occurs in the autumn after the shedding of the leaves, and has from the first a glistening look,[1] 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[2] its clustering growth,[3] which is as large as a good-sized grub: several[4] 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[5] fruit-cases of the nut are formed, closed all down[6] the stalk and corresponding[7] in number to the flowers and in each of 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 of
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 …[8] yew lakara
- ↑ εὐθὺς λιπαρὰ conj. Sch.; τις add. W.; εὐθὺς αἱ παρὰ τῆς U.
- ↑ φύει conj. W.; φύεται Ald.
- ↑ i.e. calkins.cf. 3. 3. 8.
- ↑ πλείω δὴ conj. Sc.; πιώδη UMVAld.; πλείονα U?.
- ↑ cf. 3. 10. 4.
- ↑ συμμεμυκότα κατὰ τοῦ.: G evidently had a different text; ? μσυμπεφυκότα W.
- ↑ ὅσα καὶ ἦν τὰ ἄνθη conj. W.; ὅσα καὶ ἦν κατὰ ἄνθη Ald.
- ↑ Lacuna n text (Sch. W.). The following list of trees also appears to be in confusion, and includes some of both classes.
