CHAP, in S Y L V A 231 



have been the better of the two, bad not that im- 

 pediment happen'd, it growing so taper, and erect, 

 as nothing can be more beautiful : This I think (if 

 we had no other) is a pregnant instance, as of the 

 speedy growing of that material ; so of all the en- 

 couragement I have already given for the more fre- 

 quent cultivating this ornamental, useful, and profitable 

 tree, abounding doubtless formerly in this countrey 

 of ours, if what a grave and authentick author writes 

 be true, Athenasus relating, that the stupendious vessel, 

 built so many ages since by Hiero, had its mast out 

 of Britain. Take notice that none of these mount- 

 ainous trees should be planted deep ; but as shallow 

 as may be for their competent support. 



The picea (already describ'd) grows on the Alps 

 among the pine, but neither so tall, nor so upright, 

 but bends its branches a little, which have the leaf 

 quite about them, short and thick, not so flat as the 

 fir : The cones grow at the point of the branches, 

 and are much longer than most other cones, containing 

 a small darkish seed. This tree produces a gum 

 almost as white and firm as frankincense : But it is 

 the larix (another sort of pine) that yields the true 

 Venetian turpentine ; of which hereafter. 



10. There is also the piceaster^ already mention'd, 

 (a wilder sort) (the leaves stiff and narrow pointed, 

 and not so close) out of which the greatest store of 

 pitch is boil'd. The taeda likewise, which is (as some 

 think) another sort abounding in Dalmatia, more 

 unctuous, and more patient of the warmer situations, 

 and so inflammable, that it will slit into candles ; and 

 therefore some will by no means admit it to be of a 

 different species, but a metamorphosis of over-grown 

 fattiness, to which the most judicious incline. But 



