70 The Natural Hlstorg 



better relish'd ; they have the Virtues of Almonds and Hazle- 

 nuts, but more nourishing, the Leaves or Bark of the Tree 

 boiled in Wine are good against the Bloody Flux, and all 

 other kind of Eluxes. 



The Sweet-Gum Tree, so called, from the sweet and fra- 

 grant Gum it yields in the Spring, by making an Incision in 

 the Bark and AVood. It cures the Herps, Tettars, Inflama- 

 tions, Morphew, and many other cutaneous Disorders : It is 

 likewise a soveraign Balsam for several internal Disorders, 

 as I have often experienced; it bears a Leaf partly like the 

 Aspen Tree, a round Bur, with a kind of Prickle like the 

 Horse Chesnut, wherein is contained the Seed ; scarce any 

 Wood has a finer or better Grain, being very durable, and is 

 frequently made use of for Tables, Drawers, &c. 



The Black Gum Tree, whereof there are two sorts ; the 

 first bears a black Berry well tasted, which the Indians com- 

 monly mix with their Pulse, and the kind of Soups they make, 

 to which it gives a pretty flavour, and Scarlet Colour : The 

 Bears crop these Trees for their Pruit, of which they are very 

 fond, yet if they are kill'd at that Season, they eat unsavoury, 

 which no doubt is occasioned by their eating those Berries, 

 for at other times, when they feed on Beech and other ^fast, 

 their Flesh is well tasted and good Food. 



The second sort bears a Berry in shape like the former, but 

 bitter and ill tasted. This Tree the Indians report is never 

 hurt or wounded by Lightning, as other Trees generally are. 

 It has no certain Grain, and it is almost impossible to split 

 it for Use; from whence I am persuaded the Indians took 

 this INTotion, that it is never hurt as above, from its being 

 so very difficult to split. 



The White Gum Tree bears a sort of long bunched Flowers, 

 and is a Ix'autiful knotted and curled Wood, and makotl) 



curious 



