Book IV. The Natural Hiftory of, &c. 103 
Die Hee 
Gj ||H1O° every Part of this Tree, cither in its Make or Ufe, is 
ftamped with fo many evident Signatures of Divine Wifdom, 
as to make it juftly the Obje& of our Admiration ; yet, in 
defcribing it, we ought not to add to it (as moft Writers 
—— have done) pretended Qualities, and Excellencies foreign 
to its Nature. 
For as the Light of the Sun cannot be heightened by that of a Candle, 
fo neither can the perfe& Works of God require the Aid of our weak, 
much lefs falfe Embellifhments, to fet them forth in a ftronger and more 
advantageous Light, left he fhould fay unto us, Who requireth this Thing 
at your Hand ? 
As the ingenious Mr. Ray was one of the firft Perfons of Charaéter 
who was impofed upon, moft other Authors fince his Time, depending 
upon his Defcription, have reprefented this Tree as actually capable of, 
and really producing, Bread, Water, Wine, Vinegar, Brandy, Oil, Honey, 
Cups, Spoons, Befoms, Mafts, Nails, Needles, and Covering for Houfes. 
But, fince many of thefe Qualities are merely chimerical, I fhall endea- 
vour to defcribe this Tree according to its outward Appearance, and real 
Properties. 
Its Roots are many, very much refembling, in Colour, Make, Texture, 
and Extent, thofe of the Cabbage-tree, being very fmall, and many in 
Number. 
The Trunk of this likewife fomewhat refembles the former, having 
near the Top, furrounding the Heart of the Tree, many Flakes of that 
eatable Cabbage-like Subftance. 
But the Body of this Tree hath no Claim to a juft Proportion in 
Growth, being often near as thick at Thirty Feet high, as it is within Three 
Feet from the Ground ; and it generally leans one Way or another, 
occafioned, in fome meafure, by the great Weight of Nuts it fuftains 
whilft young, which determines the bending of the Tree, which Side 
; Dd foever 
