Chap. 73.] DIFFERENT KINDS OF WOOL. 333 



covered sheep will feed on brambles even. The best coverings 

 for sheep are brought from Arabia. 16 



CHAP. 73. (43.) THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF WOOL, AND THEIE 



COLOURS. 16 



The most esteemed wool of all is that of Apulia, and that 

 which in Italy is called Grecian wool, in other countries 

 Italian. The fleeces of Miletus hold the third rank. 17 The 

 Apulian wool is shorter in the hair, and only owes its high 

 character to the cloaks 18 that are made of it. That which 

 comes from the vicinity of Tarentum and Canusium is the most 

 celebrated ; and there is a wool from Laodicea, in Asia, of a 

 similar quality. 15 There is no white wool superior to that of 

 the countries bordering on the Padus, 20 nor up to the present 

 day has any wool exceeded the price of one hundred sesterces 

 per pound. 21 The sheep are not shorn in all countries ; in some 

 places it is still the custom to pull off the wool. 22 There are 

 various colours of wool ; so much so, indeed, that we want 

 terms to express them all. Several kinds, which are called 



15 We have some account of the Arabian sheep in JElian, Anim. Nat. 

 B. x. c. 4. B. Columella says, that the wool which was brought over to 

 make these coverings, was only to he ohtained at a very great price. 



16 The greatest part of this Chapter appears to be taken, with little vari- 

 ation, from Columella, B. vii. c. 24. B. 



17 Here Pliny differs from Columella, who remarks, B. vii. c. 2, " Our 

 people considered the Milesian, Calabrian, and Apulian wool as of excel- 

 lent quality, and the Tarentine the best of all." 



18 " Paenula" was a check cloak, used chiefly by the Romans when 

 travelling, instead of the toga, as a protection against the cold and rain. 

 It was used by women as well as men. It was long, and without sleeves, 

 and with only an opening for the head. Women were forbidden by Alex- 

 ander Severus to wear it in the city. It was made particularly of the 

 woolly substance known as gausapa. 



19 The wool of Lacdicea is celebrated by Strabo, B. xii. B. 



20 Columella, B. vii. c. 2, particularly notiees the excellence of the wool 

 of Altinum, situate near the mouth of the Padus or Po. The following 

 epigram of Martial, B. xiv. c. 155, may be presumed to convey the opinion 



5? , 'i__lil__ J'_T L 1_' J_ _/? 1 . 'X -._ A-.I-I . T i,-r 



Apulia A _..__. J7 



Parma for the second, while Altinum is praised for those of the third." B. 



21 About twelve shillings sterling. B. 



22 Varro remarks, B. ii. c. 2, that the term 4< vellus," obviously from 

 " vello," " to pluck," proves that the wool was anciently plucked from the 

 sheep, before shearing had been invented. B. 



