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66 77}e Ufeful Family HerhaL 



The Scarlet Oak. 



ILEX. 



Shrub not much regarded on its own Account, 



but from the Infeft called Kermes, which is 

 found upon it ; and has at fometimes been fuppo- 

 fed a Fruit of it: The Shrub thence obtained its 

 Name of the Scarlet Oak. It grows only fix or 

 cio-ht Feet hio;h. The Branches are touorh, and 



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covered withafmooth greyifli Bark. The Leaves 

 are an Inch long, three Quarters of an Inch broad, 

 of a Figure approaching to oval, ferrated about 

 the Edges, and in a little prickly. The Flowers 

 are fm all and inconfiderable, the Fruit is an Acorii 

 like that of the common Oak, but fmaller. Handing 

 in its Cup. The Kermes, or fcarlet Grain, is a fmall 

 round Subllance of the Bignefs of a Pea, of a finft 

 red Colour within, and of a purplifh Blue with- 

 out, covered with a fine hoary Duft, like a Bloom 

 upon a Plum. It is an Infect at that Time full 

 of young. When they intend to preferve it in its 

 own Form, they find Ways of deftroying the Prin- 

 ciple of Life within, elfe the young come forth, 

 and it is fpoiled : When they exprefs the Juice, 

 they bruife the whole Grains, and fquceze it 

 through a Hair Cloth ; they then add an equal 

 Weight of fine Su^ar to it, and fend it over to us 



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under the Name of Juice of Kermes ; this is ufed 

 in Medicine^ much more than the Grain itfelf 



It is a Cordial, good againft Paintings, and x.o 

 drive out the fmall Pox ; and for Women in 

 Childbed. It fupports the Spirits, and at the 

 fame Time promotes the neceffary Difcharges. 



Oak 



