l'd the Peacock's-tail, &c.'

He goes on to commend that of Istria, and that growing on the mountains
for the best: But in the next chapter; _Pulcherrimum vero est bruscum,
multoque excellentius etiamnum mollusculum, tuber utrumque arboris ejus.
Bruscum intortius crispum, molluscum simplicius sparsum; et si
magnitudinem mensarum caperet, haud dubie praeferretur cedro, nunc intra
pugillares, lectorumque silicios aut laminas, &c. e brusco fiunt mensae
nigrescentes, &c._ Plin. _l._ 16. c. 15, 16.

'The _bruscum_, or Knur is wonderfully fair, but the _molluscum_ is
counted most precious; both of them knobs and swellings out of the
tree. The _bruscum_ is more intricately crisp'd; the _molluscum_
not so much; and had we trees large enough to saw into planks for
tables, 'twould be preferr'd before cedar, (or citron, for so some
copies read it) but now they use it only for small table-books, and
with its thin boards to wainscot bed-testers with, _&c._ The
_bruscum_ is of a blackish kind, with which they make tables.'

Thus far Pliny. And such spotted tables were the famous Tigrin, and
Pantherine curiosities of; not so call'd from being supported with
figures carved like those beasts, as some conceive, and was in use even
in our grand-fathers days, but from its natural spots and maculations,
_hem, quantis facultatibus aestimavere ligneas maculas!_ as Tertullian
crys out, _de Pallio_, c, 5. Such a table was that of Cicero's, which
cost him 10000 _Sesterces_; such another had Asinius Gallus. That of
King Juba was sold for 15000, and another which I read of, valu'd at
140000 H.S. which at about 3d. sterling, arrives to a pretty sum; and
yet that of the Mauritanian Ptoleme, was far richer, containing four
foot and an half diameter, three inches thick, which is reported to have
been sold for its weight in gold: Of that value they were, and so madly
luxurious the age, that when they at any time reproach'd their wives for
their wanton expensiveness in pearl and other rich trifles, they were
wont to retort, and turn the tables upon their husbands. The knot of the
timber was the most esteem'd, and is said to be much resembled by the
female cypress: We have now, I am almost persuaded, as beautiful planks
of some walnut-trees, near the root; and yew, ivy, rose-wood, ash,
thorn, and olive, I have seen incomparable pieces; but the great art was
in the seasoning, and politure; for which last, the rubbi