Chap. 2.] THE mrLUENCE OE WEATHEE, ON TEEES. 445 
The winds are also a very iraportant consideration. In the 
provinces of Gallia ^^arbonensis, and in Liguria and part of 
Etruria, it is considered a proof of great want of skill to plant 
the vine on a site that lies in the teeth of the wind Circius,^^ 
while, on the other hand, it is a mark of prudence to catch 
its breezes in an oblique direction ; it is this wind, in fact, 
that modifies the heat in those countries, though at the same 
time it is usually so violent, as to sweep away the roofs of 
the houses. 
(3.) There are some persons who employ a method of making 
the question of weather dependent upon the nature of the soil ; 
thus in the case of a vineyard, for instance, in a dry locality, 
they give it an eastern or a northern aspect ; but where it is 
planted on a humid site, it is made to face the south. Prom 
the varieties of the vine also, they borrow various modifica- 
tions in reference to site ; taking care to plant the early vine 
in a cold locality, in order that the fruit may ripen before the 
frosts come on ; while such fruit trees and vines as have an anti- 
pathy to dews are exposed to the east, that the sun may carry 
oif their humidity at the earliest moment. On the other hand, 
such as manifest a partiality to dews are planted with a western 
or even a northern aspect, to give them an opportunity of eii- 
joying them all the longer. Others, again, borrowing their 
notions pretty nearly from E'ature, have recommended that 
vines and trees should be planted facing the north-east ; indeed 
Democritus is of opinion, that by so doing the fruit will 
be all the more odoriferous. 
(4.) We have already spoken, in the Second Book,^"^ of the 
points of the north-east and other winds, and shall have occa- 
sion in the succeeding one to make mention of several more of 
the heavenly phgenomena. In the mean time, however, we 
may observe that it would appear to be a manifest proof of the 
salubrity of a north-east site, that the leaves are always the 
first to tall in the trees that have an aspect towards the south.^^ 
A similar reason exists, too, in the maritime districts ; in 
certain localities the sea breezes are detrimental, though in 
most they are nutritious. For some plants, again, it is pleasant 
to behold the sea at a distance, while at the same time they 
26 See B. ii. c. 46. 27 Cc. 46 and 47. 
28 He seems to lose sight cf the fact that they bud before those that look 
to the north. 
