292 Extract from Moryson, 



From Moryson we are informed that " Ulster 

 and the western parts of Munster yield vast 

 woods, in which the rebels, cutting up trees 

 and casting them in heaps, used to stop the 

 passages therein, as also upon fenny and boggy 

 places, to fight with the English. But I confesse 

 myself to have been deceived in the common 

 fame that all Ireland is woody, having found in 

 my journey from Armagh to Kingsale few or 

 no woods by the way, excepting the woods of 

 Ophalia, and some low shrubby places which 

 they call glennes. And I did also observe 

 many boggy and fenny places whereof great 

 part might be drained by good and painful 

 husbandry. I may not omit the opinion com- 

 monly received that the earth of Ireland will 

 not suffer a snake or venomous beast to live, 

 and that the Irish wood transplanted is free of 

 spiders, which the inhabitants deny to have any 

 poison ; myself have seen some (but very few) : 

 but I have heard some English of good credit 

 affirme by experience the contrary. The Irish 

 having in most parts great woods or low skirts 

 and thickets, do use the same for fire, but in 

 other partes they burne turfe and sea coals 

 brought out of England. They export great 

 quantities of wood to make barrels called pipe 

 staves, and make great gain thereby. They are 



