the process of at large, in his chapter of the ilexes;
where also of their medicinal uses: To this add that most accurate
description of this tree, and the _vermicula_; see Quinqueranus, L. 2.
_de laud. provid._ fol. 48. naturally abounding about Alos. The acorns
of the _coccigera_, or dwarf-oak, yield excellent nourishment for
rustics, sweet, and little if at all inferior to the chesnut; and this,
and not the _fagus_, was doubtless the true _esculus_ of the Ancients,
the food of the Golden Age. The wood of the _enzina_ when old, is
curiously chambletted, and embroider'd with natural vermiculations, as
if it were painted. Note, that the _kermes_ tree does not always produce
the _coccum_, but near the sea, and where it is very hot; nor indeed
when once it comes to bear acorns; and therefore the people do often
burn down the old trees, that they may put forth fresh branches, upon
which they find them: This, (as well as the oak, cork, beech, and
_corylus_) is numbred amongst the _felices_, and lucky-trees: But for
what reason, the _alaternus_ (which I am next speaking of) together with
the _agrifolium_ [holly] pines, _salix_, &c. should be excommunicated,
as _infelices_, I know not, unless for their being dedicated to the
Infernal Deities; of which Macrob. _Sat. lib._ 12. cap. 16. In the mean
time, take this for a general rule; that those were call'd _infelices_
only, which bare no fruit; for so Livy, lib. 5. _nulla felix arbor,
nihil frugiferum in agro relictum_. Whence that of Phaedrus, l. 3. _Fab._
upon Jupiter's _esculus_:

_O nata, merito sapiens dicere omnibus
Nisi utile est quod facimus, stulta est gloria,_

reciting the ancient trees sacred to the deity, the most desirable being
those that were fruitful, and for use.

6. The _alaternus_, which we have lately receiv'd from the hottest parts
of Languedoc, (and that is equal with the heat of almost any country in
Europe) thrives with us in England, as if it were an indigine and
natural; yet sometimes yielding to a severe Winter, follow'd with a
tedious eastern wind in the Spring, of all the most hostile and cruel
enemies of our climate; and therefore to be artificially and timely
provided against with shelter.

7. I have had the honour to be the first who brought it into use and
reputation in the kingdom, for the most beautiful and useful of hedges
and verdure in the world (the swiftness of the growth consider'd) and
propagated it from Cornwall, even to C