ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, VII. iv. 8-10 



many do not plant 1 these, but raise them from 

 seed ; and the sowing is made late, towards the 

 spring; and then, when the seed has germinated, 

 they transplant. And the plant arrives at maturity 

 so 2 fast that it is taken up with the others or even 

 earlier ; whereas, if it is left a longer time in the 

 ground, it rots. If planted on the other hand, 3 

 it sends up a stem and merely produces seed, and 

 then shrivels up 4 and withers. Such then is the 

 character of these. 



Some also shew differences in colour; thus at 

 Issus 5 are found plants which in other respects 

 resemble the others, 6 but which are extremely 

 white in colour ; and they bear, 'it is said, onions 

 like those of Sardis. Most distinct however is 

 the character of the Cretan kind, which resembles 

 to some extent that of Ascalon, if indeed it be not 

 the same. For in Crete there is a kind which when 

 sown produces a root, but when planted produces 

 a stem and seed but has no ' head ' ; 7 and it is 

 sweet in flavour. This kind in fact has just the 

 contrary character to the others ; for they all 

 grow better and faster when they are planted. 

 All are planted 8 after the rising of Arcturus while 

 the earth is still warm, so that the rains may come 

 upon them after planting. They are planted 9 

 either entire or else in sections made by cutting 

 at the 'head.' The growth which results is not 

 uniform ; from the lower part comes an onion, 



4 Kevovrai conj. St. from G exinaniuntur ; Kaivovrai Aid. 

 6 "l<rff(f conj. Sch. from G and Plin. I.e.; 1<ri? UM ; vi\a<? 

 Ald.H. ' 



6 &\\ots conj. Sch.; Ae^/ons Aid. 7 Sc. bulb. 



8 (pvreveTcu conj. Sch. ; Qverat Aid. See next "note. 



9 (pvrevfrai M ; (ftverai Aid. cf. C.P. 1. 4. 5. 



8 9 



