There is another kinde hereof but lately come to our knowledge, which differeth not in any thing from the former, but onely that all the leaues haue a yellow lift or gard about the edge of them on the vpperside, and none on the lower, which maketh it seeme very beautifull; and is therefore called gilded Boxe.
Buxus humilis. Dwarfe Boxe.
We haue yet another kinde of Boxe, growing small and lowe, not aboue halfe a foote, or a foote high at the most, vnlesse it be neglected, which then doth grow a little more shrubby, bearing the like leaues, but smaller, according to the growth, and of a deeper greene colour: I could neuer know that this kinde euer bore flower or seede, but is propagated by slipping the roote, which encreaseth very much.
The Vse of Boxe.
The wood of the Boxe tree is vsed in many kindes of small works among Turners, because it is hard, close, and firme, and as some haue said, the roots much more, in regard of the diuers waues and crooked veines running through it. It hath no Physicall vse among the most and best Physitians, although some haue reported it to stay fluxes, and to be as good as the wood of Guaiacum, or Lignum vitæ for the French disease. The leaues and branches serue both Summer and Winter to decke vp houses; and are many times giuen to horses for the bots.
The lowe or dwarfe Boxe is of excellent vse to border vp a knot, or the long beds in a Garden, being a maruailous fine ornament thereunto, in regard it both groweth lowe, is euer greene, and by cutting may bee kept in what maner euery one please, as I haue before spoken more largely.
13. Sabina. The Sauine tree or bush.
The Sauine tree or bush that is most vsuall in our country, is a small lowe bush, not so high as a man in any place, nor so bigge in the stemme or trunke as a mans arme, with many crooked bending boughes and branches, whereon are set many small, short, hard, and prickly leaues, of a darke green colour, fresh and green both Winter and Summer: it is reported, that in the naturall places it beareth small blacke berries, like vnto Iuniper, but with vs it was neuer knowne to beare any.