86 The Natural History 



their Cloth and Yarn. It is a beautiful Ever-green, growing 

 plentifully in Swamps, low Grounds, and Ponds of fresh 

 Water ; and sometimes on the Banks of the Rivers. 



The Savine, is a low Shrub, and is plentifully to be met 

 with in this Province, especially in dry Ground and Banks 

 on the River sides. It beareth Leaves and Berries much 

 like those of the Cedar, it is a beautiful Ever-gTeen, but is 

 not as prickley, neither has it such a strong smell as the Bar- 

 ren Savine that grows in our Gardens. The Virtues of this 

 Plant are so well known, that it would be needless to repeat 

 them. 



The Misseltoe, or Missteltoe, that grows upon the Oak, was 

 formerly held in great veneration amongst the Pagans in 

 their Sacrifices; and it is much to be admired to see such a 

 Dwarfish Shrub gTOw without any visible Root, on so tall, 

 noble, and lofty Trees, as it does, and of a quite different 

 IN^ature to them. Various are the Opinions amongst AVriters 

 how this Plant is produced. Some assign it's growth to a 

 certain Moisture and Substance gathered together upon the 

 Boughs and Joints of Trees through the Bark, whereof this 

 vaporous moisture produceth and bringeth forth the Missel- 

 toe. Others assign it's produce from the Dung of Wood- 

 Quests, Black-Birds, and several other Birds that feed upon 

 it's Seeds, which they discharge upon several Branches and 

 Barks of Trees, and that the Seed will not grow without suf- 

 fering a change in these Birds Bodies. But which of these 

 Opinions may approach nearest Truth, I will not take u])on 

 me to decide. But this I am certain of, that set the Seed 

 after what manner you will, it will never grow. It grows 

 in this Province in as great plenty as in any part of the 

 World, especially upon all the species of Oaks, and several 

 other Trees. It seldom exceeds above two Feet in luMizlit, 



and 



