CHAP, vi S Y L V A 307 



of holly-trees, dry'd to a fine powder, and drunk in 

 white-wine, are prevalent against the stone, and cure 

 fluxes ; and a dozen of the mature berries, being swal- 

 low'd, purge phlegm without danger. To which the 

 learned Mr. Ray (in Append. Plant. Angl.) adds a zy- 

 thogalum^ or posset made of milk and beer, in which is 

 boil'd some of the most pointed leaves, for asswaging 

 the torment of the collie, when nothing else has 

 prevailed. And now I might have here planted the 



15. Pyracantha^ both for its perpetual verdure, if the 

 fences had not already challeng'd it, chap. 20. lib. i. 



1 6. The lauro-cerasus on cherry-bay, which by the 

 use we commonly put it to, seems as if it had been 

 only destin'd for hedges, and to cover bare walls : 

 Being planted upright, and kept to the standard, by 

 cutting away the collateral branches, and maintaining 

 one stem, will rise to a very considerable tree ; and 

 (for the first twenty years) resembling the most 

 beautiful-headed orange, in shape and verdure, arrive 

 in time to emulate even some of our lusty timber- 

 trees ; so as I dare pronounce the laurel to be one of 

 the most proper and ornamental trees for walks and 

 avenues, of any growing. 



17. Pity it is they are so abus'd in the hedges, 

 where the lower branches growing sticky and dry, 

 by reason of their frequent and unseasonable cutting 

 (with the genius of the tree, which is to spend much 

 in wood) they never succeed, after the first six or 

 seven years ; but are to be new-planted again, or 

 abated to the very roots for a fresh shoot, which is 

 best, and soon would furnish the places. In a word; 

 as to the pruning of evergreen-hedges, there is no 

 small skill and address to be us'd, in forming and 

 trimming them for beauty and stability ; by leaving 



