PLINY THE ELDER. ^O 



Pliny the Younger, and the incidental remarks that 

 occur in his own books on natural history. From 

 these, together with a few casual observations by 

 other authors, have been elaborated all the lives of 

 this illustrious naturalist that are to be found in our 

 dictionaries and cyclopaedias. The first authentic 

 account is contained in the book of Suetonius, De 

 Viris Illustribus, and is to the following effect : — 



Caius Plinius Secundus was a native of New 

 Comum. When young he served with distinction 

 in the cavalry. He was intrusted with the most 

 important procuratorships, and on all occasions dis- 

 charged his office with the greatest integrity. At 

 the same time he engaged with so much assiduity 

 in the study of literature, that hardly any one, 

 though entirely free from public occupations, wTOte 

 so many works. Among these was an account of 

 all the wars that had been carried on between his 

 countrymen and the Germans, which he compre- 

 hended in twenty volumes. He also compiled thirty- 

 six volumes of natural history. 



From his nephew we learn the following inte- 

 resting particulars respecting his habits : — In sum- 

 mer he usually began his studies about sunset, 

 and in winter generally at one in the morning, 

 never later than two, bestowing very little time 

 on sleep. Before it was day he went to the Empe- 

 ror Vespasian, who, like himself, was in the prac- 

 tice of using the hours of darkness for philosophy 

 or business. He then proceeded to discharge the 

 duties of his office, and, on returning home, spent 

 the remainder of the morning in reading or contem- 

 plation. In summer, when he happened to have any 

 leisure, he often lay in the sunshine, having a book 



