Latin Texts & Translations

But the most beautiful feature of all in the maple is what is known as bruscum, and, even more particularly so, the molluscum. These are both of them tuberosities of this tree, the bruscum presenting veins more violently contorted, while those of the molluscum are disposed in a more simple and uniform manner: indeed, if this last were of sufficiently large size to admit of tables being made of it, there is no doubt that it would be preferred to the wood of the citrus even. At the present day, however, we find it but little used except for the leaves of tablets, or as a veneer for couches. ^[Note] Tuberosities are also found on the alder, ^[Note] but as much inferior to those already mentioned, as the alder itself is to the maple. In the maple the male tree ^[Note] is the first to blossom. The trees that frequent dry spots are preferred to those that grow in watery localities, which is the case also with the ash.

There is found in the countries beyond the Alps a tree, the wood of which is very similar to that of the white maple, and which is known as the staphylodendron. ^[Note] This tree bears a pod ^[Note] in which there is found a kernel, which has the flavour of the hazel-nut.