BOOK XVI. Lxxxiv. 229-232 



reliable for things subjected to friction, for instance 

 the axles of wheels, for which ash is selected because 

 of its pHancy, as also is holm-oak for its hardness 

 and elni for both quahties. But wood is also used 

 in small pieces for the operations of carpentry, and a 

 remarkable fact stated is that the most serviceable 

 holders for augers are made from wild ohve, box, 

 holm-oak, elm and ash, and the best maUets from 

 the same woods and larger ones from pine and 

 holm-oak. But with these timbers also seasonable 

 felhng is more conducive to strength than if done 

 prematurely, inasmuch as hinges made of oHve, 

 a very hard wood, that have been left too long un- 

 moved in doorways have been known to put out shoots 

 hke a growing plant. Cato recommends hoUy, r.k. 

 laurel or elm for making levers, and Hyginus horn- ^^^^- ^- 

 beam, holm-oak or Turkey-oak for the hafts of 

 agricultural implements. 



The principal woods for cutting into layers and renemng 

 for using as a veneer to cover other kinds of wood ^5I^,'"5^"^^ 

 are citrus, turpentine-tree, varieties of maple, box, 

 palm, holly, holm-oak, the root of the elder, and 

 poplar. Also the alder, as has been stated, supphes §69. 

 a tubcrosity that can be cut into layers, as do the 

 citrus and the maple ; no other trees have tuberosi- 

 ties so much valued. The middle part of trees is 

 more variegated, and the nearer the root the smaller 

 and the more wavy are the markings. This first 

 originated the luxury use of trees, covering up one 

 with another and making an outside skin for a cheaper 

 wood out of a more expensive one. In order that 

 one tree might be sold several times over, even thin 

 layers ** of wood have been invented, And this was 

 not enough : the horns of animals began to be dyed 



VOL. TV. S ^'^^ 



