Chap. 18.] 
THE SHADOW THEOWIf ET TREES. 
473 
the body of the tree in a spherical form, as in the apple and 
the pear, for instance. In the cherry, on the other hand, and 
the laurel, the shadow projected is of enormous extent, 
CHAP. 18. — ^THE NAT QBE OF THE SHADOW THEOWK BY TEEES. 
The shadows of trees are possessed of certain properties. 
That of the walnut is banefuP^ and injurious to man, in whom 
it is productive of head- ache, and it is equally noxious to 
everything that grows in its vicinity. The shadow, too, of 
the pine has the effect of killing^^ the grass beneath it ; but 
in both of these trees the foliage presents an effectual resist- 
ance to the winds, while, at the same time, the vine is desti- 
tute of such protection.^^ The drops of water that fall from 
the pine, the quercus, and the holm-oak are extremely heavy, 
but from the cypress none fall ; the shadow, too, thrown by 
this last tree is extremely small, its foliage being densely 
packed.^^ The shadow of the fig, although widely spread, is 
but light, for which reason it is allowed to be planted among 
vines. The shadow of the elm is refreshing and even nutri- 
meutal to v/hatever it may happen to cover ; though, in the 
opinion of Atticus, this tree is one of the most injurious of 
them all ; and, indeed, I have no doubt that such may be the 
case when the branches are allowed to become too long ; 
but at the same time I am of opinion that when they are 
kept short it can be productive of no possible harm. The 
plane also gives a very pleasant shade, though somewhat 
dense : but in this case we must look more to the luxuriant 
softness of the grass beneath it than the warmth of the sun ; 
for there is no tree that forms a more verdant couch on which 
to recline. 
The poplar^^ gives no shade whatever, in consequence of the 
See B, XV. c. 24. This notion, Fee remarks, still prevails to a very 
considerable extent. 
By depriving it of the light, and the heat of the sun ; but, most 
probably, from no other reason. 
Quoniam et protecta vinearum ratione egent." This passage is 
probably in a mutilated state. In se convoluta." 
Tbe plane was much valued for its sbade by convivial parties. Hence 
we find in Vi^'gilj Grcorg. iv. 146 — " Atque ministrantem platanum 
potantibus umbram.'* 
He clearly alludes to the quivering poplar, Populus tremula of 
Linnaeus. 
