120 S Y L V A BOOK i 



of those curious works, which we find remarkable in 

 this, and other woods, whose branches grow thick 

 from the stem : But for these curious contextures, 

 consult rather the learned Dr. Grew. We have shew- 

 ed how by culture, and stripping up, it arrives to a 

 goodly tree ; and surely there were some of them of 

 large bulk, and noble shades, that Virgil should chuse 

 it for the Court of his Evander (one of his worthiest 

 princes, in his best of poems) sitting in his maple- 

 throne ; and when he brings ^Eneas into the royal 

 cottage, he makes him this memorable complement ; 

 greater, says great Cowley, than ever was yet spoken 

 at the Escurial, the Louvre, or White-hall. 



This humble roof, this rustique court, said he, 

 Receiv'd Alcides crown 'd with victory : 

 Scorn not (great guest) the steps where he has trod, 

 But contemn wealth, and imitate a God. 



The savages in Canada, when the sap rises in the 

 maple, by an incision in the tree, extract the liquor ; 

 and having evaporated a reasonable quantity thereof 

 (as suppose 7 or 8 pound), there will remain one 

 pound, as sweet and perfect sugar, as that which is 

 gotten out of the cane ; part of which sugar has been 

 for many years constantly sent to Rouen in Normandy, 

 to be refin'd : There is also made of this sugar an 

 excellent syrup of maiden-hair and other capillary 

 plants, prevalent against the s cor but ; though Mr. Ray 

 thinks otherwise, by reason of the saccharine sub- 

 stance remaining in the decoction: See Synops. Stirp. & 

 Tom. in. Dendrolog. de Acere. p. 93, 94. 



1 Haec (inquit) limina victor 



Alcides 



