Aloes

ALOES, a sort of tree which comes from the Indies, of about eight or ten foot high. At the head of it is a large bunch of leaves, which are thick and indented, broad at bottom, but growing narrower toward the point, and about four foot in length. The blossom of it is red intermixed with yellow, and double like a pink. From this blossom comes fruit, round like a large pea, white and red. The juice of these leaves is drawn out by cutting them with a knife, and so receiving it in bottles.

The Eastern Geographers all tell us, that the wood of Aloes, the smell whereof is exquisite, is to be found only in those Provinces of the Indies which are comprehended in the first climate; that the most excellent of all is that which grows in the isle of Senf, situated in the Indian sea, in the way to China¹: Others are of opinion that the wood of Aloes which is produced in the isle of Comar, or at Cape Comorin, is the best of all; and that it was of this a certain King of India, made a present weighing ten quintals, to Nouschirran, and that as it was applied to the fire, it melted and burnt like wax. A great deal of this wood is brought likewise from the islands of Sumatra and Ceilan. So much for the wood of Aloes.

Some Interpreters are of opinion that the Numb. xxiv. 6. כאהלים נטה יהוהHebrew Ahalim signifies the Aloes-tree. The Vulgate reads, Ut tabernacula quæ fixit Dominus, as the tents which the Lord hath spread; but the Hebrew may be translated thus; As the Ahalims which the Lord hath planted. The Septuagint and St. Jerom sometimes translate Ahalim Statte or Aloe; but as the Aloes taken for a tree is not common in Arabia, or the neighbouring countries, others translate Ahalim Santal; but the Santal-tree was unknown to the Antients, and the Moderns who speak of it say it comes from the Indies. The Aloes of Syria, Rhodes, and Candia, called Aspalathus, is known to be a shrub full of thorns, the wood whereof is made use of by Perfumers, after they have taken off the bark, to give a consistency to their perfumes, which without it would be too liquid. See Prov. vii. 17. and Cant. iv. 14. for the signification of Ahalim.

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