BOX TREE. 63 



than three or four feet high, will, if not cut, I'ise to a 

 height of twelve or fifteen. The wood is close-grained, 

 very hard, and heavy. It is the only one of the European 

 woods that will sink in water; and is sold by weight, 

 fetching a high price. Not being liable to warp, it is 

 well adapted to a variety of nicer purposes; as tops, 

 screws, chess-men, pegs for musical instruments, knife- 

 handles, modelling-tools, &c. The ancients made combs 

 of it, which use is mentioned by Cowley in his poem on 

 Plants : 



" They tye the links that hold theu- gallants fast, 

 And spread the nets to which fond lovers haste." 



Corsican honey was supposed by the ancients to owe 

 its ill name to the bees feeding upon Box : none of our 

 animals will touch it. Parkinson says, " the leaves and 

 saw-dust boiled in lye will change the hair to an auburn 

 colour." 



When it was the fashion to clip and cut trees into the 

 shapes of beasts, birds, &c. the Box was considered as 

 second only to the yew for that purpose ; for which, Pliny 

 says that nothing is better adapted. Martial notices this 

 quality in speaking of Bassus"'s garden : 



— " otiosis ordinata myrtetis, 



Viduaque platano tonsiUque buxeto." 



" There likewise mote be seen on every side 

 The yew obedient to the planter's will. 

 And shapely box, of all their branching pride 

 Ungently shorne, and with preposterous skill. 

 To various beasts, and birds of sundry quill 

 Transform'd, and human shapes of monstrous size ; 



■ Also other wonders of the sportive shears 

 Fair Nature mis-adorning, there were found 

 Globes, spiral columns, pyramids and piers 

 AFith sprouting urns, and budding statues crown'd ; 



