io8 SEA FABLES EXPLAINED. 



hands, I dare confidently auouch, and boldly put downe for verity. 

 Now if any will object that this tree which I saw might be one of those 

 before mentioned, which either by the waues of the sea or some violent 

 wind had beene ouerturned as many other trees are ; or that any trees 

 falling into those seas about the Orchades, will of themselves bear 

 the like Fowles, by reason of those seas and waters, these being so 

 probable conjectures, and likely to be ti'ue, I may not without prejudice 

 gainsay, or endeauour to confute. 



IF The Place. 



The bordes and rotten plankes whereon are found these shels breed- 

 ing the Barnakle, are taken vp in a small Island adioyning to Lanca- 

 shire, halfe a mile from the main land, called the Pile of Foulders. 



IF The Time. 



They spawn as it were in March and Aprill ; the Geese are formed 

 in May and June, and come to fulnesse of feathers in the moneth 

 after. 



And thus hauing through God's assistance discoursed somewhat at 

 large of Grasses, Herbes, Shrubs, Trees, and Mosses, and certaine 

 Excrescenses of the Earth, with other things moe, incident to the 

 historic thereof, we conclude and end our present Volume, with this 

 wonder of England. For the which God's name be euer honored and 

 praised. 



Gerard was probably a good botanist and herbalist ; but 

 Thomas Johnson, the editor of a subsequent issue of his 

 book, tells us that 



" He, out of a propcnse good will to the publique advancement of 

 this knowledge, endeavoured to performe therein more than he could 

 well accomplish, which was partly through want of sufficient learning ; 

 but," he adds, " let none blame him for these defects, seeing he was 

 neither wanting in pains nor good will to performe what hee intended : 

 and there are none so simple but know that heavie burthens are with 

 most paines vndergone by the weakest men ; and although there are 

 many faults in the worke, yet iudge well of the Author ; for, as a late 

 writer well saith : — ' To err and to be deceived is human, and he must 

 seek solitude who wishes to live only with the perfect.' " 



