ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. VI. 3–VII. 1
are altogether dry: for the latter give,[1] 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[2] 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 dry, the air gets warmed by the boring and brings it up readily and at once. On the other hand, wood which is over dry[3] 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 off. Again softer woods are easier for the axe and for smoothing,[4] 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; wherefore, as was said,[5] 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[6] are, generally
