66 The Natural Historg 



Colours, and is made use of for several domestick Xecessa- 

 ries, such as Wainscot, Tables, Chairs, Trenchers, Dishes, 

 Stocks for Guns, and the like. The Buds of this Tree boiled 

 and appljed, help the hardness of the Spleen, and other hard 

 swellings; the Fruit loosens the Belly and the Tears that 

 issue out of the Tree in Spring, the biting of Serpents. 



The Beech Tree is frequently to be met with very large, 

 whereof there are two sorts ; the first is much the same as in 

 Europe, and is in plenty all over this Province, but is little 

 regarded or made use of, only for Fire-wood, not being dura- 

 ble Timber, yet affords plenty of Sweet Mast for Swine, 

 which makes the Pork very oily, except it be hardened with 

 Indian Corn before it is killed or made use of. 



There is another sort of Beech found here in several places 

 called Buch-Beech, and differs little from the former, only 

 in the Bark and Leaf there is some small difference, and the 

 Tree is generally not so large. The Leaves applied, help 

 Swellings, Blisters, and Excoriations of the Skin; the Juice 

 that comes out of the Tree bored, is excellent against Scruffs, 

 Tetters, Ring-worms, Scabs, and sore Mouths ; the Kernel of 

 the Nut helps the Gravel and Stone in the Kidneys, so doth 

 the Ashes. 



The Elm Tree, whereof are two sorts, the first grows on 

 high Lands, and is like the European Elm. The Indians 

 take the Bark of the Root of this Tree, and beat it to a Pulp 

 whilst fresh, and then dry it in the Chimney, with which they 

 heal a Cut or green Wound, very speedily. The other kind 

 of Elm grows in wet or low Grounds, and differs but little 

 from the former, only the Bark is so very tough, tluit ''he 

 Europeans and Indians make Ropes of it for several uses, 

 which they strip of in April or May, when the Sap begins to 

 run, this they can do with the greatest ease imaginable at 



that 



