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thus secured from catching fire, since they would neitherignite nor consume, nor burn into charcoal. The leavesof these trees are similar to those of the pine-tree; thefibres of them straight, and not harder to work in joinerythan the pine-tree. The wood contains a liquid resin, ofthe colour of Attic honey, which is a good remedy incases of phthisis. I have now treated of the differentsorts of timber, and of their natural properties, as well asof the proportion of the elements in each. It only re-mains to enquire, why that species of fir, which is knownin Rome by the name of Supernas, is not so goodas that which is called Infernas, whose durability inbuildings is so great. I shall therefore explain how theirgood and bad qualities arise from the situations in whichthey grow, that they may be clearly understood.

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