138 
The Vegetation Book lll. 
compleat Hiltory of the Mechanical Ufes of Vegetables would very 
much conduce. I hall for the prefent give fome Infances. 
2. 6. AS First, fome Woods are foft, as Deal, and sallow. Yet from 
different Caufés, Deal, from the great Porofty of the Wood it all 
or the large Pores amongft the Sap-Veféls. But Sallow, from the great 
number of Aer-Veffels {pread all over it. And therefore, though they 
are both foft, yet will not ferve for the fame purpofes ; Sallow being 
well wrought upon, which way foever you cut it: but Deal, efpeci- 
ally the lite Deal, if it be cut crofs, it tears, and will never polih 
or work fmooth. 
3. $. Again, in sallow, by the equal fpreading of the Aer-Vefels, 
the Softmefs is equal or alike in all Parts. For which caufe it maketh 
an excellent Coal for Painters Scribets. Becaufe it doth not only make 
a light Stroak, but every where certain ; and fo doth not difturb the 
even Motion of the Hand. For the fame caufe, Shoomakers alfo make 
ufe of it for their Carving-boards. Becaufe being every where equally 
foft, it turns not the edge of their Knives, Which Deal would pre- 
fently do ; becaufe though very foft in fome places, yet in others "its 
hard that is to fay, on the inner Verge of every annual Ring of Wood, 
* where the old sap-Veffels grow much more compact and clofe together. 
4. $. AGAIN, fome Woods are foft, but not fast 5 others are 
both, as Linn : its Softnefs, depending on the numeroufnefs and equal 
fpreading of the Aer-Veffels : its Fafinefs, on the clofenefs of the true 
Wood, and the thortnefs, and fmallneís of the Infertions. For which 
caufe, it is of excellent ufe for many purpofes and particularly, for 
Small Sculptures fach as may fometimes be feen for the Frames of 
‘Looking-Glaffes, or of fmaller Pigtures in Water-Colours. 
5. $. SOME Woods, again, are fa, and hard, as Elm. Its 
hardmefs depending upon the clofenef of the Wood. Its fafnefs, 
Partly, upon the fame caufe; and partly, on the fmalneß of the Infer- 
tions 5 as alfo on the fewneß of the 4er-Vefels in proportion with the 
Wood; and on the thwart and crofs Pofition of many of them. Hence it 
is, that Eb», of all others, is the molt Crofi-grain'd Timber; that is, 
cleaveth fo unevenly, to and fro, according to the crofs Pofition of the 
faid Veffels. 
6. $. Hence alfo it cleaveth the moft Dieu. Even then, 
when it is without any Kots. For which realonit is always ufed, 
as beft for the Hub of a great Wheel. As alfo for Water-Pipes,and for 
Pumps. Not becaufe it is the molt durable Wood; but becaufe it 
will not fplit or crack, either in the working, or afiermards, For 
the very fame reafon, it is ufed for Coffins; that is, becaufe, it will 
not /plitin working: not becaufe it will endure longeft under ground ; 
for Pales are always made of Oak. So alfo the Ladles and soles of a 
Mill-wheel are always made of Elm; asalfothe Keel ofa Boat, fü. left 
they fhould /p/it : but theother Parts are made of Oak, 
7. $. It may here alfo be noted, That the Planks commonly called 
Groaning-Boards, lately expofed, as a kind of Prodigy, to the view 
and hearing of many People, were of Elm.» The Aer-Peffels of this 
Wood, being, though not more numerous, yet more ample, than in 
any other Timber, So that upon the application of the Red-hot-Iror, 
as was ufual, and thereby the Rarifucfion of the Aer and Watery Parts 
in the Timber 3 every Fejlel became, as it were a little gee Re 
their 
