ite
bark rise from the green, which will require near twelve hours boiling;
then taking it off the fire, separate the barks, the water first well
drained from it: Then lay the green bark on the earth, in some cool
vault or cellar, covering it with any sort of green and rank weeds, such
as dock, thistles, hemlock, &c. to a good thickness: Thus let it
continue near a fortnight, by which time 'twill become a perfect
mucilage: Then pound it all exceedingly in a stone mortar, 'till it be a
tough past, and so very fine, as no part of the bark be discernable:
This done, wash it accurately well in some running stream of water, as
long as you perceive the least ordure or motes in it, and so reserve it
in some earthen-pot, to purge and ferment, scumming it as often as any
thing arises for four or five days, and when no more filth comes, change
it into a fresh vessel of earth, and reserve it for use, thus: Take what
quantity you please of it, and in an earthen pipkin, add a third part of
capons or goose-grease to it, well clarified; or oyl of walnuts, which
is better: Incorporate these on a gentle fire, continually stirring it
'till it be cold, and thus your composition is finish'd. But to prevent
frosts (which in severe weather will sometimes invade it on the rods)
take a quarter of as much oyl of petroleum, as you do of grease, and no
cold whatever will congeal it. The Italians make their _vischio_ of the
berries of the misselto of trees, (and indeed it is from this it is said
of the thrush, _exitium suum cacat_, that bird being so exceeding
devourers of them) treated much after the same manner; but then they mix
it with nut-oyl, an ounce to a pound of lime, and taking it from the
fire, add half an ounce of turpentine, which qualifies it also for the
water. Great quantities of bird-lime are brought to us out of Turky, and
from Damascus, which some conceive to be made of _sebestens_, finding
sometimes the kernels: This lime is of a greener colour, subject to
frosts, and impatient of wet, nor will last above a year or two good:
Another sort comes also out of Syria, of a yellow hue; likewise from
Spain, whiter than the rest, which will resist the water, but is of an
ill scent. I have been told that the _cortex_ of our _lantana_, or
wayfaring shrub, will make as good bird-lime as the best. But let these
suffice, being more than as yet any one has publish'd. The superior
leaves of holly-trees, dry'd to a fine powder, and drunk in white