OF NORTH CAROLINA. 157 



There are two sorts of elm ; the first grows on 

 our high land and approaches our Eiiglish; the 

 Indians take the bark of its root and beat it, whilst 

 green, to a pulp, and then dry it in the chimney, 

 where it becomes of a reddish color. This they 

 use as a sovereign remedy to heal a cut or green 

 wound, or any thing that is not corrupted. It is 

 of a very glutinous quality. The other elm grows 

 in low ground, of whose bark the English and In- 

 dians make ropes ; for as soon as the sap rises, it 

 strips off with the greatest ease imaginable. It 

 runs in March, or thereabouts. 



The tulip trees which are, by the planters, call- 

 ed poplars, as nearest approaching that wood in 

 grain grow to a prodigious bigness, some of them 

 having been found one and twenty feet in circum- 

 ference. I have been informed of a tulip tree, 

 that was ten feet diameter ; and another wherein 

 a lusty man had his bed and household furniture, 

 and lived in it till his labor got him a more fash- 

 ionable mansion. Ho afterwards became a noted 

 man in his country for wealth and conduct. One 

 of these sorts bears a white tulip, the other a party 

 colored, mottled one. The wood makes very pret- 

 ty wainscot shingles for houses, and planks for 

 several uses. It is reckoned very lasting, espe- 

 cially, underground for mill work. The buds, 

 made into an ointment, cure scalds, inflamations, 

 and burns. I saw several bushels thereon. The 

 cattle are apt to eat of these buds, which give a 

 very odd taste to the milk. Beech is here fre- 

 .a8 



