ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. ix. 2-4 



and especially from trees which have been topped l : 

 for these contain in the right proportion the qualities 

 of closeness admixture of mineral matter and moisture. 

 Again better charcoal comes from trees 2 in a sunny dry 

 position with a north aspect than from those grown in 

 a shady damp position facing south. Or, if the wood 8 

 used contains a good deal of moisture/ it should be 

 of close texture ; for such wood contains more sap. 5 

 And, for the same reason, that which is of closer 

 texture either from its own natural character or 

 because it was grown in a drier spot, 6 is, whatever 

 the kind of tree, better. 7 But different kinds of 

 charcoal are used for different purposes : for some 

 uses men require it to be soft ; thus in iron-mines 

 they use that which is made of sweet chestnut 

 when the iron has been already smelted, and in 

 silver-mines they use charcoal of pine-wood : and 

 these kinds are also used by the crafts. Smiths 8 

 require charcoal of fir rather than of oak : it is 

 indeed not so strong, but it blows up better into 

 a flame, as it is less apt to smoulder : and the flame 

 from these woods is fiercer. In general the flame is 

 fiercer not only from these but from any wood which 

 is of open texture and light, or which is dry : while 

 that from wood which is of close texture or green is 

 more sluggish and dull. The fiercest flame of all 

 is given by brushwood ; but charcoal cannot be 

 made from it at all, since it has not the necessary 

 substance. 



They cut and require for the charcoal-heap straight 



6 cf. 1 ad Jin. 



8 litpdrepov conj. W. ; fypdrtpa, UMV; itvKv6Tepa. ^ijp6rfpa. 

 Aid. I have bracketed rbv. 



1 &f\Ttu> conj. Sch.; peXriwv UM ; &4\nov Ald.H. 

 8 cf. Plin. 16. 23. 



469 



