78 S Y L V A BOOK i 



shipwrights : Of old they made their ^asa ^indemta- 

 toria and corbes messoria (as we our pots for strawber- 

 ries) with the rind of this beech, nay, and vessels to 

 preserve wine in, and that curiously wrought cup 

 which the shepherd in the Bucolicks wagers withal, 

 was engraven by Alcimedon upon the bark of this 

 tree : And an happy age it seems : 



1 No wars did men molest, 



When only beechen-bowls were in request. 



Of the thin lamina or scale of this wood (as our cutlers 

 call it) are made scabards for swords, and band-boxes, 

 superinduc'd with thin leather or paper, boxes for 

 writings, hat-cases, and formerly book-covers. I 

 wonder we cannot split it our selves, but send into 

 other countries for such trifles. In the cavities of 

 these trees, bees much delight to hive themselves : 

 Yet for all this, you would not wonder to hear me 

 deplore the so frequent use of this wood, if you did 

 consider that the industry of France furnishes that 

 country for all domestick utensils with excellent 

 wallnut ; a material infinitely preferable to the best 

 beech, which is indeed good only for shade and for 

 the fire, as being brittle, and exceedingly obnoxious 

 to the worm, where it lies either dry, or wet and 

 dry, as has been noted ; but being put ten days in 

 water, it will exceedingly resist the worm : To which, 

 as I said, it is so obnoxious, that I wish the use of it 

 were by a law, prohibited all joyners, cabinet-makers, 

 and such as furnish tables, chairs, bed-steads, cofers, 

 screws, Gfc. They have a way to black and polish 



1 Nee bella fuerunt, 



Faginus adstabat dum scyphus ante dapes. 



Tibul. 



