1 44 S Y L V A BOOK i 



(giving a general rule for the gathering of sap, and 

 tapping of trees) would have it done within one foot 

 of the ground, the first rind taken off, and then the 

 white bark slit over-thwart, no farther than to the 

 body of the tree : Moreover, that this wound be 

 made only in that part of the bark which respects 

 the south-west, or between those quarters ; because 

 (says he) little or no sap riseth from the northern, 

 nor indeed when the east-wind blows. In this slit, 

 by the help of your knife to open it, he directs that 

 a leaf of the tree be inserted, first fitted to the dimens- 

 ions of the slit, from which the sap will distil in 

 manner of filtration : Take away the leaf, and the 

 bark will close again, a little earth being clapped to 

 the slit. Thus the Knight for any tree. But we 

 have already shew'd how the birch is to be treated : 

 Fasten therefore a bottle, or some such convenient 

 vessel appendant ; this does the effect as well as 

 perforation or tapping : Out of this aperture will extil 

 a limpid and clear water, retaining an obscure smack 

 both of the tast and odor of the tree ; and which 

 (as I am credibly inform'd) will in the space of twelve 

 or fourteen days, preponderate, and out-weigh the 

 whole tree it self, body and roots ; which if it be 

 constant, and so happen likewise in other trees, is not 

 only stupendous, but an experiment worthy the con- 

 sideration of our profoundest philosophers : An ex 

 sola aqua fiunt arbores ? whether water only be the 

 principle of vegetables, and consequently of trees : 

 I say, I am credibly inform'd ; and therefore the late 

 unhappy 1 angry-man might have spar'd his anim- 



1 Dr. Stubb. See the tractate intitled, Aditus novus ad occultas sympathies & 

 antipathicEcausasinveniendas,pet princi-pia philosophic naturalis, & fcrmcntorum 

 artificiosd anatomid hausta, patefactas, a Silvestro Rattray, M.D. Glasquensi, 

 1658. p. 55. 



