FOREST-TREES. 201 



Th e fliade and flavour of the Bay has in all ages been efteem- 

 ed falubrious to human bodies ; and its aromatic emiffions were 

 in the greateft reputation with the antient phyficians, for clear- 

 ing the air, and refifling contagion, befides, for their virtue a- 

 gainfl lightning : And we read, that the Emperor Tiberius, who 

 was much afraid when that happened, ufed to creep under his 

 bed to avoid it, and lhade his head with its boughs. Many 

 other phyfical virtues of its. leaves, berries, <i^'C. are afcribed to 

 it ; but a relation of them is none of my prefent bufinefs ; only, 

 as a plant of elegance and beauty, and that yields a moft re- 

 freftiing and healthful perfume a great way around it, I think 

 it cannot be too much encouraged in our climate, where few 

 (if any) of the large-growing plants have thefe agreeable efFeds. 

 in fa high a degree^ 



