, 01 Be Tpia' ev p,ev Brj tS) koivS>
irpoaayopevovai a<pevBap,vov, erepov Be i^vyiav,
rpirov Be KXiv6rpo)(ov, &)? ol irepl ^rdyetpa. Bia-
(j)opd S' earl rPj<i i^vyLa<i Kal rrj^ a(f)evBdp,vov on
7} piev a<f)ep8ap.vo<i XevKov e%et to ^vXov Kal
evivorepov, 7) Be ^vyla ^avOov Kal ovXov to Be
(pvXXov evp,eye9e<i dp^cpco, rfj cr^^tcrei opoiov rS>
1 c/. 3. 5. 5. and 6.
^ ^taKvi^oufvos : Siacrx'^oVej'os, ' when split open,' con j. W.
» c/. 1. 12. 4 ; C.P. H. 12. 7. •* 3. 3. 1.
'' TTpoffayopevovat coiij. VV. from G ; Trpotrayopeverai Aid.
226
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. x. 4-xi. i
winter-hiid ^ on a separate stalk ; it is green, when
in the cu[)-like stage, but brownish as it opens ; it
appears at the same time as in the cultivated trees.
The fi'uit is rounded oblong as large as a bean,
resembling the fruit of the ivy ; v.hen mature, it
has five angular projections, as it were, made by
projecting fibres which meet in a point ; the im-
mature fruit is less articulated. When the mature
fruit is pulled to pieces,- it shows some small fine
seeds of the same size as those of orach. The leaf and
the bark ^ are well flavoured and sweet ; the leaf is
like that of the ivy in shape, except that it rounds
more gradually, being most curved at the part next
the stalk, but in the middle contracting to a sharper
and longer apex, and its edge is somewhat puckered
and jagged. The tiniber contains little core, which
is not much softer than the other part ; for the rest
of the wood is also soft.
Oj majyh and «-sA.
XI. Of the maple, as we have said,^ some make ^
two kinds, some three ; one they call by the general
name ' maple,' another zt/gia, the third klinotrokhos ^' ;
this name, for instance, is used by the people of
Stagira. The difference between zygia and maple
proper is that the latter has white wood of finer
fibre, while that of zygia is yellow and of compact
texture. The leaf '^ in both trees is large, resem-
bling that of the plane in the way in which it is
® k\iv6tpoxov AXA.; K\iv6ffTpoxov \I : hoTfioxov coiij. Salm,
from Plin. 16. 66 and 67, ciirstvenium or cra-^iiicnium. Sch.
thinks that the word conceals 7Arj'oj ; c/. 3. 3. 1 ; 3. 11. 2.
' <p6A\oi> conj. R. Const.; ^v\ov UMVAld.H.G.
227
THEOPHRASTUS
Tr}? irXardvov reravov XcTrrorepov Se koI acrapKO-
repov Kol /uaXaKdorepov Koi irpoixrjKeaTepov to, Se
(Ty^iafiaO^ 6\a r et<? o^v avvrjKOVTa koI ov^ ovtco
/jLeaoa-x^iSi] aXV uKpocr'X^LSearepa' ov •jroXvlva Be
ft)9 Kara fii'yeOo'^. e^^t Be /cal (})\ot.ov fXLKpw
rpa^vrepov rov Tr]<; (f)ckvpa<;, vTvoTreXiov ira'xyv kol
irVKVorepov rj 6 t^9 ttltvo^ koX uKafiTTrj' pi^at 8'
oXiyai, KoX /jierecopot koI ovXai cr^eSoi' al irXelarai
2 KOI al Trj<i ^av6ri<i koi al tt}? XevKr]<i. yiverai Be
fiakiara ev rot<i e(f)vBpoi<i, ft)9 ol irepX rrjv ^'iBrjv \e-
ryovai, Kal eari crirdviov. irepi av6ov<i Be ovk jjBeaav
rov Be KapiTov ov Xiav i^ev Trpofiijfcrj, Trapofioiov Be
Tft) TraXiovpoi irXrjv Trpopb^iKearepov. ol 8' ev rS)
'OXy/xTTW TrjV fxev ^vyiav opeiov fMaWov, rrjv Be
o-(f)€vBa/jLvov Kal ev rolf TreStot? (^vecrOav elvai Be
TTjv fiev ev TO) opei ^vofievTjv ^avdrjv Kal ev^povv
Kal ovXrjv Kal arepedv, 17 Kal 7rp6<i ra mroXvTeX'i]
rSiV epyoov ^(poiVTai, rrjv Be ireBeivi^v XevKrjV re
Kal fxavorepav Kal rjrrov ovXrjV KoXovcn 8' avrrjv
evtoi yXeivov, ov cr(f)€vBa/j,vov. . . . Kal rfj^ appevo<i
ovXorepa ra ^vXa o-vvea-rpafi/xeva, Kal ev ra
rreBio) ravrrjv (pvecrdai. /xdXXov Kal ^Xacrdveiv
irpcotrepov.
3 "Ran Be Kal ixeXia<; yevrj Bvo. rovrwv 8' ?/
fxev vy\rriXr] Kal ev/ji'^Kr]<{ earl to ^vXov e-^ovaa
XevKov Kal evivov Kal /xaXaKcorepov koI dvo^o-
1 reravhv : c/. 3. 12. 5 ; 3. 15. 6.
- ax^Tna-ff conj. R. Const, from G"; ffxl/^ae' Aid. Cam.;
axhlJ-o-6' Bas., which W. reads.
» o\o : ? '6\us.
* i.e. do not riui back so far.
' -noXvCva conj. R. Const.; iroAu* Iva 5e Aid.; iroXv- Iva bf M.
228
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xi. 1-3
divided ; it is smooth/ but more delicate, less fleshy,
softer, longer in proportion to its breadth, and the
divisions - all ^ tend to meet in a point, while they
do not occur so much in the middle of the leaf,*
but rather at the tip ; and for their size the leaves
have not many fibres.^ The bark too is somewhat
rougher than that of the lime, of blackish colour
thick closer^ than that of the Aleppo pine and stiff;
the roots are few shallow and compact for the most
part, both those of the yellow and those of the white-
wooded tree. This tree occurs chiefly in wet ground,*^
as the people of Mount Ida say, and is rare. About
its flower they did ^ not know, but the fruit, they said,
is not very oblong, but like that of Christ's thorn,"-*
except that it is more oblong than that. But the
people of Mount Olympus say that, while zygia is
rather a mountain tree, the maple proper grows also
in the plains ; and that the form which grows in the
mountains has yellow wood of a bright colour, which
is of compact texture and hard, and is used even for
expensive work, while that of the plains has white
wood of looser make and less compact texture. And
some call it gleinos ^^ instead of maple ^1 The
wood of the ' male ' tree is of compacter texture and
twisted ; this tree, it is said, grows rather in the
plain and puts forth its leaves earlier.
1- There are also two kinds of ash. Of these one is
lofty and of strong growth with white wood of good
fibre, softer, with less knots, and of more compact
" -rvKvSTepov conj. Seal, from G ; -Kvpiintpov UAld.
'^ e<l>vSpoii : v<l>vSpois cc>nj. Sch. cf. vpufifios, v-roverpos.
8 c/. 3. 9. 6 n.; Intr. p. xx. » cf. 3. 18. 3.
"» cf. 3. 3. 1 ; Plin. 16. 67.
" W. marks a lacuna : the description of the ' female '
tree seems to be missing. ^- Plin. 16. 62-64.
229
THEOPHRASTUS
repov Koi ovXojcpov rj Se raireivorepa koX tjttov
evav^T}'? Koi rpax^'Tepa koI a-KXrjporepa koX ^av-
Oorepa. ra 8e (f)vX\a tm fxev cr%7;yu-aTi Sa^voetSr},
TrXaTu^vWov Bdcpv)]';, eh o^vrepov Be avvrjyfjbeva,
yapayfiov Be tiv eyovja kvkXm kol eTraKavoi-
^ovra' TO Be oXov, oirep etiroi Tt,<; av (f)vXXov rw
cifia cf)vXXoppoetv, a<i) evo<; fiia^ov koI irepi
fiiav olov Iva Kara yovv koI av^vycav ra (fivXXa
KaO^ eKaarov 7re(f>VK€, av)(y5iv Bie-)(ovaS)V tcov
(TV^vyiMV, 6fioiO}<; Kal eirl Tr}<; ol'r;?. ecTTC Be to>v
ixev ^paxea to, yovara Kal at av^vyiat to ttX^^o?
iXdrrovi, tcov Be t?}9 XevKi]<i Kal fxaKpa Kal
irXeiovi' Kal to, KaO^ eKaarov (f)vXXa jxaKpoTepa
Kal crrevoTepa, ttjv Be xpoai^ TrpaaooBTj. (f)Xoiov
Be Xelov e%ef, Kairvpbv Be Kal XeiTTOV Kal rfj
XPo'^ 'JTvppov. TTVKvoppi^ov Be Kol ira'Xvppii^ov
Kal fxerecopov. Kapirov Be ol fiev irepl Trjv "IBrjv
ovx VTTeXd/ii^avov ex^iv ovS" dv6o<;- ex^i' S' ev
Xo^M XeiTTO) Kapirov Kapvrjpov co? tmv d/xvyBa-
Xmv viTOTTLKpov TTj ryevaei. ^epei Be Kal ere/j'
aTTa olov ^pva, Kaddirep rj Bdj>vr), TrXrjv aTi(f)p6-
Tepa' Kal cKaarov KaO' avTo ac}iaipoeiBe<i, oiairep
TO, TOiV irXaTdvoiV tovtcov Be to, /mev Trepl rov
Kapirov, TO, S' dirr)pT7]ixeva ttoXv, Kal to. irXelaTa
ovro). ^veTai Be rj fiev Xeia Trepl to, ^advdyKt}
/xdXiaTa Kal e<pvBpa, rj Be rpa^eta Kal Trepl Ta ^rjpd
Kal TreTpatBrj. evtoc Be KaXovac Trjv fiev /leXtav
^ ov\6rfpov : avov\6Tepov W. from Sch.'s conj.; &vovKos
does not occur elsewhere, and T. uses fiav6s as the opposite
of oZ\<)s.
2 i.e. instead of considering the leaflet as the unit. For
the description c/. 3. 12, 5 ; 3. 15. 4.
230
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xi. 3-4
texture ^ ; the other is shorter, less vigorous in growth,
rougher harder and yellower. The leaves in shape
are like those of the bay, that is, the broad-leaved
bay, but they contract to a sharper jjoint, and they
have a sort of jagged outline ^\ith sharp points.
The whole leaf (if one may consider this as "^ a ' leaf '
because it is all shed at once) grows on a single
stalk ; on either side of a single fibre, as it were,
the leaflets grow at a joint in pairs, which are
numerous and distinct, just as in the sorb. In some
leaves the joints are short ^ and the pairs fewer in
number, but in those of the white kind the joint is
long and the pairs more numerous, while the leaflets
are longer narrower and leek-green in colour. Also
this tree has a smooth bark, which is dry thin and
red in colour. The roots are matted stout and
shallow.* As to the fruit, the people of Ida supposed
it to have none, and no flower either ; however it
has a nut-like fruit in a thin pod, like the fruit of
the almond, and it is somewhat bitter in taste. And
it also bears certain other things like winter-buds,
as does the bay, but they are more solid,' and each
separate one is globular, like those of the plane ;
some of these occur around the fruit, some, in fact
the greater number,*^ are at a distance from it. The
smooth kind ' grows mostly in deep ravines and damp
places, the rough kind occurs also in dry- and rocky
parts. Some, for inst-ance the Macedonians, call the
» ^pax«'a conj. Seal, from G ; rpaxta UAld.H.
* Bod. inserts ov before fierttepop ; c/. 3. 6. 5. (Idaean
account. )
' ffTKppoTepa conj. Dalec. ; <rrpu<t>v6r(f)a MSS.
« ir\t7<rra conj, R. Const. ; »\e/rro UM VAld-
' c/. Plin., I.e.
231
THEOPHRASTUS
T?;!/ Be ^ov/jueXiov, wairep ol irepi MaKcSovlav.
5 jxel^ov Ze KoX fiavorepov rj ^ovfieXLo^, St' o koI
rjTTov ovXov. (fjvaet Be to [xev ireBecvov koI Tpa-yy,
TO B opeivov KoX \elov' eari Be rj fiev ev Tot9
opecTL (pvofievr] euxpov; koI \eia koX arepea koI
yXta'^pa, rj S' ev rco TreSteo d')(^pov<; koI jxavrj kol
rpa^eia. (to S' oXov d><; elrrelv to, BevBpa oaa
KaX ev Tft> TTeBlw koX ev tw opet ^veTUi, to, /xev
opeiva ev'X^pod re Koi aTepea koI \ela yCvcTai,
KaOdirep o^inj TrreXea to, aWa' to, Be ireBetva
jxavoTepa kuI dxpovaTepa Kal X^^P^> "^^V^ dnriov
Kol /j,r]\ea^ Kal d'XpdBo';, ct)? ol Trepl top "OXvfiTrov
<f)aar tuvtu 8' ev tw ireBup KpeLTTO) Kal t&
KapTTM Kal Tot9 ^vXoL<i' ev /xev yap tm opet
T/?a%et9 Kol dKav6(oBei<; Kal 6^(oBeL<; elalv, ev Be tm
ireBiO) XeioTepoi Kal /u,eL^ov<i Kal top Kapirov e')(^ov(TL
yXvKVTepov Kal crapKcoBecrTepov' fieyeOet Be alel
fxel^co TO, ireBeivd.)
XII. Kpavei,a<i Be to /xev appev to Be OrjXv,
fjv Brj Kal OrjXvKpavelav Ka\ovcriv. e'X^ovcn Be
(f}vWov fiev djxvyBdXy o/xoiov, irXrjv XiiraBeaTepov
Kav ira'XyTepov, (pXoiov 8' IvcoBrj XeiTTOv to Be
(TTeXe'X^O'; ov iray^v Xiav, dXXa wapacpvei pd^Bovq
Mo-jrep dyvo<i' eXdTTOv; Be ?; drfXvKpaveia Kal
OafxvcoBeaTepov icrTiv. Tov<i Be o^ov<i 6fioi(o^
exovaiv afjb^co Ty dyvw Kal kuto, Bvo Kal KaT
^ cf. Plin., I.e., and Index.
^ fjif^Cov 5e Kal fxavSrepov conj. W. from G ; fi. 8e Kal /.LavSrepa
MVU (? /.lavSripov) ; fxeiCwv df Kal fjLaKpoTfpa Ald.H.
232
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xr. 4-xii. i
one ' ash ' (manna-ash), the other ' horse-asli ^ ' (ash).
The ' horse-ash ' is a larger and more spreading ^
tree, wherefore it is of less compact appearance.
It is naturally a tree of the plains and rough, Avhile
the other belongs to the mountains and is smooth ^ ;
the one which grows on the mountains is fair-coloured
smooth hard and stunted, while that of the plains is
colourless spreading and rough. (In general one
may say of trees that grow in the plain and on the
mountain respectively, that the latter are of fair
colour hard and smooth,^ as beech elm and the
rest ; while those of the plain are more spreading,
of less good colour and inferior, except the pear
apple ^ and wild pear, according to the people of
Mount Olympus. These when they grow in the
plain are better both in fruit and in wood ; for on
the mountain they are rough spinous and much
branched, in the plain smoother larger and with
sweeter and fleshier fruit. However the trees of the
plain are always of larger size.)
Of coi-ndian cherry, coiniei, 'cedars,' medlar, thorns, sorb.
XII. Of the cornelian cherry there is a 'male' and
a 'female' kind (cornel), and the latter bears a corre-
sponding name. Both have a leaf like that of the
almond, but oilier and thicker ; the bark is fibrous and
thin, the stem is not very thick, but it puts out side-
branches like the chaste-tree, those of the 'female'
tree, which is more shrubby, being fewer. Both
kinds have branches like those of the chaste-tree,
' Koi rpaxv . . . Kt7ov conj. Sch.; koI \uov . . . rpaxv Aid.
* A€7a conj. Mold.; Aeu(ca Ald.G,
* ^rjA.eas conj. Seal., c/. 3. 3. 2; ^eAi'os UMAld.H.
233
THEOPHRASTUS
dW7]Xov<i- TO Be ^vKov to fiev Trjs Kpaveia<i
UKaphiov zeal (TTspeov oXov, ofioiov KepaTi ttjv
TTVKVOTrjTa Kol Ti-jV l(Txvv, TO Be tt}? 6ii\vKpaveia<i
ivTepicovrjv e^ov koI [xakaKcoTepov koX Kotkatvo-
jievov Bl o Koi a')(^pelov eh ra (iKovTia. to S'
v\fro<; Tov appevo^ 8(oSeKa fxdXiaTa in^-^eoiv, rfXiKr)
Tcou aapiacTMV i) /jie jiCTTr]- to yap okov aTe\e')(o<i
vyjro'; ov/c ta-x^ei. ^aal 8' ol p.ev ev T^"l8r) tt) TpeodSi
TO /xev appev UKapirov elvac to Be drfky KapTrtfiov.
TTVprfva S' KapiTO'i e%et TrapaTrXyaiop e\da, Kol
eaOioixevo^ y\vKV<} koI evmBr]^' avOa Be b/xoiov
TO) Trjf; e\da<i, koI aTravdei Be xal KapTrocfiopel
TOV avTov TpOTTov T(p e^ evb^i pbia-'X^ov TrXelovi
€')(eiv, (T)(eBov Be koI Tot<? XP^^^^^ 'jrapaTrXijcriQx;.
ol S' ev MuKeBovia KapTrocpopelv /mev dp,(j>co (f)aalv
TOV Be Trjf; d7fKeia<i d^pcoTov elvar Ta<? pt^a? 8'
6/xoi,a<i ex^i Tah dyvoi<; iaxupo-^ '(Oil dvoiXed pov<?.
jLveTat Be koI irepl to, e(f)vBpa koI ovk ev Tol<i
^7]poi<i fJbQvov (j)V6Tai Be /cat o-tto cnrepfJiaTo^ koX
diTO irapaaTrdBo'i.
K.eBpov Be ol fiev (pacriv elvau BlttiJv, ttjv jiev
AvKtav TTjv Be ^ocviKijv, ol Be fiovoeiBrj, KaOdirep
ol ev Trj "iBr). TTapofMoiov Be ttj dpKevOw, Bia^epei
Be fji,dXi(TTa TU) <f)vXXq)' to puev yap tt)^ KeBpov
(TKXrjpbv Kal o^v koI aKavdoyBe^;, to Be t?}? dpKevdov
fiaXaKcoTepov BoKel Be kuI vxjrrjXocfyvea-Tepov elvai
rj dpKevdo^' ov /xtjv dXX^ evLoi ye ov Siaipovat
^ The Idaeans are evidently responsible for this statement.
T. himself (3. 4. 3) says the fruit is inedible.
^ But (1. 11. 4) only certain varieties of the olive are said
to have this character : the next statement seems also incon-
sistent with 3. 4. 3. Perhaps T. is still reproducing his
Idaean authority.
234
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xii. 1-3
arranged in pairs opjwsite one another. The wood
of the ' male ' tree has no heart, but is hard through-
out, like horn in closeness and strength ; whereas
that of the ' female ' tree has heart- wood and is softer
and goes into holes ; wherefore it is useless for
javelins. The height of the * male ' tree is at most
twelve cubits, the length of the longest Macedonian
spear, the stem up to the point where it divides
not being very tall. The people of Mount Ida
in the Troad say that the ' male ' tree is barren,
but that the ' female ' bears fruit. The fruit has a
stone like an olive and is sweet to the taste and
fragrant^ ; the flower is like that of the olive, and the
tree produces its flowers and fruit in the same manner,
inasmuch as it has several growing from one stalk,^
and they are produced at almost the same time
in both forms. However the people of Macedonia
say that both trees bear fruit, though that of the
' female ' is uneatable, and the roots are like those of
the chaste-tree, strong and indestructible. This tree
grows in wet ground and not only ^ in dry places ;
and it comes from seed, and also can be propagated
from a piece torn off.
* The ' cedar,' some say, has two forms, the Ljcian
and the Phoenician ^ ; but some, as the people of
Mount Ida, say that there is only one form. It
resembles the arkeulhos (Phoenician cedar), differing
chiefly in the leaf, that of ' cedar ' being hard shaq)
and spinous, while that of arkeidhos is softer : the
latter tree also seems to be of taller growth. How-
ever some do not give them distinct names, but call
' fiovov ins. R. Const, from G.
* Plin. 13. 52. See Index ireSpos and ipKfvdoi.
' *oi»'»jc^i': toifiKiiciiy conj. W. cf. 9. 2. 3 ; Plin. I.e.
235
THEOPHRASTUS
T049 ovofiaaiv aW' dfi(f)co KaXovct KeSpovj, rrXrjv
Trapa<ri]fi(o<; rijv Kehpov o^vKehpov. o^coSr] 8'
dfji(f)0) KoX TToXvpLaa-xaXa fcal eir e<TT pa fxp^iv a e^ov-
ja TO, ^v\a' prjTpav S' rj fxev dpKevOo^ e;)^et
fiiKpav Kol TTVKvrjv KOI orav KOTrfj Ta-)(v crrjTTo-
fiivrjv Tj Se Ke8po<i to TrXelcrrov ijKapSiov koX
ttcrrt7re9, ipvOpoKaphia S' dfj,<pco' Kal rj /xev ti}?
4 KeSpov eycoSi;? i) Se tT]^ ei-epm ov. Kapiro^; 8'
6 fiev T^<? KeSpov ^av0o<; p,vpTOv p,eye0o^ <^X^^
€V(i>8rj(; r}8v<i iadUaOat. 6 Be T>79 apKevOov ra
p,ev dWa o/xowi, /u-eXa? Be kol aTpv(f>vo<; Kal
uxTTTep d^p(OTo<i' Biapiivet 8' 6t9 eviavrov, eW^
orav a\Xo9 eTTK^vfj 6 irepvaivo'i airoTTiiTTei. 0)9
Be ol iv ^ApKaBia Xeyovai, Tpei^ dpa Kapirov^;
ta-yei, tov re irepvcnvov ovttco Triirova Kal
tov rrporcepvaivov ijorj ireTTOva Kat eooooi/juov
Kal rptrov tov veov virocpaivei. 6^77 Be XdTvpo<;
Kal Kopiaai tou9 6peoTV7rov<; avT(p dvav6el<; dp^(o.
TOV Be ^Xotov ofioiov e^^i KVTrap'iTTM TpwxyTepov
Be' pi^a^ Be pavd<i dp,(l)6Tepat Kal iirLiroXaLOV^.
<f>vovTai trepl to, ireTpdiBrj Kal 'Xj^ip.epLa Kal tovtov^
TOV<i TOTTOVf} ^rjTOVCfL.
5 jVIecr7riX,7;9 ^' e'crrt Tpia yevr], avdrjBtbv aaTa-
veio^ dvdi]Bovo€iBi]<i, 0)9 ol irepl ttjv "^Btjv Biai-
povcrt. (f)€pei Be r} fiev aaTaveto^ tov Kapirov
fjuei^co Kal XevKOTcpov Kal 'X^avvoTepov Kal Tov<i
TTVprjva'i e)(ovTa paXaKcoTepov^' at S' eTepac
^ irapa(xr]fji.a!s t))i' KfSpov U ; tt. rhv KeSpov M ; Aid. omits the
article ; irapatrri/xaffia. KfSpov conj. W.
2 fi-hrpav conj. Sch.: ixRKAov UMVAld. Plin., 16. 198, sup-
ports fxiiTpav : he apparently read fxijTpay 5' tj fj,ev a. ex*' f^aWov
236
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. mi. 3-5
them both 'cedar/ distinguisliing tliem liowever as
' the cedar ' ^ and ' prickly cedar.' Both are branching
trees with many joints and twisted wood. On the
other hand arkeulhos has only a small amount of
close core/2 which, when the tree is cut, soon rots,
while the trunk of ' cedar ' consists mainly of heart
and does not rot. The colour of the heart in each
case is red : that of the ' cedar ' is fragrant, but not
that of the other. The fruit of ' cedar ' is yellow,
as large as the m}Ttle-berry, fragrant, and sweet
to the taste. That of arkeutJtos is like it in
other respects, but black, of astringent taste and
practically uneatable ; it remains on the tree for a
year, and then, when another grows, last year's fruit
falls off. According to the Arcadians it has three
fruits on the tree at once, last year's, which is not
yet ripe, that of the year before last which is now
ripe and eatable, and it also shews the new fruit.
Satyrus^ said that the wood-cutters gathered him
specimens of both kinds which wei*e fiowerless. The
bark is * like that of the cypress but rougher. Both ^
kinds have spreading shallow roots. These trees
grow in rocky cold parts and seek out such districts.
^ There are three kinds of mespile, anthedon
'oriental thorn), sataneios (medlar) and anthedonoeides
(hawthorn), as the people of mount Ida distinguish
them. "The fruit of the medlar is larger paler
more spongy and contains softer stones ; in the other
■xyKv-hy ; but the words koI otov . . . trrjxonfyriv (which P. does
not render) seem inconsistent. ? ins. ov before Toxi» Sch.
3 ? An enquirer sent out by the Lj'ceum : see Intr. p. xxi.
•• «x*' conj. W.; iSoKfi Aid.
* afi<l>6T€pcu conj. W. ; kfiporipas U; a.ii<poripovs Ald.H.
* Pliu. 15. 84.
' c/, C.P. 2. 8. 2 ; 6. 14. 4 ; 6. 16. 1.
237
THEOPHIiASTUS
eXaxTft) T6 TL KoX evoohearepov ical (TTpvcpvoTepov,
Mare Svvacrdat TrXelci) ^(povov dr^aavpi^eaOai.
TTVKVorepov he /cat rb ^v\ov tovtwv koI ^avdorepov,
ra §' dWa o/j,oiov. to 8' av6o'i iraaoiv ofioiov
apLvyhaXfi, irXrjv ovk epvdpov wairep eKelvo a}OC
e'^xXcoporepov p-cyeOei /leya to BevBpov
Koi TTepiKOfxov. (f)vX\.ov Be to jxev ein
'iro\va'x^iBe<i Be koI ev UKpo) a€\ivoeiBe<}, to S'
eVt Tcov iraXaiOTepwv 7ro\va-)(iBe<; a(^6Bpa koX
iyycovoetBe'i /xei^oa-i ar^icr/jLaai,, Tcravov lv(t)Be<i
XeTTToTepov creXivov koI Trpo/xTjKeaTepov koI rb
6\ov Kol ra (Tj(icr^aTa, irepiKexa^poiyiievov Be
oXov piayov S' 6%et Xeirrbv p,aKp6v rrpb rev
(fivXXoppoecv S' epvdpaiverai, acpoBpa. TToXvppi^ov
Be rb BevBpov koX 0a9vppi^ov Bi o kol xpoviov
Koi BvcroiXedpov. Kol rb ^vXov e^ef TVVKvbv koX
6 arepebv Kal ttcra7re9. (jiverac Be koI airb crirep-
p.aro'i Kal airb TrapacnrdBo^. v6crr]p,a Be avroiv
eariv Mare jrjpdaKovra crKcoXrjKo^pcora yiveadai'
Kal ol (TK0)X7}Ke<; p.eydXoi Kal iBioi rj ol ck tmv
BevBpcov TMv dXXcov.
Tct)v S' OLMV Bvo yevT] iroiovcn, rb fxev Bi]
KapTTO^opov drjXv rb Be dppev aKapirov ov fMrjv
dXXa BiacpepovcTL rot'? KapTroU, T<p ra? fiev
a-rpoyyiiXov rdf Be irpop.i'jKri ra<i S' woeiBrj (f)epeiv.
Bca^epovai Be Kal rot? x^Xoi^' a)<i yap eVt to
^ iXaTTui re ti conj . W. ; ^Xarrw fieri UAld.
- \W. suggests that some words are missing here, as it does
not appear to which kind of ixiairlXt) the following descrip-
tion belongs ; hence various difficulties. See 8ch.
3 Probably a lacuna in the text. W. thus supplies the
sense : he suggests o-i/cuoeiSe's for o-eAij'oeiSes.
238
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xii. 5-6
kinds it is somewhat smaller,^ more fragrant and of
more astringent taste, so that it can be stored for a
longer time. The wood also of these kinds is closer
and yellower, though in other respects it does not
differ. The flower in all the kinds is like the almond
flower, except that it is not pink, as that is, but
greenish - In stature the tree is large and it
has thick foliage. The leaf in the young tree is
round ^ but much divided and like celery at the tip ;
but the leaf of older trees is very much divided and
forms angles with larger di\isions ; it is smooth *
fibrous thinner and more oblong than the celery
leaf, both as a whole and in its divisions, and it has
a jagged edge all round. ^ It has a long thin stalk,
and the leaves turn bright red before they are shed.
The tree has many roots, which run deep ; wherefore
it lives a long time and is hard to kill. The wood
is close and hard and does not rot. The tree grows
from seed and also from a piece torn off". It is
subject to a disease which causes it to become worm-
eaten ^ in its old age, and the worms are large
and different ' to those engendered by other trees.
^ Of the sorb they make two kinds, the ' female '
which bears fruit and the ' male ' which is barren.
There are moreover differences in the fruit of the
' female ' kind ; in some forms it is round, in others
oblong and egg-shaped. There are also differences
^ TfTaibi-: c/. 3. 11. 1; 3. 15.6.
^ xepiKexapayufvoy conj. Seal.; xeptKeOapfitror IJ ; repiKfKop-
r-.art MVAld. c/. allusions to the leaf of /leo-xiATj, 3. 13. 1 ;
3. 15. 6.
6 c/. 4. 14. 10 ; Plin. 17. 2-21 ; Pall. 4. 10.
^ t8ioi Aid. (for construction c/. Plat. Gorg. 4S1 c) ; ISiovs
UMV (the first i corrected in U). W. adopts Sch.'s conj.,
riSiovi, in allusion to the edible cossua : cf. Plin. I.e.
« Plin. 15. 85.
239
THEOPHRASTUS
irdv eixoSearepa Kol yXvKvrepa ra arpo'yyvXa,
ra S' ft)oetSi} 7roWdKi<i iarlv o^ia kul tjttov
7 evcoBr}. (pvWa 3' afx<polv Kara fiia'X^ov [xaKpov
IvoecSi] 7re(f)VKacn arot')(y}hov ck tmv TrXaylcov
TTTepvyoetSo)';, &>? ef09 oVto? rod 6\ov \o^ov<i 8e
e'XpvTO'i ia^x^ia pbevov; ew? t?}? tVo9* 'rr\r]v Sieardaiv
d(f) eavTMv viroav^vov ra Kara fxepo'i' (f)vWo-
^dXel 8e ou Kara fiepo<i dWa oXov dfia to
rrrepvycbSe^. elal Se nepl fiev ra TraXaoorepa
Kul fiaKporepa 7r\€iov<; at av^vyiai, irepl he ra
vecorepa Kal ^pa')(yr€pa iXdrrovi, irdvrav he eV
CLKpov rod fxia'xpv <^vWov irepLrrov, ware Kal
irdvr elvai rrepirrd. rw he a-)(^j]fiarc 8a(f)Voei8T]
T/}9 Xeirro^iiXkov, ifK'qv x^P^JI^^^ e-)(pvra Kal
/Spaxvrepa Kal ovk eh o^v ro aKpov avvrJKOv
dW^ et9 7repi(f>epecrrepov. avdo<i he e')(ei, ^orpv-
eo8e9 «7ro /jicd<; Kopvin)^ e'/c rroXkcov /JiiKpcbv Kal
8 XevKOiv (TuyK€Lfi€vop. Kal 6 Kaprro^ orav evKapirfi
^orpvcohr]^' jroWa yap diro t?79 avrrj<i Kopvvr}<i,
M(Tr elvai Kaddiirep Krjpiov. aKO)\r]K6^opo<; eVt
rov hevhpov 6 Kapiro'i direirro'; mv en yiverai
fidXkov rSiv /jLea-TTiXcov Kal umiwv Kal d^pdhcov
KairoL TToXi) arpv^v6raro<;. yiverai he Kal avro
ro hevhpov aKaXr^Ko^pwrov Kal ovrco<i avatverai
yrjpdaKov Kal 6 aKcoX^]^ Lhio<i epv6p6<i haav<;.
Kaprrocjiopel h' eTrieiKco'i via- rpierrjt; yap evdv<i
(pvei. rov fxeroTTiopov 5' orav dTTO^dXrj ro ^vXXov,
evOifi tcrxei- ttjv KO.'X^pvcohr} Kopvvqv Xiirapav Kal
^ <pi\Xa . . . ffToixv^^f conj. W. ; (pvWov 8' a.fi(po7v rb /xiv
n'lffXOf fiuKphv IvoetSrj- irec(>. [be] ffroixv^^*' UMVAld.
^ a.<p' tavToiv { = a.Tr' aW-qXccv) conj. Seal.; air' avruv U: so
W., who however I'enders inter se.
240
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xii. 6-8
in taste ; the round fruits are generally more fragrant
and sweeter, the oval ones are often sour and less
fragrant. The leaves in both grow attached to a
long fibrous stalk, and project on each side in a row ^
like the feathers of a bird's wing, the whole forming
a single leaf but being divided into lobes with
divisions which extend to the rib ; but each pair are
some distance apart,- and, when the leaves fall,^
these divisions do not drop separately, but the whole
wing-like structure drops at once. When the
leaves are older and longer, the pairs are more
numerous ; in the younger and shorter leaves they
are fewer ; but in all at the end of the leaf-stalk there
is an extra leaflet, so that the total number of leaflets
is an odd number. In form the leaflets resemble *
the leaves of the ' fme-leaved ' bay, except that they
are jagged and shorter and do not narrow to a sharp
point but to a more rounded end. The flower ^ is
clustering and made up of a number of small white
blossoms from a single knob. The fruit too is
clustering, when the tree fruits well ; for a number
of fruits are formed from the same knob, giving an
appearance like a honeycomb. The fruit gets eaten
by wonns on the tree before it is ripe to a greater
extent than that of medlar pear or wild pear, and
yet it is much more astringent than any of these.
The tree itself also gets worm-eaten, and so withers
away as it ages ; and the worm ^ which infests it is a
peculiar one, red and hairy. This tree bears fruit
when it is quite young, that is as soon as it is three
years old. In autumn, when it has shed its leaves,
it immediately produces its winter-bud-like knob,''
3 Plin. 16. 92. ^ For construction c/. 3. 11. 3.
^ i.e. inflorescence. ^ Plin. 17. 221. "> cj. 3. 5. 5.
241
THEOPHRASTUS
iTTcoSrjKviav oaaav i^hrj ^XaaTLKov, koX Sia/aivei
9 Tov ^eifjbcova. avaKavOov he icm koX r; on; koX
t) fxeaTTtXr}' (jiXoibv 8' e-)(eL \elov vTroXiirapov,
oa-airep fj,r) <y6pdvZpva, rrjv Be %/coat' ^avOov
iiT CKevKaivovTa' ra Be yepdvBpva rpa'x^up /cat
[xeXava. to Be BevBpov evp.ejeOe'i 6pdo(five<i
evpvOfMov rfi Ko/xr)' (7)(^eBov yap d><; eirl to iroXv
(Trpo^iXoeiBe'i (XX^P'f^ Xapi^dvei Kara rrjv Kofirjv,
eav fM7) re ifXTroBlcry. rb Be ^vXov arepeov ttvkvov
i(T-)(vpov ev'x^povv, pL^a<; Be ov 7roXXd<i p,ev ovBe
Kara ^d6ov<;, lcr')(vpa^ Be koX Tra')(eia<i koL dva>-
Xe0pov<i ej(ei. ^verai Be kol diro f)i^r)<i koI diro
•napa(TirdBo<i koI diro cmeppaTO^' rotrov Be ^rjrei
'y^v')(^pov eviKfxov, (f)iX6^(oov S' ev rovrm koX
BvacoXedpov ov p,7]p dXXa koX (pverai ev Tot9
opecnv.
XIII. "IBiov Be rfi (pvaeL BevBpov 6 /cepaao^
earr /McyeOet fiev pueja' koL <ydp et? T€TTapa<;
Kol elKoai irri'^ei,^' ecrri 8' 6p0o(f)ve<; a(f)6Bpa'
7ra;^09 Be axrre ica\ Bltttj'X^vv r'qv TrepLfieTpov aTTo
ri]<; pl^rj^ ^X^''^' <^y^^oi' S" op,oiov tS> t^<?
fieaTTiXTj^i a/cXtjpov Be acpoBpa /cal TTW^^vrepov,
ware rfj xpoia iroppadev (pavepbv eivai rb BevBpov.
(pXoibv Be rrjv Xei6rr)ra koI rrjv %/ooai/ koI rb
7ra;^09 ofioiov cpiXvpa, Bi* o Kal rd'i KLa-ra<; e^
avrov TTOiovcnv oxjrrep Kal Ik tov t?}? ^i,Xvpa<i.
TrepnricfiVKe Be ovro<; ovre 6pdo<pvr]<; ovre kvkXo)
Kar laov, dXX! eXiK7]Bbv TreptetX^jcpe KdrwOev dvco
' (iffairep fii] conj. Bod.; Siffvep rk Aid ; Strre ra M.
"^ /c(i/x?jV Ald.H.; Kopv<p^v conj. Sch. ; vertice G.
=* I'liii. 16. 125 ; c/. 16. 74 ; 17. 234.
^ ■naxvrtpov : so quoted by Atlien. 2. 34 ; irKarvTfpov MSS.
242
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xii. 8 -xiti. i
which is glistening and swollen as though the tree
were just about to burst into leaf, and this persists
through the winter. The sorb, like the medlar, is
thomless ; it has smooth rather shiny bark, (except
when 1 the tree is old), which in colour is a whitish
yellow ; but in old trees it is rough and black. The
tree is of a good size, of erect growth and with well
balanced foliage ; for in general it assumes a cone-
like shape as to its foliage,'' unless something inter-
feres. The wood is hard close strong and of a good
colour ; the roots are not numerous and do not run
deep, but they are strong and thick and inde-
structible. The tree grows from a root, from a piece
torn off, or from seed, and seeks a cold moist |X)sition ;
in such a position it is tenacious of life and hard to
kill : however it also grows on mountains.
Of bird-cherry, elder, icillow.
XIII. 3 The kerasos (bird-cherry) is peculiar in
character ; it is of great stature, growing as much as
twenty-four cubits high ; and it is of very erect
growth ; as to thickness, it is as much as two cubits
in circumference at the base. The leaves are like
those of the medlar, but very tough and thicker,* so
that the tree is conspicuous by its colour from a
distance. The bark ^ in smoothness colour and thick-
ness is like that of the lime ; wherefore men make
their writing-cases ^ from it, as from the bark of that
tree. ' This bark does not grow straight nor evenly
all round the tree, but runs round it ^ in a spiral
^ cj. 4. 15. 1 ; Hesych. s.i: Ktpaaos.
I cJ. 3. 10. 4 ; Ar. Vesp. 529.
" ^tpix4<pvKe . . . Tr€piire<pvK6s : text as restored by Sch. and
Dthers, following U as closely as possible.
* Trepiei\7t<p* coiij. R. Const.
243
THEOPHRASTUS
rrpocrd'ycov, wairep r/ SLuypacpr) rcov ^vWtov Kol
Xo7ri^6/xevo<i ovTO'i eKSiperai, eKelvo^ S" e7rtTO/i09
2 ryiverat koX ov SvvaTat' p,epo<i 8' avrov ri top
avrov rpoTTOV acf^aipelrai Kara 7rd^o<i cr'X^i^op^vov
XeiTTov C09 av (pvWov, to Se Xoittov tt poa p,eveLv
re Svvarai koX aco^ec to hevhpov axravTW? irepi-
ire^vKo'i. TrepiaipovfMevov Be otuv Xotto, tov
(p^oiov avvcKpalvei /cat Tore ttjv vypoTrjTa' Koi
OTUV 6 e^co y^LTOiv Trepiaipedfj, fiovov 6 V7ro\tTTr)<i
iirifieXaiveTai coairep pbv^oohei vypaaia, koX tvoKlv
v7ro(f)V€Tai TO) SevTepo) erei 'XtTobv aXko<i dvT
jeKCivov TrXrjv XeTTTOTcpo';. Tre^VKe koX to ^vXov
6p,OLov Tat9 Icrl T(p (pXaiw (TTpeTTTOi^ eXiTTo/xevov
KOL 01 pd^Boi (jyvovTUi TOV avTov TooTTov evdv^'
TOv<i 6^ov<i S' av^avofievov av/u,^aiV€i, Tom jxev
3 KaTO) del diroXXvadai tou9 S' dvco av^ecv. to S'
oXov ov TToXvo^ov TO BevSpov dXX^ dvo^oTepov
TToXi) Trj<i alyeipov. TroXvppi^ov Be Kol ctti-
TToXaioppi^ov ovK ayav Be ira'xyppL^ov' r] S'
etncTTpo^r] koX T')]<; pi^r}<i zeal tov (fyXotov tov irepl
avTrjV r] avrt]. dvOo^ Be XevKov dirlw koX fxeairiXr]
ojjioiov, e/c /jLtKpcbv dvO&v avyKelfxevov KrjpiwBe^.
6 Be KapTTO'i ipv6po<i opoto<i Btocnrvpo) to crp^;?}//.a,
TO Be peyeOo'i rfXiKOV Kvap-o^, irXrjv tov BioaTrvpov
jxev 6 TTvprjv aKXrjpb'i tov Be Kepdaov piaXaKo^;.
(pveTUt 8' OTTOv Kol Tj (f){,Xvpa, TO Be oXov oirov
TTOTapol KOL e<f)vBpa.
4 ^vcTai Be KoX 7} uKTr) pidXiaTa Trap* vBo)p koI
1 Which is an ellipse, the segment of a cylinder : so Sch.
explains.
^ fKelvos: i.e. lower down the trunk, where the spiral is
less open. ^ evhofxos : cf. 5. 1. 12.
244
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xin. 1-4
(which becomes closer as it gets higher up the tree)
like the outline of the leaves.^ And this {lart of
it can be stripped off by peeling, whereas with the
other part - this is not possible and it has to be cut
in short lengths.^ In the same manner part is
removed by being split off' in flakes as thin as a leaf,
while the rest can be left and protects the tree, grow-
ing about it as described. If the bark is stripped off
when the tree is peeling, there is also at the time a
discharge of the sap ; further, when only the outside
coat is stripped off, what remains turns black with a
kind * of mucus-like moisture ; and in the second
year another coat grows to replace what is lost, but
this is thinner. The wood in its fil:)res is like the
bark, twisting spirally,-^ and the branches grow in
the same manner from the first ; and, as the tree
grows, it comes to pass that the lower branches keep
on perishing, while the upper ones increase. How-
ever the whole tree is not much branched, but has
far fewer branches than the black poplar. Its roots
are numerous and shallow and not very thick ; and
there is a similar twisting of the root and of the bark
which surrounds it. '^ The flower is white, like that
of the pear and medlar, composed of a number of
small blossoms arranged like a honeycomb. The
fruit is red, like that of diospyros in shape, and in size
it is as large as a bean. However the stone of the
diospyros fruit is hard, while that of the bird-cherry
is soft. The tree grows where the lime grows, and
in general where there are rivers and damp places.
"The elder also grows chiefly by water and in shady
* Ikaitfp conj. Sch.; Tep MV; -irus Ald.H.
* (TTpfirris i\irr6ix(vov conj. Sch. ; arpfin^ e\iTT0fi4vai U ;
o-Tpexry L\iTrofj.fy,f Aid. « c/. 3. 12. 7. ^ Plin. 17. 151.
245
THEOPHRASTUS
€V T0t9 (TKL€pol<i, OV flrjV oXXa Kal iv TOt<? fl1]
TOLovToi<;' Oa/jLV(t)8€<; 8e pd^hoL<i eVeretoi? av^a-
vofiivai'i /J'^XP'' '^V'^ (f)vWoppoia<i et? /atJ/co?, elra
fiera ravra 6t9 'nd')(p<i' ro 8e v-\lro<i twv pd^hoav
OV ^li'ya \lav dXka koL fidXio-ra ct)9 k^dirrixv
TMV Be crreXe^^wi' 7ra%09 Twy yepavBpvcov oaov
7repiKe(f)a\aia<i, (f)Xoib<i 8e Xeto? XevrTO? Ka7rvp6<i'
TO he ^vXov x^vvov koI KOixpov ^rjpavOeVy ev-
repLwvrjv Se e^pv pbokaKi^v, coare 8i' oXov Kal
KOiXaiveadai Ttt<? pd^hovq, e^ mv koX ra<i ^ukti]-
pLa<i TTOiovcri ra<i Kov(j)a<;. ^rjpavOev Se la^vpov
Kal dyi]p(i)v iav /3/oe%t;Tat, Kav y XeXoTTiafievov
Xoiri^erat he avTo/jbarov ^rjpaivofievov. pL^a<i he
eyei fierecopov; ov TroXXa<; he ovhe /xeydXa^;.
5 (pvXXov he TO fiev Kad^ eKaarov fxaXaKov, irpo-
lxriKe<i ft)9 TO Trj<i TrXaTU^vXXov hd(})vr)(;, /xel^ov
he Kol TrXaTVTepov kol irepK^epeaTepov eK fieaov
Kal KdTuiOev, to S" UKpov eU o^ii /xaXXov (rvvrjKOV
kvkXu) S' e%of x^pay/xov to he oXov, irepl eva
ixicryov iraxyv Kal Ivcohrj waav kXwvlov to, fiev
ev6ev TO, he evOev KaTo, yovu Kal av^vyiav 7re(f>v-
Kacn TMV (pvXXcov hiexovra dir dXXi]Xo)v, ev he
i^ aKpov Tov ixiaxpv. vTrepvOpa he Ta (pvXXa
eVtet/cco? Kal ^aOi^a Kal crapKcohr]' (pvXXoppoel
he TOVTO oXov, hioirep (pvXXov dv xi? etrroc to oXov.
e)(pv(JL he Kal ol KXo)ve<; ol veoi <yci)VO€ihi] Tiva.
6 TO 8' dv6o<i XevKov eK fiLKpcov XevKMV ttoXXmv
iirl TTJ TOV {Jbla^pv axycxei Kr]pi(ohe<;' evahiav
^ -nepiKetpaKaias, some part of a ship's prow : so Pollux.
^ Ka-Kvp6s conj. Sch.; koX irvpffSs U (?) ; koI irvpp6s V
■novpos M. ^ Sc. pith.
246
HF'
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xiii. 4 6
"places, but likewise in places which are not of this
cliaracter. It is shrubby, with annual branches which
go on growing in length till the fall of the leaf, after
which they increase in thickness. The branches do
not grow to a very great height, about six cubits at
most. The thickness of the stem of old trees is
about that of the ' helmet ' ^ of a ship ; the bark is
smooth thin and brittle ^ ; the wood is porous and
light when dried, and has a soft heart-wood,^ so that
the boughs are hollow right through, and men make
of them their light walking-sticks. When dried it is
strong and durable if it is soaked, even if it is stripped
of the bark; and it strips itself of its own accord as it
dries. The roots are shallow and neither numerous
nor large. The single leaflet is soft and oblong, like
the leaf of the 'broad-leaved' bay, but larger broader
and rounder at the middle and base, though the tip
narrows more to a point and is jagged^ all round.
The whole leaf is composed of leaflets growing about
a single thick fibrous stalk, as it were, to which they
are attached at either side in pairs at each joint ;
and they are sepjirate from one another, while one
is attached to the tip of the stalk. The leaves are
somewhat reddish porous and fleshy : the whole is
shed in one piece ; wherefore one may consider the
Avhole structure as a 'leaf.'^ The young twigs too
have certain crooks '^ in them. The flower " is white,
made, up of a number of small white blossoms
attached to the point w^here the stalk divides,
in form like a honeycomb, and it has the heavy
* Xapay/j-oi' conj. R. Const, from G ; Trapayftof UMV;
a-iraoayfj.ov Aid. ^ c/. 3. 11. 3 n.
^ yaivoeiSri U; ?7<«»;'io€i5^ ; G seems to have rea<l yovaTonSrj ;
Sch. considers the text defective or mutilated,
7 cf. 3. 12. 7 n.
247
THEOPHRASTUS
Be e%e« XeipicoSrj ein^apelav. e-^^et 8e Kal rov
KapiTov o/xolci)<; tt/jo? evl /xLa'X^a) 7ra%ei ^orpvcoSi)
Si' yiverai Be KaraTreTraivo/nevo^ /xeXaq, &)/zo9 Be
oiiv 6p,(})aK(oBT]'i' /xeyeOeL Be fiiKpo) [lei^wv opo^ov
rr)P vypaaiav Be olvcoBrj rfj 6-\\rei' Kal to.? %etyoa9
TeXeiovjxevoL ^dirTOvTai Kal ra^ Ke<^aXa<i' e%ei Be
Kal ra evTo<; aijaa/xoeiBij ti-jv o-^lv.
7 YidpvBpov Be Kal ?; Irea Kal 7ro\v€tBe<s' rj jxev
fieXaiva KaXov/xein] rro top (fiXoibv e%ety fieXava
Kal (poiviKovv, 7] Be XevKr) to5 XevKov. KaXXtovi
Be e-xev ra<i pdj3Bov<; Kal ;^/??/criyu,ft)Te/oa9 eU to
nrXeKeiv 77 p,eXaiva, 97 Be XevKrj KaTrvpcorepa^. eari
Be Kal Tr]<; /jieXaivr]<i koI tyj^ XevKi]<; evLov <yevo<;
fxiKpov Kal ovK e)(pv av^rjcriv eh vy\ro<i, &cnrep Kal
eir ctXXcov tovto BevBpcov, olov KeBpov (f)OLviKo<;.
KoXovcrt, 8' ol Trepl ^ApKaBlav ovk Ireav dXXa
eXlKrjv TO BevBpov olovrai Be, wairep eXe;^^j;, koI
KapiTov ex^iv avrrjv yovcpbov.
XIV. "EcTTt Be rrj'i 7rTeXea<; Bvo yevti, Kal ro fiev
opeiirreXea KaXetrai to Be TTTeXea- B[.a(f)epeiBe t5)
OafivoyBeaTepov etvac ttjv TTTeXeav evav^eaTepov Be
T7;i/ opetTTTeXeav. (f)vXXov Be dcr)(^iBe<; TrepiKe'^^apay-
jxevov rjcrv^rj, TrpofirjKeaTepov Be tov Trj<i diriov,
' Kara-niTTaivofjiivos conj. W. ; koI ireTr. VAld.
'^ Kol . . . ^dnrovrai I conj., following Seal., W., etc., but
keeping closer to U : certain restoration perhaps impossible ;
Ka\ ras X^^P"^^ reAeiovs ava$\dffTei oi Kal ras Ke<pa\d.s U ; X^'^P^S
Se Te\elovs- kvafiXaffe'i MV ; om. G.
» Plin, 16. 174 and 175,
248
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xui. 6-.mv. i
fragrance of lilies. The fruit is in like manner
attached to a single thick stalk, but in a cluster :
as it becomes quite ripe,^ it turns black, but when
unripe it is like unripe grapes ; in size the berry is a
little larger than the seed of a vetch ; the juice is
like wine in appearance, and in it men bathe - their
hands and heads when they are being initiated into
the mysteries. The seeds inside the berry are like
sesame.
^ The willow also grows by the water, and there
are many kinds. There is that which is called
the black willow^ because its bark is black and
red, and that which is called the white * from the
colour of its bark. The black kind has boughs
which are fairer and more serviceable for basket-
work, while those of the white are more brittle.*
There is a form both of the black and of the white
which is small and does not grow to a height, — just
as there are dwarf forms of other trees, such as
prickly cedar and palm. The people of Arcadia
call the tree '^ not ' willow ' but helike : they believe,
as was said,^ that it bears fruitful seed.
0/ elm, pojylars, aider, [semyda, bladder-senna].
XIV. s Of the elm there are two kinds, of which
one is called the ' mountain elm,' the other simply
the ' elm ' : the difference is that the latter is
shrubbier, while the mountain elm grows more
vigorously. The leaf is undivided and slightly
jagged, longer than that of the pear, but rough
* See Index.
' KawvpwTfpa^ conj. Sch.; koI irvpwrfpai U; (tat irvpoTfpas
MVAld. cf. 3. 13. 4.
« Sc. iTfo generally. " 3. 1. 2, » PlJn. 16, 72.
249
THEOPHRASTUS
rpa'xp he kcu ov Xeiov. /neya Be to hevhpov koI
TM v-\fr€i Koi Tft) fMeyedet. ttoXv S' ovk eart irepl
rrjv ^'iSrjv aWa cnrdviov tottov Be e^vhpov (f)iXel.
TO Be ^vkov ^avOov koX layypov kcu evivov koX
'y\ia)(^pov' uTrav yap KapBlw ')(pc>)vrac S' avTa>
Kol TTpof Ovpco/xara TroXvTeXr}, koI yXwpov fxev
euTOfxov ^rjpov Be Bvcrropov. aKapirov Be vofxi-
^ovatv, aXX iv Tat? KwpvKicn rb KOfifii Kal Orjoi
arra KcovcoiroeiBr] (f)epei. ra<i Be Ka^pvi IBiWi
icrx,€i Tou fieTOTTOopov TToWa? Kal fxiKpa<i Kal
fxe\aiva<;, iv Be ralf; d\Xat,<; copai^ ovk eire-
aKeiTTai.
2 'H Be \evK7] Kal rj aiyecpo'i ixovoeiBi'i'^, opOoc^vi)
Be a/J,(pw, 7r\7]v /xaKporepov ttoXv Kal fxavorepov
Kal \ei6repov r) atyeipo<i,To Be a XJ) fxa roiv <^vWwv
irapo/iocov. o/xotov Be Kal to ^vkov refivofxevov
rfj XevKOTrjTL. Kapirov 3' ovBerepov rovTWv ovBe
avOo^ e')(eLv BoKet.
'H K€pKl<; Be irapo/uioiov rfj \evKYj Kal rw p,eye6ei
Kal TM T0v<} K\dBov<i eTTiXevKOVi €')(eLV to Be
^vWov KiTrct)Be<; p,ev dycovcop Be eK tov dWou,
TTjv Be piiav irpoixrjKri Kal eh o^v avvrjKovcrav' r5>
Be ■)(^pa)p.aTi a')(^eBbp ofioiov ro vtttlov Kal to
IT paves' filcryo) Be TrpoaTjpTrjfxevov fiaKpu) Kac
XeiTTU), Bi o Kal OVK opdbv dXSJ eyK€K\ifievov.
(j)\oibv Be Tpa')(VTepov t% \evKrj<i Kal pbdWov
VTToXeTrpov, oicrirep 6 t-j}? d')^pdBo<i. aKapirov Be.
3 Movoyeve'i Be Kal rj KXrjOpa' <j)vcrec Be Kal
^ y><iTXPov conj. St.; alcrxpi" Akl.H. cf. 5. 3. 4.
- cf. 5. 5. 2.
8 cf. rh evXaKSiSf^ tovtq, 3. 7. 3 ; 2. 8. 3 n.; 9. 1. 2,
250
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xiv. 13
rather than smooth. The tree is large, being both
tall and wide-spreading. It is not common about
Ida, but rare, and likes wet ground. The wood is
yellow strong fibrous and tough ^ ; for it is all heart.
Men use it for expensive doors 2 : it is easy to cut
when it is green, but difficult when it is dry. The
tree is thought to bear no fruit, but in the ' wallets ' '
it produces its gum and certain creatures like gnats ;
and it has in autumn its peculiar ' winter-buds ' ^
which are numerous small and black, but these have
not been observed at other seasons.
The abele and the black poplar have each but a
single kind : both are of erect growth, but the black
poplar is much taller and of more open growth, and
is smoother, while the shape of its leaves is similar
to those of the other. The wood also of both, when
cut, is much the same in whiteness. Neither of
these trees appears to have fruit or flower.^
The aspen is a tree resembling the abele both in
size and in having whitish branches, but the leaf
is ivy-like : while however it is otherwise without
angles, its one angular*^ projection is long and
narrows to a sharp point : in colour the upper and
under sides are much alike. The leaf is attached
to a long thin stalk : wherefore the leaf is not set
straight, but has a droop." The bark of the abele
is rougher and more scaly, like that of the wild pear,
and it bears no fruit.
The alder also has but one form : in growth it is
* KCLXpvi, here probably a gall, mistaken for winter-bud.
* c/., however, .3. 3. 4 ; 4. 10. 2, where T. seems to follow a
different authority.
" Supply ywy'tay from aytiviot^.
' ifKiKhiuivov : sc. is not in line with the stalk.
THEOPHRASTUS
6pOo(pve<;, ^v\ov S' e^ov fxaXuKov koX evrepKovrjv
IxakaKrjV, Mare hi' okov KOiXalveaOai ra<; XeTna^
pdfi8ov<i. (f)vWov S' ojJiOLov (17710), 7r\r)v jJbel^ov
Koi tvcoSearepov. Tpaxv4>\oiov 8e /cal 6 ^Xoto<;
eacodev epv6p6<;, 8i o koX ^diTTei ra Bepfjuara.
pl^a<; 8e i7ri7ro\aiou<; . . . rfKiKov 8d(f)vr)<i. (pverai
Be ev rol<i €(f)vBpot<i dXkodt S' ovBafiov.
4 [X7]p,v8a Be TO [xev ^vXkov e')(ei ofioiov rfj
YlepcriKT] KoXovfxivrj Kapva irXrjp fxcfcpo) arevore-
pov, TOP (fiXoibv Be ttolklXov, ^liXov Be eXa^pov
'X^prjaLjxov Be eh ^aKTr}p[a<i /xovov eh dXXo Be
ovBev.
'H Be KoXvrea e%6t to fxev (pvXXov ejyu<; rod
T7]f; tVea?, iroXvo^ov Be koX 7roXv(f>uXXov koL to
BevBpov 6Xa><; fzeyw top Be Kapirov eXXo^ov,
KaOdirep tcl 'X^eBpoitd' Xo^oi<i yap TrXarecri koI
ov arevoh to cnrepfj.dTiov to evov fxiKpov koi ov
ixeya' aKXrjpbv Be fieTpico'i ovk dyav ovBe ttoXv-
KapTTOV u><i Kafa fieyeOo'i. cnrdviov Be to ev
Xo^oh e'X^eiv top Kapirov oXiya yap TOiavTa roiv
BevBpwv.^
XV. 'H Be 'HpaKXecoTiKr) Kapva — ^vaet yap
Kal TOVT dypiov tw re firjBev r) firj ttoXv
^etyow ylveaOai <r)> tcov i)fiepa>v top Kapirop, kol
TOO Bvpaadai ')(^ei[xoiPa<i V7ro(f)epetP Kal tw ttoXv
^veaOat Kara to, oprj Kal TroXvKapTTOV ep Toh
6peioL<;' eVt Be tw firjBe aTeXe'X^coBe^ dXXa 0a/x-
1 Part of the description of the flower, and perhaps of the
fruit, seems to be missing. Sch.
^ c/. 4. 8. 1 ; but in 1. 4. 3 the alder is classed with 'am-
phibious ' trees, and in 3. 3. 1 with ' trees of the plain.'
« Betulam, G from Plin. 16. 74.
252
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xiv. 3-.\v. i
also erect, and it has soft wood and a soft heart-wood,
so that the slender boughs are hollow throughout.
The leaf is like that of the pear, but larger and
more fibrous. It has rough bark, which ou the inner
side is red : wherefore it is used for dyeing hides.
It has shallow roots . . . ^ the flower is as large as
that of the bay. It grows in wet places'- and
nowhere else.
The semyda ■'> has a leaf like that of the tree called
the ' Persian nut '(walnut), but it is rather narrower:
the bark is variegated and the wood light : it is only
of use for making walking-sticks and for no other
purpose.
The bladder-senna* has a leaf near that of the
willow, but is many-branched and has much foliage ;
and the tree altogether is a large one. The fruit is
in a pod, as in leguminous plants : the pods in fact
are broad rather than narrow, and the seed in them
is comparatively small, and is moderately hard, but
not so very hard. For its size the tree does not
bear much fruit. It is uncommon to have the fruit
in a pod ; in fact there are few such trees.
Of filbert, terebinth, box, krataigos.
XV. The filbert is also naturally a wild tree, in that
its fruit is little, if at all, inferior to that of the tree
in cultivation, that it can stand winter, that it grows
commonly on the mountains, and that it bears
abundance of fruit in mountain regions ^ ; also because
it does not make a trunk, but is shrubby with
* Sch. remarks that the description of KoXvrta is out of
place : c/. 3. 17. 2. \V. thinks the whole section spurious.
The antitheses in the latter part suggest a different context,
in which KoKvTta was described by comparison with some
other tree. * bptiois couj. W.; <popais Aid.
253
THEOPHRASTUS
v(o8€<i elvai pd^hoi^ avev fiaa-'X^aXcov Kol av6^oi<;
fiaKpal<i Be Kol 'Ka')(eiai<i iviai*;' — ov firjv dXka
KOL i^tjfiepovTai. hiacjiopdv 8e e^^ei rw top
Kapirov dnoSiSovaL /3e\.riO) koI fxel^ov to (pvWov
K€)(^apayfxevov 6' cificpoiv ofioioTarov to t^9
Kkrjdpa'i, ttX^p irXarvTepov koI avro to SivSpov
/xei^ov. KapTTLfiooTepov 5' alel <ytveTai kutu-
KOTTTopevov Ta9 pd^hov^. <yevri he hvo dficjiolv
al fiev yap (TTpoyyvXov at he irpofxaKpov ^epovcrt
TO Kdpvov e/cXevKOTepov Se to twv rjp,epo)V. kol
KaXXiKapirel fjidXiCTTd y ev T0t9 i(f)v8poi^. e^rj-
fxepovTai he to, dypta fieTa(f>VTev6p,eva. <f)Xoibv
S' e)(^ei Xeiov iTTiiToXaiov XercTOv Xtirapov ISifoq
aTLyp.d<i XevKUf eyovTa ev avTW' to he ^vXov
acfiohpa yXla')(^pov, wcrre Kol to, XeTTTo. Trdvv pa^-
hia TrepiXorriaavTe'i Kavea ttolovctl, /cat to, Tra^ea
he KaTa^vaavTe<;. e%et he Kal evTepLOiinjv XeTTTrjv
^avOrjv, f] KoiXaiveTai. Ihiov 8' avTcov to irepl
Tov tovXov, oiairep etTrofiev.
T/}? he TeppiivOov to piev dppev to he drjXv. to
p.ev ovv appev d/capTTov, ht o kuI /caXovaiv dppev
TMV he OrfXeiSiV rj piev ipvdpov evdix; (f)epei- Tov
Kupirov rjXLKov ^a/cbv direTTTOV, rj he ')(Xo€pov
eveyKaaa p-eTa TavTa ipvdpaivei, Kal dpxi Ttf
dp,7reXq) ireTraivovaa to ea-'xaTov iroiet p,eXava,
p,eye6o<i t'fXiKov Kvap,ov, prjTLVcohr) he Kal Ovco-
hidTepov. ecTTi he to hevhpov irepl p,ev ttjv "Ihrjv
Kal yiaKehoviav ^pa')(y 6ap,voihe<i eaTpap,p,evov,
irepl he ^ap,aaKov t?}? 'Zvpia'i p^eya Kal 'ttoXv
Kal KaXov 6po<i ydp tI (fyaaiv elvai Trdp./xea-TOV
1 cf. a P. 2. 12. 6. 2 cf. Geop. 10.
3 AeloJ'Conj.W.; irAsov UMVAld.
254
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xv. 1-3
unbranched stems without knots ; though some of
these are long and stout. Nevertheless it also submits
to cultivation. The cultivated form differs in produc-
ing better fruit and larger leaves ; in both forms the
leaf has a jagged edge : the leaf of the alder most
closely resembles it, but is broader, and the tree itself
is bigger. ^ The filbert is always more fruitful if it
has its slender boughs cut off. - There are two kinds
of each sort; some have a round, others an oblong
nut ; that of the cultivated ti-ee is paler, and it fruits
best in damp places. The wild tree becomes
cultivated by being transplanted. Its bark is smooth,'
consisting of one layer, thin glossy and with peculiar
white blotches on it. The wood is extremely tough,
so that men make baskets even of the quite thin
twigs, having stripped them of their bark, and of
the stout ones when they have whittled them. Also
it has a small amount of yellow heart-wood, which
makes * the branches hollow. Peculiar to these trees
is the matter of the catkin, as we mentioned.^
^ The terebinth has a ' male ' and a ' female ' form.
The ' male ' is barren, which is why it is called
male'; the fruit of one of the 'female' forms is
red from the first and as large as an unripe " lentil ;
~he other produces a green fruit Avhich subsequently
:aims red, and, ripening at the same time as the
grapes, becomes eventually black and is as large as a
Ijean, but resinous and somewhat aromatic. About
Ida and in Macedonia the tree is low shrubby and
twisted, but in the Syrian Damascus, Avhere it
abounds, it is tall and handsome ; indeed they say
* I Akl.H.; ^ W. with U. cf. 3. 13. 4.
s 3. 7. 3. « Plin. 13. 54.
" KoX before iirfwrov oin. St.
THEOPHRASTUS
4 T€pfiip0o)v, aXXo 8' ovSev ire^vKevat. ^likov he
e%et yXLcTXpov real pi^a<i la')(vpa^ Kara ^ddov<i,
KoX TO o\ov avayXeO pov avdo<i Se o/noiov t& tt}?
ekda^, Tw ')(^p(o/jiaTi 8e epvOpov. <f)vWov, nrepl
€va ixla')(pv TrXeict) BacpvoeiBij Kara av^vyiav,
wcTTrep KoX TO TT]<i o'ir}<;' koX to e^ uKpov irepiTTOV
TrXrjv e<y<yo)vca)T€pov tt}? otrji; koX ha<^voeiheaTepov
he kvkKo) Kol XLirapov dirav ajxa tS) Kapirw.
<^epeL he kol KcopvKcohrj Ttva KOiXa, KaOdirep ?}
TTTeXea, ev oh 6rjpihi,a iyyuyveTai, Kwywiroeihrj'
e<y<yi'yveTai he tl kol pr]Tiv6!)he<i ev T0VT0t<} koI
f^Xiaxpov ov fiTjv evdevTev ye r] prjTtvr) auWe-
yeTai aXhC diro tov ^vXov. 6 he Kapiro^ ovk
d(jiLr]at ptjTLvrjf; irXrjdo'i, dXXa TrpoaexeTac fiev
Tai<i %e/>o"''j Kciv fxrj 7rXv6fj /jueTO, ttjv crvXXoyrjv
avvexeTur 7rXvv6/x€vo<; he 6 fiev XevKO'i koL
aTrcTTTO? eirLTTXel, 6 he [xeXa<i vcpia-TUTai..
5 'H he TTv^of; pueyedet, fiev ov pieydXr), to he
(pvXXov op^oiov e%ef pbvppivw. (f)veTat S' ev Tol<i
■^vxpol'; TOTTOL^ KOI Tpa')(ecTi' Kcu yap to, KvToypa
TowvTov, OV Tj TrXeLaTT] ylveTar ■\jrvxpo<} he koI
"OXvfnro<? 6 M.aKehovi/co'i' koX yap evTavOa
ylveTai 7rXr)v ov /leydXrj' /jieyicrTr) he /cav kuX-
XiaTt] ev Kvpvo)' Kul yap evfiijKei'i Kal iraxo^
exovaat ttoXv irapd Ta9 dXXa<i. hi b Kal to
/xeXi ovx vhv o^ov T)]<i ttv^ov.
^ TTXeiw : sc. <pv\\a, ill loose apposition to (j>v\\ov. Ap-
parently the leaf is said to resemble that of oir) in its compo-
site structure, but that of the bay in shape : cf. 3. 12. 7.
^ oiTrav a/xa conj. W. ; a/xa airav UAld.
3 cf. 2. 8. 3; 3. 7. 3; 3. 14. 1. KwpvKdSv conj. R. Const.;
KopvooSr] Aid.; KwpvtiSTj H. ; KapvuSr} mBas.
256
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xv. 3-5
that there is a certain hill which is covered with
terebinths, though nothing else grows on it. It has
tough wood and strong roots which run deep, and the
tree as a whole is impossible to destroy. The flower
is like that of the olive, but red in colour. The leaf
is made up of a number of leaflets,^ like bay leaves,
attached in pairs to a single leaf-stalk. So far it
resembles the leaf of the sorb ; there is also the
extra leaflet at the tip : but the leaf is more angular
than that of the sorb, and the edge resembles
more the leaf of the bay ; the leaf is glossy all
over,- as is the fruit. It bears also some hollow
bag-like ^ growths, like the elm, in which are found
little creatures like gnats ; and resinous sticky
matter is found also in these bags ; but the resin is
gathered from the wood and not from these. The
fruit does not discharge much resin, but it clings to
the hands, and, if it is not washed after gathering, it
all sticks together ; if it is washed, the part which is
white and unripe floats,^ but the black part sinks.
The box is not a large tree, and it has a leaf like
that of the myrtle. It grows in cold rough places ;
for of this character is Cytora,^ where it is most
abundant. The Macedonian Olympus is also a cold
region ; ^ for there too it grows, though not to a
great size. It is largest and fairest in Corsica,'
where the tree grows taller and stouter than anywhere
else ; wherefore the honey there is not sweet, as it
smells of the box.
* ertirXu conj. R. Const, from G ; 4irl ir\f7ov Aid.; iir\ x\t7
(erased) U.
» c/. Cylore buxi/er, Catull. 4. 13 ; Plin. 16. 70.
« cf. 5. 7. 7.
^ Kvpv^ conj. R. Const, from Plin. I.e.; Kvpiiyui U; Kvp-f]yri
Aid.
THEOPHRASTUS
UXrjdei Be ttoXv /cpdraiyo^i eariv, ol he Kpa-
TULyova KoXovaiv e%ei he to fiev (pvXXov ofMoiov
fxecTTTikri jeravov, irXrjv fiel^ov i/celvov kcu irXarv-
repov rj TrpofiTjKeo-repop, rov he yapa<^px)V ovk
e'xpv (acnrep CKeivo. jLveraL he to hevhpov ovtc
p.e<^a \lav ovt€ iraxv' to he ^v\ov ttolkIXov
laxi>pov ^avOov e'xei he ^Xoibu Xelov o/jloiov
fxeairiXr]' fiovoppi^ov S" ei? /3ddo^ 0)9 eVt to ttoXv.
KapiTOV S' e^ec (TTpoyyvXov tjXlkov 6 kotlvo^'
irerraLvopevo'i he ^avOvveTai ical iirifieXalveTaf
KaTo, he TTjv yeuaiv koX top x^^ov peaTrtXcohe^'
hioTTep olov d<ypia p,ea7riXrj ho^eiev av elvai.
piovoeihe'i he koI ovk e^ov hi,a(f)opd<i.
XVI. 'O he irplvo^ (pvXXov [xev e;^ei hpytohe^;,
eXuTTOV he koX eiraKavdl^oi', top he ^Xoiop Xeio-
Tepop hpv6<;. avTO he to hevhpop [leya, KaOdirep
r) hpv'i, idp exv "^^TTOP Koi ehacpO'i' ^vXop he
TTVKPOP Kal la^ypop' ^aOvppi^op he eTneiKO)^ koX
TToXvppt^op. Kaprrop he e^^i ^aXapoohrj' /MiKpa
he r) ^dXapo'i' TrepiKaTaXafi^dpei he 6 peo<; top
6P0P' o-»/re yap ireTralpei,, hC o Kal ht(f)opecp tlpc^
(paai. (j)epec he Trapa Trjp /SdXapOP Kal kokkop
TLpd (poiPiKovP' "crx^^ ^^ ^"'^^ l^iap Kal v(f)eap-
wcTTe epioTS avfi/Saipei TeTTapa<i djxa Kap7rov<i
ex^iP avTOP, hvo puep Tov<i eavTOv hvo S' dXXovi
TOP Te T^9 t'^ta? Kal top tov v(f)€apo<;. Kal ttjp
1 Quoted by Athen. 2. 34 ; c/. Plin. 16. 120 ; 26. 99 ;
27. 62 and 63.
2 TiTav&v: cj. 3. 11. 1; 3. 12. 5. Athen., I.e., has rera-
(livov.
' ixeivo Athen. I.e.; KaKelvo Aid.
* lavdhv before lax^P^v Athen. I.e.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xv. 6-xvi. i
^ The kralaigos is a very common tree ; some call it
kra'aigon. It has a smooth ^ leaf like that of the
medlar, but longer, and its breadth is greater than
its length, while the edge is not jagged like that ^
of the medlar. The tree does not grow very tall or
thick; its wood is mottled strong and brown ^ ; it
has a smooth bark like that of the medlar ; it has
generally a single root, which runs deep. The fruit
is round and as large as that of the wild olive ^ ; as
it ripens it turns brown and black ; in taste and
flavour it is like that of the medlar ; wherefore this
might seem to be a sort of wild form of that tree.*^
There is only one form of it and it shews no
variation.
Of certain other oaks, arbutus, andrachne, wig-tree.
XVI. The kermes-oak' has a leaf like that of the
oak,but smallerand spinous,^ while its bark is smoother
than that of the oak. The tree itself is large, like
the oak, if it has space and root-room ; the wood is
close and strong ; it roots fairly deep and it has many
roots. The fi'uit is like an acorn, but the kermes-
oak's acorn is small ; the new one overtakes that of
last year, for it ripens late.^ Wherefore some say
that it bears twice. Besides the acorn it bears a kind
of scarlet berry i*^* ; it also has oak-mistletoe ^^ and
mistletoe ; so that sometimes it happens that it has
four fruits on it at once, two which are its own and
two others, namely those of the oak-mistletoe ^i and
' /coTiros Athen. I.e. ; Ko^pifios UMVAld.
® fieffiri\r] added from Athen. I.e.
■> cf. 3. 7. 3. s c/. 3. 16. 2. » c/. 3. 4. 1, 4 and 6.
10 Plin. 16. 32 ; Simon, ap. Pint. Theieus 17.
" cf. C.P.% 17. 1.
259
s 2
THEOPHRASTUS
fiev l^lav cfiepei eK tmv TTpo<; jSoppdv, to Se v(f)eap
€K Tcov 7rpo9 pLeay-iix^piav.
01 8€ irepl ^ApKaSlav hevhpov ri a-jiiXaKa
KoXovaiv, 6 icrriv o/xocov tw irplvrp, ra Be (f>vX\a
ovK aKavdoihrj e%et aX)C aTraXwrepa koI ^advrepa
Koi Bia(jiopa<; 6')(ovra ifkelov;' ovSe to ^v\ov
Mairep eKelvo oTepeov koL 'kvkvov, ak\a koI
p,aK.m,Kov iv rat? ep'yacrlai';.
'^O Be KoXovcTLV at ^ApKdBe<; (peWoBpvv TOidvBe
e%6i Tr)v (pvcTLV 0)9 fJ^ev a7rX(W9 elirelv dva p^ecrov
irpivov Kal Bpuo'i ea-Tiv koX eviol <ye viroXapb^d-
vovcTiv elvat Orfkvv irplvov Bl o koI ottov p,i]
(pveTai Trpivo^ tovtm '^(^pcovTac 7r/oo9 Ta<i dp,d^a<i
Koi TO, TocavTa, KaduTrep ol irepl KaKeBalpbOva koI
^HXetav. Kokovcri Be oi <ye Ao)pi6l<i koI cipiav to
BevBpov 'icTTC Be paXa/ccoTepov pbev Kal pbavoTepov
Tov rrpivov, aKXrjpoTepov Be koX irvKvoTepov Tr)^
Bpv6<i' Kol TO 'x^pcop.a (p\oia9evTO<i tov ^v\ov
XevKOTepov p,ev tov 'rrplvov, olvcoiroTepov Be t7}9
Bpv6<i' TCL Be (f)vWa TrpoaeoiKe fxev dp,(j)oiv, ey^ei.
Be pel^co p.ev rj o}<; TTplvo<; iXuTTco Be i) ft)9 Bpv<i'
Kal TOV Kapirov tov p,ev irpivov KaTO, p,e<yedo<i
iXaTTM Tal<i eXa)(iaTai'i Be ^aXdvoi<; taov, Kal
ryXvKVTepov pev tov irpivov niKpoTepov Be Tr]<i
Spv6<i. KoXovat Be Tive<; tov p,ev tov irpivov Kal
TOV TavTr)<i Kapirov clkvXov, tov Be T'fj<i Bpvo<i
^dXavov. fjLTjTpav Be e-xet ^avepcoTepav rj 6
irplvo<i' Kal 7} p,ev (peXXoBpvt; TOiavTrjv TLvd 6%et
<^X)(7LV.
1 Plin. 16. 19. See Index.
2 PaOvTfpa MSS. ; evOvTfpa conj. Dalec.
* Plin. I.e. See Index.
260
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xvi. 1-3
of the mistletoe. It produces the oak-mistletoe on
the north side and the mistletoe on the south.
The Arcadians have a tree which they call smilax ^
(holm-oak), which resembles the kermes-oak, but
has not spinous leaves, its leaves being softer and
longer - and differing in several other ways. Nor
is the wood hard and close like that of the kermes-
oak, but quite soft to work.
The tree which the Arcadians call ' cork-oak ' ^
(holm-oak) has this character : — to put it generally,
it is between the kermes-oak and the oak ; and some
supjwse it to be the ' female ' kermes-oak ; wherefore,
where the kermes-oak does not grow, they use this
tree for their carts and such-like purposes ; for instance
it is so used by the peoples of Lacedaemon and Elis.
The Dorians also call the tree aria.*^ Its wood is softer
and less compact than that of the kermes-oak, but
harder and closer than that of the oak. When it is
barked,^ the colour of the wood is paler than that of
the kermes-oak, but redder than that of the oak.
The leaves resemble those of both trees, but they
are somewhat large, if we consider the tree as a
kermes-oak, and somewhat small if we regard it as
an oak. The fruit is smaller in size than that of the
kermes-oak, and equal to the smallest acorns ; it is
sweeter than that of the kermes-oak, bitterer than
that of the oak. Some call the fruit of the kermes-
oak and of the ana ' mast,' ^ keeping the name
' acorn ' for the fruit of the oak. It has a core which
is more obvious than in kermes-oak. Such is the
character of the ' cork-oak,'
^ Already described ; c/. 3. 4. 2 : 3. 17. 1.
5 c/. Paus. Arcadia, 8. 12.
« UvXov : c/. Horn. Od. 10. 242.
261
THEOPHRASTUS
'H Se Kofiapot;, i) to fxefiaiKvXov t^epovtra to
iScoSLfiov, earl jxev ovk ayav fiiya, tov he (f)\oibv
e)(€i Xeirrbv /xev 7rap6/J,otov ixvp'tKr], ro he (pvWov
/jbera^v irpivov koL hd(f)V7)<;. avOel he rov Uvave-
yp-icovo';' ra he avdij 7T€(f)VKev diro /xid^ Kpe/jid(Trpa<;
iir aKpcov ^orpvhov rrjv he fxop<j)r}v eKaarov
eajLV opuoLOV puvprcp Trpo/xrJKei koX to) puejedei. he
(T'^ehov TrjXiKOVTOv d(f)vWov he koX koIXov wcnrep
wov eKKeKoXapLfxevov to aropu he dvecp'y [xevov
orav 8' diravOija-r}, koI rj Trpoa^vai^ rerpvirriTai,
TO S' diravOrjaav Xctttov koI coairep (j<^6vhv\o<;
irepl UTpaKTov tj Kdpv6io<; AcopiKo^i- 6 he Kap7rb<;
eviavTO) ireiraiveraL, coad^ dpia crvpb^aiveL tovtov
T e%efy KoX TOV €Tepov dvOelv.
Uapopioiov he to (I>vXX,ov koI 97 dvhpdx^V ^X^''
T(p Kopidpcp, pLeyedo'i ovk dyav p,€ja' tov he cf)\oi6v
Xetov e%ei Kal irepipprjyvvpLevov Kapirov S' e%€t
ofMOiov TTJ Kopidpa.
"OpLOLOV 8' eO-Tt TOVTOt^ TO (^vXKoV KoX TO T^9
KOKKvyia<i' to he hevhpov puKpbv. Xhiov he e^et
TO eKTraTTTTOvadat tov Kapirov tovto yap ovS"
e(f)^ evo<i aKijKoapbev dWov hevhpov. TavTa puev
ovv KOivorepa irXeioai, %ft)/)at9 koi tottoi^;.
1 Plin. 15. 98 and 99 ; Diosc. 1. 122. ^ October.
' fKKiKoXajxfxivov MV, c/. Arist. H.A, 6. 3 ; 4yK€Ko\afifieyov
UAld. -* cf. 1. 13. 3.
^ Kapvuos, an unknown word, probably corrupt ; kIovos
AwpiKov conj. Sch., 'drum of a Doric column.' cf. Athen.
5. 39.
262
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, 111. xvi. 4-6
^The arbutus, which produces the edible fruit
called 7/iemaikylon, is not a very large tree ; its bark is
thin and like that of the tamarisk, the leaf is between
that of the kemies-oak and that of the bay. It
blooms in the month Pyanepsion ~ ; the flowers grow
in clusters at the end of the boughs from a single
attachment ; in shape each of them is like an oblong
myrtle flower and it is of about the same size ; it has
no petals, but forms a cup like an empty eggshell,^
and the mouth is open : when the flower drops off",
there is a hole* also through the part by which
it is attached, and the fallen flower is delicate and
like a whorl on a spindle or a Doric kanieios.^ The
fruit takes a year to ripen, so that it comes to pass
that this and the new flower are on the tree
together.
^ The andrachne has a leaf like that of the arbutus
and is not a very large tree ; the bark is smooth ^
and cracked,' the fruit is like that of the arbutus.
The leaf of the wig-tree ^ is also like that of
the last named tree, but it is a small tree. Peculiar
to it is the fact that the fruit passes into down ^'^ :
we have not heard of such a thing in any other
tree. These trees are found in a good many
positions and regions.
« Plin. 13. 120.
' \fiov conj. Sch. ; XtvKhv UAld. In Pletho's excerpt the
passage has \elov, and Plin., I.e., evidently read Xtiov.
* Ttepippriyvifxtvov. Plin., I.e., seems to have read -rtptmi-
■yvvnevov. c/. 1. 5. 2 ; 9. 4. 3.
' Plin. 13. 121. KOKKvyias conj. Sch. after Plin. I.e., cf.
Hesych. s.v. KfKKOKvyo>fiivT]v; noKKOfirfXias U; K0KKv/iri\4as
PoAld.
i^" (KvainTovaBai : fiiLctum amitttre lanugine Plin. I.e. ej.
6. 8. 4.
263
THEOPHRASTUS
XVII. "Evia Be ISicorepa, KuOairep koI 6 (f)eXX6^'
yiverat fxev iv TvpprjvLa, to Se hivhpov earl are-
Xe^j^wSe? fxev koI okcyoKkaBov, evjxr^Ke'; 8' i-jneiKM^
Kol €vav^e<i- ^vKov l(T')(yp6v' rov Be (f)\ocov ira^vv
a-<p6Bpa Kal Karapprjyvv/xevov, Mcnrep o Trj<i imvo'i,
irXrjv Kara yttet^ft). to Be (j)vX\.ov o/jLoiov Tai<i
l^ekiai^ 'iTa')(v TrpofxrjKeaTepov' ovk aei<^vWov
aXka (pvWo^oXovv. Kapirov Be [alel] (f)epei
^oKavrjpov ofioiov ttj apia. irepiaipova-L Be top
^\oiov Kai (f)acn Betv iravTa a(f)aipetv, el Be fir]
')(e.lpov jiveTUi to BevBpov i^avaTrXripovTat Be
irdXiv (TxeBov iv Tpialv eTsaiv.
"iBiov Be Koi 7] KoXovTea irepl Aiirdpav BevBpov
[xev €VfjiejeOe<i, tov Be Kapirov ^epei iv Xo^oi<i
rjXiKov (fiUKOv, 09 iriaivei to, irpo^aTa 6av/jia(TTco<i.
<f)veTaL Be dirb cr'rrepp.aTO'i koX e'/c t?}? twv irpo^d-
Twv Koirpov KaXXiaTa. wpa Be Trj<i ^yreta? afxa
* ApKTOvpcp Bvop.iv(p' Bet Be (})VT€veLV 7rpo^pexovra<;
OTav yBi] Bia(f)vrjTat iv tw vButc. (f)vXXov S* e^^i
irapopiOLov TijXei. ^XaaTavei Be to npcoTov
fiovo(j)ve^ iirl ctt] fjudXiaTU Tpia iv ol<; koX Ta<i
^aKTTjpta^ Tefjivovaf BoKOVcrt yap etvai KaXau'
Kal idv TL<i KoXovcrr) dirodvija-Kec Kal yap drra-
pd^acTTOv iaTiv elra axi'^eTai Kal diroBev-
BpOVTat TO) T6Ta/3T«i) €Tec.
» Plin. 16. 34.
2 Tvpprjvla conj. R. Const.; vuppriviai UMV; irvppvla Aid.
" alel must be corrupt : probably repeated from ad^vWou.
^ $a\avr]phv conj. Sell. ; ^aKavr]<popov UMVAld.
5 hpia conj. R. Const, from G ; ay pia P.^MVAld.; ay plat U.
264
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xvii. 1-2
Of corli-oak, kolutea, koloitia, and of certain other trees
peculiar to particular localities.
XVII. ^ Some however are more local, such as the
cork-oak : this occurs in Tyrrhenia ^ ; it is a tree with
a distinct trunk and few branches, and is fairlv tall
and of vigorous growth. The wood is strong, the
bark very thick and cracked, like that of the Aleppo
pine, save that the cracks are larger. The leaf is
like that of the manna-ash, thick and somewhat
oblong. The tree is not evergreen but deciduous.
It has always"' an acorn-like* fruit like that of
the aria^ (holm-oak). They strip off the bark,* and
they say that it should all be removed," otherwise
the tree deteriorates : it is renewed again in about
three years.
The kolutea^ too is a local tree, occurring in the
Lipari islands. It is a tree of good size, and bears
its fruit, which is as large as a lentil, in pods ; this
fattens sheep wonderfully. It grows from seed, and
also grows very well from sheep-droppings. The
time for sowing it is the setting of Arcturus ; and
one should first soak the seed and sow it when it is
already sprouting in the water. It has a leaf like
*.elis^ (fenugreek). At first it grows for about three
years with a single stem, and in this period men cut
their walking-sticks from it ; for it seems that it
makes excellent ones. And, if the top is cut off
during this period, it dies, for it makes no side-
shoots. After this period it divides, and in the
fourth year develops into a tree.
« c/. 1. o. 2 ; 4. 15. 1 ; Plin. 17. 234.
^ oiipaipeiv conj. Coraes ; hiaipt'iv PjAld.
8 c/. 1. 11. 2; 3. 17. 3.
* T7)A€t conj. R. Const, from G, faeno fjraeco ; tiAcj UMV;
'uAp Aid.
265
THEOPHRASTUS
'H Se irepl rrjv ^'lhr}v, tjv KoXovai KoXocrtav,
erepov elho'i iariv, 6a/u,voei8e<; Be koi ol^oihe^ kol
TroXvfjudcry^aXov, airdviov Be, ov ttoXv' e')(eL Be
(pvWov Ba(liVoei,Be<; 7r\aTV(f)vWov Bd(f)vr)^, ttXtjv
arpoyyuXcorepov koX [xel^ov oiaO^ opuoiov (pavveaOai
To3 T?}? TrreXea?, TrpofjLijKecrrepov Be, rrjv XP^^^
iirl ddrepa ')(\oepov oinaOev Be eirCKevKalvov, koI
TTokvivov eK Tcbv OTTiadev raZ? \e7rTal<; lal eK re
rf]<; pd'xew'i /cal fiera^v rcov TrXeupoeiBcov diro
T?79 /jiecn]<; KaTareivovcrcav' ^Xoiov S' ov Xetov
dW* olov Tov Trj<; dpLireXov to Be ^vXov aKXrjpbv
KoX TTVKvov pt^a? Be €7rc7roXaiov<i koI XeTrrd'^
Kol fiavd<; ovXd<i 8' eviore, /cat ^avdd<; a^oBpa.
Kap-TTov Be ovK e-)(eiv (pacrlv ovBe dv9o<i' tj)v Be
KopwcoBr] Kdxpvv KoX Toy? 6(p6aXfiov<i tou? irapd
rd (jivXXa Xeiovi a<p6Bpa kol Xi7rapov<; koI
X€VK0V<i TO) (Tx/llJ'CLTi Be Ka^pvcoBeL^' diroKOTtev Be
Kol eTTiKavOev TTapa(^verat koL dva^Xaardvei.
^'IBia Be Kol rdBe rd -nepl rrjv "IBtjv ecrrLV, olov
i'l re ^AXe^dvBpeia KuXovpevj] Bd<f)vri koi crvKr) ri<i
Kal a/x7reXo9. t% pev ovv Bd(f)vr](; ev rovra ro
I'Blov, on em^yXXoKapiTov ecrriv, oocrirep Kal i)
KevrpopvppivT]' dp,^6repai <ydp rov Kapirov e%-
ovaiv eK rfj<; pd'^^oo'i rov (f)vXXov.
'H Be avKi] 6apvoiBe<i p.ev koI ou% vy\rtp^6v,
rrd^o'i S' e^pv ware kol TTTj^valov elvat rtjv rrepi-
jxerpov ro Be ^vXov eirea-rpapupbevov yXia-xpov
KdrooOev pev Xeiov koI dvo^ov dvwOev Be vepl-
1 KoKoiriav (? KoXoiTiav) U. cf. 1. 11. 2; 3. 17. 2. Which-
ever spelling is correct should probably be adopted in all
three places. - c/. 3. 11. 3.
266
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xvn. ^
The tree found about Mount Ida, called ^o/.y^ j
is a distinct kind and is shrubby and branching ^-.i
many boughs; but it is rather rare. It has a /.
like that of the ' broad-leaved ' bay,^ but rounc
and larger, so that it looks like that of the ek
but it is more oblong : the colour on both sides i
green, but the base is whitish ; in this part it i^
very fibrous, because of its fine fibres which spring ,
partly from the midrib,^ partly between the ribs* \
(so to call them) which run out from the midrib.
The bark is not smooth but like that of the vine ;
the wood is hard and close, the roots are shallow
slender and spreading, (though sometimes they are
compact), and they are very yellow. They say that
this shrub has no fruit nor flower, but has its knobby
Avintei--bud and its ' eyes ' ; these grow alongside of
the leaves, and are very smooth glossy and white,
and in shape are like a winter-bud. When the tree
is cut or burnt down, it grows from the side and
springs up again.
There are also three trees peculiar to Mount Ida,
the tree called Alexandrian laurel, a sort of fig, and a
* vine ' (currant grape). The peculiarity of the laurel
is that it bears fruit on its leaves, like the ' prickly
myrtle ' (butcher's broom) : both have their fruit on
the midrib of the leaf.
The * fig ' ^ is shrubby and not tall, but so thick
that the stem is a cubit in circumference. The wood
is twisted and tough ; below it is smooth and un-
Ifanched, above it has thick foliage : the colour both
' ?K T€ T^s paxia>s Kol conj. W. ; /cal Ta?s {li^aii koX Aid. c/.
3. 10. 3, and «« t^i paxfus below, 3. 17. 4.
■• TrKtvpoetSiv : irXtvpotiSwi conj. St.
» See Index. Plin. 15. 68 ; c/. Athen. 3. 11.
267
THEOPHRASTUS
.ov 'X^pwfia Be Kol (j)vWov Kal (jjXoiov ireXiov,
he (j')(fiixa ro)v <f>vWaiv o/jlolov tw t?}9 (f)i\vpa<;
at fJbdXaKov kol TrXarv kol to /j,eye6o<; irapa-
TfXijcnov' av6o<i fieaTriXcoSe^; Kal dvOec ap,a ry
fieairiKr]. 6 he Kap7r6<^, ov KaXovac av/cov, epvOpo<;
i7Xi«:09 i\da<; rrXrjv crTpoy'yvX(i)Tepo<i, iadi6/jLevo<;
he fX€(7'7n\(ohr]<i' pt^a? he e')(ei 'iTa')(eia^ cocrav
avKrj<i rjp,epou Kal Y^icr^/aa?. acraTre? he ecrri to
hevhpov Kal Kaphiav e%ei cxTepeav ouk ivTepLo>vr)v.
'H he dfjb7re\o(; (pvcTat, fiev T779 "lS?y9 irepl Td<i
^a\dKpa<i Ka\ov/jL€va<;- Icrrt he Oa/j,vct)h€<; pa^-
hi,oi<; /jiCKpol'i- TeivovTai he ol K\o)ve<; 0)9 irvyw-
vialoi, 7rpb<i 0I9 pdyi'i elcnv e/c irXayiov fxeXaivai,
TO fxeyedo^ r)\i,KO<; Kvajxo'i yXvKelaf e-^ovcn he
evTO<i 'yi'yapTMhe<i Ti fidkaKov (fjvWov cTTpoyjvXov
da'X^ihe<; puKpov.
XVIII. "E;;^6t he Kal TaWa ax^hov oprj (f)vcrei<i
Tivd<i Ihia'i TO, fxev hevhpwv tu he 6dp,vwv to, 8'
aXX.oov vKrjfidTWV. dXXd yap Trepl fxev t^9 ihio-
t?;to9 etprjTat 7r\eovdKi<; oTi ylveTai Kaff eKaaTov^
T07rof9. ri he ev avTOi^ T0t9 ofioyeveaiv hia(j)opd,
KaOdirep 77 TOiv hevhpwv Kal tmv Odfivcov, 6/j,o[(o<i
eVrt Kal tmv dXXcov, wairep etprjTai, tmv Tr\ei(XT(ov,
&(nrep Kal pdfjbvov Kal iraXiovpov Kal otcrov [koI
o'iTov] Kal pail Kal klttov Kal ^dTov Kal heprnv
iroXkcbv.
' Lit. grape-stone.
'^ I omit 7] before Stafopd with Sch.
268
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. wii. 5-xviii.
of leaf and bark is a dull green, the shape of the
leaf is like that of the lime ; it is soft and broad,
and in size it also corresponds ; the flower is like
that of the medlar, and the tree blooms at the same
time as that tree. The fruit, which they call a ' fig/
is red, and as large as an olive, but it is rounder
and is like the medlar in taste ; the roots are thick
like those of the cultivated fig, and tough. The
tree does not rot, and it has a solid heart, instead of
ordinary heart-wood.
The ' vine ' (currant grape) grows about the place
called Phalakrai in the district of Ida ; it is shrubby
with small twigs ; the branches are about a cubit
long, and attached to them at the side are black
berries, which are the size of a bean and sweet ;
inside they have a sort of soft stone ^ ; the leaf is
round undivided and small.
Of the differences in various shrubs — buckthorn, xcithy, ChHsl's
thorn, bramble, sumach, ivy, smilax, [tpindle-tree].
XVIII. Most other mountains too have certain
peculiar products, whether trees shrubs or other
woody plants. However we have several times
remarked as to such peculiarities that they occur in
all regions. Moreover the variation- between things
of the same kind which we find in trees obtains also
among shrubs and most other things, as has been
Siiid : for instance, we find it in buckthorn Christ's
thorn withy 3 sumach ivy bramble and many
others.
^ [/cai oirov] bracketed by W. ; /col taov Aid. ; koI itrov Kal
o'lTov MVP ; Kal oXaov Koi utrov U. Only (^aoi is mentioned in
tlie following desci-iptions.
269
THEOPHRASTUS
'Y'dfxvo'i re ^dp eariv rj fiev jxiXaLva ?/ he Xcvkj],
Kal 6 Kap7ro<i Bt,d(f)opo<;, a.Kav9o(^6poL Be d/j,(f)co.
Tov re olaov to pev \evKov to ^e pekav koX to
dvdo<i cKarepov koI 6 Kapiro'i Kara \6yov 6 pep
Xev/co'i 6 Be pe\a<i' evLoi Be Kal coairep dva peaov,
oiv Kal TO dv6o<i eTri.'nop<^vpi^ei Kal oure oivunrov
ovre eKXevKov eanv coarirep rwv erepojv. e%et Be
Kal ra (f>vWa XeirTorepa Kal Xeiorepa Kal Ta<;
pd^Bovi TO XevKov.
"O Te 7ra\iovpo<i e%et BLa^opa<i . . . diravra Be
TavTa Kap7ro<f)6pa. Kal 6 ye "jraXtovpo^ ev Xo^w
TiVL TOV Kapirov fc'%€f KaOairepel (f)vXX.q), ev S Tpia
8'
tj rerrapa yiverai. ypcovTai o avro) 7rpo<i Ta<;
y8^%a9 01 laTpol KOTTTOVTe^i' e%et ydp Tiva
y\i(r')(p6r'r}Ta Kal XtTro?, Mcrirep to tov Xlvov
(TTTeppa. <f)V€Tat. Be Kal iirl Tol<i e(f)vBpoi<i Kal ev
T0t9 ^r]pot'i, Mcnrep 6 ySaT09. [ovx, rjTTOV Be e(TTi
TO BevBpov TrdpvBpov.^ (f>vX\.o/36\ov Be Kal ov)(
oiairep rj pdpvo^ dei(f)vWov.
"Et^ Be Kal TOV ^drov TrXe/cw yevij, peyiaT^jv Be
e'^^ovTe^ Bia^opdv otc 6 pev 6p0o(f)V7j<i Kal v->^o<i
exoov, 6 B' eVl Tr)<i 7/79 Kal evOv<i Kdrco vevcov Kal
OTav avvdTTTj] TJj yfi f)i^ovpevo<; irdXiv, ov Brj
KaXoval Tive<; ')(^apai^aTov. to Be Kvvocr^aTov
TOV KapiTov virepvdpov e^et Kal TrapaTrXrjaiov t&
Trj^ p6a<;- eaTi Be Odpvov Kal BevBpov peTa^v Kal
TTapopiotov Tal'i p6ai<i, to Be (pvXXov dKav6SiBe<i.
1 c/. 1. 9. 4; 3. 18. 12; G.P. 1. 10. 7.
2 Some words are missing, which described various forms
of iraXiovpos, alluded to in irdvra ravra (Sch.). c/. 4. 3. 3,
where an African iraKlovpos is described.
^ Kadairepe] cbvA\(i> conj. W., cf. 3. 11.2; KaBdirep rh <pv\\ov
UMV.
270
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xviii. 2-4
^Thus of buckthorn there is the black and the
white form, and there is difference in the fruit,
though both bear thorns.
Of the withy there is a black and a white form ;
the flower and fruit of each respectively correspond
in colour to the name ; but some specimens are, as
it were, intermediate, the floAver being purplish, and
neither wine-coloured nor whitish as in the others.
Tlie leaves in the white kind are also slenderer and
smoother, as also are the branches.
There is variation also in the Christ's thorn . . . ^
all these forms are fruit-bearing. Christ's thorn has
its fruit in a sort of pod, resembling a leaf,^ which
contains three or four seeds. Doctors bruise * them
and use them against coughs ; for they have a certain
viscous and oily character, like linseed. The shrub
grows in wet and diy places alike, like the bramble.^
But it is deciduous, and not evergi*een like buckthorn.
Of the bramble again there are several kinds,
shewing very great variation ; one is erect and tall,
another runs along the ground and from the first
bends downwards, and, when it touches the earth, it
roots again ; this some call the •' ground bramble.'
The ' dog's bramble ' (wild rose) has a reddish fruit,
like that of the pomegranate '° ; and, like the pome-
,granate, it is intermediate between a shrub and a
tree ; but the leaf is spinous."
"* KovTovTts : for the tense c/. 3. 17. 2, irpo3f>«'x<»^«s-
oi»x . . . vdpvSpov probably a gloss, W.
- p6ais UMV (?) Aid.; hSah conj. Sch. from Plin. 16. 180.
Athen. (2. 82) cites the passage with irapav. ttj {>oia. The
Schol. ou Theocr. 5. 92 seems to have traces of both readings.
'' aKavBaSes conj. Sch. from Schol. on Theocr. (see last note),
'.vhich quotes the passage with aKavBuSes ; ayywSfs UAld.; so
;ilso Athen. I.e. Plin. (24. 121) seems to have read I'x^wSes
(vestigio hominia simile).
271
THEOPHRASTLTS
T?}9 Be pov TO /mev appev to he OtjXv koXovctl
tS> to [xev aKapirov elvai to he /cdpnifiov. ovk
€■)(€(. Be ovBe Ta9 pd^Bov^ vy^rfK,d<i ovBe 7ra%eta9,
<f}vXkov B' ofxoiov •meXea TrXrjv jxiKpov Trpofirj-
Kearepov koX eiriBaav. rcov Be kXcovlcov tmv vecov
€^ laov TO, (f)vX\,a eh Bvo, /car dXXi^Xa Be eV tcov
irXajicov ware a-roi^etv. ^dirrovcn Be tovtw koX
ol aKvroBeyjrai ra Bepfiara ra XevKa. avOo^
XevKov ^OTpu(x)Be<i, ru> a^rjpiaTi Be to 6Xo(r^epe<;
oarXiyyai; e^ov Mcnrep koI 6 ^oTpv;- diravdrj-
aavTo<i Be 6 Kapiro'; cifia rfj crra<^vXr) epvOpalveTai,
Kol ytvovrac olov (f)aKol Xeirrol avyKev/xevor
^OTpv(oBe<; Be to a)(r)iJia kcu tovtwv. e^j^et Be ro
cf>apfj,aK(oBe<; tovto o KuXelrai pov<; iv avTw
6(TT0)Be<i, o KoX rrj<i pov BirjTrrjfjLemjf; ej^et 7ro\Xa«t9'
pC^a 8' iir iiroXaio'i koX fxovo(f)vr}<; ware dva-
Ka/jbTTTecrdac paBLQi<; oXoppc^a- to Be ^vXov evre-
pLcovrjv e)(^ei, ev(f)Oaprov Be Kal Koinoixevov. iv
Tvacn Be 'yiyveraL Tot9 T07rot9, evOevel Be fxdXiaTa
iv T0t9 dpyiXcoBecri.
TloXveiBrjf Be 6 kltto^;' koX <yap €77/76409, Be
ei9 vy^o<i alp6fM€vo<i' koI tcov iv v-yjrei nrXelai jevrj.
rpCa 8' ovv (})aLveTai ra /xeyia-ra 6 re XevK6<i koI
6 fieXa<; Kal rpirov rj eXi,^. eiBr] Be Kal eKdarou
rovTcov TrXeioi. XevKo<i yap 6 fiev tS> Kapiru)
fiovov, 6 Be Kal roi<i (f)vXXoL<; icrrl. irdXcv Be tcov
XevKOKdpTTcov jxovov 6 fxev dBpov Kal ttvkvov Kal
avveaTTjKOTa tov Kapirov e^et KaOairepel acjiaipav,
1 Plin. 13. 55; 24. 91.
- ffToixe'iv: cf. 3. 5. 3 ; Plin. 13. 55.
^ ^orpvciSes conj. W. ; $orpvriS6v U; ^orpvo6v Aid.
* 6 povs masc. cf. Diosc. 1. 108.
272
• ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xviii. 5-6
1 Of the sumacli they recognise a ' male ' and a
' female ' fomi, the former being barren, the latter
fruit-bearing. The branches are not lofty nor stout,
the leaf is like that of the elm, but small more
oblong and hairy. On the young shoots the leaves
grow in pairs at equal distances apart, corresponding
to each other on the two sides, so that they are in
regular rows.^ Tanners use this tree for dyeing
white leather. The flower is white and grows in
clusters ; the general form of it, with branchlets, is
like that of the grape-bunch ; when the flowering is
over, the fruit reddens like the grape, and the
appearance of it is like small lentils set close
together; the form of these too is clustering. ^ The
fruit contains the drug called by the same name,*
which is a bony substance ; it is often still found
even when the fruit has been put through a sieve.
The root is shallow and single, so that these trees
are easily bent right over,^ root and all. The wood
has heart-wood, and it readily perishes and gets
worm-eaten.6 The tree occurs in all regions, but
flourishes most in clayey soils.
" The ivy also has many forais ; one kind grows
on the ground, another grows tall, and of the tall-
growing ivies there are several kinds. However the
three most important seem to be the white the
black and the hdix. And of each of these there are
several forms. Of the ' white ' one is white only in
its fruit, another in its leaves also. Again to take
only white-fruited sorts, one of these has its fruit
well formed close and compact like a ball ; and this
^ i.e. nearly uprooted by wind.
« KoicrSfievov : c/. 8. 11. 2, 3 and 5.
" Plin. 16. 144-147.
273
THEOPHRASTUS
ov Br) KaXovcTL TiV€<i Kopv^^iav, ol S' WdijVTjcnv
^AxcipviKov. 6 Be iXaTTOiv SiaK€)(Vfievo<; coairep
Kol 6 fxeXa<i' e^ei Be Koi 6 fie\a<i Bia(f)opa'i dW
ov^ 6/xota)9 <f>av€pd<;.
7 'H Be eXi^ ip /jLeyio-rai.'i Bia(popal<i' koX yap
roU (f)v\\oi<; irXelarov Bia(^epet rfj re fiLKporrjri
KOL Tw ycovoeiBr] koI evpvOfxorepa elvar to, Be rov
KiTTOv 7repi(f)epecrTepa koI dirXa,' koX rw pirjKei
TOiv KXr]/jbdro)v koI ert t&) aKapiro'^ elvai. Bia-
reivovrai yap Tcve<i tS> fii] aTroKtrrovcrdat, rfj
^vcrec Tr)v eXiKU dXXa rr]V e/c rov kittov reXeiou-
fxevrjv. (el Be iraaa diroKLTTOvrai, Kaddrrep Tive^
(paaiv, r)XiKCa<; dv etrj koI Bia6eae(ii<; ovk etSou?
Bia(popd, KaOdnep koI t?}? drrrlov trpo^ ttjv
uxpdBa.) ttXtjv to <ye ^vXXov Koi ravTri^ ttoXv
Bia(j)epei Trpo? rov kljtov. cnrdviov Be tovto koI
. ev 6XiyoL<i earlv wcrre TraXaLOVfievov ixera^dXXeiv,
8 wcnrep iirl rrj<i XeuKr]<i koi tov Kp6rcovo<;. ciBt]
S' icrrl TtXeiui t7]<; eXi/co'i, <W9 p-ev ra Trpocpave-
(TTara koI pAyiara Xa^elv rpia, rj re j^Xoepd koI
7roi(oBr]<; rjirep Kal TTXelarri, /cat erepa i) Xev/cij, kol
rpLTr) 7] TTOCKiXr}, tjv Brj KaXovai Tive<i ^paKcav.
1 cf. Theocr. 11. 46. * Plin. 16. 145 foil.
' i.e. is the most ' distinct ' of the ivies.
^ c/. 1. 10. 1 ; Diosc. 2. 179.
^ i.e. as an explanation of the barrenness of helix.
* i.e. and so becomes fertile.
■^ SiaTehovrai : cf. G.P. 4. 6. 1. Star, r^ . . . apparently
= " insist on the view that," . . . but the dative is strange.
The sentence, which is highly elliptical, is freely emended bj'
most editors.
274
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xviii. 6-8
kind some call korymhias, but the Athenians call it the
' Acharnian ' ivy. Another kind is smaller and loose
in growth like the black ivy.^ There are also vari-
ations in the black kind, but they are not so M'ell
marked.
* The helix presents the greatest differences ^ ; the
principal difference is in the leaves/ which are small
angular and of more graceful proportions, while
those of the ivy proper are rounder and simple ;
there is also difference in the length of the twigs,
and further in the fact that this tree is barren. For,^
as to the view that the heliv by natural development
turns into the ivy,*^ some insist ' that this is not so,
the only true ivy according to these being that which
was ivy from the first^; (whereas if, as some say, the
heltji invariably ^ turns into ivy, the difference would
be merely one of age and condition, and not of kind,
like the difference between the cultivated and the
wild pear). However the leaf even of the full-
grown helix is very different from that of the ivy,
and it happens but rarely and in a few specimens
that in this plant a change in the leaf occurs as it
grows older, as it does in the abele and the castor-oil
plant.^** 1^ There are several forms of the helir, of
which the three most conspicuous and important are
the green ' herbaceous ' kind (which is the common-
est), the white, and the variegated, which some call
the ' Thracian ' heUx. Each of these appears to
' I.e. and helix being a distinct plant which is always
barren.
• vaaa conj. Sch.; iros Aid.
^^ Sc. as well as in ivy; cj. 1. 10. 1, where this change is
said to be characteristic of these three trees. (The rendering
attempted of this obscure section is mainly from W.'s note.)
" Plin. 16. U8 foil.
275
THEOPHRASTUS
eKaa-rr) 8e rovToav hoKel Sia^epetv /cal <yap tt}?
-^XocoSov; T) fiev XeTTTorepa koI Ta^i(f)vWoTepa
Koi ert, 7rv/cvocf)vWoTepa, 77 8' r/rrov Trdvra ravT
€)(pv<ra. Kol Trj<; irovKiXr)^ r/ jxev fxel^ov r/ 8'
ekuTTOv TO (f)vXX.ov, Koi TTjv iTOLKiXiav 8t,a-
^epovaa. o)aavT(a<; 8e /cat ra t^9 X€VKr}<i rSt
fie'^eOei koI rfj XP^^9 8ta(f)epovaiv. evav^eardTt]
he t] TTOicoSrjf; koI eirl irkeicrrov Trpo'iovaa. (f>avepav
5' elvai (f)a(Tiv ttjv diroKiTTOV fievrjv ov jxovov To2<i
^uX\oi<i on /ji€L^Q) Kol TrXarvrepa e-x^i aXka
KOL T0t9 ^XacxToW ev6v<i jap 6p6ov<i eyec, Kat
ov% Mcnrep t) erepa KaraKCKajjifxivi], Kal oia ttjv
XeTTTorrjTa Kal 8ia ro fjbrjKO^' rrj<i he KiTTcohov<i
Kal ^pa'X^vTepoi Kal irax^repoi. Kal 6 KCTT6<i
orav dp')(rjrai, airepfiovadai /xerecopov e'%et Kal
opOov TOV ^XauTov.
9 YloXyppL^a jxev ovv diraf; kitto<; Kal irvKvoppi-
^09 avveaT paixfievo<i Tai<i pii^ai<i Kal ^vXcohecrt Kal
7ra%etai9 ical ovk ajav ^aSvppi^o^, ixdXicna S' 6
fieXa^, Kal rov XevKOv 6 rpa^vrarof; Kal dypi(o-
raro<i' hi b Kal ;^aXe7ro9 TrapacfyveaSai irdai 7049
hevhpoi<i' drroXXvai yap irdvTa Kal dcpavaivet
71 apacpovfievci rrjv Tpo(f)7]v. Xa/x^dvei he fxaXicna
'Trd')(p'} ovro'i Kal dTrohevhpovrai Kal yiverai avTO
KaO^ avro kittov hevhpov. <jo<; 8' eirl to irXelov
elvac 7r/)09 erepw (piXel Kal ^rjrel Kal wairep
10 enraXXoKavXov iarcv, e)(^ei S' evdv^ Kal ri]<f
1 ra^KpvWorfpa conj. W. from Plin. 16. 149, folia in
ordinem digesta ; fiaKpoipvWoTepa MSS. cf. 1. 10. 8.
* KaTo/c€KayU;ue»'7j conj. W. ; KaraKeKav/j.fvri \J Aid. ; KaraKeKafi-
fifvovs conj. Sch.
^ KirrdSovs MSS.; irouSous conj. St. * cf. C.P. 1. 16. 4.
276
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. win. 8-10
present variations ; of the green one form is slenderer
and has more regular ^ and also closer leaves, the
other has all these characteristics in a less degree.
Of the variegated kind again one sort has a larger,
one a smaller leaf, and the variegation is variable.
In like manner the various forms of the white helix
differ in size and colour. The ' herbaceous ' kind is
the most vigorous and covers most space. They say
that the form which is supposed to turn into ivy is
clearly marked not only by its leaves, because they
are larger and broader, but also by its shoots ; for
these are straight from the first, and this form does
not bend over^ like the other; also because the
shoots are slenderer and larger, while those of the
ivy-like ^ form are shorter and stouter. * The ivy
too, when it begins to seed, has its shoots upward-
growing and erect.
All ivies have numerous close roots, which are
tangled together woody and stout, and do not run
very deep ; but this is specially true of the black
kind and of the roughest and wildest forms of the
white. Wherefore it is mischievous to plant this
against any tree ; for it destroys and stanes any
tree by withdrawing the moisture. This form also
more than the others grows stout and becomes tree-
like, and in fact becomes itself an independent ivy
tree, though in general it likes and seeks to be ^
against another tree, and is, as it were, jmrasitic.^
^Moreover from the first it has also this natural
* ilvai conj. W. ; aU\ UM ; oel Aid.
* i.e. depends on another tree; not, of course, in the
strict botanical sense, c/. 3. 18. 11. i-waWoKavKov conj.
Seal.; ixavKoKoXov MVAld.U (with v corrected), cf. irtpi-
a\\6Kav\os, 7. 8. 1 ; G.P. 2. 18. 2.
7 Plin. 16. 152.
277
THEOPHRASTUS
<^ucre(W<? Tt TOLOVTOv etc 'yap tmv ^XaaroiV d(f)lr}aiv
ael pi^a<i ava fxecrov tmv (pvWcov, alcnrep ivSveTat
Tot? BivBpoi<i KoX T0t9 'Tei,')(loL<; olov i^e7riT7]B€<;
Tre7roir]fMevat<; vtto tt}? (f)var€co<;' Bt o /cat e^atpov-
fievo<; rr)v vypoTTjra koX eXKwv d(f)avaiv€c, koL eav
diroKOTrfi /cdrcodev Svvarat Bia/xeveiv koX i^rjv.
€%€t he Kol erepav Siacfiopdv Kara tov Kapirov ov
fiiKpdv 6 fiev <ydp i7rLy\vKv<; icTTcv o Se acpoBpa
7riKpo<i Kot TOV \evKov Kol TOV fxeXavo'^' aTjfieiov
8' ore TOV /jb€v ecrOlovcTLV ol opvi06<; tov 8' ov.
TO, fiev ovv irepl tov klttov oi/t(W9 e%ef .
'H Be aplXd^ iaTL jxev eTraWoKavXov, 6 Be
Kav\o<i dKavOooBrj^i koI oiCTTrep 6p6dKav9o<i, to
Be (f)v\\ov /ciTTwSe? p^iKpov dycoviov, kuto, tt]v
fjbia'X^ov 7rp6(r(f)variv TvX'qpov. iBiov S* OTi ttjv re
Bid fjueaov TavTijv cjairep pd^i-v XeiTTijv e%ei
Kol ra? aT7]/xoviov<i BiaXi]ylr€t<; ovk diro TavTi}^,
MtTirep Tu Toov dXXwv, dXXd irepl avTrjv 7repi(f)epei<;
rjyjxeva'i diro t?79 '7rpoa(f)va€co<i tov [xl(X)(0V t«
(fivXXa). irapd Be tov KavXov Ta yovuTU kol
vapd Ttt'i BiaX€i'\lrei<; ra? (fivXXiKUf; etc twv uvtoov
p,icr')((ov TOi<? (pvXXof; 7rapa7re(})VKev iovXo<i Xcttto?
Kol eXt/CTo?* dvdo<; Be XevKov koI evcoBe<; Xeipivov
1 (Tn7\a^: ?/irXa| W. c/. 1. 10. 5; Plin. 16. 153-155.
2 iiraWSKavKov conj. Sch. ; inavASKavXov V. cf. 3. 18. 10.
' icavAhs conj. R. Const.; Kapnhs UMVAld.
* rv\7]p6v conj. W. ; voTr)p6v Ald.U (corrected).
* TowTijc: cf. rh ev\aKwSf^ tovto, 3. 7. 3. Is the pronoun
278
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xviii. lo-ii
characteristic, that it regularly puts forth roots from
the shoots between the leaves, by means of which
it gets a hold of trees and walls, as if these roots
Avere made by nature on purpose. Wherefore also
by withdrawing and drinking up the moisture it
starves its host, while, if it is cut off below, it is able
to survive and live. There are also other not incon-
siderable differences in the fruit ; both in the white
and in the black kind it is in some cases rather
sweet, in others extremely bitter ; in proof whereof
birds eat one but not the other. Such are the
facts about ivy.
The smilax ^ is parasitic,^ but its stem^ is thorny
and has, as it were, straight thorns ; the leaf is ivy-
like small and without angles, and makes a callus *
at the junction with the stalk. A peculiarity of
it is its conspicuous^ slender midrib, so to call it,
which divides it in two ; also the fact that the
thread-like branchings ^' do not start from this, as in
other leaves, but are carried in circles round it,
starting from the junction of the leaflet with the
leaf. And at the joints of the stem^ and the
spaces between the leaves there grows from the
same stalk as the leaves a fine spiral tendril. s The
flower is white and fragrant like a lily.^ The fruit
deictic, referring to an actual specimen shewn in lecture?
cj. also 4. 7. 1.
* ^ia\T)}^eis Aid. ; SjaAei^^efs UMV. A mistake probably
due to SioAefi^eis below, where it is right. hidKri^is is the
Aristotelian word for a 'division.'
" ToC Kav\ov TO y6vaTa couj. Sch.; rhv KUvKhv t)>v &tovov Wd.
* This must be the meaning of UvXos here, qualified by
kKiKr6s; but elsewhere it = catkin, c/. 3. 5. 5.
® \eipivov conj. R. Const, from Plin. I.e. dente lilium ;
^piv6v UAld.
279
THEOPHRASTUS
Tov Be /^apirov e%et irpocrefxcfjepi] too arpv^vco koX
Tc5 jxrfKdoOpa) kol /xaXiaTa t^ KaXov/xevrj aTa^vX-fj
12 dypia' KuraKpefMaarot S' ol ^orpve^ kittov rpo-
irov Trapeyyi^ei 5' 6 7rapadpcjKi(7fio<; irpof rrjv
(Tra<f>v\i]V' aTTo jap evo<i criqfxeiov ol iJila-)(pi ol
payiKoL 6 Se Kapiro'i ipvOpS^, ex^v 7rvpr]va<; to
fiev CTTt Trdv Svo, iv T0t9 fiel^oai rpel^ iv Be toi<;
/jiiKpoi<; eva' (rKXt]po<i S' o 7rvpr)v €v fidXa kol t&5
■)(^p(t)fiaTi fi€Xa<i e^codev. cSiov Be ro tmu ^orpixov,
on eK TrXayicov re tov KavXou TrapaOpiyKL^ovcriv,
KOi KUT OLKpOV 6 pAyLOTO^ ^0Tpv<i TOV KUVXoV,
wairep errl Tijf pd/xvov Kal tov ^drov. tovto Be
BrjXov 0)9 Kal uKpoKapirov Kal TrXayioKapTrov.
13 [To 5' evd)vvfio<i KaXovjxevov BevBpov ^veTai fiev
dXXoOi T6 Kal Trj'i Aia^ov iv tm opei t& ^OpBvv-
vw KaXovfjLevq)' ecTTL Be tjXlkov poa Kal to <pvXXov
ex^t poo)Be<i, fxet^ov Be rj ')(^a/xaiBd(jiV7]<i, Kal fiaXa-
Kov Be cocntep rj poa. rj Be ^XdaTricn<; dp'X^eTac
jxev avTw irepl tov YioareiBeoiva' dvOei Be rov
ripo^' TO Be dv6o<i ofioiov Trjv X/Joai/ Ta> XevKa>
lO)' o^ei Be Becvov wairep <^6vov. 6 Be Kapiro'i
efj,<f)epr]<; ttjv fjiop(fii]v fxeTa tov KeXv^ov<i tm tov
arjadfjbov Xo^a>' evBoOev Be aTepeov ttXtju Birjprf-
fjuevov KUTO, TTfV TCTpaaToixlctv. TOVTO eadio-
^ Presumably a. & fSdSi/xos. See Index.
^ iraptyyt^fL 8' 6 irapadpiyKifffihs I conj., c/. irapadptyKiCovcri
below; -rrapoiyyv^ei Se irapaBpivaKiCei Se cbj U; Trapayyi^d Si
irapaeprivaKl^et 5f vs MV; irapaepiyKiCfi S« iis conj. W,
280
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xvni. 11-13
is like the strykhnos^ and the meloihron (bryony),
and most of all like the berry which is called the
' wild grape ' (bryon}-). The clusters hang down as
in the ivy, but the regular setting - of the berries
resembles the grape-cluster more closely ; for the
stalks which bear the berries start from a single
point. The fruit is red, having generally two stones,
the larger ones three and the smaller one ; the
stone is very hard and in colour black outside. A
peculiarity of the clusters is that they make a row^
along the sides of the stalk, and the longest cluster
is at the end of the stalk, as in the buckthorn and
the bramble. It is clear that the fruit is produced
both at the end and at the sides.
* The tree called the spindle-tree ^ grows, among
other places, in Lesbos, on the mountain called
Ordynnos.^ It is as large as the pomegranate and
has a leaf like that of that tree, but larger than that
of the periwinkle,'^ and soft, like the pomegranate
leaf. It begins to shoot about the month Poseideon,^
and flowers in the spring ; the flower in colour is
like the gilliflower, but it has a horrible smell, like
shed blood.^ The fruit, with its case, is like the
pod of sesame ^^ ; inside it is hard, but it splits easily
according to its four divisions. This tree, if eaten
' ■KapaOpLyKi^ovcriv conj. Sch. ; irapadpvyKi^ovffav U (cor-
ructed) ; irapa0pvyyi(ov<Ti M.
* This section down to the word avoxv is clearh' out of
place : evdwuos was not one of the plants proposed for dis-
cission 3. 18. 1. It should come somewhere among the
descriptions of trees characteristic of special localities.
* Plin. 13. 118. « cf. Plin. 5. 140.
" This irrelevant comparison probably indicates confusion
ill the text, as is shewn also by Pletho's excerpt of part of
this section : see Sch.
^ January. » f6voy: cf. 6. 4. 6. i" cf. 8. 5. 2.
?3i
THEOPHRASTUS
IJbeVOV VTTO TMV TTpO^aTCOV UTTOKTlVVVet, Kol TO
(^liXKov Kol 6 Kapiro^, kuI fiaXiaTa Ta9 alyaf
iav fir) KaOdpa-eco^ '^^XV- KaOaiperai he dv-
^XV"] '^^P' t^^^ °^^ BevSpcov KoX Odfivcov
etprjrai' ev he TOt<; I^t}? Trepl rwv \eL'iTO[xevcov
\eKTeov.
282
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xvm. 13
by sheep, is fatal ^ to them, both the leaf and the
fruit, and it is especially fatal to goats unless they
are purged by it ; and the purging is effected by
diarrhoea.2 So we have spoken of trees and
shrubs ; in what follows we must speak of the
plants which remain.
^ In Pletho's excerpt (see above) this is said of periwinkle.
' I.e. and not by vomiting.
283
BOOK IV
I. At fxev ovv Si.a(f)opal tmp o/jboyevMV T€0e(o-
prjvrai Trporepov. airavra S' iv Tol<i oiKeioi'i
T07roi9 KaWico yiverat koX p.aWov evadevel- kuX
<yap Toi<i aypLoi<; elalv eKdaroL<i ocKeLOt, KaOdirep
T0t9 Tj/nepoi^;' TO, fiev yap ^tXet TOv<i €(f)v8pov'i
KoX €\(oBei<;, otov atyeLpo<i \evK7] Irea Koi 6\fo<i ra
irapa rov'i 7rora/jLOv<; (J3v6fM€va, to, Be tov<; evcrKe-
Tret? Kul evrfkiov<;, to, 8e fxdWov rov<i 7ra\icrKLov<;.
TrevKt] fxev yap iv Tol<i irpoaeiXoi'i KaWlarr] koI
fiey[a-T7], iv he tol^ 7ra\i(TK[oi<; oX&)9 ov (f)verat'
iXuTT} Se dvcLTtaXiv iv rolf; TraXicrKiOi^ KaWiarr)
Tot9 S' eve'iKoi^ ov^ d/xoi&)9.
'Ez/ ^ApKahia yovv wepl rrjv K.pdvijv koKov-
fMevrjv Toiro^ iarc Ti9 KolXo<i /cat aTTvov;, eU ov
ovheiroO^ oX&)9 rfkiov i/x^dWeiv (^aaiv iv tovtm
Se TToXv Sta(j>epovaiv al iXdraL kuI tw yu.?;/c6i koI
TM 7rd')(^ei,, ov {jli-jv 6fJ,OLco<; ye rrvKval ovS' copalai
aXA,' rjKcaTa, KaOdirep Kal al irevKai al iv Tot9
TTa\l(TKLOL<i' 8l Kul 7r/309 TO, TToXvTeXi] TMV
epycov, olov dvpco/xara Kal el ri dWo cnrovSacov,
ov 'X^pcovrat tovtoi'? dWa 7rpb<; Ta<; vavirr^yia^
fiaXkov Kal Ta9 ocKoSo/jid'i' Kal yap 80K0I koWl-
286
BOOK IV
Of the Trf:e3 and Plants special to particclar
■|V- Districts and Positions.
^■^ O/" the importance of position and climate.
I. The differences between trees of the same kind
have already been considered. Now all grow fairer
and are more vigorous in their proper positions ; for
V ild, no less than cultivated trees, have each their
own positions : some love wet and marshy ground, as
black poplar abele willow, and in general those that
grow by rivers ; some love exposed ^ and sunny
positions ; some prefer a shady place. The fir is
fairest and tallest in a sunny position, and does not
grow at all in a shady one ; the silver-fir on the
contrary is fairest in a shady place, and not so
vigorous in a sunny one.
Thus there is in Arcadia near the place called
Krane a low-lying district sheltered from wind, into
which they say that the sun never strikes ; and in
this district the silver-firs excel greatly in height and
stoutness, though they have not such close grain
nor such comely wood, but quite the reverse, — like
the fir when it grows in a shady place. Where-
fore men do not use these for expensive work, such
as doors or other choice articles, but rather for
ship-building and house-building. For excellent
^ (iiffKfirf'is should mean ' sheltered,' but cauiiot in this
context, nor in C.P. 1. 13. 11 and J2: the word seems to
have been confused with eCff/coiros.
287
THEOPHRASTUS
arai koI ravetai koI Kepaiac at eic tovtcov, en S'
i(TTol Tw /j,r]K€t, Bia(f)6povre^ dXX' ov')(^ 6fioia)<i
lo-^vpov' KoX CK Tcoy TTpoaeiXcov cifjia rfj $pa-)(yjr]TL
TTVKvorepoi re eKcivcov koL la-'xypojepoi, yCvovraL.
Taipei 8e cr^oBpa kuI tj p,[\o<i rot? 7ra\.icrKi,oc<;
Kol rj 7rdSo<; Koi rj Opav7raXo<;. irepl Be ra<i
Kopv(f)a<; TMv opeoiv kcu tou? ■yjrvxpov'i roTTOv^i 6via
fiev (pverat koI ei? v-^o<;, eXdrrj 8e Kol dpKevdo<?
<f>verai p,ev ovk eh i5i/ro9 Be, KaOdirep Koi irepX rrjv
UKpav K.vWi]vrjv' (pverai Be /cal 77 Kt]\aaTpo<i
€7rl tS)v d/cpcov Koi 'X^eipeptoardrwv. raina pev
ovv dv rL<i Oeirj ^Ck.6-^v')(^pa' rd S' dWa iravra
0)9 elirelv [ou] pdXKov ')(^aipei roi<; 7rpocrei\oi<i.
ov firjv dWd Koi tovto avp^aivet, Kara rrjV
'Xjcapav rrjv OLKeiav eKacTTW rSiv BevBpwv. ev
K.p7]rr} yovv t^acTLv ev Tol^^lBaiOL<i6pe(Ti KaievTOi<;
AevKol<i KokovpevoL^ iirl rwv aKpcov odev ovBeiroT
eTTtXeiTret %f<wi' KvirdpiTTov elvar TrXeicnr} jdp
avTrj Trj<; vXtji; kol 6XQ)<i ev rfj vi')cr(p Kal ev TOi?
opecriv.
"EcTTt Be, wairep koI irporepov eipTjrai, Kal r&v
dypiav Kal roov rjpepoov rd p,ev opetvd rd Be
TreBeivd p,dXXov. dvaXoyCa Be Kal ev avTOi<i TOt«?
opeari rd puev ev roif viroKaTco rd Be irepl rd<i
Kopv<pd<i, ware Kal KaXX'tw ytverai Kal evcrOevrj.
navraxov Be Kal 7rdcrr]<; rrj<i i/Xt;? 7rpo9 ^oppdv
rd ^vXa irvKvorepa Kal ovXorepa Kal dirXa)^
KaXXio)' Kal oX(o<; Be TrXeloo ev rol<i '7rpo<T^opeloL<i
^verai. av^dverat Be Kal iiriBiBcoa-L rd irvKva
^ I omit 0/ before Ktpaiai with P.
^ afia I conj. ; aWii Aid.; om. W. after Sch.; a\A' dfia
conj. St.
288
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. i. 2-4
rafters beams and yard-arms ^ are made from these,
and also masts of great length which are not however
equally strong ; while masts made of trees grown in
a sunny place are necessarily- short but of closer
grain and stronger than the others.
Yew pados and joint-fir rejoice exceedingly in
shade. On mountain tops and in cold jwsitions
odorous cedar grows even to a height, while silver-fir
and Phoenician cedar grow, but not to a height, —
for instance on the top of Mount Cyllene ; and holly
also grows in high and very wintry positions. These
trees then we may reckon as cold-loving ; all others,
one may say in general, prefer a sunny position.
However this too depends partly on the soil appro-
priate to each tree ; thus they say that in Crete on
the mountains of Ida and on those called the White
Mountains the cypress is found on the peaks whence
the snow never disappears ; for this is the principal
tree both in the island generally and in the moun-
tains.
Again, as has been said ^ already, both of wild and
of cultivated trees some belong more to the moun-
tains, some to the plains. And on the mountains
themselves in proportion to the height some grow
fairer * and more vigorous in the lower regions, some
about the peaks. However it is true of all trees
anywhere that with a north aspect the wood is
closer and more compact^ and better generally; and,
generally speaking, more trees grow in positions
facing the north. Again trees which are close
3 3. 2 4.
* Something seems to have dropped out before iart.
' ovKoTfpa. conj. W. from mutilated word in U; KaK\imr*pa
MV; KaWia Aid.
289
THEOPHRASTUS
fxev ovra fiaXXov eh /mrJKO'i, 8t o Kol avo^a koX
evOia KoX 6pdo(f)vrj yiverai, Kol Kco7re(bv€<; e'/c
Tovrcov KoXkicnoL' <ra Se fiava> jxaXkov ei<i
^dOo<; Kal 7ra;^09, Bt o koX a/co\tcoT€pa Kal
o^wSea-repa koX to o\ov aTepeoorepa koX TrvKvojepa
(f>V€Tai.
6 Xx^^ov Be Ta<i avra<i exct Bia(f)Opa<i tovtoi^;
Kal iv T0i9 TToXtaKLOC^ Kal iv rot? 6veLK,oi<; Kal ev
roi<; a.TTvooL'i Kal evrrvoot^;- o^coBeaTepa yap Kal
^pa^vTepa Kal yrrov evdea ra iv T0t9 euetXoi?
^ TOif TrpoaTjve/Jioi'i. on Be eKaarov ^rjrel Kal
X(opav oiKeiav Kal Kpdcriv aepo<; (pavepov tm to,
pblv (f)epeiv evlov<; roirov; ra Be firj (pepeiv [xrjTe
avra yiyvof^eva /Mijre (pvTevofxeva paBto)<i, iav Be
Kal avriXd^rjrai firj Kap7ro(f>opecv, axrirep iirl rov
(jiOLVCKo^; eXex^V '^'^^ '^^'* Alyv7rria<i avKafiivov
Kal dWcov elalydp TrXeLco Kal iv TrXeiocn ^wpat?
TO, fiev 6Xo}<i ov (})v6/j,eva rd Be <f)v6p.eva fiev
dvav^rj Be Kal dKapira Kal ro okov (pavXa. rrepl
a>v ta(o<i XeKreov e(^' ocrov exofiev iaTopLa<i.
IT. 'Ev AlyvTTTO) ydp iariv IBia BevBpa irXeiw,
ri re avKd/iiivo<; Kal r) irepaea KaXov/uevT] Kal t)
^d\avo<i Kal r/ aKavOa Kal erep' drra.
"Ecrrt Be rj puev avKdfjiivo'} TrapaTrXrjata 7rft)9 tj]
ivravda avKap^tvo)' Kal ydp to (pvXXov irapopiOiov
^ Kwvewves : cf. 5. 1. 7. ^ rh Se fiava add. W.
8 cf. 5. 1. 8. * 2. 2. 10.
ifva
290
8\ais . . . fxtv con], W. ; oKws oh d)vrtv6u.(va\] ; oAuis (bvTtvo-
fxeva MVPAld.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. i. 4-11. i
together grow and increase more in height, and so
become unbranched straight and erect, and the best
oar-spars 1 are made from these, while those that
grow far apart 2 are of greater bulk and denser
habit 3 ; wherefore they grow less straight and with
more branches, and in general have harder wood and
a closer grain.
Such trees exhibit nearly the same differences,
whether the position be shady or sunny, windless or
windy ; for trees growing in a sunny or Mindv
position are more branched shorter and less straight.
Further that each tree seeks an appropriate position
and climate is plain from the fact that some districts
bear some trees but not others ; (the latter do not
grow there of their own accord, nor can thev easily
be made to grow), and that, even if they obtain a
hold, they do not bear fruit — as was said"* of the
date-palm the sycamore and others ; for there are
many trees which in manv places either do not grow
at all, or,^ if they do, do not thrive nor bear fruit,
but are in general of inferior quality. And perhaps
we should discuss this matter, so far as our enquiries
go-
Of the trees special to Egtfpt, and of the carob.
II. 6 ITius in Eg}-pt there are a number of trees
which are peculiar" to that country, the sycamore
the tree called persea the balanos the acacia and
some others.
Now the sycamore to a certain extent resembles
the tree which bears that name ^ in our country ; its
« Plin. 13. 56 and 57.
' Xhij. conj. R. Const. ; et-ux Aid.
* I.e. mulberry. See Index.
291
u 2
THEOPHRASTUS
e;^efc koI to /i€yeOo<i koI rrjv okrjv irpoao'^LV, rbv
8e KapiTOV Ihiwi (fiipec irapa ra dWa, KaOdirep
eXe^Of] KOI iv TOi<i i^ dp^^'i' ov yap aTro rwv
^Xaartov ouS' aTro tmv dKpep,6v(ov dXX! ix tov
(TTeXe'X^ov'i, fieyeOo^i jxev rjXiKOv avKov koI rfj o-yfrei
Be TrapaTrXrjcnov, Ta> %fX&) Be koX rfj yXvKvrtjTt
TOtf 6Xvvdoi<i, ttXtjv yXvKVTepov ttoXv koI Kcy-
'X^papISat; 6Xco<i ovk ej(ovTa, nXijOei Be ttoXvv.
Kal irerTeiv ov BvvaraL p,r) eiriKviadevra' aXX,'
€)(0VTe<i ovv^wi (TLBrjpov'i eTTiKvi^ovaiv a 8' dv
iiriKVLaOff reraprala ireTTerar tovtmv S' d(f)ai-
pedevToov irdXiv dXXa (jiveTat koI dXXa koX i/c
rod avTov tottov firjBev TrapaXXdrrovTa' koI
rov6^ ol fiev Tph ol Be TrXeovaKi'; (^acrl ylveaQai.
2 TToXvoTTOv Be TO BkvBpov (T(f)6Bpa cVti Kal TO ^vXov
avTov eh TToXXd ')(^pi]aipov. cBcov Be e'X^eiv BoKet
irapd raXXa- Tfirjdev yap ev6v<i ^(Xcopov ecrrr
avaiverai Be ejx^vQLov et9 ^odpov Be efi^dXXova-t
Kal 619 Ta? Xifiva<; €v6v<; Kal Tapi')(evovai.'
^pexofievov 6' ev tw ^vOw ^rjpaLveraf Kal orav
TeXect)? ^rjpov yevrjrai, Tore dva^eperat Kal einvel
Kal BoKel Tore KaXco^; rer a pi'^^evcr Oat' yiverai yap
Kovcf)ov Kal puavov. 97 fxeu ovv avKdfx,cvo<{ €')(ei
ravra<; rd<; lBL6rrjra<i,
3 "Eot/ce Be ri<i wapaTrXTjcrla r) (pvaif elvai Kal
rrj^ ev Kpijrr] KaXovp.evr}<i K.V7rpta<i avKrjf;- Kal
yap eKeivT] ^epei rov Kapirov e'/c rov areXexov<i
Kal eK roiv Trax^rdrwv aKpe/novcov, ttXtjv on
^acrrov nva d^irjcn /jciKpov d(f)vXXov axnrep
pi^Lov, 7rpb<; m ye 6 Kapiro'i. to Be crreXe^O'i fxeya
M. 1. 7 ; c/. 1, 14 2.
2 cf. G.P. 1. 17. 9; Diosc. 1. 127; Athen. 2. 36. This
292
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. ii. 1-3
leaf is similar, its size, and its general appearance ;
but it bears its fruit in a quite peculiar manner, as
was said at the very outset ^ ; it is borne not on the
shoots or branches, but on the stem ; in size it is as
large as a fig, which it resembles also in appearance,
but in flavour and sweetness it is like the ' immature
figs,' except that it is much sweeter and contains
absolutely no seeds, and it is produced in large
numbers. It cannot ripen unless it is scraped; but
they scrape it with iron ' claws ' ^ ; the fruits thus
scraped ripen in four days. If these are removed,
others and others again grow from exactly the same
point, and this some say occurs three times over,
others say it can happen more times than that.
Again the tree is very full of sap, and its wood is
useful for many purposes. There is another peculiar
property which it appears to possess ; when it is
cut, it is at first green, but it dries in deep water ^ ;
they put it at once in a hole or in pools and so season
it ; and it becomes dry by being soaked in the deep
water, and when it is completely dry, it is fetched up
and floats and is then thought to be duly seasoned ;
for it is now light and porous. Such are the
peculiarities of the s^xamore.
Somewhat similar appears to be the character of
the tree which in Crete is called the ' Cyprian fig ' *
(sycamore). For this also bears its fruit on the stem
and on the thickest branches ; but in this case there
is a small leafless shoot, like a root, to whicli the
fruit is attached. The stem is large and like the
scraping was the prophet Amos' occupation : c/. Amos 7. 14.
comm.
• ifi&veiov conj. W.; tls fivBov UMVPAld. ? iv Bvdcf) hu.
* See Index, c/. Athen. 3. 11 ; Plin. 13. 58 ; Diosc. 1. 127. 3.
293
THEOPHRASTUS
KOi irapofMoiov t^ Xev/cr}, (fivWov Be rfj irreXea.
ireiralvei, he TeTTapa<; tcap7rov<;, oaanrep avrov koL
at ^Xaarrj(TeL<i' ovheva 8e TreTraivei /mt) eTTiT/xr]-
6evT0<; Tou ipivov koX eKpvevro^ rov oirov. rj Se
'y\vKvrr]<i 7rpoaep,(f}epr)<i ru) av/cw Kal to, eawOev
Tol<i epLVol<i' fxe'yedo'i tjXikov KOKKvprjXov.
(Tavrr] Se TrapaTrXrjcria Kal rjv ol "Ifwt'e? Kepw-
viav KaXovcnv e« rov areXe)(ov<i yap Kal avrrj
(pipei TOP irXelarov Kapirov, airo he tmv aKpe/xovcop,
wcnrep etiropev, oXlyov. 6 Se Kapiro'; eA.Xoy9o9, ov
KaXoval riv6<; AlyvnTtov avKov Bii]p,apT7]K6Te<;'
ov yiverac yap 6Xco<; irepl Atyuirrov dXX' iv Xvpla
Kal iv ^Icovla 8e Kal irepl KvlSov Kal 'l^ohov.
aetcfiuXXov Se Kal av9o^ eKXevKov e%oi; Kal tl
^apvT7jT0<i, p,r) fi€T€(opi^ov Se cr(f)6Spa Kal oX&)9
€K TOiv Karoo Trapa^XacrTTjTiKov avwdev he
vTTO^rjpacvofievov. e;^et 8e afia Kal rov evov Kal
rov veov Kapirov a<paipovpLevov yap Oarepov fxera
Kvva Kal 6 erepo<; evOv<i (pavepo'i Kvovfxevo^'
Kverai yap warrep ^orpvi ofioa'X^rjfKov elr av^rj-
6el<i avOel irepl ^ApKrovpov Kal larjp^epLav avro
rovrov Br) BiafMevei rov x^ificbva /ie%/Ot K.vv6<;. rj
fxev ovv 6fxot6r7]<; on areXe)(6Kap'7Ta Kal ravra'
8ia(popal he at elprjfievai 7rp6<; rrjv crvKdp,ivov.)
'Ey AlyvTrrcp S' iarlv erepov rj rrepaea KaXov-
fjLevov, rfi p,ev rrpoao'^et /xeya Kal KaXov, irapa-
iTXrjcnov Be puoKiara rrj diriw Kal <^vXXol^ Kal
dvOeat Kal dKpep,o<Ji Kal ru) oXro a')(r]iJbarr TrXrjv
^ ocratvep conj. R. Const., etc., cf. Athen. I.e.; oaa vnep
avTov U (corrected) ; Soa v-nep avrhv Si ; oca uirip avrov Aid.
2 Plin. 13. 59. 3 1. 14. 2.
294
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. ii. 3-5
abele, but the leaf is like that of the elm. It ripens
its fruit four times a year, having also ^ four periods
of growth ; but it ripens no fruit unless the ' fig ' is
split and the juice let out. The sweet taste resembles
that of the fig, and the inside of the fruit is like
that of wild figs : it is as large as a plum.
2 (Like this too is the tree which the lonians call
carob ; for this too bears most of its fruit on the
stem, though it bears a little also on the branches, as
we said.^ The fruit is in a pod ; some call it the
' Egyptian fig ' — erroneously ; for it does not occur at
all in Egypt, but in Syria and Ionia and also in
Cnidos and Rhodes. It is evergreen and has a
whitish flower and is somewhat acrid ; it does not
attain to a great height, and it sends out side-shoots
entirely from its lower parts, while it withers above.
It has on it at the same time both last year's fruit
and the new fruit ; for if the one is removed after the
rising of the dog-star, immediately the other is seen
swelling up ; for there swells * up as it were another
similar cluster. This then increases and flowers
about the rising of Arcturus and the equinox ; and
thenceforward it ^ persists through the winter to the
rising of the dog-star. The likeness then consists in
the fact that these trees too bear finiit on their stems,
and the differences between them and the sycamore
are as has been said.)
^ In Egypt there is another tree called the persea,
which in appearance is large and fair, and it most
— resembles the pear in leaves flowers branches and
general form, but it is evergreen, while the other is
* Kvirai conj. W. from G ; Kvei MSS.
* i.e. the cluster, now in the fruit stage.
« Plin. 13. 60 and 61.
295
THEOPHRASTUS
TO fiev a€L(f)vWov rb Be <pvXXo^6\ov. Kapirov Se
(pepet TToXvv Kal iracrav wpav TrepiKaTaXa/x^dvei
ryap 6 7-609 ael tov evov Trerret he vtto toi"?
errjala^' tov S' dXXov oofxorepov acpaipovcn, Kal
airondeaaiv. ecrri 8e to fj.ey€do<i rjXtKov a7rt09,
TW a'X^tjp.aTi Be irpop.aKpo'i a/xvySaXcoBrji;, ■^pcofia
Be avTOV TTOtwSe?- e-^^eL Be ivrb^ Kapvov, coairep
TO kokkv/jL7}\ov, ttXtjv eXuTTOV TToXv Kal ^aXaKOi-
repov rrjv Be crdpKa yXvKeiav a(f)6Bpa Kal rjBelav
Kal ev-neTTTOV ovBev yap evo')(Xel iroXv irpoa-
eveyKafievcov. evpi^ov Be to BevBpov Kal ixi-jKei
Kal 7rd)(^ec Kal TrXrjOei ttoXv' e')(eL Be Kal ^vXov
i(X')(ypov Kal KaXov rfj oyjrei /iieXav, coairep 6 Xwto?,
e^ ov Kal TO, dydXfiara Kal ra KXivia Kal
TpaTre^ia Kal raXXa to, TOiavra Troiovaiv.
'H Be ^dXavo<i e^ei fiev Tr)v Trpoarjyopiav diro
TOV KapiTov' (fivXXov S' avjfj TrapairXrjaLov t«
T?79 fjbvppivTj'i 7rXr)v Trpo/jbrjKearepov. eari Be to
BevBpov eviraxh [xev Kal evp,eyede<;, ovk eixpvh
Be dXXa Trapearpa/xfxevov. tov Kapirov Be Tot?
KeXv(f)eai y^poiVTai ol puvpe-^ol kotttovte^' euo)Be<;
yap e'xei tov Be Kaptrov avTov d')(peiov. eaTi Be
Kal T(p jjieyWei, Kal tt) o-yjrei. mrapaTrXrjcno'i tm t?}?
Ka7r7rdpio<i' ^vXov Be la^vpov Kal el<i aXXa Te
'^ptjai/xov Kal eh Ta<; vavTrriyla^.
To Be KaXovfxevov KovKi6(pop6v icrTCV ofioiov t&)
(pOLViKf Trjv Be op-oioTTjTa KaTO, TO (TTeXe')(o^
e%ei Kal to, cjjvXXa' Bia^epei Be otl 6 fiev (f)olvi^
fiovo(f)ve(i Kal dirXovv icTTi, tovto Be Trpoaav^rjdev
cr^t^eTat Kal ylveTai BtKpovv, eWa irdXtv eKUTepov
1 aTTOTLBeaaiv conj. R. Const, from G (recondunt) ; riQiaai
UMVAld.
296
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. ii. 5-7
deciduous. It bears abundant fruit and at every
season, for the new fruit always overtakes that of
last year. It ripens its fruit at the season of the
etesian winds : the other fruit they gather somewhat
unripe and store ^ it. In size it is as large as a pear,
but in shape it is oblong, almond-shaped, and its
colour is grass-green. It has inside a stone like the
plum, but much smaller and softer; the flesh is
sweet and luscious and easily digested ; for it does
no hurt if one eats it in quantity. The tree has good
roots as to length thickness and number. Moreover
its wood is strong and fair in appearance, black like
the nettle-tree : out of it men make their images
beds tables and other such things.
2 The balanos gets its name from its fruit ^ ; its leaf
is like that of the myrtle * but it is longer. The
tree is of a good stoutness ^ and stature, but not of a
good shape, being crooked. The perfumers use the
husks of the fruit, which they bruise ; for this is
fragrant, though the fruit itself is useless. In size
and appearance it is like the fruit of the caper ; the
wood is strong and useful for shipbuilding and other
purposes.
^ The tree called the doum-palm is like the date-
palm ; the resemblance is in the stem and the leaves,
Ijut it differs in that the date-palm is a tree with a
single undivided stem, while the other, as it increases,
splits and becomes forked,*^ and then each of the two
2 Plin. 13. 61.
• i.e. it is like an acorn [BaKavoz).
* fivppivjis MVPAld.; fivplxrii U.
' firrox" conj. Sch. ; €v^a0(s \J ; oTaflei Ald.H.
« Plin. 1.3. 62.
^ cf. 2. 6. 9, where the same tree is evidently indicated.
lUpovv conj. Salm., Seal., etc.; ixpov UAld.H.
297
THEOPHRASTUS
TovTwv 6/jlol(o<;' €71 Sk Ta? pd^Sovi; ^pax^ia'i e^ec
a(f)6Spa Kol ov TToXA-a?. ')(^p(avrai he tw (f)vX\m,
Kaddirep ra> (polviKi, 7rp6<; ra TrXiy/xara. Kapirov
Se 'Ihiov e'%et ttoXv hia^epovra koI pbeyedet koX
a')(rjiJLarL koX %fXfo* /xeye0o<i fxev yap e')(ei a-)(ehov
')(etpoTr\r)6e<i' crrpoyyiiXov Se kol ov Trpo/jLijKrj'
'y^pwfia eTTL^avdov ^(yXov heyXvtcvv koI evcrTOfiov
ovK ddpoov he, wcnrep 6 (potpi^, dWa Ke'xwpto-fievov
Kad^ eva' irvpfjva he p,eyav kol a(f>68pa crKkrjpov,
€^ ov TOV<i KpiKOV^ TOppeVOVaC TOV? eh TOV<i
arpcofMaTet'i Tov<i 8ia7ToiKi\ov<;' hiacpepei Be ttoXv
TO ^vkov Tov cf)0LvtK0<;' TO p,ev yap fxavov koX
IvcoBa Kal 'X^avvov, to he ttvkvov /cal ^apv Kal
(rapKSyhe<; Kal hcarfirjOev oiikov (T(j)6hpa Kal
(TK\r)p6v ear IV. Kal oC ye hrj Uepaai iravv
erificop avro Kal eK rovrov tcov kXivwp eiroiovpro
TOl"? TToSa?.
'H he cLKapda KaXelrat fxev hid to dKav9o)he<i
6\op TO hephpov elvai irXrjv tov (TTe\e')(^ov<i' Kal
yap eirl toop aKpe/xovcop Kal eirl tcop ^XaaTwv
Kal iirl TCOP <^vK\wp e%et. iieyeOei he iieya, kuI
yap hcoheKdiTTj^v^ e^ avTrj<i €pey}nfio<; v\r} Te/xpeTai.
hiTTop he TO yevo<i avTr)<i, rj fxep ydp ecrTi XevKr)
7} he fxekaipa' Kal rj fxep \evKr} dadepi]<; t€ Kal
euarjTTTO';- r/ he pueXaipa la)(vpoTepa tc Kal
dar]7rT0<i, hi o Kal ep Tat? vavirr)yiai<i 'X^pooPTai
7rpo9 Ta eyKOiXia avTrj. to hephpov he ovk dyav
6pdo(j)ve<;. 6 he Kapiro'^ eXXol3o<;, KaOdirep twv
XehpoTTMP, ft} 'x^pcoPTai ol ey)((t)pL0L tt/oo? Ta hepfiaTa
dvTl Kr}Ki,ho<i. TO h' dp6o<; Kal ttj oyfret KaXop,
waTe Kal aTecpdpovi ttoibIp i^ avTov, Kal ^appui-
298
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. ii. 7-8
branches forks again : moreover the twigs are very
short and not numerous. They use the leaf, Hke the
palm-leaf, for plaiting. It has a peculiar fruit, very
different from that of the date-palm in size form and
taste ; for in size it is nearly big enough to fill the
hand, but it is round rather than long ; the colour is
yellowish, the flavour sweet and palatable. It does
not grow bunched together, like the fruit of the date-
palm, but each fruit grows separately ; it has a large
and very hard stone, out of which they turn the
rings for embroidered bed-hangings. ^ The wood is
very different to that of the date-{)alm ; whereas the
latter is of loose texture fibrous and porous,- that of
the doum-palm is close heavy and fleshy, and when
split is exceedingly compact and hard. The Persians ^
used to esteem it highly and made the feet of their
couches out of it.
*The akanlha (acacia) is so called because the
whole tree is spinous (akanfhodes) except the stem ;
for it has spines on the branches shoots and leaves.
It is of large stature, since lengths of timber for
roofing of twelve cubits are cut from it. There are
two kinds, the white and the black ; the white is weak
and easily decays, the black is stronger and less
liable to decay ; wherefore they use it in shipbuilding
for the ribs.^ The tree is not very erect in growth.
The fruit is in a pod, like that of leguminous plants,
and the natives use it for tanning hides instead of
gall. ^ The flower is very beautiful in appearance, so
that they make garlands of it, and it has medicinal
^ Plin. I.e., velares annulos ; cf. Athen. 12. 71, ad Jin.
• x'^^"'"' coiij. Sch.; x^'^P^'' Aid.
3 I.e. during their occupation of Egypt.
* Plin. 13. 63 ; Athen. 15. 25.
' cf. Hdt. 2. 96. « cf. Athen. I.e.
299
• THEOPHRASTUS
/cwSe?, Bi Kol avWeyovcnv ol iarpoi. yiveTai
8e €K TavTrj<; koI to Koixfir koI peei koI ttXt)-
yela-r]^ kol avTOfiarov avev o-^ao-eco?. orav Be
KOTrfj, fiera Tpirov eTO<; €vdv<; dva^e^daTTjKe'
TToXv Be TO BevBpov ea-Ti, Kal BpvfjLoi; p,€ya<; irepX
Tov ©Tj^aiKov vo/jLov, ovirep Kal rj Bpv<i Kal rj
irepcrea TrXeiarrj Kal rj ekda.
9 Kat <ydp rj i\da irepl tovtov tov tottov ecnl,
T(p TTorajJiw fxev ovk dpBevopevrj, irkelw yap rj
rpiaKocria ardBia direyei, vap.aTLaioi'^ S' vBacnv
elcrl yap Kprjvai iroWai. ro S' eXacov ovBev
')(elpov Tov ivddBe, ttXtjv KaKcoBearepov Bid to
(T7raviot<i Tol<i dXal 'X^prjaBar (fjvaec Be to ^vXov
TOV BepBpov Kal aKXrjpov Kal TrapaTrXrjcnov
refxvofJ.evov rrjv X/aoai/ rm XcoTivo).
10 "AXXo Be Ti BevBpov rj KOKKvprjXea, fieya /lep
ra> [xeyWei Kal rrjv (pvcriv rou Kapirov ofioiov toi<;
fiecnrlXois, Kal to p,eyedo<i irapairXricriov TrXrjv
e^ovTa TTvprjva (TTpoyyvXov dp')(^€Tai Be dvOelv
fi7jvo<i liIvaveyln(t)vo<;, tov Be Kapirov TreTraivei irepl
rfXiov Tpoird'i 'x^eipLepcvd'i' dei(f)vXXov S' icrTLV.
ol Be irepl ttjv Sr]0aiBa KaTOtKovvTe<i Bid Trjv
d^Oovtav TOV BevBpov ^rjpaivovcn tov Kapirov Kal
TOV irvprjva i^aipovvTC^ koittovcv Kal iroiovai
7raXd0a<i.
11 "TXrjpa Be iBiov ti (pveTai irepl M.efi(f)iv, ov
KaTa (f)vXXa Kal ^XaaT0v<i Kal Trjv oXrjv fiop<f)rjv
1 cf. Hdt. I.e.
^ ax'^'^^'os conj. U. Const.; ffxlffeus Aid.
3 TTAf/ffTT? conj. R. Const.; irAe/trij UMVAld,
■' cf. G.P. 6. 8. 7, where this olive is said to produce no oil.
« c/. Strabo, 17. 1. 35.
300
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. ii. 8-11
properties, wherefore physicians gather it. ^ Gum
is also produced from it, which flows both when the
tree is wounded and also of its own accord without
any incision ^ being made. When the tree is cut
down, after the third year it immediately shoots up
again ; it is a common tree, and there is a great wood
of it in the Thebaid, where grow the oak, the persea
in great abundance,^ and the olive.
* For the olive also grows in that district, though
it is not watered by the river, being more than 300
furlongs distant from it, but by brooks ; for there
are many springs. The oil produced is not inferior
to that of our country, except that it has a less
pleasing smell,^ because it has not a sufficient
natural supply of salt.*' The wood of the tree is hard
in character, and, when split, is like in colour" to '
that of the nettle-tree.
* There is another tree, the (Egyptian) plum
(sebesten), which is of great stature, and the
cliaracter of its fruit ^ is like the medlar (which it
resembles in size), except that it has a round stone.
It begins to flower in the month Pyanepsion,io and
ripens its fruit about the winter solstice, and it is
evergreen.il The inhabitants of the Thebaid, because
of the abundance of the tree, dry the fruit ; thev
take out the stones, bruise it, and make cakes of it.
There is a peculiar bush ^^ which grows about
Memphis, whose peculiarity does not lie in its leaves
^ ffxaviojj . . . (pvffft conj. W. ; ffxavlws rols oA<rt xp- ""^
fifffi Aid. ; so U, but omitting t^.
' t.e^ black, cf. 4. 3. 1. » Plin. 13. 64 andGo.
* Tov Kapvov add. Seal, from G and Plin. I.e. ^" October.
" afi<pv\\oy conj. Seal, from G and Plin./. c.;<foA\oi'UMV Aid.
^* Mimosa asptrata ; see Index, App. (2). vKt)fxa conj. Seal.
from G (materia) ; oXSvfui MAld.U (corrected).
301
THEOPHRASTUS
e%oi/ TO 'iSwv aXV et? to av/x^aivov irepl avTo
nradd' tj fiev yap 7rp6ao-\jn<; aKavdwhrj^; ecrrlv
avTOv, KoX TO <j)vX\.ov Trapo/xoiop rat? irTep-
iaiv OTav he tc<{ a-^r)Tai tmv kXcovIcov, Scnrep
d<j)avaLv6fjLeva to, <f)vWa av/xTTLTTTeiv (pacrlv etra
fiCTo, Tiva '^povov ava^tcocTKecrdac ttoXlv kuI
OaXkeiv. Kol Ta [xev thia Tr]<; ')((i)pa^, ocra y
av BevSpa Ti9 ^ Od/xvovi ecTTOi, to, y eTTKpave-
araTa tuvt eVxi. irepl yap twv iv tw •rroTafiS)
Kal Tol<} eXeaiv vcTTepov ipov/xev, otuv kuI irepl
TOiv aWwv ivvBpcov.
12 [" AiravTU Be iv ttj X^P'f "^^ BevBpa Ta Totavra
fieyaXa Kal Tolf firjKecn KOi to?? 'ird')(ecnv iv
yovv M^ifxcjiiBt TrfkiKovTO BevBpov elvai XeyeTai
to 7ra^09, Tpel<; avBpe<i ov BvvavTUL Trepikapb^d-
vecv. eaTi Be Kal TfirjOev to ^vkov KaXov ttvkvov
re yap acfioBpa Kal tw ')(^pcofiaTL \coToeiBe<;.]
III. 'Ei/ Ai^vT) Be 6 Xa>TO<i 7r\et<TT09 Kal koX-
\i(TTO^ Kal 6 Tra\iovpo<i Kal ev Ttat, fxepeai tj} re
NacraficoviKT] Kal Trap* ^Afxficovi. Kal dXX.oi<; 6
^oivt^' iv Be Tfi Kvprjvata KV7rdptcr(T0<i Kal iXdat
re KoWicTTai Kal eXaiov irXelaTOV. IBicoTaTOv
Be irdvTcov to aiX(f)iov eVi KpoKov iroXvv rj %(w/3a
<f)epei Kal evocrfiov. ecTTi Be tov Xcotov to fiev
oXov BevBpov XBlov ev/J,eyede<i r/XcKov dirwi rf
fjLLKpov eXaTTOv (pvXXov Be ivTopLm e^ov Kal
TrpivcoBe'i' TO fxev ^vXov p,eXav yevq Be avTOV
TrXeiw Bia(fiopa<i e^ovTa Tol<i Kapirol'i' 6 Be Kap'no<i
^ iraflos : c/. 1. 1. 1 n.
^ c/. Schol. ad Nic. Ther. 683 of a sensitive plant called
(TKopnlov^os or iffx^ovffa. a<pavaiv6iiiva conj. Seal. ; a<pav\iv6-
ixiva UMVPaAld.
302
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. ii. ii-iii. i
shoots and general fonn, but in the strange property ^
which belongs to it. Its appearance is spinous and
the leaf is like ferns, but, when one touches the twigs,
they say that the leaves as it were wither up -and
collapse and then after a time come to life again and
flourish. Such are the most conspicuous things
peculiar to the country, to speak only of trees or
shrubs. For we will speak later of the things which
grow in the river and the marshes, when we come to
speak of the other water plants.
'All the trees of this kind in that country are
large, both in height and stoutness ; thus at Memphis
there is said to be a tree of such girth that three
men cannot embrace it. The wood too, when split,
is good, being of extremely close grain and in colour
like the nettle-tree.
Of the irtes and shrubs s])ecial to Libya.
III. * In Libya the lotos is most abundant and
fairest ; so also is the Christ's thorn, and in some
parts, such as the Nasamonian district and near the
temple of Zeus Amnion, the date-palm. In the
Cyrenaica the cypress grows and the olives are fairest
jind the oil most abundant. Most special of all to
-his district is the silphium, and the land also bears
abundant fragrant saffron-crocus. As to the lotos —
the whole tree is peculiar, of good stature, as tall as
a pear-tree, or nearly so ; the leaf is divided and like
that of the kermes-oak, and the wood is black. There
are several sorts, which differ in their fruits ; the fruit
' This section is evidently out of place ; its probable place
is at the end of § 10, so that the description will belong to
the ' Egvptian plum.'
* See Index. Plin. 13. 104^106.
303
THEOPHRASTUS
rfKiKO^; Kvafio^, rrreTraiveTai Be, Mairep ol ^orpve^,
/jLera^dWcov ra? 'x^poid^' (f)veTac Be, KaOdirep to,
fivpTa, Trap' dWrjXa ttvkvo^ iirl tmv ^XaarSsv
ia6i6/jL€vo<i S' 6 iv TOt<f A(i)ro(f>dyoi<; koXov [ievoL<;
<yXvKv<i Kol tJSu? Kol dcrivr)<; Koi eri Trpo? rrjv
KoCkiav dya66<;' r/Blcov S' 6 dirvprivo^, ecrrt yap
Kul TOiovTov TL yevo^' TTOiovai Bk Kal olvov i^
avTOv.
1 noXL» Be TO BevBpov Kal iroX-VKapTTOV ro y
ovv ^O^eWov arparoireBov, r/vLKa e^dBi^ev eh
Kapxv^ova, Kal tovtm ^aaX Tpa^rjvat nrXeiovi
ri/jiepa<; eirLkLiTovTOiv tmv iTrirrjBelcov. ecm fxev
ovv Kal iv rfj vrjcrw rfj Acoro<payiTiBi, KaXovfiev-p
7ro\v<i' avrrj S' eirLKetTai. Kal direx^i p^iKpov ov
fj,r)V ovOev ye /xepo'i dWa ttoWw 7r\eiov iv Trj
rjireipw' irXelcrTov yap oXoy; iv rfj At^vrj, Kaddrrep
ecprjrai, tovto Kal 6 iraXtovpo'i iariv iv yap
^vecnrepiai rovrot^ KavcrL/xoi<i ^pwi'Tat. Bia(f)epei.
Be ovTO<i 6 XcoTo^ Tov Trapa roi'i AQ)TO(j)dyoi<;.
'O Be TraXiovpo'i dafivwBearepo^ rov Xwrov'
(f)vWov Be wapofJiOLov ej(^et rw ivravda, tov Be
KapTTov Bt,d(f)opov' ov yap irXaTiiv dXXd oTpoyyv-
Xov Kal epvOpov, //.eye^o? Be rfKiKOv t^? KeBpov rj
fiiKpG) /jbei^ov TTvprjva Be eyei ov avveadt6/x,evov
KaOdirep Taif poat9* r)Bvv Be tov Kaprrov Kal idv
Tt<? olvov iiTixer) Kal avTov rjBlo) ylveaBal (f>aac
Kal TOV olvov rjBiO) TTOLelv.
1 cf. Hdt. 4. 177; Athen. 14. 651 ; Scyl. Feripl. Lotophagi.
■^ A ruler of Gyrene, who invaded Carthaginian territory in
conjunction with Agathocles, B.C. 308.
* TJj \a>TO(t>aytrlSi conj. W. ; tt) Xairotpayla ^dptii UMAld.
* p-ipos : fxdotv conj. Sch. (non minor G).
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. m. 1-3
is as large as a bean, and in ripening like grapes it
changes its colour : it grows, like myrtle-berries,
close together on the shoots ; to eat, that wliich grows
among the people called the Lotus-eaters ^ is sweet
pleasant and hamaless, and even good for the stomach ;
but that which has no stone is pleasanter (for
there is also such a sort), and they also make wine
from it.
The tree is abundant and produces much fruit ;
thus the armv of Ophelias,- when it was marching
on Carthage, was fed, they say, on this alone for
several days, when the provisions ran short. It is
abundant also in the island called the island of
the Lotus-eaters ; ^ this lies off the mainland at
no great distance : it grows however in no less
quantity,^ but even more abundantly ^ on the main-
land ; for, as has been said,*' this tree is common in
Libya generally as well as the Christ's thorn ; for in
the islands called Euesperides ' they use these trees
as fuel. However this lotos ^ differs from that found
in the land of the Lotus-eaters.
^ The (Egyptian) ' Christ's thorn ' is more shrubby
than the lotos ; it has a leaf like the tree of the same
name of our country, but the fruit is different ; for
it is not flat, but round and red, and in size as large
as the fruit of the prickly cedar or a little larger ;
it has a stone which is not eaten with the fruit, as in
the case of the pomegranate, but the fruit is sweet,
and, if one pours wine over it, they say that it
becomes sweeter and that it makes the wine sweeter.
' -KXeTov U ; ? irKeiaiv with MV.
« 4. 3. 1. 7 cf. Hdt. 4. 191.
« cf. Hdt. 2. 96.
» See Index. PUn. 13. HI.
THEOPHRASTUS
"EiVioi Se TO Tov Xtorov SevSpov 9aixvS}Ze<i elvai
Kul ttoXvkTulSov, TO) aT€\6)(^ei 8e ev7raye<;' tov Be
KapTTOV fieya to Kapvov ex^iv to o e'/CTO? ov
(TapKOih€<i aWa BepfjuaTcoSicrTepov iadiofjievov Be
OV'X^ OVTQ) ryXvKVV Q)'? eVCTTOflOV Kol TOV olvOV OV
i^ avTOv TTOLovcnv ov Biafxeveiv aX)C r) Bvo rj
TpeU rjfiipa^ eiT o^vveiv. rjBico fiev olv tov
KapTTOV TOV iv T0i9 AcoTOcfid'yoc';, ^vXov Be
KoXkiov TO iv Kvprjvaca- OepfJuoTepav Be elvai,
TTjv 'x^copav TTjv TOiv Ao)TO(pdya>v tov ^vkov Be
TTjv pl^av elvai fxeXavTepav puev iroXv ttvkvtjv Be
rjTTOv Kal eh eKaTTW ')(pr]crL/u,r]v' eh <ydp to,
iyX^eipLBia kol to, eirtKoXX'^fiaTa 'x^prjaOai, tm
^vX(p Be €t9 TG TOL'9 avXov<; Kal eh aXXa TtXeio).
'Ev Be TTj fiT) vofievTj Ti]<; Ai^vr]<; dXXa Te irXeiw
<^veadat Kal (f)OLVCKa<i p,€'ydXov<; Kal kuXov^' ov
p.rjv aXV OTTOU /juev (j)0tvi^ dXfivpiBa Te elvai Kal
€(f>vBpov TOV TOTTOv, ovK iv TToXXft) Be ^ddei dXXd
jxdXiaTa iir 6pyviat<i Tpiaiv. to 5' vBoip evOa
/xev yXvKv (r(f)6Bpa evda Be dXvKov ttXtjctiov ovtcov
dXX'^Xoi<{- oirou Be to, dXXa (f)veTai ^rjpov Kal
dvvBpov eviaxov Be Kal to, cppeaTU elvai eKaTov
opyviMV, axTTe viro^vyioL'i diro TpoyrfXid<i dvtfiav
Bi Kal OavfMaaTov ttw? ttotg U)pv')(6r] TrjXiKavTa
^dOr}' TO S' OVV TCOV vBdTCOV TCOV VTTO TOV<i
(f)OiviKa<; Kal ev "Afjip.covo'; elvai Biacjiopdv e%oi'
TTJV eiprjfMevrjv. (pvearOai Be ev Trj firj vofMevrj to
dvfjLov TToXv Kal dXXa iBid Te Kal TrXeico ylveadai
^ Sch. after Seal, places this section before § 3, making the
account of this tree consecutive. * Plin. 13. 17. 104-106.
' fijiraxes conj. R. Const.; euo-roxes U; fijaraxft MPsAld.
* c/. Hdt. 2. 96.
306
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. iii. 4-5
1 Some say that the lotos - is shrubby and much
branched, though it has a stout ^ stem ; and that the
stone in the fruit is large, while the outside is not
fleshy but somewhat leathery ; and that to eat it is not
so much sweet as palatable ; and that the wine which
they make out of it does not keep more than two
or three days, after which it gets sour ; and so that
the fruit* found in the Lotus-eaters' country is
sweeter, while the wood in the Cjrenaica is better ;
and that the country of the Lotus-eaters is hotter ;
and that the root is much blacker than the Avood,
but of less close grain, and of use for fewer purposes ;
for they use it only for dagger handles and tessellated
work/ while the wood is used for pipes and many
other things.
In the part of Libya where no rain falls they say
that, besides many other trees, there grow tall and
fine date-palms ; however they add that, where the
date-palm is found, the soil "^ is salt and contains
water, and that at no great depth, not more than
three fathoms. They say also that tlie water is in
some places quite sweet, but in others quite close
by it is brackish ; that where however other things
grow, the soil is dry and waterless ; and that in
places even the wells are a hundred fathoms deep,
so that they draw water by means of a windlass
worked by beasts. Wherefore it is wonderful how
at any time digging to such depths was carried out.
Such, they say, is the s}>ecial character of the water
supply which feeds the date-palms in the district
also of the temple of Zeus Amnion. Further it is
said that in the land where no rain falls thyme ' is
' firiKoW-nfiara : lit. ' pieces glued on '; c/. Pliu. I.e.
« cf. Hdt. 3. 183.
" eifioy niBas.H.; Oci/u/ov UMV^AId, cf. 6. 2. 3.
X 2
THEOPHRASTUS
ivravOa, koI irrSiKa kuI BopKaBa koX crrpovOov
6 Kcu erepa rcov Orjplcov. dWa ravra fiev ahrjXov
el e/CTOTTt^et ttou Triofieva- (Bia yap to Ta%09
Bvvarai /xaKpdv re /cat ra')(y Trapayevia-dai,),
aXXft)? T€ Kel 8i rjfiepMV rivcov trivovai, Kaddirep
Kol TO, rjfjiepa Trapa rpirrjv rj Terdpr'qv TroTi^eTaL
ravTW TO Be tcov aXkcov ^cooov, olov o(pe(ov
aavpwv Kol twv tolovtwv, (fiavepov oti anoTa.
T0U9 Be Ai^va<i Xeyeiv on top ovov eaOiei tuvtu
09 /cat Trap' r)fuv yiveTUi, TroXvirovv re Kal fjbekav
crvaTTeipdyfjbevov el<; eavro- tovtov Be ttoXvv re
yivecrdat crc^oBpa /cal vypov ttjv <f)vcnv elvai.
7 Apocrov Be del iriiTTeLv ev tt} fir) vofievrj iroW^v,
MCTTe BrjXov OTi TOP [xev (poivcKa Kal et ti aXXo
(pveTat ev dvvBpot^ to re ex Trj<i yi]<i dviov ixTpecjiei,
Kal 7rpo9 TOVTO) rj Bp6ao<i. iKavrj yap ft)9 Kara
pbeyeBrj Kal Tr)v (pvaiv avTwv ^rjpdv ovaav Kal €k
ToiovTcov avvea-TTjKvlav. Kal BevBpa fxev TavTa
irXelaTa Kal IBicoTaTa. irepl Be tov cnX<^tov
XeKTeov varepov rrolov tl ttjv <f)V(Tiv.
IV. 'Ei/ ^€ Ty 'Acrta Trap' eKdcrT0i<i cBi' aTTa
Tvy^dver rd pev yap (j)epovaiv at %&)/)ai to, B'
Lepus Aeyyptiacus. cf. Arist. H.A. 8. 28.
ws Kara conj. Seal, from G ; Sffre ret Ald.H.
308
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. in. 5-1 v. i
abundant, and that there are various other peculiar
plants there, and that there are found the hare^
gazelle ostrich and other animals. However it is
uncertain whether these do not migrate in order to
find drink somewhere, (for by reason of their fleet-
ness they are able to appear at a distant place in a
short space of time), especially if they can go for
several days without drinking, even as these animals,
when domesticated, are only given drink every third
or fourth day. While as to other animals, such as
snakes lizards and the like, it is plain that they go
without drink. And we are told that according to
the Libyans, these animals eat the wood-louse, which
is of the same kind that is found also in our
country, being black, with many feet, and rolling
itself into a ball ; this, they say, is extremely common
and is juicy by nature.
They say also that dew always falls abundantly
in the land in which no rain falls, so that it is plain
that the date-palm, as well as anything else which
grows in waterless places, is kept alive by the
moisture which rises from the ground, and also by
the dew. For the latter is sufficient, considering 2 the
size of such trees and their natural character, which
is dry and formed of dry components. And trees of
that character are most abundant in, and most
specially belong to such country. The character
of the silphium we must discuss later.
Of the trees and herbs special to Asia.
IV. In different parts of Asia also there are
special trees, for the soil of the various regions
produces some but not others. ^ Xhus they say that
' Plin. 16. 144.
309
THEOPHRASTUS
ov (fyvovcriv olov klttov koI iXdav ou (f>aai,v elvat
T?}? 'Acria? ev rot<; ava> t^9 Sfpi'a? airo da\dTTr]<;
irevO^ rjiiepoiv aX>C ev ^Ivhol^ (pavijvai klttov
iv T(p 6 pet TO) M.rjpo) Ka\ov/x6vo), odev Sr) kuI top
Aiovvaov elvat, fxvOoXoyovcrc. 8t o koI ^AXe^av-
hpo<; a.7r' i^oBiWi XeyeTat aTrtcov eaTe<^av(i) ixevo^
KiTTU) elvai Kol avTO<; /cat rj crTpaTid' tcov 8e
dWcov ev MrjSla fiovov irepiKXetecv yap avTi]
BoKet Kal avvaTTTeiv rra>^ t& Uovto). KaiToi ye
Bie(j)c\oTip.i]Or) "Ay07r<xXo9 iv rot? TrapaBelaoL'i rot?
nrepl ^a/3v\cbva (f)UT€va>v TroXXa/ci? Kal irpay-
pLaTev6ixevo<i, a)OC ovSev eVotet irXeov ov yap
eBvvaTo ^rjv coairep ToXka to, e« t^? 'EXXaSo?.
TOVTO p,ev ovv ov Be')(eTai rj %<w/3a Bia ttjv tov
uepo'i Kpacnv dvayKaia><i Be Be-^^eTat, Kal irv^ov
Kal (piXvpav Kal yap irepl TavTa irovoixriv ol ev
Tol<i irapaBeicroi^. eTepa Be cBta cfjepei Kal BevBpa
2 Kal v\i]fxaTa- Kal eoiKev o\a><; 6 totto? o 7rpc<;
dvaTo\a<i Kal fiecnjfx^pLav wa-nep Kal ^coa Kal
(pvTa <f)epeiv iBia irapa tov<; aX\.ov<;' olov ij re
MrjBia %&)/?a Kal UepaU aXka re e%et TrXeiw Kal
TO pbTjXov TO M^TjBiKov rj TO HepaiKov KaXov/j,evov.
ex^i' Be TO BevBpov tovto (pvXXov fiev Ofioiov Kal
(T'^eBov laov tw t^9 dvBpd'^^Xrj^, dKdv6a<i Be oXa<i
airio^i rj 6^vdKavdo<i, Xeta? Be Kal ofeta9 cr^oBpa
Kal lax^pd<i' to Be p^rjXov ovk eaOieTai p,ev,
1 4\dau conj. Spr.; e'Actrrj^ MSS. cf. Hdt. 1. 193; Xen.
Anab. 4. 4. 13 ; Arr. Ind. 40.
2 Kirrhv conj. W., cf. Arr. Anab. 5. 1.6; /cai t))v UMV;
Kal T^i Ald.H. ^ \eyf rat add. W.
^ *'|oSfos UMVP; 'luSlas W. with Ald.^
^ KiTT^ eJvai conj. W. ; eZro fxe'ivai U; eTro fii] elj/at MVPAld,
310
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. iv. 1-2
i\ y and olive ^ do not grow in Asia in the parts of
Syria which are five days' journey from the sea ; but
that in India ivy 2 appears on the mountain called
Meros, whence, according to the tale, Dionysus
came. Wherefore it is said^ that Alexander, when
he came back from an expedition,* was crowned
with ivy,^ himself and his army. But elsewhere in
Asia it is said to grow only in Media, for that country
seems in a way to surround and join on to the Euxine
Sea.'' However," when Harpalus took great pains
over and over again to plant it in the gardens of
Babylon, and made a special point of it, he failed:
since it could not live like the other things intro-
duced from Hellas. The country then does not ^
admit this plant on account of the climate, and it
grudgingly admits the box and the lime ; for even
these give much trouble to those engaged in the
gardens. It also produces some peculiar trees and
shrubs. And in general the lands of the East and
South appear to have peculiar plants, as they have
peculiar animals ; for instance. Media and Persia have,
among many others, that which is called the
' Median ' or ' Persian apple ' (citron).^ This tree ^^
has a leaf like to and almost identical with that of
the andrachne, but it has thorns like those of the
pear^^ or white-thorn, which however are smooth
and very sharp and strong. The ' apple ' is not
^ i.e. and so Greek plants may be expected to grow there.
But the text is probably defective ; c/. the citation of this
passage, Plut. Qnaest. Conv. 3. 2. 1.
' KatToi ye. This sentence does not connect properly M'ith
the preceding. « „j ^dd. Sch.
» Plin. 12. 15 and 16 ; cited also Athen. 3. 26.
1° cf. Verg. 6. 2. 131-135.
&irios: ? here=axpas R. Const, cf, C.P. 1. 15. 2.
Ik
3IJ
THEOPHRASTUS
evoafxov Be irdvv kuI to if>vX\ov tov BevSpov Kav
6t9 ifidria redfi to fir)\ov ciKOTra ScaTijpei. XPV~
(Tifiov S' eiretBav tv^V <rt(;> TreTrw/caj? (jxipfiaKov
<Oavdatfxov hodev yap ev o'lvw SiaKoirret ttjv
KOikiav Kol e^dyei to (f)dpfxaKov> Koi 7rp6<; ctto-
[xaT0<i evwhiav edv ydp ti<; e^lrj]crr} ev ^(o/xo), rj ev
dW(p Ttvl TO eacoOep tov jxtjXov eKinearj el<i to
(jTo/xa Kal KaTapocfirjaj], iroiei Trjv oapLrjV rjBetai'.
! airelperaL he tov rjpo<i eU irpacna^; e^aipedev to
(TTTeppba BieLpyaap,eva<; eVfyu-eA-w?, etra dpBeveTai
Bid TeTdpTr]<i r) TTepirTrj^ y/iepai;- otuv Be dBpov
rj, Bca(f)VTev6Tai, irdXtv tov eapo<; el<; ')(^(opiov fxa-
XaKov Kal e(jivBpov kol ov Xlav Xeinov (piXel
yap TO, ToiavTU. (pepei. Be to. fxifka irdaav wpav
TO, fjbev yap dcfiTjprjTat ra Be dvOel Ta Be eKireTTei.
tS)v Be dvOoiv 6a a, Mcnrep etTTo/xev, e%ei KaOdirep
rj\aKdT'>iv eK fxeaov tiv i^e^ova-av, raDra cctti
yovifJLa, oaa Be p.T) dyova. aireipeTai Be kuI eh
ocTTpaKa BiaTeTprjfxeva, KaddTrep fcal ol ^oiviKe^.
TOVTO fxev ovv, waTTep etprjTac, irepl T'i]v UepatBa
Kal TTjV MrjBlav eaTiv.
'H Be ^IvBiKT) %(»/3a. Ti]V re KoXov/xevrjv e^ei
avKYjv, fj KaOlriaiv eK tmv K\dBwv Td<i f)i,^a<; dv\
eKacTov eVo?, wairep etprjTai, irpoTepov d(f)Lr}(Tt
Be ovK eK TOiv vewv a^OC eK tmv evcov Kal eTi
iraXaioTepcov avTai Be (xwdirTovaat ttj yfj
•noLoixTiv oiairep Bpix^aKTOv kvkXm irepl to Bev-
Bpov, wcTTe y'iveadat, KaOdirep aKrjvrjv, ov Brj Kal
1 T(s add. W. from Athen. I.e.; Oavaciixov . . . ipipfxaKov
add. Sch. from Athen. I.e. 2 pijn. n. 278 ; 12. 16.
' a^phv if W. from Athen. I.e., whence diaipvTfvirm W. etc.
for 5ia(^i;Tei;77Tat Ald.H. adpov ri UMVAld.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. iv. 2-4
eaten, but it is very fragrant, as also is the leaf of the
tree. And if the ' apple ' is placed among clothes,
it keeps them from being moth-eaten. It is also
useful when one^ has drunk deadly poison ; for being
given in wine it upsets the stomach and brings up the
poison ; also for producing sweetness of breath ; -
for, if one boils the inner part of the ' apple ' in a
sauce, or squeezes it into the mouth in some other
medium, and then inhales it, it makes the breath
sweet. The seed is taken from the fruit and sown
in spring in carefully tilled beds, and is then watered
every fourth or fifth day. And, when it is growing
vigorously,^ it is transplanted, also in spring, to a
soft well-watered place, where the soil is not too
fine; for such places it loves. And it bears its "^ apples '
at all seasons ; for when some have been gathered,
the flower of others is on the tree and it is ripening
others. Of the flowers, as we have said,* those
which have, as it were, a distaff"^ projecting in the
middle are fertile, while those that have it not are
infertile. It is also sown, like date-palms, in pots *•
with a hole in them. This tree, as has been said,
grows in Persia and Media.
"^ The Indian land has its so-called ' fig-tree '
(banyan), which drops its roots from its branches
every year, as has been said above ^ ; and it drops
them, not from the new branches, but from those
of last year or even from older ones ; these take
hold of the earth and make, as it were, a fence
about the tree, so that it becomes like a tent, in
* 1. 13. 4. 5 i.e. the pistil.
* Plin. 12. 16, fictilibus in vasia, dato per cavemas radicihus
ipiramento : the object, as Plin. explains, was to export it
tor medical use.
' Plin. 12. 22 and 23. » 1. 7. 3.
THEOPHRASTUS
elu)6a<7L ScaTpL^eiv. elal 8e at pt^ac ^vo/ubevat
SidSrjXot 7rpo<; tov? ^Xaarrovs' XevKorepat yap
Kal Bacrelat koX crKoXial Kol d<f)vWoi. e%ef Se
KOI Tr}V avco Kop.rjv ttoXXtjv, koI to oXov 8evBpov
evKVKXov KoX Tft) p,ejed€L /xeya a(f)6Spa' Kal yap
cttI Bvo CTTaSia iroieZv (pacn rrjv aKidv Kal to
'jrd')(o<i Tov areXi-^ovi evia TrXeiovwv rj k^rjKovra
^ripbaTcov, TO, Se ttoWo, rerrapaKovra. to Si ye
(f)vWov ovK eXarrov e%ei ireXrr}^, KapTTov Be
a(f)68pa p,iKpov tjXIkov ipi/Sivdov 6p,oLov he avKcti'
BC o Kal eKoXovv avro ol "}LXXr]V€<i avKrjv oXiyov
Be Oavp,aaTa)<i tov Kapirov ov^ oti kuto, to tov
BevBpov peyeOo<; dX\d Kal to oXov. (pveTac Be
Kal to BevBpov nrepl tov ^AKecrlvrjv TroTapov.
6 "Eo-rt Be Kal erepov BevBpov Kal tm peyeOet
pukya Kal rjBvKapTTOV OavpaaT&<; Kal p,eyaX6-
KapTTOv Kal '^pcbvTai Tpo(j)T} TOiv ^IvBwv ol ao^ol
Kal p,r} dp,7re-^6p,evoi,.
"^Tepov Be ov to cpvXXov tyjv p,ev p,op<pT)v
'irp6p.rjKe<i Tot? twv aTpovdoiv TTTC/Joi? opoiov, a
irapaTidevTai, irapa to, Kpdvr}, p.rjK0<i Be 0)9
Bi'nri')(yalov.
"AXXo Te iaTLV ov 6 Kapno^ paKp6<; Kal ovk
ev9v<i dXXa aKo\t6<; ia6i6p.evo<i Be y'XvKv<;. ovTo<i
iv T7J KoCXia Brjyp^ov ip.irotel Kal BvcrevTeplav, Bi
o ^A'Xe^avBpo'i uTreKTJpv^e prj eaOleLV. ecTTi Be
Kal eTepov ov 6 Kapiro'i op.oio<; Tot9 Kpaveoi<;.
i oSconj. W.; aTs UMVAld.
2 &<pv\\oi conj. Ualec; SifvWoi UVAld. ; so also MH.,
omitting koI.
^ i^^Kovra . . . TerrapaKovra MSS. ; e| . . . TeTrdpwv conj.
Salm. c/. Plin. I.e.; Strabo 15. 1, 21.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. iv. 4-5
which ^ men sometimes even live. The roots as they
grow are easily distinguished from the branches,
being whiter hairy crooked and leafless.- The
foliage above is also abundant, and the whole tree is
round and exceedingly large. They say that it
extends its shade for as much as two furlongs ; and
the thickness of the stem is in some instances more
than sixty ^ paces, while many specimens are as
much as forty ^ paces through. The leaf is quite as
large as a shield,^ but the fruit is very small,^ only as
large as a chick-pea, and it resembles a fig. And
this is why the Greeks ^ named this tree a ' fig-tree.'
The fruit is cui'iously scanty, not only relatively to
the size of the tree, but absolutely. The tree also
grows near the river Akesines."
There is also another tree^ which is very large
and has wonderfully sweet and large fruit ; it is
used for food by the sages of India who wear no
clothes.
There is another tree^ whose leaf is oblong in
shape, like the feathers of the ostrich ; this they
fasten on to their helmets, and it is about two cubits
long.
There is also another 1*^ whose fruit is long and not
straight, but crooked, and it is sweet to the taste.
This causes griping in the stomach and dysentery ;
wherefore Alexander ordered that it should not be
eaten. There is also another ^^ whose fruit is like the
fruit of the cornelian cherry.
* -KiKri) : a small round shield. = cf. C.P. 2. 10. 2.
^ I.e. in Alexander's expedition. '• Chenab.
8 Jack-fruit. See Index App. (3). Plin. 12. 24.
* Banana. See Index App. (4).
" Mango. See Index App. (5). Plin. 12. 24.
" Jujube. See Index App. (6).
THEOPHRASTUS
Kal erepa he irXeim koL 8ia(f>epovTa twv iv
TOt? "KXXrjatv dXX,' av(ovv/xa. davfiacrTov 8'
ovSev rrj<i IScotijto^' a%€hov 'yap, w? 76 hrj Tivh
(fyacriv, ovOev oX&)9 tmv BevSpcoi/ ov8e rcov vXr]-
/xdrwv ov8e rwv iroiwhSiv ofiovov iari toi<; iv rfj
'l£X\d8i 7r\7]v oXiycov.
6 "ISiov Be Kol rj i^evT] Trj<i %«/>«? rauTr]<;' TavT7)<i
8e Bvo yevr), to p.€V ev^vXov Kal koXov to Se
(pavXov. cnrdvLov he ro koKov ddrepov he ttoXv.
TTjv he XP^^^ °^ drjaavpi^Ofievrj Xa^i^dveu rrjv
evxpovv aXA,' eu0v<; rfj ^vaei. ean he ro hevhpov
6afivct)he<i, Mcnrep 6 KVTicro'q.
7 ^aal h' elvai koX reppuvdov, ol h' 6p,oLOv
Tepixivdw, TO fiev (f)vXXov koX tov<; kXwvu^ koI
ToXXa TrdvTa o/zom e%ei t^ Tepfiivdcp top he
KapTcov hid(f)opov' Ojxoiov yap Tai<i dfivyhaXai<;.
elvat yap Kal ev HdKTpoi'i ttjv TeppavOov ravrrjv
Kal Kdpva (f)epeiv rjXlKa dpuvyhaXa hca to /jlt)
fieydXa' Kal ttj oyjrei he Trapofioia, ttXtji/ to
K€Xv(f)0<i ov Tpaxv, TTJ h' evo-TOfiia Kal rjhovfj
KpeiTTO) Twv dfj,vyhdX(ov. hi Kal XPV^0<^'' tov<;
eKet fxaXXov.
8 'Ef &v he TO, IfidTia Troiovai to jxev (pvXXov
ofioiov exet rfj avKafilvo), ro he oXov (pvrov T049
Kvvop6hoL<i 6/J,oiov. (fivrevovcri he ev rol<; 7reStot9
avTo Kar 6pxov<i, hi o Kal iroppwdev d(f>opcil)(Xi
dfiTreXoi ^aivovrat. ex^i he Kal ^0iviKa<i evia
1 Plin. 12. 25.
•^ See Index. Plin. 12. 17-19.
3 Pistachio-nut. See Index App. (7). Plin. 12. 25. Nic.
Ther. 894.
316
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. iv. 5-8
There are also many more ^ which are different to
those found among the Hellenes, but they have no
names. There is nothing surprising in the fact that
these trees have so special a character ; indeed, as
some say, there is hardly a single tree or shrub or
herbaceous plant, except quite a few, like those in
Hellas.
The ebony 2 is also peculiar to this country; of
this there are two kinds, one with good handsome
wood, the other inferior. The better sort is rare, but
the inferior one is common. It does not acquire its
good colour by being kept, but it is natural to it from
the first. The tree is bushy, like laburnum.
Some say that a ' terebinth ' ^ grows there also,
others that it is a tree like the terebinth ; this in
leaf twigs and all other respects resembles that
tree, but the fruit is different, being like almonds.
In fact they say that this sort of terebinth grows also
in Bactna and bears nuts only as big as almonds,
inasmuch as they are not large for the size of the
tree * ; and they closely resemble almonds in appear-
ance, except that the shell is not rough ; and in
palatableness and sweetness they are superior to
almonds ; wherefore the people of the country use
them in preference to almonds.
*The trees from which they make their clothes
have a leaf like the mulberry, but the whole tree
resembles the wild rose. They plant them in the
plains in rows, wherefore, when seen from a distance,
they look like vines. Some parts also have many
* Sta . . . n4ya\a : Seh. omits these words, and W. con-
siders them corrupt ; but G seems to have had them in his
tc;xt. The translation is tentative.
* Cotton-plant, cf. 4. 7. 7 and 8. Plin. 12. 25.
THEOPHRASTUS
fiepr] TToWov<;. koI ravra fiev ev BevBpov
(f)vaei.
9 <l>epet Be koX (nripfiara iBia, ra jxev roh
XeBpo7rot<i o/jLoia ra Be rot<; 7rvpoL<; koI rat?
Kpii9al<;. €pe^iv0o<i jxev yap /cat (f)aKo<i koI rhWa
ra Trap^ rjfitv ov/c ecrriv' erepa S' iarlv ware
7rapa7r\i]aca Troielv ra €'\ln]p,ara Kal pbrj Bia-
yiyvcocTKeLv, a><i (paa-iv, av [mtj ra aKOvarj. KpcOal
Be Kal TTvpol Kal aWo re yevo<i aypLwv Kpi6a)v,
e^ Qiv Kal dproi r)Bei<i Kal ')(pvBpo<; Ka\6<;. ravra^
01 iTTTTot icrdiovret rb rrpoirov Bie^deipovro, Kara
p,CKpov Be ovv i0ia6evre<} ev a')(ypoi<i ovBev
eTraa^oi'.
10 M.d\c(Tra Be cnreipovac rb KaXovfievov opv^ov,
i^ 01) TO e^^r^fia. rovro Be 6p,oiov rfj ^eta Kal
TrepLTrria-Oev olov 'XpvBpo'i evireirrov Be, rrjv oyp^tv
7re(f>VK6^ 6p,oiov ral<i alpai^ Kal rcV ttoXvv xpovop
ev vBart, airoxelrai Be ovk elf ard-)(yv aXK olov
^o^rjv, cocnrep b Keyxpo<; Kal b eXy/io?. dWo Be
eKoXovv at "^W7]ve<i (^aKov rovro Be op-oiov
fiev rfj O'y^ei Kal rb ^ovKepa<;, Oepi^erai Be irepl
HXeidBo<i Bvaiv.
11 Aia(f>epei Be Kal avrrj r] X(t>pa rw rrjV p,ev
(f)epeiv evia rrjv Be p,r] (pepeiv rj yap bpecvr) Kal
dp^rreXov e^ei Kal eXdav Kal rd dXXa aKpoBpva'
7r\r]v aKapirov rrjV iXdav, Kal a^^Bbv Kal rrjv
<f>vaiv wcTTrep fiera^v Korivov Kal €\da<i earl Kal
^ cf. 8. 4. 2. whence it appears that the original text here
contained a fuller account. Plin. 18. 71.
^ Sorghum halepoise. ^ Sc. of Alexander.
* The verb seems to have dropped out (W.).
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. iv. 8-11
date-palms. So much for what come under the
heading of 'trees.'
These lands bear also peculiar grains, some like
those of leguminous plants, some like wheat and
barley. For the chick-pea lentil and other such
plants found in our country do not occur ; but there
are others, so that they make similar mashes, and
one cannot, they say, tell the difference, unless one
has been told. They have however barley wheat ^
and another kind of wild barley,- which makes sweet
bread and good porridge. VVhen the horses^ ate
this, at first it proved fatal to them, but by degrees
they became accustomed to it mixed with bran and
took no hurt.
But above all they sow the cereal called rice, of
which they make their mash. This is like rice-wheat,
and when bruised makes a sort of porridge, which is
easily digested ; in its appearance as it grows it is
like darnel, and for most of its time of growth it is *
in water ; however it shoots ^ up not into an ear, but
as it were into a plume,^ like the millet and Italian
millet. There was another plant ^ which the Hel-
lenes^ called lentil; this is like in appearance to
' ox-horn ' (fenugreek), but it is reaped about the
setting of the Pleiad.
Moreover this country shews differences in that
})art of it bears certain things which another part
does not ,' thus the mountain country has the vine
and olive and the other fruit-trees ; but the olive is
barren,^ and in its character it is as it were almost
between a wild and a cultivated olive, and so it
5 cLToxf^T-ai ■ cf. 8. S. 1. 6 c/. 8. 3. 4.
" Phaseolns Mumjo ; see Index App. (8).
* I e. of Alexander's expedition. • ® Plin. 12. 14.
319
THEOPHRASTUS
rfi 6\rj fMop^fj- Kol TO (f>vWov tov fiev irXarv-
repov TOV 8e aTevoTepov. TavTa fxev ovv kuto,
12 'Er he TTj 'Apia X^P^ KaXovfiivrf aKavOd icrTiv,
e0' ^9 yiveTai BaKpvov ofioiov ttj ajxvpvr] koX tji
oyjret Koi Ty oafifj' tovto Be OTav eTTiXafi-^rj 6
7]Xto<; KUTappel. iroWa Be koX aWa irapa to,
evTavOa Koi ev Trj %ft>/oa koI ev Toh 'iroTap,6l<i
jLveTai,. ev eTepoi<i Be totto^? eVrtf uKavda XevKrj
Tpto^o<i, e'f ^9 Kal aKVTciXca Kol jSaKTTjpla^; ttoi-
ovaiv 67rcoB7}<; Be Kal fxavrj- TavTrjv Be KaXovaiv
'HpuKXeovi.
"AWo Be vXrjiia /xeyeOo'i fxev rjXiKov pd(f)avo<;,
TO Be (fyvWov Ofioiov Bdcpvrj Kal tm fiejedei Kal
TT] fiopcfifj. TOVTO B' ei TL (f)dyoi evaTToOvrjCTKei.
Bt O Kal OTTOV TiriTOt TOVTOV^ i(j)vXaTTOV Btd
13 'Ey Be Trj VeBpcoala x^P^ 7re(j)VKevai (f)aalv ev
{xev ofiOLOv Trj Bd<j)VT) ^vWov exov, ov to, vTro^vyta
Kal oTiovv ei (pdyot jxiKpov e-maxovTa Biec^Oei-
povTo irapa7rXr)aLa)<i BiaTiOe/Meva Kal (T7rd)fX€va
6/JiOl,CO<; Tol<i eiTLkrj'JTTOL'i.
"KTepov Be aKavddv Tiva elvar TavTrju Be
(f)vX\ov fiev ovBev ex^i-v 7re(f)VKevac B' €k fiidq
pit,r]<f e<f eKdaTcp Be tmv o^cov uKavOav ex^iv
o^elav a^oBpa, Kal tovtwv Be KaTayPvfievwv rj
TrpoaTpi^ofJbivcov oirov cKpelv iroXvr, 09 d'7roTV(f)Xoi
^ Kol (TXf^hv . . . iJ.op(p^ conj. W. ; crx^Shv Se koI riju <pv<Tiv
wa-irep fxtr. hot. Ka\ i\. iffrt 5e tt) oAtj /uopcpf) Kal rh <p. Aid. ; so
also U, omitting the first icaL
2 Balsamodendron Muhd ; see Index App. (9). Plin. 12.
33.
320
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. iv. 11-13
is also in its general appearance,^ and the leaf is
broader than that of the one and narrower than that
of the other. So much for the Indian land.
In the country called Aria there is a ' thorn ' ^
on which is found a gum resembling myrrh ^ in
appearance and smell, and this drops when the sun
shines on it. There are also many other plants
besides those of our land, both in the country and in
its rivers. In other parts there is a white ' thorn ' *
which branches in three, of which they make batons
and sticks ; its wood is sappy and of loose texture,
and they call it the thorn 'of Herakles.'
There is another shrub ^ as large as a cabbage,
whose leaf is like that of the bay in size and shape.
And if any animal should eat this, it is certain to die
of it. Wherefore, whei'ever there were horses,*^ they
kept them under control.
In Gedrosia they say that there grows one tree "^
with a leaf like that of the bay, of which if the
beasts or anything else ate, they very shortly died
with the same convulsive symptoms as in epilepsy.
And they say that another tree ^ there is a sort of
' thorn ' (spurge), and that this has no leaf and gi*ows
from a single root ; and on each of its branches it has
a very shai-p spine, and if these are broken or bruised
a quantity of juice flows out, which blinds animals or
3 fffivpvri conj. Sch. from 9. 1. 2 ; Plin. I.e. ; tj IWvpia Ald.H.
* See Index.
5 Asafoetida ; see Index App. (10). Plin. 12. 33.
' i.e. in Alexander's expedition. Probably a verb, such
8.8 i!(T(ppalvovTo, has dropped out after Xinroi (Sch.). Odore
equos invitans Plin. I.e.
' Nerium odortim ; see Index App. (11). cf. 4. 4. 13 ; Strabo
15. 2. 7; Plin. I.e.
8 Plin. I.e.; Arrian, Aiuxb. 6. 22. 7.
321
THEOPHRASTUS
raWa ^coa Trdvra koI Trpo? Tov<i dvOpooirovi et
Tt9 rrrpoapaLvecev avTo2<;. iv he roTroa Tial 7re<j)v-
Kevat, Tiva ^ordvrjv, v<f)' fj crvpeaTreipcofievov; o06f9
elvat /j,iKpov<; acjioBpa' rovToif 6' et rf? i/Ji^d<i
rrrXrjyeir] dvijaKCiv. dTroTrviyecrdai 8e koI aTTO
tS)v <f>OLvlK(ov Twv oijxoiv et Tf9 (pdjot, Koi Tovro
ixnepov Karavor]6rjvac. roiavTUt fiev ovv hvvd-
yLiet9 KoX ^(t)0)v KoX (pvrwv ta(o<i koL Trap d\\oi<;
elai.
14 UepLTTorepa Be roiv cpvofxevaiv koL nrXelarov
e^rjXX.aypeva tt/jo? to, aWa rd evocr/xa rd irepX
'Apafiiav KOI ^vpiav koI ^Ivhov'i, olov 6 t€
\i^avci)T6<i KoX rj a-fxypva /cat 7] Kuaia koI to
oiro^dXcrap.ov koL to Kivd/jia>p,ov koI oaa dXka
TOiavra- Trepl oiv iv dWot^ ecprjTai, Bid irXeiovoov.
iv pev ovv Tol'i 7rp6<; eco re koI p,ear)p,/3pLav koi
TavT cBia koX erepa Be rovrcov TrXetto icniv.
V. 'Ei^ ^e T0fc9 nrpo'i dpKTov ov'x^ 6p,o'Lco<i' ovdev
jdp ore d^Lov \6yov Xeyerat trapd rd Kocvd rSiv
BevBpcov d Kol (piXo-^vxpd re rvyx^dvei koi ecrri
KOL trap r]plv, olov irevKT] Bpv'i iXdrr] 7rv^o<i
Bwa^d\avo<{ (fiiXvpa koI rd dXXa Be rd roiavra'
^^(eBov ydp ovBev erepov irapd ravrd ianv, dXXd
Tcov dXXwv vXr]p.dT(ov evia d TOV<i 'y^vxpov<i
p,dXXov ^rjrel tottov^, KaOdirep Kevravpiov
d->^'ivQL0Vy em Be rd <^appbaK(aB7} Tat? pi^at^i Kal
ToZ<i OTTol'?, olov iXXej3opo<i iXarijpiov aKap,p,Q)via,
a-)(eBov Trdvra rd .pi^OTop,ovp,eva.
2 Ta p,ev ydp iv t& TiovTW KaX rfj ©paxy ylverai,
^ TO. dAAo 86 : ? om. ra ; 5e om. Sch.
322
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. iv. 13-v. 2
even a man, if any drops of it should fall on him.
Also thej say that in some parts grows a herb under
which very small snakes lie coiled up, and that, if
anyone treads on these and is bitten, he dies. They
also say that, if anyone should eat of unripe dates,
he chokes to death, and that this fact was not
discovered at first. Now it may be that animals and
plants have such properties elsewhere also.
Among the plants that grow in Arabia S^-ria and
India the aromatic plants are somewhat exceptional
and distinct from the plants of other lands ; for
instance, frankincense m^Trh cassia balsam of Mecca
cinnamon and all other such plants, about which we
have spoken at greater length elsewhere. So in
the parts towards the east and south there are these
special plants and many others besides.
Of the plants special to northern regions.
V. In the northern regions it is not so, for nothing
worthy of record is mentioned except the ordinary
trees which love the cold and are found also in our
country, as fir oak silver-fir box chestnut lime, as
well as other similar trees. There is hardly any
other 1 besides these ; but of shrubs there are some
which for choice - seek cold regions, as centaury and
wormwood, and further those that have medicinal
properties in their roots and juices, such as hellebore
squirting cucumber scammony, and nearly all those
whose roots are gathered. ^
Some of these grow in Pontus and Thrace, some
® I have moved fuiWoy, which in the MSS. comes before
'■u9 iWoty.
^ ». e. which have medicinal uses.
THEOPHRASTUS
ra Se irepl rrjv Otrrjv koX top Uapvaaov kol to
TlrjXiov KoX rrjv "Oaaav koX to 'YekeOpiov Kol ev
TovToa Be Tive<; (paai TrXelarov TroWa Be koX
iv rfi ^ApKaBla kol ev rfj KaKwvLicfj' (pap/xaKU)Bei<;
yap Kol avrat. rcov Be evtoBoiV ovBev ev Tavraa,
TrXrjv 2pi<i iv TJj ^iWv piBi kol irepl top ^ABplav
ravTY} yap XPV^'^V '^^^ ttoXv Bia^epovaa twv
aXXoiv a}OC ev Tot9 aX,eeLvol<i Kal roi<i 7rpo<i
/jb6crrjfj.^pLav Mairep dvriKei/xeva ra evcoBrj. e^ovai
Be Kal KvrrdpcTTOv ol uXeecvul fxaXkov, oiairep
Kp)]T7] AvKia 'P0809, KeBpov Be Kal ra ®paKia
optj Kal ra ^pvyia.
Tcbv Be rj^iepovjxevwv rjKtard ^aatv ev TOt?
■\Jrv')(^poc<i v7rop,eveiv Bdcpvrjv Kal /jivppivrjv, Kal
rovrwv Be rjrrov en rrjv p,vpplvr)v' ar^jxelov Be
Xeyovaiv on ev rtp ^OXvfiTrfp Bdcpvrj fiev iroXX'^,
lxvppivo<i Be 6X(i)<; ovk ecrriv. ev Be r& Tlovrm
rrepl UavriKdiraiov ouS" erepov Kalirep airovBa-
^ovrcov Kal irdvra fM7]-)(^av(0/jievo)v 7rp6<; rd<; lepo-
<Tvva<i' avKaX Be TroXXal Kal evfieyedei<; Kal
poial Be TrepiaKeira^ofxevar airioi Be Kal firjXeai
rrXelarai Kal TravroBaTrcorarai Kal xp^]arai,'
avrai S' eapival TrXrjv el dpa o^iar rf]<i Be
aypia<i vXr]<; earl Bpv<i irreXea fxeXia Kal oaa
roiavra' rrevKri Be Kal iXdrrj Kal rrirv<i ovk eartv
ovBe oXft)? ovBev evBaBov vypd Be avrrj Kal
Xelpcov TToXv rrjf; XtvcoTriKTJf;, war ovBe rroXv
')(^pMvrat avrrj irXrjv 7rpo<i ra viraldpia. ravra
1 TeXiOpiov conj. Sell, (in Euboea), cf. 9. 15. 4 ; UeXedpwv
UMVP; UapOeviov Ald.G.
^ Whose rhizome was used for perfumes; cf. 1. 7. 2; de
odor. 22. 23. 28. 32 ; Dykes, The Genus Iris, p. 237, gives an
interesting account of the modern uses of ' orris-root.'
324
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. v. 2-3
about Oeta Parnassus Pelion Ossa and Telethrion,!
and in these parts some say that there is great abund-
ance ; so also is there in Arcadia and Laconia, for
these districts too produce medicinal plants. But of
the aromatic plants none grows in these lands, except
the iris '^ in Illyria on the shores of the Adriatic ; for
here it is excellent and far superior to that which
grows elsewhere ; but in hot places and those which
face the south the fragrant plants grow, as if by con-
trast to the medicinal plants. And the warm places
have also the cypress in greater abundance ; for in-
stance, Crete Lycia Rhodes, while the prickly cedar
grows in the Thracian and the Phrygian mountains.
Of cultivated plants they say that those least
able to thrive in cold regions are the bay and
myrtle, especially the myrtle, and they give for
proof 2 that on Mount Olympus the bay is abundant,
but the myrtle does not occur at all. In Pontus
about Panticapaeum neither grows, though they are
anxious to grow them and take special pains * to do
so for religious purposes. But there are many well
grown fig-trees and pomegranates, which are given
shelter ; pears and apples are abundant in a great
variety of forms and are excellent. These are spring-
fruiting trees, except that they may fruit later here
than elsewhere. Of wild trees there are oak elm
manna-ash and the like (while there is no fir silver-
fir nor Aleppo pine, nor indeed any resinous tree).
But the wood of such trees ^ in this country is damp
and much inferior to that of Sinope, so that they do
not much use it except for outdoor purposes. These
3 Plin. 16. 137.
* Plin., I.e., s&ys that Mithridates made this attempt.
' i.e. oak, etc.
THEOPHRASTUS
fx,€V ovv irepl rov Yiovrov rj ev rial 76 Toiroi'i
avTOV.
^Ev 8e rfi UpoTTOVTiSi <yiveTai koI fivpptvo<i koI
Bdfpvrj 'Tr6Wa')(ov ev Totf opecriv. tacos S" evia
Kot rcov TOTTcov iSlu Oeriov eKacTOi yap exovat
ra Bia(fiepovTa, coaTrep etprjrai, Kara ra<i vXa<i ov
piovov Tw /SeXrLO) koI %et/oco Tr]v avrrjv e)(eiv dWa
KoX Tw (f)ep€LV rj fMT) (pepeiv olov 6 p.ev T/xcoX,o9
eyet Kot 6 Mvaio<i "OXi;/i7ro9 ttoXv to Kupvov
Koi rrjv hioa^aXavov, en he dprreXov koX pirfXeav
Kol poav r] Be "iBt] rd p,ev ouk eyei tovtcov rd
Be airdvLa' irepl Be MaKeSoviav kol rov UiepiKov
^OXvfiTTOv rd pev ecrri rd S' ovk eari rovrcov ev
Be rfj EuySota koL irepX rrjv M^ayvrjalav rd pev
Eiv/3oiKd TToXXd rS)v Be dWoov ovdev ovBe Brj irepl
rb UeXiov ovBe rd dWa rd ivravda oprj.
B/aa%u9 5' earl T07ro9 09 e^ei kol 6Xco<; rrjv
vavirrj'yrjcnpiov vXrjv rrj<; pev ydp Eupdoirr}'; BoKcl
rd rrepl rrjv ^luKeBovlav kol ocra rrj<i @paK7]<i Kal
Trepl ^IrdXiav t?}9 Be 'Acrta9 rd re ev K.tXiKi,a
Kot rd ev Xivcoirp Kal 'Apblao), ere Be 6 Mvaco^
"OXvp.TTO'i Kal 7) "\Br] ttXtjv ov rroXXijv' rj <ydp
Xvpla KeBpov e^ei Kal ravrrj ^/scovTat 77^009 rd<;
rpirjpet^.
^AXXd Kal rd (^iXvBpa Kal rd rrapaTrordpua
ravO^ opioioi^i' ev p,€v ydp rw ^KBpia irXdravov ov
(J3aaiv elvai TrXrjv rrepl rb Atop.yjBov'i lepov
arraviav Be Kal ev '\raXia rrdarj' KairoL rroXXol
Kal peydXoi rrorapbol nap dp,(f)oiv' dXX ovk
^ See Index.
2 Kal cfo-o : text probably defective, but sense clear. ? koI
iffa TTjs 0. €Xei KoX rb, irepl 'I.
326
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. v. 3-6
are the trees of Pontus, or at least of certain districts
of that country.
In the land of Propontis myrtle and bay are
found in many places on the mountains. Perhaps
however some trees should be put down as special
to particular places. For each district, as has been
said, has different trees, differing not only in that the
same trees occur but of variable quality, but also as
to producing or not producing some particular tree.
For instance, Tmolus and the Mysian Olympus have
the hazel and chestnut ^ in abundance, and also the
vine apple and pomegranate ; while Mount Ida has
some of these not at all and others only in small
quantity ; and in Macedonia and on the Pierian
Olympus some of these occur, but not others ; and
in Euboea and Magnesia the sweet chestnut ^ is com-
mon, l)ut none of the others is found ; nor yet on
Pelion or the other mountains of that region.
Again it is only a narrow extent of country which
produces wood fit for shipbuilding at all, namely in
Europe the Macedonian region, and cei-tain parts ^
of Thrace and Italy ; in Asia Cilicia Sinope and
Amisus, and also the Mysian Olympus, and Mount
Ida ; but in these parts it is not abundant. For Syria
has Syrian cedar, and they use this for their galleys.
The like is true of trees which love water and
the riverside ; in the Adriatic region they say that
the plane is not found, except near the Shrine of
Diomedes,^ and that it is scarce throughout Italy * ;
yet there are many large rivers in both countries,
in spite of which the localities do not seem to
^ On one of the islands of Diomedes, off the coast of
Apulia ; now called Isole di Tremiti. c/. Plin. 12. 6.
■» c/. 2. 8. 1 n.
THEOPHRASTUS
eoiKC (j>€peiv 6 TOTTOf eV 'PTjy la) yovi' a<; Aiovvawi
'iTpeaj3vTepo<; 6 rvpavvo<; icpvrevcrev iv reS Trapa-
Sei(T(p, ai elai vvv iv t& yvfivaa-lo), (f)i\oTtfi'r)deLcrai
ov 8eSvv7]vrac Xa^elv p.k'yedo'i.
'ISiVioi 8e TrXevarTjv e')(pvcn irXdravov, ot he
TrreXeav koX Iriav, oi he fjbvpiKrjv, wairep 6 Klp,o<;.
ware to, jxev roiavra, Kaddirep iXe^OV' '^^v tottwv
cSia Oereov ofioico^ ev re to 49 dypioi^ koX to??
r)fjbepoi<;. ov /xrjv aXXa rd'X^ av etif) Kol rovTwv
eVi Tivcov Mcrre Bia/coafxrjOevTcov hvvacrdai rrjv
')(^u>pav (pepeiv, kol vvv ^vp,^aivov opco/iiev koX
eirl ^(jtiwv evccov koX <^vjoiv.
VI, M.ejlarrjv Se Sta(popav avTrj<i rrj<; (f)va€Ci)<;
Twv BevBpcov KOL aTrXeo? tcov vXTj/xaTcov vttoXt)-
tneov f]v KoX -wporepov etiroixev, on ra fiev eyyaia
ra S' evvSpa Tvy)(^dvei, KaOdirep tmv ^cocov, kuI tmv
cfiVTcbv ov fjiovov ev Tot<i eXeai kol Tal<i Xt/jLvaa
Kol Toh TTOja/jioU yap dXXd koX ev rrj daXdrTrj
ipverai kol vXrj/jLara evia ev re rfj e^ca koI SevSpa'
iv p,ev yap rfj irepl rjfxa<; fiiKpa Trdvra ra (pvofieva,
/cat ovSev virepe'^ov q)<; elirelv t^? daXdrrij^' ev
ifceCvr] Se kuI ra roiavra koI virepexovra, Kal
erepa he /jbeL^o) hevhpa.
Ta fiev ovv Trepl r)jxa^ eari rdhe' ^avepoorara
fxev Kol KOLvdrara irdaiv ro re (f)VKo<? Kal to
fipvov Kal oaa dXXa roiavra- (pavepcorara he Kal
^ <piXoTi/j.T]6e7aat conj. St. ; (piKoTifiridels MSS ; Plin. 12. 7.
"* eaKaTT7\s conj. Seal, from G ; iKarris Ald.H.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. v. 6-vi. 2
produce this tree. At any rate those which King
Dionysius the Elder planted at Rhegium in the park,
and which are now in the grounds of the wrestling
school and are thought much of/ have not been ^ble
to attain any size.
Some of these regions however have the plane
in abundance, and others the elm and willow, others
the tamarisk, such as the district of Mount Haemus.
Wherefore such trees we must, as was said, take to
be peculiar to their districts, whether they are wild
or cultivated. However it might well be that the
country should be able to produce some of these
trees, if they were carefully cultivated : this we do
in fact find to be the case with some plants, as with
some animals.
Of the aquatic plants of the Mediterranean.
VI. However the greatest difference in the natural
character itself of trees and of tree-like plants gener-
ally we must take to be that mentioned already,
namely, that of plants, as of animals, some belong
IX) the earth, some to water. Not only in swamps,
lakes and rivers, but even in the sea there are some
tree-like growths, and in the ocean there are even
trees. In our own sea all the things that grow are
small, and hardly any of them rise above the sui--
face 2 ; but in the ocean we find the same kinds
]-ising above the surface, and also other larger
i;rees.
Those found in our own waters are as follows :
most conspicuous of those which are of general
occurrence are seaweed ^ oyster-green and the like ;
most obvious of those peculiar to certain parts are the
3 Plin. 13. 135.
329
THEOPHRASTUS
ISicorara Kara Tov<i roirovi i\drr) crvKrj Bpv<i
dfi7re\o<i (poivi^. rovrcov 8e rd fiev Trpoayeia
TO. Be TTovTia TO, 8 dfi^orepcop twv Toiroiv Koivd.
Kal rd /J.6V TToXveiSi], Kaddirep ro (f>vKO^, rd Se
p,iav ISeav €)(ovTa. tov <ydp (J3VKov<i to p,ev eart
7r\.aTV(pvWov raivioeiBh y^pSifia TrowSe? exov,
Br) KoX irpd&ov KoXovai Tiva, ol Be ^warrjpa'
pl^av Be e^^i Baaeiav e^codev evBodev Be XeTTvpicoBrj,
fiaKpdv Be iTriecKO)'; koL ev7ra')(r} irapojxoiav T0t9
KpOfivoyr)T€Loi<;.
3 To Be Tpc^6(f>vWov, Mcnrep ro pudpaOov, ov
TTOcoSe? aX,X' €^oi))(^pov ovBe e'Xpv Kavkov dX>C
opOov 7r&)9 ev avrw' (f)verai Be tovto eirX rSiv
ocnpaKwv koX tmv XlOcov, ovx oxxTrep Odrepov
7rp6<i rfj yfj- Trpoayeia S' dp.<pa), koI to /juev
T pL')(o<^vWov 7rpo9 avry rfj yfj, iroWdKL^ Be coanep
€7r iKXv^erai fiovov vtto rrj<; 6a\drrr]<;, Odrepov Be
dv(orepa).
4 Viverai Be ev [xev rfj e^co rfj Trepl 'HpaKXeovi
arrj\a<i Oavfiaarov ri ro p,eyeOo<i, &<; cfyacri, koX ro
iTXdro<i fxel^ov &)? TraXaiarialov. (peperac Be
rovro eh rrjv eaw ddXarrav dfia rw pa> tw
e^codev KoX /caXovaiv avro irpdaov ev ravrrj o
ev rtcrt roiroi^ war eirdvoo rov oficpaXov. Xeyerai
Be eirereiov elvat koI (jiveaOac fxev rov rjpo<;
Xrjyovro<i, dfc/xd^eiv Be rov depov<;, rov fieroTrcopov
Be (f)divecv, Kard Be rov ^^ip^wva diroXXvaOat koI
eKTrlirretv. diravra Be koX rdXXa rd (f)v6p,eva
Xeipo) Kot dfiavporepa yiveaOai rov 'X^eip.wvo'i.
^ See Index : trvKri, ^pvs, etc.
^ raivioet^es conj. Dalec. : rerat'oeiSes UPgAld.H.; to t(vo-
u^h MV. » c/. Diosc. 4. 99 ; Plin. 13. 136.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. vi. 2-4
sea-plants called 'fir' 'fig' 'oak' '\-ine' 'palm.'^
Of these some are found close to land, others
in the deep sea, others equally in both positions.
And some have many forms, as seaweed, some but
one. Thus of seaweed there is the broad-leaved
kind, riband-hke - and green in colour, which some
call 'green-weed' and others 'girdle-weed.' This
has a root which on the outside is shaggy, but the
inner part is made of several coats, and it is fairly
long and stout, like kromyogeteion (a kind of onion).
3 Another kind has hair-like leaves like fennel,
and is not green but pale yellow ; nor has it a stalk,
but it is, as it were, erect in itself; this grows on
oyster-shells and stones, not, like the other, attached
to the bottom ; but both are plants of the shore,
and the hair-leaved kind grows close to land, and
sometimes is merely washed over by the sea^ ; while
the other is found further out.
Again in the ocean about the pillars of Heracles
there is a kind ^ of marvellous size, they say, which
is larger, about a {jalmsbreadth.® This is carried into
the inner sea along with the current from the outer
sea, and they call it ' sea-leek ' (riband-weed) ;
and in this sea in some parts it grows higher than
a man's waist. It is said to be annual. and to come
up at the end of spring, and to be at its best in
summer, and to wither in autumn, while in winter it
perishes and is thrown up on shore. Also, they say,
all the other plants of the sea become weaker and
feebler in winter. These then are, one may say, the
* i.e. grows above low water mark.
^ See Index : ittvKos (2).
* i.e. the 'leaf: the comparison is doubtless with t^
tXotu, § 2 ; 6j UMVAld. ; 1i W. after Sch.'s conj.
THEOPHRASTUS
ravTU fiev ovv olov 'Trp6(T<yeia Trepi ye rrjv
dakajjav. rb Be irovnov (f)VKo<i o ol aTroyyiei';
dvaKoXvfi^wat ireXdyiov.
6 Kal iv Kp7]rr) 8e (jyverai irpo^ rf} yfj eirl roiv
TTerpwv TrXelaTop Kal KoXXtcTTOV o5 ^aTrrovaiv ov
/.lovov ra? Taiviw? dWd Kal epia Kal i/xdria' Kal
eify? ai> 17 7rp6a-(f)aTO'i rj ^a(^rj, ttoXv KaWtcov r)
Xpoa rr}(; irop^vpa^' yiverai B' iv rfj irpocr^oppo)
Kal TrXeiov Kal koXKlov, oiairep al arroyyiai Kat
dWa Totavra.
6 "AA,Xo 8' eaTiv o/xoiov ry dypcoarer Kal yap to
(f3vWov TrapairXi'jaLov e-xeu Kal rrjv pi^av yova-
rQ)Sr} Kal fiaKpdv Kal ire^VKvlav ifkaylav, coaTrep
7) ri]^ dypdiaTiSo^;' e'^ei Se Kal KavXov KaXafxcoSr},
KaOdirep rj dypwari<i' iieykBei he eXarrov ttoXv
rov (fiVKOv<;.
"AXXo Se TO ^pvov, o (pvXXov fxev e%et 7roft)Se9
rfj %/ooa, rrXarv 8e Kal ovk dvopuoiov Tat<? Opioa-
Kivai<i, ttXtjv pvTcScoSearepov Kal coo-irep avv-
eavao-fiivov. KavXov Be ovk e%e/, dXX drro iJLid<;
dpyrj^i irXeio) rd roiavra Kal irdXiv dir dXXrj'i'
(pverai. Be eirl rcov Xidwv rd. roiavra 7r/3o<? t^ yfj
Kal rcov oarpdKcov. Kal rd jxev iXdrrco a^eBov
ravr ecrriv.
7 'H Be Bpv<i Kal Tj eXdrrj Trapdyeioc fiev d/x(p(o'
(f)vovraL 8' eVl XlOol<; Kal ocrrpdKOi,^ pi^a<i fiev ovk
exovaac, rrpoarrecfiVKvlai, Be wcrirep al XerrdBe^.
d/j,(f)6repac fiev olov o-apKocpvXXa' Trpof^jKearepov
Be rd (f)vXXov rroXv Kal irax^repov tt}? iXdrr]<;
1 Plin. 13. 136, cf. 32. 22 ; Diosc. 4. 99.
* litmus ; see Index, <pvKos (5).
* Plin. I.e. ; grass-wrack, see Index, (pvKos (6).
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. vi. 4-7
sea-plants which are found near the shore. But the
'seaweed of ocean,' which is dived for by the
sponge-fishers, belongs to the open sea.
1 In Crete there is an abundant and luxuriant
growth 2 on the rocks close to land, with which they
dye not only their ribbons, but also wool and
clothes. And, as long as the dye is fresh, the
colour is far more beautiful than the purple dye ;
it occurs on the north coast in greater abundance
and fairer, as do the sjionges and other such things.
^ There is another kind like dog's-tooth grass ;
the leaf is very like, the root is jointed and long,
and grows out sideways, like that of that plant ; it
has also a reedy stalk like the same plant, and in
size it is much smaller than ordinary seaweed.
* Another kind is the oyster-green, which has a
leaf green in colour, but broad and not unlike
lettuce leaves ; but it is more wrinkled ^ and as it
^ve^e crumpled. It has no stalk, but from a single
starting-point grow many of the kind, and again
Irom another starting-point. These things grow on
stones close to land and on oyster-shells. These
are about all the smaller kinds.
^ The ' sea-oak ' and ' sea-fir ' both belong to the
shore ; they grow on stones and oyster-shells, having
no roots, but being attached to them like limpets.^
Both have more or less fleshy leaves ; but the leaf
cif the ' fir ' grows much longer and stouter, and is ^
* Plin. 13. 137 ; 27. 56 ; ^piov conj. Seal, from G and Plin.
I c; poTpvov UAld.H.
* jivTiSce^effTepov conj. Seal, from G and Plin. I.e.; -xpvtrioihe-
crepov Aid.; f)u(riaiBeffTepoy mBas.
8 Plin. Lc. ' AeiroSej Aid.; AoxaSej W. with UMV.
' -rpou-nKeffTtpov . . . Tr4<pvKe koI conj W. ; -rpofi. Se rh (pvWov
raxv Kol -raxvTepoy rrjs f\ir7]S- ■wo\v Si Kod Aid.
333
THEOPHRASTUS
7re0f /ce koX ovk avojjboiov rol<; roiv oairpiwv \o^ot<i,
Kolkov S" evhodev koI ovhev ep^oy ev avTOi<i' to Be
T^9 Bpvd<; XcTTTov KoX /JLvpiKcoBecrTepov' ^/aw/ia S'
eTTLirop^vpov dfKpotv. 77 Be oXrj /xopcpr] t?}? pev
iXdrrjii 6p6r) koI auT^9 ical TOiv dKpep.6vwv, rrjf; Be
Bpvd<i (TKoXKoripa koL pdXkov e^ovaa ttXcito?'
8 ylverat, Be dp-cfxi) koL iroXvKavXa koI </j,ov6Kav\a,>
povoKavKorepov Be i] ikdrrj' ra? Be aKpep^oviKa'i
uTTOipvaei^ rj pev iXdrr} puKpd^ e%ei Kal €vdeia<i
Kol p,avd<;, rj Be Bpv<; ^pa'xyrepa'i Kal crKoXLQ)Tepa<i
Kal 'TTVKVOTepa'i. to S' oXov p,eye6o<i dp,(f)OT€p(ov
ft)9 Trvycovialov rj pjiKpov virepalpov, pel^ov Be co?
dirXSj'i elirelv ro Trj<; e'A-aT?;?. 'x^prjcnp.ov Be rj Bpv<i
6i9 ^a(pr)V iplayv raL<i yvvat^lv. eVl p,ep rcop
aKpepiovwv 7rpoa-7}pT'r]p,eva roiv 6aTpaKoBepp,cov
^cocov evLa' Kal Karco Be irpb^ avTW tw KavXm
irepiTreipvKOTcov tlvwv 7' oXw, iv rovroL<i BeBvKOTe^i
Qvivvoi re Kal dXX! drra Kal to op^oiov ttoXvttoBi.
9 TavTa p,ev ovv TTpoayeia Kal paBia 6eu>p7}drjvar
<paal Be rive<i Kal dXXrjv Bpvv elvac, TTOvriav y) Kal
Kapirov <f)epei, Kal rj ^dXavo<i avrrji; '^prjcrlp,')]-
TOL"? Be aKivOov'i Kal KoXvp,/3r]rd<; Xeyetv ore Kal
erepat p,eydXaL Tcve<i rol<i pueyeOeaiv eirjaav,
'H. Be dp,TTeXo<i dp,(poTep(oa€ ylperar Kal yap
7rpo9 T^ yfj Kal irovria' pe'i^co 6' e%ei koI rd
(pvXXa Kal rd KXrjpara Kal rov Kapirov 7)
TTOvria.
'H Be (TVKrj d(f)vXXo<; p,ev ru) Be peyeOec ov
pueydXT], ')(pSyp,a Be rov (})Xoiov (f)ocviKOvv.
^ ahrols Ald.H. ; avrif conj. W.
2 I have inserted nov6KavKa.
334
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. vi. 7-9
not unlike the pods of pulses, but is hollow inside
and contains nothing in the 'pods.'^ That of the
''oak' is slender and more like the tamarisk; the
colour of both is purplish. The whole shape of the
• fir ' is erect, both as to the stem and the branches,
but that of the ' oak ' is less straight and the plant is
broader. Both are found both with many stems and
with one,- but the • fir ' is more apt to have a single
stem. The branchlike outgrowths in the 'fir' are
long straight and spreading, while in the ' oak ' they
are shorter less straight and closer. The whole size
of either is about a cubit or rather more, but in
general that of the ' fir ' is the longer. The ' oak '
is useful to women for dyeing wool. To the branches
are attached certain creatures with shells, and below
they are also found attached to the stem itself, which
in some cases they completely cover ; ^ and among
these are found millepedes and other such creatures,
including the one which resembles a cuttlefish.
These plants occur close to land and are easy to
observe ; but some report * that there is another ' sea
oak' which even bears fruit and has a useful 'acorn,'
and that the sponge fishers ° and divers told them
that there were other large kinds.
^ The ' sea-vine ' grows under both conditions, both
close to land and in the deep sea ; but the deep sea
ibrm has larger leaves branches and fruit.
^ The ' sea-fig ' is leafless and not of large size, and
the colour of the bark is red.
' riviiav 7' Sa^j conj. W. ; rivoiv i\uv Aid. ; tivuv -yf oXav U ;
text uncertain : the next clause has no connecting particle.
* Plin. 13. 137.
' aKivBovs, a vox nihili : perhaps conceals a proper name,
e.g. 2iKe\tKovs ; ffvoyytis conj. St.
6 Plin. 13. 138. 7 Plin. I.e.
335
THEOPHRASTUS
10 'O 8e (fiOLvt^ i(TTt, fjLev irovnov /3/9a%L'o-TeA,6;^69
he (T<p6Spa, Kul cx^ehov evdetai at iK(f)vaec<i rwv
pd/3B(i)v Kol KarcoOev ov kvkKw avrai, Kaddirep
Tcoy pd/38a)v al uKpefiove^;, aX,X' axrav iv TrXdrei
Kara fxlav avve')(el<i, oXiya^^ov Se koI diraX-
XdTTOvaac. tmv he pd^hoov rj rwv d'JTO(f)va€cov
TOVTCov ofioia rpoirov riva rj (j)vai<; rot? tcov
d/cavdcov (})vWoi<i tmv aKavLKOiv, olov aoy/coiq
KoX T0t9 TOLOVTOl^, TtXtJV Opdol Koi OV^, UXTTTep
eKCtva, irepLKeKXaa fievai koI to <pvXXov e)(ov(Tai
hia^e^pcofievov vtto Trj<i dX/jiri<;- eVet to 76 hi
oXov rjKeLv rov [xeaov je KavXov koX rj aXXr) 6-\ln<;
TTapairXrjaia. to he 'x^pcofia kuI rovrcov koX twv
KavXwv Kol oXov rov ^vtov i^epvOpov re ar(p6hpa
Kot <f)Ol,VlKOVV.
Kal ra [lev iv r^he rfj OaXdrrj] roaavTa eartv.
r) ryap (XTToyyca Kal al dirXvaiat KaXovfxevai Kal
el Ti TOLovTov erepav e%ei (j>vaiv.
VII. 'Ei' he rfi e^co rfj irepl 'HpaKXeov; arrfka^
ro re rrpdcrov, oicnep el'prjrai, ^verai Kal ra
aTToXiOovfieva ravra, olov 0vfia Kal ra haipvoeihrj
Kal ra dXXa. rrj<; he epv9pd<i KaXov/j,evr)<s ev rfj
^Kpa^ia fiiKpov iirdvoi Kotttou ev fiev rfi yfj
^ KtLTcedev . . , airaWaTTovaai probably beyond certain re-
storation : I have added «:al before Karwdev (from G), altered
KVKKwBev to kvkKw, put a stop before koX Karwdev, and restored
airaWaTTovcrai (Ald.H.). ^ cf. 6. 4. 8 ; 7. 8. 3.
* TTepiKeKhafffjLiva, i.e. towards the ground, cf. Diosc. 3.
68 and 69, where Plin. (27. 13) renders (pvWa) vwovfpiKXarai
ad terrain infracta.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. vi. lo-vii. i
The 'sea-palm' is a deep-sea plant, but with a
very short stem, and the branches which spring from
it are almost straight ; and these under water are
not set all round the stem, like the twigs which grow
from the branches, but extend, as it were, quite
flat in one direction, and are unifonn ; though
occasionally they are irregular.^ The character of
these branches or outgrowths to some extent re-
sembles the leaves of thistle-like spinous plants,
such as the sow-thistles - and the like, except that
they are straight and not bent over ^ like these,
and have their leaves eaten away by the brine ; in
the fact that the central stalk* at least runs through
the whole, they resemble these, and so does the
general appearance. The colour both of the branches
and of the stalks and of the plant as a whole is a
deep red or scarlet.
Such are the plants found in this sea. For sponges
and what are called aplt/siai ^ and such-like growths
are of a different character.
•
Of the aquatic plants of the 'outer sea' (i.e. Atlantic, Persian
Gulf, etc.).
VII. In the outer sea near the pillars of Heracles
grows the ' sea-leek,' as has been said ^ ; also the
well known ' plants which turn to stone, as thyma,
the plants like the bay and others. And in the
sea called the Red Sea* a little above Coptos®
• i.e. midrib.
* Some kind of sponge. dirXuaioi conj. R. Const.; TcXvaiai
UAld. ; irXvalai M ; irXovaiai V. « 4 g ^
7 raira: c/. 3. 7. 3 ; 3. 18. 11.
8 Plin. 13. 139.
9 KdxTou conj. Seal.; kotov MV; K<JAirou UAkl.; Capto G
and Plin. I.e.
•337
THEOPHRASTUS
SivBpov ovSev (pverai irXrjv t^9 aKavOr^^ rrj<i
Bi-\jrd8o<; Ka\ovfj,evr]<f airavia he kol avrrj 8ia ra
Kav/xara kol ttjv avvhpiav ov)( vec yap aXX.' rj
Si' iroov reTrdpcov rj irevre koX rore Xd^pco'i kol
iir oXijov ^pwoi/.
2 'Ei/ 8e rfj OaXaTTT) (pverai, KoXovai 8' avrd
8d(f)vriv KoX i\dav. ecrxi he rj fiev Sd(f)vr) o/xota
rff dpia 7] he iXda <Tfi e\da> ro) (pyXXw' Kapirov
he 'ix^i' V iXda irapaTrXijcriov rat? e\dai<i' d^irjai.
he fcal hdKpvov, e^ ov ol larpol <j)dpixaKov evaipov
crvvTideaaiv o ycverai a(f>6hpa dyadov. orav he
vhara vrXetft) yevqi-ai, p.vKrjre<i (pvovrai 7r/)09 tj]
daXdrrr] Kard Tcva roirov, ovrot he diroXidovvrai
VTTO Tov rjXtov. 7) he ddXarra drjpicohrjf irXet-
arov; he e')(^et tou? Kap-^apia'i, cocrre prj elvai
KoXvp,^r}(Tai.
'Ev he T(p KoXirw rw KaXovjxevw 'Hpcocov, e</>' ov
Kara^aivovaiv ol e^ Alyvinov, <pveTai fiev hd^vr]
T€ Koi eXda kol 6vp.ov, ov /jLtjv ')(Xo}pd ye dXXa
XidoeLhrj ra virepexovra rri<; OaXdrrrj^;, 6/J.oia he
Koi Tot<i ^vXXoi<i Kol Tol<i ^Xa<noL<i roi<; ')(Xa)pot<i.
iv he Ta> 6vp.(p koI to tov dvdov<i ^^pw/za hcdhr/Xov
wadv prjiTO) reXeoyi i^rjvOr^KO'i. fJLrjKr) he ra)V
hevhpv(f)icov oaov eh rpeh irrjxei'i.
3 01 he, ore avdnXovi rjv tmv e^ ^Ivhcov aTroara-
Xevrcov viro ^AXe^dvhpov, rd ev t^ OaXdrrj]
(f)v6fieva, P'^xpi' ov p,€v av r) ev tw vypw, ^/jW/ua
^aaiv exeiv opoiov Tot<i (f>vKiot<i, ottotuv S' e^-
1 cf. Strabo 16. 1. 147. ^ gge Index.
^ The name of a tree seems to have dropped out : I have
inserted tt? 4\da : cf. rais i\dais below. Bretzl suggests ISea.
for apl^.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. vii. 1-3
in Arabia there grows on the land no tree except
that called the ' thirsty ' acacia, and even this is
scarce by reason of the heat and the lack of water ;
for it never rains except at intervals of four or five
ye^rs, and then the rain comes down heavily and is
soon over.
^ But there are plants in the sea, which they call
'bay' and 'olive' (white mangrove-). In foliage
the 'bay' is like the aria (holm-oak), the 'olive'
like the real olive.' The latter has a fruit like olives,
and it also discharges a gum,* from which the
physicians * compound a drug ^ for stanching blood,
which is extremely effective. And when there is
more rain than usual, mushrooms grow in a certain
place close to the sea, which are turned to stone by
the sun. The sea is full of beasts, and produces
sharks ^ in great numbers, so that diving is
impossible.
In the gulf called ' the Gulf of the Heroes,' ''
to which the Egyptians go down, there grow a ' bay,'
an ' olive,' and a ' thyme ' ; these however are not
green, but like stones so far as they project above
the sea, but in leaves and shoots they are like their
green namesakes. In the ' thyme ' the colour of the
flower is also conspicuous, looking as though the
flower had not yet completely developed. These
treelike growths are about three cubits in height.
*Now some, referring to the occasion when there
was an expedition of those returning from India sent
out by Alexander, report that the plants which grow in
the sea, so long as they are kept damp, have a colour
^ cf. Diosc. 1. 105 and 106.
' cf. Athen. 4. 83 ; Plin. 12. 77.
6 PUn. 13. 139. " ef. 9. 4. 4. » Plin. 13. 140.
339
THEOPHRASTUS
eve'yOevTa radfj 7rpb<{ tov i]\cov, iv oXiyo) ■)(^p6vq)
e^OfioiovaOai tw d\L (pveadao 8e Kol a')(Oivov<;
\t,divov<; Trap avrrjv rrjv daXarrav, ov<i ovSeU av
Siayvotr) ttj o^frei 7rpo<{ tov<; aXrjdivov'i. Oavfia-
(TKorepov 8e n rovrov Xiyovar (pvecrdai yap
Bev8pv(f)i arra to /xev 'x^pcop.a e^ovra 6/xoiov
KepaTL /3oo9 T0i9 ^e 6^oi<; rpa^^a koX air aKpov
TTvppd' ravra he OpaveaOat fiev el avyK\a>i] Ti9'
iK Be TovTcov TTvpl ifji^aWo/xeva, Kaddirep tov
aiSrjpov, hidiTvpa yi,vop,eva irdXiv OTav diro'^v-
■XpiTO KadlcTTaadai /cal ttjv avT7)v XP^^^ \a/x-
0dvetv.
'Ei/ 8e Tat9 vrjaoL<i TaU viro t?}? TrXrjfifivpiSo'i
KaTaXap,^avop,evaL<i BevSpa /xeydXa TreapVKevai
rjXiKac TrXdTavoL kol alyeipoL at fieyiaTai- avp,-
^aiveiv Be, oB' rj TrXij/utfivpU eireXOoi, to, p,ev dXXa
KaTaKpvTTTeaOaL oXa, tcov Be pueyiaTOOv virepex^iv
Tov<; KXdBov<;, e^ wv Ta irpvpLvrjaia avdiTTecv, elB*
oT€ TrdXcv dfi7r(OTi<i yivoiTO e/c twv pi^cov. e^stv
Be TO BevBpov (f)vXXov fiev ofxoiov tt) Bd(j>vr), dv6o<i
Be T0i9 ioi9 KOL Tw ;^/3(w/xaTt koI ttj oa/xfj, Kapirov
Be rjXLKov eXda koI tovtov evcoBr] crcpoBpa' koI to,
fxev (pvXXa ovk drro^dXXeLv, to Be dv6o<i koI tov
KapTTOv dfxa tw (pdivoircopa) yiveaOai, tov Be eapo<i
diToppelv.
"AXXa B' ev avTrj Ty OaXdTTy 7re<^VKevai, dei-
(pvXXa jxev tov Be Kapirov ojxolov e'xeiv tol^
0epfj,oi<;.
liepl Be Trjv HepalBa Tr)v kutu ttjv Kap/iaviav,
KuB* o rj ttXt] ixjxv pl^ ylvcTai, BevBpa eaTlv evfxeyedr)
Ofioia TTj dvBpd')(Xr) kol t^ p^opcfifj koX Tot9 (f)vXXoi<i'
Kupirov Be e^^i ttoXvv ofiotov to5 ^^^pco/iart Tat9
340
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. vii. 3-5
like sea-weeds, but that Avhen thev are taken out and
put in the sun, they shortly become like salt. They
also say that rushes of stone grow close to the sea,
which none could distinguish at sight from real
rushes. They also report a more marvellous thing
than this ; they say that there are certain tree-like
growths which in colour resemble an ox-horn, but
whose branches are rough, and red at the tip ; these
break if they are doubled up, and some of them, if
they are cast on a fire, become red-hot like iron,
but recover when they cool and assume their original
colour.
^ On the islands which get covered by the tide they
say that great trees ^ grow, as big as planes or the
tallest poplars, and that it came to pass that, when
the tide ^ came up, while the other things were
entirely buried, the branches of the biggest trees
projected and they fastened the stem cables to them,
and then, when the tide ebbed again, fastened them
to the roots. And that the tree has a leaf like that
of the bay, and a flower like gilliflowers in colour and
smell, and a fruit the size of that of the olive, which
is also very fragrant. And that it does not shed its
leaves, and that the flower and the fruit form to-
gether in autunui and are shed in spring.
* Also they say there are plants which actually
grow in the sea, which are evergreen and have a fruit
like lupins.
^In Persia in the Carmanian district, Avhere the tide
is felt, there are trees** of fair size like the andrachne
in shape and in leaves ; and they bear much fruit like
1 Plin. 13. 141.
^ Mangroves. See Index App. (12).
3 cf.Arr. Aiiab. 6. 22. 6.
^ Plin. I.e. Index App. (13). » Plin. 12. 37.
* White mangro%'es. Index App. (14). ,^j
THEOPHRASTUS
afxv'ySaXat<; e^codev, ro S' eVro? crvveXlTrerai.
KaOdirep avvTqprrjfxivov irdcrtv. vTTolSe^pcoTat 8k
ravra ra hevhpa iravra Kara fjueaov vtto Tr}<;
6aXdTTri<i Koi ecrrrjKev vtto tmv pt^oiv, wcnrep
TTokvTTOVi. orav 'yap rj a/xTrcoTi? yevrjrac Oewpelv
6 etTTLV. vScop Se oXw^ ovk eanv iv tw tottw' Kara-
XeiirovraL he Tive<; Stcopf^e? Bi wv BiaTrXeovaiv'
avrai S' elal da\dTTr)<;' S koI SrjXov otovrat Ti,ve<i
ore rpe^ovTai ravrrj koI ov too vBari, 7r\i]v ei rt
Tal<; pi^ai^ eK t% 7779 eXKOvaiv. evXoyov Be koX
TOvO^ d\/jbvpbv elvai' koi 'yap ovSe Kara ^dOov<i
al pt^ai. TO Be 6\ov ev to yevo<; elvai rwv t iv
jfi daXdrrrj (^vofievwv Kal tmv iv rfj yfj vtto Trj<;
7r\r)fjbfjivplBo<; KaraXa/x^avofxevcov koI to. p,ev iv
rfi OaXdrrr) puKpa Kal (f)VKoo8i] (fiatvo/j^va, to, 8'
iv TTJ yj] p,eyd\a Kal 'xXwpd Kal dvdo'i evoBfiov
e-)(ovTa, KapiTov Be olov depfjLo<i.
7 'Et* TvXfp Be TTj vijaay, Keirac S* avrrj iv tm
'A/3a/3fc&) KoXiTM, rd jxev irpoi; eco roaovro ttX-^^o?
elvai (f)aai BevBpoiv or iK^aivei 77 7rXripp,vpl<;
wctt' d'n(i3')(ypoia6ai. irdvra Be ravra /xeyedr) fiev
ex^tv rfXiKa avKTj, rb Be dv6o^ virep^dXXov rfj
evooBia, Kapirov Be d^pcorov o/xoiov rfj o^y^rei ra>
depficp. <j>epeiv Be rrjv vrjaov Kal rd BevBpa rd
epL0(^6pa TToXXd. ravra Be (f)vX\ov /iiev e^ety
rrapofioLov rfj d/jLTreXo) ttXtjv p,i,Kp6v, Kapirov Be
ovBeva (pepetv iv c5 Be rb eptov rfXiKov firjXov
iapivbv avp.fiep,VK6<;' orav Be wpalov fj, iKirerdv-
^ Plin. I.e. Sicca litore radicibus nudis polyporum modo
complexae steriles arenas aspectantur : he appears to have
had a fuller text.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. vii. 5-7
in colour to almonds on the outside, but the inside
is coiled up as though the kernels were all united.
1 These trees are all eaten away up to the middle by
the sea and are held up b}- their roots, so that they
look like a cuttle-fish. For one mav see this at
ebb-tide. And there is no rain at all in the district,
but certain channels are left, along which they sail,
and which are part of the sea. Which, some think,
makes it plain that the trees derive nourishment from
the sea and not from fresh water, except what they
draw up with their roots from the land. And it is
reasonable to suppose that this too is brackish ; for
the roots do not run to any depth. In general they
say that the trees which grow in the sea and those
which grow on the land and are overtaken by the
tide are of the same kind, and that those which groAV
in the sea are small and look like seaweed, while
those that grow - on land are large and green and
have a fragrant flower and a fruit like a lupin.
In the island of Tylos^^ which is situated in the
Arabian gulf,* they say that on the east side there is
such a number of trees when the tide goes out that
they make a regular fence. All these are in size
as large as a fig-tree, the flower is exceedingly
fragrant,, and the fruit, which is not edible, is like in
appearance to the lupin. They say that the island
also produces the ' wool-bearing ' tree (cotton-plant)
in abundance. This has a leaf like that of the vine,
but small, and bears no fruit ; but the vessel in which
the ' wool ' is contained is as large as a spring apple,
^ (pvKwSj] (patv6fj.eva to S' iv conj. W. ; <pvK. <pv. 5" eV MVAld. ;
U has (pepdfifva {?).
^ cf. 5. 4. 6 ; Plin. 12. 38 and 39 ; modern name Bahrein.
* i.e. Persian Gulf.
343
THEOPHRASTUS
wad at KoX i^eipecv to epiov, i^ ov to.? at,vB6va<;
v(f)aLvovcn, ra? fiev evTe\ei<i Ta<; Be TroXfreXe-
ardra^.
Tlverai Be tovto koL iv 'It'Sot?, wairep i\€')(^9r),
Kal iv ^Apa^la. elvai Be aWa Bei'Bpa to av6o<i
e'X^ovTa ofioLOV tm XevKotw, irXrjv aoBfiov Kal rat
/xeyedei, rerpaTrXdaiov tmv twv. Kal erepov Be ri
BevBpov 7ro\v(pvX\.ov wairep to poBov rovro Be
TTjV fiev vvKra avp,p.v€iv dfxa Be ro) 7)\i(p dviovTL
Bcoiyvvcrdai., fxecnrifx^pia^ Be TeXe&)9 BieTrrvx^ai,
TToXiv Be rij^i B6iXr}<; crvvdyecrOat Kara [xiKpov Kal
rr]v vvKTa (Tv/j.fiveiv' Xeyeiv Be Kal rov<i eyx^'
piov^ on KadevBei. yiveadai Be Kal (pocviKa^ iv
rfj vr](j(p Kal a/XTreXou? Kal raWa aKpoBpva Kal
(TVKa<i ov (pvWoppoovaa^. vBcop Be ovpdvLOV <yive-
aOai fjiev, ov /jltjv %p?7o-^at ye 7r/)09 tou9 KapTT0v<i'
dXX elvac Kprjva^i iv rfj vijao) TroXXa?, ac^' a>v
irdvTa ^pex^i'V, o Kal av/jxpepeiv fxaXkov r& air a
Kal T0t9 BevBpeaiV. Be o Kal orav var) rovro eV-
a<bievai Kadairepel Kara'rr\vvovra<; ixelvo. Kal
ra /juev iv rfj e^co daXdrrj] BevBpa rd ye vvv
re^ewprj/xeva ax^Bov roaavrd iariv.
VIII. 'Tirep Be rcov iv roL<; Trora/xoU Kal TOt?
eXeai Kal raU Xt/xi/at? fxera ravra XeKreov. rpia
Be iariv eiBr] roiv ev rovroa, ra fiev BevBpa ra 8'
1 i^fipeiu conj. W.; iiaalptiy Pg : ^^aipuv Aid. ^ 4. g. g.
•' T.imarind. See Index App. (15). Plin. 12. 40.
■* -ttA^v &oSf^oy conj. H. Steph.; irXeiova uSfjLov UMAld.
° T# fieyeOei /col I conj. ; Kal T(f neyeOet UM VP ; koI cm. Aid.
« Tamarind also. See Index App. (16). '^ i.e. leaflets.
^ Ficus lacci/era. See Index App. (17). ov (pvWoppoovffas
couj. W., cf. G and Plin. I.e.; ai (pvWoppoovaiv Ald.H.
344
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. vii. 7-vni. i
and closed, but when it is ripe, it unfolds and puts
forth ^ the ' wool,' of which they weave their fabrics,
some of which are cheap and some very expensive.
This tree is also found, as was said,- in India
as well as in Arabia. They say that there are other
trees ^ with a flower like the gilliflower, but scent-
less ■* and in size ^ four times as large as that flower.
And that there is another tree ^ with many leaves '
like the rose, and that this closes at night, but opens
at sunrise, and by noon is completely unfolded ; and
at evening again it closes by degrees and remains
shut at night, and the natives say that it goes to
sleep. Also that there are date-palms on the island
and vines and other fruit-trees, including evergreen ^
figs. Also that there is water from heaven, but
that they do not use it for the fruits, but that there
are many springs on the island, from Mhich they
Avater everything, and that this is more beneficial ^
to the corn and the trees. Wherefore, even when it
rains, they let this water over the tields,i*^ as though
they were washing away the rain water. Such
are the trees as so far observed which grow in the
outer sea.
()/ the plants of rivers, marshes, and lakes, especially in Egypt.
VIII. Next we must speak of plants which live in
rivers marshes and lakes. Of these there are three
classes, trees, plants of ' herbaceous ' ^^ character, and
* & icol avfitpepfiy conj. Sch.; & koI avfuptpei Aid.; U has
axifKptptiv.
'• cf. C.P. 2. 5. 5, where Androsthenes, one of Alexander's
admirals, is given as the authority for this statement.
'^ The term ra -xoiuiSri seems to be given here a narrower
C3nnotation than usual, in order that ret XoxfueSi) may be
distinguished.
345
THEOPHRASTUS
(wcTTrep TTOKoSr) ra 8e \o')(^fx,(o87). \eyco Se "ttokoSt]
fjiev olov TO aeXivov to eXeiov koI ocra aXKa roi-
avTtt' XoxfJ'd'^^V ^^ fcdXa/iiov Kviretpov cfyXeu) (T')(oI-
vov ^ovTOfJiOv, airep a'^^eSov KOiva iravroiv rcbv
iroTa/jLcov kclI twv roiovrcov tottcov.
^Kviaxov Be /cal /Sutoi koX iraXioupot koI ra
aWa SevSpa, Kaddirep Irea XevKrj wXaravo^. rd
fiev ovv fi^xpi Tov KaraKpvTrrea-dai, rd Se Mcrre
fiiKpov VTrepix^tv, rojv he at fiev pi^ai kuI fit/cpov
Tov (7Te\e')(pv<i iv ray vypo), to 8e dXXo acofia irdv
e^Q). rovTO yap Kat Irea Kal KkrjOpa Kal ifKardvfp
Kal (piXvpa Kal wdai, rol<i <f)i\,vBpoi^ aufi^alvet,.
Xx^Bov Be Kal ravra Koivd rrdvrwv rwv irora-
jjioiv eariv eirel Kal iv ra) NetXw TricpvKev ov
/jbr)v TToWrj je r/ 7r\dravo<i, dWd (nravicorepa ert
ravrrjf rj XevKT), ifKeiarr] Be fieXia Kal ^ovfjb€Xio<i.
rSiv <yovv iv Aiyvirroi cfivofievcov ro fxev oiXov
TToXv irXrjOo'i iariv 77/009 ro dpiOfirjaaaOaL KaO'
CKaarov ov /jLtjv aXA,' &<; ye d7rX(o<; elirelv diravra
iBcoBifia Kal 'x^uXov'i e-yovra yXvKei<;. Biacfyepeiv
Be BoKet rfi yXvKvrrjrt Kal ra> rp6(^ifia fidXicrra
elvat rpia ravra, 6 re irdirvpo'; Kal ro KaXov-
/xevov crdpt Kal rptrov p,vdcnov KaXovat.
^verai- Be 6 TrdiTvpo^ ovk iv ^ddet rov vBaro<i
dXX^ ocrov iv Bvo 7r?;;^ecrfi', ivLa')(ov Be Kal iv
iXdrrovL. Trd^o'? fiev ovv rrj<i pl^rj(; rjXiKOv Kap-
7ro9 x^ipb'i dvBp6<; evpcocrrov, p,7]K0<; Be virep re-
rpaTrrj'X^v (pverai Be virep rrj<; 7179 avrt]<;, nrXayia^
p'i^a^ eh rov ttijXov KaOielaa Xe7rrd<i Kal 7rvKvd<i,
dv(o Be rov<i iraTTvpovq KaXov puevovi rpiycavov;,
1 TcS;/ yovv K.T.X.: text probably defective; what follows
appears to relate to to rroidiSr].
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. viii. 1-3
plants growing in clumps. By ' herbaceous ' I mean
here such plants as the marsh celery and the like ;
by ' plants growing in clumps ' I mean reeds galin-
gale phleo rush sedge — which are common to almost
all rivers and such situations.
And in some such places are found brambles
Christ's thorn and other trees, such as willow abele
plane. Some of these are water plants to the extent
of being submerged, while some project a little from
the water ; of some again the roots and a small part
of the stem are under water, but the rest of the
body is altogether above it. This is the case with
willow alder plane lime, and all water-loving trees.
These too are common to almost all rivers, for
they grow even in the Nile. However the plane is
not abundant by rivers, while the abele is even more
scarce, and the manna-ash and ash are commonest.
At any rate of those ^ that grow in Egypt the list is
too long to enumerate separately ; however, to speak
generally, they are all edible and have sweet flavours.
But they differ in sweetness, and we may distinguish
also three as the most useful for food, namely the
papyrus, the plant called sari, and the plant which
they call mnasion.
2 The papvTus does not grow in deep water, but
only in a depth of about two cubits, and sometimes
shallower. The thickness of the root is that of the
wrist of a stahvart man, and the length above four
cubits ^ ; it grows above the ground itself, throwing
down slender matted roots into the mud, and
producing above the stalks which give it its name
• pap}Tus ' ; these are three-cornered and about ten
2 Plin. 13. 71-73.
' TtTpaxjjxu : SeVo x^x*'s MSS. See next note.
347
THEOPHRASTUS
fie.<yedo<i co? heKa inj'^eL';, ko/xtjv ej^ovra'i a')(^pelov
aaOevTj Kapirov he o\w<i ovheva' tovtov<; 8' dvaSt-
SaxTi Kara ttoWo, p^epr}. 'x^pcovrai Be Tat9 p-ev
pi^ai<i avrl ^vXcov ov povov rut Kaeiv aXXa koL tm
(TKevrj aWa iroieiv e^ avrcov TTavTohaird' iroXv
<ydp e'X^ei to ^v\ov kuI koKov. avro<i he 6 ird-
TTvpof irpot TrXeiara 'X^prjcnp,o^' /cat yap irXoia
TTOiovcTCv i^ avrov, koI Ik tt]^ ^i^Xov Icnia re
TrkeKOvai koI ylriddov^ ical iadijrd Tiva koX
(TTp(opvd<i Kol (Txoivia re kol erepa irXeLO). /cat
epc^avearara Sr] rot<; e^w rd ^L^XLa' pdXicna he
Koi TrXeiarrj ^orjdeta 7rp6<; tt}v Tpo(j>rjv dir avrov
'yiverat. p,aacovrac <ydp diravre<i ol ev rfj %ftj/3a
rov nrdTTvpov koi wpbov Kal e(f)06v kol OTrrov Koi
rov pev 'XvXov KaraTTivovat,, rb he pdar}p,a eK^dX-
Xovaiv. 6 pev ovv rrd'irvpo'i roiovr6<; re Kal rav-
ra<; irape^erai rd<i 'y^pela';. jiverai he Kal ev
Xvpia irepl rrjv Xip,vr)v ev ^ Kol 6 KdXap,o<i 6
ev(t)hrj<;' odev Kal ^Avr(,<yovo<i et<f ra? vav<; eTrocetro
rd a)(^OLVia.
To he crdpt (f}veraL p,ev ev rG) vhart irepl rd eXrj
Kal rd TTehia, erreihdv 6 7rorapo<i direXdrj, pl^av he
€')(ei aKXrjpdv Kal crvvearpapLpbevriv, Kal e^ avri)^
(pverai rd aapca KaXovpueva' ravra he p7]K0<; p,ev
d)<i hvo 7r7;%et9, 'Trd')(o^ he rjXLKOv 6 hdKrvXo^ 6
peya'i t^§ -y^eipo^;' rpiyoovov he Kal rovro, Kaddirep
6 irdTTvpo^y Kal Kop^rjv e^ov TvapairXricnov. pui-
(TcopievoL he eK^dXXovai Kal rovro rb pdarip,a, rfj
pC^rj he ol aihr^povpyol ^/owi^raf rbv ydp dvdpaKa
rroiel 'X^pr^arbv hid rb cxKXrjpbv elvai rb ^vXov.
To he p,vdaiov 7roi6t)he<i earcv, war ovZepiav
irape'X^erat %/3etai' 7rXr}V rrjv et? rpo(f)'r]v.
348
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. viii. 3-6
cubits ^ long, having a plume which is useless and
weak, and no fruit whatever ; and these stalks the
plant sends up at many points. They use the roots
instead of wood, not only for burning, but also for
making a great variety of articles ; for the wood is
abundant and good. The ' papyrus' itself- is useful
for many purposes ; for they make boats from it,
and from the rind they weave sails mats a kind of
raiment coverlets ropes and many other things.
Most familiar to foreigners are the papyrus-rolls
made of it ; but above all the plant also is of very
great use in the way of food.^ For all the natives
chew the papyrus both raw boiled and roasted: they
swallow the juice and spit out the quid. Such is
the pap}Tus and such its uses. It grows also in
Syria about the lake in which grows also sweet-
fiag ; and Antigonus made of it the cables for his
ships.
* The sari grows in the water in marshes and
f>lains, when the river has left them ; it has a hard
twisted root, and from it grow what they call the
saiia 5 ; these are about two cubits long and as
thick as a man's thumb; this stalk too is three-
cornered, like the papyrus, and has similar foliage.
This also they chew, spitting out the qui.d ; and
smiths use the root, for it makes excellent charcoal,
because the wood is hard.
Mnasion is herbaceous, so that it has no use except
f<)r food.
^ Se'/co ir^x^'s : T€Tpair^X«'* MSS. The two numbers seem
to have changed places {Bartels ap. Sch.). c/. Plin. I.e.
* i.e. the stalk.
» c/. Diod. 1. 80. * Plin. 13. 128.
' t.e. stalks, like those of the papyrus.
349
THEOPHRASTUS
Kal TO, jjbkv yXvKVTrjri hia^epovja ravrd ecrji.
(f)veTai Se koX erepov iv Tot9 ekecn koI raU Xl/m-
vaa ov avvdinet, rfj yfj, Tr}v fxev ^vaiv 6/jloiov
To?9 KpivoL<i, iroXvc^vWorepov he kclI irap^ dWrfKa
TO, (ftvXka KaOcLTrep iv Btaroi'x^ia' ')(^pcofia Se %Xft)-
pov e')(eL (r(f>68pa. ^^/owvrat 8e ol larpol trpo^ re
jd yuvaiKela avTO) koX 7rpo<i rd KaTaypura.
[Tavra 8e yiveraL iv tS> TTOTap.w el pltj 6 pov<i
i^e<f>epev avp./3atvec Se Mare koI drro^epeadai'
erepa S' drr avrcov irXelco.]
'O 8e Kvap.o<i (pverai p,ev iv rol^ eXeai /cal Xip,-
vai<i, KavXQ<i he avrov p-rjKO^ p.ev 6 pLUKporaro^
el<i rerrapa<i mq-x^ei^, Trd')(o<i he haKrvXiaio<i,
6pbOLO<i he KaXdp,(p p,aXaKa> dyovdra. hia(fivaet<i
he evhodev e%6i hi oXov hieiXr}p,p,eva<i opoia<i rot?
Kr]p[oL<i' eirl rovra he rj KOihva, irapopboia crcprjKLq)
7repi(f)epei, koX iv eKdarro rdv Kvrrdpiov Kvap,o<;
p,iKp6v vrrepaipwv avTf]<i, 7rXrj6o<{ he ol irXelaroi
rpidKovra. rb he dvdo<i hnrXdaiov rj p.i]Kcovo<i,
"Xpaypia he 6p,ovov pohw KaraKope^' iirdvw he rov
vharo'i rj Koohva. 7rapa(f)verai he (pvXXa p,eydXa
Trap' eKaarov rcov Kvdpuwv, o)v taa rd p.eye6ri
irerdaw %erraXLKfi rov avrov e^ovra KavXov r(p
rSiv Kvdpiwv. (TVvrpL'\lravrt S' eKaarov r(ji)v Kvd-
p,cov (fiavepov ian ro ircKpov avvearpap^p-evov, i^
^ Ottelia alismoeides. See Index App. (18).
2 ravra . . . irXflw conj. W. after Sch.; I have also trans-
posed the two sentences, after Sch. The whole passage in [ ]
(which is omitted by G) is apparently either an interpolation
or defective, ant/j-aivfi. 5e wcrirep kuI anocpfpfcrdar frepa 5e oiTr'
avrHv T^ irXela' ravra Se yiverat ey r^ irora^i^- ei /trj 6 ^ovs
e^f<pepfv Aid. ; so also U, but avrwv ir\eta>.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. viii. 6-7
Such are the plants which excel in sweetness of
taste. There is also another plant ^ which grows in
the marshes and lakes, but which does not take hold
of the ground ; in character it is like a lily, but it is
more leafy, and has its leaves opposite to one
another, as it were in a double row ; the colour is a
deep green. Physicians use it for the complaints of
women and for fractures.
Now these plants grow in the river, unless the
stream has thrown them up on land ; it sometimes
happens that they are borne down the stream, and
that then other plants grow from them.-
* But the ' Egyptian bean ' grows in the marshes
and lakes ; the length of its stalk at longest is four
cubits, it is as thick as a man's finger, and resembles
a pliant^ reed without joints. Inside it has tubes
■which run distinct from one another right through,
like a honey-comb : on this is set the ' head,' which
is like a round wasps' nest, and in each of the cells is
a ' bean,' which slightly projects from it ; at most
there are thirty of these. The flower is twice as
large as a poppy's, and the colour is like a rose, of a
deep shade ; the ' head ' is above the water. Large
leaves grow at the side of each plant, equal ^ in size
to a Thessalian hat '"- ; these have a stalk exactly like
that " of the plant. If one of the 'beans ' is crushed,
you find the bitter substance coiled up, of which the
' PHn. 18. 121 and 122.
* fia\aK^ Ald.H.G Plin. I.e. Athen. 3. 2 cites the passage
w ith fioKpif.
* To-o conj. W. ; koI Aid.
^ xeroffij) conj. Sch. from Diosc. 2. 106; -riKu Ald.H. ; 01
■Khaaoi are mentioned below (§ 9) without explanation. The
comparison is oniitt«d by G and Plin. I.e.
'' i.e. that which tarries the KuSva.
THEOPHRASTUS
8 ov jLveTai, o iriXo^;. ra fiev ovv irepl top Kapirov
TotavTa. T) 8e pt^a TraxvTepa tov KaXd/xov tov
TTa-^vrcLTov koI 8ia(jiV(T€i<i ofjboioi'i e^ovaa T(p
Kav\&. iadiovai 8' avrrjv koI oipbrjv koX ecj)6r)v
Kai OTTrtjV, Kac ot irepl ra ekrj tovtw crtro) Ypwv-
rai. (f>v€Tai, fiev ovv 6 ttoXu? avT6fMaro<i' ov jj,r)v
dWa Kol Kara^dWovcnv ev rrrfka d')(vpdo(TavTe<i
ev jJidXa irpo^ to Kareiex^^vaC re koI p,elvai koI
fxr] oia<f)6api]vaf Kac ovtco KaracrKevd^ovat TOv<i
Kvaficova<;' dv 8' dira^ dvTiXd^rjTUi, /xevei Bid
TeA-of?. la^vpa yap rj pi^a /cat ov Troppco rf}<i
TMV KoXd/xcov TrXrjv eTraKavdi^ovaa- hi o Kal 6
KpoKoheiXo'i (pevyei p^rj irpocrKO'^r) rSt 6(f)6a\pq>
T& p,rj o^v Kadopav yiverat. Be ovto<; koI ev
%vpia Kal Kara KiXcKtav, a\A,' ovk eKTrerrovaiv
ai 'xoipai' Kal Ttepl Topoovrjv rfjf; X.a\KiBiKij<i ev
\ifivrj Tivl perpia rw fieyeOei' Kal avTov TrerreTai,
TeXe(»9 /cal reXeoKapirel.
9 'O Be \a)T6<; Ka\ovp£vo<; (pverai p.ev 6 TrXetcrro?
ev T0t9 7reBt,ot<i, orav rj %ft)/3a. KaraK'kvcrdfj. rov-
Tov Be 7} pev TOV KavXov cf)vai,<; opoia tt} tov
Kvdpov, Kal ol ireTaaoi Be (haavTca, ifK'qv e\dT-
T0f9 Kal XcTTTOTepoi. eTTLcpveTai Be opolco^ 6
Kapiro'i TU) TOV Kvdpiov. to dv6o<i avTOV XevKOV
ep,<f)ep€<; tt} aTevoTrjTi tcov (fivWoov Tolf tov
Kplvov, TToWd Be Kal irvKvd eV dWi]\oLf; (f)veTac.
TavTa Be OTav pev 6 ■^Xio? Bvrj avpbp,vei Kal avy-
KoXviTTei, TYjV KooBvav, dpLa Be Trj dvaToXrj Bioi-
^ 6 -ir'iKos UMV; 7] irlAos Ald.H.; 'l = germen Sch.
2 cf. Diosc. 2. 107.
* Koi Karafi. conj. W. ; Karafi. Aid.; kotojB. 5' UMV.
* Plin. 13. 107 and 108.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. viii. 7-9
jnlos^ is made. So much for the fruit. The root
is thicker than the thickest reed, and is made up of
distinct tubes, like the stalk. -They eat it both
i-aw boiled and roasted, and the people of the
marshes make this their food. It mostly grows of
its own accord ; however they also sow ^ it in the
mud, having first well mixed the seed with chaff, so
that it may be carried down and remain in the
ground without being rotted ; and so they prepare
the ' bean ' fields, and if the plant once takes hold it
is permanent. For the root is strong and not unlike
that of reeds, except that it is prickly on the surface.
Wherefore the crocodile avoids it, lest he may strike
his eye on it, since he has not sharp sight. This
plant also grows in Syria and in parts of Cilicia, but
these countries cannot ripen it ; also about Torone in
Chalcidice in a certain lake of small size ; and this
lake ripens it perfectly and matures its fruit.
■*The plant called the lotos (Nile water-lily) grows
chiefly in the plains when the land is inundated.
The character of the stalk of this plant is like that
of the ' Egj'ptian bean,' and so are the ' hat-like '
hjaves,^ except that they are smaller and slenderer.
And the fruit '' grows on the stalk in the same way
as that of the ' bean.' The flower is white, resem-
bling in the narrowness of its petals those of the
lily,'^ but there are many petals growing close one
upon another. When the sun sets, these close ^ and
cover up the ' head,' but with sunrise they open and
» cf. 4. 8. 7.
• Kaprhs cojij. W. ; Xanhs MSS. Possibly the fruit was
Sf eciallv called \un6s.
7 cf. Hdt. 2. 92; Diosc. 4. 113.
® 5up, ffv/jLfivei eonj. St.; <rvfj.ixvfi MV; (rvfifivrj U; avfifiirt]
(oaaitting koI) Ald.H.
353
THEOPHRASTUS
'ye'Tai koX virep rov vSaro'; yiverai. tovto 8e
TTOiei f^€')(pi av rj Kcohva eKreXecoO'p koI ra auOrj
10 irepLppvf). T^9 he Ka)8va<; to fxeyedof tjXIkov
firjK(ovo<i T7]<i fxeyLarrj^;, koX Sie^axrrai Tat<i Kara-
TOfial^; rov avrov rponrov rf] fxrjKwvf ttXtjp ttvkvo-
Te/309 ev TavTai<i 6 KapTTo'i. eari Be Trapofjuoici
ra> Keyxp^- ^v he rep Kvcfipdrr] rrjv Kwhvav (paal
Koi ra av07] hvvetv koX vTroKara^aiveiv tt}? o^^ia^
pA'X^pi, peacbv vvKTMV Kal r& j^dOei iroppw ovhe
yap KaQievra rrjv X^^P^ Xa^elv elvai. fiera he
ravra orav opdpo^ 77 iraktv erravievai Kal rrpof;
rj/jbepav en fidWov, dfia rw ifKiw (^avepov <ov>
virep rov vharo<; Kal dvo'iyeiv ro civdo^, dvoiyOev-
ra he en dva^alveiv av^yov Be ro virepalpov
11 elvat ro vhcop. ra? he K(io8va<i ravra^ 01 Alyv-
irrioi avv6evre<; eh ro avrb crijTrovcnv eirav Be
(yarrfi ro KeXv(f)0<i, ev t&) TTora/mu) KXv^ovre<; e^at-
povat rov Kapirov, ^r]pdvavre<i Be Kal rrrl(Tavre<i
dprov<; iroLovai Kal rovrcp ^/Owi/Tat cnri(p. 77 Be
pi^a rov Xcorov KuXelrat fxev Kopaiov, earl Be
crrpoyyvkri, to /xeyeOof; rjkiKOV fiijXov K-vBcoviov
0XotO9 Be TrepiKetrai, irepl avrrjv p.eXa<i i/x<f)epr)<i
ra> KaaravalKw Kapvw' ro Be evrb<; XevKov, ei/ro-
fjuevov Be Kal oTrrco/juevov yiverat XeKida)Be<;, rjBv Be
ev rfi 7rpoa(f)opa' eadlerai Be Kal oop>ij, dpiarri
Be ev \r(p] vBan e^Oi] Kal orcrr). Kal ra fiev
ev roi<i vBacrtv ayeBov ravrd eariv.
12 bjv oe TOi? apficooeai ^iwptof?, a eanv ov TToppco
1 cf. Diosc. I.e. 2 cf. C.P. 2. 19. 1 ; Plin. 13. 109.
^ dij/fas conj. W. from Plin. I.e.; ? o\f/ias Sipas.
* <:hv> add. W.
^ Ki\v(pos i.e. fruit: Kapir6v i.e. seeds.
354
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. viii. 9-12
appear above the water. This the plant does until
the ' head ' is matured and the flowers have fallen off.
^ The size of the ' head ' is that of the largest poppy,
and it has grooves all round it in the same way as
the poppy, but the fruit is set closer in these. This
is like millet. - In the Euphrates they say that the
'head' and the flowers sink and go under water in
the evening ^ till midnight, and sink to a consider-
able depth ; for one can not even reach them by
plunging one's hand in ; and that after this, when
dawn comes round, they rise and go on rising towards
day-break, being ^ visible above the water when the
sun appears ; and that then the plant opens its flower,
and, after it is open, it still rises ; and that it is
a considerable part which projects above the water.
These ' heads ' the Egyptians heap together and
leave to decay, and when the 'pod ' ^ has decayed, they
Avash the ' head ' in the river and take out the ' fruit,' ^
and, having dried and pounded ° it, they make loaves
cif it, which they use for food. The root of the lotos
is called korsion,'' and it is round and about the size
C'f a quince ; it is enclosed in a black ' bark,' like the
shell of a chestnut. The inside is white ; but when
it is boiled or roasted, it becomes of the colour of
the yolk of an egg and is sweet to taste. The root
is also eaten raw, though it is best when boiled in
v/ater or roasted.^ Such are the plants found in
v/ater.
In sandy places which are not^ far from the river
« iTTiVovTfi : cf. Hdt. 2. 92. ^ c/. Strabo 17. 2. 4.
* iaeierai . . . oirr-fi conj. Sch. from Plin. I.e. and G ; eVfl.
S.; /col wfiov a.p(arr\ 5« iv rots uSofftc ahr)) wfjA\ Aid. ; apliXTT) Se
Kit Tojs SSaffiv avrriv UMV, thea o/iij U, ifiri V, wfii) M ; apiarTj
5'F fv T<f vSari fcpdi] f) Koi oitttJ H.
* oil was apparently not in Pliny's text ; (21. 88.)
355
THEOPHRASTUS
rod TTOTa/jLov, cfiverai Kara 7% KuXelrat. jxaXiv-
addWrj, (TTpoyyvXov t« a')(r]fjiarL fxeje0o<; Se
rfXiKOv fMecTTTiXov uTTvprjvou Se d(f)\otov' (f>vWa
8e atpLTjatv air avrov o/xoca Kvirelpoy ravra
avvd<yovTe<i ol Kara rrjv ■)(oiipav eyjroiJaLV iv ^pvrw
T(p diro TMV Kptdcov Kal yiverai <y\vKea acpoBpa-
'X^pwvrat Se 7rdvr€<; axrirep rpay/jf^aa-i.
13 Toi9 8e ^oval kuI toI<; TTpo^drofi aTravra fiev
TO, ^vojieva iScoStfjid iariv, ev 8i ri <yevo<i iv rat?
\Lfivat<; Kal Tol<i eXeai (jjverai hia^epov, o Kal
')(\copdv vifiovrai Kal ^ripaivovre<; irapexovac Kara
'Xeijxoiva Tol<i ^ovcrlv orav ipydcrcovrac Kal rd
acofiara e'x^ovaiv ev airov dXko Xa/ju^dvovref
ovOev.
14 "Eo-Tt Be Kal dXko 7rapa(f)v6/jLevov avTo/xarov
ev tS) (jLtw' tovto Be, orav 6 atro<i y Ka0ap6<;,
vTTOTnicravre'i Kara^dWovai rov 'yeijxSyvo'i vy-
pdv et9 yijv' ^Xaarijaavro'? Be refi6vTe<; Kal
^rjpdvavre^ irape'^^ovcri Kal tovto (Boval Kal
'tlTTTOl^ Kal T0t9 VTTO^VyLOL'i (TVV TW KapiTO) TW eiTl-
yLvo/xevo)' 6 Be Kapiro^ /xey66o<i fiev rfKiKov arj-
aafiov, (TTpoyyuXo<i Be Kal rw ■^pcofjLaTC 'xXcopo'i,
dya6o<i Be Bia(f)ep6vTco^. ev AlyviTTW puev ovv
Ta TreptTTa (j')(^eBov TavTa dv Tt9 Xd^oi.
IX. 'E/cacTOi Be tmv iroTafiMv eoiKaaiv IBlqv
Tc (f>ep€iv, axrirep Kal tmv y^epaaioov. irrel ovBe
6 T/)t/3o?v09 iv diraaiv ovBe 7ravTa)(^ov (f)veTai,
dW' iv T0t9 eXctiBeai tmv TTOTap.oiV iv fieylaTw
Be ^dOet TrevTaTTij'x^ei rj /xiKpo) fiei^ovi, KaOdirep
^ Plin. I.e. anthalium, whence Salm. conj. avQaWiov.
- Saccharum biflorum. See Index App. (19).
^ ev (tItov &\\o conj. W.; evairovvra Aid.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. vin. 12-ix. i
there grows under ground the thmg called malina-
thalle ^ ; this is round in shape and as large as a medlar,
but has no stone and no bark. It sends out leaves
like those of galingale. These the people of the
country collect and boil in beer made from barley,
and they become extremely sweet, and all men use
them as sweetmeats.
All the things that grow in such places may be
eaten by oxen and sheep, but there is one kind of
plant "^ which grows in the lakes and marshes which is
specially good for food : they graze their cattle on it
when it is green, and also dry it and give it in the
winter to the oxen after their work ; and these keep
in good condition when they have no other ^ kind
of food.
There is also another plant * which comes up of its
own accord among the corn ; this, when the harvest
is cleared, they crush slightly^ and lay during the
winter on ^ moist ground ; when it shoots, they cut
and dry it and give this also to the cattle and horses
and beasts of burden with the fruit which forms on
it. The fruit in size is as large as sesame, but round
and green in colour, and exceedingly good. Such
one might take to be specially remarkable plants of
Egypt.
IX. Every river seems to bear some peculiar plant,
just as does each part of the dryland. *" For not even
the water-chestnut grows in all rivers nor everywhere,
bat only in marshy rivers, and only in those whose
depth is not more or not much more than five cubits,
* Corchorxis triloctilaris. See Index App. (20).
» G seems to have read {nro-rriffoLvrei (lemter pinsentes) ;
vTOTT-fiffcwTfs W. with Ald.H.
* els conj. W. ; tijv Aid.
7 Plin. 21. 98 ; Diosc. 4. 15.
357
THEOPHRASTUS
irepl Tov Xrpv/xova' a-x^eSov 8e iv rocrovTcp koI
6 KoXapo'i Koi ra a\Xa. vrrepe-x^et he ovdev
avrov 7r\r]v avra ra <pvXka wairep eTTiveovra
Kal KpVTTTOVTa Tov Tpi^oXov, 6 8e rpi^oXos; avr6<i
iv Tw vSart vevcov et9 /3vd6v. to 8e (fivWov iarl
TrXari) irpocrepf^epe^ rw t% 7!*Te\ea9, pla-^ov Se
e%et acfioSpa pxiKpov 6 he KavXo'^ i^ dicpov
'iTa')(inaTO<;, 06 ev to, (pvWa Kal 6 Kapiro^, ra
he Karo) X67rTOTe/309 del MxP'' '''% pt????" ^X^''
tie diroTre'^vKoTa dir avrov rpixcohr) ra fiev
TrXelara TrapdXXrjXa rd he Kal irapaXXdrrovra,
Kdroodev diro rr}<; pi^rj^ p.eydXa rd he dvw del eXdr-
rco irpolovaLV, Mcrre rd reXevraca p^iKpd rrdpuTTav
elvai Kal rrjv hia^opdv peydX^jv rrjv diro r7]<;
pi^rj^ 7rp6<; rov Kaprrbv. e;^et he Ik rov evb<;
KavXov Kal Trapa^Xaarripara rrXeiu)' Kal yap
rpia Kal rerrapa, peyiarov S' alel rb irXrjaiai-
repov rrj<i pi^rj<;, elra rb perd rovro Kal rd
dXXa Kard Xbyov. rb he rrapa^Xdcrr^jpd iariv
wcnrep KavXb<i dXXo<i X€7rr6repo<; pev rov irpcorov,
rd he (})vXXa Kal rbv Kapirbv ex(t>v 6poL(o<;. 6
he Kapirb'i pbeXa<i Kal aKXrjpb^; a^ohpa. pc^av
he 7]XiK7]v Kal woiav e')(ei, aKeirreov. rj pev ovv
(fivcn<; roiavrrj. (j)verai pev dirb rov Kaprrov
rov rriirrovro'i Kal d(^ir](Tt, ^Xaarbv rov ^po<i-
(paal he 01 pev elvat eirereiov ol he hiapeveiv
rrjv pev pi^av eh xpovov, e^ ^9 Kal rr}V /3Xa-
arrjaiv elvai rov KavXov. rovro pev ovv crKe-
rrreov. thiov he irapd rdXXa rb roiv irapacfivopevoyv
eK rov KavXov rptX'^hwv' ovre ydp (pvXXa ravra
ovre KavX6<;' eVet ro ye rrj<; rrapafiXaarrjcrew';
KOivbv KaXdpbov Kal dXXcov.
358
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. ix. 1-3
as the StnTnon. (In rivers of such a depth grow
also reeds and other plants.) No part of it projects
from the water except just the leaves ; these float as
it were and conceal the ' chestnut/ which is itself
under water and bends down towards the bottom.
The leaf is broad, like that of the elm, and has a
very long stalk. The stem is thickest at the top,
whence spring the leaves and the fruit ; below it gets
thinner down to the root. It has springing from it
hair-like growths, most of which are parallel to each
other, but some are irregular; below, starting from
the root, they are large, but, as one gets higher up
the plant, they become smaller, so that those at the
top are quite small and there is a great contrast
between the root and the top where the fruit grows.
The plant also has on the same stalk several side-
growths ; of these there are three or four, and the
largest is always that which is nearer to the root,
the next largest is the one next above it, and so on
in proportion : this sidegrowth is like another stalk,
but slenderer than the original one, though like that
it has leaves and fruit. The fruit is black and
extremely hard. The size and character of the root
are matter for further enquiry. Such is the character
of this plant. It grows from the fruit which falls,
and begins to grow in spring. Some say that it is
annual, others that the root persists for a time, and
that from it grows the new stalk. This then is
matter for enquiry. However quite peculiar to this
plant is the hair-like character of the growths which
spring from the stalk ; for these are neither leaves
nor stalk ; though reeds and other things have also
sidesfrowths.
359
THEOPHRASTUS
X. Ta ixev ovv tSia Oecoprjreov l8io)<; BrjXov on,
ra 8e Koiva koivm^^. hiaipeiv he ^(^pT} koI ravTa
Kara tov<; T67rou9, olov el ra fxev eXeca ra 8e
Xifivala TO, Be irordpLia fidWov rj koI kolvo, ttuv-
T(ov rwv TOTTcov Biuipeiv Be koX iroia ravra ev tw
uy/OcS Kol Tft) ^r}p(p (pverai, koX •nola ev tS> vypa>
fiovov, 0)9 a7rXft)9 elirelv 7rp6<; ra /coivorara elprj-
fjieva Trporepov.
^Ev S' ovv rfi Xifivr) Tfj TTepX ^Op^ofievov rdS'
ccttI ra (jivofieva BevBpa Kal vXrjfiara, irea
eXaLayvo<; alBrj KaXafio^ 6 re avXrjriKo^ Kal 6
erepof Kvireipov (f)Xecb<; rv^rj, en ye fxi^vavda
iK/jLT) Kal TO KaXovfievov trrvov. o yap irpoaayo-
pevovcn Xe/uva rovrou ra rrXeiw Ka9^ v8ar6<; eari.
Tovrcov Be ra /j,ev dXXa yvcopifia' 6 B' eXalayvo'i
Kal 1] (TiBti Kal ?7 firjvavOo<i Kal rj cKfirj Kal to
tirvov c(T(i)<; fiev (f>verat Kal erepcoOi, irpoaayopeve-
rai Be aXXoi<i ovop-aar XeKreov Be rrepl avroyv.
ecrn Be 6 /xev eXalayvo<; (f)vaei fiev dafivcoBe'i Kal
rrapofioLov rol<; dyvoif, (pvXXov Be €')(ei, tc5 p,ev
ax^lpMri TrapavXijaiov fiaXaKov Be, wairep at
firjXeai Kal 'xyo(t)B€<i. dvOo<i Be rut rrjf; XevKi]^
op^oiov eXarrov Kapirov Be ovBeva (pepei. <pverai
Be 6 TrXelaro^ jxev eirl twi' rrXodBwv vrjcrav elal
ydp rive<i Kal ivravda 7rXoa8e9, Mairep ev Klyvirro)
' Ta Se Koiva Koivws conj. Sch. from G ; to Se koivws Ald.H.
^ Tahra conj. Sch.; TaCTo Aid.
* trpbs TO. Koiv. elp. irp. conj. W. supported by G ; «ojv<{totb
irpofffiprjufva irporepoy Ald.H,
360
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. x. 1-2
Of the plants peculiar to the lake of Orchomenos (Lake Copdis),
especially its reeds ; and of reeds in general.
X. Plants peculiar to particular places must be
considered separately, while a general account may
be given of those which are generally distributed.'
But even the latter must be classified according to
locality ; thus some belong to marshes, others to
lakes, others to rivers, or again others may be common
to all kinds of locality : we must also distinguish which
occur alike ^ in wet and in dry ground, and which
only in wet ground, marking these off in a general
Mray from those mentioned above as being most
impartial. 3
Now in the lake near Orchomenos grow the
following trees and woody plants : willow goat-willow
Avater-lily reeds (both that used for making pipes and
the other kind) galingale phleos bulrush ; and also
' moon-flower ' duckweed and the plant called
niarestail : as for the plant called water-chickweed
the greater part of it grows under water.*
Now of these most are familiar : the goat-willow
v.ater-iily ' moon-flower ' duckweed and marestail
jrobably grow also elsewhere, but are called by
different names. Of these we must speak. The
goat-willow is of shrubby habit and like the chaste-
tree : its leaf resembles that leaf in shape, but it is
soft like that of the apple,-^ and downy. The bloom ^
is like that of the abele, but smaller, and it bears no
fi-uit. It grows chiefly on the floating islands ; (for
here too there are floating islands, as in the marshes
* TOVTOv TO xXeta) Kaff vS. conj. Sch. ; tovto ir\eia) to Kaff vS.
t M ; TOVTO irAtiOl' T^ KoO' vS. Aid.
5 fi-n\€ai perhaps here = quince (/iTjXe'a KvSaria).
* iivdoi here = catkin.
THEOPHRASTUS
irepl ra eX-t] koI ev ^ecnrpanihi koX iv dX\,ai,(; Xl/jl-
vaL<i' iXdrTMv Se Kad^ vBaTO<;' 6 fxev ovv iXaiayvo^;
Toiovrov.
'H Be aiBi] rrjv /xev fiop^rjv icrriv 6[xoia rfj
HrjKoovr koI yap ro dvoi KvriVMBe<i tolovtov e%et,
irXriv fiel^ov co? Kara Xoyov p.eyedei Be oXo<; 6
ojKO<i r]\iKov firjXov ecm Be ov <yvp,v6v, dWd vfj,€ve<;
irepl avTTjv Xcvkol, /cat eVt rovTOi<i e^wOev (j>vWa
TTOioBr] TrapairXTjaia T0i9 t&v poBwv orav ev
KoXv^iV (bcri, rerrapa rov dpidpuov dvoi')(Qel<ja
Be Tov'i KOKKOvi epv6pov<i jxev e^ec ray a')(rjp,aTL
Be ouT^ ojJbOLOv; Tal<i poai'i aXXd nrepi^epel^ jMLKpom
Be KoX ov iroXku) yu-et^of? Keyy^pov rov Be x^Xov
vBarcoBr) nvd, KaOdirep 6 roiv nrvpoiv. dBpvverai
Be Tov depovi, iJLia')(ov Be e%ei p,aKp6v. to Be
dvOo'i op,OLOV poBov /cdXvKi, fiet^ou Be Kol cr^eSov
BtTrXdatov rm fieyeOei. rovro p,ev ovv koX to
(fjvXXov eirl rov vBaro<;' fierd Be ravra, orav
drravOija-rj kcu a-va-rf] ro irepiKdpTriov, KaraKXive-
aOai (f)a(Tiv eh rb vBcop jxaXXov, reXo<i Be avvdwretv
rfj yfj Kal rov Kapirov eK'X^elv.
Kap7ro(f>opelv Be rcov iv rfj Xifivrj rovro Kal ro
^ovrofjiov Kal rov (pXecov. elvai Be rov ^ovro/nov
fieXava, rw Be jxeyeOei, TrapaTrXtjcrLov rw T179
(TiBr]<;. rov Be (pXecD rr)V KoXovfjievrjv dv6i]Xy]v,
^ eKarrav . . . vSaros : sense doubtful. G. seems to render
a diiferent reading.
- i.e. the flower-head, which, as well as the plant, was
called <r(5rj.
3 fxriKcevi can hardly be right : suspected by H.
^ c/. Athen. 14. 64.
^ i.e. petals.
362
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. x. 2-4
of Egj^jt, in Thesprotia, and in other lakes). When
it grows under water, it is smaller.^ Such is the
goat-willow.
The water-lily ^ is in shape like the poppy.^ For
the top of it has this character, being shaped like
the pomegranate flower,^ but it is longer in propor-
tion to the size of the plant. Its size in fact as a
whole is that of an apple ; but it is not bare, having
round it white membranes,^ and attached to these
on the outside are grass-green ' leaves,' "^ like those
of roses when they are still in bud, and of these
there are four ; when it is opened it shews its seeds,
which are red ; in shape however they are not like
pomegranate" seeds, but round small and not
much longer than millet seeds ; the taste is insipid,
like that of wheat-grains. It ripens in summer and
has a long stalk. The flower is like a rose-bud,
but larger, almost twice as large. Now this and the
leaf float on the water : but later, when the bloom is
over and the fruit-case * has formed, they say that it
sinks deeper into the water, and finally reaches the
bottom and sheds its fruit.
Of the plants of the lake they say that water-lily
sedge and phleos bear fruit, and that that of the
sedge is black, and in size like that of the water-lily.
The fruit of phleos is what is called the ' plume,' °
" i.(. sepals.
^ (>6ais conj. Bod. from Nic. Ther. S87 and Schol. ; biCais
UMVAldH.
* ■rfpiKapriov conj. W. ; KaraKapwiov MSS. Kara- probably
due to KaruKKiveaOai.
' cf. Diosc. 3. 118. at>07i\rjv, sc. Kafrrhv elpai. But Sch.
mggests that further description of the fruit has dropped
ijut, and that the clause ^ . . . Kovlas does not refer to the
!ruit.
363
THEOPHRASTUS
o) 'x^pMvrat, 7rpo9 Ta<; KOVia<i. tovto 5' icrrlv olov
7r\aKovvTM8€<; tl /xaXaKov iiriiTvppov. €tc Se
/caiy Tov (pXeco kuc rou ^ovto/jlov to fiev drfkv
aKaprrov, %/9r;o-t/i,oz^ he irpo^ ra irXoKava, to Sk
dppev axp^lov.
Tlepl he T?}9 cKp,r]<i koX p,r}vdv6ov^ koX tov ittvov
crKeiTTeov.
^IhicoTaTov Se tovtwv iaTlv rj TV(f)7j Kol tm
d<pvWov elvai, /cal tm p,7] TrdXvppL^ov Toi<i ci.Xkoi'i
OfiOLCO^' iirel TaWa oux ^ttov et? to. /caret) ttjv
op/jbrjv e'xei koI Tr]p Svvafiiv fidXiaTa he to
Kvireipov, Mcnrep kclI 97 dypa)(TTi<i, 81 o Koi Bv(t(o-
XeOpa Kol TavTa koi 6\o)<; dirav to <yevo<i to toiov-
Tov. 1) Be pL^a TOV KVireipov iroXv rt tmv dWwv
TrapaWuTTei Trj dva>/j,dX(,a, tw to fxev elvai Tra^v
Ti KoX aapKcoBe^ avTrj<; to he XerrTov kol ^vXwBe^'
KoX Tfj ^XaaTrjcret kuI ttj yeveaer (pveTai yap
o-TTO TOV 7rpefj,v(jo8ov<; eTepa XeirTrj KUTa irXdytov,
eiT ev TavTT] avvicFTaTat ttciXiv to crapKc!)8€<i, ev m
KoX pXaaTO<^ d(j)' ov 6 KavX6<;- d<^Lr]cn Se Kul
et? ^d0o<i TOV avTov TpoTTOV pc^a<i, Si' /cal TrdvTOJV
pbdXtGTa hvcrdoXedpov Kal epyov i^eXeiv.
(%X^^ov Be irapairX'qaioi'i cfiveTai rj dyp(0(TTi<; e'/c
TMV yovdTwv al yap pl^ac yovaT(oBei<;, e^ e«a-
aTOV S* d^irjcriv dvco ^XacTTOV Kal KdTcodev
pi^av. Q)(TavTO)<; Be /cal r) aKavOa rj d/cav(oBT]<;,
dXX^ ov KaXa/jb(oBi]<i ovBe yovaTOiBrj^; r] pl^a Tav-
^ Kovias : ? Kovtdffiis (plastering), a conjecture mentioned
by Sch.
364
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. x. 4-6
and it is used as a soap-powder. ^ It is something
like a cake, soft and reddish. Moreover the ' female '
plant both of phleos and sedge is barren, but useful
for basket-work,- while the ' male ' is useless.
Duckweed ' moon-flower ' and marestail require
further investigation.
Most peculiar of these plants is the bulrush, both
in being leafless and in not having so many roots as
the others ; for the others tend downwards quite as
much as upwards, and shew their strength in that
direction ; and especially is this true of galingale, and
ilso of dog's-tooth grass ; wherefore these plants
too and all others like them are hard to destroy.
The root of galingale exceeds all the others in the
diversity of characters which it shews, in that part
of it is stout and fleshy, part slender and woody.
So also is this plant peculiar in its way of shooting
and originating; for from the trunk-like stock -^
»rows another slender root* sideways, and on this
again forms the fleshy part which contains the shoot
from which the stalk springs.^ In like manner it
also sends out roots downwards ; wherefore of all
plants it is hardest to kill, and troublesome to get
rid of.
(Dog's-tooth grass grows in almost the same way
from the joints ; for the roots are jointed, and from
each joint it sends a shoot upwards and a root down-
wards. The growth of the spinous plant called
oorn-thistle ^ is similar, but it is not reedy and its
■2 c/. Hdt. 3. 98. ' i.e. rhizome.
* i.e. stolon ; cf. \. 6. 8.
* i^' ol 6 KuvKos transposed by W. ; in Aid. these words
oome before 4v ^.
' ij aKavdSTfS I conj. ; Keafayos UMV; Kfdvindos Aid.: ^
ifdymdos most edd. ; G omits the word.
THEOPHRASTUS
T»79. ravra fxev ovv iirl irXelov 8ui rrjv o/xoiOTTjTa
etpr/rai.)
^veTai S' €v dfji(j)otv koI iv ry yfj kuI iv
TM vSari, Irea KoXa/xo'i, ttXtjv tov avXrjTtKOv,
Kvireipov TV(j>r) <^Xea)9 ^ovro/xo'i' ev he rw vhari
ixovov aihr). irepl yap r^? TV<pr)'i d/jL(f)Lcr$7}rov(Ti.
KaWico Be KoX fiel^co tmv ev dfK^olu cpvofievcov
alel TO, iv rw vSart yiveadal (f>aai. (f)veadat S'
evia TovTcov koX iirl twv ttXouSmv, olov rb kv-
ireipov KoX TO ^ovto/jLov koI tov (pXecov, wcrre rravTa
TO, fiepr] TavTa KaTe^eiv.
7 ^FiSooBifxa S' ecTTt tmv iv t^ Xifivrj TaBc rj fxev
aiBrj KoX avTTj fcal to, (pvWa rot? Trpo^dToa, 6
Be $Xa(XTo<; rot? vaiv, 6 Be /cap7r6<; toI^ dv6pco'7rot,<i.
TOV Be (pXed) koI T779 TV(f)r]s: koI tov ^ovto/xov to
7r/309 Ttti? pc^ai<i diraXov, o fxdXiaTa icrdiec to,
TraiBla. pi^a S' iB(oBifio<i rj tov (fyXeo) /jlovt] rot?
^ocTKrifjLaatv. otuv S' av')(/jib<i y koL fjurj yevrjTai
TO KUTCL Ke(f)aXT]v vBcop, diravTU avXM-^t tcl iv Trj
XifivT}, fjidXicTTa Be 6 KaXajxa, virep ov koX Xolttov
elirelv virep yap tmv dXXcov (T')(eBbv ecprjTac.
XI. Tov Br) KaXdp,ov Bvo fpacrlv elvat yevrj, tov
re avXrjTiKOV Kal Tbv eTepov ev yap elvat to
yevo<i TOV eTepov, Bia(f)epeiv Be dXXijXoov Icrxvi
<Kal 7ra')(yTr]TL> kuI XeTTTOTrjTC Kal daOeveia'
KaXovcn Be Tbv /xev la'x^vpbv Kal ira'xyv ')(japaKiav
Tbv B' eTepov TrXoKifiov Kal (}>veadai Tbv fiev
1 i.e. we have gone beyond the list of tjpical plants of
Orchomenus given 4. 10. 1, because we have found others of
which much the same may be said.
2 cf. 4. 10. 2.
3 ahr^ : cf. 4. 10. .3 n.
366
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. x. 6-xi. i
root is not jointed. We have enhirged on these
matters^ because of the resemblance.)
The willow and the reed (not howe\ er the reed
used for pipes) galingale bulrush phleos sedge
grow both on land and in the v.ater, water-lily only
in the water. (As to bulrush indeed there is a
difference of opinion.) However they say that those
plants which grow in the water are always finer and
larger than those that grow in both positions ; also
that some of these plants grow also on the floating
islands,- for instance galingale sedge and phleos ;
thus all parts of the lake contain these plants.
Of the plants of the lake the parts good for food
are as follows : of the v.ater-lily both the flower ^ and
the leaves are good for sheep, the young shoots for
pigs, and the fruit for men. Of phleos galingale
and sedge the part next the roots is tender, and is
mostly eaten by children. The root of phleos is the
(jnly part which is edible by cattle. When there is
a drought and there is no water from overhead,^ all
:he plants of the lake are dried up, but especially
the reed ; of this it remains to speak, since we have
said almost enough about the rest.
XI. ^ Of the reed there are said to be two kinds,
the one used for making pipes and the other kind.
For that of the latter there is only one kind, though
individual plants differ in being strong and stout, '^ or
on the other hand slender and weak. The strong
stout one they call the • stake-reed,' the other the
' weaving reed.' The latter they say grows on the
* K((paXT)y UMVAld.; for the case cf. Ken. Hdl. 7. 2. S
£,nd 11 ; KfcpaXrts conj. W.
* Plin. 16. 168 and 169.
* Kul iraxvTTjTi add. Dalec. from G.
367
THEOPHRASTUS
irXoKifxov eVt tmv TrXodScov rov he '^^apaKiav eirl
TOif fcco/nvai' K(i)[x,vda<i he KoKovcn ov av 97 avv-
rjOpoiafievoi; KoKafio^ /cal avjxTreTrXejfxevo^ Tai<i
pi^at,<i' rovTO 8e ylverat, Kad^ ov<i av roirovi
T?}«? Xljjlvt]^ evyeiov y ^w/jtoj/' ^iveadai, Se irore
rov 'xapaKiav koI ov 6 avXrjriKO'?, jxaxporepov
fiev Tov dWov 'xapaKiOV (TKa>\r]/c6^po}rov Si.
TovTov /xev ovv TavTa<i Xeyovcri ra<i 8ia(f)opd<i.
2 Uepl Be rov avXrjri/cov to /j,ev (f)V€adai 81^ iv-
V€aT7)pL8o<;, Marrep rive<i (paai, koX ravTrjv elvai
rr)v rd^iv ovk d\ri6e<i, dXXa to jxev oXov av^T]-
0€L(Ti]^ yiveTai rrj^ Xifjuvrji;- on 8e tovt iBoKei
(TVfi^aivecv iv TOt? irporepov ')(p6vot<i fidXiara 81
ivveaTr]pL8o<i, koX ttjv jeveaiv rov Kokd/jLov rav-
Trjv eiToiovv TO (TVfji^e^rjKO'i o)? rd^Lv Xa/bu/ddvov-
3 Te9. jiverat Be orav e7ro/j,^p[a<} yevo/xevtj'i efifievj}
TO vBcop Bv' err) rovXd-)(^L(TTOv, av Be irXeLO) xal
KaXXicov TOVTOV Be fidXiara p,vrjfj,ovevovcrL yeyov-
6TO<i TMV vaTepov XP^^^^ ore avve/3r) to, irepl
X.aip(oveiav' rrrpo tovtcov yap ecfiacrav erty TrXetft)
^aduvdTJvai T7}v Xifjbvqv' p£Ta Be Tuvra vcrTepov,
0)9 6 Xotyu.09 iyeveTO (T(f>oBp6<;, TrXrjcrdrjvai fiev
avTrjV, ov /j,eivavTo<; 8e tov vBaTO<i dXX^ iKXiTTov-
T09 ')(eLp,(avo<i ov yeveadai tov KdXafiov (j)aal yap
Kal BoKel ^a6vvo/jievr]<; Trjf Xi,p,vr}(; av^dvecrOai
TOV KdXafxov 6l<i /j,r]KO<i, /xelvavTU Be tov enrtovTa
eviavTov dBpvveadar Kal yiveadai tov fiev dBpv-
devra ^evyiTrjv, c5 8' av firj avfjiTrapafieivp to
1 Kuifivfft : lit ' bundles. '
2 Sv' U-n conj.W.; S.er^ UMVAld.
" B.C. 338.
368
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. xi. 1-3
floating islands, the stout form in the ' reed-beds ' ^ ;
this name they give to the places where there is a
thick mass of reed with its roots entangled together.
This occurs in any part of the lake where there is
rich soil. It is said that the ' stake-reed ' is also
sometimes found in the same places as the reed used
for pipes, in which places it is longer than the 'stake-
reed' found elsewhere, but gets worm-eaten. These
then are the differences in reeds of which they tell.
As to the reed used for pipes, it is not true, as some
say, that it only grows once in nine years and that
this is its regular rule of growth ; it grows in general
\vhenever the lake is full : but, because in former
days this was supposed to happen generally once in
nine years, they made the growth of the reed to
correspond, taking what was really an accident to be
a regular principle. As a matter of fact it grows
whenever after a rainy season the water remains in
the lake for at least two years,- and it is finer if the
water remains longer ; this is specially remembered
to have happened in recent times at the time of the
battle of Chaeronea.' For before that period they
told me that the lake was for several years deep * ;
and, at a time later than that, when there was a
severe visitation of the plague, it filled up ; but, as
the water did not remain but failed in winter, the
reed did laot grow ; for they say, apparently with
good reason, that, when the lake is deep, the reed
increases in height, and, persisting for the next year,
n atures its growth ; and that the reed which thus
matures is suitable for making a reed mouthpiece,^
while that for which the water has not remained is
■• frt) rXflu conj. Seal, from G ; fn ■wXtiu UMV; In wAeTov
A'd.
* See n. on tJ> ffro/xa rwv yXoirruv, § 4.
VOL. I. B B
THEOPHRASTUS
vS(op l3o^/3vKiav. rrjv fxev ovv fyeveaiv elvai
TOiavTrjv.
4 ^ia(^ep€LV he tmv aWwv KoXdfMcov w? Kad^ 6\ov
Xa^elv evTpo(jila tlvI t^9 (pvcrea'i' evirKT^Oearepov
yap elvat kol evaapKorepov koI 6X(o<i Se drjXvv ttj
Trpocroyfrei. koX yap to (pvWov irXarvTepov '^^(eiv
Kal XevKorepov rrjv Se dvOijXtjv iXaTTco t5>v
dXXcov, Tivd<i 8e oXw? ovk e^eiv, 01)9 kuI irpocr-
ayopevovcnv evvov)(ia<i' i^ oiv dpiara fiev (^acri
TLve^ yiveaOai rd ^evyrj, KuropOovv Be oXiya
irapd Trjv epyatJiav.
T^v he TOfMrjv wpalav elvat irpo ^AvTcyeviSov
fjuev, rjVLK rjvXovv dirXdcnw';, vtt' "ApKTOvpov Bo^;-
Spofii,MVO<i jjbrjvo^' rov yap ovrw jfjurjOevra av)(yol<;
fiev erea-iv vcrrepov ylveaOat ^prjcri/xov Kal irpo-
KaTavXTJ(Teco<i hetcrdat ttoXX?}?, cru/jLfiveiv he to
aTOfia TMV yXcoTTWv, o 7rpo9 rrjv SiaKTrjpCav elvat
5 '^pyjcrifiov. iirel Be eh ttjv irXdatv fieTe^rjaav, Kal
r) TOfjbr] p,eTeKivi]6'T)' Tefivovai yap Brj vvv tov
'ZKippo<popi(ovo<i Kal 'FtKaTOfi^aiMVO'i wairep irpo
TpoTTMV [xiKpov Tj VTTO Tpo7rd<;. yiveaOai Be <paai
Tpievov Te yjpt)(Jniov Kal KaTavXrj(Tea><i /S/aa^eta?
^ fioix&vKiav. In one kind of pipe the pei-former blew, not
directly on to the 'reed,' but into a cap in which it was
enclosed ; this cap, from the resemblance in shape to a
cocoon, was called ^S/x^v^.
'^ fhai add. W.
3 Plin. 16. 169-172. * September.
^ i.e. between the free end of the vibrating 'tongue' and
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. xi. 3-5
suitable for making a ' cap.' ^ Such then, it is said,
is 2 the reed's Avay of growth.
3 Also it is said to differ from other reeds, to speak
generally, in a certain luxuriance of growth, being of
a fuller and more fleshy character, and, one may say,
' female ' in appearance. For it is said that even the
leaf is broader and whiter, though the plume is
smaller than that of other reeds, and some have no
plume at all ; these they call ' eunuch-reeds.' From
these they say that the best mouthpieces are made,
though many are spoiled in the making.
Till the time of Antigenidas, before which men
played the pipe in the simple style, they say that
the proper season for cutting the reeds was the
month Boedromion * about the rising of Arcturus ;
for, although the reed so cut did not become fit for
use for many years after and needed a great deal of
preliminary placing upon, yet the opening '' of the
reed-tongues is well closed, which is a good thing for
the purpose of accompaniment.^ But when a change
was made to the more elaborate style of playing, the
time of cutting the reeds was also altered ; for in
our own time they cut them in the months Skirro-
])horion ^ or Hekatombaion ^ about the solstice or a
little earlier.^ And they say that the reed becomes
lit for use in three years and needs but little
preliminary playing ujx)n, and that the reed-tongues
the body or ' lay ' of the reed mouthpiece : the instrument
implied throughout is apparently one Mith a single vibrating
' tongue' (reed) like the modem clarinet.
* 5jo»tTTjptai' UMV; StoKTopiav Aid. ? irphs rh aKpovtitfiiov,
' for the concert-room ' ; quod trat illis theatrorum nwribus
I tilius Plin. I.e.
' June. * July.
* Siainp conj. W. ; aiantptl UH.; is a-tpl MVAld.
THEOPHRASTUS
SeiaOaL koI KaTaaTrda/nara Ta<; ^Xcorra? ta'x^eiv'
rovTo Be avayKalov Tol<i fiera ir\,dafiaTO<i av-
\ovai. rov /xev ovv ^evyijov Tavra<i eipai ra?
6 'H S' epyacrta ylveTUi rovrov top rpoirov orav
avWe^cocrt ndeaaiv vrraiOpLov rov 'xeifxSivo^ iv
TW Xefifiari' rov S" rjpo<; ireptKaOdpavTe'i Kal
€Krpi,ylravT€<; eh rov rfKiov Weaav. rov 6epov<i he
fjbera ravra avvrefiovra et? ra /xea-oyovdria TrdXiv
vtraWpiov rideaai 'X^povov rtvd. TrpoaXeiTTOvai
Se Tc3 fieaoyovarlo) ro tt/jo? tov9 ^\acrrov<i yow
ra Be fxrjKrj ra rovrwv ov yiverai BiTraXaiarcov
iXdrrco. ^ekriara jxev ovv elvai rwv [xea-oyova-
riwv Trpo'i rrjv ^evyoirouav oXov rov /cakdfiov rd
fiecra- puiXaKiorara Be '[^^(eLv i^evyrj rd Trpof rov<;
7 /SXacrrov'i, aKXrjpurara Be rd tt/oo? rfj pi^rj' avp,-
(fxoveiv Be rd<i y\(orra<i rd<; €k rov avrov pecroyo-
variov, rd<i Be dX\a<; ov avficpoyveiv Kal ri]v fiev
7rpo9 rr} pi^rj dptarepdv elvat, rijv Be tt/jo? rov<i
^Xacrrov'i Be^idv. rp,r]6evro<; Be Bc-^^a rov p^ecro-
yovarlov rb crro/ia t^9 yXcom]<; eKarepa<i yive-
aOai Kara rr)v rov KaXdp,ov rop.7]v edv Be dXXov
rpoTTOV epyaadoiaiv at yXwrrai, ravra<; ov irdvv
arvpicfxovelv' r) p,ev ovv epyaala roiavrrj.
^ KaTaawda-naTa : lit. 'convulsions'; j.c. the strong vibra-
tions of a ' tongue,' the free end of which is kept away from
the body or ' lay ' of the mouthpiece. Such a ' reed ' would
have the efifect of giving to the pipes a fuller and louder tone.
^ i.e. so as to make a closed end.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. xi. 5-7
have ample vibration,^ which is essential for those
who play in the elaborate style. Such, they tell us,
are the proper seasons for cutting the reed used for
the reed mouthpiece.
The manufacture is carried out in the following
manner. Having collected the reed-stems they lay
them in the open air during the winter, leaving on
the rind ; in the spring they strip this off, and,
having rubbed the reeds thoroughly, put them in
the sun. Later on, in the summer, they cut the
sections from knot to knot into lengths and again
put them for some time in the open air. They
leave the upper knot on this internodal section - ;
and the lengths thus obtained are not less than two
palmsbreadths long. Now they say that for making
mouthpieces the best lengths are those of the middle
of the reed, whereas the lengths towards the upper
growths make very soft mouthpieces and those next
to the root very hard ones. They say too that the
reed-tongues made out of the same length are of the
same quality, while those made from different lengths
are not ; also that the one from the length next to
the root fonns a left-hand ^ reed-tongue, and that
from the length towards the upper growths a right-
hand 3 reed-tongue. Moreover, when the length is
slit, the opening of the reed-tongues in either case
is made towards the point at which the reed was
cut*; and, if the reed-tongues are made in any other
manner, they are not quite of the same quality. Such
then is the method of manufacture.
3 i.e. the vibrating 'tongues' (reeds) for the left-hand
and the right-hand pipe of the Double Pipe respectively.
■• i.e. not at the closed end, but at the end which was
' lower ' when the cane was growing : cf. § 6, irpoa\fiiroviTi 5e
K.r.X.
373
THEOPHRASTUS
8 ^verat Bk irXelaro'i [xev fxera^v rov K.r](f)iaov
Koi Tov M.e\avo<;' ovro<i Se 6 totto? Trpoaayo-
peverai ixev HeKeKavia' tovtov 8' earip arra
X.vrpoi KoXovfievoi ^aOvafiara tt;? Xi/ivr]'?, iv 0I9
KoXkiaTov (f)aai yiveadar <>yivea9ai> he koI kuO^
o 7} Upo^uTia KoXoviMevrj Karacjieperar tovto S'
iarl irora/jLo^ picov eK Ae^aheia<;. KoXkKno'i he
hoKel "Trdvrcov jLvecrOat irepl rrjv 'O^etaz/ koKov-
fievrjv KafiTTTjv 6 he totto? ovt6<; iariv ifx^okrj
rov Krj(f)i,crov. yeirvcd 8' avro) Trehiov evyeiov,
9 Trpocrayopevovcri, 'iTTTTLav. 7rp6a^oppo<i he roiro'^
aX,Xo9 T?}<? 'O^e/a? K.afnrrj'; earcv, ov Ka\ov(Ti
Horjhplav (f)vea0at hi (paat, /cal Kara ravrrjv
evjevr] rov KoXafiov. ro he 6\ov, ov av 'p ^aOv-
yeiov Kal evyeiov %ft)yoioi/ Kal l\v(bhe<i Kal 6
K.r](f)iao<; avafiicryerai Kal Trpo<; rovroi<i jBdOva^ia
rr](i \L/xvr]<;, koXXio-tov yiveadai KoXa/nov. irepl
yap rr)v ^O^ecav Ka/ATT^t' Kal rrjv Borjhpiav irdvra
ravra vnap^eiv. on he 6 K.rj<f)ia6'; /xeydXrjv e%et
poTTrjV ei? ro iroielv KaXov rov KaXafiov arj/xelov
eypvcTL' KaG' ov yap rorrov MeXa? Ka\ovpievo<i
efi/3dWei I3ade[a<i ovar}'; r7]<i Xipivrj^ Kal rov
ehd(f)ov<; evyeiov Kal tXvcohovi, r) oXwii /i/; yivecrOai
i) (fiavXov. Tj fiev ovv yeveai'? Kal (jivai<i rov
avXrjriKOv Kal r) Karepyacria Kal riva<i e%ei hia-
cbopa^ TT/oo? T0U9 dXXov^ iKava)<i elp^aOco.
10 revr) he ov ravra p-ovov aXXd irXeiQ) rov KaXd-
p.ov rvyxdvei (f)av€pa<; e')(^ovra rfj aladrjaei hia-
<f)opd<;' 6 p,ev yap 7rvKvd<; Kal rfj aapKi Kal roi<i
1 c/. Plut. Sntla, 20.
^ i.e. the so-called ' Lake ' Copais.
» Kal add. W.
374
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. xi. 8-10
This reed grows in greatest abundance between
the Kephisos and the Black River ^ ; this district is
called Pelekania, and in it are certain ' pots,' as they
are called, which are deep holes in the marsh,- and
in these holes they say that it grows fairest ; it is also ^
said to be found * where the river called the ' Sheep
River ' comes down, which is a stream that flows from
Lebadeia. But it appears to grow fairest of all near
•' the Sharp Bend ' ; this place is the mouth of the
Kephisos ; near it is a rich plain called Hippias.
There is another region north of the Sharp Bend
called Boedrias ; and here too they say that the reed
grows fine, and in general that it is fairest wherever
there is a piece of land with deep rich alluvial soil,
where also Kephisos mingles ^ his waters with the
soil, and where there is further a deep hole in the
marsh ; for that about the Shaq) Bend and Boedrias
all these conditions are found. As proof that the
Kephisos has a great effect in producing the reed of
good quality they have the fact that, where the river
called the ' Black River ' flows into the marsh, though
the marsh is there deep and the bottom of good
alluvial soil, it either does not grow at all or at best
but of poor quality. Let this suffice for an account
af the growth and character of the reed used for
pipes, of the manufacture, and of its distinctive
features as compared with other reeds.
But these are not the only kinds of reed ; there are
several others '^ with distinctive characters which are
easily recognised ; there is one that is of compact
growth in flesh and has its joints close together ;
* yivfdOai add. Sell.; *o<n- yiveaOai 5e icad' ft UMVP ; so
Aid. , but Ka&' hv.
' avafi[ay(Tai : ? a.vau.iayr\Tai ; c/. Plut. Sttll. I.e.
« Plin. 16. 164-167 ; Diosc. 1. 85.
375
THEOPHRASTUS
'yovaaiv, 6 he fiavo^i koI oXiyoyovaro^;' Kal o fiev
KotXo^, ov Kokovai TiV€<; avptyjiav, ovSkv yap &)<?
elirelv e'X^ei ^vXov kol aapK6<i' 6 Se arepeo'i koX
av/jb7r\T]pr]^ fiiKpov. Kal 6 fiev yS/3a%u9, o Be
evav^r}<; Kal vyjr^rjXo'; Kal 'Tra-)(y<i. o he Xe'Tno<; Kal
7roXv(pvXXo'i, 6 Se 6Xiy6<f)vXXo<; Kal fiov6cf)vXXo^.
oX&)9 8e TToXTuii rive^ elcri hia^opal Kara ra^
Xp€ia<i' €KaaTo<; yap 7rpd<i sKaa-ra %/9?;o-i/xo9.
11 ^Opofiaai Se aXXoc aXXoi(i Trpocrayopevovaf
Koivorarov he 7r&)9 o hova^, ov Kal XoxP'(*)he(naT6v
ye (f)aaLV elvai Kal p,dXiara <f)ve<TOai irapa rovf
TTOTayLtoti? Kal ra? Xc/juva<;. hta^epeiv 8' 0/10)9
■jravro<; KaXd/xov ttoXv rov re iv tw ^^pu) Kal tov
ev TOt<; vhaai (pvofievov. ihio<; he Kal 6 To^f«:o9, ov
ht] KprjTLKOv Tivet; KaXovcnv oXiyoyovaro^ fiev
cyapKQ)8e(rTepo<; he Trdvrcov Kal fidXicrra KdfM-yjriv
he)(^6/ji€V0<;, Kal oXa><; ayeaOai hvvdp,€vo^ 609 av
deXr) Tt9 depixaivofievof;.
12 "E^ofcrt he, wairep eXe'X^Orj, Kal Kara rd (f)vXXa
fjbeydXa^ hia^opd'; ov TTXrjdet Kal jieyedei jmovov
dXXd Kal 'X^pocd. TTOLKiXo'i yap 6 AaKcoviKo^
KaXovfieva. en he ttj decree Kal irpoa-i^vcret.'
Kdrwdev yap evioi TrXelcrra ^epovai ra)v ^vXXoov,
auT09 he Mo-irep €k Od/nvov irecfiVKe. cr;^eSov he
TLve<i (j)acn Kal tmv Xi/jLvalcov ravTqv elvai rrjv
hia(popdv, TO 'TToXix^vXXov Kal irapop^oiov e^i^Lv
TpOTTOV Tivd TO ^vXXoV T(p TOV KVTTeipOV Kttl
376
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. xi. 10-12
another that is of open growth, with few joints ;
there is the hollow reed called by some the ' tube-
reed/ 1 inasmuch as it has hardly any wood or
flesh ; there is another which is solid and almost
entirely filled with substance ; there is another which
is short, and another which is of strong growth tall
and stout ; there is one which is slender and has
many leaves, another which has few leaves or only
one. And in general there are many differences in
natural character and in usefulness, each kind being
useful for some particular purpose.
Some distinguish the various kinds by different
names ; commonest perhaps is the pole-reed, which is
siid to be of very bushy habit, and to grow chiefly
by rivers and lakes. And it is said that there is a
wide difference in reeds in general between those
that grow on dry land and those that grow in the
water. Quite distinct again is the ' archer's ' reed,
which some call the ' Cretan ' : this has few joints
and is fleshier than any of the others ; it can also be
njost freely bent, and in general, when warmed, may
be turned about as one pleases.
The various kinds have also, as was said, great
differences in the leaves, not only in number and
size, but also in colour. That called the ' Laconian '
reed is parti-coloured. They also differ in the
position and attachment of the leaves ; some have
most of their leaves low down, and the reed itself
grows out of a sort of a bush. Indeed some say that
this may be taken as the distinctive character of
those which grow in lakes, namely, that these
h ive many leaves, and that their foliage in a manner
ffvpiyyiav conj. Sch. from Plin. I.e., syringiam ; cf. Diosc.
/. •., Gtop. 2. 6. 23. avpi-yi U; trvpiyyi MV; trvpiyya Ald.H,
377
THEOPHRASTUS
(fyXeci) Kol dpvov Kal ^ovto/hov (TKe^lracrOat 8e
Set TOVTO.
13 Tevoi; Se ri KoXdixov (pverai Kal enriyeiov, o ovk
ei9 opOov aX>C eirl yrj^i ac^irjat rov KavXov, Mcnrep
7} ayp(0(TTt.<;, koX out&)<? TroLelrai r'qv av^rjcriv.
ecTTL he 6 ixev ctpprjv arepeo^, KaXelrai Se vtto
rivcov elXeriaq. . . .
O Se ^lv8iKo<; iv fxeyla-rj} hia(^opa Kal axxTrep
erepov oXox; to y€vo<;' ecm Se o ixev dpprjv arepe6<;,
6 Se dfjXv(; KotXo<;- Siaipovcn yap Kal tovtov tw
dppevc Kal drjXei. cpvovrai S" i^ €vb<i 7rvd/j,€uo<;
TToXXol Kal ov Xo)(^/xci)86L<i- TO 8e (pvXXov ov fiaK-
pov aXA,' op^oiov rfj Irea' tw 8e p^eyeOei p^ydXoi
Kal evirayel^, ware aKOVTiOi^ ^prjadai. (f)Vovrat
8e ovTot nepl top ^ KKeaivrjv TTorajiov. airaf; 8e
KdXafMo<> ev^ooo'i Kal refxpofievo^ Kal eTTiKat,Qfxevo<i
KaXXiwv /3Xa(TTdv6r ert 8e ira-xyppi^o'^ Kal tto-
Xvppi^o<i, 8i Kal 8va-(i)XeOpo<;. rj 8e pi^a yova-
Ta)8r](;, coaTrep tj t^9 dypwaTi8o<;, irXrjv ov iravro'i
6p,OL(o<;. dXXa irepl fiev KaXdfxcov lKav(o<; elprjcrdoi).
XII. K.aTdXoi7rov Se elirelv ccxrav sk rov yevov^
Tovrov irepl (T)(^oivov Kal yap Kal rovro rwv
ivv8pcov Oereov. eart 8e avTOv rpia ei8i], Kaddirep
Tipe<i 8iaipovaiv, 6 re 0^1)9 Kal dKap7ro<;, ov 8r)
KaXovaiv dppeva, Kal Kdpirifio^i, ov fieXayKpavlv
^ Opvov, a kind of grass (see Index ; cf. Horn. II. 21. 351),
conj. Soh. ; fipvov MSS. ; however Pint. Nat. Qiiaest. 2 gives
fipvov along witli rv(pT) and <p\fws in a list of marsh plants.
2 5e le'i TOVTO conj. W. ; Se tovto UM VAld.
378
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. xi. 12-xii. i
resembles that of galingale phleos thryon ^ and sedge ;
but this needs ^ further enquiry.
There is also a kind of reed (bush-grass) which
grows on land, and which is not erect, but sends out
its stein over the ground, like the dog's-tooth grass,
and so makes its growth. The ' male ' reed is solid :
some call it eiletias ^
The Indian reed (bamboo) is very distinct, and
as it were a totally different kind ; the ' male ' is
solid and the ' female ' hollow (for in this kind too
they distinguish a ' male ' and a ' female ' form) ; a
number of reeds of this kind grow from one base and
they do not form a bush ; the leaf is not long, but
resembles the willow leaf ; these reeds are of great
size and of good substance, so that they are used for
javelins. They grow by the river Akesines.* All
reeds are tenacious of life, and, if cut or burnt down,
grow up again more vigorously ; also their roots are
stout and numerous, so that the plant is hard to
destroy. The root is jointed, like that of the dog's-
tooth grass, but this is not equally so in all kinds.
However let this suffice for an account of reeds.
Of rushes.
XII. It remains to speak of the rush,-^ as though
it belonged to this class of plants, inasmuch as we
must reckon this also among water plants. Of this
there are three kinds ♦^ as some distinguish, the
•sharp' rush, which is barren and is called the
male'; the 'fruiting' kind which we call the ' black-
* Sch. marks a lacuna ; there is nothing to correspond to
.') ixfv &ppr]y. ■* Chenab.
« c/. 1. 5. 3 ; 1. 8. 1 ; Plin. 21. 112-115 ; Diosc. 4. 52.
* See Index.
379
THEOPHRASTUS
KaXovfxev Sea to jxeXava rov Kapirov e%eti', 7ra')(v-
repo^ 8e ovro<i koI aapKOihearepo'i' koL TpcTO<i tw
fxeyeSei koI rfj TraxvTrjri Kol evcrapKia Siacpepov
6 Ka\0Vfjb€V0<i o\6a')(OLVO^.
H fxev ovv fMeXayKpavU avj6<i Tt9 icaB^ avrov 6
8' 6^v<; Kol 6\6a')(oivo<i e/c rov avrov (pvovTar o
KoX UTOTTOV (f)aLV€Tai, Kol SavfiacTTOV 7' rjv ISetv
o\7]<; KO/j,i(T0€icrr)<i rrj^ (T')(pivLa'i' ol rroWol yap
rjaav aKapiroi 7re<^VK6re<i e'/c rov avrov, Kapirifiot
Be oXljoi. rovro fxev ovv eTriaKeirreov. e\dr-
rov<i Se o\ft)9 01 /cdpiTi/jiOL' 7r/?o9 yap ra irXeyfiara
')(pr}(TiiJbCiirepo<i 6 6\6cr')(^0LV0^ hia to crapKa>8e<; Kal
jxaXaKov. Kopvva 8' o\w<i KapivLixof; i^ avrov
rov ypafXfMcoSovi i^oiBriaa<i, Kairecra eKriKret
Kaddirep ood. 7rp6<; /xid yap dp^fj ypa/nficoSei
e^ec rov<; nreptara'X^vcioBei-'; fjiLcrxov<?, e'^' mv aKpcov
TrapairXaylovi rd<i ro)V dyyelcov eyei crrpoyyvXo-
rrjra^ v7ro')(^aaKOvaa<i- ev rovroa Se ro airepfid-
nov dKi8coSe<i icrri fieXav eKdarrp 7rpoa€fi<p€p€<;
ra> rov dareptcrKov ttXtjv d/xevijvorepov. pi^av he
e%6t fiaKpdv Kal 7ra')(yrepav iroXv rov a-xpivov
avrr) 8' avalverai Kad' eKaarov iviavrov, eW^
erepa rrdXiv drro r7J<i Ke(f)aXr]<; rov ay^olvov KaOle-
rai' rovro 8e Kal ev rfj oyjrei (f)avepov ISetv rd<;
fiev ava<i rd<i Se ')(X(opd<; KaOtefj.eva<i' rj Be Ke^aXrj
ofjioia rfj roii> Kpopivwv Kal rfj rSiv yrjreiwv, crvp,-
^ 6. y' ^v iSuv conj. W. from G ; 9. iv y eX^i'iv \J ; d. ev ye
iServ MVP ; e. 4viSe:i> Aid.
- ol Ka.pTnfj.oi conj. R. Const.; ol Kapiroi Ald.H.
^ yap seems meaningless ; G has autem.
■* Kopova. ; c/. 3. 5. 1.
" ypafxfjiwZei con], R. Const.; 7po/Ujuco5€ts Ald.H.
380
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. xii. 1-3
head ' because it has black fruit ; this is stouter and
ileshier : and third the ' entire rush/ as it is called,
which is distinguished by its size stoutness and
fleshiness.
Now the 'black-head' grows by itself, but the
' sharp ' rush and the ' entire ' rush grow from the
same stock, which seems extraordinary, and indeed
it was strange to see it ^ when the whole clump of
rushes was brought before me ; for from the same
stock there were growing ' barren ' rushes, which
were the most numerous, and also a few ' fruiting '
ones. ■ This then is a matter for further enquir}-.
The ' fruiting ' - ones are in general scarcer, for ^ the
' entire rush ' is more useful for wicker-work because
i)f its fleshiness and pliancy. The ' fruiting ' rush in
general produces a club-like^ head which swells
straight from the wiry stem, and then bears egg-like
bodies ; for attached to a single wiry ^ base it has its
very spike-like** branches all round it, and on the
i?nds of these it has its round vessels borne laterally
and gaping '^; in each of these is the small seed,
which is pointed and black, and like that of the
Michaelmas daisy, except that it is less solid. It
has a long root, which is stouter than that of the
ordinary rush ; this withers ever}' year, and then
another strikes down again from the ' head ' ^ of the
])lant. And it is easy to observe that some of the
roots as they are let down are withered, some green.
The ' head ' is like that of an onion or long onion.
T€pi(rTaxv«5tis seems an impossible word ; ? »«pl avrhr
jTaxvwSets.
I'TToxtuTKovaas coTii. Soh.; cTio-xa^ovo-os AlcLH.
e. the part above ground; cf. Plin. I.e. Sch. has dis-
.1 of the idea that ic€^>aA4 is here a ' bulbous ' root.
381
THEOPHRASTUS
7r€(j)VKVid TTftj? €K irXeiovcov ek tuvto koX irkaTela
KuToyOev e'-^ovaa Ke\v(f)7] virepvOpa. avfi^aivet, 8'
ovv 'iSiov iirl r&v pi^oiv el avaivovrai Kar iviavTov
Kol €K rov av(o6ev ttoXiv tj <yeveai'i. rS)v fxev
ovv (T'^oivoov Toiavir] Ti<i (j)vai<i.
Et Be Kol 6 /3dT0'i Kul 6 7ra\iovpo^ evvSpd tto)?
iariv rj TrdpvSpa, Kadd-nep evia^ov, (jiavepal (rye-
hov KoX al rovTcov 8ia(f)opai' irepl d/x(f)oiv yap
ecprjrai irporepov.
\y(iiv he vrjawv roiv irXodBoyv tmv ev 'Oyo^o/ievw
ra fiev fieyedrj TravToBaira rvyydvei, ra Be fie-
yioTa avTwv eajLV ocrov Tpicov araSlcop rijv irepi-
jxerpov. ev AlyvTrro) Be fxdXicrTa peydXa a(f)6Bpa
(TVvlaraTai, ware kol v<; ev avTai<i eyyiveadai
TToWov<i, ov<i Kol Kvvrjyerovai, Bia^aivovre'^.^ koX
Trepl fiev ivvBpcov ravT elprjo-Ooo.
XIII. Wepl Be ^pwyv^ioTTjTO^ ^vtmv kol Bev-
Bpwv Tcov evvBpcov eVt toctovtov e')(^Ofiev o)? av Kad^
6\ov \eyovTe<i, otl ^paxv0i(orepa tmv ;^e/3crat&)i'
earl, KaOdirep koX rd ^coa. rov<i Be kuO^ eKaarov
^lov<i laropTjaai Bel roiv ')(epaala)v. rd jxev ovv
dypid (fiaaiv ovBep,iav e'XjSLv 0)9 elrrelv ol opeorviroi
Bta(j)opdv, dWd irdvra etvai /xaKpo^ia Kol ovdev
^pa')(y^LOV' avro fj,ev rovro taa)<i d\rjOe<; \eyov-
re?" diravra yap vireprelvei ttoXv rrjv ra>v dWeov
^coTjv. ov fMijv dXX" 6fX(o<i earl rd p.ev fxdXkov rd
S' Tfrrov fxaxpo^ca, KaOdrrep ev roh '^/xepoi'i' irola
1 3. 18. 3 and 4 ; 4. 8. 1.
382
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. xii. 3-xiii. i
being, as it were, made up of several united together ;
it is broad, and underneath it has reddisli scales.
Now it is a peculiar fact about the roots of this plant
that they wither every year and that the fresh
growth of roots comes from the part of the plant
wliich is above ground. Such is the character of
rushes.
Bramble and Christ's thorn may be considered to
some extent plants of the water or the waterside,
as they are in some districts ; but the distinctive
characters of these plants are fairly clear, for we have
spoken of both already.^
The floating islands of Orchomenos - are of various
sizes, the largest being about three furlongs in cir-
cumference. But in Egypt very large ones form, so
that even a number of boars are found in them, and
men go across to the islands to hunt them. Let
this account of water-plants suffice.
Of the length or shortness of the life of 2tlants, and the canses.
XIII. As to the comparative shortness of life of
plants and trees of the water we may say thus much
as a general account, that, like the water-animals,
they are shorter-lived than those of the dry land.
But we must enquire into the lives of those of the
dry land severally. Now the woodmen say that
the wild kinds are almost ^ without exception long-
lived, and none of them is short-lived : so far they
may be speaking the truth ; all such plants do live
far longer than others. However, just as in the case
jf cultivated plants, some are longer-lived than others,
■^ cf. 4. 10. 2, to which § this note perhaps belongs.
^ ij eltre'ii' eonj. Sch. ; is flxetXJ-; is et-roi MV; as ttr eliroiev
Ald.H.
383
THEOPHRASTUS
Se ravra cxKeTrreov. ra 8e rjfxepa (pavepfo'i 8ia-
4>6p€i tS> to, fiev elvac /xuKpo^ia to, Be ^paxv^ia'
0)9 S' a7rA,w9 eiTrelv ra aypia tmv rjfjbepoyv pbUKpo-
^tcorepa koI 6X(o<i tw yevei /cat to, avriSiyprjfiiva
KaS' eKaarov, olov k6tivo<; iXda<i Koi axp^'i airiov
ipiveo^ avKYj^' la-')(i.ip6repa yap koI irvKVorepa
Kol ayovoorepa to?? TcepLKapTTLOL<^.
T^y he fiaKpo^c6rT]Ta fxaprvpovcriv eiri 'ye tlvoov
Koi r)/xep(ov Koi ayplcov koL at irapahehofievat
(fyrj/jiai, irapa tmv /xvOoXoycov iXdav /xev <yap
\e<yovai ttjv Wd/jvrjai, (f)olviKa 8e rbv iv ^rjXw,
KOTivov 8e Tov iv ^OXvfiTTLa, d(f)^ ov 6 crrecjiavo^'
(f>r)yov<i 8e rd'i iv 'I\t&) ra<i iirl rod "iXou fivijfia-
T09' Tivef 8e (paai koX rrjv iv Ae\(/)Ot9 ttXcituvov
^Ayafxe/jivova (})VTev(Tai koL ttjv iv Ka(fivat<t Tr]<i
'A/9«aSta9. ravra fiev ovv 07rft)9 e%6t Ta;i^' av
erepo^ etr] X6yo<;' on 8e icrri fxeydXri 8iacf)opd
ra)V 8ev8pct)v (pavepov fiaKpo^ca fiev yap rd re
Trpoeiprjfieva kol erepa TrXeico' ^pa^v^ia Be fcal
rd roiavra 6/jioXoyov/jL€vco<;, olov poid avKr) ixrjXea,
Ka\ rovrcdv i) rjpivr) [xaXXov Kal r) yXvKela rrj<i
6^ei,a<i, wcnrep roiv poSiv r/ dirvprjvo<i. ^pa')(y^La
Be Kal dfiTreXcov evia yevr] Kal fidXiara rd ttoXv-
Kapira' BoKel Be Kal rd TrdpvBpa ^pax^^icorepa
^ Kal TO avr. conj. W. ; Kara avr. UMV; to ai>T. Alil.H.
2 ireptKaprriots : cf. C.P. 1. 17. 5.
3 On the Acropolis : cf. Hdt. 8. 55 ; Soph, 0. C. 694 foil.
384
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. xiii. 1-2
and we must consider which these are. Cultivated
plants plainly differ as to the length of their lives,
but, to speak generally, wild plants are longer-lived
than cultivated ones, both taken as classes, and also
when one compares ^ the wild and cultivated forms
of particular plants : thus the wild olive pear and fig
are longer-lived than the corresponding cultivated
trees ; for the wild forms of these are stronger and of
closer growth, and they do not produce such well-
developed fruit-pulp.2
To the long-lived character of some plants, both
cultivated and wild, witness is borne also by the tales
handed down in mythology, as of the olive at Athens,^
the palm in Delos,* and the wild olive at Olympia,
from which the wreaths for the games are made ;
or again of the Valonia oaks at Ilium, planted on the
tomb of Ilos. Again some say that Agamemnon
planted the plane at Delphi, and the one at Kaphyai ^
in Arcadia. Now how this is may perhaps be
another stor}', but anyhow it is plain that there is a
great difference between trees in this respect ; the
kinds that have been mentioned, and manv others
besides, are long-lived, while the following are ad-
nittedly short-lived — pomegranate fig apple: and
among apples the ' spring ' sort and the ' sweet '
apple are shorter-lived than the 'sour' apple, even
as the ' stoneless ' pomegranate is shoi-ter-lived than
the other kinds. Also some kinds of vine are short-
lived, especially those which bear much fruit ; and it
appears that trees which grow by water are shorter-
* Under which Leto gave birth to Artemis and Apollo : c/.
I'aus. 8. 48. 3; Cic. de Ltg. 1. 1.; Plin. 16. 238.
* Its planting is ascribed to Menelaus by Pans. 8. 23. 3.
385
THEOPHRASTUS
TMV iv rol<i ^'rjpoi<i elvai, olov Irea XevKrj aKTrj
aiyeipo<i.
3 "Evia Se <yr)pd(TKeL /j,ev koI arjireTai Tux^co^i,
irapa/BXaa-rdvei he ttoXlv e'/c tmv avrcov, wcnrep at
Bd(j)vai Kol ai fiijXeat re Kol al poai koX tcov
(f)LXvSpQ)v TO, iroWd' irepX cov koI aKeyj/atr av
Tt9 TTorepa tuvtcl Bel Xeyecv r) erepa' Kaddirep ei
Tf<f TO crTeXe%09 dTroK6-yfra<i, Mcnrep TroLOvaiv ol
jewpryoi, irdXiv dvaOepuTrevot TOv<i ^\aaTov<;, r) el
Koi o\w<i eKKoyfretev ci^pt rwv pi^&v koI eiriKav-
aeiev koX <yap ravra ttolovctlv, ore he /cal uTro
Tov avTO/xdrov Gvp,^aiveL' iroTepa hrj tovto tuvto
Bel Xeyeiv rj erepov; y pev yap del rd pept] ra?
av^r]aet'i Kal ^di(TeL<i (f>aiveTai irapaWdrTovra
Koi en T<Z9 8caKaOdpcrei<i Td<; vtt avTMV, TavTj]
p,ev av Bo^eie ravrou elvar tl yap av enl tovtcov
4 rj eKeivcov Biacpepoi; y 8' axrirep ovaia Kal (f)vai<;
TOV BevSpov pdXiar av (f>aivocro to crTeX.e%o<?, OTav
peToWdTTJ] TOVTO, KaV TO OKOV €T€pOV VTTOXd^OL
Tt9, 6t p,r) dpa Bid to dirb to)v avTfov dp^^MV elvai
TavTO Oeit]' KaiTOL TroXXa/ci? (Tvp^^atvei Kal Ta9
pi^a<i eTepa<i elvai Kal peTa^dXXecv toov pev arjiro-
peveov TOiV 8' e^ dp^r}<i jBXaaTavovawv. iirei, edv
dXr}Oe<; y, co? ye Tive<; (f)aai, xa? dp-ireXovi puaKpo-
1 c/. G.P. 2. 11. 5.
•^ avadtpairevoi conj. W. ; avadepainvei Aid.
^ ^ ei Koi '6\bis conj. W. ; & et koI icaXSis U
MV; KoX el KuKws Ald.H.
■• Sc. and then encourage new growth.
386
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. xin. 2-4
lived tlian those which live in dry places : this is true
of willow abele elder and black poplar.
Some trees, though they grow old and decay
quickly, shoot up again from the same stock,^ as
bay apple pomegranate and most of the water-
lo\ing trees. About these one might enquire
.whether one should call the new growth the same
tree or a new one ; to take a similar case, if, after
cutting down the trunk, one should, as the husband-
men do, encourage - the new shoots to grow again,
or if 2 one should cut the tree right down to the
roots and burn the stump,"* (for these things are
commonly done, and they also sometimes occur
naturallv) ; are we then here too, to call the new
growth the same tree, or another one ? In so far as
it is always the jjarts of the tree which appear to
alternate their periods of growth and decay and also
the prunings which they themselves thus make, so
far the new and the old growth might seem to be the
same tree ; for what difference can there be in the
one as compared with the other ? ^ On the other
hand, in so far as the trunk would seem to be above
all the essential jiart of the tree, which gives it its
special character, when this changes, one might
suppose that the whole tree becomes something
different — unless indeed one should lay down that to
have the same starting-point constitutes identity ;
whereas it often ^ happens that the roots too are
different and undergo a change, since some decay
and others grow afresh." For if it be true, as some
assert, that the reason why the vine is the longest
* I.e. how can the substitution of one set of 'parts' for
another destroy the identity of the tree as a whole?
* xoXXoKij conj. Sch. from G ; voXXa Kal AliH.
" And so the ' starting-poiut ' too is not constant.
387
c c 2
THEOPHRASTUS
yStwrara? elvai tS) fir} ^veip €Tepa<; aX>C i^ avTMv
ael avvavaTrXrjpovadat, <ye\olov av i(T(o<; Bokolij roi-
avTT) avyKpiat<; iav <firj> fievr) to <rTeX6^o<i' avrtj
yap olov VTTodeaL'i Koi cf)vcn<i SivSpcov. tovto fiev
otv OTroTepoi^i iroTe XeKreov ovdev av SieviyKai
6 7r/309 TO, vvv. Tci^^a S' av etr) jxaKpo^ loot arov to
nrdvTW^ hwafxevov avTapKetv, oxxvep rj iXda Kal
T& crreXe^ei Kal Ty irapa^XacrTrjaeL koI tw
Bv(TQ)\€0pov<; €'X,etv Ta<i p[i^a<;. BoKet Be 6 ^i,o<;
T^9 ye fiid<i elvai, KaO^ ov to o-T6Xe%09 Bet ttjv
apxhv TiOevTa fieTpov avafieTpetv tov xpovov,
fidXiaTa Trepl eTrj BiaKoata. el S' oirep eirl t(ov
d/jL7reXct)v Xeyovat Ttve<i, &)? Trapatpov/jievwv tmv
pi^MV KaTa /jbepo<; BvvaTai Bia/xevetv to crxeXe^j^o?,
Kal rj 6\r] (f)v(n<i o/xola Kal 6p,oio(f)6po<; oiroaovovv
'X^povov, /iiaKpo/3iooTaTov dv eir) TrdvTcov. ^aal Be
Beiv ovTco TToietv OTav rfBrj BoKrj KaTacfiepeo-dar
KXrjfiaTd re eiri^dWeiv Kal Kapirovcrdai tov
iviavTov fieTa Be TavTa KaTaaKd'\lravTa eVt
OaTepa TT]<i d/inre\ov TrepiKaddpai Tracra? ra?
pi^a<i, eW efXTrXrjaaL <^pvydvoiv Kal eTrafMTjcraadai
6 Tr)v yrjv tovtw fiev ovv tw eVei KaKib<i (pepeiv
cr(})6Bpa, TO) B' vaTepw ^eXriov, tw Be TpiTW Kal
^ «! ahrwv Aid., SC. toiv ^iCa>v ; eie tS>v avrwp conj. W.
2 i.e. such an argument practically assumes the permanence
of the trunk, which in the case of the vine can hardly be
considered apart from the root. SoKoln roiavrri crvyKpiais I
conj. from G ; SiKaioTdrri avyKpiais MVAld. ; SiKaioTdrrit
avyKpiffeis U ; SoKoit] elvat i] ffvyKpitris conj. Sch. ; so W. in
his earlier edition : in his later editions he emends wildly.
388
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. xm. 4-6
lived of trees, is that, instead of producing new
roots, it always renews itself from the existing ones,^
such an illustration must surely lead to an absurd con-
clusion,^ unless ^ we assume that the stock persists,
as it must do, since it is, as it were, the fimdamental
and essential part of a tree. However it cannot
matter much for our present purpose which account
is the right one. Perhaps we may say that the
longest-lived tree is that which in all ways is able to
persist,* as does the olive by its trunk, by its power
of developing sidegrowth, and by the fact that its
roots are so hard to destroy. It appears that the
life of the individual olive (in regard to which one
should make the trunk the essential part and standard*
in estimating the time), lasts for about two hundred
years.'' But if it is true of the vine, as some say, that,
if the roots are partly removed, the trunk is able to
survive, and the whole character of the tree remains
the same and produces like fruits for any period,
however long, then the vine will be the longest-lived
of all trees. They say that, when the vine seems to
be deteriorating, this is what one should do : — one
should encourage the growth of branches and gather
the fruit that year : and after that one should dig on
one side of the vine and prune away all the roots on
that side, and then fill the hole with brushwood and
heap up the soil. In that year, they say, the \ine
bears very badly, but better in the next, while in the
' I have inserted /^^, which G seems to have read.
* avrapKuv U, cf. Ar. Eq. 540 ; airrapKeiv Aid.
* /cofl' %v rh (TTfXiX"^ Set ri^v apxhv rtdevTa I conj. ; SO G ;
.cofl' tv (TTtKex"^ ^^V "f^h" apX')'' TtBevra fiirpov Ald.H. ; el
i)el for ^5-»/ U ; xafl' % toC ffTtXixous Sei rhv oyxoy ri64vra fifrpov
<;onj. W. ; kuB' hv rh itt. IjStj apxh" xal fitrpov xp^ conj. Sch.
(/.end of §4. « Plin. 16. 241.
THEOPHRASTUS
rerdprcp KaOicrracrdaL kuI ^epeiv ttoWou? koI
Ka\ov<;, axrre fxrjSev 8ia(f>ep€cv r) 6t€ rjKfJiai^ev'
irreiSav 8e iraXiv aTroTrXrjyfj, ddrepov p,epo<i irapa-
aKairreiv kclI depaTreveiv 6p,oi,a><;, koX ovto)<; alel
8tap,ev€cv' TTOieiv 8e tovto p,d\iara hi erwv SeKa'
Sl o koX KoirreLv ovSeirore tov<; tovto TroiovvTa^,
aXV eVt 'yeved^ 7roWd<; TavTa tu crTeXeXH ^*'^"
p,iv€iv, bi<TT€ pi,rjhe p^e/MvrjaOai tov<; <jiVT€vcravTa^'
TOVTO pLev ovv ta(o<i twv ireireLpapevaiv aKovovTa
8el mcTTeveLv. tu 8e puaKpo^ia koI ^pa^v^ta
8ld TMV elpr)IJL€VQ)V 6e(Op7)T€OV.
XTV. 'Noarjp,aTa 8e TOt? p,€V dypl,0L<; ov (f)aai
^vpb^aiveLV v<^^ wv dvaipovvTai, <j6auX.o)9 8e 8ia-
TideaOai koX paXiaTa i7n87]\(o<; otuv 'X^aXa^oKo-
TTrjOfi rj pXaaTdveiv pueWovTa rj dp-yppueva rj
dvOovvTa, KoX oTav rj irvevpia ■\^V')(^pQv rj depp^ov
iTTtyevijTaL /cara TovTOV<i tow? Kaipov<i. viro 8e
TMV mpacav yeLp.divoiV ov8e dv v7rep^dWovT€<;
Maiv ov8ev irda'X^eiv, dXkd koX ^vpicfjepetv irdcn
Xetpao-drjvar p,r} x^LpaaOkvTa yap KaKO^XaaTO-
Tepa yiveadaL. TOi<i 8e rip,€poi<; ecrrt TrXetfo voarr}-
pbaTa, Koi TU p,ev cocnrep Kotvd irdcriv rj rot?
TrXettrrot? ra S' i8La KUTa yevrj. Koivd 8r} to re
crK(o\r]KovcrOai kcu daTpo^oXelaOai koI 6 a(f>a-
/ceXccrpo^. diravTa yap 009 elitelv koi (TK(i)Xr)Ka<;
^ diro7rA7)75 : am-oK-fiyrj conj. Sch.
2 Plin. 17." 216. ' 3 c/. C.P. 5. 8. 3.
■* Kara ytvr] conj. W.; Kal tA 7e'»'9j UMV; koI koto ytfrj Aid.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. xni. 6-xiv. 2
third and fourth it becomes normal again and bears
many fair clusters, so that it is quite as good as when
it was in its prime. And when it goes off again,^
they say one should dig on the other side and apply
the same treatment ; and that so treated the tree
lasts for ever ; and this should be done at intervals of
about ten years. And this is why those who adopt
this treatment never cut down the vine, but the same
stems remain for many generations, so that even
those who planted the trees cannot remember doing
so. However perhaps one should enquire of those
who have had experience before accepting this state-
ment. These exam{)les may serve for considering
which trees are long-lived and which short-lived.
Of diseases and injuries done by loeeUker conditions.
XIV. 2 As to diseases — they say that Avild trees
are not liable to diseases which destroy them, but
that they get into poor condition, and that most
obviously when they are smitten with hail when
either they are about to bud or are just budding
or are in bloom ; also when either a cold or a hot
wind comes at such seasons : but that from season-
able storms, even if they be violent, they take no
hurt,^ but rather that it is good for them all to be
exposed to weather : for, unless they are, they do
not grow so well. Cultivated kinds however, they
say, are subject to various diseases, some of which
are, one may say, common to all or to most, while
others are special to {^articular kinds.^ General
diseases are those ^ of being worm-eaten, of being
sun-scorched, and rot.'^ All trees, it may be said,
" Koiva Sii ri t« conj. W. ; koivo. koX tot« UMV; Koivi- oiov
T<{Te Ald.H. • cf. 8. 10. 1.
391
THEOPHIIASTUS
ta'xet irXi-jv ra fxev i\dTT0V<; to, 8e TrXciOv;, KaOd-
irep avKr) firjXea koI aTrio^;. o)? 8e aTrXco? elirelv
rfKiara cTKcoXrjKovvTat, rd Spifiea koX OTrcoSr), Kal
d,aTpo/3oX€iTai coaavrco^;' /mdWov 8e rot? veoL<i r)
rot<i ev uKfiT) TOVTO crvixj3aivei, navrcov Se [xd\i,ara
rfi re crv/cfj koI rfj dfiireXcp.
'H 8' iXda 77/909 T(5 Toi'9 a-KcoXrjKa'; 'i(T')(eiv, ot
Brj Koi rtjv a-VKrjV Sia(p6etpovcnv evriKTOVTef, (f)V€i,
Koi rjXov 01 Se ixvKrjra KaXovaiv, evtoi, he Xoirdha'
TOVTO S' icTTlv olov rjXlov Kav(Ti<;, 8i,a<f>d€tpovTaL
8' ivioTe Kal al veai iXdai 8id Trjv virep^oXrjv t^?
TroXvKapirla'i. rj he ■yjrcopa Kal ol '7rpoacf)v6p,€VOi
KOj^kiat, (TVKrj^ elaiv oi> iravTa'X^ov he tovto
a-vp,/3aLvei Tai<i avKal'i, dXX' eocKe Kal tu
vo(77]fiaTa jLvea-Oat /caro. toj)? tottou?, Mairep Tol<i
^oiOL<i' eirel irap" eVtot? ov ^Ircoptcocri, KaOdirep ovSe
irepl TTjv Klveiav.
' AXlaKeTai he avKrj pidXiaTa Kal a<^aKeXL(TfjiS>
Kal Kpdh(p. KoXetTat, he a(f)aKeXicrfM6<; pev OTav al
pi'(^ai p^eXavdcoai, Kpdho^ 5' oTav ol KXdSor Kal
yap KoXovcri Tive<; KpdSov?, 66ev Kal Tovvopa ttj
v6(T(p' 6 S' epiveo<i ovTe KpaSa out€ a<^aKeXi^ei
ovTe ■y^rwpia ovtb crKcoXrjKOVTat Tac<; pi^al<i 6p,oica<;'
ovSe Srj ra epivd Tive<i aTro/SaXXova-iv ovS* idv
ep.<j)VTevda)aiv eh avKrjv.
1 ottc^.Stj UMVAld. ; fvdSn H., evidently from Plin. 17. 221.
cf. a P. 5. 9. 4 and 5.
'^ AoTTttSo : Plin. 17. 223, patella. Tlie ?i\os is an abortive
bud, called in Italian novolo.
* T)\iov Kavffis COW], Seal, from Plin. I.e. veluti solis exusHo :
so also G ; fiAoiavTov U ; ?i\oi avrhv V; ^Ao« avrwv M ; ^Ao<
avTwv Aid. which W. prints provisionally.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. xiv. 2-4
have worms, but some less, as fig and apple, some
more, as pear. Speaking generally, those least liable
to be worm-eaten are those which have a bitter
acrid ^ juice, and these are also less liable to sun-
scorch. Moreover this occurs more commonly in
voung trees than in those which have come to their
strength, and most of all it occurs in the fig and the
vine.
The olive, in addition to having worms (which
destroy the fig too by breeding in it), produces also
a ' knot ' (which some call a fungus, others a bark-
blister "-), and it resembles the effect of sun-scorch. ^
Also sometimes young olives are destroyed by exces-
sive fruitfulness. The fig is also liable to scab, and
to snails which cling to it. However this does not
happen to figs everywhere, but it appears that, as
with animals, diseases are dependent on local con-
ditions ; for in some parts, as about Aineia,^ the figs
do not get scab.
The fig is also often a victim to rot and to
krados. It is called rot when the roots turn black,
it is called krados when the branches do so ; for
some call the branches kradoi^ (instead of kladoi),
whence the name is transferred to the disease. The
M ild fig does not suffer from krados rot or scab, nor
does it get so worm-eaten in its roots'^ as the culti-
v.ited tree ; indeed some wild figs do not even shed
their early fruit— not even if they are grafted ' into
a cultivated tree.
^ cj. 5. 2. 1. * Evidently a dialectic form.
® pi^ais PAld. ; ffvKais W. after conj. of Sch.
" efitpvTevOaiffiv conj. Sch. ; evi <pvT. UMV; evia <pvr. Aid.
A oparently the object of such grafting was the ' caprification '
of the cultivated tree (c/. 2. 8. 3); but grafting for this
pi rpose does not seem to be mentioned elsewhere.
393
THEOPHRASTUS
'H Se yjrcopa fMoXicrra jLverat orav vScop eVt
YlXeidSt yivtjrai /nrj iroXv' iav Se ttoXv, dno-
xXv^erat' avfx^aivei he Tore koi rd ipivd dirop-
peiv KOL Toy? o\vv9ov<i. roov Be ctkooXtjkcov tmv
iv Tat<{ crvKal<i ol fiev e^ avrrj<i yivovrat ol he
evTiKTovrai viro rod KoXovfievov Kepacnov 7rdvTe<;
he el<i KepdaT7]v dTroKadlaravrar ^Oeyyovrai he
olov TpLj/xov. vocrel he avKi) /cat edv eirofx^pLa
ryevrirat' rd re yap tt/jo? rrjv pl^av Kul avrr] rj
pl^a oiairep fxaha- tovto he KaXovat Xoirdv.
rj S'. dfj,7reXo<i Tpaya- rovro he /xdXiara avTr)<i
icrrt TT/Jo? rrS darpo^oXelcrdai, t) orav vrro
rrvev/uidrwv ^XaaroKOTrrjdfj rj orav rfj ipyaaia
av/xirddr] rj rpirov vTrrla r/jit]Of}.
'Pvd<i he yiverai, o KaXovcrt rive<i -^LveGOai,
orav i7Tivi(f)6fj Kara rr)v aTrdvOrjatv rj orav
Kpeirrcodfj' rb he 7rd$o^ earlv cocrre diroppelv rd<;
pdya^ Kal rd<i emiievova-a'i elvat fiCKpd<;. evia he
Kal piywaavra voael, Kaddirep rj dp.7reXo<;' djx-
pkovvrat yap ol 6(}idaX/xol rrj<; irpcororofiov Kal
rrdXiv virepOepixavdevra' ^rjrel yap Kal rovrcov rrjV
avfifierpLav coarrep Kal t?}? rpo<p7]<i. 6X(jo<i he irdv
TO Trapd (^vcnv irriKivhwov.
1 cf.aP. 5. 9. 10 ; Col. 5. 9. 15.
2 c/. 5. 4. 5 ; G. P. 5. 10. 5 ; Plin. 17. 221.
^ avTT] ri (ilCa 1 conj. ; outi> tV ^'Ca" U ; om. Aid.
^ cf. C.F. 5. 9. 12 ; Plin. 17. 22").
^ i.e. shedding of the 'bark' of the roots, \oirav conj.
Sch., cf. G.P. 5. 9. 9 ; KoiriSa Ald.H., cf. 4. 14. 3; but the
word here points to a different disease.
^ virria ToiJ.ii seems to be a technical term for pruning in
such a way that the growth of the new wood is encouraged
394
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. xiv. 5-6
Scab 1 chiefly occurs when there is not much rain
after the rising of the Pleiad ; if rain is abundant,
the scab is washed off, and at such times it comes
to pass that both the spring and the winter figs drop
off. Of the worms found in fig-trees some have their
origin in the tree, some are produced in it by the
creature called the ' horned worm ' ; but they all turn
into the ' horned worm ' ; - and they make a shrill
noise. The fig also becomes diseased if there is
heavy rain ; for then the |)arts towards the root and
the root itself^ become, as it were, sodden,* and this
they call 'bark-shedding.'^ The vine suffers from
over-luxuriance ; this, as well as sun-scorch, specially
happens to it either when the young shoots are cut
by winds, or when it has suffered from bad cultivation,
or, thirdly, when it has been pruned upwards.'^
The vine becomes a 'shedder,' ' a condition which
some call 'casting of the fruit,' if the tree is snowed
upon at the time when the blossom falls, or else
when it becomes over lusty ; ^ what happens is tliat the
unripe grapes drop off, and those that remain on the
tree are small. Some trees also contract disease
from frost, for instance the vine ; for then the eyes of
the vine that was pruned early become abortive ; and
this also happens from excessive heat, for the vine
seeks regularity in these conditions too, as in its
nourishment. And in general am-thing is dangerous
which is contrary to the normal course of things.
a ad so there is less fruit : exact sense obscure ; ? ' from
below' {i.e. with the blafle of the knife pointing \ipwards).
Cj. C.P. I.e.; Col. 4. 24. 15 ; Plin. I.e., in -iupinum excims.
- cJ. C.P. 5. 9. 13.
* KptiTTwOy : i.e. the growth is over-luxuriant. The word
oocurs elsewhei-e only in the parallel passage C.P. Lc, where
o -curs also the subst. Kpf'muais, evidently a technical term.
395
THEOPHRASTUS
7 MeyaXa Se ^vfi^aWerat, kclL to, rpavfxara koX
at TrXrjyal tmv Treptcr/caTrTOVTCov et? to fjurj (jiipeiv
ra<; pLerafto\a<i rj Kavjxarrwv ■Pj '^(eificovcov aadev€<i
•yap ov Sia rrjv eXKoxriv koI rov irovov ev-)(^e(.p(o-
TOTUTOV iarc ral<i virepjBoXal^. a-)(^e86v Si, oi? Tfi/e?
oiovrai, TO, irketa-ra tmv vocrrjfidTcov airo TrXrfyrj'i
jLveTar koI yap to, aaTpo^XrjTa KaXovfieva Koi
TO, (T(f)aK€\i^ovTa Bia to aTro TavTr](; elvat twv
pi^Mv Tov TTovov, oXovTai h\ Kul 8vo TavTa<i elvai
fjLova<; v6(Tov<i' ov firjv aWa touto y ovk dyav
6/jioXoyovfiev6v iaTi.
[TldvTwv S' dcrOevio-TaTOV r] /ji,r}\ea 77 r/pivrj koX
TovTwv 77 y\vKela.^^
8 "Et'iat he 7rrjp(0(rec<{ ovk eh (pOopdv yivovTai
o\(op dX}C €69 aKapiriav' olov edv rt? T7}9 TrtTfo?
d(f)e\r] TO d/cpov rj tov (f)0iviK0<;, d/capTra ytveadac
d/ji,(f)(o BoKel Kal ov^ o\(o<i dvaipelcrdai.
VivovTat he v6<jol koi TOiv Kapiroiv uvtmv, edv
p,rj KUTa Kaipov Ta nvev/xaTa koI rd ovpdvia
yevrjTaf crv/n^aivei yap oTe /xev diro^dWetv
yevofxevcov r) firj yevop-evcov vhaTwv, olov Ta^ avKd<i,
OTe Be ■)(^eipov<; ylveadai a7]7rofievov<i Kal KaTawvtyo-
jjuevovi Tj TrdXiv dva^r)patvop.evov<; irapd to heov.
XGipLirrov he edv diravdova-'i tktlv e<pvcrj], Kaddnrep
eXda Kal dp,7reXa)' avvaTroppet ydp 6 Kapiro^ hi
dcrdeveiav.
1 Plin. 17. 227.
^ evx^^p^Tirarov conj. W. after Lobeck ; evxetpCTarov Aid.
^ TTouov conj. H. from G ; ronov MVAld.
* This sentence is clearly out of place : the plural rovroov
has nothing to refer to. cf. 4. 13. 2. It is represented how-
ever by Plin. l. c.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. xiv. 7-8
^ Moreover the wounds and blows inflicted by men
who dig about the vines render them less able to bear
the alternations of heat and cold ; for then the tree is
weak owing to the wounding and to the strain put
upon it, and falls an easy prey - to excess of heat
and cold. Indeed, as some think, most diseases
may be said to be due to a blow ; for that even
the diseases known as ' sun-scorch ' and ' rot ' occur
because the roots have suffered in this way.^ In
fact they think that there are only these two
diseases ; but there is not general agreement on this
}X)int.
The * spring apple ' and especially the sweet
form of it, has the weakest constitution.^
^ Some mutilations however do not cause destruc-
tion of the whole '^ tree, but only produce barrenness ;
for instance, if one takes away the top of the Aleppo
pine or the date-palm, the tree in both cases appears
to become barren, but not to be altogether destroyed.
There are also diseases of the fruits themselves,
■which occur if the winds and rains do not come
in due season. For it comes to pass" that sometimes
trees, figs, for example, shed their fruit when rain
does or does not come, and ^ sometimes the fruit is
spoilt by being rotted and so choked off,^ or again
ly being unduly dried up. It is worst of all for
some trees, as olive and vine, if rain falls on them as
they are dropping their blossom ; '^^ for then the fruit,
having no strength, drops also.
5 Plin. 17. 228 and 229.
« i\'xv conj. W.; Tivuv PaAld.H. cf. C.P. 5. 17. 3 and 6.
' cf. C.P. 5. 10. 5.
8 Si add. Sch. » cf. C.P. I.e.
'" cnravdovffi conj. Sch. from G and Plin. l.c. ; iraveovai Aid. H.
397
THEOPHRASTUS
9 'El/ M.i\7]Ta> Se ra<i i\da<i, orav ayai Trepl to
avOelv, Kajxirai KareaOiovcnv, al fiev ra (f)vWa ai
he TO, avdri, erepai ra> jivei, koX y^Ckovai tu
Sei'Spa' 'ylvovrat Se iav fi vorta koX evZieivd' eav
he irriXd^r] Kaiifxara p^yvvvrat.
Ilepl Be Tdpavra Trpoc^aivovai fiev del ttoXvi
KapiTov, VTTo 8e TTjv dirdvOrjaLV rd itoXTC aTroX-
Xvrai. rd fiev ovv roiavra rcov tottcov i8ia.
10 Viverai he koI dXXo vocrrj/xa irepl ra? eXda<i
dpdj^viov KaXovfMevov (pverac yap rovro /cat Bia-
4>0€Lp€i Tov Kapirov. eiTLKdeL he Kal Kavixaru
Tiva fcal eXdav Kal fioTpvv Kal dXXov<; KapTrov<;.
ol he KapiTol aKcoXrjKovvTat rivcov, olov eXda<i
aTTiov /jLTjXea^ fjueair iXr}<i p6a<i. Kal 6 ye t^9 iXdas
aKatXrj^ edv puev vivo ro hepfia yevT^rai hia(l)deLpei
TOV Kapirov, edv he tov Trvpijva hiacpdyr] oxpeXet
KcoXverat he virb tw hepfiari elvai vharo^ eV
^ApKTovpw yevofievov. ylvovrat he Kal ev rats
hpvireTrecn aKd)X7]Ke<i, a'lirep Kal ')(eipov<i el<i rrju
pvaiv oXo)<i he Kal hoKovaiv elvai aairpaL' hi' c
Kal yivovTai toi<; vorioi,<; Kal fidXXov ev toU
e(f)vhpoc<i. eyyivovrai he Kal Kvlire^ ev riai Toii
hevhpcov, wcnrep ev rfj hpv'l Kal rrj crvKr)' Ka]
hoKovatv eK ttj^ vyp6rr)T0<i crvvLcrraadac t?}? t'TTO
TOV (f)Xoiov crvvLcrra/J,evr)'i' avrrj he eart yXvKela
yevofxevoL';. yivovTat he Kal ev Xa')(^dvoi,<i ricrlv,
^ c/. G.P. 5. 10. 3.
2 Tarentum: c/. C.P. I.e.
^ airdvOrjffiv conj. W.; &vdnffiv Aid.
* Plin. 17. 229-231.
* af)ax»"o«' conj. Sch. after Meurs. ; apixviov UPj ; apxiX'""*
MVP ; iipxiviov Aid. cf. G.P. 5. 10. 2.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. xiv. 9-10
1 In Miletus the vines at the time of flowering are
eaten by caterpillars, some of whieli devour the
flowers, others, a difl^erent kind, the leaves ; and they
strip the tree ; these appear if there is a south wind
and sunny weather ; if the heat overtakes them, the
trees split.
About Taras ^ the olives always shew much fruit,
but most of it perishes at the time when the blossom
falls.3 Such are the drawbacks special to par-
ticular regions.
* There is also another disease incident to the
olth
all, if they are burnt. But alj other trees shoot
again after being lopped, and some, such as the
olive,* become all the fairer. However most trees
jierish if the stem is split ; '' for no tree seems able to
stand this, except vine fig pomegranate and apple ;
and some perish even if they are wounded severely
and deeply. Some however take no harm ^ from
this, as the fir when it is cut for tar, and those trees
from which the resins are collected, as silver-fir and
terebinth ; though these trees are in fact then deeply
wounded and mangled. Indeed they actually become
fruitful instead of barren, or are made to bear
plentifully instead of scantily.
Some trees again submit to being hewn both
when they are standing and when they have been
blown down, so that they rise up again and live and
shoot, for instance the willow and the plane. ^ This
was known to happen in Antandros and at Philippi ;
a plane in Antandros having fallen and had its boughs
lopped off and the axe applied to its trunk, grew
again in the night when thus relieved of the weight,
and the bark grew about it again. It happened that
it had been hewn two thirds of the way round ; it
5 c/. C.P. 5. 16. 4; Plin. 17. 238. « c/. C.P. 5. 16. 2.
■^ <^opa56j conj. Sch.; <popiBes Aid. * Plin. 16. 133.
409
THEOPHRASTUS
fiev fxel^ov rj heKairri'^v, Tra^o? 8' wcrre yu,^ pahia)<i
av irepCKa^eiv reTTapa<; av8pa<i. r] he ev OiXtV-
7rot9 Irea irepLeKOTrri fiev tou9 aKp€fjb6pa<i, ou fxrjv
TrapeTreXeKrjdrj. fidvTi<; 8e Tt? eireia-ev aurqv<;
Ovaiav re Troietcrdai kuI Tqpelv to SevSpov &)<?
arjfxetov ajaOov 76701/09. avearr] Se koX ev
'Erayeipoi'i ev tm fiovaelw Xev/crj rt? eKireaovaa.
T779 he fM7]Tpa<i e^atpovfMevrj'i ovOev ft)? elirelv
(^Oeiperai Sevhpov. arjfxelov Be otl iroWa KoTka
rwv /xeyedo'i exovroov Sevhpcov eariv. ol he Tvepl
^ KpKahiav (paal fiexpi' rivo^ /xev ^rjv to hevhpov,
reXewi he e^ airavro^ e^aipeOei<Tr}<i koX irevKrjv
(pdelpeadai koX iXdrrjv koX aWo irav.
YLoivt] he (pOopa TrdvTcov Kav al pl^ai Trepi-
KOTTMaiv rj irdaai rj al TrXelaTai Koi fieyicnai,
Kal Kvpidorarai rod 'QrjV. avrai fxev ovv e^
d(f}aipe(Tea)<i.
'H S' VTTO Tov eka'iov TTpocrOecrei rivl fidWov rj
d<f>aip6aer TrdXefJiiov yap hrj Kal tovto irdar Kal
eXaiov eTTtx^ovai rol<; vTroXeififiaai tmv pi^cov.
la^vet he /.taXXov to eXacov ev Tol<i veoi^ Kal dprt
(f)Vo/juevoi<i' daOevecnepa ydp, hi o Kal dirrecrdaL
KcoXvovai.
^dopal he Kal vtt dXXrjXwv eccn, tw irapai-
pelaOai Ta? Tpoc/xx? koI ev rol'i dXXoi<; ifxirohl^etv.
'X^aXeiro'; he Kal 6 kctto^; Trapacfivofievo^;, ■)(^aXeTro^
he Kal 6 Kvriao'i' diroXXvaL ydp irdvd' ft)9 elireiv
^ riifhs fiev Cv'-' "J"^ 5. conj. W. ; rivos iav (corrected) tov SevSpov
U; Tij/os f^riped-n TOV 5. MVAld.
2 c/. Plin". 17. 234 ; G.P. 5. 15. 6.
^ vafff Kol e\aiov inixf overt conj. Sch.; Traatv eAaiov iirixfv-
ova IV UMPaAld.
410
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. xvi. 2-5
was a large tree, more than ten cubits high, and of
such girth that four men could not easily have
encircled it. The willow at Philippi which grew
again had had its branches lopped off, but the trunk
had not been hewn. A certain seer persuaded the
people to offer sacrifice and take care of the tree,
since what had occurred was a good omen. Also at
Stageira an abele in the school gardens which had
fallen got up again.
Hardly any tree is destroyed by taking out the
core ; a proof of which is the fact that many large
trees are hollow. The people of Arcadia say that
the tree under these circumstances lives for a time,^
but that, if the tree is entirely deprived of its core,
fir or silver-fir or any other tree perishes.
All trees alike are destroyed when the roots are cut
off, whether all or most of them, if those removed are
the largest and the most essential to life. Such
then are the causes of death which come from the
removal of.a part of the tree.
On the other hand the destruction which oil ^
oauses is due rather to a kind of addition than to
removal ; for oil is hostile to all trees, and ^ so men
pour it ^ over what remains of the roots. However
oil is more potent with young trees which are just
growing ; for then they are weaker ; wherefore men
do not allow them to be touched at that time.
" Again trees may destroy one another, by robbing
them of nourishment and hindering them in other
ways. Again an overgro^%-th of ivy ^ is dangerous,^
and so is tree-medick, for this destroys almost any-
* i.e. to complete the destruction of a tree. cf. Plut.
'^Hae<,t. Conv. 2. 6. 2.
» Plin. 17. 239 and 240. • cf. C.P. 5. 15. 4.
" y^oKfTos 5« Koi Aid. ; x"^*'^* 5' ^o'tIi' conj. W.
411
THEOPHRASTUS
lcr')(yp6Tepov Se tovtov to aXtfjuov aTroWvart <yap
rOV KVTLdOV.
"Ei^io. 8e ov ^de'ipei /xev %et/9ft) Se Trotet rai^
Bvvd/jiecri tmv -xyXwv koI tmv ocrfioiv, olov rj
pd(f)avo<; Koi -q 8d(f)V7} rrjv dp-irekov. oacppaiveaffai
yap (jjaat Koi eK-Keiv. Bi o koi orav 6 ^\acrTO<i
irXrjaiov jevrjrat TrdXiv dvacnpe^eLv kol dcpopdv
0)9 TrdXefxia^ ov(T7]<i rrj<i 6cr/jLrj<i. ^ AvSpoKvBrj(; Be
Koi TrapaBeiy/xaTt tovtm Kare^PVo-aro 7rpo<i rrjv
^orjdeiav rrjv diro rr)<; pa(f>dvov yLVOfievrjv 7rpb<i
Tov olvov, 0)9 e^eXavvovcrav rrjv fxeOrjv (pevyeiv
yap Bt] Kal ^coaav rrjv dfnreXov Tr]v 6ap,riv. al
fM€v ovv (pOopal 7rft)9 re ylvovrat kuI iroaaL Kal
7rocra%<M9 (pavepbv eK roiv Trpoeiprf/Jievoyv.
^ e\Kei : lit. ' draws it in ' ; cf. e\Keiv aipa, ne6v, etc.
2 cf. C.P. 2. 18. 4. 6 &\a(TThs irATjo-ioi/ conj. Dafec. from G
6 ir\r]<Tiov fiKaarSs Ald.H.
412
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IV. xvi. 5-6
thing. But halimon is more potent even than this,
for it destroys tree-medick.
Again some things, though they do not cause
death, enfeeble the tree as to the production of
flavours and scents ; thus cabbage and sweet bay have
this effect on the vine. For they say that the vine
scents the cabbage and is infected ^ by it. Wherefore
the vine-shoot,- whenever it comes near this plant,
turns back and looks away,^ as though the smell
were hostile to it. Indeed Androkydes * used this
fact as an example to demonstrate the use of cabbage
against wine, to expel the fumes of drunkenness ;
for,^ said he, even when it is alive, the vine avoids the
smell. It is now clear from what has been said
how the death of a tree may be caused, how many
are the causes of death, and in what several ways they
operate.
' a.<popa.v conj. Sch. ; ev<popf7v U ; afopttv Aid. ; averti G ;
recedere Plin. I.e.; eKX<«'f>e»»' conj. W.
* A medical man who preached temperance to Alexander ;
c/. Plin. 14. 08 ; 17. 240.
* yap Srj Kol conj. Dalec. from G ; yap 5*1 koi Aid.
413
BOOK
I. Ilepl Se TTJ'; {/Xt;?, Trola re iarLV eKdarr),
Kol TToO^ oipaia rifiveaOai, koI tt/oo? Troia tmv
epycov ')(p7]aifM7j, kol iroia Svaepyo'i rj evep'yoq, Kol
et Tt, aX\o T^9 ToiavTr]<i laTopia<i e^^erat, irecpa-
reov Oytioto)"? etTreiv.
'Q^paca Srj re/xveadac TOiv ^vXoov ra /xev ovv
(XTpoyyvXa koI 6a a irpo'i (pXaiafMov orav ySXa-
ardvTj- t6t6 yap evTTepLaipeTO<i 6 (f)Xoi6<i, o St)
KaXovai XoTTCLV, 8ia ttjv vyporrjra rrjv viroyivo-
fxev7]v avrS). perd he ravra hvairepLaipero'i /cat
TO ^v\ov peXav ylveraL Kal Svcr€tSe<;. ra Se
T€rpdyo)va p,erd rov XoirrjTov' d(fiaipelrai yap
7) 7re\€Kricri<i rr]v BvcreiSeLav. oA-w? Trdv tt/oo?
i(T')(yv (hpaiorarov ov povov irerravp^evov rr]<{
/3\a(TT7]a€(o<; dW' ert pdWov eKTreirdvav rov
KupiTov. dWd Sid rov (f}Xoicrp,ov d(opoi<; ovariv
atpaiot^ avp^^alvei ylveadai rot<; crrpoyyvXot.^,
ware ivavriai al SipaL Kara avp,^e^7)K6<i. ev-
1 Plin. 16. 188. " cf. 3. 5. 1.
* Svffit epiaiperSs con]. Sch.; SvaTrepiKadapros Aid.
416
BOOK V
THB TlMBEB OF VARIOUS TrKES AND ITS USKS.
In like manner we must endeavour to speak of
timber, saying of what nature is that of each tree,
what is the right season for cutting it, which kinds
are hard or easy to work, and anything else that
belongs to such an enquiry.
II
Of the seasons of cutting.
Now these are the right seasons for cutting
timber : — for ' round ' timber and that whose bark is
to be stripped the time is when the tree is coming
into leaf. For then the bark is easily stripped
(which process they call ' peeling ' -) because of the
moisture which forms beneath it. At a later time it
Is hard to strip,^ and the timber obtained is black
and uncomely. However square logs can be cut
after the time of peeling, since trinmiing with the
axe removes the uneomeliness. In general any wood
is at the best season as to strength when it has not
oaerelv ceased coming into leaf, but has even ripened
its fruit ; however on account of the bark-stripping
it comes to pass that ' round ' timber is in season *
when it is cut before it is ripe, so that, as it happens,
:he seasons are here reversed. Moreover the wood
* i.e. in practice the timber is cut before the idealh'
jroper time.
417
THEOPHRASTUS
'X^povaTepa Se ra iXdriva yiverai Kara rov
rrpSirov XoTTrjrov.
2 'Evret Be fiaXicrT rj fiovov irepiaipovcn tov
^\oLov iXdTr]<i vevKtj'i tt/ti/o?, ravra jxev Tefxverat,
TOV rjpo'i' Tore 'yap rj ^7uiaTr)cn<;- ra Se dWa ore
fiev fierd irvporopilav, ore Be fiera rpvyrjTov /cal
^ApKTovpov, olov dpla irreXea cr(f)evBap,vo<i p,e\ia
i^vyia o^va (ptkvpa 077709 re koX oKw<i oaa
KaTopvTTerat' Bpv<; Be oyjnaiTaTa Kara ')(eip.Mva
/lerd TO p-eruTToypov' edv Be viro tov Xottijtov
rp.ijOfj, arjirerai To.'^^tcrTa w? eiirelv, eav re efi-
(fiXoio<i edv re dcfiXoiOf}' koI p,dXiaTa fiev ra ev
tS> 7rp(OT(p XoTTT^Tw, BcvTepu Be Tci ev r& BevTepw,
Tp'iTa Be Koi rjKLCTTa ra ev tw TpiTM' to. Be
/jberd TTji' ireTravcnv twv Kapiroiv d^pwTa Biap,evei,
KCLV dXoTTiaTa fj' rrXrjv virb rov (pXoibv viroBvo-
pbevoi (TKtoXrjKe'i eViTToX?}? eyypdcjiovai to c7TeXe;\;o<?,
049 Kal o-<^pa<yl(TL '^(^pMVTai Tive<i' oopalov Be Tp^r}-
dev TO Bpvivov acra7re9 xe koi dd piTrtiBecrTaTOV
<yiveTai Kal aKXrjpov Kal ttvkvov warrep Kepaf
TTav yap op,ot6v eariv eyKapBiat' TrXrjv to <ye t>}9
dXi(f)XoLOv Kal TOTe (pavXov.
3 Xvp,^a[vet Be Kal tovto vTrevavTcov, OTav re
Kara ti-jv ^XdcTTTjaiv Tep,vo)VTac Kal OTav p,eTd
TOv<i Kapirom. Tore p,ev yap dva^rjpalveTai Ta
aTeXexv '^^'' ^^ ^Xaardvet Ta BevBpa' /iera Be
Toi'9 Kap7rov<i TTapa^Xaa-jdvei. Bvarop^coTepa Be
1 c/. 3. 5. 1. 2 ^ add. Sch.
^ (priySs T€ conj. Seal.; TrriySs re \J ; (prjyia-iv 1 e Y ; -irriyontv
T6 MAld.
5. 7. 5
4
KaTopvTTfrat conj. Sch. from G ; dpiiTTerai Aid. c/. 5. 4. 3;
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. i. 1-3
of the silver-fir is of a better colour at the time ^ of
the first peeling.
But since they strip the bark of 2 hardly any trees
except silver-fir fir and pine, these trees are cut in
the spring ; for then is the time of coming into leaf.
Other trees are cut sometimes after wheat-harvest,
sometimes after the vintage and the rising of
Arcturus, as aria (holm-oak) elm maple manna-ash
~ygia beech lime Valonia oak,^ and in general
all those whose timber is for underground use.*
The oak is cut latest of all, in early winter at the end
of autumn. ^ If it is cut at the time of peeling, it
rots almost more quickly than at any other time,
whether it has the bark on or not. This is especially
so if it is cut during the first peeling, less so during
the second, and least during the third. What is cut
after the ripening of the fruit remains untouched by
worms, even if it has not peeled : however worms get
in under the bark and mark the surface of the stem,
and such marked pieces of wood some use as seals.*^
Oak-wood if cut in the right season does not rot and
is remarkably free from worms, and its texture is
hard and close like horn ; for it is like the heart of a
tree throughout, except that that of the kind called
sea-bark oak is even at that time of poor quality.^
Again, if the trees are cut at the time of coming
into leaf, the result is the opposite of that which
follows when they are cut after fruiting : for in the
former case the trunks dry up and the trees do not
sprout into leaf,^ whereas after the time of fruiting
they sprout at the sides. At this season however
* ef. At. Thesm. 427 : Opnri)ieara aippayiZia,
' cf. 3. 8. 5.
* PKoffTavet M ; -wapaBKaardyet W. with Aid.
419
THEOPHRASTUS
Old TTjv (TKkrjpoTrjTa /tard tuvttjv ttjv wpav.
KeXevovcri Be koL 8e8vKvt,a<i t?}? aeXrjvr^'i refiveiv
0)9 a/iXTjporepwv koX daaiteareprnv yivo/xevoov.
iirel 8^ at ire-^ei'i tmv Kapirctiv irapaWdrTOVcn,
SrjXov OTC KoX al aKfial 77/009 ttjv TOfx,r}V irapaX,-
XaTTOVffiv del yap o-yjnalTepai al roiv o^jnKap-
4 TToreprnv. Bi Kal Treiptovrai rive<i opi^eiv Kad^
€Kd(T TT]V olov iTevKrjv fiev Kal eXdrrjv orav viro-
XoTTOXTiv' €Tt Be o^vav Kal (jiiXvpav Kal cr^eV
BafJbvov Kal ^vyiav T7]<i O7rc6yoa9* Bpvv Be, axTTrep
etprjrai, /xerd to ^OivoTrcopov. <paal Be ri,ve<;
TrevKijv oopaiav elvai tov rjpo<i, orav <ye e^r) Ttjv
KaXovfxevrjv Kd')(^pvv, Kal ttjv ttLtw orav ^OTpv;
avTrj<i dvdfj. irola fxev ovv d>pata KaO^ eKaarov
Xpovov ovrto Biaipovvrat. irdvTwv Be BrjXov on
/3e\TL(o rd Tcov dKfia^oi'Tcov BevBpwv r) tS)V vewv
KOfjLiBi] Kal jeyrjpaKOTwv rd fiev yap vBarcoBr), rd
Be yecoBrj.
5 n\etcrTa9 Be 'X^peia<; Kal fieylara^ rj iXdrr) Kal
7) 'jrevKT] TvapeyovTai, Kal ravra KdWiara Kal
pAyiaTa rwv ^vXcov earl. Biacf)epovai Be dX\.?]\o}v
ev TToWol'i' T) fiev ydp 7revK->] aapKooBecrrepa re
Kal oXiyoivo^' r) 8' iXdrr} Kal 7roXvivo<i Kal
dcrapKO^, axrre evavTico^ eKarepov e-)(eiv roiv
pepMV, Ta9 /Mev lva<i lcr')(ypd<i rrfv Be adpKa
^ al add. Sch.
'- inroKoTrSiaiv conj. Sch.; fi iriXtiv elcri U; vireAeivatriv MV ;
virt\ivwffiv Aid.
^ ravT7]y conj. St.; Kal tV Ald.H.
420
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. i. 3-5
they are harder to cut because the wood is tougher.
It is also recommended to do the cuttin/r when the
moon has set, since then the wood is harder and
less likely to rot. But, since the times when the
fruit ripens are different for different trees, it is
clear that the right moment for cutting also differs,
being later for those ^ trees which fruit later.
Wherefore some tr}- to define the time for the
cutting of each tree ; for instance for fir and silver-
fir the time is, they say, when they begin to peel ^ :
for beech lime maple and zygia in autumn ; for oak,^
as has been said, when autumn is past. Some how-
ever say that the fir is ripe for cutting in spring,
when it has on it the thing called ' catkin,' * and the
pine when its ' cluster ' ^ is in bloom. Thus they
distinguish which trees are ripe for cutting at various
times ; however it is clear that in all cases the wood
is better when the tree is in its prime than when it
is quite young or has grown old, the wood of quite
young trees being too succulent, and that of old ones
too full of mineral matter.
Of the inood of silver-Jir and fir.
Silver-fir and fir are the most useful trees and in
the greatest variety of ways, and their ^ timber is
the fairest and largest. Yet they differ from one
another in many respects ; the fir is fleshier and has
few fibres, while the silver-fir has many fibres and is
not fleshy, so that in respect of each component it is
the reverse of the other, having stout fibres ^ but soft
* cf. 1. 1. -211.; 3. 5. .5.
' I.e. the male inflorescence.
* ToCra conj. Sch. from G ; aina Ald.H.
' cf. 3. 9. 7 ; Plin. 16. 184.
421
THEOPHRASTUS
fwXaKTjv KoX jjbavrjv St o ro /juev ^dpv ro 8k
KOV(f>ov' TO fiev yap evSaSov to 8e dSaSov, fj koI
6 XevKOTepov. ex^^ ^^ '^^^^ o^ov<; TrXeioy? fxev rj
TTevKT], aKXr]poT€pov<; Se rj iXaTt] ttoWo), /xdWov
Be Kol crK\r)poTdTOV<i TrdvTWV dfX(pco 8e 7rvKVov<i
KoX KepaT(i)8eL<i /cal tw ^/jftj/xart ^av6ov<i kol
8a8d>8ei<i. OTUV 8e Tf^rjOcoat, pel koX e« twi' t?)<?
eA,aT979 icat e/c tcoi^ tt}? TrevKrjf; eVt ttoXvv ^/joi'oi^
vyp6T7]<i Kal p^dWov e/c to>v Trj<; iXdTr]<;. 'icTTi 8e
KOI TToXvXoTTOV rj iXdTrj, KaOdirep Koi to Kpopuvov
del yap e%e£ Tivd vTroKdToa tov (paivopevov, Kol
7 e/c TOLOVTcov rj oXrj. Si' o koI Td<i Kcoira^ ^vovTe^
d(f)aLpelv TTCipayvTai KaO^ eva Kal 6paXcb<i' edv yap
ovTco<; d^aipSiaiv, l(T-)(ypo<i o /cco7red)v, edv Be
TrapaXXd^coai Kal yu.?; KaTaairtoaiv 6poia><;, dade-
vrj<i' irXrjyrj yap ovtco<;, e/ceti/w? S' d(f)aipecyi^. €(TTI
Be Kal p^aKpoTaTov rj eXdTrj Kal 6pdo(f)vecrTaTOV.
Bt o Kal Ta'i Kepata<i Kal tow laTov<i €K TavTr]<;
TTOLovaiv. e^^i Be Kal Ta^ (f)Xe^a<i Kal Ta^; lva<i
8 ep,<^ave(TTdTa<i irdvToov. av^dveTat Be nrpSiTOv
ei<i p.rjK0<;, d'^pi' ov Br] ecpiKrjTai tov tjXlov kol
ovre 0^09 ovBelf ovTe 7rapa^Xd(TTr]cri<i ovtc Trdxp^
ylveTai' p.eTd Be TavTa el<; ^d6o<i Kal 7ra;^09*
oi5tci)9 al Twv o^cav eK<pvcr€i<; Kal irapa^aaTrjcxei'i.
1 rb fxtv yao 4vB. conj. St. from (r ; eV5. yap Aid.
•' cf. 3. 9. 7.
* cf. 3.. 9. 7, /j-ovov oh 5ta<pape7s, whence it appears that the
epithet refers to colour. .-,
* Plin. 16. 195. * i.e. the annual rin£;s. c/. 1. 5. 2 ; 5. 5. 3.
« cf. Horn. Od. 12. 172.
'' KaTarfKuxTiv COnj. W. ; Kara iraffiv UAIV; Kara ndvra Aid.
« cf. Plin. I.e. » c/. 1. 2. 1.
^^ ifj.<pavtffTaTas conj. W. ; «i>7€i/€(rTciTa5 Aid.
" 56 conj. Sch.; /col UAld;H.
422
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. i. 5-8
flesh of open texture. Wherefore the timber of the
one is heavy, of the other hght, the one^ being
resinous, the other without resin ; wherefore also it
is whiter. Moreover the fir has more branches, but
those of the silver-fir are much tougher, or rather
they are tougher than those of any other tree ; - the
branches of both however are of close texture,
homy,3 and in colour brown and like resin-glutted
wood. * When the branches of either tree are cut,
sap streams from them for a considerable time, but
especially from those of the silver-fir. Moreover the
wood of the silver-fir has many layers, like an onion : ^
there is always another beneath that which is visible,
and the wood is comjxised of such layers throughout.
Wherefore, when men are shaving this wood to make
oars,^ they endeavour to take off the several coats one
by one evenly : for, if they do this, they get a strong
spar, while if they do the work irregularly and do
not strip " off the coats evenly, they get a weak one ;
for the process in this case is hacking instead of
stripping. The silver-fir also gives timber of the
greatest lengths and of the straightest growth ;
wherefore yard-arms ® and masts are made from it.
Also the vessels ^ and fibre are more clearly ^^ seen in
it than in any other tree. At first ^^ it grows in
height only, until it has reached ^- the sunshine ; and
so far there is no branch nor sidegrowth nor density
of habit ; but after that the tree proceeds to increase
in bulk 13 and density of habit, as i* the outgrowing
branches and sidegrowths develop.
^' ixP' • • • ^<piKTtTcu conj. Sch.; fixP' "^ ^h KtupiiaiTai U;
ivDtj ouK oupiicrtTai MV; &XP'^ "" ax^'^T''"* Ald.H.
- cf. 4. 1. 4.
Lit. ' this being the effect of the outgrowth.' -rdx"*'
-■xs Aid.; xoxo»> oray conj. W.
423
THEOPHRASTUS
9 TavTa fjLev ovv thia t% eKaTrj^;, ra 8e Koiva Kal
7revKi]<i Kal iXdTr]<i Kal rwv aWoov. eari yap 97
fjuev Terpd^oo<; rj 8e 8l^oo<;. KaXovcri Be reTpa^oovfi
fxev 6aai<i e'^' eKcirepa Trj<i ivrepi,(ovr]<; hvo kt)]-
S6v€<; elalv evavriav e'x^ovcraL rrjv (pvaiv eireira
Kad^ cKarepav ttjv KTqhova TToiovvTac ttjv TreXi-
KTjcnv evavriav ra'i 77X777^9 Kara KrrjSova cpepov-
T€9, OTav e^' eKarepa tt}? ivrept-covti'i rj TreXeKija-i'i
dvaaTpecprj. tovto yap e^ dvdyKT]<i av/x^aivei
Bia TTJV (f)vaLV TOiv KTrjhovwv. Ta<i he Toiaina<;
i\dra<i Kal irevKaf; rerpa^oovi KaXovai. elcrl Se
Kal TT/oo? ra? epyacria'i avjai KaXXiaTar ttvkvo-
rara yap exovai ra ^vXa Kal ra? alyiha^ avrai
10 (pvovcrtv. at hi^ooi 8e KTrjSova fiev e-xpvcn fxiav
e<^' eKarepa rr]<; evrepi(i)V'>]<;, ravTa<; Be evavrla<;
dWrjXac^, ware Kal rrjv TreXeKrjcnv elvat SiirXrjv,
fiiav Kad^ eKarepav KrrjBova rat? 7rXr]yat<i evav-
riat<i' diraXwrara [xev ovv ravrd cf)aaiv e^^iv
rd ^vXa, -^eipiara Be tt/jo? ra? epyaaia';' Bia-
arpecperai yap pbdXiara. puovo^oovi Be KaXovat
Ta9 eyovaa<i piav p,6vov KrrjBova' rrjV Be rreXe-
KTjaiv avrwv yiveaOai rr)v avrrjv e^' eKarepa
rr]<i evrepiQ)vr]'i' ^aa-l Be p.av6rara fiev e^^iv rfj
(pvcret rd ^vXa ravra Trpo? Be rd<i Bia(jrpo(f)d<i
dcr(f)dXearara.
11 Aca(f)opd<i Be e-xpvcn roL<i (f)Xoioi<;, Kaff" a?
yvo) pi^ovaiv lB6vre<i evdix; rb BevBpov irecpVKo^
' Plin. I.e.
^ The meaning of ' four-cleft ' etc. seems to be this :
(X)^-C/eFf- (S^2-C/eFt- (T^f -Cleft.
424
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. i. 9-11
These are the characteristics peculiar to the silver-
fir. Others it shares with the fir and the other trees
of this class. ^ For instance, sometimes a tree is
' four-cleft/ sometimes ' two-cleft ' ; it is called ' four-
cleft ' when on either side of the heart-wood there
are two distinct and diverse lines of fissure: in that
case the blows of the axe follow these lines in cases
where the hewing is stopped short on either side of
the heart-wood.2 For the nature of the lines of fissure
compels the hewing to take this course. Silver-firs
or firs thus formed are said to be ' four-cleft.' And
these are also the fairest trees for carpentry, their
wood being the closest and possessmg the aigis.^
Those which are ' two-cleft ' have one single line of
fissure on either side of the heart- wood, and the lines
of fissure do not correspond to each other, so that
the hewing also is performed by cuts which follow
the two lines of fissure, so as to reach the two sides
of the heart-wood at different angles. Now such
wood, they say, is the softest, but the worst for
carpentry, as it warps most easily. Those trees which
have only a single* continuous line of fissure are
said to be 'one-clefl,' though here too the cutting
is done from either side of the heart-wood : and such
wood has, they say, an open^ texture, and yet^ it is
not at all apt to warp.
' There are also differences in the bark, by obser-
^ ation of which they can tell at once what the
" cf. 3. 9. 3. * fiiav couj. W. ; fxiay 5e PjAld.
* navSrara conj. W. ; ^avorrfra Aid.
® TO luXo . . . Teks conj. Sch. ; to |uAa- toCto 5f jTi^bj toj
Ald.H. ' Plin. 16. 195 and 196.
425
THEOPHRASTUS
nroiov tl earr rcov jxev 'yap €vkt7)86v(ov koX
aarpa^MV kol 6 (f)Xoi.o<; \€io<; koI 6pd6<;, tmv
5' ivavTLcov T/3a%u9 re koI Bie(Trpa/x/j,6vo<;- 6fioi.co<i
Se Kal iirl tmv Xoittwv. aXX! ecnt rerpd^oa
fjuev oXlya fxovo^oa 8e irXeito tcov dWcov. airaaa
he Tj vXr] fiel^cov koX opOorepa koI dcrrpa/SeaTepa
Kal ari(f)poT€pa koX 6Xq)<; KaXXiwv koX TrXetcov
Tj iv Tol<i Trpoa^opeioa, locnrep Kal irporepov
iXe')(6rj' Kal aurov tov SevSpov Be ra TTyoo?
^oppdv TTVKvorepa Kal veaviKdorepa. oaa Se
VTTOTrapd^oppa Kal iv TrepiTrvo), ravja arpecfiei
Kal irapaXXdrrei irapa /xiKpbv 6 j^opea^, ware
elvai, Trapearpa/LLpevrjv avrcov ttjv ixrjrpav Kal
12 ov Kar opdov. earL Be oXa fxev rd TOiavra
la')(ypd TfMrjdevra Be daOevrj Bid to 7roXXd<; e^eiv
7TapaXXayd<i. KoXovai Be ol TeKTOve<i eTriTO/jLa
ravra Bid to tt/jo? ttjv ')(peiav ovrco Tep,veiP.
6Xco<; Be %et/3&) rd e« ro)v e(f)vypo)v Kal ev-
Bieivwv Kal 7raXi(jKiQ)v Kal avvr]pe(f)MP Kal tt/jo?
Ttjv reKTOviKTjv %/9etaz/ Kal 7rpo<i rrjv irvpev-
TiKr)V. al [xev ovv roiavrai Bia(f)opal irpo^ rot"?
TOTTOVi elcrlv avTwv roiv 6/xojevcov W9 ye aTrXco?
II. Aiaipovai yap rLve<i Kard Ta9 'X^copa^;, Kai
(fiacriv dplaT7]v p,ev elvai T779 vXri<; rrpo'^ rrjv
reKTOviKrjv xpeiav rr}? 669 ttjv 'EXXdBa irapa-
>yivo/jiev7]<i Trjv M.aKeBoviKijv Xei'a re yap eari
Kal da-Tpa^r]<; Kal exovaa Ovlov. Bevrepav Be
TTjv UovTtKijv, Tpirrjv Be rr)v aTTo tov 'VvvBaKov,
1 irecpvKhi : cf. Xen. Cyr. 4. 3. 5.
^ vwoTTapd^oppa conj. St.; vtrb irapd^oppa Aid.; vnSPoppa t]
irapd^oppa conj. Sch.
426
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. i. n-n. i
timber of the tree is like as it stands.^ For if the
timber has straight and not crooked hnes of fissure,
the bark also is smooth and regular, while if the
timber has the opposite character, the bark is rough
and twisted ; and so too is it with other points.
However few trees are ' four-cleft,' and most of
those which are not are 'one-cleft.' All wood, as
was said before, which grows in a {X)sition facing
north, is bigger, more erect, of straighter grain,
tougher, and in general fairer and more abundant.
Moreover of an individual tree the wood on the
northward side is closer and more vigorous. But if
a tree stands sideways to the north - with a draught
rc'und it, the north wind by degi-ees twists and con-
torts ^ it, so that its core becomes twisted instead of
running straight. The timber of such a tree while
still in one piece is strong, but, when cut, it is weak,
because the grain slants across the several pieces.
Carpenters call such wood ' short lengths,' because
they thus cut it up for use. Again in general wood
which comes from a moist, sheltered, shad}- or con-
fined position is inferior both for carpentry and for
fuel. Such are the differences, generally * speaking,
bt tween trees of the same kind as they are affected
b}- situation.
Of the effects on timber of climate.
II. ''Some indeed make a distinction between regions
and say that the best of the timber which comes into
Hellas for the carpenter's purposes is the Macedonian,
fo • it is smooth and of straight grain, and it contains
redn : second best is that from Pontus, third that
TopaAXoTTfi conj. Dalec. ; rapaWdyd U ; irapaX-nyfi Aid. ;
■Ka,}a\vyi(fi conj. H. Steph.
76 conj. Sch.; Si Aid. ^ p^n jg 197
4*7
THEOPHRASTUS
TeTdpTTjv 8e Tijv AlviaviKijv ')(^et.p(,(TT7]v Se rrjv T(
liapvaacaKTjv Koi Tr}v J^v^oIkijv koI yap o^dohet'
/cal rpa^eia<i koX Ta')(y a-rjireaOaL. ire pi he rf]'
^ApKa8iK7]<; aKenreov.
^Ya'xyporara he tmv ^vKcov iarl ra ao^a Ka
Xeia' KoX rfi o-yjrei Se ravTa KukXicrTa. o^coSi
Se yiverai to, KaKor po<^r}devTa Kal ijrot -^^eifjUMv
TTiecrdevTa rj Kal akXo) rivl roLomtp' to jaf
6\ov rr]if TToXvo^tav elvat evheiav €VTpo(f)La<i
orav he KaKorpotpijaavTa avaXd^rj irdXiv Kal ev
adevijarj, avfi^alvei KaraTriveaOai rov<i o^ov^
VTTO T7]<i 7repi<pvcrea)<;' evrpo(j)ovv yap Kal av
^avopevov dvaXa/M^dvei Kal iroXXdKL^ e^coOei
p,ev Xelov to ^vXov Siatpovpevov 8e 6^(bSe<
e(f)dv7]. 8t' Kal aKOTrovvrat roiv cr^icrrcot' ra'
p,rjTpa<i' iav yap avrat exfoo-iv o^ovf, o^toSr) Ka
TO, eKTQf;' Kal ovroc, ■x^aXeircoTepoi, roiv e/cTO<? Ka
(pavepoL.
VivovTaL he Kal al airelpau Sia '^eip.cova<i n
Kal KaKOTpo<f)Lav. aireipa^ he KaXovcriv orav i
(TVcrrpo<prj ti<; ev avrfj p,ec^o)V Kal kvkXoi<{ irepi
e'X^opAvr] TrXecocnv oud' watrep 6 6^o<i dirXcb'i ovd
o)9 'q ovXoTr]^; rj ev avTa> rw ^vXcp' hi oXov ydf
7rG)9 avTT] Kal opaXl^ovaa- %a\e7r(UTeyooy hi
rovTO rroXi) Kal hvarepyorepov rcov o^aiv. eoLKi
he 7Tapa7rX7]criQ)<; Kal f09 ev Tol<i XiOoL^ eyyivecrda,
^ A river which flows into the Propontis on the Asiatic
side.
"^ Near Mount Oeta. Alviaviic7}y conj. Palm, from Plin
I.e.; alayiKiiv P^Ald.H.
' ravTO, K(ix\i(na- o^aiSri Se conj. Seal.; TaffTO kuI fidKiirro
o^wSt] yiy. Ald.H. ; TouTa fidKiffra- o^coStj Se 71V. U.
428
ENQUIRY IXTO PLANTS, V. n. 1-3
from the Rhyndakos,^ fourth that of the country
of the Ainianes/- worst is that of Parnassus and that
of Euboea, for it is full of knots and rough and
quicklv rots. As to Arcadian timber the case is
doubtful.
Of knots and ' coiling ' in timber.
ITie strongest wood is that which is without knots
and smooth, and it is also the fairest in appearance.^
Wood becomes knotty when it has been ill nourished
and has suffered severely whether from winter or
some such cause ; for in general a knotty habit is
supjwsed to indicate lack of nourishment. When
hoAvever, after being ill nourished, the tree recovers
and becomes vigorous, the result is that the knots
are absorbed^ by the growth which now covers them ;
for the tree, being now well fed and growing
vigorously, recovers, and often the wood is smooth
oiitside, though when split it is seen to have knots.
And this is why they examine the core of wood that
hes been split ; for, if this contains knots, the out-
ward 5 parts will also be knotty, and these knots are
harder to deal with than the outer ones, and are
easily recognised.
^ ' Coiling ' of the wood is also due to -vrinter or ill
nourishment. Wood is said to ' coil ' when there is
in it closer twisting" than usual, made up of an
unusual number of rings : this is not quite like a knot,
nor is it like the ordinary curling of the wood, which
runs right through it and is uniform. ' G^iling ' is
much more troublesome and difficult to deal with than
knots ; it seems to correspond to the so-called
* KarawiviaQai : ? KaraXa^^iveadai. cj. below, § 3.
* I.e. outward in regard to the core. * Plin. 16. 198.
" ^ avtrrpotfyfi conj. Seal.; p cuo-rpo^ U; § finpa^rj Aid. etc.
429
THEOPHRASTUS
ra KoKovfieva Kcvrpa. otl 8* rj Trepi,(fiV(n<i Kara
\afi^dvec tou? 6^ov<; (pavepcoTarov i^ avTrj<{ rrj
aladrjaeox;, ov firjv aWa KoX eK rcov aWo}
4 Tcov o/j.OL(ov' TToWdKL'i yap avTOv Tov BevSpo
fi€po<i Ti crvveKrj<f)6ri vtto darepov crv/jb(f)Vov<i <yevo
fxevov Kol idv rt? iK'y\inlra<t Of} Xidov et? t
hevhpov 7) Koi dWo ti tolovtov, KaraKpinnera
7r€pi\r)(ji6ev viro Tr)<? 7r€pi(pvaeco<;' oirep koI irep
TOP Korivov (Twe^rj tov iv M.eydpot^ tov iv t:
d'yopd' ov Kal eKKOTrivTO^ Xoyiov rjv dXwvai Ka
SiapTraadrjvai ttjv ttoXlv oirep iyivero . . .
ArjfiijTpto^;. iv tovtw yap Siaa'X^t^OfjLeva) Kvrj
/AiSe? evpWrjaav Kal aXX' UTTa Trj'i ^Attikt}
ipyaa[a<i KpepuaaTd, tov kotlvov ov dveTedrj t
wpoiTOV eyKoCkav9evTO<i. tovtov S' eVt fjLiKpo:
TO XoiTTov. TToWaxov Be Kal dWoOi yiveTa
irXeiova ToiavTa. /cal xaOra fiev, Mairep etprfTai
KOLvd liKeiovwv.
III. Kara he Ta9 Ihla^ eKuaTOV (f)vaei<i a
TOiavTai elai Siacpopai, olov irvKvoTrif; fiavoTif
^apvTr)<; Kov^6Tr)<i aKXripoTrjt; fxaXaKOTrji;, rnaav
T<w9 Be Kal eo Ti<; dXXr] ToiavTt]' Koival Be o/xolw
avTai Kal TMV rjjxepwv Kal tmv dypvcov, ooaTe irep
irdvTcov XeKTeov.
. 1 oT£ 5" T) conj. W.; oVt S»j UMV; on Sf Aid.
2 c/. Kara-niveffdai, above, § 2.
3 Plin. 16. 198 and 199.
■* eKy\v\j>as 0fi conj. W. ; eKAvif/as 6rji U ; eKXtdaa-Bfi Ald.H.
' Text defective.
« i.e. the bark had grown over these, cf. Plin. I.e.
43°
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. ii. 3-111. i
' centres ' which occur in marbles. That ^ vigorous
growth covers ^ up the knots is plain from simple
observatiQn of the fact and also from other similar
instances. ^ For often some part of the tree itself is
absorbed by the rest of the tree which has grown
into it ; and again, if one makes a hole in a tree and
puts^ a stone into it or some other such thing, it
becomes buried, being completely enveloped by the
wood which grows all round it : this happened with
the wild olive in the market-place at Megara ; there
was an oracle that, if this were" cut open, the city
would be taken and plundered, which came to pass
when Demetrius took it.^ For, when this tree was
split open, there were found greaves and certain
other things '' of Attic workmanship hanging there,
the hole "^ in the tree having been made at the place
vhere the things were originally hung on it as offer-
ings. Of this tree a small part still exists, and in
many other places further instances have occurred.
Moreover, as has been said, such occurrences happen
also with various other trees.
Of dijFerences in the texture of different icoods.
III. ^ Corresponding to the individual characters of
the several trees we have the following kinds of
differences in the wood : — it differs in closeness,
heaviness, hardness or their opposites, and in other
similar ways ; and these differences are common to
cultivated and wild trees. So that we may speak of
all trees without distinction.
fpyoffias KpffuiffTa. tov kot'ivov ov I conj. from G and
Plin. I.e. (certain restoration perhaps impossible) ; KtpfirtaTi o
fffriv 4y KOTiitf)- ou U; AUl. has Kepfjiriarl, M Kpffuurr], V «p-
IticToov ; St. suggested KoefiainStv o-rXotv as words of the
ori ^Dsl text. « Plin. 16. 204-207.
THEOPHRASTUS
IIvKvoraTa fiev ovv SoKet koL /SapvTara ttw^o?
elvai Kol e^evo^' ovSe yap ovS" eVi tov v8aTO<i
ravT emvet. koX 7) fiev 7rv^o<; 6\r}, t?}<? Be e^evov
7) firjrpa, iv j/ koX rj tov '^pco/naTO'i iari fieXavi'a.
TMV S' aWcov 6 X&)T09. TTVKVOv Be Koi rj T7]<i 8pv6<;
/ji'qrpa, fjv KoXovai /xeXdvSpvov koX en fidWov rj
TOV KVTiaov irapofioia yap avTrj hoKsl Trj i^evM
elvai.
2 MeXay Be a(f>6Bpa kuI ttvkvov to tj}? Tep-
fiLvdov -Tvepl yovv Xvpiav ixeXdvTepov (fiaatv
elvai T?79 i/Sevov koI €K tovtov yap kuI Ta9
Xa/3a9 Ta>v iyx^eipLBlcov iroielcrdai, Topveveadai
Be e^ avTcov Kol KvXiKa<i S^jpixXetov^, coaTe
firjBeva av BiayvMvai 7rpo<i Ta<i Kepafxea^' Xafi-
^dveiv Be to eyKapBiov Belv Be aXei(f)€iP to
^vXov ovTO) yap yiveadai Kol koXXiov Kal
fxeXavTepov.
Wivat Be Kal aXXo tl BevBpov, dpa tj} jxeXavia
Kal TTOLKiXiav TLva e^ei virepvOpov, wcrre elvai
Tr)V o-yfriv waav e^evov TroiKiX'q<i' Troieiadat 8' e^
avTov Kal KXLva<i Kal BL(f>pov<; Kal to, dXXa to,
(TTTovBa^ofxeva. to <B€> BevBpov fieya (T<f)6Bpa
Kal KaX6(f)vXXov elvai ofioiov rat? d'rrLoi'i.
3 TavTa fiev ovv d/xa ttj fieXavia Kal ttvkvo-
TrjTa e%et. ttvkvov Be Kal 77 acfiivBafivof Kal
r) ^vyia Kal oX(W9 rrdvTa to, ovXa' Kal rj iXda
Be Kal 6 KOTLVO^;, dXXa Kpavpa. puava Be tmv
fiev dypLcov Kal epe'^lficov to, eXdTLva fidXiaTa,
cf. Arist. Meteor. 4. 7 ad Jin.
cf. 1. 6. 1. 3 cf. 3. 15. 3.
Probably so called from their resemblance in shape and
432
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. m. 1-3
Box and ebony seem to have the closest and
heaviest wood ; for their wood does not even float on
water. This applies to the box-tree as a whole, and
to the core of the ebony, which contains the black
pigment.^ The nettle-tree also is very close and heavy,
and so is the core of the oak, which is called ' heart
of oak,' and to a still greater degree this is true
of the core of laburnum ^ ; for this seems to resemble
the ebony.
The wood of the terebinth is also very black and
close-grained ; at least in S\Tia ^ they say that it Ls
blacker than ebony, that in fact they use it for making
their dagger handles ; and by means of the lathe-
chisel they also make of it ' Theriklean ' cups,* so
that no one could ^ distinguish these frona cups made
of potter}' ; for this purpose they use, it is said, the
heart-wood, but the wood has to be oiled, for then
it becomes comelier and blacker.
There is also, they say, another tree ^ which, as
well as the black colour, has a sort of reddish
variegation, so that it looks like variegated ebony,
and of it are made beds and couches and other things
of superior quality. This tree is very large and has
handsome leaves and is like the pear.
These trees then, as well as the black colour, have
<!lose wood ; so also have maple zy^a and in general
i\\ those that are of compact growth ; so also have
the olive and the wild olive, but their wood is
brittle.' Of wild trees which are used for roof-
timbers the wood of the silver-fir is the least com-
colour to the cups made by Therikles, a famous CJorinthian
f otter ; see reff. to comedy in LS. *.i'.
* fxTlSeva tiy conj. W. ; jUtjS' iv tva Aid.
• Sissoo wood. See Index App. (21).
' aX\a Kpavpa conj. Sch.; aAXa kuI avpa MVAld.
Ii
433
THEOPHRASTUS
rSiv 8' aKXoiv ra clktivu koI tcl avKiva koX
TO, T?79 fxr]X€a<; koL ra t^<? hd^v'r}<;. crKXtj-
porara Se ra Bpviva koI ra ^vyiva kol ra
Ti]<i apia<i' koX yap vnro^pe'xpvat ravTa 7rpo<i
TT}v rpvirrjcnv [xaXd^eui^ 'X^dpiv. /xdXaKa 8e
Kad' oXov p,€v TO, fiava Kal ')(avva' twv he
(lapKwhcbv fxdXiara (fiiXvpa. SoKei 8e Kal 6ep-
fjiOTarov elvai rovro' arjfielov Be ort /xaXia-ra
d/jL^Xvvei, rd crcSijpia- rrjv <ydp ^acfirjv dvlr]crc Bid
rrjv Oep/jLorrjTa.
4 %epiJLOV Be Kal /ctrro? Kal Bd(pvr] Kal 6Xco<;
6^ a)V rd TTvpela jLverar ISAevearcop Be (prjai
Kal avKdfjLLVov. y^rvx^poTara Be rd evvBpa Kal
vBarcoBr], Kal yXiay^pa Be rd Irelva Kal dp.-
TTeXiva, Bl o Kal ra? daTriBa^ eK rovrwv Trotovat'
(TVfipvei <ydp TrXtj^evra' Kov^orepov Be ro rr]^
lrea<i, pavorepov ydp, Be o Kal rovrut pbdXXov
•X^payvrai. ro Be t?}? rrXardvov yXKy^pdrrira p-ev
eyei, cfivcrei Be vyporepov rovro Kal ro rr}<i irre-
Xea<i. cnipelov Be ecrriv, pberd rrjv rop^rjv opObv
orav (Tradfj, iroXv vBcop dcplrjac. ro Be r'fj<; avKa-
piLvov TTVKvov dpa Kal <yXla')(^pov.
5 "Eo-rt Be Kal dcrrpa^eararov ro t% 7rreXea<;,
Bl* Kal rov<; a-rpo^el<} rwv dvpoiv rroiovarc
irreXetvovi' edv ydp ovroi pbivcoai, Kal at dvpai
pevovaiv darpa^el<i, el Be prj, Biaarp€(j>ovrai.
rroLovat S' avrov<; epLiraXiv ri9evr€<i rd ^vXa ro
re drro rr]<; pl^T]^ Kal ro diro rov (pvXXov
^ viru^pexouai cuiij. Harduiii from Plin. 16. 207 ; awoPpiOovai
Ald.H. ; airo/Spf'xoiKri mBas. ,
■■' cf. 5. 5. 1, which, referring to this passage, hardly* agrees
with it as now read.
434
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. iii. 3-5
j)act, and among others that of the elder fig apple
and bay. The hardest woods are those of the oak
zygia and aria (holm-oak) ; in fact men wet ^ these
to soften them for boring holes. In general, woods
which are of open jx)rous texture are soft, and of
those of fleshy texture the softest is the lime. The
last-named seems also to be the hottest ; the proof
of which is that it blunts iron tools more than any
other ; for they lose their edge - by reason of its
heat.
Ivy and bay are also hot woods, and so in general
are those used for making fire-sticks ; and Menestor ^
adds the wood of the mulberry. ' The coldest woods
are those which grow in water and are of succulent
character. The wood again of willow and vine is
tough ; wherefore men make their shields of these
woods ; for they close up again after a blow ; but
that of the willow is lighter, since it is of less com-
pact texture ; wherefore they use this for choice.
The wood of the plane is fairly tough, but it is
moister in character, as also is that of the elm. A
proof of this is that, if it is set upright ^ after being
cut, it discharges much water.^ The wood of the
mulberry is at once of close grain and tough.
" The wood of the elm is the least likely to warp ;
wherefore they make the ' hinges ' ^ of doors out of
elm wood ; for, if these hold, the doors also keep in
place ; otherwise they get wrenched out of place,
rhey make the ' hinges ' by putting wood from the
-oot above ^ and wood ' from the foliage ' below,^ thus
=* c/. 1. 2. 3 n. * PUn. 16. 209.
* opOhv orav conj. W. : SO G ; opOhi orav MV; orav ooOa Aid.
« cf. 5. 1. 6. ^ Plin. 16. 210.
^ Sc. an arrangement of cylindrical pivot and socket.
• i.e. as socket and pivot respectively ; cf. 5. 5. 4.
435
THEOPHRASTUS
KoXovat 8e ol reKrove<; to airo rov (pvWov to
dvco' ivapfioaOevTa yap aX\,-)]Xoi<i etcaTepov Koa-
\vei 7rpo<; Trjv 6pp.r)V evavTiw<i e')(^ov. el 8e e/ceiTO
KUTa (pvaiv, ovirep rj poirtj ivTavda ttcivtcov av
rjV rj (f)opd.
Td<i 8e 6vpa<i OVK €vdv<i avvreXovaiv, dWd
rrrj^avTe'i e^caTaai, Kaire^Ta vcTTepw ol he t«
TpiT(o eVet (TVveTekecrav eav ixdWov cnrovhd^wat'
Tov fiep yap Oepov<; dva^rjpaipopevcov hita-ravTai,
Tov Be ')(€ip,a)i'o^ crvp^fJLVovaiv. aiTiov S' oti Ti]<;
eXciTTTi TO, p,avd koI aapKOiSr) eX/cet tov depa
eVLKpLOV OVTa.
'O he (polia^ Kov^o<i Koi evepyo<i Koi p,a\aK6<;,
oiarrep 6 (f)eW6<i, ^eXTLcov he tov (fieXKov oti yXl-
<TXpo<i' eKetvo he dpavaTov. hid tovto Ta e'lhoyXa
vvv €K TOV tS)v (f)oivcK(i)v TTOLOvai, TOV he (peXXov
TraprJKaat. ra? lva<i he ov hi oXov e^^L ovS* eVi
TToXv Koi /jLaKpd<i ovh^ dxravTco^ Trj Oeaei iyKei-
p,eva<i Trdawi dXXd TravTohairoi'i. dva^rjpaiveTai
he KoX Xeatvop^evov Kol irpiopievov to ^vXov.
To he dvov, ol he dvav KaXuvai, Trap "Afipwvl
T6 yiveTai koX ev Trj Kvpiivala, ttjv jxev p,op(^7]v
OflOLOV KVKapiTTUy Kol TOL<i KXdhoi<; Kol T0l<{ (jjvX-
Xoi<i KoX tS) aTeXe'xet, koi tw KapTTU), pudXXov S'
wdTrep KV7rdpiTTo<{ dypta' ttoXv p,ev koX ottov
' KtAj\vei : Sell, adds ddrepov from G.
^ ejcetTo conj. W. ; sksivo Aid,
* i.e. the 'upper' wood in the upper position.
* ■Ko.vrwv MSS. (?) ; iravTus conj. W.
* i.e. there would be no resistance, ■//v after av add. Sch.
436
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. m. 5-7
reversing the natural position : (by wood ' from the
foliage ' joiners mean the upper wood). For, when
these are fitted the one into the other, each counter-
acts ^ the other, as they naturally tend in opposite
directions : whei'eas, if the wood were set - as it
grows,^ all the parts * would give where the strain
came.^
(They do not finish off the doors at once ; but, when
they have put them together, stand them up, and
then finish them off the next year, or sometimes the
next year but one,** if they are doing specially good
work. For in summer, as the wood dries, the work
comes apart, but it closes in winter. The reason is
that the open fleshy texture of the wood of
the silver-fir^ drinks in the air, which is full of
moisture.)
^ Palm-wood is light easily worked and soft like
cork-oak, but is superior to that wood, as it is tough,
while the other is brittle. Wherefore men now make
their images of palm-wood and have given up the
wood of cork-oak. However the fibres do not run
throughout the wood, nor do they run to a good
length, nor are they all set sjnoametrically, but run
in every direction. The wood dries while it is being
planed and sawn.
^ Thyon (thyine wood), which soine call thya, grows
near the temple of Zeus Ammon and in the district
of Cyrene. In appearance the tree is like the
cypress alike in its branches, its leaves, its stem, and
its fruit ; or rather it is like a wild cypress.^*^ There
6 c/. Plin. 16. 215.
' fii which the door itself is made.
8 Plin. 16. 211. » Plin. 13. 100-102.
'" KvirdpiTTos aypla conj. Sch. ; Kvxapiaffov aypiav MAld.
437
THEOPHRASTUS
vvv rj Tr6Xi<i earl, koX en Siafx,vr)/j,ov6vov(Tiv
6po(j)d<i Tiva<i Twv ap'xaioyv ov(Ta<i. dcra7re<i yap
oXft)9 TO ^v\ov ovXorarov Se rrjv piKav earl' /cat
€K ravrrj'i to, cfTTOvSatoraTa Troielrai tmv epycov.
ra he dyaXp.ara y\v(f)Ovaiv e« roivSe, KeBpoyp
KVirapiTTOV \q)tov ttv^ov to, S" iXuTTQ) Koi eK
TOiv e\atva)v pt^oyv dppayel<i yap avrai Kal
o/xa.Xa)9 7rco<i aapKcoSei^;. ravra p,ev ovv IBio-
Tojrd riva tottcov Kal (f)vaeco'i Kal %/3eta9
aTToByXot.
TV. Bapea Be Kal Kov(f>a BrjXov co? rfj ttvkvo-
TTfTl Kal p^aVOTTJTt Kal vypOTTJTI, Kal ^rjpOTTJTl Kal
Tw yXoLcoBei Kal aKXrjporrjTC Kal fiaXaKorrjri
Xr^TTTeov. evia /xev ovv dpa a-KXrjpa Kal ^apea,
KadoLTTep TTv^o'i Kal Bpv'i' ocra Be Kpavpa Kal tt}
^7]p6rr)Ti (TKXTjporaTa, ravr ovk e%et j3dpo<i.
diravra Be rd dypia rwv rj/jbepwv Kal rd dppeva
roiv OrfXeLMV nrvKvorepd re Kal o-KXnjporepa Kal
^apvrepa Kal ro oXov la-'X^vporepa, Kaddirep Kal
irporepov elTTopsv. ci)? 8' eirl to irdv Kal rd
aKapiTorepa tmv Kapirtp^cov Kal rd xelpoi rwv
KaXXiKaprrorepoiV el firj ttov KapTrificorepov ro
dppev, oaarrep dXXa re (j)acn Kal rrjv KVirdpirrov
Kal rrjV Kpdveiav. dXXd rwv ye dfnreXoyv cf)a-
vepo)<i al oXiyoKapirorepac Kal 7rvKV0<p6aXp,6repaL
Kal arepecorepar Kal p^TjXecov Be Kal ro)v dXXmv
'^fiepcov.
438
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. m. 7-iv. i
is abundance of it where now the city stands, and
men can still recall that some of the roofs in ancient
times were made of it. For the wood is absolutely
proof against decay, and the root is of very com|)act
texture, and they make of it the most valuable
articles. Images are carved from these woods,
prickly cedar cypress nettle-tree box, and the small
ones also from the roots of the olive, which are
unbreakable and of a more or less uniformly fleshy
character. The above facts illustrate certain
special features of position, natural character and
use.
Of dijfereiices in timber as to hardness and hexivine-ss.
IV. Difference in weight is clearly to be determined
by closeness or openness of texture, dampness or
dryness, degree of glutinousness, hardness or softness.
Now some woods are both hard and heavy, as box
and oak, while those that are brittle and hardest
owing to their dryness, are not heavy. ^ All wood of
wild trees, as we have said before, is closer harder
heavier, and in general stronger than that of the
cultivated forms, and there is the same difference
between the wood of ' male ' and of •' female ' trees,
and in general between trees which bear no fruit and
those which have fruit, and between those which
bear inferior fruit and those whose fruit is better ; on
the other hand occasionally the ' male ' tree is the
more fruitful, for instance, it is said, the c^-press the
cornelian cherry and others. However of \ines it is
clear that those which bear less fruit have also more
frequent knots and are more solid,- and so too with
apples and other cultivated trees.
> Plin. 16, 211. 2 cf. C.P. 3. 11, 1.
439
THROPHRASTUS
'AcraTT/} Se cj)va€c KV'7rdpiTro<; KeSpo^ €^€vo<;
Xft)T09 TTV^of iXda Korivo^; Tve-VKr] evBaSo^ dpla
Bpv^ Kapva J^v^otKij. tovtchv he ■)(povi(OTara
BoK€t rd KvirapiTTtva elvav to, '^ovv iv 'E^ecroD,
e^ oiv al Ovpai tov vecoarl veco, redrjaavpiafieva
TeTTa/?a<? eKetro yeved';. p,6va 8e Kal aTik^rjBova
he')(6rai, 8l o koX to, <nTovBa^6p,€va tmv epycov €k
TOVTMv iroioucri. tmv 8e dWcov daaTrecTTarov
p^erd rd KVTTap'mLva Kal rd OvcoStj rrjv avKd-
p,ivov elvai (^acri, Kal Icyxypov d/xa Kal evepyov to
^vXov yiveTai Se to ^likov [«ai] iraXaiovp.evov
p,e\av, wairep Xtwro?.
"Ert he dXKo Trpo'i dWo Kal iv dXk(p daairk^,
o\ov irreXea p,ev iv rS> depi, Bpv<i he KaropvT-
TopAvTj Kal iv T& vhaTL Kara^pexop'kvrp hoKcl
yap oXo)9 acraTre? elvai' hi o Kal et? rov'i ttotu-
fiovf Kal 619 Ta9 \ip.va<i iK tovtcov vavirriyovaLV'
iv he rfi daXdrrr) atjTTerai. rd he dXka hiafievei
fidWov, oirep Kal evXoyov, rapcx^evopieva rij
dXp,Tj.
AoK€i he Kal rj o^vt) 7rpo<i to vhcop dcrairrj^;
elvai Kal ^eXTicov yiveadai ^pe^opievri. Kal r]
Kapva he rj ^v^olKrj daaTrri<i. (f)aal he Kal ttjv
TrevKTjv iXdT7]<i pbdWov viro Tepr]h6vo<? iardieaOai'
Ttjv jjiev yap eivau ^rjpdv, ttjv he TrevKr^v e^ety
yXvKVTTjTa, Kal ocro) ivhahcoTepa, pbdXkov irdvTa
1 Plin. 16. 213.
'■^ TeOrjcravpKTij.fi'a . . . sKftro conj. Bentley; TtdTjaavpiafitvat
. . . tKfivTo Aid. II.; P has fKfiro,
440
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. iv. 2-4
Of differaices in the keeping quality of timber.
I Naturally proof against decay are cypress prickly
cedar ebony nettle-tree box olive wild olive resinous
fir aria (holm-oak) oak sweet chestnut. Of these the
wood of the cypress seems to last longest ; at least
the cy])ress-wood at Ephesus, of which the doors
of the modern temple were made, lay stored up-
for four generations. And this is the only wood
which takes a fine polish, wherefore they make of it
valuable articles. Of the others the least liable to
decay after the wood of the cypress and thyme-wood
is, they say, that of the mulberry, which is also
strong and easily worked : when it becomes old, this
wood turns black like that of the nettle-tree.
'Again whether a given wood is not liable to
decay may depend on the purpose to which it is put
and the conditions to which it is subjected : thus the
ehn does not decay if exposed to the air, nor the oak
if it is buried or soaked in water ; for it appears to be
entirely proof against decay : wherefore they build
vessels of it for use on rivers and on lakes, but in sea-
water it rots, though other woods last all the
better ; which is natural, as they become seasoned with
the brine.
*The beech also seems to be proof against decay in
water and to be improved by being soaked. The
sweet chestnut under like treatment is also proof
against decay. They say that the wood of the fir
is more liable to be eaten by the teredon than that
of the silver-fir ; for that the latter is drj', while the
fir has a sweet taste, and that this is more so, the
more the wood is soaked with resin ^ ; they go on to
' Plin. 16. 218. * Plin. 16. 218 and 219.
' cj. 3. 9. 4.
441
THEOPHRASTUS
S' eodieaOat TcpySovt ttXtjv kotIvov koX iXdw;-
TO, 5e ov, Std TYjv TTLKpoTTjTa. iadLeTciL he ra p,kv
ev TJj doKoLTTr] arjTTOfieva viro reprjSovo^;, rd S" iv
rfj yfj VTTO aKwXrjKwv /cat vtto dpiiroiv ov <ydp
ycverai TeprjBoiyv aXX rj iv rfj daXdrrrj. ecrri 8e
i) reprjScbv Tft) fxev fxejedei fxiKpov, K6(f>aXr)V S' e%et
6 /j,€<yd\t]v Koi oSovra^' ol Se dpiire'i ofioiot rot?
aKcoXyj^tv, vcji'' mv Ti-Tpaiverai. Kara p,tKpbv rd
^vXa. Kol ecTTi ravra evtara' TriTTOKOTrrjdevTa
yap orav eh rrjv ddXarrav kXKvaOfj areyer rd
8e VTTO roiv reprjhovwv dvtara. tmv Be aKwXrjKwv
Tcbv iv rol<i ^vXot<i ol pev elcnv iK t?}9 oiKeia^
(Tr)y^eo3<i, ol S' ivTiKTovrcov erepoov ivTiKrei ydp,
axTTrep koi rolf; SevSpoif, 6 Kepdarri<i KaXovpevo'i,
orav Ttrpdvrj kuI KotXdvr) 7repiaTpa<f)el<i oocnrepel
p,voh6')(ov. cf)€vyet 8e rd re oapbwhr] koI iriKpd koi
a/cXrjpu Bid TO prj hvvaaOai riTpdvai, Kaddirep
6 rrjv TTv^ov. (f)aal Be koX rrjv eXdrrjv (fjXoiaOelcrav
VTTO ri]V ^Xdarrjaiv daairrj Biapevetv iv rw vButi'
(pavepov Be yeveadai iv ^eveS> rr)? ^ApKaBia<;, ore
avT0L<i iXifivcodr] to ireBlov (f)pa')(d€VTO<; tov /Bepe-
dpov Tore ydp ra? ye(pvpa<; 7roiovvTe<i iXaTLva<i
Kai, OTav iirava^alvrj to vBcop, dXXijv Kol aXXrjv
i(f)t(7TdvTe<i, 609 ippdyt] koI dirrfxde, irdvTU evpe-
dijvai rd ^vXa daarrrj. tovto fxev ovv iK avp-
TTTCO/AaTO?.
1 Plin. 16. 220 and 221.
^ rtrpaiverai con j. Seal, f rom Gr ; rtrpf vera* UVo. ; irciraiyfTai
MVAld. » c/ 4. 14. 5.
* dxnrepc-i jiiuoS^x"*' conj. W. ; &airep ol p.v6xo^oi MSS. ; G
omits. The word tJLvoh6xos does not occur elsewhere as a
subst.
442
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. iv. 4-6
say that all woods are eaten bv tht- fcredmi t \
the olive, wild or cultivated, and that these v.
escape because of their bitter taste. ^ Now wodds
which decay in sea-water are eaten by the icrcdon,
those which decay on land by the s/cokw and l/irips ;
for the teredon does not occur except in the sea.
It is a creature small in size, but has a large head
and teeth ; the thrips resembles the skolex, and these
creatures gradually bore through ^ timber. The harm
that these do is easy to remedy ; for, if the wood is
smeared with pitch, it does not let in water when it
is dragged down into the sea ; but the harm done by
the teredon cannot be undone. Of the skolekes which
occur in wood some come from the decay of the wood
itself, some from other skolekes which engender therein.
For these produce their young in timber, as the worm
called the ' horned worm ' ^ does in trees, having bored
and scooped out a sort of mouse-hole ^ bv turning
round and round. But it avoids wood which has a
strong smell or is bitter or hard, such as boxwood,
since it is unable to bore through it. They say too
that the wood of the silver-fir, if barked just before
the time of budding, remains in water without de-
caying, and that this was clearly seen at Pheneos
in Arcadia, when their plain was turned into a lake
since the outlet was blocked up.^ For at that
time they made ^ their bridges of this wood, and,
as the water rose, they placed more and more atop
of them, and, when the water burst its way through
and disappeared, all the wood was found to be
undecayed. This fact then became known bv means
of an accident.
Ik
c/. 3. 1. 2. ^paxSfVTos conj. Sch. ; SpoxeVros Aid. H.
■KoiovvTfs, e<ptffTavTfs lumi. jitndens.
443
THEOPHRASTUS
7 'El/ TvXfp 8e T^ vijafp rfj irepl rrjv ^ \paj3iav
elval TV (jya(Ti ^vXov i^ ov tcl irXola vavTnjjovvraL'
TOVTO 8e iv fiev rfj OaXdrrr] (T')(ehov aarjmov
elvai' Siafievei yap en] irXelo) rj SiaKocria Kara-
^v0i^6p,€vov edv 8e e^co, xpovLOv jxev ddrrov he
cnjirerai. (Oav/juacrrov 8e kol erepov Xeyovai,
ovSep Be 7rpb<i ttjv arrjyjriv. elvai yap ri SevSpov
e^ ov rdf ^aKT7]pia<i re/xvecrdai,, /cal yiveadai.
Ka\a<i acjioSpa TrotKiXiap rivd e^ovaa^ opuolav t«
rov Ti'ypio'i 8epp,aTf ^apv 8e cr^ohpa to ^vKov
TOVTO' OTav he rt? pt"*/^^ tt/oo? crTepedirepov tottov,
KaTayvvaOat /cadaTrep to, Kepafiia.)
8 Kal TO T^9 fxvpUr]^ he ^vKov ovx oiairep
ivTavOa daOevh, a\X laxvpov ooairep irpivivov rj
Kal dWo Tt Toyv la')(ypoiV. tovto fiev ovv apba
p,r)vvei 'X^copa'i re Kal depo<; hcacpopd^ Kal hvvdfxei^.
TMV he opuoyevoiv ^vXcov, olov hpvtvcov irevKivwv,
OTav TapiX^vcovTai — Tapi'xevova-i ydp ovk ev Xacp
^ddet irdvTa hvovTe'i t?}? Oa\dTTr)<;, dWd Td p,ev
TTpo? avTfi Tfi yfi, Td he p,LKpov dvQ)Tepa>, Td S' ev
irXelovi ^dOer iravTov he Ta 7r/309 Tr]v pc^av
OaTTOV hveTUt Kad^ v8aT0<;, Kav iTrcvfj fidWov
peirei KdTco.
Y. "EcTTt he Td fxev evepya tmv ^vkwv, ra he
hvaepya' evepya fiev ra jxaXaKa, Kal TrdvTcov
1 Plin. 16. 221 ; cf. 4. 7. 7.
- Teak. See Index App. (22).
■' Calaniander-wood. See Index App. (23).
444
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. iv. 7-v. i
^ In the island of Tylos off the Arabian coast
they say that there is a kind of wood ^ of which
they build their ships, and that in sea-water this
is almost proof against decay ; for it lasts more
than 200 years if it is kept under water, while, if
it is kept out of water, it decays sooner, though
not for some time. They also tell of another
strange thing, though it has nothing to do with
the question of decay : they say that there is a
certain tree,^ of which they cut their staves, and
that these are very handsome, having a variegated
appearance like the tiger's skin ; and that this
wood is exceedingly heavy, yet when one throws
it down on hard ground * it breaks in pieces like
pottery.
Moreover, the wood of the tamarisk ^ is not
weak there, as it is in our country, but is as strong
as kermes-oak or any other strong wood. Now
this illustrates also the difference in properties
caused by country and climate. Moreover when wood,
such as that of oak or fir, is soaked in brine — not
all being soaked at the same depth in the sea,
but some of it close to shore, some rather further
out, and some at a still greater depth — " in all cases
the parts of the tree nearest the root (whichever
tree it is) sink quicker under water, and even if thev
fioat, have a greater tendency to sink.
Which kiiid^ of wood are easy and which hard to work. Of
the core and its ejects.
V. Some wood is easy to work, some difficult.
Those woods which are soft are easy, and especially
* irpos (TTtp. roTtov can hardly be sound : ? ' on something
harder than itself.'
5 See Index, fivp'iKi, (2). « PUn. 16. 186.
445
THEOPHRASTUS
fidXiaTa ^iXvpa- Svaepya Se koX rd aKky^pd koI
TcL 6^o)8r] /cat ou\a<i e^ovra crvorpocfydf Bvaepyo-
rara Se dpia kol 8pv<i, d><i Se Kurd jjApo^; o rrj<;
irevKri^ o^o<i koI t?}9 €XdT7]<i. del Be tmv ofjiO'yevMV
TO fiaXaKMrepov tov crKXriporipov KpeiTTOv
crapKfoSeaTepov ydp' koI ev6v aKOTrovvrai, ra?
aavlSa<; ol T6KT0V6<i ovroo'i. rd 8e /jiO)(dr}pd
cnSijpia hvvarat re/xveiv rd crKXt^pd fxaWov roiv
fiaXaKMP' dvLTjac yap ev rot? ixaXaKol<i, Mcnrep
iXex^V Trepl t/}? (f)iXvpa<;, TrapuKova Se fidXiara
rd cTKXripd' Si' o koX ol aKvroTOfxoi Troiovvrai
T01/9 7rivaKa<; d)(^pd8o';.
M7]Tpav Be Trdvra ijuev e^eiv ^aalv ol reKrove<i
(pavepdp S' elvai fidXiara ev rfj eXdrr)' ^aiveadai
yap olov (})Xocd)Bri Ttvd rrjv avvOecriv avrrj'i rcov
kvkXcov. ev eXda Be Kal ttv^w Kal rol<; rocovTOi<;
ov'x^ 6/AOt&)9* Bi' b Kal ov (fiacrl ri,ve<; e%efi/ rfj
Bvvd/jLec TTV^ov Kal iXdav rjKicna yap eXKecrOai
ravra tmv ^vXcov. eari Be ro eXKeadat to aufi-
irepucnaaOaL Kivovfxevrj'i t?}? p,7]rpa<;. ^rj yap
609 eoiKev eirl ^(^povov ttoXvv Bt 7ravTa')(^60ev
fiev dfia jxaXiara 5' e« tmv OvpoifxdTwv i^aipov-
cnv, OTTCO? d(TTpaj3ri ■§• Kal Bid tovto cr'Xi^ovaiv.
^Atottov S' dv Bo^eiev otl ev jxev TOt<i ^vXoi^
T0t9 <TTpoyyvXoL<; dXv7ro<i rj firjTpa Kal dKivr]TO<i,
ev Be T0t9 TTapaKivrjOelaLV, edv prj oXw^ e^aipedy,
1 5. 3. 3.
'^ rh. (TKAripa. conj. Sell, from G (?) ; tovto P2Ald.H.
' ^X*'" conj. Sch. ; €X*« ^ Ald.H.
■• eAooi' conj. Seal, from G ; eAoTjjj' Ald.H.
* i.e. and this happens less in woods which have little
core. * oyua (? =6ij.olws) MSS. ; aiiTV conj. W.
446
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. v. 1-3
that of the lime ; those are difficult which are
hard and have many knots and a compact and
twisted grain. The most difficult woods are those
of ana (holm-oak) and oak, and the knotty \yarts
of the fir and silver-fir. The softer part of any
given tree is always better than the harder, since
it is fleshier : and carpenters can thus at once mark
the parts suitable for planks. Inferior iron tools can
cut hard wood better than soft : for on soft wood
tools lose their edge, as was said ^ in speaking of the
lime, while hard woods ^ actually sharpen it : where-
fore cobblers make their strops of wild pear.
Carpenters say that all woods have^ a core,
but that it is most plainly seen in the silver-fir,
in which one can detect a sort of bark-like charac-
ter in the rings. In olive box and such woods
this is not so obvious ; wherefore they say that box
and olive * lack this tendency ; for that these woods
are less apt to ' draw ' than any others. ' Drawing '
is the closing in of the wood as the core is dis-
turbed.^ For since the core remains alive, it apjiears,
for a long time, it is always removed from any
article whatever made of this wood,^ but especially
from doors,'^ so that they may not warp ^ : and that
is why the wood is split. ^
It might seem strange that in ' round ' ^"^ timber
the core does no harm and so is left undisturbed,
while in wood whose texture has been interfered
with,ii unless it is taken out altogether, it causes
" Bvpufiarav conj. Sch. ; yvpu/xartay Aid. cf. 4. 1. 2 ; Plin.
16. 225, ahietem vol varum payinis aptii-simam.
" aarpa^ij jf conj. Dalec; affrpa&rj UMV'Ald.
' i.e. to extract the core. ^" See below, §5.
" ■wapaKivriBfltri, i.e. by splitting or sawing. irfXfKijdt'iffi
conj. W.
447
THEOPHRASTUS
Ktvel Kol 7rapaarpe(})et' fidWov yap elKo<i yv/xvo)-
Oeiaav anoOvijaKetv. 6fiQ)<i Be oi ye larol koi
al Kepalai e^ai,pedeiari<} a)(^p€iot. tovto Be Kara
avfil3e^riK6<i, on 'X^CTMva^ e'%ef TrXetov;, la')(yp6-
rarov Be /cal Xeirjorarov Be rbv eaxo-Tov, ^rjpora-
Tov yap, K,al Tou? aX\ov<i ava \6yov. orav ovv
4 (T')(^i,a6fi, TrepiaipeiTUi to, ^i-jporara. el S' 17 fiijrpa
Bia TO ^rjpov aKeirreop. BiaaTpe<^ei Be e\Kop,evr]
ra ^v\a kuI iv Tot<; a'X^Larol'i kuI TrpicrTOL<i, orav
fir} d><; Bel 7rpico(Ti' Bel yap 6pdr)v rrjv Trptaiv elvat
Kal fir} ifKayiav. olov ovarj'i t^9 fir)rpa<i e^' r}v
ro a, fir} Trapa rr}v ^y rifiveiv, dWd irapd rrfv
ySS. (f)delpeaOat yap ovrco (paaiv, eKeivw^ Be ^rjv.
on Be irdv ^vXov e')(ei- firjrpav e'/c rovroov ocovrat'
(f>avepbv yap eart Kal rd fir} BoKovvra iravr e'^eiv,
olov TTV^ov Xcorov rrplvov. arfpelov Be' rov<; yap
arp6(j)Lyya<; roiv dvpwv ro)v 7ro\vreX(bv iroiovcn
fiev CK rovrcov, cyvyypd<f)ovrai Be oi dp')(^ireKrove<i
ovrci)<; <fir}> eK fii}rpa<i. ravrb Be rovro arffielov
Kal on irdaa firjrpa eXKerai, Kal al rcov crKXrfpo-
5 rdrav, a<{ Brj nve<; KapBla<i KaXovcri. 7ravro<i Be
^ And so cause no trouble.
^ cf. 5. 1. 6. TrKelovs conj. Sch. from G ; &K\ovs Ald.H.
' Text probably defective ; ? insert i^yptdri after ^vp^"-
* The figure would seem to be
D C
• A [/ A
B
448
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. v. 3-5
disturbance and warping : it were rather to be
expected that it would die ^ when exposed. Yet
it is a fact that masts and yard-arms are useless,
if it has been removed from the wood of which
they are made. This is however an accidental ex-
ception, because the wood in question has several
coats,- of which the strongest and also thinnest is
the outermost, since this is the driest, while
the other coats are strong and thin in proportion
to their nearness to the outermost. If therefore
the wood be split, the driest parts are necessarily
stripped off. Whether however in the other case
the object of removing the core is to secure dryness
is matter for enquiry.^ However, when the core
'draws/ it twists the wood, whether it has been
split or sawn, if the sawing is improperly performed :
the saw-cut should be made straight and not slant-
wise. * Thus, if the core be represented by the
line A, the cut must be made along the line BD,
and not along the line BC : for in that case, they
say, the core will be destroyed, while, if cut in
the other way, it will live. For this reason men
think that every wood has a core : for it is clear
that those which do not seem to possess one never-
theless have it, as box nettle-tree kermes-oak : a proof
of this is the fact that men make of these woods the
pivots^ of expensive doors, and accordingly"^ the
headcraftsmen specify that wood with a core shall
not" be used. This is also a proof that any core
'draws,' even those of the hardest woods, which
some call the heart. In almost every wood, even
* c/, 5. 3. 5. aTf>6<pty^ here at least probably means • pivot
aiui socket.'
® ovTus Ald.H. ; avTohs conj. W. ' fxi) add. W.
449
vol- I. G O
THEOPHRASTUS
ct)9 elireiv ^vKov (XKXrjpordrT) Koi fiavora.T')] rj
jxi'^rpa, Kol avTfj<i rrj'; iXdrri<i' fiavoraTr) jxev ovv,
on Td<; lva<i e%et koI 8ia ttoXXov koX to (TapKwhe<i
TO dva fiiaov ttoXv' aKXrjpoTdTr] Be, otl koI
at lve<i aKXrjporaTai koX to aapKOihe'^' Be o koI
01 apxiTeKTOva avyypdcpovTai irapaipelv Ta Trpo?
TTjv p,rjTpav, 07ra)9 Xd^wai, tov ^vXov to irvKVOTa-
Tov Kol /xaXaKCOTaTOv.
T(ov Be ^vXwv Ta /xev (r)(^icrTd Ta Be TreXeKTjTa
Ta Be o-TpoyyvXa- ax^LCTTa fjbiv, ocra BiaipovuT€<;
KaTa TO jjueaov Trpt^ovcri' rrreXeKriTa Be, oacov
diroTreXexoxri Ta e^w aTpoyyvXa Be BrjXov oti
TO, 6Xco<i d-yjravaTa. tovtcov Be Ta ax'-ard fiev
oXo)<i dppayr} Bid to yvfivwOelcrav ttjv firjTpav
^rjpaivecrdaL Kal dTToOvrja/ceiw to. Be TreXeKrjTa
Kol Ta cTTpoyyvXa prjyvvTar fidXXov Be ttoXv
ra aTpoyyvXa Bid to €va7r€iXrj<fidai ttjv ixrjTpav
ovBev ydp oti tcov dirdvTOiv ov p^yvvTUi. TOt<?
Be XcoTivoi'i Kal toi<; dXXoi<; ol? eh tov<; crTpo-
(jiiyya<; ^/awi^rat Trpo? to /xv prjyvvaOai ^oX^itov
TrepnrXdTTOvcriv, 07r&)9 dva^rjpavdfj Kal Biairvevady
KaTd fMiKpov rj eK t?}? fjbT]Tpa<; vypoTrj^;. rj /j,ev o7)v
jXTfTpa T0iavT7}v ex^i- Bvvafiiv.
VI. Ba/)09 Be eveyKelv la^^pd Kal t) eXdrr}
Kal 7] irevKT] irXdyiai TiOifjievar ovBev ydp ev-
^ ^vXov aKKriporari) conj. Sch. from G ; ^vXov (TK\i)porarov
UMV: so Aid. omitting Kal.
■■' airoireXeKoxn Conj. Sell.; airon\fKa>ffi UM ; anoirKfKovai
Aid.; aiToiTt\fKou<ri mBas. ^ cf. C.P. 6. 17. 2.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. v. 5-vi. i
in that of the silver-fir, the core is the hardest
part,^ and the jwirt which has the least fibrous
texture : — it is least fibrous because the fibres are far
apart and there is a good deal of fleshy matter
between them, while it is the hardest part because
the fibres and the fleshy substance are the hardest
parts. Wherefore the headcraftsmen specify that
the core and the j>arts next it are to be removed,
that they may secure the closest and softest part
of the wood.
Timber is either ' cleft,' ' hewn,* or 'round' : it is
called 'cleft,' when in making division they saw it
down the middle, ' hewn ' -when they hew off- the
outer parts, while •' round ' clearly signifies wood which
has not been touched at all. Of these, ' cleft ' wood ^
is not at all liable to split, because the core when
exposed dries and dies : but ' hewn ' and ' round '
wood are apt to split, and especially ' round ' wood,
because the core is included in it : no kind of timber
indeed is altogether incapable of splitting. The
wood of the nettle-tree and other kinds which are
used for making pivots for doors are smeared *
with cow-dung to prevent their splitting : the object
being that the moisture due to the core may be
gradually dried up ^ and evaporated. Such are the
natural properties of the core.
Which tcoods can Lent support weight.
W. * For bearing weight silver-fir and fir are strong
woods, when set slantwise " : for they do not give like
■• icfpiTrXirToviJi conj. Sch. from G ; itfpnrarrovaiv Ald.H.
Plin. 16. 222. * di'o|jjpai'^ conj. Sch.; ava^-qpaiiv Ald.H.
« Plin. 16. 222-224.
' e.g. as a strut. *\a7m» conj. Sch. from Plin. I.e.; airaXai
Ald.H.
G G 2
THEOPHRASTUS
BiBoaaiv, oicrirep r) 8pv<; koX to. yecoSr), aX>C avTco-
6ovcn' crrj/uLeiov BeoTi ovBeTTOTe prjyvvvTai, Kaddirep
eXda Kol Bpv<;, aXXd irporepov cr^TTOvrai Kol
aX,\(U9 aTravhSyaLV. la'^vpou Be koX 6 (j>otvi^'
dvuTTaXiv yap r) Kd/M-\ln<i rj rot? dWoi^ yiverar
Ta fiev yap et? rd /caro) KafMirTerai, 6 Be (poivi^
eh rd dvw. (jiacrl Be Kal Trjv TrevKrjv Kal rrjv
e\dr7]V dvra>6elv. to Be T779 ^v^olKrjq Kapva^,
yiverai yap p.eya Kal 'x^pMinaL 'irpo'i rr)V epe-yjriv,
orav fieWj] prjyvvadai '\^o<pelv Mare Trpoaicrddv-
eadai irpoTepov oirep Kal ev ^ Avrdvopo) avve-
Trecrev ev rw ^a\avei(p Kal TrdvTe<i e^eTDJBrjaav.
Icr'X^vpbv Be Kal to t^9 (xvKfj'i ttXtjv eh opdov.
2 'H Be iXdrr) /xdXicrra &)9 elirelv l<T)(vp6v. tt/jo?
Be ra? tmv reKTovcov Xpeia^ ix^KoXXov fxev fid-
Xiara rj irevKrj Bid re rrjv /xavorrjra Kal rrjv
evdvnoplav ovBe ydp oXw? ovBe prjyvvaOal (f^aatv
edv KoWi]6fj. evropvorarov Be (piXvKr], Kal rj
XevK6rr]<i warrep rj rov KTJXdarpov. rcop Be dXXcov
r) (f>lXvpa- ro ydp oXov evepyov, wairep eXe^Or],
Bid /jiaXaKorrjra. evKafiirra Be co? p,ev aTrA-w?
elrrelv oaa yXiaxpci- Bia(^epeiv Be BoKel crvKd-
fx,ivo<i Kal epive6<i, Bi o Kal rd iKpta Kal rd<;
are^dva<i Kal oXw? oaa irepl rov Koafiov eK
rovrcov Troiovcri.
3 Eiuirptara Be Kal evax'-o'Ta rd eviK/xorepa rtov
^ i.e. the strut beooiiies concave or convex respectively.
cJ.Xeix. Cyr. 1. 5. 11.
'^ i.e. it cannot be used as a strut, or it would 'buckle,'
though it will stand a vertical strain.
» Plin. 16. 225.
* cf. C.P. 5. 17. 3. evOunofyuraTa : fvdvTropiaf.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANIS, V. vi. 1-3
oak and other woods which contain mineral matter,
but make good resistance. A proof of this is that they
never split like olive and oak, but decay first or fail
in some other way. Palm-wood is also strong, for it
bends the opposite way to other woods : they bend
downwards, palm-wood upwards.^ It is said that fir
and silver-fir also have an upward thrust. As to the
sweet chestnut, which grows tall and is used for
roofing, it is said that when it is about to split, it
makes a noise, so that men are forewarned : this
occurred once at Antandros at the baths, and all those
present rushed out. Fig-wood is also strong, but only
when set upright.^
Of the woodi best suited for the carpenter's various purposes.
^The wood of the silver-fir may be called the
strongest of all. But for the carpenter's purposes
fir best takes glue because of its open texture and
the straightness of its ix)res * ; for they say that
it never by any chance comes apart when it is glued.
Alatemus ^ is the easiest wood for turning, and its
whiteness is like that of the holly. Of the rest
lime is the easiest, the whole tree, as was said,
being easy to work because of the softness of the
wood. In general those woods which are tough are
easy to bend. The mulberry and the wild fig seem
to be specially so ; wherefore they make of these
theatre-seats,'' the hoops of garlands, and, in
general, things for ornament.
" Woods which have a fair amount of moisture in
:hem are easier to saw or split than those which
^ c/. 5. 7. 7.
' Rendering doubtful. iKpia has probably here some un-
known meaning, on which the sense of kovuov depends.
' Plin. 16. 227.
453
THEOPHRASTUS
Trd/JLTrav ^rjpcov ra fiev yap iravovrai, ra Be
LCTTavrar ra Se ')(\,wpa Xlav avfjbfjbvec koI ivi^e-
TUi iv T0t9 ohovat TO, irpla-fiaTa Kal ifMrrXdrrei,
8i KOI TrapaWaTTOvaiv dX\'>]Xcov TOv<i oBovraf}
iva i^dyrjTai. eari Be koX Bva-rpvirrjTorepa ra
xlav ■)(X(op(i' ^paBeci)<i yap uva(f)epeTaL ra i/crpv-
TTij/xara Bia to ^apea elvar tmv Be ^rjpoov Ta;\;eo)9
Kal ei/Oix; 6 drjp dvaOepfxaivofievo^ dvaBiBaxn'
irdXiv Be ra Xiav ^rjpa Bid rrjv aKXrjpojrjra
BvcTTrpiaTa' KaOdirep yap ocrrpa/cov (Tvn^aivet
irpieiv, Bt Kal rpviroivre'^ eirt^pexovaiv.
KvireXeKTjTOTepa Be Kal evropvoTepa Kal ev^o-
ooTcpa ra ')(Xa)pd' TrpoaKddrjTal re yap to ropvev-
Ttjpiov fjuaXXov Kal ovk diroTr-qBa. Kal 7) 7reXeK7]ai<;
rwv fxaXaKcorepcov pacov, Kal r) ^e(Ti<i Be ofioiu)^ Kal
en Xeiorepa. lcT)(yp6TaTOV Be Kal r) Kpdveia, rcov
Be dX\(ov oup^ TjKiaTa t) ineXea, Bt Kal rov<i
(TT/oo^ea?, Mairep eXe^drj, Tal<i dvpat^ TTTeXeiVof?
TTOLOvaiv. vyporarov Be fxeXia Kal o^vrj' Kal yap
ra KXivdpia ra ivBiBovTa eK rovrwv.
VII. "OXw<i Be TTp6<i TTola rr]<i vXr]<i eKdarrj
^p?;o-tyu,}/ Kal TTo'ia vavTr'>iyi](TLp,o<i Kal oIkoBo/jllki],
irXelaTri yap avrrj t} %/3eta Kal iv fi€yLaroi<i,
ireipareov elveiv, d^opi^ovTa KaB' maarov 10
^(^pijaifxov.
'EXfiTT; fiev ovv Kal irevKri Kal KeBpo<; ft)9 aTrXw?
^ -iravovrai can hardly be right : Plin. I.e. seems to have
had a fuller text.
^ ifiirKaTTet : cf. de Sens. 66.
454
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. vi. 3-vii. i
are altogether dry : for the latter give/ while the
former resist. Wood which is too green closes up
again when sawn, and the sawdust catches in the
saw's teeth and clogs - them ; wherefore the teeth
of the saw are set alternate ways, to get rid of the
sawdust. Wood which is too green is also harder to
bore holes in ; for the auger's dust is only brought
up slowly, because it is heavy ; while, if the wood is
drv, the air gets warmed by the boring and brings
it up readily and at once. On the other hand, wood
which is over drv ^ is hard to saw because of its
hardness : for it is like sawing through earthenware ;
wherefore they wet the auger when using it.
However green wood is easier to work with the
axe the chisel or the plane ; for the chisel gets a
better hold and does not slip oft". Again softer
woods are easier for the axe and for smoothing,* and
also a better polished surface is obtained. The
cornelian cherry is also a very strong wood, and
among the rest elm-wood is the strongest ; where-
fore, as was said,^ they make the ' hinges ' for doors
of elm-wood. Manna-ash and beech have very moist
wood, for of these they make elastic bedsteads.
Of the woods used in ship-building.
VII. Next we must endeavour to say in a general
way, distinguishing the several uses, for which
purposes each kind of timber is serviceable, which
is of use for ship-building, which for house-building :
for these uses extend far and are important.
Now silver-fir, fir and Syrian cedar ** are, generally
' TO Xicw |7jpo conj. St. ; Aeta Kcd {Tjpo Ald.H.
* Sc. with the carpenter's axe.
* 5. 3. 5. 6 See Index.
455
THEOPHRASTUS
UTreiv vav7rr}y^cnfj.a' Ta<; fiev yap Tpujpec^i koX ra
fiaKpa TrXota iXdrtva ttoloxxtl 8ia K0V(f)6rr]Ta, ra
Be aTpoyyvXa irevKiva 8ta to acraTTe<i' evioc 8e koI
rci'i rp(,r]pei<; Bia rb jxr) eunopeiv iXdrrj^;. ol 6e
Kara "Hvptav /cal ^oivUrjv e'/c KeBpov (nravi^ovai
yap Kul 7T€VKr]<i. ol 8' iv K.V7rpa) 7rirvo<i' ravrrfv
yap 7} vijcrof e%et Kal BoKel KpelrTcov elvai t?}?
2 irevKrj'i. koX to, fiev aWa e/c rovrcov rrjv Be
rpoTTiP TpLi'ipei fjLev Bpvtvrjv, Lva dvreXD tt/oo? ra^
ve(o\Kia<i, Tal'i Be okKaai, irevKiv^iv inroTodeacn S'
€Ti Kal Bpvtvrjv eirav vecoXKcbaL, rah 8' eXdrTOcnv
6^vtvr}v' Kal 6\Q)<i eK tovtov to 'x^eXvcrp.a.
Ov'X^ aTTTCTac Be ovBe Kara rrjv KoWrjaiv
6/jlolco<; ro Bpvivov rwv irevKLVcov Kal eXarivwv ra
fiev yap irvKva ra Be p,avd, Kal ra /xev o/xoia ra B
ov. Bel Be o/jLoiorradrj elvai ra p,e\\ovra avp.-
<f>vea6at Kal p,r) evavrla, KaOairepavel \ldov Kal
^vkov.
3 'H Be ropveia rol<; p,ev 7rXocot<i yiverai avKa-
fiivov fjbe\.ia<i TTre\ea<i rr'Kardvov y\c(T)(^p6rr]ra
yap ex^iv Bel Kal lax^v. x^cplart] Be ->) rr]<i
irXardvov ra-)(v yap ai^werai. ral<i Be rpirjpeaiv
evioi Kal 7nrvtva<; ttoiovctl Bia ro e\a(f>p6v. ro
Be arepeeofjia, tt/oo? m ro ')(^e\vap,a, Kal ra? iirw
rlBai;, jxeXia^; Kal (TVKap,ivov Kal 7rreXea<i' la')(vpa
^ TpiT)pei conj. W. ; rpirjptj U; rpnipris MV; rpiT\p(ffi Aid.
'^ rais 5' iKoiTroffiv o^vivr}v coiij. W. {rois Sch.) ; rots yuer
iXirroffiv o^iv Aid. cf. Plin. 16. 226.
^ Xf^v(Tfj.a, a temporary covering for the bottom : so Poll,
and Hesj'cli. explain.
4S6
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. mi. 1-3
speaking, useful for sliip-building ; for triremes and
long ships are made of silver-fir, because of its light-
ness, and merchant ships of fir, because it does not
decay ; while some make triremes of it also because
they are ill provided with silver-fir. The people
of Syria and Phoenicia use Syrian cedar, since they
cannot obtain much fir either ; while the people of
Cj'prus use Aleppo pine, since their island provides
this and it seems to be superior to their fir. Most
parts are made of these woods ; but the keel for a
trireme ^ is made of oak, that it may stand the haul-
ing ; and for merchantmen it is made of fir. How-
ever they put an oaken keel under this when they
are hauling, or for smaller vessels a keel of beech ; -
and the sheathing ^ is made entirely of this wood.
* (However oak-wood does not join well with glue
on to fir or silver-fir ; for the one is of close, the
other of open grain, the one is uniform, the other
not so ; whereas things which are to be made into
one piece should be of similar character, and not of
op|X)site character, like wood and stone.)
The work of bentwood^ for vessels is made of
mulberry manna-ash elm or plane ; for it must be
tough and strong. That made of plane-wood is the
worst, since it soon decays. For triremes some make
such parts of Aleppo pine because of its lightness.
The cutwater,'^ to which the sheathing is attached,^
and the catheads are made of manna-ash mulberry
* This sentence is out of place ; its right place is perhaps
at the end of § 4.
' ropveiu ; but the word is perhaps corrupt : one would
expect the name of some part of the vessel.
* iTTfptaifia : apparently the fore part of the keel ; ^areipa.
^ irphs ^ rh xf^vfffiacouj. W. after Seal,; irp6aa>- rh trxf^vv/xa
Aid. (ffx^^ofia M, x*'^''<'',"« U) irpoffw rh 5e x*^""'!^ mBas.
457
THEOPHRASTUS
•yap hel ravT elvai, vav7r7]yr]cn/jLo<i fxev ovv vXt}
(x^eSov avjrj.
4 OiKoSofJbLKr) 8e 7ToWa> irXetoov, eXdrt] re koX
irevKri koI Ke8po<i, en KV7rdpLTro<i S/oO? kuI dp-
Kevdof ft)9 S' a7r\ft)9 elirelv iraaa ')(^pr]a[iji,r] irXrjv
€1 Ti9 daOevrj^ irdfiTrav ovk et? ravro yap irdaai,
KaOdnrep ovS" eirl rr)<i vav7rr]y[a<i. al 8' dWai
7rpo9 Ta c8i,a rwv rexvoiv, olov crKevr] koX opyava
Kol ei TL TotovTov erepov. irpo^ irXeiara 8e a')(ehov
Y} iXdr-T] Trapex^Tcti' X/oetai^* Kal yap 7rpo<i tov<;
7rLvaKa<i TOv<i ypa(f)0/j,evov<i. reKTOViKrj puev ovv t)
TrdXaioTdrr] Kparlarr}, edv rj daairrj^;- evderel yap
ft)9 elirelv irdai ')(prjaOat' vauTrrjyiKrj 8e 8id rrjv
Kdpby^iv iviKfjLorepa dvayKatov eVel tt/jo? ye rrjv
KoWrjatv rj ^rjporepa avfi^epei. la-raTUi yap
Kaivd rd vavTTijyovfxeva Kal orav avfiirayfj /cad-
eXKVcrdevra crvfi/jiveL Kal crreyei, ttXtjv edv fir)
iravrdiraaiv e^iKfxaaOfj' rore Se ov Be')(^eTai k6\-
\ijcnv rj ovx o/xoiwi.
5 Aet 8e Kal Kad^ exaa-rov Xa/J,^dveiv ec<; irola
'^(^prjcn/JLO'i ecTTiv. iXdrr] /xev ovv Kal irevKr],
KaOdirep etprjrai, Kal irpo^ vavTrrjyiav Kal tt/oo?
^ e\drri . . . &pKevOos conj. W. ; (Kxrri t( koI itevKTi Koi KtSpos
(Ti KvirdpiTTOs Spvs irevKti Kol KfSpos &pKfv6oi U ; eAoTTj t6 Kal
irey/cTj Kal KiSpos Kal &pKev0os Ald.H.: SO also MV, omitting
Kal before apK.
- aij 5' otTrAws conj. Sch.; ottAwj 5' is Aid.
^ Kaiva conj. Sch. ; Kal vvv Aid.
^ (Tvixirayri conj. W., which he renders ' when it has been
glued together ' ; av/iiriTi Aid. G's reading was evidently
different.
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. vii. 3-5
and elm ; for these parts must be strong. Such
then is the timber used in ship-building.
Of the woods used in house-huilding.
For house-building a much greater variety is
used, silver-fir fir and prickly cedar ; also cypress
oak and Phoenician cedar.' In fact, to speak
generally,^ any wood is here of service, unless it is
altogether weak : for there are various purposes for
which different woods are serviceable, just as there
are in ship-building. While other woods are service-
able for special articles belonging to various crafts,
such as furniture tools and the like, the wood of
silver-fir is of use for almost more purposes than any
other wood ; for it is even used for painters' tablets.
For carpentry the oldest wood is the best, provided
that it has not decayed ; for it is convenient for
almost anyone to use. But for ship-building, where
bending is necessary, one must use wood which
contains more moisture (though, where glue is to be
used, drier wood is convenient). For timber-work
for ships is set to stand when it is newly ^ made :
then, when it has become firmly united,* it is
dragged down to the water, and then it closes up
and becomes watertight,— unless ^ all the moisture
has been dried out of it, in which case it will not
take the glue, or will not take it so well.
Of the nses of the wood of particular trees.
But we must consider for what purposes ^ each
several wood is serviceable. Silver-fir and fir, as has
been said, are suitable both for ship-building house-
* ir\r)v fav /i^ conj. W. ; T. 4dv re M ; ir. iav ye Aid.
*' i.e. apart from ship-building and housebuilding, in
which several woods are used.
459
THEOPHRASTUS
olKoSofilav KoX en 7rpo<; dWa tmv epycov, et?
TT\ei(o Se rj ekdrrj. ttltvl Se ')(po}VTaL fiev et?
d/ji(f)Q) KoX ov^ rjTTOV et9 vavTrTjyiav, ov f-irjv dWd
ra^u 8ia(Tr]7r6Tai. 8pv<i Be 7rpo<i olKohofiiav Kol
'7rp6<; vavTrrjyiav en re tt/jo? rd Kara, 7^9 KaropvT-
Topbeva. (f)L\vpa 8e 7r/3o<? rd aaviSM/xara rwv
p^aKpoiv ttXoIoov koX 7rpo<i Ki^cona koX irpo'i rrfv
TMV pLerpwv KaTacrKev7)v. e^et Be Koi rbv (f)\oiov
')(^p7](TipLov irpo'i T6 rd a-'XpLvia Kol 77/309 rd<i Kiara^'
rroiovai <ydp i^ avrrj<i.
6 %<^evBapiv6<i re koI ^vyia 7rpb<i KXivoTTTjyiav
Kol TTpo'i rd ^vyd rwv \ocf)Ovpo)v. /AtXo9 Be et9
rrapaKoWrjpiara Kij3(oroi<i koX viroj3d6poL<i koi
6X(o<i rol<i roiovroi<;. irplvo^ Be irpo^ d^ova<; ral<i
piovoarp6(f)oi<i dp,d^ai<; koX €69 ^v<yd Xvpat^; koI
yjrdXrrjplot';. o^vr) Be 7r/?09 d/xa^OTrrjylav kol
Bi(ppo7r)]yiav rrjv eureXrj. irreXea Be 77/309 6vpo-
irriyiav koI yaXedypwi' ^/jwi^rai Be koX el<i rd
d/jLa^iKa pLerpio)^. 7n]Bb<; Be et9 d^ovaf re rah
dpid^ai<i Kol eh e\Kr]0pa roh dporpoi'i. dvBpd'xXrj
Be Tat9 yvvai^lv eh rd irepl rom larov<;. dp-
Kev6o<i Be eh reKrovia<i koI eh rd vrraiOpia koX
eh rd Karopvrropteva Kard yr]<i Bid ro daaire^.
7 a)o-auT&)9 Be kuI 77 }Lv^olKr) Kapva, koX irpof ye
rrjv Karopv^LV en pbdWov dcraTn]';. "ttv^m Be
'X^pwvrai piev 77/J09 evia, ov purjv dW rj ye ev rat
^OXvpurrw ycvopbiv)] Bed rb ^pa^eld re elvai KaX
6^(i>B7]<i d'X^pelo<;. reppiiv6(p Be ovBev ')(^pS)vrai
1 Klcrras : c/. 3. 13. 1 ; perhaps ' hampers,' c/. o. 7. 7.
2 napaKoXXv/xaTa : lit. ' things ghied on.'
3 Plin. 16. 229.
^ ToTs /xovo(TTp6(t)ois a^a|ojs : or, perliaps, ' the wheels of
460
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. vii. 5-7
building and also for other kinds of work, but silver-
fir is of use for more purposes than fir. Aleppo pine
is used for both kinds of building, but especially for
ship-building, yet it soon rots. Oak is used for
house-building, for ship-building, and also for under-
ground work ; lime for the deck-planks of long ships,
for boxes, and for the manufacture of measures ; its
bark is also useful for ropes and writing-cases, ^ for
these are sometimes made of it.
Maple and zygia are used for making beds
and the yokes of beasts of burden : yew for the
ornamental work attached - to chests and footstools
and the like : kermes-oak ^ for the axles of wheel-
barrows ^ and the cross-bars of lyres and psalteries :
beech for making waggons and cheap carts : elm
for making doors and weasel-traps, and to some
extent it is also used for waggon work ; pedos ^ for
waggon-axles and the stocks of ploughs : andrachne
is used for women for parts of the loom : Phoenician
cedar for carpenters' work ^ and for work which is
either to be exposed to the air or buried underground,
because it does not decay. Similarly the sweet
chestnut is used, and it is even less likely to decay
if it is used for underground work. Box is used for
some purposes ; however that which grows on
Mount Olympus ' is useless, because only short pieces
can be obtained and the wood ^ is full of knots.
Terebinth is not used,^ except the fruit and the resin.
<»rts with solid wheels.' rals conj. Sch.; re koX UMV; t6 koI
:iovo<TTp6<pov5 a/xa^as Aid.
' irrjSos (with varying accent) MSS.: probably = ira5oj, 4. 1.
:5 ; irv^os Aid., but see §7.
® TtKToviai can hardlj- be right. ' cf. .3. L"). 5.
* c/. 1. S. 2, of box in general ; Plin. 16. 71.
'* Inconsistent with 5. 3. 2.
461
THEOPHRASTUS
TrXrjV Tft) KapwM Kal rfj pijTLVp. oifBe (fnXvKrj
ttXt^v rol<i 7rpo^drot<i' ael yap iari Baaeia. t^
Se a(f)dpKrj et? ')(^paKd<i re koI to Kaieiv. kt}-
XdcrrpM Be Kal cn]/xv8a tt/jo? /3aKTr]pLa<i. eviOL he
Kal 8d(f>vr]' ra? yap yepovTiKo.'i Kal Kov(f>a<{ ravrr}<i
TToiovcriv. Irea 8e tt/oo? re Ta<; da'uiha'i Kal
ra<i Kiara'i Kal tcl Kava Kal rdWa. irpoaava-
Xa/Seiv Be eari Kal rSiv aXkoov eKaarov 6fiOL(o<;.
Ai^p7]rai Be Kal Trpo? to. reKTOviKa tmv opyd-
vcov cKaara Kara rrjv -x^peiav olov (T(pvplov /xev
Kal reperpiov apt,ara fiev ycverai kotlvov ;T^/9ft)VTat
Be Kal 7rv^i,voL<i Kal ir-reXetvoL^ Kal fieXecvoi<i' Ta<;
Be /jLeydXaf (7(f)vpa<; 7nTviva<; ttolovctiv. ofioioxi
Be Kal TMv dXXcov sKaarov e'%ei nva rd^iv. Kal
ravra fxev at xpelai Biaipovaiv.
VIII. 'J^Kacrrr} Be rr]<{ vXr)<i, wairep Kal irporepov
eXe)(dii, Biacfiipei Kara TOv<i tottou?" evOa fxev yap
Xo)t6<{ evOa Be KeBpo<i ylverai Oavfiaaj'^, Kaddnrep
Kal irepl 'S.vpi.av ev Xvpta yap ev re Tot<; opeai
Bia(f>epovTa yiverat rd BevBpa rrj'i KeBpov Kal tw
vyfrei Kal tm Trd^^ei' rrjXiKavra ydp eariv cocr
evia fiev /jltj BvvaaOai rpel<i dvBpa<i •jrepiXafi^dveiv
ev re TOi<i TTapaBeicroL'i ert /ietfo) Kal KaXXlo).
(f)aLveTat Be Kal edv Tt<? ea Kal jjurj refivr] tottop
oiKelov €Kaarov e-^^ov ylvecrdaL Oavfiaarbv t&J
fiTjKei Kal 'ird')(eL. ev KyTrpo) yovv ovk erepuvov ol
^aaiXei<i, dp,a fiev rrjpovvre^ Kal ra/xtevopLevot, dfia
' Inconsistent with 5. 6. 2. <pi\vp4a conj. Sch.
^ Kal (T-n/ivSa conj. Sch. ; Kal fxvla U ; Kal fiva Aid. c/. 3. 14. 4.
462
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. vii. 7-viii. i
1 Alaternus is only useful for feeding sheep ; for it is
always leafy. Hybrid arbutus is used for making
stakes and for burning : holly and Judas-tree ^ for
walking-sticks : some also use bay for these ; for
of this ^ thev make light sticks and sticks for old
men. Willow is used for shields hampers baskets
and the like. We might in like manner add the
several uses of the other woods.
* Distinction is also made between woods according
as they are serviceable for one or other of the
carpenter's tools : thus hammers and gimlets are best
made of wild olive, but box elm and manna-ash are
.ilso used, while large mallets are made of Aleppo
pine. In like manner there is a regular practice
ibout each of the other tools. Such are the
differences as to the uses of various woods.
Of the localities in which the best timber grows.
\TII. Each kind of timber, as was said before,
(liH"ei"s according to the place ^ where it grows ;
in one place nettle-tree, in another the cedar is
lemarkably fine, for instance in Syria ; for in Syria
and on its mountains the cedars grow to a sur-
passing height and thickness : they are sometimes
so large that three men cannot embrace the tree.
And in the parks they are even larger and finer. It
appears that any tree, if it is left alone in its
natural jiosition and not cut down, grows to a
remarkable height and thickness. For instance in
(Cyprus the kings used not to cut the trees,
I oth because they took great care of them and hus-
' TttuTijs conj. H. ; ravras UMVAld.
* Plin. 16. 2;i0.
* To-Kovs conj. Seal, from G ; T«$5as Aid.
463
THEOPHRASTUS
5e /cat 8ia to SvcrKOfMiarov elvai. yu,^«09 fxev r)v
T(bv eh ri]V kvheKrjp-q rrjv Arj/jLijTpLOU T/jLt)0evTO)v
rpcaKaiSe/caopyviov, avra 8e ra ^v\a rw jxrjKei,
dav/jLaara koX ao^a kuI Xeia. /xiyiara 8e kov
irapa ttoXv to, iv rfj Yivpvw <^aalv elvar tmv
yap €v rfj AarivT] Kokoiv yivo/xevcov vTrep^oXfj
Kol ro)v iXarlvcov koI roiv TrevKivcov — /xet^o) yap
ravra koI /caWico rcov ^IraXiKMV — ovSev elvai
2 TTpo? ra iv rfj K.vpva). irXevaai yap irore Tov<i
'Fco/j,alov<i ^ovXop-evovi Karaa Kevdaaadai ttoXlv
iv rfi v/jao) irevre kuI ecKoai, vavai, Ka\ rrjXi/covTOv
elvai TO p^eyedo^ tmv SevBpcov coare elarrXeovra^
6i9 KoKiTOVi Tiva<i Kal \Lp,eva<; 8iao-)(^iadelai T0i9
la-rot'i iiriKivSwevaai.. Kal oXtw? Se Traaav rrjv
vrjaov hacrelav Kal oidirep r}ypi(op,iviiv rfj vXy
St' Kal cnroarrjvai rrjv ttoXiv oiKL^eiv hLaj3dvra<i
Se Tiva<; d'noTep.ecrdat 7rdp,7ro\v 7rXrjdo<i iK tottov
^pa-)(€09, &a-Te TijXiKavrrjv TTOir)<Tat a^eSiav r]
iXPV^(f''TO TrevrrjKovra icrTLOt<i' ov fir]v ciXXa
htairea-elv avrrjv iv tm ireXdyei. K.vpvo'i p,ev ovv
etVe hui TTjv dveciv etre Kal ro e8a(t>o<; Kal rov
depa TToXi) 8ia(f}6pei rcav dXXcov.
3 'H Se Tcov AaTLVOov e<Pv8po<i iraaa' Kal r; p.ev
TTeheivrj 8d(f)vr]v €^€1 Kal p,vppi,vov<i Kal o^vijv
6avp,aaT7]V rrjXcKavra yap rd p,7]Kr] rep^vovcri
war eh'ai SiaveKco'i tmv Tvpp-qviScov v-no rrjv
rpoTTiv 7] 8e opeivT) irevKrjv Kal iXdrrjv. to 8e
^ Demetrius Polioreetes. cf. Pint. Demetr. 43 ; Plin. 16.
203.
2 eitiKiv^vuevcrai conj. W.; iir\ rhy ttvkvov Aid.; SO U, but
VVKVOV.
* i.e. against the overhanging trees. ? la-rlois, to which
Siaffx- is more appropriate.
464
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. viii. 1-3
banded them, and also because the transport of the
timber was difficult. The timbers cut for Demetrius' *
ship of eleven banks of oars were thirteen fathoms
long, and the timbers themselves were without
knots and smooth, as well as of marvellous length.
But largest of all, they say, are the trees of
Corsica ; for whereas silver-fir and fir grow in
Latium to a very great size, and are taller and
finer than the silver-firs and firs of South Italy,
these are said to be nothing to the trees of Corsica.
\ For it is told how the Romans once made an ex-
\ pedition to that island with twenty-five ships, wishing
\ to found a city there ; and so great was the size of
I the trees that, as they sailed into certain bays and
i creeks, they got into difficulties ^ through breaking
V. their masts.^ And in general it is said that the
I whole island is thickly wooded and, as it were, one
I wild forest ; wherefore the Romans gave up the idea
I of founding their city : however some of them made
I an excursion ^ into the island and cleared away a large
quantity of trees from a small area, enough to make
a raft with fifty sails ; ^ but this broke up in the open
sea. Corsica then, whether because of its uncultivated
condition or because of its soil and climate, is very
superior in trees to other countries.
The country of the Latins is all well watered ;
the lowland part contains bay, myrtle, and wonder-
ful beech : they cut timbers of it of such a size that
they ynW run the whole length '• of the keel of a
'j.^rrhenian vessel. The hill country produces fir and
silver-fir. The district called by Circe's name is, it
b
Sio.Soi'Tai 5e ripas conj. St. from G; Sio/Sai^a 5« nra Ald.H.
^ «Xp^<''oTo xfVT. iar. conj. Sch.; p exp^'^'""^" "' Ald.H.
SiaitKas conj. Sch. ; Sia reus Aid.
465
THEOPHRASTUS
KipKaiov KaXovfievov elvai fxev ctKpav v^rj\i^v,
haaeiav he ac^ohpa koI e^eiv Spvv fcal Bdcf)vr)v ttoX.-
Xt]v Kol p,vppbvov<;. Xeyecv Se Tov<i ey')(^u>piov^ fw?
evTuvda 7) KipKT) KarwKec koX SeiKvvvai tov tov
^ EX'7r7]Vopo<i Tii^ov, i^ ov (fivovTat fxvpplvai Kadd-
irep at (TTe(l)av(t>Ti8e'i tmv aWtov qvtcov pteydXayv
/Mvppivcov. TOV 8e TOTTOV elvui Kol TOVTOV viuv
TTpocrOeaLV, koI irporepov puev ovv vrfcrov elvai ro
K.ipKalov, vvv he vtto iroraficop tlvcov irpoaKS-
'XOicrOai KoX elvai rjlova. rri<i he vrjaov to /xejedo';
Trepl oyhoTjKovTa aTahiov^. nal to, jxev tmv
Toirwv ihia iroXkrjV e;^6t hia(f)opdv, foatrep etpijTai
7roX\.dKi<;.
TX. To he Kol 7rpo<i Tr]V TTvpwcnv iroi^ eKuaTrj
Trj<i vXtj'i e^ec Xe/cTeov ofioicof Kal ireipaTeov
Xa^elv. dv6paK6<i p-ev ovv dpiaToi ylvovTaL tcov
TTVKVOTdTwv, olov dpLa<{ hpub'i Kopdpov aTepeco-
TaTOL ydp, &(TTe irXelcTTOv ■)(^p6vov dvTeyovai Kal
p,dXi(TTa laj^vovar hi o Kal ev Toi<i dpyvpeCoif;
T0VT0L<i ^pMVTai TTyOO? Tfjv 7rpQ)r7]v TOVTWV eyjrijaiv.
Xeipiaroi he tovtcov ol hpuivor yecoheaTaTOi ydp'
■X^eipov? he Kal ol tmv Trpecr^vTepcov tmv vewv, Kal
fidXicTTa ol TMV yepavhpvcov hid TavTO' ^rjpoTaTOi
yap, hi" Kal ir'qhMai Kaiofievor hel he eviKfxov
elvai.
BeXricTTOi he ol TOiv ev uKpifi Kal fxdXi(rTa ol
1 c/. Horn. Od. 10. 552 foil., 11. 51-80, 12. 8-15; Plin. 15.
119.
'•* peai^ Ttp6a6efftv conj. .Sell.; e»s avhphs Otaiv Aid.
466
EXQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. viii. 3-ix. 2
is said, a lofty })romontory, but very thickly wooded,
producing oak, bay in abundance, and invrtle. There,
according to the natives, dwelt Circe, and they shew
Elpenor's tonib,^ on which grow myrtles like those
used for garlands, though other kinds of myrtle are
large trees. Further it is said that the district is a
recent addition '^ to the land, and that once this piece
of land was an island, but now the sea has been
silted up by certain streams and it has become
united to the coast, and the size of the 'island'^
is about eighty furlongs in circumference. There
is ^ then much difference in trees, as has been said
re])eatedly, which is due to the individual character
of particular districts.
Of the uses of various icoods in mahimj fire : charcoal, fuel,
fire-sticks.
IX. Next we must state in like manner and
endeavour to determine the properties of each kind
of timber in relation to making fire. The best
charcoal is made from the closest wood, such as
aria (holm-oak) oak arbutus ; for these are the most
solid, so that they last longest and are the strongest ;
wherefore these are used in silver-mines for the first
smelting of the ore. Worst of the woods mentioned
is oak, since it contains most mineral matter,^ and
the wood of older trees is inferior to that of the
younger, and for the same reason that of really old
trees '^ is specially bad. For it is very dry, wherefore
it sputters as it burns ; whereas wood for charcoal
should contain sap.
The best charcoal comes from trees in their prime.
cf. Plin. 3. 57. * €x«i conj. Sch.; fhat Aid.
i.e. and so makes much ush. ^ cf. 2. 7. 2.
467
THEOPHRASTUS
TWl' KOXO^MV (TV/JL/jieTp(0<i jdp €')(pV(TL TU) TTVKVU)
Kal yecoSei koX rw vypM- ^€\tlov<; Be koI ck tmv
eveiKwv koX ^rjpMV koI Trpoafioppcov rj eK tmv
iraXiaKLwv Kal vypoov Kal 7ryoo9 vqtov Kal el
iviKfjbOTepa<i v\r]<i, irvKvrj'i' vypoTepa yap ij ttukvt].
Kal oX,&)9, oaa r) (fivaet i) 8id [rbi^] tottov ^iiporepov
irvKVOTcpa, i^ uTravrcov /BeXrlco Sid rijv avTr^v
alriav. %/3eta. he ciWcov aWrj' tt/jo? evia yap
^7)Tovcn rov<i fiaXaKov^, olov iv roi<; cnBi]p€ioi,<;
Tov<i rij'i Kapva<i rrj'i ^v^oiKi]<i, orav '^St] KCKav-
p,evo<i y, Kal ev rot? dpyvpeLOi<; toi/? ttitvivov^.
XpMvrai Be Kal at Texvai tovtol^. ^rjTOvat Be
Kal 01 p^aXvet? tou? TrevKivovi fidWov r) Bpvtvov<i'
KaiTOL dadevearepoi aXX' ei9 rrjv (pvcrrjaiv d/xei-
vov; &)9 rjcraov Karapapaivo/xevor eari Be rj (fiXo^
o^VTepa Tovrcov. to Be 6\ov o^vrepa <p\6^ Kal
7) Tovroyv Kal i) roiv ^vXcov tmv p,avo)v Kal kov^wv
Kal T) rdov avaiv r] S' eK roSv ttvkvwv Kal ^(Xwpwv
vcoOecrrepa Kal ira'x^uTepa' iracroiv Be o^vtutij t]
€K TO)P vXi]fx,dr(ov' dv6paKe<i Be 6X(o<; ov yivovrai
Bid TO yu.^ e')(^etv to awfxaTOiBe^.
Te/Mvovat Be Kal ^7]T0Ucn et9 t«9 dvOpaKi,d<; tu
1 Ko\oBS>v con]. Palm.; KoWa^uv U; KoKd^mv A\A.
^ Se /col ^K tSiv conj. W. ; Se koI oi rSiv UMVP; 5« ol rSiv
Ald.H.
^ KoL el iviK/xoTtpat conj. W.; Koi oi ivaKfiortpas U; /col ^ iv
aKfx7)Tfpa,s MV; Kol ol iv aKfx-riTfpas Ald.Bas.Cam. The sense
seems to require vypoTtpas for iviK/xortpas and eviK/xoTtpa for
vyporepa. G seems to have had a fuller text.
* i.e. from growing in a damper place, cf. 5. 9. 4.
468
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. ix. 2-4
and es|}€cially from trees which have been to}H)ed ^ :
for these contain in the right proportion the qualities
of closeness admixture of mineral matter and moisture.
Again better charcoal comes from trees- in a sxmny dry
position with a north aspect than from those grown in
a shady damp jx)sition facing south. Or, if the wood '
used contains a good deal of moisture,* it should be
of close texture ; for such wood contains more sap.^
And, for the same reason, that which is of closer
texture either from its own natural character or
because it was grown in a drier spot,^ is, whatever
the kind of tree, betterJ But different kinds of
charcoal are used for different purposes : for some
uses men require it to be soft ; thus in iron-mines
they use that which is made of sweet chestnut
when the iron has been already smelted, and in
silver-mines they use charcoal of pine-wood : and
these kinds are also used by the crafts. Smiths ^
require charcoal of fir rather than of oak : it is
indeed not so strong, but it blows up better into
a flame, as it is less apt to smoulder : and the flame
from these woods is fiercer. In general the flame is
fiercer not only from these but from any wood which
is of oj>en texture and light, or which is drv' : while
that from wood which is of close texture or green is
more sluggish and dull. The fiercest flame of all
is given by brushwood ; but charcoal cannot be
made from it at all, since it has not the necessary
substance.
They cut and require for the charcoal-heap straight
* c/. § 1 ad Jin.
* iripoTtpov conj. W.; Ittpirrtpa UMV; ruKrirtpa ^rtpirepa
Aid. I have bracketed rkr.
' /3eA,Tia> conj. Sch.; ^Kriuir UM ; p4\Tioy Ald.H.
8 c/. Plin. 16. 23.
469
THEOPHRASTUS
evOea koX to, Xela' hel yap &>? irvKvorara avv-
delvaL irpo'i ttjv KardiTVL^LV. orav 8e jrepi,-
aKeiy^coaL rrjv Kapavov, i^dirrovat irapd puepof
'7TapaKevrovvTe<i o^eKicTKOL'^. eh puev ttjv dvOpa-
Kidv rd TOiavra ^rjTOvcn.
Ava/cuTTva 8e tc5 jevet p,ev oXo)? rd vypd' Koi
Tft ')(\(opd Bid TOVTO hvcTKairva. Xeyco Be rd uypd
Ta eXeia, olov rrXdravov Ireav XevKr/v aiyeipov
eVel Kol 7] a/x7re\o? ore vypd BvaKairvo'^. eK Be
rrj<i IBla^ (jbucreo)? 6 (f)olvi^, ov Br) koi p,dXc(xrd
ru>e<i vTreiXrjcjiaa-L BvaKairvov 69ev koi X.aip7]p,cov
e-TTOLTjae " rod re BvaKarrvordrov ^oiviKO<i e'/c 7179
6 pi^o(fioir7]rov(i 0\e/3a9." Bpip.vraro<i Be 6 Kairvo^
(7VK7]<i Kol ipiveov Kol et ri dXXo ovrcoSe?* airia
Be r) vyp6r7]<;' (^XoiaOevra Be Kol diro^pex^^vra
ev vBarc irrcppvrq) Kal perd ravra ^rjpavOevra
irdvrcov dKarrvbrara Koi (pXoya pbaXaKcordrrjv
dvlrjaiv, are Kal rr}? ol/ceia'i vyp6rrjro<; e^r]pr]p,evr]<;.
Bpip,ela Be Kal t] re(j)pa Kal ?; Kovla rj a??' avrwv.
pbdXiara Be (j)aat rrjv diro rrj'i dptvyBaXrj^;.
6 IT/)09 Br) rd'i KapiiVLa<i Kal rd<i dXXa<i re)(ya^
dXXr) dXXoL<i 'X^prjalp^r). ep,7rupeveaOai Be dpiara
crvKrj Kal iXda- avKr) p,ev, on yXla'^^pov re Kal
pavov, ioare eXKet re Kal ov Bietaiv iXda Be, ore
TTVKVov Kal Xiirapov.
^ \uo. conj. Seal, from G ; via Aid.
^ With sods. c/. Plin., ^.c, who seems to have had a fuller
text.
' An Athenian tragic poet. Seal, restores the quotation
470
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. ix. 4-6
smooth 1 billets : for tliey must be laid as close as
pwDssible for the smouldering process. When they
have covered"^ the kiln, they kindle the heap by
degrees, stirring it with {X)les. Such is the wood
required for the charcoal-heap.
In general damp '.vood makes an evil smoke, and
for this reason green wood does so : I mean the
damp woods which grow in marshy groimd, such
as plane willow abele black poplar : for even
vine-woodj when it is damp, gives an evil smoke.
So does palm-wood of its own nature, and some
have supposed it to give the most evil smoke of all :
whence Chaeremon^ speaks of '"Veins issuing under-
ground from roots of palm with its malodorous smoke."
Most pungent is the smoke of fig-wood, whether
wild or cultivated, and of any tree which has a
curdling juice ; the reason lies in the sap ; when
such wood has been barked and soaked in running
water and then dried, it gives as little smoke as
any other, and sends u]) a very soft^ flame, since
its natural moisture also has been removed. The
cinders and ashes of such wood are also pungent,
and especially, they say, those of almond-wood.
For the crafts requiring a furnace and for other
crafts various woods are serviceable according to
circumstances.^ For kindling fig and olive are best :
fig, because it is tough and of open texture, so that
it easily catches fire and does not let it through,^
olive, because it is of close texture and oily.
thus : ToS Tf SvffKa-Kvayrdrov \ (po'iyiKos tK yrjs })i^o<poiTi\rovs
(pXf^as {^iCo(piTVTovs conj. Schneidewin).
* i.e. not sputtering.
' Kal . . . xpV(f(f^V conj. W. ; rixvats aWriKois xP^^^'^f^V U;
T. aK\-n\as xp- MV; re'xt^ &\\r) iart xp- P > t. oAA^Aojs earl
XpvrifJ-V Aid. * i.e. bum out quickly.
47 <
THEOPHRASTUS
Uvpela Be ^iverai fxev e/c ttoWmv, apicrra Se,
W9 <p')]at Mevearmp, eV kittov' rdxtcTTa <ynp koI
TrXelcrrov avaTTvei. irvpelov Se (paaiv dpiarov
fi€V €K T?79 aOpayev^jf; Ka\ov/xevrj<; viro rivcov
TOVTO 8' earl hevhpov ofioiov rfj dfiireXo) koX rfj
olvdvOij rfj dypia' Mcnrep eKclva koX rovro dva-
^aivet TT/oo? rd BevSpa. Bel Be rrjv ia-^dpav e«
rovrcov irot-elv ro Be rpviravov i/c Bd<^vri<;' ov yap
eK ravrov ro ttolovv kuI wdcr^ov, dW' erepov
evOv Bel Kara <f)V(nv, koI ro fxev Bel rraOrjrLKov
elvat ro Be irotTjriKov. ov /uirjv dWa Kac eK rev
avrov y'iverai Kai, W9 76 rLve<i v7ro\afJ,/3dvovcnv,
ovBev Bia(f)epeL. yiverai yap eK pd/xvov Koi
irpivov Kal (piXvpa'i Kal (T)(eB6v eK rcov ifKeiaraiv
rrXi-jv e\da<;' o Kal BoKel droirov elvar Kal yap
aK\rip6repov Kal Xmapov r/ eXda' rovro fiev ovv
davfi/xerpov e^ei BrjXov on, rijv vyporrjra tt/jo?
rr]v rrvpwcnv. dyadd Be rd eK pdpvov iroiel Be
rovro Kal rrjv ecr^dpav XPV<^'''V^' '^po'i yap rw
^Tjpdv Kal d')(yP'OV elvat Bel Kal p^avorepav, iv rj
rplyfri'i l(T')(yr], ro Be rpviravov drraOearepov Bt
ro rr]<i Bd(f)V')]<; dpiarov d'Tra6e<; yap ov epyd-
^erai rrj Bpifivrrjri. Trdvra Be rd rrvpela ^opeioi<i
fiev Odrrov Kal /xdXXov e^dirrerai, vorloa Be
rjrrov Kal ev /aev rol<i /jierecopoa /xdWov, ev Be
rol<i Koi\oL<; rjrrov.
^Avlei Be rS)v ^vXoov rd KeBpiva koI aTrXw? mv
^ TT. Se fiverai jxkv conj. Sch. ; ir. fiiv ylnTat Sf UMVAW.
2 cf. 1. 2. 3 n.
' KiTTov conj. Bod. iromdeigne 64, Plin. 16. 208 ; Kapvov Aid.
* irvpehv con]. Salm,; irvpol UMVAld,
472
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. ix. 6-8
Fire-sticks are made ^ from many kinds of wood,
but best, according to Menestor,^ from ivy ^ : for
that flares up most quickly and freely. They
say also that a very good fire-stick ^ is made of
the wood which some call traveller's joy ; this is
a tree like the vine or the •' wild vine/ which,
like these, climbs up trees. The stationary piece ^
should be made of one of these, the drill of bay ;
for the active and passive parts of the apparatus
sliould not be of the same Avood, but different in
their natural properties to start with, one being
of active, the other of passive character. Never-
theless they are sometimes made of the same wood,
and some supj)ose that it makes no difference.
They are made in fact of buckthorn kemies-
oak lime and almost any wood except olive ;
which seems surprising, as olive-wood is rather
hard and oily ; however it is plainly its moisture
which makes it less suitable for kindling. The
wood of the buckthorn is also good, and it makes
a satisfactory stationary piece ; for, besides being
dr\- and free from sap it is necessary that this
should also be of rather open texture, that the
friction may be effectual ; while the drill should
be one which gets little v.orn by use. And that
i^ why one made of bay is best; for, as it is not
\vorn by use, it is effective through its biting
quality. All fire-sticks take fire quicker and better
in a noi-th than in a south wind, and better in an
exposed spot than in one which is shut in.
Some woods, such as prickly cedar, exude ^
noisture, and, generally speaking, so do those
i.k. the piece of wood to be bore<:l. cf- de igne, I.e.
aviii. ? ayiSia,
473
THEOPHRASTUS
eXat&)8?/9 t; vyp6T>]<;' Si" o Kol to, a^yuX^iard
(paaiv ISUtv ivloTe' Troiovcri yap eK rovrcov. o
Se KaXovcnv ol fMdvTei<i EtXei^fta? dcpeSpov, inrep
ov KoX eKdvovrai, 7rpo<; Tot<i iXaTivoi<; yiveraL
avvLcrTafM€vy<; tivo^ ^7/90x77x09, xw cr^7;/xaxi fj,ev
(TT poyyvXov fieyeOo^; 8e r)\iKov diriov rj koI fxcKpo)
fiei^ov rj eXarrov. eK^Xaardvet he f^dXicna rd
iXdiva Kol dpyd Kcl/xeva koX elpyaa p,kva iroXXd-
KL<i, idv iKfidSa XafM^dvT] /cal eXJ] roirov vorepov
wcnrep r/S?; xf9 (TTpO(f)€v<i xi}? 9vpa<i i^Xdarrjcre, Kot
et9 KvXiKiov ttXivOwov redeiaa /cwttt; eV irijXq).
^ cf. C.P. 5. 4. 4. 01 ixdvTiis . . . iKarlvois conj. Lobeck. ;
ol \e7av . . . to7s hcuTlvois U ; olKeiav , . . rovs iKfj-arlvois V; ol
Attai' TTJs €i\r)0r]as . . . tois iKixarlvois M ; ol \f7av rris aXyjOvlas
i(pai^pov . . . Tovs (Karivovs P2 ; lAfTay rfjj (l\r]duias fcpvSpoy . . .
Tovs iKajivovs Aid.
474
ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. ix. 8
whose sap is of an oily character; and this is
vliy statues are sometimes said to ' sweat ' ; for
the}' are made of such woods. That which seers
call the menses of Eileithuia/ ^ and for the appearance
of which they make atonement," forms on the wood
of the silver-fir when some moisture gathers on it :
the formation is round ^ in sliape, and in size about
as large as a pear, or a little larger or smaller.
Olive-wood is more apt than other woods to pro-
duce shoots even when lying idle or made into
manufactured articles ; this it often does, if it obtains
moisture and lies in a damp place ; thus the socket
of a door-' hinge ' * has been known to shoot, and
also an oar which was standing in damp earth in an
earthenware vessel.^
- !.e. as a portent, c/. Char. 16. 2.
arpo-l'^vXov conj. Sch.; ffTpoYyvKiis UMVPoAkl.
^ cj. 5. 6. 4 ; Plin. 16. 230.
'" ttXivO. Ted. K(iir-i) 4v ir-qXq) COllj. Spr. ; TrKivdn'OV TiOtXs Tjj
Kii-TTv irn\6s PoAlil.H,
475
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Latin Authors.
A PI" LEI US. The Golden Ass. (Metamorphoses.) Trans, by
\V. Adlington (1566). Revised by S. Gaselee. i Vol.
CAESAR : CIVIL WARS. Trans, by A. G. Teskelt. i Vol.
CATULLUS. Trans, by F. \V. Cornish ; TIBULLUS.
Trans, by J. P. Postgate ; PERVIGILIUM VENERIS.
; Trans, by ^' W. Mackail. i Vol.
jCICERO : DE FINIBUS. Trans, by H. Rackham. i Vol.
jCICERO : DE OFFICIIS. Trans, by Walter Miller, i Vol.
CICERO: LETTERS TO ATTICUS. Trans, by E. O.
Winstedt. Vols I and II.
ONFESSIONS OF ST. AUGUSTINE. Trans, by W. Watts
1631). 2 Vols.
"DRACE : ODES AND EPODES. Trans, by C. E. Bennett.
1 Vol.
V^ID: HEROIDES AND AMORES. Trans, by Grant
Showerman. i Vol.
)VID: METAMORPHOSES. Trans, by F. J. Miller.
2 Vols.
ETRONIUS. Trans, by M. Heseltine ; SENECA : APOCO-
LOCYNTOSIS. Trans, by W. H. D. Rouse, i V^ol.
LAUTUS. Trans, by Paul Nixon. Vol. I,
LINY : LETTERS. Melmoth's Translation revised by
''V. M. L. Hutchinson. 2 Vols.
•FOPERTIUS. Trans, by H. E. Butler. I VoL
►U ETON I US. Trans, byj. C. Rolfe. 2 Vols.
ACITUS: DIALOGUS. Trans, by Sir Wm. Peterson;
AGRICOLA AND GERMANIA. Trans, by Maurice
Hutton. I Vol.
PE RENCE. Trans, by John Sargeaunt. 2 V'ols.
Greek Authors.
APOLLONIUS RIIODIUS. Trans, by R. C. Seaton. i Vol.
THE APOSTOLIC FATHERS. Trans, by Kirsopp Lake.
2 Vols.
APPIAN'S ROMAN HISTORY. Trans, by Horace White.
4 Vols.
DAPHNIS AND ClILOE. Thornley's Translation revised
by J. M. Edmonds ; PARTHENIUS. Trans, by S. Gaselee.
I Vol.
DIO CASSIUS : ROMAN HLSTORY. Trans, by E. Gary.
Vols. I, II, HI, IV, and V.
EURIPIDES. Trans, by A. S. Way. 4 Vols.
THE GREEK ANTHOLOGY. Trans, by W. R. Paton.
Vols. I, II.andlH.
THE GREEK BUCOLIC POETS (THEOCRITUS, BION,
MOSCHUS). Trans, by J. M, Edmonds, i Vol.
HESIOD AND THE HOMERIC HYMNS. Trans, by
H. G. Evelyn White. I Vol.
JULIAN. Trans, by Wilmer Cave Wright. Vols. I and II.
LUCIAN. Trans, by A. M. Harmon. Vols. I and II.
MARCUS AURELIUS. Trans, by C. R. Haines, i Vol.
PHILOSTRATUS : THE LIFE OF APOLLONIUS OF
TYANA. Trans, by F. C. Conybeare. 2 Vols.
PINDAR. Trans, by Sir J. E. Sandys. I Vol.
PLATO : EUTHYPHRO, APOLOGY, CRITO, PHAEDO,
PHAEDRUS. Trans, by H. N. Fowler, i Vol.
PLUTARCH : THE PARALLEL LIVES. Trans, by B.
Perrin. Vols. I, II, III, and IV.
PROCOPIUS. Trans, by H. B. Dewing. Vols. I and II.
QUINTUS SxMYRNAEUS. Trans, by A. S. Way. i Vol.
SOPHOCLES. Trans, by F. Storr. 2 Vols.
ST. JOHN DAMASCENE : BARLAAM AND lOASAPH.
Trans, by the Rev. G. R, Woodward and Harold Mattingly.
1 Vol.
XENOPHON : CYROPAEDIA. Trans, by Walter Miller.
2 Vols.
IN PREPARATION.
Greek Authors.
AESCHINES, C. D. Adams, of Dartmouth College.
AESCHYLUS, H. W. Smyth, of Harvard University.
ARISTOPHANES, J. W. White, of Harvard University.
ARISTOTLE, THE XICOMACHE.\N ETHICS, Michael
Heseltine, of New College, Oxford.
ARISTOTLE, THE POLITICS .•vxd ATHENIAN CON-
STITUTION, Edward Capps, of Princeton University.
ARRIAN, W. K. Prentice, of Princeton University.
ATHENAEUS, C. B. Gulick, of Harvard University.
CALLIMACHUS, A. W. Mair, Professor of Greek in the
University of Edinburgh ; ARATUS, G. R. Mair, of Gonville
and Caius College, Cambridge.
LEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA, Rev. G. W. Butterworth,
: the University of Leeds.
' CHRYSOStOM. W. E. Waters, New York University.
r^EBIUS, Kirsopp I^ke, of Harvard University.
:!;EEK LYRICS, J. M. Edmonds, of Jesus College, Cam-
bridge.
HOMER, ILIAD, W. F. Harris, of Harvard University.
[lOMER, ODYSSEY, A. T. Murray, of Stanford University,
IAMBIC AND ELEGIAC POETS, E. D. Perry, of Columbia
University.
ISAEUS, R. J. Bonner, of the University of Chicago.
SUCRATES, G. Norlin, of the University of Colorado.
\lANETHO, S. de Ricci.
MEXANDER, F. G. AUinson, of Brown University.
i'AUSAXIAS, W. H. 8. Jones, of St. Catherine's College,
Cambridge.
illlLOSTRATUS, IMAGINES, Arthur Fairbanks, Boston
Museum of Fine Arts.
1 LATO, LYSIS AND GORGIAS, W. R. Lamb, of Trinity
College, Cambridge.
ILATO, REPUBLIC, Paul Shorey, University or Chicago.
ILUTARCH, MORALIA, F. C. Babbitt, of Trinity College,
Hartford.
lOLYBIUS, W. R. Paton.
TIIUCYDIDES, C. F. Smith, of the University of Wisconsin.
:;kxophon, anabasis and hellenica, c. w.
P.rownson, of the College of the City of New York.
Lat in Auth ors.
AMMIANUS, C. U. Clark, of Yale University,
AULUS GELLIUS> C. B. Plainer, of Western Reser'
University.
AUSONIUS, H. G. Evelyn White, of Wadham Colleg
Oxford.
CICERO, AD FAMILIARES, E. O. Winstedt, of Magdalt
College, Oxford.
CICERO, DE ORATORE, ORATOR, BRUTUS, Charl.
Stilt taford.
FRONTINUS, DE AQUIS, C. Ilerschel, of New York.
FRONTO, C. R. Haines, of St. Catherine's College, Can
bridge.
HORACE, EPISTLES and SATIRES, W. G. Hale, of tl
University of Chicago, and G. L. Hendrickson, of Ya'
University.
JUVENAL AND PERSIUS, G. G. Rarnsay, of Trinity Colleg,'
Oxford, and late of Glasgow University. j
LIVY, B. O. Foster, of Stanford University. i
LUCAN, S. Reinach, Member of the Institute of France, i
OVID, TRISTIA AND EX PONTO, A. L. Wheeler, of Bry
Mawr College.
SALLUST, J. C. Rolfe,' of the University of Pennsylvania.
SENECA, EPISTULAE MORALES, R. M. Gummere, (
Haverford College.
SENECA, MORAL ESSAYS, J. W. Basore, of Princeto
University.
TACITUS, ANNALS, John Jackson, of Queen's College
Oxford.
VALERIUS FLACCUS, A. F. Scholfield, of King's College
Cambridge.
VELEIUS PATERCULUS, F. W. Shipley, of Washingto
University.
VITRUVIUS, F. W. Kelsey, of the University of Michigan.
DESCRIPTIVE PKOSPECrUS ON APPLICATION.
London - - WILLIAM HEINEMANN
New York = = G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
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PA Theophrastus
IJM Enquiry into plants and
A8 minor works on odours and
1916 weather signs
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