BOOK III. IX. 2-5 



very few in number, to be sure, but so fruitful 

 that on a trellis each of them yielded three uniae, 

 while on pergolas they produced ten amphorae to 

 each ^^ne. And this fruitfulness in Aminean vines 3 

 should not seem beyond belief. For how could 

 Terentius Varro, and Marcus Cato before him, main- 

 tain that every iugerum of vineyard yielded the 

 old-time husbandmen six hundred urnae of wine," if 

 fruitfulness was wanting in the Amineans — the only 

 vines, for the most part, with which the ancients 

 were acquainted ? Unless, despite our belief up to 

 this time that our most ancient vines are the 

 Amineans, we are to suppose that they cultivated 

 vineyards of the Bituric or Basilic varieties, vines 

 which, being but recently indeed imported from 

 far distant countries, have just come to our notice. 

 Therefore if anyone would, for several vintages, 4 

 search out and mark such Aminean vines as I have 

 said were in my possession not long ago, so as to take 

 from them the most fertile cuttings, he could produce 

 vineyards of equal excellence and productiveness. 

 For there is no doubt that nature herself has de- 

 creed that the offspring shall resemble the mother. 

 Hence it is, too, that the shepherd in the Bucolics 

 says. 



So whelps like dogs ; so kids, I knew, 



Were like unto their dams.'' 



And hence those who contend in the sacred games 5 

 protect with watchful care the progeny of their 

 swiftest race-horses, and upon the multiplying of 

 offspring of noble stock they base their hope of 

 future \'ictories. We too, for a reason like theirs 



" Cf. Chap. 3, sec. 2, above. " Vergil, Ed. I. 23. 



279 



