180 pLINY's NATUEAL HISTOEY. [Book XIII. 



the branches are short and slender. This tree is nsed in the 

 preparation of white skins. 63 The seed, which strongly re- 

 sembles a lentil in appearance, turns red with the grape ; it 

 is known by the name of "ros," and forms a necessary in- 

 gredient in various medicaments. 6 * 



CHAP. 14. (7.) THE TEEES OF EGYPT. THE FIG-TEEE OF 



ALEXANDE1A. 



Egypt, too, has many trees which are not to be found else- 

 where, and the kind of fig more particularly, which for this 

 reason has been called the Egyptian fig. 65 In leaf this tree 

 resembles the mulberry-tree, as also in size and general appear- 

 ance. It bears fruit, not upon branches, but upon the trunk 

 itself : the fig is remarkable for its extreme sweetness, and 

 has no seeds 66 in it. This tree is also remarkable for its fruit- 

 fulness, which, however, can only be ensured by making inci- 

 sions 67 in the fruit with hooks of iron, for otherwise it will 

 not come to maturity. But when this has been done, it may 

 be gathered within four days, immediately upon which another 

 shoots up in its place. Hence it is that in the year it produces 

 seven abundant crops, and throughout all the summer there is 

 an abundance of milky juice in the fruit. Even if the inci- 

 sions are not made, the fruit will shoot afresh four times 

 during the summer, the new fruit supplanting the old, and 

 forcing it off before it has ripened. The wood, which is of a 

 very peculiar nature, is reckoned among the most useful 

 known. When cut down it is immediately plunged into 

 standing water, such being the means employed for drying 68 it. 

 At first it sinks to the bottom, after which it begins to float, 

 and in a certain length of time the additional moisture sucks 

 it dry, which has the effect of penetrating and soaking all 69 



63 It is still used by curriers in preparing leather. 



6i See B. xxiv. c. 79. The fruit, which has a pleasant acidity, was 

 used for culinary purposes by the ancients, as it is by the Turks at the 

 present day. . . 



65 The Ficus sycamorus of Linnaeus. It receives its name from being 

 a h>-tree that bears a considerable resemblance to the " morus," or mul- 

 berry-tree. 66 This is not the case. 



6T This appears to be doubtful, although, as Fee says, the fruit ripens 

 but very slowly. 



68 This, Fee says, is a fallacy 



es» » Aliam omnem." This reading seems to be very doubtful/, 



