i.] OP THE ANCIENTS. 17 



Pliny enumerates the various uses to which trees 

 of the glandiferous or cupuliferous family were ap- 

 plied in his time. 



We have already alluded to the Kermes employed 

 as a dye, and have also noticed the galls, found, as 

 Pliny says, on all species of Oak, and probably in- 

 deed on most. Of this the Hemeris and the Latifolia 

 produced the best kinds. That the galls were occa- 

 sioned by the eggs of an insect deposited upon the 

 leaf or bark of the tree, the ancients do not appear 

 to have been aware, although Pliny notices, that 

 a kind of gnat is produced in the veins of the leaves, 

 and comes to maturity just in the same way as the 

 ordinary gall-nut does. 



Pliny also notices the edible mushrooms which 

 grew at the roots of the Quercus, and which were 

 highly esteemed in cookery ; and also the Agaric 

 of the Oak, a fungus which is used as a styptic, 

 and furnishes the description of tinder called in 

 modern times Amadou. 



He also mentions Cachrys, as a useful medicinal 

 product obtained from the Eobur, the nature of 

 which is not known to us, though probably either 

 a fungus or some kind of excrescence. 



The acorn of the Beech, when given to swine, 

 makes them brisk and lively, and renders their flesh 

 tender, and easy of digestion. Next to this stands 

 the acorn of the Cerris, but that of the Ilex is less 

 wholesome to them. 



The acorn of the Quercus and of the Latifolia 

 was in much esteem as an article of food for man. 



