[2544] It is evident that he is speaking of the epidermis only, and not the cortical layers and the liber.
[2545] The roots of trees being ligneous, “carnosæ,” Fée remarks, is an inappropriate term.
[2546] Georg. ii. 291.
[2547] “Lagenas.” Fée takes this to mean here vessels to hold liquids, and remarks that the workers in wicker cannot attain this degree of perfection at the present day.
[2548] Pliny is in error in rejecting this notion.
[2549] See B. xii. c. [5], and B. xiii. c. [29]. What Pliny states of the fir, or Abies pectinata, Theophrastus relates of the πεύκη, or Abies excelsa of Decandolles. There is little doubt that in either case the statement is incorrect.
[2550] On the contrary, the roots of trees increase in size till the period of their death.
[2551] By preventing the action of the air from drying the roots, and so killing the tree.
[2552] A grove, probably, consecrated to the Muses.
[2553] These stories must be regarded as either fables or impostures; though it is very possible for a tree to survive after the epidermis has been removed with the adze.