NATURAL HISTORY. 
s6S 
The nutmeg-trees grow plentifully in the 
iVfiatic Iflanil of Banda, and in feveral other 
iflands in that part of the Eaft-Indies which 
helongs to the Dutch, who are the folepof. 
feflbrs of this produce. It is faid thofe 
iflands fo abound with nutmeg-trees, as 
would appear incredible to relate r and the 
climate is fo fertile, and fo congenial to their 
nature, that they produce three crops annu- 
ally, in the months of i^pril, Augufl:, and 
December. 
According to Tavernier, this tree is not 
planted, but grows by means of certain birds, 
which fwallow the fruit whole, and after- 
wards void it, in its perfeft flate, but cover- 
ed with a vifcovjs or gluey matter, Being 
thus prepared for vegetation, they take root 
wherever they fall, and produce the trees 
above mentioned. 
C I N N A M O N - r R E E. 
tree affords a bark, which is the 
cinnamon, fo well known as one of the mod 
valuable of the fpiccs confumed in Europe. 
The tree itfelf is about the height of the 
willow : it bears little blue cups, which are 
odorous ; and are fucceeded by the fruit, 
refeinbling the olive. 
This tree grows fpontaneoufly in the ifland 
of Ceylon, vvliich is poireflcd by the Dutch. 
There 
