76 The Natural Historg 



the Weather; this and the Hichery are very tough Rods to 

 whip Horses with, yet this Wood is in Substance very brittle. 

 This Tree the Vine delights to twist about, it is good Fire- 

 wood, but very sparkling as well as the Sassafras; the Xut or 

 Kernel of this Tree has much the same Virtues with those of 

 the Chesnut, but more binding, and are of excellent use to 

 stop Fluxes. 



The Sassafras is very common, and grows large, its Wood 

 being sometimes above two Feet over, 'tis durable and lasting 

 for Bowls, Timber Posts for Houses, and other things that 

 require standing in the Ground, notwithstanding it is very 

 brittle and light, it hath a pleasant smell. The Leaves are 

 of two sorts, some long and smooth, the others indented about 

 the edges (especially those growing at the top of the 

 Branches) sometimes like those of the Fig-tree, it bears a 

 small white Flower, which is cleansing to the Blood, if eaten 

 in the Spring with other Salating; it likewise bears a small 

 Berry, which when ripe, is black and very oily. Carminative, 

 and extremely prevalent in Coughs: The Bark and Root 

 help most Diseases proceeding from Obstructions, and of 

 singular use in Diets for the French Pox, it strengthens the 

 whole Body, cures Barrenness, and is a Specifick to those 

 afflicted with the Gripes, or defluctions of Rheum; the same 

 in Powder, and strong lotions being made thereof, is much 

 used by the Savage Indians, to mundify old Ulcers, and sev- 

 eral other uses ; it is a beautiful and odoriferous Ever-green, 

 makes a delightful and fragrant Fire, but very sparkling. 



The Willow Tree differs from the European, both in Bark 

 and Leaves, but the Grain is not to be distinguished from the 

 former, and is commonly to be met with growing on the River 

 sides, and Banks of fresh Water, as the Birch does. 



The 



