Of the Hiftory of Plants, 
L ib. 3, 
152-3 
The Virtues and vfe. 
The Indians do vfe to cut the twigs and tender branches toward the euening, at the ends where- A 
oftheyhaue bottle gourds,hol low canes, and fuch like things, fit to receiue the water that drop- 
peth from the branches thereof, which pleafant liquor they drinke in Head of wine- from the which 
is drawne a flrong and comfortable Aqua Vita:, which they vfe in time of need againftall manner 
of fickneffes-ofthe branches and boughes they make their houfes-df the trunk or body of the tree, j 
fhips and boates ; of the hempon the outward part of the fruit, they make ropes and cables ; and of 
the finer ftuffe, fades for their fhips. 
Likewife they make of the fhell of the Nut, cups to drinke ingvhicb we likewife vfc in England, B 
garni fhed with filuer for the fame purpofes. The kernell ferueth them forbread andmeaqthe 
milkie iuice doth ferue to code and refrefh their wearied fpirits : out of the kernel when it is (lam- 
ped, is preffed a moft precious oilepiot onely good for meat, but alfo for med icine, wherewith they 
annoinc their feeble liras after their tedious trauel!,by meanes whereof the ache and paine is miti- 
gated, and other infirmities quite taken away proceedingof other caufes. 
Chap. 141. Of the "Dragon Tree. 
I Draco arhor. 
The Dragon tree. 
Draconic fruBus. 
T he Dragon tree fruit.’ 
C The Defcription. 
T His (lunge and admirable tree groweth very great, refemb ling the Pine tree, by reafon it doth 
alwaies flouriih,and hath his boughes or branches of equal length and bigneffe, which are bare 
and naked, of eight or nine cubits long, and of the bigneffe of a mans armeffrom the ends of which 
do fhoot out leauesofa cubit and ahalfelong, and full two inches broad, fomewhat thicke, and 
raifedwp in the middle, then thinner and thinner like a twoedged fword : among which come forth 
little moffiefloures,offmall moment, and turne into berrics,of the bigneffe of Cherries, of ayel- 
