BOOK XVI. Lvi. 128 Lvii. 131 



olivc and cipplc and cyprcsses spread their roots 

 through the top layer of the turf, in some cases 

 shooting straight out, as with the laurel and oHve, 

 and in other cascs winding about, as with thc fig. 

 This tree bristles with fine filaments, as also do the 

 fir and a nimiber of forest trees, from which the 

 mountain people pluck extremely thin threads and 

 plait them into handsome flasks and other vessels. 

 Some people have stated that the roots of trees do 

 not go down deeper than the warmth of the sun's 

 heat can reach, and this according to the nature of 

 the soil, whethcr rather thin or hcavy ; but I think 

 that this is incorrect, as it is certainly found in the 

 authorities that when a fir-tree was transplanted it 

 measured four yards in depth, though it had not been 

 dug up whole but had been broken off. The root 

 of the citrus-wood tree is the largest in extent and 

 abundance, and next to it those of the plane, the hard- 

 oak and the acorn-bearing trees. Some trees have a 

 root that is more tenacious of Ufe than the part 

 above ground, for instance the laurei ; and accord- 

 ingly, when it has withered in the trunk, if it is cut 

 back it shoots again even more vigorously. Some 

 people think that trees grow old more quickly owing 

 to naving short roots, but this is disproved by fig- 

 trees, which have very long roots and grow old very 

 quickly. I also consider false a statement that has 

 been made by sorae persons, to the effect that the 

 roots of trees become smaller with age, for an aged 

 oak when overturned by a violent storm has been 

 scen to embrace a Roman acre of ground. 



LVII. It is a common occurrence for fallen trees faff^ or 

 often to be replaced and to come back to hfe again ^SJ^'"*^* 

 owing to the earth forming a sort of scab over the again. 



VOL. TV. Q '^^•^ 



