1)6 flint's NATUllAL history. [Book XYIIl. 



the summer, and, changing its name, is known by that of Ete- 

 sias.^*^ When you feel the cold, then, be on your guard ; for, 

 whatever the noxious effects that are attributed to Aquilo, the 

 more sensibly will they be felt when the wind blows from due 

 north. In Asia, Greece, Spain, the coasts of Italy, Campania, 

 and Apulia, the trees that support the vines, as well as the 

 vines themselves, should have an aspect towards the north-east. 

 If you wish to have male produce, let the flock feed in such 

 a way, that this wind may have the opportunity of fecunda- 

 ting the male, whose office it is to fecundate the females. The 

 wind Africus, known to the Greeks by the name of Libs, blows 

 from the south-wTst, the opposite point to Aquilo ; when 

 animals, after coupling, turn their heads towards this quarter,^^ 

 you may be sure that female produce has been conceived. 



The third ®- line from the north, which we have drawn trans- 

 versely through the shadow, and called by the name of '' de- 

 cumanus," will point due east, and from this quarter the wind 

 Subsolnnus blows, by the Greeks called Apeliotes. It is to 

 this point that, in healthy localities, farm-houses and vineyards 

 are made to look. This wind is accompanied with soft, gentle 

 showers ; Eavonius, however, the wind that blows from due 

 west, the opposite quarter to it, is of a drier nature; by the 

 Greeks it is known as Zephyrus. Cato has recommended that 

 olive-yards should look due west. It is this wind that begins 

 the spring, and opens the earth ; it is moderately cool, but 

 healthy. As soon as it begins to prevail, it indicates that the 

 time has arrived for pruning the vine, weeding the corn, plant- 

 ing trees, grafting fruit-trees, and trimming the olive; for its 

 breezes are productive of the most nutritious effects. 



The fourth ^^ line from the north, and the one that lies nearest 

 the south on the eastern side, will indicate the point of the 

 sun's rising at the winter solstice, and the wind Volturnus, 

 known by the name of Eurus to the Greeks. This wind is 

 ■\\ arm and dry, and beehives and vineyards, in the climates of 

 Italy and the Gallic pro^-inces, should face this quarter. 

 Directly opposite to Volturnus, the wind Corns blows; it in- 

 dicates the point of the sun's setting at the summer solstice, 



f*" Or the " summer" wind. si Africus, or south-west. 



" Or. according to our mode of (.Npcssion, the "second," or "next 

 but one." 



''3 Or, as we say, the " third.' 



