¶ The Description.
THis growes vp like a bush, vnlesse you keepe it with 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and then it will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 time grow to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a smal tree, as the Hawthorne, whereto it is of affinitie, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the wood is white and hard, like it, and couered ouer with the like barke; but the leaues are somwhat like those of the Damson tree, lon∣gish, sharp pointed, and snipt about the ed∣ges: & they grow alongst the branches, with∣out any order, yet sometimes they keep this maner of growing: at each knot, where com∣monly there is a sharpe prickle, growes out one of the larger leaues, which may be some inch and halfe long, and some three quarters of an inch broad: then vpon the prickle, and at the comming out therof are three or soure, more or lesse, much smaller leaues: now these leaues are of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and shining green aboue, but paler vnderneath, and they keep on al the yeare: At the ends, and oft times in the mid∣dles of the branches come forth clusters or vmbels of little whitish blush coloured floures, consisting of fiue leaues apiece, with some little chiues in their middles: then follow clusters of berries, in shape, taste, and bignesse like those of the Hawthorne, and of the same, but much more orient and pleasing colour, and containing in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the like seed: now these berries hang long vpon the tree, & make a gallant shew amongst the greene leaues, and chiefely then, when as the Au∣tumne blasts haue depriued other trees of their wonted verdure. This floures in May and Iune, and ripens the fruit in September and October: it growes wilde in sundry places of Italy, and Prouince in France, but is kept in gardens with vs, where it is held in good esteeme for his euer greenesse and pliablenesse to any worke or forme you desire to impose vpon him.
The fruit haue the same faculties that are formerly attributed to Hawes, in the foregoing booke, pag. 1328. and therefore I will not here repeat them.