368 
PLIKY'S NATURAL HISTORY. 
[Book XVI. 
cimens of elegant workmanship. A third kind, again, accord- 
ing to the Greeks, is the zygia,^^ with a red wood, which is 
easily split, and a pale, rough bark. Other authors, however, 
prefer to make of this last a peculiar ' species, and give it in 
Latin the name of ^' carpinus." 
CHAP. 27. (16.) — BETJSCTJM ! MOLLUSCUM ; THE STAPHYLODEISTDEOIS". 
Eut the most beautiful feature of all in the maple is what is 
known as bruscum, and, even more particularly so, the mol- 
luscum. These are both of them tuberosities of this tree, the 
bruscum presenting veins more violently contorted, while those 
of the mollusc um are disposed in a more simple and uniform 
manner : indeed, if this last were of sufficiently large size to 
admit of tables being made of it, there is no doubt that it 
would be preferred to the wood of the citrus even. At the 
present day, however, we find it but little used except for the 
leaves of tablets, or as a veneer for couches.^^ Tuberosities are 
also found on the alder,^^ but as much inferior to those already 
mentioned, as the alder itself is to the maple. In the maple 
the male tree^^ is the first to blossom. The trees that frequent 
dry spots are preferred to those that grow in watery localities, 
which is the case also with the ash. 
There is found in the countries beyond the Alps a tree, the 
wood of which is very similar to that of the white maple, and 
which is known as the staphylodendron.^^ This tree bears a 
pod^^ in which there is found a kernel, which has the flavour 
of the hazel-nut. 
CHAP. 28. THREE VARIETIES OE THE BOX-TREE. 
One of the most highly esteemed of all the woods is the 
90 The Carpinus betulus of Linnfeus ; the horn-beam or yoke-elm. 
" Silicios." This word appears to be explained by the accompanying 
word " laminas but it is very doubtful what is the correct reading. 
The Alnus glutinosa of Decandolles. In c. 38, Pliny says, very in- 
correctly, that the alder has a remarkably thick leaf ; and in c. 45, with 
equal incorrectness, that it bears neither seed nor fruit. 
^2 Fee observes, that it is incorrect to say that the male tree blossoms 
before the female, if such is Pliny's meaning here. 
^ From the Greek, meaning "a tree with clusters." It is the Staphylea 
pinnata of Linnseus, the wild or false pistachio of the French. 
" Siiiqua." This term, Fee says, is very inappropriate to the fruit of 
this tree, which is contained in a membranous capside. The kernel is oily, 
and has the taste of the almond more than the nut. 
