There is an oil that grows spontaneously in the maritime parts of Syria, known to us as “elæomeli;”[1737] it is an unctuous substance which distils from certain trees, of a thicker consistency than honey, but somewhat thinner than resin; it has a sweet flavour, and is employed for medicinal purposes. Old olive oil[1738] is of use for some kinds of maladies; it is thought to be particularly useful, too, in the preservation of ivory from decay:[1739] at all events, the statue of Saturn, at Rome, is filled with oil in the interior. CHAP. 8. (8.)—AMURCA. But it is upon the praises of amurca[1740] more particularly, that Cato[1741] has enlarged. He recommends that vats and casks[1742] for keeping oil should be first seasoned with it, to prevent them from soaking up the oil; and he tells us that threshing-floors should be well rubbed with it, to keep away ants,[1743] and to prevent any chinks or crannies from being left. The mortar, too, of walls, he says, ought to be seasoned with it, as well as the roofs and floors of granaries; and he recommends that wardrobes should be sprinkled with amurca as a preservative against wood-worms and other noxious insects. He says, too, that all grain of the cereals should be steeped in it, and speaks of it as efficacious for the cure of maladies in cattle as well as trees, and as useful even for ulcerations in the inside and upon the face of man. We learn from him, also, that thongs, all articles made of leather, sandals, and axle-trees used to be anointed with boiled amurca; which was employed also to preserve copper vessels against verdigrease,[1744] and to give them a better colour; as also for the seasoning of all utensils made of wood, as well as the earthen jars in which dried figs were kept, or of sprigs of myrtle with the leaves and berries on, or any other articles of a similar nature: in addition to which, he asserts that wood which has been steeped in amurca will burn without producing a stifling smoke.[1745] According to M. Varro,[1746] an olive-tree which has been licked by the tongue of the she-goat, or upon which she has browsed when it was first budding,[1747] is sure to be barren. Thus much in reference to the olive and the oils. CHAP. 9. (9.)—THE VARIOUS KINDS OF FRUIT-TREES AND THEIR NATURES. FOUR VARIETIES OF PINE-NUTS. The other fruits found on trees can hardly be enumerated, from their diversity in shape and figure, without reference to their different flavours and juices, which have again been modified by repeated combinations and graftings.