Of Scopa. chap. 159.
SCopa is a trée,* 1.1 and hath that name of Scopando; spewing, that commeth of Scopis or Scopo, pas, and is to vnder∣stand, cleanse or purge•• for therwith hou∣ses he swept and cleansed, as Isid. sayth, lib. 17. And many call to tree Birch, & hath light leaues, as the ••••pe.* 1.2 For the leaues therof bée full thin and full light, and moueth and quaketh with a right soft blast of winde. And hath manye hard twigs and braunches with knots, and therewith often children be chasti∣sed and beaten on the bare buttocks & loines. And of the boughs and branches therof be besomes made to swéep and to cl••anse houses of dust, and of other vn∣cleannesse: and beareth séed that is void, as it were like huskes or voide coddes, and wilde men of woods and Forrestes vseth that séede in steade of bread. And this trée hath much sowre iny••e, & some∣what biting. And men vse therefore in springing time and haruest to stirte the rindes, and to gather the humoure that commeth out thereof, & drinke it in steed of Wine. And such drinke quencheth thirst, and bréedeth much swelling, as he telleth, but it nourisheth not, nor ma∣keth men dronke. Also ye same iuyce kept long in a vessell vnder-dung, and chafed with the heate of the Sun, corrupteth & rotteth, & turneth into fatnesse, & so it is made an ointment, & by séething of fire many mē draw out therof as it wer pitch