HAZEL-NUT TREE. 



157 



Filbert, the Red Filbert, the Cob, and the Cluster- 

 nut. The White and Red Filbert are so named from 

 the colour of the outer skin of the kernel. The Cob-nut 

 is very round and large, and the Cluster-nut is produced 

 in large bunches or clusters at the ends of the branches. 



Swinburne informs us that Avellana is from Avellino, a 

 city of Naples, in the neighbourhood of which the nuts 

 are cultivated in great abundance ; and that in favour- 

 able seasons it brings a profit of 60,000 ducats, or 

 11,250/. The nuts are principally the large round fil- 

 bert, which we call the Spanish Filbert. These were 

 originally imported into Italy from Pontus, and known 

 to the Romans by the name of Nux Pontica ; which was 

 afterwards changed to 'Niix AveLana^ from the place 

 where they had been most successfully cultivated. 



Evelyn has a very singular passage concerning the 

 Hazel : after recounting a variety of purposes for which 

 it is well adapted, he continues — 



" Lastly, for riding-switches and divinatory-rods for 

 ' the detecting and finding out of minerals (at least, if 

 that tradition be no imposture) ; it is very wonderful, 

 by whatever occult virtue, the forked stick (so cut, and 

 skilfully held) becomes impregnated with those invisible 

 steams and exhalations, as by its spontaneous bending 

 from a horizontal posture, to discover not only mines, 

 and subterraneous treasure, and springs of water, but 

 criminals guilty of murder, &c. ; made out so solemnly, 

 and the effects thereof, by the attestation of magistrates, 

 and divers other learned and credible persons (who have 

 critically examined matters of fact), is certainly next to 

 - miracle, and requires a strong faith. Let the curious, 

 therefore, consult that philosophical treatise of Dr. Valle- 



