That Bay-leaves were found green in the Tomb of S. _Humbert_,[47] after an hundred and fifty yeers, was looked upon as miraculous. Remarkable it was unto old Spectators, that the Cypresse of the Temple of _Diana_, lasted so many hundred years: The wood of the Ark and Olive Rod of _Aaron_ were older at the Captivity. But the Cypresse of the Ark of _Noah_, was the greatest vegetable Antiquity, if _Josephus_ were not deceived, by some fragments of it in his dayes. To omit the Moore-logs, and Firre-trees found underground in some parts of _England_; the undated ruines of winds, flouds or earthquakes; and which in _Flanders_ still shew from what quarter they fell, as generally lying in the North-East position.[48] [47] Surius. [48] Gorop. Becanus in Niloscopio. But though we found not these peeces to be Wood, according to first apprehension, yet we missed not altogether of some woody substance; for the bones were not so clearly pickt, but some coals were found amongst them; A way to make wood perpetual, and a fit associat for metal, whereon was laid the foundation of the great _Ephesian_ Temple, and which were made the lasting tests of old boundaries, and Landmarks; Whilest we look on these we admire not observations of Coals found fresh, after four hundred years.[49] In a long deserted habitation,[50] even Egge-shels have been found fresh, not tending to corruption. [49] _Of_ Beringuccio nella pyrotechnia. [50] _At_ Elmeham. In the Monument of King _Childerick_, the Iron Reliques were found all rusty and crumbling into peeces. But our little Iron pins which fastened the ivory works, held well together, and lost not their Magneticall quality, though wanting a tenacious moisture for the firmer union of parts, although it be hardly drawn into fusion, yet that metal soon submitteth unto rust and dissolution. In the brazen peeces we admired not the duration but the freedom from rust, and ill savour; upon the hardest attrition, but now exposed unto the piercing Atomes of aire; in the space of a few moneths, they begin to spot and betray their green entrals. We conceive not these Urns to have descended thus naked as they appear, or to have entred their graves without the old habit of flowers. The Urne of _Philopœmen_ was so laden with flowers and ribbons, that it afforded no sight of it self. The rigid _Lycurgus_ allowed Olive and Myrtle. The _Athenians_ might fairely except against the practise of _Democritus_ to be buried up in honey; as fearing to embezzle a great commodity of their Countrey, and the best of that kinde in _Europe_. But _Plato_ seemed too frugally politick, who allowed no larger monument then would contain four Heroick verses, and designed the most barren ground for sepulture: Though we cannot commend the goodnesse of that sepulchral ground, which was set at no higher rate then the mean salary of _Judas_. Though the earth had confounded the ashes of these