This shrub has been found in the Isle of Cythnus, from whence it has been transplanted to all the Cyclades, and more recently to the cities of Greece, a fact which has greatly increased the supply of cheese: considering which, I am much surprised that it is so rarely used in Italy. This shrub is proof, too, against all injuries from heat, from cold, from hail, and from snow: and, as Hyginus adds, against the depredations of the enemy even, the wood[1004] produced being of no value whatever. CHAP. 48. (25.)—THE TREES AND SHRUBS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN. THE PHYCOS, PRASON, OR ZOSTER. Shrubs and trees grow in the sea[1005] as well; those of our sea[1006] are of inferior size, while, on the other hand, the Red Sea and all the Eastern Ocean are filled with dense forests. No other language has any name for the shrub which is known to the Greeks as the “phycos,”[1007] since by the word “alga”[1008] a mere herb is generally understood, while the “phycos” is a complete shrub. This plant has a broad leaf of a green colour, which is by some called “prason,”[1009] and by others is known as “zoster.”[1010] Another kind,[1011] again, has a hairy sort of leaf, very similar to fennel, and grows upon rocks, while that previously mentioned grows in shoaly spots, not far from the shore. Both kinds shoot in the spring, and die in autumn.[1012] The phycos[1013] which grows on the rocks in the neighbourhood of Crete, is used also for dyeing purple; the best kind being that produced on the north side of the island, which is the case also with sponges of the very best quality. A third kind,[1014] again, is similar in appearance to grass; the root of it is knotted, and so is the stalk, which resembles that of a reed. CHAP. 49.—THE SEA BRYON. There is another kind of marine shrub, known by the name of “bryon;”[1015] it has the leaf of the lettuce, only that it is of a more wrinkled appearance; it grows nearer land, too, than the last. Far out at sea we find a fir-tree[1016] and an oak,[1017] each a cubit in height; shells are found adhering to their branches. It is said that this sea-oak is used for dyeing wool, and that some of them even bear acorns[1018] in the sea, a fact which has been ascertained by shipwrecked persons and divers. There are other marine trees also of remarkable size, found in the vicinity of Sicyon; the sea-vine,[1019] indeed, grows everywhere. The sea-fig[1020] is destitute of leaves, and the bark is red. There is a palm-tree[1021] also in the number of the sea-shrubs. Beyond the columns of Hercules there is a sea-shrub that grows with the leaf of the leek, and others with those of the carrot,[1022] and of thyme. Both of these last, when thrown up by the tide, are transformed[1023] into pumice. CHAP. 50.—PLANTS OF THE RED SEA.