234 NATURAL HISTORY. 



and wet it, and so stick the cross in the box ; and 

 then you shall see it turn finely and softly three or 

 four turns, which is caused by the untwining of the 

 beard by the moisture. You may see it more evi 

 dently, if you stick the cross between your fingers 

 instead of the box ; and therefore you may see, 

 that this motion, which is effected by so little wet, 

 is stronger than the closing or bending of the head 

 of a marygold. 



495. It is reported by some, that the herb called 

 &quot; rosa solis,&quot; whereof they make strong waters, will, 

 at the noon-day, when the sun shineth hot and 

 bright, have a great dew upon it. And therefore 

 that the right name is &quot; ros solis ;&quot; which they impute 

 to a delight and sympathy that it hath with the sun. 

 Men favour wonders. It were good first to be sure, 

 that the dew that is found upon it, be not the dew 

 of the morning preserved, when the dew of other 

 herbs is breathed away ; for it hath a smooth and 

 thick leaf, that doth not discharge the dew so soon 

 as other herbs that are more spungy and porous. 

 And it may be purslane, or some other herb, doth 

 the like, and is not marked. But if it be so, that it 

 hath more dew at noon than in the morning, then 

 sure it seemeth to be an exudation of the herb 

 itself. As plums sweat when they are set into the 

 oven : for you will not, I hope, think, that it is like 

 Gideon s fleece of wool, that the dew should fall 

 upon that and no where else. 



496. It is certain, that the honey dews are found 

 more upon oak leaves than upon ash, or beech, or 



