12 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



size, and the known slowness of its growth, must speak 

 the same impressive language. Mr. Campbell has put it 

 in a noble attitude for the occasion : 



" Rocks sublime 



To human art a sportive semblance bore, 

 And yellow lichens colour'd all the clime 

 Like moonlight battlements, and towers decay'd by time. 

 But high in amphitheatre above, 

 His arms the everlasting aloes threw." 



GERTRUDE OF WYOMING. 



The Abbe la Pluche gives an interesting account of the 

 uses of the Chinese Aloe, commonly called Wood-aloes, or 

 Aloes-wood ; from whence, as has been supposed, the name 

 of aloe has been transferred to the common species. 



" This Aloe," says he, " is as tall as the olive-tree, and 

 of much the same shape : there are three sorts of wood 

 contained under its bark ; the first is black, compact, and 

 heavy ; the second swarthy, and as light as touchwood ; 

 the third, which lies near the heart, diffuses a powerful 

 fragrance. The first is known by the name of eagle-wood, 

 and is a scarce commodity ; the second, calembouc-wood, 

 which is transported into Europe, where it is highly 

 esteemed as an excellent drug ; it burns like wax, and, 

 when thrown into the fire, has an aromatic odour. The 

 third, which is the heart, and called calambac, or tambac 

 wood, is a more valuable commodity in the Indies than gold 

 itself. It is used for perfuming the clothes and the apart- 

 ments of persons of distinction ; and is a specific medicine 

 for persons affected with fainting-fits, or with the palsy. 

 The Indians, likewise, set their most costly jewels in this 

 wood. The leaves of this tree are sometimes used instead 

 of slates for roofing houses ; are manufactured into dishes 

 and plates, and, when well dried, are fit to be brought to 

 table. If stripped betimes of their nerves and fibres, they 



