The historie of the vvorld: commonly called, The naturall historie of C. Plinius Secundus. Translated into English by Philemon Holland Doctor of Physicke. The first [-second] tome

CHAP. II.

¶ Of the huge and great Forest Hercynia

IN the same North climat is the mighty forrest Hercynia. A huge and large wood this is, sto∣red with tall and big Okes, that neuer to this day were topt or lopt. It is supposed they haue been euer since the creation of the world, and (in regard of their eternall immortality) sur∣mounting all miracles besides whatsoeuer. And to let passe all other reports which happely [unspec F] would be thought incredible, this is knowne for certain, That the roots of the trees there, run and spread so far within the ground, that they encounter and meet one another: in which resi∣stance they swell and rise vpward, yea, and raise vp mounts of earth with them to a good height

in many places: or, where as the earth followes not, a man shal see the bare roots embowed arch∣wise, [unspec G] and mounting aloft as high as the very boughes: which roots are so interlaced, or els rub one against the other, striuing (as it were) not to giue place, that they make a shew of great por∣tailes or gates standing open so wide, that a whole troupe or squadron of horsmen may ride vp∣right vnder them in ordinance of battell.