BOOK XVI. Lxxxi. 222-Lxxxii. 225 



LXXXI. We have in our country sonie timbers Durabiiuy of 

 liable to split of their own accord, and architects '* ^** 

 consequently recommend that they should be smeared 

 with dung and then dried, so as to make them proof 

 against the action of the atmosphere. Fir and larch 

 are strong weight-carriers, even when placed hori- 

 zontally, and whereas hard oak and oUve bend and 

 yield to a weight, the woods named resist it and 

 are not readily broken, and they fail owing to rot 

 before they fail in strength. The palm tree also is 

 strong, for it curves in a different way to other 

 trees : all the others curve downward, but the palm 

 curves in the opposite direction," making an arch. 

 Pine and cypress are the strongest to resist rot and 

 wood-worms. Walnut bends easily — for this wood 

 also is used for making beams ; when it breaks it 

 gives a warning in advance by a creaking noise, as 

 happened for instance at Antandro, when people 

 in the pubUc baths took alarm at the sound and 

 made their escape. Pines, pitch pines and alders 

 are hoUowed to form pipes for conveying water, and 

 when buried underground wiU last a number of years ; 

 but they age quickly if not covered over, the resistance 

 they offer being remarkably increased if their out- 

 side surface also is covered with moisture. 



LXXXII. Fir wood is strongest in a vertical posi- Useofjir. 

 tion : it is very suitable for door panels and any kinds 

 of inlaid work desired, whether in the Greek or the 

 Campanian or the SiciUan style of joinery ; under 

 brisk planing it makes pretty curly shavings, always 

 twisting in a spiral Uke the tendrils of a vine ; 

 moreover, of aU sorts of wood it is most adapted 

 for being glued together, so much so that it wiU spUt 

 at a soUd place before it parts at a join. 



533 



