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1 A natural mixture of argilla and calcareous stones, or subcarbonate of chalk. Fée remarks, that the ancients were not acquainted with the proper method of applying it. Marl only exercises its fertilizing influence after being reduced to dust by the action of the atmosphere, by absorbing the oxygen of the air, and giving to vegetation the carbonic acid that is necessary for their nourishment.
2 "White argilla." This, Fée thinks, is the calcareous marl, three varieties of which are known, the compact, the schistoid, and the friable.
3 At the present day there are only two varieties of marl recognized, the argillaceous and the calcareous; it is to the latter, Fée thinks, that the varieties here mentioned as anciently recognized, belonged.
4 The Marga terrea of Linnæus. It abounds in various parts of Europe.
5 From the Greek, meaning "not bitter marl."
6 Marl does not begin to fertilize till several years after it has been laid down; hence, it is generally recommended to marl the land a little at a time, and often. If the ground is fully marled, it requires to be marled afresh in about eight or ten years, and not fifty, as Pliny says.
7 "Argentaria." Used, probably, in the same way as whitening in modem times. See B. xxxv. c. 58.
8 An exaggeration, no doubt.
9 Probably meaning "smooth marl;" a variety, Fée thinks, of argillaceous marl, and, perhaps, the potter's argillaceous marl, or potter's argil. He suggests, also that it may have possibly been the Marga fullonum saponacea lamellosa of Valerius; in other words, fullers' earth.
10 Creta fullonia.
11 See B. xxxv. c. 46.
12 This would rather seem to be a name borrowed from the Greek, ἀιγλήεις, "shining," and πελιὸς, "white." Notwithstanding the resemblance, however, it is just possible that it may have been derived from the Gallic. Fée queries whether this is the schistoid calcareous marl, or the schistoid argillaceous marl, the laminæ of which divide with great facility, and the varieties of which display many colours.
13 A variety of the terreous marl.
14 It has the effect of augmenting their fruitfulness, and ameliorating the quality of the fruit. Lime is still considered an excellent improver for strong, humid soils.
15 From this passage, Fée thinks that the Columbine marl must have been of the white, slightly sparkling kind.
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- A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (1890), DOMUS
- Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854), ALBA POMPEIA
- Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854), REA´TE
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