CHAP, iv S Y L V A 281 



(growing to a considerable tree) for its 

 aptness to be shorn and govern 'd like the sabine and 

 cypress, may be entertain'd, but not for its lasting 

 verdure, which forsakes it in Winter, but soon again 

 restores it. It was of old counted infelix, and under 

 malediction, and therefore used to wreath, and be put 

 on the heads of malefactors : But it has other excellent 

 properties, in particular sovereign against the spleen, 

 which as * Camden tells us was therefore brought first 

 into England by Grindal Archbishop of Canterbury: 

 They also made cans to drink, out of this wood. 



Thuya ; by some call'd arbor vitae, (brought us from 

 Canada,) is an hardy green all the Winter, (though 

 a little tarnish'd in very sharp weather) rais'd to a 

 tree of moderate stature, bearing a ragged leaf, not 

 unlike the cypress, only somewhat flatter, and not so 

 thick set and close : It bears small longish clogs and 

 seeds, but takes much better by layers and slips, as 

 those we have before mentioned, and may be kept 

 into the same shapes, but most delights in the shade, 

 where the roots running shallow, the stem needs 

 support : The leaf being bruised between the fingers, 

 emits a powerful scent not easily conquer'd, seeming 

 to breathe something of a sanative unguent, and (as 

 I am told) makes one of the best for the closure of 

 green and fresh wounds : But that those curious 

 utensils and works of the turners, bowls, boxes, cups, 

 mortars, pestles, &c. are of this material (as is pretend- 

 ed) and pass under the name of lignum vitae, (or 

 rather of some of the exotic, more close and ponderous 

 wood) as Brasile, log-wood, &c. is a mistake : Upon 

 recension therefore of these exotics, I cannot but 

 encourage the more frequent raising the rest of those 



1 Elizab. 



j 



