Chap. 73.] 
DirrERENT KINDS OP WOOL. 
333 
covered sheep will feed on brambles even. The best coverings 
for sheep are brought from Arabia.^* 
CHAP. 73. (43.) THE DIFEEEENT KINDS OE WOOL, AND THEIR 
COLOURS. 
The most esteemed wool of all is that of Apulia, and that: 
which in Italy is called Grecian wool, in other countries 
I-talian. The fleeces of Miletus hold the third rank.^'^ The 
Apulian wool is shorter 'in the hair, and only owes its high 
character to the cloaks that are made of it. That which 
comes from the vicinity of Tarentum and Canusium is the most 
celebrated ; and there is a wool from Laodicea, in Asia, of a 
similar quality. There is no white wool superior to that of 
the countries bordering on the Padus,^^ nor up to the present 
day has any wool exceeded the price of one hundred sesterces 
per pound.^^ The sheep are not shorn in all countries ; in some 
places it is still the custom to pull off the wool.^^ There are 
various colours of wool ; so much so, indeed, that we want 
terms to express them all. Several kinds, which are called 
15 We have some account of the Arahian sheep in ^lian, Anim. Nat. 
B. X. c. 4. — B. Columella says, that the wool which was brought over to 
make these coverings, was only to be obtained at a very great price. 
16 The greatest part of this Chapter appears to be taken, with little vari- 
ation, from Columella, B. vii. c. 2—4. — B. 
Here Pliny differs from Columella, who remarks, B. vii. c. 2, Our 
people considered the Milesian, Calabrian, and Apulian wool as of excel- 
lent quality, and the Tarentine the best of all.'' 
18 Poenula" was a check cloak, used chiefly by the Romans when 
travelling, instead of the toga, as a protection against the cold and rain. 
It was used by women as well as men. It was long, and without sleeves, 
and with only an opening for the head. Women were forbidden by Alex- 
ander Severus to wear it in the city. It was made particularly of the 
woolly substance known as gausapa. 
19 The wool of Laodicea is celebrated by Strabo, B. xii. — B. 
20 Columella, B. vii. c. 2, particularly notices the excellence of the wool 
of Altinum, situate near the mouth of the Padus or Po. The following 
epigram of Martial, B. xiv. c. 155, may be presumed to convey the opinion 
of the respective merits of the different kinds of wool ; it is entitled LansB 
albse " Velleribus primis Apulia ; Parma secundis Nobilis ; Altinum 
tertia laudat ovis.'* Apulia is famed for its fleeces of the first quality, 
Parma for the second, while Altinum is praised for those of the third." — B. 
21 About twelve shillings sterling. — B. 
22 Varro remarks, B. ii. c. 2, that the term vellus. " obviously from 
" vello," " to pluck," proves that the wool was anciently plucked from the 
Bheep, before shearing had been invented. — B, 
