776 
ROYAL OAK. 
with two small skins, the outermost of which serves for a basis to 
the filaments and membranes of which the pulp is composed. The 
substance of those seeds come very near to that of chesnuts, as to 
their consistency, colour, and astringent quality. 
“ This tree,” says Dr, Garein, “ continually grows in the Molucca 
Islands, where it is called Mangostan, but has been transplanted from 
thence to the island of Java and Malacca, at which. last place it thrives 
very M ell. Its tuft is so fine, so regular, so equal, and the -appearance of 
its leaves so beautiful, that it is at present looked upon at Batavia as the 
most proper for adorning a garden, and affording an agreeable shade. 
There are few seeds, how'ever, to be met with in this fruit, that are 
good for planting, most part of them being abortive.” He adds, that 
one may eat a great deal of this fruit without any scruple. Other writers 
concur in their praises of this fruit. Rumphius observes, that the 
mangostan is universally observed to be the best and wholesomest 
fruit that grows in India ; that its flesh is juicy, white, almost trans- 
parent, and of as delicate and agreeable a flavour as the richest 
grapes ; the taste and smell being so grateful, that it is scarcely posr> 
sible to be cloyed with eating it. He adds, that when sick people 
have no relish for any other food, they generally eat this with great 
delight ; but should they refuse it, their recovery is no longer ex- 
pected. “ It is remarkable,” says he, “ that the mangostan is given 
with safety in almost every disorder. The dried bark is used with 
success in the dysentery and tenesmus; and an infusion of it is es* 
teemed a good gorge for a sore mouth, or ulcers in the throat. The 
Chinese dyers use this bark for the basis of a black colour, to fix it 
the firmer. 
Captain Cook, in his Voyage round the World, vol. p. 737, says this 
tree is peculiar to the East Indies. The fruit is about the size of a 
crab-apple, and of a deep red-w ine colour. On the top of it is the 
figure of five or six triangles joined in a circle; and at the bottom 
several hollow green leaves, which are remains of the blossom. When 
they are to be eaten, the skin, or rather flesh, must be taken off, under 
which are found six or seven white kernels, placed in a circular order; 
and the pulp wdth which these are enveloped is the fruit, than w'hich 
nothing can be more delicious. It is a happy mixture of the tart and 
the sweet, which is no less wholesome than pleasant, and, like the 
sweet orange, is allowed in any quantity to those who are afflicted 
with putrid or inflammatory fevers. 
Royal Oak. 
This is a fair-spreading tree at Boscohel, in the parish of Donning’^ 
ton in Staffordshire, the boughs whereof was once covered wdth ivy ; 
in the thickness of w hich, king Charles H. sat in the day-time with 
Colonel Careless, and in the night lodged in Boscohel house : so that 
they are mistaken who speak of it as an old hollow oak ; it being 
then a gay flourishing tree, surrounded with many more. The re- 
mains thereof are now fenced in wdth a handsome wall, with this 
inscription in gold letters. “ Felicissimam arborem, quam in asylum 
potentissimiregis Caroli H. Deus op. max. per quam reges regnant, hie 
crescere voluiV' &c. 
