The SPIKE or HEAD of the ÆGYPTIAN MAUZE. Given by Sigr. Boccone (formerly Botanick to the Great Duke of Tuskany) who brought it with him from Sicily, where it is frequently nursed in Gardens. The Figgs (as Acosta calls them) here grow upon it in several Bunches, nine or ten in a Bunch; two inches and ½ long, and as thick as the middle Finger of a labouring man; being now shrunk up, and perhaps also dwarfed by the place of its growth.

The PAPYR-REED of Nile. Papyrus Nilotica. By the Ægyptians called Berd. Given by Sigr. Boccone, who brought it out of Sicily, where it grew. Described and figur'd in Bauhinus; (b) (b) Lib. 18. c. 196. who with Gesner, makes it a Species of Cyperus, to which (in Leaf and Stalk) it is like; but hath a more compacted Head. This seems to have been no tall Plant: but upon its Native Bed, sc. near the Banks of the River Nile, it grows above three yards high, (as high, saith Alpinus, above the Water) and abundantly. Which Moses's Mother knowing, chose well, to lay her Babe in Pharaohs Daughter's way, yet, in the mean time, under good shelter from the scorching Sun.

The SCARLET CATSTAIL MUSHROON of Malta. Fungus Typhoides coccineus Melitensis. Given by Sigr. Boccone, and by him described and figur'd. (a)(a) Desc. Plant. Rarior.

ANOTHER, more tall, and with both a White or Grey, and Red Crust; not on the same but several Branches. The former, knobed; the other, as it were daubed upon the Branches. Given by Sigr. Boccone, and by him also figur'd.

The SPIRAL SEA-WRACK. It winds about, very curiously, with a great many Circumvolutions, almost like a very deep Skrew. Described, figur'd, and given by Sigr. Boccone. (d) (d) De Plantis Rariorib. p. 70. Tab. 38.

The Little BRANCHED SPONGE. Of much alike Texture and colour with the common kind. But finely rising up and distributed into several Branches, solid or not hollow, about ¼ of an inch over, like a sprig of Coral. Given by Sigr. Boccone.

A soft BUTTON-STONE. Echinites albus. Given by Sigr Boccone. Of these Stones there is some variety, with several Names, but confounded by Authors. They all agree, in having some likeness to the shell of the Button- Fish. This resembles that most with all small prickles. Of a white colour. Not very hard, and dissoluble, with Acids. See an excellent Figure hereof in Calceolarius's Musæum.

The soft OVAL HELMET STONE. Given by Sigr. Boccone. So I name it from its similitude to the shell of the Echinus Spatagus, (a) (a) See Part I. which the English call Helmet--Fish. Oval, to distinguish it from the Conick. Soft, as being very brittle, and easily dissoluble with Acids. Several of these Stones are figur'd by Aldrovandus, (b) (b) Musæum Metallic. with the Name of Scolopendrites. And some leaves after, divers others not much unlike, with that of Pentaphyllites from its likness in some part also to the Cinquefoyle.

A JOYNT of the shallow joynted CORAL. 'Tis near an inch in Diametre, two and ½ long, solid, heavy and white. Streaked by the length. The two ends a little thicker, as of Bones at the Joynts: and rising up from the Rim to the Centre into a little knob; and this it doth at both ends: whereas in that of Imperatus, the Joynts are deeper, and one end hollow. It was given by Sigr. Boccone.

The SINEPITES, as it may be called. Being a Cluster of small hard Globules, like Mustard-seeds; and united together with an obscure or dull Red Cement. Given by Sigr. Boccone.

ANOTHER, much more dense, and ponderous like Iron Ore. Given by Sigr. Boccone.