Chap. 18.] THE SHADOW THROWN BY TREES. 47 3 



the body of the tree in a spherical form, as in the apple and 

 the pear, for instance. In the cherry, on the other hand, and 

 the laurel, the shadow projected is of enormous extent. 



CHAP. 18. THE NATURE OF THE SHADOW THROWN BY TREES. 



The shadows of trees are possessed of certain properties. 

 That of the walnut is baneful 86 and injurious to man, in whom 

 it is productive of head-ache, and it is equally noxious to 

 everything that grows in its vicinity. The shadow, too, of 

 the pine has the effect of killing 87 the grass beneath it ; but 

 in both of these trees the foliage presents an effectual resist- 

 ance to the winds, while, at the same time, the vine is desti- 

 tute of such protection. 68 The drops of water that fall from 

 the pine, the quercus, and the holm-oak are extremely heavy, 

 but from the cypress none fall ; the shadow, too, thrown by 

 this last tree is extremely small, its foliage being densely 

 packed. 89 The shadow of the fig, although widely spread, is 

 but light, for which reason it is allowed to be planted among 

 vines. The shadow of the elm is refreshing and even imtri- 

 mental to whatever it may happen to cover ; though, in the 

 opinion of Atticus, this tree is one of the most injurious of 

 them all ; and, indeed, I have no doubt that such may be the 

 case when the branches are allowed to become too long ; 

 but at the same time I am of opinion that when they are 

 kept short it can be productive of no possible harm. The 

 plane also gives a very pleasant shade, 90 though somewhat 

 dense : but in this case we must look more to the luxuriant 

 softness of the grass beneath it than the warmth of the sun ; 

 for there is no tree that forms a more verdant couch on which 

 to recline. 



The poplar 91 gives no shade whatever, in consequence of the 



86 See B. xv. c. 24. This notion, Fee remarks, still prevails to a very 

 considerable extent. 



87 By depriving it of the light, and the heat of the sun ; but, most 

 probably, from no other reason. 



88 " Quoniam et protecta vinearum ratione egent." This passage is 

 probably in a mutilated state. 89 "In se convoluta." 



90 The plane was much valued for its shade by convivial parties. Hence 

 we find in Virgil, Georg. iv. 146 — " Atque ministrantem platanum 

 potantibus umbram." 



91 He clearly alludes to the quivering poplar, Populus tremula of 

 Linnseus. 



