2 f 2 Some New Voyages 



A Defer If tim cfthe Trees and Fruits of the Northern Ccun~ 



tries. 



TH E Canal* Birch- trees are much different from 

 tbofe we have in fome Provinces of France ; 

 both for bulk and quality The Savages make Ca- 

 llows of theii Barkj fome of which is red, and fome 

 white; but both are equally proper for that ufe. 

 That which has the feweft Veins and Chops, is rhe 

 beft ; but the red bark makes the fined fhow. There 

 are fome little Baskets made of the young Birches, 

 chat are much efteem'd in France ; and Books may be 

 made of 'em, the Leaves of which will be as fine 

 as Paper. This I can fpeak by experience, for I 

 have frequently made ufe of J em for want of Pa- 

 per., in writing the Journal of my Voyages. Nay, 

 I remember I have feen in a certain Library in 

 France 5 a Manufcript of the Gofpel of St, Matthew, 

 written in Greek upon this fort of Bark ; and, which 

 is yet more furprifing, I was then told, that it had 

 been written above a thoufand years ; and at the 

 fame time I dare fwear, that 'twas the Genuine 

 Birch-bark of New- France, which in all appearance 

 was not then dtfcover'd. 



The Tine- trees are very tali, ftraight, and thick ; 

 and are made ufe of for Mafts, which the King's 

 Pinks do oftentimes tranfport to France. 'Tis faid, 

 chat fome of thefe Trees are big enough, to ferve 

 for a Mart to a Fir ft- rate Ship. 



The Efmetti is a fort of a Pine, with a fharper and 

 thicker Leaf. 'Tis made ufe of in Carpenters work, 

 and the matter which drains from it, fmells as fweet 

 as Incenfe, 



There are three forts of Firs in this Country , which 

 are faw'd into Dales by certain Mills, that the Que- 

 bec Merchants have caus'd to be built in fome 



places. 



The 



