104 The Natural Historg 



The Figg-Tree, of which there are two sorts, viz. the greater 

 and the lesser. The large Figg Tree hath many Branches full 

 of Pith within, like Elder, and large Leaves of a dark green 

 Colour, divided into several Divisions. The Fruit conies out 

 of the Branches without any appearance of Flowers, that I 

 could perceive, which is in shape like Pears. This Tree, not- 

 withstanding it grows to be very large, yet beareth the lesser 

 Fruit, which it produceth in abundance, especially if planted 

 in light Lands, for it thrives no where better than on the 

 Sand Banks, and near the Sea-shoar. This Fruit being 

 broken before it is ripe, yieldeth a white glutinous Liquor, 

 but when the Figs are ripe, the Juice of it is like Honey, and 

 as sweet. 



The lesser or smaller Fig Tree, is like the former in it's 

 Leaves and Fruit, but seldom exceeds seven or eight Feet in 

 height, growing more like a Bush than a Tree. The Fruit 

 is ripe in July, very sweet and luscious, and considerably 

 larger than the former. If the Frost proves severe in Winter, 

 the Tops of this Shrub decay and dye. As soon as the Spring 

 approaches, it sprouts and bears vast quantities of Fruit. I 

 could never observe any Flowers it has, for it comes out of 

 the Branches, like the former. The Leaves of these Trees 

 are sharp, opening, and vulnerary; and being applied with 

 the Roots of Marsh-mallows, waste away the King's Evil and 

 all hard Tumors ; the Fruit is likewise used with good success 

 in the same Disorders, the Juice or Milk is Cosmetick, and 

 with Barley -meal and Lard, help the Gout and Piles, &c. 



The Filherd-Tree being planted here, in a few Years de- 

 generates into a small Dwarfish Nut, no bigger tlian the 

 FTazle, yet it's Fruit is as good as any in Europe, but few are 

 either so industrious or curious to ])lant these Trees, there 

 being such quantities of spontaneous Fruit 



The 



