X11 
The Tiskosuston to the Second Volume. 
I think I have endeavour’d in vain to remedy, after what 
I vehemently fufpe& giving of this Root for the true, have 
been prevented. I know it is alledged from what | have 
faid p. 25. of my Introduction to Vol. J. that there is a wide 
difference between frefh Roots and thofe dried; which tho’ 
poyfonous, become even Nourifhment in many Cafes ; but ’tis 
alfo moft certain, that there are many dried Roots that are 
mortal Poyfons ; and I fhould be loath to be the firft Ex- 
perimenter of fuch a Matter, either upon myfelf or any 
body elfe. 
I with the fame or the like Mifchiefs may not arife fromi 
Gumm Guajacum, which is adulterated with that from the 
Manfaneel Tree, which yields the rankeft Poyfon in the 
World : Both of them are Refins, and pretty near of a Co- 
lour, and grow out of both the Trees, the Lignum Vite 
and. Manifaneel, in the fame roundifh, or oval Shape, the 
Manfaneel is not fo dark, and“hath no sreenifh colour or caft, 
as hath the other: 4 think I have feen: great Difeafes in the 
Bowels happen after taking Medicines wherein was prefcribed. 
Gumm. Guajac, which I could not fo eafily account for, as 
by the bad Gum gather’d from the Manfaneel by the Slaves 
in the Weft-Indzes, fold for the true. 
Another fault, I find with myfelf, is the Confufion there 
is in the Quotations of Authors, in giving the Vertues of 
Plants, ©¢. This indeed came partly from want of Time 
to continue the Difcourfe with References in the Margin 
or Bottom of the Pages; but 1 have the fame Reafon as 
above, that every one may fee what concerns their Lives, 
and what Authorities are to fupport the Virtues afcrib’d to 
Simples, for I think it not fit to take upon myfelf the confe- 
quences to the Lives of People, which may attend the taking 
Medicines that 1 have never given,and which too many People 
are apt to take upon flight grounds, and to afcribe to them the 
fame Virtues as to thofe of the fame Tribe in Europe, when 
there are many inftances, that the Virtues of many Plants 
of the fame Tribe differ widely.. Upon this Occafion, I 
cannot 
