¶ The Description.
THe Cloue tree groweth great in forme like vnto the Bay tree, the trunke or bo∣die whereof is couered with a russet barke: the branches are many, long, and very brittle, whereupon do grow leaues like those of the Bay tree, but somewhat narrower: amongst which come the floures, white at the first, af∣ter of a greenish colour, waxing of a darke red colour in the end: which floures are the very cloues when they grow hard: after when they be dried in the Sunne they become of that dusky black colour which we dayly see, wherein they continue. For those that wee haue in estimation are beaten downe to the ground before they be ripe, and are suffered there to lie vpon the ground vntill they bee dried throughly, where there is neither grasse, weeds, nor any other herbes growing to hinder the same, by reason the tree draw∣eth vnto it selfe for his nourishment all the moisture of the earth a great circuit round about, so that nothing can there grow for want of moisture, and therfore the more con∣uenient for the drying of the Cloues. Con∣trariwise, that grosse kinde of Cloues which hath beene supposed to be the male, are nothing else than fruit of the same tree tarrying there vntill it fall downe of it selfe vnto the ground, where by reason of his long lying, and meeting with some raine in the mean season, it loseth the quick taste that the others haue. Some haue called these Fusti, whereof we may English them Fusses. Some affirme that the floures hereof surpasse all other floures in sweetnesse when they are greene; and hold the opinion, that the hardned floures are not the Cloues themselues, (as wee haue written) but thinke them rather to be the seat or huske wherein the floures doe grow: the greater number hold the former opinion. And further, that the trees are increased without labour, graffing, plan∣ting, or other industrie, but by the falling of the fruit, which beare fruit within eight yeares after they be risen vp, and so continue bearing for an hundred yeares together, as the inhabitants of that countrey do affirme.