Humanitext Reader

Theophrastus · Fragments §176.1

Aestivation of Snails and Their Autumn Emergence

Passage 182 of 196 · Greek

Summary

Quoting from Theophrastus' *On Hibernating Animals*, this passage explains that snails withdraw into shelter not only in winter but even more so in summer, and thus appear in the greatest numbers during the autumn rains.

§176.1Fr. 176 Θ. ἐν τῷ περὶ φωλευόντων οἱ κοχλίαι, φησὶ, φωλεύουσι μὲν καὶ τοῦ χειμῶνος μᾶλλον δὲ τοῦ θέρους· διὸ καὶ πλεῖστοι φαίνονται τοῖς μετοπωρινοῖς ὕδασιν·
Theophrastus, in his work *On Hibernating Animals*, says that snails withdraw into shelter during the winter, but even more so during the summer; which is why they appear in greatest numbers during the autumn rains.
ἡ δὲ τοῦ θέρους καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν δένδρων.
But that of the summer takes place both on the ground and on the trees.

Notes

  1. 176.1Θ. — The Greek initial Θ. is an abbreviation for the philosopher Theophrastus (Θεόφραστος), indicating the author of the cited work.
  2. 176.1ἡ δὲ τοῦ θέρους — The feminine article `ἡ` implies a missing noun related to the preceding verb `φωλεύουσι` (to withdraw/hibernate), such as `φώλευσις` or `φωλεία` (withdrawal, estivation). A verb of occurrence or state (such as `γίνεται` or `ἐστί`) is also omitted, meaning 'But that [i.e., the withdrawal] of the summer [takes place] both on the ground and on the trees.'

Cite this passage

Theophrastus, Fragments §176.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0093.tlg010x09.humanitext-grc1:176.1

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