CHAP, xi S Y L V A 117 



hand dubie prezferretur cedro, nunc intra pugillares^ 

 lectorumque silicios aut laminas, &c. e brusco fiunt menses 

 nigrescentes, &c. Plin. /. 16. c. 15, 16. ' The bruscum, 

 ' or Knur is wonderfully fair, but the molluscum is 

 ' counted most precious ; both of them knobs and 

 ' swellings out of the tree. The bruscum is more 

 ' intricately crisp 'd ; the molluscum not so much ; and 

 ' had we trees large enough to saw into planks for 

 ' tables, 'twould be preferr'd before cedar, (or citron, 

 ' for so some copies read it) but now they use it only 

 4 for small table-books, and with its thin boards to 

 ' wainscot bed-testers with, &c. The bruscum is of 

 4 a blackish kind, with which they make tables. 

 Thus far Pliny. And such spotted tables were the 

 famous Tigrin, and Pantherine curiosities of ; not so 

 call'd from being supported with figures carved like 

 those beasts, as some conceive, and was in use even 

 in our grand-fathers days, but from its natural spots 

 and maculations, hem, quantis facultatibus tzstimavere 

 ligneas maculas ! as Tertullian crys out, de Pallio, c, 5. 

 Such a table was that of Cicero's, which cost him 

 10000 Sesterces; such another had Asinius Gallus. 

 That of King Juba was sold for 15000, and another 

 which I read of, valu'd at 140000 H.S. which at 

 about 3*/. sterling, arrives to a pretty sum ; and yet 

 that of the Mauritanian Ptoleme, was far richer, 

 containing four foot and an half diameter, three inches 

 thick, which is reported to have been sold for its 

 weight in gold : Of that value they were, and so 

 madly luxurious the age, that when they at any time 

 reproach 'd their wives for their wanton expensiveness 

 in pearl and other rich trifles, they were wont to 

 retort, and turn the tables upon their husbands. The 

 knot of the timber was the most esteem'd, and is said 



