More strange it may seem how, after seven years, the Grains conserved should be fruitfull for a new production. For it is said that _Joseph delivered Seed unto the Ægyptians, to sow their Land for the eighth year_: and Corn after seven years is like to afford little or no production, according to _Theophrastus_;[213] _Ad Sementem semen anniculum optimum putatur, binum deterius et trinum; ultra sterile fermè est, quanquam ad usum cibarium idoneum_. [213] Theoph. _Hist. l. 8_. Yet since, from former exemplifications, Corn may be made to last so long, the fructifying power may well be conceived to last in some good proportion, according to the region and place of its conservation, as the same _Theophrastus_ hath observed, and left a notable example from _Cappadocia_, where Corn might be kept sixty years, and remain fertile at forty; according to his expression thus translated; _In Cappadociæ loco quodam petra dicto, triticum ad quadraginta annos fœcundum est, at ad sementem percommodum durare proditum est, sexagenos aut septuagenos ad usum cibarium servari posse idoneum._ The situation of that Conservatory, was, as he delivereth, ἱψηλὸν, εὔπνουν, εὔαυρον, _high, airy and exposed to several favourable winds_. And upon such consideration of winds and ventilation, some conceive the Ægyptian Granaries were made open, the Country being free from rain. Howsoever it was, that contrivance could not be without some hazard:[214] for the great Mists and Dews of that Country might dispose the Corn unto corruption. [214] Ægypt ὁμιχλὼδης, καὶ δρόσερος _Vid._ Theophrastum More plainly may they mistake, who from some analogy of name (as if _Pyramid_ were derived from Πύρον, _Triticum_), conceive the Ægyptian Pyramids to have been built for Granaries; or look for any settled Monuments about the Desarts erected for that intention; since their Store-houses were made in the great Towns, according to Scripture expression,[215] _He gathered up all the Food of seven years, which was in the Land of Ægypt, and laid up the Food in the Cities: the Food of the Field which was round about every City, laid he up in the same_. [215] Gen. 41. 48. [Sidenote: _Olive Tree in_ Rom. 11. 24.]