C 192 ) 



may be called its blood, the tree mould be far from 

 being bettered : we are told, however, they will 

 endure it for feveral years running. They would, 

 perhaps, do better to let them reft for two or three 

 years, to give them time to recover their ftrength. 

 But at length, after it has been entirely drained, it 

 is fentenced to be cut down, and is extremely pro- 

 per for many ufes, as well the wood as the roots and 

 boughs. This tree muft needs be very common, as 

 great numbers of them are burnt. 



The liquor of the maple is tolerably clear, tho* 

 fomewhat whitiiri. It is exceeding cooling and re- 

 freihing, and leaves on the palate a certain flavour 

 of fugar, which is very agreeable. It is a great 

 friend to the breaft, and let the quantity drank be 

 ever fo great, or the party ever fo much heated, it 

 is perfectly harmlefs. The reafon is, that it is en- 

 tirely free from that crudity which occafions pleuri- 

 fies, but has on the contrary a balfamick quality 

 which fweetens the blood, and a certain fait which 

 preferves its warmth. They add, that it never 

 chryftallizes, but that if it is kept for a certain fpace 

 of time, it becomes an excellent vinegar. I do not 

 pretend to vouch this for fact, and I know a travel- 

 ler ought not (lightly to adopt every thing that is 

 told him. s 



It is very probable the Indians, who are perfectly 

 well-acquainted with all the virtues of their plants, 

 have at all times, as well as at this day, made con- 

 flant ufe of this liquor. But it is certain, they 

 were ignorant of the art of making a fugar from 

 it, which we have fince learnt them. They were 

 fatisfied with giving it two or three boilings, in or- 

 der to thicken it a little, and to make a kind of 

 fyrup from it, which is pleafant enough. They fur- 



