The PREFACE.
call'd Cabbage-Trees the Germen, Sprout, Top, Bud or unexpanded Leaves of which, are boil'd, and eat like our Cabbage, or pickl'd. The tops of the Ghamæriphe or Dwarf-Palm (of the Leaves of which are made Brooms) are likewise eaten in Spain and Italy. Thus Hops, White-Briony, Smilax aspera, Sparagus, just sprouting, common Cabbage naturally, Seleri, Lettuce, Fennel, Chardons and several Herbs, are render'd White and tender by only being cover'd with Earth from the Sun and Light. I have seen a common Bramble whose Twigs accidentally grew through the chink of a Window into a dark Room, which, because not exposed to the Light or Sun, were white and tender. 'Tis not only so, as I believe, in Greens, but also in other Colours which are heightned by the Sun: for the great variety of Colours observ'd in Tulips, at, first sprouting out are all whitish, then greenish, and when the Sun and Light has farther acted upon them, they arrive at that variety we observe in them with pleasure. This I take notice of, because the same Plants I describe, may have in European Gardens different Colours, from what they are in their native Soil, and a warmer Sun.
After I had gather'd and describ'd the Plants, I dried as fair Samples of them as I could, to bring over with me. When I met with Fruits that could not be dried or kept, I employ'd the Reverend Mr. Moore, one of the best Designers I could meet with there, to take the Figures of them, as also of the Fishes, Birds, Insects, &c. in Crayons, and carried him with me into several places of the Country, that he might take them on the place. When I return'd into England, I brought with me about 800 Plants, most whereof were New, with the Designs before-mention'd, &c. And shew'd them very freely to all lovers of such Curiosities: I gave my very particular and intimate Friend Mr. Courten whatever I brought with me, that he wanted in his extraordinary Museum. Amongst other Persons who saw them, was Sir Arthur Rawdon, who observing the great variety of Plants I had brought with me, sent over Mr. James Harlow, a Gardener, (who had formerly gone to Virginia for Mr. Watts) to bring the Plants themselves alive to him, for his Garden at Moyra in Ireland. This Mr. Harlow perform'd, and there they grew and came many of them to great perfection. He not only brought over with him a Ship almost laden with Cases of Trees, and Herbs, planted and growing in Earth; but also a great number of Samples of them very well preserv'd in Paper; and knowing that he that went over on purpose, might meet with somethings
