¶ The Description.
1 THe tree that beareth the Nutmeg and the Mace is in forme like to the Peare tree, but the leaues of it are like those of the Bay or Orenge tree, al∣waies greene on the vpper side, and more whi∣tish vnderneath; among which come forth the Nut and Mace as it were the floures. The Nut appeareth first, compassed about with the Mace, as it were in the middle of a single rose, which in processe of time doth wrap and in∣close the Nut round on euery side: after com∣meth a huske like that of the Wall-nut, but of an harder substance, which incloseth the Nut with his Mace as the Wall-nut husk doth co∣uer the Nut, which in time of ripenesse doth cleaue of it selfe as the Wall-nut huske doth, and sheweth his Mace, which then is of a per∣fect crimson colour, and maketh a most good∣ly shew, especially when the tree is well laden with fruit: after the Nut becommeth dry, the Mace likewise gapeth and forsaketh the Nut, euen as the first huske or couerture, and leaues it bare and naked, as we all do know; at which time it getteth to it selfe a kinde of darke yel∣low colour, and loseth that braue crimson dye which it had at the first.
‡ 2 The tree which carrieth the male Nutmeg (according to Clusius) thus differs from the last described: the leaues are like those of the former in shape, but much bigger, being sometimes a foot long, and three or foure inches broad; their common length is seuen or eight inches, and bredth two and a halfe: they are of a whi∣tish colour vnderneath, and greene and shining aboue. The Nuts also grow at the very ends of the branches, sometimes two or three together, and not onely one, as in the common kinde. The Nut it selfe is also larger and longer: the Mace that incompasses it is of a more elegant colour, but not so strong as that of the former.
I can scarse beleeue our Authors assertion in the foregoing description, that the Nut appeareth first, compassed about with the Mace as it were in the middest of a single Rose, &c. But I rather thinke they all come forth together, the Nutmeg, Mace, the greene outward huske and all, iust as we see Wall-nuts do, and onely open themselues when they come to full maturitie. In the third figure you may see exprest the whole manner of the growing of the Nutmeg, together with both the sorts of Nutmegs taken forth of their shells. ‡