ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IX. m. 1-3 



which they make like a threshing-floor with a slope 

 for the pitch to run towards the middle, and having 

 made it smooth, 1 they cleave the logs and place them 

 in an arrangement like that used by charcoal-burners, 2 

 except that there is no pit ; but the billets are set 

 upright against one another, so that the pile goes on 

 growing in height according to the number used. 

 And they say that the erection is complete, 3 when the 

 pile is 180 cubits in circumference, and fifty, or at 

 most- sixty, in height ; or again when it is a hundred 

 cubits in circumference and a hundred in height, 4 if 

 the wood happens to be rich in pitch. Having then 

 thus arranged the pile and having covered it in with 

 timber they throw on earth and completely cover it, 

 so that the fire may not by any means show through ; 

 for, if this happens, the pitch is ruined. Then they 

 kindle the pile where the passage is left, and then, 

 having 5 filled that part 6 up too with the timber and 

 piled on earth, they mount a ladder and watch 

 wherever they see the smoke pushing its way out, 

 and keep on piling on the earth, so that the fire may 

 not even shew itself. And a conduit is prepared for 

 the pitch right though the pile, so that it may flow 

 into a hole about fifteen cubits off, and the pitch as 

 it flows out is now cold to the touch. The pile burns 

 for nearly two days and nights ; for on the second 

 day before sunset it has burnt itself out and the pile 

 has fallen in ; for this occurs if the pitch is no longer 

 flowing. All this time 7 they keep watch and do not 



4 a/j.(f>OTfpois : a.^.(por4pu>ffe conj. Sell. 



5 eTri(bpdavTes conj. Seal, from G, stipant ; eird^avrfs UM 

 Aid. ; firiffd^avres H. 



6 ravra Aid.; Ta.vTt]v W. after Sch.'s conj. 



7 TOVTOV 8e rbv xpovov conj. Sch. from G, totum tempus ; T<$v8e 



, 



2 3 l 



