74 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



attaining any considerable size. It is therefore advisable 

 to purchase it of the size desired, rather than to raise it 

 at home. It will thrive in any soil or exposure, and 

 under the deepest shade. It is an evergreen, and re- 

 markable for its fine glowing colour : particularly the 

 dwarf kind. In the story of Rimini, it is called " sunny- 

 coloured box." " The pleasantness of its verdure," says 

 Evelyn, " is incomparable." 



The Box-tree, though in gardens seldom seen more than 

 three or four feet high, will, if not cut, rise to a height of 

 twelve or fifteen. The wood is close-grained, very hard, 

 and heavy. It is the only one of the European woods that 

 will sink in water ; and is sold by weight, fetching a high 

 price. Not being liable to warp, it is well adapted to a 

 variety of nicer purposes ; as tops, screws, chess-men, pegs 

 for musical instruments, knife-handles, modelling- tools, &c. 

 The ancients made combs of it, which use is mentioned by 

 Cowley in his poem on Plants : 



te They tye the links that hold their gallants fast, 

 And spread the nets to which fond lovers haste." 



Thunberg says that Box is very common in Japan, both 

 in a wild and in a cultivated state ; and that it is there 

 made into combs, which are covered with a red varnish, and 

 worn by the ladies for ornament*. 



Corsican honey was supposed by the ancients to owe its 

 ill name to the bees feeding upon Box : (Virgil indeed 

 seems to attribute it to their feeding upon Yew).-f- None 

 of our animals will touch it. Parkinson says, " the leaves 



* Thunberg's Travels, vol. iii. p. 83, or 227. 



t See Virgil's ninth Eclogue : not in Dryden's Version ; he makes 

 no mention of Corsica. The ill qualities of the Corsican honey are, by 

 some writers, attributed to the yews and hemlock which grow in that 

 island in great abundance. 



