ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. vn. 3 -vin. i 



Something similar to this, but even more surprising, 

 occurs in those plants which l emit roots from their 

 leaves, as they say does a certain herb 2 which grows 

 about Opus, which is also sweet to taste. The 

 peculiarity again of lupins 3 is less surprising, namely 

 that, if the seed is dropped where the ground is 

 thickly overgrown, it pushes 4 its root through to the 

 earth and germinates because of its vigour. But 

 we have said enough for study of the differences 

 between roots. 



Of trees (principally) and their characteristic special differences: 



as to knots. 



VIII. One may take it that the following are 

 the differences between trees : Some have knots, 5 

 more or less, others are more or less without them, 

 whether from their natural character or because of 

 their position. But, when I say ' without knots,' I 

 do not mean that they have no knots at all (there is 

 no tree like that, but, if it is true of any plants, it is 

 only of 6 other kinds, such as rush bulrush 7 galingale 

 and plants of the lake side 8 generally) but that they 

 have few knots. Now this is the natural character 

 of elder bay fig and all smooth-barked trees, and 

 in general of those whose wood is hollow or of a 

 loose texture. Olive fir and wild olive have knots ; 

 and some of these grow in thickly shaded windless 

 and wet places, some in sunny positions exposed to 

 storms and winds, 9 where the soil is light and dry ; 

 for the number of knots varies between trees of the 



7 rixj>r) conj. Bod. ; T^TJ UAld.H. ; cf. 1. 5. 3. 



8 M TWV conj. W. ; ef TI CTT) TUV Aid. 



9 Trvev/.taTuSfO'i conj. Seal.; 7rimaTu>5f<n U; trvy/j.aTu>5(ffi 

 MVAl.l. 



55 



