98 PLINY THE ELDER. 



remarkable for its accuracy, but not the less inte- 

 resting to the historian of science. The greater 

 part is derived from Aristotle. 



Then follow seventeen books on plants, their cul- 

 tivation and uses in domestic economy and the arts, 

 and the remedies that are obtained from them. 

 These subjects form the most extensive portion of 

 Pliny's writings, but they are discussed in so irregular 

 and injudicious a manner, that it is impossible, in 

 most cases, to determine the species of which he speaks ; 

 and as to the cures alleged to be accomplished by 

 means of herbs, it is obvious that no confidence 

 can be placed in his details. The culture of many 

 of the more important species, such as the vine, the 

 mulberry, the olive, wheat, and other cereal plants, 

 is described at length ; as are the processes of making 

 bread, wine, olive-oil, and other substances obtained 

 from vegetables. 



The twenty-eighth book treats of dietetics, reme- 

 dies derived from various animals, and the nature 

 and cure of certain diseases. These subjects are 

 continued to the end of the thirty-second book, and 

 give occasion to the discussion of numerous topics, 

 such as water, magic, medicine, &c. 



The metals are considered in the two next books ; 

 colours and painting in the thirty-fifth ; stones and 

 minerals are mingled in the thirty-sixth with obe- 

 lisks, temples, and statues ; and the last book con- 

 tains an account of precious stones, the descriptions 

 of some of which, amber and beryl, for example, 

 are as good as those of many of our modern mine- 

 ralogists. 



It is not our object to present a detailed account 

 of the contents of any of these books, it being sufl5- 



