ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, I. vii. 3-viii. i 



Something similar to this, but even more surprising, 

 occurs in those plants which ^ emit roots from their 

 leaves, as they say does a certain herb - which grows 

 about Opus, which is also sweet to taste. The 

 peculiarity again of lupins ^ is less surprising, namely 

 that, if the seed is dropped where the ground is 

 thickly overgrown, it pushes * its root through to the 

 earth and germinates because of its vigour. But 



we have said enough for study of the differences 

 between roots. 



Of trees {principally) and their characteristic special differences: 

 as to knots. 



VIII. One may take it that the following are 

 the differences between trees : — Some have knots,^ 

 more or less, others are more or less without them, 

 whether from their natural character or because of 

 their position. But, when I say 'without knots,' I 

 do not mean that they have no knots at all (there is 

 no tree like that, but, if it is true of any plants, it is 

 only of *^ other kinds, such as rush bulrush" galingale 

 and plants of the lake side ^ generally) but that they 

 have few knots. Now this is the natural character 

 of elder bay fig and all smooth-barked trees, and 

 in general of those whose wood is hollow or of a 

 loose texture. Olive fir and wild olive have knots ; 

 and some of these grow in thickly shaded windless 

 and wet places, some in sunny positions exposed to 

 storms and winds,^ where the soil is light and dry ; 

 for the number of knots varies between trees of the 



^ rv(pi} conj. Bod. ; Tiprj UAld.H. ; cf. 1. 5. 3. 



* €Ti r<av conj. W. ; et tj iirl tqjv Aid. 



* Tj'eu/iaTwSefft conj. Seal.; TrvfiaTw^iffi U; •Kvy^.arcctfa i 

 MVAld. 



55 



Ik 



