Pliny Natural History, Vol. IV (Loeb Latin-English)

The editors announce with much regret the death of Mr. H. Rackham, through which the Loeb Classical Library has lost one of its most helpful contributors. Mr. Rackham had completed his work on the galley proofs of this volume and was engaged in the revision of the page proofs. The whole of the translation, except for a few verbal changes, is his.

INTRODUCTION

This volume contains Books XII–XVI of Pliny’s Natural History. Their subject is trees and vines. The detailed contents will be found in Pliny’s outline of the work, which, with lists of the authorities used for each book, forms the contents of Book I. For Books XII–XVI see Volume I, pp. 63–80, of this edition.

Book XII deals with trees—their various qualities. Book XIII covers foreign trees and their use in supplying scent, fruit, paper, and wood.

Book XIV discusses vine-growing and varieties of wine.

Book XV covers olives, olive oil, and fruit trees. Book XVI covers forest trees, their nature and varieties; their value for timber and other commodities; the longevity of trees; and parasitic plants.