CHAP, iv S Y L V A 263 



oyl (with that of nuts) is made an excellent good 

 varnish for pictures, wood-work, and to preserve 

 polish'd iron from the rust. The gum is good to rub 

 on parchment or paper, to make it bear ink, and the 

 coals, which are made of the wood, endure the long- 

 est of any ; so as live embers have been found after 

 a year's being cover'd in the ashes : See St. Hierom 

 ad Fabiolam^ upon that expression, Psal. 120. v. 4. 

 If it arrive to full growth, spits and spoons, imparting 

 a grateful relish, and very wholesome, where they are 

 us'd, are made of this wood, being well dried and 

 season'd. And the very chips render a wholesome 

 perfume within doors, as well as the dusty blossoms 

 in Spring without, and excellent within to correct the 

 air, and expel infection ; for which purpose the wood 

 should be cut about May, and the rasures well dried. 

 5. And since we now mention pepper, it is by the 

 most prudent and princely care of his late Majesty, 

 Char. II. that I am assur'd of a late solemn Act of 

 Council, enjoyning the preserving of that incompar- 

 able spice, which comes to us from Jamaica under 

 that denomination ; though in truth it be a mixture 

 of so many aromatics in one, that it might as well 

 have been call'd cinamon, nutmeg or mace, and all- 

 spice, to every of which it seems something allied : 

 And that there is not only prohibited the destruction 

 of these trees (for it seems some prodigals us'd to cut 

 them down, for the more easie gathering) but order 

 taken likewise for their propagation, and that assays, 

 and samples be from time to time sent over, what 

 other fruits, trees, gums, and vegetables may there be 

 found, and which I prognostick will at last also incite 

 the planters there, to think of procuring cinamon, 

 cloves, and nutmeg-trees indeed, from the East-Indies, 



