An essay towards a real character, and a philosophical language by John Wilkins ...

Of Trees.

Trees may be distinguished according to their

• * 1.1Fruit or Seed; being conteined either in a
  • Fleshy pulp; whether
    • POMIFEROUS. I.
    • PRUNIFEROUS. II.
    • BACCIFEROUS. III.
  • ...Hard shell;
    • NUCIFEROUS. IV.
    • GLANDIFEROUS, or CONIFEROUS. V.
  • SINGLE TEGUMENTS, or Coverings. VI.
• WOODS OR BARKS. VII.
• GUMMS OR ROSINS. VIII.

I. POMIFEROUS TREES,* 1.2 may be distinguished into such as are

• More properly called Trees; whether
  • Deciduous; having
    • ...Visible Blossoms;
      • ...Esculent when ripe;
        • More round; the tree spreading more in breadth, both as to the branches and roots of it, the fruits having an outward cavity at each end, in the place of the blossom and the stalk, and five in∣ward cavities lined with stiffe membranes, each of which doth commonly contein two kernels.* 1.3
          1.
          • APPLE.
        • Less round; that part of the fruit where the stalk grows, being more prominent; ‖ either that which rises more in height: or that which spreads more in breadth, being a lower and more crooked tree, whose fruit is covered with a Down, being when raw, of an unpleasant tast and sent.* 1.4
          2.
          • PEAR.
          • QUINCE.
      • Not esculent, till rotten;
        • The greater; ‖ either that smaller tree, having long leaves, dark green above and white beneath, the fruit having a wide aperture in the place of the blossom: or that thorny tree, whose leaf and fruit is like a Hawthorn, but the fruit bigger, and of a pleasant acidity.
          3.
          • MEDLAR.* 1.5
          • LAZAROLE.
        • The lesser; being tall trees; ‖ either that of winged serrate leaves, bearing a fruit like a small Pear: or that of jagged leaves, bearing a lesser fruit in clusters upon long foot-stalks.
          4.
          • TRUE SERVICE.* 1.6
          • COMMON SERVICE.
    • No visible blossoms; unless (as JOHN BAUHINUS observes) within the fruit, being a weak tree, of smooth bark, large leaves, divided commonly into five jags, whose fruit is of an oblong Pear-like fi∣gure, of a more soft consistence, full of little grains.
      5.
      • FIGG.* 1.7
  • Sempervirent; or evergreen; whose fruit is either
    • Round; of a
      • Hard, crustaceous, brittle rine; a thorny tree, bearing large beauti∣ful blossoms, the fruit full of grains in a red pulp, with a kind of Coronet on the top of the fruit, at the place of the blossom.
        6.
        • POMEGRANATE.* 1.8
      • Softer rine; the fruit as to its colour being of a deep yellow; ‖ either that which hath a quick juice of a grateful acidity: or that whose juice is of a more dull and flat tast.* 1.9
        7.
        • ORANGE.
        • ADAMS APPLE.
    • Oblong; and oval; being of a pale yellow; ‖ either the bigger, whose rine is more thick, and whose juice is less acid: or the less, whose rine is more thin, and whose juice is more acid.* 1.10
      8.
      • CITRON.
      • LEMMON.
• Less properly called Trees; bearing fruits of some resemblance to Figgs; ‖ either that which grows to a great bigness, bearing a pleasant fruit, many in a cluster, being Annual: or that whose leaves grow out of one another, of which those in Northern Countries are commonly so small as to be reckoned amongst Herbs.* 1.11
  9.
  • PLANTAIN TREE.
  • INDIAN FIGG.

* 1.12II. PRUNIFEROUS TREES, may be distinguished into such as are

• ...Not Purgative;
  • Deciduous; whose fruits are
    • Greater; whose stones are
      • Rough; having many deep crooked furrows; ‖ either that whose fruit is covered with a Down: or that whose skin is not downy.
        1.
        • * 1.13PEACH. Malacotoon.
        • NECTARINE.
      • Smooth; ‖ either that which is sooner ripe, of a more dry, solid, yellow pulp: or that of a more succulent pulp.
        2.
        • * 1.14APRICOCK.
        • PLUMM.
    • Lesser; putting out blossoms before leaves; ‖ either that which bears a more round fruit upon a long foot-stalk: or that which bears a more oblong fruit upon a shorter foot-stalk.
      3.
      • * 1.15CHERRY.
      • CORNELION.
  • Sempervirent: having stones with very small kernels: ‖ either that which hath long narrow leaves, hoary underneath, the fruit not escu∣lent till pickled: or that which hath very long leaves, like those of Reed, the fruit growing in clusters, of a pleasant tast.
    4.
    • * 1.16OLIVE.
    • DATE.
• Purgative; being sold in Apothecaries shops.
  • Vsed sometimes for food; ‖ either that whose fruit is bigger: or that which bears a small black turbinate fruit, standing in a little cup, of a black, sweet, viscid pulp, adhering to the stone, which conteins three seeds.
    5.
    • * 1.17MIROBALANE.
    • SEBESTEN.
  • Not used for food; ‖ either that whose fruit hath some resemblance to an Olive: or that which bears a red fruit, the leaf short, round, ser∣rate, of a deep green.
    6.
    • * 1.18WHITE JUJUBS
    • COMMON JUJUBS.

III. BACCIFEROUS TREES,* 1.19 may be distinguished into such as are either.

• ...Europaean;
  • Deciduous; whose fruit is
    • Esculent; having broad, roundish, serrate, rough leaves, bearing a fruit like that of a Rasberry, but bigger.
      1.
      • MULBERRY.* 1.20
    • Not esculent; having
      • Winged leaves; the wood more
        • Soft and spungy; ‖ either that, the younger branches of which are full of Pith, bearing the berries in an Vmbel, being of an ill sent: or that which bears its berries in a close tuft, the wood being used for giving a black tincture to Leather.
          2.
          • ELDER.
          • SUMACH.* 1.21
        • Hard; ‖ either that which bears its berries in an Vmbel, being of a red colour and an acid tast: or that which bears a small, round, oblong fruit, in long clusters, having many hollow excrescences like Bladders.* 1.22
          3.
          • QUICKEN TREE.
          • TURPENTINE TREE.
      • Single leaves; bearing a small black fruit upon a long foot-stalk, like that of a Cherry, the leaves resembling those of Nettle.
        4.
        • NETTLE TREE.* 1.23
  • Evergreen; considerable for their
    • Berries; whether such as bear
      • Black berries; ‖ either that whose leaves are more short, odorate, of a deep green, each berry conteining two seeds: or that whose leaves are more pale, long, shining and serrate.
        5.
        • BAY.* 1.24
        • LAUREL.
      • Red berries; ‖ either that which hath small narrow leaves of a dark green: or that which hath large shining prickly leaves.
        6.
        • YEW.* 1.25
        • HOLLY.
    • Whitish berries; having small round leaves of an ill sent, a hard close wood of a yellowish colour.
      7.
      • BOX.* 1.26
    • Gumms; ‖ either that which hath winged leaves, without an od leaf at the end: or that which hath long narrow leaves, like those of Iris, producing a red Gum called Sanguis draconis.
      8.
      • MASTIC TREE.* 1.27
      • DRAGON TREE.
• ...Exotic;
  • Deciduous; ‖ either that whose fruit is Aromatical, being the bottom of the flower, which when ripe, grows turgid in the middle where the seeds are conteined: or that of winged leaves, serrate, of a deep green, bearing white berries in clusters.
    9.
    • LOVE TREE.* 1.28
    • BEDE TREE.
  • Evergreen; ‖ either that of an Aromatic wood used in Physick, having leaves like those of a Fig-tree, but less: or that of winged leaves, long, narrow, sharp pointed, bearing berries like those of Asparagus, in clu∣sters.
    10.
    • SASSAFRAS.
    • INDIAN MOLLE.* 1.29

* 1.30IV. NUCIFEROUS TREES, may be distinguished into such as are

• Europaean; conteining in one common husk
  • One Nut; having a covering that is either
    • Thick and pulpy; having oyly kernels; ‖ either that which is the larger tree of winged leaves, odorate, having a rugged kernel, divi∣ded into several lobes: or that which is a lesser tree, having long narrow serrate leaves, and a smooth kernel.
      1.
      • * 1.31WALNUT.
      • ALMOND.
    • Thin husks; either such as are
      • Wholly encompassed; and covered by their husks; whether that of winged leaves, having a white thin shell, upon which there is ano∣ther rugged covering: or that whose leaf is like that of a Quince, green above and white underneath, the fruit covered with a downy husk, the kernel of a bad tast.
        2.
        • * 1.32PISTACIE, Fistic-nut.
        • STORAX.
      • * 1.33Open at one end; being smaller Trees, of broad indented leaves, bearing Catkins; ‖ either that of a larger kernel and thinner shell, whose husk is longer: or that of a lesser kernel and thicker shell, whose husk is shorter.
        3.
        • * 1.34FILBERT.
        • SMALL NUT.
  • Several Nuts; whose outward husk is
    • Echinate and prickly; ‖ either that which hath long, smooth, deeply indented leaves, the husk conteining three or four Nuts: or that which bears a short, roundish, shining leaf, having a smooth bark, and Nuts of a triangular figure.
      4.
      • * 1.35CHESNUT.
      • BEECH.
    • Smooth; and thin, in the form of a Bladder; being a small tree of winged leaves.
      5.
      • * 1.36BLADDER NUT.
• Exotic; conteining in one common husk
  • One Nut; ‖ either that which is a large tree, bearing the largest Nut of all that are known, covered with a thick rine upon the shell: or that which hath a hard Aromatic kernel, covered immediately with a yel∣lowish Aromatic husk, called Mace, upon which there is a thin shell, and upon that a pulpy coat.
    6.
    • COCO.
    • * 1.37NUTMEG.
  • Several Nuts; having a covering
    • More thin; whose kernels are used for the making of drinks, being but small trees; ‖ either that which grows in shady moist places, having many kernels together in a husk: or that which is less properly called a Nut, bearing a double kernel in a husk, each of them being flat on one side, and gibbous on the other.
      7.
      • CHOCOLATE.
      • * 1.38COFFI.
    • Covered with a woolly substance: or that which besides the outward tegument hath likewise an inward pulp, wherein the fruit lies, of the shape of a Heart, and the bigness of a Bean, used in Physick.
      8.
      • * 1.39COTTON TREE.
      • ANACARDIUM.

V. GLANDIFEROUS, and CONIFEROUS TREES,* 1.40 may be di∣stinguished into such as are

• ...Glandiferous.
  • Deciduous; ‖ either that which is a large tree, of a hard lasting wood, a rugged bark, the leaves waved at the edges: or that whose leaves are more deeply divided, bearing a larger fruit, standing in great thick rugged cups, used for tanning.
    1.
    • OAK.
    • BITTER OAK.* 1.41
  • Evergreen; ‖ either that whose leaves resemble those of Holly, being of a dark green above, and white underneath: or that which is very like to this, having a very, thick, light, porous, deciduous bark.
    2.
    • HOLM OAK.
    • CORK TREE.* 1.42
• ...Coniferous;
  • Deciduous; bearing small Cones; ‖ either that which grows in wate∣ry places, having leaves of a dark green, shaped like those of the Nut-tree: or that whose leaves are very slender, growing in tufts, more thin at distances, of a paler colour.
    3.
    • ALDER.
    • LARICH TREE.* 1.43
  • Evergreen; whose Cones are
    • Bigger; ‖ either that which is a large tall tree, bearing great roundish Cones of smooth scales, standing upwards, the leaves being small, narrow, and thick set together: or that which bears long slender leaves, two growing out together from one socket, the Cones consisting of hard wooddy scales.
      4.
      • CEDAR.
      • PINE.* 1.44
    • Lesser; having
      • Long leaves; ‖ either that whose leaves encompass and cover the branches; bearing long Cones hanging downwards: or that whose leaves grow from each side of the stalk, being more flat, like those of Yew, green on the upper side, and whitish underneath, furcated at the end, bearing Cones shorter and thicker, growing erect.
        5.
        • MALE FIRR TREE, Pitch-tree.
        • FEMALE FIRR TREE.* 1.45
      • Short leaves; ‖ either that which grows in a conical figure, bear∣ing small roundish Cones: or that which hath compressed branches of a strong resinous sent, bearing small Cones encompassed with six scales.
        6.
        • CYPRESS.* 1.46
        • TREE OF LIFE.

* 1.47VI. TREES bearing their Seeds in SINGLE TEGUMENTS or Co∣verings, may be distinguished into such whose seeds are conteined in

• Pods; called Siliquous trees; whether such whose Pods are
  • Larger; being
    • Esculent; having winged leaves, and very broad Pods.
      1.
      • * 1.48CAROB, St Iohn's bread.
    • Purgative; ‖ either that which bears a round, black, and very long Pod, whose pulp is used as a benign purgative: or that which bears a thick Pod, having winged leaves, and a purgative pulp.
      2.
      • * 1.49CASSIA.
      • TAMARIND.
  • Lesser; having a round leaf, bearing elegant purple blossoms, and a thin Pod.
    3.
    • * 1.50JUDAS TREE.
• Membranaceous coverings; whether
  • Foliaceous husks; ‖ either that whose leaves are rough and indented, having a rugged bark:: or that whose leaf is somewhat longer and smoother, having a more even bark.
    4.
    • * 1.51ELM.
    • HORNBEAM.
  • Alate seed-vessels; or Keys; whether such as do generall bear
    • Single Keys; having winged leaves, a smooth bark, and a tough wood.
      5.
      • * 1.52ASH.
    • Double Keys; ‖ either that which hath smaller leaves, divided into five segments, being a brittle wood: or that which hath broader leaves, more deeply divided, being a soft wood.
      6.
      • * 1.53MAPLE.
      • SYCAMORE.
• Catkins; called Iuliferous trees; whether such as are of
  • Lesser leaves; ‖ either that which hath slender reddish twigs, smooth and white branches: or that which bears a roundish crenate leaf, up∣on very slender foot-stalks, which makes them apt to shake upon every little breath of wind.
    7.
    • BIRCH.
    • * 1.54ASPIN.
  • Larger leaves; ‖ either that whose leaves are of a dark green, like those of Ivy, having a whitish bark, and growing in watery places: or that whose leaves are laciniated, being of a dark green above, and hoary white underneath.
    8.
    • BLACK POPLAR.
    • * 1.55WHITE POPLAR.
  • Longer leaves; of a soft wood, growing most naturally in moist places; ‖ either that whose leaves are more dense and compact, being the larger tree: or that which is a lesse tree, having a broader leaf, and bearing larger Cat-kins.
    9.
    • * 1.56WILLOW.
    • SALLOW.
• Round Buttons; ‖ either that which hath broad leaves ending in a point, being smoother above then underneath, bearing a sweet blossom, and a round fruit about the bigness of a Pease, conteining one seed: or that which hath a divided leaf, whose fruit is echinate or prickly, contein∣ing several seeds
  10.
  • LIME TREE.
  • * 1.57PLANE TREE.

VII. TREES considered according to their WOODS or BARKS,* 1.58 may be distinguished into such as are principally known and taken no∣tice of for their

• Woods; according to their uses in
  • Physick; whether such as are esteemed
    • Cordial; being a hard, heavy, unctuous, Aromatic wood, the grain like that of Oak.
      1.
      • ALOE TREE.
    • Diaphoretic; of a hot biting tast;* 1.59 ‖ either that which is used against the Pox: or that which is commended as an Antidote against the biting of Serpents.
      2.
      • GUAIACUM, Pockwood.* 1.60
      • SNAKEWOOD.
    • Cooling and Astringent; whether that of a deep red, being hard, heavy, and of a finer grain, having a dull tast and no sent: or that which is yellowish, of a strait course grain, and fragrant smell like Musk.
      3.
      • RED SAUNDERS.* 1.61
      • YELLOW SAUNDERS.
    • Vseful against the Stone and diseases of the Kidneys; ‖ either that which tinges Water so, as to make it in several lights to appear of two co∣lours, blewish and yellow, not considerable for tast or smell: or that which is yellowish in the middle, and white on the outside, having a hottish tast, and a sent like that of a white Rose.
      4.
      • LIGNUM NEPHRITICUM.* 1.62
      • ROSEWOOD.
  • Mechanics; whether for
    • Dying a red colour; the former being a hard heavy wood of a strait grain, with streaks of black.
      5.
      • BRASIL WOOD.* 1.63
      • LOG WOOD.
    • Fabrile uses; whether the making of
      • Cabinets; being capable of a shining politure; ‖ either that of a black colour, a close grain, being very heavy: or that which is variegated with red and white.
        6.
        • EBONY.
        • PRINCES WOOD.* 1.64
      • Tubes; for the conveiance of Water, being streight slender trees, growing to a very great height, having a tuft of branches only at the top, the greatest part of them being pith, inclosed in a shell of very hard wood, somewhat resembling a Rush,
        7.
        • CABBIDGE TREE, Palmetto Royal.
• Barks; or Rines; either that which is
  • Esculent; being Aromatic, and of a sweet tast.
    8.
    • CINNAMON.
  • Medicinal;* 1.65 ‖ either that which is so soveraign a remedy for the cure of Agues, being of a dark colour, no considerable tast: or that which is of an Ash colour, and a hot biting tast, good against the Scurvy.
    9.
    • CORTEX FEBRIFUGUS PERUVIANUS, Iesuits powder.* 1.66
    • CORTEX WINTERANUS.

* 1.67VIII. TREES considered according to their GUMMS or ROSINS, may be distinguished; either according to their

• Gums; whether
  • Odorate; being of a bitter tast, proceeding from an exotic thorny Tree.
    1.
    • * 1.68MYRRHE.
  • Not odorate; ‖ either that which proceeds from an Egyptian thorny tree: or that which is of a yellowish colour and bitter tast, lea∣ving behind it a kind of sweet rellish, somewhat like Liccorice▪
    2.
    • * 1.69GUMM ARABICK.
    • SARCOCOLLA
• Rosins; whose consistence is more
  • Solid; and hard
    • Odorate; having a
      • More pleasant sent; used for
        • Suffumigations; being transparent; having
          • Lesser grains; ‖ either that which proceeds from an Arabian tree: or that which is of near resemblance to this, proceed∣ing from an Aethiopian Olive, of a whitish-colour mixed with yellow particles.
            3.
            • FRANKINCENSE, Olibanum.
            • * 1.70GUM ELEMI.
          • Bigger grains; proceeding from an American tree, the latter of which is more clear and transparent.
            4.
            • * 1.71GUMMI ANIMAE.
            • COPAL.
        • Perfumes; ‖ either that which is of a more hard consistence, and more tenacious: or that which is more easily dissolved.
          5.
          • CARANNA.
          • * 1.72BENJAMIN.
      • Less pleasant sent; either that which is
        • More volatile; white and transparent from several trees.
          6.
          • * 1.73CAMPHIRE.
        • Less volatile; ‖ either that which is unctuous and bitterish, easily growing soft, proceeding from an exotic thorny tree: or that which proceeds from a tall tree like Poplar.
          7.
          • * 1.74BDELLIUM.
          • TACA MAHACA.
    • Not odorate; of a red tincture, used in painting and varnishing.
      8
      • * 1.75LAKE.
  • Liquid; being of a sweet sent; ‖ either that which is of a more strong smell: or that which is of a reddish colour, used for stopping defluxi∣ons.
    9.
    • LIQUIDAMBRA.
    • * 1.76BALSAMUM PERUVIANUM.

Notes

• * 1.1

  §. VII.
• * 1.2

  I. POMI∣FEROUS TREES.
• * 1.3

  Malus.
• * 1.4

  Pirus. Malus cydo∣nea.
• * 1.5

  Mespilus. Mespilus Aro∣nia.
• * 1.6

  Sorbus. Sorbus tormi∣nalis.
• * 1.7

  Ficus.
• * 1.8

  Malus Puni∣ca
• * 1.9

  Aurantia. Pomum Ada∣mi.
• * 1.10

  Malus medi∣ca. Limonia.
• * 1.11

  Musa arbor. Ficus Indica••.
• * 1.12

  II. PRUNI∣FEROUS TREES.
• * 1.13

  Malus Pers••ca. Nucipersica.
• * 1.14

  Malus Arme∣niaca. Prunus.
• * 1.15

  Cerasus. Cornus.
• * 1.16

  Olea. Palma.
• * 1.17

  Myrobalanus. Sebesten.
• * 1.18

  Zizyphus alba. Zizyphus sati∣va.
• * 1.19

  III. BACCI∣FEROUS TREES.
• * 1.20

  Morus.
• * 1.21

  Sambucus. Rhus Sumach.
• * 1.22

  Fraxinus bu∣bula. Terebinthus.
• * 1.23

  Lotus.
• * 1.24

  Laurus. Laurus cera∣sus.
• * 1.25

  Taxus. Agrifolium.
• * 1.26

  Buxus.
• * 1.27

  Lentiscus. Draco arbor.
• * 1.28

  Caryophyllus aromaticus. Azedarach.
• * 1.29

  Sassafras. Molle arbor.
• * 1.30

  IV. NUCI∣FEROUS TREES.
• * 1.31

  Iuglans. Amygdalus.
• * 1.32

  Pistacea.
• * 1.33

  Styrax.
• * 1.34

  Avellana. Corilus sylve∣stris.
• * 1.35

  Castanea. Fagus.
• * 1.36

  Staphylo-den∣dron.
• * 1.37

  Nux moscha∣ta.
• * 1.38

  Cacao. Buna arbor.
• * 1.39

  Gossipium. Anacardium.
• * 1.40

  V. GLAN∣DIFEROUS and CONI∣FEROUS TREES.
• * 1.41

  Quercus. Cerrus.
• * 1.42

  Ilex. Suber.
• * 1.43

  Alnus. Larix.
• * 1.44

  Cedrus. Pinus.
• * 1.45

  Abies mas. Abies foemina.
• * 1.46

  Cupressus. Arbor vitae.
• * 1.47

  VI. TREES whose Seeds are in SIN∣GLE-TEGU∣MENTS.
• * 1.48

  Siliqua arbor.
• * 1.49

  Cassia. Tamarindus.
• * 1.50

  Arbor Iuda.
• * 1.51

  Vlmus. Carpinus.
• * 1.52

  Fraxinus.
• * 1.53

  Acer minus. Acer majus.
• * 1.54

  Betula. Populus tre∣mula.
• * 1.55

  Populus nigra. Populus alba.
• * 1.56

  Salix angusti∣sol. Salix latifol.
• * 1.57

  T••lia. Platanus.
• * 1.58

  VII. TREES considered according to their WOODS or BARKS.
• * 1.59

  Lignum Aloes.
• * 1.60

  Lignum vitae. Lignum colu∣brinum.
• * 1.61

  Santalum ru∣brum. Santalum ci∣trinum.
• * 1.62

  Lignum ••e∣phriticum. Lignum Rh••∣dium.
• * 1.63

  Brasilium lig∣num.
• * 1.64

  Ebenum.
• * 1.65

  Cinnamomum.
• * 1.66

  Cortex febri∣fugus. Cortex Win∣teranus.
• * 1.67

  VIII. TREES considered according to their GUMS or ROSINS.
• * 1.68

  Myrrha.
• * 1.69

  Gummi Ara∣bicum Sarcocolla.
• * 1.70

  Thus. Gummi Ele∣mi.
• * 1.71

  Gummi Ani∣ma. Copal.
• * 1.72

  Caranna. Benzoin.
• * 1.73

  Camphora.
• * 1.74

  Bdellium. Taca mahaca.
• * 1.75

  Lacca.
• * 1.76

  Liquidambra. Balsamum Peruvianum.