[674] ἕστασαν ὡς ὅτε τε δρύες οὔρεσιν ὑψικάρηνοι Il. 12. 132, where however the comParison rather regards firmness than height, as the context shows. Bryant plausibly conj. “in montibus:” but Virg. doubtless wished to vary the expression, remembering the comParison of Polyphemus and the queen of the Laestrygons to mountain-peaks Od. 9. 191., 10. 113. He also thought of Il. 5. 560 ἐλάτῃσιν ἐοικότες ὑψηλῇσιν. It matters little whether ‘patriis’ goes with ‘abietibus’ or with ‘montibus.’ Pal., Gud., and another of Ribbeck's cursives have ‘patriis iuvenes.’