CHAP. 39.—THE TREE CALLED BRATUS.
Hence it is, that they import from the country of the
Elymæi [Note] the wood of a tree called bratus, [Note] which is similar in
appearance to a spreading cypress. Its branches are of a
whitish colour, and the wood, while burning, emits a pleasant
odour; it is highly spoken of by Claudius Cæsar, in his
History, [Note] for its marvellous properties. He states that the
Parthians sprinkle the leaves of it in their drink, that its smell
closely resembles that of the cedar, and that the smoke of it is
efficacious in counteracting the effects of smoke emitted by
other wood. This tree grows in the countries that lie beyond
the Pasitigris, [Note] in the territory of the city of Sittaca, upon
Mount Zagrus.
