126 PLANTS IN SCRIPTURE 



several considerations which antiquity had of the fig 

 tree, in reference unto those parts, particularly how fig 

 leaves, by sundry authors, are described to have some 

 resemblance unto the genitals, and so were aptly formed 

 for such contection of those parts ; how also, in that 

 famous statua of Praxiteles, concerning Alexander and 

 Bucephalus, the secret parts are veiled with fig leaves. 



1 4. That the good Samaritan, coming from Jericho, 

 used any of the Judean balsam upon the wounded 

 traveller, is not to be made out, and we are unwilling 

 to disparage his charitable surgery in pouring oil into 

 a green wound ; and, therefore when 'tis said he used 

 oil and wine, may rather conceive that he made an 

 oinelaum, or medicine of oil and wine beaten up and 

 mixed together, which was no improper medicine, and 

 is an art now lately studied by some so to incorporate 

 wine and oil, that they may lastingly hold together 

 which some pretend to have, and call it oleum 

 Samar'itanum or, Samaritan's oil. 



15. When Daniel would not pollute himself with 

 the diet of the Babylonians, he probably declined 

 pagan commensation, or to eat of meats forbidden to 

 the Jews, though common at their tables, or so much 

 as to taste of their Gentile immolations, and sacrifices 

 abominable unto his palate. 



