iz6

A DISCOURSE

J ing, like other coniferous Trees ; the sturdy Arms , though in stnaller' Sprigs, grow in Time so weighty, as often to bend the very Stem, andmain Shaft, whilst that which is most remarkable, is the Structure of theCones and Seeds Receptacles, tack’d and ranged between the Branch-leaves, in such order, as nothing appears more curious and artificial,and, at a little Distance, exceedingly beautiful: These Cones have theBases rounder, shorter, or rather thicker, and with blunter Points, thewhole circum-zoned, as it were, with pretty broad thick Scales , whichadhere together in exact Series to the very Top and Summit, wherethey are somewhat smaller; but the entire Lorication smoother couchedthan those of the Fir-kind: Within these Repofitories , under theSeales , nestle the small misting Seeds, or rather Kernels , of a Fear-Jbape, though somewhat bigger; which how nourilhed and furnislredfrom the central Style, with their other Integuments, is admirablydescribed by Mr. Ray, as that of the Stalk of the Clogs , thicker andlonger, and so firmly knit to them, that it requires considerable Forceto part them from the Branch, without splitting the Arm it self. Wehave said nothing concerning the Leaf of this Tree, which much re-sembles those of the Larix , but somewhat longer and closer set, ereBand perpetually^mvr, which those of the Larch are not; but hangingdown, drop off, and desert iheTree in Winter.

The Seeds drop out of the Cones as other Fir, Fine-kerne Is andNuts do, when the Air, Sun, or Moifure open and unglue theScales, which naturally it else does not in those of the Cedar till thesecond Year; but which after all the Preparations of burying in Holes•made in the Earth and Sand (in which they areapter to rot) may moresafely be done, *by exposing the Clogs discreetly to the Sun, or beforethe foft and gentle Fire, or, I think, best of all, by soaking them inwarm Water : The Cones thus discharged the gaping Seeds, to-gether with the rest of the Skeleton, adhere a long while to theBranches, which not seldom hang on above two Years; as we likewisefind in those of other res nous Trees, though falling sooner.

The Lachrymæ, Gum, and other Tranfudations, serving more for'Unguents and the Chirurgions Box, than for other Medicaments, inwhich we find Fliny has little Faith: But that which is more remark-able, is the Virtue of the famous Timber of this noble Tree, being Proofagainst all Futrefaffion of human and other Bodies, above all otherIngredients and Compostions of Embalmers ; and that by a prettyContradiction, giving Life, as it were, to the Dead, and destroying theWorms which are living ; and as it does w here any Goods are kept inChefs and Frejfes of the Wood, excepting woollen Cloth and Furs,which stis observed they corrupt. In the mean Time, touching theManner of these Operations, as it concerns the Preservation of the Dead,see more where we speak of Cypress, &c. The Effects being ascribedto the extream Bitterness of the res nous Juices, whilst the Odour ismost grateful. The worthy Mr. Ray mentions the Fowder and Saw-duf of Cedar to be one of the greatest Secrets used by our Follinfforsand Mountebanks, who pretend to this embalming Myflery ; and in-deed, that the Duf and very Chips are exitial to Moths and Worms ,daily Experience strews us ; though none in mine, than the driedLeaves and Stalks of Marum-Syriacum, familiarly planted in ourGardens. What therefore the late Traveller Dampierf^Q^ks of Cedar ,

2

which