Theophrastus / Classics Delphi Collected Works of Theophrastus (Illustrated)

1. Auflage 2019
ISBN: 978-1-78877-988-3
Verlag: Delphi Classics Ltd
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: 0 - No protection

E-Book, Englisch, Band 91, 1711 Seiten

Reihe: Delphi Ancient Classics

The student and successor of Aristotle, Theophrastus of Eresus is the author of one of the most important botanical works to have survived antiquity. A polymath and enthusiast of many interests, his studies explored all aspects of human knowledge and experience, especially natural science. On a social level, Theophrastus' famous 'Characters' is a collection of descriptive sketches, serving as the earliest example of character-writing and providing an engaging insight into daily life in the Hellenic world. Delphi's Ancient Classics series provides eReaders with the wisdom of the Classical world, with both English translations and the original Greek texts. This comprehensive eBook presents Theophrastus' collected works, with illustrations, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1)
* Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Theophrastus' life and works
* Features the collected works of Theophrastus in English translation
* The complete extant Greek texts
* Concise introductions to the major works
* Includes Arthur F. Hort's translation of 'Enquiry into Plants', previously appearing in the Loeb Classical Library
* Excellent formatting of the texts
* Easily locate the works you want to read with individual contents tables
* Includes Theophrastus' rare works 'On Stones' and 'On Winds', first time in digital print
* Features two bonus biographies, including Diogenes Laërtius' seminal 'Life' - discover Theophrastus' ancient world
* Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genres
Please note: currently there are no translations available in the public domain for 'De Causis Plantarum' and a few minor treatises. When more texts become available, they will be added to the eBook as a free update.
Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to explore our range of Ancient Classics titles or buy the entire series as a Super Set
CONTENTS:
The Translations
Enquiry into Plants (translated by Arthur F. Hort)
On Characters (translated by R. C. Jebb)
Treatise on Odours (translated by Arthur F. Hort)
Concerning Weather Signs (translated by Arthur F. Hort)
On Winds (translated by James G . Wood)
On Stones (anonymous 1774 translation)
The Greek Texts
List of Greek Texts
The Biographies
Theophrastus by Diogenes Laërtius
Theophrastus' Life and Works by Arthur F. Hort
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Autoren/Hrsg.

Theophrastus

Classics, Delphi

Leseproben

BOOK I. OF THE PARTS OF PLANTS AND THEIR COMPOSITION.
[1.1] In considering the distinctive characters of plants and their nature generally one must take into account their parts, their qualities, the ways in which their life originates, and the course which it follows in each case: (conduct and activities we do not find in them, as we do in animals). Now the differences in the way in which their life originates, in their qualities and in their life-history are comparatively easy to observe and are simpler, while those shewn in their ‘parts’ present more complexity. Indeed it has not even been satisfactorily determined what ought and what ought not to be called ‘parts,’ and some difficulty is involved in making the distinction. [1.2] Now it appears that by a ‘part,’ seeing that it is something which belongs to the plant’s characteristic nature, we mean something which is permanent either absolutely or when once it has appeared (like those parts of animals which remain for a time undeveloped) — permanent, that is, unless it be lost by disease, age or mutilation. However some of the parts of plants are such that their existence is limited to a year, for instance, flower, ‘catkin,’leaf, fruit, in fact all those parts which are antecedent to the fruit or else appear along with it. Also the new shoot itself must be included with these; for trees always make fresh growth every’ year alike in the parts above ground and in those which pertain to the roots. So that if one sets these down as ‘parts,’the number of parts will be indeterminate and constantly changing; if on the other hand these are not to be called ‘parts,’ the result will be that things which are essential if the plant is to reach its perfection, and which are its conspicuous features, are nevertheless not ‘parts’; for any plant always appears to be, as indeed it is, more comely and more perfect when it makes new growth, blooms, and bears fruit. Such, we may say, are the difficulties involved in defining a ‘part.’ [1.3] But perhaps we should not expect to find in plants a complete correspondence with animals in regard to those things which concern reproduction any more than in other respects; and so we should reckon as ‘parts’ even those things to which the plant gives birth, for instance their fruits, although we do not so reckon the unborn young of animals. (However, if such a product seems fairest to the eye, because the plant is then in its prime, we can draw no inference from this in support of our argument, since even among animals those that are with young are at their best.) [1.4] Again many plants shed their parts every year, even as stags shed their horns, birds which hibernate their feathers, four-footed beasts their hair: so that it is not strange that the parts of plants should not be permanent, especially as what thus occurs in animals and the shedding of leaves in plants are analogous processes. [1.5] In like manner the parts concerned with reproduction are not permanent in plants; for even in animals there are things which are separated from the parent when the young is born, and there are other things- which are cleansed away, as though neither of these belonged to the animal’s essential nature. And so too it appears to be with the growth of plants; for of course growth leads up to reproduction as the completion of the process. [1.6] And in general, as we have said, we must not assume that in all respects there is complete correspondence between plants and animals. And that is why the number also of parts is indeterminate; for a plant has the power of growth in all its parts, inasmuch as it has life in all its parts. Wherefore we should assume the truth to be as I have said, not only in regard to the matters now before us, but in view also of those which will come before us presently; for it is waste of time to take great pains to make comparisons where that is impossible, and in so doing we may lose sight also of our proper subject of enquiry. The enquiry into plants, to put it generally, may either take account of the external parts and the form of the plant generally, or else of their internal parts: the latter method corresponds to the study of animals by dissection. [1.7] Further we must consider which parts belong to all plants alike, which are peculiar to some one kind, and which of those which belong to all alike are themselves alike in all cases; for instance, leaves roots bark. And again, if in some cases analogy ought to be considered (for instance, an analogy presented by animals), we must keep this also in view; and in that case we must of course make the closest resemblances and the most perfectly developed examples our standard; and, finally, the ways in which the parts of plants are affected must be compared to the corresponding effects in the case of animals, so far as one can in any given case find an analogy for comparison. So let these definitions stand. [1.8] Now the differences in regard to parts, to take a general view, are of three kinds: either one plant may possess them and another not (for instance, leaves and fruit), or in one plant they may be unlike in appearance or size to those of another, or, thirdly, they may be differently arranged. Now the unlikeness between them is seen in form, colour, closeness of arrangement or its opposite, roughness or its opposite, and the other qualities; and again there are the various differences of flavour. The inequality is seen in excess or defect as to number or size, or, to speak generally, all the above-mentioned differences too are included under excess and defect: for the ‘more’ and the ‘less’ are the same thing as excess and defect, whereas ‘differently arranged’ implies a difference of position; for instance, the fruit may be above or below the leaves, and, as to position on the tree itself, the fruit may grow on the apex of it or on the side branches, and in some cases even on the trunk, as in the sycamore; while some plants again even bear their fruit underground, for instance arakhidna and the plant called in Egypt uingon; again in some plants the fruit has a stalk, in some it has none. There is a like difference in the floral organs: in some cases they actually surround the fruit, in others they are differently placed: in fact it is in regard to the fruit, the leaves, and the shoots that the question of position has to be considered. [1.9] Or again there are differences as to symmetry: in some cases the arrangement is irregular, while the branches of the silver-fir are arranged opposite one another; and in some cases the branches are at equal distances apart, and correspond in number, as where they are in three rows. [1.10] Wherefore the differences between plants must be observed in these particulars, since taken together they shew forth the general character of each plant. [1.11] But, before we attempt to speak about each, we must make a list of the parts themselves. Now the primary and most important parts, which are also common to most, are these — root, stem, branch, twig; these are the parts into which we might divide the plant, regarding them as members, corresponding to the members of animals: for each of these is distinct in character from the rest, and together they make up the whole. [1.12] The root is that by which the plant draws its nourishment, the stem that to which it is conducted. And by the ‘stem’ I mean that part which grows above ground and is single; for that is the part which occurs most generally both in amiuals and in long-lived plants; and in the case of trees it is called the ‘trunk.’ By ‘branches’ I mean the parts which split off from the stem and are called by some ‘boughs.’- By ‘twig’ I mean the growth which springs from the branch regarded as a single whole, and especially such an annual growth. [1.13] Now these parts belong more particularly to trees. The stem however, as has been said, is more general, though not all plants possess even this, for instance, some herbaceous plants are stemless; others again have it, not permanently, but as an annual growth, including some whose roots live bevond the year. In fact your plant is a thing various and manifold, and so it is difficult to describe in general terms: in proof whereof we have the fact that we cinnot here seize on any universal character which is common to all, as a mouth and a stomach are common to all animals; whereas in plants some characters are the same in all, merely in the sense that all have analogous characters, while others correspond otherwise. For not all plants have root, stem, branch, twig, leaf, flower or fruit, or again bark, core, fibres or veins; for instance, fungi and truffles; and yet these and such like characters belong to a plant’s essential nature. However, as has been said, these characters belong especially to trees, and our classification of characters belongs more particularly to these; and it is right to make these the standard in treating of the others. [1.14] Trees moreover shew forth fairly well the other features also which distinguish plants; for they exhibit differences in the number or fewness of these which they possess, as to the closeness or openness of their growth, as to their being single or divided, and in other like respects. Moreover each of the characters mentioned is not ‘composed of like parts’; by which I mean that though any given part of the root or trunk is composed of the same...