ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IX. vi. 2-vn. i 



other things ; and what is known in Hellas is 

 generally mixed with something else. The boughs 

 are also very fragrant. In fact it is on account of 

 these boughs, they say, that the tree is pruned (as 

 well as for a different reason l ), since 2 the boughs 

 cut off can be sold for a good price. In fact the 

 culture of the trees has the same motive 3 as the 

 irrigation (for they are constantly irrigated). And 

 the cutting of the boughs seems likewise to be 

 partly the reason why the trees do not grow tall ; 

 for, since they are often cut about, they send out 

 branches instead of putting out all their energy in 

 one direction. 



Balsam is said not to grow wild anywhere. From 

 the larger park are obtained twelve vessels con- 

 taining each about three pints, from the other only 

 two such vessels ; the pure gum sells for twice its 

 weight in silver, the mixed sort at a price propor- 

 tionate to its purity. Balsam then appears to be of 

 exceptional fragrance. 



Of other aromatic plants all oriental, except the iris, 



VII. 4 Sweet-flag and ginger-grass grow beyond 

 the Libanus between that range and another small 

 range, in the depression thus formed ; and not, as 

 some say, between Libanus and Anti-Libanus. For 

 Anti-Libanus is a long way from Libanus, and 

 between them is a wide fair plain called ( The 

 Valley.' But, where the sweet-flag and ginger- 

 grass grow, there is a large lake, 5 and they grow 

 near it in the dried up marshes, covering an extent 



3 The 'motive' is the production of boughs, tv ravry 

 alria I conj. ; ravrtjv antav UMP 2 Ald.; eV ravry atria conj. W. 



4 Plin. 12. 104 and 105. 6 cf. C.P. 6. 18. 2. 



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