B. sempervirens 



great prices for it by weight as well as measure, 

 and by the seasoning and divers manners of 

 cutting vigorous insolations, politure and grind- 

 ing, the roots of this tree (as even our common 

 and neglected Thorn) do furnish the inlayers and 

 cabinet-makers with pieces rarely undulated, and 

 full of variety. Also of Box are made wheels or 

 shivers (as our ship carpenters call them) and 

 pins for blocks and pulleys, pegs for musical 

 instruments, nutcrackers, weavers' shuttles, 

 hollar-sticks, bump-sticks, and dressers for the 

 shoe-makers, rulers, rolling-pins, pestles, mall- 

 balls, beetles, tops, tables, chess-men, screws male 

 and female, bobbins for bone-lace, spoons, nay, 

 the stoutest axle-trees above all." 



With reference to the making of combs from 

 the wood for ladies' use Evelyn gives the 

 following lines : 



" Box-combs bear no small part 

 In the Militia of the Female Art ; 

 They tye the links which hold our Gallants fast 

 And spread the Nets to which fond Lovers hast." 



Although other woods are now used in wood 

 engraving, the Box is still employed for the best 

 class work, and the principal source of production 

 is the neighbourhood of the Black Sea. The 

 supply is, however, becoming short, and is not 

 likely to be increased rapidly, as the growth of 

 the Box is very slow. The Diplomatic and 



217 



