ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, V. ix. 2-4 



and es|}€cially from trees which have been to}H)ed ^ : 

 for these contain in the right proportion the qualities 

 of closeness admixture of mineral matter and moisture. 

 Again better charcoal comes from trees- in a sxmny dry 

 position with a north aspect than from those grown in 

 a shady damp jx)sition facing south. Or, if the wood ' 

 used contains a good deal of moisture,* it should be 

 of close texture ; for such wood contains more sap.^ 

 And, for the same reason, that which is of closer 

 texture either from its own natural character or 

 because it was grown in a drier spot,^ is, whatever 

 the kind of tree, betterJ But different kinds of 

 charcoal are used for different purposes : for some 

 uses men require it to be soft ; thus in iron-mines 

 they use that which is made of sweet chestnut 

 when the iron has been already smelted, and in 

 silver-mines they use charcoal of pine-wood : and 

 these kinds are also used by the crafts. Smiths ^ 

 require charcoal of fir rather than of oak : it is 

 indeed not so strong, but it blows up better into 

 a flame, as it is less apt to smoulder : and the flame 

 from these woods is fiercer. In general the flame is 

 fiercer not only from these but from any wood which 

 is of oj>en texture and light, or which is drv' : while 

 that from wood which is of close texture or green is 

 more sluggish and dull. The fiercest flame of all 

 is given by brushwood ; but charcoal cannot be 

 made from it at all, since it has not the necessary 

 substance. 



They cut and require for the charcoal-heap straight 



* c/. § 1 ad Jin. 



* iripoTtpov conj. W.; Ittpirrtpa UMV; ruKrirtpa ^rtpirepa 

 Aid. I have bracketed rkr. 



' /3eA,Tia> conj. Sch.; ^Kriuir UM ; p4\Tioy Ald.H. 

 8 c/. Plin. 16. 23. 



469 



