ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. i. n-i,. i 



timber of the tree is like as it stands. 1 For if the 

 timber has straight and not crooked lines of fissure, 

 the bark also is smooth and regular, while if the 

 timber has the opposite character, the bark is rough 

 and twisted ; and so too is it with other points. 

 However few trees are ' four-cleft/ and most of 

 those which are not are 'one-cleft.' All wood, as 

 was said before, which grows in a position facing 

 north, is bigger, more erect, of straighter grain, 

 tougher, and in general fairer and more abundant. 

 Moreover of an individual tree the wood on the 

 northward side is closer and more vigorous. But if 

 a tree stands sideways to the north 2 with a draught 

 round it, the north wind by degrees twists and con- 

 torts 3 it, so that its core becomes twisted instead of 

 running straight. The timber of such a tree while 

 still in one piece is strong, but, when cut, it is weak, 

 because the grain slants across the several pieces 

 Carpenters call such wood ' short lengths/ because 

 they thus cut it up for use. Again in general wood 

 which comes from a moist, sheltered, shady or con- 

 fined position is inferior both for carpentry and for 

 fuel. Such are the differences, generally 4 speaking, 

 between trees of the same kind as they are affected 

 by situation. 



Of the effects on timber of climate. 



II. 5 Someindeed make adistinction between regions 

 and say that the best of the timber which comes into 

 Hellas for the carpenter's purposes is the Macedonian, 

 for it is smooth and of straight grain, and it contains 

 resin : second best is that from Pontus, third that 



3 irapa\\drrei conj. Dalec. ; Trapa\\dyfi U; irapa\-f)yti Aid. ; 

 TrapaXvyi^ft CODJ. H. Steph. 



4 7 conj. Sch.; 5e Aid. Plin. 16. 197 



427 



