CHAP, vii SYLVA 331 



trees were quite subverted, a most famous and mons- 

 trous, oak growing at Epping in Essex, (blown down) 

 raised it self, and withstood that hurricane. These 

 (amongst many others) are the infirmities to which 

 forest-trees are subject, whilst they are standing ; and 

 when they are fell'd, to the worm ; especially if cut 

 before the sap be perfectly at rest : But to prevent or 

 cure it in the timber, I commend this secret as the 

 most approv'd. 



23. Let common yellow sulphur be put into a 

 cucurbit-glass, upon which pour so much of the 

 strongest aqua-fortis, as may cover it three fingers 

 deep : distil this to dryness, which is done by two 

 or three rectifications : Let the sulphur remaining in 

 the bottom (being of a blackish or sad-red colour) be 

 laid on a marble, or put into a glass, where it will 

 easily dissolve into oil : With this, anoint what is 

 either infected, or to be preserved of timber. It is a 

 great and excellent arcanum for tinging the wood 

 with no unpleasant colour, by no art to be washed 

 out ; and such a preservative of all manner of woods; 

 nay, of many other things ; as ropes, cables, fishing- 

 nets, masts of ships, GPc. that it defends them from 

 putrefaction, either in waters under or above the 

 earth, in the snow, ice, air, Winter or Summer, Gfc. 

 It were superfluous to describe the process of the 

 aqua- for tis ; It shall be sufficient to let you know, 

 that our common coperas makes this aqua-Jortis well 

 enough for our purpose, being drawn over by a 

 retort : And for sulphur, the Island of St. Christophers 

 yields enough, (which hardly needs any refining) to 

 furnish the whole world. This secret (for the 

 curious) I thought fit not to omit ; though a more 

 compendious, three or four anointings with linseed- 



