in the evening] Having solaced her selfe in flying abroad, and resting upon trees, the tops whereof did now appeare, she returned to the place of her rest and repast, for there was better diet and lodging for her then yet she could find any where abroad.
olive leafe pluckt off] Not a loose leafe floating on the water, but a little tender sprigge, such as a Dove with her bill might break off, which now was the easier to be done, because it was softened and weakened by being long in the water; and the Olive branch was the more likely to remaine, because it is greene all the yeare, Plin. Nat. Hist. lib. 16. cap. 20. yet it was an especiall providence also in preserving it together with the seminall vertue of other Plants, and Hearbs for the replenishing of the world with these kinds of creatures, whereof we doe not read there was any seed reserved in the Arke.