OF FOREST-TREES. 



23 



propagation, and that assays and samples be from time to time sent over, cHAP. I. 

 of what other fruits, trees, gums, and vegetables may there be found ; ^^-*^Tf^ 

 and which I prognostic will at last also incite, planters there to think 

 of procuring Cinnamon, Clove, and Nutmeg-trees indeed, from the East- 

 Indies, and what other useful curiosities do not approach our northern 

 Bear, and to plant them in Jamaica, and others of the western islands, 

 as a more safe and frugal expedient to humble our emulous neighbours, 

 since there is nothing in their situation, or defect of nature's benignity, 

 which ought in the least to discourage us. And what if some of the 

 trees of those countries, especially such as aspire to be timber, and may 

 be of improvement amongst usj were more frequently brought to us 

 likewise here in England : since we daily find how many rare exotics 

 and strangers, with little care, become endenizoned, and contented to 

 live amongst us, as may be seen in the Platanus, Constantinople Chestnut, 

 the Greater Glandiferous Ilex, Cork, Nux Vesicaria, (which is an hard 

 wood, fit for the turner,) the Styrax, Bead-tree, the famous Lotus, 

 Virginian Acacia, Guaiacum Patavinum, Paliurus, Cypress, and sundry 

 others, which grow already in our gardens, exposed to the weather ; and 

 so doubtless would many more. So judiciously observed is that of the 

 learned author of the History of the Royal Society, part iii. sect, xxviii. 

 " That whatever attempts of this nature have succeeded, they have 

 " redounded to the great advantage of the undertakers. The Orange 

 " of China being of late brought into Portugal, has drawn a great revenue 

 " every year from London alone. The Vine of the Rhine, taking root 

 " in the Canaries, has produced a far more delicious juice, and has made 

 " the rocks and sun-burnt ashes of those islands, one of the richest spots 

 " of ground in the world. And I will also instance in that which is now 

 " in a good forwardness ; Virginia has already given silk for the 

 " clothing of our King ; and it may happen hereafter to give clothes 

 " to a great part of Europe, and be a vast treasure to our Kings. If the 

 " silk-worms shall thrive there, of which there seems to be no doubt, the 

 " profit wiU be inexpressible. We may guess at it, by considering what 

 " numbers of caravans, and how many great cities in Persia are 

 " maintained by that manufacture alone, and what mighty customs 

 " it yearly brings unto the Sophi's revenue." Thus he. To which we 

 might add, that not only the China Orange mentioned by the Doctor, 

 but the whole race of Orange-trees, were strangers in Italy, and unknown 



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