122 SYLVA FLORIFERA. 



The leaves and berries of the bay-tree have 

 an aromatic astringent taste, and a fragrant 

 smell. They are accounted stomachic, carmi- 

 native, and uterine ; but are not much used 

 in medicine at the present day, although old 

 writers are very voluminous in describing 

 their virtues. Some tell us that the leaves 

 were formerly eaten to prevent intoxication, 

 whilst others ate them to produce oracles; 

 from whence the bay is sometimes called the 

 " Prophetic Tree." " 



Venturi prcescia Lauras. 



Claudian. 



BEECH TREE. — See Pomarium Britannicum, 



