193-196 Cork Tree, Bay of Alexandria, Mastich or Lentisk-Tree, Box Tree.
193. The Cork Tree. Suber.
Also see #186. The Scarlet Oak - 193. The Cork Tree
1. This is a kind of ever green Oak, its Leaves are thicker and much less indented than the common Oak, and the Acorns smaller.
2. It grows in Spain and Italy, and the Southern Parts of France.
3. The Bark, of which they make Cork, is separated from the Tree by making a long Incision from the Head to the Root of the Tree, which they take care to do in dry Weather; for the young tender Bark is lyable to be destroyed, and the Trees killd by Rain. Cork is said to be restringent and good for all kinds of Fluxes; Some commend the Ashes or burnt Cork, for the same Purposes.
4. Greek, Φελλυς. Latin, Suber latifolium perpetuo virens. Spanish, . Italian, Sugaro. French, . German, Panteffelholk. Dutch, Kurck.
194. The Bay of Alexandria. Laurus Alexandrina.
Also see #128. Horse Tongue, or Double Tongue - #154. Kneeholm or Butcher's-broom - 194. The Bay of Alexandria
1. The Stalks are tough & limber, seldom growing to any great Height; the Leaves are a light Green, the Flowers are greenish with a purple Umbo in the Middle. (The image is of Ruscus hypoglossum. The plant is Danae racemosa -Henriette).
2. It grows in the Mountainous Parts of Italy, and in Hungary.
3. Dioscorides and Galen recommend it to open Obstructions of the Kidneys & the Womb, to provoke Urine & the Menses, & useful to dry up old Ulcers and Sores.
4. Greek, Δαφνη Αλεξανδρεια. Latin, Laurus Alexandrina genuina. Spanish, . Italian, Lauro Alissandrino. French, Laurier alexandrin. German, . Dutch, .
195. The Mastich or Lentisk-Tree. Lentiscus.
1. This Tree grows to a considerable Bigness in its native Soil; the Leaves are a dark grass Green, the Flowers a greenish Yellow and the Berries black.
2. It grows in the Southern Parts of France and in Italy; but it yields the Gum Mastich only in the Island of Scio, or Chios in the Archipelago.
3. The Gum is esteem'd heating & drying, strengthning the Head & Nervous System, & Stomach; it eases a Cough, stops spitting of Blood & stays Vomiting. The Ladies in Turky chew it to preserve the Gums & Teeth & procure a Sweet Breath. Outwardly it is used in Plaisters for the Head-Ach & Tooth-Ach. The Wood is accounted drying & binding, good for all kinds of Fluxes.
4. Greek, Σχινος. Latin, Lentiscus vulgaris. Spanish, Mata or Arveira. Italian, Lentisco. French, Lentisque. German, Mastixbaum. Dutch, Mastix Boom.
196. The Box Tree. Buxus.
1. Box seldom grows to any great Bigness here, the Leaves are a deep shining Green, the Flowers yellow, and the Fruit a brownish Green.
2. It grows wild in some Parts of Kent & Surry, as at Box-hill near Darkin.
3. Some commend the Chips of the Wood for the Lues Venerea, instead of Guajacum, being much of the same Nature. The Oil distill'd from the Wood is used for the Tooth Ach, a little Lint or Cotton being dipt in it & put into ye Hollow Tooth.
4. Greek, Πυξος. Latin, Buxus arborescens. Spanish, . Italian, Bosso. French, Buis. German, . Dutch, Palmboom.
