ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. xin. 1-4 



(which becomes closer as it gets higher up the tree) 

 like the outline of the leaves.^ And this {lart of 

 it can be stripped off by peeling, whereas with the 

 other part - this is not possible and it has to be cut 

 in short lengths.^ In the same manner part is 

 removed by being split off' in flakes as thin as a leaf, 

 while the rest can be left and protects the tree, grow- 

 ing about it as described. If the bark is stripped off 

 when the tree is peeling, there is also at the time a 

 discharge of the sap ; further, when only the outside 

 coat is stripped off, what remains turns black with a 

 kind * of mucus-like moisture ; and in the second 

 year another coat grows to replace what is lost, but 

 this is thinner. The wood in its fil:)res is like the 

 bark, twisting spirally,-^ and the branches grow in 

 the same manner from the first ; and, as the tree 

 grows, it comes to pass that the lower branches keep 

 on perishing, while the upper ones increase. How- 

 ever the whole tree is not much branched, but has 

 far fewer branches than the black poplar. Its roots 

 are numerous and shallow and not very thick ; and 

 there is a similar twisting of the root and of the bark 

 which surrounds it. '^ The flower is white, like that 

 of the pear and medlar, composed of a number of 

 small blossoms arranged like a honeycomb. The 

 fruit is red, like that of diospyros in shape, and in size 

 it is as large as a bean. However the stone of the 

 diospyros fruit is hard, while that of the bird-cherry 

 is soft. The tree grows where the lime grows, and 

 in general where there are rivers and damp places. 

 "The elder also grows chiefly by water and in shady 



* Ikaitfp conj. Sch.; Tep MV; -irus Ald.H. 



* (TTpfirris i\irr6ix(vov conj. Sch. ; arpfin^ e\iTT0fi4vai U ; 

 o-Tpexry L\iTrofj.fy,f Aid. « c/. 3. 12. 7. ^ Plin. 17. 151. 



245 



