70

sions. Among them was a fortress called Larignum,whose inhabitants, trusting to their fortifications, refusedto obey the mandate. Caesar ordered his forces to thespot immediately. In front of the gate of this fortressstood a tower built of this species of timber,.of consider-able height, and constructed after the manner of a funeralpile, with beams alternately crossing each other at theirextremities, so that the besieged might, from its top, an-noy the besiegers with darts and stones. It appearingthat the persons on the tower had no other arms thandarts, which, from their weight, could not be hurled anygreat distance from the walls, orders were given to con-vey bundles of fire-wood and torches to the tower, whichwere quickly executed by the soldiers. As soon as theflames, reaching almost to the heavens, began to en-compass the tower, every one expected to see its demoli-tion. But as soon as the fire was extinct, the tower ap-peared still unhurt; and Caesar, wondering at the causeof it, ordered it to be blockaded out of arrow’s flight,and thus carried the town, which was delivered up to himby its trembling inhabitants. They were then askedwhere they obtained this sort of wood, which would notburn. They shewed him the trees, which are in greatabundance in those parts. Thus, as the fortress wascalled Larignum, so the wood, whereof the tower wasbuilt, is called larigna (larch). It is brought down thePo to Ravenna, for the use of the municipalities of Fano,Pesaro, Ancona, and the other cities in that district. Ifthere were a possibility of transporting it to Rome, it wouldbe very useful in the buildings there ; if not generally, atleast it would be excellent for the plates under the eaves ofthose houses in Rome which are insulated, as they would be