286 SYLVA BOOK ii 



axletrees, wedges, beetles, pins, and above all, for 

 palisadoes us'd in fortifications. Besides, it affords so 

 good fuel, that it supplies all Spain almost with the 

 best, and most lasting of charcoals, in vast abundance. 

 Of the first kind is made the painter's lac, extracted 

 from the berries ; to speak nothing of that noble con- 

 fection alkermes, and that noble scarlet-die the learned 

 Mr. Ray gives us the process of at large, in his 

 chapter of the ilexes ; where also of their medicinal 

 uses : To this add that most accurate description of 

 this tree, and the vermicula ; see Quinqueranus, L. 2. 

 de laud, provid. fol. 48. naturally abounding about 

 Alos. The acorns of the coccigera^ or dwarf-oak, yield 

 excellent nourishment for rustics, sweet, and little if 

 at all inferior to the chesnut ; and this, and not the 

 fagus^ was doubtless the true esculus of the Ancients, 

 the food of the Golden Age. The wood of the 

 enzina when old, is curiously chambletted, and em- 

 broider'd with natural vermiculations, as if it were 

 painted. Note, that the kermes tree does not always 

 produce the coccum^ but near the sea, and where it is 

 very hot ; nor indeed when once it comes to bear 

 acorns ; and therefore the people do often burn down 

 the old trees, that they may put forth fresh branches, 

 upon which they find them : This, (as well as the 

 oak, cork, beech, and corylus] is numbred amongst 

 thefe/ices, and lucky-trees : But for what reason, the 

 alaternus (which I am next speaking of) together 

 with the agrifolium [holly] pines, salix, &c. should 

 be excommunicated, as infelices^ I know not, unless 

 for their being dedicated to the Infernal Deities ; of 

 which Macrob. Sat. lib. 12. cap. 16. In the mean 

 time, take this for a general rule ; that those were 

 call'd infelices only, which bare no fruit ; for so Livy, 



