Plinics Naturall Hiftorie. 



THE XIIIL B OOKE OF 



THE HISTORIE OF NATVRE, 



WRITTEN BY C. PLINIVS 



SECVNDVS. 

 Containing the Treatifc of Trees bearing fruit* 



The Ttoeme* 



Hmfarre forth have wee difcourfed of allforrdne and flrmnge trees in a mamet^ 

 [uch ImeaneAsknotvnothorv to live in any other places hut where they naturally 

 frft did grow jdttd which willinglygoe not into other countries^ nor can abide their 

 foile or aire. Good leave may I now have to write of Plants and Trees common to 

 all lands ^ and namely^ to ours of Italtephich m&ypeme to bee the very Hort-yard 

 and naturaU garden that bare them all, Thisonely would J advtrtifethe readers 

 and learners to remember jihat for this prefertt wepur^op to defer ibe their natures and vert ues onely^ 

 leaving out the manner of husbandrie that belongeth unto them : albeit in their tending and keeping 

 appeareththegreatefi part of their properties ^and of Natures workes, ^ndverily^l cannot chufc 

 biitmarvell Jlill and never give over fhow it comes topaffe^that the remembrance^ yea^andthe very 

 names of fome trees which auncient writers have delivered in their hookes^ jhsuld bet quite gone and 

 , abolijhed. For who would not thinke^that our life jhouldere this have gained much by the maje/lie of the 

 Roman Empire , have difiovered all things by the means of the commerce we have had with the unim 

 verfallworldjby the trafftcke^negotiation^ and focietie I fay that we have entred into during the bleffed 

 time of peace which we have en'pied} conftdering that by fuch trade ^ enter courfe^all things heretofore 

 unknown, might have come to light. And yet for all this few or none{h sleeve me)there are who have at*- 

 tainedtothe knowledge of many matters which the old writers in times pa ft have taught and put in 

 writingWherebj wunay eaply fee^that our auncejlors were either frrc more carefull andindufrious^ 

 or ift their indufirifg^e happie and fortunate. Con fidering withall^that above two hundred years pa/l 

 }icCiod\:is(who lived in the very infancie of learning and good, lettcrs)began his worke of Agriculture^ 

 and fit downe rules and precepts for husbandmen to follow. After who fe good example^ many others 

 having travelled and taken like paineSy yet have put us now to greater labour. For by this meanes wee 

 are not onely to fearch into the lajl inventions of later writers j>ut alfo to thofe of auncient time^ which 

 are forgotten and covered with oblivion y through the Jiipine negligence and gemrall idlenejfe of all 

 mankind. And what reafons may aman alledge of ihisdrow/ineffey but that which hath lulled the 

 world afeeft }The caufe in good faith ofalljis this and none other. Wee are readie toforgoe all good cu. 

 Jiomes of old,and ro embrace novelties and change offajhions : mens minds now adaies areamufed and 

 occupied about newfangles^ and their thoughts bee rolling 5 they wander and rove at randon 5 their 

 heads be ever running 5 and no arts ^profe(sions art now fit by and in requef, but fuch as bring pence 

 into our puffes. Heretofore whiles kings and potentates containedihemfelves within the dominion of 

 ihetr ownt nations^ and were not fo ambittom as now they bee, no mar veil if their wits and fpirits kept 

 jlill at home : and fe for want of wealth and riches of fortune, were forced to employ and exercife the 

 gift so f their tnind : in fuch fort as an infinite number of princes were honored and renowned for their 

 fingular knowledge and learning, Tea^they were more brave in port^and carried a goodlier Jljew in the 

 world for their skill in liber all fciences^thdn others with all their pompe or riches : being fully perfaaded 

 and afuredythat the way to attaine unto immortalitie and ever lajling fame ^ was by literature and not 



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