256 S Y L V A BOOK ii 



holes made in the earth and sand (in which they are 

 apter to rot) may more safely be done, by exposing 

 the clogs discreetly to the sun, or before the soft and 

 gentle fire, or I think, best of all, by soaking them 

 in warm-water : The cones (thus discharged) the 

 gaping seeds, together with the rest of the skeleton, 

 adhere a long while to the branches, which not seldom 

 hang on above two years ; as we likewise find in those 

 of other resinous trees, though falling sooner. 



The lachrym#, gum, and other transudations, serv- 

 ing more for unguents and the chyrurgeon's box, 

 than for other medicaments, in which we find Pliny 

 has little faith : But that which is more remarkable, 

 is the virtue of the famous timber of this noble tree, 

 being proof against all putrefaction of human and 

 other bodies, above all other ingredients and compo- 

 sitions of embalmers ; and that by a pretty contra- 

 diction, giving life as it were to the dead, and 

 destroying the worms which are living ; and as it does 

 where any goods are kept in chests and presses of the 

 wood, excepting woollen-cloth and furs, which 'tis 

 observ'd they corrupt. In the mean time, touching 

 the manner of these operations, as it concerns the pre- 

 servation of the dead, see more where we speak of 

 cypress, &c. The effects being ascrib'd to the 

 extream bitterness of the resinous juices, whilst the 

 odor is most grateful : The worthy Mr. Ray mentions 

 the powder and sawdust of cedar to be one of the 

 greatest secrets us'd by our pollinctors and mounte- 

 banks, who pretend to this embalming mystery ; and 

 indeed, that the dust and very chips are exitial to 

 moths and worms, daily experience shews us ; tho' 

 none in mine, than the dry'd leaves and stalks of 

 Marum-Syriacum, familiarly planted in our gardens : 



