APPENDIX. XXXIX vessels may be attributed, appears to be clearly stated by Pliny himself, in the Proemium from which we have selected the examples here* adduced: we allude to the increased number and size of the sails in use, at the time when the historian flourished, as noticed in the preface in question attached to the nineteenth book.

Before entering upon the dissertation on flax, with which this book opens, the Roman naturalist indulges himself in calling to mind some of the extraordinary eflects resulting from the various applications of that humble and unassuming plant ; and gives way to his feelings with so much enthusiasm and good sense, that it will not, we think, be considered tedious or superfluous, if we extract the greater part of the preface from the old English translation of Holland f.

* Jam vero nec vela satis esse majora navigiis. Sed quamvis amplitudini antemnarum singulae arbores sufficiaiit, super eas tamen addi velarum alia vela, praeterq ; alia in proris, et alia in puppibus pandi, ac tot modis provocari mortem.

t “ And here I cannot chuse but marvell much at some men, who making such profession of learning, and namely, in the skill and science of agriculture, as they have done ; yea, and seeking thereby to win all their credit and name of erudition and litterature ; have, notwithstanding, omitted many things requisite thereunto, without any mention made, or one word spoken of so many hearbes and simples, which either come up of themselves, or grow by meanes of man’s hand : considering that the most part of them are in greater price and reputation, yea, and in more use and request for the maintenance of this our life, than either come or pulse, or any fruits of the earth whatsoever.

“ And to begin first at those that are knowne commodities, and so notorious, as that the use thereof not only reacheth all over the maine and continent, but extendeth also to the very seas, and overspreadeth them: what say we to line or flax, so commonly sowed as it is? yet may it not be raunged either among the fruits of the field, or hearbes of the garden. But what region (I pray you or part of the earth is without it? and what is there so necessarie for this life of ours in all respects? Againe, is there any thing in the whole world more wonderfull and miraculous, than that there should be an hearbe found of this vertue and propertie as to bring Egypt and Italie together ? Insomuch, as Galerius, Lord Deputie in Egypt under the Romanes, was knowne to set saile from the firth of Messina in the Streights of Sicilie, and in seven daies to arrive at Alexandria: Babilius also governour there likewise, in six ; and that by the meanes of the said hearbe ?