363 



winter, when it admits the sun/' The bark is 

 described as of a pleasing hue, and was used 

 to colour skins and leather ; the root to dye 

 wool. 



" The fruit," says he, " resembles the 

 snouts or muzzles of wild beasts, and many 

 of the smaller berries seem to hang to those 

 that are larger/' 



The same author, in writing on the age 

 of trees, (book I6th 9 chap. 24/*,) says, " at 

 Rome, in the court-yard belonging to the 

 chapel of the goddess Diana Lucina, there 

 is yet to be seen a lote-tree standing before 

 the chapel, which was built in the year of 

 the Anarchy, when Rome was desolate of all 

 magistrates, which was 369 years after the 

 foundation of the city ; but how much more 

 ancient this tree is than the chapel, God 

 knows! for older it is without all question, 

 as from the trees there growing, which the 

 Latins call Lucus, the goddess Diana took 

 her name Lucina, which was about 450 years 

 back, and doubtless this tree is so old." 



" Another lote-tree there is," says he, 

 " still older, but the age of it is likewise un- 

 certain: it is known by the name of Capil- 

 lata (hairy), and so called, because the hair 

 of the vestal virgins' heads is usually brought 

 thither to be consecrated. There is a third 



