CHAP. XIIII.
¶ Of the Line or Linden tree, two sorts thereof.
GReat difference there is euery way between the male & female Linden tree: for, the wood [unspec I] of the male is hard and knottie, of a redder colour also, and more odoriferous than the fe∣male. The barke moreouer is thicker, and when it is plucked from the tree, it is stiffe, and will not bend. It beareth neither seed nor floure, as the female doth: which also is rounder and bigger in bodie, and the wood is whiter, more faire and beautifull by farre than is the male. A strange thing it is to consider, that there is no liuing creature in the world will touch the fruit of the Linden tree, and yet the juice both of leaf and barke is sweet ynough. Between the bark and the wood of this tree there be thin pellicles or skins lying in many folds together, whereof are made bands & cords called Brazen ropes. The finest of these pellicanes or membrans serued in old time for to make labels and ribbands belonging to chaplets, and it was reputed a great [unspec K] honor to weare such. The timber of the Linden or Tillet tree will neuer be worm-eaten. * 1.1 The tree it selfe is nothing tall, but of a meane height, howbeit the wood is very commodious.