CHAP, xiii S Y L V A 127 



about them, or indeed any other trees ; provided they 

 are secur'd from cattel, and the violence of impetuous 

 winds, &c. as His Majesty's are, without those close 

 coffins, in which the Dutch-men seem rather to bury 

 them alive : In the mean time, is there a more ravish- 

 ing or delightful object, than to behold some intire 

 streets, and whole towns planted with these trees, in 

 even lines before their doors, so as they seem like 

 cities in a wood ? this is extreamly fresh, of admirable 

 effect against the epilepsie, for which the delicately 

 scented blossoms are held prevalent, and skreen the 

 houses both from winds, sun, and dust ; than which 

 there can be nothing more desirable where streets are 

 much frequented. For thus 



1 The stately Lime, smooth, gentle, streight and fair, 

 (With which no other Dryad may compare) 

 With verdant locks, and fragrant blossoms deckt, 

 Does a large, ev'n, odor ate shade project. 



Dirte and curses therefore on those inhuman and am- 

 bitious tyrants, who, not contented with their own 

 dominions, invade their peaceful neighbour, and send 

 their legions, without distinction, to destroy and level 

 to the ground such venerable and goodly plantations, 

 and noble avenues, irreparable marks of their barbarity. 



The distance for walks (as we said) may in rich 

 ground, be twenty five foot, in more ordinary soil, 

 eighteen or twenty. For a most prodigious tree of 

 this kind, see Chap. 39. sect. 10. 



The berries reduc'd to powder, cure the dysentery 



1 Stat philyra ; haud omnes formosior altera surgit 

 Inter hamadryades ; mollissima, Candida, laevis, 

 Et viridante coma, & beneolenti flore superba, 

 Spargit odoratam late, atque aequaliter umbram. 



Couleii, I. 6, PI 



