Between the quercus[1] and the olive[2] there exists a hatred so inveterate, that transplanted, either of them, to a site previously occupied by the other, they will die.[3] The quercus too, if planted near the walnut, will perish. There is a mortal feud[4] existing also between the cabbage and the vine; and the cabbage itself, so shunned as it is by the vine, will wither immediately if planted in the vicinity of cyclamen[5] or of origanum. We find it asserted even, that aged trees fit to be felled, are cut with all the greater difficulty, and dry all the more rapidly, if touched by the hand of man before the axe is applied: it is a common belief, too, that when their load consists of fruit, beasts of burden are immediately sensible[6] of it, and will instantly begin to sweat, however trifling it may be, unless the fruit is duly shown to them before starting. Fennel-giant, as a fodder, is extremely grateful to the ass, and yet to other beasts of burden it is a deadly poison: hence it is that the ass is consecrated to Father Liber,[7] to which deity the fennel is also sacred. Inanimate objects again, even of the most insignificant character, have their own peculiar antipathies. Cooks disengage meat of the brine, when it has been too highly salted, by the agency of fine meal and the inner bark[8] of the linden-tree. Salt again, tends to neutralize the sickly flavour of food when over-sweet. The taste of water, when nitrous or bitter, is modified by the addition of polenta,[9] so much so indeed, as to be rendered potable[10] in a couple of hours: it is for a similar reason, too, that a layer of polenta is put[11] in our linen wine-strainers. A similar property is possessed also by the chalk[12] of Rhodes, and the argilla of our own country. Equal affinities exist as well; pitch, for instance, is extracted by the agency of oil, both of them being of an unctuous nature: oil again, will incorporate only with lime, both of them having a natural antipathy[13] to water. Gum is most[14] easily removed with vinegar, and ink[15] with water; in addition to which, there are numberless other instances of sympathy and antipathy which we shall be careful to mention in their appropriate places.