useless, for it breaks in pieces and falls asunder; if it is not hewn with the axe it is better, wherefore they so use it. [1]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. [2]The wood of the sea-bark oak is only useful for wheel-axles and the like purposes.Such are the varieties of the oak[3] which men make out.
Of the differences in firs.
IX. [4]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[5] kinds, and make two wild kinds, calling one the 'fir of Ida' (Corsican pine[6]) the other the 'fir of the sea-shore' (Aleppo pine); of these the former is straighter and taller and has thicker leaves,[7] while in the latter the leaves are slenderer and weaker, and the bark is smoother and useful for tanning hides, 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
- ↑ Plin. 16. 23.
- ↑ τὸ δὲ … τοιαῦτα: this sentence seems out of place, as ἁλίφλοιος was not one of the 'Macedonian' oaks mentioned above (Sch.).
- ↑ T. describes πρῖνος σμῖλαξ, and φελλόδρυς in 3. 16, φελλός in 3. 17. 1.
- ↑ Plin. 16. 43.
- ↑ Stone pine. See Index.
- ↑ Plin. 16. 48.
- ↑ φύλλον W. conj.; ξύλον UMVP.
