500 NATURAL HISTORY. 



try the taking of fumes by pipes, as they do in 

 tobacco, of other things ; as well to dry and comfort, 

 as for other intentions. I wish trial be made of the 

 drying fume of rosemary, and lignum aloes, before- 

 mentioned, in pipe ; and so of nutmeg, and folium 

 indum, &c. 



928. The following of the plough hath been ap 

 proved for refreshing the spirits and procuring 

 appetite ; but to do it in the ploughing for wheat 

 or rye, is not so good, because the earth has spent 

 her sweet breath in vegetables put forth in summer. 

 It is better therefore to do it when you sow barley. 

 But because ploughing is tied to seasons, it is best 

 to take the air of the earth new turned up, by dig 

 ging with the spade, or standing by him that diggeth. 

 Gentlewomen may do themselves much good by 

 kneeling upon a cushion, and weeding. And these 

 things you may practise in the best seasons; which 

 is ever the early spring, before the earth putteth 

 forth the vegetables, and in the sweetest earth you 

 can choose. It would be done also when the dew is 

 a little off the ground, lest the vapour be too moist. 

 I knew a great man that lived long, who had a clean 

 clod of earth brought to him every morning as he 

 sat in his bed : and he would hold his head over it a 

 good pretty while. I commend also, sometimes, 

 in digging of new earth, to pour in some Malmsey 

 or Greek wine, that the vapour of the earth and wine 

 together may comfort the spirits the more ; provided 

 always it be not taken for a heathen sacrifice, or 

 libation to the earth. 



