Thetliirteenth Bookeof 



G 



Chap. viil. 



?^ of tke cod or fruit called Cerauma Stliqua^ hCdrol>I\ 



TiHfcreisakind of coddiefhrub, which the lonianscall Ccraunia^ not unlike to thciE- 

 gyptianSycomorcabovefaid, for the fruit thereof commcthlikcwifc forth ofihcftockc^ 

 but yet it is contained within a cod. And thereupon it is^thatfome have called it the i^gyp- 

 tian fig-tree : but they are groffely deceived . For it doth not fo much as grow in ^gypt : but in 

 Syria and Ionia,alfo about Gnidos andRhodes.The tree hath greenc leaves all the yeare long : 

 it putteth forth white flowers of a ftrong fmell.From the root there fpringfhooiSjand about the 

 foot of the tree it bearcth many young impes^ which arc fuch fuckers of the fap, that they draw H 

 away all thcgoodnelTe^and rob the parts above of their nourifhnient, whereby the head is yel- 

 low^and nothing frcfh and greene, but fadethinthe top.The fruit of the former yeare is gathe- 

 rd about the tifingof the Dog- ftarre the next yeare after .-and then prefently it bringcth forth 

 new. Afterwards commethabloflbme, and the fruit thrivcth and waxeth all winter until! the 

 occultation of Ardurus. 



Chap. I X, 



^Ofa tree in M^jptcdled Perfica : ofCucm^ andtheM^ypian 

 thor»e Acacia, 



THere is found in ^gypt a certainc kind of tree by it felfc called Perfica,like to a Peare- tree, 

 but that it is grcene all the year long,and iTieddeth not the leaves : alfo it beareth fruit con- 

 tinually : for gather to day, and yee lliall find new to morrow growing forth in the place. 

 The fruit is ripe about the canicular daies when the Etcfian winds doe blow. Itrefembleth a 

 Pcare/ave that it is longerjand inclofed with a fhell or greene huske like the Almond: but where 

 the Almond hath an hard fhell withoutjas a nutjthis is foft in manner of a Peare or Pliimjcon- 

 taining the If one within ; and yet it diffcreth Ibmewhat both in fhortnefic and tendernefle. The 

 fruit isvcry good meat :.and although the exceeding fwecinefTc thereof entice one to eat ftill 

 and not give ovcrjyct no daun ger of liirfet enfucth thereup on^As touching the wood of this tree, 

 it is durable jhardjffrongjand blacke vvithall^in which refpeds itrefembleth the Lbte- wood very k 

 much.They ufed in times paff to make images and ffatues thereof, not fo bcautifull altogether, 

 nor of fo fine a graine as fome others J but for the timber thereof, which continuethfurcj and la- 

 ff eth long,as that of the tree which we called BaIanus.Much wherof doth grow curbed and croo- 

 ked: and therefore is good onely for fhipwrights to make kceles, Butcontrariwife, the wood of 

 Cucus is highly eifeemed. 



A tree this is,not unlike to the Date tree,in this regard efpeciallyjthat the leaves be good to 

 ?wiff and plaitfor mats and fuch like : herein is the differencCafor that it fpreadeth into arms and 

 great boughes.The fruit which it bearctb,is as much as a man may well hold in his hand :of co- 

 lour redd iiTi or deepc fhining yeIlow,and the taff very commendable : for it yeeldeth a juice be- 

 tvveenefoure and fweet, and therefore wholefome fortheffomacke. The woodieifone within,is 

 greatjmaffie,and exceeding hard,whereof they ufe to turne forcourtaine rings and failcpulleis. 

 In thcbcllieofitthcreliethafwcctkernill, whiles it is freth and new. But if it bee once dried,it 

 paffeth for hardneffe rinfomuch as no tooth can chew it,unlefle it be fteeped in fonie liquor ma^ 

 ny daies before. As for the wood and timber of the tree, it hath amoftdaintie,fine, and curled 

 grainc : in which regard the Pcrfians fet much ftore by it. 



In the fame countrey there groweth a thornie plantjwhich the inhabitants make great account 

 of landefpecially that which is incolour blacke,bccaufe it will abidcthewatcr,and never rot nor 

 putriftc in it : and therefore excellent good for the ribs and fides of fhips. As for the white thorn 

 of this kindjit will foone corrupt and berotten.But both the oneartd other,isfullof pfickes even 

 to the very leaves.The feed lieth in cert iiri cods or huskes , wherewith curriers ufe to drefTc iheir y{ 

 leather in ffcad of gals. The flower that this thornc beareth, is beautifull, whereof folke make 

 faire guirlands and chaplets; profitable alfo befides and good for manymediciiies. Gut of the 

 barke of this tree there commeth a gum likewife. But the cheefeff commoditieandprofitc that 

 it yeeldeth is this,Gut it down when youpleafejit will be a big tree againe witbiii thtee yeares. It 



i;i ■ groweth 



