Page:Enquiry into plants (Volume 1).pdf/203

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ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, III. ii. 2–5

vated—the latter class corresponding to those animals which live with man and can be tamed.[1]

But perhaps it does not matter which way this should be put. Any tree which runs wild deteriorates and itself becomes dwarfed in leaves branches bark and appearance generally; for under cultivation these parts, as well as the whole growth of the tree, become closer, more compact[2] and harder; which indicates that the difference between cultivated and wild is chiefly shown in these respects. And so those trees which show these characteristics under cultivation they say are really wild, for instance fir cypress, or at least the 'male' kind, hazel and chestnut.

Moreover these wild forms are distinguished by having greater liking for cold and for hilly country; for that too is regarded as a means of recognising wild trees and wild plants generally, whether it is so regarded in itself or as being only incidentally a distinguishing mark.

So the definition of wild kinds, whether it should be thus made or otherwise, perhaps makes no difference for our present purpose. But it is certainly true, speaking[3] broadly and generally, that the wild trees are more to be found in hilly country, and that the greater part of them flourish more in such regions, with the exception of those which love water or grow by river skies or in woods; these and such-like trees are rather trees of the plain. However on great mountains, such as Parnassus Cyllene the Pierian and the Mysian Olympus, and such regions anywhere

  1. τιθασείαν conj. W., cf. Plat. Pol. 264 c; τιθάσιον UMAld.
  2. οὐλότερα conj. W. from G, spissiora; ὀρθότερα MSS. cf. C.P. 6. 11. 8.
  3. ὤς γε conj. Sch.; ὥστε UM; ὡς ἐν Ald. H.
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