The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 4 (of 6)Pliny, the Elder
History
The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 4 (of 6)
Pliny, the Elder
Natural history -- Pre-Linnean works
Having now ascertained the various points of the heavens, the extremity
of the line that is nearest to the north, but lying to the east of it,
will indicate the solstitial rising, or, in other words, the rising
of the sun on the longest day, as also the point from which the wind
Aquilo[676] blows, known to the Greeks by the name of Boreas. You
should plant all trees and vines facing this point, but take care
never to plough, or sow corn, or plant in seed plots, while this wind
is blowing, for it has the effect of drying up and blasting the roots
of the trees while being transplanted. Be taught in time—one thing is
good for grown trees, another for them while they are but young. Nor
have I forgotten the fact, that it is at this point of the heavens
that the Greeks place the wind, to which they give the name of Cæcias;
Aristotle, a man of most extensive learning, who has assigned to Cæcias
this position, explains that it is in consequence of the convexity
of the earth, that Aquilo blows in an opposite direction to the wind
called Africus.
The agriculturist, however, has nothing to fear from Aquilo, in respect
to the operations before mentioned, all the year through; for this wind
is softened by the sun in the middle of the summer, and, changing
its name, is known by that of Etesias.[677] When you feel the cold,
then, be on your guard; for, whatever the noxious effects that are
attributed to Aquilo, the more sensibly will they be felt when the wind
blows from due north. In Asia, Greece, Spain, the coasts of Italy,
Campania, and Apulia, the trees that support the vines, as well as the
vines themselves, should have an aspect towards the north-east. If you
wish to have male produce, let the flock feed in such a way, that this
wind may have the opportunity of fecundating the male, whose office
it is to fecundate the females. The wind Africus, known to the Greeks
by the name of Libs, blows from the south-west, the opposite point to
Aquilo; when animals, after coupling, turn their heads towards this
quarter,[678] you may be sure that female produce has been conceived.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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