ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. VIII. 3–IX. 2
is said, a lofty promontory, but very thickly wooded, producing oak, bay in abundance, and myrtle. There, according to the natives, dwelt Circe, and they shew Elpenor's tomb,[1] 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[2] 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'[3] is about eighty furlongs in circumference. There is[4] then much difference in trees, as has been said repeatedly, which is due to the individual character of particular districts.
Of the uses of various woods in making 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,[5] and the wood of older trees is inferior to that of the younger, and for the same reason that of really old trees[6] 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,
