WYCH ELM 



31 



descriptions of the four species are reprinted on page 38, 

 but the first draft of his description of the Broad-leaved 

 Elm may appropriately appear here. It is written on the 

 back of a document dated 16 14. 



The broad-leaved Elme or Witch Hasell groweth to be a very 

 greate tree, and very high, especially when he groweth in woods 

 amongst other trees, the tymber in y^ 5'onge trees is very white, 

 his branches or boughes are grosse & bigge and doe spread them- 

 selves broader [and hang more downewards than those of the first]. 

 The leaves are rougher and much broader and longer than those of 

 y^ Comon Elme, stript or cutt about y^ edges, of a dark greene 

 colour, nearer resemblinge y'' leaves of y*^ Hasell, which is y^ cause 

 of y* name. 



The one side of y*^ leaves are allwaies longer and doe come 

 nearer to y"" boughes whereon they were then the other, like unto 

 y'^ leaves of all y^ rest of y^ kind of elmes, as Lobell's figure of the 

 Common Elm well expresseth ; the leaves of the older trees are 

 very much narrower than those of y® younge ones, also on y^ leaves 

 of this Elme doe growe blisters or bladders in which at y^ springe 

 are little creatures about y^ bignes of Bed-fleas, which in y* somer 

 (as I take it) turn into flies growinge wings like those of the 

 Comon Elme. The barke on y® out side is blacker than that of 

 y^ Comon Elme & is very tough. So that when y^ sappe is uppe, 

 it will strippe & peele from the lower end of y^ boughes to y'^ 

 toppe, without breakinge, whereof are made cords & ropes. 



The roots spread far abroad in y^ earth & are very tough, which 

 makes the tree with much difficultie to be grubbed uppe. 



Whereon doe growe y^ flowers nearly compacted together & like 

 unto y^ pointells or chives growinge in midle of flowers, which 

 afterwards turn into flatt seed, more long than broade, not much 

 unlike to Arach seed ; and doe for the most parte fall away before 

 or shortly after, the leaves springe forth, and some hang on 

 a greate parte of the somer. They flower at the latter end of 

 ffebr or beg of March. 



[MS. f. 4; Ger. eniac. p. 1481 (much altered) 



The following lines are written on the cover of a letter 

 addressed to ' Nicholas Everender at his brother's house in 

 Sedlescombe in Sussex. This to M^ Samuell Shute at 

 Mr. Thomas Caltherste at ye albus Lion in Dea(?)side '. 

 On the other side is written the draft of the letter already 



