The Description.

The Tree of Life groweth to the height of a small tree, the bark being of a dark reddish colour: the timber very hard, the branches spreading themselves abroad, hanging down toward the ground by reason of the weakness of the twiggy branches surcharged with very oleous and ponderous leaves, casting, and spreading themselves like the feathers of a wing, resembling those of the Savin tree, but thicker, broader, and more full of gummy or oleous substance: which being rubbed in the hands do yield an aromatic, spicy, or gummy savour, very pleasant and comfortable: amongst the leaves come forth small yellowish flowers, which in my garden fall away without any fruit: but as it hath been reported by those that have seen the same, there followeth a fruit in hot regions, much like unto the fruit of the Cypress tree, but smaller, compact of little and thin scales closely packed one upon another, which myself have not yet seen. The branches of this tree laid down in the earth will very easily take root, even like the Woodbine or some such plant; which I have often proved, and thereby have greatly multiplied these trees.

The Place.

This tree groweth not wild in England, but it groweth in my garden very plentifully.

The Time.

 It endureth the cold of our Northern climate, yet doth it lose his gallant greenness in the winter months: it flowereth in my garden about May.

The Names.

Theophrastus and Pliny, as some think, have called this sweet and aromatical tree Thuia, or Thya: some call it Cedrus lycia: the new writers do term it Arbor vitæ: in English, the Tree of Life, I do not mean that whereof mention is made, Genesis 3. 22.

The Temperature.

Both the leaves and boughs be hot and dry.

The Virtues.

Among the plants of the New-found land, this tree, which Theophrastus calls Thuia, or Thua, is the most principal, and best agreeing unto the nature of man, as an excellent cordial, and of a very pleasant smell.