In addition to the above particulars, it is not permitted to defile the laurel and the olive by applying them to profane uses; so much so, indeed, that, not even for the propitiation of the divinities, should a fire be lighted with them at either altar or shrine.[2115] Indeed, it is very evident that the laurel protests against such usage by crackling[2116] as it does in the fire, thus, in a manner, giving expression to its abhorrence of such treatment. The wood of this tree when eaten is good as a specific for internal maladies and affections of the sinews.[2117]
It is said that when it thundered, the Emperor Tiberius was in the habit of putting on a wreath of laurel to allay his apprehensions of disastrous effects from the lightning.[2118] There are also some remarkable facts connected with the laurel in the history of the late Emperor Augustus: once while Livia Drusilla, who afterwards on her marriage with the Emperor assumed the name of Augusta, at the time that she was affianced to him, was seated, there fell into her lap a hen of remarkable whiteness, which an eagle let fall from aloft without its receiving the slightest injury: on Livia viewing it without any symptoms of alarm, it was discovered that miracle was added to miracle, and that it held in its beak a branch of laurel covered with berries. The aruspices gave orders that the hen and her progeny should be carefully preserved, and the branch planted and tended with religious care. This was accordingly done at the country-house belonging to the Cæsars, on the Flaminian Way, near the banks of the Tiber, eight miles from the City; from which circumstance that road has since received the title “Ad gallinas.”[2119] From the branch there has now arisen, wondrous to relate, quite a grove: and Augustus Cæsar afterwards, when celebrating a triumph, held a branch of it in his hand and wore a wreath of this laurel on his head; since which time all the succeeding emperors have followed his example. Hence, too, has originated the custom of planting the branches which they have held on these occasions, and we thus see groves of laurel still existing which owe their respective names to this circumstance. It was on the above occasion, too, that not improbably a change was effected in the usual laurel of the triumph.[2120] The laurel is the only one among the trees that in the Latin language has given an appellation to a man,[2121] and it is the only one the leaf of which has a distinct name of its own,—it being known by the name of “laurea.” The name of this tree is still retained by one place in the city of Rome, for we find a spot on the Aventine Mount still known by the name of “Loretum,”[2122] where formerly a laurel-grove existed. The laurel is employed in purifications, and we may here mention, incidentally, that it will grow from slips[2123]—though Democritus and Theophrastus have expressed their doubts as to that fact.
We shall now proceed to speak of the forest trees.
Summary.—Remarkable facts, narratives, and observations, one hundred and twenty.
Roman authors quoted.—Fenestella,[2124] Fabianus,[2125] Virgil,[2126] Corn. Valerianus,[2127] Celsus,[2128] Cato the Censor,[2129] Saserna[2130] father and son, Scrofa,[2131] M. Varro,[2132] D. Silanus,[2133] Fabius Pictor,[2134] Trogus,[2135] Hyginus,[2136] Flaccus Verrius,[2137] Græcinus,[2138] Atticus Julius,[2139] Columella,[2140] Massurius Sabinus,[2141] Tergilla,[2142] Cotta Messalinus,[2143] L. Piso,[2144] Pompeius Lenæus,[2145] Maccius Plautus,[2146] Flavius,[2147] Dossenus,[2148] Scævola,[2149] Ælius,[2150] Ateius Capito,[2151] Sextius Niger,[2152] Vibius Rufus.[2153]
Foreign authors quoted.—Aristotle,[2154] Democritus,[2155] King Hiero,[2156] King Attalus Philometor,[2157] Archytas,[2158] Xenophon,[2159] Amphilochus[2160] of Athens, Anaxipolis[2161] of Thasos, Apollodorus[2162] of Lemnos, Aristophanes[2163] of Miletus, Antigonus[2164] of Cymæ, Agathocles[2165] of Chios, Apollonius[2166] of Pergamus, Aristander[2167] of Athens, Bacchius[2168] of Miletus, Bion[2169] of Soli, Chæreas[2170] of Athens, Chæristus[2171] of Athens, Diodorus[2172] of Priene, Dion[2173] of Colophon, Epigenes[2174] of Rhodes, Euagon[2175] of Thasos, Euphronius[2176] of Athens, Androtion[2177] who wrote on Agriculture, Æschrion[2178] who wrote on Agriculture, Lysimachus[2179] who wrote on Agriculture, Dionysius[2180] who translated Mago,[2181] Diophanes[2182] who made an Epitome of the work of Dionysius, Asclepiades[2183] the Physician, Erasistratus[2184] the Physician, Commiades[2185] who wrote on the preparation of Wines, Aristomachus[2186] who wrote on the same subject, Hicesius[2187] who wrote on the same subject, Themiso[2188] the Physician, Onesicritus,[2189] King Juba.[2190]
BOOK XVI.
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE FOREST TREES.
CHAP. 1.—COUNTRIES THAT HAVE NO TREES.
We have given the precedence in this account to the fruit-trees and others which, by their delicious juices, first taught man to give a relish to his food and the various aliments requisite for his sustenance, whether it is that they spontaneously produce these delightful flavours, or whether we have imparted them by the methods of adoption and intermarriage,[2191] thus bestowing a favour, as it were, upon the very beasts and birds. The next thing, then, would be to speak of the glandiferous trees, the trees which proffered the earliest nutriment to the appetite of man, and proved themselves his foster-mothers in his forlorn and savage state—did I not feel myself constrained on this occasion to make some mention of the surprise which I have felt on finding by actual experience what is the life of mortals when they inhabit a country that is without either tree or shrub.