4. By what I have touch’d in the chapter of the elms, concerning the peregrination of that tree into Spain, (where even in Pliny’s time there were none, and where now they are in great abundance) why should we not more generally endeavour to propagate the _ilex_ amongst us; I mean, that which the Spaniards call the _enzina_, and of which they have such woods, and profitable plantations? They are an hardy sort of tree, and familiarly rais’d from the acorn, if we could have them sound, and well put up in earth or sand, as I have found by experience.
5. The wood of these _ilex’s_ is serviceable for many uses, as stocks of tools, mallet-heads, mall-balls, chairs, axletrees, wedges, beetles, pins, and above all, for palisadoes us’d in fortifications. Besides, it affords so good fuel, that it supplies all Spain almost with the best, and most lasting of charcoals, in vast abundance. Of the first kind is made the painter’s lac, extracted from the berries; to speak nothing of that noble confection _alkermes_, and that noble scarlet-die the learned Mr. Ray gives us the process of at large, in his chapter of the ilexes; where also of their medicinal uses: To this add that most accurate description of this tree, and the _vermicula_; see Quinqueranus, L. 2. _de laud. provid._ fol. 48. naturally abounding about Alos. The acorns of the _coccigera_, or dwarf-oak, yield excellent nourishment for rustics, sweet, and little if at all inferior to the chesnut; and this, and not the _fagus_, was doubtless the true _esculus_ of the Ancients, the food of the Golden Age. The wood of the _enzina_ when old, is curiously chambletted, and embroider’d with natural vermiculations, as if it were painted. Note, that the _kermes_ tree does not always produce the _coccum_, but near the sea, and where it is very hot; nor indeed when once it comes to bear acorns; and therefore the people do often burn down the old trees, that they may put forth fresh branches, upon which they find them: This, (as well as the oak, cork, beech, and _corylus_) is numbred amongst the _felices_, and lucky-trees: But for what reason, the _alaternus_ (which I am next speaking of) together with the _agrifolium_ [holly] pines, _salix_, &c. should be excommunicated, as _infelices_, I know not, unless for their being dedicated to the Infernal Deities; of which Macrob. _Sat. lib._ 12. cap. 16. In the mean time, take this for a general rule; that those were call’d _infelices_ only, which bare no fruit; for so Livy, lib. 5. _nulla felix arbor, nihil frugiferum in agro relictum_. Whence that of Phædrus, l. 3. _Fab._ upon Jupiter’s _esculus_: