OF FOREST-TREES. 221 



And now we speak of tanning, they have in Jamaica the Mangrove, CHAP. ITT. 

 Ohve, and a third, whose barks tan much better than do ours in England, ^--""V**-' 

 so as in six weeks the leather is fit to be employed to any use : they 

 have likewise there a tree whose berries wash better and whiter than 

 any Castile soap. 



Then for the age of the moon, it has religiously been observed ; so 

 that Diana's presidency in sylvis was not so much celebrated to credit 

 the fictions of the poets, as for'the dominion of that moist planet, and her 

 influence over timber : however, experienced men commend the felling 

 soon after a full moon, and so during all the decrease, and to let the tree 

 lie at least three months, to render the timber strong and solid : for my 

 part, I am not so much inclined to these criticisms, that I should 

 altogether govern a felling at the pleasure of this mutable lady ; how- 

 ever there is doubtless some regard to be had : 



Nec frustra signorum obitus speculamur et oitus. 

 Nor is't in vain signs fall and rise to note. 



As to other more recondite and deep astrological observations, minute 

 and scrupulous, they are, perhaps, not altogether to be rejected, both as 

 to the various configurations of the superior bodies, and operation on both 

 vegetable and sensitive, especially as to the growth of fruit, sowing, 

 planting, and cultivating: (indicating the proper seasons, according to the 

 access and recess of the greater lunnnaries through the zodiac :) it were 

 ingratitude to impute it all to the superstition of the ancients, or the total 

 ignorance of causes in those great and learned men, (such as Hesiod, 

 Virgil, Cato, Varro, Columella, Pliny, and the rest,) who have so freely 

 left us these lessons ; doubtless from their long experience, and extraor- 

 dinary penetration and inquiry into nature. Let the curious then, for 

 their better satisfaction, consult that learned treatise of judicial astrology, 

 written by Sir Christopher Heydon. 



In the mean time, the old rules are these : 



Fell in the decrease, or four days after the conjunction of the two great 

 luminaries : some the last quarter of it ; or (as Pliny) in the very article 

 of the change, if possible, which happening, saith he, in the last day of 

 the winter solstice, that timber will prove immortal : at least it should 

 Volume IL F f 



