292 PLINY'S NAT[JEAL HISTOEY. [Book XV. 



browsed when it was first budding, 17 is sure to be barren. 

 Thus much in reference to the olive and the oils. 



CHAP. 9. (9.) — THE YAEIOTJS KINDS OF FEUIT-TEEES AND THE1E 

 NATURES. FOUE VARIETIES OF PINE-NUTS. 



The other fruits found on trees can hardly be enumerated, 

 from their diversity in shape and figure, without reference to 

 their different flavours and juices, which have again been 

 modified by repeated combinations and graftings. 



(10.) The largest fruit, and, indeed, the one that hangs at 

 the greatest height, is the pine-nut. It contains within a 

 number of small kernels, enclosed in arched beds, and covered 

 with a coat of their own of rusty iron-colour ; Nature thus mani- 

 festing a marvellous degree of care in providing its seeds with 

 a soft receptacle. Another variety of this nut is the teren- 

 tina, 18 the shell of which may be broken with the fingers ; and 

 hence it becomes a prey to the birds while still on the tree. A 

 third, again, is known as the " sappinia, 19 " being the produce 

 of the cultivated pitch-tree : the kernels are enclosed in a 

 skin more than a shell, which is so remarkably soft that it is 

 eaten together with the fruit. A fourth variety is that known 

 as the "pityis;" it is the produce of the pinaster, 20 and is 

 remarkable as a good specific for coughs. The kernels are 

 sometimes boiled in honey 21 among the Taurini, who then call 

 them " aquiceli." The conquerors at the Isthmian games are 

 crowned with a wreath of pine-leaves. 



CHAP. 10. (11.) THE QUINCE. FOUE KINDS OF CTDONIA, AND 



FOUE VARIETIES OF THE STEUTHEA. 



Next in size after these are the fruit called by us " co- 

 tonea," 22 by the Greeks " Cydonia," 23 and first introduced 



17 If she happens to have destroyed the huds, hut not otherwise. 



18 The Pinus cembro, probably, of Linnaeus. 



19 See B. xvi. c. 23. The nuts of the pine are sweet, and have an 

 agreeable flavour. 



20 Probably the wild pine, the Pinus silvestris of the moderns. The 

 nuts are slightly resinous. 



21 Neither the people of Turin nor of any other place are known at the 

 present day to make this preparation. 



32 The quince, the Pirus Cydonia of Linnaeus. 



23 From Cydonia, a city of Crete. The Latin name is only a corruption 

 of the Greek one : in England they were formerly called " melicotones." 



