[1]The krataigos is a very common tree; some call it kralaigon. It has a smooth[2] leaf like that of the medlar, but longer, and its breadth is greater than its length, while the edge is not jagged like that[3] of the medlar. The tree does not grow very tall or thick; its wood is mottled strong and brown[4]; 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[5]; 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.[6] There is only one form of it and it shews no variation.
Of certain other oaks, arbutus, andrachne, wig-tree.
XVI. The kermes-oak[7] has a leaf like that of the oak, but smaller and spinous,[8] 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 fruit is like an acorn, but the kermes-oak's acorn is small; the new one overtakes that of last year, for it ripens late.[9] Wherefore some say that it bears twice. Besides the acorn it bears a kind of scarlet berry[10]; it also has oak-mistletoe[11] 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[11] and
- ↑ Quoted by Athen. 2. 34; cf. Plin. 16. 120; 26. 99; 27. 62 and 63.
- ↑ τετανόν: cf. 3. 11. 1 ; 3. 12. 5. Athen. l.c., has τετα μένον.
- ↑ ἐκεῖνο Athen. l.c.; κἀκεῖνο Αld.
- ↑ ξανθὸν before ἰσχυρόν Athen. l.c. 258
- ↑ κότινος Athen. l.c.; κόψιμος UMVAld.
- ↑ μεσπίλη added from Athen. l.c.
- ↑ cf. 3. 7. 3.
- ↑ cf. 3. 16. 2.
- ↑ cf. 3. 4. 1, 4 and 6.
- ↑ Plin. 16. 32; Simon. ap. Plut. Theseus 17.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 cf. C. P. 2. 17. 1.
