ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. i. n-n. i 



timber of the tree is like as it stands.^ For if the 

 timber has straight and not crooked hnes of fissure, 

 the bark also is smooth and regular, while if the 

 timber has the opposite character, the bark is rough 

 and twisted ; and so too is it with other points. 

 However few trees are ' four-cleft,' and most of 

 those which are not are 'one-cleft.' All wood, as 

 was said before, which grows in a {X)sition facing 

 north, is bigger, more erect, of straighter grain, 

 tougher, and in general fairer and more abundant. 

 Moreover of an individual tree the wood on the 

 northward side is closer and more vigorous. But if 

 a tree stands sideways to the north - with a draught 

 rc'und it, the north wind by degi-ees twists and con- 

 torts ^ it, so that its core becomes twisted instead of 

 running straight. The timber of such a tree while 

 still in one piece is strong, but, when cut, it is weak, 

 because the grain slants across the several pieces. 

 Carpenters call such wood ' short lengths,' because 

 they thus cut it up for use. Again in general wood 

 which comes from a moist, sheltered, shad}- or con- 

 fined position is inferior both for carpentry and for 

 fuel. Such are the differences, generally * speaking, 

 bt tween trees of the same kind as they are affected 

 b}- situation. 



Of the effects on timber of climate. 



II. ''Some indeed make a distinction between regions 

 and say that the best of the timber which comes into 

 Hellas for the carpenter's purposes is the Macedonian, 

 fo • it is smooth and of straight grain, and it contains 

 redn : second best is that from Pontus, third that 



TopaAXoTTfi conj. Dalec. ; rapaWdyd U ; irapaX-nyfi Aid. ; 

 ■Ka,}a\vyi(fi conj. H. Steph. 



76 conj. Sch.; Si Aid. ^ p^n jg 197 



4*7 



