Fog. 2252. Lignum Aloes

The Description.

It is a question whether the Agallochum described in the lib. 1 cap. 21 of Dioscorides be the same which the later Greeks and shops at this time call Xyloaloe, or Lignum Aloes, many make them the same: others, to whose opinion I adhere, make them different, yet have, not the later, show what Agallochum should be, which I not withstanding will do; and though I do not now give you my arguments, yet I will point at the things, & show positively my opinions of them.

The first and best of these is that which some call Calumbart: others, Calumba, or Calambec: this is of high esteem in the Indies, & seldom found but amongst the princes, and persons of great quality; for it is sold oft-times for the weight in gold; I have not seen any thereof but in beads; it seems to be a whiter wood than the ordinary, of a finer grain, not so subject to rot, and of a more fragrant smell, and but light.

The second sort, which is usually brought over, and called in shops by the name of Lignum Aloes, is also a precious and odoriferous wood, especially burnt: the sticks of this are commonly knotty & unsightly: some parts of them being white, soft, and doted: other some, dense, blackish, or rather intermixed with black and white veins, but much more black than white, and this put to the fire will sweat out an oily moisture, and burnt, yield a most fragrant odour. This I take to be the true Xyloaloe of the late Greeks; and the Agalugen of Avicenaa, and that they call Palo d'Agula in the Indies.

The third is a wood of much less price than the former: and I conjecture it might well be substituted for Thus: and this I take to be the Agallochion of Dioscorides; the Lignum Aloes silvestre of Garcias; and Agula brava of Linscoten. It is a firm and solid wood, somewhat like that of the Cedar, not subject to rot or decay: the colour thereof is blackish, especially on the outside; but on the inside it is oft-times brownish and speckled, containing also in it an oily substance, and yielding a sweet and pleasing smell when it is burnt, but not like that of the two former: the taste also of this is bitterer than that of the former: and the wood (though dense and solid) may be easily cleft longways; it is also a far handsomer and more sightly wood than the former, having not many knots in it.

Garcia ab Orta thus describes the tree that is the Lignum Aloes (I judge it's that I have set forth in the second place): it is (saith he) like an Olive tree, sometimes larger: the fruit or flower I could not yet see, by reason of the difficulties and dangers which are to be undergone in the accurate observation of this tree (Tigers frequently there seeking their prey.) I had the branches with the leaves brought me from Malacca. Now they say that the wood new cut down hath no fragrant odour, nor till it be dried: neither the smell to be diffused over the whole matter of the wood, but in the heart of the tree; for the bark is thick, and the matter of the wood without smell. Yet may I not deny, but the bark and wood putrefying that oily and fat moisture, may betake itself to the heart of the tree, and make the more odoriferous: but there is no need of putrefaction to get a smell to the Lignum Aloes: for there are sundry so expert and skilful in the knowledge thereof, that they will judge of that which is new cut down, whither it will be odoriferous or no. For in all sorts of wood some are better than other some: thus much out of Garcias; where such as are desirous may see more upon this subject.

The Temperature and Virtues.

A. It is of temperature moderately hot and dry, and also of somewhat subtle parts. Chewed it makes the breath smell sweet, and burnt it is a rich perfume.

B. Taken inwardly it is good to help the stomach that is too cold and moist, as also the weak liver.

C. It is commended likewise in dysenteries and pleurisies: and put also into divers cordial medicines and antidotes as a prime ingredient.

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