428 plint's natural history. [Book XVI. 



a method by which the saw-dust is discharged. The ash is 

 found the most pliable wood of all for working ; and, indeed, 

 for making 49 spears it is better even than the hazel, being- 

 lighter than the cornel, and more pliable than the wood of 

 the service-tree. The Gallic variety is so supple, that it is 

 employed in the construction of vehicles even. The elm 

 would rival the trunk of the vine 50 for some purposes, were 

 it not that its weight is so much against it. 



CHAP. 84. VENEERING. 



The wood, too, of the beech is easily worked, although it is 

 brittle and soft. Cut into thin layers of veneer, it is very 

 flexible, but is only used for the construction of boxes and 

 desks. The wood, too, of the holm-oak is cut into veneers 

 of remarkable thinness, the colour of which is far from un- 

 sightly ; but it is more particularly where it is exposed to 

 friction that this wood is valued, as being one to be depended 

 upon ; in the axle-trees of wheels, for instance ; for which the 

 ash is also employed, on account of its pliancy, the holm-oak 

 for its hardness, and the elm, for the union in it of both 

 those qualities. There are also various workman's tools made 

 of wood, which, though but small, are still remarkably useful ; 

 in this respect, it is said that the best materials for making 

 auger handles are the wild olive, the box, the holm-oak, the 

 elm, and the ash. Of the same woods also mallets are made ; 

 the larger ones, however, are made of the pine and the holm- 

 oak. These woods, too, have a greater degree of strength and 

 hardness if cut in season than when hewn prematurely ; indeed, 

 it has been known for hinge-jambs, made of olive, a wood of 

 remarkable hardness, after having remained a considerable 

 time on the spot, to put out buds 51 like a growing plant. Cato 52 

 recommends levers to be made of holly, laurel, or elm ; and 

 Hyginus speaks highly of the yoke-elm, the holm-oak, and 

 the cerrus, for the handles of agricultural implements. 



The best woods for cutting into layers, and employing as a 



« See c. 24. 



50 Fee thinks, from the context, that the meaning is, that the vine wns 

 employed in the construction of chariots ; it depends entirely on the punc- 

 tuation adopted. 



51 This could only have happened in the first year that they were so 

 employed. 52 De Re Rust. c. 31. 



