102 The Natural Hiftory, &e. Book TV, 
thick Grove of thefe Trees appears. The Beauty of their grateful Verdure, 
their waving Foliage, and the cool Shade which they promife, infufe freth 
Vigour ; a few Moments more he is reclined under its welcome. Shade, 
and there refrefhed with the moft delightful Viands thefe Nuts afford. 
- Thus, as in the refpective Stages of human Life, Providence hath pro- 
vided Pleafures and Enjoyments fuitable to every diftinét Period of it ; {o 
in every Climate the fame unerring Hand hath adapted to each, by Weight 
and Meafure, its proper peculiar Advantages, generally far overbalancing 
its Inconveniencies. 
If Eg ypt is denied the refrefhing Rains ; the Vi/e fupplies that feeming 
Want: If Paleffine is not blefled with fuch a providential Alotment; yet 
its Hills and Valleys copioufly drink of the Dew of Heaven : The Hills, by 
their high Summits, arreft the pafling Clouds, and caufe them to defcend 
on the Valleys in the former and the latter Rain. 
Where dreary Defarts deny Support to the generous Horfe, there the la- 
borious Camel, patient of great Labour, and long Thirft, is adapted by 
Nature to bear the Wants and Fatigues of Journeys thro’ fuch Sun-burnt 
Regions. 
In fhort, were we capable of taking a general Survey of the Face of 
Nature, we fhould find, that Providence hath enriched every Climate with 
Bleflings peculiar to itfelf, and adapted to the Neceflities of its Inhabitants; 
and for this Reafon we may conclude, that the Abundance of Coco Nut- 
trees found in this Ifland, and fuch Places, was gracioufly calculated and 
intended for the Comfort and Refrefhment of thofe whom Providence 
hath there placed. 
The DATE-TREE. 
a esas Tree grows to a confiderable Height, often Fifty Feet. 
Its Leaves much refemble thofe of the Cabbage-tree ; but their 
Pinna are harder, and aculeated. 
The Branches, as well as the Spines or middle Ribs of the Leaves, are 
guarded with Three-inch-long triangular Prickles, always chanelled on 
one Side. 
The ftraiteft and youngeft Branches which grow near the Summit of 
the Tree, are much ufed here by the Yews, upon their Feaft of the Taber- 
nacles : Thefe they ufually gild, and adorn them with various Flowers, and 
then carry them in Proceffion to their Synagogue. Whether this is the 
fame kind of Palm that was ufed by the//raelites, we know not, or whether 
it is not here fuccedaneoufly ufed as bearing the neareft Refemblance 
to it. The Branches are fet on /gvammatim, leaving, when they fall, very 
deep Impreffions upon the Trunk. 
The Dates grow in large fpiral Clufters, about the Bignefs and Shape 
. ofamiddling Olive ; but never come to the Perfection here of being eatable; 
for they have a very auftere and acerb Tafte; yet the Swine feed upon them 
greedily : This crude rough Acidity of the Fruit fhews, that they have a 
great deal of effential Salts. ba cag) 
