Chap. XI.
Cornus mas.
The Cornell tree.
The Cornell tree that is planted in Orchards, being the male (for the female is an hedge bush) is of two sorts, the one bearing red, the other whiter berries, which is very rare yet in our country, and not differing else.
It groweth to a reasonable bignesse and height, yet neuer to any great tree, the wood whereof is very hard, like vnto horne, and thereof it obtained the name: the body and branches are couered with a rugged barke, and spreadeth reasonable well, hauing somewhat smooth leaues, full of veines, plaine, and not dented on the edges: the flowers are many small yellow tufts, as it were of short haires or threads set together, which come forth before any leafe, and fall away likewise before any leafe bee much open: the fruit are long and round berries, of the bignesse of small Oliues, with an hard round stone within them, like vnto an Oliue stone, and are of a yellowish red when they are ripe, of a reasonable pleasant taste, yet somewhat austere withall.
The white (as I said) is like vnto the red, but onely that his fruit is more white when it is ripe.
The Vse of the Cornelles.
They helpe to binde the body, and to stay laskes, and by reason of the pleasantnesse in them when they are ripe, they are much desired.
They are also preserued and eaten, both for rarity and delight, and for the purpose aforesaid.