284 plint's natural history. [Book XV. 



be found in Africa and in the vicinity of Emerita 41 in Lusi- 

 tania. . . . , 



The oil of the olive is prevented from getting 42 thick and 

 rancid by the admixture of salt. By making an incision in 

 the bark of the tree, an aromatic odour may be imparted to 

 the oil. Any other mode of seasoning, such, for instance, as 

 those used with reference to wine, is not at all gratifying to 

 the palate ; nor do we find so many varieties in oil as there 

 are in the produce of the grape, there being, in general, but 

 three different degrees of goodness. In fine oil the odour is 

 more penetrating, but even in the very best it is but short- 

 lived. 



CHAP. 5. (4.) — THE NATURE OF OLIVE OIL. 



It is one of the properties of oil to impart warmth to the 

 body, and to protect it against the action of cold ; while at 

 the same time it promotes coolness in the head when heated. 

 The Greeks, those parents of all vices, have abused it by mak- 

 ing it minister to luxury, and employing it commonly in the 

 gymnasium : indeed, it is a well-known fact that the gover- 

 nors of those establishments have sold the scrapings 44 of the 

 oil used there for a sum of eighty thousand sesterces. The 

 majesty of the Eoman sway has conferred high honour upon 

 the olive : crowned with it, the troops of the Equestrian order 

 are wont to defile upon the ides of July ; 45 it is used, too, by 

 the victor in the minor triumphs of the ovation. 46 At Athens, 



41 The olives of the present Merida, in Spain, are of a rough, disagree- 

 able flavour. . .... ^, , v 



42 This seems to be the meaning of "pmguis; but, as lee observes, 

 salt would have no such effect as here stated, but would impart a disagree- 

 able flavour to the oil. 



43 Fee regards this assertion as quite fabulous. 



44 It will be stated in B. xxviii. c. 13, to wbat purposes this abominable 

 collection of filth was applied. ,«■«»'.* *■ u 



« 15th of July. He alludes to tbe inspection of the Eqmtes, which 

 originally belonged to the Censors, but afterwards to the Emperors. On 

 this occasion there was " recognitio," or "review," and then a "trans- 

 vectio," or " procession " of the horsemen. 



46 The ovation was a lesser triumph, at which the general entered the 

 city not in a chariot, but on foot. In later times, however, the victor en- 

 tered on horseback : and a wreath of myrtle, sometimes laurel, was worn 

 by him. For further particulars as to the ovation, see c. 38 of the present 

 Book. 



