STRANGER: The provision of food and of all other things which mingle

their particles with the particles of the human body, and minister to

the body, will form a seventh class, which may be called by the general

term of nourishment, unless you have any better name to offer. This,

however, appertains rather to the husbandman, huntsman, trainer, doctor,

cook, and is not to be assigned to the Statesman's art.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Certainly not.

STRANGER: These seven classes include nearly every description of

property, with the exception of tame animals. Consider;--there was the

original material, which ought to have been placed first; next come

instruments, vessels, vehicles, defences, playthings, nourishment; small

things, which may be included under one of these--as for example, coins,

seals and stamps, are omitted, for they have not in them the character

of any larger kind which includes them; but some of them may, with a

little forcing, be placed among ornaments, and others may be made to

harmonize with the class of implements. The art of herding, which has

been already divided into parts, will include all property in tame

animals, except slaves.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Very true.

STRANGER: The class of slaves and ministers only remains, and I suspect

that in this the real aspirants for the throne, who are the rivals of