CHAP, iv S Y L V A 97 



wood ; but I find it done to my hand, and published 

 some years since, at the end of a late translation of the 

 first book of Palladio, to which I refer the reader. 

 And to accomplish our artist in timber, with the 

 utmost which that material is capable of ; to the study 

 and contemplation of that stupendious roof, which 

 now lies over the ever renowned Sheldonean Theatre 

 at the University of Oxford ; being the sole work and 

 contrivement of my most honoured friend, Sir Christo- 

 pher Wren, now worthily dignified with the superin- 

 tendency of the Royal buildings. See Dr. Plot's 

 description of it in his Nat. Hist, of Oxfordshire, 272, 

 273. tab. 13, 14. also Dr. Wallis de Motu, part 3. de 

 ^c^, cap. 6. prop. 10. 



Other conversions there are of timber of all lengths, 

 sizes and dimensions, for arches, bridges, floors and 

 flat-work, (without the supports of pillars) tables, 

 cabinets, inlayings and carvings, skrews, &c. with the 

 art of turning ; to the height of which divers gentle- 

 men have arriv'd, and for their diversion, produc'd 

 pieces of admirable invention and curiosity : These, I 

 say, belonging to the mechanick uses of timber, might 

 enter here ; with a catalogue of innumerable models 

 and other rarities, (to be found in the repositories and 

 collections of the curious.) But let this suffice. 



20. We did, in chap. 21. mention certain sub- 

 terranean trees, which Mr. Camden supposes grew 

 altogether under the ground : And truly it did appear 

 a very paradox to me, till I both saw, and diligently 

 examin'd that piece (plank, stone, or both shall I 

 name it ?) of lignum fossile taken out of a certain 

 quarry thereof at Aqua Sparta, not far from Rome, 

 and sent to the most incomparably learned Sir George 

 Ent, by that obliging virtuoso Cavalier dal. Pozzo. 



MM 



