Note 1918 — BOOK XXIX.
Lewis Evans translation
Albâ lineâ signare is a phrase for "doing any thing carelessly and negligently:" to make, as it were, a white line on a white ground, which could not be distinguished; whereas careful workmen work by a clearly-defined and durable line. Cf. Aul. Gell., Præf., 11, "Albâ ut dicitur lineâ, sine curâ discriminis converrebant."