334 PLINY'S NATURAL HISTORY. [Book XV. 



laurel, by some known as the Idean, by others as the " hypo- 

 glottion," 75 by others as the " carpophyllon," 76 and by others, 

 again, as the " hypelates." 77 From the root it throws out 

 branches three quarters of a foot in length ; it is much used 

 in ornamental gardening, and for making wreaths, and it has 

 a more pointed leaf than that of the myrtle, and superior to it 

 in softness, whiteness, and size : the seed, which lies between 

 the leaves, is red. This last kind grows in great abundance 

 on Mount Ida and in the vicinity of Heraclea in Pontus : it is 

 only found, however, in mountainous districts. 



The laurel, too, known as the daphnoides, 78 is a variety that 

 has received many different names : by some it is called the 

 Pelasgian laurel, by others the euthalon, and by others the 

 stephanon Alexandri. 79 This is also a branchy shrub, with a 

 thicker and softer leaf than that of the ordinary laurel : if 

 tasted, it leaves a burning sensation in the mouth and throat : 

 the berries are red, inclining to black. The ancient writers 

 have remarked, that in their time there was no species of 

 laurel in the island of Corsica. Since then, however, it has been 

 planted there, and has thrived well. 



' CHAP. 40. — HISTORICAL ANECDOTES CONNECTED WITH THE LAUREL. 



This tree is emblematical of peace : 80 when a branch of it 

 is extended, it is to denote a truce between enemies in arms. 

 For the Romans more particularly it is the messenger of joyful 

 tidings, and of victory : it accompanies the despatches 81 of the 

 general, and it decorates the lances and javelins of the soldiers 

 and the fasces which precede their chief. It is of this tree 

 that branches are deposited on the lap of Jupiter All-good and 

 All-great, 82 so often as some new victory has imparted uni- 



75 " The tongue below." This, Fee justly says, would appear to be 

 a more appropriate name for the taxa, mentioned above. 



76 From the berry being' attached to the leaf. 



77 " The thrower out from below," perhaps. 



78 Sprengel thinks that it is the Clematis vitalba of Linnams. Fuch- 

 sius identities it with the Daphne laureola of Linnaeus ; and Fee thinks it 

 may be either that or the Daphne mezereum of Linnaeus. 



79 " Crown of Alexander." 



so Curiously enough, it is generally considered now more suggestive of 

 war than of peace. 



81 The despatches were wrapped iu laurel leaves. 

 83 Optimus Maximus. 



