thereon as grow below but smaller at the toppe whereof stand in a long spike many small brownish flowers which turne into hard theee-square shining browne seed like unto the garden Docke or Patience the roote groweth greater than that of Patience with many branches or great fibres thereat yellow on the out-side and somewhat pale yellow within with some discoloured veines therein like to the Rubarbe next to be described but much lesse than it especially when it is dry which then hath quite lost that fresh colour which the other Rubarbe holdeth perspicuously 3. Hippolapathum maximum rotundifolium exoticum sive Rhaponticum Thracium sed verius Rubarbarana verum True Rubarbe or Rubarbe of Rontus or English Rubarbe Because in my former Booke I made onely a short relation of this Rubarbe and the effects thereof I thinke good here to give you a more ample declaration thereof for it deserveth to be worthily accounted of At the first appearing thereof out of the ground when the Winter is past it hath a great round brownish head rising from the middle or sides of the roote which openeth it selfe into sundry leaves one after another very much crumpled or folded together at the first and brownish but afterward spreadeth it selfe and becommeth smooth very large and almost round every one standing on a brownish stalke of the thicknesse of any mans thumbe when they are growne to their fulnesse and most of them two foot and more in length especially in any moist or good ground and the stalke of the leafe also from the bottome thereof next unto the foote unto the leafe it selfe being as long that is to say two foote more the breadth thereof also in the broadest place from edge to edge being equall or as much of a sad or darke greene colour and thickeâ— substance than the last of a fine tart or sowrish taste much more pleasant than the garden or Wood Sorrell from among these riseth up some but not every yeare a strong thicke stalke not growing so high as the Patience or garden Docke with such round leaves as grow below but smaller at every joynt up to the toppe and among the flowers which are white contrary to the last recited Bastard Rubarb or any other of the Dockes spreading forth into many branches and consisting of five or sixe small white leaves peece hardly to be discerned from the white threads that are in the middle and seeming to bee all threads after which come brownish three square seed like unto other Dockes but larger whereby it may bee plainely knowne to be a Docke the roote groweth in time to be very great with diuers and sundry great spreading branches from it of a darke brownish or reddish colour on the outside and with a pale yellow thin skin under it which covereth the inner substance or roote which rinde and skin being pared away the roote appeareth of so fresh and lively a 1. 2. Lapathum saâ—ivum sive Patientia folium Hippolapaetum rotundifolijs vulgaris Patience or Monkes Rubarbe and a leafe of the Bastard Rubarbe 3. Hippolapathum maximum sive Rhaponticum Thracium vel Rabarbarum verum True Rubarbe or Rhaponticke colour with flesh coloured veines running thorow it that the choisest of that Rubarbe that commeth to us from the Indies and China cannot excell it which roote if it be dryed carefully and as it ought which must be in our Country by the gentle heate of a fire in that we want the heate of the Sunne to dry it as is used in the naturall places and every peece kept from touching one another which thing may be observed is also done by the Indians in the dryed rootes that come to us who put them upon strings to dry them apart will hold his colour almost as well as when it is fresh and give a yellow tincture to the spittle when it is chewed but not so much nor hath that bitternes and astriction therein that the Indian root hath as I have said before I have divers yeares taken up of these rootes and dryed them carefully as I have shewed you and they have beene shewed to the best and most skilfull who have approved of them and divers of our Physitians have oftentimes used them and very many others to good purpose 4. Rhabarbarum Ponticum genuinum officinarum The true Rubarbe and Rhapanticke of China and the Shops Matthiolus hath given us a figure of Rubarbe which he setteth forth for the true but from whom or whence he had it he declareth not and it might be a figment out of his owne braine as some others of his are although hee seemeth to say that he learned from Persian Merchants that it did grow in the Country of Succuir which is subject to the Great Cham of Cathay in the Mountaines nigh the chiefe City thereof called also Succuir whose figure and description divers other Authors have followed Trincavell in his first Booke and 12. Chapter of the composition of Medicines relateth also that a Merchant who had formerly beene an Apothecarie and resident in Persia a long time did report unto him that there grew true Rubarbe in great abundance upon the hilly places in Persia and that it was carried from thence into Syria and Egypt and from thence into divers other Countries of the world but assuredly that Rubarb which is used now adayes in all the world I am sure in all the Christian Countries of this part of the world commeth chiefly from the Country of China in the East-Indies and hath beene brought by Arabian Turky and other Merchants in former times from thence over land by Caravans as they call them that is a number of Merchants and others having Camels laden with it 4. Rhabarbarum Ponticum genuinum officinarum The true Rubarbe and Rhapantick of China and the shops 5. Rha Ponticum Enulae folio latiore The broader Elecampane leafed Rubarbe and all other manner of drugges and spices there to be had wherewith they served all this other part of the world unto Cairo and Alexandria in Egypt Damasco and Tripoli in Syria and from thence as from the Store-houses into other Countries but now since the passage into the East-Indies by Sea hath beene knowne and that it hath beene brought unto us that way there hath little or none beene brought by the Caravans over land as in the former times The forme of the roote as all know that have seene and observed it is somewhat great round and long withall for the most part yet there are smaller and shorter peeces as well as the greater that come together whose colour on the outside is not all alike no more than the substance within for still some is better coloured and sounder than other the best is firme and somewhat heavy not spungy and light somewhat browne but fresh on the outside without many blackish which are suspitious places where oftentimes being broken it is rotten corrupted and naught I say many for the best peeces have
is the Thlaspâ— of Tabermontanus and Gerard which Bauhinus first setteth forth by the name of Thlaspi arvense Vaccarie lâ— lavique folio but afterwards in his Errata appointed it to be amended made Acetosaefolio in stead thereof the fourth is called by Bauhinus Thlaspi Vaccariae folio bursae pastoris siliquis the fift is also called by him Thlaspi Vaâ—câ— inâ— folio minus the sixt is also called by him Thlaspi villosuÌ„ capsulis hirsutis the seventh is called by Lugdunensis Thlaspi primum Dalechampij by Tabermontanus Thlaspi oleraceuÌ„ because it is almost without taste by Bauhinus Thlaspi arveâ—se perfoliatum majus who quoteth it to be Columna his Thlaspi alterum minus rotundifolium bursae pastoris fractu and yet Columna in his discription thereof maketh no mention of persoliating in the leaves Gerard also hath mistaken this in calling it Thlaspi incanum which belongeth to incanum Mechliniense the eight is called by Clâ—siâ— Thlaspi pumilum and Thlaâ—pi montanum minus but by Bauhinus Thlaspi perfoliatum minus the ninth is called Alyssâ— by Matthiolus and Anguilara Alyssum Matthioli by Lugdunensis and Camerarius by Lobel Thlaspi Graâ— by Lugdunensis Alyssum minus Dalechampij by Tabermontanus Thlaspi minus clypeatum by Beslerus in bâ— Eystetâ—si Polium Alpinum flore luteo Bauhinus maketh two sorts thereof calling them Thlaspi Alexandrinum campestro majus minus and yet saith they are so like that they may be both accounted one sort You see I have referred it rather to the Thlaspi than any other as nearest resembling it and to this ranke of field Thlaspi which is the proper place of the growing the tenth is so called by Cornutus in his history of Canada plants the last is called by Clusius Eruca peregrina and so doth Lugdunensis but Lobel inverteth the name calling it Leucoium marinum Patavinum but Clusius misliking it holdeth still his owne and Bauhinus more enclining to Lobel than him for his loves sake to Padoa as it seemes calleth it Leucoium incanum utriculo rotundo but because both herbe and seede is hot and sharpe and so are not the Leucoia generally I have thought it more fit to joyne it to the Thlaspies The Vertues The most of these sorts of Mustards are hot and drie in the fourth degree or very neare like unto Cresses for they are sharpe and quicke in taste and are heating rarefying attracting and purging It is set downe by some authors to purge the body both upward and downewards and that if any exceede a due proportion it will scoure unto bloud but how truly I know not in that I never heard of any to make triall thereof in that manner it is said to procure womens courses so forcibly that it suffocateth the birth being taken inwardly it breaketh inward apoflums and used in glisters helpeth the Sciatica the seede applied outwardly doth the same It is an especiall ingredient into Mithridatum and Treakle for it is held to be of it selfe an antidote resisting poyson venome and putrefaction besides the acrimony it addeth to the composition It is also availeable in many of those causes that Mustard is used but somewhat weaker CHAP. XIII Thlaspi Vmbellatum Vmbelliferons Treakle-Mustard ANother kind of Treakle-Mustard beare their flowers in tufts and round umbells and not in spikes of some whereof I have spoken in my former booke that is the Thlaspi Candiae Candy tufts both with white and purplish flowers as also a Spanish kinde not set forth by any before 1. Thlaspi Creticum album umbellatum majus Great white Candy Mustard This Candian plant hath divers hard and small stalkes bearing a few long and narrow pointed smooth leaves set on them one above another up to the toppes where the white flowers grow in broad round tufts somewhat larger than in that sort is expressed in my former booke the seede vessels that follow are greater also with a pointell in the middle of them the roote is small and threddy and endureth divers yeares not dying as the other doth 2. Thlaspi umbellatum arvense Iberidis folio Variable flowred Mustard The leaves hereof are somewhat long and narrow cut in or deepely dented about the edges more than those of Candy Mustard the flowers grow in tufts or umbells like thereunto but of mixed colours that is white and purple usually and sometimes wholly white and in others yellowish but much more rare the seede is like the Candie kinde 3. Thlaspi umbellatum Creticum flore albo odorato Sweete Treakle Mustard with a white flower This white Candy Mustard is smaller and groweth lower than the first bushing thicke with smaller and narrower leaves dented onely at the ends the flowers are white but smaller than they and smelling very sweete after which follow such like powches with yellowish seede in them the roote perisheth yearely 4. Thlaspi umbellatum Nasturtij folio Monspelianum Mompeliers umbâ—lleferous Mustard The stalkes of this Mustard are many and greater than in the other before bearing many more jagged leaves on them resembling those of the common garden Cresses the flowers are white in spikie rundles or umbells at the toppes which give smaller seede than the others but as sharpe as any of them The Place Some of these grow about Mompelier and the greater number in Candy and but in gardens with us 1. Thlaspi Creticum album umbellatâ— majus Great white Candy Mustard 2. Thlaspi umbellatum arvense Iberidis folio Variable flowred Mustard 3. Thlaspi umbellatum Creticum flore albo odorato Sweete Treakle-Mustard with a white flower 4. Thlaspi umbellatum Nasturtij folio Meâ—pet Mompeliers umbilliferous Mustard The Time They flower and seede about the same time that the Candy kindes doe expressed in my former booke which is usually not untill Iuly The Names The first Bauhinus calleth Thlaspi Creticum flore albo majus and I thinke it to be the Thlaspi Narbonense Centâ—lifolio of Lobel which as he saith the Italians and Matthiolus accounted an Alyssum the second is taken to be the Thlaspi Allobrogicum of Clusius and the Thlaspidij aliud genus vel tertium Trugi the Thlaspi amarum of Tabaâ— and the Nasturtium sylvestre of Lugdunensis which Bauhinus entituleth Thlaspi umbellatum arvense Iâ—oridâ— folio as I doe the third is the fourth Thlaspi of Clusius called parvum odorato flore which Bauhinus calleth Thlaspi umbellatum Creticum flore albo odore minus the last is called by Lobel Thlaspi alterum minus umbellatum Nâ—stâ—ij hortensis folio Narbonense which Lugdunensis and Tabermontanus doe both remember the one by the name of Thlaspi aliud umbellatum Pona and the other by the name of Thlaspi Narbonense umbellatum The Vertues The vertues of these herbes are to be referred to the former for being almost as sharpe they cannot but worke the like effects yet in a weaker manner and therefore thus much shall be sufficient for them CHAP. XIIII Thlaspi Montanum Mountaine Treakle-Mustard THe next kinde of Treakle-Mustards that are to be spoken of are those that
erraticum Rhaeas sive silvestre Wilde red Poppy or Corne Rose The leaves of the wild Poppy are long and narrow very much cut in on the edges into many divisions of a light greene colour but not whitish and sometimes hairye withall the stalke is blackish and hairy also but riseth not up so high as the Garden kindes having some such like leaves thereon as grow below parted into three or foure branches sometimes whereon grow small hairy heads bowing downe before the skinne breake wherein the flower is enclosed which when it is full blowne open is of a faire yellowish red or crimson colour and in some much paler without any spot in the bottome of the leaves having many blacke soft threds in the middle compassing a small greene head which when it is ripe is not bigger then ones little fingers end wherein is contained much blacke seede smaller by halfe then that of the Garden the roote perisheth every yeare and the seed springeth every yeare of its owne sowing Of this kinde there is one that is lesser in all the parts thereof and differeth in nothing else Bauhinus maketh mention of one of this kinde that bore a great yellow flower Minu◠Flore pleno and peradventure might be the Argemone flore luteo in the next Chapter but the plant was onely brought dry unto him gathered as he saith in divers wet places on the Pyrenean hils The double wild Poppy is described also in my former Booke 5. Papaver spinosum Thorny Poppy Vnto the sorts of Poppye I thinke meete to adjoyne this Thornye Poppy not finding a fitter place which hath at the first three or more whitish greene leaves lying upon the ground straked with white veines which growing greater are long smooth and not hairy somewhat long and broad rent or torne diversly on the edges but not to the middle ribbe having many corners or dentes as it were about them whereat stand many small sharpe prickes or thornes not having any white strakes or veineson the underside but in the white milkye veines are like to that wilde Carduus or Thistle called our Ladies Thistle and on the underside are more whitish with some small prickes along the middle ribbe and veines compassing the stalke at the bottome of them which riseth to be two or three foote high spreading forth into diverse branches with the like but lesser leaves on them and bearing at every of the toppes one small head enclosed in a rough skinne or filme like as the Poppies have from whence I thinke rose the name of a Poppy given unto it which being open sheweth forth a small yellow flower consisting of five leaves usually yet sometimes it will have but foure and sometimes sixe with a small long greene prickely head in the middle tipped at the top with a red spot which quickly weareth away and with many yellow threds standing about it after the flower is past for it continueth but a while the head groweth ripe having five or sixe ribbes from the toppe to the bottome and so likewise betweene the ribbes armed with very small but cruell sharpe and short prickes or thornes wherein is enclosed round rough blacke seed twice as bigge as any Poppye seed the roote is small and spreading dying every yeare every part of the plant yeeldeth a yellow juice The Place The Garden kindes doe not naturally grow wild in any place I thinke although Dioscorides Galen and others say that the blacke kinde that sheddeth his seede groweth wilde for I rather suppose that some seed happening there by chance shed it selfe and so was thought to grow naturally wilde and being suffered to shed will grow plentifully though smaller but in all Countries at the least in all Christian Countries they are all sowen and not found wild so farre as I can learne onely the first wilde kinde is plentifull enough and many times too much in the corne fields of all Countries and also upon ditch banckes and hedge sides the lesser also is found in corne fieldes but more rarely as also in some other places The thornye Poppy groweth in the West-Indies from whence the seede was first brought to us The Time The Garden kindes are usually sowen in the spring which then flower about the end of May and somewhat earlier if they spring of their owne sowing the wilde kindes flower usuall from May untill Iuly and the seed of them all is soone ripe after the flowring The Thorny kinde flowreth seldome before Midsomer and the seede is ripe in August but is to be sowen in Autumne or else it hardly springeth The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non ministrando quod vescentes suis muniis fungi non possunt or as some thinke a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod ejus usus nimium infrigidet hominibus tandem motum auferat the Garden white kinde is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of Dioscorides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thy lacitis and the blacke seede is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pithitis hortense or sativum the wild kinde is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rhaeas that is fluidum quia flores protinus decidunt in Latine Papaver Rhaeas erraticum rubrum or silvestre Dioscorides Galen and others make onely the first great white kinde to be the Garden kinde and the blacke to be the wilde sort the Garden kinde is called by the Arabians Caxcax by the Italians Papavero domestico by the Spaniards Dormideras and Cascall by the French Pavot by the Germans Magsamen and Olsamen of the Dutchmen Huell and Mancup of us in English Poppy or Garden Poppye for the most part yet in some Countries with us Ione silver pinne subauditur faire without and foule within and in many other places Cheeseboules the wild Poppy is called in Italian Papavero silvatico in Spanish Amapolas rosella and Papoulas in French Coquelicoc Pavot sauvage and Confanons in the high Dutch tongue Clapper rosen and korn rosen in the low Dutch tongue Rooden huel wilden huel and Colbloemen in English Wild Poppy Corne Rose redweede and Canckers Tragus calleth it Argemone The Thorny Poppy is called generally by all now adayes Papaver spinosum but of Gerard Carduus Cerysanthemus Peruanus by the Spaniards in the Indies from whom the Italians had it Figo del Jnferno that is Ficus Infernalis the Figge of hell because the prickely head is long and round somewhat like a figge and that whosoever should have one of them sticke in his throate it would surely send him to heaven or hell The milkye juice gathered from the heades onely of the great white Poppye growing in the East Countryes of Asia major towards India and in divers other countries of those Indies for it is there a great merchandise of much use and expence as also in Paphlagonia Cappadocia Galatia Cilicia and Natolia which is the lesser Asia as I said before is that true and best Opium that is or should be used
leaves separate a sunder with small foote stalkes unto them which are somewhat broad and ending in a point some of them cut in on the edges more deepely and all of them dented about the edges of a sad greene colour among these leaves rise up diverse somewhat weake smooth round stalkes halfe a yard or two foote high yet not bending but standing upright having three or foure such like leaves thereon as grew below but with shorter stalkes at the toppes of the stalkes stand a tuft or bush of white flowers every one consisting of five small leaves with many whitish threds in the middle and after they are fallen come small round berries greene at the first and blacke when they are ripe the roote is blacke without and a little yellowish within and somewhat thicke with diverse blackish strings or great fibres annexed thereunto which perisheth not although the stalkes and leaves doe die downe every yeare fresh springing up againe 2. Christophoriana Americana baccis niveis rubris Herbe Christopher of America This stranger shooteth forth in the Spring many reddish stalkes about a foote high with diverse leaves thereon divided into many parts somewhat resembling the former but larger rougher and of a sadder greene colour at the toppes whereof standeth a large tuft of white flowers composed in a manner wholly of threds yet if they be more neerely vewed there will appeare for every flower sixe small white leaves with their threds in the middle compassing a round greene button which comming to maturitie is either white with a purple tippe and foote stalke or reddish wholly the roote is blacke thicke short and crooked not growing downewards nor creeping but with many fibres thereat The Place The first groweth generally in the woods of mountaines that are somewhat open and not too much shadowed and other like places as well in our owne as other countries The other both in our Plantations and the French in America The Time They flower after Midsomer and the berries are ripe in August Christophoriana vulgaris Ordinary herbe Christopher Christophoriana Americana Herbe Christopher of America The Names It hath no Greeke or scarse any good Latin name although commonly with most it be called Christophoriana or herba sancti Christophori but for what cause and respect I cannot learne and many do doubt of the Saints name thinking it but composed as relative bearing Christ according to the morall of the story and not essentiall and indeede Some call it as Lugdunensis saith Napellus leucanthemos and some Aconitum bacciferum Lugdunensis saith it is called with them Napellus racemosus and so with Marantha as Camerarius saith some againe call it Costus niger Pena and Lobel make a doubt whether it be nor Actaea of Pliny in his 27. Booke and 7. Chapter because his Actaea beareth blacke berries like Ivie but diverse good and judicious Herbarists doe rather take Actea to be Ebulus for this hath no rough stalke as Actaea hath but a smooth and Paulus Aegineta interpreteth the roote of Actaea to be the roote of Sambucus Bauhinus calleth it Aconitum racemosum and seemeth to leane to Lobel his opinion whether it be not Pliny his Actaea or no. Some also doe call Scrophularia by this name of herbe Christopher Camerarius saith it is called in high Dutch Wolfs worts when as Tragus and others say the Aconitum Lycoctonum that is Luparia or Lupicida is so called also with them Camerarius saith also it is called with them Christoffels kraut But Tragus saith that a kind of Vetch or Pulse which he thinketh is the Aracus of Dioscorides is called with them Sant Christoffels kraut The other is called by Iacobus Coruntus in his Canadensium plantarum historia Panaces 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sive racemosum Canadense but why Panax being no wound herbe I see no cause unlesse it were for want of a bettername but I thinke I have entituled it more truely I am sure more nearely resembling this herbe than any Panax that I know The Vertues The Inhabitans of all the mountaines and places wheresoever the first groweth as some Writers say doe generally hold it to be a most dangerous and deadly poison both to men and beast and that they use to kill Wolves herewith very speedily it must therefore be cautelously used or rather utterly refused but I much doubt whether those Mountainers meane not rather that Aconitum Lycoctomum called Lupicida and although many good Authours hold it dangerous yet cannot I in my judgement so thinke not finding herein by the taste any pernitious qualitie but I cannot learne what helpe this hath procured to any Cornutus saith of his Panuces Carpimon that it is eaten familiarly both with the naturalls and French inhabitants with them as a sallet herbe CHAP. XIX Clematites Climers or Clamberers THere are diverse sorts of Climers or Clamberers most of which are sharpe hot and causticke or exulcerating the skinne if they lie any little time thereon and thereby dangerous although not deadly diverse of them have beene declared in my former Booke whereunto I referre them that would be enformed of them yet I thinke it not amisse to let you see some of their figures the descriptions of the rest shall follow 1. Clematis sylvestris latifolia sive Viorna The great wild Climer or Gerards Travellers Joy This wild Climer or Travellers joy as some call it hath in some places especially if it have stood long in a place a thicke and strong ragged wooddie stemme or trunke with diverse chops or riftes in the barke which is of a grayish colour from whence shoote forth many long pliant grayish greene branches more strong and wooddie than any of the other Climers so that their branches doe in many places serve as withes to winde about garden and field gates or to binde any bundle together these branches spread upon the hedges or trees whatsoever it standeth next unto dividing it selfe into many other twigges whereon are set at the severall joynts two long stalkes of winged leaves consisting of five leaves two and two together and one at the end each dented on the sides with small notches of a pale greene colour and tasting sharpe and hot biting upon the tongue but not so much as the burning Climer or Virgins bower these branches winde themselves about any thing standeth neare unto them for a great way but have no clasping tendrells like the Vine to take hold and winde it selfe thereby as Gerard saith it hath so farre as ever I could observe at the joynts where the leaves stand come forth likewise towards the toppes of the branches diverse bunches or tufts of white flowers set together upon small long foote stalkes with diverse yellow threds in the middle smelling very sweete and after they are past there arise in their places severall heads of many long hoary silver-like plumes as if they were feathers set together with a brownish flat seede at the bottome of every of them which abide a great while
is thicke and somewhat great with fibâ— thereat 3. Iacea montana Narbonensis The French mountaine Knapweede This French Knapweede hath divers long leaves very much divided on both sides into other small long and narrow ones but they little or nothing againe divided of a light greene colour on the upperside and hoary white underneath and a little rough or hard withall somewhat like unto the yellow Knapweede with prickly heades among which riseth up a round stalk somewhat rough also about a foote high without many branches but bearing three or foure scaly heads at the toppes with each of them a long narrow divided leafe at the foote with divers purple threds in the middle smelling sweete after which commeth the seede not unlike the rest but lesser the roote is long and slender and of a bitter taste 4. Iacea montana candidissima The hoary white mountaine Knapweede This hoary white Knapweede sendeth forth from a thicke wooddy roote divers winged leaves lying upon 3. Iacea montana Narbonensis The French mountaine Knapweede 4. Iacea montana candidissiâ—a The hoary white mountaine Knapweede the ground round about it very much rent or torne on both sides into many small leaves which are each of them deepely dented on the edges somewhat like unto the leaves of Staebe or jagged Scabions all covered over with a hoary white cotten or wooll or as it were sprinkled with flower or meale from whence riseth up a crested white hoary stalke about a foot or a cubite high scarse having any leaves thereon to the top where it beareth only two or three scaly heads like the others with purple threads rising out of the middle of them the seede is like the rest 5. Iacea humilis Hieracij folio Low Knapweede with torne leaves This small Knapweede hath many small and narrow long leaves unevenly cut in or gashed on the edges but blunt or somewhat round at the ends of every division as at the point end also from among which rise up weake stalkes not able to stand upright but leane downe to the 6. Iacea pumila Narbonensis Pineapple headed Knapweede 7. Iacea Liciniata albâ— Iagged white Knapweede ground of about a foote high with some smaller leaves on them and at the toppes small scaly heades like unto the others out of which thrusteth the flower very like unto the Cyanus or Corne-flower but of a whitish blew purple colour somewhat obscure or sullen and sometimes white the seede that followeth is not unlike the rest the roote is thicke and long 6. Iacea alia pumilae Narbonensis The Pineapple headed Thistle or Knapweede This small French plant groweth sometimes in the naturall places without any stalke bearing his Cone or Pineapple-like head so neare the ground that scarse any part of a stalke can be seene under it and sometimes and in the same grounds also it will beare a round hollow stalke of an handbreadth or two or a foote high having divers leaves thereon cut on both sides into many narrow short peeces greene on the upperside and hoary underneath at the toppe of the stalke standeth only one large round and long great head bigger than beseemeth the smallnesse of the plant resembling a Cone or Pine apple delicately set with scales blackish at the toppes and forked or cut into two or three notches at the end and bright shining white from thence to the bottome of them from the middle whereof riseth up divers purple threds as in the other sorts after which come small seeds wrapped in much down as the rest are and like unto the former small Knapweedes but blackish the roote is blackish on the outside and whitish within of the bignesse of ones little finger 7. Iacea Laciniata alba Jagged white Knapweede This white Knapweede hath the stalke set with many very much jagged leaves from the bottome branching forth on all sides with lesser lesse jagged leaves up to the tops where on the severall small stalkes stand such like scaly heads as the other before have but with fine white threds rising out of them the roote is long and threddy and spreadeth somewhat under ground 8 Iacea montana minima lutea Small yellow mountaine Knapweede This mountaine Knapweede hath divers leaves next the roote about three inches long cut into many divisions on both sides and each of them againe into smaller but somewhat thicke and fleshie smooth also but ending in a sharpe point the stalke is small scarse a foote high bearing a greater scaly head then the smallnesse of the plant should seeme to beare with a gold-yellow flower in the middle having many upright threds in the middle and the outward leaves lying downewards and compassing them after which come small seede wrapped in downe like others but smaller the roote is somewhat thicke hairy at the head and parted into fibres The Place The first as I said groweth in many places of this land among corne as well as in other fields especially about Coventry the second groweth in Candy from whence the seede being sent hath sprung in divers parts the third groweth upon the hills of Castrum novum neare Mompelier the fourth neare Capua in Italy the fift about Mompelier also in the borders of fields the sixt there also but among the Cistus and skarlet Oakes the seventh is found in sundry places of our owne land the last as Fabius Columna saith on the hills Aequicoli in Naples The Time The first five sorts flower in Sommer and their seede ripeneth shortly after but the two last flower not untill September in their naturall places The Names Divers would referre some one or other of these Iacea's either going before or following after unto Hyosciris or Hyosiris of Pliny quasi Iovia Seris as Pena saith whereof he maketh mention in his 27. Booke and 11. Chapter which he saith is like unto Seris or Intibum Endive or Succory but lesse and rough in handling and good for wounds of which short description it is hard to determine that Pliny meant this plant for if Hyosciris be a kinde of Succory or belonging to that Tribe as the name aforesaid should declare this cannot be it for none of the Succoryes or of that stocke are found availeable for wounds as these are The first here set downe is the lacea major of Lobel the sixt Iacea of Clusius which he calleth montana hirsuto capite as Camerarius doth and by Bauhinus Iacea nigra laciniata The second Clusius calleth Iacea squammato capite Cretica and Bauhinus Iacea lacin ata squammata The third is called by Lobel Iacea montana Narbonensis by Tabermontanus Iacea muscata quinta and by Bauhinus Iacea montane incana odora The fourth is so called by Bauhinus as it is in the title which he called both in his Phytopinax and in his Matthiolus Iacea montana Laciniata The fifth is called by Lobel Iacea pumila humilis serpens c. by Lugdunensis Iacea humilis Hieratij folio and by Bauhinus Iacea homilis alba Hieracij folio The
saith likewise groweth in many untilled grounds in the Kingdome of Naples neare the sea side and so doth the fourth neare the sea side but particularly in what countrie is not expressed the last groweth every where almost round about London in any moist ground or the foote of bankes where there is any low trench or rill that is not continually filled with water The Time They all flower and seede in May Iune and Iuly and their greene leaves abide fresh in a manner all the Winter The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coronopus a corvino pede quem effigiant folia saith Pena that is Crowfoote whereunto the leaves are like which name the Latines doe hold as also Cornu cervi or cervinum and Herba Stella both of them from the posture of their leaves Some also call it Hurenaria and Sanguinaria or Sanguinalis the one from the place of his growing the other from the effects or properties There hath beene much doubt formerly what herbe should be the true Coronopus of Dioscorides for the name signifying a Crowes foote deceived many and led them into that errour to thinke that the herbe called Pes corvinus and Pes gallinaceus should be it among whom are not onely the Comentators upon Avicen but Brunfelsius also of late dayes who carried away rather with the currant of the time and the signification of the name than with the opinion of others that contradicted it and without the due examination of the herbe it selfe held this opinion whom Matthiolus justly reprehendeth therefore shewing that it was a species of Ranunculus that was generally called Pes corvinus and Pes gallinaceus which is an exulcerating herbe and not this Coronopus which Dioscorides maketh a sallet herbe familiarly eaten and alloweth of Monardus Ferrariensis his judgement that set downe this Herba stelle or Cornu cervinum to be the true Coronopus of Dioscorides Matthiolus contesteth also against Lonicerus that tooke a kinde of grasse called gramen Manne esculentum and Pentadactylon which hee saith was called by his countrimen Capriola and Sanguinella in Matthiolus countrie to be the Coronopus of Dioscorides which grasse as he saith although it hath five small spikes growing at the toppes of the stalkes which being opened resemble in some manner the foote of a Crow or other bird as thereupon tooke the name Pentadactylon of five fingers of a spread hand yet this hath no divided leaves neither is a sallet herbe for men to eate but onely being a grasse serveth as hay for beastes there is also another controversie among divers what herbe Theophrastus should meane by his Coronopus which Gaza translateth Solidago and which hee placeth among the prickly plants whom Pliny also herein followeth in his 21. Booke and 16. Chapter and yet in his 22. Booke making mention thereof doth not speake of any prickles it hath following peradventure Dioscorides text therein but Motthiolus to excuse Theophrastus his prickles in Coronopus supposeth that the jagges or divisions of the leaves of Corum Corvinum might be taken or mistaken by Theophrastus to be thornes he might as well say hornes or prickles although they be not hard nor sharpe and therefore judgeth the Coronopus both of Dioscorides and Theophrastus to be one palnt which thing although with Matthiolus I thinke to be true yet doe I not thinke his reason therefore to be true but if I may give my judgement thereof I thinke it more probable that Theophrastus might see such a Coronopus as Fabius Columna calleth Insulae Prochytae which hath sharpe and prickly edges as is before said in the description thereof and therefore placed it inter aculeatas and Dioscorides such as we usually have which grew in milder places and is a tender herbe used to be eaten and hereby as I thinke they may be reconciled together The first is called Coronopus sativus by Cordus Gesner Camerarius and others and hortensis by Bauhinus because it was familiarly sowen in gardens for meate and Herba Stella as I said before by Lobel Dodonaeus and others and Cornu cervi and Cornu cervinum yet the same herbe is also called sylvestris being found wild by divers both the same and other Authors the second is as I said called Coronopus Insulae Prochytae by Fabius Columnae and by Bauhinus Coronopus sylvestris hirsutior the third the same Columna calleth Coronopus Neopolitanus tenuifolius minimus and minimus tenuifolius maritimus the fourth Bauhinus setteth forth under the name expressed in the title the last is thought by some to be the Coronopus of Dioscorides but called by some Nasturtium verrucarium yet is generally called Coronopus repens Ruellij but Dodonaeus thinketh it fitter to be called Pseudo coronopus or else Cornu cervi alterum vulgi the upright plant is Matthiolus his Ambrosia and Lobels Ambrosia spontanea strigosior and Bauhinus himselfe putteth it for a second Ambrosia because it is figured upright by Matthiolus and Lobel The first is called by the Italians Herba stella and Coronopo by the Spaniards Guiabella by the French Corne de Cerf and pied de cornolle by the Germans Krauwen fuss by the Dutch Hertzharren we in English call it Bucks horne Harts horne and Bucks horne Plantane and of some Herbe Ivye and Herbe Eve Gerard calleth it Swines Cresses but I do rather call it Wart Cresses according to the Latine name that some give from the forme of the huskes of seede The Vertues Buckshorne Plantane boiled in wine and drunke is an excellent remedy for the biting of a Viper or Adder for I hold our English Adder to be the true Viper both by the forme thereof the teeth it hath with poison in the gummes being deadly and dangerous upon the biting and by the breeding which is of quicke young ones and not by egges as snakes c. by laying some of the herbe to the wound the same also being drunke helpeth those that are troubled with the stone in the reines and kidneyes not that it breaketh the stone or expelleth it but by cooling the heate of the parts and strengthening the backe and reynes it stayeth likewise all bleedings and eruptions of bloud whether at the mouth or nose either by urine or the stoole and helpeth the laske of the belly and bowells and the disentery or bloudy fluxe it helpeth much also those that have weake stomackes and are much given to casting not containing their meate and this the herbe doth well but the roote more effectually Paulus Aegeneta in his seventh Booke writeth that it helpeth those that are troubled with the collicke of which some make a doubt that it might be an errour of the Writer in mistaking the word but that he in the same place presently after that he hath shewed that the Larke is a remedy for the collicke adioyneth this also that the rootes also of Coronopus doth helpe the cholicke it hath beene held profitable for agues to weaken their fits and to take them away to
ordinary great one having such like red flowers and yet he maketh the same to be Clusius his Cynoglossum pumilum sive Austriacum alterum and also Columna his Cynoglossa minor montana serotina altera Plinij who both say that theirs have blew flowers as the Elatine of Tragus and the Lappula rusticorum of Lugdunensis which are both one and the same with it this also Bauhinus himselfe maketh his tenth species calling it Cynoglossum minus and there also making it to be the same Cynoglossa Plinij of Columna before set downe so that he confoundeth them much maketh that sort with red flowers to be the same with that of Tragus and Lugdunensis which hath blew flowers and doth corresponde altogether with theirs which errour in him is usuall in many other places of his Pinax and not in this onely It is called by the Italians Cinoglossa and Lingua di canc by the Spaniards Langua de perro by the French Langue de chien by the Germans Hundss zungin by the Dutchmen Honts tonghe and we in English Hounds tongue generally or of some Dogges tongue The Vertues Hounds tongue is temperately cold drying and astringent and yet hath a mollifying qualitie The roote is very effectually used in pills as well as in decoctions or otherwise to stay all sharpe and thin defluxions of rheume from the head into the eyes or nose or upon the stomacke or lungs as also for coughs and shortnes of breath for which purpose the Pilulae de Cynoglossa either of Mesues or Trallianus description or as it is corrected by Fernelius is singular good which is set downe in this manner Take of Myrrhe five drammes Olibanum sixe drammes of Opium of the seedes of white Henbane and the barke of the dried rootes of Hounds tongue of each foure drams or halfe an ounce of Saffron and Castor of each one dramme and a halfe let all these be made into a masse or lumpe for pilles according to art with the syrupe of Staechados the leaves boiled in wine saith Dioscorides but others do rather appoint it to be made with water and to add thereunto oyle and salt mollifieth or openeth the belly downewards the same also taken doth helpe to cure the biting of a mad Dogge and applying some of the leaves also to the wound the leaves bruised or the juice of them boyled in Axungia that is Hogges larde and applied cureth the falling away of the haire which commeth of hot and sharpe humours the same also is a very good remedy to apply to any place that is scalded or burnt with fire the leaves of themselves bruised and laid to any greene wound doth heale it up quickly the same ointment aforesaid with a little Turpentine added thereunto as also the juyce used with other fit things doth wonderfully helpe all old ulcers and deepe or much spread sores in the legges or other parts of the body and taketh away all inflammation that rise about them or any where else in the body be it St. Authonies fire or the like the roote likewise baked under the embers either wrapped in paste or wet papers or in a wet double cloth and thereof a suppository made and put up into the fundament or applied to the fundament doth very effectually helpe the painefull piles or hemorrhoides the distilled water of the herbe and rootes is very good to all the purposes aforesaid to be used as well inwardly to drinke as outwardly to wash any sore places for it doth heale all manner of wounds or punctures and those foule ulcers that rise by the French Poxe CHAP. XX. Auchusa Alkanet THere are divers sorts of Alkanet whereof I have given you the description of one and under it have made mention of some other sorts in my former Booke but because I there did not shew you them at the full I will in this place make further mention thereof with the rest of it is kinde 1. Anchusa lutea major The greater yellow Alkanet This yellow Alkanet hath many long and narrow hoary leaves lying on the ground and thicke set on the stalkes likewise which riseth not much above a foote and a halfe high at the toppes wherof stand many yellow flowers with a small leafe at the foote of every flower which are somewhat long and hollow very like unto Comfrey flowers but a little opening themselves at the brimmes like unto Buglosse flowers with a pointell in the middle after they are past there come in their places small long blackish seede not unlike both to Buglosse and Comfrey seede the roote is of the bignesse of ones finger and of the length of two whose outward barke is somewhat thicke and of an excellent orient red colour ready to colour their hands and fingers with its red colour that shall handle it the inner pith being white and wooddy the whole herbe is of an astringent taste 2. Anchusa lutea minor The lesser yellow Alkanet This small Alkanet is very like unto the former but that the leaves are narrower and not so long yet covered 1. Anchusa lutea major Thâ— great yellow Akanet 2. Aâ—chusa lutea â—r The lesser yellow Alkanet 3. Anchusa minor purpurea Small Alkanet with purple flowers 5. 6. Anchusa arboreâ— Anchusa hâ— Tall and low Alkanet with an hairy hoarinesse as the stalkes are also which in some are but a foote in others a foote and a halfe high with smaller leaves thereon the flowers are hollow and yellow like the other but lesser the seede also is alike the roote is great in respect of the plant red and tender while it is young but growing wooddy when it is old and blackish but liveth and abideth after seed time which some others doe not 3. Anchusa minor purpurea Small Alkanet with purple flowers The small purple Alkanet hath greater and longer leaves then the last hairy and greene like unto Buglosse and somewhat like unto the first but yet lesser and narrower although more plentifull that lye upon the ground and those also that rise up with the stalkes which are many tender and slender Altera supina atro purpureo flore whose flowers being like the others are of a reddish purple colour the seede following is more gray the roote is greater and thicker then the other We have another sort hereof whose small flowers scarse rising out of the huskes are of a sad or dead red colour the seede blackish rising againe yearely of its owne sowing and leaning downe to the ground 4. Anchusa lignosior angustifolia Wooddy Alkanet This smallest Alkanet which scarse deserveth to be accounted one of them both for the want of colour in the roote and the hardnesse of both rootes and stalkes for the stalkes are scarse a foote high hard and wooddy having many small and narrow sad greene hairy leaves much smaller and shorter then the last the flowers stand on crooked stalkes bending inwards like Heliotropium and are hollow but smaller then the former and of a very blew colour like
yellow colour with pointed leaves somewhat like unto Numularia with round heads also containing the seede and small fibrous rootes not perishing every yeare as the rest doe for with the plant in flower which I have gathered there hath remained the dry stalke with the heads of seede of the former yeares growing 6. Anagallis tennifolia flore caeruleo Narrow leafed Pimpernell with blew flowers This blew flowred Pimpernell groweth in the same manner that the rest doe with spreading branches upon the ground and leaves set at the severall joynts thereof all along up to the toppes but they are longer and narrower somewhat resembling the leaves of Gratiola or hedge Hyssope and not alwaies two at a joynt but oftentimes three or peradventure more yet very seldome at the joynts likewise with the leaves stand severall flowers as in the other sorts upon small long footestalkes made of five small round pointed leaves yet somewhat greater then those of the former blew sort having a shew or circle of a purple colour in the middle or bottome which afterwards yeeld such like round heads and seedes and having small threddy rootes like unto the other perishing in the same manner every yeare The Place The first groweth every where almost as well in the medowes and corne fields as by the wayes or in gardens arising of it selfe the second is nothing so common yet is found growing neere Battle by Oxford and plentifully in Rumney Marsh at Higham Ferrers Artilborroâ— and Raundes in Northamptonshire and at Beconsfield in Buckinghamshire The third as Clusius saith first grew with him in his Garden at Franckford and continually by the shedding of the seede preserved it owne kinde as well there as in Holland at Leyden The fourth grew of it selfe in my owne Garden here in London and commeth up every yeere of it owne sowing The fift groweth in the shady places of Hampsted wood and in many places of Kent and about Ashford at a place called the Parke The last Clusius saith he had from the noble and learned Iohn Monnel of Tornay who received it from Cadis or Calis where it grew and grew likewise in his garden at Tornay The Time They doe all flower from May unto August and the seede ripeneth in the meane time and falleth The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anagallis and so likewise in Latine Pena thinketh it might take the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod Graece dicebatur Hyacinthus unde a colore Hyacintheo Anagallis nuncupari potnit vel fortè dixit antiquitas Anagallidem quia superbula floribus venustis vias passim ornet colore oculis grato amico Iacobus Manlius and Matthiolus after him call it Morsus Gallinae and Morgelina but that name is more truely the name of Alfine Chickeweede whereof this may be accounted a species Some have called it Auricula Muris following therein the Pandectarum author Dioscorides saith that in his time it had divers names among which he numbreth Macia which Marcellus Virgilius also remembreth and Corchorus and Halicacabus whereby it is supposed to be the Corchorus of Theophrastus which in his seventh booke and seventh chapter he reckoneth Inter olera among the pot herbes or sallet herbes and for the bitternesse became a Proverbe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Corchorus inter alora which is understood of those men that would be esteemed of some worth and account among others when they are the vilest of others for so Plinye in his twenty fift booke and thirteenth chapter doth say that this Anagallis Pimpernell was called Corchorus or Corcorus in the same manner but not that Corchorus he mentioneth in his 15. booke and 32. chap. which as I sayd before is more truely taken to be Melochia Olus Iudaicum the Iewes Mallow Paulus Aegineta used the male Pimpernell in the composition Diacorallion because it was called Corallion whereof he speaketh in his seventh booke which is used against the diseases of the Arteries and joynts and was to be made with this herbe which some doe rather thinke should be called diacollarion and the herbe Collarion which may seeme to take the name of glewing which is proper to Pimpernell Some also take this to be the Melochia of Serapio but Serapio calleth the Anagallis flore phaeniceo which is generally called Mas In the Arabian tongue Xantala and the other flore caerulea which is the Femina Cardabella as Tragus saith The Italians call it Anagallo and Morso di gallina The Spaniards Murages The French Mauron and Morgelius The Germanes Gauch heiil quasi salus fatnorum or coccygis sive cuculi for so they call Gauchbrot Panis cuculi and Gauch blum flos cuculi from a superstitious conceit as it is thought that it being hung over the threshould of the porch or dore will frustrate or expell all witchcraft or sorceries The Dutch Guichel heil and we in English Pimpernell The first here set downe is generally of all writers called Anagallis mas flore phaeniceo as the other or second Anagallis faemina flore caeruleo The third Clusius maketh mention of in his history of planes The fourth is not remembred or spoken of by any other but my selfe the fift is generally called Anagallis lutea but of Gesner in hortis Germania Numularia sylvatica mas and of Lugdunensis Alfine lutea The last Clusius calleth Anagallis tennifolia Monelli and Bauhinus Anagallis caerulea foltis biniâ—â—ernisve exadverso nascentibus The Vertues Pimpernell as Galen saith in his sixth booke of the faculties of simples of both sorts with red or blue flowers are of a clensing faculty they have also an attractive heate whereby they draw forth thornes or splinters or other such like things fastned in the flesh and therefore the juyce put up into the nostrils purgeth the head briefely also they have a drying faculty without sharpenesse whereby they are good to soder the lippes of wounds and to clense foule ulcers thus saith Galen whereby it is plaine that they â—e greatly that make Pimpernell to be cold and moyst when as they are quite contrary hot and dry and of such a clensing quality that the distilled water or juyce are by the French Dames accounted mervailous good to clense the skinne from any roughnesse deformity or discolouring thereof and to make it smooth neare and cleere being boyled in wine and given to drink it is a good remedy against the Plague and other Pestelentiall Fevers and contagious diseases so as after the taking thereof warme they lye in their beds and sweate for two houres after and hereby the venome of the disease would bee expelled yet so as that it bee used twice at the least the same also helpeth all stingings and bitings of any venemous beasts be they of Serpents as the Viper Adder or Scorpion or madde dogges or any other used inwardly and applyed outwardly the same also openeth the obstructions of the Liver and is very availeable against the infirmities of the raines provoketh
hardly endure the winters of our cold countrey 〈◊〉 as we have often proved 4. Luteamaxima Cretica sterilis The barren great Would of Candy There is 〈◊〉 difference in this from the other but that 〈…〉 and Mercury and such like plants one beareth 〈◊〉 and the other doth not so this although it beare 〈…〉 seede is â—ene to follow at any time after 〈…〉 the fâ—er The Place The first groweth every where by the way sides in moist grounds iâ—â—ll as dry in corners of fields and by-lines in 〈…〉 in Kaâ— they use to sow their fields therewith after their â—ley which abideth untill the next yâ—e and 〈◊〉 is gathered the rest are naturall of Candy and as I sayd will hardly indure or at the least beare in our â—ate The Time The first 〈◊〉 in flower about Iune but the others flower very laâ— of not at all with us The Names There is not any Greeke name knowne to be given unto it Pliny maketh mention of it in his 33 booke and 5. chap. and calleth it Lutea yet Bauhinus referreth it to the Genista tinctorum Greeneweede Vitruviâ— also iâ— his 7. booke of Architecture and 14. chap. calleth it Luteum and Virgill calleth it Lutum in the 4. Eclog of his Bucolickes in these verses Ipse sed in pratis aries jam suave rubenti Murice jam creceo mutabit vellere Luto It is called also by some Luteola and by some also thought to be the Reseda of Pliny because they agree so well in divers parts Caesalpinus in his ninth booke and 35. chap. maketh it to be the Myagrum or Melâ—pyrâ— of Dioscorides and calleth it according to the peoples terme in his time Guaâ—arella It tooke the name of Lâ— not onely of the yellow colour of the herbe and flowers when it is dry but chiefely from the yellow colour in the dye Tragus tooke it to be Antirrhinum because the seede vessels thereof have as it were holes therein Some have taken it also to be Phyteumae of Dioscorides and some to be his Strathium among whom are Laâ— and Gesner in hortis Germaniae but Matthiolâ— calleth it Pseudostruthium Dodonaeus calleth it Herba Lutea Lobel Luteola Lonicerus and Tabermontamâ—s Catanance The Second is thought by Honorius Bellus in his second Epistle to Clusius to be the true Struthium of Dioscorides and saith that it is called Câ—mene throughout all Greene but Camerarius in horto seemeth to make it and the common sort all one the third and fourth are remembred by Pona the one in his Latine and both in his Italian Edition more exactly The Vertues Matthiolus saith that the roote hereof is hot and dry in the third degree and that it cutteth tough flegme it maketh grosse humours thinne it doth resolve hard tumours it digesteth raw flegme and openeth obstructions Some doe not onely commend it against the bitings of any venemous creatures to be applyed as well outwardly to the wound or hurt place as to be taken inwardly to expell the poyson therhence but also much commended it to be used against the Plague or Pestilence the people in some Countries of this Land doe use to bruise the herbe and lay it to the cuts or wounds they chance to make in their hands or legges c. the chiefest use otherwise they have thereof is to dye cloth either wollen or linnen or silke raw or woven into a yellow colour and also to give a greene colour to those clothes or silkes have first beene dyed with Woade into a blue colour which Vitruvius it seemeth was not ignorant of in his time for he speaketh thereof in the aforesayd place both booke and chapter that a yellow colour upon a blue is changed into greene and for these uses there is great store of this herbe spent in all Countries and thereof many fields sowen for the purpose CHAP. LXV Lamium The Dead Nettle or Archangell THe word Lamium which we call dead Nettle or blind Nettle is diversly taken by divers for some doe make it a Nettle and number it among their kinds others make it a kinde of Galeopsis is besides others Bauhinus who confoundeth them together maketh those herbes to be Lamia that Clusius and others make to be Galeopsis e converso some also make them to be kinds of Scrophâ—laria and some those to be Lamia which others call Chickeweedes and Balme which are all in my judgement severall herbes and to be handled severally for which purpose I will endeavour what in me lyeth so to distinguish them that each shall have their owne due and if I shall not hereâ— perhaps satisfie every one for quot homines tot sententiae yet I shall satisfie my selfe who I am perswaded shall not want maâ— partakers and yet I cannot nor doe challenge any prerogative of not erring in so intriâ— a businesse where so many learned writers have failed before me 〈◊〉 take therefore in good part what I here set downe and 〈◊〉 finde 〈◊〉 with any of them to be misplaced let them amend it by true judgement not worthy of fault 〈◊〉 I shall soone subscribe unto them 1. Lamium vulgare folio subrotuâ—do flore rubro Red dead Nettle or red Archangell This Dead Nettle or Archangell hath divers square stalkes somewhat hayrie 〈◊〉 joynt 〈…〉 a good distance one from another grow two sad greene leaves dented about the 〈…〉 other the lowermost upon long footestalkes but without any towards the toppes which are somewhat 〈◊〉 yet pointed at the ends and a little crumâ—ed as it were and hayrie â—d about the upper joynts 〈◊〉 leaves which there grow close together grow sundry gaping flowers of a pale 〈…〉 unto Betony flowers after which come the â—edes three or foure settâ— in 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 threddy perishing every yeere the whole plant hath a strong sent but not 〈◊〉 2. Laâ—â—nicum Spanish Archangell This Spanish kinde hath darke browne square stalkes rising halfe a foote high 〈◊〉 two 〈…〉 round leaves at each joynt resembling the former red common Archâ— the tops 〈◊〉 stalks 〈…〉 thicke set with flowers spâ—de fashion without any leaves among theâ— which before they open are 〈◊〉 and close helmet like but afterwards growing long and slender toward the to 〈…〉 or end bâ— hooded and gaping of a purplish red colour in the bottome huskes â—wards 〈◊〉 foure white see◠〈◊〉 roote is thicke at the head with sundry small fibres but creepeth not 〈◊〉 others doe abiding many yeâ—â— the whole plant smelleth like the ordinary Archangell 3. Lamiâ—m vulgare album sive Archangelica flore albo White Archangell The white Archangell hath diverse square stalkes not standing straigâ—â—pright but 〈◊〉 downewardâ— to the ground whereon stand two leaves at a joynt larger and more pointed than the other dented about the 〈◊〉 and greener also more like unto Nettle leaves also than the former but not stinging although 〈◊〉 what â—rie at the joynts with the leaves stand larger and more open gaping white flowers in makes round about 〈◊〉 stalkes
Marjerome but somewhat lesser and with a thicker ribbe on the backe of every leafe two together as it usuall in the rest the flowers are small and white composed of five round pointed leaves with a darke purplish spot at the bottome of every leafe with divers yellow threds in the middle the seede hereof is grayish that followeth in small three square heads 4. Cistus faeminae Lavendula folio Lavender leafed Cistus The chiefest difference in this Cistus from the last is in the leaves being small and long like unto Lavender yeâ— so like that as Clusius saith he verily thought them plants to be Lavender that he first saw and so neglected them untill seeing the flowers upon them which were wholly white without any spot in them he plainely then saw that it was a kind of Cistus 5. Cistus faemina folio Thymi Time leafed Cistus The stalkes of this Cistus are brownish and wooddy rising a foote high for the most part without any leaves Cistus famina vulgaris The ordinary female Cistus 1. Cistus faemina Halimi folio major The greater Sea Purslane leafed female Cistus 2. Cistus Halimi folio minor The lesser Sea Purslane leafed female Cistus Cistus annuus flore gultato Spotted annuall Cistus 6. Cisto similis frutex exoticus The Cistus like strange shrubbe 7. Cistus annuus folio Salicis Willow leafed annuall Cistus upon them but toward the toppes there stand many small greene leaves at a joynt very like unto those of Time the flowers are smaller then in the other and wholly white like unto the rest 6. Cisto similis frutex exoticus The Cistus like strange shrubbe I must needes joyne this shrubbe unto the rest seeing Lobel who first set it out did so account it and all others that have mentioned it since him doe referre it thereto although 8. Cistus annuus folio Ledi Ledum leafed annuall Cistus it have small likenesse but in the leaves unto any of them for as I have sayd before and the rule is most certaine the flowers and seede of any plant doe best demonstrate under what genus any species is to be referred which in this is farthest remote having round woolly heads and I thinke none of us ever saw the plant but as Lobel saith it hath wooddy branches like unto a Cistus with rugged long leaves thereon like unto those of Sage or Mints and round woolly heads at the toppes like unto Plane tree heads 7. Cistus annuus folio salicis Willow leafed annuall Cistus The Willow leafed Cistus of a yeare for I have given another of this sort in my former booke whose figure I here give you hath divers small hairy leaves lying upon the ground somewhat like in forme to Ollive or Willow leaves but much smaller among which rise up hairy stalkes about a foote and a halfe high set with two leaves at a joynt much smaller then those below at the toppes whereof grow many small pale yellow flowers and sometime more white one above another without any spots on the leaves as in that other is set forth already which do scarse abide a day but suddenly fall the seede vessell that are skinny and three square containing small seede appeare quickly after 8. Cistus annuus folio Ledi Ledum leafed annuall Cistus This other Cistus riseth higher with greater stemmes but not lesse hairy then the other having two or three leaves set at the severall joynts longer and narrower then the last and smaller pointed somewhat rough and of a deeper greene colour the flowers fade as quickly and grow singly towards the toppes with the leaves as large as the last and of a faire pale yellow colour with heads and seede succeeding in the like manner and yearely perishing also yet it hath sometimes abidden a Winter in my Garden when it hath not flowred with me in the Summer before The Place Some of these grow in Spaine and some upon the cold Alpes and Mountaines in Germany The Time They flower some in Aprill and May or sooner in their naturall places but not untill Iune with us or in Iuly The Names Their names are sufficiently expressed in their titles as they are used to be called of those that have written of them onely I would give you to know thus much that the Spaniards as Clusius and Lugdunensis from Mâ— doe say doe call the annuall Cistus as well that which hath spots â—s that which hath none on the flowers by the name of Turmera from Turmas which signifieth Tubera those Spanish or outâ—dish puffes that are edible or fit to be eaten because where that shrub groweth they usually finde those puffes doe breede and therefore Lugdunensis calleth it Tuberaria and both Clusius and he doe thinke it may be the Hydnophyllus of Pamphylus in Athenaeus because it shewed where those puffes doe grow The Vertues The female Cistus are no lesse drying and astringent then the male and are used with as good successe for all the purposes before recited whereunto the male kinds are applied and therefore it shall not neede to repeate the same things againe CHAP. LXXXVII Cistus Ledon The sweete Gum Cistus THere are more varieties of this sweete or Gum Cistus then of both the other sorts before chiefly differing in growth leaves yet all of them smelling somewhat sweet of that viscous or clammy dewines that is upon them Vnto them also are to be referred some other plants for the likenesse and nearenesse some whereof I have expressed in my former booke and therefore neede not here againe describe them 1. Cistus Ledon latifolium Broad leafed sweete Cistus The broad leafed sweete Cistus riseth up with divers wooddy branches five or six foote high spreading many other smaller branches whereon are set two leaves at a joynt one against another somewhat broader than that in my former booke comming neare to the forme of Bay leaves of a darke shining greene colour on the upper side and grayish underneath which are clammy in feeling as the young shoots and stalkes are also and of a strong sweet sent to be felt a great way off especially in the hot Summer time in the naturall places much more then in these countries at the toppes of every branch come forth single white flowers made of five broad round pointed leaves sometimes without any spots in them as is also to bee seene in that other with narrow leaves formerly described and sometimes having a darke purple spot at the bottome of every leafe pointed upwards which in some are greater in others lesser with divers yellow threds in the middle after the flowers are past there come in their places somewhat round great hard heads conteining within them small brownish seede the root is wooddy and spreadeth many branches but not very deep Myrtifolium feu Latifolium Lobelij Lobel maketh mention of a sort hereof which hee calleth Latifolium or Myrtifolium which hath sundry leaves comming forth together in other things little differing from the former 2. Cistus
thereon somewhat longer but not broader then the former at the toppes whereof stand divers woolly leaves and in the middle of them three or foure or more heads of flowers like unto the other small Cudworts consisting of thrums of a pale yellow colour with some blacke haires among them the seede is like the other and so is the roote also The Place The first is found on the Alpes of Germany and Baldus of Italy the second on divers mountaines in Germany and Italy also The Time They flower in Iuly and sometimes in August The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Leontopodium and so in Latine also which is as much as Pes Leâ— Lyons foote for the causes declared in the descriptions and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cemos as it is among the other names were given it as Dioscorides saith yet some affirme that the title of Leontopodium is not found in some copies of Dioscorides but Cemos or Camos so that Cemos and Leontopodium be one thing and therefore Pliny in his 27. Booke and 8. Chap. speaking of Catanance which was onely used about love matters saith that for the same cause Ceâ— 1. Leontopodium majus The greater Lyons foote or mountaine Cottonweede 2. Leontopodium mâ— The lesser Lyons foote being so used 〈◊〉 would say nothing of it There is much controversie also among writers about Leontopodium which should be the right some accounting one plant and some another and some accounting none that are extant to be right Matthiolus and Lobel set forth theirs which is the first here expressed which Clusius refuseth accounting it but a kind of Gnaphalium or Cudweede calling it Gnaphalium Alpinum as though Leontopodium were so much differing from Gnaphalium that there were little or no likenesse betweene them Lonicerus hath his Leontopodium which is the Echium Scorpioides palustre of Bauhinus or Myosotis Scorpioides of Lobel Apuâ—ius Aetius and Oribasius say as I shewed before in the Chapter of Leontopetalon that it was called Leontopodium Brâ—felsius maketh the Alchymilla which the shops beyond Sea called Pata Leonis to bee Leontopodium which Matthiolus noteth as an errour in him Iosephus de Casa bona as Clusius saith in his History of Plants sent him some dryed plants received out of Candy by the name of Leontopodium which hee judgeth rather to belong to the kinds of small Plantaines yet Clusius himselfe setteth it forth under the name of Leontopodium Creticum which plant also as he saith Cortusus sent him for Catanance Honorius Bellus as Clusius saith there also sent him some plants and the figure also drawne of the same or the like herbe which hee calleth Leontopodium Creticum aâ— which as the other he judgeth but a species of the Ribwort Plantaine all which sorts of Clusius are here before expressed in the twelft Chap. of this Classis Bauhinus setteth downe no herbe peculiar for the true Leontopodium of Dioscorides but together with Lugdunensis thinketh that Pliny his Leontopodium doth much differ from that of Dioscorides and maketh the Leontopodium of Matthiolus Lobel and others to be but species of Gnaphalium yet because I cannot see but that the first may as properly belong unto Leontopodium of Dioscorides as unto Gnaphalium I have as you see set it downe by it selfe suum cnique judiciumesto the second is the Leontopodium parvum of Lobel and others which Dodonaeus calleth Pilosella minor altera and is Gerard his Gnaphalium Alpinum The Vertues The taste hereof being astringent and drying with some bitternsse in it also doth testifie it is very availeable for all fluxes of blood or humors as also effectuall for all sores eyther greene wounds or old ulcers and conducible for whatsoever cures the other Cudweeds may performe but because I have no author that expresseth the prosperties nor any experience of my owne or others to what disease or greefe it is a remedy I forbeare to play the Physition and appoint the practise any further pauca sapienti CHAP. XCIX Gnaphalium Cudweede or Cottonweede THere be divers sorts of these Cudweedes or Cottonworts some of much beauty whereof I have given you the knowledge of in my former booke as the Gnaphalium Americanum Live long or Life everlasting Gnaphalium montanum flore albo purpureo White and Purple Catsfoote Gnaphalium Roseum the Cotton Rose which I joyned to other plants of like beauty forme and quality whereof I shall not neede to make further mention others that are of 3. Gnaphalium minus seâ— berba Impia The lesser Cudwort or herbe Impious 2. Gnaphalium major Germanicum The greater Germane Cudweede more vertue then beauty I meane to entreate in this Chapter onely the figures of some of them I shall here insert 1. Gnaphalium Anglicum vulgare majus Our greate Common Cudweede The common Cudweede that groweth every where almost in this Land especially in dry sandy grounds riseth up but with one stalke sometimes and sometimes two or three thicke set on all sides with small long and narrow whitish or woolly leaves from the middle of the stalke almost up to the toppe with every leafe standeth a small flower of a dun or brownish yellow colour or not so yellow as others in which heads after the flowers are fallen come small seede wrapped up with the downe therein and is carried away with the winde the roote is small and threddy 4. Viâ— minor The lesser Cudweede 6. Gnaphalium sâ—m oblonga folio Small leaning Cudweede 2. Gnaphalium majus Germanicum The greater Germane Cudweede This is in all things like the former but that it groweth larger in stalkes leaves flowers and roote And there is another sort also of the same sise that beareth the flowers not all along the stalkes as the former doe but at the toppes onely Alterum not differing else in any thing except the leaves may seeme to be somewhat shorter and a little more white and hoary then they 3. Gnaphalium minus seu herba Impia The lesser Cudweede or herbe Impious The lesser Cudweede groweth up with a shorter stalke and set with shorter leaves also but somewhat more white or hrory and a little broader at the toppes whereof standeth a larger and more open flower then in the former and of a paler yellow colour from the sides of this stalke spring forth divers short branches set with such like but smaller leaves then those that grow below with such a like yellow flower as the other which branches with their flowers doe alwayes rise higher then the middle stalke and the flower upon it sometimes also the branches will have other small branches spring from them bearing leaves on them and flowers on the toppe of each and these also rising above the branches with their flowers in the said manner that the first branches did unto the maine stalke the seede that followeth these flowers is carryed away with the winde as the rest are 4. Filago minor The lesser Cudweede This small Cudweede shooteth forth a small hoary stalke
purposes whereunto it is put as namely for Agues and for the infection of the Plague both to prevent and cure it as also to open the obstructions of the Liver and spleene and thereby is good against the Iaundies and provoketh Vrine breaketh and expelleth the stone and is good for the Dropsie some doe hold that the young stalkes peeled and dressed as the stalkes of the other Chardons and wilde Artichokes are and eaten doe helpe to encrease milke in Nourses breasts It is effectuall also for the paines in the sides and many other inward paines and gripings the seede is held as powerfull if not more for the purposes aforesaid and so is the distilled water also and besides is often applied both inwardly to drinke and outwardly with clothes or spunges to the region of the Liver to coole the distemperature thereof and also to the region of the heart against swownings and passions of it CHAP. IX Carduus Sphaerocephalus sive Globosus The Globe Thistle IN my former Booke I have given you the knowledge of two or three sorts of Globe Thistles that is of the greater and the lesser Globe Thistle and of the Fryers Crowne Thistle which is accounted one of them although the head be a little more flat at the toppe then the rest there remaine some other sorts to be showen to you in this Chapter 1. Carduus Sphaerocephalus acutus minor The smaller Globe Thistle with long prickles on the head This small Globe Thistle hath divers long and narrow leaves so much cut in on both sides that every jagge or part seemeth a leafe so to make the whole leafe winged each part cut in also and the corners set with sharpe prickes growing on the whitish stalke up to the toppe where stand divers round heads each upon a long footestalke composed of bearded huskes in the same manner that the two sorts of Globe Thistles expressed in my former Booke doe but that the ends are longer and sharper out of which rise more blewish flowers than are in the lesser sort 2. Carduus Sphaerocephalus acutus major The great prickly Globe Thistle This other greater prickly Globe Thistle hath larger leaves and broader somewhat like unto the former great Globe Thistle expressed in my sayd booke being nothing so much cut in on the edges in all other things it is not unlike the former here set downe but that the flowers out of these prickly heads are of a deeper blew colour 3. Carduus Sphaerocephalus minimus acutissimis folijs The smallest Globe Thistle with the most prickly leaves This small Thistle hath the smallest jagged leaves and most cut in of any of the rest and most sharpely set with prickes on the edges the stalke groweth lower then any of the other and the round heads at the toppes smaller 1. Carduus Sphaerocephalus acutus minor The smaller globe Thistle with long prickes on the head 2. Carduus Sphaerocephalus acutus major The greater prickly globe Thistle also but not armed with such long sharpe prickes as Carduus Tomentosus Corona fratrum dictus The Fryers Crowne Thistle the former out of the huskes whereof come whitish flowers 4. Carduus spinosissimus spaerocephalus Cardui Arabici nomine missus The Arabian Gloe Thistle This Thistle hath a winged prickly stalke two foote high having large leaves thereon somewhat broad and long set thicke with sharpe prickes but sparingly placed on the stalkes bearing round sphaericall heads thick and strongly armed with long prickes out of the midst whereof breake forth white threads somewhat sweete the seede is long and crested or cornered The Place All these Thistles are strangers to us neither is their naturall places certainly knowne but imparted and sent by friends with whom as rarities they have beene accepted The Time These flower at the same time with the rest that is in Iune and Iuly The Names Wee cannot finde certainely that they were knowne eyther to the ancient Greeke or Latine writers but Anguilara and Lobel suppose that the first is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Spina alba of Dioscorides some also take the greater kinde mentioned in my former booke to bee Spina alba as Camerarius Matthiolus and Lugdunensis which as he saith is the Bedeguar of the Arabians and some tooke it to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Crocodilion Dioscoridis as Lacuna and Lobel and some to bee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chalcheios Theophrasti which Gaza translateth Aeraria as Lugdunensis and some to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tetralix spinosa Theophrasti as Lugdunensis and is called Spinosa as a distinction from Tetralix Atheniensium which is Erica of both which Pliny maketh mention and some to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Spina Arabica as the sayd Lugdunensis also and in some to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ruthros or Ruthro Theophrasti as Lobel and some to be Silybum as Lugdunensis according to the description and some to be Chamaeleon verus as Tragus and Fuchsius and some to bee Echinopus as Gesner in hortis but Cordus in historia as I take it first called it Carduus Sphaerocephalus or globosus most properly and from him Camerarius Dodonaeus also calleth it Spina perogrina and Tabermontanus and others call it so the lesser sort also of that Carduus Sphaerocephalus mentioned in my book is so called by many of the said authors these things I thought good to note here having so fit an occasion although I have a little digressed from the matter in hand but Dodonaeus and Lugdunensis from him call it Carduus Sphaerocephalus acutus Dodonaeus maketh the second here set downe to be his third Carduus Sphaerocephalus acutus the third is the said Dodonaeus his Carduus Sphaerocephalus quartus and Lugdunensis also mentioneth them from him as Bauhinus doth also the last Bauhinus calleth Carduus spinosissimus Sphaerocephalus rigidis aculâ—is armatus saith it was sent him under the name of Carduus Arabicus Although the Carduus Eriocephalus sive Tomentosus be with most herbarists now a dayes called Corona fratruÌ„ that it doth somewhat resemble the bald or shorne head of a Fryer yet this is not that Thistle which Bartholomaeus urbe venetanus and Angelus Palea Franciscan Fryers say they saw growing in the confines of Aragon neare Castile which while they were digging up demanded of a countrey man there passing by them if he knew the name thereof who answered they called it vulgarly The Fryers Crowne which say they had leaves spread upon the ground like to those of the Carline Thistle it bore divers heads of Thistles set close one unto another without any stalke under them whereof the middlemost was greatest and the rest to the number of eight or ten or more or lesse smaller ones standing round about it of the bignesse of a Wallnut or greater which name say they may not inconveniently be given to it in that the middle head seemeth as a father and the smaller as his children that so as brethren they doe compasse their father
figure doth truly expresse the Glaux vulgariâ— the fift is taken by Bauhinus to be the Anthyllis claviculata of Lugdunensis and calleth it Astragalus Alpinus magno â—re I adde claviculata thereto the sixt is the third Astragalus of Clusius which some as he saith called Onobrychis but untruly and grew for sometime with him in the Low countries or Belgia with the Astragalus Monspolienâ— which we usually call Hedysarum mâ—nus but perished before his going out of the country and therefore I beleeve Clusius his judgement herein could not be the same although somewhat like as Bauhinus thinketh not is it the Astragalus purpurens of Lugdunensis as Bauhinus also thought for that is my seventh here set downe Clusius saith the Spaniards called it Yerva di Santo Lorenzo the eight is the second Orobus Pannonicus of Clusius called by Dodonaeus Astragaloides and by Lobel Astragaloides altera herbariorum but Bauhinus not onely maketh it his sixt Orobus but calleth it also Polygala major Massiliotica and besides referreth it to the Polygala of Matthiolus which formerly he had called Astragalus as also to the Polygala Valentina Clusii but surely Clusius would not be so variable as Bauhinus sheweth himselfe in many places to call one herbe both Polygala and Orobus the â—inth is not mentioned by any before the last Lobel so called as is in the title but Bauhinus maketh it to bee like â— kind of Ferrum aquinum and calleth it Ferro equino Gallico affinis The Vertues The true Astragalus is as Dioscorides and Galen say astringent and that the roote taken in wine stayeth the laske â—nd doth also provoke urine it dryeth and closeth up old Vlcers if the powder bee strewed or cast into them it doth also stay bleeding Pliny addeth that it is very profitably used against the foulenesse of the gummes But Clusius saith that the Portugalls doe familiarly use the sixt sort here set forth being first dryed in an Oven and powdered to cast it into wounds and Vlcers CHAP. XXI Hedysarum sive Securidaca Hatchet Vetch THe ancient writers exhibited but one sort hereof which is the greater our â—ater have added divers more as shall be declared that which is usually called Hedysarum clypeatum I have described in my former Booke yet I thought good to give you the figure of it here 1. Hedysarum majus sive Securidaca vera major The greater Hatchet Vetch The greater Hatchet Vetch which is the truest the rest being but supposed from the likenesse groweth not above Hedysarum clypeatum vulgaris French Honysuckle 1. Hedysarum majus sive Securidaca major vere The greater Hatchet Vetch or Sicklewort 2. Hedysarum minus The lesser Hatchet Vetch or Sicklewort a foote high with divers winged leaves growing on the stalkes which are weake and not standing upright each of the leaves is small not very long and round at the end at the toppe stand many small yellow flowers Matthiolus saith reddish but I thinke he was therein mistaken as he was also in the pods to say the ends were blunt which turne into so many long flat thin cods and reddish with a small crooked point the seede is flat and reddish within them so lying in them that they may be discerned in the cod where they lye but not like an Hatchet as many have set it downe thinking it therein to agree with Dioscorides his discription for he doth compare the whole cod and not the seede thereunto the root is small and perisheth yearely 2. Hedysarum minus sive Securidaca minor The lesser Hatchet Vetch or Sikcle-wort The lesser Hatchet Vetch is like unto the former but somewhat lesser yet not much lower if it grow in any good ground the flowers grow many together of a pale yellow colour and after them come small crooked cods bowed as it were almost together wherein lie pale browne seedes not fully round but square and lesser the roote hereof likewise perisheth yearely with us 3. Securidaca major articulata The greater joynted Hatchet Vetch This Plant groweth greater and higher then the two former and so are the winged leaves more in number and somewhat larger from the joynts rise long stalkes with a great many flowers at the toppes of them smelling somewhat strong of blush and white mixed together after which follow long round and not flat cods a little hooked with divers joynts as it were or bunched places like the true Orobus wherein lye red seede somewhat long the roote creepeth farre abroad and perisheth not 4. Securidaca articulata minor The lesser joynted Hatchet Vetch This lesser is like the former but lower and lesser in stalkes and fewer also in leaves upon the middle rib the flowers also are smaller but as many or more growing together at the toppes of the stalkes that rise from the joynts of the leaves and are of a pale red or blush colour in their places grow small round heads with crooked toppes much resembling a Billhooke such as labouring countrey men doe use to cut their hedges withall wherein lyeth but one seede as having but one bunch the roote is hard and woody spreading under ground and endureth long 5. Securidaca peregrina Clusii Strange Hetchet Vetch This stranger groweth lower then any of the former being not a foote high with divers winged small branches bearing some such like leaves on them but smaller and at the toppe sundry small whitish flowers and after them long broad thin and flat cods waved in on both edges wherein lye divers flat browne seedes the roote is small and stringy perishing yearely 6. Securidaca minima The least Hatchet Vetch This least sort hath stalkes a foote long â—pâ—ead on the ground having divers leaves set on a stalke but the end hath alwayes three standing together it hath many flowers on a stalke the seede is reddish and biforked lying in very small hooked short cods striped over 〈◊〉 art this groweth by Mempelier 7. Hedysarum 〈◊〉 â—reticum White Hatchet Vetch of Candy This Candiot riseth up with a slender stalke branching forth on all sides and winged stalkes of leaves thereon somewhat like to those of the Ciche â—ease 〈◊〉 the flowers grow at the toppes many on a bushâ—or round tuft together neare resembling those of the medow for soile of a white silver like colour of a reasonable good sent after the flowers are past there succeede in their 〈◊〉 small slender cods wherein are conteined the seede which is small and round the roote consisteth of many strings and fibres which abideth many yeares and hoâ—ing greene leaves all the Winter 8. Sophera sive Egypthiaca â—iosa The dangerous Hatchet Vetch of Egypt Honorius Bellus in his fourth Epistle to Clusius which is set at the end of his rariâ— plantaâ— historia saith that Alpinus hath erred in setting forth the Figure of this plant which yet in want of a better I am faire touse in that the leaves on every stalke are even without any odde one at the end and that the pods do grow upright and
place are large and round greater but thinner then the leaves of Asarabacca of a whitish greene colour on the upper side and grayish underneath falling away in Autumne the flowers grow not at the ends of the branches but at the joynts and sometimes out of the very body many standing together upon a long footestalke of fashion somewhat like unto Pease blossomes of an excellent deepe crimson colour after which follow sundry long flat and large thinne cods of a reddish browne colour with flat blackish browne hard seede within them the roote groweth deepe and spreadeth farre Of this sort there is one growing in Virginia Virginiana not differing from it in any thing that I can as yet perceive 2. Arbor Iudae flore albo Iudas tree with white flowers This other groweth as great as the former but with a whiter barke and the branches greene the leaves and flowers are like for forme but of a white colour and the cods after them nothing so browne as in the former and the seed likewise paler The Place and Time These kindes grow in Narbone and Provence in France and in Spaine and Italy in many places the flowers generally appeare before the leaves breake forth yet bringeth not the cods to maturity in our Country yet we have had them growne large and very reddish but contained not any ripe seed within them The Names It is not certainely knowne that either Dioscorides or Theophrastus have made mention of this tree in all their Workes for although some have taken it to be that Colytaea of Theophrastus which he mentioneth in his third Booke and foureteenth Chapter but unto this he attributeth a leafe like unto Willow which this is utterly unlike others againe that is those of Mompelier as Clusius saith unto that Colytaea of Ida that Theophrastus mentioneth in the seventeenth Chapter of the said third Booke whereunto he attributeth the leafe of the larger leafed Bay tree but larger rounder and somewhat like the Elme leafe yet somewhat long with all greene above and whitish underneath and whereunto saith Clusius he in the foureteenth Chapter of the said third Booke attributeth cods the descriptions of both which saith he being contracted into one agree well unto this Arbor Iudae but by Clusius his leave this cannot hang together for although they in both those Chapters that is the 14. and 17. are called Colytaa yet they are plainely distinguished by Theophrastus both in their leaves the one like a Willow the other like a Bay leafe but rounder and also in their fruite that with the Willow leafe hath cods saith Theophrastus like unto Pulses but that with broad Bay leaves hath a Chachrys or Amentum as Gaza translateth it and is said to be without flower or fruite and besides hath yellow rootes so that you may see plainely both those cannot be contracted to make one plant their leaves being declared to be so divers Some therefore would referre this tree unto the Cercis Theophrasti mentioned in two places the one in the said foureteenth Chapter of his third Booke where he saith it is like the white Poplar tree both in greatnesse and whitenesse of branches with the leafe of Ivy c. which Clusius thinketh is but an ample description of the third kinde of Poplar called Lybica the Aspen tree which Gaza translated Alpina the other place is in the first Booke and 18. Chapter where he reckoneth Cercis to be one of those trees that beareth fruite or seedes in cods as Colutea of Liparae doth so that you see in this Clusius was also mistaken as Matthiolus was also before him but indeed this description of Corcis commeth neerest unto this Arbor Iudae of any other tree that hath beene likened unto it Some have called this tree in Latine Fabago from the likenesse of the cods unto Beane cods and some to be Laeburnam or some kinde thereof but the most currant name is Arbor Iudae yet Clusius calleth it Siliqua sylvestris not as he saith because it doth agree with the Siliqua of the Auncients but because the Spaniards called it Algarovo Loâ—o which is as much as Siliqua fatua and those of Castile Arbold amor the French call it Guainier because the cods are like knive sheathes we have no other English name to call it by then Iudas tree untill some other can impose a more apt for it It is judged by many that Matthiolus his first Acacia in his former editions was but a counterfeit figure of this Arbor Iudae whereunto he caused thornes to be put to make it seeme the more probable The Vertues There is no remembrance of any Physicall property appropriate hereunto either by ancient or modern Writers nor hath any later experience found out any but from Virginia we heare they account the flowers to be an excellent sallat ingredient CHAP. CIV Vitis The Vine THere is a wondrous great variety of Vines that are manured as I have shewed else where in my former Booke some there are that grow wild which shall be declared in this Chapter with a recitall of some of the choysest of the other 1. Vitis Vinifera The manured Vine The manured Vine in places where it hath stood long hath a great stemme as bigge as ones arme sleeve and all spreading without end or measure if it be suffered many slender weake branches that must be sustained from falling downe the young being red and the old of a darke colour with a pith in the middle at the sundry joynts whereof grow severall large broad greene leaves cut into five divisions and dented also about the edges at the joynts likewise against the leaves come forth long twining tendrels claspling or winding about whatsoever it may take hold of at the bottomes of the leaves come forth clusters of small greenish yellow flowers and after them berries thicke set together in bunches of severall formes greatnesse colour and taste in some the clusters are close and others are more open and some being round others more long and some tending to a square some likewise are very small as the Curran Grape others great and some a meane betweene both some againe are white others blacke or blewish or red or parti-coloured and for tastes they are so variable that I cannot describe them both sweete according to the severall climates they grow in and sower or harsh or mixt more or lesse pleasant one then another within which there are usually one two or three kernels They that keepe their Vines in the best manner doe keepe them low and cut them often both Winter and Summer whereby they grow the better and take up lesse roome bringing their Grapes both fairer and sweeter 2. Vitis laciniathis folijs The Parsely Vine or Grape with thin cut leaves This also groweth as other Vines doe the difference chiefely consisting in the leaves which are very much intised or cut into many parts â—â—en almost to the middle and dented the Grapes which are white and great are like unto the
sorts 1355. c. Bifoile or Twayblade 504. Marsh Bifoile 505 The great white Bindweede or Bellflower 169 The lesser Bindeweedes 170 The Indian Bindeweede called Betre 1615 Prickly Bindeweedes 173 Sea Bindeweede or Soldanella 168 The Binding tree 1366 Birch tree 1408. Birds eye 536 Birds foote 1092 Starre codded Birds foote 1095 Birds nest 1361. Birds tongue is Knotgrasse 444 Bishops leaves is Water Bettony 613 Birthwort and the sorts 292 Bishops weede 912 Bistort or Snakeweede 391 Bitter sweete 350. Bitterwort or Gentian 403 Blackeberry bush or Bramble 1013 One Blade 505. Bladder nut 1417 Blites and the sorts 752 Bloodwort 1227. Bloodstrange is Mousetaile 501. Bolearmonicke 1574. Bolbonach or white Satten 1366 Bombast or the Cotten tree 1552. Borrace 1575 Borrage 765. Euerliving Borrage in my former booke Bootes is Marsh Marigolds 1214 Bolts is Crowfoote 333 Blew Bottles and the sorts greater and lesser 481 Boxe Thorne 1008. The Boxe tree 1428 Dwarfe Boxe and guilded Boxe ibid. Bramble bush and the sorts 1013. 1686 The Bramble bush like stalke of America 1629 Brake is Ferne 1038. Branke Vrsine is Beares Breech 992 The Brasill tree 1644 The Jndian Bread called Casavi 1624 The Indian Breadtree 1646 St. Iohns Bread or the Locust tree 237 The wilde Bryer bush 1017. The sweete Bryer or Eglantine 1016 Brimstone wort that is Sow Fennell or Hogges Fennell 880 White Briony and the sorts 178 Blacke Brionie 179 Indian Briony or Mechoacan ibid. Brookelime 1236. Butchers Broome 253 Broome and the sorts 228 The Pliant Thorny Broome or Spalatoes Thorny Broome 996 Prickly or Thorny Broome 1003. Broome Rape 228 Base Broome 231. Spanish Broome ibid. Brownewort is Water Betony 613 Brusewort or Sopewort 641 Buckes horne and Buckes horne Plantaine 501 Buckes horne Cresses 603. Sea Bucks horne 1284 Bucks mast or Beâ—chmast is the fruit of the Beech tree 1402 Buckrams with some is Ramsors 871. with others is Wake Robin 377 Buckes Thorne or Rhamnus and the sorts 1005 Bucks wheate 1141. Bugle or browne Bugle 524 Buglosse and the sorts 765. Wall Buglosse 518 Stone Buglosse 519. Wilde or Vipers Buglosse 413 Sea Marsh Buglosse of sundry sorts 1234 The Sea Bulbe 1288. Bulls foote is Colts foote 1220 Bullockes Lungwort 1633. Bullweede 469 Buloocks eye is great Houseleeke 730 Bulleis tree in my former booke Bullwort is Bishops weede 912 Garden Burnet and Wilde 582. Great Burnet of Canada ibid. Thorny Burnet 997. Burre and the sorts 1122 Butter Burre 419. Burre Docke 1222 Clote Burre Ditch Burre Louse Burre 1223 Burre Reede 1205. Water Burre is Burre Reede Water Burre Docke The silver Bush 1459 Butterflie Orchis 1350. Butterwort or Butter roote 534 Butchers Broome 253 C. CAbbages of divers sorts 268. Cadlocke or Charlocke 862 Cajous or apple beanes 1568. Calamus Aromaticus 138 Calamint and the sorts 36. Land Caltrops 1097 Water Caltrops great and small 1247 Calves foote is Wake Robine 377. Calues snout is Snapdragon 1334 Camfire 1575. Camells bay or Squinant 244 Camocke or Rest Harrow 993 Camomill and the sorts 85.86 Sea Camomill 1282 Garden Campions and the sorts 629 Wilde Campions and the many sorts thereof 630. c. The Cane or Reede 1208. Canary grasse or seede 1163 Canker wort is Dandelion Cankers or Canker Rose is Wild Poppy 367 Cannell is Cinamon 1579. White Canell or Cinamon 1581 Capers and the sorts 1023. Beane Capers 1024 Capons taile or Great Valerian 124 Capons taile grasse 1162. Caprifoile or Hony suckle 1460 The Gum Caranba 1576. Cardamomes great and small ib. Carlocke or Charlocke 862. The Caroline Thistle 967 The Carob tree or Locust tree and of Ginny 236 Garden and wilde Carrots 901. Deadly Carrots 879 Danke or Wilde Charrots and the sorts 896.1684 Carrawayes 910. Purging Cassia or Cassia Fistula and of Brasill 234 Sweete Cassia of the Apothecaries 1579 Casavi the Indian bread 1624. The red berried Shrubbe called Cassia 452 Caxes or Kicses is Hemlocke 934 Cassidony or Steaechus and the sorts 67.68 Golden and yellow Cassidony 69 70. c. Caterpillers or Wormes rough smooth great and small 1117 Catment or Neppe 39. Catchflie of divers sorts 637 Cats foote is ground Ivy. 677. Mountaine Catsfoote is Mountaine small Monserate or Cudweede 690 Cats taile and Cats taile grasse 1169 The great Cedar of Libanus 1532. The prickly Cedar and Cedar of Lycia 1031 Celandine the greater and lesser 616 The great Centory and the sorts 465 The lesser Centory and the sorts thereof 271 Ceterach or Miltwast 1045 Chadlocke or Charlocke is wilde Rape 861 Chaffeweede or Cotten weede 685 The Chameleon Thistle 967. Chamelion grasse The Chaste tree 1437. The Chast making tree 1646 Cherry trees of divers kindes 1516 Dwarfe Cherry tree 1517. The Cherry Bay 1516 Winter Cherries and of Virginia 462 The Winter Cherry tree or Amomum of Pliny in my former book Garden Chervill 914. Wild Chervill 915 Mocke Chervill or Shepheards Needle 916 Strange Chervill 890. Sweete Chervill 934 Cheese bowles or Garden Poppies 367 Cheese rennet or Ladies Bedstraw 565 The ordinary Chesnut tree the dwarfe the Horse Chesnut and of Peru. 1401 Earth Chesnut 892 Purging Chesnuts 1638 Indian Chesnut ibid. Chickweede of the land of divers sorts 759. c. Sea Chickweedes 1281. Woolly Sea Checkweede or Anthyllis 281.282 China roote and the bastard kinde 1578 Christs thorne 1006. The Jndian poore mans Chirurgery 1621 St. Christophers herbe of some is Osmund fearne 1039 Ordinary Herbe Christopher and of America 379 Sweete Cicely is sweete chervill 934 Silken Cicely 389. Chichelings annuall and party coloured 1063 Winged or corned Chichelings 1064 Cicers White red and blacke 1075 Wilde Cicers 1076 Cinckefoile or five fingred grasse 385 Cinamon roote is Bacchar 114 The Cinamon tree the barcke and the fruit 1579 West Jndian Cinamon 1580 Captaine Winters Cinamon 1652 White Cinamon 1581. Annuall Cistus 662 The male Cistus and his kindes 658 The female Cistus and the sorts 660 The dwarfe Cistus 655 The Gum or sweete Cistus or Ledum 662 The undergrowth or excressence of Cistus that is the Hypoeistis 667 Cytisus or tree Trefoile 1471 The Citron tree and the sorts 1505 The Citrull or Turkie Cowcumber 771 Cives or Chives 870. Civet 1614 Garden Clary 55. Ethiopian Clary 57 Wilde Clary and the severall sorts thereof 55. c. 1680 Claver or Clavergrasse is three leafed grasse 1112 Hart Claver 1105. Garden Claver is sweete Trefoile 716 Kings Claver is Mellilot 718 Moone Claver 1115. Sea Claver ibid. Strong smelling or stincking Claver 719 Snaile Claver or Trefoile 1113 Prickly or Thorny Claver 1116 Cleavers or Goosegrasse 567 Climers and the sorts 380. Cloudberry 1015 The Clove tree 1577 Clove Gillon flowers in my former booke Clover grasse 1112 Clownes woundwort 588 Clownes Lungwort is Bullocks Lungwort 1363 The herbe Coca 1614. Cochenille 1498 Cocculus Indi 1582. Cockes combe or yellow Rattle 714 Cocks foote grasse 1178. Cockes head 1081 Cockle 633. The great Cokernut 1596 The Coker nut of Maldiva 1598. Small Coker nut 1597
tryed my selfe by sowing the seedes in a pot by themselves so observed their springing from whence divers have imagined that it might grow as Mosse upon trees or like Misselto but I think rather as Ivie by drawing nourishment insensibly from the plants whereon it groweth thereby partaketh of the nature of the same plants upon these strings of both sorts upon what plants or herbe soever they grow are found clusters of small heads or huskes out of which start forth whitish flowers which afterwards give small pale coloured seede somewhat flat and twice as bigge as Poppye seede thus much I thought good to let all others understand by that experience and observation I have had thereof yet after this mine owne observation I reade much to this purpose in Tragus in his chapter of Audrosace or Cuscuta by this which I have truely related it may appeare plainely to any that neither Tyme Savory or any other herbe doe naturally of their owne seede bring these stringes or laces but that they spring from their owne seede either shâ—l or scattered of themselves upon the ground or comming among the seedes of other hearbs that are sowne The plantes whereon these laces doe grow are observed by divers to be Vines as Pena and others that have observed them in France and in some places of Turkey upon trees and thornes and some other things Theophrastus in the 23. chap. of his second booke of the causes of plants doth set downe that Cadytas groweth on trees and bushes in Syria which Pliny altereth to Cassitas in the last chap. of his 16. booke by which word no doubt they meant this plant for it differeth not much from Cassita as many others have it or Cuscuta as it is generally called the Arabian name being Chassnth and Cuscuth the hearbs are Polium Dictamus Germauder Hysope Mother of Tyme Marjerome Staebe Wallwort Rosemary and others as Bauhinus hath recorded and also very plentifully in many places of our owne land upon Nettles and upon Lin or Flaxe and called Podagra lini and Angina lini upon Tares also more aboundantly in some places where it destroyeth the pulse or at the least maketh it much worse and is called of the Country people Hell-weede because they know not how to destroy it upon Fearne also and other hearbes upon Hampstead heath as I lately found my selfe the strings flowers being white and upon the grasse likewise on Black-heath in Kent on the very ground not rising an inch or two high being red The place Tyme and Names are sufficiently as I thinke expressed before yet in particular Tragus and Anguilara thinke it to be the Androsace of Dioscorides but erroniously for Epithymum as Matthiolus sheweth out of Aetius Actuarius and others is the threads or laces growing upon Tyme although Dioscorides calleth it the flower thereof we doe generally call that Epithymum that groweth on Tyme in English laced Tyme as the Epithymbra laced Savory and so of Epistoebe Epimajorana Epiurtica Epirubus and so the rest laced Stoebe laced Marjerome laced Nettles laced Brambles but wee call those strings generally by the name of Dodder especially that which groweth on Flaxe and Tares which are red and most frequent with us The Vertues Epithymum by Dioscorides Paulus Aetius Actuarius Mesues and all others is accounted theÌ„ most principall and powerfull Dodder growing upon any herbe and that upon Savory or Stoebe not to bee so effectuall for all melancholicke diseases and to purge blacke or burnt choller which is the cause of many diseases of the head and braines as also for the trembling of the heart faintings and swounings it is helpefull in all the diseases or griefes of the spleene and of that melancholy that riseth from the windines of the Hypochondria which is that part of the belly under the short ribbes where the spleene lyeth by flying up to the braine causeth a kinde of frensy or madnes it purgeth also the reines and kidneys by Vrine it profiteth them that have the Iaundise in opening the obstructions of the gall Galen saith it hath the properties of Tyme being hot and dry in the third degree as Ruellius boserveth from the Arabian authors that it hath by the astriction or drying quality a strengthning property beside the purging as it is also found in Rubarbe and that it is a safe medicine for the obstructions as well of the liver as spleene purging the veines of flegmaticke cholericke humours likewise as Mesues saith it helpeth childrens agues if a little wormeseed be put to it The Dodder of all other plants herbes in like maner pertaketh of the nature of them whereon they grow be they hot or cold and is thought to worke more effectually for those diseases wherunto the herbe it selfe is applyed Lobel saith that in the west parts of this kingdom where he found these laces upon Netles the people had good experience that it was a soveraigne remedy to procure plenty of Vrine where it was stopped or hindred my selfe also have understood it from those parts But that Dodder which groweth upon Tares being the most frequent about London and wherewith our markets are onely in a manner furnished and our Apothecaries shoppes stored from thence taketh his propertie from the Tares whereon it groweth and can have no effectuall quality comparable to Epithymum for as Galen saith Tares are hard of digestion and binde the bellye and that the nourishment of them engendereth thicke blood apt to turne into melancholie which qualities are cleane contrary to those of Epithymum Epithymbra or of other good herbes Chap. V Majoranae vulgares exoticae Common and Strange Marjeroms THere are divers sorts of sweete garden Marjeroms some growing onely in the summer others abiding the winter and one that groweth wilde there are some other sorts called Marum that I have intituled strange Marjerom all which shall be comprehended in this chapter 1. Majorana vulgaris aestiva The ordinary garden sweete Marjerome Our common sweete Marjerome that is commonly 1. Majorana vulgaris Sweete Marjerome sowen in our countrey is a small low herbe little above a foote high full of branches and small whitish and soft roundish leaves on them smelling very sweete at the toppes of the branches stand divers smal long and round scaly heads or knots and therefore of some called Knotted Marierom of a whitish greene colour out of which come here and there small white flowers and after them small reddish seede the roote is composed of divers small threads or strings which perisheth with the whole plant every yeere Majorana tenuifolia Marjerome gentle This Marjerome likewise hath divers small branches growing low and not higher then the former but having finer and smaller leaves hoary and soft but much sweeter the heads are like unto the former and so are the flowers and seede the whole plant being more tender then the former abiding but a Summer in like manner 3. Majorana odorata perennis Winter sweete Marjerom
untill a truer may be knowne in the composition of the Trochisci Hedychroi which Andromachus thought fit to make a principal part of his Treacle accounting it effectuall against all poisons especially of vipers and other Serpents Our daintiest women doe put it to still among their other sweet hearbs to make sweet washing water CHAP. VI. Origanum Organy or bastard Marjerome THeophrastus Dioscorides and Pliny do much vary one from the other in setting down the sorts of Origanum that were knowne to them in their times for Theophrastus maketh but two sorts a black that is barren and a white that beareth seed Dioscorides maketh 5. sorts three of Origanum and two of Tragoriganum Origanum Heracleoticum Onitis and Sylvestre which yet is not that which some with us call Sylvestre and is set forth in the foregoing Chapter for his beareth a white flower and so doth not that Pliny is more confused therefore thought not to be without error for in divers places of his 20. and 21. bookes he mentioneth severall sorts of Origanum and in one place maketh three sorts of Heracleoticum but leaving these I will shew you those sorts are knowne to us in these dayes 1. Origanum Heracleoticum verius Organie or bastard Marjerome of Greece This bastard Marjerome riseth up with divers hard round reddish 1. Origanum Heracleoticum Verius Organy or bastard Marjerome of Greece 4. Origanum Sylvestre sive vulgare Wilde Organy greene stalkes spreading forth into other smaller branches whereon are set sundry leaves by couples at the joynts being somewhat round and of a whitish greene colour very like unto Marjerome but larger whiter and harder or rougher in handling at the toppes or the branches stand such like scaly heads or knots as Marjerome hath but longer from whence come small whitish purple flowers and afterwards small brownish seed The whole plant riseth with us not much higher than Marjerome but of a hotter and sharper scent and taste yet somewhat pleasant withall 2. Origanum Onitis Matthioli White Organie of Greece This Organy differeth somewhat from the former for it hath whiter and narrower leaves the flowers also are white and the heads more divided or separated into smaller tuftes this is rather more tender to keepe than the former hardly abiding the sharpnesse of our winter although it be as well defended 3. Origanum Onitis aliudmajus The greater White Organy This hath larger and whiter leaves than the former the umbels or tufts of heads are larger also and more spread abroad than they which beare white flowers in the like manner This kind is somewhat more hardy and will better abide a Winter if there be any care used to preserve it There is also another with somewhat longer leaves than this 4. Origanum Sylvestre sive vulgare Wilde Organy This kind of wilde Organy which is the ordinary kinde brought from Candy and other places and usually kept in our Apothecaries shops riseth up with divers round hard stalkes whereon are set somewhat broader lesser and rougher leaves than the former the flowers stand at the toppes of the branches in manner of an umbell that is in smaller heads and more dispersed than the former of a reddish purple colour after which come small brownish seed the root perisheth when it hath given seed most especially with us The Place All these kindes of Bastard Marjeromes have come to us from divers places but which of them is more proper to this or that place hath not beene truely signified vnto us for some have named that Creticum which others have Hispanicum so that it is likely to be naturall in both those places The Time They flower or at least beare their toppes or heads about the end of August or middle of September with us so that their seed scarcely commeth to maturity in our Country The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 montem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gaudium quod clivosos montososque locos amat vel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod visum illustret acuat vel a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 redundante o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 per antiphrasim natura enim caelidum est in Latine Origanum The first is called Origanum Heraclioticum by Matthiolus Gesner Castor Durantes Lobel Lugdunensis Camerarius Tabermontanus and Dodonaeus hath been sent me by the name of Creticum and also Hispanicum Bauhinus saith it is the Cunila Gallinacea of Pliny and Dioscorides calleth it Cunila The second Matthiolus calleth Onitis and so doe Gesner Castor Durantes Bauhinus and Lugdunensis who saith also that some called it Marum and came to me by the name Italicum The third Camerarius calleth Onites whom Bauhinus followeth The fourth is the common Origanum as I said we have in shops and is thought by Ruellius to be the Cunila Bubula of Pliny whom Bauhinus followeth Dioscorides saith that this if it be his wild kinde was called also in his time Cunila But to discusse how fitly each of these sorts answere unto those of Dioscorides I think it fittest to prefixe the text of Dioscorides by which they may be compared Origanum Heracleoticum saith Dioscorides which is also called Cunila hath leaves like unto Hysope the toppes or umbels are not fashioned round but as it were divided into many parts the seed in the toppe branches is not great That Origanum that is called Onitis hath whiter leaves and doth more resemble Hisope it beareth seed in tusts as it were joyned together the force or vertue although it be like yet is lesse effectuall by much Wilde Origanum which some call Panax Heracleum and others Cunila as Nicander Colephonius hath leaves like Origanum and small branches not a foot high bearing white flowers at the toppes in umbels like unto Dill the root is small and of no use These bee the words of Dioscorides whereby comparing his first two sorts we verily thinke that howsoever some Authors doe vary in their judgements concerning them the first of them here set downe is the true at least the truest hath beene knowne to be Origanum Heracleoticum of Dioscorides The two next that follow the one of Matthiolus the other of Camerarius are both in resemblance so neere his Onitis that we may truely say that either of them are the same and that both of them differing but in largnesse of leaves which the fertility of the soyle wherein it grew might bee the cause are but one Onitis But that wild Origanum of Dioscorides that hath an umbell like unto Dill is not to be found unlesse the wilde Origanum that is to be had at the Druggists and Apothecaries be his for it is the neerest thereunto being the strangest and quickest in taste which by Galeus judgement is the best The Arabians call it Fandenigi or Fandenegi the Italians Origano the Spaniards Oreganos the French Origan and Marjolaine bastarde the
also The Place The first as I said being the most common in this Land Clusius saith he found in the Kingdomes of Granada and Valentia The second Clusius saith he onely found growing upon the hills in Spaine The third he likewise saith groweth as well in the Kingdome of Valentia in Spaine as at Mompelier in France The fourth groweth also in a Province of Spaine and neere unto Venice also upon the Adriatick shore The fift groweth neere Vienna in Austria and on the hills in Savoy neere the Lake Lemanus The sixt groweth in divers places of Germany as upon the hills of Hamborough the hills neere Turin and neere Noremberg also as Camerarius saith The seventh as Bauhinus saith came to him from Honorius Bellus out of Candy where the eight also groweth all along the Sea side and upon Mount Baldus also as Pona saith the last was gathered neere Tunis in Barbary by Boelius and brought to Doctor Lobel and us The Tyme They doe most of them flower in Iuly and August yet some later than others The Names Polium is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sic dictum propter canitiem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 enim canitiem vel canum significat quia capitulum habet canoruÌ„ hominis instar capillatum because it is like unto the hoary haires of a mans head but this is referred to the toppes or heads and not so directly to the leaves as Pliny would have it although the leaves also are somewhat white and hoary in Latine Polium thereafter all other Nations call it according to their dialect The first is called Polium montanum vulgare and Polium montanum luteum by Lobel and Pena in their Adversaria as also in his observations 8. Polium angustifolium Creticum Vpright narrow leafed Candy Poley 9. Polium montaâ—um pâ—nilum tenulsolium Africum African dwarfe Poley for they answer one another so that by the name of Lobel where I name him alone thorowout all this booke I doe not drowne the name of Pena nor the name of Lobel when I name Pena alone but for brevities sake name one in stead of both It is the first of Dodâ—naus in his History or Pemptades in Latine which I use onely here also And the third of Clusius in his History of more rare plants which I chiefly meane when I cite him through all this worke because both his Spanish and Pannonick observations are included therein unlesse I recite his particular observations The second is the second kinde of Clusius in his Spanish observations and the first with Matthiolus The third is the first with Clusius and the second with Dodonaeus called minus and moditerraneum of Lobel and montanum album of Bauhinus in his Pinax The fourth is the fift and sixt kindes with Clusius the one with a purple the other with a white flower and called of Lobel also Venetum of Bauhinus in his Pinax Maritâ—muâ—supâ—um vonetum The fift is the eight sort with Clusius the fourth with Dodonaeus called repeus and so likewise by Bauhinus and montanum supinum minimum of Lobel The sixt is the seventh with Clusius and called Polium recentiorum faemina lavendulae folio of Lobel and is the second of Matthiolus and called Polium lavendulae folio of Bauhinus Bauhinus first mentioned the seventh and Pona in his Italian Baldus the eighth and taketh it to be the second Polium of Dioscorides the last is not mentioned by any Author before Fabius Columna as I shewed you in the first Chapter would faine make Polium to be the true Hisope of Dioscorides but I know not that any doth consent unto that opinion for by the judgment of the best this hearbe is the true Polium of all the ancients as well in face as qualities and therfore cannot be Hisope besides the taste hereof is very loathsome to the stomack which Dioscorides also remembreth but Hisope as he saith doth helpe to expectorate flegme c. and no pectorall hearbe that I know doth trouble the stomack by the loathsome bitternesse thereof as this doth The Vertues The decoction of this hearbe drunke while it is warme as Dioscorides saith helpeth those that are stung or bitten by venemous creatures yea as he saith the fumigation or smoke thereof driveth them away and so doth the hearbe being strowed or layd in Chambers and although it trouble the stomack and cause some paines in the head yet it helpeth the Iaundise and those that are hydropick or are troubled with the diseases of the spleene it moveth the belly and bringeth downe the feminine courses and doth consolidate or soder or cloze the lips of cuts or wounds Galen thus saith of Polium in his eighth Booke of simples It is bitter in taste and sharpe or quick on the tongue also and therefore it freâ—th the inward parts from all obstructions and provoketh both urine and the feminine courses being greene and applyed to great cuts or wounds it closeth them especially that greater kinde and being dry it healeth grievous sores or ulcers and this the lesser kinde doth best performe The lesser Polium which we use in Antidotes or Counter-poysons as Mithridatum Venice Treakle and such like is the more sharpe and bitter and is accounted to be dry in the third degree and hot in the second CHAP. XI Dictamnus Dittany Pseudodictamnus Bastard Dittanie I Have thought good in writing of the true Dittany to make mention of the Bastard kindes thereof in the same Chapter both because the face of them that is the forme and colour of the leaves are very like and that other good Authors doe the like reckoning them as kindes thereof 1. Dictamus Creticus Dittany of Candy Dittany of Candy hath divers hard and brownish yet 1. Dictamnus Creticus Dittany of Candy somewhat hoary stalkes rising from the roote set full of leaves two standing together one against another all along the branches whicn are broad and thick and almost round so hoary white and covered over with a woolly downe that they have no shew of greenesse in them as most other hoary or woolly hearbes have at the toppes of the branches come forth scaly heads made as it were of many thin leaves like unto scales purplish on the outside and paler on the inside from among which come forth gaping flowers of a pale purplish colour and after them small brownish seed the root consisteth of many blackish strings or fibres from a harder long root the whole hearb is of a quick or firy scent especially if it be fresh and likewise of a hotter taste being new then old for it much decayeth in keeping this is very tender and hardly to be kept a winter in these colder Countries so that it seldome commeth to shew any flower but if you doe transplant some of the branches by slipping and setting them in August they will better endure the following winter with a little coverture and may happen to give flowers the yeare following 2. Pseudodictamnus
goodnesse of the place injoying the commodity of a free and cleare ayre and other things correspondent then by the nature of the hearbe it selfe Then for the scent that it is more aromaticall than others yet hereby they intimate that others are sweet although not so much which is well knowne likewise to be the benefit of the place where it groweth for some hearbes are more or lesse sweet or more or lesse stinking which transplanted doe alter as Agrimony and divers others are sweet in some place and nothing at all in others Then the leaves have troubled many learned men for they thinke it is a fault in the transcribers to set downe lesser for greater or longer as it often hapneth in Theophrastus But more often in Dioscorides as in the Chapters of Helenium Meum and others may be also in Galen not by his owne fault but by the transcribers but Galen himselfe in his Chapter of Abrotanum taketh away all these doubts where he saith thus there are three species or differences put under the name of one kinde of Wormewood that which is called Ponticum the second Santonicum and the third Seriphium Seriphium and Santonicum are enemies to the stomacke and trouble it Wormewood onely among them named Ponticum that is growing in Pontus is pleasing to the stomacke From which place we may well gather that the strife is appeased concerning this matter that our common Wormewood is that Wormewood of Dioscorides the best whereof as he saith is that which groweth in Pontus without naming either species or genus so that it is for certaine that our common or Romane kinde is not another from the Ponticum and by reason of the place is more vigorous and effectuall but not differing in property Galen acknowledgeth that in this there is bitternesse and an astriction gratefull to the stomacke necessary for cholericke vometings and to clense it from obstructions by which it giveth strength and comfort thereunto which things we see by infinite and daily experiments even of the common people as well as of Physitians to be effected by our common Wormewood used either inwardly or outwardly none findeth fault with the smell for it is of an aromaticall scent and is very fit and apt to refresh the spirits of any Galen in appointing that of Pontus to be used doth it rather to exclude the Santonicum and Seriphium then that which he simply calleth Absinthium Thus much I thought good to relate out of Pena and Lobel referring the rest to the learned to be further satisfied if they please to read the whole tractate but by this is said you see that the vertues of our common Wormewood are so excellent that we need not seeke for another kinde to performe those that are commended in Wormewood and therefore I the more mervaile at our Apothecaries that take the Sea Wormewood in stead of the Romane or Ponticke and use it rather than the common onely because there is lesse bitternesse therein than in the common and therefore more pleasing to the taste when as the properties are no way answerable Neither can I commend the use of that fine leafed Wormewood which is commonly called Romane Wormewood to bee used in stead of the Ponticke not having either that bitternesse or that astriction which are both so comfortable to the liver and stomacke Our common Wormewood hath beene observed to grow in Pontus and the Countries there abouts by Bellonius in his travels as he setteth it downe in his 76. Chapter of his first Booke of observations and elsewhere and brought to Constantinople for their use there And it is generally held that the Arabian Physitians did first name it Romane which Dioscorides named Ponticke and from them all others since have held it in so great account imagining it to be a sort differing from the common The Arabians call it Affinthium the Italians Assenzo the Spaniards Assentios the French Alvine and Absinse or Absinthe the Germanes Wermuet the Dutch Alssem and wee Wormewood The Vertues Dioscorides saith that Wormewood is of an heating and binding property that it purgeth choller that cleaveth to the stomacke or belly that it provoketh urine that it helpeth surfeits and that taken with Seseli and Spica Celtica it easeth the paines of the stomacke and the hard swellings of the belly the decoction or the infusion thereof taken doth take away the loathing to meate and helpeth those that have the yellow jaundise for which purpose Camerarius in his hortus medicus giveth a good receite Take saith hee of the flowers of Wormewood Rosemary and blacke thorne of each alike quantity of Saffron halfe that quantity all which being boyled in Renish-wine let it be given after the body is prepared by purging c. A small draught thereof taken for some few dayes together bringeth downe womens monethly courses being taken with vinegar it helpeth those that by Mushroms are almost strangled being taken in wine it is a remedy against the poison of Ixia which as I said before is the roote of the blacke Chamaeleon and with Pliny translated viscum Misletoe or Birdlime of Hemlocke the biting of that small beast or Mouse which we call a Shrew and of the biting of that Sea fish called Dracomarinus which is called a Quaviver it helpeth the Quinsie being annointed with it and Niter mixed together and taketh away wheales and pushes used with water it taketh away the black and blue markes in the skinne that come after bruising or beating if it be mingled with honey and annoynted as also it helpeth the dimnesse of the eyesight being used in the same manner it helpeth sore and running eares as also easeth the paines of them if the hot vapours of the decoction bee taken in thereat by a funnell or otherwise it easeth the toothach a decoction made thereof with cute or boyled wine and annointed easeth the paines of the eyes it helpeth the paines of the heart and liver being beaten and mixed with the Ceratum Cyprinum and applyed to the place affected as also applyed to the stomacke with Rosewater it giveth much comfort to those that have lien long sicke it helpeth those that are troubled with the swelling and hardnesse of the spleene or those that have a hot sharpe water running betweene the flesh and the skin if it be used with figges vineger and the meale of Darnell The wine that is made thereof called Wormewood wine is availeable for all these purposes restoring many to health that have beene troubled with those diseases so that they have no agues that take thereof Being put into Chests or Presses or Wardrobes it preserveth them from wormes and mothes c. and driveth away Gnats or Waspes and such like from any part of the body if the skin be annoynted with the oyle thereof the juyce is of like effect but is not used so much in drinkes for it troubleth the stomacke and causeth headach being put into the Inke wherewith Bookes are written
Spaine The sixth is found in divers places in the Kingdome of Naples in moist fields that are in the Mountaines as Coluâ—a saith as also in the sand pits or places neare the River of Rhosne by Lions in France and the Alpes in Austria as Clusius saith The seventh was found on Saint Bernards Mount in Switzerland and the eight on the Hill of Saint Gothâ—rd as Bauhinus saith in his Prodromus The ninth groweth not farre from Madrid in Spaine as Clusius saith as also in the woods of Gramunts neare Mompelier as both he and Lobel say The last Raâ—wolfins found growing about Tripoly in Syria The Time They doe all flower in the Moneths of Iune Iuly and August some earlier or later than others the first and the ninth for the most part flower latest The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine also Conyza sic forte dicta quia nâ—as id est culices suo lentore capiat because as is said in the Description the glutinous clamminesse both of leaves and stalkes holdeth fast whatsoever falleth upon them yet Dioscorides saith it is so called because Suffitu vel Substratu culires abigit culicus necat Gaza translateth it Pulicaria and we in English Fleabane accordingly because being burnt or laid in Chambers it will kill Gnats Fleas or Serpents as Dioscorides saith and not Fleawort for that is another hearbe as shall bee shewed in his place The first is the truest great Conyza of Dioscorides by the judgement of Camerius â—odonaeus Lobel Pena Lugdunensis and others The second Iohannes Thallus as I said first called Canâ—â—dâ— montana who hath also another which he calleth major alterae both of them being very like one unto another whereof Caâ—rarius â—hart setteth out the figure and Bauhinus thereupon calleth it Cony◠〈…〉 folijs oblonâ—is The 3. of both sorts and 4. are so called as they are in their titles by Lobel in his Dutch 〈…〉 the scent of them is not strong like the other Conyzas but sweet like Honey The fifth is called by 〈…〉 and Myconi and Bauhinus Conyza montana folijs glutinosis pilosis The sixt is called by divers Co◠〈…〉 Lâ—gdâ—nsis saith and of Coliâ—ia Aâ—llus montanus because hee saith it is so like unto the Amellus Virâ— Gasner in his booke De Collections Sâ—irpium and Corâ—us also calleth it Conyzaides caerulea Tabermont anus 〈…〉 it is called also Deutelaria of the effect to cure the toothach Bauhinus calleth it Conyza caerulea â—it and saith it is the same that Dodonaâ—s in his French Booke calleth Erigerum tertium and in his Latine Booke Erigorum quartum but Dodonaeus in those places maketh no mention of any blue or purple colour in that Erigorum but onely saith it hath a pale yellow flower so quickly fading that it abideth not a day but even almost the same houre that it is blowne it doth fade which I am sure this Amellus doth not and is not wholly yellow as that of Dodonaeus is The seventh and eight Bauhinus calleth Conyza caerulea Alpina major minor The 9. is called Conyza minor vera both by Pena Clusius Gesner others because it differeth from the more common sort The last Pauâ—olfius referreth to the Conyza minor of Dioscorides which Clusius rather thinketh is a species of his greater kinde yet Bauhinus calleth it Conyza major altera and quoteth both Rauwolfius and Clasius to call it Conyza major Dioscoridis The Italians call it Conyza the Spaniards Attadegua the French Conyza the Germanes Hundsang and Durwurtz the Dutch Donderwortel The Vertues The leaves of Fleabane as Dioscorides saith are fitly applyed to the bytings or hurts of all venemous creatures as also for pushes and small swellings and for wounds the leaves and flowers boyled in wine and drunke is good to bring downe womens courses and to helpe to expell the dead child taken also in the same manner it is good to procure urine or when one maketh it by drops it helpeth also those that have the yellow jaundise and the griping paines of the belly it is also good for the falling sicknesse taken in vineger the decoction is good to helpe many griefes of the mother if women be bathed therewith or sit therein if the juyce bee put into the Matrix it causeth aborcement that is to be delivered before the time the oyle made of the hearbe and annoynted is very effectuall to take away all shaking fits of agues and those tremblings that come of cold The small kinde helpeth the paines in the head Galen saith that both the greater and the lesser are hot and dry in the third degree and therefore powerfully warmeth any place whereunto they are applyed whether used of themselves or boyled in oyle and anoynted the leaves bruised and bound to any greene wound or cut being first well washed or cleansed healeth in a short space applyed also to the soles of the feete it stayeth any laske or fluxe and bound to the forehead is a great helpe to cure one of the frensie it openeth the obstructions of the liver if the decoction thereof made in wine be drunke If either Goats or Sheepe eate hereof it will kill them by any extremity of thirst The lesser is effectuall to all the purposes aforesaid but is more powerfull to helpe any fluxe or the bloody fluxe The sixth as is said before helpeth the toothach CHAP. XLV Aster Starrewort THe likenesse in many things that the Starreworts have with the Fleabanes enforceth me to place them next thereunto whereof we have such a number as well of those that were formerly knowne to many as those which our later times have made knowne to us and from Virginia New-England c. have come not the least store unto us And although Dioscorides hath set forth but one kind which he calleth Aster Atticus of the place no doubt where it grew most plentifully or was or greater force which was the Country of Athens yet later Writers having found out divers other hearbes somewhat like unto it have referred them thereunto all which I meane in this Chapter to declare unto you 1. Aster Atticus luteus verus The true Aster Attick or yellow Starrewort 1. Aster Atticus luteus verus The true Aster Attick or yellow Starwort This Starrewort riseth up with two or three rough hairy stalkes a foote and a halfe high with long rough or hairy brownish darke greene leaves on them divided into two or three branches at the top of every one whereof standeth a flat scaly head compassed underneath with five or sixe long browne rough greene leaves standing like a Starre the flower it selfe standing in the middle thereof is made as a border of narrow long pale yellow leaves set with brownish yellow thrums the root dyeth every yeare after seed time 2. Aster cernuus Columnae The soft Starrewort of Naples The soft Starrewort is very like unto the former yellow Starwort but that the leaves hereof are somewhat broader larger and
of Tabarmontanus Aster luteo flore of Gerard Aster hirsâ—us of Bauhinus Aster luteus hirsutus Salicis folio The seventh is Clusius his Austriacus quartus of Bauhinus Aster luteus linaria rigido glabro folio The eighth came first to us by the Virginian name Aquascomense some thinke that the Virginian name of the ninth is Wisanck but falsely but the tenth and eleventh without names and therefore we have given them such names as seemed to us most convenient and as are in their titles untill some fitter may be given by other The eleventh Lobel in his observations calleth Aster Conyzoides as I and all others doe but the twelfth was so entituled by Boelius as it is here set downe The thirteenth is called generally Aster Atticus Italorum purpureo or caeruleo flore The fourteenth is a species of the last Atticus Italorum flore purpureo whereof both Clusius and Camerarius make mention The fifteenth is Clusius his Aster Austriacus quintus which he saith may be called Amellus Alpinus in that it doth resemble the Amellus of Virgil. Lugdunensis calleth it Aster purpureus montanus Bauhinus Aster montanus caeruleus magno flore folijs oblongis The sixteenth Bauhinus onely remembreth by the name of Aster hirsutus Austriacus caruleus magno flore The seventeenth Lobel calleth Aster minor Narbonensium Tripolij flore linariae folio medio purpureus The two last have their names given by us as we thinke sittest for them There hath beene formerly some controversie among Writers what plant should bee Aster Atticus of Dioscorides divers allowing of that Aster Atticus flore luteo which is set forth in this my former Booke whereof the 2. here set forth as I said is a kind nearest thereunto others refusing it utterly because it hath no purple colour in the flower which that of Dioscorides hath both in the description thereof by him as many doe translate that part in the description of the flower to be purpureum luteum whereas the new Editions have Purpureum luteumve and in the vertues where he saith that divers say that the purple of the flower or in the flower is good to heale the sores of the groine and rather allowing of the 13. kinde here set forth as likewise in my other Booke whereof those with purple flowers here described are species to be both the true Aster Atticus of Dioscorides and the true Amellus of Virgil which he describeth in the fourth Booke of his Georgicks and that most plainely in these Verses Est etiam flos in pratis cui nomen Amello Fecere agricolae facilis quaerentibus herba Namque uno ingentem tollit de cespite sylvam Aureus ipse sed in folijs quae plurima circum Funduntur viola sublucet purpura nigra Sapè deum nexis ornatae torquibus arae Asper in ore saepâ—r tonsis in vallibus illum Pastores curvae legunt propè flumina Melle Yet Guilandinus misliketh hereof and although he allow of it to be After Atticus yet not to be Amellus whom as I take it Matthiolus doth convince he nameth no man but saith that some would make that hearbe which by the judgement of all men is Chelidonium minus to be the Amellus of Virgil which neither the flower being all yellow though standing like a Starre not having any purple colour therein which Virgil saith Amellus hath for his words Aureus ipse which is the flower hath in folijs quae plurima circumfunduntur the purple colour of the violet but not so faire and cannot be referred to the leaves of that plant neither the stature or forme of Chelidonium which is low lying upon the ground and Amellus rising high and bearing a bush of flowers at the toppe of his stalke as Virgil saith uno ingentem tollit de cespite sylvam neither the time of the flowring for Chelidonium flowreth in the Spring and Amellus in the end of Summer when the fields are mowed as he saith Tonsis in vallibus illâ— Pastores legunt prope flumina Melle Pena and Lobel in their Adversaria also would make Tripolium to be the nearest unto Amellus of Virgil because the flower is purple starre fashion and yellow in the middle and that it usually groweth in moist places neare unto Rivers as Virgil saith of his which hath the greatest probability next unto this of any other hearbe but Virgil his words asper in ore sapor which is harsh or binding agreeth not unto Tripolium and because I find no other Author agreeing thereunto and that this is most commonly received of all I dare not forsake so great reasons and so many judgements and adhere to this one of Pena and Lobel The Vertues Dioscorides saith that the purple leaves of the flowers boyled in water was held to bee good for the paines and sore in the groine as also the use of the fresh hearbe in oyle to anoynt the place and likewise the dryed flowers to be taken into the right hand of the patient bound to the place that is grieved it taketh away inflammations in those places it helpeth children also that have the falling sicknesse and those that are troubled with the Quinsie It helpeth an hot stomacke the inflammations of the eyes and the fundament when it is fallen downe if an oyntment be made of the greene hearbe and old Hogs grease it helpeth them that are bitten by a mad Dogge as Cratevas saith it consumeth the swellings of the throat and driveth away Serpents if it be burned Galen saith it is called Bubonium not onely because that being anoynted but also that being hung or tyed to the places it healeth the sores in the groine for it hath not onely a digesting but also no small cooling quality and repressing being of a mixt property like the Rose Pliny addeth that being bound to the place it is profitable for the paine in the hippes CHAP. XLVI Ruta Rue or Hearbe grace THere are foure or five speciall sorts of hearbes called by the name of Rue having little likenesse thereunto but onely some shew in the leaves which are these First Ruta Canina whereof I meane to speake among the Scrophularias The second is Ruta pratensis called also Thalictrum which you shall finde in the next Classis The third is Ruta Muraria which shall bee spoken of among other Capillare hearbes and the fourth is Ruta Capraria sive Galega which shall be declared among the Alexiphariâ— Counterpoisons Divers other hearbes have beene entituled Ruta by singular Authors as you shall finde among the names of them whereof to make mention here were needlesse I rather referre you to the places specified But of our ordinary or garden Rue common enough through all this Realme there are some other sorts thereof which are here to be remembred with them although not usually bred or to be easily kept in the gardens of our land 1. Ruta hortensis major The greater ordinary garden Rue or Hearbe of Grace This ordinary garden Rue groweth up with hard
wherein are conteined sometime two or three hard blacke stones like also unto those of Asparagus the roote is slender white and long in hard dry grounds not spreading farre but in the looser and moyster places running downe into the ground a pretty way with diverse knots and joynts thereat and sundry long rootes running from thence 2. Smilax aspera fructa nigro Prickly Bindweede with blacke berryes This other prickly Bindeweede is like the former for the manner of growing in all points his branches being joynted in like manner with thornes on them but nothing so many climing as the former the leaves are somewhat like it but not having those forked ends at the bottome of every leafe like it but almost wholly round and broad at the bottome of a darker greene colour also and without any or very seldome with any thornes or prickes either on the backe or edges of the leaves with tendrells like a Vine also the flowers come forth in the same manner and are starre fashion consisting of sixe leaves a peece like the other but they are not white as they are but of an incarnate or blush colour with a round red umbone in the middle of every one which is the beginning of the berry that when it is ripe will be blacke and not red being more sappie or fleshie than the other with stones or kernells within them like unto it the rootes hereof are bigger and fuller than the former for the most part and spreading further under the ground 3. Smilax aspera Pernana Sarsaparilla of America The Sarsaparilla that cometh from America into Spaine and from thence into other Countries hath beene seene fresh even the whole plant as it hath beene brought from Spaine to the Duke of Florence Lutas Ghinus his Physitian being by as a witnesse that in all things it did resemble the prickely Bindweede and differed in 1. 2. Smilax aspera spinoso non spinoso follo Prickely Bindweede with red and with blacke berries 3. Sâ—ilax aspera Peruana sive Sarsaparilla West India Sarsaparilla Buenas noches Hispanis The heades with seedes of the true Sarsaparilla as it is supposed nothing from it Matthiolus setteth downe this relation in his Commentaries in the 111. chapter of his first booke of Dioscorides speaking of Sarsaparilla what plant it should be and agreeeth with Ghinus that the Smilax aspera with red berries for in not speaking of the other he declareth that he knew it not was the true Sarsa which both Ghinus and others likewise had proved by many trialls to be as effectuall to cure the French disease as the Sarsa of the Indies Prosper Alpinus likewise in his booke of Egyptian plants declareth that he found in the Island Zacynthus the rootes of Smilax aspera whose leaves he setteth forth to bee without prickles growing by a running river side to be greater larger and fuller of substance than ever he had seene them in any other place in Italy before and being so like the true Sarsa of the Indies that he was fully perswaded the Sarsaparilla that commeth from Peru was the rootes of Smilax aspera the difference betweene them in greatnesse or goodnesse if any be to be onely in the climate and soyle and saith that an Apothecary in that Isle had gotten much money thereby both by his owne practise and the sale of them to others for Sarsa and saith moreover that he saw himselfe in some bundles of the Indian Sarsa some of the rootes that had the knots at them as the Smilax aspera hath and some leaves therein also like it which my selfe have sometimes seene in them likewise Gabriel Fallopius likewise in the booke that he wrote of the cure of the French disease in the chapter of Sarsaparilla saith thus I was perswaded saith he and stood in that opinion along time that the Sarsaparilla was the roote of Ebulus or Wall worte untill a Spaniard that brought the whole plant unto the Duke of Florence made my errour knowne unto my selfe for I saw it to be the roote of that Smilax aspera that Dioscorides and other the ancients make mention of in their writings and was better confirmed in my opinion by the experience I had thereof in curing diverse about Pisa as perfectly of the French disease by the rootes of this Smilax aspera which I caused to bee digged up for my use growing on the hill of S. Iulian as with the rootes of Sarsaparilla for two yeares while I stayed there to practise Physicke which opinion also Amatus Lusitanus a Physitian of good note although a Iew confirmeth in the fift booke of his Centuries Alpinus also sheweth another note of difference in the rootes of Smilax aspera whereat many in his time stumbled for they saw the rootes of Smilax aspera growing in Italy to be short and full of knots with small fibres at the end and the rootes of the other to be long and smooth without any knots to enforme you therefore throughly herein and take away this doubt he sheweth that the first rootes of Smilax aspera are downe right short and full of joynts or knots from which joynts or knots shoote other rootes or strings which in dry grounds are but small and short fibres and in the more moyst and mellow are greater and longer without any joynt at all in them as is to be seene in the rootes of many other plants whose rootes have many strings and that these rootes are they which are like the Sarsaparilla and not the first which are short and full of joynts and that the smalnesse of the rootes of Smilax aspera growing in Italy or other dryer Countries must be rather imputed to the climate and soyle rather than any thing else by this narration you may perceive the judgement of the elder times and likewise their practise to use Smilax aspera instead of Sarsaparilla for the diseases whereunto Sarsaparilla is proper but I verily beleeve that the plant of Sarsaparilla that groweth in Peru and the West Indies is a peculiar kind of it selfe differing from the Smilax aspera as notably as the Mechoacan from our Brionye and may very well be that plant that Simon de Tovar chiefe Physitian of Sevill in Spaine sowed the seedes of and had it growing with him and of the seed that he sent to Clusius under the name of Convolvulus peregrinus did one plant likewise spring for a yeare with Honestus Lopes in the low Countries to whom Clusius had imparted some of Tovars seede but perished at the first approach of winter the descriptions of both Tover and Clusius in their manner of growing are set forth by Clusius in the second booke and 18 chapter of his Exotickes or strang things which I thinke not amisse here to relate unto you yet contracted into one least it should bee too tedious to set them downe both particularly Having put the seede into the ground the first two leaves that sprung say Tover and Clusius were very like the first two
major vulgatior The more ordinary Palma Christi or great Spurge This great Spurge which doth grow in the warme and hot countries of Europe and Asia to be as great in the body as a man and as tall as a reasonable great tree and is used to be lopped every yeare whose seede cannot be gathered without a ladder set thereto and whose leafe falleth not away in the winter as Bellonius saith in the first booke of his observations the 18 chapter springeth up in our countrie to be eight or neere sometimes tenne foote high whose stemme will be hollowed as bigge almost as our ordinary canes of a brownish colour with an eye of blew hoarinesse upon it the leaves that stand both upon the stemme and upon the branches it sendeth forth every one severally on all sides upon long foote stalkes are very broad and divided into five or seaven or into more divisions representing the hand of a man with the fingers spread abroad of a darke or deepe greene colour on the upperside and whitish greene underneath the flowers are many round buttons shooting forth together and stand all along upon a long stalke at the toppes of the stem and branches consisting of many pale yellow threads which fall away without bearing any seede but lower upon the stemme or maine stalke and sometimes also upon the branches breake forth other heades which are the seede upon long foote stalkes being three square or three seedes joyned together rough and ash coloured on the outside or outer shell which opening it selfe or being opened there lyeth within it the seede whose outward huske is discoloured or as it were spotted and shaped like unto a ticke which conteineth within it a pretty large shining round somewhat long and flat seede of a browne colour having a white pulpe or kernell within it of a fiery hot taste burning the mouth and throate of whomsoever shall taste it but very unctuous or oylie whereof an oyle is pressed which is onely used for outward remedies for as Dioscorides saith it is cibis foedum but serveth to burne in lampes in those hot countries where it is naturall and plentifull the roote consisteth of many long and great strings and small fibres which perisheth with us quickely after it hath felt the first frosts and must be new set every year by them will have it but abideth in the warme countries as I sayd in the beginning of the description many yeares 1. Ricinus sive Cataputia major vulgatior The more ordinary Palma Christi or great Spurge 4. Ricinus Americanus follum novellum Palma Christi of America and one of the first leaves 2. Ricinus major Africanus Syriacus vel Aegyptius Palma Christi of Syria c. Camerarius in his hortus medicus maketh mention of another sort whose seede was twice so bigge as the former the colour whereof was not so pale or spotted and came as he saith out of Syria This is very probale to be that hot violent sort that Aldinus in his Farnesian garden remembreth being brought from Aegypt the halfe 4. Fructus Ricini Americani Palma Christi of America seede part of whose seede being taken by a strong young man of twenty yeares mightily troubled with the headach purged him very forcibly and eased his paines but in that he chewed the seede in his mouth and did not swallow it whole without chewing as it should have beene it inflamed his throate and mouth of his stomacke so violently that after he had endured an ague intolerable thirst and fainting of the spirits nine dayes after the taking thereof he dyed notwithstanding the care of three Physitions with all the remedies they could use Of the seede being set sprung up a plant greater than the former whose leaves were larger more crumpled and redder in other things little differing 3. Minor There is another kinde also but lesser in every part thereof although it grow in the same ground whose seede being ripe is evidently observed to be much lesser This is not remembred by any Authour that hath written thereof before Clusius in the second booke of his Exotickes and 21 chapter and Beslerus that set forth the Bishop of Eystot his garden in a great large volume whose seede that we first saw came from the Bermudas where they made oyle thereof and grew with us in that manner before expressed 4. Ricinus Americanus Palma Christi of America The Palma Christi of America differeth from the first and second sort not onely in the greatnesse for as Monardus Aldinus say it groweth to be a much greater tree than any growing in Spaine whose first leaves were almost round bigger than the first but those that follow are broad and torne on the edges into sundry corners in the seede there is some difference also which although they be three alwayes joyned together yet the outer huske is not rough or prickely but smooth and of an ashcolour the innermost seede it selfe being somewhat like the other but more blacke and not spotted at al and is as oyle as the first for thereof as I here there is made good store of oyle which serveth in the steede of oyle for any outward uses Clusius remembreth a very small sort of this Indian kind whose seede is the smallest of all other even smaller than the former small kinde which was brought from America The Place The first groweth in Spaine as Clusius saith to a great largenesse as is before sayd and in Candy as Bellonius saith the greater kind whereof Camerarius maketh mention groweth in Syria Africa and as Aldinus saith in Aegypt The first lesser sort in America and Guinea as Clusius saith in the place before remembred The great kind of America Monardus saith groweth in Gelisco a province of new Spaine from whence an oyle made of the seede thereof is brought of much use as you shall heare by and by and the last and least of all other was brought from Brasill as Clusius saith in the 25 chapter of his 2 booke of Exoticks the ninth fruit The Time Those that grow with us flower not untill the beginning of August and their seede doth seldome come to perfect ripenesse in this Country The Names It is called by Dioscorides in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cici Croton a Crotonis sive ricini animalis similitudine quod refert semen Arias Montanus in his Commentaries upon Ionas saith that the hebreW word Kikajon which is neere the Greeke Kiki doth signifie this plant although S. Ierome did translate the word to be Hedera and our English bibles have it a Gourd that was raysed up by God to shelter Ionas from the heate of the Sun Ionah c. 4. of some Pentadactylus by Mesues Granum Regium Caesalpinus from the Italian name Girasole tooke it to be Heliotropium Dioscorides but most commonly it is called Ricinus Palma Christi and in the Apothecaries shops Cataputia major the oyle whereof is known to the most of them by the name of
and roote prepared helpeth the dropsie being carefully and with good advise taken the leaves sleeped a while in vinegar and afterwards dryed and made into powder which is the preparation of them may be given to the weight of three drammes saith Dioscorides which I hold proportionable to the reâ— of the great quantities of purgers given by the ancients whereof I have spoken before which is over large to be given to any in our time or at least nation the roote prepared in the manner aforesaid is given likewise to the weight of two drammes saith Dioscorides in meade or honeyed water but one dramme is so strong that it is not fit to be taken but with caution and by a strong body the seede saith Dioscorides may be taken to the weight of a dramme but seeing 9 or 10 seedes of the garden Spurge is a sufficient strong medicine I thinke so many of those seedes are too many by much and of the juyce or milke a spoonefull Dioscorides appointeth being made into pills with flower which is the strongest of them all an extract made artificially out of the rootes is much commended by many in the dropsie and other diseases before named but it had neede of an artist as well in the preparing as giving The Pills of Esula set downe in the 16 chapter before doe properly belong unto this place being to be made more properly of this Esula than of that The small annuall spurge is in purging like the other sorts but is not so strong for the diseases aforesaid as the former are The seede of Peplus or the round Esula being beaten and drunke in hydromel or honyed water purgeth flegme and choller The leaves are used to bee pickled up and kept to be used in meates and the powder of them saith Dioscorides strewed upon meate troubleth the belly The small purple Sea Spurge hath the same properties and is used to be pickled and eaten with the like effect that the former is The Petty or Tyme Spurge is used for paines of the mother if the young branches and leaves be bruised with a little wine and put up as a pessary The same boyled and taken doe purge the belly even as the milke or juyce doth also and is good against the stinging or biting of serpents and taketh away all manner of warts and excrescences of the like nature It is very effectuall for the dimnesse or mistinesse of the eyes to cleere the sight and also for watering or running eyes and to take away filmes or scarres that grow upon them used with a little honey The tuberous or knobbed Spurge saith Dioscorides purgeth downewards if the lower parts be taken and upwards if the upper parts be taken but the juyce to the quantity of halfe a dramme purgeth both wayes and so doth the plant being taken wholly together The manner of drawing out the juyce thereof is somewhat rude in regard of the exquisite manner of preparing extracts chymically in our dayes as Dioscorides setteth it downe is thus Beate the rootes and put them into a vessell full of water stirre them well therein and with a fether gather the upermost upon the water which being dryed and kept serveth for the uses aforesaid and for those that have the dropsie All these clense the skinne from discolouring even as the former doe and with as good successe There is none of them but are strong and violent and therefore great caution and advise is to be had in taking of them inwardly and therefore some appoint to put diverse cold hearbes to them in the taking but for outward applications there is the lesse feare of danger because if the skinne be any thing exulcerated and the parts inflamed helpe may sooner be had and applyed thereto than within the body CHAP. XIX Hippophaes Hippophaestum Hippomanes Thornie Milkewort or Fullers thorne BEcause Dioscorides speaketh of Hippophaes and Hippophaestum making them both Thornie plants yeelding milke and purging before Ricinus and the Tithymales and Theophrastus in his ninth booke and fifteenth chap. saith that Hippomanes is made of Tithymalus or lactaria Milkewort the best as hee saith was knowne to be made in Tegea and was held to be of great worth yet my Theophrastus in Latine which is very ancient without name of the Printer or yeare of the Printing hath in that place Hippophaes although I confesse I have seene Greeke copies which have had Hippomanes but surely Hippomanes being declared by other authors to bee a kinde of poyson made of the nature or thinne sperme of Mares as you shall heare by and by could not in my minde be so unknowne to Theophrastus that he should say it was made of the Tithymalls or Milkeworts but rather that Hippophaes was a Milkewort or made thereof for in his 6. booke and 4. chapter at the latter end he numbreth Hippophyon which Gaza translateth lappago among those plants that beare thornes at the leaves and in the same booke and 5. chapter he nameth Hippopheos which Gaza translateth lappago likewise to have gentle smooth leaves not like unto the Capers which have sharpe leaves as well as stalkes and in his 9 booke and 15 chapter maketh no mention either of forme having declared it before or of purging or poysonfull quality therein but numbreth it among other things the best whereof grow in Arcadia and nameth it next after the Elaterium made of the Wilde Cowcumbers so that it is probable his Hippophyon Hippopheos Hippophaes or Hippomanes whether you will for diverse doe thinke diversly was an herbe or roote that bore thornes as is before declared whose condensate milke or juyce was of much worth being made in Tegea I thinke it not a misse somewhat to declare both what I thinke Dioscorides his Hippophaes and Hippophaestum are and the derivation of the name and what Anguillara and others say of it also that say they have found it to incite some industrious to attaine it also if that which I shall shew you in my opinion be not it and likewise to shew what diverse authors doe report of Hippomanes that thereby the diversity of things might cleere Theophrastus from imputation of want of knowledge what Hippomanes was or variety from others and that his Hippopheos and Dioscorides Hippophaes was one and the same thing This therefore is the text of Dioscorides concerning Hippophaes Hippophaes wherewith fullers doe refresh garments groweth in gravelly grounds and neere the sea It is abushing plant thicke of leaves or well spreade having long leaves like unto the Olive tree but smaller and longer and betweene them many whitish hard thornes distant one from another The flowers stand in clusters like unto those of Ivye but smaller and more gentle somewhat reddish or blush out of a white the roote is thicke and tender full of juyce like milke and bitter in taste from whence as from Thapsia a juyce is taken which being dryed up either by it selfe simply or with the flower of Orobus or the bitter
vetch is kept for their use that neede it Hippophaestum saith Dioscorides which some call Hippophaes groweth in the same places and is a kinde of Fullers thorne also It is a low herbe having thornie small leaves without either stalke or flower with empty heads it hath thicke and tender rootes a juyce is drawne out of the rootes leaves and heads and dryed up to be used Thus farre Dioscorides In comparing therefore Dioscorides and Theophrastus I doe not finde them to vary more than in a letter or two of the word For as you heare Dioscorides saith Hippophaes hath many branches full of leaves and some thornes also and Theophrastus doth intimate the same saying that Hippopheos hath smooth leaves and thornes by the leaves or is a thornie plant as Phleos of which you shall heare in that part that speaketh of thornie plants Capers Caltrops and Restharrow are Dioscorides saith the roote of Hippophaes is thicke and full of a milkie juyce and Theophrastus saith Hippophaes as I sayd my booke hath it and Columna in his chapter of Hippophaes hath so also or as others have Hippomanes which as I sayd before cannot be is made of a Tithymall or Milkewort the best being made in Tegea and is of great worth Pliny maketh mention of Hippophaes in one place and of Hippophues in another as of one and the same plant as likewise of Hippophastum in severall places which as yet in one place he calleth Hippape but in that he doth but relate what he hath out of Dioscorides yet somewhat different it is probable he never saw the plant but did deliver what he sayd onely upon the credit of the author we shall not neede to insist more upon him The Greek name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 commeth either of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is interpreted equarum salus aut lux aut ab equis genita for so Plinye in his 22. book and 12. chap. saith Debent accommodatae esse equorum naturae neque ex alia causa nomen accepisse and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quia equorum maniam sive furorems anabat but because Dioscorides saith it was called Spina fullonia and that garments were clensed thereby it seemeth the Etymon of the word was rather derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taken pro adverbio accrescentis sic pro valde or multum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pro lumine or nitore of the clensing quality for so Plinye saith of Hippophaestum in his 27 booke and 10 chapter Hippophaestum nascitur in spinis ex quibus fiunt pilae fulloniae for with the planâ—â—r roote made into bals those times of his used to scoure garments like as if it were done with sope Anguillara saith he found Hippophaes in the Island Peloponesus in the sandy grounds by the seaside which had a roote of the length of ones hand or better yelding a thinne juyce being either broken or wounded like in colour to milke of a very bitter taste but saith he saw then neither flower nor fruite and strong smell which the inhabitants call Acantha Nacatharise Spina purgatrix the purging Thorne which Bauhinus setteth downe in his Pinax for a kinde of Rhamnus Catharteicus folio oleae and thinketh the Hippophaestum quorundam of Lugdunensis to be the same Fabius Columna refusing the opinion of others that tooke the Rhamnus primus of Dioscorides as Lobel supposeth that purging thornie plant to be growing by the sea sides of Italy France and Holland supposeth that that kinde of Rhamnus which groweth in Campania and Apulia by the sea shores called by the Italians in those places Spina santa and which is the second sort of the first kinde of Rhamnus set forth by Clusius doth more neerely resemble the Hippophaes of Dioscorides but in my minde neither of both these shrubbes wanting milke at the roote can be the Hippophaes of Dioscorides called also Spina fullonia Ruellius likewise saith that Hippophaestum was brought from Narbone in France which had small whitish leaves among the thornes by Lugdunensis it is said that Hippophastum was sent to Dalechampius from Melita or Malta and was a plant spread full of thornie branches or rather the branches being wholly but thornes themselves with small white flowers standing close together at the joynts and partitions of the branches but whether it were purging was not signified this declaration being onely taken from the dryed plant was sent but if I may be bold to give my censure what Hippophaes is and whether it be to be found or no I would surely conjecture that the plant called Galastivida Cretica which I have set forth in the 15 chapter of this part under the title of Tithymalus maritimus Creticus spinosus and as I say there is sayd by Honorius Bellus to be a kinde of Tithymall or Spurge having thornes and giving milke whose roote is thicke and fleshy might as neere resemble Hippophaes both for forme for giving milke and purging quality as any other plant whatsoever and even the relation of the leaves and flowers set downe in that place is not greatly differing let others judge hereof as they see cause Now concerning Hippomanes let me shew you also what diverse authors have written thereof First it is imputed to Theophrastus to say as some corrupt as I thinke greeke copies have it as I sayd before and Camerarius as I thinke was the first that did so cause it to bee read that Hippomanes is made of Tithymall but is mistaken for Hippophaes as I sayd before Theocritus saith in Pharmaceutria that Hippopmanes is a plant whereby horses are made furious madde Collumella saith that Hippomanes is a poyson which kindleth lust in horses like to that of men but what it is or whereof it is made or taken he doth not expresse Plinye also in his 28 booke and 11 chapter affirmeth that Hippomanes was of so strong power or force in witchery or sorcery that being but layd to the brasen figure of the mare at Olympus it would drive the horses in extreame fury to cover it which Pausanias before Plinye his time doth set downe more at large in his fift booke but Aristotle in his 6 booke and 18 chap. of the nature of beasts saith that the mares doe let passe from them a certaine thinne humour like unto their sperme when they are inflamed with lust to be covered which is called Hippomanes by some and in the 22. chap. of the same booke he saith that there sticketh to the forehead of the foale new fallen a certaine round and somewhat broad blacke peece of flesh or skinne of the bignesse of a small dryed Figge which the mare licketh up with the secondine as soone as shee hath foaled which if any shall take away before she hath devoured and afterwards offer it her to smell thereunto she not knowing the sent thereof will be stirred in to great fury or madnesse but will not suffer her foale to sucke her that
much differ the one from the other and divers of our moderne Writers thinke that ours doe differ from them both Some likewise appropriate one herbe some another unto theirs as you shall presently heare Theophrastus saith in the ninth Booke and eleventh Chapter of his History of Plants that the rootes of the blacke and white Ellebor are like the one unto the other except the colour that is the one blacke the other white which may be reconciled if you will take it spoken onely of their Fibres the one being blacke the other white but that the leafe of the blacke as he saith is like unto a Bay leafe and that of the white unto those of Leekes can no way be reconciled for they are so differing from Dioscorides or ours that we may well say we neither have nor know any of both Theophrastus his Ellebors vnlesse there be some errour in the text as many thinke Dioscorides describeth his blacke Ellebor to have leaves like Platanus the Plane tree but lesse neere unto those of Spondilium or cow Parsnippe but more rough and blacker cut into many divisions the stalke is rough the flowers saith he are whitish inclining to purple standing in a cluster the seede is like Cincus or bastard Saffron which is called Sesamoides in Anticyra wherewith they make purgations the rootes are small blacke strings comming from a certaine head like an Onion which are in use thus farre Dioscorides unto this description our true black Hellebor doth not agree in all things for the leaves of ours do very sorrily resemble those of the Plane tree which is a whole broad leafe cut otherwise in the edges into parts or divisions or of the Spondiliū cow Parsnip which is a broad whole leafe consisting of many much broader divisions in it neither are the leaves rough but cented or toothed at the ends nor the stalke rough but smooth nor do the flowers stand in clusters but one by one each upon their own stalk or two at the most on a stalk whereupon Dodonaeus would mak our sixt sort here expressed which is somewhat like the Sanicle or Selfe heale to be the Veratrum nigrum or Elleborus niger Dioscoridis because it hath seeds in tuftes which Gesner Pena and Lobell call Astrantia nigra of Dioscorides and Fuchsins Sanicula faemina but Dodonaeus himselfe is much puzled to make it agree thereunto finding it to differ in many things sometimes in making the seed to be like Cnicus whereunto it hath but little resemblance as I shewed you in the description and sometimes blaming the text where it is said to be called Sesamoides in Anticyra to be corrupt and that Dioscorides borrowed it from Theophrastus who saith that in Anticyra they did give Elleborus Sesamaceus the Sesamoides like Elleborus that is to say whose fruit is like unto Sesamum to purge withall And it is most probable that the seede of the blacke Hellebors both the true and the bastard kindes may somewhat agree thereunto and not very unfitly be compared unto the fruit or seed of Sesamum the seed of Cnicus but whether the seed of those black Hellebors have more force in purging than the rootes have I am not certaine that any hath made a true experiment for most of our moderne writers do agree that both our white and black Hellebors are the true sorts set forth by Dioscorides notwithstanding the variation as it is before set downe Theophrastus also The first is called Helleborus niger by all that have written of it some adding thereunto Flore magno purpureo as Gesner or Flore roseo as Bauhinus or legitimus or verus as others doe Dodonaeus onely in his French Herball calleth it Planta leonis and Anguillara Elleborus niger annuus but why I know no reason the second is called Helleboraster Helleborus niger vulgaris by Gesner by Cordus nostras by Fuchsius adulterinus hortensis and Consiligo by Lugdunensis and Turner the third is remembred by Aldinus in his horto Faruesiano the fourth is called by Dodonaeus in his French Herball Lycoctonum primum whom Lobel seemeth in his Adversaria to follow saying it commeth neere to the Aconites Gesner in hortis took it to be Pulmonaria Vegetii Cordus calleth it Sesamoides magnum and Tragus Pedicularia faetida tertia Dodonaeus and Clusius Veratrum nigrum tertium and Caesalpinus Eneaphyllon Plinii but generally it is called either Helleborastrum magnum as Tabermontanus or Helleboraster maximus or Helleborus niger sylvestris adulterinus or else Consiligo Ruellii as Lobel Lonicerus Lugdunensis and others yet all the Hellebors both black and white are also taken by one or other to be Consiliges for in regard there is no desciption of Consiligo extant in any author but the vertues and properties onely whereunto it is applyed divers have written thereof diversly Tragus Lonicerus Gesnerus and others both Physitians and Apothecaries almost through all Germany and the parts adjoyning in former times tooke this fift sort called Buphthalmum majus by Anguillara Clusius and others and Helleborus niger ferulaceus by Lobel but Pseudo Helleborum by Matthiolus to be the true Helleborus niger of Dioscorides or at least a kind thereof and which Clusius saith was so used of all in Vienna and those parts before he came thither and shewed them their error and the right kind which they ever after used Dodonaeus also calleth it Buphthalmum joyning it next to Eranthemum or Flos Adonis whereunto it is very like in leaves and seede but not in rootes others would make it Sesamoides minus of Dioscorides whereunto it hath no correspondency the sixt is called by Fuchsius Sanicula faemina and so doth Gesner who also calleth it Astrantia nigra as Lobel doth following as it should seeme Tragus who calleth it Osteritium montanum Tabermontanus calleth it Imperatoria nigra Dodonaeus as I sayd before taketh it to be Elleborus niger or Veratrum nigrum of Dioscorides and Bauhinus in his Pinax calleth it Elleborus niger Saniculae folio major and I from him do so likewise as thinking it a name as proper if not more then any other is given it the seventh Bauhinus onely hath described in his Prodromus by the same title that I have given it the last is the Epipactis of Matthiolus which Lobel and Pena call Elleborine Alpina Saniculae Hellebori nigrifacie commentitia as counterfeited by him yet others doe not thinke so but whether the Epipactis of Dioscorides which he saith some called Elleborine should bee referred to the white Ellebor as Camerarius and others would have it or to the blacke resteth doubtfull because Dioscorides is so briefe in his description thereof that it cannot certainly be determined he onely saying it is a small Herbe with small leaves good for the diseases of the Liver and against poyson The Arabians call it Cherbachem and Charbach asued the Italians Elleboro negro the Spaniards Verdagambre negro the French Virare Veraire noir the Germanes Zwart
knowne The Names Casia or Cassia is a word of divers significations for it is either the Aroma of the ancients Theophrastus Dioscorides Galen c. like unto Cinamon called Cassia lignea in the Apothecaries shoppes or this Cassia fistula or else a shrubbe called Cassia poetica or Monspeliaca but it is very likely that this tree nor his fruite was knowne to any of the antient Greeke Writers unlesse as Cordus saith it might be the Faba Indica of Aristobulus and some others but the later Greeke Authors as Actuarius and others since his time called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cassia nigra from the Arabians who first brought in the use thereof and called it Cassia fistula and because it was not knowen where else it did grow then in Egypt it was called by many Siliqua Egyptia and is thought by divers that it may be the Siliqua called Ficus Egyptia by Theophrastus in his first Booke and 18. Chapter and of others Cassia solutiva the usuall name is Cassia fistula in all Apothecaries shoppes but why the name of Cassia should be given to this treee or his fruite is not easie to know or learne Pena and Lobell in their Adversaria thinke it might come from the Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod coriaceum vocant because the cods or canes are like leather but I verily beleeve the Arabians and it may be those from whom the Arabians had it called it Cassia in regard of the sweetenesse of the flowers like unto the Cassia aromatica or odorata and Solomon in the 4. Chapter and 14. verse of the Cantieles maketh mention of this Cassia tree as I take it for in the Latine Translation of Saint Ierome I find it is fistula which the Translators make to be Calamus in English And it is not improbable that the true Cassia aromatica or odorata was called Fistula because the peeces of the barke were rowled together and hollow like a pipe even as Cinamon which is congenor if not idem is which in some countries is called Canella and I finde that the people both in Italy and in Spaine doe call the Cassia aromatica by the name of Canella yet to this day either from the forme of Cinamon which is like unto a pipe or from Canna a reede or Cane as I thinke rather and the diminitive thereof is Canella a small Cane reede They are much deceived that thinke the barke of the pipes or fruite of this Cassia fistula is of any more force than a dry chippe to procure womens courses c. as some in former times did for the error is grosse The other is called by Lobel Cassia siliqua Brasiliana purgatrix compressa who first gave us the knowledge thereof in his Pharmacopaea Rondeletiaa The Vertues The inner blacke substance or pulpe clensed from the shells seeds and skins that grow together with them is the onely medecinall part that is used taken by it selfe in balls or bits or in potions or drinkes and is very effectuall to purge the reines kidneyes and bladder for it tempereth the heate of them cleanseth the humors that lie therein both by urine and the stoole and thereby giveth much ease to those that are troubled with the stone if they use it often taken with Rubarbe and a few Anniseed and Licoris to correct the windinesse thereof it is an especiall good medecine in gonorrhaea to clense the reines that other helpes may be the more availeable afterwards as also to clense the liver the stomach and mesentery veines from choller and flegme cleaâ—eth the bloud and quencheth the heate thereof and is therefore profitable in all hot agues it is very effectuall against all Rheumes and sharpe distillations and against chollericke and melancholike diseases it is often used in all the kindes of pectorall diseases as old coughes shortnesse of breath wheesings and the like if it be taken with Agaricke as some advise it is not so convenient for those that have moist weake and slippery bowells unlesse it be given with Mirobalans Rubarbe Spicknard or Masticke else it may be safely given to all sorts of people ages and conditions and to prevent the danger of such lubricitie divers doe use to give it with Hiera picra The young cods taken while they are small and greene boyled a little and then laid in the shadow a while to drie and after boyled in Suger or Hony doth purge the body as the pulpe or blacke substance and is a delicate medecine fit for tender and weake stomackes that abhorre all manner of Phisicke and here of the usuall quantitie is three or foure ounces to be taken at a time for elder persons and one ounce for the younger the use of Cassia outwardly either in ointments or plaisters is much commended of many for all hot pimples and other eruptions in the skinne and also to ease paines of the gout and hot inflammations and paines in the joynts The other sort of Cassia is more effectuall in purging for it hath beene tryed by experience that one ounce hereof is as forcible as two ounces of the other and is effectuall to all the diseases aforesayd CHAP. XXXIIII Siliqua dulcis sive Ceratonia The sweete Beane or Carob tree OF this kind of sweete Beane or Carob tree there hath beene one other also lately found out and made knowne to the world by Pona for the ordinary sort being well knowne to most especially iâ— Spaine and Italy and other the hotter Countries of the East is remembred by the ancients 1. Siliqua dulcis sive vulgatior The ordinary sweete Beane or Carob tree The Carobe or sweete Beane tree that hath beene of longest knowledge to all groweth in the hot Countries as Spaine and Italy to be a very great tree covered with an ash coloured barke spreading very much in breadth with very faire great branches the younger being reddish at the first whereon doe grow sparsedly winged leaves very like unto the leaves of the purging Cassia tree but that they are rounder at the ends or points and somewhat harder in handling of a darke greene colour on the upperside and of a paler greene underneath it beareth a long cackin in the winter like unto that of the Wallnut which in the spring time openeth into many darke purplish flowers and afterwards bringeth crooked cods of the bignesse of a large beane cod in some larger in others smaller greene at the first and of a brownish colour when they are ripe wherein are flat and round seedes very like unto those of Cassia and are of an unpleasant taste while they are fresh but gather more sweetenesse being kept to be dry the shell thereof although hard is eaten aswell as the inner substance which that I may use the words of Plinye is neither of a fleshie wooddy or skinnie substance but of them all as it were mixed together In the hotter countries of India c. as Strabo in his Geoghraphie writing of the trees of India doth report
gave of them and are extant not knowing whether they be true or no. 1. Myrobalanus Citrina The yellow Myrobalane or purging Indian Plum The tree that beareth these yellow Myrobalanes is said to grow as great as a Plum tree having many branches and winged leaves on them like unto the true Service tree the fruit is for the most part as bigge as reasonable Plums somewhat long and not fully round but having many faire ridges on the outside especially when it is dryed shewing it to be five square though round of a yellower colour on the outside then any of the rest the flesh or substance being of a reasonable thicknesse yet not so thicke as the Chebuli or Emblici nor so thin as the Bellerici the stone is white thicke and very hard to breake with emniences and ridges also therein and a very small long kernell lying in the middle of an instringent taste as the dryed fruit is also but much more then it this hath no such kernell that thereout may be pressed an oyle as Bellonius noteth of the kernells of that fruit that hee tooke to bee the yellow Myrobalane tree in the plaines of Hiericho as he noteth it in lib. Observationum 2. cap. 86. 2. Myrobalanus Chebula The purple Myrobalane or purging Indian Plum This kind of Myrobalane tree growing in stature and branches like a Plum as Garzias saith all the sorts are bearing leaves on the branches like unto the Peach tree the fruit hereof is the greatest and longest of all the five sorts of a blackish purple colour on the outside while it is fresh which it holdeth in the dry fruit which Matthiolus commended for the best being five square as the former of the thickest substance and more fleshy than any other and with the smallest stone in the middle not fully so hard to breake as the former but with the smallest kernell therein Myrobalanorum 5. Genera Fructus Emblicorum cum nucleo interiore barbato 3. Myrobalanus Bellerica The round Myrobalane or purging Indian Plum The round Myrobalane is like the rest for growth but bearing leaves like the Bay tree yet of a paler greene colour and somewhat ashcoloured underneath peradventure withall the fruit is of a meane bignes round and smooth yet being as it were three square in many and of a pale russettish colour when they are fresh but of a darke or dusty whitish colour on the outside being dry of the thinnest substance or least fleshy of any of them the stone whereof is thicke greater then any other proportionable to the fruit very hard to break with a kernell within of a reasonable bignesse 4. Myrobalanus Emblica The bearded or six square Myrobalane or purging Indian Plum The tree that beareth this Myrobalane or delicate Plum being like a Plum tree for height and manner of growing as you have heard before that Garzias saith so of them all hath leaves of a palme or handbreadth long very finely cut in or divided on the edges the fruit is round in shew but doth separate or will be broken into six parts as both we have observed in the dry fruit alwayes brought unto us broken into small peeces without any stones and more plainely in the fruit preserved whereof good store hath beene brought over many times unto us which will be divided into many parts the stone whereof within it is six square with three greater ridges and three lesser lying betweene them and bearded at the head of the three greater ridges the kernell within it being separated into the three severall divisions having each of them two calls wherein the parts of the kernell lye almost three square 5. Myrobalanus Indica The blacke Myrobalane or purging Indian Plum The blacke Myrobalane tree is like the rest whose leafe as Garzias saith is like unto a Willow leafe the fruit saith Garzias is eight square which may be when they are fresh but they cannot be so plainely discerned in those that are brought over unto us dry the smallest of all the rest somewhat long altogether fleshy without any stone in the middle and the blackest of any The Place All these fruits grow in the East Indies wild and not manured but in divers provinces as some in Goa and Batecala others in Malavar and Dabul Yet Garzias saith foure sorts grow in the kingdome of Cambaya and the Chebuls in Bisnagar Decan Guzarate which we call at this time Surrate and Bengala Bellonius saith in his booke of observations that the yellow Myrobalanes grow in Arabia and Syria and also in the plaines of Hicricho but I doe much doubt of the certainty thereof and thinke rather that he was mistaken The Time We know so little of the trees that we know lesse of their time of flowring or bearing fruit The Names These kind of fruits were not any of them knowne unto any of the antient Greeke writers as Dioscorides Theophrastus or Galen neither unto Pliny for although hee maketh mention of a Myrobalanus yet hee addeth Troglodytes which is the Nux Ben Balanus Myrepsica or Glans Vnguentaria as I shewed you a little before yet both Balanus Myrepsica and Myrobalanus have but one signification in the Greeke tongue The Arabians were the first that made them knowne to the world and called them all in generall by the name of Delegi as by the writings of Mesues and Serapio doe appeare but the Greekes that translated these Arabians gave the names of Myrobalanes unto these fruits because as it is likely they thought the fruit was like unto an Acorne and therefore gave the name Balanus but why they should give the other word Myros which signifieth an oyntment cannot be understood by any for none of these were ever used in any pretious or sweet oyntment and Myrobalanos signifieth as much as Balanus Myrepsica Glans unguentaria the Acorne for oyntments Actuarius among the latter Greeke writers maketh mention of them but that none of these did grow among the Arabians their ignorance of their growing declareth plainely for Mesues writeth that the Citrini Chebuli and Nigri doe all grow upon one tree and for that they beare twice in a yeare the Citrini are the unripe and the Nigri are the ripe of the first bearing and the Chebuli the fruit of the later bearing which how contrary unto truth it is Garzias doth declare in his booke of the Drugges of the East Indies where hee plainely sheweth that all the five sorts grow severally each upon a severall tree as I have shewed you before the Indians call the Citrini or Flavi Arare but the Physitions Aritiqui and the Indici or Nigri they call Rezenvale the Bellerici Gotimi or Gotni the Chepuli or Chebuli Aretca and the Emblici or Amuale as Garzias hath it or Anuale as Acosta I have you see intituled them all purging Plums as most proper for them in my judgement and given them their sundry Epithites according to their quality as I thinke The Vertues All
sides if it obtaine a strong fat ground and a warme place diverse stalkes of leaves like unto the other or else abideth bare or without branches Sesamum The oyly purging pulse Sesamum two for the most part set at a joint and at each joynt of the stalke up to the toppe commeth forth one flower of a whitish colour which is somewhat long like vnto a Bell flower made of one leafe without division at the edges having a few long threds at the bottome not rising so high that they may be seene without opening the flower after the flowers are past there come up in their steede small long hard cods having three or foure or five ribbes or crestes which doe open themselves into so many parts having in each part small whitish yellow flat seedes lying therein the roote is somewhat great and long with many strings and fibres at it taknig as fast hold in the ground as a Sowthistle doth both leaves stalkes and seedes are very bitter while they are greene that cattle will not touch them but being dried they become more pleasant for them to eate and the seede becommeth more oyly than Linseede from whence is pressed forth a whitish oyle very sweete while it is fresh and will not in a long time decay or grow stronger The Place It groweth naturally in the Indies and other Easterly countries but is onely sowen in the fields of Syria Egypt Sicily Candy Greece and other places there abouts it is to be had but in the gardens of lovers of rare plants in all Italy neither in the transalpine countries the Apothecaries in our land doe seldome use either seed or oyle few or none of them ever saw the seede much lesse the plant The Time It floweth not untill July and ripeneth not the seede untill September The Names It is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greeke and Sesamum and Sesama in Latine of all Writers thereof Alpinus saith it is called in Egypt Sempsem the oyle thereof Syris and the foot and grounds of the oyle Thaine All Authours almost doe number it among the graines and cornes as a kinde thereof and not of the pulse which doe all for the most part beare cods yet of diverse fashions but why they should doe so I cannot conceive any other reasons than that it was put into bread as Poppy seede was the seede being somewhat like unto Millet and that it was sowen in the fields as other graine and pulse were for Theophrastus in distinguishing the kinds of graine lib. 8. cap 1. maketh 3. sorts the first wheate barly c. the second beanes pease c. the 3. Millet Panicke and Sesamum whereof corne beareth spikes or eares pulse beare cods and those that are like Millet Panicke c. doe beare a juba or maine for so he calleth that reede-like tuft or bushy feather like toppe which the Millet and Panicke doe beare and setteth downe Sesamum omong them now Sesamum hath no such bushy feather toppe as Panicke or Millet or as the like have but rather severall cods as the pulse allthough in differing manner but Galen in prim◠Alimentorū doth number it among the pulses and saith it was in his time eaten of many as pulses are Bellonius in the 29. Chapter of his third booke of Observations setteth downe the manner of making the oyle of Sesamum which if any be desirous to know I referre him to the Author The Vertues The seede and oyle of Sesamum are all of one qualitie and temperature being neere the second degree of heate and moisture both mollifying and dissolving but the leaves especially while they are greene are more cooling fit to represse the inflammations and griefes of the eyes by way of fomenting them the seede is taken inwardly in decoctions or other wayes or used in glisters to loosen the belly when it is bound or pained by the chollicke which it worketh by his unctuous or oylie quality and therefore the oyle is often used for the same purposes both Dioscorides and Galen say that it troubleth and overturneth the stomack by reason of his unctuosity and doth hardly digest with them that eate it yeeldeth a grosse nourishment unto the body and filleth it up with fat flesh quickly it causeth a stinking breath because it often sticketh in the teeth when it is eaten whereby it is offensive Alpinus saith that the Egyptians use the decoction of the seede to those that are troubled with the cough the shortnesse of breath the pleuresie or hard scirrhous swellings of the liver and Mesues saith it lenifieth the roughnesse or hoarsenesse of the throat and voyce making it cleare and free of paine it cureth the bitings of the horned serpent Cerastes and easeth the paines of the head proceeding of the heate of the sunne the decoction of both herbe and seedes with some honye is very profitable for women to sit in whose wombes are hard or swollen and to bring downe their courses when they are stayed as also to wash their heads that are much troubled with dandraffe or scurfe or dry scabbes the herbe or seede stayeth vomiting taken in an egge Mesues saith also that the seede or oyle doth fatten the body and encreaseth sperme The oyle is of great use and effect to anoint the face or hands or any other part of the body to clense the skinne and to take away sunburning morphew freckles spots or scarres or any other deformities of the skinne proceeding of melancholy it is good also to anoint any part scalded or burnt with fire it helpeth those finewes that are hard or shrunke or those veines that are too great The seede was in ancient times much used in bread for to relish and make it sweeter as also in cakes with honey as Poppie seed was CHAP. XLVII Iris. The Flowerdeluce THere are so many sorts of Flowerdeluces that to shew you them all here againe having described them all exactly in my former booke would make this booke too voluminous I must therefore referre you thereunto and give you here some descriptions and figures with the vertues 1. Jris major latifolia The greater broade leafed Flowerdeluce This Flowerdeluce hath many heads of very broad and flat greene leaves enclosing or foulding one another at the bottome and after divided in sunder with thinne edges on both sides like a sword and thickest in the middle from the middle of some of these heads of leaves riseth up a round stiffe stalke two or three foote high bearing at the toppe one two or three large flowers out of severall huskes or skinnes consisting of nine leaves three whereof fall downe having a freeze neere the bottomes three other smaller than they bowed or arched cover the bottomes of the falling leaves each of them divided at the ends and turning up a little and three other the largest of them all stand upright but bow themselves a little that they may all for the most part meete together at their toppes
or ends in some white 1. Iris major latifolia The greater broad leafed Flowerdeluce 2. Iris major angustisolia The greater narrow leafed Flowerdeluce 3. Iresbiflora Lusitanica The Portingall Flowerdeluce 4. Chamâ—inâ— latesolia Dwarfe Flowerde luce with broad leaves Chamae Iris angusti solia The narrow leafed dwarfe Flowerdeluce 5. Xyris sive Sparula soetida Stinking Gladwin in others blew or purple or blackish purple spotted and in others of such varietie of mixture in colour that it is admirable as you may see in my former booke where I am too copious to bee here expressed and therefore must referre you thereunto the seede is enclosed in thicke short pods being flat and lying in rowes close one upon another the roote is tuberous shooting forth on all sides the like knobs 2. Iris major angustifolia Narrow leafed Flowerdeluce This other sort of the greater Flowerdeluces differeth not in roote leafe flower or seede from the former but in having the leaves narrower than it and the flowers to be various as the former yet not so much 3. Iris biflora Lusitanica Portingall Flowerdeluce This also hath no greater difference to distinguish it than that it will sometimes flower twise a yeare and the flowers sometimes have 12 leaves 4 falling downe 4 standing up and 4 arched to cover the falls 4. Chamae iris latifolia Broad leafed dwarfe Flowerdeluce The dwarfe kinds likewise grow both in roote leafe flower and seede like unto the greater kindes in all respects except the lownesse for some will scarse rise above a foote high others not halfe a foote and some scarse so high as their leaves which in this sort is broader in others narrower the flowers also varying in colour one from another but not mixed with that variety that is in the former 5. Xyris sive Spatula foetida Stinking Gladwin The stinking Gladwin is one of the kindes of wilde Flowerdecluces both in forme and propertie as I said before and therefore must be numbred among them It hath diverse leaves rising from the rootes very like unto a Flowerdeluce but that the leaves are sharpe edged on both sides and thicker in the middle of a deeper greene colour narrower also and sharper pointed than the leaves of most of the Flowerdeluces and of a strong or evill sent if they be rubbed or bruised betwixt the fingers in the middle riseth up a reasonable strong stalke three foote high at the least bearing three or foure flowers at the toppe made somewhat like the flower of a Flowerdeluce having three upright leaves of a dead or sullen purplish ash colour with some veines discoloured in them the other three doe not fall downe nor the three other small ones are not so arched nor cover the lower leaves as those doe in the Flowerdeluce but stand loose or a sunder from them after they are past there come up three square hard huskes opening wide into three parts when they are ripe wherein lye reddish seede and turning blacke when it hath abiden long the roote while it is young is but small and full of strings but being growne elder they are greater and fashioned like unto a Flowerdeluce roote but reddish on the outside and whitish within very sharpe and hot in taste and of as evill a sent as the leaves 6. Iris bulbosa latifolia prima Clusii The first broad leafed bulbed Flowerdeluce of Clusius This kinde of Flowerdeluce hath diverse long somewhat broad and hollowish leaves not stiffe like the other sorts but soft greenish on the upperside and whitish underneath among which riseth up one stalke and sometimes 6. Iris bulbosa prima latifolia Clusii Clusius his first bulbed Flowerdeluce with broad leaves 8. Iris bulbosa minor sive angustifolia The lesser bulbed Flowerdeluce more not above halfe a foote high bearing at their toppes one flower a peece and seldome more somewhat like unto a Fowerdeluce consisting of nine leaves whereof those three that stand upright are shorter and more closed together than in others the three that fall down turne up their ends a little and those three that in others doe cover the falls at their bottomes stand like the upright leaves in other Flowdeluces and are parted into two ends like unto two eares the colour of the flowers is blew either paler or deeper or white which is more rare smelling very sweete the roote is round and white under the blackish coates that cover it having sundry long white rootes in steede of fibres like unto an Asphodill 7. Jris bulbosa major Anglica The greater bulbed Flowerdeluce This hath five or sixe long hollowish or guttured whitish greene leaves broader than in any of the lesser sorts among which riseth up a stiffe round stalke two foote high sometimes at the toppe whereof out of a skinnie huske breaketh forth one or two flowers consisting of nine leaves likewise standing in the same manner that the former sorts doe but each of the falling leaves have a yellow spot neere their bottomes and the three upright leaves are small and narrow at their bottomes but broad upwards the colour whereof is all blew purple or white or mixed very variably as is in my booke expressed the heads for seede are smaller than the former and so is the seede and not so flat the roote of this is usually greater than in the other smaller bulbous sorts with long haires or threds in the outer browne coates which are not in the others 8. Iris bulbosa minor sive angustifolia Hispanica The lesser bulbed Flowerdeluce This lesser sort groweth in the same manner that the greater doth but hath narrower long pointed leaves the flowers likewise are smaller shorter and rounder than in the other but of the same fashion and vary much more in the diversitie of their colours than it the seedes are smaller and the pods longer and slenderer and the roote also smaller but more encreasing in bulbes The Place The Flagges or Flowerdeluces here mentioned as well as the bulbous kindes grow in diverse Countries as Africa Greece Italy and France and some in Germanie and in our owne Countrie but are chiefely nursed up in their gardens that are lovers of such delights the Gladwin groweth as well upon the upland grounds yet in moyst places as in woods and shaddowie places by the sea sides in many places of this land and is continually nursed up in gardens yet in paticular you may finde it growing by a foote path not far from the hither end of Dartford towne in Kent as also neere to Kentish towne which is hard by London if it be not digged up and carryed away for I doe verily thinke it is not naturall in that place but some seede by chance hath beene brought among the soyle whereby it grew there The Time The dwarfe kinds of Flagge Flowerdeluces flower in Aprill the greater in May and the bulbous sorts not untill June the Gladwin flowreth later than any Flowerdeluce doth that is to say not untill Iuly and the seede is ripe in
Clusius saith Pona remembreth it to grow upon Mount Baldus The Time They flower in the end of Iuly or about the beginning of August and the seede is ripe about the end thereof The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cnicus and Cnecus either 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod est pungere vel mordere or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod pungendo pruriginem excitet but is more properly to be understood of the wilde kind or rather a floris colore cum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exponatur croceus vel rutilus it is called Cnicus and Cnâ—cus also in Latin and Carthamus in the Apothecaries shops 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it is thought quod est purgare but more truly from the Arabians Kartam The first is called Cnicus sativus urbanus and vulgaris by most Authors and Carthamus as I said in the Apothecaries shoppes of some also Crocus Saracenicus The second is remembred onely by Alpinus in his booke de plantis exoticis by the name of Cnicus singularis the last Clusius calleth Cnicus alter coeruleo flore and so doe all other after him without any great variation The Arabians call it Kartam the Italians Saffaranâ— Sarasenisco the Spaniards Alacor and Acafran salvaja The Germaines call it Wilder Saffran the French Saffran bastard and graine de Perroquets because they use to feede Parrats with the seede in English Wilde Saffron Bastard Saffron Spanish Saffron and Catalonia Saffron The Vertue The first Spanish Saffron flowers are much used in Spaine and other places to bee put into their brothes and meates to give them a yellow colour which doth much please them for as for any relish of spice or hot quick taste they have none nor any comfortable qualities that they should be desired or used neither have they any great use in Physicke that I know but many pounds of them are spent in dying silke into a kind of Carnation colour the seede is chiefly used in Physick or rather the kernells within the seede which beaten and the emulsion thereof with honyed water or with the broth of a pullet taken fasting doth open the body and purgeth waterie and flegmatick humours both upwards and downewards which humors also it voydeth if the emulsion of the seede be given in a glister and thereby helpeth the collicke and dropsie and those other diseases that proceede from those humors being made into a Lohoc or licking electuary with Sugar and hony and a few almonds and pine kernells it clenseth the brest and lungs of flegme sticking therein wonderfully causing it to be easily spit forth it also cleareth the voyce and encreaseth sperme by the often use of it but it doth somewhat trouble the stomacke and therefore some stomachicall helpers are fit to be given with it as Aniseede Galanga Masticke or if neede be of more forcible Cardamoms Ginger sal gemma c. a dram of the flowers in pouder taken in hydromel or honyed water or in barly water helpeth the Iaundise a dram of the pulpe of the seede taken with an ounce of the Syrupe of Wormewood doth the like also the confection made of the seeds hereof called in shoppes Diacarthamum is an especiall good medecine both to purge choller and fleagme as also to cleare and clense the body of the watery humors of the Dropsie Parrots doe most willingly feede upon this seede yet doth it not move their bodies a white The second sort Alpinus saith is used by the naturalists in the same manner and to the same purposes to purge that the first is used Of the last there is little written but wee may onely suppose that being so like in forme it should so be also in quality CHAP. XLIX Papaver corniculatum Horned Poppie THere are at this day two or three sorts of horned Poppies knowne to us whereas there was but one sort knowne to Dioscorides and other the antient Greeke and Latin writers 1. Papaver corniculatum luteum Yellow horned Poppie This horned Poppie hath divers long and somewhat large whitish or hoary leaves lying upon the ground very much cut in or torne on the edges and somewhat rough or hayrie from among which rise up divers weake round stalkes leaning downe rather then standing upright somewhat hayrie also spreading forth into some branches and bearing a large flower at the top of every one of them consisting of foure leaves of a fine pale yellow colour with a few threds in the middle standing about a small crooked pointell which in time groweth to be a long naked round pod halfe a foote long or better with a small head or button as it were at the end thereof wherein is conteyned small blackish round seede the roote is white long and tough spreading divers wayes enduring many yeares and keeping his leaves all the winter every part hereof yeeldeth forth a yellow juice being broken of bitter tast 2. Papaver Corniculatum rubrum Red horned Poppie The red horned Poppie hath fewer lesser and more jagged leaves then the former nothing so whitish but of a sullen greene colour somewhat hairy also the stalks are slenderer and lower bearing flowers at the tops of them like the other and consisting of foure leaves a peece but much smaller and of a pale reddish colour for the most part yet sometimes sadder after which come such like crooked or horned pods but smaller then the other having such like small blackish seede within them the roote is long and slender perishing every yeare and raiseth it selfe oftentimes from it owne sowing or else must bee sowen every yeare in the spring this yeeldeth no yellow juice when it is broken like the other 3. Papaver Corniculatum flore violaceo Blew horned Poppie The blew horned Poppie groweth much lower and with smaller leaves very much or finely cut and divided into many parts of a sad greene colour the stalkes are low and slender yet somewhat hairy rising not much 1. 2. Papaver corniculatum luteum sive rubrum Horned Poppie yellow and red 3. Papaver corâ—ulatum violaceum Blew Horned Poppie above a foote or halfe a yard high at the most with small flowers at the toppes of them like unto the last for forme that is consisting of foure leaves but of a faire deepe purple colour almost like unto a violet after which come small slenderer and shorter pods not above a fingers length wherein lyeth such like blackish seede but smaller the roote is small and perisheth every yeare The Place The first groweth naturally by the sea side as well beyond sea as on the coastes of our owne country in many places both of the Kentish and Essex shore as at Rie and Lid at Harwich and Whitstable in the Iles of Tennet and Shepey and is much desired and planted in Gardens for the beautifull aspect thereof as well as the vertues the other two Clusius saith hee first found in Spaine growing by the way sides and in the corne fields as
either knew not as in Rubarbe or past it over in silence who saith that the roote either of the round or running Birthwort doth purge downeward flegmaticke and cholericke humors also it clenseth the lunges and the parts of the breast from the toughnesse and rottennesse of humors whereof a plaine demonstration is that it helpeth those that are flegmaticke or shortwinded very much if it be taken inwardly or applyed outwardly to the part it mightily draweth downe womens courses expelleth the dead child and afterbirth and in the paines of delivery hath very good effect to cause the more speedy ease and delivery and to cleare the parts of what is accessary the roots in pouder taken with Mirrhe Pepper in wine is used also for the same purposes it resisteth poyson of all sorts the long resisteth the venome of Serpents and other living creatures the round resisteth all other sorts of poyson but Pliny inverteth this order the roote of the round being taken in water helpeth those that are bruised by falls blowes c. as also the paines of the sides the running Birthwort helpeth the falling downe of the mother being eyther applyed in pessarie or in fume and the place bathed with did decoction it is said that divers in Spaine doe use the rootes of the Spanish running Birthwort with no lesse good successe then they doe the rootes of Sarsaparilla to all the uses whereunto the Sarsa serveth the distilled water of the greene herbe when it is in flower is profitable for all the diseases aforesaid and in especiall preserveth from the Plague and is an especiall good remedy for the winde collicke the Pistolochia or bushy rooted Birthwort is commended by Pliny for all the aforesaid womens diseases to be as effectuall as the other and that it is very profitably applyed to those that are troubled with Convulsions and Crampes or those that have beene bruised by stroakes or falles if it be drunke with water the seede worketh more strongly the roote of the round Birthwort helpeth to draw forth broken bones or any other hurtfull thing lying in the flesh if the fresh roote bee applyed and bound thereto the pouder of the dryed roote is of singular good use in all eating or running foule and rotten Vlcers as also that are hollow and Fistulous by clensing and filling them up or causing the flesh to grow soundly especially for Fistulaes if a little Hony and the roote of Iris or the Flowerdeluce bee used with it it healeth also all wounds in the head the fumes thereof or the pouder in a quilted cap stayeth all Fluxes and distillations of thinne rheume from the head and it is an usuall saying that without Birthwort no Chirurgion can performe any great cure the long Birthwort is used as well as the round in most of those diseases either inward or outward and some also doe hold that the Clematitis or running kind is no lesse effectuall but you heard before the judgement of Galen concerning it Pliny in his 25. Booke and 8. Chap. saith that the fishermen in Campania did call the roote of the round Birthwort the venume of the earth and that having bruised it and minced it with Lime and Chalke and cast it into the Sea all the Fishes within a great way thereof would with incredible desire gather themselves thereto and presently upon the taking thereof become as dead whereby they might easily be taken but Lonicerus noteth it as an errour in Pliny who referreth that quality to the roote of Aristolochia which should be attributed to Cyclamen which he saith is called by the Greekes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est piscium venenum because it killeth them CHAP. LXIIII. Mercuralis Mercurie VNder the titles of Mercuries I must comprehend also the Phyllon of Theophrastus and Dioscorides for that they are out of doubt congeners of the same kindred they are in face and forme the one so like the other and with them I thinke it not amisse to remember in this place also the Mercurialis sylvestris altera of Tragus called by Lobel Noli me tangere for although Bauhinus place it with the Balsamina yet others reckon it with the Mercuries 1. Mercurialis vulgaris mas faemina French Mercury the male and female I comprehend as you see both the male and the female Mercury under one description because as all do agree they both rise from the seede of the one as Hempe doth and they both are so like that but for the flowers and seede that shew their difference they could not bee distinguished the one from the other it riseth up with a square greene stalke full of joynts two foote high or thereabouts with two leaves at every joynt and branching likewise from both sides of the stalkes set with fresh greene leaves somewhat broad and long like unto the leaves of Pellitory of the wall but lesser and much about the bignesse of the leaves of Bassill finely dented about the edges towards the tops of the stalkes and branches at every joynt come forth in that which is called the male two small round greene heads standing together upon a short footestalke which growing ripe are the seede not having any flower that ever I could discerne in the female the stalke is longer spike fashion and set round about with small greene huskes which are the flowers made like small branches of grapes which give no seede that ever I could finde but abide in that manner a great while upon the stalkes without shedding the roote is composed of many small Fibres which perisheth every yeare at the first approach of winter and raiseth it selfe up againe of it owne sowing for where it is once suffered to sow it selfe the ground will never want it afterwards even of both sorts for I yet never saw it grow in any place where either of them was wanting 2. Mercurialis sylvestris Cynocrambe dicta vulgaris The ordinary wilde Mercury or Dogs Mercury This Dog Mercury is likewise distinguished into male and female and riseth up many stalkes slenderer and lower then Mercury and without any branches at all upon them the male is set with two leaves at every 1. Mercurialis mas femina French Mercury male and female joynt somewhat greater then the female but more pointed and full of veines and somewhat harder also in handling of a darker greene colour and lesser snipt or dented about the edges at the joynts with the leaves come forth longer stalkes then in the former with two hairy round seedes upon them twise as bigge as those of the former Mercury the taste hereof is herbie and the smell somewhat strong and virulent the female of this kind hath much harder leaves and stand upon longer footestalkes and the stalkes also are longer from the joynts come such like long or rather longer spikes of greenish flowers as are in the former female Mercury with many small threds in them which give no seede no more then the other Mercury the rootes of them
wooddy and endureth divers yeares shooting forth new branches in the spring The Place In the first division common Mallowes are knowne to grow every where but that with a white flower is more rare growing not in very many places but in Kent in diverse places as at Ashford and at Thrapstone in Norhamptonshire c. and in diverse other places the third is found under hedges and walls in many places the fourth is oftner found upon hils the fift in Spaine the first tree Mallow groweth neere Venice all along the Tirrhene shore and on the African shore also in which places it abideth many yeare Our owne Country tree Mallow groweth in an Island called Dinnie three miles from Kings Roade and five miles from Bristow as also about the Cottages neere Hurst Castle over against the I le of Wight The eight was first brought from Japan I meane the seede unto Rome or some parts of Italy where it was sowne whose ripened seede afterwards was communicated into sundry Countries The first of the second division is very familiar in Kent as in many other places of our owne Land being in some places more frequent than the common wilde kinde it groweth in a field as you goe to Hamsteed Church from the towne but the second which beareth a white flower at Westerham in Kent the third is likewise found in some places of Kent the next two are sometimes found wild also with us The fourth groweth at the foote of the mountaine Iura in Helvetia by Savoye the fift in Egypt The first of the third division or marsh Mallowes groweth in most of the Salt marshes from Wolwich downe to the sea both on the Kentish and Essex shore the second in Hungary the third was brought out of Africa as Cornutus saith the fourth is not knowne from whence the fift groweth in many places of Italy in the wet grounds neere unto lakes rivers and ponds the sixt is thought to come from the Indies but is more likely to be found in some places of Italy it is so like the former and sent by Iosephus de Cassabone to Camerarius who onely hath set out the figure thereof The seventh Camerarius saith he found in Italy aboundantly about the river Amesis hard by Anguilara where men passe the river The eight groweth in Provence of France as Lobel and Pena say but in Turin among the Switsers as Camerarius saith who hath set forth a figure which is very likely to be the same as he saith with that of Lobel The last was sent to Clusius by Iosephus de casa bona which he gathered in Candie The Time They all flower all the Sommer Monethes even untill the winter pull them downe yet the tree Mallowes and the tree marsh Mallow and Egyptian Mallow doe flower later than the rest the yellow the Indian and red flowred Mallow doe flower in the latter end of Sommer yet so as if the yeare be not kindly there is never seed gathered ripe from them but from the tree and Egyptian Mallowes never with us except that tree Mallow of our owne Land The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab emoliendo ventre yet it is written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Epicharmes and Antiphanes copies in the Aulularia of Plautus they are called Molochinarii that dyed cloth into a purple colour and Lucius Columella hath this verse which is not easily interpreted except of the Malva horacia Et Moloche primo sequitur quae vertice solem Tragus thinketh that he meant it by the lesser Mallow and that it turneth his leaves and flowers with the Sunne Plinye hath Molope quasi movor which he referreth to the manured and in Latine Malva quasi Molva and alvum molliat in English Mallow quasi Mellow either from the softnesse of the leafe or from the softning of the belly and hard tumors or peradventure from the Latine The Arabians call it Chubeze and Chubes and the seede thereof Bizeri Chubeiz the Italians Malva The Spaniards Malvas the French Mauve The Germaâ— Pappeln the Dutchmen Malwe and Kerkens cruyt The Garden Mallowes which we call Hollihookes are called Malva sativa Malva Romana and by the vulgar in Italy in admiring the beautie and varietie of their colours Rosa ultramarina or Transmarina beyond Sea Roses and some also as the Dutch men doe Winter Roses for thâ— their beautifull flowers shew themselves from the end of Sommer untill winter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greeke as also Aâ— in Latine is taken from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 robur praesidium quasi caeteris robustior efficatior foret faith Lobel and Pena of the Italians Bismalua and so doe some in Latine call this quasi bis efficacior Malva but others more truely referre the word to the Althaea and Malva salvatica and buon Vischio of the Spaniards Malva de Vngria and Malva Montâ—sna of the Germanes Sygmarts wurtsel and Symons wuntsel that is Radix Simeonis or herba Simeonis and of some Malva Vngarica 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Althaea in Greeke quasi medica Latine dici posset of the healing and remedying many diseases it is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ibiscus and Ebiscus and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hibiscus with the aspiration as it is also of some Latine writers of Barbarus Aristalthaea from the excellencie of the effects of Galen it is called Anadendromalache Malva arborea but that is thought more fitly to agree to the Hollihocke which as Theophrastus saith groweth in a few moneths to be so great that the stalkes served as staves for men to walke with and of some Olus Iudaicum the Iewes pot-herbe Pliny in his 19. Booke and 5. Chapter calleth it Pastimaca for he saith it differeth from the Parsnep root in being more small and slender not to be used in meates but good for medecines and in his 26. Booke and first Chapter he saith Ibiscus is like unto Pastinaca which sheweth a wonderous great errour in him that from the whitenesse length and likenesse of the roote of Althaea unto the Pastinaca would conclude it a Parsnep without regard of other forme or qualities of the Arabians Chitini Chateni and Rosa zameni and Serapio in one place Alfam of the Italians Malvavisco and I thinke from them divers Latine Authors call it Malvaviscus derived as it were from Malva and Ibiscus of the Spaniards Malvavisco of the French Guimauve of the Germans Ibisch and Heilwurtz or Hilfwurtz of the Dutch witte Huenst and witte Malwe wee in English call it marsh Mallow from the place where it chiefly groweth in the salt marshes as I said before or white Mallow from the colour of the leaves and of some Wimote The first of the first division is called of all Malva vulgaris and of some sylvestris major of Brunfelsius Malva Equina The third is called Malva sylvestris or Agrestis minor of most and of Lobel and others Malva sylvestris repeus pâ—mila The
fourth is Matthiolus his fourth Mallow which he calleth also Hederacea and Montana but of Lugdunensis Malva major tertia Matthioli the fift is called by Clusius Malva trimestris and of Bauhinus Malva folio vario The first of the tree Mallowes is called by Matthiolus Malva major altera and Arborea and so likewise of Lobel of Dodonaeus Camerarius Malva arborescens The next never had any other author to expresse it before now we therefore call it Nostras or Anglica the eight is called by Baptista Ferrarius in his booke de florum cultura Rosa Sinensis because he first received the seedes thereof from China but as he saith some called it Malva Iaponica others Indica of the naturalls Fujo I have as you see joyned it to the Hollihocks and because it abideth greene alwayes like the tree Mallow I have intituled it Jndian tree Hollihock if any think better to alter it per me licet The first of the second division is called Alcea and Alcea vulgaris or major of most authors but of Anguillara and some others it is called Canabis sylvestris and thought to be that of Dioscorides he also calleth it herba Vngarica The third is the Alcea of Matthiolus Tragus and others The fourth Lugdunensis calleth Alcea villosa Dalechampii the fift is thought by Pona in his Italian description of Mont Baldus to be Abutilon Avicennae which as he saith the Aegyptians call Abelmosch because of the sent like Muske and saith that the Turkes doe counterfeite Muske with the seedes thereof and contendeth that it is the true Abutilon of Avicen and not the other that is so called this is very like unto the Alcea Aegyptia shewed you here and in my former booke but more hairy as I said in the description and therefore Bauhinus in his Pinax calleth it Alcea Aegyptia villosa The first of the third division is called Althaea and vulgaris of most Writers yet Cordus upon Dioscorides and in his History of Plants calleth it Malva palustris and Gesner in hortis Germaniae Malvae agrestis genus of Anguillara Malvaviscus of Lobel Althaea Ibiscus as is before said The second Clusius maketh his Althaea Pannomica socunda as I think but is his third in his History according to Bauhinus who calleth it Althaea flore majore of Camerarius Althaea flore grandi Alcea Althaea Thuringica The third Iacobus Cornutus expresseth in his History of Canada plants under the same title here The fourth Bauhinus onely setteth forth under the name of Althaea frutescens Bryoniae folio The fift is called Abubilon Avicennae of Anguillara Matthiolus Dodonaeus and Camerarius of Lobel Althaea floribus luteis Gesner in hortis Germaniae calleth it Althaea peregrina as also Althaea Theophrasti but Pona in his Jtalian description of Mont Baldus contesteth against those that call it Abutilon Avicennae saying that it is but an Althaea palustris with a yellow flower in that Avicen attributeth to his Abutilon or Arbutilon the leafe of a Gourd which he saith this hath not and the fruit long like a Medlar where as this is round and not long Dodonaeus likewise contendeth that it cannot be the yellow Althaea of Theophrastus because the rootes of his Althaea will condensate water which the rootes of this will not The sixt Camerarius who had the seede sent him from Joseph de casa bona chiefe Herbarist to the Duke of Tuscanie or Florence by the name of Abutilon Iudicum doth so call it also saying it may be referred to the Althaea's the seventh is thought to be the Sida of Theophrastus which he mentioneth in his 4. Booke and 11. Chapter for Camerarius calleth it Sida vulgo but Dodonaeus is against that opinion for in reciting the text of Theophrastus he sheweth that Theophrastus maketh his Sida to be an herbe growing within the water and lifting up the leaves above the water and bowing downe the head after it hath done flowring unto the water againe which this doth not some therefore thinke that Theophrastus meaneth the Nymphaea lutea or yellow water Lillie which hath the like propertie and the rather because it is a water herbe as all know and that Theophrastus mentioning those plants that grow in the famous lake of Orchomenis maketh no mention of water Lillies which as it is thought that lake is not without the chiefe repugnancy may seeme to be in the colour of the flower which yet he plainely mentioneth not but not in the forme Dodonaeus therefore calleth it Althaea hortensis sive peregrina and Lobel Althaea palustris Cytini flore as I doe and Bauhinus Althaea palustris The eight is that Althaea arborea that Pena and Lobel set forth to grow in Provence in France neere Olbia and differeth from Clusius his Althaea frutex secunda set forth in my former Book as he doth plainely shew in his Historie of plants Camerarius calleth it Althaea arborescens and so doth Tabermontanus Lugdunensis entendeth the first of Clusius which hee nameth Althaea lignosa Dalechampij having round leaves and a white flower greater than the common Althaea for Bauhinus maketh his fourth and fifth Altheafrutescens to differ from themselves naming his fourth Althaeafrutescens folio rotundiore incano and referreth it to Clusius his Althae a frutex prima in his History of plants which Clusius saith himselfe is not the same that Lobel calleth Althaea arborea Olbiae but maketh his fifth Althaea frutescens folio acuto parvo flore to be Lobel his Althaea arborea which Camerarius also doth acknowledge calling it Althaea arborescens yet Lobel would seeme to make them both one The last is called by Clusius Althaea frutex tertia differing from both the former sorts for Clusius there saith the seede came to him from Candy and grew onely in his friends garden to whom he imparted it The Vertues The young leaves both of the common and fine cut Mallowes as also of the French Mallow and the garden Hollihocke were in former times and yet are in some countries eaten as a sallet herbe to mollifie and open the belly either greene or boyled as Martiall the Poet testifieth in these Verses Exener aturus alvum mihi vilica Malvas Attulit varias quas habet hortus opes The leaves of any of the Mallowes and the rootes also boyled in wine or in water or in broth with Parsly or Fennell rootes doth helpe to open the body and some also apply the leaves warme after they are boyled to the belly for the same purpose and is very convenient in hot agues and other distemperatures of the body for by the mollifying quality it not onely voideth hot cholericke and other offensive humors but easeth the paines and torments that come by obstructions and constipation of the belly and therefore they are used in all glisters conducing to those purposes the same used by Nurses that give sucke to children procureth store of milke in their breasts the decoction of the seede of any of the ordinary Mallowes made
Theophrastus and Dioscorides to be one and transferring that which is proper to the one unto the other The sundry fables hereof reported in Matthiolus and others are not fit here to be related who so are desirous to know them may reade them in thir Authors or Relators The Arabians call it Iabora and Yabroâ—ach the Italians Mandragora the Spaniards Mandracola the French Mandragore and Mandagloire the Germans Alraum the Dutch Mandragora and we in English Mandrake The Vertues The Mandrake as Galen saith is of an exceeding cold qualitie even in the third degree yet hath in it some heate in the barke of the roote is some drinesse and in the apple some moisture whereby it is of a soporiferous propertie causing sleepinesse or drowsinesse as Levinus Lemnius in his Herball to the Bible maketh mention of an experiment of his owne that upon a suddaine became drowsie sitting at his booke in his study and musing what should be the cause found that it proceeded from the sent of one of these apples which he had laid on a shelfe therein which being removed he found no further inconvenience the barke or the juice taken therefro is given to those that in their sickenesse cannot sleepe the decoction of the roote in wine also doth the same and is exhibited to those as is aforesaid that are to be seared or a limbe or member to be cut off to induce the lesse sence of paine the condensate juice taken to the waight of one scruple in sweete wine purgeth flegme and melancholy by vomit like unto Hellebor but taken in a greater quantity it killeth it is used also in pessaries either of it selfe or with other emollient thinges to take away the hardnesse of the matrix to procure their courses and to expell the dead birth But see that not above halfe a scruple be used at a time the said juice is also used with those ocular medicines that coole inflammations in the eyes the leaves are likewise used for the same purpose as also impostumes and discusse all hardnesse knots and kernels in the flesh and take away the scars of burning being often rubbed therewith the roote beaten with vinegar and applyed to those inflammations called Saint Anthonies fire doth heale them and applyed with honey or oyle taketh away the sting of Serpents It is said that if Ivory be boild with the roote hereof six houres together it will so mollifye it that it will take what forme or impression you will give it the apples and especially the seeds in them doe purge and coole the hot matrix as Serapio Avicen and Paulus Aegineta after Dioscorides have set downe which peradventure Rachel knowing to be availeable for her hot and dry body which was the cause of her barennesse and her beauty argueth a probability of such a constitution desired the more earnestly the Mandrake apples that Ruben Leaâ— sonne had brought his mother as it is Genesis 30. v. 14. the strong sent of these apples is remembred also Cant. 7 13 although some would divert the signification of the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is the same in both places unto Violets or some other sweete flowers that Rachel desired and the fruite of Musa or Adams apples to that in the Canticles Hamilcar the Carthaginian Captaine is said to have obtained a famous victory over the Libians by infecting their wines with the apples of Mandrake whereby being made drowsie they left their wals unmand CHAP. VI. Solanum Nightshade THere are diverse sorts of Nightshades properly so to be called and there be some other that are referred thereunto for the likenesse of the leaves flowers or fruite or for the properties in the operation Of those that are referred unto the Nightshade I have already spoken of diverse in my former booke whereunto I referre them that would be enformed of them not meaning to repeate their descriptions but denominations in this place which are Mirabilia Pervana the Mervaile of Peruor of the world Pomum amoris fructu majore Apples of love the greater sort Stramonium sive Pomum spinosum majus flore simpli albo purpureo Datura Turcarum flore albo simplici flore duplici purpureo Thorne apples the greater with a single white or single purple flower and the lesser with a single white flower or a double purple flower Solanum arborescens or fruticosum called also Pseudocapsicum Dodonaei or Amomum Plinij Solanum Americanum Cerasa Indiana Tree Nightshade the Mumme tree or Winter Cherry tree Solanum vesicarium or Alkekengi Winter Cherries Potatoes of Virginia called of many apples of youth and of Bauhinus in his Matthiolus Solanum tuberosum esculentum and thought by Clusius that it did in many things resemble the Pycnocomon of Dioscorides moved chiefely thereunto from the likenesse of the figure thereof which he saw in a written copy of Dioscorides that had figures as also that it might be Arachidna of Theophrastus but setteth it downe in his History of Plantes by the name of Papas Peruvianorum and called by the Indians or Spaniards Papas as Gomara and others say and although the common wild Nightshade is not dangerous as divers others are nor planted in Gardens with us as it was in former times to be as a potherbe or salletherbe usually eaten but now adayes utterly refused and therefore called Garden Nightshade yet let me set it with the rest of the familye and not disjoine it from them 1. Solanum vulgare Common Nightshade The Common Nightshade hath an upright round greene hollow stalke about a foote or halfe a yard high bushing forth into many branches whereon grow many darke greene leaves somewhat broad and pointed at the ends soft and full of juice larger than the leaves of Bassill else somewhat like and a little unevenly dented about the edges at the toppes of the stalkes and branches come forth three or foure or more white flowers made of five small pointed leaves a peece standing on a stalke together one by or above another with yellow pointels in the middle composed of foure or five yellow threds set together which afterwards turne into so many pendulous greene berries of the bignesse of small pease full of greene juice and small whitish round flat seede lying within it the roote is white and a little wooddy when it hath given flower and fruite with many small fibres at it the whole plant is of a waterish insipide taste but the juice within the berryes is somewhat viscous like unto a thin mucilage and is of a cooling and binding quality 2. Solanum vulgare baccis rubris Red berryed common Nightshade I call this common Nightshade because it is in all things like the former common Nightshade except that the leaves hereof are somewhat harder and rougher and the berries when they are ripe are either of a yellow or of a yellowish red colour the whole plant growing also little bigger then the other this sort we have had out of Spaine but endured
not a winter with us being more tender as comming out of a hotter Country where it abideth many yeares and it may be that it is but a degeneration by reason of the climate as it hapeneth in sweete Fenell seede and divers other things which change by transplantation 3. Solanum Sommiferum Sleepy Nightshade Sleepy Nightshade riseth up with divers thicke round soft woolly stalkes divided into other branches whereon grow many soft woolly but greene broad round leaves very like unto Quince leaves two alwayes set at a joynt one against another of somewhat a hot taste as Clusius saith the flowers come forth at the joynts with 1. Solanum vulgare Common Nightshade 3. Solanum Somniferum Sleepy Nightshade 5. Solanum Somniferum alterum Sleepy Nightshade of another sort 6. Solanum Laethale Dwale or deadly Nightshade the leaves all along the stalkes and branches three or foure together round about them which are long and hollow ending in foure somewhat long and pointed leaves of a pale white colour which being past there rise up in their places small yellowish red berries yet bigger then those of the former set in woolly huskes the roote is thicke long and hard and of a brownish colour on the outside 4. Solanum somniferum antiquorum verum The true sleepy Nightshade of the ancient writers This Nightshade riseth up with three or foure or more thicke round straight whitish stalkes about a yard high or more parted into some other branches hard to 8. Solanum magnum Virginianum rubrum The great Virginia Red Nightshade breake set with somewhat broad leaves very like unto Quince leaves with small footestalkes under them not alwayes two at a joynt but many standing singly at the joints with the leaves from the middle of the stalkes upwards come forth diverse reddish flowers together consisting of foure leaves a peece after which follow small striped and pointed greenish huskes but red when they are ripe very like unto the bladders of the Winter Cherries but much lesse with a red berry within it in like manner the roote is somewhat great and wooddy covered with a whitish barke not very thicke of a foule sent and insipide taste Because that kinde of Solanum which Matthiolus first and Clusius after him set forth for the true Somniferum of the ancients doth not beare bladder like huskes or fruite as Theophrastus saith lib. 9. c. 12. it hath it cannot be the right but this onely which hath such 5. Solanum Somniferum alterum Sleepie Nightshade of another sort The other sleepy Nightshade hath an upright crested or cornered stalke with many leaves thereon being longer and narrower than the last and more inclining downeward to the ground full of veines running long wise and traverse therein at the joynts of the stalke from the middle part upward come forth severall pendulous flowers hanging by very long stalkes being long and hollow like unto a Bell flower of a purplish colour each of them set in a large greene huske dented or cut into five parts at the edges but not very deepe wherein after the flower is past standeth a round berry of a deepe blackish purple colour enclosed therein to the middle and having like a Crowne at the head of the berry which is full of a winelike juice and many small white seeds within it the roote is great and spreadeth many great branches with small fibres also under the ground 6. Solanum laethale Dwale or deadly Nightshade Deadly Nightshade groweth sometimes to the height of a man but usually it riseth not up above three or foure foote high having round green stalkes set with divers large leaves much greater than any of those before smooth and of a darke greene colour set upon very short footestalkes among which at the joynts with the leaves come forth severall long hollow flowers dented at the brims of a faint deadish purple colour standing in a greene huske which after the flower is fallen containeth a great round berry greene at the first but of a shining blacke colour like shining or polished jet when it is ripe full of a purplish juice and many whitish seeds lying therein the roote is great growing downe deepe into the ground and spreading great branches therein and besides creepeth under ground rising up in severall places distant quickely spreading over a ground the plant hath no good sent nor taste but unsavory and bitter and very pernicious Of this kinde there is another sort whose leaves are lesser and of a darker greene colour standing upon longer footestalkes and the flowers are not so great and large as the other 7. Solanum Indicum umbelliferum hirsutum Hoary Indian Nightshade Clusius in his fourth booke of Exotickes declareth that one Dr. Cole or Coolmans going with Dutch Merchant Ships to Bantam and other places in the East Indies but dying by the way in comming home had gathered some herbes and put them up into a booke of papers which being viewed by Clusius hee found among many others this dryed plant without leaves which yet he referreth to the kinds of Nightshade the slender stalkes being about five inches long and hoary white bearing many shrivelled berryes hanging downe out of five pointed huskes or cuppes of a brownish red colour of the bignesse of pepper cornes standing in a tuft or umbell wherein were white seedes like to those of Nightshade but not ripe 8. Solanum magnum rubrum Virginianum Red Nightshade or Red weed or Virginia This great Virginian plant which from the likenes of the leaves we have called a Solanum and referred thereunto riseth up with a great thick round reddish stalke of the thicknes of ones thumbe at the least 4. or 5. foote high or more set without order with many very large fresh greene leaves full of veines some greater and some smaller and sometimes turning reddish from the joynts where the leaves stand from the middle of the stalke upwards come forth severall smal stalkes bearing the flowers which are very small consisting of foure leaves a peece of a pale red or blush colour divers standing together as it were in a small long cluster which after bring forth small blackish round seede foure usually set in one huske yet it seldome commeth to ripenesse in our country the roote is white and groweth great with us but perisheth if it be not defended from the frosts in winter which usually rot it but in the naturall places it groweth as big as a mans legge for such hath beene sent me with many circles to be seene in the middle when it was cut like unto a Bryonye roote and above a foote long 8. Solanum Mexicanum parvo flore sive Mirabilis Peruana minor The small Mervaile of Peru. This small Mervaile of the world or of Peru groweth in the same manner that the greater kinde shewed you in my former booke doth but nothing so great or high having such like leaves set on the stalkes but much lesser and rounder the flowers likewise being of
ancients because he saith it was so called by some in his dayes and some the Mandragoras of Theophrastus to be this Circaea and have attributed the vertues thereof unto it but assuredly none of these herbes nor that in the former Chapter is answerable unto the description of Dioscorides his Circaea for although he saith the leaves of Circaea are like Nightshade yet the flowers are many and blacke and the seede like unto Millet growing in small hornes the roote also he saith is almost a foote long three or foure together being white sweete in smell and of an heating or warming property so that as I said none of these answer unto this description in all things for the seede of none of them is contained in hornes or crooked cods although Tragus saith the Amaranthus is yet the rootes are not sweete nor heating nor of any use when as the chiefest property of Dioscorides his Circaea consisted in the roote applyed for many purposes It is called in English of Gerard Inchanters Nightshade derived from Circes the great Enchantresse mentioned by the ancient writers but why he should call it also Bindweede Nightshade and his corrector letteth it so passe I see no cause for that name doth better agree unto the wood Nightshade set forth in the former Chapter because it doth climbe like a Bindweed The Vertues There hath not beene any of the moderne writers either Tragus Gesner Thalius Lobel and Pena or Tabermontanus that have set downe any property wherewith any inward or outward diseases may be helped thereby but have overpassed them as though none of all the Country people where they grow made any use thereof but assuredly by the temperate qualityes of cold and moisture therein they may not unfitly nor peradventure without good effect be applyed in hot griefes as the Nightshade is although it be moist and not astringent as it is I doe not here set downe any of the vertues of Dioscorides his Circaea because this is not it neither doe we know what it is CHAP. IX Solana Pomifera Applebearing Nightshades VNto the kindes of Nightshade I must as divers other good authors doe joyne some other plantes which for their qualities either more or lesse dangerous or for their outward forme and proportion doe somewhat agree with the former set done 1. Solanum pomiferum herbariorum Lobelij Lobels red berried Nightshade It groweth like common Nightshade but greater the leaves are like small Tobacco leaves the flowers are white like the ordinary sort the berryes are small and round of an orient reddish colour with white seedes within them of an insipide taste almost without any heate or sharpenesse and perisheth every yeare as Nightshade doth this differeth from Mala Aethiopica although Bauhinus make them to be one for this hath no prickes or thornes on stalkes or leaves nor is the fruite hard or crested Solanum fruticosum Americanum dictum Amomum Plinij The Winter Cherry Tree This is described in my former Booke 2. Mala Insana Syriaca Madde Apples of Syria This raging or madde Apple riseth up with a great hard round purplish or brownish greene stalke two foote high divided from the bottome into divers branches whereon are set many hairy broad rough leaves somewhat unevenly cut in on the edges and somewhat like the Thorne apple leaves at the joynts with the leaves come forth severall large flowers consisting of six large pointed leaves in some plants white in others of a pale but deadish purple colour with yellow threds in the middle which being past there succeedeth large somewhat long and round fruite in the warme countries as bigge as a Cowcumber but in others seldome bigger then a large great egge set in the same cup or huske that contained the flower before whose colour on the outside is usually according to the flower it bore either of a whitish greene more yellowish or of a grayish ash colour or of a pale or wanne purplish colour with a very thinne skinne or barke and full of a whitish pulpe and juice within having many small flat whitish seedes within it somewhat greater then those of the Apples of love the roote is composed of many strings some great others small not thrusting downe deepe into the ground nor abiding but perishing with the first frosts 3. Mala Ethiopica Madde Apples of Ethiopia The Madde apples of Ethiopia are somewhat like the former but that it groweth not so high nor spreadeth so much but having one upright stalke about halfe a yeard high set here and there with divers small prickes not very hard or long and at severall joynts with jagged leaves both lesser and lesse cut in on the edges then the former especially the lowermost having some prickes also in the middle rib on the backeside but those leaves that grow higher toward the toppes of the stalkes and branches are much lesser divided on the edges the flowers stand dispersed on the branches at the joynts consisting of sixe white white short leaves with a yellow pointell in the middle of divers threds joyned together 1. Solanum pomiferum herbariorum Lobelij Lobels red berried Nightshade after which commeth the fruite which is round and a little pointed at the end smaller and harder then the greater kinde of Love apples and straked and furrowed withall in divers places of an excellent red colour and turning more deepe when it is ripe having sometimes small bunches on them like unto other small apples growing unto them and containing a juicye pulpe within it somewhat more sharpe then the former but nothing so moist as the love apples with such like flat yellowish white seede within it the roote is a tuft of threds perishing likewise every yeare and seldome in these colder countryes commeth to maturity to shew his beautifull colour or give good seede 4. Mala Insana Europaea Madde apples of Europe This kinde of madde Apples groweth with an upright round stalke to the bignesse of ones finger a foote and a halfe high from whence spring forth at severall joynts sometimes on the one side and sometimes on the other divers long and somewhat broad greene leaves unevenly cut in on the edges and ending in a long point three for the most part comming together each of them upon a short footestalke at the tops of the stalke grow the fruite which are round reddish berryes or apples of the bignesse of a Plum full of seede within them 5. Poma amoris majora media minora Apples of Love of a greater lesser and middle size These sorts of Love Apples doe in all things so neerely resemble one another both in the long trayling branches the winged and divided leaves the yellow flowers and the red berries or fruite as I have shewed in my former booke that I can adde no more thereunto The Place The first was brought out of Spaine the second groweth plentifully wild in Egypt as divers doe report as also in Solâ— fruticosum America um dictum Amoâ—tum Plinij
of hose or pestell or flower as many that not having seene any have confidently set downe that it never beareth any thereof in a large pot or other such thing and in a warme place and climate each of these stalkes are much shorter then those of the leaves and beareth an open long huske at the top in the middle whereof riseth up for the most part three severall narrow huskes or hoses and never one alone as the Arum or Arisarum do with every one their pestell or clapper in the middle of them which is small whitish and halfe a foote long from the middle downwards bigger and set round about with small whitish flowers smelling very sweete the lower most first flowring and so by degrees upwards which last not above three dayes and from the middle upward bare or naked ending in a small long point after the flowers are all past that lower part abideth and beareth many berryes like as the Arum and Arisarum doe but much paler and smaller the roote is great and bulbous or rather tuberous in some more round then in others which are smaller and long with the roundnesse as great as the roote of a great Squill or Sea Onion which I judge more properly speaking thereof in my former booke to be a Sea Hyacinth and one which Alpinus setteth forth in his Historia Aegyptiaca with great long creeping rootes like the Reede reddish on the outside and whitish within having many bulbous or tuberous heads shooting from all sides thereof whereby it is encreased and with many great fibres shooting therefrom into the ground 8. Faba Aegyptia Dioscoridis Theophrasti cujus radix Colocasia dicebatur Dioscorides and Theophrastus their Egyptian Beane whose roote was called Colocasia Because the Egyptian Arum hath beene so much mistaken by many writers that have called it the true Colocasia of Dioscorides and Theophrastus let me here shew you in this place the description of the true Colocasia that is the roote of the Egyptian Beane as Dioscorides and Theophrastus have set it downe to affront the false figure of Matthiolus his Egyptian Beane as he set it forth in his comentaries upon Dioscorides moulded from his owne imagination and not from the sight of any plant growing in rerum natura to make it answer the description but hath failed chiefely in the fruite which is not expressed like to the combe that waspes doe make but farre differing as many have observed and objected against him although as he saith Odoardus did shew it him at Trent with many other rare plants which he brought out of Syria and Egypt the figure of the true fruite Clusius hath set forth in the 32. folio of his booke of exotickes or strange things which was brought by Dutch Marriners from forraine parts unto Amsterdam but was not then knowne where it grew but since is knowne to be the Kingdome of Iava in the East-Indies who was perswaded it might be the true fruite of their Egyptian Beane unto whose judgement therein both Bauhinus and Columna doe encline and so doe I as you shall heare by and by more at large but for brevities sake I will draw both the descriptions thereof by Theophrastus and Dioscorides into one The Beane of Egypt which some call the Beane of Pontus saith Dioscorides but Theophrastus mentioneth neither Egypt nor Pontus but onely calleth it a Beane groweth in Lakes and standing waters plentifully in Egypt saith Dioscorides which Theophrastus speaketh not of in Asia that is in Syria and Cilicia but there saith Theophrastus it doth hardly perfect his fruite but about Torona in a Lake in the Country of Calcidicum it commeth to perfection and beareth very large leaves like those of the butter-burre saith Dioscorides the stalke saith Dioscorides is a cubite long Theophrastus saith the longest is foure cubits high of the bignesse of one finger like unto a soft reede but without joynts it beareth a flower twise as large as that of the Poppy with double flowers for so I enterpret in plenum caput the words of Theophrastus of the colour of the Rose after which is past commeth a round head called Ciborion or Cibottion that is a small caske yet Athenaeus saith that a kinde of drinking cup was so called also whose forme peradventure was like this fruite here expressed not unlike to the comb which waspes do make wherin is contained thirty cels at the most and in every cel or division thereof groweth a Beane whose toppe riseth higher then the cell wherein it is enclosed whose kernell is bitter which say they the inhabitants thereabouts put into clay and thrust downe to the bottome of the water with long poales that it may abide therein and thereby make their encrease the roote is very thicke and great like unto that of the Reede but Theophrastus addeth which Dioscorides hath not full of cruell prickes or thornes and therefore saith he the Crocodile refuseth to come nere it least he should runne against the prickes thereof with his eyes wherewith he cannot see well and is called Colocasia as Dioscorides maketh mention but not Theophrastus which is used to be eaten either raw or otherwayes dressed that is sodden or roasted the Beanes faith Dioscorides are eaten while they are fresh and greene but grow hard and blacke when they are old being somewhat bigger then an ordinary Beane which saith Dioscorides Theophrastus making no mention of any qualities or vertues of them have an astringent or binding faculty and thereby profitable to the stomacke and helpeth those that have the fluxe of the stomacke and belly and the bloody flux the meale or flower of them strawed upon meate c. or taken in broth the huskes whereof saith he doth more good being boyled in sweete wine the middle part of the beane which is greene and bitter being bruised and boyled in Rosewater and dropped into the eares easeth the paines of them Thus farre Theophrastus and Dioscorides Now the description of Clusius his strange fruite is thus as he setteth it downe This fruite did resemble a very large Poppy head cut off at the toppe and consisted of a rough or wrinckled skinny substance of a brownish colour somewhat light whose circumference at the top was nine inches and growing lesser and lesser by degrees unto the stalkes which as it seemed did sustaine the flower after which came this fruite for there appeared certaine markes of the flower where it did abide the upper part hereof was smooth and plaine having 24 holes or cells therein placed in a certaine order like unto the combe of waspes in every one whereof was one nut like unto a small akorne almost an inch long and an inch thicke in compasse whose toppe was browne ending in a point like as an akorne doth the lower part having an hole or hollow place where it should seeme the footestalke upheld it while it was in its place whose kernell was rancide or mouldy thus farre Clusius Let me here also bring
in an eye witnesse or two of this plants growing in the I le of Iava Dr. Iustus Heurnius both Divine and Physition for the Ducth factory in the Kingdome or I le of Iava sent into Holland a small booke or collection of certaine herbes c. growing in that country with the vertues and uses whereunto the naturals did apply theâ— which booke as I understand by my good friends Dr Daniel Horinghooke and Dr. William Parkins both English is kept in the Vniversity Library at Leyden in a close cupbord having a glasse window before it thorough which any one may reade so much thereof as lyeth open at the end whereof is one by him set downe under the name of Nymphaea glandifera thus described the huske or cup saith he is rugged or full of wrinkles yet soft loose and spungye like a Mushroome and of a greene colour divided into twelve or fourteene cels Clusius his figure here exhibited hath 24. or places in every one whereof is contained one fruite like unto an akorne of a blackish purple colour on the outside and very white within the taste whereof is astringent and somewhat bitter withall like akornes but rough and spongie it groweth in Moorish places and by rivers banckes the leaves are wondrous great and like unto those of the Water Lilly and so is the flower also of a very strong smell like unto the oyle of Aneseedes thus farre Dr. Heurnius whose description in my judgement is so punctuall to those of Dioscorides and Theophrastus aforesaid the description of the roote onely wanting that I shall not neede further to comment upon it every ones judgement though meane I suppose being able by comparing to agree the parts it is probable that Clusius having seene this booke and the figure hereof annexed to the description might soone pronounce it as I doe here to be the true Faba Aegyptia of the ancients there is no mention made in that booke of Heurnius by what name the Iavaneses or Malayos doe call it The other eye witnesse hereof is M. William Fincham an English Merchant as he is recorded in Mr. Purchas his fourth booke of Pilgrimes the 4. ch Sect. 5. p. 429. that saith he often did eate of the fruite of a certaine herbe growing in a great Brooke or Lake two or three courses or miles long on the North-West side of Fetipore which is about twelve courses from Agra in the dominions of the great Mogoll called Surrat or Guzurrat in the East-Indies which the people call Canâ—chachery describing it to be like a goblet flat at the head conteining divers Nuts or akornes within it I have here set downe these things as well to show you mine owne observations after Clusius and others that assuredly this is the true Faba Aegyptia of the ancients as to provoke some of our nation to be as industrious as the Hollanders by whose care in their travels this was first made knowne to us to search out such rare fruites as grow in the parts of their abode and either communicate them to such as are experienced or having penned them to publish their labours in Print if it may be which I hold the better according to Mr. Finchams example whose observations have given so great an illustration in this matter as well as in other things by me also remembred elsewhere in this worke The Place The two first are frequent enough in our owne Country The third is found in some place of Germany The fourth Clusius saith came among other rootes from Constantinople The fift he also saith he found in Spaine and Portugall The sixt in Italy in divers places The seaventh is not naturall to Egypt as I suppose because it is not found to flower there being planted for their onely use in meates which they seldome take without it but groweth in Candy naturally as Bellonius saith and Portugall as Clusius reporteth and in Italy also in many places and in the Country of Salerne in the Kingdome of Naples as Columna reporteth it as also in the Iland of Iava where they use it as familiarly as in Egypt and so recorded in the Hollanders Navigation thither in Anno. 1595. The last as I said before in Iava and Surrat and no doubt in sundry other places as Theophrastus remembreth who therefore would not call it Aegyptia as Dioscorides doth being not proper to Egypt where for many ages past it hath not beene known to grow now at all but assuredly if it were a naturall of Egypt it cannot be quite extirpate and might by good search be there found againe if men industrious and of knowledg were employed thereabouts The Time The foure first sorts shoote forth leaves in the Spring and continue but untill the middle of Sommer or somewhat latter their hoses or huskes appearing before they fall away and their fruit shewing in August The fifth and sixt as I said doe shoote forth their greene leaves in Autumne presentlyy after the first frosts have pulled downe the stalkes with fruits and abide greene all the Winter withering in Sommer before which their huskes appeare The seventh flowreth with his hose and clappers very late even in the warme countries seldome before October or November and the fruit doth there seldome come to perfection the last as may be gathered by the relation thereof flowreth and beareth fruit in the Sommer time as other herbes doe The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Arum and some Pes vituli because the leafe doth somewhat resemble a Calves foote some also Dracontea minor and Serpentaria minor others againe from the figure of the pestle or clapper in the middle of the hose call it Sacerdotis penes and canis priapus Simon Ianvensis calleth it Aron and Barba Aron the Syrians as Dioscorides saith call it Lupha it is called of the Arabians Iarus and Sara and after them diverse Apothecaries beyond the seas in their shops In Italian Aro Giaro Gigaro and Balaazon as Durantes saith In Spanish Yaro in French Pied de vean vid or vit de prestre vit de chien in high Dutch Pfaffenpint in Low Dutch calfs voet in English Wake Robin Cuckowes pintle Priests pintle Rampe Buckrams and of some Starch-wort Caesalpinus calleth it with spotted leaves Gicherum or Gigarum after the Italian name when as all others agree in the name of Arum with the distinction of maculis albis and nigris as the kind or sort is yet the third is called by Lobel Arum majus Veronense and by Bauhinus Arum venis albis and by Dalechampius upon Pliny Calla primum genus Plinij Cordus in historia plantaruÌ„ calleth it Dracunculus henicophyllos and as he saith is the same that Matthiolus calleth Dracunculus major Clusius calleth the fourth Byzantium it is most probable it is the same with Matthiolus his Arum aliud minus with many small rootes which he saith he received from Calzolarius of Verona and thought it grew
the other and sometimes sendeth forth suckers whereby it is encreased this likewise looseth his leaves but not his stalkes in the winter and gaineth fresh in the spring 3. Apocynum angusto salicis folio Willow leafed Dogs bane This other narrow leafed Dogs bane groweth up in the same manner that the last doth having two leaves set at every joynt of the climing twigs but they are not so thicke but somewhat thinner and much narrower then they almost resembling the forme of a willow leafe the flowers are like the other and blow as late loosing his leaves in the winter in the same manner 4. 5. Apocynum rectum latifolium angustifolium Americanum sive majus minus The great and lesser upright American Dogs bane Although I have in my former booke given you both the description and figure of the greater sort of these Dogs banes by the name of Periploca Virginiana Virginian silke yet I think it not amisse to mention it here againe give you the full figure thereof referring you to see the description c. there and with it to joyne a lesser sort which creepeth not with the rootes in the ground like it but from many long fibres shooteth forth a round browne stalke about halfe a yard high having at each joynt a paire of long narrow leaves and such a large tuft of flowers at the top but of a deeper purple colour which have a certaine clamminesse on them that will detaine flies or other light things that happen to fall thereon after which come long and straight cods not crooked like the greater sort hereof with flat browne seede therein lying in a white kind of downe like unto Asclepias Swallowewort this yeeldeth a milky sap like the other and thought to be both dangerous although no true tryall hath beene made thereof 6. Pseudo apocynum Virginianum alijs Galseminum Americanum maximum flore phaeniceo Virginian Iasmine Let me I pray you make bold to insert in this place to the rest this Indian Ientitule him with bastardy for the reasons hereafter specified whose description I give you in this manner It shooteth forth sundry weake whitish wooddy stemmes not able to sustaine themselves without helpe of stakes or fastening to some wall but spreading exceeding high or farre branching forth on all sides into many small ones at whose joynts come forth long winged leaves seaven or nine set on a middle stalke each whereof is somewhat broad and long pointed 2. Apocynum angustifolium sive repons Climing Dogs bane Apocynum rectum latifolium angustifolium Americanum sive majâ— minus The greater and lesser American Dogs bane and dented somewhat deepely about the edges and of a sad greene colour full of veines very neare resembling the leaves of the great Germane Burnet Saxifrage This never bore flower with mee nor any other the hath it in our country that I could heare of but in the naturall place as also beyond sea at Rome and other waâ— countries it beareth a great tuft of flowers together hanging downewards each whereof is large and somewhat long somewhat like to the Foxglove but rather Bell fashion small at the bottome big in the belly and wiâ— open at the mouth cut in on the brims into five or six lips as it were or divisions of a sad Orenge or yellowish 〈◊〉 colour with some yellow threds a whitish stile in the middle after the flowers are past arise hard wooddy â—iâ— flattish double edged crooked and pointed cods containing within them a double row of flat thin transparent browne skinny and winged seedes with a thinne wooddy filme separating them in the middle all the length of the cod the roote groweth not very deepe but spreadeth yet runneth not under ground the leaves all falling away from the branches every winter and are renewed every spring By this that hath beene sayd you may perceive the reason why I place it among these dangerous climers although it have no obnoxious or hurtfull quality therein for any thing I can learne and doe not call it a Iasmine as many others do nor a Honysuckle as our English Colonie at Virginia first did nor a Bell flower as since they have done nor yet place it with the other Climeâ—s in the last Chapter because of the pods with seede neither yet doe I entitle it Gelseminum heder aceum Indicuâ— â— that good French goose doth whose horned name is prefixed to his worke of great judgement no doubt to mâ—e it beare an Ivy title that hath so little resemblance thereto The Place The first groweth in Syria and those Easterne countries the other groweth in Italy in Apulia and Calabria is the kingdome of Naples the third likely groweth in Italy the seede being sent from thence as also in Egypt the three last sorts came all from our English plantations in America The Time They flower very late in the yeare if they flower at all that is not untill the end of August and to the middle of September The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apocynum and Cynomeron quia canis interficit Dioscorides saith it was also called of divers in his time Cynocrambe Brassica canina but it is an extravagant name not fit and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Periploca of divers which is as well a word common to all sorts of herbes that clime up and wind themselves about trees and other things as peculiar to these called Periploca whose Alexipharmacum or counterpoyson iâ— the Vincetoxicum or Asclepias as the Anthora is unto the Thora and Herba Paris unto Pardalianches Fabâ— Columna seemeth to doubt that the Herbarists and Apothecaries in Italy did take the Apocynum of Dioscorides in their Medicines which is deadly in stead of Asclepias and that they did not know the true Ascepius of Diosâ—rides unto whose description that which is called Asclepias with them and us doth not agree for although it hath a number of rootes yet they doe not smell well as Dioscorides saith the rootes of his Asclepius should dâ—e nor yet hath it seeds like unto Securiduca Hatchet Teeth but hath leaves flowers cods with silken downe and seede in them like unto the Apocynum of Dioscorides and differing in nothing but in the milkye juice it yeeldeth which as he saith in that is white like milke but Dioscorides saith that his Apocynum giveth a yellow juice or milke and in this is of a pale yellow colour like unto the poyson of the viper that sticketh in the gums of his teeth which he saith he hath often shewed to his friends to shew them the likelihood of danger to be in their Asclepias which yeeldeth such a likely poyson or at the least to cause them to be more cautelous in the use of it but assuredly if their Asclepias which is the same with ours called also Vincetoxicum as I thinke doe give a yellowish milke yet doth it not in our Country neither
a quartane ague but this set number of leaves and branches is rather an idle conceit as it is also to were it in their shooes for the same purpose then any certainety fit for a wise man or Phisitian to leane and trust unto the juice hereof drunke about foure ounces at a time for certaine dayes together cureth the quinsie and the yellow jaundise and to be taken for thirtie dayes together cureth the falling sicknesse and for all fluxes in man or woman whither the whites or the reds as also the bloudy flixe the rootes boyled in milke and drunke is held most effectuall of any other remedy the rootes boiled in vinegar and the decoction thereof held in the mouth easeth the paines of the toothach the juice or the decoction is good to helpe the hoarsenesse of the throate taken with a little hony as also is good for the cough of the lunges The distilled water of both rootes and leaves is effectuall to all the purposes aforesaid and if the hands be washed often therein and suffered at every time to drie in of it selfe without wiping it will in a short time helpe the palsie or the shaking in them the roote boyled in vinegar helpeth all knots kernells hard swellings and lumpes growing in the flesh in any part applied thereunto as also all inflammations and S. Anthonies fire all empostumes and painefull sores with heate and putrefaction the shingles also and all other sores of running and foule scabbs sores and itches the same also boiled in wine and applied to any joynts full of paine and ache the gout also in any of the joynts of the hands or feete and that also of the hippes called Sciatica and if the decoction thereof be also drunke it helpeth forward the cure much the sooner and easeth also much paines in the bowells the rootes are likewise effectuall to helpe ruptures or burstings to be used with other things availeable therefore either inwardly or outwardly or both as also for bruises or hurts by blowes falls or the like and to stay the bleeding of wounds in any part inward or outward CHAP. XXVI Gentiana Gentian or Fellwort ALthough I have set forth in my former Booke divers sorts of Gentians or Fellwort yet there remaine divers others to be intreated of which shall be here remembred and because I was there somewhat briefe in declaring the vertues as was fit for that worke being but an abstract of choise plants that beare beautifull flowers to store a garden of pleasure and not a generall worke wherein all things are to be comprised and all that may be said of every one also I will here therefore amplifie my selfe the more in their vertues that have beene spoken of which are the most effectuall and of these also for they are to be referred unto them yet I thinke good to give you here some of the figures extant before But that I may use such a methodâ—all course as I have formerly held in setting forth other plants which have divers sorts of one kinde I will divide this family of Gentians into a greater and lesser sort and of the lesser sort which admitteth a subdivision and not the greater I will divide them againe into perennes everliving or abiding that is that perish not in the Winter and into annuas annuall that is such as spring up and perish the same yeare that they flower abiding onely the Sommer and not the Winter I might also divide the lesser sort againe into Vernall Aestivall and Autumâ—all flowring plants whereof every one in their order Gentianae majores The greater Gentians 1. Gentiana major flore purpureo Great purple Gentian THe great purple Gentian is very like the great yellow Gentian in most things having a great thicke brownish yellow roote parted into two or three great branches with great fibres at them but a little more hand and woody of as bitter a taste as the other which sendeth forth at the severall heads thereof many faire broad three ribbed darke greene shining leaves so like unto the other that it is somewhat hard to distinguish them many of these heads from among the leaves shoote forth thicke and strong stalkes three or foure foote high with divers joynts on them and two leaves at them one against another towards the toppes whereof coâ— forth the flowers compassing the stalkes at two or three of the uppermost joints with two leaves apeece under them like as in the other which are not laid open starre fashion like the other but abide close and hollow the brimmes onely divided into sixe or more round parts of a purple colour but paler at the bottome of them where they are spotted with purple spots on the inside having so many yellowish threds in the middle as the flower hath corners standing about a long greene by forked head which growing ripe is the seede vessell and containeth there in such like flat brownish seedes as the other but somewhat lesse 2. Gentiana major flore albo Great Gentian with white flowers This white flowred Gentian is very like the former and the great yellow kinde not much lesser and lower in any part than the former whose flowers are not purple but pure white and hollow like the other without any spots in them this making the whole difference betweene them 3. Gentiana major flore pallido punctato Great pale yellow spotted Gentian This spotted great Gentian is in all things also like the first but in the flowers which are of a duskish pale yellow colour spotted both within and without with very many blacke spots 4. Gentiana major flore caruleo Great Gentian with blew flowers And this also differeth neither in greatnesse of stalkes leaves and flowers nor in the manner of growing buâ— in the colour of the flower which is of a blew colour 5. Gentiana Asclepiadis folia Swallowort Gentian This is discribed in my former Booke The Place All these sorts grow in many places on the Mountaines of Germany and in other places but are not to be found so usually as the great yellow The Time These doe all flower in Iune or there abouts The Names It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine and so likewise Gentiana a Gentio Illyriorum rege primuÌ„ inventore as Discorides 1. Gentiana major cujusque coloriâ— The greater Gentian of any of the colours Gentiana Cruciata Crosseworte Gentian Pliny set it down Serapio saith it was called Basilica of some it was called as some copies of Dioscorides hath it Centauria radix of some Aloes Gallica Narces Chironion and as Pliny saith some Romanes called it Cnendia and some Ciminalis The Italians and Spaniards follow the Latine name Gentiana the French also Gentiane the Germanes Gentian Enzian and Bitterwurtz but the Gentiana Conciata they call Modelgheer we call it in English either Gentian or Fellworte mixed as I take of Latine and English together or Bitterwort and of some Baldmony all Authors doe generally call them all Gentians
grow one above another at severall joynts long winged leaves that is many leaves set on each side of a middle ribbe which are small yet somewhat broad and long and pointed at the end smooth on the edges without any dentes somewhat like unto the leaves of Vitches and of a faint greene colour at the toppes of the stalkes stand many small Leguminous flowers one above another of a pale blewish purple colour and in some plants pure white after which come small round pods about an inch and a halfe long a little bunched out in some places but nothing so much as the Orobus or bitter Vetch wherein lie three or foure or five small pale seede like unto a Vetch the roote is white and wooddy spreading well in the ground and abiding divers yeares 2. Galega montana Dalechampij Mountaine Goats Rue This other Goats Rue shooteth forth divers round hard stalkes nothing so high as the former whereon groweth such a like winged leafe at every joynt but broader and thicker set together smooth also on the edges but having the middle ribbe of every leafe raised up a little high at the toppe of the stalkes stand divers such like flowers as the former but all on one side of a pale colour tending to yellow which afterward yeeld small long blackish pods wherein lie small flattish seede like unto Lentills the roote is somewhat great and blacke sending forth very long strings whereby it fasteneth it selfe deepe in the ground The Place The first groweth commonly wilde by the way sides of moist fields and medowes both in Italy Savoy and other places as also found of late growing wilde in the Medowes by Linton in Cambridge shire the other not but upon the toppes of mountaines where any plaines are found The Time They flower in the end of Iune and Iuly and the seede is ripe in August The Names This herbe hath not beene knowne to the ancient Authors and therefore hath no name but is usully called in Latine Galega or Ruta Capraria for they that first found it and the vertues gave that name of Ruta thereunto as finding it no lesse effectuall than the best Rue some call it Gralega and some Herba Gallica as Fracastorius and of some Capraria the Florentines call it Lavanese in other parts of Italy it hath divers other names as Gesner saith Castracane Lavanna Thorina or Taurina Martanica Sarracena Capragina Herbanese and Giarga as Brasavolus saith Some with us call it Italian Vetch but most commonly Goates Rue The other Lugdunensis calleth Galega montana and Bauhinus referreth it to the Orobus Pannonicus of Clusius which it cannot be for he saith it perisheth every yeare and also to the Arachus latifolius of Dodonaeus which it cannot be neither for Dodonaeus saith his Arachus is called of divers Ervum Venetum which differeth little or nothing at all from Clusius his first Orobus Pannonicus so that in this as in very many other things he is much mistaken The Vertues Goates Rew is most effectuall against the bitings or stings of any venemous creature yea those Italians and others as Pena and Lobel say that use to gather Vipers which are certainely Adders with us by the judgement of the best doe account it more effectuall to preserve them being bitten or stung than any Treakle of the best making or to defend them from any other infection and therefore eare it continually as other herbes in sallets or otherwise in their meates and brothes It is no lesse powerfull and effectuall against poison then the plague or pestilence or any infectious or pestilentious fevers or diseases that breake forth into spots or markes as the measells purples and the small pocks in all which it is admirable what effects it worketh both to preserve from the infection and to cure them that are infected to take every morning some of the juice thereof as also to eate the herbe it selfe every morning fasting but it will be the more effectuall if the juice be taken with a little good Treakle and some Tormentill rootes in powder mixed with Cardus benedictus water or with some vinegar and fine Bolearmonicke and Treakle in the said water and presently to sweat two houres thereupon which it causeth also in some sort it selfe and may be used as well when any is infected as when any feare themselves to be infected with the plague a spoonefull also of the juice given in a morning fasting is very effectuall to kill the wormes in children or the herbe it selfe fried with a little oyle of bitter Almons and laid hot unto the navell as also to helpe the falling sicknesse before it grow strong and old upon them it is very profitably applied to the belly pained with gripings of winde and the collicke being fried and laid to warme in the same manner also laid upon plague sores before they be broken either disperseth them yet defending the heart not striking it inwardly or draweth them forth and healeth them it is also effectually applied with vinegar to gangrene◠running ulcers and sores to stay the malignitie of them in their fretting and spreading and to defend the vital spirits from danger it is held also to be very cordiall to preserve the heart from palpitations tremblings and swounnings and against melancholike vapours oppressing it Some use a Syrupe made of the juice and some of the distilled water as a more familiar medecine to take upon all occasions inwardly for all the purposes aforesaid and some use to make an oyle of the flowers digested in the Sun by often repetitions of infusion to make the wrests of the hands where the pulse is felt as also the region of the heart to defend it from the diseases aforesaid and danger of infection it is no lesse effectuall for Sheepe Goates and Cattle for from the experience of Goat-heards therein came the name of Capraria added unto it it fatteneth hennes also wonderfully and causeth them to lay egges the more plentifully The other Mountaine Goates Rew is held also almost as effectuall against poyson and infection of the plague as the other CHAP. XXXII Phalangium Spiderwort THere are divers sorts of Spiderworts some of antient knowledge others of later accesse of all which I have given the descriptions in my former Book which although I meane not to repeate here again yet I thinke it not amisse both to give you some of their names figures and to set downe their vertues It is thought it tooke the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phalangium and Phalangites from the forme of the seede vessells others from the forme of the leaves like to that Spiders legges in going but more certainely I thinke from the propertie of curing the dangerous poison of that great Spider For which purpose both Dioscorides and Galen doe commend the flowers leaves and seedes of it as also against the verulencie of Scorpions and other Serpents and to discusse the torments that rise from their hurts or
in such drinkes that are given to procure love It likewise killeth the wormes of the belly and is also good against agues either tertian quotidian or quartaine to be taken before the comming of the fit which will not onely hinder or lessen the fit but by continuing the use thereof will utterly take them away I have knowne some that have made a composition of the powders of this roote Bezarstone and Scorsonera rootes made into a masse or lumpe to be used upon occasion against poysons and infections of the Plague or any other contagious disease as the small pox purples measles or other that raise spots in the flesh and is a most soveraine cordiall to preserve the heart and the vitall spirits from danger and to expell it by sweating c. For the said Ferrus saith that the Bezarstone is engendred in the beast that breedeth it by the vertue of this herbe which it eateth and by the naturall disposition of the beast some also adde unto that confection some other things as besides Scorsonera rootes Bistort Tormentill or the like as every ones affection leadeth them more or lesse Ferrus saith he made a tryall hereof with the best Treakle and found it more effectuall for the diseases aforesaid Againe he saith that the Indians doe not eate the bodies of those they have slaine by their poysoned arrowes untill they have lyen three or foure dayes with their wounds washed with the juice of this herbe which rendereth them tender and fit to be eaten which before were hard Vnto this Classis also should appertaine divers other Plants but that some of them are already described and set forth in my former Booke as Mirabilia c. And of the Antidotes or remedies against poyson some are there also set forth as Angelica Carduus Benedictus c. And some likewise not onely in the first Tribe of this worke here before as Chamapitys c. but in sundry other Classies hereof as they happen to be entreated of in their order SAXIFRAGAE PLANTAE NEPHRITICAE SIVE CALCVLVM FRANGENTES SAXIFRAGES OR BREAKESTONE Plants CLASSIS QVARTA THE FOVRTH TRIBE CHAP. I. 1. Saxifraga alba vulgaris The common white Saxifrage or Breakestone THere are so many and divers sorts of herbes that beare the name of Saxifrage that is from the effects in breaking and expelling the stone much differing in forme one from an other that I have therefore thought a small good to make a peculiar Classis of them and yet not of all for there are sundry Vmbelliferous and other plants which cannot so fitly be severed from their owne Tribes This white Saxifrage that is most common in our land hath a few small reddish kernells or rootes covered with some skins lying among divers small blackish fibres which send forth divers round faint or yellowish greene leaves and grayish underneath lying above the ground unevenly indented about the edges and somewhat hairy every one upon a little foote stalke from whence riseth up a round brownish hairy greene stalke two or three foote high with a few such like round leaves thereon as grow below but smaller and branched somewhat at the toppe whereon stand pretty large white flowers of five leaves apeece with some yellow threds in the middle standing in long crested brownish greene huskes after the flowers are past sometimes ariseth a round hard head by-forked at the toppe wherein is contained small blackish seede but usually they fall away without any seede which yet is not that which is called white Saxifrage seede for those same kernells or graines of the rootes are they which are usually called the white Saxifrage seede and so used 2. Saxifraga alba altera bulbifera The Mountaine white kernelly Saxifrage This other white Saxifrage is very like the former in every part but yet hath many especially differences to distinguish it as first in the rootes which although they are round red and bulbous like the other yet are they twise as great and made as it were of scales or cloves one laid upon another like the roote of a Lilly the leaves are round and hairy but somewhat lesser with brownish foote stalkes the stalkes are greater having leaves thereon as in the former but at every joynt with the leafe commeth forht a small bulbe or kernell like unto those at the roote which when it is thorough ripe will encrease to be plants as the bulkes of the bulbed Lilly or of the bulbed Corrall roote will the flowers and heades with seede are alike the bulbes on the stalkes by the Cutters fault are not specified in the figures 3. Saxifraga alba Alpina Mountaine Saxifrage without kernelly rootes This Mountaine Saxifrage groweth so like unto the first white Saxifrage that Bauhinus taketh it to be no other but the very same with the first but there is some varietie therein first in that this springeth up with fewer leaves at the ground yet round and like to the white Saxifrage then although it hath small stalkes with leaves thereon like it yet at the toppes it hath pale yellowish flowers and lastly the rootes are wholly composed of long strings or fibres not having any of those small knots or kernells that the former hath growing amongst them The Place The first of these groweth in many places of our owne land in the lower moist as also in the upper drie corners of Medowes and grassie sandy places on the backeside of Grayes Inne where Mr. Lambes Conduit heade standeth The second groweth on the hills in the Kingdome of Naples the last on the high snowie Alpes under the trees 1. Saxifraga alba vulgaris The common white Saxifrage 2. Saxifraga alba bulbifera The Mountaine white Saxifrage The Time They flower in May and then they are gathered both for the seedes sake which are as I said the small graines or kernells at the rootes or upon the stalkes as also to distill it quickly perisheth downe to the ground when any heate commeth The Names This herbe is called Saxifraga or Saxifragia from the effect to breake the stone but not knowne to any of the Greeke or antient Latine Writers that we can finde and alba from the flowers which is added to distinguish it from all the other sorts The first is generally called Saxifraga alba by all the moderne Writers Lobel addeth Chelid onides because of the kernelly rootes of Bauhinus rotundifolia and of Clusius tuberosa radice Fabius Calumna onely maketh mention of the second by the name of Saxifragia bulbosa altera bulbifera montana and Bauhinus from him Saxifraga adfolia bulbos gerens the last is called by Lugdunensis as it is in the title who maketh it different in English white Saxifrage or Breakestone the Italians and Spaniards call it Sassifragia bianca the French Rompt pierre and Saxifrage blanche the Germans and Dutch Witt Stein brech The Vertues This Saxifrage being somewhat bitter and held to be hot and drie in the second degree is as effectuall as any other sort
The Time They flower in Iune and Iuly and their seede ripeneth in August The Names This is taken by many learned writers and herbarists in these dayes to be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oenanthe of Dioscorides which he describeth in his third booke and 132. Chapter and not that Oenanthe which he saith in his fifth booke is the flower of the wild Vine that beareth onely flowers and not grapes and because that Matthiolus contesteth against Fuschius to whom Brunfelsius and Tragus doe agree for so holding it Lobel in his Adversaria would 1. Filipendula major The greater common Filipendula 3. Filipendula minor The lesser Filipendula seeme to maintaine Fuschius opinion against Matthiolus proving as he thinketh every part of Dioscorides his description to agree thereunto yet stil Matthiolus his assertions will hold good against Fuschius and Lobel that this Filipendula agreeth not with Dioscorides his Oenanthe especially in the seedes for it is such an eminent marke that none can alter or gainesay It is called of all moderne writers Filipendula quod numerosi illi in radice bulbilli quasi ex filo pendere vide antur some write it Philipendula because Nicholaus Myrepsus called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some thinke this to be Molon of Pliny whereof he maketh mention in his 26. booke and 7. chapter but it is doubtfull the Italians and Spaniards call it Filipendula and the French Filipende and Filipendule the Germanes Rotten Steinbrech that is red breakestone from whence came the Latine name among them Saxifraga rubra red Saxifrage as also wild Garb that is Millofolium sylvestre we call it Filipendula and some Filipipendula and Dropwort The second Lugdunensis calleth Oenanthe alia Myconi because he saith it is so like the ordinary Filipendula both in outward forme and face of growing in rootes and leaves and in the tast and rellish also and not unlikely thereby to be of the same vertue and property but Bauhinus referreth it rather to the next Filipendula montana whereof I cannot see any reason for in my opinion it is the same with the former and not a species of the next let others be judge herein that are judicious The last Bauhinus setteth forth by the name of Filipendula minor The Vertues The ordinary or vulgar Filipendula is somewhat bitter in taste and thereupon judged to be hot and dry in the third degree it is very effectuall to open the passages of the urine when it is stayed as also to helpe the Strangury and all other paines of the bladder and reines helping mightily to breake and expell the stone either in the kidneyes or bladder and gravell also that is not as yet condensate into a stone whether you will use the leaves flowers or seede but the rootes are most usuall and most effectuall either taken in powder or in a decoction with white wine whereunto a little honey is added the same also helpeth to expell the secondine or afterbirth taken in the same manner an ancient copy of Dioscorides saith it helpeth also the yellow Iaundise Paulus Aegineta saith it is good for those that have the falling sicknesse and that it will helpe them if they use it often the rootes made into powder and mixed up with hony into the forme of an electuary doth much helpe them whose stomakes are swollen breaking and dissolving the winde which was the cause thereof as also is very effectuall for all the diseases of the lungs as shortnesse of breath wheelings hoarsenesse of the throate and the cough and to expectorate cold flegme therefrom or any other parts thereabouts CHAP. X. Filipendula montana Mountaine or Hooded Filipendula or Droppewort CLusius and others have made mention of divers sorts of this kinde of Filipendula if I may so call it for I doe herein rather please others than my selfe who thinke them with Clusius to be as unlike them in forme as differing also in qualitie peradventure yet because such learned men have so accounted of some of them let me in their errour be joyned with them for this time 1. Filipendula montana major albida Whitish Mountaine or hooded Filipendula This first hooded Mountaine Filipendula shooteth forth Filipendula montana Mountaine Filipendula his round crested or streaked stalkes of a fingers thickenesse and a cubites height whereon are set winges of many cut and divided leaves on each side of them from the bottome to the toppe somewhat like those of the former Filipendula or betweene them and Yarrow but hard and somewhat rough in handling whereon are growing a long spiked head of whitish flowers formed like the gaping hoodes of the Satyrions or Testicles called Cullions or Dogges stones every one set in a five leafed huske which being fallen there follow round heades pointed at the toppes wherein are contained much small grayish seede the rootes are many long and thicke strings somewhat like unto the Asphodill clogges but not so great which are set together at the heads and ending in long fibres abiding many yeares and shooting fresh leaves and stalkes in the Spring although the old die downe to the ground and wither 2. Filipendula montana mollior altera Smooth mountaine or hooded Filipendula This other mountaine Filipendula hath such like stalkes with long divided leaves on them in the like manner not differing from them but in that they are nothing hard but very gentle and smooth in handling the flowers grow likewise at the toppes of the stalkes in a long spiked head many set together and in forme hooded like them but are in some of a pale whitish yellow colour and in other of a reddish purple the rootes also are not so great and thicke but rather like Asparagus rootes The Place Both these sorts grow as Clusius saith on the grassie places in the mountaines of Austria and Stiria in Flanders also and in France in their Medowes The Time They flower in Iune and ripen their seede in August The Names Pena and Lobel doe call the first of these Filipendula altera montana and so doe also Dodonaeus and Taberâ—tanus but Clusius doth rather referre both it and the other unto the Fistularia or Pedicularis for that they neerest resemble it in forme excepting the rootes and thereupon calleth them Alectorolophus Alpina Bauhinus calleth it Filipendula montana flore pediculariae and with all maketh it to be that Oenanthe alia Miconi of Lugdunensis which is more probably another sort of the former and true Filipendula as I have shewed you in the Chapter before The second Clusius calleth Alectorolophus Alpina secunda velaltera and Bauhinus Filipendula montana â—tera I have as I said before followed them in this their errour and doe call them in English Mountaine or Hooded Filipendula according to the Latine The Vertues I do not finde any vertues appropriate peculiarly to these plants either by Clusius or any other that have mentioned them and unles they have the same qualities that the Yellow
and greene after it hath lyen foure and twenty houres therein the party shall recover of that sicknesse but if it doe not abide greene it signifieth death or great danger if you give hennes some dry Nettles broken small with their meate in winter it will make them lay egges all the winter more plentifully it is said also that if the herbe be rubbed on the privities of female beasts that will not suffer the males to cover them it will cause them the more willingly to suffer them to doe it the oyle of roses or sallet oyle boyled with the juice or the juice of the leaves themselves is a present remedy to take away the stinging of the Nettles to all the purposes aforesaid the Romane Nettle is held the most effectuall yet where it cannot be had the other are in a degree next it as effectuall yet the least is thought of some to be lesse powerfull and of others to be as availeable as any of the other two CHAP. XIV Polygonum majus Great Knot-grasse THe Knot-grasses are divided into two kindes male and female of the male kindes I shall speake in this and the following Chapters because they are of many sorts some greater others lesser and some Sea plants the female being called Sharegrasse or Horsetaile shall be entreated of in another place I thinke it fittest therefore to divide these into three parts and speake of the greatest in this Chapter of the lesser kindes in the next and of those kinds that beare fruite or berryes in another following them that so being orderly set downe every one apart it might yeeld the more profit to the reader 1. Polygonum mas vulgare majus The greater common Knot-grasse The greater common Knot-grasse shooteth forth many long slender branches full of joynts lying upon the ground with divers long and narrow leaves set thereon one for the most part at a joynt having most usually a small white skinne that covereth the joynt whereat especially from the middle of the branches upwards come forth the flowers which are so small that they are for the most part not seene and discerned which in some are white in others of a whitish purple colour which after turne into very small square seed like unto Sortell seede the roote is reddish small short and round abiding the Winter and shooting a new every yeare I saw in Mr. Dr Foxes booke of dryed herbes which he received from Padoa a greater sort hereof Maximis folijs whose figure I here give you 2. Polygonum vulgare minus The lesser common Knotgrasse This lesser Knotgrasse groweth in all things like the former and differeth from it onely in the leaves which are smaller and neither so broad or long and the flowers hereof are alwayes white 3. Polygonum minus breviore folio Small short leafed Knotgrasse This other small kinde hath likewise many slender joynted branches but more wooddy then the former spread also into some other smaller ones whereon grow small short leaves lesser then those of the small St. Iohns wort the flowers are small and white like the other 4. Polygonum Saxatile Stony Knotgrasse The stony Knotgrasse hath many weake trayling branches full of joynts rising from a small white fibrous rootes lying upon the ground round about it whereon grow leaves that are somewhat round being of an inch in length and halfe an inch in breadth but growing smaller to the stalkeward greene on the upperside and of a whitish mealy colour underneath at the joynts come forth small pale reddish flowers like unto the other and after them followeth such like seede as in the other 1. Polygonum mas vulgare majus The greater common Knotgrasse Polygonum maximis folijs The greatest Knotgrasse 5. Polygonum marinum majus The greater Sea Knotgrasse The greater Sea Knotgrasse runneth out into many and much 5. 6. Polygonum marinum majus minus The greater and lesser Sea Knotgrasse larger branches then the first lying on the ground yet full of joynts set very close together with leaves thereon somewhat like the common kind but thicker somewhat shorter and broader and of a darke greene colour above and whiter underneath the flowers stand at the joynts in the same manner having small white skinnes that cover the joynts which in some also are of a white and in others of a purplish colour after which commeth small seede enclosed in whitish shining skinnes the taste of the whole plant and every part thereof is astringent but somewhat salt withall the roote is somewhat great thicke blacke long and somewhat wooddy 6. Polygonum marinum minus The lesser Sea Knotgrasse This lesser kind hath longer stalkes then the last covered with a reddish barke and more divided into smaller branches having fewer joynts on the greater stalkes but the branches are thicke set with smaller leaves then the former and are somewhat fat and thicke long and narrow like the common kinde the flowers are small and whitish and the seede is not much unlike the last the roote is somewhat long blacke and wooddy with a few fibres set thereat The Place The first two sorts grow every where and in every Country almost both by the footewaies in fields and on the sides of high-wayes that are greene for in some it overspreadeth them and by the sides of old walls The third groweth upon the higher grounds and upon hils and mountaines The fourth in the same places also among the stones in the rougher parts The two last grow by the Sea side in divers places The Time They spring up late in the Spring and abide all the Sommer untill Winter when all their branches perish The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Polygonum quod multis genubus crescit which name is usuall to it in Latine yet it is also called Seminalis Sanguinalis Sanguinaria and Proserpinaca of the severall properties it hath to stanch blood or to creepe on the ground in the Apothecaries shops in Italy and many other places Corrigiola and Centinodia for the severall respect unto the qualities to correct the heate of the stomacke and body or for the joynts and knots that every branch hath The Arabians call it Basia trahagi the Italians Poligono Corregiola and some Lengua Passerina The Spaniards Corriola The Frenche Renovee Corrigiole and of the Walloones Marjolene de Cure The Germanes Weggrasse and Wegdrit The Dutchmen weghgras oft duysent knoop In English Knotgrasse and Swines grasse and in the North Country of divers Birds tongue from one of the Italian names The first three sorts are usually of al authors called Polygonum mas or masculum for they are al alike differing only that the one is bigger or lesser then another for the Polygonum faemina or faemineum differeth in forme very much from this and shall be entreated of among the Equiseta Sheregrasses or Horsetailes as being likest unto them although not rough some also call the first vulgare or majus for distinctions sake from the
aboundant passage of the urine and helpeth also to expulse it out of the bladder if it be not growne too great for the passages otherwise it is held very probable that the aboundance of urine brought downe into the bladder by the vertue of the medicine and there abiding worketh so much upon the stone therein confirmed and growne great that it wasteth it by degrees avoyding it in gravell with the urine If you will have the receipt of the Country Empericke given to Mr. Bredwell a Chirurgion of London who practised physicke in London where he dwelt as well as in all the Countries where he travelled it is this Take of the dryed herbes of Parsly pert and Mouseare Bayberties Turmericke and Cloves the seeds of the Burre Docke the seede in the heppe or Bryer berries and the seedes of Fenugreeke of each one ounce of the stone in an Oxes gall twenty foure graines weight let all these beaten into fine powder and kept by you in a dry box or pot to use upon occasion whereof the quantity to be taken at a time is from halfe a dramme to a dramme as the age and necessity of the party who is to take it shall require but assuredly it would worke as effectually in other diseases either inward or outward as either the Knotgrasses or Knâ—well or Rupture-wort doe if it were seriously applyed for being alike in the temperature of the qualities and working the same effects in some of the diseases why not in many of the other whereunto they are tryed to doe good I may here deplore the carelesse course of many that are learned who are content onely to sucke the hony that other Bees before them have gathered but make none for others whereas if they would be industrious they might by their good judgement apply things to much better effect then the bold blind bayards of our time who dare to doe any thing especially when under colour of giving Physicke to their pockie patients they may passe without impunity and without controll CHAP. XVII Polygona Baccifera Berry bearing Knotgrasse THere remaineth of all the sorts of Knotgrasses to speake of those that beare berries some whereof are shrubby plants whose berries are their fruite bearing seede within them whereby they are propagated others are the excressences of the herbe accidentall onely as I suppose to the soyle that breedeth them being not the naturall seede whereof I entend to speake first because it commeth neerest unto some of the former small Knotgrasses 1. Polygonum cocciferum Polonicum The Polonian Scarlet Knotgrasse The Scarlet Knotgrasse is as small a plant as the Knawell or white mountaine Knotgrasse spreading in the same manner with sundry small stalkes full of joynts whereat are set divers very small and long leaves pointed but not sharpe at the endes which with the stalkes are of a grayish ashcolour or more whitish at the toppes of the stalkes stand a number of small white flowers yet not so small as in the mountaine kinde of Knawell but such as may be better descerned comming forth of grayish greene huskes wherein after they are past groweth the seede which is as small as dust the roote is small and somewhat long at the toppe whereof and on the stalkes next thereunto groweth very small berries lesser then those of the Ilex Goccigera or Scarlet Oâ—ke but of as orient a scarlet colour as they and give as precious a dye as they doe and but that it cannot be had in that quantity every roote yeelding but a few berries in comparison of the other it would lessen the price if not abate the use of the other but howsoever it serveth that Country of Polonia in some measure to dye some of the cloathes that they weare Aematus Lusitanus in his Commentaries upon Dioscorides folio 623. saith that 1. Polygonum cocciferum Polonicum Polonian Scarlet Knotgrasse 3. Polygonum bacciferum sive Vna matrina major The greater Sea grape these berries grow at the rootes of a kind of Saxifrage like unto Burnet or Burnet Saxifrage as also at the rootes of Codsfoote Pelletory of the Wall and other herbes likewise and that not onely in Poland but in Italy and other Countries 2. Ephedra sive Anabasis Climing Knotgrasse or Sea Grape This kinde of Sea Grape groweth in the warme Countries where it is naturall into a thicke trunke or stemme as bigge as a mans arme at the bottome from whence rise many very long branches full of joynts like unto the other Sea grapes climing up to the toppes of the highest plane 4. Vva marina minor The lesser Sea Grape trees or others against which it groweth otherwise if it stand neare unto a lower tree or shrubbe it seldome riseth above their height yet hath it no claspers to winde about any thing nor doe the branches winde themselves as the nature of Apocynum or Periploca Dogs bane doth yet as the Ivy by sending forth rootes at the joynts into the barke of the trees that groweth next thereunto it thereby climeth unto the toppe of them at these joynts grow no leaves for it is wholly destitute of them but from them shoote forth divers other branches and at the same joynts upwards stand many small mossy flowers of a pale or whitish yellow colour somewhat like unto the blossomes of the male Cornell tree which afterwards turne into small red berries when they are ripe like unto small Mulberries full of juice of a sowre taste wherein lye small yellow seede like Millet the roote spreadeth divers wayes under ground being hard and wooddy 3. Polygonum bacciferum sive Vva marina major The greater Sea Grape This greater Sea Grape is so like unto the former except in the long and climing branches that it is verily thought of divers to be but the same not growing neare any shrubbe or tree to cause it to ascend as the other doth and as it is said before that the same kinde useth to doe by the report of Bellonius in his third booke of Observations and the 41. Chapter for this also hath a stubbed stocke from whence rise many slender branches about a foote long set with joynts like unto an Horsetayle-grasse up to the toppes which doe a little bow or hang downe againe altogether without leaves and with many mossy pale flowers but Anguilara saith reddish set together at the joynts which afterwards turne into small red berries like Raspis of a sowrish taste as the other doth wherein lie the like yellowish seede the roote is likewise hard and wooddy 4. Polygonum bacciferum minus sive Vva marina minor The lesser Sea Grape The smaller Sea Grape riseth up immediately from the roote with many slender weake reddish rush like stalkes sixe or seaven foote long sometimes lying for the most part upon the ground wooddy at the bottome of them with the like joynts and branches issuing from them as in the former and without any leaves at them also the flowers are many and pale also and mossy
like them but standing upon somewhat longer footestalkes and the red berries are likewise like unto Raspis or Mulberries of a sowrish taste wherein is contained a small blackish three square seede or two like unto the former the stalkes and branches are no lesse astringent in taste then the last the roote is smaller and sendeth forth divers suckers which creeping under ground spreade farre The Place The first groweth in many dry barren and sandy grounds in Polonia The second Bellonius in his third booke and 41. Chapter of his Observation saith groweth in the valleies or lower plaine grounds at the foote of the mountaine Olympus and in Illyricum betweene Eastello novo and the old Epidourus The third Clusius saith he found onely in Spaine in the Kingdome of Murcia by the Sea side and no where else The fourth Lobel saith groweth not onely neare the Sea side about Cape de Sete Per aul and Magulona not farre from Mompelier but at Rochell also about the Sea side and in other places but Clusius saith he found it not farre from Salamanca which is the heart of Spaine in great plenty upon a small hill whereof he wondreth much not having found it or hearing of any other to have found it in any other places then the Sea coasts Anguillara saith in Dalmatia about the river Sabenicus The Time These flower late and ripen their fruite in the naturall places seldome before October and never in these colder climates as hath beene often prooved true yea the rootes will hardly without especiall care and keeping be preserved in the Winter with us The Names The first is mentioned of Camerarius by the name of Polygonum coeciferum Polonicum in his Epitome of Matthiolus and as I said before by Aemaâ— Lusetanus yet as not growing on Polygonum but other herbes The second is recorded by Bellonius in his third booke and 41. Chapter fol. 197. by the name of Ephedra that was full of red seede like unto Androsace by Dodonaeus under the name of Ephedra sive Anabasis as also by Rauwolfius Pliny calleth it Caucon sive Ephedra Bauhinus calleth it Polygonum bacciferum scandens The third is called by Clusius Polygonum quartum Plinij majus and saith the Spaniards call it Belcho by Tabermontanus Polygonum minimum sive cocciferum primum by Bauhinus Polygonum bacciferum maritimum majus sive Vva maritima major The fourth is called by Clusius Polygonum quartum Plinij minus who thinketh it to be the Androface of Belloâ—ius but I thinke Bellonius rather meant the greater sorts by Lobel Vva marina Monspelieufium and contesteth with Matthiolus why this should not be Tragon or Traganon of Dioscorides as they of Mempelier formerly called it and afterwards Androsace as Bellonius did in that he made Theophrastus his Scorpio to be Tragoâ— by Ruellius Tragos by Lugdunensis Tragus sive Scorpius maritimus Dalechampij yet in another place he calleth it Equisetum quartum as Pena doth Equiseti facis nacemâ—sa planta by Anguillara it is thought to be Croton of Nicander by Camerarius Tragum and Vva marina by Gesner in hortis Germania Tragium by Tabermontanus Polygonum marinum secundum and by Bauhinus Polygonum hacciferum maritimum minus Lugdunensis taketh it to be Osteocollum Hieroclis Absirti The French call it Raysius de mer from whence came the name of Vva marina The Vertues The Polonians with whom the first groweth doe use the herbe in the same manner that the Germans doe their Knawel that is to expell urine and to breake the stone the second is not knowne whether the people where it groweth doe use it as the two last sorts are which may well perswade us is of the same operation being so like in the outward face and forme for the Sea-grapes are both of one qualitie and serve for the same diseases that the Knotgrasses are used by the Spaniards where they grow as Clusius saith but especially to cure the ulcers of the privy parts in men or women they are also very effectuall to provoke urine plentfully and are exceeding astringent and drying so that they powerfully stay all fluxes of the belly or of womens courses restraine vomitings of the stomacke and the defluxions of thinne rheume from the head they are also very consolidative to soder together the lippes of greene wounds or to knit broken bones and to settle and strengthen those that have beene out of joint it is held to be so powerfull to knit dissevered parts that being boyled with peeces of flesh or with other things it will cause them to be so glued or sodered together that one cannot pull them in sunder againe in all sorts of ruptures also it is most effectuall CHAP. XVIII Cassia Poetica Monspeliensium The red berried Shrubbe Cassia I Have been bold to insert this plant in this place because some have made it a kind of Polygonum and although we cannot find it to be a Saxifrage or breakestone yet it hath the other drying astringent qualities of Polygonum This shrubbe riseth up to the height of two foote or there abouts spreading many slender twiggie greene branches whereon grow small long leaves like unto Line or Flaxe or somewhat resembling those of Lavander but thinnely set all along upon the branches the flowers are mossie or threddy and of a pale yellowish gerene Cassia poetica Monspellensium The red berried shrubbe Cassia coluor like unto those of the Olive tree or of the Male Cornell tree where afterwards come small round berries greene at the first but red as Corrall or like the berries of Asparagus when they are ripe of an astringent glutinous taste with some sharpenesse joyned therewhith wherein is contained an hard stone having a white sweete kernell within it the roote is hard and wooddy The Place It groweth by the high wayes in many places of Spaine both in the countries of Granado and Valentia and Sivill as also in divers places of Provence in France about the hedges and bordres of the Olive yeards by the bankes also of the river Lanus and about the village Peraul not farre from Mompelier as also in a small Wood or Coppise neare unto the Priory of Egremont neere there adjoyning The Time It flowreth about Iune and Iuly and the berries ripen not untill September The Names Clusius saith that it was accounted for Osyris of Pliny while he lived at Mompelier whereunto hee saith it doth agree in many things but afterward they called it Cassia but by what reason or cause it is not knowne for it neither agreeth with that Casia of Dioscorides and Galen which is like Cinamon and is of a spicie taste called in Apothecaries shoppes Cassia lignea whereas this is nothing so nor can it be the Cneoron of Theophrastus which as Pliny saith Hyginus called Cassia neither is it the sweete smelling Cassia of Virgil whereof he speaketh both in his Bucolicks and Geargicks yet as I said they of Mompelier did call it Casia and Lobel
Casia Poetica Monspeliensium Clusius calleth it Casia quorundum and saith that Placa a Phisition and professor in Valentia called it Polygonum Plinij and so doth Dalechampius upon Pliny call it Polygonum 4. Plinij Lugdunensis calleth it Casia lignea maritima Caesalpinus Casia lignea and Genista rubra because the stalkes and the leaves will sometimes grow red towards the end of Summer and Bauhinus Osyris frutescens baccifera numbring it among the Linarias because of the leaves and that he would make it to be the Osyris of Pliny lib. 27. cap. 12. as they of Mompelier at the first did which hee there saith hath small gentle or pliant branches with blacke leaves thereon like Lin and a seede blacke at the first and becomming red afterward and citing Galen in his eigh Booke of Simples that saith of Osyris is made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for women which some interpret Smegmata but Pliny saith Scopas alij 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but in my mind Pliny hath not truely related the words of Dioscorides and Galen who both say that the leaves of Osyris are first black and then red which he inverteth to the berries which make a great alteration of sense and Bauhinus to make this pliant his Osyris taketh him thus corrupted which yet is not found that the berries should be blacke before they be red The Vertues We have little recorded of any especiall cure this hath performed or that it is applied to those that are sicke of any disease for although all doe agree that it is of a drying glutinous and astringent taste and might no doubt be effectuall for laskes and fluxes of bloud and humours in men and women and to performe whatsoever the astringent and drying propertie might as in Polygonum promise to performe yet there is nothing determined and therefore I dare not play the Phisition to invent new receipts for the cure of old diseases it is sufficient to declare the temperature and what others have used or approinted when I have no new thing to shew CHAP. XIX 1. Asperula repens Gesneri sive Saxifraga altera Caesalpini Breakestone Woodroofe THis small plant which is accounted a kinde of Saxifrage in some places of Italy resembling in the outward face and forme Rubia minor Asperula Gallium and such other like herbes doth cause me to joyne it with them as being a congener of one tribe and family how therefore to know this plant is in this manner It spreadeth upon the ground for the most part and yet in some places standeth more upright divers small tender stalkes separated into other smaller branches of about a foote high full of joynts at which come forth three foure or more sometimes small and narrow smooth leaves the flowers stand at the toppes of the branches many set together 3. Iuncaria Saâ—maticeusis Small stone Woodroofe of Spaine in a tuft which are long small and reddish and after they are past groweth rough crooked seede which is small and blackish the roote is small and threddie and brownish on the outside 2. Rubia Cynanchica saxatilis Stone Woodroofe This other small Woodroofe is very like unto the former but that it is smaller and lower not past an hand breadth high and the leaves much smaller the flowers also of a pale red colour many tufting together and every one standing upon a short foote stalke the seedes and rootes are like the other 3. Iuncaria Salmaticensis Small stone Woodroofe of Spaine This small plant is likewise very like unto the first growing more upright with square rough rushlike branches spreading forth into many small sprayes almost like unto an Horsetaile grasse full of joints with two leaves and sometimes with more at a joint somewhat long narrow like unto Line or Flaxe but rough at the toppes of the branches come forth many small white flowers set in spikes and foure or five standing upon a short foote stalke together which stand in rough huskes wherein commeth the seede which is blacke and small the roote is white and threddy like the other The Place The first groweth in shady Woods in many places of Italy and Germany the second about Valentia in Daulphine in France the last about Salamanca in Spaine as Clusius saith but I found it on the right hand of Bradford bridge at the lower end of Grayes Iuâ— Lâ— by London neare the water course that passeth along thereby The Time They doe all flower and seede in the end of Sommer The Names The first is called by Gesner in libello de collectione stirpium Asperula herha repens and is the second Saxifrage of Caesalpinus Bauhinus referreth it to the Syâ—chyca of Ludgunensis and to the Gallium montanum latifolium cruciatum of Columna and calleth it himselfe Rubia Cynanchica the second he setteth forth in his Prodromus under the title I have here expressed it the last is called by Clusius Inucaria Salmaâ—icensis and Synanchicae species of Lugdunensis by Tabermontâ— Inucaria but by Bauhinus Rubia linifolia aspera The Vertues The Italians as I said in divers places of their countrie doe use the first kinde to helpe those that are troubled with the stone or gravell in their kidneyes by provoking urine which washing or puffing by the uritories carrieth with it small gravell and fretting the stone into gravell sendeth it forth with the urine it conferreth likewise much helpe to those that are troubled with the Quinsie which is an inflammation of the kernells of the throat which by the extreme paine thereof is ready to stoppe the breath and doth sometimes suddenly happen so indeede it is a disease that Dogges and Wolves are much subject into for it is derived from the Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 laqueus in that we usually hang up such Dogges that are troubled therewith or else that the disease is as a gibbet to hang them or from the Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod spiritum continendo respirationem inhibeat Of the other two sorts there is not any that hath mentioned any use they are put to in Physicke or otherwise CHAP. XX. Asparagus Asperagus or Sperage I Have in my former Booke set forth those sorts of garden Sperage or Asparagus whose young buds are most usually eaten with us as a sallet herbe of great esteeme whereof I shall not neede to make any repetition but proceede and shew you the rest of that kinde whereof there are three or foure sorts more 2. Asparagus marinus crassiore folio Sea or wild Asparagus with thicker leaves This kinde of sea or wild Asparagus riseth up with many but shorter stalkes then the garden kindes doe stronger also and thicker branching forth in the same manner and having such like winged leaves but shorter thicker harder and of a blewish greene colour the blossomes are like the other and so are the berries or seede that follow but greater than they and not of so fresh a red colour the roote spreadeth in the ground 3. Asparagus sylvestris folijs
with us onely as I thinke cherished in gardens the second came to us from Virginia and grew with Mr. Tradescant the last groweth in the West Indies and was first brought into Spaine and Italy and from thence communicated first to Camerarius as I thinke for he first set it forth and afterwards to others The Time They flower not untill the middle or later end of Iuly and the fruit is ripe about the end of August or beginning of September The Names Iosephus de Casa bona sent the last sort from Florence to Camerarius and called it Halicacabum sive Solanum Indicum some others have called it Arborescens and Solanum veficarium Indicum I have added thereunto rectuÌ„ to distinguish it from the Virginian Winter Cherrie but the ordinary kind is one of the four sâ—ys of Solana or Nightshades set forth and spoken of by Dioscorides and Galen and one of the two of Theophrastus called Solanum Halicacabum and by Pliny Vesicarium either of the bladder wherein the berrie groweth or of the vertues against the diseases of the bladder and stone Of the Arabians Alkakengi which name the Apothecaries doe retaine to this day in their shops Brunfelsius calleth it his Saxifrage quarta terming it rubra The Vertues Neither the Virginian nor Indian kinde are knowne to be used to helpe any griefe or disease But our ordinary Winter Cherries are of great use the leaves being cooling and may be used in all inflammations but not opening as the berries or fruit are which by opening the uritorie parts and drawing downe the urine provoke it to be avoided plentifully when it if stopped or when it groweth hot sharpe and painefull in the passage and is good also to expell the stone and gravell out of the reines kidnies and bladder helping to dissolve the stone and avoiding it by greete or gravell sent forth in the urine it helpeth much also to clense inward impostumes or ulcers in the reines or bladder or in those that avoid a bloudie or foule urine It helpeth the jaundise also by opening the passages of the gall and liver and expelling it by urine The distilled water of the fruit or the leaves together with them or the berries greene or drie distilled with a little milke is effectuall to all the purposes before specified if it be drunke morning and evening with a little Sugar and in speciall against the heate and sharpenesse of the urine Pliny recordeth that the roote hereof is so powerfull to stupifie the venome of the Scorpion that if it be but put unto them they will utterly lose all their strength and being boiled in oyle and applied is powerfull against their sting But because divers have appointed severall wayes for the preparing and ordering of the berries hereof to be helpefull for urine and the stone I thinke it not amisse to remember some of them unto you And first they appoint the berries to be put into new wine when it is new made and put up that the wine working with the bâ— therein may have their vertue therein and serve them to drinke that are troubled in the manner aforesaid but because our Land affordeth not wine to be made therein I doubt not but our Beere or Ale will be as effectuall having the 〈◊〉 proportion of berries that is three or foure good handfulls either greene and fresh or dried bruised and put thereunto that is into three or foure gallons when it is new tunned up and after drunke in the same manner and this drinke taken daily hath beene found to doe much good to many both to ease the paines and expell urine and the stone in whom it is confirmed and to cause it not to engender Another way Matthiolus much commendeth having used it many times himselfe which is to take some of the juyce of the berries in Ptisane drink made into 〈◊〉 creame with Poppie seede the kernells of Melon or Pompion seede also a decoction of Mallowes with some of the berries therein or some of the juyce drunke in it also sixe or nine drammes of the inward pulpe of Cassia fistula drawne forth with the water or decoction of the berries and given in a cupfull of the broth of fat flesh wherein also some of the berries have beene boiled is accounted an excellent remedie to clense the backe and reines in those griefes of the stone and urine the decoction of the berries in wine or water is the most usuall way to be taken and the powder of them taken in drinke or broth I hold to be more effectuall Thus I have shewed you all the sorts of Saxifrages or Breakestones that are properly so called for of divers herbes and plants that conduce to the same purpose I have spoken in my former Booke as you shall finde particularly quoted in the Table of remedies under the name of For the stone in the reines and kidnies There are divers other herbes also availeable for the same purpose but could not fitly be placed in this Classis in that many of them are umbelliferous plants some Thistles and some of other Tribes all which could not without much confusion be brought out of their owne stations to fill up another Take the rest therefore of those Breakestones as you shall find them dispersed throughout this whole Worke. Now it behoveth me to intreate of other herbes whose vertues are to heale wounds and therefore called Vulnerary in the next Classis PLANTAE VVLNERARIAE ET FERRVMINANTES JD EST CONSOLIDANTES VVLNERARY OR WOVND HERBES CLASSIS QVINTA THE FIFTH TRIBE CHAP. I. Centaurium majus The greater Centory I Dare not incline to the opinion of some of the Arabian Phisitions and Writers that have said the roote hereof is bitter and thereby have added strong purging qualities unto this kinde of Centory which properly belong unto the lesser kinde thereby confounding them both together for if I did I must have placed it in the second Classis among the purging plants Neither dare I hold with the moderne errour of many that hold me roote of this great Centory to be the Rhaponticum of Dioscorides Galen and others they being so much differing one from another as I shall shew you by and by But as the qualities therein are most certaine to be Vulnerary I have placed it here Of this kinde there are three other sorts knowne in these dayes which were not formerly which together there with shall be entreated of in this Chapter and first of that which was first and commonly Knowne 1. Centaurium majus vulgare The common great Centory The common great Centory hath many large and long soft leaves deepely cut in on the edges into many parts notched or dented about the edges of a pale greene colour on the upper side and whitish underneath the stalke is strong and round three or foure foote high divided at the toppe into many branches whereon stand large round scaly greene heads shooting forth at their toppes many small threds or thrummes of a
both the face and qualities of the one unto the other and Pliny also in his 25. Booke and 6. Chapter runneth into the same error with them who although be agreeth with Dioscorides in the description of it yet saith it hath a certaine bitternesse in it which is not found in this greater but the lesser kinde The second is called by Cornutus among his Canada plants Centauriâ— folijs Cynarae Pona saith in the description of the plants growing upon Mount Baldus that the third kind was called of divers there about Rheu Baldensis and Clusius saith the Portugals where he found it called it Rapontis Bauhinus saith that the last he received from out of the garden at Padoa by the name of Rhaponticum Lusitanicum The Vertues The roote of the great Centory saith Matthiolus being steeped in wine or the powder thereof given in wines is with great good successe and profit used for those that are fallen into a dropsie or have the jaundise or are troubled with the obstructions of the liver two drammes of the rootes beaten to powder and taken in wine or in water helpeth those that spit blood or that bleede much at the mouth if they have an ague to take it in water or else in wine it is likewise used for ruptures cramps and pleurisies and for those that have an old or long continued cough and for those that are short winded or can haâ—dly draw their breath it is good also to ease the griping paines in the belly and those of the mother being scraped and put up as a pâ—ssary into the mother it procureth womens courses and causeth the dead birth to be avoided the juice thereof used in the same manner worketh the same effect some copies of Dioscorides have this it is called Panacea because it helpeth all diseases and sores where there is inflammation or bruises causing it it helpeth the Strangury or pissing by droppes if it be injected as also the stone the decoction or juice of the roote or a dramme in powder thereof drunke and the wound washed therewith taketh away all the paine and danger of the bitings or stingings of venemous creatures it helpeth to sharpen the eyesight if it be steeped in water and dropped into them Galen in 7. simp sheweth that it hath contrary qualities in it and therefore worketh contrary effects the sharpe taste shewing an hot quality whereby it provoketh womens courses c. and the astringent a cold grosse earthly quality glueing or sodering the lippes of wounds and staying the spitting of blood and by all the qualities joyned together helpeth ruptures crampes and the diseases of the Lungs the sharpenesse procuring evacuation and the astriction the strengthning of the parts the whole plant as well herbe as roote is very availeable in all sorts of wounds or ulcers to dry soder clense and heale them and therefore is a principall ingredient or should be in all vulnerary drinkes and injections CHAP. II. Iacea Knapweede THere are a very great many of herbes that beare the name of Iacea which I must to avoide confusion distribute into severall orders that so the memory being not confounded with a promiscuous multitude each may be the better understood in their severall ranckes Iaceae non Laciniatae Knapweedes with whole leaves Ordo primus The first ranke or order 1. Iacea nigra vulgaris Our common Matfellon or Knapweede THe common Knapweede hath many long and somewhat broad darke greene leaves rising from the roote somewhat deepely dented about the edges and sometimes a little rent or torne on both sides in two or three places and somewhat hairy withall among which riseth up a strong round stalke foure or five foote high divided into many small branches at the toppes whereof stand great scaly greene heads and from the middle of them thrust forth a number of darke purplish red thrums or threds and sometimes white but very rarely which after they are withered and past there is found divers blacke seede lying in a great deale of downe somewhat like unto Thistle seed but smaller the roote is white hard and wooddy with divers fibres annexed thereunto which perisheth not but abideth with leaves thereon all the Winter and shooting out fresh every Spring 2. Iacea nigra angustifolia Narrow leafed Knapweede This Knapweede hath a round rough greene stalke about a foote and a halfe high whereon are set on each side narrow rough short and somewhat hoary greene leaves compassing it at the bottome and divided into some other branches above on each whereof standeth a scaly whitish greene head out of the middle whereof rise many small long threds like unto the former but smaller and of a pale reddish colour after which followeth small blacke seede like the other the roote is blackish and parted into many small fibres Of this sort also there is one whose stalke and leaves are longer smooth and all hoary soft and woolly 3. Iacea nigra humilis The smaller dwarfe Knapweede This low Knapweede hath small weake and round hoary stalkes about a foote high bending to the ground 1. Iacea nigra vulgaris The common wild Knapweede 6. Iacea Austriaca latifolia villoso capite The greater hairy headed Knapweede with leaves thereon of an inch in breadth and two in length not divided or dented about the edges at all but being a little rough and hoary as it were thereabouts compassing the stalkes at the bottome at the toppes whereof stand such like scaly heads as in the others with purplish threds or thrummes rising thereout as in the rest 4. Iacea montana Austriaca major The greater mountaine Hungarian Knapweede This greater mountaine Knapweede is very like unto the former common wilde kinde being somewhat broad and long dented about the edges and rough and hairy also and of a darke greene colour but those that grow upon the straked stalkes are still up higher smaller and more cut in on the edges the heads that stand at the toppes of the stalkes are not rough or hairy but smooth and scaly crackling if they be lightly touched brownish upward and whitish lower the flowers consist of many purple whitish leaves cut in the ends into five slits or divisions like as those of the Cyanus with many purplish long threds in the middle and a purple stile in the middle of them besprinkled at the head with a mealely whitenesse the seede that followeth is like unto the other but somewhat larger the roote also is blackish and stringy like the former and abideth as the rest doe 5. Iacea montana Austriaca minor The lesser mountaine Hungarian Knapweede The lesser Hungarian kinde is in most things like the last but that it groweth lower and the leaves and stalkes are nothing so hairy and rough but smooth and hoary the flowers also are of a paler purple colour and the seede is not blacke but of a whitish gray or ash colour 6 Iacea Austriaca latifolia villoso capite The greater hairy headed Knapweepe This greater hairy headed
spinosa or Poterion but I forbeare any farther to speake thereof in this place The first of these here set downe is called by Clusius Staebe Salamantica prima by Dodonaeus Aphyllanthes prima by Bauhinus Staebe major folijs Cich raceis mollibus lanuginosis The second is called by Clusius Staebes Salamanticae primae altera species by Lobel Staebe argentea incana Aldroandi by Dodonaeus Aphyllanthes tertia by Bauhinus Staebe major folijs Erucae mollibus lanuginosis The third is called by Clusius Staebe Salamantica altera vel tertia by Lobel Staebe argentea Salamantica minor by Dodonaeus Aphyllantes quarta by Bauhinus Staebe calyculis argenteis The fourth is called by Clusius Staebe Gallica and Austriaca elatior by Bauhinus Staebe major calyculis non splendentibus The fifth is called by Clusius Staebe Austriaca humilis by Gesner in collectione stirpium Centaurij majoris species minor and by Bauhinus Staebe incana Cyano similis tenuifolia The sixth is called by Taberna ontanus and Gerard Iacea flore albo and by Bauhinus Staebe calyculis argenteis minor The seaventh is called by Alpinus lib. de plantis exoticis as it is in the title The eighth is called by Pona in his Italian Baldus Cyanus spinosus Creticus and so also by Alpinus in lib. de exoticis plantis Clusius in his Auctuarium to the other Appendix to his history of plants calleth it Staebe peregrina and saith that Iacobus Plateau who sent him a branch of the plant with the figure thereof drawne having gathered it in the Garden of the Duke of Areschote in Bellomonte called it Staebe spinosa fruticans The ninth I have joyned with these Staebes as I said before rather then with the Storax trees as Bauhinus doth calling it Frutex rotundo argenteo folio Cyani flore for Pona in the same place above said calleth it Cyanus fruticosus Creticus and is the same plant that Honorius Bellus in his second Epistle to Clusius as he saith could not learne by what name they of Candy called it and therefore he onely called it Pulcherrimus frutex I have as you see set it and the last with the Jacea's being nearest in likenesse to them in regard these have all scaly heads as the Iaceas have which are not seene in any Scabions The last Pona in the description of Mount Baldus first called Stâ—bo capitata Rosmarini folijs but after in his Italian booke he calleth it Chamaepitys fruticosa Cretica Belli and by them of Candy called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est lignum faetidum and by Bauhinus Iacea fruticans Pinifolio and is thought to be the Chamaepence Plinij of Anguilara The Spaniards as Clusius saith call the first by the name Cabesuela id â—st capitulum a little head and usually make broomes thereof to sweepe their houses the learned Phisitions there â—s he saith use the third sort instead of Scabious for all the purposes thereof The Vertues The most of these sorts but especially the three first do come somewhat nigh unto the qualities of Scabions and therefore I must referre you thereunto to know both what remedies may be had from these plants and in what manner and to what purpose to be used for as Scabions fitteth the parts whereunto it is applyed so doe these also CHAP. VII Ptarmicae non vulgares Vnusuall Sneesewort I Have here as I promised before brought to your knowledge those other plants that comming neerest unto the Iacea's and Staebes and yet being none of them were fittest to be entreated of in a Chapter peculiar by themselves for as I said although Bauhinus doth put these two sorts under the title of Iacea oleae folio and reciteth their authors for them who are chiefely Lobel and Clusius yet I cannot finde by the same authors as well as by mine owne sight and knowledge but that they are offering plants from both Iacea and Staebe but I would not have you conceive that any of these Ptarmica's is 〈◊〉 which groweth wild with us in divers places for I meane to bring it into that Classis that is fit for it namely â—at of hot sharpe and biting herbes the double kinde whereof I have set forth in my former booke 1. Ptarmica Austriaca Clusij sive major Clusius his Sneesewort of Austria The Sneesewort of Austria sendeth forth many leaves from the rootes lying on the ground being soft and smooth somewhat long and narrow greene on the upper side and hoary on the under of a little sower relish or taste among which riseth up an hoary stalke about two foote high or better having divers such like leaves thereon but lesser spreading into some few slender branches with every one for the most part a small scaly white silver like head on them from whence spring forth a dozen or foureteene hard and small long pointed leaves as a border or pale about a number of small short thrummes in the middle almost like as if they were made of parchment whitish at the first appearing but afterwards being come to their full maturity of a most faire bleake blewish purple colour without any sent to commend it pleasant onely by the prospect of forme and colour and by the durability for being gathered in his perfection it withereth not or looseth colour but abideth in the same colour without changing for many yeares together being put into a paper booke otherwaies being let stand upon the stalkes they become somewhat brownish having many small blackish long seedes lying among a deale of white downe the roote is hard and blacke with some fibres at it but perisheth every yeare 2. Ptarmicâ— Imperati sive minor The smaller Sneesewort of Spaine or Naples This smaller Sneesewort hath such like long and narrow soft hoary leaves but not fully so large as the former the stalke riseth not so high but is divided into more and more slender hard branches at the toppes whereof stand such like scaly heads but not so white or silver like from whence shoot forth such like stiffe hard leaves as the pale or border but neither so large nor so many being seldome above eight or tenne neither are they of so faire a blewish purple colour but of a pale delayed colour having many thrummes in the middle the seede that followeth is like the former and so is the roote but smaller both of them and perisheth in the same manner every yeare this plant being a little rubbed or handled sendeth forth a reasonable sweete sent or at least not to be misliked The Place The first Matthiolus saith groweth in Italy and Clusius saith he found it in Austria and afterwards in divers parts of Hungary Lobel saith it groweth about Mompelier for I suppose his incana altera Iacea to be this Ptarmica himselfe also saying that some did so call it although he describeth it to have rougher leaves The second we having received the seede from Italy under the name of Ptarmica Imperati have thought good to expresse it by the same title we
flowers but larger consisting of eight or nine hollow leaves with wider open brimmes and small threds in the middle the circling leaves are of a fine delayed purple or blush colour very beautifull and the thicke thrums paler or almost white of so exceeding a sweete sent that it surpasseth the finest Civet that is the seede is blackish and enclosed in the like downy substance the roote perisheth every yeare the greater of these two sorts smelling much better then the other 1. Cyanus major vulgaris The great ordinary blew Bottle 2. Cyanus minor vulgaris diver sorum colorum The small ordinary Corne flower of divers colours 3. Cyanus Orientalis major minor The greater and lesser Orientall Bottle or Sultans flower 5. Cyanus repens latifolius Broad leafed French Corne flower 4. Cyanus Baeticus supinus The Spanish Corne flower This Spanish kinde hath many square low bending or creeping stalkes not standing so upright as the former but branching out more diversly so that one plant will take up a 6. Cyanus minimus repens angustifolius The smallest Corne flower of Mompelier great deale of ground the leaves are somewhat broader softer and of a paler greene colour then of the common small kinde but not much or deepely gashed on the edges the flowers stand in bigger heads also and with foure or five leaves under each of a light purple or blush colour after which come white seed like thereunto also but not so plentifully yet wrapped in a more downy substance the roote groweth downe deepe and perisheth likewise every yeare as they doe 5. Cyanus repens latifolius Lobelij Broad leafed French Corne flower This Cyanus that Lobel and Pena in their Adversaria have set forth whose taste is very bitter and unpleasant hath divers weake hoary and trayling branches not standing upright about a foote and a halfe high whereon grow diâ—ers hoary leaves somewhat long and narrow and somewhat like unto those of Lavander but harder in handling at the top of the stalke which is branched forth grow severall scaly heads like unto the other Cyani whose flowers are like unto them but of a sadder or deader purple colour then in any of the other sorts the roote is about a fingers length 6. Cyanus repens angustifolius sive minimus The smallest Corne flower of Mompelier This smallest Corne flower hath likewise divers weake slender yet hard hoary and twigged stalkes whereon are set divers smaller leaves then the last but hoary in the same manner at the toppes of the branched stalkes stand many scaly heads much lesser then any of the sorts of Corne flowers from whence grow such like flowers but of a sadder or deader colour the seedes are like the smaller ordinary kindes and the roote is small long and wooddy 7. Cyanus Creticus spinosus Prickly Corne flower of Candy The lower leaves of this Corne flower are jagged and very hoary but those on the hoary branches of the stalkes are lesse or not at all they ending in long sharpe prickes or thornes with small blush-coloured flowers like the others sorts but smaller the roote is long and somewhat thicke enduring many yeares The Place The first groweth naturally upon sandy hils in Germany but is usually cherished elsewhere in Gardens The second with blew flowers in many corne fieldes of our owne land and some of the other colours also The third as is said in Turkie and the fourth in Spaine first found and sent unto us by Doctor Boel who is now resident at Lishborus The fifth groweth under the branches of the Seseli pratensis by Sella nova neere unto Mompelier and the sixt thereabouts also and by Castrum novum not farre from Mompelier as Pena and Lobel doe set them downe in their Adversaria the three last and the other woolly sort in Candy The Time They flower and seede in the Sommer Moneths when the other doe The Names It is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cyanus a floris Cyaneo vel caeruleo colore In the Infancy of Herbarists Tragus who knew not well what to call the first referred it to the Verbasca and called it Verbasculum but now it is generally called by all Herbarists Cyanus major some adde thereunto hortensis and others Montanus yet Hermolaus taketh it to be Lâ—ium of Dioscorides and Caesalpinus to be a kinde of Struthium whereof Theophrastus maketh mention 〈◊〉 Columna judgeth it to be that kinde of Papaver which Theophrastus calleth Heracleum and Lobel maketh 〈◊〉 whether it may not be accounted a species of Chondrilla The second sort that groweth in the Corne is called Flor Frumenti and Baptisecula or Blaptisecula of the turning the edges of sickles in cutting downe the Coâ—e for Sâ—cula was taken for a Sickle in ancient time The third was sent us out of Turkiâ— by the name of Aâ—oi which whether it be a Turkish or Arabian name I know not the Turkes themselves as I heare doe gen◠〈◊〉 it the Sâ—ians flower and so doe I but that I adde odoratus for the sweete sent of the flower The fourth was sent by Bâ—el under the name of Iacea Baetica but because I finde it better agreeing with Cyanus then Iaceâ— I have inserted it here The two next sorts are called Cyanus supinus repens by Lobel in his Adversaria The Candy kindes are mentioned by Alpinus in his Booke de exoticis The Vertues The powder of the dryed leaves of the greater blew Bottle or Corne flower is given with good successe to those that by some fall are much bruised and for them also if they have broken a veine inwardly and voide much blood at the mouth being taken either in the water of Plantaine Horsetaile or the greater Comfrey It is accounted a helpe or remedy against the poyson of the Scorpion and Phalangium and to resist all other venomes and poysons And therefore Placentius affirmeth it to be excellent good in all pestilentiall feavers and of its owne power to be powerfull against the plague or pestilence and all other infectious diseases either the seede or the leaves taken in Wine The juice is singular good to put into fresh or greene wounds for it doth quickly feder up the lippes of them together and is no lesse effectuall also to heale all such ulcers and sores as happen in the mouth The same juice also dropped into the eyes taketh away the heate and inflammations in them the distilled water of the herbe hath the same properties and may be used for all the effects aforesaid The lesser blew Bottle or Corne flower is used generally by all our Phisitions and Apothecaries in the stead of the greater when it is not to be had and is held to be in a manner as effectuall as the greater CHAP. IX Scabiosa Scabious NOw that we are come to handle the varieties of the Scabiouses they are so many that I know not well how to marshall them into any good method or order yet that I may endeavour it the best I can I thinke it
leaves and more compact and closed making a more comely forme of a Rose sometimes fully laid open and sometimes more close and as it were halfe closed and sometimes out of the middle of the Rose will arise two or three or more short stalkes bearing each a small greene Rose and therefore called Prolifera made of many small leaves set together in the same manner Prolifera and sometimes many short spikes set close together in one head or separate each by it selfe this kinde beareth no seede that ever was observed but is encreased by slipping or parting the roote and setting it againe 3. Plantago angustifolia minor The lesser Ribwort Plantane The smaller Ribbewort Plantane is in every part thereof like the first sort but that it groweth smaller and lower and this onely maketh it to differ from it 4. Plantago angustifolia serrata Spanish Ribbewort with dented leaves This Spanish Ribbewort is like the lesser sort but smaller narrower and harder in handling being dented about the edges and so sharpe with all that they might seeme to be prickles which hath caused some to call it peregrinosâ—inosâ— the spiked heads stand upon slender stalkes about halfe a foote high being somewhat open or dispersed 5. Plantago angustifolia fruticans Shrubbe Plantane The shrubbe Plantaine is in all things like the smaller Ribbeworte but that the leaves are whiter and the stalkes high and wooddy with small leaves on them and the heads are in fashion like them but shorter and softer bearing whitish bloomingâ— and darke seede 1.4 Plantago angustifolia sive quinque nervia major serrata The greater Ribbewort Plantane with plaine and dented leaves 2. Plantago angustifolia roses multiformis Variable and Rose Ribbe Wort. 3. Plantago angustifolia minor The lesser Ribbewort Plantane 6. Plantago Apula bulbosa Bulbed Ribbewort of Naples 8. Trinervia folio angustissino The smallest Ribbewort 6. Plantago Apula bulbosa Bulbed Ribbewort of Naples This Bulbed Ribbewort hath a long small and round head for the upper part of his roote like unto a small Bulbe or Onion of the bignesse of an Hassell Nut or bigger from whence shoote downe into the ground many thicke and blacke long fibres from this head or bulbe spring forth many long and narrow leaves like the first Ribwort lying upon the ground but that each of them are more hairy and dented or cut on the edges into gashes separate a good distance one from the other somewhat like unto Bucks horne Plantane from among which rise rise up slender hairy round stalkes about a foote high bearing such like spiked heads as the first doth with pale yellow bloomings and small blackish seede after them 7. Plantago montana trinervia Small mountaine Ribbewort Plantane This small mountaine Ribbewort hath divers very small and long hoary white leaves having each of them but three ribbes or veines a peece running through them whereof it tooke the name the stalkes that rise among them are small and Rush like not much above a foot high whereon stand small thicke and short heads with small flowers on them made of foure small stiffe leaves and small white threds hanging out of them like the other sorts of Plantane after which come such seede as is in the rest the roote hath a small long necke hairy above and set with pale long fibres underneath 8. Plantago trinervia folio angustissimo The smallest Ribbewort This least Ribbewort hath such like leaves as the last lying upon the ground but they are neither so white nor so long very narrow and some longer or shorter than others all of them smooth and without any haires upon or but a very little shew the smooth stalkes are many that rise up amongst them being of divers sises for some rise not above foure inches others halfe a foote or a foote and some a foote and a halfe high whereon grow small and somewhat long spiked heads the rootes are many small white fibres 9. Plantago angustifolia paniculis lagopi Hares foote Plantaine This Plantane hath many long ribbed rough hairy leaves very like unto the first Ribbewort but ending in a smaller and sharper point it sendeth forth a number of small round brownish stalkes of divers sises or heights some being not above two or three inches high and others halfe a hand breadth or an hand breadth high at the most whereon stand small long reddish heads like unto the heads of Lagopus or Hares foote some being longer and others smaller and shorter hut all soft with small reddish flowers at them and small threds hanging from them as in the other sorts and small seede following the roote is somewhat long with many reddish fibres growing there from This sometimes is found so small that it scarse exceedeth three fingers in height being more hairy and having smaller and rounder heads The Place The first without dents on the edges and the third grow with us in divers Meddowes and fieldes and by pathwayes in gardens also it is found as a weede the second is found wilde in divers places of this Kingdome and brought and cherished in gardens for the rarietie the fourth and fift were brought us from Spaine by Guillaume Boel often remembred both in this and my former Booke where he found them the sixth and seventh grow in the Kingdome of Naples Fabius Columna having found them there and set them forth the eight Bauhinus saith groweth with them about Bassill by the way side and among rubbish the last in the fields about Nemausium The Time These all flower and seede at the time that the former doe that is in May Iune and Iuly The Names This is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pentaneuros that is Quinquenervia in Latine Plantago angustifolia and Plantago media minor of some and Lanceolata and Lanceola in Italian Lancivola in French Lanceola in high Dutch Spitzer Wegerich in low Dutch Honts ribbe in English Ribbewort and Ribbewort Plantane The first is generally called either Plantago angustifolia major or Plantago Quinquenervia major of many of Fuschius Dodonaeus Gesner and others Plantago minor of Matthiolus and Lugdunensis Plantago longa the second hath many titles to expresse it according to the formes of the spikes as Plantago torosa prolifera rosea c. the third is remembred by Thalius in Harcynia sylva the forth and fift Clusius maketh mention of in his Curae posteriores but the same Guillaume Boel brought the dried plants and shewed them to me and others before hee shewed them to him and I had the seedes of them as of many other things which hee gathered most part upon my charge whereof many sprang and seeded and in their places are remembred others sprang but seeded not and so we have lost the kindes which wee have not of many things gotten againe the sixt Fabius Columna called Plantago Apula laciniata bulbosa and Bauhinus Plantago pilosa bulbosa the seventh Columna also calleth Plantago altera minima
the roote hereof is like the other and encreaseth by the shooting strings that put forth fresh leaves every year The Place The two first are found in woods and fieldes every where yet the second much more seldome than the former the third and fourth and so likewise the last on divers hills and parts of Germany and France The Time The two first sorts flower in May and sometimes in Aprill the other sort somewhat later as for the most part all mountaine herbes doe The Names This is generally called Prunella for it was not knowne to the ancient Greeke or Latine Writers that can yet be found and Brunella from the Germans who called it Brunnellen because it cureth that disease which they call die Bruen common to souldiers in campe but especially in garison which is an inflammation of the mouth throate and tongue with blacknesse therein accompanied for the most part with a strong burning feaver and distraction of the senses it is also called Consolida minor and Solidago minor and of Camerar us Consolida minima Lobel and some others also with him tooke it especially that with jagged leaves to be Symphitum petraeum of Dioscorides which that it cannot be you shall heare the description thereof as Dioscorides giveth it that is Symphitum petraeum groweth saith he in rockie and stony places with slender small branches like Origanum and with the heads and leaves of Time it is all woody swelling sweete and pleasant in taste yet drawing water into the mouth and causing one to spit it out the roote is somewhat reddish or browne of the length of a finger yet some coppies have it hath branches like Origanum and small leaves and heades like Time this is Dioscorides his text but this herbe Selfeheale hath no wooddy stalkes nor reddish rootes nor smelleth sweete except in some places nor doth it so strongly consolidate or knit flesh together as the great Comfrey doth which is one of the properties Dioscorides appropriateth unto Symphytum petraeum Lobel therefore first imagined that the Coris Monspeliensium should be it Bauhinus also after him saith he did but afterwards he learned that Matthiolus his Symphitum petraeum was much differing his figure being of Coris lutea The first and so the rest are called Brunella by Brunfelsius Dodonaeus and Lobel by Tragus Prunella vulgaris and so by all Authors only as I said before Lobel in his Adversaria calleth this last Symphytum petraeum and Bauhinus Prunella Laciniato folio The Vertues The Selfe heale being so like the Bugle as I said in outward forme is no lesse like it in the qualitie and vertues being by the bitternesse taken to be hot and drie and yet temperate in both degrees and by some thought to be rather more cold in regard it is so powerfull to helpe such an hot sicknesse as the Germane disease called die Bruen which as hath bin in some part said before commeth with inflammation and swelling both in the mouth and throate the tongue rough and rugged or blacke and a fierce hot continuall ague thereon which is remedied chiefely by drinking the decoction of this herbe continually and washing the mouth often also therewith having some vinegar added unto it but bloud letting must be used in the cure and the under the tongue without which it will not or very hardly be effected this herbe serveth for all the purposes whereunto Hugle is applied and with as good successe both inwardly and outwardly for inward wounds and ulcers wheresoever within the body for bruises and falls and other such griefes for if it be accompanied with Bugle Sanicle and other the like wound herbes it will be the more effectuall and to wash or inject into ulcers in the parts outwardly for where there is cause to represse the heate and sharpenesse of humours flowing to any sore ulcer inflammation swelling or the like or to stay the fluxe of bloud in any wound or any part this is used with good successe as also to clense the foulenesse of all sores and to cause them the more speedily to be healed it is an especiall remedy for all greene wounds to soder the lippes of them and to keepe the place from any further inconvenience the juyce hereof used with oyle of Roses to annoint the temples and forehead is very effectuall to remove the head-ach and the same juice mixed with a little Hony of Roses clenseth and healeth all ulcers and sores in the mouth and throate and those also in the secret parts that same ointment that is set downe in the former Chapter is made as often with this herbe instead of Bugle if it be not at hand or if it be yet they are oftentimes both put together to serve to helpe broken bones or joints out of place the Proverbe of the Germans French and others whereof is made mention in the former is no lesse verified as I there said then of this that he needeth neither Physition or Chirurgion that hath Selfeheale and Sanicle by him to helpe himselfe CHAP. XXVII Bellis The Daisie THre be many sorts of Daisies some growing wild both greater and smaller and others in gardens chiefely whereof I have in my former Booke given you the hint of divers but many more is to be spoken of here that is not there set downe which are fitter for this than that place and I am the more willing and thinke it fitter to joyne their Chapter next unto the last because some of them are called Consolida which I would set altogether 1. Bellis major vulgaris sive sylvestris The great white wild Daisie The great white Daisie hath many long narrow and round pointed leaves next the ground cut in on both sides making it seeme almost like the divisions of some sorts of Oaken leaves the stalkes grow to be somewhat high with divers leaves thereon but smaller and lesser divided than the lower at the toppes whereof grow large flowers each upon severall footestalkes consisting of many white and narrow leaves as a pale or border and the yellow thrummes in the middle of no sent at all whose seede which is somewhat long it blowen away with the winde the roote is a bush of white stringes which abide many Winters with the leaves shouting forth every Spring anew Ftore pleno Of this kinde there is one that beareth double flowers differing from the former in nothing else which is set forth in my former Booke 2. Bellis montana major folio acuto The mountaine great Daisie with sharpe pointed leaves This Daisie grow lower than the former and hath much narrower leaves and shorter also not deepely dented nor sharpe about the edges but ending in an exquisite point the stalkes beare but one flower apeece somewhat lesse than the former but else in all things alike 1. Bellis major vulgaris sive sylvestris The great white wilde Daisie 4. Bellis major ramosa umbellifera Americana The great strange white Daisie 3. Bellis Alpina major rigido folio The greater
that happen in the joynts of the armes and legges the juice of them dropped into the running eyes of any doth much helpe them the small Daisie is held to be more astringent and binding then any other sort CHAP. XXVIII Sanicula Sanicle THere be divers herbes that the learned writers have entituled Sanikle from their especiall properties in healing as Avens Beares eare Corrallwort Butterwort and divers others as they are remembred in their severall places and some in my former Booke as the spotted and Beares cares Sanicle whereof I thinke it not amisse to speake a little here and to give you their figures withall but this that I here first propose unto you is properly and peculiarly called Sanicle simply without any oâ—her epithite and thereof I finde no other sort although some have made mas and foemina accounting this the mas 1 Sanitula vulgaris sive Diapensia Ordinary Sanicle or Selfe heale 2 Pingulcula sive Sanicula Eboracensis Buâ—erwort or Yorkeshire Sanicle 3. Sanicula guttata Spotted Sanicle 4. Sanicula Alpin a sive cortusa Matthiâ— Beares eare Sanicle and Astrancia nigra Dioscoridis to be the foemina but yet I thinke fit also to adjoyne hereunto the Pinguicula or Butterwort called of some Sanicula Eboracensis and an American Cortusa for the properties and use sake although differing in forme one from another The description of the ordinary Sanicle is thus It sendeth forth many great round leaves standing upon long brownish stalkes every one somewhat deepely cut or divided into five or sixe parts and some of those cut in also somewhat like the leafe of a Crowfoote or Doves foote and finely dented about the edges smooth and of a darke greene shining colour and sometimes reddish about the brimmes from among which riseth up small round greene stalkes without any joynt or leafe thereon saving at the toppe where it brancheth out into flowers having a leafe divided into three or foure parts at that joynt with the flowers which are small and white starting out of small round greenish yellow heads many standing together in a tuft in which afterwards are the seedes contained which are small round rough burres somewhat like unto the seeds of Clevers and sticke in the same manner upon any thing that they touch the roote is composed of many blacke strings or fibres set together at a little long head which abideth with the greene leaves all the winter and perish not 2. Pinguicula sive Sanicula Eboracensis Butterwort Butterwort hath divers fat and long leaves lying upon the ground about the roote broad at the bottome and pointed at the end of a pale greene colour on the upperside and white underneath folded together at their first rising which then are more white from among which arise two or three slender naked stalkes about an handbreadth high bearing onely one flower at the toppe of every one set in a small greene huske made somewhat like a Violet flower or those of the Larkes heeles or spurres having a small tayle or spurre behinde in some of a purple in others of a more blew colour and in some white after the flowers are past come in their places small pointed round heads wherein is contained small long blacke seede the roote is composed of divers small white fibres or strings which dye not but abide with the greene leaves upon them all the Winter 3. Sanicula guttata Spotted Sanicle Having given you the description hereof and the varieties in my former Booke I shall here rather point at it then fully declare that it hath roundish leaves greene above and grayish underneath and reddish withall the toppe of the branched stalke is stored with many small five leafed white flowers so finely spotted with red spots that they seeme to be pricked thereon 4. Sanicula Alpina sive Cortusa Matthioli Beares-eare Sanicle This also being there described at large needeth the lesser relation that it hath larger and more crumpled hairy round leaves then the last the stalkes also lower and bearing sundry small pendulous purple flowers 5. Sanicula sive Cortusa Americana fruticosa The Shrubbe Sanicle of America The shrubby Sanicle of America hath sundry almost round leaves lying on the ground each upon a little long footestalke divided at the edges into two parts dented likewise about the brimmes from among which rise hard wooddy stalkes neere two foote high having such like leaves thereon as grow below and branching forth with sundry small white â—arre like flowers in a tuft together at the toppes The Place The first is found in many shadowye woods and other places of this land The second in the common fields and sundry bogs on the hils in Yorkeshire chiefly in many places also of the West Country and Wales and likewise in a Common about a mile from Oxford neare a village called Herington The third and the fourth as Clusius saith groweth in all the Austrian and Stirian hils in the shadowy places of them The last came from the backe part of Virginia called Canada The Time The first and second flower not untill Iune and their seede is soone ripe after the other two next flower much earlier and sometimes againe in Autumne The last flowreth in Iuly The Names I have not found that any of these Sanicles were knowne to any of the ancient Greeke or Latine authors but are as many other vulnerary and other herbes found out and named by later writers For the first it hath his name Sanicula a potiore sanandi munere it is also called Diapensia by Brunfelsius Matthiolus and Lobel and by Tabermontanus Consolida quinqnefolia for Matthiolus maketh it his fourth kinde of Quinqnefolium Fabius Columna would referre it to the third Sideritis of Dioscorides but of most writers it is generally called Sanicula and some as I said before call it mas because they would make the Astrantia nigra Dioscoridis set forth in the third Classis of this worke which is of purging plants and 23. Chapter under the title of Helleborus niger Saniculae folio major the great purging Sanicle to be the faemina It is called by the Italians Sanicola by the Germanes and Dutch Sanikel by the French Sanicle and by us Sanickle The other was first called Pinguicula by Gesner in descriptione montis fracti and from him all others doe so call it some also with us Sanicula Eboraceâ—sis because it groweth so plentifully in Yorkeshire Lugdunensis calleth it Cucullata and thinketh it may be Criâ— Aâ—lei Gesner thought it to be Dodecatheon Plinij others Lingula Plinij and some as Gesner Viola humida aut palâ—stris Bauhinus in putting it among his Sanicules calleth it Sanicula montana flore calcari donata We in English doe call it Butterwort and Butter roote because of the vnctuositie of the leaves or else of fatning as Gerard saith but untruely for they call it white rot and not white roote as Gerard saith for the Country people doe thinke their sheepe will catch the rot if for hunger they should eate thereof and
therefore call it the white rot of the colour of the herbe as they have another they call the red rot which is Pedicularis red Rattle The third is called Sanicula montana altera by Clusius and Alpina and guttata by Camerarius and others by Lobel Gariophyllata sive Geum Alpinum recentiorum folio hederaceo The fourth Matthiolus called Cortusa having received it from Cortusâ— and reckoneth it among the Avens and thereupon Lobel calleth it Caryophyllata Veronensium flore Saniculae ursâ— Clusius calleth it his first Sanicula montana and others Alpina The last for some resemblance was called Cortusa by the French and Americana added to distinguish it The Vertues Sanicle is bitter in taste and thereby is heating and drying in the second degree it is astringent also and therefore exceeding good to heale all greene wounds speedily or any ulcers impostumes or bleedings inwardly it doth wonderfully helpe those that have any tumour in their bodies in any part for it represseth the humours and dissipateth them if the decoction or juice thereof be taken or the powder in drinke and the juice used outwardly for there is not found any herbe that can give such present helpe either to man or beast when the disease falleth upon the lungs or throate and to heale up all the maligne putride or stinking ulcers of the mouth throat and privities by gargling or washing with the decoction of the leaves and roote made in water and a little hony put thereto it helpeth to stay womens courses and all other fluxes of blood either by the mouth urine or stoole and laskes of the belly the ulceration of the kidneyes also and the paines in the bowels and the gonorrhea or running of the reynes being boyled in wine or water and drunke the same also is no lesse powerfull to helpe any ruptures or burstings used both inwardly and outwardly and briefely it is as effectuall in binding restraining consolidating heating drying and healing as Comfrey Bugle or Selfeheale or any other of the Consounds or vulnerary herbes whatsoever Butterwort is as one writeth to me a vulnerary herbe of great esteeme with many as well for the rupture in Children as to heale greene wounds the Country people that live where it groweth doe use to annoint their hands when they are chapt by the winde or when their Kines Vdders are swollen by the biting of any virulent worme or otherwise hurt chapt or rift the poorer sort of people in Wales make a Syrupe thereof as is of Roses and therewith purge themselves and their children they put it likewise into their broths for the same purpose which purgeth flegme effectually they also with the herbe and butter make an ointment singular good against the obstructions of the liver experienced by some Physitions there of good account CHAP. XXIX Primula veris pratensis sylvestris Primroses and Cowslips THere is so great a variety in these sorts of plants Primroses and Cowslips whereunto for likenesse both in forme and quality is to be joyned the little army of Auricules Beares eares or French Cowslips as they are called especially in the various colours of their flowers that to describe them all againe would but too much augment this volume I will therfore here but give you some figures of those described fully in my former Booke and the relation of such others as have since the publishing thereof come to our knowledge 1. Primula veris Turcica Tradescanti flore purpureo Tradescants Turkie purple Primrose The leaves of this Primrose are so like unto other Primroses that they can very hardly be distinguished untill the flowers appeare but the chiefest difference in the leaves is that they are somewhat longer rounder pointed and a little reddish at the very bottome of the leaves the flowers are as large as any other Primrose or rather larger made of five leaves like unto them but of a delicate violet purple colour the bottome of them yellow Primula veris vulgaris The ordinary field Primrose Primula veris flore purpureo Turcâ— The Turkie purple Primrose Primula Hesketi versâ—pellis Heskets Cameleon Primrose Pâ—alysis flore pleno Double Paigles Paralytica Alpina major The greater Birdes eye Paralytica Alpina minor The lesser Birdes eye Aricula ursi lutea The yellow Beares eares Auriculâ—si miniâ—a alba Small white Beares eares circled as it were with a deepe Saffron like yellow which addeth a greater grace thereunto in other things it is like unto the ordinary Primroses Flore chermesino Of this kinde there is also another sort little differing from it in any thing save in the colour of the flower which in this is crimson as in the other purple 2. Paralysios varia species The divers sorts of Cowslips Of the various sorts of Cowslips I have given you all the store I know are extant and therefore will describe none of them here but referre you to my former Booke where you shall finde them duplici 1. Purpureo vario 2. Purpureo saturo flore majore 3. Purpureo saturo flore minore 4. Sanguineo 5. Coe estino 6. Coeruleo 7. 8. Flore caeruleo folio Boraginis 9. Purpure coeruleo incano folio Flore cramosino 10. Holosericeo 11. Purpureo Rubro vario 12. Carneo colore 13. Flore niveo 14. Flore aâ—bo 15. Flore albido vel pallido 16. 17. Flore luteo Magno 18 Limoniaco 19. Stramineo 20.21 Versicolore luteo 22. Canescentibus folijs Luteo susco 23. Crinis coloris 24. Lutea rubra 25. 3. Auriculae ursivarietates The varieties of Beares eares or French Cowslips I have there also divided the varieties of the Beares eares or French Cowslips into three colours that is purple or red white and yellow of the rest that I have not there spoken I will here make but briefe mention of the difference in leafe and flower onely without any larger description The bright crimson hath leaves of a middle size more greene then mealy and flowers of a bright crimson colour larger then the blood red The deepe crimson velvet colour The double purple hath the purple flower once more double then the single but is not constant The stript purple differs in leafe little or nothing from the ordinary purple nor yet in flower but onely that it is variously stript with a kinde of whitish blush colour some of these will change wholly into the one or the other colour as all or most of the severall sorts of other stript flowers whether Tulipas Gilloflowers c. are observed often to doe yet as in them so in these if they change into the deeper colour they seldome or never returne to be marked as they will if they change into the lighter The heavens blew hath the leafe broader and of a duskie yellowish greene colour the flowers being of a blewish colour tending to a purple The paler blew is somewhat like unto the last in the greene leafe the flower being of a paler blew Borage leafed blew Beares eares is sufficiently expressed in my
this was proved on a Captaine who was shot in two places with bullets the one through his breast the other through his thigh and was perfectly cured of both wounds without any scarre onely by applying them as aforesayd when as he could not be holpen by other remedies applyed It likewise clenseth and healeth all foule ulcers and sorts wheresoever and stayeth their inflammations by washing them with the water and laying on them a greene lease or two in summer or dry leaves in winter This water gargled warme in the mouth and sometimes drunke also doth cure the Quinsie and Kings Evill in the throate The sayd water applyed warme taketh away all spots or markes and scarres in the skinne which are caused by the Measells small Poxe or the like And lastly if one drinke of this water when they are very thirsty or in any journey not having any drink it will presently stake their thirst CHAP. XXXVI Lysimachia siliquosa Codded Loosestrife THE last kinde of Loosestrife to be spoken off is those that beare their seedes in cods whereof there are divers one kind hereof under the name of Chamaenerium flore delphinij Willow flower and the Virginian Loosestrife belongeth to this place which although I have set them forth in my former Book and wil not describe them againe yet I wil here give you the figure of the Virginian 1 Lysimachia siliquosa angustifolia Chamaenerium Gesneri dicta The narrow leafed codded Loosestrife This codded Loosestrife I place first of this kinde as most worthy in my judgement both for the rarity beauty and property riseth up with divers hard stalkes about two and sometimes three foote high with many very narrow long greene leaves thereon somewhat like unto Rosemary leaves in my opinion set very thicke with two at a joynt those below being shorter then those up higher at the toppes of the stalkes come forth many flowers made of foure small round pointed leaves of a fine reddish colour and some threds in the middle Flore Albo every one standing on the toppe of a small long almost square codde whitish on the outside and stuffed with fine cotton or downe wherein lye bright red seedes which cods with seedes therein appeare before the flowers doe breake forth at the ends of them whereupon some have called it Filius ante patrem the roote creepeth in the same manner that the yellow and blew doe Of this kinde both Gesnerus Thalius and Clusius say they found one with white flowers not differing in any thing else from the other 2. Lysimachia Chamaenerium dicta Alpina The mountaine codded Loosestrife This mountaine Loosestrife hath very short stalkes seldome more then a foote high whereon grow very narrow leaves like unto the former yet some longer then others set without order for the smaller come sâ—times from the middle of the longer and sometimes stand at the joynts at the toppes of the stalkes stand the flowers upon slender long purplish stalkes and sometimes whitish of a purplish or reddish blew colour aâ— in some of a whitish blew colour consisting of foure reasonable 1. Lysimachia siliquosa angustifolia Chamaenerium Gesâ— The narrow leafed codded Loosestrife 3. Lysimachia siliquâ—sa major The greater codded Loosestrife 6. Lysimachia siliquosa Virginiana Codded Loosâ—strife of Virginia or tree Primrose of Virginia great leaves even as great as the former which the smallnes of the plant doth scarse admit with some threds in the middle every one of them standing in a small huske composed of foure short greene leaves wherein after the flowers are falne grow up small ong pods with smal seed in them enclosed in downe like the other the roote hereof creepeth not but is composed of many fibres which whether it be annuall or longer abiding I have not yet learned 3. Lysimachia siliquosa major The greater codded Loosestrife This greater Loosestrife shooteth forth divers round greene stalkes three foote high at the least bearing thereon at the severall joynts two leaves a peece which are somewhat like the common yellow Loosestrife but smaller and smoother greene on the upper side and of a yellowish greene underneath and dented about the edges the stalkes send out from the middle upwards many branches at the toppes whereof grow many small long pods of a whitish greene purple colour wherein the reddish seede lying in downe is contained and at the end of them after they have appeared a good while come forth the flowers made of foure round pointed leaves a peece with some threds in the middle of a faint reddish or purplish colour the roote is somewhat great and white creeping every way underground and quickly possessing a good plat of ground which abide in the winter although the stalkes dye downe every yeare Flore albo Of this sort likewise there hath beene one found with white flowers but very seldome and rare 4. Lysimachia siliquosa minor vulgaris sylvestris The wilde lesser codded Loosestrife This lesser sort that groweth wilde in divers places riseth up scarse two foote high and in some places not above a foote high with smaller stalkes and narrower leaves not so greene but rather of a grayish dusty greene colour and hath many branches bearing his flowers of foure leaves a peece at the ends of long pods of a deeper red colour as the former doth and hath like seede in downe but smaller the roote is small and fibrous dying every yeare 5. Lysimachia siliquosa sylvestris hirsuta Hairy wilde codded Loosestrife This other is in growing and height in leaves and flowers and yearely dying like unto the last described the onely difference betweene them is that the leaves are more hairy and as it were woolly and the flowers also small and paler 6. Lysimachia siliquosa Virginiana Codded Loosestrife of Virginia This is set forth in my former Booke and so is Chamaenerium Gesneri The Place The first groweth more often in moist grounds then in dry yet Gesner and others say it doth grow in those places that are open to the Sunne all day it will hardly abide in our Gardens unlesse it be planted in some shadowy place The second groweth upon the Alpes in the Country of the Switzers The third groweth in divers moist places and is often found of it selfe in Gardens alwaies delighting where it may be kept moist by shadowing the other sorts grow wilde in dry grounds as by the wayes and lanes and borders of fields The Time They doe all flower in Iune and July and are quite past in August for the most part The Names They are all called Lysimachia siliquosa from the long cods they beare which none of the others have the formost are also called Chamanerium by Gesner but in my minde that name doth more fitly serve to the other sort hereof which we call the Willow flower set forth in my former Booke by the name of Chamaenerium flore delphinij for that hath long greene leaves very like unto Peach leaves or the leaves of Nerium or Oleander the
whole plant both leaves flowers and seede are of a strong and grievous sent and of a very sharpe and quicke taste 3. Camphoratae congener sive Anthyllis altera Italorum Ground Pine not stinking The other Ground Pine that smelleth not so strong as the former sorts doe groweth upright in the same manner with divers upright slender stalkes and many small leaves set at the joynts some of them being longer and some shorter then others all covered with a small woollinesse the flowers are very small standing many together at the toppes of the branches of a pale yellowish colour and of an astringent and drying taste The Place The first groweth neare unto Mompelier and Nemausium especially out of the rifts and chinkes of the old walls of the Amphitheater there and seldome in any other part of France or Italy as Pena saith yet Lugdunensis saith it prospereth better in fertile and moyst places then in such as are barren and dry The second groweth both in sandy dry grounds and in rotten moorish grounds likewise The last groweth in many places of Italy but whether naturally of that country or no is not signified but they there keepe it in their gardens where most usually it is to be seene The Time All these flower very late or not at all with us and are very hardly preserved in the winter being tender comming from so hot and dry places The Names None of these plants were knowne to the antient writers eyther Greekes or Latines by any the names of their herbes knowne to us now a dayes the name Camphorata is taken from Camphora because the sent is thought to be so like unto Camfire as divers doe imagine but surely then it smelleth otherwise in the hotter countries then they doe in ours for with us the former two have a grievous heady sent yet nothing so fierce and quicke in my judgement as Camfire is Anguillara first and others afterwards as also Pena and Lobel referre the former unto the Chamaepeuce of Pliny whereof he maketh mention in his 24. Booke and 15. Chapter saying that Chamaepeuce hath leaves like unto the Larche tree but Lugdunensis saith that divers did rather referre this to the Selago of the sayd Pliny mentioned in his 24. Booke and 11. Chapter where he saith that Selago is like unto Savine Divers also tooke it to bee the Cneorum nigrum of Dioscorides and Theophrastus but the learned of Mempelier called it Camphorata major and so doth Lobel call it Camphorata Monspeliensium Bauhinus calleth it Camphorata hirsuta when as according to Lugdunensis his description the roughnesse belongeth rather to the second in the stalkes and leaves and not unto this first Divers also tooke it to bee Ericae prius genus a kind of Heath others to be Hyssopus nemorensis and some also to be that Musci terrestris genus that Tragus doth set forth by the name of Sabina sylvestris Our London dispensatorie or pharmacopaeia Londinensis in the description of Vnguentum Marciatum maketh Camphorata to be Abrotanum which is utterly untrue yet I think it may very well be the substitute or succedanium thereof for that oyntment and Lugdunensis also saith that divers did referre the second which he calleth Champhorata minor Dalechampij to the Chamaepeuce of Pliny aforesaid but Bauhinus calleth it Camphorata glabra as though this were smooth which as I sayd before is contrary The last is called Anthyllis altera by Anguillara and others The learned in Italy as Lobel in his observations saith referre it to the second sort of Anthyllis of Dioscorides but because as he there saith it is not sweet as that second Anthyllis of Dioscorides should be hee doth rather judge the Iva Moschata Monspeliensium to be the truer Anthyllis altera then this Anthyllis Italorum Gerard hath much erred in calling this Anthyllis lentifolia and yet his figure doth expresse this Anthyllis Italorum and not Anthyllis lentifolia although his description doth Bauhinus calleth it as Lobel and others before him have done Camphoratae congener Tabermontanus Camphorata altera The Vertues These herbes are all of them of a drying faculty and are very profitably used inwardly to stay defluxions from the head that fall into the eyes and upon the Lungs and outwardly in bathes to stay running humours that rest in the joynts as the Goute Crampes Palsies and Aches it is no lesse effectuall for the Nerves and Sinewes to comfort and strengthen them to be made into a salve or oyntment and is availeable both in fresh wounds and old running ulcers and sore and therefore divers doe account it of the same propertie with Southernwood for all the purposes whereunto it is used CHAP. XLIX Coris The faire Heath Low Pine THere are three sorts of herbes called Coris the one Matthiolus first set forth and made knowne the other Honorius Bellus of Candy and Pena and Lobel set out the last which are as followeth 1. Coris Matthioli Matthiolus his faire Heath Low Pine This springeth up to the height of a foote or more with divers hard wooddy reddish stalkes full of joynts and many small and long thicke fat leaves set together at every of them somewhat like unto the Spergula or Francke Spurry at the toppes of the stalkes stand divers flowers each of them upon a short foote stalke consisting of five or sixe leaves somewhat like unto Hypericum S. Iohns woâ— or Ornithogalum Starre of Bethelem as Lobel compareth them but of a whitish red colour with yellow threds in the middle yet Matthiolus and others say the flowers are all yellow like Hipericum smelling somewhat sweete the seede is enclosed in round heads the roote is somewhat long and wooddy with many threddy fibres thereat this keepeth his greene leaves all the winter but turne somewhat of a yellowish red colour towards Autumne or seede time 2. Coris legitima Cretica Belli The Candye faire Heath Low Pine This Candiot as Bellus saith groweth to be a cubit and a halfe high in good ground branching forth many wayes and bearing many small leaves like unto Heath on the woody stalkes and branches the flowers at the toppes are not unlike to S. Iohns wort and yellow which passe into seede enclosed in huskes like it also the roote is long spreading and wooddy abiding with greene leaves thereon all the winter 3. Coris Monspeliensium The purple faire Heath Low Pine This faire Heath Low Pine riseth up likewise with many round wooddy and reddish stalkes not so high as the former having many small long thick roundish leaves set thereon without order most commonly yet sometimes conformable one unto another somewhat like unto the great kinde of Heath the tops of the stalkes are stored with a great spiked tuft or bush of purplish blew flowers but pale red with us smelling somewhat sweete each consisting of foure leaves a peece double forked as it were at the ends two whereof that stand uppermost are greater than the other two that are
eares is also like the first described hares eares in all things the smalnesse of the plants both in stalkes narrow long leaves and all other partes making the difference The Place The two former Lobel saith grew about Mompelier in France in the dry stony places and in Germany as Tragus saith and are also found in our Land in divers places the third upon Mount Baldus as Pona in the description thereof saith the last Columna saith he found in the borders of the dry fields neare Cirinola in Naples The Time They all flower late that is not untill the end of Iuly and in August and their seede is ripe in September 2. Bupleurum Latisolium Broad leafed Hares eares 3. Buplâ—urum angustifolium Alpiâ— Mountaine narrow leafed Hares eares The Names It is generally taken to be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bupleurum that Pliny mentioneth in his 22. booke and 22. chap. out of Hippocrates and Nicander in Theriacis and was as he there saith used in meates in Hippocrates his time and others and reckoned among sallet and pot hearbes but used in Physicke and medecines by Glaucus and Nicander Divers have diversly referred these herbes as some to the Buprestis of Theophrastus in his 7. booke and 8. chap. whereof Pliny also speaketh in the sayd booke and chapter before sayd Gesner in hortis saith that with the French it was called Elaphoboscum and Gratia Dei Some also tooke it to be the Panax Chironium of Dioscorides some to be Ammi vulgatius and some Sanamunda Bauhinus in his Pinax saith that Panaâ— Chironium Plinii doth more rightly agree unto the Valeriana campestris sive lactuca agnine Lambes Lettice or Corne sallet those about Mompelier as Gesner in hortis and Lobel say called it Auricula leporis especially the Latifolium for the resemblance thereof unto Hares eares Cordus in his history of Plants calleth it â—ophyllon Tragus calleth it Herba Vulaâ— Woundkrant not understanding from any of his nation by what other name they called it and therefore he himselfe referreth it to the Panax Chironium of Theophrastus who saith it hath the leafe of a Docke but that of Dioscorides Nicander have the leaves of Amaracus or Marjerome I finde a great mistake and forgetfulnesse in Bauhinus as well as in Lugdunensis this in setting forth and he in admitting the errour to passe concerning the Bupleurum which Lugdunensis calleth Lapathum sylvestre 4 genus Dalechampii in one place and Bauhinus Lapathum acutâ— flore aureo and yet Lugdunensis saith there that some called it Panaces Chironium folio Lapathi flore aureo Pliâ—ij which was sufficient I thinke to make him understand it to be this Bupleurum and not a Lapathum and yet both he Bauhinus in their proper places call it Bupleurum notwithstanding The third is called by Pona in his Latine edition of Mount Baldus Sedum petraeum Bupleurifolio aut potius Bupleurum petreum gramineo folio but Clusius in setting forth the description of the sayd Mount Baldus giveth it this note that it is flore verius quam folio Bupleuri Bauhinus in the sayd Latine edition of Pona is set downe to call it then Bupleurum Alpinum Bupleuri folio which I have thought fittest to follow as it is in the title but afterwards in his Pinax hee referreth it to the Perfoliata calling it Perfoliata Alpina gramineo folio sive Bupleurum angustifolium Alpinum hereby judging the Perfoliata and Bupleurum to be congeneres for in the heads of seede the one is somewhat like the other as any that hath seene them both may well observe Fabius Columna maketh mention of the last and calleth it as it is in the title and Bauhinus Bupleurum angustissimo folio The Vertues These herbes are moderately hot and dry and therefore may well be accounted Panaces or Wound herbes and have the same properties that they have and which Pliny and others attribute unto Bupleurum if the seede or the roote in powder taken in wine or boyled in wine be drunke and so are the leaves also good against the bitings or stingings of any serpents or venemous creatures the hurt place also bathed with the same and is of great efficacy to provoke Vrine and womens courses being stopped they are also to very good purpose either used alone or with other things to heale wounds inward or outward whether they be fresh and greene or old cancres and sores of evill disposition and bad curation CHAP. LIIII Perfoliata Thorough waxe THere are divers sorts of Thoroughwaxe some greater some lesser some of the fields and Meddowes other of the hils and mountaines c. al of neere affinitie one unto another and with them I thinke fit to joyne another herbe which some have referred to another family because of the long cods with seede that it beareth 1. Perfoliata vulgaris Common Thoroughwaxe The common Thoroughwaxe sendeth forth one straight round stalke and sometimes more two foote high and better whose lower leaves being of a blewish greene colour are smaller and narrower than those up higher and doe stand close thereto not compassing it but as they grow higher they doe more and more encompasse the stalke untill it wholly as it were passe through them branching toward the toppe into many parts where the leaves grow smaller againe every one standing singly and never two at any joynt the flowers are very small and yellow standing in tufts at the heads of the branches where afterwards grow the seede small and blackish many thicke thrust together the roote is small long and wooddy perishing every yeere after seede time and rising plentifully of it owne sowing if it be suffered to shed it selfe 2. Perfoliata flore multiplici Double flowred Thoroughwaxe This differeth in nothing from the former but in the heads of flowers which are thicker set together and larger which give no seede but is wholly a degenerate kinde rising from the seede of the former spending his fruite and encrease in the plentifull heades of flowers 3. Perfoliata montana latifolia Broad leafed Mountaine Thorough waxe The leaves of this Mountaine throughwaxe are somewhat larger and longer and more pointed than the former many growing together from the heads rising from the roote every one standing on a small footestalke from among which rise up stalkes with shorter leaves which compasse the stalkes that are branched at the toppes whereon stand yellow flowers somewhat larger than the former many in like manner set together in the midst of the under greene leaves which are as a cup to conteine them wherein afterwards stand the seede like the former but larger the roote is thicke and reddish on the outside lying long wise under the face of the ground shooting forth heads of leaves in divers places and with small strings and fibres downeward enduring many yeares and not purishing like the former Bauhinus maketh another sort hereof with smaller flowers Minor yet giveth no description thereof 4. Perfoliaâ—a â—lâ—ina latifolâ— minor The lesser broad leafed
some also Bisâ— leaves The Vertues Both sorts of Wâ— Betony are a like affectuall for all old and filthy Vlcers being of a clâ—sing quality if the leaves â—e but 〈…〉 thereon but is much more effectuall if the juice of the leaves 〈◊〉 boyled with a little 〈…〉 â—ed therein the sores dressed therewith also for bruises or 〈◊〉 whether in â—d or outward the dif◠〈◊〉 of the leaves is used for the same purposes as also to bathe the save or 〈◊〉 that are discoloured by the Sunne or hath any spots or blemishes thereon as also for any rednesse or high colour â—t commeth accidentally by being in the Sunne CHAP. LXIX Betonica Wood Betony OF Betony wee have foure or five sorts differing eyther in the leafe or flower or spiked heads of flowers one from another as shall be shewed you 1. Betonica vulgaris flore purpurâ— Common Wood Betony The ordinary or common Betony which because it is frequent in woods is therefore generally called Wood Betony hath many leaves rising from the roote which are som◠〈◊〉 and round at the ende roundly dented about the edges standing upon long footest◠〈◊〉 among which rise up small square slender but yet upright hairy stalkes with some leaves thereon 〈…〉 at the joynts smaller then the lowes whereon are set severall spiked heads of flowers like unto tho◠〈◊〉 â—der Praecujor but thicker and shorter for the most part and of a reddish or purple colour spotted with some white spots both in the lower upper part on the inside yet there is observed a different sort from this whose head is shoâ— flowreth usually earlier then the former the seede followeth conteined within the husks that hold the flower which are blackish somewhat long and uneven the rootes are many white threddy strings like unto those of Plantaine the stalke perisheth but the rootes with some leaves thereon abide all the winter the whole plant is somewhat small and of a resinous savour 2. Betonica flore albo Wood Betony with white flowers This Betony differeth in no one thing from the former so much as in the colour of the flowers which are wholly white without any spots at all in them onely the leaves may seeme to be a little greener and the spiked head of flowers somewhat smaller then the other 3. Betonica minima Alpina Helvetica Small Mountaine Betony This small Betony likewise differeth not from the former neither in forme or colour but in the smallnesse of leaves stalkes and flowers 4. Betonica Danica Broad leafed Betony This great Betony likewise differeth not from the ordinary in any other thing then in the largeness of the leaves being twice and in some at sometimes three or foure times as large as the common sort and of a strong almost stinking smell and in the stalke which is stronger growing higher and the heads of purple flowers greater also 5. Betonica Alopecuros montana dicta Foxtaile Betony This herbe that I here bring to your consideration is accounted by Bauhinus as a kind of Betony or referred thereunto for the likenesse of the leaves whom I also herein follow and place it with them it hath a blackish tuberous roote with some fibres thereat from whence rise up divers slender round stalkes about a cubit high 1. Betonica vulgaris flore purpureo Common Wood Betony 3. Betonica minima Alpina Helvetica Small Mountaine Betony 4. Betonica major Dâ—ca Broad leafed Betony 5. Betonica Alopâ—curo montana dicta Fox taile Betony having at the bottome of them some small long and narrow leaves like threds or peeces as it were torne off from the rinde of the lower part of the stalke and sharpe pointed some greene and some browne the rest of the stalkes are 〈…〉 middle which from thence to the toppes at farre distances one from another have at every joynt two broader rounder and shorter leaves then Betony the middle ribbe being blackish and dented about the edges above the two uppermost leaves come forth a soft round spiked short head made of a number of white haires somewhat resembling a white Fox taile whereof it tooke the name The Place The first two sorts are frequent in woods and copses and other such like shadowie places throughout the land but that with the white flower is more usually found in the stiffe clay grounds then in any other mould and in the woods by Brumley in Kent the third grow on the Alpes of Helvetia or Swisserland the fourth was brought from Denmarke by Dr. Lobel when he went thither with the Lord Edward Zonche Ambassadour from the Queene Elizabeth of famous memory in the yeare 1592. The last as Lugdunensis saith groweth in the moyst vallies that are shadowed with trees of the high hills The Time They flower in Iuly and the seede ripeneth quickly after The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cestron a remediorum copia varietate yet some take it a floriâ— spicata 〈◊〉 â—â—ta acutiâ—â—rruculum proferroute and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psycotrophon quod in frigidis locis inveniatur the word Ce◠〈◊〉 divers interpretations in Greeke as in Suidas for a kind of dart in Sophocles for a pricke or pointed thing 〈◊〉 understand hereby bookes conteining much variety of matter and Pliny speaking of graving saith anciently there were two wayes the one in wax the other in Ebore Cestioâ—dest viriculâ— set downe for veruculum which expresseth both in Greeke and Latine the sharpe pointed toole wherewith they did grave in Ivory It is called in Latine â—ica and Vâ—ica ab ivâ—ntoribus Veronibus Hispaniâ— populis as Pliny saith but Galen seemeth in his fift booke de saâ— to make Betonica and Câ—stron to be two herbes in these words â—tedâ— Conijcitur 〈…〉 â—gua id solum articularibus sacisfaâ— ijs vero qui calcuâ— laboâ— aliquid Betonica Câ—sriâ— in Galliâ—s â—scitur vocent autem eaâ— herbaâ— Sâ—phagon Aetiâ— also in his fourth booke and 30. Chap. â—ting this place of Galen saith Ex quibus colligitur â—n solâ—m latinorum Betonicam sed etiam Gallorum Sâ—râ—phaâ— Cestru◠〈…〉 fuissâ— â—dulus Aeginâ— in his seventh Booke doth plainely set downe two sorts of Betony the one with slender branches like unto Pennyroyall but smaller and almost without taste growing especially in stony places as I said before in the Chapter of Laâ— is taken by Quâ—dramius to be Lamium Scutellaria dictum which is used in those medâ—cines that are for the relâ—ce the other is the Romans Betony which Dioscorides calleth Cestron and others Psychotrophâ— because it joyeth in cold places and hath no likenesse to the former but in the qualities and vertues thus saith Aegineta It is called by the Arabians Chastura by the Italian Betonica but as Pliny saith lib. 25. cap. 8. speaking of his times Serratula by the French Betoine and Betoâ—sâ— by the Germanes Braun Betonick by the Dutch and us Betony There needeth no further declaration or explanation of these unto you seeing all Authors almost agree
the roote is great and being cut in peeces serveth for the uses aforesayd Thus farre Pliny Now if you will compare the Saponaria with this description you shall finde that the Saponaria hath no Olive like leafe but rather like a Plantane it hath no ferulous nor woolly stalke but smooth and joynted it hath no prickly leaves but smooth nor no great roote but small and creeping it wanteth neyther sent nor seede as Pliny saith Strâ—thiâ— doth so that it is wonderfull that any should make them both one for one qualities sake onely of scowring or clensing when so many delineations are absolutely different and therefore doth Matthiolus contrary Fuchsius plainely as also those that took the Lutea or Luteola herba to be Strathium which he therefore called Pseudo Struthium Divers also in taking it to be Struthium called it also Condisi of the Arabians which is thought to be the Struthium of the Greekes and have applyed and used it for all those purposes whereunto they have appropriated their Condisi unto but Bellunensis giveth the description of Condisi in these words It is the roote of a plant that hath prickly leaves like a Thistle of the thicknesse of ones thumbe somewhat yellowish on the inside and blacke without sharpe both in sent and taste Serapio out of Dioscorides saith the roote is long and round and of a quicke sharpe taste which words are wanting as Lugdunensis saith in the printed Latine copies with the decoction thereof they use to clense both wooll and clothes and the sweete oyntment makers in Damasco doe put it into their confections that are made of honey and boyled wine which giveth them such a whitenesse that they seeme as if they were made of Sugar and Starch with the roote cut into peeces the Syrians use to wash the filth out of their garments or shirts instead of Sope or Lye I have beene somewhat tedious in declaring these things that others might understand what Struthium and Condisi are and that neither Saponaria nor Luteola can be it for there is no heate or sharpenesse in eyther of them besides their differing for me the first is generally called Saponaria by all writers except Tragus who calleth it Viola agrâ—stis and Fuschius who as is sayd called it Struthium the other Gerard called Gentiana concava and placed it next unto them thinking it a species thereof but it is plainely seene and knowne to agree with the Saponaria both in rootes leaves and flowers and not with Gentian but in the bitternesse It is usually called in English Sopewort and of some Bruisewort the countrey people in Kent and Sussex call it Gill run by the street The Vertues The Country people in divers places doe use to bruise the leaves of Sopewort and lay it to their fingers hands or legges when they are cut to heale them up againe Some make great boast thereof that it is â—reticall to provoke urine and thereby to expell gravell and the stone in the reines or kidnies and account it also as singular good to avoyd Hydropicall waters thereby to cure the disease but their practicke is not I thinke sufficient autentike upon their theory or speculation to inforce beleefe that it will clense the inward parts as by experience it is found to doe the outward of womens treene and pewter vessels they no lesse extoll it to performe an absolute cure in Lue Venerea then either Sarsaparilla Guajacum or China can doe which how true it is let others judge that have judgement upon true knowledge of the truth for my selfe I cannot be induced to beleeve the one halfe untill more evident proofes doe convince me CHAP. LXXX Trachelium sive Cervicaria Throatewort VNder the name of Trachelium which is a kinde of Campanula or Bell flower may all the rest of the Bell-flowers be comprehended whereof some I have already set forth in my former booke but because there are so many I thinke fittest to distribute them into severall Chapters that so they may be the better expressed by me and apprehended and retained by you and distinguished to all In this Chapter I will onely mention the rest of them that have rough or hayry leaves and in the next those that have smooth 1. Trachelium majus Belgarum Great Throatewort This great Throatewort hath very tall and great hayrie stalkes and leaves of the fashion of the other sort that I have set forth in my other booke there called the greater Canterbury Bells but greater than it both in stalke and leafe the flower is of a purplish blue colour almost as large as those of the Coventry bels in all other things it agreeth with the other 2. Trachelium petraeum majus globosum The great globe rocke Throatewort The greater of the two rock Throateworts riseth up with brownish or reddish straked hayrie stalks about two foote high bearing thereon divers rough or hayrie darke greene leaves on the upper side and paler underneath set without order and a little dented about the edges with some smaller leaves set at the joynts with them at the toppes of the stalkes especially grow many flowers clustring together in a round fashion and some at the upper joynts also with the leaves but not so many and some also under them at the lower joynts but still fewer and fewer being all of them of the forme of the former Throatewort but of a white colour and smaller than the small or ordinary sort and ending in five sixe or sometimes in seven points having in the middle many yellowish threds and one greater than the rest crooked at the end when it is biggest and which becommeth biforâ—ed and blunt as it ripeneth the flowers abide long before they fall but the seede hath not beene observed the roote is somewhat great and wooddy rugged on the outside and reddish but white within and more astringent than any of the rest 3. Trachelium petraeum minus globosum The lesser globe like rocke Throatewort The lesser of these Throateworts hath the first leaves somewhat long and not dented on the edges but pointed and after them rise diverse others that are round and cut in on the edges standing on long footestalkes an hand breadth long at the least somewhat like unto those of Cimbalaria Italica hederacea the Ivie like leafe or Italian Gondelo but not so thicke fuller of ribbes and veines deeplier cut in on the edges and of a darke greene colour from which rise divers naked or bare slender stalkes about halfe a foote high which usually have one or 1. Trachelium majus Belgarum Great Throatwort 2. Trachelium majus petraeum globosum The greater globe rocke Throatwort 3. Trachelium petraeum minus globosum The lesser Globe-like Throatwort 6. Trachelium saxatile spicatum The rocke spiked Throatwort 7. Trachelium spicatum tennifolium Thinne leafed Throatwort with spiked heads Trachelium minus The small Throatwort or Canterbury Bells two leaves about the middle of them with little or no stalke at all to them somewhat
have spoken in my former booke yet I meane not to speake of any of them in this Chapter but of Helenium sive Enula Campana Elecampane the most ordinary sort even the first of Dioscorides which is most usually called Enula campana Elecampane and of that which is thought to be Dioscorides his HeleniuÌ„ Aegyptium in the next the description of which you shall have in this manner It shooteth forth many large leaves lying neare the ground which are long and broad small at both ends somewhat soft in handling of a whitish greene on the upper side and gray underneath each set upon a short footestalke from among which rise up divers great and strong hairy stalkes three or foure foote high with some leaves thereon compassing them about at the lower ends and are branched towards the toppes bearing divers great and large flowers like unto those of the Corne Marigold both the border of leaves and the middle thrumbe being yellow which turne into downe with some long small brownish seede among it and is carryed away with the winde the roote is great and thicke branched forth divers wayes blackish on the outside and white within of a very bitter taste but good sent especially when they are dryed no part else of the plant having any smell The Place It groweth in the moyst grounds and shadowy places oftner then in the dry and open borders of fields and lanes and in other waste places almost in every countrey of the Land The Time It flowreth in the end of Iune and Iuly and the seede is ripe in August the rootes are gathered for use as well in the Spring before the leaves come forth as in Autumne or Winter The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Helenium also in Latine and of some Inula and Enula and Enula Campana some thinke it tooke the name from the teares of Helen from whence it sprung which is a fable others that shee had her hands full of this herbe when Paris carried her away others say it was so called because Hellen first found it availeable against the bitings and stingings of venemous beasts and others thinke that it tooke the name from the Island Helena where the best was found to grow the Arabians call it Iasin and Rasen the Italians L'ella and Enola and Enoa the Spaniards Raiz de alla the French Aunee and herbe Alaine the Germans Alant and Alantwurtz the Dutch Alantwurtel and Galantwurtel and we in English Elecampane generally yet in some countries of this kingdome Sâ—wort and Horseheale Anguilara and Cordus tooke it to be Panax Chironium Theophraste The Vertues The fresh rootes of Elecampane preserved with Sugar or made into a syrupe or conserve are very effectuall to warme a cold windy stomack and the pricking and stitches therein or in the sides caused by the Spleene and to helpe the cough shortnesse of breath and wheesing in the Lungs the dryed rootes made into powder mixed with Sugar and taken serve to the same purposes and is also profitable for those that have their urine or their menstrues stopped those that are troubled with the mother or are pained with the stone in their reines kidneys or bladder it resisteth poyson and stayeth the spreading of the venome of Serpents c. as also of putrid and pestilentiall Fevers and the Plague it selfe for which purpose it is put into Treakles and other medecines for that disease Iulia Augusta as Pliny writeth in his 19. Booke and 5. Chap. let no day passe without eating some of the rootes of Enula condited which it may be shee did to helpe digestion to expell melancholy and sorrow and to cause mirth and to move the belly downewards for all which they are also effectuall the rootes and herbe beaten and put into new Ale or beare instead of wine as they use in Germany Italy and other places and daily drunke of them that have weake and dim fights cleareth strengthneth and quickneth the sight of the eyes wonderfully the decoction of the rootes in wine or the juice taken therein killeth and driveth forth all manner of wormes in the belly stomacke or mawe and gargled in the mouth or the roote chewed fastneth loose teeth and helpeth to keepe them from putrefaction the same also drunke is good for those that spit blood helpeth to remoove Crampes or Convulsions and the paines of the Goute and the huckle bone or hip-goute called the Sciatica the loosenesse and paines in the joynts or those members that are out of joynt by cold or moisture happening to them applyed outwardly as well as inwardly and is good also for those that are bursten or have any inward bruise the rootes boyled well in vinegar beaten afterwards and made into an oyntment with Hogs Suet or oyle of trotters a little salt and vinegar in powder added thereto is an excellent remedy for any scabs or itch in young or old the places also bathed or washed with the decoction doth the same the same also helpeth all sorts of old putrid or filthy sores or Cankers wheresoever In the rootes of this herbe lyeth the chiefe effect for all the remedies aforesayd yet the leaves are sometimes also used to good purpose And the distilled water of them and the rootes together is used also in the like manner and besides is very profitable to clense the skinne of the face or other parts from any morphew spots or blemishes therein and causeth it to be cleare CHAP. LXXXIIII Helenium alterum Dioscoridis sive Helianthemum Dwarfe Cistus or small Sunflower ACcording as many good Authors doe I account this herbe for the second Helenium of Dioscorides although it hath received other names by divers writers and therefore joyne it next thereunto and because it much resembleth some other sorts of Cistus I thinke it fit to entreate of them in the succeeding Chapters and not mingle them together for of these kinds there are many sorts some whereof I have set forth in my former booke which are the Camaecistus Frisicus the Dwarfe Holly Rose of Freezeland and Cistus ananus the Holy Rose of a yeare which I shall not neede to describe againe in this place but referre you thither where you shall finde them yet I will here give you their figures 1. Helianthemum vulgare sive Chamaecistus flore luteo Flos solis quorundam The ordinary yellow Dwarfe Cistus or small Sunflower This low or Dwarfe Cistus sendeth forth from a hard wooddy brownish root growing in time to be somewhat great but not very long and divided into small branches at the lower end sundry small and weake yet hard and almost wooddy branches lying for the most part round about the head of the roote upon the ground whereon are set by couples many small and somewhat long leaves a little soft or hairy with other small leaves also growing betweene them at the toppes whereof stand three or foure small pale yellow and sometimes gold yellow flowers consisting of five round
subrotundo Round leafed Male Cistus This other Cistus is somewhat more woolly then the former and his leaves are larger rounder and more rough Cistus mas vulgaris The more ordinary male Cistus 1. Cistus mas angustifolius Narrow leafed male Cistus then it the flowers also are somewhat larger and of a deeper colour Cistus mas breviore folio Small leafed male Cistus and the heads of seede bigger hard and hairy as the other with reddish seede in them and herein consisteth the chiefest differences from them 3. Cistus mas folio breviore Small leafed male Cistus This small Cistus for so I may call it as well in respect of the growth being lower and the branches slenderer then in any of the other as in that the leaves hereof are smaller and shorter then in the first here set forth and are also greener and rougher and more clammy and sweeter also then any male Cistus the flowers are of a paler colour like in forme unto the other but somewhat larger and sweet which is not found in any other of this sort and abide longer in their huskes before they fall in other things it differeth not 4. Cistus mas humilis The low male Cistus This Cistus groweth lower bending downe his many branches from the roote almost to the ground not much above halfe a yard long the leaves that are not set by couples as in the other sorts of Cistus are small and crumpled unevenly waved as it were on the edges white and hoary the flowers that stand at the end of the branches are many set together of an equall height in forme of an umbell or tuft or nosegay but smaller yet of a brighter reddish purple then are in the second sort here set forth the heads which containe blackish seede are smaller then in the other and are almost hidde in the small huskes that hold them The Place All these sorts grow in Spaine and Portugall and some of them in France and Italy The Time They all doe flower in May in their naturall places but about Midsomer with us and sometimes earlier The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cistus and Cisthus which the Latines also doe hold not having any other name whereby to expresse it some also call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Citharon and Cissaron as peradventure derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cissus Hedera which causeth Pliny his errour for in writing of Hedera in his 16. Booke and 34. Chap. hee saith it is of two sorts male and female c. which in his 24. Booke and 10. Chap. hee saith the Cistus hath but it may bee Pliny was herein deceived by a false copy of Theophrastus which hee followed which had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 instead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Gaza in translating of Theophrastus doth fall into the same errour with Pliny making Hedera to bee male and female with flowers like Roses but assuredly unlesse the copies were falsely written which bred that errour we cannot judge that Theophrastus who had written so exactly in another place of the severall sorts of Ivie should be so much forgotten in this to say Ivie hath flowers like Roses c. Some call it Rosa Sylvatica the Arabians call it Ramict Altheis or Ibais althis the Italians Cisto maschio the Spaniards Corynacos and Estopa the Portugalls Rosella the French and Dutch Ciste and we in English male Cistus likewise or the Sage Rose because the leaves of the one sort are rugged and hoary like Sage leaves and the flowers like single Roses but why Gerard should call it the Holly Rose I see no reason having no resemblance unto Holly but because that name hath beene long imposed upon it I will let it so passe All these sorts of Male Cistus with the other set forth in my other booke are remembred by Clusius in his History of Plants and neede not further amplification The Vertues The Male Cistus is drying and astringent and not without some little heate yet some thinke it to bee cold and is very profitable to stay bleedings at the mouth or nose vomitings and weakenesse of the stomacke and fluxes of blood or humours in man or woman as the Laske the Blooddy flix and all other extraordinary scowrings or loosenesse of the belly and womens inordinate courses the flowers saith Dioscorides and Galen are the most effectuall for those purposes to be drunke in red wine yet the leaves and young shoots or buddes may bee used with good successe and these applyed in a serote to any scalding or burning of fire or water doth heale them quickly they also bruised and layd to any greene wound closeth the lippes thereof and restraineth the bleeding the leaves also and the young shootes boyled in wine and filthy or old Vlcers washed with the decoction thereof yea although they be cankrous eating or spreading Vlcers will wonderfully and quickly stay the freting moyst humors and dry and heale them the distilled water of the leaves and flowers is of the like â—e and in all things where â—e needeth drying binding and strengthning this is to very good purpose applied CHAP. LXXXVI Cistus faemina The female Cistus THe female Cistus as I sayd before is distinguished from the male in that it beareth not red flowers like it but white or yellow whereof there are many sorts as the succeeding descriptions doe declare not intending to set downe in this place that sort that is expressed in my former booke and in the first of Clusius in his History of Plants although I shew you the figure thereof 1. Cistus faemina folio Halimi major The greater Sea Purslane leafed Cistus This kinde of Cistus groweth up with slender hoary brittle branches two or three foote high usually at the most plentifully stored with thicke hoary leaves very like unto Sea Purslane somewhat round pointed two alwayes set at a joynt one opposite to another as is usuall in most of the sorts of Cistus the tops of the branches are furnished with many yellowish flowers lesser then those of the first female Cistus with some yellow thicke in the middle of them after which come somewhat long and three square heads conteining within them small brownish seede 2. Cistus faemina folio Halimi minor The lesser Sea Purslane leafed female Cistus This other Cistus riseth up more high and upright then the former but no lesse hoary and set with somewhat narrower and longer leaves then the former and more pointed at the ends the middle ribbe at the backe of the hoary leaves being greater then in the other yet both of an austere sharpe and binding taste the flowers have not beene observed by Clusius who first set it forth and from whom all others have expressed it 3. Cistus faemina folio Sampsuchi Marjerome leafed Cistus The slender weake branched stalkes of this Cistus are thicke set with many small hoary leaves very like unto
by fire or water it taketh away the scarres that remaine of wounds and hurts being healed it doth also take alway the paines of the stingings of Bees and Waspes it is said likewise to be very profitable for women that are barren by correcting the superfluous humidity of the mother which migh be the cause thereof and thereby to make them fit to conceive CHAP. CXII Trifolium odoratum Sweet Trefoile THe name of Balsame mentioned in the last Chapter causeth me to joyne this herbe next thereunto being so called also of many and the properties well worthy of that name whereunto I thinke meete to joyne two or three other Trefoiles thereunto this being of knowne properties the other of likely 1. Trifolium odoratum sive Lotus Vrbana Sweet Trefoile or Balsame The sweete Trefoile riseth up with one strong round whitish stalke three or foure foote high spreading forth many branches on all sides whereabout are set many leaves upon long footestalkes three alwayes set together of a whitish greene colour very soft and somewhat dented about the edges of the sent of Fenugreck which is thought to alter seven times a day and is but a fancy at the toppes of the branches stand many flowers closely set together each of them like unto those of Mallilot but larger and of a bleake or pale watchet blew colour after which come round white heads conteining darke yellowish coloured seede the roote is small white and threddy perishing every yeare and raising it selfe from the seede that sheddeth or being sowen in the Spring 2. Trifolium Asphaltites sive bituminosum Strong smelling Claver This kinde of Trefoile or Claver hath his first leaves somewhat larger and rounder then those that grow upon the stalkes three alwayes standing together upon a long footestalke of a darke greene colour almost shining set with some hairinesse thereon the stalke is strong round and hairy also rising to the height of two foote or better whereon grow the leaves more long and pointed then the lower branching from the bottome most usually to the toppe where grow many large flowers in a bush or tuft thicke set together of a blewish purple colour and somewhat hairy or hoary withall especially the huskes conteining the flowers which afterwards turne into hairy brownish broad cods conteining every one but one seede which is somewhat broad rough and pointed at the one end the roote perisheth with us every yeare but abideth in the hotter countries where it is naturall The smell of the leaves and whole plant is somewhat strong almost like Rue or Herbegrace especially while they are young but much stronger when they are growne old even of Bitumen whereof it tooke the name but although it retaineth his sent in his naturall and hot places yet with us I have observed the strong sent waxeth weaker every yeare then other and after the second yeares sowing to be almost without any sent at all so much can doe in this as in many other plants the temperature and moisture of our countrey 3. Trifolium Bituminosum Americanum Strong smelling Claver of America This other bituminous Claver hath a slender darke red cubit high stalke branching from the bottome to the toppe set with long leaves which are hairy and clammy three alwayes together on a long footestalke not smelling so strong being bruised as gently touched the young shoots smelling like Rue or Herbegrace the elder like a Goate or Bitumen the ends of the branches have purplish flowers on them like Scrophularia the great Figwort with three leaves standing out and one turned inward but white within the greene poâ— that follow have the like hairy clamminesse with the leaves being of a fingers length and a small purplish tippe at the ends wherein lye Kidney like seede the roote is long and fibrous whose taste is almost as sharpe as the Aneâ—one being annuall as Cornutus saith it is to be yearely sowen but if it be Galega Americana flore purpureo as hee there saith some called it and whereby Robinus of Paris sent mee a plant long since it dyeth not but abideth many 1. Trifolium adoratum Sweete Trefoile 2 Trifolium bituminosum Strong smelling Claver 3. Trifolium bituminosum Americanum Strong smelling Claver of America 4. Trifolium Americanum Trefoile of America yeares yet did never come to flowring since I had it In his booke likewise he laboureth sprightly to prove that this plant commeth nearer to the description of Dioscorides his Trifolium Alspaltite then that other last described which is accounted the truest with all writers his greatest reason being grounded from the colour of the flower which in this received is not purple like the Hiacinth which is Galens note 4. Trifolium Americanum Claver of America This strange Claver bringeth forth many round stalkes leaning to the ground spreading forth into many branches whereon are set in divers places three leaves upon long footestalkes each whereof is somewhat round like the Bituminosum but larger of a darke greene colour more dented about the edges but of a strong sent much like thereunto at the toppes of the stalkes and branches stand long spikie eares of whitish flowers being somewhat smaller then those of that recited strong smelling Claver after which come in their places small round and flattish seede the roote is small and stringy spreading divers wayes The Place The first groweth not wilde in Italy France or Germany but with them all is onely sowen in their Gardens and so it is with us and even Dioscorides saith it grew in Gardens in his time as not growing wilde in Greece or other places that he had heard of The second groweth about Mompelier and Marseilles as Pena and Lobel say and is a stranger at Venice and other places of Italy as well as in Germany and with us and onely to be found in the Gardens of those that are curious conservers of rare plants The two last come from the West Indies called America as it is thought The Time The first flowreth in Iune and Iuly and doth alwayes perfect his seede but the others because they flower laâ—r doe often misse to give good seede whereby we are often to seeke for them againe The Names The Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seemeth to be taken a voluptate for so Homer saith it serveth Deorum voluptati The first is of most of the best writers taken to be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Dioscorides in Latine Lotus sativa or Vrbana yet Matthiolus taketh it to be his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lotus sylvestris and so doe Anguillara and Castor Durantes but Fuschius Cordus Gosner Camerarius and Dodonaus call it Lotus sativa Lacuna and Turner Lotus urbana Tragus calleth it Trifolâ— Dioscoridis for so Dioscorides saith his Lotus sativa was called Dodonaeus calleth it Trifolium odoraâ— abâ— because he named the Melilot in the next Chapter to be Trifolium odoratum Lobel calleth it Lotus hortorum odora onely Tabermontanus calleth it
The Egyptian Melilot as Alpinus saith the seede thereof onely is used by them being boyled and the places greeved fomented and bathed with the warme decoction against paines of the sides the Pleurisie and Peripneumonia as also the paines of the collicke and winde in the belly the windinesse or strangling of the mother or any griefes thereof to fit in the decoction thereof and if Fenegreeke and Lineseede and Camomill flowers be added thereto it helpeth all tumors or hard swellings thereof and doth helpe to provoke the monethly courses and to open the obstructions of the veines and afterwarwards to strengthen the parts The Indian Mellilot if wee would use the seede which as I said before smelleth stronger than the rest of the plant hath no doubt the same qualitie that the former have the smell and taste perswading plainely thereunto Divers other herbes there are that might be referred to this Classis some whereof are set forth in my former Booke and some you shall finde specified as well in the precedent as subsequent Chapters of this Worke which you may observe in the Vertues as you reade them PLANTAE REFRIGERANTES ET INTVBACEAE COOLING AND SVCCORY LIKE HERBES CLASSIS SEXTA THE SIXT TRIBE CHAP. I. Portulaca Purslane VNTO the cooling Herbes let me I pray adjoyne the Iutubaceae or Cichoreaciâ— whereunto they may more fitly in my minde be added then to any other notwithstanding the bitternesse in some that argues some heate I have set forth the Garden Purslane in my former Worke there remaine some other to be spoken of here and first of the wilde Purslane 1. Portulaca sylvestris Wilde Purslane The Wilde Purslane spreadeth upon the ground sappie reddish stalkes set with thicke fat shining greene leaves like in all things unto the garden kinde but smaller at the joynts with the leaves toward the end of the branches come forth very small starre-like yellowish greene flowers scarse to be discerned and as quickly falling away as the Garden kinde and hath such like hard huskes wherein the like blacke seede is contained the rootes are threedes and perish with the first cold nights that come this is somewhat more astringent in taste as for the most part all wilde herbes are then the Garden kinde 2. Portulaca exigna Camerarij Camerarius his small Purslane This small Purslane also is like the other but much smaller then it having alwayes two leaves set together of a paler yellowish greene colour on the thicke round stalkes and branches which stand a little more upright and bend downe to the ground againe the flowers are like the former and so is the blacke seede but the huskes open themselves before the seede is ripe and stand upon smaller and longer footestalkes this hath little or no taste but waterish or herby 3. Portulaca Cretica Candy Purslane The Candy Purslane which in my judgement might rather be referred to the kindred of the small Houseleekes as Camerarius Columna and Bauhinus doe but that I would keepe the name whereby it was sent for his sake that sent it is a very small low berbe not past two or three inches high having many small heads of leaves standing round together somewhat like the head of a small Houseleeke but each leafe set further in sunder and not closing which are very small at the bottome and sodainely grow broad and round at the point yet so small as no leafe is bigger than the naile of ones little finger and of a pale greene colour which so abide for the most part the first Winter after the springing up if the extremitie thereof doe not utterly rot it in the Sommer following it shooteth forth into branches with somewhat longer leaves on them and at the upper joynts and toppes stand divers small whitish flowers and after them appeare long pods a little crooked or bending upwards set together in forme of a starre wherein is very small blackish seede contained the roote is small and fibrous and perisheth after seede time The Place The first groweth in Vineyards Orchards Gardens and other rockie and stony places also where it is so apt to abide from it owne sowing that it will hardly be rid out againe the second Camerarius saith in horto Medico that he first before any other found it about Lipswicke the last was sent me from Hieronymu Winghe a Canon of Tournay in Flanders who it is likely either received it himselfe or some other friend that gave it him from Candy The Time The two first doe abide all the Summer from the Spring that they rise which yet is late untill the cold nights doe nippe them and cause them to perish the third as I said before abideth the first Winter of it be not too violent and seedeth the next Summer after the springing 1. Pâ— saâ— â—vestriâ— Garden and wilde Pâ—rsâ—ne 3. Portulaca Cretica Pâ—rslane of Candy The Names It is called by Dioscorides in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Andrachne and by Theophrastus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Adrachne and so each of them also call the Arbutus or Strawberry tree which some call Portulaca arbor in Latine as they also call this herbe Portulaca herba of the Arabians Bakle ancha and Bachele alhanica the Italians Porcellana and Porchacchia the Spaniards Verdolagas and Baldroegas the French Pourpier Porchailles and Porceltaine the Germanes Burgel Burtzel Portselknaut and Grenzel the Dutch Porceleyne and we in English Purslaine The first is generally called Portulaca sylvest is Gesner and Camerarius call it Portulaca minor Caesalpinus and Bauhinus Portulaca angu stifolia and Cordus upon Dioscorides saith that Cepaa is no other than the wilde Purslane the second is called by Camerarius Portulaca exigna and by Bauhinus Portulaca arvensis the last was sent me by the name of Portulaca Cretica which as I said I am not willing to alter although I know that Canerarius hath set it forth by the name of Arzâ—n peregrinum and Columna by the name of Sempervivum tertium Dioscorides refusing that of others so accounted and Bauhinus doth thereupon call it Cotyledon stellata The Vertues Garden Purslane is cold in the third degree and moist in the second as Galen saith is therefore good to coole any heate in the liver bloud reines and stomack and in hot agues nothing better it staieth also hot and collericke fluxes of the belly as also of womens courses the whites gonorrhaea the distillations from the head the paines therein proceeding of heate want of sleepe or the frenzie the seede is more effectuall then the herbe and is of singular good use to coole the heate and sharpenesse of urine and the outragious lust of the body venereous dreames and the like in so much that the over frequent use thereof extingusheth the heate and vertue of naturall procreation the seede being bruised and boiled in wine and given to children that have the wormes expelleth them some doe more commend the seede of wilde Purslane for the wormes then the other the
with Vinegar it taketh away the Morphew Lepry and all other deformities in the skinne and is good also for old foule Vlcers and sores to clense and heale them thâ— say Dioscorides and Galen of their Telephium but divers have thought that the difference in qualitie may happen from the Climate as it doth in Arum which in some places of Asia and Cilicia as Galen saith is not sharpe and biting as it is in these places of Greece Italy and all Europe and as it is found also in the lesser Celandine which as they say is sharpe in some places but is not so found with us Orpine is seldome used in inward Medecines with us although Tragus saith from his countrey Germanes experience that the distilled water thereof is profitably taken of those that have any gnawings or excoriations in their stomacke or bowells or have Vlcers in their Lungs or Liver or other inward parts as also in the matrix or mother and doth helpe all those diseases being drunke for certaine dayes together and that it stayeth the sharpnesse of humors in the blooddy flux as also stayeth other 〈◊〉 of bloud in the body or in the wounds the roote thereof also performeth the same effect It is used outwardly to coole any heate or inflammation upon any hurt or wound and easeth the paines of them as also to heale scouldings or burnings the juyce thereof beaten with some greene sallet oyle and annointed the leafe also bruised and laid to any greene wound in the hands or legges doth heale them quickly and as it is said being bound to the throate of them that hath the Quinsie doth helpe it very much it helpeth ruptures or burstings and from thence as Tragus saith the Germans call it Bruch wurts and Knabenkraut The leaves are much used to make Gâ—ds about Midsommer with the come Marigold-flowers put upon strings to hang them up in their houses upon bushes and May-poles c. Tragus sheweth a superstitious course in his country that some use after Midsommer day is past to hang it up over their chamber doores or upon the walles which will be fresh and greene at Christmas and like the Aloe spring and shoote forth new leaves with this perswasion that they that hanged it up shall feele no disease so long as that abideth greene CHAP. IV. Rhodia sive Rhodia radix Rosewort BEcause this plant is so like unto an Orpine both in leafe flower and manner of growing I thinke it fit to joyne it next thereunto It sendeth forth divers stalkes which are upright thicke round and greene about a foote thicke set with leaves up to the toppes and are somewhat long and narrow like unto those of Orpine but smaller yet as fat or thicke and of the like pale greene colour dented about the edges the flowers are many small and yellow set in a tuft or cluster but smaller than Orpine with seede in heads like unto Rhodia radix Rosewort it also the roote is thicke and tuberous or knobbie at the heads and branched out rising oftentimes above the ground whereas it groweth somewhat reddish and is long downward with divers fibres annexed unto it which being a little broken or bruised with it is fresh Altera much more than when it is drie smelleth like a Rose from whence it tooke the name Some doe account that there is an other sort hereof whose leaves are not dented and the flowers more purplish than the other The Place It groweth in the North parts of England and no where else wilde in our Land as I can heare of as upon the mountaines of Pandle and Ingelborough oftentimes on the very raggiest places and most dangerous of them scarce accessible and so steepe that they may soone tumble downe that very warily doe not looke to their footing from whence hath beene sent me some rootes for my Garden The Time It flowreth about Iuly and the stalkes and leaves perisheth to the ground springing every yeare anew from the toote which abideth firme in all extremities of cold The Names It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rhodia radix not from the Iland Rhodes but from the Rose as I said for the sent thereof it hath no other name with all authors than Rhodia radix or Rosea radix that I know The Vertues It is found by good experience to be cold and not hot as some have taken it to be and as Galen placeth it almost in the third degree of heate for even as red Roses so this by the coldnesse is profitable to asswage the headeach arising from an hot cause and both Dioscorides and Galen appoint it for paines in the head the juyce thereof with a little Rosewater applied to the forehead and temples which Gerard vindicateth to his owne invention CHAP. V. Aizoon Sedum sive Sempervivum majus The greater Houseleeke THere are so many sorts of Houseleekes properly and unproperly so called both great and small with whole or with divided leaves some cooling and others heating or exulcerating that without some methodicall division I can neither expresse them conveniently nor you apprehend them effectually which that I may do I will digest them into five Rankes and orders that is to say of all the great ones in this Chapter and of the smaller ones in the severall Chapters following which because they are of much variable I must intreate of those that grow upon muddie stone walles or houses and upon drie sandie bankes and places in the next thirdly of these that grow upon rockes and mountaines or in stony places and fourthly of such â—e divided leaves and lastly to accomplish the history of all the sorts of Houseleekes I should set forth the sorts of Coryledon or Kidney Worts but having entreated of many of them in my former Booke I will here shew you the rest that remaine 1. Sedum Majus legitimum The true great Houseleeke The true great Houseleeke groweth great to the forme of a shrubbe or woddy plant of the height of two or three foote or more sometimes in the naturall places which are the warme countries whose stemme or â—de below is of the bignesse of foure fingers and the other branches of ones thumme of a grayish colour on the oâ—side spot red as it were round about but they are the markes of the old leaves that are fallen the like whereof may be seene in the stalke of the Wood Spurge spreading limber smaller branches on all sides and â—es at the ends of them standing in a compasse like the heaâ—s of common houseleeke but nothing so close every 〈◊〉 formed somewhat like a tongue small at the bottome and broader toward the end where it is broadest â—y deâ—ted about the edges and as it were a little hollow like a Spoone thicke and full of juice and of a pale greene colour from the toppes of some of the branches thrusteth forth a long stalke divided into many twigges with some few small leaves on them and at the ends of them
be laid thereupon but a while as forcibly as Ranunculus or Crowfoote will doe and therefore it behoveth all that shall have occasion to â—e 〈◊〉 of the cooling Stonecrops that they doe not mistake this for some of them whereunto it is so like yet it is noâ— without some other good properties whereof good use may be made for it is said to procure voâ—ing the juyce thereof taken with vinegar and some other drinke and thereby driveth forth thicke flegmaticke and collericke humours whereby quartaine agues and other of long continuance may be cured And that taken in the 〈◊〉 manner it doth expell any poyson or the force of venemous herbes and of the Aconites which yet is referred by some to the greater kindes but Caveat qui sumpserit Dioscorides saith that being outwardly applied with Axâ—gia that is Hoggs suet it will take away knottes and kernells as well in the necke and throate which is called the Kings evill as in any other part of the body and applied by it selfe or boyled in oyle of Roses and the sore piles annointed therewith doth ease the paines and cure them of the griefe CHAP. VII Aizoon Sedum sive Semper vivum minimum petraeum montanum Rockie and Mountainous small Houseleekes THe third kinde of small Houseleekes that I am to entreate of here are of such as grow or Rockie stony and mountainous places of many whereof I have in my former Booke given you the knowledge which are the lest of all the rest formed into circles or eyes as the common Houseleeke is and as the sorts of Cotyledon altera are also whereunto they might be as well referred but because other Authors have set them forth by the name of Sedum minus I am content to let them so passe also 1. Sedum minimum Alpinum Muscoides Small Mosselike mountaine Houseleeke This small Houseleeke spreadeth with the many round circling heads of leaves like Houseleeke a great deale of ground so thicke lying thereon as the Mosse it selfe doth which leaves are very small thicke and of a blewish greene colour from the middle of divers of which heades spring up small slender stalkes not above two or three inches high bare or naked of leaves for the most part unto the toppes where stand two or three small white flowers made of five leaves apeece and some yellow threds in the middle of them the roote is small and threaddy but multiplieth it selfe into a number of heads 2. Sedum minimum Alpinum villosum Small hairy mountaine Houseleeke This is as small an Houseleeke as the former growing in the same manner and about the same height but the 1. Sedum minimum Alpinum Muscoides Small Mosselike mountaine Houseleeke 2. Sedum minimum Alpinum villosum Small hairie mountaine Houseleeke 4. Sedum montanum gramines folio alterum Another grasselike small Hâ—useleeke leaves are somewhat greater and longer and set with small haires round about the edges the stalkes also are hairy and beare sixe or seven flowers a peece at the toppes which are white like the other with a yellow bottome 3. Sedum minimum Alpinum gramineofolio Grasselike small Houseleeke This Houseleeke groweth not much higher than either of the former the leaves of whose heads are somewhat longer than the last flatter also and greener very like unto the leaves of grasse from among which riseth up a stalke or two very small smooth and tender about three inches long bearing one flower and sometimes two at the toppe consisting of five white leaves somewhat larger than the former and their round ends dented in the middle making every leafe seeme like a heart painted on the Cardes the bottome of the flower being yellow 4. Sedum montanum gramineo folio alterum Another Grasselike small Houseleeke This other small Houseleeke differeth 5. Sedum petraeum montanum luteum Small rocke Houseleeke with yellow flowers 6. Sedum Alpinum grandiflorum Small Houseleeke with great yellow flowers 7. Sedum Alpinum flore pallido Small mountaine Houseleeke with pale yellow flowers 8. Sedum Minus montanum flore rubro Small mountaine Houseleeke with red flowers 11. Sedum montanum perpusillum luteolisfloribus The least mountaine Houseleeke with yellow flowers little from the last in the manner of growing smalnesse of the leaves or height of the stalkes that beare flowers but different in these points that it beareth more flowers at the tops of the stalkes not heartlike pointed but whole and of a pale yellow colour 5. Sedum petraeum montanum luteum Small rocke Houseleeke with yellow flowers This small rocke Houseleeke hath divers heads of leaves lying upon the ground like the other but harder narrower pointed also and somewhat hairy the flowers being foure or five that stand together above on the naked stalkes about three or foure inches high consist of foure small yellow leaves apeece after which come long pointed flat coddes somewhat like unto a Thlaspi wherein it contained small brownish flat seede 6. Sedum Alpinum grandiflorum Small mountaine Houseleeke with great yellow flowers This small Houseleeke hath many small heads of lesser leaves than those of the last with small stalkes under them from among which rise slender stalkes set with leaves up to the tops where stand foure or five pale yellow flowers larger than the smallnesse of the 13. Sedum minimum Alpinum villosum alterum Another small mountaine hairie Houseleeke Sedum montanum serrâ—tum gâ—ttâ— flore The Princes feather set forth in my former Booke plant might seeme to give being almost as great as those of the white Saxifrage consisting of five leaves a peece the roote runneth in the ground and spreadeth with many heads 7. Sedum Alpinum flore pallido Small mountaine Houseleeke with pale yellow flowers The neare resemblance of this small Houseleeke unto the small Stonecrops in the last Chapter might justly have challenged the company but because it is a mountaine kind I thought better to place it here It creepeth upon the ground with a number of small sappie branches of a hand breadth high furnished round about with small long and pointed leaves very like unto Stonecroppe but somewhat flatter and not so thicke and of a very stipticke taste up to the toppes where stand many somewhat great flowers yet much lesser than the last of a pale yellow colour the roote spreadeth much whereby it greatly encreaseth 8. Sedum minus montanum flore rubro Small mountaine Houseleeke with red flowers This red flowred Houseleeke hath many small narrow and long leaves lying on the ground among which riseth up a stalke about three or foure inches high with a few leaves thereon being longer and more pointed than those are below and at the toppe divers large flowers made of many narrow and pointed leaves starre fashion of a reddish colour and yellow in the bottome with a white line at the bottome of each leafe which are sweeter in smell that in any other sort 9. Sedum saxatile hirsutum purpureum Small hairie purple flowred Houseleeke
longest somewhat like the leaves of the sweete Groundpine but smaller and greener not having any hoarinesse on them astringent and drying also in taste as much as any of the other the stalkes are reddish very slender and not two inches high saith Clusius but they were higher with us bearing every one of them one small flower but somewhat large with us made of five leaves a peece of a pale greene colour so saith Clusius but that which wee had from Mr. Hesket out of Lancashire bore pale whitish flowers with some yellow threds compassing a middle round umbone the roote is small but spreadeth much 2. Sedum Monspeliense Pyraenaeum laciniatum The French jagged mountaine Houseleeke This other jagged Houseleeke hath likewise divers heads of very small greene leaves each whereof is deepely cut into two or â—e usually into three parts and seldome into more from among which rise one or two small stalkes three or foure inches high with some few leaves set thereon parted very often into some branches at the topâ— whereof stand foure or five flowers of five leaves a peece of a pale colour with divers threds in the middle the roote is blacke and small creeping about The Place The first saith Clusius groweth on the Mountaine called Sneberg or Snowhill among the stones but on the Mountaines of Lancashiere with us as Mr. Hoskes told us the other both upon Mount Lupus and Calcar neare Mâ—pelier and on the Pyraenaean hills likewise The Time The first flowreth in August saith Clusius within a while after that the snow is dissolved but in the end of Aprill and beginning of May with us although somewhat later in the naturall places and the other much thereabouts The Names The first is mentioned by Clusius who in his Pannonicke observations maketh it his seventh Sedum Alpinum Ajugae folio and in his History of Plants setteth it for his Sedum decimum tertium the other Bauhinus setteth forth by the name of Sedum tridactylites Alpinum minus and referreth it to the other sort of Sedum Alpinum tertium of Gregorius de Reggio remembred by Columna but so it cannot be for he saith that that sort hath not leaves compact together as the other Seda but dispersed The Vertues You have heard before of the taste and therefore you may judge of the qualities of these herbes for I have no more to say of them but that it is likely they be as effectuall for those causes that the last small sorts of Houseleekes are CHAP. IX Cotyledon primus sive Vmbilicus Veneris Kidneywort or Wall Pennywort THe last kinds of Houseleeke whereof I am to entreate so to accomplish the whole family is of the Kidneyworts whereof the first sort of Dioscorides being different from the other I will first speake of and then of the rest that I have not mentioned in my former booke 1. Vmbilicus Veneris vulgaris Our ordinary Kidneywort or Wall Pennywort The great Kidneywort or Wall Pennywort that groweth with us hath many thicke flat and round leaves growing from the roote every one having a long footestalke fastned underneath about the middle thereof and a little unevenly waved sometimes about the edges of a pale greene colour and somewhat hollow on the upper side like a spoone or sawcer from among which rise one or more tender smooth hollow stalkes halfe a foote high with two or three small leaves thereon usually not round as those below but somewhat long and divided at the edges the tops are sometimes divided into long branches bearing a number of pendulous flowers set round about a long spike one above another which are hollow and like a little bell of a whitish greene colour after which come small heads conteining very small brownish seede which falling on the ground will plentifully spring up before winter if it have moysture the roote is round somewhat like the full roote of an 1. Vmbilicus veneris vulgaris Our ordinary Kidneywort or Wall Pennywort 3. Cotyledon altera minor folio sulvotundo Small Kidneywort with roundish leaves Orchis or Doggestone most usually smooth yet sometimes rugged or knobbed grayish without and white within having small fibres at the head of the roote and bottome of the stalke altogether like an Orchis whereunto I would more nearely resemble the rootes then unto Houseleeke but I must not be singular although I speake my minde herein follow others Major Luâ—fitâ—icus Of this kinde wee have received from Doctor Boelus at Lishbone a greater sort with paler greene leaves very beautifull which Mr. Tradescunt keepeth at Lambeth 2. Cotyledon sive Sedum montanum latifolium serratum guttato flore Spotted Kidnywort or the Princes feather This pretty kind of Houseleeke or Kidnywort call it which you will is described in my former booke where I call it the Princes feather and therefore needeth not to be here againe repeated although I give you the figure of it among the rest you shall finde the Figure hereof in folio 738. 3. Cotyledon alter minor folio subrotundo Small Kidnywort with roundish leaves This other small Kidnywort hath much rounder and smaller leaves in the heads then the former not so bigge as the nayle of ones finger of as pale a greene colour as it or more white and dented at the edges in the same manner of an astringent taste like the other Houseleekes from the middle of some of the heads yearely rise up slender but hard and rough stalkes about an handlength high set with a few smaller and longer leaves thereon at the toppes whereof appeare small flowers upon long footestalkes consisting of five and sometimes of six leaves a peece sometimes wholly white and sometimes spotted with red spots and sometimes having three purple lines running downe the backe of every leafe so that it maketh the whole leafe seeme purplish in their places follow small heads with small seede the roote is small and fibrous like the rest setting of heads of the like leaves round about it 4. Cotyledon alter versicoloribus floribus Small Kidneywort with party coloured flowers This small Kidnywort groweth with many heads of small leaves circlewise like unto the last Kidniwort whereof it is a peculiar sort greater then the smallest and smaller then the greatest each whereof is somewhat long and narrow of a whitish greene colour dented as it were about the edges or rather set with silver white spots about the edges making them seeme like white teeth or as Gesner compareth them to the silver like fins of Fishes very pleasant to behold for in the Winter when no flower appeareth this and the last and the first that I have expressed in my former booke being all of one genus giveth as much delight as when it is in flower which are many standing on severall footestalkes each leafe whereof is part white and part purple variably diversified in every one of them The Place The first groweth very plentifully in many places of this kingdome but especially in
whose forme of leafe is more sharpe and pointed than others and not for the sharpe taste to cause that name the Sheepes Sorrell is called Lapatiolum and Acetosella by divers Clusius maketh mention of the first great sort and Lobel Dodonaeus and others of the second Lobel gave first of all others knowledge of the third and Columna of the fourth Bauhinus of the fift sixt and seventh Columna of the eight Prosper Alpinus in his Booke of Egyptian plants of he ninth of the tenth and last none hath made any mention before now Besterus in horto Eystetensi speaketh of the eleventh by the name of Acetosa vesicaria peregrina which Bauhinus calleth Acetosa Americana folijs longissimis pediculis donatis but of the twelfth sort if it be not the same with the second whereunto it is very like no author ever made mention before now and scarce is it knowne to any but the Gentleman of Anglesey called Mr. Morris Lloid of Prislierworth that found it on a mountaine in Wales and shewed it to Dr. Bonham in his life the thirteenth is called by Matthiolus Tenuifolia and so by Lonicorus Gesner Tragus almost all other writers of herbes in our later age and called Oxalis vervecina of Lobel and Ovina of others and arvensis lanceolata by Bauhinus the fourteenth is remembred by Montanus Gerard and Bauhinus All of them deservedly have the name of Sorrell because howsoever they are somewhat different in leafe or roote yet they all agree in the sourenesse although some more or lesse than others The Arabians as Serapiâ— saith call it Humaalh the Italians Acetosa the Spaniards Azederas Azederilha and Agrethas the French Aâ—ills or Oseille Saltelle Surelle and Aigrette the Germanes Sawrampffer the Dutch Surckcle and Surincke and we in English Sorrell The Vertues Sorrell is cooling and drying in the second degree and is prevalent in all hot diseases to coole any inflammation and heate of bloud in agues pestilentiall or chollericke or other sicknesses and fainting rising from heate and to refresh the overspent spirits with the violence of furious or fiery fits of agues c. to quench thirst and to procure an appetite in fainting or decaied stomackes for it resisteth the putrefaction of the bloud killeth wormes and is as a cordiall to the heart which the seede doth more effectually being more drying and binding and thereby also stayeth the hot fluxes of the menstrues or of humours in the bloudy flixe or fluxe of the stomacke the rootes also in a decoction or in powder is effectuall for the said purposes both rootes and seede as well as the herbe is held powerfull to resist the poison of the Scorpion so that he that shall eate thereof shall feele no paine being stung the decoction of the rootes is taken to helpe the jaundise and to expell gravell and the stone in the raines or kidneyes the decoction of the flowers made with wine and drunke helpeth the blacke jaundise as also the inward ulcers of the body or bowells A Syrupe made with the juyce of Sorrell and Fumiterrie is a soveraine helpe to kill the force of those sharpe humours that cause the itch the juyce thereof with a little Vinegar serveth well to use outwardly for the same cause and is also profitable for frettings and gallings of the skin many part and for tetters ringwormes c. it helpeth also to discusse the scrophules or kernells in the throate and the juyce gargled in the mouth helpeth the sores therein the leaves wrapped up in a Colewort leafe and roasted under the embers and applied to an hard empostume botch bile or plague sore both ripeneth and breaâ—eth it the juyce of Sorrell dropped into the eares of such as are hard of hearing helpeth oftentimes the distilled water of the herbe is of much good use for all the purposes aforesaid The lesser wilde Sorrell and so all the other are of the same qualitie and are no lesse effectuall in all the diseases before spoken of CHAP. XI Oxys Alleluja sive Trifolium acetosum Wood Sorrell THere are two sorts of Wood Sorrell the one familiar enough in many places of this Land the other 〈◊〉 stranger as farre as I can learne and onely cherished in the Gardens of those that are curious I have as I said brought these two sorts from their family where they might otherwise be ranked that iâ— among the Trefoiles for their propertie and name also in part 1. Trifolium acetosum vulgare Common Wood Sorrell The common Wood Sorrell groweth low upon the ground without any stalke rising from it having a â—ber of leaves comming from the roote made of three leaves like a Trefoile or Three leafed grasse but broade at the ends and cut in the middle of a faint yellowish greene colour every one standing on a long footestalke which at their first comming up are close folded together to the stalke but opening themselves afterwards and are of aâ— fine soure relish more pleasing than many of the former Sorrells and yeelding a juyce which will turne red when it is clarified and maketh a most daintie cleare Syrup among these leaves rise up divers slender weake footâ— stalkes not growing above them with every one of them a flower at the top consisting of five small and pointed leaves starre fashion of a white colour in most places or in 1. Trifolium Acetosum Vulgare Common Wood Sorrell 2. Oxys luteo flore Wood Sorrell with yellow flowers some dasht over with a small shew of blush and in some but on the backe side onely of any other colour although some have set downe that it beareth deepe coloured flowers I have not seene after the flowers are past follow small round heads with small yellowish seede in them the rootes are nothing but threads or small strings fastened to the end of a small long peece all of them being of a yellowish colour not perishing every yeare but abiding with some leaves thereon in the Winter 2. Oxys luteo flore Wood Sorrell with yellow flowers This Wood Sorrell shooteth forth divers slender weake reddish stalkes trailing upon the ground and taking roote at the joynts as they lie spread into many branches with many leaves on them standing singly one above another and made of 3. leaves cut in at the ends like the former but are much smaller and of a paler greene colour at the joynts with the leaves come forth three or foure small flowers together at the end of a long foote stalke yet each separate from other consisting of small and pointed leaves like the other but of a yellow colour the seede that followeth is brownish like the other but contained in smaller and longer heads like cods or hornes yet not crooked but pointed small which quickly fall away being touched when they are ripe and spring up againe all about where it grew it abideth the Winter withouâ— perishing if it be not too violent else they will rot and perish must be new sowne againe The Place The
doe call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Spanachia a raritate in usu medico and some Spanachia in Latine as Matthiolus and those that follow him who I thinke first so called it because Tragus called it Olus Hispanicum supposing as many others doe that it first came from Spaine to us The Vertues Simeon Sethi and divers of the ancients have set downe in their writings that Beetes have an hurtfull qualitie in them for the stomacke and breede many diseases they have indeede a more nitrous qualitie whereby they provok more to the stoole than Arrache Lettice or Mallowes doe especially the white for the red Beete is held good to stay the bloudy flixe womens courses and the whites and to helpe the yellow jaundise the white being more clensing digesting and provoking urine also and the red more astringent especially the roote the juyce or the roote put into the nostrils purgeth the heade and helpeth the noise in the eares as also the tooth ach the juyce of the white Beete openeth obstructions both of the liver and spleene and is good for the head ach the swimming therein and the turnings of the braine and is effectuall also against all venemous creatures the juyce of white Beetes applied upon the temples staieth the inflammation in the eyes the same also helpeth burnings being used without any oyle and if a little Allome be put unto it it is good for Saint Anthonies fire the same also is good for all wheales pushes and other blisters and blanes in the skinne the herbe being boyled and laid upon chilblanes on the hands or kibes on the heeles helpeth them it healeth the itch also if the places be bathed with the decoction of the herbe in water and some vinegar the same doth likewise clense the head of dandraffe scurse and drie scabbes and doth much good also for fretting and running sores ulcers and canckers in the head legges or other parts it is much commended also against baldnesse and shedding of the haire The wilde Beetes that are here set downe have not beene applied to any use that I know as yet neither did I ever heare or reade of any Physicall properties of the Spinage CHAP. XIV Blitum Blites VNto the Beetes doe the Blites require to be next joyned of divers whereof I have spoken in my former Booke namely of the Garden sorts white and red besides the Amaranthus or Flower gentle of divers sorts whereof I meane not further to relate here although I may give you some of their figures but of some other sorts nor there remembred 1. Blitum album sylvestrum minus The small wilde white Blite The small wilde white Blite groweth small and low with smaller whitish greene leaves set in the stalkes than the greater sort of the garden the flowers and seede are like it also and the roote but smaller in every part 2. Blitum rubrum sylvestre minus The small wilde red Blite The leaves of this sort are sometimes and in some places more red than in other and giving a fine red juyce as â—t to write with being ordered accordingly as the red incke made of Brassill this is in all other things like â—to the greater garden red kinde 3. Blitum Polyspermon Wilde Blites with much seede The lower leaves hereof are very like unto the leaves of the former wilde sort yet a little rounder and smaller also on the stalkes that are much branched at the toppes whereof grow long and spikie greenish heads of seede very thicke set together seeming to be all seede whereof came the name Polyspermon and is like unto the others the rootes are wholly white and somewhat long 4. Blitum Virginianum majus The greater Virginian Blite This Vâ—rginian Blite riseth up with one great thicke round yet almost square tall stalke five or sixe foote high full of small branches on all sides from the bottome to the toppe set with larger leaves than in any of the garden kindes and of a sad greene colour else so like them that they plainely declare themselves the seede groweth in small spikes at the toppes of the stalke and branches which being ripe is small blacke and shining like the rest 5. Blitum Virginianum minus Amaranthi species The smaller Virginian Blite The smaller sort of Virginia is very like the last sort but much smaller and lower having stalkes and leaves somewhat reddish with the greene branched also but lesse and with small long tufts of reddish soft scales as it were and small blackish somewhat shining seede afterwards 1. Blitum minus album sylvestre The small wilde white Blite 2. Blitum minus sylvestre rubrum The small wilde red Blite but neither so blacke nor shining as the last the roote is small and fibrous perishing every yeare yet often is raised againe from its owne sowing 6. Amaraâ—hus coceineus elegans maximus The greatest scarlet Flower gentle This great Flower-gentle riseth up with very great thicke round tall stalkes rather higher and greater than the most ordinary great red Flower-gentle with as large great leaves on it or rather bigger but both the stalkes and they are of a fresh yellowish pale greene colour with very little or no rednesse in them at all and this is one proper marke to know this sort from others before it come to flower the flowers stand at the toppes of the stalke and branches more spread at the bottome into sundry parts the middle being longest and usually when it is in the perfection hanging downe like a tassell the other parts like shorter spikes compassing it round which even for the proportion is very beautifull but much more for the colour which is of a more excellent bright scarlet red colour which being gathered in the prime will hold the colour a good while before it decay especially if it be kept from the Sunne and windie aire the seede inclosed in these tufts is almost as white and small as the great red sort yet a little redder whereby it may be knowne to differ The descriptions of the other sorts of Amaâ—hus are extant in my former Booke The Place and Time Some of these grow in our owne land in divers wast places and in gardens also as a weede namely the three first sorts the other sorts are brought us from sundry parts beyond seas as the fift from Virginia the last from Brasill or some other part of America and seede in August September The Names All our moderne Writers for none of the ancients have made any mention of them doe agree in calling them Blita sylvestria minera and the first two sorts Blitum sylvestre minus album râ—brum yet Tragus calleth the red sort nigrum and saith it is called Sanginaria by some which word Sanguinaria is as he saith referred to five severall sorts of herbes every country having their proper Sanguinaria which are this wilde red or blacke Blite Toâ—ill Shepherds 3. Blitum Polyspermon Wilde Blites with much seede Amaranthus Coâ— Scarlet Flower-gentle Amaranthus
milke for which purpose the leaves are much conducing the leaves flowers and seede all of them or any of them are very cordiall and helpe to expell pensivenesse and melancholie that ariseth without manifest cause whereof came the saying Ego Borrago gaudia semper ago and as I sayd before called Corrago it helpeth also to clarifie the blood and â—tigate the heate in feavers the juice made into a Syrupe prevaileth much to all the purposes aforesaid and is also put with other cooling opening and clensing herbes to open obstructions and to helpe the yellow Iaundies to coole and clense the blood and temper the heate and sharpenesse thereof especially with Fumitery and thereby to helpe the Itch Ringwormes or Tetters or other spreading scabbes or sores that arise from a dust and sharpe humors and for that purpose is put into the Syrupus Byzantinus which worketh to the same effect the Conserve made of the flowers or the flowers candid are helping also in all those causes but are chiefely used as a Cordiall and good for those that have beene long sicke and feeble or in a Cosumption to comfort the heart and spirits and thereby good for those that are troubled with often swounings or passions of the heart The destilled 〈◊〉 is no lesse effectuall to all the purposes aforesayd and the eyes washed therewith helpeth the rednesse and inflammations of them the dryed herbe is never used but the greene yet the ashes thereof boyled in mode or hoâ—ed water is availeable against inflammations and Vlcers in the mouth or throate to wash and gargle it therewith the rootes of Buglosse are much more clammy and glewish then of Borrage and therefore by some good Physitions not held so convenient to be used in opening decoctions for it is thought by the tenacious marcilagines in them they rather helpe to binde then open obstructions but may be effectuall in a Lohoc or licking Eleâ—ary for the cough and to helpe to condensate thin flegme and rheumaticke destillations upon the Lungs These other sorts of wilde Borrage or Buglosse are somewhat hotter and dryer and are very neare unto the propertie of Echium Vipers Buglosse whose Vertues I shall not neede here to reiterate I shall rather referre you to their Chapter to be informed in the particulars thereof CHAP. XXI Cucurbita Gourdes THere is so great a likenesse of Gourdes Melons or Pompions Muskemelons Cowcumbers and Citrinilles one unto another both in their manner of growing and qualitie of cooling that the ancient Greekes and others have much confounded them together yet they doe each notably differre one from another both in the forme of their fruite and seede besides their sise and colour I have in my former Booke set forth the sorts both of Muskemelons and garden Cowcumbers whereof I shall not neede to speake againe here although I may give you some of their figures of the wild Cowcumber as also of the wilde or bitter Gourde called Colocynthis I have spoken in the second Classis of this Worke before divers sorts of Gourdes remaine to be entreated of whereof the Pompion is a peculiar kinde and having spoken of the garden kinde thereof also in my former Booke I entend not to repeate it againe but of some strange wilde kinds I must here comprehend under the Gourds although their seedes doe differ Citrulli Citrulles which are accounted by divers to be kindes of Cowcumbers but I doe rather referre them also to the Gourds because their seedes have hard shells such as neither Melons nor Cowcumbers have which two are of so neare affinitie that their seede is very hardly distinguished Of Citrulles I shall entreate in the next Chapter and of the Gourds in this and with them some such strange fruites as have come to our sight or knowledge from forraine parts whereof we tooke the figures and that after I have given you some of their descriptions to save many repetitions 1. Cucurbita lagenaria major The greater bottle Gourde This great Gourd groweth as all other of these kinds of herbes do spreading many great rough and hairy armeâ— and branches with severall great and broad leaves soft and almost round yet pointed at the ends and sometimes dented about the edges set upon long footestalkes and long clasping tendrills like a vine set at other joynts whereby it climeth taking hold and winding it selfe about whatsoever poles arbours trees or other things that stand next unto it or else not having whereon to clime and raise it selfe it lyeth on the ground spreading a great compasse as the Pompion doth at the severall joynts likewise with the leaves come forth severall flowers in the same manner as Pompions Cowcumbers or Melons doe but are very large hollow bells ending in five points or corners with a round greene head under each of them that will beare fruit for many flowers wither and beare no fruit not having that round greene head under the flowers which should grow to be the fruit and will be full and ready to come forwards with the short stiffe stalke under it the colour of the flowers are either white or pale white or pale yellow the fruit when it is ripe hath an hard outer rind or shell yellowish large and round bellied flat at the bottome like unto a bottle and smaller up to the necke above which is a small round formed head whereunto the stalke is fastned and sometimes without any small head being pendulous or hanging downe not standing forth or upright within which fruit lye dispersedly many seedes having smooth hard wooddy shells flat and broad at the upper end or head and somewhat pointed below wherein lyeth a sweete white kernell the roote consisteth of many long strings spreading much within the ground but perisheth usually with the first frosts 2. Cucarbita lagenaria minor The lesser bottle Gourd This differeth from the former in nothing but that it is smaller in every part as well leaves stalkes flowers as fruit which is of the same forme but smaller 3. Cucurbita longa The long Gourd This Gourd also differeth little but in the fruit and seede from the former for the fruite groweth long and sometimes crooked or bending like a horne almost of an equall sise all the length which in some places groweth to be of an incredible length especially when the fruit hangeth downe from some high place otherwise lying on the ground it never attaineth to halfe that length whose outer Rinde is yellowish in the hotter climates as the other sort is but with us whitish and seede therein somewhat whitish with us and not so broad at the head nor so hard 4. Cucurbita clypeiformis sive laciniata The Buckler or Simnell Gourd There is a manifest difference not onely in the fruite of this Gourd from the rest but in the manner of growing also for it groweth upright with great hollow rough hairy crested stalkes to the height of three cubites and runneth not along on the ground as the rest having greater leaves
rough and hairy set thereon of a sad greene colour and more cut in or divided on the edges the flowers are bell fashion like the others of a faint yellowish colour standing upon the head of the fruite which growing to ripenesse is somewhat big and round toward the stalke but flat forewards with a crumpled verge or brim somewhat cut in or endented and thinner there then in any other place the forme doth much resemble those sodden baked cakes that are made in Lent time which 〈◊〉 1. Cucurbita lagenazin major The greater round bottle Gourd 3. Câ—curbita longa The long Gourd 4. 5. Cucurbita Clypeiformis verrucosa Aâ—guria Aegyptiaca The Simnell and the rugged Gourd And the Egyptian Citrull or watery Million Cucurbitae Indicae Ovalis Pyriformis fere rotundus Indian Gourds Ovall Peare fashion and almost round â—all â—ella which thereupon I have so entituled or else 〈◊〉 others do thinke which you please the pulpe 〈◊〉 within is firme cutteth like an Apple without 〈◊〉 â—nesse in the middle but where the seede lyeth which is somewhat like unto the Kernell of an Apple â—r broader and flatter at the head 5. Cucurbita verrucosa Rugged Gourds The â—erence herein consisteth onely in the round fruit whose shell or barke is not smooth as in others but 〈◊〉 set as it were with knobbes and warts 6. Cucurbitae hyemales Wanter Gourds or Millions These Gourds differ little in forme of growing from the other sorts before mentioned but in the maturitie and durabilitie of their fruite for there are of them that are greater then others and of different colours as some yellow others greene or of other colours but all of them doe ripen later and doe better endure the first approach of Winter then the others for they are not full ripe and fit to be eaten before they are hung up in a Châ— after they be gathered 7. Cucurbitae Indicae rotundae diversi formes Round Indian Gourds or Millions or Pompions and of other formes There is very great varietie of these Gourds or Millions as some call them or Pompions as I may call 〈◊〉 of them that come out of America or the West Indies from sundry places both farther South among the Spanish Colonies and nearer hand in our owne of Virginia New-England c. Some whereof in their forme are â—d as long some longer like a Peare some more long then round and some flat at the bottome some also 〈◊〉 great as our Pompions some as small as an Apple and some of divers other sises meaner or greater or leâ— some with much moysture or water that is very sweete and pleasant in them and some having little or no â—eâ—e or moysture some againe discoloured on the outside greene with whitish or yellowish stripes in them or spotted so finely that they give great delight to behold them some also reddish spotted or striped and some of a deepe yellow colour the seedes in these likewise are variable in divers some more like unto the ordinary â—d seed but blacker or browner or red in others white either like the long Gourd or like to our Pompions yet few so large as our Pompion and others as small almost as the Cowcumber seede so that to give you an ample declaration of every one of them were a worke of curiositie and of more travell then profit and therefore I must leave it for them that can intend it and will gather them all together and publish such a peece I must convert my pen to other parts which I hope shall proove more beneficiall to the Commonwealth Divers other sorts of Gourds or Millions or Pompions or whatsoever else you please to call them are growing and have beene brought us from sundry places both Syria and the East Indies differing from many here expressed some being as red as blood both within and without and much pleasanter in eating then in any of these Countries whereof to write more largely were almost superfluous the diversitie being so great that we â—rely almost see some sort not before seene of us and therefore who so will may quote those they like in the margent or end hereof The Place All these Gourds are strangers and brought from severall places some out of the Levant as Aegypt Syria c. others as I said before out of America both further off and nearer to us as in Virginia c. The Time They are all to be planted of the seede in the Spring and in very good ground that must not want plenty of moysture or else the heate of our owne Country will not serve to ripen them The Names The Gourde is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Colocyntha edulis to shew the difference from the other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the wilde or bitter Gourde called Colocynthis or Coloquintida before spoken of in Latine Cucurbita a concurvatu as it is thought quod facile siquid obsteterit quo minus extendatur incurvescat the Antients as I sayd in the beginning have beene very variable in their denominations of Gourdes Cowcumbers c. for they have by the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whith is Cicumis called divers other sorts of these fruits Athenaeus setteth it downe in his second booke that Euthydamus called the Gourde Cucumis Iâ—icas because as he there saith the seede was first brought out of India and that Menodorus made the Gourd to be of two sorts the one of India called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cucumis the other called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 colocyntha Pliny also in his 19. Booke and fift Chapter maketh the Pepo or Pompion a kinde of Cowcumber saying Cucumeres cum magnitudine excessere Pepones vocari but Galen saith lib. 2. alimentorum that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ripe and may be appropriate to all fruits is yet given to one peculiar but then it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pepo cucuâ—ralis but hereof I shall speake a little more in the next Chapter Pliny hath two sorts of Gourds the one hee calleth Cucurbita Cameraria because it was planted or placed neare unto Chambers and windowes to be a shade and coole refreshing from the heate which by climing up and leading it which way they pleased it did performe for as he saith it is sublimitatis avida the other he called Cucurbita plebâ—ia which lay upon the ground and climed not which I doubt whether it be any of those sorts here spoken of for all of them except the Clypeifoâ— will clime if they have any high thing stand neare them whereon they may rise The Arabians call them Hara Charha and Harakarha the Italians Zucea the Spaniards Calabassa the French Courge and Concourde the Germans Kurbss the Dutch Cauworderen and wee in English Gourds The two first are called by Lobel and Lugdunensis Cucurbita lagenaria
stalke and then grow smaller againe up to the toppe all of them unevenly waved about the edges and compassing it at the bottome of a darke blewish greene colour on the upper side and grayish underneath yeelding a milke when it is broken the flowers stand upon small long stalkes issuing from the joynts with the leaves from the middle upwards with many flowers on them consisting of foure darke purple coloured leaves with divers threds in the middle tipt with a yellow dust a three forked stile in the midst which standeth in long purplish greene huskes hanging downe their heads and turne into 2. Lactuca sylvestris laciâ—iata Wilde Lettice with jagged leaves 3. Laâ—ca sylvestris purpureo flore Wild Lettice with purple flowers Downe with smooth grayish seede among it flying away with the winde the root is thicke and set with nodes in divers places not growing downewards but spreading forwards and having long fibres shooting from it which perish not The Place The two first grow in divers places of our owne Land as well as beyond Sea the first in the borders of fields and by the hedges and lanes sides of Buckinghamshire the other on a high banke by the footeway going downe Grayes-Inne-lane unto Bradford bridge and in many other places the last is found upon hills and mountaines in divers parts of Germany mentioned both by Gesner Thalius and others and in Naples also as Columna saith The Time They doe all flower about Iuly and their seede ripeneth and is blowne away while it is in flower and hath young buds on it The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thridacine and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Dioscorides derived as it is thought 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quae uti folio ficulneo lactis non expertia sunt some saith Pliny lib. 19. cap. 8. called it Endochion in Latine Lactuca agrestis and sylvestris a lactis copia because it giveth more store of milke then any of the Endives or Succory doe or because it causeth milke in women There is a controversie among our moderne writers what plant should be the true Lactuca sylvestris of Dioscorides Theophrastus and Galen some allowing of one that others disprove for that which Matthiolus setteth forth Lobel findeth fault withall calling it Seris domestica The first is called by Tragus Endivia major as hee calleth the other Endivia vulgaris yet hee calleth the same plants in another place of his booke Lactuca sylvestris prior and altera his later sort being the first here and his Prima the other Bauhinus in my minde hath erred in missetting Tragus his Endivia major both making it a Garden Lettice calling it Lactuca Endivia folio and a Lactuca sylvestris also but how can it be both a Garden and a wilde Lettice the one not having any bitternesse therein nor prickles on the leaves and the other having both Lobel calleth it Lactuca sylvestris Scariolae hortensis folio lactuca flore Opij odore Lugdunensis setteth it downe in the Chapter of Lettice for Lactuca sylvestris vera Dalechampij and in the 14. Chapter of the same Booke calleth this first Thesion Dalechampij whereof Pliny out of Theophrastus maketh mention Camerarius calleth it Lactuca sylvestris Anglica odore Opij The second is called Lactuca sylvestris by Matthiolus Fuchsius Dodonaeus Caesalpinus Thalius and others Brunfelsius and Tragus as I sayd call it Endivia vulgaris because generally in all Germaâ— Apothecaries shops it was so accounted and used taken from the Italians whose Phisitions not knowing any other permitted the errour Lobel calleth it Seris domestica altera lactâ— Dioscoridis and Ericiâ— Cordus Scâ—riâ— and Serriola according to the received opinion thereof in their time to be Endive The last is called by Gesnerâ— Hortis Lactuca sylvestris flore purpureo and Sonchus arbâ—râ—eus pâ—niceo flore Thaliâ— Lactuca sylvestris 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Columna Sonchus montanus purpureus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tabermontanus maketh it his third Sonchus and taketh it to be the Libaâ—tis sterilis of Theophrastus which Gerard setteth forth under the title of Erysimum sylvestre and Bauhinus calleth it Lactuca montana purpuro caerulea major because he maketh that to be the minor hereof which I call Lâ—sana Austriaca The Italians call this wild kind Lattuga salvatica the Spaniards Lechuga salvaja and Alfoâ—sasaâ—a the French Laittue sannage the Germans Wilder Lettick the Dutch wilde Lattouwe and wee in English Wilde Lettice The Vertues The wilde Lettice is neare the same propertie of cooling that the Garden kinde is although the bitternesse therein maketh it the more opening but not heating even as it is in Succory Poppie Opium the like whose bitternesse doth rather open a way for the qualities to worke the better no cold qualitie being powerfull of it selfe and therefore as Succory Poppie or Opium it is more availeable to procure sleepe then the Garden kinde and to ease them that are given to much watching which by the seede the juice or the distilled water drunke or outwardly applyed performeth well the milke of the wilde Lettice gathered and dryed in the Sunne and given in Vinegar distilled is sayd to purge the water of the Dropsie to provoke womens courses and to helpe the sting or poyson of the Scorpion and Spider Phalangium the distilled water of the whole herbe is singular good to quench the thirst in any burning or pestilentiall fever the said juice dissolved in white wine and a little hony mixed therewith being dropped into the eyes doth wonderfully strengthen the sight and cleareth them from mistes clouds filmes or skins growing over them And as some are of opinion that it may be used in stead of the Garden kinde for any the physicall purposes before mentioned PLANTAE CALLIDAE ET ACRES HOT AND SHARPE BITING PLANTS CLASSIS SEPTIMA THE SEVENTH TRIBE CHAP. I. Eruca Rocket FRom the cooling herbes I am now come to those that are hot sharpe and biting upon the tongue especially such as are not umbelliferous or more properly belong to another Classis There are divers sorts of Rocket some growing in gardens whereof I have set forth one in my former booke which is the most common with us and called by Camerarius in horto Eruca tertia Anglica as I take it some wilde growing in divers differing places others that grow neare the sea side to speake of them severally in divers Chapters is the best way and not to cloy one Chapter with too many sorts 1. Erucasativa alba White or Romane garden Rocket with white seede The Romane Rocket is a smaller plant than our garden kinde having somewhat broad leaves cut in on the edges but not so much nor so deepe each part being rounder and round at the end nothing so hot also or sharpe in taste the stalke hath some leaves thereon lesser and lesse jagged and beareth white flowers at the toppes made of foure somewhat long and round pointed leaves after which come short pods
definition of the name which is to ease paines and to discusse swellings and inflammations for Pliny his old wives spell or charme wee daine it not worthy the reciting but the taste thereof 〈◊〉 somewhat neare Rocket may induce some such like propertie CHAP. VI. Nasturtium Cresses OF Cresses there are divers kindes and divers sorts of every kinde some are of the Gardens some of the Fields or Medowes some of the Water some of the Hills or Mountaines I shall forbeare to speake in this place of those that grow in the Water having a Classis of water herbes among whom they shall be expressed I will beginne with those of the Garden and make them the subject of this Chapter yet I have in my former Booke given you the knowledge of that which is most common and best knowne whose figure notwithstanding I thinke not amisse to exhibite here againe to beare his fellowes company and that thereunder the properties of the rest may be comprehended 1. Nasturtium hortense latifolium Hispanicum Great Spanish Cresses The great Spanish Cresses hath the first leaves small like Nasturtium hortense Garden Cresses Basill among which riseth up a stalke about a foote and a halfe high set with larger leaves thereon without division but smally dented about the edges and pointed at the ends every one standing upon a long foote stalke branched from the middle to the toppe with lesser and narrower leaves like to the toppe leaves of Garden Cresses from whence breake forth many white flowers set in spikes one above another after which come brownish seede in pouches like the other Cresses but much more bitter and not so fiery sharpe the roote is small and long perishing every yeare and therefore must be sowen in the Spring for although it will spring up quickly from the shed seed yet it will not abide the cold of our Winters 2. Nasturtium hortense crispum latifolium angustifolium Curl'd Cresses with larger and lesser leaves Curl'd Cresses groweth like the ordinary Garden Cresses and differeth there from onely in the leaves which are of two sorts the one with broad leavs cut and roundly dented and curl'd about the edges every one by it selfe on a long stalke the other consisting of many smaller leaves set one against another upon a middle ribbe each part whereof is in the same manner cut in and curl'd as the other the flowers are white like the common garden kinde and so is the reddish seede likewise and perisheth yearely after seede time as the others The Place The first as the title sheweth came first out of Spaine but the others are not knowne from whence their originals are The Time They doe neare follow the time that the other garden kinde doth that is in Iune and July and sometimes later The Names The Greekes call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cardamon quod cordatos faciat vel quod cor foveat and in sincope cardiaca plurimum valet others thinke it to be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod acrimonia ignea vi praeditum caput tentat and thereupon the Greekes had this proverbe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ede Nasturtium quod in socordem ignavum bebetem dicebatur propterea quod Nasturtio inesse credebant animi vigorem excitandi that is Eate Cresses to stirre up the spirits of those that are dull and heavie the Latines call it Nasturtium a narium tormento as Pliny saith some after the Italians call it Cressio hortensis the Arabians call it Naf alchaf or Narf the Italians Cressione Nasturtio and Aigretto the Spaniards Mastnercos and Malpica the French Cresson de jardin Cresson aleâ—ois and Nasitort the Germans Kerss and Kressicke the Dutch Kersen and we in Engllish Cresses The first is set forth by Tabermontanus and Gerard who describeth it untowardly enough but by Bauhinus more fully and plainely giving a truer figure thereof likewise it is usually called with us Nasturtium latifolium Hispanicum the other Bauhinus hath set forth and the figures of both sorts which are not extent in any other author The Vertues The common Garden Cresses in declaring the vertues whereof these other here specified are included being of the same propertie or very neare thereunto is hot and dry in the fourth degree especially the seede for the greene herbe by reason of the humiditie therein is more qualified and therefore the people in many countries doe eate it either alone with butter or with Lettice and Purslane in sallets or otherwise but the dried herbe commeth neare to the force of the seede as Galen saith who maketh it of the like faculitie and operation with Mustard both for the head and lungs to cut grosse flegme and to expectorate it as also in all other the properties of Rocket and Mustard both to provoake urine and to clense the raines and the bladder to procure womens courses and to kill the birth and to stirre up Venery yet Pliny saith it hindereth but he was therein either much mistaken or the bookes are much falsified that so relate it It is an enemy to the stomacke and troubleth the belly some say it looseneth the belly and purgeth it from viscous humours it helpeth the obstructions of the liver and splene and healeth all inward wounds it driveth forth venome and poison being taken with oyle it is beneficiall for the cough and shortnesse of winde and the paines of the breast or chest being chewed in the mouth it helpeth the 1. Nasturtium hortense latifolium Hispanicum Great Spanish Cresses 2. Nasturtium hortense crispum latifolium angustifolium Curl'd Cresses with broader and narrower leaves tooth-ach the leaves bruised and applied take away all spots and markes of the body helpeth the itch and easeth the paines of the Sciatica and of the loynes draweth forth bones splinters and thornes stayeth the corroding and creeping ulcers the seede chewed in the mouth helpeth the palsie in the tongue provoketh sneesing raiseth lethargicke persons and such as are drousie and heavie by quickning their bloud and spirits being boyled with vineger and applied to the kernells of the throate healeth the Kings evill and healeth also the scabbes and sores of the head if they be anointed with it and Goose grease mixed together it ripeneth also plague sores and breaketh them and taketh away the deformities of the nayles CHAP. VII Nasturtia pratensia sive Cardamines Ladies smockes or Cuckowflowers VNto the kindes of Cresses must of necessitie these herbes appertaine called Ladies Smockes or Cuckow flowers both for the nearenesse in name in forme and qualitie whereof there are some varieties as shall be shewed here yet that sort which beareth double flowers I have set forth in my former booke which shall not be further entreated of here more than the figure nor those of the water which are reserved for another place 1. Nasturtium pratense majus sive Cardamine latifolia Great Ladies Smockes The great Cardamine or Lady Smocks shooteth forth divers long stalks of
torments in the body or bowells the weakenesse of the stomacke the Dropsie and divers other such like which diseases 〈◊〉 Treakles chiefe intent doth not promise to cure And besides this Estreatiâ—um Petroselinum doth make the 〈◊〉 more bitter especially being used while it is fresh for it differeth from other stone Parsleys in that as it 〈…〉 sharpe so it is most bitter of all other Parsleys the seede whereof is thus described from Dioscorides Galen and Pliny without any relation of herbe that it differeth in kinde from all others the seede being like unto Ammi 〈◊〉 weede which is whiter and lesser then Cumin seede but of a bitter sent of a sharpe taste and smelling 〈◊〉 and as Galen addeth most bitter CHAP. XXVII Elaeoselinon Paludapium sive Apium palustre Smallage WEe have besides the Smallage that hath usually beene knowne with us another sort thereof as I may call it from the likenesse which in my former booke I called Selinum dulce sweet Parsley and doe meane here to joyne it with the ordinary Smallage 1. Apium vulgare sive Palustre Ordinary Smallage The ordinary smallage groweth up with greater hollow and more crested stalkes then Parsley and 1. Apium vulgare sive palustre Ordinary smallage greater and larger winged leaves set one against another broader and of a darker greene colour and shining more then Parsley but dented somewhat unevenly about the edges at the toppes of the stalkes and branches stand large tufts of small white flower swhich turne into smaller seede then Parsley the roote is greater but not so long and slender with a number of blackish fibres set thereat the whole herbe and roote is strong in smell and much more unpleasant and bitter in taste then Garden Parsley not to be endured to be eaten alone but being boyled and otherwise dressed it savoureth better 2. Selinum sive Apium dulce Sweete Selinum or Smallage The sweet Smallage or Parsley call it which you please groweth up in the same manner that the former Smallage doth but larger then it the leaves likewise are larger but not of so deepe a greene colour the flowers and seede likewise are like those but somewhat larger the roote is great and long with divers fibres set thereat white and much more sappie and pleasant than eyther Smallage or Parsley with a very warming and comfortable rellish also nothing offensive but the whole herbe is so pleasant as if Sugar had beene mixed with it This both rellish and forme wee have found it hath held for the first or second yeare the seede hath beene sowen with us that commeth from beyond sea but as sweete Fennell doth degenerate more and more in our Land and onely continueth sweete in warme countries so doth this the leaves also decay in their verdure and become nothing so fresh but are more sullen or sad like Smallage The Place and Time The first groweth naturally in wet and marsh grounds but if it be planted or sowen in gardens it there prospereth well the other is familiar in Greece and Italy where they eate it with great delight both herbe and roote and is onely sowen and replanted in all those places the naturall place being not knowne to us they both abide greene all the winter and seed in August with us The Names The Greeks call the first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Esaeoselinon which the Latines render Paludapium or Apium palustre and is the same with the Greeke word Selinon in Greeke is alwayes rendered Apium in Latine and thereunto is added the other Epithite which doth demonstrate his kind as I sayd before in the first division of these Apia but as I gave you then a caution concerning the Greeke and Arabian acceptation of Apium so let it here be observed also that Apium after the Arabian authors whom the Apothecaries shoppes have most followed in their appellations is to be understand this Smallage when as else Apium is the Greekes Sâ—linon and therefore it is by most writers called Apium and Apium palustre and Esaeoselinum by Dodonaeus and Lobel Columella in his eleventh book and third Chapter sheweth how by sowing the seede of Apium which Matthiolus thinketh is this palustre but I thinke rather he meant of the hortense to make it have a broader leafe and how to make it have a crumpled leafe and Matthiolus saith also that Gardiners in following his rules have made this Smallage to beare crumpled leaves onely for pleasure to looke on but by his leave I beleeve they are but conceits and rather fallacies then verities for that Apium latifolium is this Apium 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Apium crispum is our curled Parsley both of them being so by nature and not by art for Columna saith the Apium or Petroselinum crispum is so naturally growing in Sardinia and from thence the seede thereof hath beene dispersed The other is mentioned by Bellonius in his observations yet taking it as Columna doth also but for Apium Sâ—â—taneum altered by art of transplanting c. to make it to be called Geoselinum as Quatramius doth who would also as I shewed you before make our common Parsley to be Petroselinum Macedonicum make this herbe to be Apium hortense whom Columna doth much inculcate for it it is generally called Selino and Selino dolce by all Italians and Greekes likewise in their countries I called it before Selinum dulce sweet Parsley which as I sayd you may eyther doe so or call it sweete Smallage which you will The Arabians call Smallage Assilis the Italians Apio palustre and Apio aquatico the Spaniards Perexil dagna and Apio the French de l'ache and Persil de 〈◊〉 the German Epffick and Eppick the Dutch Eppe The Vertues Pliny hath erred much and caused others to follow his tract in following and allowing Chrysippus and Diâ—â—sius their writings by mistaking the various acceptation of the word Apium of the Latines from the Greekes and from the Arabians for he doth referre that to the Apium hortense which is to be understood of this Apium palustre 〈◊〉 that it is an enemy to the eye sight condemned as not fit to be eaten that it would breede the Falling sicknesse and many other such like things which if they were true of Smallage whereof very few doe beleeve their writings yet can be no way true of Parsley in any part Smallage is hotter and dryer then Parsley and is much more medicinable for it much more openeth the obstructions both of the Liver and Spleene ratifieth â—icke flegme and clenseth it and the blood withall it provoketh urine and womens courses and is singular good against the yellow Iaundies it is also very effectuall against tertian and quartaine agues if the juice thereof bee taken but especially made into a Syrupe the juyce also put to hony of Roses and some Barley water is very good to gargle the mouth and throate of those that have sores and Vlcers in them and will quickly heale them the same lotion also doth clense and heale all other fowle
ample recitall which although I thinke it almost needlesse to set downe the vertues of an herbe which is so little likely to be had as this is for ignâ—ti nulla cupido yet to satisfie those that are curious these they are the roote saith he heateth and is hardly digested it hurteth the bladder and healeth knots and kernells of the throate called the Kings evill if it be made into a cerot or plaister and laid to with oyle taketh away blacke and blew spots that come by bruises or strokes it helpeth the Sciatica if it be made up with Ceratum Irinum or Cyprinum it taketh away the outgrowings about the fundament if it be boiled with vinegar in the rinde of a Pomegranat it resisteth the force of deadly poisonfull medicines The Laser of Media and Syria is weaker than that of Cyrene hath a loathsomer sent it is a juyce that is windy and sharpe in taste and cureth the falling of the haire if it be annointed with it Wine Pepper and Vinegar it sharpeneth the sight and discusseth the pinne and webbe in the beginning it is put into hollow teeth being tied up in a little linnen cloth with some white Francumsence and being boiled with Hisope and Figges in Vinegar and Water it is good to wash the mouth it helpeth the biting of mad dogges if it be applied to the wounds also the venome of any other creature or envenomed darts or aâ—â—owes if it be either drunke or outwardly applied it cureth the wounds of Scorpions if it be relented in oyle and anointed it is put into those ulcers that are ready to runne into a Gangreene if they be first scarified it breaketh carbuncles or plague sores being applied by it selfe or used with Rue Niter and Honey it taketh away warts cornes and hard skinnes growing in any place being first pared and it mollified with a cerote or the pulpe of a dried Figge and healeth tetters and ring wormes while they are yong being applied with vinegar it healeth the polypus in the nose which is a peece of flesh growing there if it be annointed for certaine dayes with it made up with Coperas or Vardigrease at other superfluous wens or outgrowings in the flesh being first clipped off it helpeth a continuall hoarsenesse in the throate and cleareth the voyce that is suddenly growen hoarse being delaied in water and supped off it staâ—eth the falling of the pallate of the mouth being applied with honey and helpeth the quinsie if it be put into honied water and the mouth gargled therewith being taken in meates it maketh one better coloured it helpeth the cough being taken in a reare egge and being put into broathes with dried Figges it is very profitable for those that have the dropsie or the yellow jaundise it taketh away the shaking fits of agues being taken with Pepper and white Francumsence in wine it is given to those that have strong crampes or crickes in their neckes halfe a scruple weight rowled up in waxe and swallowed it draweth out horse-leeches that by chance are got into the throate and there sticke if the mouth be gargled with it and a little vinegar it helpeth those who have the milke curded in their breasts and the falling sicknesse being taken with Oxymell or vinegar and honey it provoketh womens courses being taken with Pepper and Myrrhe and helpeth the chollicke being eaten in a Raâ—sâ—n and being drunke in lye it suddenly helpeth crampes or convulsions and burstings it is dissolved with bitter Almonds or with Rue or with hot bread to be given in potions the juyce of the leaves worketh the like effects but lesse powerfully this is eaten with Oxymell to helpe the windepipe when the speech is lost Pliny declareth many of these things out of Dioscorides but varieth from him in his remedy for teeth-ach for I cannot thinke saith he that any author would appoint it to be put into hollow teeth to take away the paine when as we have seene the experience thereof in a man that for the same cause threw himselfe downe headlong from an high place for it inflameth oxen if it be put into their noses and being mixed with wine it bursteth those Serpents that take it who are most greedy of wine and therefore saith he I would perswade men not to be anointed therewith although they doe appoint it Galen also lib. de simpl briefly speaketh thereof thus the juyce of Silphium is very hot saith he the leaves stalkes and rootes doe sufficient stoutly heate any cold part but they are all of flatulent windinesseâ— hereby it is hard of concoction but applied outwardly it is of more effect the juyce is the strongest of all other having a mightie drawing facultie yet it holdeth a certaine power to take away excressences in the flesh by reason of the temperature is said to be in it thus farre Galen Serapio likewise speaketh of the Greekes Laserpitium in this manner Laser saith he is knowne to the Indians to be of two sorts the one sincere shining and cleare like to Electrum of a stronger sent and greater price which is brought as it is thought from Guzarate Patane Maudou Chitor and Dely which is a cold countrey and extending unto Chervam the other is foule and muddy smelling lesse which they say is brought from Corasone to Ormus in Persia and from thence is carried to Pegu Malaca Tauasiris and the countries next adjoyning the Baneans of Cumbaya who were in times past Phylosophers and are now Merchants and forbeare to eate of any living creature which was the institution of Pythagoras doe buy this Laser according to their abilitie and put it into their broaths and sallats rubbing the vessells therewith first and use no other sawse to their meates being pleasant to them both in taste and smell yet doth it not breede any loathing in any that are not accustomed to it the taste thereof is at the first somewhat bitter as pickled Olives are but being chewed a while longer it is very pleasant that which is impure Porters and others of meane qualitie that live on bread and water only doe buy because they cannot for the greatnesse of the price buy that which is sincere and the Baneans who deale in this kinde of merchandise doe purge and clense the impure and doe not suffer it to be used in meates before they have cured it by their skill and thus much Serapio CHAP. XXXVI Angelica Angellica ALthough I have spoken of Angelica in my former booke yet having more to say thereof and to shew likewise some other sorts thereof I will here insert it with the rest 1. Angelica sativa Garden Angellica The Garden Angellica hath divers large and faire spread winged leaves three foote long or better sometimes made of many great and broad ones set usually one against another on a middle ribbe of a pale but fresh greene colour and dented about the edges from among which usually riseth but one round hollow stalke being very thicke and five
or sixe foote high with divers great joynts and leaves set on them whose foote stalkes doe compasse the maine stalke at the bottome and from thence also towards the toppe come forth branches with the like but lesser leaves at them and at their toppes large round spread umbells of white flowers but Brausus describeth his with yellow flowers which I never saw after which commeth the seede which is somewhat flat thicke short and white two alwayes set together and is usuall in all these umbelliferous plants and a little 1. Angelica sativa Garden Angellica 2. Angelica sylvestris Wilde Angellica 3. Angelica sylvestris montana ditarum specitrum Two sorts of Mountaine Angelica 4. Archangelica The great water Angellica crested on the round seede the roote groweth great and wooddy when it flowreth with many great long branches to it but perisheth after seede and will rise and spring againe better from the seede that doth fall of it selfe then what is sowen by hand at any other time the whole plant both leafe and seede and roote is of an excellent pleasant sent and taste very comfortable being not fierce or sharpe but rather sweete and giveth a most delicate rellish when it is tasted or used the leaves be the weakest and some hold the seede to bee next and the roote to be the strongest especially being not ready to grow up for stalke Of this kinde wee have another sort in our Gardens called sweet Angellica not differing in any thing from the former Dulcis but in that it hath a sweeter rellish then the other 2. Angelica sylvestris Wilde Angellica The wilde Angellica groweth up with large spread leaves on the ground having smaller stalkes and lesser divided leaves by much of a darke greene colour not smelling halfe so strong as the garden kinde yet savouring so much like Angelica that by the smell one may soone see and know it to be a kinde of Angellica though wilde the stalkes are much slender and smaller yet growing three or foure foote high with smaller joynts and lesser leaves thereat at the toppes grow lesser umbells of white flowers which turne into smaller seede and blacker the roote is nothing so great as the former neyther are the strings so great or long and of a blacker colour on the outside not smelling halfe so well Of this kinde likewise there is some varietie one growing likewise wilde with us not much differing in the leaves but being smaller and not so much divided the stalkes being reddish and the seede thicker and longer Sylvestris altera the roote being great and thicke 3. Angelica sylvestris montana Mountaine wilde Angellica Mountaine Angellica groweth like the former wilde kinde but much lower and smaller in every part the roote hereof differeth most in that it is nothing so great but sendeth forth many small brownish strings from the the head round about it yet holding the same strong sent of Angellica that the former doth I give you here the figures of two other sorts of Angellica taken out of Doctor Foxes booke of dryed herbes which he had from Padoa garden and might seeme to be the Laserpitium of Alpinus set forth before but that they had severall denominations to them 4. Archangelica The greater water Angellica This Angellica groweth with a taller and much greater stalke sometimes reddish the leaves likewise being more in number and smaller divided and of as deepe a greene colour as the first sort in the tufts of white flowers it is like the first garden Angellica and so is the seede but greater and blacker the roote is great according to the plant and endureth many yeares without perishing The Place and Time The first sorts are with us sowen in Gardens the second sort is wilde both in many places of Essex Kent and neare Kentish Towne by London also and in other places the third groweth on divers mountaines in Germany Hungary and the rest the last is not onely naturall to grow in watery ditches but in moist grounds also in many places with us and in the Marsh ditches by Rederiffe The Names This herbe hath gained many worthy names from sundry worthy persons for some have called it Sancti Spiritus radix Lacuna and Dodonaeus thinke it some kinde of Laserpitium Cordus and some others take it to be Smyrniâ—â— and Cordus to be Panax Heracleum but all in generall call it Angellica from the Angell-like properties therein All these sorts are so called by most Authors as their titles beare and therefore I neede not explaine them further onely the last is called Archangelica by Clusius and Angelica aquatica by Gesner All Christian nations likewise in their appellations hereof follow the Latine name as neare as their Dialect will permit onely in Sussex they call the wilde kinde Kex and the Weavers winde their Yarne on the dead stalkes The Vertues Angellica is hot and dry some put it in the second and others in the third degree It resisteth poyson by defending the heart the blood and spirits and giveth heate and comfort to them it doth the like against the Plague and infection of the Pestilence if the roote be taken in powder to the weight of halfe a dramme at a time with some good Treakle in Cardos water and layd to sweate thereupon in their bed if Treakle be not at hand take the roote alone in Cardus or Angellica water the stalkes or rootes candid and eaten fasting are good helpes also in time of infection and at other times to warme and comfort a cold or old stomack The root also steeped in Vinegar and a little of that Vinegar taken sometimes fasting and the roote smelled unto are both good preservatives for that purpose a water distilled from the rootes simply or steeped in wine and distilled in glasse is much more effectuall then the water of the leaves and this water being drunke two or three spoonefulls at a time doth ease all paines and torments that come of cold or winde so as the body be not bound the said water taken with some of the roote in powder helpeth the Plurisie being taken in the beginning as also all other diseases of the Lungs and breast as coughes and shortnesse of breath Tissickes and so doth the Syrupe of the stalkes mentioned in my former booke it helpeth likewise the torments of the Chollicke the strangury and stopping of the urine procureth womens courses and expelleth the afterbirth and briefely easeth and discusseth all inward tumors and windinesse it openeth the obstructions of the Liver and Spleene and the decoction thereof being drunke before the fit of an Ague so that they may sweate if it be possible before the fit come will in twice or thrice taking rid it quite away it helpeth also digestion in the stomacke and is a remedy for a Surfet The juice or the water dropped into the eyes cleareth the dimnesse of sight if any filmes doe begin to breed in them and helpeth deafenesse by dropping it into the eares
handling yet of a shining darke greene colour above and whitish underneath with divers purplish veines running through them not all of them divided like unto Columbine leaves but many of them parted into five leaves with three divisions a peece others into three leaves each standing on a stalke it hath one white round stalke straked with purple rising up more than three cubits high with divers joynts thereon and branched towards the toppes bearing every one a large umbell of small white flowers and after them long and broad striped seede of a purplish colour somewhat bitter hot and drawing water into the mouth if it be a little chewed therein and somewhat sweete in smell The Place and Time The two first sorts are found in many places in Germany and the parts neere adjoyning the third in Candy and the last it is likely came out of Aethiopia by the name was given it The two first seede with us yearely after they are well growne but the two last very seldome unlesse the yeare prove hot and kindely The Names It is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greeke from the sent of Francumsence which it hath and Libanotis in Latine and some Cervina alba and Cervicaria alba but generally Libanotis latifolia that it may be knowne to differ from the former which is called Ferulae folio it is translated Rosmarinus by divers when as properly the Rosmariâ—â— of the Latines is but the first kinde of Dioscorides his Libanotis called Stephanomatice that is Libanotis Coronaria because it onely was put into garlands and so Galen did account it the two first here set downe are accounted by most of the later Writers to be the Libanotis fertilis of Theophrastus which is set downe in his 9. Booke and 12. Chapter with leaves of Smallage but much greater the fruit or seede whereof was called Canchrys with a great white thicke roote smelling like Thus or Olibanum but how any can well make the leaves hereof to resemble Smallage I cannot see or that the seed hereof was ever called Cachrys having a causticke qualitie or the roote the smell of Olibanum I onely touch this as a Quaere further to be considered of and it is probable that the figure that Matthiolus giveth for his Ligusticum alterum was entended for this Libanotis the five leaves being mistaken in the placing for that they should not be set so close together or else he entended it for the Aquilegiae folio for he calleth this Libanotis Seseli Aethiopicum in another place as Gesner in hortis Lugdunensis Clusius and others doe calling it Seseli Aethiopicum Matthioli and therefore to helpe the matter Dodonaeus calleth it Seseli Aethiopicum herba it is also Tragus his first Seseli and the Dauci alterum genus of Fuchsius Turner and Lugdunensis the third Camerarius saith that it was sent him out of Italy by the name of Siler Creticum and is the Rosmarinus Selini folio that Honorius Bellus maketh mantion of in his first Epistle to Clusius saith is fasly called Siler Creticum by many but is by him taken to be the true Libanotis Theophrasti to whose judgement I adhere thus farre that it is the truest and the likeliest of any other we know extant the last is called by Camerarius in horto Seseli Aethiopicum alterum and saith the seede was in smell and taste somewhat like Cinamon Bauhinus calleth it as I doe Libanotis latifolia Aquilegiae folio Bauhinus in his Pinax maketh another lesser sort of Libanotis which he calleth Apij folio and referreth the Daucus anguloso caule of Cordus in his history thereunto and likewise the Libanotis alba minor of Thalius whereas both it and that of Cordus as also that Libanotis Theophrasti minor of Lobel are all comprised under his Latifolia altera sive vulgatiro and are not severall plants as I thinke The Vertues This herbe Francumsence is of a mollifying and digesting qualitie helping the old griefes of the breast and lungs the falling sicknesse and the jaundise if it be taken with Pepper in wine it increaseth milke in Nurses breasts if the roote be taken in wine it likewise easeth the paines of the stomacke and belly and the biting of venemous beasts and Serpents procureth womens courses and the urine being stopped the leaves being bruised and applied staieth the bleeding of the pileâ— or hemorrhoidall veines the heate also and swelling of the fundament and bringeth those hard tumours and impostumes to ripenesse which doe hardly yeeld to be easily cured the dried roote mixed with honey and put into foule ulcers clenseth them throughly it helpeth likewise those that are bursten or that have convulsions and crampes and the gout being bruised and applied with the meale of Darnell and some vinegar and being used with vinegar it taketh away the morphew or discolouring of the skin or the leprye also the juyce of the leaves and rootes cleareth the eye-sight and sharpneth it and also the rheume fallen into them applying it to the forehead the seede also of any of these sorts doe the like but if it be that seede which is called Cachrys that is forbidden to be taken inwardly by reason of the causticke and burning qualitie therein to inflame the mouth and throate being taken or drunke CHAP. XLIIII Sphondylium Cow Parsneppe ALthough formerly there was but one sort of the Cow-Parsneppes knowne and divulged to the world yet there are now divers others found out some in our owne land and some in others all which shall be entreated of together in this Chapter 1. Sphondylium vulgare Ordinary Cow Parsneppe The ordinary Cow Parsneppe groweth with three or foure large spread winged rough leaves lying often upon the ground or else raised a little from it with long round hairy foote stalkes under them parted usually into five divisions the two couples standing each against other and one at the end and each division or leafe being almost round yet cut in somewhat deepely on the edges in some leaves and places and not so deepe in others and of a whitish greene colour smelling somewhat strongly among which riseth up a round crested hairy stalke two or three foote high with a few joynts and leaves thereon and branched at the toppe where stand somewhat large umbells of white flowers but sometimes a little reddish 1. Spondylium vulgare Ordinary Covv Parsneppe and after them flat whitish thinne winged seedes two alwayes joyned together as is usuall in most of these umbelliferous plants the roote is long and white with two or three long stringes growing downe into the ground smelling likewise strongly and unpleasant 2. Sphondylium majus sive Acanthus Germanica major The great Cow Parsneppe of Germany This greater sort differeth onely from the former in the largenesse both of leaves and stalkes being neere twise as large I meane every single leafe or division which are seldome above three on a great long foote stalke above halfe a foote long unto the leafe
and crooked prickles fashioned like hookes bending downwards greene at the first and white being ripe from about which come forth whitish hoodded flowers appearing in circles flowring by degrees for the most part beginning in the middle and so downewards and upwards in the severall cells whereof which conteined the flowers grow small and whitish round seede somewhat long the middle part of the head being often hollow and conteining sometimes small whitish wormes like unto Magots the roote is white long and somewhat great at the head with divers long strings and small fibres set thereat and dyeth every yeare after the heads be ripe 2. Dipsacus sylvestris The wilde Teasell The wilde Teasell is in all things like unto the manured saving in the heads whose prickles are small soft and upright not hooked or stiffe which is contrary to the nature of all other wild plants almost which are harsher and more prickly then the manured and in the flowers which are of a fine blush or pale carnation colour 3. Dipsacus sylvestris laciniatis folijs Wilde Teasell with jagged leaves This wilde Teasell whereof I have no knowledge and but follow mine author whom I will not so farre mistrust as to say there is none such for who knoweth all the diversities that other countries doe produce is in all other things like the last saving in the leaves which are not whole and onely dented about the edges but torne in on both sides into deepe gashes 4. Virga pastoris The Shepherds staffe The Shepherds staffe is a kinde of Teasell also but differeth therefrom in many notable parts for the leaves hereof being large are of a sadder greene colour and not so prickly on the backe ribbe but finely dented about the 〈◊〉 the stalkes grow higher and not so prickly yet having some thereon and leaves set by couples at the 〈◊〉 but not compassing the stalke to hold water in manner like the former the severall branches beare small 〈◊〉 not much bigger then Wallnuts with soft prickles thereon and blush flowers like the wilde Teasell The Place The first is onely manured and sowen in gardens or fields for the Clothworkers use by raysing the Wooll of cloth with the crooked prickles of the heads make it fit for their sheeres to cut it smooth and thereby leave a 〈…〉 thereon pleasing to all the other sorts except the third grow in moist places neare ditches and tills of water to many places of this Land the third sort in some places of Germany and the last in sundry places of our owne Land The Time They flower in Iuly and are ripe in the end of August The Names It is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dipsacus in Greeke quasi fitibundus quod nomen a contrario invenit say divers authors quoniâ—â—â—â—â—cavo alarum siuu rorem vel imbrem recipiat quo veluti ad abigendas fitis injurias abutitur but I thinke not so for the water conteined in these leaves groweth bitter by standing in them therefore not fit to quench but to increase thirst rather the Latines also call it Dipsacus and after the Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Labrum veneris cujus nomenclaturaa carinato foliorum habitu contraxit quae se ambage anfractuosa sâ—nnantia peluis speciem constituâ—â—â— intra se humorem retineut but I am of a different opinion that it tooke the name of Venus lips from the effects of a whores lippes which as the leaves the raine so they are ready to receive all mens offers and as the heads or Teasells so they ready to carde and teare all mens skins that have to doe with them untill they leave them bare and thin pardon I pray this extravagancie who follow Camerarius and other good authors herein that in the midst of their naturall phylosophie doe sometimes mix a little moralitie it is called also Carduus Veneris and Lavacrum Veneris it may be upon the like insinuation it is thought also to be the Gallidragon Xenocratis of Pliny Carduus fullonum also and some Virga pastoris but that is more usually given unto the last sort and so called because the dryed stalke clensed from the prickes for so much as might be held in ones hand served the Shepheards to guide their sheepe withall transferring the name of Virga pastoris to the Dipsacus sylvestris calling it Virga pestoris major and this other minor as Bauhinus doth Some saith Lugdunensis take it to be Plumbago Plinij Lobel maketh doubt whether it should bee the Spina Selenitis Theophrasti Guilandino Camerarius calleth it Dipsacus fatum and Dalechampius upon Pliny taketh it to be Molybdona Plinij The Arabians call it Chir and Moleta the Italians Dissaco and Cardo the Spaniards Cardo penteador and Cardencha the French Chardon de foullon and vergae abergier the Germanes Karten distell Bubenstrall and Weberkarten the Dutch Caerden and Voelder Caerden and we in English Teasell or the Fullers Thistle The Vertues Dioscorides saith that the roote bruised and boyled in wine untill it be thicke and kept in a brasen vessell or pot and after spread as a salve and applied to the Fundament doth heale the clefts thereof as also Cankers and Fiâ—â—lace therein the same also saith he taketh away warts and wennes Galen saith it is drying in the second degree and hath withall some clensing facultie others hold it to be cold and dry and therefore they say the leaves applyed to the forehead and temples qualifieth the frenzie or madnesse the juice of the leaves dropped into the ears killeth the wormes in them the distilled water of the leaves is good to bee dropped into the eyes to take away the rednesse in them and such mists as darken the sight the said water is often used by women to preserve their faces in beauty and to take away all rednesse and inflammations and all other heate or discolourings The Shepherds staffe is held profitable for no disease that wee know of CHAP. XIII Eryngium Sea Holly ALthough Dioscorides hath made mention but of one sort of Eryngium which is suspected by many to be appropriate rather to the Mediterraneum or campestre because he saith that it groweth in fields and rough places and not at the Sea side when as his description may as fitly be referred to the one as the other yet Pliny maketh mention of the Sea kinde also and this later age hath added divers others which for some resemblance in leafe head or roote they have so termed The Eryngium Pannoniâ—â—â— flore ceruleâ— flore albo I have exhibited in my former booke which is assuredly the Eryngium Genevense of Lobel and Eryngium planum of Matthiolus although Bauhinus doth make them different the rest shall bee shewed in this Chapter 1. Eryngium marinum Our ordinany Sea Holly The first leaves of our ordinary Sea Holly are gentle or nothing so hard and prickly as when they grow older being almost round and deeply dented about the edges hard sharpe prointed and a little crumpled also of
or cut in on the edges even to the middle ribbe greene on the upper side hoary white and woolly underneath like unto the younger and softer leaves of the first starre Thistle not having any shew of prickles on them of a little drying and bitter taste from among which rise up one or two round striped stalkes about two foote high of a reddish colour yet covered with a fine Downe or Cotton set with divers leaves the lowest whereof are like those on the ground but smaller and those up higher are narrow and long without division the ends and points of them being usually reddish at the toppe of the stalke which is more usually without branches groweth one head composed of many scales set together with very soft and gentle prickes 1. Carduus millis laciniato folio The gentle Thistle with jagged leaves 3. Carduus mollis Helenij folio Camerarij Camerarius his gentle Thistle thereon out of the middle whereof riseth a reddish or stammell flower made of divers soft and woolly threads the seede that followeth is great and somewhat cornered the roote is somewhat long and of the bignesse of ones finger brownish on the outside with some fibres thereat 2. Carduus mollis angustifolius Narrow leafed gentle Thistle This other Thistle hath shorter stalkes and narrower leaves then that sort I have set forth in my other booke greene above and hoary underdeath having a few soft prickles about the edges at the toppes of the stalke standeth one scaly head greater then any of the other from the middle whereof commeth many fine blewish purple threads like wooll of the said colour 3. Carduus mollis Helenij folio Camerarij Camerarius his gentle Thistle This Thistle groweth very tall having large leaves next the ground very like unto those of Elecampane of a darke greene colour on the upper side and whitish hoary or woolly underneath those on the stalkes are like the other but lesser having no prickles on the edges the toppe whereof is furnished with small scaly heads upon short footstalkes with reddish threads for the flower in the middle the roote is blackish and spreadeth it selfe encreasing by new shootes from it 4. Carduus mollis latifolius Lappae capitulis The Burre headed Thistle The stalke hereof is about a cubit high set with divers soft and short prickles with divers long and broad leaves like unto Docke leaves being smooth thinne and full of veines and with a shew of some small prickles about the edges at the toppes of the stalke stand divers small prickly heads like unto Burres both for the forme and bignesse out of which start reddish stammell coloured threads which are the flower The Place The first Clusius saith he found on all the hills that runne from Callenberg unto the Alpes and in other places in Hungary the second on the hill Snealhen the third Camerarius saith is frequent on all the hils of the Hermoduri and Bauhinus saith the last was found on the hill Taurerus in Austria The Time They doe all slower in Iuly and August The Names These plants as Clusius saith are not fitly termed Thistles wanting prickles but might more justly bee referred 〈◊〉 the Iaceas capitulis spinosis being plants lately found by the diligent search of Clusius and others they have no ancient Greeke or Latine Epithete whereby they may be called Camerarius therefore and Clusius have imposed names on them as they thought most fitting to their naturall formes Clusius calleth the first Carduus mollis â—ifolius and Bauhinus Carduus mollis laciniato folio the second Clusius calleth Carduus mollis angustifolius vel â—â—tius and Bauhinus Carduus mollis folio oblongo Cirsij capitulo the third Camerarius calleth Carduus montanus folijs Helenij non spinosus Clusius calleth it Carduus mollis Camerarij and Bauhinus Carduus mollis folio helenij the last Bauhinus setteth forth by the name of Carduus mollis latifolius Lappae capitulis The Vertues We have not knowne or heard unto what disease any of these plants have beene applyed and therefore 〈◊〉 we have somewhat worthy the relation we must be silent leaving them to every ones judgement to apply them according to discretion CHAP. XVI Acanthus sive Branca ursina Beares-breech THere are two sorts of this herbe the one smooth and without prickles eyther on the leafe or head the other very prickly in the leafe but not on the head which although I have set forth in my former booke yet I thinke good to repeate them here againe in that I would a little more comment upon them and shew you more fully their specificall vertues 1. Acanthus sativus The garden gentle or manured Beares-breech This gentle Thistle as it is accounted shooteth foote many very large thicke smooth and sad greene leaves upon the ground with a thicke middle rib and parted into sundry deepe gashes on the edges from among which after it hath stood long in a convenient place riseth a reasonable great stalk 3 or 4 foot high without either joynt branch or leafe thereon but onely from the middle upwards set with a spike as it were of white boodded or gaping flowers standing in brownish huskes somewhat sharpe at the points and a small long undivided leafe under each flower after which come in the hotter countries but not in ours as far as I can learne broad flat round thicke brownish yellow seede the text of Dioscorides hath them somewhat long but such did I never see which having put into the ground hath sprunge with me and growne the rootes are many great thicke and long strings spreading farre and deepe in the ground of a darkish colour on the outside and whitish within very clammy and more then the leaves so full of life that a small peece left in the ground will spring up againe but will require shelter or defence from the extremetie of the winter wether 2. Acanthus Sylvestris The wilde or prickly Beares-breech This other wilde or prickly sort hath likewise sundry long leaves lying on the ground but much narrower more devided on the edges into smaller parts and each part with small incisions and very sharpe white prickles at them from among which a lesser and lower stalke ariseth with the like spiked head of flowers and a few prickly leaves thereon in their way comming up standing in more sharpe and prickely huskes than the former after which the seede that it produceth is as small as a little Pease hard blacke and round the roote hereof spreadeth not so deepe or farre as the former nor groweth so great but is more tender to keepe from the Winter coldes The Place and Time They both grow naturally in many places of Italy Spaine and France but are onely nursed up in the garâ—â—â— 1. Acanthus sativa Beares breech 2. Acanthus sylvestris Prickly Beares-breech of the curious with us the first flowring in Iune sometimes or in Iuly but giveth no perfect seede with us the other 〈◊〉 flowreth and seldome or
the figure hereof with the foregoing plant and that it should not passe undescribed but take it briefly thus It groweth very tall high busheth and brancheth forth very much the slender flexible greene branches are sprinkled with small white spots having three small leaves at a joynt with yellow flowers and small pods afterwards each branch and twigge ending in a long thorne at the last 5. Erinacea Hispanica Clusij Clusius his Spanish Hedgehog Thorne This no lesse rare then daintie bush groweth to be scarse a foote high spreading many stalkes and branches one interlaced among another and all set in a round forme or compasse replenished with a number of cruell sharpe greene thornes at the toppes of the branches stand three or foure flowers alwayes together of the same fashion with the former but of a blewish purple colour set in rough and hairy hoary huskes while it flowreth there are 1. Genista Spartium spinosum minus The lesser pliant thorny Broome 3 4. Spartum spinosum Creticum duarum specierum The two thorny pliant Broomes of Candy 5. Erinacea Hispanica Clusij Clusius his Spanish Hedgehog thorne 6. Echinopoda frutex Creticus The Hedgehog Thorne of Candy 7. Echinus Creticus The small round Hedgehog Thorne of Candy some few small leaves to bee seene upon it in sundry places but they prickly wither and fall away leaving the bush without a leafe thereon all the yeare after which by the round forme of the branches with the thornes sticking forth doth represent a Hedgehog so fitly that the inhabitants thereupon have termed it Erizo that is an Hedgehog the roote spreadeth many long strings and fibres on them under ground 6. Echinopoda frutex Creticus The Hedgehog Thorne of Candy This other small Thornie bush groweth up with many thorny greene sprigges and branches set close together having alwayes three prickes or thornes growing together at every place and is seldome seene likewise to have any leaves thereon because they fall away so quickly Alpinus saith it never beareth any the flowers hereof groweth at the toppes of the branches in great plentie but Alpinus denyeth it and saith it beareth but very few are yellow but like the other in forme wherof the Bees never doe taste standing in whitish greene huskes a little hoary all over and afterwards small pods with very small seede in them this is very tender to keepe not enduring any cold place Sommer or Winter 7. Echinus Creticus The small round Hedgehog Thorne of Candy This Thorne saith Alpinus doth better resemble a Tragacantha then the former Echinopoda as Honorius Bellus would have it for this round formed thorne is not much bigger then a hand Vrchin or Hedghog scarse rising above two or three fingers from the earth but spreading the blacke branches halfe way within the ground very thicke set together and shooting out small rootes at the joynts as they spread all which end in small short white and broad sharp thornes thwarting one another thereby forming as it were crosses or starres not having any leaves at all upon them but innumerable small flowers like unto Hyacinths for their forme but much smaller after which succeede small long pods like unto those of the other Tragacanthâ— it groweth round and spreadeth not further out of that forme the Candiots call it Caloschirrida The Place The first as Clusius saith groweth on the hills neare the kingdome of Granado going to Corduba the second Rauwolfius found about Aleppo in Syria the third Clusius found in the kingdome of Valentia in Spaine about a small towne called Siete aguas most plentifully which is in the way to Maedrill the last Bellonius saith groweth in Candy and Honorius Bellus saith in all Graecia likewise besides The Time All these doe flower in the beginning of Sommer yet Clusius saith hee found the third in flower in Aprill where it grew naturally The Names â—â—lius as I said intituleth all these plants Genista spartium spinosum calling the first minus because he made the time first in the last Chapter to be majus Clusius calleth it Scorpius secundus and thinketh it may be the Echinopoda Cretica of Honorius Bellus for that as he saith it grew very like it and Lugdunensis termeth it Aspalathus seâ—â—â—dus Lobel calleth it Genista spartiuÌ„ spinosum alteruÌ„ Caesalpinus Spina Christi and Dodonaeus Genistae spinosae altera 〈◊〉 and Tabermontanus Scorpius tertius the second Lugdunensis in his Appendix sheweth out of Rauwolsius jâ—â—â—nall that the Moores of Aleppo did call it Alhagi on whose leaves a kinde of Manna called by the Arabians Teâ—bin and by the Moores Trunschibin was used to be gathered especially in Persia and calleth it Planta spinosa Mâ—â—â—rum Alhagi and Bauhinus Genista spartium folijs polygoni the third Alpinus l. de plantis exoticis calleth Spartiâ—â— spinosum and the fourth SpartiuÌ„ CreticuÌ„ the fift Clusius calleth Erinacea from the Spanish word Erizo for the likenesse in the growing round with prickles and thornes unto an Hedgehog Caesalpinus calleth it Genistae rotundae 〈◊〉 genus Lobel Spartum aphyllon fruticosum junceis aculeis lanatis folijs Tabermontanus Scorpius quartus and Spartium aculeatum aphyllon Gerard maketh it his fourth Genista spinosa humilis aod saith it groweth in the South and West parts of this Land but sure I am he is much mistaken therein for in his description hee saith it hath yellow flowers which this hath not Bauhinus calleth it Genista spartium spinosum folijs Lenticulae floribus excaruleo purpurascentibus the sixt is mentioned by Bellonius in his first booke of Observations and 18. Chapter calling it Achinopoda and as he there saith is very like unto Aspalathus but Honorius Bellus in his second Epistle to Clusius contraryeth him therein shewing that Echinopoda differeth much from Aspalathus both in the greatnesse of the plant or bush being much greater then Echinopoda as also having fewer thornes and three leaves set together long abiding contrary to Echinopoda and sheweth it to be very common in all Graecia and in the Iland Chiâ— or Siâ—â— and that Dalechampius was much deceived herein in his marginall note upon Athaeneus in taking Echinopoda to bee Cardui Chij genus and that it may appeare to bee commonly growing there and knowne Plutarke in his Symposiaks and libro de auditione towards the end setteth down this old Distichon Inter Echinopodas velut asperam inter Ononim Interdum crescunt mollia Leucoia And so doth Athenaeus likewise mention it in his third booke of Dipnosophistes as still growing among Ononis and thornes it selfe being one Pliny also in his eleventh Booke and eighth Chapter mentioneth it under the name of Cheâ—â— Melchior Guilandinus knew it not for in his Epistle to Langius he numbreth it among the unknowne plants to him The Vertues The second Rauwolfius saith is hot and dry and that the Syrians with an hand full of the leaves make a decoction in water and drinke it whereby they purge themselves but I doe not finde any mention
give you because the plant perished through the intemperature of the climate The Place The first as I sayd groweth not onely neare the Sea coasts in the low countries and in our Land also but in the uplands also of the higher and lower Germany also by rivers sides as Cordus Gesner Clusius and others have set it downe the second as Clusius saith groweth in divers places of Spaine Portugall and Narbone in France the third he saith he onely found at the farther border of the kingdome of Valencia in Spaine about the Citie Horūela neare the River Sagura and in no place else the fourth he likewise saith he found plentifully among other shrubbes in the waste grounds of the kingdome of Granado and Murcia The Time They flower in the Sommer and the fruit is ripe in September The Names There is great controversie among our moderne writers as I said before concerning this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rhamnus as the Greekes and Latines call it every one almost appropriating one thorny bush or other thereunto for Camerarius and Tragus judge the Grossularia or Vuacrispa our Goose berry bush to be the Rhamni tertium genus of Dioscorides and call the Spina infectoria before set forth in this worke to be Rhamni aliaspecies not knowing any purging qualitie therein as others afterwards did and thereupon called it Rhamnus Catharticus or solutivus Matthiolus setteth forth likewise a kind of prickly bush for the Rhamnus secundus Dioscoridis which Pena and Lobel mislike giving another in the stead thereof which they say commeth nearer to the description of Dioscorides and even the ancient authors themselves are not constant nor free of variation herein for as before said Dioscorides hath three sorts of Rhamnus whereof the third sort is much doubted of by divers some thinking the Text of Dioscorides to be corrupt and the third sort to be added or superfluous Theophrastus hath but two sorts white and blacke and mentioneth Paliurus as a peculiar plant by it selfe saying also it is of many sorts and Galen maketh mention but of one sort as if there were but one or that the rest were comprehended under that one Pliny maketh two sorts but he without consideration referreth them to the Rubus or Bramble The first here set forth is the Rhamnus secundus Dioscoridis of Matthiolus Dodonaeus Clusius Lugdunensis as also of Lacuna and Lonicerus but Pena and Lobel in Adversarijs make it the first of Dioscorides Cordus upon Dioscorides and in his history also calleth it Oleaster Germanicus and in his Observationum sylva Oleastri peculiare genus Camerarius in horto and in Epitome calleth it Rhamni species and Caesalpinus Rhamni alterum genus Bellonius in his Observations maketh mention of a Rhamnus baccis rubentibus which it is probable is this Columna taketh it to be Hippophae Dioscoridis and Bauhinus calleth it Rhamnus Salicis folio angusto fructu flavescente the second is the Rhamnus primus Dioscoridis of Matthiolus Anguilara Lacuna Lonicceus Clusius Dodonaeus Lugdunensis and Rauwolfius Lobel calleth it Rhamnus alter Dioscoridis Monspeliacus Cordus upon Dioscorides and Bauhinus call it Rhamnus candida Theophrasti as also Rhamnus spinis oblongis flore candicante Rauwolfius saith that the Arabians call it Haoser and they about Tripoli in Soria or Syria Hansegi the third is Clusius his Rhammi primi altera species the fourth is his Rhamnus tertius and so also it is of Dodonaeus and Tabermontanus and of Lobel Rhamnus primae speciei tertius and is likely to be the Rhamni genus baccis nigris in Graecia of Bellonius Bauhinus calleth it Rhamnus niger Theophrasti and Rhamnus tertius flore herbaceo baccis nigris the fift Lugdunensis exhibiteth from a skilfull Herbarist as hee saith that brought it to Dalechampius gathered in Bavaria and not knowing unto what plant to referre it better called it Rhamnus Bavaricus which name doth so continue untill it can be better disposed of the last Iacobus Cornutus onely exhibiteth in his Canadensium plantarum historia The Arabians call it as is aforesaid the Italians Ramno and Mauruca the Spaniards Scambrones the French Bourgespine in some places for that name is given to divers plants in sundry places Anguilara saith that generally Dioscorides his first Rhamnus is taken to be that plant which at Rome is called Spino santo and of others Spino de Christo Marcellus in his booke de re medica calleth it Salutaris herba and spina alba Cordus also witneseth that Rhamnus is called by the Latines Spina alba but wisely adviseth that this shrub Spina alba be not confounded with the other two sorts of Thistles so called also Ovid also speaketh of it lib. 6. fastorum shewing the use of it in his time to expell incantations in these verses Sic fatus spinam qua tristes pellere posset Aforibus noxas haec erit alba dedit And in another place not farre from the former he saith the same of the same plant otherwise called Virga Ianalis in this manner Virgaque Ianalis despina sumitur alba Qua lumen thalamis parva fenestra dabat The Vertues These thorny plants are in qualitie one much like another being as Galen saith cold in the end of the first degree or in the beginning of the second and drying and digesting in the second and thereby helpeth inflammations Saint Anthonies fire and other fretting and eating Cankers and is good against pushes wheales c. in using the young leaves whiles they are fresh A decoction of the leaves and inner barke thereof made in water whereunto a little allome is put is very good to wash the mouth when there is any inflammation or Vlcer or other disease therein Clusius saith that the Spaniards doe eate the young shoots of his first Rhamnus as a Sallat herbe and that they use the decoction of the Blacke berries of this fourth sort to bathe those places that are out of joynt and to helpe the paines of the Goute CHAP. XXIIII Lycium sive Pyxacantha Box thorne ALthough we are not certaine that any of these thorny shrubs here set forth in this Chapter is the true and right Lycium of Dioscorides agreeing thereunto in all things yet because all of them have some correspondence therewith in divers particulars they have beene by the judicious finders out of them referred unto it as shall be shewed 1. Lycium vulgatius The more common Box thorne The more common Box thorne is a shrubbe or low tree yet growing sometimes foure or five cubits high with many branches spreading therefrom covered with a darke greene barke somewhat grayish in the body and older boughes set somewhat thicke with small hard and almost round leaves like Box two for the most part at a joynt from whence also thrusteth forth a small sharpe thorne the flowers grow many together in a cluster at the severall joynts upwards of a greenish colour after which come small berries greene at the first and blacke when they are ripe of the
Dioscorides sheweth of the leaves and berries but Pliny saith of the roote and branches which being steeped three dayes in water was afterwards boyled and strayned then evoporated untill it came to the thicknes of hony and so to be kept as a liquid medicine as Galen seemeth to intimate or else dryed up to the thicknesse of Opium and made up in that manner into Cakes which as is sayd were to be broken to know the goodnesse the scumme saith Dioscorides taken away in the boyling is put with other medicines that serve for the eyes the rest is put to other uses yet the Lycium it selfe is also set downe by him to be effectuall to take away the dimnesse and filmes that hinder the sight It stayeth Fluxes of all sorts both of the belly and humours as the Laske and Bloody flux the aâ—undance of Womens courses and the whites bleedings at the mouth or nose and spitting of blood it is effectuall also for all fowle and creeping Cankers Vlcers and sores whether in the mouth throat or other parts of the body as also for the loosenesse of the gummes chappes in the lippes or clefts in the fundament and at the rootes of the nayles of the hands but especially for all sores in the privie parts of man or woman it is good for the cough being taken with water as also against the bitings of a mad Dogge being put into the eares that ruâ—â—e and matter it helpeth them it is good also against the itch and scabbes and to clense the skinne it coloureth the haire yellow and giveth a yellow dye not onely to Leather and skinnes but serveth Dyers also and Painters in their workes CHAP. XXV Rubus The Bramble OF the Brambles there are are divers sorts some having thornes or prickles upon them others few or none some growing higher and lower then others some also carefully nursed up in Gardens which are the Raspies berries of divers sorts whereof I have in my former Booke given you the knowledge sufficiently and shall not be here againe described 1. Rubus vulgaris major The common Bramble Blacke berry bush The common Bramble or Blacke berry bush is so well knowne that it needeth no description every one that hath seene it being able to say that it shooteth forth many very long ribbed or straked branches which although a great part thereof standeth upright yet by reason of the length 1. Rubus vulgaris major The Bramble or Blacke bush and weakenesse they bend againe downe to the ground there many times taking roote againe all of them thicke set with short and crooked thornes and leaves likewise at severall places upon long prickly footestalkes three and sometimes five set together hard and as it were crumpled with small prickes on the middle under rib of a darke greene colour and grayish underneath which seldome fall away all the winter untill all the sharpe frosts be past whereby the countrey men doe observe that the extremity of Winter is past when they fall off and that new leaves shortly after beginne to shoot forth againe the flowers are many set together at the ends of the branches which consist of five whitish leaves like those of the wilde Bryer bush and sometimes dasht with a little Carnation with small threads in the middle after which come the fruit every one by it selfe but consisting of many graines or Berries as it were set together in a round head like a Mulberry greene at the first reddish afterwards and blacke and sweete when they are ripe which else are harsh and unpleasant the roote groweth great and knottie 2. Rubus minor Chamaerubus sive Humirubus The small low or ground Bramble The branches hereof are very slender alwayes lying and trayling upon the ground never raysing it selfe up as the former doth and often rooteth as it creepeth set with crooked thornes but much smaller then the other with the like leaves and flowers of a pale Rose colour and berries but smaller and of a blewish blacke colour when they are ripe like unto a Damson and as sweete as the other Blaccke berry almost but with lesser sappe or juice in then the roote here of creepeth about and from the knotty joynts send forth new branches Of this kinde there is another sort 3. Rubus montanus odoratus Sweet mountaine Bramble or Raspis This mountaine Bramble or Raspis for to eyther it may bee referred hath sundry long stalkes rising from the roote without any thornes on them but set thicke with soft haires from whence shoot forth theÌ„ broad and large leaves without order set upon long hairy footestalkes divided into five parts almost to the middle ribbe and sometimes but into three or more each a little dented about the edges of a very sweet sent but falling away in winter the flowers are somewhat large like the Eglantine of a delayed purplish violet colour with divers yellow threads in the middle 2. Chamaerubus sive Hamirubus The small or low Bramble 4. Rubus saxatilis Alpinus The stony Bramble or Rocke Raspis 6. Chamaemorus Anglica Our Knot berrie 7. Chamaemorus Cambro Britanica The welsh Knot berry or Lancashiere Cloud berry standing at the toppes of the branches after which come the fruit very like unto Bramble berries but reddish as Raspis but not so well rellished the roote spreadeth much about under ground 4. Rubus tricoccos The Deaw berry or Winberry The Deaw berry hath slender weake branches like the last more often lying downe then being raised up with fewer prickes and thornes thereon then in the last the leaves likewise are usually but three set together more separate on the branches yet almost as large as it and nearer set together on long footstalkes the flowers are white and small the berries usually consisting but of three small berries or graines set together in one yet many times foure or five lesse sappie but not lesse sweete or blew then the other the roote hereof creepeth under ground more then the last 5. Rubus saxmilis Alpinus The stony Bramble or Rocke Raspis This small low plant which by Clusius is more fitly referred to the Raspis then the Bramble hath divers slender reddish twiggy hairy branches little more then a foote high without any thorne at all on them set here and there with rough leaves upon footstalkes three alwayes joyned together and dented about the edges of a very harsh and binding taste the flowers stand at the toppes of the branches three or foure together consisting of foure and some of five leaves a peece of a pale or whitish Rose colour which afterwards turne into small fruit composed of three foure or five graines or berries set together greater then eyther in the Raspis or Bramble of a reddish colour when they are ripe almost transparent full of a most pleasant sweete and acid juice gratefull to the palate having in each of them a white rough kernell or stone the roote creepeth all about and shooteth forth sundry branches from the joynts as they creepe
doe not finde that any hath written being bushes more peculiar to this Land then others the fift Clusius calleth Rubus saxatilis sive petraeus sive Alpinus Gesner in hortis calleth it Rubus Alpinus humilis Thalius Rubus minimus and Bauhinus Chamaerubus saxatilis the sixt and the two last are mentioned by Clusius by the names of Chamaemorus Anglica Norwegica altera as they are in their titles the seventh hath a name or title given it as is fittest to expresse it and to put all out of doubt concerning Gerards Cloud berry as hee hath expressed it from the rude draught of Master Hoskets doing as it is very likely but the more exact figure is here exhibited The Arabians call the Bramble Buleich and Haleicho the Italians Rovo the Spaniards Carca sarsa the French Ronce the Germans Brombeer Bremen and Bramen Braemen also and wee in English Bramble or Blacke-berry bush the fruit or berries are called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Galen saith which some have made Vatina in Latine Mora rubi but in the Apothecaries shoppes Mora bati and of some Mora bussi the berries of the Mulberry tree being called by them Mora selsi The Vertues Galen lib. 6. simpl med saith that the buddes leaves flowers fruit and roote of the Bramble are all of a great binding quality but yet somewhat in a differing manner for the buddes leaves and branches while they are fresh and greene have a cold earthly quality joyned with a warme watery substance but little binding and therefore they are then of good use in the Vlcers and putride sores of the mouth and throate and for the Quinsie and likewise to heale other fresh wounds and sores but the fruit when it is ripe because it is sweet hath a temperate warming juice therein whereby and by that small astriction is in it it is not unpleasant to be eaten but being not yet ripe it is of an exceeding cold and earthly substance sower and very astringent and being kept doe more strongly bind then when they are fresh the flowers are of the same propertie that the unripe fruit is of both of them are very profitable for the Blooddy flux Laskes and the weakenesse of the parts comming thereby and is also a fit remedy against the spitting of blood the roote also beside the binding quality therein hath a thinne essence whereby it is available eyther the decoction or the powder taken to breake and drive forth gravell and the Stone in the Reynes and Kidneyes the leaves of Brambles as well greene as dry are excellent good for lotions for the sores in the mouth and secret parts the decoction of them and of the branches when they are dryed doe binde the belly much more and is good for women when their courses come downe too abundantly the berries saith Pliny or the flowers are a powerfull remedy against the most violent poyson of the Prester or Dipsas which are most violent Serpents the Scorpion and other venemous Serpents as well drunke as outwardly applied and helpeth also the sores of the fundament and the painefull and bleeding Piles the juice of the berries hereof mixed with that of Mulberries maketh the medicine more effectuall to bind and to helpe fretting or eating sores and Vlcers wheresoever and is good for the stomacke the sores in the mouth with the loosenesse of the gummes and teeth the same being taken alone or mixed with some Hipocistis and Hony saith Pliny is a remedy for choller when it gnaweth the stomacke which some call hartburning and is good also against the passions of the heart and faintings the distilled water of the branches leaves and flowers or of the fruit is as sweete as that of Violets and is very effectuall besides the facilitie and pleasantnesse in taking in all hot fevers or distemperatures of heate in the body the head eyes and other parts and for all the purposes aforesaid the leaves of Brambles boyled in lye and the head washed therewith doth heale the itch the mattering and running sores thereof and maketh the haire blacke the powder of the leaves strewed on cancrous and running Vlcers doth wonderderfully helpe to heale them Some use to condensate the juice of the leaves and some the juice of the berries to keepe for their use all the yeare for the purposes aforesaid the other sorts are very neare in qualitie unto it and therefore worke the same effects no doubt but the Norway Knotberry is much commended against the Scorbute or Scurvey and other crude putrid and melancholy diseases wherewith those Northerly people are much afflicted which Clusius out of Hierus Epistle declareth at large and the manner of the cure of a number infected therewith as well in Winter as in Sommer whereunto I refer them that would understand it more fully CHAP. XXVI Rosae sylvestres Wilde Roses or Bryer bushes HAving given you the knowledge of all or most of the manured Roses in my former Booke and with them some of the wilder kindes also as the Sweet bryer or Eglantine the evergreene Rose which is very like thereunto and the great Apple Rose which shall not be further related here I am to shew you all the rest in this Chapter Rosa Damasâ—â—â— The Damaske 1. Rosa sylvestris inodora sive Canina The ordinary wilde Bryer bush 1. Rosa sylvestris inodora sive Canina The ordinary wilde Bryer bush The wilde Bryer bush groweth of it selfe in the hedges very high with upright hard wooddy stemmes covered with a grayish barke especially the old ones set with sharpe thornes up to the toppes but not so thicke as the sweete Bryer having divers leaves somewhat larger thereon and not so greene on the upperside nor so grayish underneath as the other the middle ribbe whereof hath divers small crooked thornes and without any sent at all the flowers stand at the toppes of the branches divers set together of a whitish blush colour made of five 〈◊〉 pointed leaves somewhat longer then the Sweet bryer or Eglantine Rose standing in such like huskes as they or other Roses doe after the flowers are past come the fruit somewhat long and round of a yellowish red colour or reddish yellow colour when it is ripe having a soft sweetish pulpe under the skinne and seedes lying therein also which berries are much devoured by the poorer sort of women and children that eate them gladly the roote runneth deepe and farre in the ground growing somewhat great Rosarum pilulae sive Spongiola Plinie Vpon this Rose as well as upon the Eglaâ—tine is often found a burre or ball of browne threads and I have often seene it also upon the greater Apple Rose which is extant in my former Booke 2. Rosa sylvestris odorato carneo flore The wilde blush Bryer Rose This wild Bryer Rose is so like the former that it is hardly discerned from it eyther for the height of the stem or store of thornes or smalnesse of the leaves but onely for the flowers
medicine appointed for divers parts as Anthera Stomachica c. some in the forme of powders some when they were made up with hony still holding the same name not taken from the flowers of Roses wherof in many of them there was none put in but from the lively colour of the ingredients whereof the compound medicine was made Another errour in my opinion is generall and needeth to be amended which is that the nailes of the Damask Rose are not cut or clipped away that are used in the infusion to make Syrupe with as it is used in making the Converse for it is well knowne that the nailes of the Roses of all sorts are more binding then the other parts of the Roses and being put together most needs abate of the purging qualitie in the rest of the Roses so that the Syrupe made of Roses refectis unguibus will be more strong in working then that which is made with them as the usuall manner is There is likewise another errour of long continuance among Phisitians and Apothecaries that call that ball of threads Bedeguar that groweth upon the Bryers of both sorts as I sayd before for Bedeguar is a kinde of Thistle as I have shewed before Pliny calleth it Spongiola and wee in English Bryer balls It is too lamentably knowne in this Land the civill warres betweene the houses of the two brethren Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and Edmond of Langley Duke of Yorke the one making a red Rose his cognisance for them and their followers the other a white but it is sayd that before this division there was seene at Longleete a white Rose tree to beare on the oneside faire white Roses and on the other side red prognosticating as it were both the division and uniting of both these families which may be as true as that a white Hen with a sprigge of Bayes in the mouth lighted into the lappe of Livia Augusta foretokening the Empire to her posteritie and the body to wither when the brood of that Hen failed The vatious denominations of these wilde sorts of Roses here expressed according to our Moderne writers is as followeth The first is not mentioned by Bauhinus in his Pinax among all his wilde Roses as though none of the wilde Bryar Roses had in them any sweete sent but Lugdunensis doth remember it in fol. 126. by the name of Rosa sylvestris quae Cynorrhodon a Plinis dicitur the second is the Rosa sylvestris of Matthiolus Anguilara Gesner in hortis Dodonaeus and Tabermontanus the Rosa Canina odorata and sylvestris of Lobel Rosa Canius of Camerrius Cynorrhodos seu Rosa Canina of Thalius Cynosbatos praecaecior and Cynorrhados of Cordus upon Dioscorides Sontis canis and Cynosbatos of Brunfelfius the third the fourth and the sixt are remembred by no author before the fift is Clusius his fift Rosa campestris odora and is the species noâ—iâ— or Rosa Dunensis of Dodonaeus and the Cynorrhodon Polycanthos of Lugdunensis which he describeth in folio 125. for hee hath another Cynorrhodon Polyacanthon Dalechampij in folio 127. which is about a foot high and hath a small red flower Bauhinus calleth it Rosa campestris spinosissima flore albo odoro the seventh is the Rosa sexta and puâ—ila of Clusius which Bauhinus calleth Rosa pumila rubens the eight is the Rosa sylvestris ponifarâ— of Lobel and Lugdunensis called also Rosa Pimpinella by divers Thalius calleth it Cynorrhodi species Tabermontanus Rosa 〈◊〉 and Bauhinus calleth it Rosa pomifera minor for the Pomifera major I have set forth in my former booke the ninth Cardus upon Dioscorides mentioneth in the first Booke and 24. Chapter Cynosbatos and Cynorrhodos being his third sort saying it is the least and may be called Chamaerhodos and is called by the Germans Erdrosen Bauhinus calleth it Rosa campestris repens alba the last is taken by Lugdunensis to bee Rosa Graeca sive Lychnis Graecorum Plinij and if it be not so yet it may fitly as he saith be called Cynorrhodon laene Bauhinus calleth it Rosa campestris spiâ—â—â— carens biflora A lecture of much moralitie might be read upon the Rose the parts delivered by many authors both Greekes and Latines all which to insert in this place is not my minde onely I will recite a few of many to give you a taste of the plenty and excellencie Vt Rosa mane vi get tamen mox vespere languat Sic modo qui fumius cras levis umbra sumus And againe Vidi ego mane Rosam solis cum lumine nasci Et vidi rursum sole cadente mori The miserably infatuated Turkes will not suffer a Rose leafe to lye upon the ground or any to tread on them in honour of their Mahomet from whose sweat they are perswaded the Rose sprang up somewhat like unto the old Pagans who held the Rose which formerly was white to become red from the blood of Venus falling thereon from her foote hurt by a thorne as shee ran among the bushes to helpe her Adonis Philostratus dedicateth the Rose to Cupid whom it doth represent in every part It is fresh young and delicate as Cupid it is crowned with gold yellow haires it beareth thornes as darts and leaves as wings the Crimson beauty of the flowers as his glory and dignitie neither the Rose nor Cupid keepeth any time and besides this he calleth the Rose the light of the earth the faire bushie toppe of the spring the fire of love the lightning of the Land Anacreon his Greeke verses latined by Stephanus are sufficiently knowne being these Rosa honos decusque florum Rosa aura amorque veris Rosa caelitus est voluptas Roseis puer Cytharis Caput implicat coronis Charitum choros frequentans The Vertues Because I have spoken so much of the manured Roses in shewing their denominations I thinke it not impertinent also before I entreate of the qualities of the wild sorts to set downe the properties and vertues of the Garden kinds somewhat more amply then I have delivered them in my former book Both the white and the red Roses are cooling and drying yet the white is taken to exceede the red in both those properties but is seldome used inwardly in any medicine the red as Galen saith hath a watery substance in it and a warme joyned with two other qualities that is an astringent and a bitter the flowers thereof which wee call the seedes but rather the yellow threads in the middle doe binde more then the Rose it selfe and more drying also Mesues sheweth that the Rose is cold in the first degree and dry in the second compounded of divers parts or substances which yet may be separated namely a watery meane substance and an earthly drying an ayrie substance likewise sweet and aromaticall and an hot also whereof commeth the bitternesse the rednesse perfection and forme and yet the force of the heate is stronger which hath caused the forme and rednesse then that which causeth the
other whom Matthiolus justly gainesayeth for there is no likenesse in the Barbery excepting the thornes and yet in them there is a difference unto Oxyacantha being neither in forme of body like the wilde Peare not in the fruit like unto a Myrtle dry and fryable easie to breake the Barbery being moyst and full of juice Tragus saith that some tooke the Hawthorne to bee Arbuâ— But Theophrastus his Oxyacantha is neither Barbery nor Hawthorne which in his first booke and 15. Chapter hee 〈◊〉 among those trees that are ever greene which cannot be said of eyther Barbery or Hawthorne for that in no place or countrey they are knowne to keepe their leaves but to loose them in Winter but by the judgement of the best and most expert Herbarists in our times the Pyracantha as I have declared in my former booke is the 〈◊〉 Oxyacantha both of Dioscorides although hee hath not mentioned any sempiternitie of leaves and Theophrastus also agreeing thereto in all things Some there be also that would make the Spina appendix Plinij to bee the Barbery bush as Lugdunensis but Clusius is against that opinion for that therein there are these two doubts first that Pliny if hee had meant the Barbery by his Spina appendix would not have forgotten the three thornes that grow together in the Barbery which is eminent enough therein and next hee would not have forgotten the yellow colour both in the barke of the branches and rootes but the most judicious of these later times among whom is Gesner in hortis and Clusius in historia have determined that Spina Appendix Plinij which sometimes also he calleth Spina simply can be no other thorne then this Hawthorne which Tragus and Lonicerus tooke to bee Cynosbatâ—s Theophrasti and Cordus in historia calleth it Sorbus aculeata Anguilara Spina alba vulgo and Spina acuta as Dodoneus doth also Bauhinus placeth it among the Medlars calling it Mespilus apij folio sylvestris spinosa sive Oxyacantha and as a kinde thereof likewise putteth the Pyracantha but in my opinion he had done better and more rightly to have referred them both to the kinds of Services whereunto they better agree then unto Medlars in that Services are smaller fruits as these are the second here expressed is mentioned by Dodonaeus under the name of Spina acuta humilior the last as a kind peculiar to our owne countrey as I thinke I have here set forth unto you more exactly then Gerard who onely had a superficiall notion or rather relation thereof The Hawthorne is called by the Arabians Antirberis by the Italians in some places Bugaio and in others Amperlo and Panaâ—rsâ— by the Spaniards Pirlitero by the French A'ubespin Ruellius saith that the vulgar sort doe call it Senelle yet Quercetanus setteth a fruit downe in some of his receipts by the name of fructus Senellorum in his Pharmacâ—pâ—arestituta to be Paliurus unlesse hee thought the Paliurus to be the Hawthorne by the Germans Hagendoru by the Dutch Hagendoren and by us in English Hawthorne or Hedgethorne Whitethorne and May or May-bush because our ordinary sort seldome or never flowreth before May and never after The Vertues The berries or the seedes in the berries are generally held to be a singular good remedy against the stone if the powder of them be given to drinke in wine the same is also reported to bee good for the Dropsie but whereas divers have attributed hereunto a binding or astringent qualitie Anguilara his judgement was whom Matthiolus confuteth that Tragus who saith that the leaves flowers fruit are drying and binding and that if the flowers be steeped three dayes in wine and afterwards distilled in glasse the water thereof drunke is a soveraigne remedy for the Plurisie and for inward tormenting paines the distilled water of the flowers by an ordinary way stayeth saith he the Flux or Laske of the belly the seeds cleared from the downe bruised and boyled in wine and drunke performeth also the same effect the said distilled water of the flowers is not onely cooling but drawing also for it is found by good experience that if clothes or spunges be wet in the sayd water and applyed to any place whereinto thornes splinters c. have entered and bee there abiding it will notably draw them forth the vertues given by Galen unto Oxyacantha doe not pertaine hereunto for saith he the fruit thereof is not sower or harsh especially when it is ripe but sweet and therefore more fit to open then to binde the belly and fitter to bring downe then to stay womens monethly courses but the last evinceth this errour CHAP. XXIX Sabina The Savine tree or bush ONe sort of Savine I have expressed and set forth in my former Booke the figure whereof I here shew you againe the other sorts shall be exhibited in this Chapter 1. Sabina baccifera major The greater berried Savine tree The greater Savine tree that groweth with us spreadeth not so much as the former Savine doth but riseth more upright to a mans height but Bellonius saith in lib de coniferis that he saw it as high as an Almond tree on the mountaines Amanus and Olympus in Phrygia spreading forth armes and branches fully furnished with leaves which at their first comming forth are somewhat like unto Tamariske leaves but being growen old they are more like unto the leaves of the Cypresse tree hard and pricking and of a darke greene colour with an eye of blew shadowing them of a sent lesse strong and nothing so sharpe as the ordinary it hath not beene observed to beare any flowers but small round berries like unto Iuniper berries but greater and of a sharpe taste blacke when they are ripe with an eye of blew upon them like the Iuniper or the ordinary Savina which divers have held to be barren taking their authority from Pliny who also saith that Rosemary beareth no seede Sabina vulgaris The ordinary Savine Tree 1. Sabina baccifera major The greater berried Savine Tree 2. Sabina baccata altera Gentle Savine with berries both which are found untrue by good experience as Fuchsius Corâ— Gesner Dodonaeus and Lugdunensis doe testifie yet Camerarius saith it is true in one kind that it beareth no fruit but not in the other but Lobel saith the ordinary doth beare berries although but in a few places and but seldome and both of them holding their fruit on the branches all the Winter untill greene ones grow 〈◊〉 them and never loosing their leaves 2. Sabina baccata altera Gentle Savine with berries This other Savine groweth somewhat higher then the last as it groweth in Europe and almost unto the height of the Phenician or Cypresse like Cedar spreading more slender and weake branches whereon are set small and long leaves of a more gentle 〈◊〉 then the rest on the branches among the leaves come forth such like berries as the other and very like unto Iuniper blacke also when they are ripe and but little bitter in taste not
call the second Serbin and the first Cade as Lobel saith and by burning the greene wood after the manner of making Pitch and Tarre doe make a certaine liquor or Tarre which is very strong and stinking by them called Huile de Cade but Lugdunensis saith that the said Tarre of oyle is made and drawen as well from Iuniper being so ordered or from Ash or both the Sabines or the prickly Cedar as from this These Cedars also yeeld a certaine Gâ— somewhat like unto the Gum of Iuniper and brittle also as it is The Vertues The small Cedars as Galen saith are hot and dry almost in the third degree the berries are sweet as of the former Iuniper and in like manner are of small nourishment to be eaten yet too liberally taken as Galen saith they cause headach and raise heate and gnawing in the bowells especially the two last which doe more heate and dry then the other the said berries bruised and made up with hony cureth the cough and being boyled in wine and drunke provoketh urine helpeth the Strangury and is effectuall in the diseases of the mother the suffocations and stranglings thereof to be drunke upon the fits and to be injected when it is exulcerated it is also given to those that are bitten or stung with Serpents or venemous creatures especially the Sea Hare the same also stayeth Laâ—kes and fluxes of the Belly and is of good use in Ruptures Crampes and Convulsions swellings and inflammations and are thought to be no lesse effectuall then Iuniper berries for all the purposes whereunto they are put and also to be but a little inferiour to the properties of the great Cedar for that water which forerunneth the liquid Pinch or Tarre when the greene wood is burned is called Cedria as well as that which commeth from the great Cedar and is almost as strong and powerfull to condite or enbaulme the bodies of the dead to preserve them from putrefaction as it the buile de cade or abhominable stinking Tarre is used not onely of the Shepherds to cure their Sheepe and Dogges of the mangy scabbes lice c. but helpeth also to kill lice and cure the scabbes in childrens head and is used eyther of it selfe alone or with a little Vinegar to an aking tooth to ease the paine or else to breake it or cause it to fall out the same also is effectuall to clense and dry up watering corrhoding or creeping Vlcers it is also used to bee laid upon wood to preserve it from Wormes and the smell thereof driveth away Mothes and other noysome Flies CHAP. XXXII Prunus sylvestris The blacke Thorne or Sloe bush LEt the blacke thorne or Sloe bush here take up a place because it is so thicke stored with thornes It never groweth to the greatnesse of a tree but alwayes abideth as an hedge bush in some places rising higher then in others having usually divers stemmes rising from the rootes branched forth into greater armes and smaller sprayes stored with strong short and sharpe thornes set with and besides the small darke greene leaves finely dented about the edges the flowers are very white many set on the branches in divers places and not wholly at the toppes consisting of five leaves as all other Plummes and Cherries have with divers white threads tipt with yellow in the middle after Prunus sylvestris The Blacke thorne or Sloe bush which follow the fruit which are as all know blacke and small when they are ripe and with the harshnesse a little sweete but before that time so harsh that none can indure to taste them these are all of one forme that is round and of one size or bignesse in a manner but to be much bigger or else as big as a Bullets or to be long with the roundnesse as a Dampson or other larger Plum I did never see the roote is great and wooddy spreading under ground and shooting forth againe in divers places if it be not cut and pruined The Place It groweth in every place and country in the hedges and borders of fields and is for their devision a sure defence The Time It flowreth early that is alwayes in Aprill and sometimes in March so strong and hardy it is against all the injuries of the weather but ripeneth the fruit after all other Plummes whatsoever for it is not fully ripe and fit to be eaten and used untill the Autumne frosts have mellowed it The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ceccymelea agria and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 agriococcymelea quod magritudine rotunditate cuccimala ferat and the frut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 agriococcymelon but Galen saith that they call it in Asia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prumnum in Latine Prunus sylvestris and Prunellus Virgill quarto Georgicorum calleth it Spinus in the masculine gender in these words Et Spinus jam pruna ferentes And so doth Servius and divers other authors since their times The Bulleis is accounted a kind of wild Plumme of the kinds whereof I have spoken in my former booke The Italians call it Pruno salvatico the French Prunier sauvaga Prunelier and Polesser the Germanes Schlehendorn and Habersclehen the Dutch Slehendoren and wee in English Blacke Thorne or Sloe tree or Bush The Vertues All the parts of the Sloe bush are binding cooling and drying and all effectuall to stay bleedings at the nose or mouth or any other place the Laske of the belly or stomack or the Bloody flex the abundance of womens courses and helpeth to ease the paine in the sides bowells and guts that come by overmuch scowring to drinke the decoction of the barke of the roote or more usually the decoction of the berries eyther fresh or dryed The Conserve likewise is of very great use and most familiarly taken for the purposes aforesaid but the distilled water of the flowers first steeped in Sacke for a night and drawne therefrom by the heaâ—e of a Balneum is a most certaine remedy tryed and approoved to ease all manner of gnawings in the stomacke the sides heart or bowells or any other griping paines in any of them to drinke a small quantitie when the extremities of paine are upon them the leaves also are good to make lotions to gargle and wash the mouth and throate wherein is swellings sores or kernells and to stay the defluxions of rheume to the eyes or other parts as also to coole the heate and inflammations in them and to ease the hot paines of the head to bathe the forehead and temples therewith The simple destilled water of the flowers is very effectuall also for the said purposes and so is the condensate or thickned juice of the Sloes the distilled water of the greene berries before they be ripe is used also for the said effects of cooling binding and staying the flux of blood and humours and some other purposes quae studiose praetereo The juice of the fruit of Sloes is taken as a Substitute for the
other greefes as by stronger nailes The rest here mentioned in this Chapter are not used against any disease that I know CHAP. XXXV Scorpioides Scorpion grasse or Caterpillers BEcause these plants come nearest unto the Medica both in their flowers pods seedes although differing in their leaves yet I thinke I doe not greatly erre to set them at the taile of the rest of the Pulses but I have given you the knowledge of two sorts of these Scorpion Grasses in my former Booke there remaine three more to be remembred in this Chapter to finish this Classis of the Pulses 1. Scorpioides Bupleurifolio pluribus corniculis asperis Small ordinary Caterpillers with many cods This small Caterpiller also groweth in the same manner with trailing long branches as the first small rough sort doth the leaves are likewise of a fresh greene colour and of the same fashion but somewhat lesser the flowers also are small and of a deepe yellow foure or five oftentimes standing together which are of the same bignesse and fashion with the other but that it hath as many rough crooked cods together as there were flowers the roote is very stringy but annuall 2. Scorpioides Bupleurifolio siliquis lenibus Smooth codded small Caterpillers This other is in all things like this former sort but that it hath seldome two flowers together on a stalke and the wormes that follow as few being crooked and winding in the very same manner are small and smooth without any roughnesse at all of the same pale browne colour that it is the figure whereof is with the Medicas 3. Scorpioides Matthioli sive Portulacae folio Matthiolus his Scorpion Grasse or with Purslane leaves This Scorpion Grasse of Matthiolus hath divers upright pale greene stalkes and pale greene leaves set thereon each whereof is somewhat long broad and round pointed like a Purslane leafe sometimes having two small leaves joyned at the bottome of the greater and oftentimes in many without them at the toppes of the stalkes and out at the joynts likewise stand small pale yellow flowers much resembling those of Medica after which follow small long slender and crooked hornes small at the end joynted or parted as it were all the length of it somewhat resembling the long crooked cod of the Coluta a Scorpioides but this is more conspicuously joyned and of a pale colour within lie small long whitish yellow seede the roote is long and fibrous perishing yearely The Place and Time Both the first were brought us out of Spaine by Boel as the great one was also expressed in my former Booke the last Pena saith groweth neere unto Mompelier as well in their manured fields as in their Vineyards plentifully Scorpioides Bupleurifolio major minor The greater and smaller rough Caterpillers or Scorpion Grasse 3. Scorpioides Matthioli sive Portulacae folio Matthiolus his Scorpions taile or Caterpillers with Purslane-like leaves The Names No author hath made any mention before now of these except the first by Lobel who called it Scorpioides Blupleui folio repens the last by Matthiolus by the name of Scorpioides the bare figure without any description and referred it himselfe unto the Scorpioides yet as he saith it was controverted in his time by some learned men that from the authoritie of Nicander his Scholiaste would have it to be Telopheum Dioscoridis Dodoneus refuseth that opinion saying it neither pleased him nor many other learned yet Guilandinus Anguilara and Casalpinus and with them Bauhinus hold it to be the true Tolephium of Dioscorides Lobel putteth it to the question whether it be that Telephium of Cratevas or no and seemeth to leane to their opinion saying they are not led thereunto by weake reasons yet because Dioscorides giveth to his Teliphium and Galen confirmeth it a drying and clensing qualitie yet not very hot and thereby conducing to heale foule ulcers and the taste of this pulse is rather like the medow Trefoiles I may as I thinke yet continue it in suspence but that it should be the Clymenum of Dioscorides as Columna seemeth to thinke being in my judgement mistaken in making the leaves of this to be like the small Ribwort Plantane when as the other Bupleurifolio commeth neerer thereunto then this not having three ribbes to be seene in the leaves I see lesse reason for Dioscorides saith Clymenum hath a stalke like the Beane foure square but so hath not this nor hath it those Folyperum cirrhi but that Bupleurifolio hath indeede some resemblance of these rough prickles but not this which is smooth Bauhinus also seemeth to make two sorts of this the other which he referreth to this which is usually called Scorpioides Matthioli the other he calleth Scorpioides Fortulacae folio but I thinke he can finde no other Scorpioides Portulacae folio but this of Matthiolus I have given my reason let others correct with better if they can The Vertues The two first sorts being plants lately made knowne to us we know of no propertie they have the last is as I said of the taste of the Medow Trefoiles and cannot therefore but be neare of the same effects If it were the Telephium of Dioscorides it should have a propertie in it to clense the body from the foule scurse or leprosie but must after sixe houres that it hath beene annointed be washed away with Barly water but this herbe hath no such clensing facultie therein nor yet to heale up foule ulcers as is spoken before that the propertie should be in Telephium by Galens judgement CEREALIA CORNES CLASSIS DVADECIMA THE TWELFTH TRIBE CHAP. I. Triticum Wheate HAving finished the Classis of the Pulses the next to follow in order unto them is of the Cerealia that is all the diversities of graine and Corne whereunto I will adjoyne with all the severall Pultages and orderings of them as the old Romanes and Greekes used them in their times for their foode as meate or drinke or for medicine which are Alica or Chondrus Crimnon Tragus Pfisana Zythum Curmi and the rest after which must follow the Grasses for that all the sorts of Cornes are the most noble and usefull kindes of Grasses and therefore preferred before them Rushes and Reedes To beginne then with the most noble Graine of all others namely Wheate it is of divers sorts some with beardes or aulnes others without some of a white colour both stalke and eare others with a redder called red Wheate and some blew or of other colours some flat others square some with single heads others with many some with single rowes others with double and some to be sowne before Winter and therefore called Winter corne others onely in the Spring called Sommer corne to give you ample descriptions of every ooe particularly were to enlarge this Volume and yet to small purpose I will therefore give you a description of one that may serve for a generall explication of all the rest with onely such differences as may not be
Galen calleth Gymnacrithon that is Hordeum nudum by which name I had it from a friend and may be also the Cantherinum of Columella which hee saith the country men called hexastichum wee have a small kinde of graine brought from Germany to our Drugists in great quantitie termed French Barly and is probable to be this Barly which Cordus saith was first sent them out of Italy having sixe rowes in the eares and not much unlike Wheate but lesser Cordus hath set downe more sorts hereof which I thinke sit to shew you here the two sorts of Barly Distichon and Hexastichon this of sixe rowes that of two in the eare saith Cordus is common with us fol. 42. in Dioscord yet that which hath but two rowes in the eare maketh a recompence in the roote by the greater number of stalkes that rise from thence for saith he I have numbred sixtie stalkes and above rising from the roote of one corne but it usually hath twentie thirty and fortie stalkes but besides these two saith be they have in Germany foure other sorts the first hath the whitest heaviest and greatest graine of all the rest and called by the country men of Hassia Andachi the second beareth a little smaller graine and hath fewer rowes and is a Semestre and is therefore called by the Germanes Winter-gerste that is Winter-Barly the third is sowne in the Spring and is ripe in Summer and therefore they call it Summer-gerst that is Summer-Barly the fourth may properly be called saith he Trrmistre because it is early and cut ripe in the third moneth after it is 〈◊〉 this they call Kleine Gorsten and Zoyt genshe or as the Saxons doe Titgâ—rsha that is a small Barly or one for the present they sow it either three dayes before or three dayes after Pentecost Thus much Cordus The Arabians call it â—ahaer or Shair the Italians Orzâ— the Spaniards Covada the French Orge the Germans Garsten the Dutch Gerstâ— and Soverion as Lobel saith and we in English Barly The Vertues Barly and Wheate are the prime graines of all others and the most profitable and useful for mans life both for meate drinke and medecine all the rest being as it were but degenerated from them and partaking of the one or other of the natures and qualities of them yea Barly may seeme to contend with Wheate for prioritie as well as use for although Wheate be the staffe of our life for bread now adayes in our Europe yet it was not so with the antient Athenians in the Levant and other of those parts of the world now where Barly holdeth a further extent that Wheate but this place will not permit that ample discourse might be said of it howsoever we acknowledge according as the antients have recorded of it that it nourisheth lesse than Wheate because it is a drier graine yet besides the medicinall qualities in it it maketh more wholsome drinke for our bodies than what can be made of Wheate alone which is too sweete and too much stuffing the body with humours and puffing it up with loose spungious fat and flesh making them that use it unweldy and unfit to follow their necessary affaires but hereof enough for this place Barly in all the parts and compositions thereof except Mault is more cooling than Wheate and a little cleansing being in the first degree of cooling and drying it provoketh urine saith Dioscorides it breedeth windinesse and is adverse to the stomacke but all the preparations thereof as Barly water or creame Tisane drinke or those other things made thereof doe give great nourishment to macilent and hâ—sticke and diseased persons or troubled with feavers or agues and heates in the stomacke c. and many of them have beene and still are received for good nourishment to the healthfull the preparations as they were anciently used and those that are now in use with us I meane to speake hereafter severally I onely meane to shew you here how it is otherwise used A pultis made of Barly-meale or flower boyled with vinegar and hony and a few drie figges put to them dissolveth all hard Impostumes and asswageth inflammations being applied and being boiled with Melilot and Camomill-flowers and some Linseede Fenugreeke and Rue in powder and applied warme it easeth the paines in the sides and stomacke and the windinesse of the spleene the meale of Barly and Psyllium Flea-wort boiled in water made into a pultis with hony and oyle of Lillies applied warme cureth tumors under the eares throate necke and such like places a plaister made thereof with Tarre Waxe and Oyle helpeth the hard swellings of the throate called the Kings Evill boyled with sharpe vinegar into a pultis and laid on hot helpeth the leprosie being boyled in Red-wine with Pomegranate-rindes and Mirâ—ells staieth the laske or other fluxe of the belly boyled with Vinegar and a Quince it easeth the hot paines of the gout Barly-flower white Salt Hony and Vinegar mingled together is used by divers to take away the itch speedily and certainely the water distilled from the greene Barly in the end of May is very good for those that have defluxions in the eyes to stay the humours and to ease the paines being dropped into them or white bread laid to steepe therein and bound thereto if Barly halfe sodden be given to Hennes that hardly or seldome lay Egges it will cause them to lay both greater and more often Now I am come to shew you both what hath beene in former times made of Barly as what is used to be made thereof among us in these dayes first I thinke it fit to speake of those preparations the ancients used and then of those which we use CHAP. XV. Of Polenta POlenta which may well be called parched Barly was antiently made after divers manners for Pliny in his 18. Booke and 7. Chapter sheweth that some Grecians used to make it as well of greene Barly taken out of the eare before it was ripe steeped in water and after beaten in a Morter and washed in Baskets to take away the huskes then dried in the Sunne and afterwards steeeped and beaten againe untill it was throughly clensed and then dried and ground small unto twentie pound whereof howsoever made was put of Linseede and Coriander seede of each one pound and a halfe and about two ounces of salt all being well bruised they mingled together The Italians made it of parched Barly without any moistening ground small and those things added thereunto aforesaid and some Millet seede also Other Grecians saith Pliny made it of Barly moistened for a night and then dried it and parched or fryed it the next day and then ground it Galen commendeth that most that was made of fresh Barly before it was throughly ripe and the beardes or 〈◊〉 over-dry and but indifferently parched and addeth nothing else unto it Sundry Nations did use this Polenta in stead of bread and namely the Cypriots who although they had Wheate growing
and watery places as other Reedes doe The Place and Time All these sorts of Reedes delight to grow in waters or watery overflowne grounds the severall countties are specified in their titles or descriptions and are all ripe about the end of September The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Calamus and Harundo or Arundo as some writes it whereof the mas according to Theophrastus is the Nastos farcta the solid or stuffed Reede and the faemina the hollow The first is Phragmatis as Ruellius and Dodonaeus calleth it and Vallaris or Vallatoria as Lobel Dodonaeus Lugdunensis and others doe call it and Arundo palustris as Matthiolus and Tabermontanus doe but Anguilara calleth it Câ—nda faemina Dioscoridis and Cordus Calumus vulgaris the second hath beene onely found with us the third is called Arundo domestica by Matthiolus and others and Donax sive Cypria by Dodonaeus Lobel and others and Italica major by Camerarius for indeede it is one and the same sort whether it grow in Italy Spaine or else where although one country greater and higher then in another according to the soile and climate the fourth is probable to me to be the same that Theophrastus calleth Laconica although it was entituled Indica by them that sent it the fift is generally called Arundo Saccharifera and Saccharata by all that have written of it the sixs is as I sayd the Arundo Epigeios of Theophrastus by Lugdunensis which Bauhinus calleth Arundo repens for what cause I know not and Chamaecalamus and thinketh it to be that which Gesner in hortis calleth Arundo humilis and Copia Elegia as it was termed by them that had it but surely the Epigeios is differing from the true Elegia as I have before shewed the seaventh is called as I sayd before Arundo Elegia by the Graecians with whom it groweth The last last is so called by Alpinus as it is here The Arabians call it Casab the Italians Canna the Spaniards Cannas the French Canne and Rosean the Germans Korh the Dutch Riet and we Reede The Vertues Galen saith that the rootes have a cleansing quilitie but not sharpe and the leaves also The fresh leaves bruised or the rootes applyed to those places that have thornes splinters or the like in the flesh doe draw them forth in a short space the same also applyed with vinegar helpeth members ouâ— of joynt and easeth the paines in the loines the fresh leaves also bruised and applyed unto hot impostumes inflammations or S. Antâ—â—â—ies 〈◊〉 easeth them the ashes made of the outer rinde of the stalke mingled with Vinegar helpeth the falling of the haire the same things doe the other sorts of Reedes as well the flower or woolly substance if it happen into the eares it sticketh therein so fast as that by no meanes it will be gotten forth againe but will procure deafenesse withall Some have as it is sayd observed that the Ferne and the Reede are at perpetuall enmitie the one not abiding where the other is as also the amitie betweene the Asparagus and the Reede to thrive wonderous well being planted among Reedes They are also put to many very necessary matters both to thatch houses to serve as walles and defence to gardiners in the cherishing of their plants to Watermen to trim their Boates to Weavers to winde their yarne on and divers others uses The Sugar that is made of the Sugar Reede hath obtained now a dayes so continuall and daily use that it is almost not accounted Physicall because of the tempatenesse of heate and moisture therein nourishing much and helping coughes and hoarsenesse of the throate and is used to be put into cooling as well as heating and warming medecines PLANTAE PALVDOSAE AQVATICAE ET MARINAE MVSCI ET FVNGI MARSH WATER AND SEA-PLANTS VVITH MOSSES AND MVSHROMES CLASSIS DECIMAQVARTA THE FOVRETEENTH TRIBE CHAP. I. HAving declared all the Grasses of Trifolium paludosum Marsh Trefoile the Vplands with Rushes and Reeds in the last foregoing Tribe I thinke it fittest to joyne those other Herbes Grasses that grow either in the Marshes or Waters or neere the Sea side before I entreate of the other Maritime Plants then follow on ut supra Trifolium Paludosum Marsh Trefoile The Marsh Trefoile riseth up with a spongious flexible stalke halfe a yard high or more with sundry smooth thicke and somewhat broad darke greene leaves set thereon at farre distances three alwayes joyned together and standing on a long footestalke from the middle of the stalkes up to the toppes where commeth forth a long bush or spike of fine pale blush flowers each of them consisting of five round pointed leaves with a long thicke pointed umbone in the mâ—ddle which tâ—gether with the leaves thereof are covered with a fine hairy downe or frize which addeth the greater beauty to it after which are past come small round heads in their places containing in them brownish yellow seede and bitter the roote is long and white creeping in the mud all about and shooting afresh at the joynts The Place and Time It groweth onely in wet and moorish grounds and will not abide out of it for the stalke doth quickely grow lancke and withered being broken off from it it flowreth in Iuly and the seede is ripe in August The Names It is generally called Trifolium palustre or paludosum and is the Menianthes of Theophrastus which he saith groweth in watery plashes whereupon it is called by Lugdunensis who giveth two figures being all one Menianthes palustre Theophrasti which differeth from the Menianthes of Dioscorides being the Trifolium Asphalitites or â—ituminosum Dodonaeus taketh it to be Isapyrum of Dioscorides by correcting his Text and yet it will not be and besides saith that some called it Trifolium hircinum and others Fibrinum as Tabermontanus also doth who maketh two sorts thereof majus and minus and both names made from the Dutch appellations The Germanes calling it Biberâ—â—ee a Castore And the Low Dutch Boex boonen hoc est faselum hircinum We call it in English generally Marsh Trefoile yet some Marsh Claver The Vertues We know of no property in it to be applyed as a remedy for any disease but if you will take it to be Isopyrum because the seede is bitter as Isopyrum is then Dioscorides sheweth that the seede is good against the cough and other griefes of the brest or chest for as Galen saith it clenseth and cutteth tough and grosse humours and maketh them the easier to be expectorate or spit forth it is also good to purge or clense the liver and helpeth those that spit blood CHAP. II. Caltha palustris vulgaris simplex Common single Marsh Marigold THe single Marsh Marigold for I have spoken of the double in my former Booke although I give you the figure of it here againe hath divers great broad round deepe greene shining leaves a little dented about the edges every one on
cotten upon them in other things there is little or no difference 8. Ranunculus aquaticus Hepatica facie Water Crowfoote The Water Crowfoote shooteth forth from a small threddy roote a long trailing tender stalke with sundry joynts thereat at every one whereof that are under the water standeth divers fine jâ—gged or featherd leaves almost like as if they were fibres but that they are greene but toward the toppe those that grow above the water have none of those fine leaves at the joynts or very few but onely round leaves upon short footestalkes cut in a little and dented about the edges and with them come forth likewise small milke white-flowers of five round leaves a peece with some yellownesse in the middle after which come small rough heads like a Crowfoote 9. Ranunculus Hederaceus aquaticus Water Crowfoote with Ivy leaves This small Crowfoote groweth up with divers triangular leaves upon slender trayling stalkes shooting out fibres at the lower joynts and with the leaves which are sometimes marked with a blacke spot come forth small knots of yellow flowers likewise upon short footestalkes 10. Ranunculus Hadâ—â—â—lae folio aquaticus Water Crowfoote with Ale-coast leaves This Water Crowfoote creepeth likewise and shooteth fibres at sundry joynts of the stalkes whereon stand pretty roundish indented leaves somewhat like unto those of Ale-hoofe or Ale-coast having palish flowers made of five pointed leaves with roundish heads of seed after them The Place and Time All these sorts of Crowfeete grow in Moorish and wet grounds and sometimes at the brinckes of Waters Ponds and Ditches The first is scarce to meete with but the two next and the two last are plentifully enough in divers places of the Land the fourth and fifth came out of France the sixth and seventh are found likewise in some places but not so frequent as the other following They flower in May and Iune and give their seede soone after The Names The Greeke name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latine Ranunculus doe most fitly agree to this herbe in that Frogges have their chiefest residence where these grow The first is the Lingua Plinij of Lugdunensis which Thalius saith Cordus called Ranunculus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ranunculus Lanceolatus major by Tabermontanus The second is the first Ranunculus of Anguilara and the twelfth of Cordus in Historia the Ranunculus flammeus aquatilis longifolius of Lobel and Lugdunensis the Flammula Ranunculus of Dodonaeus the Ranunculus aquaticus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 major of Thalius and Lanceolatus minor of Tabermontanuâ— some take it to be Pliny his Aegolethrâ—â— lib. 21. c. 13. and others his Enneaphyllon lib. 27. c. 9. The third is set forth by Dodonaeus without any description and by Lugdunensis called Flammula aquatica The fourth and fifth have their names in their titles sufficient for them The sixt is the Strumea Apiastrum of Pliny although he confoundeth the Melissa which is also called Apiastrum in that Bees delight to feede thereon with this which is in the leafe somewhat like Apium but the next much more and therefore by some called Apiumrisus Herba Sardoâ— as Guilandinus doth who when he was taken prisoner by Pyrates and carryed into Sardinia saw this herbe growing plentifully there it is the Apium aquaticum of Tragus and Apiastrum of Cordus on Dioscorides by Apuleius called Scelerata and is the first Ranunculus of Matthiolus Gesner and others the first Ranunculus palustris of Cordus in historia of Lugdunensis Thalius and others and the Ranunculus palustris apij folio laevis of Bauhinus but by Lobel Ranunculus palustris rotundiore folio The seventh is as I take it the true Sardonius of Dioscorides described by him in the second place and called by some in his time Apium sylvestre and called also Ranunculus Sardonius by Auguilara and is the second Ranunculus of Matthiolus and of Cordus in hist Bauhinus calleth it Ranunculus palustris Apij folio lanuginosus The eight is called by Lobel Ranunculus aquaticus hepaticae facie and so it is generally called of all Herbarists with us by Dodonaeus Ranunculus aquatilis by Lugdunensis Hepatica aquatica and by Thalius Hepatica palustris by Bauhinus Ranunculus aquaticus folio rotundo capillaceo who maketh that other of Caesalpinus with onely five leaves to be another sort when as they are both but one even as that Trichophyllon of Columna is also The ninth is called by Lobel and Gerard Hederula aquatica who saith he never saw flowers or seede on it Lugdunensis calleth it Ranunculus Hederaceus Dalechampij and Bauhinus Lenticula quatica trisulâ—â— The last hath not beene mentioned by any before The Dutch call the first sort Egelacolen because if sheepe eate thereof it doth enslame and exulcerate their entrals which disease they call Egel as Dodonaeus saith some call it in English Banewort and others Spearewort The Vertues These Marsh and Water Crowfeete are no lesse sharpe and exulcerating then any of the other sorts of sharpe Crowfeete and therefore whatsoever hath beene said before of the properties of them may fitly be applyed to these for any of the remedies there set downe and any of these may be used if the other be wanting either for Plague sores rough nailes warts ulcers or any foule markes in the skinne c. and for brevity not willing to repeate the same things expressed in the Chapter of Ranunculus Crowfoote before I referre you thereunto CHAP. V. Pseudo Asphodelus palustris Marsh or water Asphodill THere are two sorts of this Bastard Asphodill the one greater then the other as shall be shewed in the subsequent discourse for of the other Asphodills I have shewed you their sorts in my former booke although I shew you here some of their figures 1. Pseudo asphodelus major The greater bastard Asphodill The roote of this greater Bastard Asphodill is long and joynted with many fibres thereat from whence rise up sundry long and narrow leaves like unto Corne Flag but not so stiffe or hard and straked downe-right yet compassing one another as they and the Flower deluces doe at the bottome of a deepe greene colour among which riseth up a stalke halfe a yard high with divers short leaves enclosing the stalke as it were with hoses at their bottomes and at the toppes stand sundry yellow flowers as it were in a spike each of them made of six leaves a peece like the other Aspodells with some threds in the middle after which come somewhat long and square pointed huskes with small blackish seede in them 2. Pseudo asphodelus minor folio Indis angustifoliae The lesser bastard Asphodill This lesser Asphodill hath many narrower shorter and fresher smooth greene leaves somewhat like unto a narrow leafed Flowerdeluce but neither so hard nor so thicke the stalke riseth from among them scarse a foote high having very few small leaves thereon and paler yellow small flowers at the toppe of it which turne into small three square
of an egge and laid on any place burnt with fire doth take out the fire giveth suddaine ease and healeth it up afterwards the decoction of them fomented on any fretting sore or cancker stayeth the torroding quality which after must be annointed with an ointment made with the said liquor Axungia niter and vinegar boiled together The rootes may be preserved with Sugar and taken fasting or at other times for the said purposes and for Consumptions as also for those that are troubled with the stone or laske the seede is much commended to breake the stone and cause it to be expelled by Vrine and is often used with other seedes and things for that purpose The lesser burre seedes as Galen saith have a digesting quality in them and are hot and dry and thereby good to asswage tumours the seede or the roote bruised and often imposed on kernels or hard knots in the flesh doth dissolve them the decoction also of the rootes made with wine helpeth to consume the hardnesse of the spleene being fomented warme on the place the burres being gathered before they be ripe bruised and laid to steepe in warme water or wine and the haires moistened therewith after they have beene rubbed with a little niter doth make them yellow CHAP. X. Lapathum The Docke THe Docke is of a large extent comprising within it sundry sorts of herbes some whereof are fit to be planted in Gardens as being rare and worthy plants and therefore worthy to have some care and paines bestowed on them which are entreated of in the second Classis of this Worke others belong to the Kitchin Garden as fit for sawce and meate and such are the Sorrels which are called sowre Dockes spoken of also before in the sixth Classis of this Worke and some are found in the fieldes and wet places where they grow which shall be described in this place Vnto these also I might adde all the sorts of Spinage if I had not set them forth in my former Booke or were of Bauhinus minde that they belonged to this family 1. Lapathum acutum majus The Red Docke The red Docke from a great and long blackish roote on the outside and somewhat reddish and yellowish within sendeth forth many long hard and narrowish greene leaves more pointed at the ends then in other sorts among which riseth up a stiffe hard stalke three or foure foote high set with the like leaves but smaller still up to the top 1. Lapathum acutum majus The red Docke 3. Lapathum acutum minimum The smallest pointed Docke 4. Lapathum sylvestre vulgatius The ordinary wilde Docke 6. Lapathum vnctuosum sive Bonus Henricus English Mercury 7. Hydrolapathum majus The greater Water Docke 8. Hydro lapathum minus The lesser Water Docke 9. Lapathum maritimum Foetidum The strong sented Sea Docke 10. Lapathum sanguineum Bloodwort and brancheth forth into sundry sprigges bearing small reddish flowers and browne triangular seede after them 2. Lapathum acutum minus Small sharpe pointed Docke The roote of this Docke is long and slender parted diversly with small fibres thereat and of a yellow colour on the inside the leaves are narrow and long waved in on the edges as if they were câ—â—mpled the stalke and flowers with seede following is like unto the former but that they stand not on such long sprigges but closer together some at the joynts or compassing the stalkes and others at the toppes and of a darker colour 3. Lapathum acutum minimum The smaller pointed Docke This small Docke differeth little from the first for forme and manner of growing but in the greatnesse this being much smaller and lower the roote is small and more yellow 4. Lapathum sylvestre vulgatius The Common wild Docke The common Docke that groweth every where differeth little from the Garden Docke or Patience but that the leaves hereof are somewhat broader and rounder at the points and the rootes more yellow and of lesse use then it 5. Hippolapathum rotundifolium Africum The round leafed Docke of Africa This round Docke is very like in the leaves unto the other round leafed Docke mentioned in the second Classis before in this worke but somewhat thicker the stalke riseth higher the flower is greenish and the roote is somewhat round like unto a Turneppe but yellow both within and without the whole plant and every part thâ—reof is sweetish without any other manifest taste and is therefore not cold as the other Dockes are but hot in the first degree 6. Lapathum vnctuosum sive bonus Henricus English Mercury I must needes put this herbe among the Dockes according as the best Herbarists doe rather then with the wild Arraches as some others have done and shew you that it hath divers broad and long thicke fat darke greene leaves upon long stalkes pointed at the ends and double pointed at the bottomes somewhat like unto Sorrell the stalkes are many two foote high full of leaves and at the toppes many spikes of greenish flowers and 〈◊〉 seedes after them the roote is thicke great and long and yellow like a Docke the whole plant is often overspread with a mealy dust like unto Arrache which hath caused divers to referre it to them 7. Hydrolapathum majus The greater Water Docke This great Water Docke groweth very like the common wilde Docke but greater and higher with larger and longer leaves and not so round pointed the rootes also are shorter and fuller of fibres and of a darke red colour 8. Hydrolapathum minus The lesser water Docke The lesser Water Docke hath lesser leaves long and narrow and lower stalkes fuller of branches with flowers and seedes like unto the rest of the Dockes and so are the rootes likewise but smaller and full of long stringes and fibres 9. Lapathum maritimum foetidum The strong sented Sea Docke Because Bauhinus puttâ—th this herbe among the Dockes not knowing belike whereunto else to referre it even so must I untill I see more of it and say with him that the stalke is reddish a foote high and bending divers waies the leaves that stand on long footestalkes are somewhat round and of a darke red colour sometimes waved about the edges and winged usually at the bottomes or with two small peeces like eares the stalke is parted into many branches with the like but lesser leaves on them and a little dented about the edges at the toppe of the stalke standeth a spike of flowers composed of foure mossie leaves a peece after which follow leafed round heads containing the seede 10. Lapathum sanguineum Bloodwort This Docke because it is often used as a pot-herbe is planted in Gardens yet found wild also having reddish long leaves or greenish with red stripes the rest of the plant comming neerest unto the red Docke Lapathâ— ruâ—â—um Câ—â—tense but smaller as the roote is also yet not so reddish Caesalpinus mentioneth another sort hereof with broader and rounder leaves The Place and Time All these
the spikes which will have two rowes or orders in them 3. Gramen Caninum alterum maritimum longius radicatum Sea Dogs grasse with long rootes This long rooted Sea Grasse differeth little from the former either in the hard leaves or in the running rootes but that they spread more and instead of spiked heads at the toppes of the stalkes this hath chaffie heads among the leaves 4. Gramen Caninum maritimum spicatum Monspeliense Sea spiked Dogs grasse of Mompelier This French Sea grasse hath slender wooddy rootes with but few fibres set thereat from whence rise divers trailing stalkes a foote or more high with sundry joynts and branches at them and short narrow reedelike leaves on them at the toppes whereof grow spiked heads of three inches long apeece of a darkish ash colour 5. Gramen Caninum maritimum asperum Rough Sea grasse The roote of this grasse is a bush of long white fibres from whence spring many reddish round small stalkes which at the first leane downewards about a foote high compassed with hard short and sharpe pointed leaves standing as it were in a tuft together with hard rough dents about the edges the spiked heads are somewhat like unto small rough hard burres breaking out of a skinne wherein they were first enclosed 6. Gramen exile vicinorum maris aggerum A small grasse of the Sea downes This small Sea grasse shooteth forth divers short stalkes of two inches long full of small long leaves like haires set close together and among them at the toppes small heads like the catkins of the dwarfe Willow the roote is small and threddy 7. Oxyagrostis maritima Dalechampij Sharpe pointed Sea grasse The bushy stalkes hereof are about two foote long full of joynts with two long and narrow grasse like leaves aâ— every one of them of a darke greene colour and so sharpe at the points that they are ready to peirce their legges that passe by it unawares 8. Gramen Iuncoides maritimum Sea Rush grasse The Sea Rush grasse hath from a blackish browne single roote pleasant in taste and full of hairy fibres sundry short stalkes about a foote long with slender limber Rush like leaves thereon twise as long as the stalkes and at the toppes three or foure leaves a spanne long encompassing a rough head like a Rush which is full of chaffie seedes 7. Oxyagrostis maritima Dalechampij Sharpe pointed Sea grasse 9. Gramen marinum spicatum Spiked Sea grasse 10. Gramen marinum spicatum alterum Another sort of spiked Sea grasse 11. Gramen marinum mediterraneum majus Statice Plinij quibusdam Great Sea Thrift 13. Gramen marinum minus The small ordinary Thrift or Sea Cushion 9. Gramen marinum spicatum Spiked Sea Grasse The roote of this Grasse is composed of a bush of many long strings or fibres from whence rise many long hollowed or guttery leaves compassing one another at the bottome among whom spring two or three stalkes bare of leaves unto the toppes where they beare long spiked heads of greenish flowers set close together 10. Gramen marinum spicatum alterum Another sort of spiked Sea Grasse The leaves hereof are slender long narrow hard and sharpe pointed growing often on the low places nere the Sea that sometimes washeth over it which no cattle will eate willingly it beareth sundry low stalks with small long and round heads thereon 11. Gramen marinum mediterraneum majus Statice quibusdem Great Sea Thrift Although I have in my former Booke described and pictured both the sorts of Thrift the greater and lesser yet because I am to shew you another sort of the greater kinde I will â—â—re againe briefly remember them and shew you that the greater of them groweth with many faire long and somewhat broad whitish greene leaves lying close together upon the ground from whom rise slender stalkes naked unto the toppes except in one place toward the middle where it hath two small leaves turning downewards contrary to almost all other herbes and at their topâ— a tuft of blush coloured flowers opening by degrees 12. Statice Americuâ— Great Sea Thrift of America This other great Sea Thrift of America hath likewise many such leaves as the last hath but they are of a sadder greene colour and somewhat shining with two ribbes in each and blunt at the ends the slender stalkes beare also such a tuft of flowers but they are white and breake out of a skinne which falleth downe about the stalke the roote is long and with but few fibres thereat 13. Gramen marinum minus Small Thrift or Sea Cushion This other smaller sort is well knowne to have many small hard short greene leaves thicke growing together and spreading on the ground the stalkes are many of a spanne high without any leaves on them but at the tops a small round tuft of blush coloured flowers The Place and Time The three first sorts the sixt and the last have beene observed on our Sea coasts especially in Kent the fourth and the eighth about Mompelier and Narbone and the fifth both on the Venetian Ancomitane and French shoares also about Mompelier the eleventh as well on the hils as neere the Sea and hath beene often sent us from Portugall the rest are found neere the Sea coasts in many places and are in flower and seede in the end of Summer The Names The first and third sorts are mentioned by Lobel the second sixth and eight have not beene remembred by any other Author before the fourth and fifth are mentioned by Banhinus by the names of Gramen Caninum maritimum spicatum and Gramen Caninum maritimum asperum the seventh is so called by Lugdunensis as it is in the title the ninth and tenth are mentioned by Lobel The eleventh Clusius first called Gramen marinum majus and so doth Tabermontanus also but afterwards in his history of Plants he calleth it Armerius montanus tennifolius major Lobel Caryophyllus montanus Lugdunensis saith it is called Statice by some from the present help in stanching blood in the body wheresoever and so by Camerarius also but differeth from the Statice of Pliny and as divers from his Cantabrica although Camerarius taketh it to be the Cantabrica of Anguillara yet surely it is called Statice by divers now adayes and as Lugdunensis saith divers herbarists of Paris called it Catanances alterum genus but by many also Caryophyllus montanus alter or major as Bauhinus also doth adding thereto flore globâ—so and others Gramen marinum majus as they doe the last Gramen marinum minus and others Caryophyllus marinus minimus but Clusius Armerius montanus tenuifolius minor Dodonaeus calleth them both Gramen polyanthemum majus minus and the lesser Pseudimoly in his French Herball as Gesner in hortis doth also the twelfth is stiled Statice Americana by Cornutus The Vertues It is generally held that the rootes of the Sea Quich grasse is as effectual as the ordinary or common sort and therefore for the qualities I
flat some of a browne yellow colour others pale yellow or almost white some also close and hard others more loose and open and some of a fine thinne substance and others of a courser and thicker Bauhinus relateth that some sorts were called Hircina another Velaris another Ramosa fistulosa with divers other names I will therefore onely shew you that Sponges like other excâ—â—essences are bred in the Sea growing from some stone Rocke c. or the ground it selfe and by the Seas operation in some places differing from others brought to the forme as well as 1. Spongia marina usualis The ordinary Sea Sponges 2. Spongia infundibuli forma A Funnell like Spong 3. Spongia ramosa Britanica The branched English Sponge 4. Spongia ramosa altera Anglica Another branched English Sea Sponge colour that it holdeth being as all know of a soft substance neither stony wooddy nor herbe like but rather like a peece of wooll or cloth so wrought together by nature that being full of holes it is ready to receive and hold much water and by pressing or wringing ready to yeeld it out againe but as it encreaseth in the water it gathereth into it or else there is driven into the holes thereof divers small gritty stones which are usually found therein declaring the breeding thereof not to be farre from the ground by the receipt of these stones Aristotle in his fifth booke and 16. Chapter de historia animalium saith that divers did thinke and say in his time that Sponges had sence in them for that as they say they would shrinke if any did plucke them and were hard to be pulled up and that they doe so likewise when the surges of the Sea would breake them off from their residence but saith Aristotle in the same place divers did doubt of the trueth of that relation and those were they that dwelt at Toronna I have beene bold to insert this proofe of Aristotle in this place to refute the opinion of those that hold Sponges and the like to be Zoophytae sensitive creatures for all though affirmed in Aristotles time yet doubted of them also and therefore wee that have beene better taught and in a Schoole of farre greater knowledge both of Divine and humane things may well cast of such fond conceits 2. Spongia infundibuli forma Funnell like Sponge This Sponge Clusius hath set forth to have seene cleaving to a very hard blacke stone of twelve pound weight and was broad above and narrow below where it grew to the stone like unto a funell or to the flower of an herbe yet not of an equall height at the brims which also were so turned inwards that they seemed to be like leaves foulded inwards One saith Clusius I remember I saw while I lived at Mompelier that did most exactly resemble the forme of a very large hat 5. Spongia ramosa fistulosa Veneta The Venetian Sea hollow Sponge 6. Arbuscula marina spongiosa Coralloides A Spongie Corall like tree 3. Spongia ramosa Britanica The branched English Spong This saith Lobel I found in the I le of Portland among other Sea excrements which for substance and colour you would say was a Sponge but if you marke the forme of branches in it you would say it was neere a Coralline for it was neere a handfull and a halfe high full of blisters soft and easie to be bowed any way Some would take this to be the Isados Plocamon of Pliny that was like unto Corall without leaves growing hard changing the colour to be blacke and ready to breake if it fall which is more likely to be the Antipathes or blacke Corall of Dioscorides 4. Spongiosa marina Anglica planta nodosa The English soft Sea ragged staffe This soft Spongie plant hath beene found on our Kentish Sea shore by Master Iohnson and his Associates in a simpling voyage to those parts and is about the thickenesse of ones thumbe about a foote in length set with many tuberous uneven or knagged excressences on all sides like unto short branches being very sappy and of a soft Spongious substance and of a brownish yellow colour it was not observed growing but broken and among other such like things cast upon the shore 5. Spongia ramosa fistulosa Veneta The Venetian Sea hollow Sponge The Venetian kinde groweth on Rockes in the Sea like other excressences rising up as it were with stalkes and breaking out on all sides into sundry short branches the substance whereof is Spongy and hollow as soft at the first as the crumme of bread which may then be made into paste and afterwards being dry may bee made into pouther 6. Arbuscula marina spongiosa Coralloides A Spongie Corall like tree From the largenesse hereof Clusius calleth this a shrubbe or low tree being three foote high and seven inches compasse at the bottome which although it seemed firme and solid yet was but of a Spongie substance and white and cutting like unto dry Ginger both the trunck or body with the many branches thereon were set full of knobs the branches themselves ending in greater which were spongy on the inside but without any seede in the seeming places and marked on the outside like starres The whole plant was covered with a thinne knobby reddish barke which colour Clusius who first set it forth doubted was not naturall because he saw others the like which had a white coate but of so salt a taste that the salt it selfe did not exceede it Altera Within a while after Clusius saith he saw another which was six foote high or more being wholly flat and halfe a foote broad and two inches thicke set with branches and knobs in the like manner The Place Time and Names Are sufficiently declared in their descriptions so that I shall not neede further to insist thereon The Grecians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Latines Spongia and so doe both the Italians and Spaniards The Arabians Afferagi alhairi or alâ—ar The French Esponge The Germanes Badschwam The Vertues Sponges are put to many uses buth civill and Physicall as for fomentations or bathings which moistened and applyed containe the warmth of the decoction much longer and stronger then either linnen or woollen cloth peeces of Sponges very well dryed and put into hollow ulcers that are ready to close before they be throughly clensed and healed doth open the sores againe being to be pulled forth by the thred is fastened thereto before it be put in the ashes thereof mixed with a little wine or vinegar is used to cleare the eyes when they are blood shotten or watering the stones in the Sponge are used by some to be given to them that are troubled with the stone to helpe to breake it and cause it to passe away with the urine The Venetian Spongie plant is said to clense the face being washed with a decoction made thereof in honyed water and is a remedy for them that have eaten dangerous Mushromes to be boyled in Vinegar and taken
7. Eufragia lutea minor radice squammata The lesser yellow Eyebright This lesser sort hath a smooth hollow stalke a foote high or lesse set with branches and leaves by couples on them which are like unto the Germander or Ivy leafed Chickeweede but longer pointed the flowers are yellow but like unto those of the common Eyebright the seede is small blacke and round and pointed at the ends standing two together on a small footestalke the roote is white and round like a bulbe composed of foure thicke coates or scales lying close together the whole plant is without taste and somewhat resembleth Fumiterry but Columna saith that the rootes are like the Dentaria major of Matthiolus as the figure expresseth it The Place and Time The first and third are onely frequent in our Land the former in many Meddowes and grassie places throughout our Country and the other in many places of Kent in the barron fields and waste grounds both about Gravesend and the tracts thereabouts and in many other places the rest some in Italy and at Naples or in Spaine and Austria they all for the most part flower not untill the end of Summer the seede ripening within a while after The Names It is called Eufragia and Eufrasia and by some onely thought to be anciently called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet is Euphrosyne not knowne nor described by any of the former Greeke or Latine writers for it is of later invention and for the effects called Ophthalmica and Ocularia The first is generally called Eufrosia and Eufragia or Euphragia by all Writers The second is called by Columna Eufragia linifolia although the leaves bee farre lesse then those of Line or Flax the third is the Eufragia altera of Dodonaeus Lobel and others the Sideritis pratensis rubra of Lugdunensis the Odontites of Tabermontanus the Ericoides rubrum of Thalius and the Crataeogonon Euphrosyne of Gerard who would needes make it a kinde of Crataeogonon against the saying of Dodonaeus from whom he hath the most that he hath saying it cannot agree with Crataeogonon by the defect in many parts and yet his Corrector doth so let it passe The fourth Bauhinus called in his Phytopinax Brunella Italica but in his Pinax Euphrasia pratensis Italica latifolia and in his Prodromus Eufrasia purpurea minor and is the third Eufrasia non scripta of Columna The fifth is the Eufragia major sylvestris purpurea latifolia of Columna The sixth is the Sideritis pratensis lutea of Lugdunensis Ericoides luteum of Thalius Odontites flore luteo of Tabermontanus and the Eufragia sylvestris major lutea angustifolia of Columna The last Columna calleth Anonyma radice Dentariae and Bauhinus Euphrasia lutea Alfinofolio radice squammata The Italians and Spaniards call it Eufrasia the French Eufrase the Germanes Augencrost the Dutch Ooghen troost and we Eyebright The Vertues The bitter taste that is herein sheweth it to be hot and dry and is especially used for all the diseases of the eyes that cause dimnesse of the sight for either the greene herbe or the dry the juice or the distilled water is very effectuall for the said purpose to be taken either inwardly in wine or in broth or to be dropped into the eyes and used for divers dayes together Some also make a conserve of the flower to the same effect Any of these wayes used it helpeth also a weake braine or memory and restoreth them being decayed in a short time Arnoldus de Villa nova in his booke of wines much commendeth the Wine made of Eyebright put into it when it is new made and before it worke which because we cannot make in our land I could wish that the Eyebright might be tunned up with our strong Beere in the same manner which no doubt would worke the like effects their Wine and our Beere having a like working as we use with Wormewood Scurvigrasse and the like to helpe the dimnesse of the sight and saith that the use thereof restored old mens sight to read small Letters without spectacles that could hardly read great ones with their spectacles before as also did restore their sight that were blinde for a long time before If this drinke be not to be made or had the pouther of the dryed herbe either mixed with Sugar a few Maces and Fennell seede and drunke or eaten in broth or the said pouthers made into an Electuary with Sugar doth either way â—end to the same effect CHAP. IV. Specadum Veneris sive Viola pontagona The Corne Violet WE have in our Corne fieldes in this Land two sorts of Corne Violets a greater and a lesse which shall be shewed to you in this Chapter 1. Speculum Veneris majus The greater Corne Violet The greater of these Violets hath sundry slender weake trayling stalkes lying on the ground and rising from the roote divided and subdivided from every joynt into branches so plentifully that one plant growing in a good Garden ground will be hâ—â—dly covered with a pecke measure thicke set without order with small and somewhat long leaves slightly dented or rather waved on the edges at every leafe from the 〈◊〉 upward commeth forth 〈…〉 of the bignesse of a two pence so that five hundred flowers a 〈◊〉 will be seene open at once a goodly spectacle set in a fine pointed greene huske of a faire purplish blew 〈…〉 of one whole leafe plaited into five round pointed ends white at the bottome with a white pointell 〈…〉 closing up every night and opening in the day onely the seed is yellow and contained in small long heads the roote is small threddy and annuall 2. Speculâ—â—Veneris 〈◊〉 The lesser Corne Violet The lesser sort groweth more upright like unto the little Centory with stiffer and fewer branches more harsh or rough also in handling the leaves are like unto the former but somewhat lesse at each joynt almost come forth two or three flowers standing at the ends of long 〈◊〉 like unto Lysimachia siliquosa of the same fashion and colour as the former but so small as the eye of a little bird never rising above the huske it standeth in and not but in the heate of the day to be seene which then onely layeth it selfe open the seede is small and yellow as the former the roote is small and annuall also The Place and Time The first groweth in the Corne fields betweene Greenehithe and Dartford in Kent as also in the Corne fields about Lilly a towne in the uttermost part of Hartfordshire towards Bedford the other about Hartfield and in sundry other places in this land being more frequent by much and flower from Midsommer untill the end of August almost the seede ripening in the meane time The Names We have not understood as yet by any that the lesser sort hath beene observed by any Authour beyond sea but onely the former which is called Onobrychis and 〈◊〉 arvensis by Dodonaeus and Lugdunensis and Onobrychi◠〈◊〉 Belgarum by Lobel
set downe yet I take the second to be called by Antonio Donati Erica marina Thymaefolia The Vertues The most of these being of late invention are of small or no use that we can understand they must all therefore passe for this time without being further questioned CHAP. IX Satyrion Orchis Cullions or stones OF the sorts of Orchides there are such a number that to avoide confusion and to bring them into some methodicall order I must distinguish them by severall Rankes or Orders that is unto those that have found rootes and into those that have handed rootes many sorts whereof have beene called Saâ—yrium by divers but erroniously and therefore to avoide that 〈◊〉 I would bring you into the safe Haven where you may be assured that those rootes which are properly and â—â—â—ely the Satâ—rion of Dioscorides are those which we usually call in these dayes Tulipa as I have shewed in any former Booke although Mr. Iohnson in his Gerard seemeth not to take knowledge that I had there so declared it before but delivereth it as if it were the fruite of his owne travels whereof this age hath produced such an infinite variety both for time of flowring and forme of being but in the placing and distinction of the colour especially that it is I may say almost impossible to expresse them all I will therefore here in the first place before the Orchides but shew you the formes and names of some of them and 〈…〉 to my Booke to bee further enformed of them Of the round rooted kindes some have two rootes some have three which I would Satyrian sive Tulipa Bononiensie The Bononian Tulipa Satyrian sive Tulipa 〈◊〉 The Dvvarfe Tulipa Satyrion sive Tulipa praecox The 〈◊〉 Tulipa Satyrion sive Tulipa serotina The 〈◊〉 Tulipa separate into five parts as first into Cynosorchides sive Testiculos caninos Dogges stones Secondly into Orchides sive Testiculos morionis â—ooles stones Thirdly into Tragorchides sive Testiculos hircinos vel faetidos Stinking Orchis oâ— Goates stones Fourthly into Serapiadas vel Testiculos vulpinos Foxe stones And fifthly into Triorchides aut Testiculos odoratos Sweete Cullions or stones in which five Rankes all the sorts of Orchides that have round rootes are comprehended And then there are the handed Orchides to be entreated of lastly which are so called because their rootes are flat like hands with the ends of the fingers cut short of which shall be wholly declared together not making any division of parts in them and first of the Cynosorchides Dogs stones after the figures of the true Satyrion or Tulipa Cynosorchis Testiculus â—â—nis Primus Ordo Dogges Stones the first Ranke THis kinde of Orchis is distinguished into two sorts the one hath flowers resembling hoodes with small things hanging out of the midst of them the other hath flowers like unto the bodies of men with their armes and legs cut short of 1. Cynosorchis major latifolia The first great Dogges stones The first of these greater Dogs stones hath five or sixe broad leaves on the ground among which riseth up a round greene stalke halfe a yard high bare or without leaves or but one or two smaller standing below at the toppe whereof standeth a spiked head of purplish flowers set thicke and close together made like unto open hoods from the middle whereof hangeth downe a small body as it were of a Dog or other such creature Prima Dod. Lugd. being of a pale purple colour it selfe spotted with deeper purple spots and lines after which come somewhat long and round small huskes containing therein â—ather small dust then seede it is so small the roote is composed of two round white bulbes set together like the two stones of a dog with long fibres at the heads of them one somewhat higher sometimes then another and alwayes one of them which is the higher is firme full and hard the other lancke wrinckled and soft which wasteth away to nothing leaving the firme roote which so abideth all the Winter and in the Spring another springeth and encreaseth from the side of the old one and then that beginneth to grow lancke while the other new one encreaseth 2. Cynosorchis major latifolia altera The great purple Dogs stones This other greater sort hath somewhat narrower leaves then the former the spiked head of flowers Secunda Dod. is neither so long nor so thicke and the flowers of a whitish purple colour marked with some purple spots and lines more inward formed like open hoods and small bodies hanging forth like the former the seede and rootes are like the former 3. Cynosorchis major spica compacta The greater pale purple flowred Dogs stones The leaves of this are somewhat narrower then the last and sometimes spotted the stalke also is somewhat lower with leaves upon it and the spiked head short and close with the like flowers for forme Minor altera Lob. thicke set together but somewhat lesse and of a whitish purple colour spotted also the rootes also are like the former 1. Cynosorchis major latifolio The first great Dogs stones 2. Cynosorchis major latifolâ—a altera The great purple Dogs stones 3. Cynosorchis major spica compacta The greater pale purple flowred Dogs stones 4. Cynosorchis latifolia minor The smaller pale purple Dogs stones 6. Cynosorchis militaris sive Stratenmarka major The greater Souldiers cullions 8. Cynosorchis militaris minor The lesser Souldiers cullions 4. Cynosorchis latifolia minor The smaller pale purple Dogs stones This groweth as high as the last the leaves also somewhat narrow like it and divers in like manner set upon the stalke the flowers are not closely set but more sparsedly of a pale purple or blush colour spotted also Majoris altera speciâ—s Lobel the forme likewise is with open hoods and bodyes hanging forth 5. Cynosorchis angustifolia lotante cucullo Narrow leafed Dogs stones The stalke hereof is not above a spanne high having narrow long leaves below Prodro and one or two above upon the stalke compassing it at the bottome of a pale greene colour the 11. Cynosorchis militaris Pannonica Hungarian Souldiers cullions toope whereof is furnished with a thinne long spiked head of purplish white flowers in forme as the former representing open hoods each flower standing on a long footestalke 6. Cynosorchis militaris sive Strateumatica major The greater Souldiers cullions The greater of these Souldier cullions hath large leaves below and some lesser on the stalke which is halfe a yard high the spiked head of flowers stand somewhat separate each flower being like unto a man whose body had the armes and legs cut off Altera Clusij and a hood set thereon or a leglesse Souldier with his helmet on the hood or helmet being white and the body spotted with purple spots the rootes are great and thicke 7. Cynosorchis militarius rubra Red flowred Souldiers cullions The leaves hereof are narrower and the stalke smaller and lower then the last scarse a foote high
made this the mas but Dodonaeus referreth it to the other sort which hath longer and smaller rootes calling it faemina altera whereby it is plaine that one of them was deceived therein also as I thinke a transposition of the figures in Lobel for that figure in Lobels Icones that beareth the title Promiscua is the first female in Dodonaeus which hee saith was most common with them as it is with us the other being brought in afterwards which I thinke doth neerer resemble the leaves of the male let the judicious consider this well and gainesay it if it be erronious for although Bauhinus taketh Dodonaeus his faemina altera to be the most common yet surely I can not finde it so with those plants that are the most common female in our Country and so he doth Besler his errour of divers sorts of the male and of divers colours and the white one likewise among the rest which he calleth Paeonia mas flore albo but as Dodonaeus sheweth Dioscorides doth plainely distinguish betweene the male and female Peony first by the leaves the male to be whole and not divided but like unto those of the Wallnut tree and secondly in the rootes that they are single and not glandulous as is the female which truth will utterly confound both Besler and Bauhinus opinions therein and Lobels and Camerarius also to make any promiscua all the other sorts shewing themselves to be females by their rootes 6. Paeonia faemina si pâ—plici flore pleno ex semine floris pleni rubri vulgaris Clusio natae Certaine single and double female Peonyes that sprang with Clusius of the seede of the double red Clusius saith that having in some yeares seede from the ordinary double red Peony which is not usuall hee sowed them and within three yeares he had plants that bore flowers some single and some double of the single sorts one bore flowers for colour most like unto the mother but was single consisting onely of six leaves as the ordinary female doth Another bore a larger flower of eight leaves whose colour was of a deeper red drawing somewhat to blacknesse A third bore a double flower as great as the mother plant or greater and of the same colour but he had also as he saith another like the mother plant in leaves c. whose flower was double but lesser and not so thicke of leaves the colour whereof was of a deepe red being neere the bignesse of the double blush having some blacke veines in those leaves that grew in the middle Paeonia faemina vulgaris flore simplici The ordinary single female Peony Paeonia faemina flore pleno purpureo The ordinary double red Peony Paeonia mas The male Peony 1. Paeonia pumila Hispanica The dwarfe Spanish Peony 7. Paeonia faemina flore pleno carneo major A greater double blush Peony From Count Aremberg and Iohn Boisot persons worthy of credit saith Clusius I received intelligence that at Brussells in the garden of the Lady Tisenac who was the Presidents Widdow they saw growing a blush double Peony greater then the ordinary and as great as the ordinary double red yet holding the naturall property of the other double blush flower which is to grow whiter by standing and to hold the leaves without shedding for a long time The Place and Time The places of the most of them are declared in their titles or descriptions and their flowring c is about May with the other sorts The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine also Poeonia many other names are given it both in Greeke and Latine as Pentorobos yet some have it Pentoboros Orobelion Haemagogon Paeonion Paâ—thiceraton Theodonion Selenion Selenogonon Pthisis Aglaophotis Ideus dactylus and some others in Latine also Rosa faâ—uina Herba Casta Hasta regia Rosa asinarum and Glycyside or Dulcisida from the red graines in the Pâ—mgarner called Sida in Greeke but Paeonia from Paeon that famous Physitian in his time And Aglaophotis from the shining rednesse of the red graines or seedes from whence so many fabulous and detestable illusions of Aelianus his Aglaophotis and Iosephus his Baciaras are referred and reported of Peony as may be seene in the Writings of the Auncients Tragus sheweth that in his time the male Peony rootes were sold for Dictamnus albus but I thinke Tragus was therein deceived for I verily thinke they were the same white rootes which now are taken and called Dictamnus albus when they are the rootes of the Fruxinella as I shewed before in that Chapter for the rootes of the male Peony are not so white as they which confirmeth me the more herein because Tragus saith the leaves of that Peony which he tooke to be the male had leaves like an Ash or Licoris and such are the Fraxinella leaves which also himselfe describeth reasonable exactly in the seventh Chapter of his first Booke with Dictanus Cretensis but much mistaken in the sent to be like Cinamon unlesse it be divers in the Rhyme tract from others And I have shewed before also that we want not couzeners and deceivers to sell the white rootes of the greater Oenanthe for white Peony rootes There needeth not any further explication of these sorts of Peonies since Clusius hath made mention of all save one and that Camerarius in horto and Bellonius doe expresse which is the fourth The Arabians call it Feonia the Italians Peonia the Spaniards Rosa del monte and Rosa Albardeira the French Pivoine the Germanes Peonien Rosen Benedicten Rosen Pfingst rosen Kiinigs blumen and Gichtwurtz the Dutch Pioenen â—â—de Mast bloemen and we in English Piony or Peony The Vertues It is saith Galen of thin parts and drying yet not very notably hot but according to our owne symmetry or constitution or rather a little hotter an astringent quality also with some sweetenesse it hath and some acrimony likewise and bitternesse joyned together whereby it is effectuall to procure womens courses if the biggenesse of an Almond in powder be taken in honied Wine by the acrimony and bitternesse therein it is good to open the obstructions of the liver and kidneyes and the yellow jaundise and stone and by the astringent quality to stay the fluxes of the belly but the more effectually if the decoction thereof be taken that is made with harsh or red Wine by the notable drying quality therein also saith he I doubted not to helpe children therewith that had the falling sicknesse by tying it about their neckes And indeede I saw a childe freed from that disease that had for eight whole moneths together worne a good peece of the roote about him and that as soone as that peece by some chance fell from about his necke or was taken away for tryall of the matter he fell into the disease againe but having a fresh one applyed to him againe he became perfectly well the reason whereof may be that the Spirits thereof drawne into the pores by the inward
heate and outward aire pierced the places effected with the disease and cured it for after the same manner doth the Succus Cyrenaicus that is the best Laser or Laserpitium cure the uvula or palate of the mouth as we call it when it is falne downe or swolne through rheume or as Nigella seede being fryed and bound in a thinne warme linnen cloath doth dry up the thinne and troublesome destillations of rheumes by the hot breath thereof rising through the nostrils as also if divers threds dyed in the purple fish colour be bound about a Viper or Adders necke and it thereby strangled and they afterwards bound about their neckes that have swellings or other diseases in their neckes and throates doe marvailously helpe them these be Galens words but our age hath not onely found Galens experiments true on children the roote of the male rather then the female yea the male not the female and that fresh and not dry if you meane it should doe good is to be hanged about their neckes and that the decoction thereof is to be taken inwardly to make it the more availeable and that also in older persons if the disease be not growne too old and past cure for whom the roote of the male kinde washed cleane stamped somewhat small and laid to infuse in a sufficient proportion of Sacke for twenty foure houres at the least after strained and given first and last a good draught for sundry dayes together before and after a full moone cureth that sickenesse if there be a due and orderly preparation of the body afoâ—ehand with poset drinke made of Betony c. as the learned Physitian can best appoint the roote also is effectuall for women that are not sufficiently cleansed after child-birth and for such also as are troubled with the mother for which likewise the blacke seed being beaten to powder is given in wine the red seedes being taken for fluxes the blacke also taken before bed time and in the morning also is very effectuall for such as are in their sleepe troubled with the disease called Ephialtes or Incubus which Pliny calleth suppessio nocturna we usually call it the night mare which is a suppressing both of voice and breath and oppressing the body as it were with some heavy burthen striving to be eased thereof but seeming not to be able nor to call for helpe Melancholly persons being for the most part subject to this disease it is also good against melancholly dreames Matthiolus doubteth whether our Peony be that which Galen used because many Physitians as he saith in his time failed in the tryall thereof on young children and I am in doubt that Tragus his male Peony spoken of here before was that which they used and then no marvaile if it proved not effectuall as they expected yet saith Matthiolus our Peony seedes is availeable to restore speech to those that have lost it if thirty graines husked be made into powder and given in Wine it is also saith he good against the bitings of Serpents not onely to be drunke but to be laid on the bitten place which thing Tragus saith of his male Peony which as I shewed you before is the Fraxinella The destilled water or Syrupe made of the flowers worketh to the same effects that the roote and seede is applyed before although more weakely The male kinde being so scarse a plant and possessed but by a few and those great lovers of rarity in this kinde and the Female being more frequent the one is usually put instead of the other CHAP. XXIX Pappas sive Battatas Potatoes THere are divers sorts of rootes that are called Potatoes with us serving for foode or delight more then for medicine whereof all that are truely knowne to us what face or forme of leaves and flowers they beare are expressed in my former booke there are many more of the same quality besides others that serve in stead of bread familiar to the Natives both of the East and West Indies whose names onely are extant in those Authours Workes that have written of them without any further declaration either of forme or any property but that the rootes are eaten by them some being of better taste then others longer lasting among whom as I take it the Igname or Inhame is a principall one whereof Scaliger first and Clusius afterwards have given us the best information Clusius saying it is also called by some Camotes Amotes and Aies All he saith of it is this that some Portugall Ships that were taken by the Hollanders had divers of these rootes in them some bigger then others for some as he saith were as bigge as ones arme and of a foote long or more others lesser and some thicke and short having some small tubers thrusting out at the lower parts of them but all of them covered with an uneven and rugged barke with many fibres at them the substance of the roote within being white soft sappy tender and as it were kernelly and of no unpleasant taste that is the raw roote for he saith he tasted it at the first but a little rough and sharpe afterwards but being rosted under the embers it tasteth more tender then any Chesnut and somewhat like a Peare but saith he what stalke or leafe it bore hee could not understand of any onely he saith he received one that was sent him that had a sprout at the head of it which was broken off in the carriage as the figure here expresseth it unto you but Lobel in his Adversaria saith he understood that those rootes of the Inhame that were brought from Aethiopia and Guincy bore Mallow-like leaves and differeth from those of Spaine and the Canary Islands which are our ordinary great Potatoes and such like leaves doth Lugdunensis give to an American plant called Hotich whose roote is somewhat like it and edible Clusius also speaketh of another sort of these Inhames which as he saith some called Yeam Peru but the Portugals Jnhame as the former which although it were like the other yet the barke was more uneven and some as it were some knobbes thereon with small fibres going from them and from the head of the roote went but hard great stringes of a foote long which were prickly for the most part Clusius seemeth to referre the Virginia Potatoes to the Arachidna Theophrasti and Lugdunensis saith some did the Manihot and that this Jnhame was Battatas de Canada The Frenches Battatas or Hierusalem Artichokes Battatas Virginiana Potatoes of Virginia Battatas Occidentalis Indiae Inâ—ume Orientalis Lusitanorum The West Indian and the Negros Potatoes referred to Theophrastus his Araco similis But Bauhinus his Ovingum or Vingum and Oetum by Pliny so variable are mens conceites especially in things obscure or unknowne or when they doe raptim without due consideration sententium proferre But Scaliger Exercitat 181.17 seemeth to know three other sorts besides the ordinary which will abide good without perishing for a whole yeare and
in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but of Dioscorides and Galen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Smilax yet as Dioscorides saith some called it in his time Thymalum in Latine Taxus and so all Latine Authours call it except Cordus on Dioscorides that calleth it Mâ—lax and others Smilax because it was generally taken to be either deadly or dangerous to eate thereof or under it or to sleep under it also which in our land is found contrary by many men children eating of the berries without harme it is thought that all poysons became to be called Taxica and by time called Toxica from hence the Italians cal it Tasso the French If the Germans Eibenbaum the Dutch Ibenboom and Bogenhout and we in English Yew The Vertues The opinion of harme that this tree worketh or peradventure some accidentall harme by distemperature either by the climate wherein it is bred or of the persons that take it hath caused that there is nothing of any good property recorded by any ancient or moderne Writer hereof but still said by most to be deadly to beasts and dangerous to men and therefore Matthiolus calleth the matter into question whether it be hot or cold for Dioscorides and those that follow him saying it is cold appoint those remedies for it that they appoint for Hemlocke that is to drinke much wine but Matthiolus contesteth there against in that the berries are sweete with some bitternesse neither of which qualities portend any coldnesse to be in them and that birds that feede thereon become blacke besides the evergreenenesse of the tree as Pines Firres c. all which shew a temperate heate to be therein and the more because as he saith men that have beene drawne on by the sweetenesse of the berries to eate of them have beene driven into fevers and laskes by enflaming the spirits and blood which effects come not from any cold quality Of this tree formerly long bowes were wont to be made which were of great account as well with us as with other nations long agoe for Virgil Georg. 2. saith Ityreos Taxi torquentur in â—cus CHAP. XVIII Nux Iuglans The Wallnut VNto the Wallnut that we have usually growing in our Land I must adde some others sought out both neerer home and farre abroad as out of Virginia two sorts one white and another blacke 1. Nux Iuglans vulgaris Our ordinary Wallnut This Wallnut groweth to be a very high and great tree spreading large armes and boughes so that they make a goodly shadow but by reason of the strong sent that the leaves send forth few are delighted to rest thereunder the barke of the body and greater armes is of a darke greenish ash-colour cleft or chapped in divers places that on the younger branches being more greene the leaves are large and great consisting of five or seaven leaves set one against another with an odde one at the end somewhat reddish and very slender while they are young and of a weake sweete sent but when they grow old and more hard are of a stronger smell and somewhat offensive at the joynts with the leaves come forth small and long yellowish catkins which open into small flowers and falling away the Nux Iuglans vulgaris cum fructu Virginianâ— The ordinary Wallnut and a fruite of Virginia round Nuts come in their places two or three usually set together which are covered with a double huske the outermost thicke soft and green the inner shell hard wherein is a white sweete kernell contained covered with a thin yellowish bitter peeling which easily parteth from it while it is fresh but will not peele â—â—owing old the wood or timber hereof is â—ard and close of a blackish browne colour with divers waved veines therein which maâ—eth it much used in joynets workes c. being â—ery durable being kept dry but is soone rotted 〈◊〉 the weather Because I said in my former Booke that the many differences of Wallnuts did arise in my opinion from the climate and soyle wherein they grow let mee shew you their varieties â—omewhat more largely here without any further descriptions of the tree for therein is litâ—â—e diversity which if any be it shall be shewâ—d 2. Nux Iuglance caballina The greatest Wallnut Wee usually call these French Wallnuts which are the greatest of any within whose â—ll are oftentimes put a paire of fine gloves â—ately foulded up together that the shell may â—dole being tyed together and carried wheâ—â—er one will and of the outer rinde whereof 〈◊〉 have made childrens purses 3. Nux Iuglans putamine fragili The thin shelled Wallnut The difference in this consisteth chiefly in the 〈◊〉 whose shell is so tender that it may easily 〈◊〉 broken betweene ones fingers and the nut it 〈◊〉 very sweete 4. Nux Iuglans folio serrato The long Wallnut Clusius as I said first set forth the difference this Wallnut to bee longer although not much greater then the ordinary sort and the shell much tenderer and brittle which being planted grew and bore leaves like unto it but much tenderer and dented about the edges 5. Nux Iuglans bifera The double bearing Wallnut The twise bearing in a yeare of this Wallnut maketh the onely difference from the common sort for thereof there is no further mention made 6. Nux Iuglans fructu serotino St. Iohns Wallnut or the late ripe Wallnut This Wallnut shooteth not forth any leaves untill it be Midsommer or Saint Iohns day as it is said so that the tree seemeth as dead others having had greene leaves thereon long before the leaves and fruite differre not from others but that the nuts ripen not untill October and then are fresh when others are past and dry the shell of this is harder and the kernell sticking closer thereto that it is more hardly taken out they taste not so sweet as the ordinary sort but more Wallowish 7. Nux Iuglans alba Virginensis The white Wallnut of Virginia The tree hereof groweth more upright and spreadeth lesse the leaves are alike and the nut is rounder smaller much thicker and whiter in the outer hard shell then any of the former sort and the kernell within much lesse also but white and as sweete 8. Nux Iuglans nigra Virginensis The blacke Wallnut of Virginia The blacke Wallnut differeth little in the tree from the white but the nut is blacke and round very rugged or chapped on the outside and so hard and thicke a shell that it can very hardly be broken with great strokes of an hammer having a very small kernell within it The Place and Time It is thought that the Wallnut first came out of Persia for it is not knowne to grow naturally any where but still have beene planted of the Nuts put into the ground for I have not heard that they can be produced by any other meanes wheresoever they grow excepting onely the Virginia kindes they blossome earely before the leaves come forth and the
in the belly or stomacke it mightily affecteth the braine causing first perturbations and then sopiting the sences it is much used to be laid in Wardrobes Chests Presses and the like to keepe mothes from garments and woollen cloathes as also to give them a good sent CHAP. XLV Myrtus The Myrtle HAving spoken of the Gaule in the Chapter before which some account a kinde of Myrtle both from the forme and sweetenesse I thinke good to set the stocke of the Myrtles next thereunto which are many because although I have shewed you three of them in my former Booke yet I have not shewed you all the properties they have 1. Myrtus latifolia maxima The greatest open Laurell Myrtle This greatest Myrtle hath great and thicke wooddy branches set with a double row of large leaves yet not so close as the next comming neere unto the smaller leaves of the Bay tree but of a paler greene colour abiding alwayes greene and very sweete this sort saith Clusius even in Spaine seldome beareth either flowers or fruite because they pruine it often being kept in hedges for pleasure Clusius maketh another sort hereof which differeth little from the former but in the leaves which are somewhat smaller and thicker whereas the former are thinner 2. Myrtus latifolia exotica The strange broad leafed close Myrtle This Myrtle groweth higher then the former and shooteth from the roote store of strong thicke stemmes more plentifully stored with large leaves yet not fully so large as the first sort but closer set together that they almost touch one another sometimes in a double row and sometimes in a treble and very sweete the flowers are white like unto others but larger after which commeth the fruite somewhat longer then in the small sorts greene at the first purplish before it be ripe and blacke when it is full ripe with many crooked white seedes within them 3. Myrtus latifolia vulgaris The usuall broad leafed Myrtle This usuall broad leafed Myrtle which I so call because we have this onely in our Country of all other sorts of broad leafed Myrtles groweth to be foure or five foote high with us and in the warme Countries to be a little tree full of branches and leaves like a small bush the leaves are somewhat large and great yet not so large as the last as 1. Myrtus latifolia maxima The greatest open Laurell Myrtle 2. Myrtus latifolia exotica The Arange broad leafed close Myrtle 5. 7. Myrtus Battica sylvestris minor acutofolio The Spanish wild Myrtle and the small poynted Myrtle 6. Myrtus domestica minutissimis folijs fructu albo The small white Myrtile sweete as the other and the flowers white like the rest 9. Myrtus flore pieno Double flowred Myrtle and sweete likewise the fruite hereof is blacke also 4. Myrtus angustifolia exotica The strange narrow leafed Myrtle This narrow leafed sort groweth in all parts like unto the second but that the leafe is smaller narrower small pointed and of a darker greene colour the flowers are alike and so is the fruite blacke also but greater and rounder having crooked white seedes in them as the others have 5. Myrtus Baetica sylvestris The Spanish wild Myrtle This wilde Myrtle groweth neither so high nor so thicke with leaves as the former manured sorts but have slender and brittle branches with broader leaves then the last set more thinly on both sides then the rest and of a darke greene colour the flowers are like the rest and the fruite is round standing on long footestalkes betweene the leaves in good plenty greene at the first and whitish afterwards and blackish being ripe full of sweetish juyce pleasant with some astriction to the taste 6. Myrtus domestica minutissimis folijs fructu albo The small white Myrtle This white Myrtle groweth reasonable tall with slender reddish branches thicke bushing together being thicke set with very small even the smallest of any other leaves narrowest of any and sharpe pointed and somewhat darke greene also the flowers are white like the rest and so is the fruite likewise but of a whitish colour tending to a little blush and so abide not changing blackish 7. Myrtus minor acuto folio The small and pointed Myrtle This small Myrtle riseth not so high as the third or ordinary broad leafed sort but groweth fuller of branches and thicke set with small fine and greene almost shining round leaves a little pointed at the ends abiding alwayes greene as all the sorts of Myrtles doe which and the flowers are sweete also but grow not plentifully in our Country on the branches as in warmer places and beareth blacke berryes but never in these colder elimates howsoever housed or defended 8. Myrtus minor rotundiore folio Boxe leafed Myrtle This other sort groweth in all points like the last but that the leaves being as small and fresh greene thicke growing are rounder at the ends very like unto the small Box leaves and beareth flowers as sparingly 9. Myrtus flore pleno Double flowred Myrtle Of the greater kinde of Myrtle there hath beene of later times one noursed up in the Gardens of the chiefe Lovers of rarities with as double flowers as the double Fetherfew comming forth of a round reddish huske continuing flowring at the least three moneths and each flower a fortnight and is not over tender to be kept yet is not so hardy to endure the frosts as Cornutus saith which Master Tradescant can sufficiently witnesse who by a little neglect lost a good plant overtaken with the frost The Place and Time Myrtles of many sorts are found generally upon all the Sea coasts of Spaine Italy and in divers other Countries also The first two sorts Clusius found in Spaine not growing naturally wilde but in certaine Monasteries and private mens Orchards The third I thinke came out of Italy because it is most like to that sort they so call The fourth he likewise found in a Monastery not farre from Corduba The fifth in many places wilde both of Spaine and Portugall And the sixt in a private noble mans garden in Portugall The two last save one are noursed up most frequent in our Land and better indure therein with some good heede and looking unto but generally even in the warme Countries they must be defended from the cold for feare of danger as Virgil sheweth in this Verse Eclog 7. Dumteneras defendo a frigore Myrtos and Ovid in the like manner saith Metuentem frigora Myrtum and yet Virgil in another place saith Amantes frigora Myrtos Which how both should be true I can imagine no other but that Virgil speaketh of the first in a cold place and of the other as they grow in a warme that the cold place must have shelter and defence against the cold as it is with us who give them all the comfort we can and that they that grow in a warme and hot Countrie must have shadow for they love both shadow from the
blacke is ripe in Iune and Iuly the other later The Names The first blacke sorts are taken generally by the best later Writers to be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Theophrastus that is Vitis ex parte Idae quam vocant Phalacras but Pliny falsly put in Alexandrina instead of Idaea in Latine by them Vitis Idaea Thâ—ophrasti and because all the rest have a resemblance thereunto they are all called Vites Idaea likewise with their severall distinctions as you shall presently heare they are many of them also called Vaccinia by divers thinking the black sort to be the Vaccinia nigra of Virgil by the transposition of a letter Baccinia nigra parva quasi bacca but that errour is exploded by many good Authours that shew Virgil putteth his Vaccinia among flowers and not fruites for as he saith Et sunt Violae nigrae Vaccinia nigra intending the colours were both alike as a kinde of Hyacinth which he might meane is as the Violet flower Vitruvius and Pliny indeede have a Vaccinium which giveth a purple dye to servants or others garments which may very wel be this for such a purple colour will the juyce hereof give if it be rightly ordered It is also called Myrtillus and by some Myrtillus Germanica because the Physitions and Apothecaries in Germany and those parts tooke them to be true Mirtle berries and so used them untill they were shewed their errour and since have forsaken it as we have done also Gesner also in hortis sheweth that some did take the Vitis Idaea to be that Vine that beareth Currans but saith he that noble Vine groweth not on so high or snowy mountaines but rather in the Planes and open hils and ordered by the industry of men The first Tragus calleth Myrtillus exiguus and so doe Matthiolus and Lugdunensis Dodonaeus and Lobel called it Vaccinia nigra Anguilara radix Idaea fructu nigro Camerarius Gesner and Clusius Vitis Idaea vulgaris baccis nigris Caesalpinus Bagola primum genus The second is called by Tragus Myrtilâ—us grandis and is the Vitis Idaea major of Thalius the Vitis Idaea secunda sive altera of Clusius and the Vitis folijs suer otunais â—nâ—lbidis although he hath transposed some of these titles to his second which is my third whereof onely Clusius maketh mention and calleth it his first and Gerard Vaccinia Pannonica and Bauhinus calleth Vitis Idaea folijs oblongis albicantibus The fourth is called Vaccinia rubra and Vitis Idaea rubra by all writers thereof Camerarius and Thalius say that some tooke it to be Rhus minor Plinij and Clusius Vitis Idaea buxeis folijs and Anguilara Radix Idaea fructu rubro as he did the blacke before Radix Idaea fructu nigro and Lugdunensis doth thinke that this is most properly the Radix Idaea of Dioscorides The fifth is mentioned onely by Camerarius in horto who calleth it Vitis Idaea rubra Bavarica The sixth is referred by Clusius to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Galen in his seventh Booke de composit med secundum locos cap. 4. and thereupon he called it Vva ursi Galeni Bauhinus refereth it to the Vitis Idaea making it his sixth and calleth it Idaea radix Dioscoridis also The seventh is called by Clusius Vitis Idaea tertia not thinking his former to be so worthy of that name Lobel saith the French call it Amelanchier and doubteth if it be not that shrub which they call Alâ—sâ—er Bellonius saith that their Melanchier is called in Candy Agriomelea and Codomalo but I thinke he is deceived that having blacke and this red fruite Gesner in his Epistles as Clusius saith if he meant this plant giveth it divers names as Myrtomalis Petromelis Pyrus Cervina and Pyraster Idaea Dalechampius taking it to be Cotonaster Gesneri calleth it Epimelis altera but giveth it red berries which therefore I suppose may be rather one of the two last The two last are mentioned by Alpinus in his Booke of Exoticke plants by the name of Cerasus and Chamaecerasus Idaea Cretica thinking the former most neerely to be the Cerasus Idaea Theophrasti The Italians did use to call the first Mirtillo but now Vite Idaea according to the Latine the French Airelle and Aurelle the Germanes Heidelbeer the Dutch Crake besien and we Whorts or Whortle berryes and Bill berries with us about London The Vertues The Bill berries doe coole in the second degree and doe a little binde and dry withall they are therefore good in hot agues and to coole the heat of the stomacke and liver and doe somewhat binde the belly and stay castings and loathings but if that they be eaten by those that have a weake or a cold stomacke they will much offend and trouble it saith Camerarius and therefore the juyce of the berries being made into a Syrupe or the pulpe of them made into a conserve with Sugar will be more familiar to such and helpe those paines the cold fruite procured and is good for all the purposes aforesaid as also for those that are troubled with an old cough or with an ulcer in the Lungs or other disease thereof with the juyce of the berries Painters to colour paper or cards doe make a kinde of purple blew colour putting thereto some Allome and Galles whereby they can make it lighter or sadder as they please And some poore folkes as Tragus sheweth doe take a potfull of the juyce strained whereunto an ounce of Allome foure spoonefuls of good Wine vinegar and a quarter of an ounce of the waste of the copper forgings being put together and boyled all together into this liquor while it is reasonable but not too hot they put their cloth wooll thred or yarne therein letting it lye for a good while which being taken out and hung up to dry and afterwards washed with cold water will have the like Turkie blew colour and if they would have it sadder they will put thereto in the boyling an ounce of broken Gaules Gerard saith that hee hath made of the juyce of the red berries an excellent crimson colour by putting a little Allome thereto the red Whorts are taken to be more binding the belly womens courses spitting of blood and any other fluxe of blood or humours to be used as well outwardly as inwardly CHAP. XLVII Iovis barba frutex The silver Bush THis beautifull fine bush groweth to the height of a Iovis barba frutex The Silver Bush man with a number of slender branches thicke bushing out on all sides whereon grow long winged leaves made of many small ones like Lentill leaves but narrower each set against other with an odde one at the end of a faire greene colour on the upperside and of a silver white shining colour underneath the young leaves being also of the same colour at the ends of the branch standeth large umbels of yellow flowers made after the fashion of broome flowers set in grayish huskes like the heads of the three leafed grasse after which
out of Syria into Spaine where they thrive passing well The first sort which they account to be wilde serveth to graft the other two upon that they may grow and thrive the better we keepe the second with much care and provision being more tender then the first which is growing in many places of the Land in private persons gardens but the third I have not heard that it hath beene as yet brought unto us it being as yet more rare and as tender to keepe if not more then the second The fourth is held doubtfull whether it came from the East Indies China or Iapan or the West Indies for divers doe suppose the one and the other The fifth groweth in Virginia as Master Tradescant who saw it there doth affirme and from him I have a plant risen of the seede They all flower late and none of them beare any seede with us The Names The Arabians call the Iasmine Zambach and Sambach and Iasemin as it is thought from the Greeke word Iasme which signifieth Violaceum it hath no other Greeke name unlesse as some thinke it be the Pothos albus of Theophrastus The first is called Iasminum or Gelseminum vulgatius album by all Authours The second is called Iasminum or Gelseminum grandius Catalonicum but by Lugdunensis Iasminum puniceum The third is mentioned onely by Ferrarius in his Flora or deflorum cultura The fourth by him also yet mentioned in the Catalogue of the French Kings Garden at Paris The fifth was never mentioned by any before and but that Master Tradescant is confident to call it a Iasmine and therefore I am content to put it with the rest to give him content I would be further informed of it my selfe before I would certainely give my consent The Vertues Serapio delivereth it that the white Iasmine is hot in the beginning of the second degree that it discusseth humours is good against salt flegme profitable to old cold men and profitable for catarrhs and the griefes that spring from tough flegme the leaves either greene or dry doe clense freckles spots and discolouring in the face or elsewhere and helpeth tetters or ringwormes and the like it is not fit that those that are of an hot constitution should use this for this breedeth the headache The flowers are very sweete and therefore they serve to strow in the house for an ornament and good sent they use also in the warme Countries to lay the flowers among their gloves or fine linnen to give the better sent The oyle that is made of the flowers by insolation is good for any cold part of the body to warme it and to ease the paines of the crampe and stitching in the sides CHAP. LI. Polemonium sive Trifolium fruticans vel Iasminum luteum vulgare Shrub Trefoile or the ordinary yellow Iasmine ALthough as I said in the Chapter before this plant is not of the Iasmines yet because it hath by time obtained that name and that the flowers thereof in forme resemble the white Iasmine I thought it good to joyne it next unto them because I would not put it into their Chapter It spreadeth white rootes in the ground farre about rising up in sundry places with many tall and slender twiggy branches green at the first but after of a darke grayish colour whereon are Polemonium sive Trifolium fruticans vel Iasminum luteum vulgare Shrubbe Trefoile or the ordinary yellow Iasmine set at severall distances three small darke greene leaves together on every stalke the end leafe being the biggest at the joynts with the leaves come forth the flowers each singly by it selfe upon a stalke which are long and hollow ending in five leaves usually yet sometimes in sixe very like unto the flowers of the white Iasmine but yellow and thereupon it was called a yellow Iasmine which being past there follow other round blacke shining berries of the bignesse of a great Pease or bigger full of a purplish juyce which will colour ones fingers that shall bruise them The Place and Time This groweth plentifully about Mompelier and abideth well any where in our Country it flowreth in Iuly but we seldome see ripe fruite the eon The Names It is called Polemonium Monspeliensium by Gesner Lobel Cameratius and Lugdunensis and Trifolium fruticans by Dodonaeus and Tabermontanus who also calleth it Ruta baccifera sive trifolia and Gesner Ruta capraria Gallorum Monspeliensium and by some Iasminum luteum Italicum yet Columna calleth it Iasmini species trifolia non videtur ad Polemonium accedere Bâ—sler in horto Eystetensi sheweth one with foure leaves that are greener and not so sharpe pointed and Bauhinus Iasminum luteum vulgo dictum bacciferum who also giveth this note of it that at Mompelier it is often found but with one leafe alone upon a stalke although in Gardens it hath three It is very doubtfull whether it should be the Polemonium of Dioscorides or no for you have here the judgement of Columna non videtur ad Pâ—lemonium accedere although Lobel wouâ—d make it agree in all things Some would make it therefore a Cytisus but it agreeâ—h thereto in nothing but in having three leaves together We cannot learne what Italian French or Dutch name it hath but in English it may be called Shrubbe Trefoile according to the Latine but Gerard saith it is called Make bare yet I know not where nor by whom it is usually called now adaies the yellow Iasmine from the likenesse of the flowers The Vertues We know not of any knowne property it hath for certaine and therefore to give you the particular Vertues of Polemonium when as peradventure not any one can belong thereunto were needelesse and the ground of a great errour CHAP. LII Syringa The Pipe tree ALthough I have shewed you these five sorts of Pipe trees in my former Booke yet I thinke it not unfit to present you with them againe here and give you a full description of that sort that was defective there 1. Lilac Matthioli sive Syringa flore caeruleo The blew Pipe tree or Lilac The blew Pipe tree riseth sometimes to be as great as a meane apple yet usually it groweth nothing so great having oftentimes suckers rising from the roote the younger branches being covered with a grayish greene barke and the elder with a darker having within them a pith like the Elder with two faire broad smooth deepe greene leaves small pointed at the ends set at every joynt which are some distance one from another many of them folding the leaves inwards standing on long footestalkes at the toppes of many of the branches come forth many long hollow blewish purple flowers ending in five leaves in a long tuft together 1. Lilac seu Syringa flore caeruleo The blew Pipe tree or Lilac 3. Syringa Persica sive Lilac folijs incisis Persicum Iasminum Persicum dictum The blew Persian Iasmine or Pipe tree 4 Syringa flore alba simplici The single white Pipe tree 5.
againe and thus successively one after another untill it hath taken up a great compasse of ground even a mile as it is said in compasse and made as it were a Grove or Wood from that one first tree whereunder the Indians doe shelter themselves from the heate of the Sunne and so prune away the under boughes and branches that they make divers walkes and crosse wayes through these trees leaving their branches over head as arches to passe under to and fro and cutting out some looke holes as it were to give light and ayre to a thousand men and more that may be sheltered under the shaddow of this one tree with the Suckers thereof among so many of whom it is hard to finde out the originall or mother stocke the leaves on the young branches are like unto Quince tree leaves greene on the upper side and hoary white like them underneath wherewith Elephants are much delighted to feede and whose branches they cut downe to give them the fruite groweth among the branches no bigger then the end of ones thumbe but fashioned like a Figge of blood red colour both within and without somewhat sweete like unto them but not so pleasant The Place and Time This tree groweth in divers places of the East Indies as at Goa Malacca c. and abideth alwayes greene giving ripe fruite at the time with others in that Country The Names This tree is mentioned first by Q. Curtius lib. 9. who wrote the acts of Alexander in his warres into the Indies and by Theophrastus also lib. 4. c. 5. who lived neere that time and calleth it Ficus Indica as Pliny also lib. 12. c. 5. after him doth Strabo also although hee gave it no name then or of the admirable tree yet hereby you may perceive that it is no new found tree in these later dayes but knowne and written of by the Ancients Goropius would draw this tree into Paradise and make it the tree of the knowledge of good and evill that God had planted in the midst thereof and forbad Adam the eating and of which by eating he brought a woe on himselfe and his posterity so bold is he to take upon him to know that which he hath no authority or proofe for but onely led by fansie and strong conceit about the river Acesine in those parts where this groweth and therefore Paradice must needs be there also The Portugals call it Arbor de ray that is the tree of rootes and thereupon Linschate in his Booke figureth a tree with a number of rootes thereto rather out of fancy then sight which Clusius misliked Some doe call it Arbor Goae but of most Ficus Indica and I have added arcuata for a difference from others The Vertues The fruite is good and wholesome to be eaten but I cannot learne if ever it was applyed to cure any wound or ulcer in the body or used in Physicke for any disease CHAP. LXXII Pyrus The Peare tree BEcause Peares are so like unto Figges in the outward forme of them I thinke good to joyne them next thereunto whereof there is both manured and wilde the manured doe transforme themselves into so many severall fashions colours and tastes that it would take up many leaves to describe them at large as they might be for not onely every Country abroad and beyond the Seas have severall sorts which we never saw or heard of but in our owne Land also there are so many that it is almost impossible that they should all come to one mans certaine and perticular knowledge yet have I shewed you a many of them in my Orchard heretofore Of the wild sorts likewise there are 1. Pyrus sativa The manured Peare tree 2. Pyrus sylvestris The wilde or Choke Peare tree both abroad and at home such variety that a man might spend his whole time thoroughly to observe and set downe all the sorts that are knowne in other places I will therefore endeavour but to shew you here a generall description of the tree both tame and wilde with some sorts that are not expressed in my former Booke 1. Pyrus sativa The manured Peare tree The manured Peare in generall groweth higher but flower then the Apple tree more upright also and not spreading the branches and no lesse thicke but rather greater in the bulke or body the leaves are somewhat broader and rounder greene above and whiter underneath then those of the Apple tree the flowers are smaller but whiter then the Apple blossomes and the fruite more long then round for the most part smaller also at the stalke and greater at the head of many differing fashions sizes colours and tastes and times both in gathering and spending some being greene some russet other yellowish or reddish some great others small or long or round or smooth or bunched out and so for tastes also sweetish or lushious or delicate or waterish or hard and firme and well rellished or not so good to be eaten raw as baked or roasted and some to be spent as soone as they are gathered or soone after being Summer fruite others not to be spent untill the Winter be either come in or neere or fully past each particular to every fruite weâ—e too tedious for this Worke being growne already so voluminous and seeing I have shewed them in part elsewhere The wood is smooth close and firme and serveth for many uses both for formes to cut these figures or the like in and instead of wainscot in many poore mens houses and for many other purposes 2. Pyrus sylvestris The Wilde or Choake Peare tree The wilde Peare tree usually groweth tall and upright like the manured kinde and as little spreading but sometimes low and crooked but fuller of branches which maketh them the more knotty the barke is blacker and more rugged cleaving also in many places and easily to be pulled off with prickes and thornes set here and there on them but not so thicke as in the Crab the leaves and flowers doe little vary but that some will have larger and others lesser leaves and flowers which will also be a little deeper coloured then others as the fruite being greater or smaller and of a more or lesse harsh taste although all have some and the colour likewise in some is greene or darke russet and some will be so faire yellow and red that they would invite any that seeth them and knoweth them not to take and taste of them which then are so different from their expectations being harsh and unsavoury that they presently out with their purses and bestow this a dage there on Non est semper fides habenda fronti yet this harsh unsavoury fruite though later ripe then most of the manured sortes by being in part mellowed with the Autumnes coldes and the standing of their juyce being pressed forth and made into Perry doth in time so alter his former quality of harshnesse and unsavourinesse that it becommeth fully as cleere and almost as pleasant as white
his Mahaleb and the Chamaecerasus Syriaca of Gesner which is the true Mahaleb to be both one when as this fifth onely is the true kinde as the sweete smelling fruite doth plainely declare besides the diversity of the tree as is before declared The sixt came as a rarity from the Indies whereof no more can as yet be said The last is onely remembred by Gesner in hortis and by Lugdunensis who saith that Gesner sent a branch thereof to Dalechampius by the name of Chamaecerasus montis Generâ—si The Arabians call the Cherry Sarasie the Italians Ciregie the Spaniards Cerazas and Guindas the French Cerises and Guines the Germanes Kirsen and Kirschen the Dutch Kriken And we in English Cherry The Vertues Cherryes as they are of divers tastes so they are of divers qualities the sweete are more lubricke and passe through the stomacke and belly more speedily but are of little nourishment the tart or sowre are more pleasing to an hot stomacke and procure an appetite to meate and helpe to cut tough flegme and grosse humours but when these are dryed they are more binding the belly then being fresh and doe give a fine rellish to broths and drinkes wherein they are boyled being cooling in hot diseases and welcome to the stomacke and provoke urine The Gum of the Cherry tree dissolved in Wine is good for a cold cough and hoarsenesse of the throate helpeth to give one a better colour in the face sharpeneth the eye-sight stirreth up an appetite and helpeth to breake and expell the stoue the blacke Cherryes being bruised with the stones and distilled the water thereof is much used to breake the stone expell the gravell and breake the winde the true Mahaleb of Syria was mistaken by Serapio to be the Phyllyrea of Dioscorides when as the properties are much differing for Mahaleb doth heate and mollifie even by the testimony of Mesues and Rasis and as Avicen saith doth clense attenuate and resolve and ease paines The oyle drawne from the kernels doth much more ease the paines in the bowels and backe being annoynted then the kernels themselves which some use for the said purpose and for soundings and faintings to be taken with Mede or honyed water and doe helpe the chollicke and stone in the kidneyes kill the wormes in the belly and provoke urine also CHAP. LXXXIV Cornus The Cornell tree THe Cornell is divided into male and female the male is of two sorts one bearing red berryes like Cherries and another whitish the female hath no diversity 1. Cornus mas fructu rubro The male red Cornell tree The Cornell or Cornellian Cherry tree groweth to be a reasonable tall and great tree the body and branches are covered with a rugged barke and the younger smooth whereon grow smooth leaves and plaine not dented at all about the edges the flowers are many small yellow tufts as it were short threds set together which come forth before any leafe and so fall away likewise before the leaves appeare much open the fruite are somewhat long round berries of the bignesse of small Ollives with a small hard stone within them like unto an Ollive stone reddish when they are ripe somewhat like a Cherry of a reasonable pleasant taste Fructu magis rubro humâ—la somewhat austere withall the wood is hard like an horne and groweth slowly Of this kinde Clusius maketh another sort with redderberries little differing in any thing else and another that groweth low but yet hath beene observed upon the transplanting to grow much greater 2 Cornus mas fructu albo The white male Cornell tree This other Cornell differeth not from the first in any other more notable matter then in the fruit which becommeth not so red but whitish when it is ripe 3. Cornus faemina The Dogge berry or Gatten tree This never riseth to be a tree of any bulke or body with us but Clusius saith that he saw in the Woods of Austria as bigge trees hereof as of the male and Bellonius saith the same lib. 1. c. 56 but usually abideth as an hedge bush with many pithy strong twiggy stemmes rising from the roote of a brownish colour and the sprigges more reddish with a pith within them like unto Elder having leaves thereon somewhat like the former but a little shorter and broader standing upon reddish footestalke and the middle rib reddish likewise the flowers are white and stand at the end of the branches many growing together in a tuft or umbell upon reddish footestalkes which turne into small berries green at the first and shining blacke when they are ripe of a most unpleasant bitter taste provoking casting The Place and Time The first is found wild in many places of Germany and the other sorts hereof also but the second is more 1 Cornus mas fructu rubro The male red Cornell tree 3. Cornus faemina The Dogge berry or Gatter tree rare the last groweth in every Country of the Land serving for a hedge bush the first flowreth very earely as is before said in March and sometimes in February the fruite is ripe in August The last flowreth not untill May and the fruite ripeneth not untill September be well over The Names The first is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Cornus and mas to distinguish it from the other which is called by Theophrastus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cornus faemina There is much doubt and question among many of our later Writers about this female Cornell for of the male there is no doubt all calling it Cornus mas or sativa whether it should be the Virga Sanguinea of Pliny or the Hartriegell or Tragus or his Faulbaum some referring it to the one some to the other but the generall tenet of the most is that in most things it answereth both to the Thelycrania of Theophrastus and may well enough agree with the Virga sanguinea of Pliny Cordus calleth it Pseudocrania quasâ— falsa Cornus and Dodonaeus besides that he calleth it Cornus faemina taketh it to be the Opulus Columellae Bellonius saith in the 56. Chapter of his first Booke of Observations that he found that shrub which the French in imitation of the Latines call des Sanguins and the auncient Greeke Cornus faemina betweene Philoppos and Bucephala to be little inferiour unto our greatest male Cornellian trees thereby esteeming them to be both one The Italians as Matthiolus saith call it Sanguineo and Sanguinello but whether it be Tragus Hartriegel we are not well assured for he saith that the wood thereof is so hard that it can very hardly be bored and therefore serveth for many Country instruments and long lasting for the hardnesse which we can not say so of this we for the most part call it the Dogge berry tree because the berries are not fit to be eaten or to be given to a dogge I heare they call this in the North parts of the Land the Gatter tree and the berries Gatter berries yet some
Indian Molle somewhat like it The Place and Time The first groweth as well in Provence of France as in divers places of Italy and in Candy also and in many places of Graecia but yeeldeth little gumme there but especially in the Isle of Chio now called Sio they tend pruine and manure it with as great paines and care as others doe their Vines which goeth beyond them in the profit of the gumme It flowreth iâ— Aprill and the berryes ripen in September and not at severall times as these Verses of Aratus would intimate Jam vero semper viridis semperque gravata Lentiscus triplici solita est grandescere faetu Ter fruges fundens triatempora monstrat arandi As it is there set downe The second was brought from America and grew as Bauhinus relateth it in Cardinall Columna his Garden at Rome where it grew great which also as it is likely was the same that Clusius saith Everardus Verstius saw there and as he saith likewise Doctor Tovar of Sivil in Spaine sent him such like branches with the unripe fruite in clusters to see but as he saith called Molle by Tovar Lobel also exhibiteth a branch hereof with the next that is dented at the beginning of his tractate de Balsamo Clusius himselfe also having gained a branch hereof from some place not specifyed setteth it downe as taken from a tree growne old The last is mentioned likewise by Clusius in his Annotations upon Monardus to grow as all the Chronicles or Writers of the West Indians say in all the Vallies and Champion grounds of Peru and especially Cieza Petrus de Osma also in his Letter to Monardus saith it grew at Lima in Peru. The Names The Masticke tree is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is Iuncus odoratus quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fissilis quod facile frequenter in dentiscalpia findatur and the berries 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as some coppies have it in Latine Lentiscus a foliorum lentore fortasse by which name all Authours call it and the gumme Resina Lentiscina and Mastiche and Mastix by some by the Arabians Gluten Romanum Dioscorides maketh mention of a greene gumme as well as a white and Galen of a blacke sort that was of Egypt both which are not knowne in these dayes in Candy and some other places their trees yeeld a yellowish bitter Masticke but no where so good and so plentifull in all the world as in the Isle of Sio in the Egean Sea there is another sort of Masticke which is called Acanthice or Spinalis as Gaza translateth it because it is gathered from a prickly thistle as I have shewed among the Thistles in the Chapter of Chamaeleon and Carlina In former times our Apothecaries shops were furnished with no other Xylobalsamum then the sprigs of Lentiscus I would the errour might not be continued The second is called Molle by Tovar as I said before and by Clusius in his Curae posteriores but by Bauhinus Lentiscus Pervaâ—â— and following Clusius saith that it beareth the leaves according to the growth being dented while it is young and without dents growing older which how dissonant me thincks this is to reason in this plant let others judge upon my judgement the forme of the growing the one from the other for the one that is dented hath an end leafe bigger and longer then all the rest which sheweth I am perswaded a manifest difference in specie from this that is not dented for I cannot be perswaded that any plant should so much differ in forme from it selfe in the time of age and youth The last is also as I shewed called Molle by the Indian Writers whose sent is like Fennell when as the other is not so and is for the likenesse referred to the Lentiscus Pervana by Bauhinus in his Matthiolus c. following Clusius therein to be both one by Lobel joyned with the former and the Balsamum verum making it to agree with the properties therof in many things Baptista Ferrarius also in his Flora mentioneth it by the name of Tereanithus angustifolia pag. 372. citing the third Book and 15. Chapter of that great Book of the West Indian plants beasts c. begun to be Printed more then twenty yeares ago at Rome whose title is Thesaurus rerum medicarum novae Hispanae c. The Arabians call the Lentiske tree Daru the Italians Lentisco the Spaniards Mata and Arveria the French Lentisque and those of Narbone Restiucle the Germanes Masticbaum the Dutch Mastickboom and we in English the Lentiske or Masticke tree The Vertues The Lentiske tree is binding in the second degree or in the beginning of the third and temperately hot all the parts thereof are binding that is both roote and branch both barke and leafe both fruite and gumme and doe binde and stop all fluxes and spittings or castings of blood and is good to strengthen a weake stomacke and helpe the falling downe of the mother or fundament the decoction fomented healeth up hollow sores and sodereth broken bones fasteneth loose teeth and stayeth creeping sores and doth as much as Acacia or Hypocistis and even the juyce of the leaves is as good a substitute for Acacia as any other the oyle that is pressed out of the berries helpeth the itch the leprosie and scabbes both in men and beasts the gumme Masticke doth binde and stay fluxes in like manner taken any way in pouther or if three or foure graines be swallowed whole at night when you goe to bed it not onely easeth all paines in the stomacke but keepeth it from the like afterwards the pouther of Masticke with Amber and Turpinte is good against the running of the reines and for both whites and reds in women the pouther thereof mixed with Conserve of red Roses helpeth to stay the destillations of thinne rheume on the lungs causing a continuall cough and spitting of blood and if some white Francumsense in pouther be mixed with it also it worketh the more effectually the same also comforteth the braine procureth an appetite to meate in moist fluxible stomackes stayeth castings and maketh a sweete breath the same being heated in Wine and the mouth gummes and teeth washed therewith clenseth and fasteneth the corruption and loosenesse both of gummes and teeth it is also much used in salves and plaisters to mundifie and heale ulcers and sores to stay the fretting fluxes of humours to them to dry them up and to fill up the hollownesse it strengthneth and bindeth also the parts whereunto it is applyed and comforteth the aking joynts and sinews wonderfully The oyle that is made of Masticke by infusion and ebullition secundum artem Pharmaceuticam is singular good in all the aforesaid diseases moderately comforting mollifying and binding and is effectuall against all the aforesaid diseases of the mother against all paines in the belly colon the chollick and the stomacke the
more slender and pliant branches then the former not covered with so rugged a barke nor spreading so much the leaves are very slender shorter and not so hard the Cones are likewise lesser and slenderer and so are the kernels also and covered with a blacke skinne 8. Pinaster pumilio montanus The dwarfe mountaine Pine tree This dwarfe Pine riseth to a mans height branching forth from the ground into somewhat large armes and covered with a thicke rugged barke spreading about the leaves stand by couples as in divers of the other sorts but thicker shorter and blunter pointed and of a sadder greene then in the first wild kinde the cones are small little above an inch long not much bigger then the Larch tree cones but more round at the head and smaller at the end standing upright and not hanging downe as all the others the shell of the nut within is winged as many are but the kernell is small and hard 9. Pinaster tenuifolius julo purpurascente The crooked mountaine Pine with thin leaves The body and branches hereof are crooked or writhed and not streight the leaves thereon are very thinne and shorter then many others two joyned together round about the branches at the ends whereof come forth certaine small scaly catkins of a purplish colour which fall away into a small pouther and after them come in the middle a new sprout of leaves inclosed in a certaine skin the cones hereof are small and blunt pointed 10. Pinaster niger latiore folio julis pallescentibus The crooked mountaine Pine with broader leaves This other crooked Pine hath such a like body and branches as the last spreading much and with a sadder barke the leaves are broader also sharper pointed and shorter then they and of a darker greene colour the catkins comming forth at the ends of the branches like the last are of a yellowish greene colour and not purple as they are after which come new leaves in the like manner the cones are smaller then they The Place and Time The first tame kinde is found planted in sundry places of divers Countries for the beauty of the tree with his ever greene leaves yet are they found also wild about Ravenna towards the Sea side The other sorts grow both in Spaine Italy and Germany and the parts neere adjoyning and the Sea kindes neere the Sea in many places and upon the Land also as Clusius hath observed the catkins of many come forth in the Winter and fall away in the Spring others spring not untill May the fruite of some of them being ripe in the end of Autumne and others not of a yeare after the springing The Names The Pine tree is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Pinus the Cones are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Coni and the auncienter Greekes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but now the kernels are so called the kernels within them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pityides as Dioscorides saith who calleth both those of the Pine and of the Pitch tree by that name whereof Matthiolus is in some doubt that the place is erronius the word Pitch tree being thrust into the Text without any ground of reason for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pinorumfructus and the kernells onely of the Pine tree are edible and not the Pitch tree That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Theophrastus Dioscorides and Galen sheweth should be the Pine tree and not the Pitch tree may be shewed in divers places out of Galen and others although Pliny doth mistake them from the likenesse of Peuce to Picea and Pitys to Pinus as also Peuce to Larix and Bellonius from him doth so also and Gaza sometimes translateth them right and sometimes wrong but there may be as much doubt what tree Dioscorides and Theophrastus meant by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whether the Pitch as it is thought by the most judicious or some sort of Pine because Dioscorides putteth them both together in the title of the Chapter as if they were both of one kinde and yet saith some held them to be divers sorts and nameth the fruite of them both by one name as is shewed here before when as it is plainely knowne to all that have observed them that the Pitch tree doth more resemble the Firre then the Pine as being no other difference betweene them the Pitch and the Firre then betweene male and female as I shall shew you after a while and there is greater difference betweene the Pitch and the Pine tree then there is of the Pines among themselves and Theophrastus also in many places of his Bookes nameth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if there should be two sorts of Pitch trees a tame and a wild which is not found in him to be so distinguished as he doth of the Pine I know to mend this matter that Lugdunensis sheweth the reading of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be understood picea oquifolium two words in hiâ— judgement but how those two words should be so often joyned together in him I see not unlesse they were meant one thing Matthiolus findeth much fault with Pliny that maketh Teda his sixth kinde of Pine tree 〈◊〉 him for errour for it for that Theophrastus and others make Teda to be but the peculiar fault or corruption 〈◊〉 the Pine tree of what kinde soever that is suffocated and killed with the abundance of it owne fatnesse not suffering the sappe to rise that should nourish it and then serveth for lights as Torches slived out into shivers the cause whereof Theophrastus sheweth lib. 6. caus cap. 15. as he did lib. 3 hist c. 10. what Teda is but other good Authours shew that although Teda be so taken with Theophrastus and others yet that letteth not but that there might be also a tree peculiar that boâ—e the name of Teda it being homonomia a word of divers significations and that else Pliny was not in his eight senses to appoint it a peculiar kinde and knew it was appropriated to corrupt trees also as himselfe declareâ—h in many places of his Bookes The first here set downe is called Pinus urbana domestica sativa and vulgatissimo by all Authours that have written thereof The second is called Pinus sylvestris fructifera or montana or Pinaster likewise by all Authours The third is the Pinus sylvestris Cemâ—râ— of Matthiolus which Lugdunensis calleth Teda arbor Plinij as he maketh the computation and his Pinus Tarâ—â—tiâ—a also The fourth is Matthiolus his Mugo and the Pinus tubulus Plinij also of Lugdunensis The fifth is the Pinus sylvestris sterilis of Lugdunensis but is not the Pinus maritima Theophrasti or Lobel nor the maritima major of Lugdunensis for these are the next or sixt that is Pinus maritima major although Bauhinus putteth them all under one title and the other of this kinde is another sort thereof that Clusius hath set forth
in the stead thereof onely Dodonaeus would frame it into the same mould but I doubt his skill is too weake and his allegations too much wrested or too selfe conceited Some have tought this to be more answerable unto Theophrastus his Isos because this hath no thornes as the Gooseberries have as Lobel doth also But Bellonius in his Booke de coniferis arboribus and Rauwolfius doe both say they found the Ribes Arabum on the mount Libanus Bellonius describeth it with sixe or seven leaves of a Docke but greater and rounder rising from the roote and with red berries hanging downe in clusters comming out from the middle of a leafe like as the Ruscus and Laurus Alexandrina doe Rauwolfius saith he found it onely with two large round leaves like unto the Petasites from whose stalkes a sowre juyce is pressed that is pleasant and used of the richer sort whereof because we have no further knowledge we here leave them Gesner calleth this Ceanothus levis most doe account it a kinde of Grossularia and therefore call it Grossularia rubro and Grossularia ultramarina Clusius only and Besler in horto Eystetensi make mention of the white Ribes and Bauhinus who calleth it Grossularia hortensis margaritis similis The blacke sort it generally called Ribes fructu nigro yet Gesner in horto sheweth that some would make it to be a sort of Amomum and therefore called Amomum falsum or Pseudoamomum and some Pipirella as Lugdunensis saith The Italians call it Vnettarossa the French Groiselles doâ—â—remer the Germans St. Johans trenblin and Sant Iohans beerlin and Keozbeer as Gesner saith the Dutch Besickeâ—s over zee and we Red Currans the white Ribes as I am given to understand is called Gozell in some parts of Kent The Vertues The red and white Currans are good to allay the heate and fainting of the stomacke to quench thirst and to provoke an appetite and therefore are safely permitted in hot and sharpe agues for it tempereth the heat of the liver and blood and the sharpenesse of choller and resisteth putrefaction it taketh away likewise the loathing of meate and the weakenesse of the stomacke by much casting and is good for those that have any loosenesse of the belly Gesner saith that the Swissers about Berne where it naturally groweth use it for the cough The blacke Currans are used in sawses and so are the leaves also by many who are well pleased with the taste and sent of them although some doe mislike them for both EXOTICAE ET PEREGRINAE PLANTAE STRANGE AND OVTLANDISH PLANTES CLASSIS VLTIMA THE LAST TRIBE CHAP. I. Agallochum sive Lignum Aloes ENTRING now into my last quarter so to consummate this revolution I must use another manner of Method then formerly I have done in the precedent Tribes for intending to shew you as well those Out-landish Plants that are called spices and drogues in our Apothecaries shoppes as other fruites and strange trees growing in the East or West Indies I would first perfect the more usuall Physical part of them in an Alphabeticall order and with them insert a few other the more principall things although not plants or taken from them that are for the most part in our shops used in medicines shewing the place and names of them all in a continued stile and not in fractions as in the foregoing parts Lignum Aloes or the wood of the Aloe tree 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Agallochum and Xyloaloe in Greeke is called also Agallochum sive Lignum Aloes in Latine and so in English or the wood of the Aloe tree is a drogue rare to be had and of much worth but as it is with many other things that come out of the East Indies unto us of small knowledge what it is and where and how it groweth For but that Garcias ab Orta saith that the tree is like unto an Ollive tree and sometimes greater and that he had the Agallochum sive Lignum Aloes Lignum Aloes or the wood of the Aloe tree branches of the tree brought him to see but neither flower nor fruite the places being very dangerous by the haunt of Tigers therein we should not know what forme it bore none of the Ancients either Greekes or Arabians having set downe any thing thereof although they have all mentioned it and the choyce of the best with the Vertues onely Serapio in the 197. Chapter of his Booke of Simples saith it beareth small berries like unto Pepper but red yet Garcias maketh some doubt thereof as he doth of sundry other his relations in that Chapter For although Serapio in that place reckoneth up divers sorts and Ruellius speaketh of foure yet Garcias saith he knew but one true sort of Lignum Aloes which grew in India and that the other sorts that were so called were but sweete woods assimulating it but were not the true and right wood which the Arabians call Agalugin and Huud and they of Surrat and Decan Vd as it is likely from the Arabians Haud which word with them properly signifieth but Lignum wood and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 praestantissimum but they of Malacca and Sumatra where the true groweth call it Garro and the best Calambac yet as Garcias saith that that sort of sweet wood that commeth from Comorin and Zeilan and there called Aguila brava that is to say Lignum Aloes sylvestre is not true Lignum Aloes which true sort as all the Auncient Authours doe set it downe is a blackish wood in peeces some accounting the greater peeces to be the better but yet somewhat discoloured with veines some Authours saying it is so weighty and heavy that it will sinke and not swimme being put into water but others doe not allow of that note saying that the best that it will swimme and full of an oyleous substance of a fine sweete and aromaticke sent which it will swâ—â—e forth when it is burned Now to come to our later times and shew you that for many yeares together as many other such like rare drogues true Lignum Aloes was not knowne to the Physitions or Apothecaries of Euâ—â—pe for they used instead thereof a kinde of Lignum Rhodium which Ruellius tooke to be Aspalathus and but that the Venetians of late dayes by their travell and search both in Cairo and the East Indies caused some of the true sort to be sent unto Venice and was upon view and tryall approved the Portugalls Sea voyages to the East Indies did first make it knowne in these later times to Christendome but now in our Droguist and Apothecaries shops there is much variety and counterfeit stuffe obtruded on the ignorant divers sorts being to be seene and yet scarce one of them true Lignum Aloes having those markes and notes formerly set downe and acknowledged by the Ancients which are the onely true notes whereby to know the best and such no doubt is our best sort which are knobbed or uneven peeces very brittle and breaking short somewhat blacke
of those that are brought from thence into these parts it is used also as a stirrer up of Venery and to encrease sperme or seed Out of this Copra or broken kernells is made two sorts of oyle the one pressed forth after the same manner that oyle of Allmonds is made and is a most cleare oyle in good abundance which serveth not onely to burne in Lampes but to put to their boyled Rice the other is made by putting warme water to them after they are broken to peeces and boyled by scumming off the oyle that swimmeth above the water after they are pressed together which oyle is used as a gentle purgation to evacuate the bowels some put thereunto the pulpe of Tamarindes which maketh it a little tarter and fitter for hot and chollericke bodies the other oyle serveth to mollefie the hardnesse and shrinking of the sinewes and old paines in the joynts and for this purpose they use to put the patient after he is annointed into a great and capatious tub or vessell being heated that may hold him and therein suffer him to abide for a good while untill he have slept therein and this bringeth him a great deale of ease and comfort but whereas Avicen saith that it killeth wormes Garcias saith he had not tryed it neither thought it probable because it is well knowne that the eating thereof ingendreth wormes in all the Inhabitants that eate much thereof and is a disease incident unto them and whereas Serapio saith by the authority of Mesues that by the eating of these Nuts the loosenesse of the belly is stayed it disagreeth not with reason saith he that the Nut itselfe which hath much earthy parts in it should binde the body and the oyle which is of many thinne and aerious parts should loosen it in the middle or hollow part of this kernell is contained as is before said a great quantity of cleere sweet liquour pleasant to drinke and not bringing any offence to the stomacke but rather refresheth the spirits the other sort of these trees are reserved saith Garcias that the head sprout or top thereof is taken to be eaten which tasteth more pleasantly then either tender Chesnuts or the head of the wild or dwarfe Date tree called Palmito and by the Italians Cefaglioni The older the tree is the pleasanter is this head but when it is taken away the tree dyeth so that he may well be said to devoure the whole tree that hath eaten one of these heads Nucula Indica racemosa A small Indian Coker Nut many growing together This small Indian Nut which Clusius described singly in the second Booke of his Exotickes the six and twentyeth Chapter and 54. page and the second Nut was afterward sent unto him from Mounsieur de Peiresc in Province but came a while after his death The tree that beareth these fruites is in great account with the Natives where it groweth for with the leaves they make their drinke being boyled with water and of the kernels of the fruites they make their bread that is sweet and pleasant which fruite groweth in a tuft or spike many together and all upon a great thicke stalke they are inclosed in a certaine hairy huske or skinne breaking open upon the ripening and each one also hath a hairy huske or covering under which was another shell or covering not much unlike to a Filberd being an inch long and an inch or better in compasse being firme and solid not having any loose or broken kernell within it whereby to make any noise but a firme white kernell fit to be eaten which inner shell had an oylinesse about it like unto oyle of Allmonds Nucula Indica altera Another small Indian Cokar Nut. The tree that beareth this Nut groweth in great plenty about the Castell de minas in Ginney called Palmes by the inhabitants being tall and as great as a good ships mast bearing leaves at the toppe of a dozen or fifteene foote long hanging downewards cut in like unto Reed leaves from under which leaves grow branches the fruite being then as bigge as a mans head containing within them many divers small nuts greater then Plummes of a gold yellow colour from whose kernels being bruised they draw a cleere oyle which they call the oyle of Palme which they put into their viands both for the colour and sents sake this oyle brought into these parts groweth thicke like butter and is very yellow which some that brought it used for the cure of their fresh wounds and annoynted their arteries and sinewes pained with crampes and convulsions whereby they finde much helpe and ease Clusius describeth these Nuts to be three square and to have three holes as it were at the heads of them like unto the Cokar Nut covered with a hairy huske but the shell saith Lobel is harder then a bone and blacke whether these be all one I am in some doubt Further it is said that the Inhabitants by boring the tree there commeth forth a sweet liquour almost like the whey of milke unto which they put a little wild honey and thereof make their drinke which they call the wine of the Palme which will inebriate being largely taken Mehenbethene The Indian Nut Mehenbethene This Indian Nut which Clusius saith Cortusus sent unto him for Mehenbethene but did little agree saith he unto the description thereof Lobel saith it was found among Nutmegs at Antwarpe It is saith Lobel both in colour forme and greatnesse like unto a Nutmegge which therefore Clusius saith it might be better referred to the kinds of Nutmegs yet very untowardly I thinke being about an inch long and three square whose shell was hard and wooddy like a Cokar Nut and being broken had three cels or divisions within it in each whereof was a small long white kernell of a sweete and pleasant taste 2. Coccus de Maldiva The Cokar Nut of Maldiva This kinde of Nut is accounted as another Coccus it is in many things so like the other for although it was never seene growing on any tree as the Indians doe report the Nuts being onely found upon those Islands of the Maldiva's as the Sea casteth them on the shores and in no other part of the world besides and are not lawfull to be reserved by any on the paine of their heads but are all brought to the King or his Officers in that all wrackes c pertaine to him and are onely sent by him as presents of great account to other Indian Princes and great persons c. Vnlesse by stealth and concealement some are diverted otherwayes nor was never seene to have any such rough huske as the Cokar Nut hath yet in the inner hard shell inclosing the inner kernell it is almost in all points like the other the whole Nut carrying this proportion it is farre greater longer and rounder then the other yet there are of smaller sizes also and of an ovall forme containing two parts which are so conjoyned Coccus de Maldiva The Cokar
Nut of Maldiva together in the middle almost all the length that it is but a little separate both above and below the upper part being somewhat bigger then the lower that it seemeth as if two long nuts were set together but cannot be separated by strength of hands onely but must be sawed in sunder the shell being so hard that it scarse yeeldeth thereunto without great labour it is also on the outside much blacker then the other and being polished with the stone Tripelâ— Tripoly we call it in pouther with water rubbed with a woollen cloath but not with oyle on no hand for that will give it an evill savour it will become both blacker and more sweete and shining then the other as also much thicker it hath also two holes at the toppes no lesse then the other Cocus and may be cut into two long boatelike cups to be edged and footed with silver c. as every one please or else each of them again cut into two other to be bordered with mettall the lower brims to be raised therewith and the holes stopped as it pleaseth every one to doe or to keepe them for boxes Clusius setteth forth in the 19â— page of his Booke of Exotickes the figure of the one halfe of these Nuts curiously set in silver which as he saith he received from Iaques Garret of London being taken by us in a great Carracke of the Portugals comming from the East Indies which was fourteene inches long and seven broad The inner kernell hereof is also somewhat white on the inside but covered with brownish skinnes both outside and inside which hath some rifts or clefts the outside having none but is much harder then the other even allmost as hard as a bone and is a little separated from the woodden shell which may soone be perceived when it is opened but may also before being as it were loose as may be knowne by the shaking it is hollow also as the other as if it contained liquour likewise but was never seene with any being as it should seeme wholly consumed by the long time before they were gotten it hath likewise a small lumpe as white and cleare as a pearle sticking to the head of the inner kernell aâ— the other which no doubt is the bud which would spring the kernels on both sides are conjoyned in the middle also It is usually called by all the Christians and some others in those parts Coccus de Maldiva by Augerius Clutius in his Tractate thereon Nux Medica Maldivensis but by the Islanders Tavarcare The properties both of the kernell and outer shell is as Garcias saith generally held to be good against poysons of all sorts and pestilentiall diseases to be taken the weight of ten graines in fine pouther which is best to be made in a morter by beating it for it very hardly yeeldeth to a File or any other iron raspe or toole the kernell being allmost as hard as the outer shell more or lesse according as the case requireth divers great personages have a peece tyed to a chaine which they put into their drinke letting it abide therein a little while before they drinke which they account to be as effectuall It is also saith he held by divers worthy persons to be availeable against the chollicke palsie and falling sicknesse and other the diseases of the head nerves and sinewes and by the use thereof either of the drinking out of the cups thereof or the drinke wherein a peece of the kernell hath beene steeped as is aforesaid to keepe them safe and sound from all other diseases yet Garcias scarse beleeveth any of these things and Clusius as being led by his ill sample accounteth such relations to be fabulous and commentitious but Augerius Clutius before spoken of in his tractate of this Nut is bold to publish the sundry cures he performed hereby that is both the Nut and the shell not onely for the poyson of Arsenicke but in Feavers Epilepsies Cachexia's and many other diseases there mentioned but especially in the sore and tedious travailes of child-birth giving halfe a dramme of each or two scruples for adâ—se either alone or with other co-adjutors Some thing yet remaines wherein I would deliver mine opinion concerning some particulars belonging to this History of the Nut of Maldiva First concerning that opinion is held that all those Islands have beene formerly joyned to the Continent which is said to be 150. Leagues distant from them and broken away by tempests and innundations which may be as likely as that our Isle of great Brittaine was also joyned to the Firme land of France and both I thinke alike true for Caesar found them thus in his Progresse hither and the Sea hath not in this part gained from the Land as can be shewed by any good Record Then that these Nuts because found onely upon the shores cast up by the Sea that the trees either grow on some of the drowned Islands their rootes abiding still firme in the ground yeelding the fruite yearely and so swimming to Land is taken where the winde and waves drive them or that they grow in the bottome of the Sea as Amber doth which may be both also alike true that is neither Againe that there is a certaine Island called by them Palloyes whereon some others thinke that the tree that beareth these Nuts should grow and falling when they are ripe are carryed by the winde and waves to those Islands are next thereunto which I thinke in some part may be probable but that they adde that this Island is seene by some that looke not for it but cannot be found by them that seeke it although as they say the King hath caused sundry times search to be made for it still they that have beene sent have returned afrighted and terryfied by spirits that they have given it over and returned with such answers which in my opinion are meere fables and noysed of purpose to keepe the Nut in more estimation But in my judgement if the truth might be searched exactly by stout and not timerous persons by religious not superstitious as most of the Indians are and by judicious and industrious men and not weakelings and fooles the tree that beareth these fruites would be found to grow on the Land whether Continent or Island is no matter and that if it be true that these Nuts are onely found on the shores as the Sea casteth them up for even of that report I am more then halfe doubtfull when they are ripe and falne the windes carry them from off the Land whereon they are falne into the Sea and so are taken up on those Islands but yet me thinkes it is somewhat hardly to be beleeved that these Nuts should be carryed by the Sea to the coastes of no other Countries but these Islands although they be so many for the report is that they are not found in any part of the world besides And lastly to finish this tedious discourse to
Lotus corniculatus incanus and the twelfth sort here Because I gave you not the figure of this Asphodill in my former Booke although I gave you there the description I thought good to shew it you now and referre you for the description to my former Booke Yet this may take place for the present here and accompany the greater Bastard kindes in page 1218. 12. Linum umbilicatum Strange wild white flowred Flaxe This strange kind of Flaxe but annuall rising up with slender hoary greene stalkes branched towards the tops having sundry whitish or hoary greene soft long leaves set singly on them somewhat broader and thicker then the ordinary wilde sorts and with every leafe usually a small white flower made of fine round pointed leaves with a few threds in the middle after which commeth the seede set in the same huske that bore the flower being somewhat like in forme and posture unto those of Hounds tongue but not rough Page 1369. Line the fifteenth reade it We have another whose chiefest difference c. 2. Alnus hirsula sive folio incaâ—â—o The hoary Aâ—dar tree p. 1409. Macâ—â— Gâ—â—ocâ—rum The Grecians â—eter p. 159â— Nardo Gangiti spuriae Narbonensi similis planta Vâ—rginiana cum floribus A Virginia bastard Nardus with the tops of the flowers to be renâ—red either to page 115 or to p. 1595. where it is mentioned and described Folium Maâ—ey A leafe of the West Indian Peach Plum p. 1633. Vnto the eleventh number in page 122. adde this We have lately acâ—alued another sort hereof agreeing in most things therewith but that the leaves are of a fainter or fresher greene colour the flowers are white and called usually Ocimastrum Valerianthos album FINIS INDEX NOMINVM HVIVS OPERIS LATINVS A ABalzamer Persis id est Sena vulgaris Abavo i. Bahobab Alpino sive Guanabanus Scaligeri 1632 Abella i. Musa 1496 Abdellavi i. Anguria Aegyptiorum 773 Abellicea Cretica sive Pseudosantalus 1606 Abelmosch Aegyptiorum sive Alcea Aegyptia moschata 301 est Abutilon verum Avicennae Pona 307 Abhel i. Sabina 1028 Abies mas femina 1539 1540 Marina 1301 Abiga vel Ajuga i. Chamaepitys 284 Abrong vel Abrugi Scrapionis Dodonaeo i. Pisum cordatum 1378 Abrotanum mas 32. Album Cordi 100 Mas Anguilara i. Sementina 104 Angustifolium maximum 94 Angustifolium minus 95 Arborescens mas 92. Aborescens vero faemina Dodonaeo 94. Campestre 93 Campestre incanum ibidem Campestre maximum ibid. Humile sive dense fruticosum Lobelij 95 Humile odoratum 93. Inodorum ibid. Majus 92. Magnum Camphoratum 94 Nigrum Cordi i. Vulgare 94 Sylvestre Tragi i. Campestre 93 Vulgare 92 Abrotanum foemina Fuchsij aliorum i. Absinthium Ponticum vulgare 100. Foemina arborescens 94 Foemina Dodonaei i. mas aliorum 96 â—ricae folijs 96 Folijs Rosmarini majus minus ibid. Folijs Cupressi Sabinae ibid. 597 Magnum 95 Narbonense magno flore 95 Peregrinum Lobelij 96 Repens ibid. Salmanticensium 97 Virides minus 96. Vulgare 95 Abrotanoides saxea 1302 Absinthium album 98. 100. Album Valefiacum 99 Aegyptium 104. Alexandrinum i. Santonicum Alexandrinum Alpinum candidum humile Bauhino 100 Alpinum incanum 99 Alpinum minus 100. Angustifolium i. Lavendulae folio Arborescens Lobelij 94 Austriacum 98. Del Comasio Anguilarae 94 Galatium Sardonium 100 Inodorum 98. Insipidum Dodonaei 94 Insipidum Lobelij 100 Latifolium maritimum 104 Marinum Misnense 103. Marinum Taber 97 Maritimum Lavendulae folio 102 Montanum Camerario 100 Montanum i. Ponticum verum 100 Nabathaeum Tabermontano i. Tenuifolium Austriacum Pannonicum flore albo i. Vmbelliferum 99 Ponticum Creticum 98. Ponticum Dod. i. Romanum Ponticum sive Romanum vulgare 98 Ponticum Tridentinum 100 Ponticum verum 100 Pumilum Camerarij i. Album Vallesiacum forte 100 Santonicum Caesalpini i. Ponticum vulg 100 Santonicum Gallicum 103. Santonicum Aegyptiacum 102 Santonicum Iudaicum 104 Sardonium i. Santonicum Aegyptium 102 Sardonium Alexandrinum ibid. Seriphium Anglicum Belgicum 102. SeriphiuÌ„ Aegyptiacâ—â— 104 Seriphium Dodonaei i. Tenuifolium Austriacum 100 Seriphium faemina Gesneri i. Album Vallesiacum 100 Seriphium Narbonense 102. Gallicum 103 Seriphium Germanicum 102 Tâ—nuifolium Austriacum 98 Vmbelliferum 98. Vmbelliferum alterum 99 Italicum 102. Italicum alterum 100 Vulgare minus i. Ponticum verum 102 Xantonicum idem cum Santonico Absus Alpini 1101. Abutilon Avicennae vulg 305 Abutalon Ponae Alpini aliud 307 Indicum Camerarij 305 Acacalis Diosc Amaâ—o Lufitano i. Erica recta baccis albiâ— 1485 Camerarâ—o Bellonio aliis Kesmesen i. Ceratiae similis planta Syriaca 1677 Acacia Aegyptia 1547. Americana ibid. Robini i. Pseudoacacia Americana 1550 Altera Dioscoridis 1548 Altera Anguilarae i. Aspalathus alter Diosc 1000 Altera Matthioli ibid. Prima Matthioli i. Arbor Indae cui spinae adnexae 1555 Alba nigra 1549. Trifolia Bauhino 1000 Mas faemina 1549 Quid pro Acacia sustituendum 1033 1034.1452.1455.1526 Acajou Acajous sive Cajous 1568 Acanacea quae sunt 960 Acanos Theophrasti ibid. Bellonij 980 Acantha Acantha Aegyptia Hippocratis Theophrasti i. Acacia Aegyptiaca 1549 Acantha alba 978 Acantha Leuche monachorum 971 Anguilarae Lobelij 978 Tragi i. Acanthium 980 Acantâ—ica Mastiche 971 Acanthioides parva Apula Columnae 967 Acanthium album Illyricum vulgare 979 Montanum Dalechampij 978 Peregrinum 990. Tragi i. Carduus benedictus Acanthus Aegyptia Athenaei 1549 Baccifera Virgilij ibid. Germanicus i. Sphondylium majus 954 Sativus Sylvestris 992 Sylvestris Lugd. i. Carduus pratensis Tragi 960 Sylvestris alter Dalechampij i. Carduus Asphodeli radicibus Sylvestris sive aculeatus vel spinosus 954 Acarna major caule folioso non folioso 967 Altera Apula 965 Flore luteo patulo ibid. Flore purpureo rubente ibid. Globosis capitulis ibid. Humilis caule folioso ibid. Minor caule non folioso sive Leoferox 967 Theophrasti 967 Acanus Theophrasti 974 Acaron Acaeron i. Ruscus 253 Acedula r. Acerosa 745. Accipitrina i. Hieratâ—num Acer majus sive Latifolium 1425 Minus sive tenuifolium 1426 Gallicum Gazae ibid. Creticum trifolium ibid Montanum ibid. Tuber Aceris Plinij 1427 Acetabulum majus 730. 741 Alterum Cordi i. Crassula vulgaris 728 Majus purpureum ibid. Acetosa Americana 744 Amplissimo folio 742 Angustifolia elatior altera 745 Arvensis i. vulgaris Bulbosa 744 Bulbosa montana ibid Calthae foliis ibid. Cambro Britanica 745 Cretica 744. Franca 742 Hispanica 742. Indica 744 Lanccolata 745. Maxima Germanica 742 Ocinnifolio 744. Minima 745 Montana ibid Neapolitana 744. Romana 742. Scutata 744 Rotundifolia Alpina 742. Vulgaris ibid Tuberosaradice 744. Vesicaria 746. Zazinthina 744 Acerosella i. Acetola minima 745. Acetum 1558 Achanaca Theveti 1652 Achaovan abiad Aegyptiorum Alpino i. Arthemisia marina sive Iacobaea marina vulgaris 670 Achillâ—a Dodonaei i. Millefolium vulgare Lutea 693 Matthioli i. Tanacetum flore albo Montana 80 Montana Arthemisiae tenuifoliae facie 695
Liverwort Great and smale Stonecroppe 733. Stonehore 735 An Indian seede for the Stone 1614 An Jndian tree against the Stone 1664 Stone breake or breake stone is Saxifrage Stonewood or wood turned in to Stone 1276 Storkes â—ill vide Cranes bill 1703. The Storax tree 1529 Strangle tare 1072. The Strawberry tree or Artubus 1489 The Strawberry tree with smooth leaves or Adrachne 1490 Stabbe wort is Wood Sorrell 747. Strawberry and the sorts 757 In admitting Substitutes what is chiefly to be considered 1034 Garden Succory 775. Gum Succory 782 Wilde Succory of sundry sorts 777 Swines Succory 792. Suckles is Hony suckle Sulphurwort is Hogges Fennell 880 The Sultans flower 481 Sumacke of divers sorts as Coriers Sumacke Mirtle leafed Sumacke Venice Sumacke Virginia Sumacke and wilde Sumacke or sweete Gaule 144 Sundeaw i. Rosasolis 1052. Sunflowers in my former booke The lesser Sweete Cis or Cicily is sweete Chervill 655.934 Swallowort and the sorts 387. Sweete Gaule 1451 Sweete Rush is Squinant 1449. c. Sweete Willow is Gaule 1472. Swines Cresses 503 Swines grasse is Knotgrasse 444 T. ENglish and Indian Tobacco 711 The gum Tacamahaca 1608 Tameriske and the sorts 1479. Sea Tamariske 1301 Tarsie and the sorts 80. Wilde Tansie 593 Tarragon 71. Tares and the sorts 1071. Milke Tare 1084. Taâ—e everlasting 1062. Terra sigillat 1608 Herbe Terrible 198 The Tetter tree 1663. Tetterwort is the great Celandine 611 Tetterberries be the white Bryony berries 178 Thapsia or scorching Fennell 877.1683 The wilde Artichoke Thistle 972 The Asses crackling Thistle 981 The Ancients Thistle 974 The blood red Ball Thistle 1628 S. Barnibas Thistle 989 The bulbed Thistle 957. The Chameleon or changeable Thistle 967. The Carline Thistle 868.1685 The Cotten Thistle 979 The creeping way Thistle 958 The cruell sharpe Thistle 967 The Distaffe Thistle 963 The English Cirsium or soft Thistle 962 The Fish Thistle 964 The Friers crowne Thistle 978 The Gentle Thistle 996 The Globe Thistle 977. The golden Thistle 972.1686 Our Ladies Thistle 975 The Launcing Thistle 981 The many headed Thistle 981 The Medow Thistle 957. The Melon Thistle 1627 The Melancholy Thistle of divers sorts 960 The Milke Thistle 975. Muske Thistle 958 The Oateland Thistle ibid. The prickly Melon Thistle 1627 The blood red Jndian Thistle ibid. The Starre Thistle 988 The Torch Thistle of America 1628 Thlaspi or Treakle Mustard of sundry sorts from 835 to 848. and 1683. Christs Thorne 1006. Goates Thorne 995 The Hedghog Thorne 1001 1002 The Blacke Thorne or Slow bush 1033 The white Thorne 1025 The Purging Thorne and the sorts 263 Certaine Jndian Thornie trees 1550 Thorough waxe or Thorough leafe 579 Three leafed grasse vide Trefoile Threeleafed Liverwort is Hepatica 1368 The greater and lesser Thrift 1279 Throatwort and the sorts 643 Tills be Lentills 1068 Garden Tyme and the sorts 6 Dodder of Tyme and other herbes 9 Mother of Tyme or wilde Tyme and the sorts Lemon Time Muske Tyme c. 8 The true Tyme 6 Toade flaxe and the sorts 456 Toade stooles or Mushroomes 1316 Tolmenicus be Sweete Williams Tooth picke Chervill 891 Great and little Toothwort or Lungwort is the Dentaria Matthioli 1363 Torches is Higtaper or Mullein 62 Tormentill and the sorts 393 Tornsole and the sorts 438 Touch me not is wilde Cowcumber 161 Touchwood is harder Tree Mushroome 1324 Towers Mustard the greater and lesser 852 Toyworte is Shepheards purse 985 Ladies Traces and triple Ladies Traces 1356 Indian sweete Trasie rootes 1623 Travellers Ioy. 386. Tree of life 1478 The iron hearted tree 1647 The Sensitive Tree or plant 1617 Tree Geese or bearing Geese 1306 The Tree against the stone 1664 The sorrowfull tree 1644 The Tree against venome and poison 1664 The Indian Honey Tree 1648 Beane Treefoile 244 The stinking Tree with his poisonous fruit 1633 Buckler Trefoile of Candy 1112 The Tetter Tree 1663 Sweete Buckler Treefoile with silver flowers 1108 Bush horned Trefoile 1102 Candy wilde Trefoile 1100 1687 Trefoile pease of Candy ibid. Codded Treefoiles divers 1100 Globe or roundheaded Trefoile 1108 Hooded Trefoile 1112. Hoppe-like Trefoile 1104 Horned Trefoile 1103. Licoris Trefoile 1105 Marsh Trefoile 1212 Medow Trefoile 1110 Milke Trefoile is tree Trefoile 1471 Mountaine Trefoile 1103 Rocke Trefoile 1105 Pile Trefoile 1100 Scorpian like Trefoile 1105 Silver leafed Trefoile of the Alpes 1104 Smooth and rough Trefoile of Mompelier 1100 Shrubbe Trefoile 360. Snaile Trefoile 1114 Starre Trefoile 1108. Strawberry headed Trefoile 1109 Sower Trefoile is Wood Sorrell Spiked Rushie Trefoile 1109 Sweete Trefoile 716 Stinking Trefoile 716 Thorny Trefoile of Candy 112 Tree Trefoile 1471. Venemous Trefoile 360 Treakle Mustard is Thlsapi Treakle Claver is stincking Trefoile Poore mans Treakle and English Treakle 113 Treakle Wormeseede 869. Trollflower is Globe Crowfoote 333 Troublebelly 199. Spanish Trubbes or underground Mushroome 1320. True Love is Herbe Paris 389 Tulipa and some sorts 1342. Tunhoofe 677 Turbith the true sort 1609. Divers sorts of supposed Turbith 190 Turbith Tapsia or Tapsia Turbith 879 The Turpintine tree 1526. Turpintine of the Lorch tree 249 Turkes cap is Tulipa 1342. Turky Millet 1137 Turkie Wheate 1138. Turmericke 1583 Turneps 864. Lyon leafed Turnep or blacke Turnep 682 Oaken leafed blacke Turnep 683. Turnesoll 438 Tutsan 577. Twyblade 504. Towpeny grasse 554 Tyme vide Time Horse time is field and wilde Basill 23 V. Valerian and the many sorts thereof from 119. to 124 Venus bason is the Teasell 983. Venus haire is Maidenhaire 1049 Venus combe is Pinke Needle 916. Venus Looking glasse 1331 Vervaine and the sorts 674. Vetch and the sorts 1071 Bitter Vetch or Orobus 1178. Hatchet Vetch 1090 Horshooe Vetch 1091. Milke Vetch 1084.1085 Kidney Vetch and the sorts 1093 Jtalian Vetch is Goates Rue 418. Wilde Vetch or Tares 1070 Vines and their sundry sorts 1555. The Parsley Vine ibid. Vine of Canada 1555. The Curran Vine the Damasco the Fromignacke the Mucadine Party coloured Raisin of the Sunne and grasse without stemms c. 1150 Wilde Vine of Eurupe 1555. Wilde Vine of Virginia that is the white grape the blew grape and the Foxe grape 1556 Vineger 1558. Violets tame and wilde 755 Dames Violets 627.1682 Corne Violete 1332 Toothed Violets is Dentaria baccifera c. 619 Water Vâ—olets is Water Gilleflowers 1257. Vipers grasse 409 Vipers Buglosse 413. Virgins hower 382 Vnicorns borne 1611 W. WAy bredde or Waybreade is Plantaine 495 Way Bennet 1547. Wayfaring tree 1449 Way Thorne is the prickly Broome Wake Robin is Arum Wall barley 1147 Wallflowers and the sorts 625 The Wallnut and the sorts thereof 1413. Walking leaves 1645 Wallwort 208 Wartwort is Warted Succory 779. and the lesser Turnesole 439. and Wort Spurge 187. Sea Wartwort is Sea Spurge 184 The Fountaine tree af Water 1645. Water Archer and the sorts 1246 Water Cotton plant 1261. Water Cyperus grasse 1265 The hairy Water weede 1261 Water Nuts are the fruit of the greater Water Caltrops 1248 Welcome to our house is the Cypresse Tithymale 192 Weld or wold
especially in the warmer Countries where the frosts are not so extreame as they are with us 2. Keiri sen Leucoium sylvestre Clusii Wild Wallflowers of Clusius This wild Wallflower hath sometimes many and sometimes but one head of long narrow greene leaves lying on the ground about the roote somewhat like unto the ordinary Wallflower but a little waved or sparingly dented about the edges which so abide the first yeare for the most part yet some the yeare of their first springing will send forth a stalke or two of about a yard high with many such like leaves set thereon as grew below but smaller and with few or no dents on the edges at all the flowers are many that stand clustring together as it were in an umbel and not in a long spike as the ordinary Wallflower doth at the toppes consisting of foure leaves a peece not altogether so large as the Wall-flower nor of such a yellow colour of little or no sent at all after which come long slender pods with flattish seede in them like the other the roote is long and single with divers fibres thereat and perisheth after seede time 3. Leucoium luteum Eruce folio Wallflowers with jagged leaves This kind of Wallflower hath his lower leaves much more and deeplier jagged on the edges almost like Keiri sive Leucoium vulgare luteum vel album The ordinary yellow Wallflower or the whine 2 Keiri seu Leucoium sylvestre Clusii Wilde Wallflowers of Clusius those of Rocker or of the wilde Poppie than those upon the stalke yet all of them very long greene and soft and somewhat hayrie the stalke which is round and somewhat hayrie about two foote high and somewhat branched beareth many yellow flowers like the common Wallflower but set more closely together as it was in an umbell and of the smell of new Waxe but afterwards doe more separate a sunder when it beareth the long pods like unto the other the whole plant hath a sharpe quicke taste 4. Leucoium Creticum luteum utriculato semine Candy Wallflowers with roundish pods From a small Wooddy roote divided into sundry branches rise up divers wooddy stalkes about a foote high branching forth and set at severall places with many small whitish greene leaves set together lesser than those of the ordinary sort harder in handling and set with sharpe haires the flowers are yellow at the toppes of the branches made of foure round pointed leaves a peece usually but sometimes with foure or sixe after which come yellowish roundish pods conteining many whitish seedes like unto the ordinary but broader and 〈◊〉 this abideth with some leaves greene above ground in the winter not perishing as many others doe The Place The first Pona hath set forth in the 4. Leucoium Creticum luteum utriculato semine Marinum creticum câ—ruleum Yellow Stockâ— Gilloflowers with round heads and the least Candy kinde with blue flowers description of Mount Baldus in his Italian Edition but not in the Latine found growing there the second groweth in Germany in many places as Gesner Tragus Camerarius and Clusius make mention and in Spaine also for from thence hath the seedes thereof beene brought to me the third Columna saith groweth in the vallies of the Campoclare hils in Naples the fourth in Candy The Time They flower almost all the Sommer long and in the meane time ripen their seede The Names I have shewed you in the Chapter next before this the Greeke and Latine names to be Leucoium and the derivation and transposition thereof to many other herbes whereunto I referre you onely these yellow kinds as well as the other set forth in my former booke are called Leucoium luteum or aureum as a distinction to severthem the Arabians doe properly call this yellow kind Keiri or Cheiri although divers doe transferre the name to all the other sorts of Leucoium but because this is more excellent and vertuous than any of the Stocke Gilloflowers even by Gà len his judgement I hold the name Keiri more proper to this kinde than that some also call it Viola lutea as Tragus Fuschius Dodonaeus and Caesalpinus but Tabermontanus Viola petraa lutea The first here set downe is called by Pona aforesayd Leucoium luteum montanum serrato folio the second is called Leucoium sylvestre by most writers thereof by Tragus Viola lutea sylvestris it is very probable that it is the same also that Besâ—rus in hâ—râ—o Eystetensi calleth Leucoium sylvestre inodorum flore flavo pallidore as also the Leucoium sylvestre of Clusius although Bauhinus would make them two severall plants calling the one Leucoium luteum sylvestre Hieratis folio and the other Leucoium luteum sylvestre angustifolium the third Columna calleth Leucoium terrestre majus and Bauhinus Leucoium luteum Eruce folio the fourth is onely found extant in Alpinus de plantis exoticis by the same name is in the title the Italians call it Viola Gialla the Spaniards Violas amarillas the French Violas Iâ—â—nes Violas Imnes Mares the Germaâ— Geell Violen and Winter Violen the Dutch Steen Violeren we in English Wall flowers Wall Gilloflowers Winter Gilloflowers and some Bell flowers and yellow Stocke Gilloflowers The Vertues All writers doe attribute the most especiall vertues of all the sorts of Leucoium to the Leucoium luteum which is our common Wallflower and some of these wilde kindes here expressed doe come so neere thereunto although wanting that sweete sent that they may be used in their stead for even these 〈◊〉 somewhat bitter and hot and conduce but especially the ordinary or sweete kindes unto all the purposes that are specified in the former Chapter for Galen saith in his seventh booke of simple medecines that the yellow Leucoium doth worke more powerfully than any of the other kindes and therefore of more use in Phisicke it clenseth the blood and freeth the Liver and reines from obstructions provoketh womens courses expelleth the secondine and dead child helpeth the hardnesse and paines of the mother and of the spleene also stayeth inflammations and swellings comforteth and strengthneth any weake part or out of joynt helpeth to clense the eyes from mistinesse and filmes growing on them and to clense foule and filthy ulcers in the mouth or any other part and is a singuler remedy for the Goute and all aches and paines in the joynts and sinewes CHAP. LXXIIII Hesperis sive Viola Matronalis Dames Violets I Have in my former booke set forth two sorts of Dames Violets both of them with single flowers but the Presse had scarse passed that Chapter where I mentioned them but I did understand of two others with double flowers the one that was sent me from Paris and yet was in England long before as I understood afterwards although I heard not of it and another likewise nursed up with the other in the West parts of our Land which I meane to declare unto you here and may be transferred to the other single ones when that booke shall be
reprinted together with some other sorts hereof 1. Hesperis sive Viola Matronalis flore albo pleno Double white Dames Violets The double white Dames Violets groweth not so great in any part thereof nor so high as the single doth except in the flowers which being very thicke of leaves of a pure white colour and many standing in a cluster sweeter also than the ordinary and longer abiding causeth it to be had in some esteeme it hath somewhat lesser leaves of a fresher greene colour little or nothing snipped about the edges and more tender but the branches grow more plentifull and more easie to be slipped and transplanted than the single kinde but giveth no seede as many other plants doe that carry double flowers and is more tender to be kept in the Winter 2. Hesperis flore pleno purpurante Double purple Dames Violets This other double Dames Violets differeth not much in any thing from the former but in the colour of the flowers which in this is of a fine pale purplish colour and not fully so double as the others nor so many clustring together Hesperis Melancholica The Melancholy Gentleman Hesperis Syriaca Camerarii 5. Sylvestris latifolia flore albo parvo Dames Violets of Syria and the small white flowred Dames Violets 3. Hesperis Pannonica inadora Vnsavory Dames Violets of Hungary This Hesperis is so like unto the ordinary sort in all other things saving the sent that there can be no difference found betweene them this onely hath no sent at all neither morning nor evening neither day nor night to commend it which maketh it to be a differing sort from the rest and some have made another different sort hereof which is likely to be but a degeneration of the same that beareth greenish flowers 4. Hesperis sylvestris folio sinuato Wilde Dames Violets with waved leaves This Dames Violet sendeth forth an hairy rough crested pale greene stalke of about a foote high parted at the top into divers branches with leaves set thereon from the bottome which are thicke rough and hairy narrower and longer then the other and waved about the edges the lowest having footestalkes and those above none but stand close to the stalke the flowers are as large and consist of foure leaves in the same manner that the rest doe and smelleth pretty sweete also but of a deeper red colour then they the cods with seede in them are like the other and perish after seede time most usually yet sometimes abiding a third yeare of it selfe but most certainely if it be hindered from bearing too many branches and flowers by cutting them downe 〈◊〉 thâ— goe to flower 5. Hesperis sylvestris angustifolia flore parvo Small purple floureâ— Dames Violets The leaves of this small Hesperis are narrower and longer pointed then in the common sorts lesse 〈…〉 and deepelier cut in or dented on the edges it hath a stalke about halfe a yard high branched toward the toppe with very small flowers thereon of a purplish colour so that one of these flowers are not much bigger than one of the leaves of the flower of the ordinary the pods that follow are long but much smaller 6. Hesperis sylvestris latifolio flore albo parvo Small white flowered Dames Violets The leaves of this kinde are large and broad small at the bottome of the stalke where it is a little parted or torne but crumpled and dented all about the edges a little rough hairy and woolly but in Summer 〈◊〉 whâ—â— the stalke riseth up the next yeare after the first springing about a yard high branching forth at the top into sundry long spikes full of very small white flowers no bigger then the last consisting of foure leaves a peece which afterwards yeeld very many and very long slender flat pods like the Stocke Gilloflowers hanging downe but smaller with very darke browne flat seedes therein on both sides like the Leucoium so that it partaketh with the Hesperis in the greene leaves and with the Leucoium in the flat pods and seede the roote is not very long but white and wooddy perishing yearely after it hath borne seede the flowers have little or no sent in them but the leaves have a little hot and drying taste I have given you onely a leafe hereof and a few flowers as the â—des of the Hesperis Syriaca Because both the Leucoium Syriacum and Melancholium that I have set forth already in my other booke as I there call them partake more with this Hesperis then with Leucoium in that their leaves are greene and not white like them and in that the seede in the pods of the Melancholium are not flat but long and round like Hesperis I have given you here the figure thereof and with the Syriacum a leafe and some flowers of the last I might have multiplyed the sorts of Hesperis unto you as Bauhinus doth if I would follow him who maketh that Leucoium alterum saxatile obsoleto flore of Columna to be of a different sort from the Melancholium which undoubtedly is the same and the Hesperis Syriaca or Leucoium Syriacum of Camerarius and Clusius to bee the Leucoium Melancholium also which certainely also are differing plants and even Bauhinus himselfe would so have acknowledged if ever he had seene both the plants The Place The first was as I sayd before sent me first out of France which perishing I had both it againe and the second also by the liberalitie of Mr. Dr. Anthony Sadler a Physitian in Exeter son to the elder Sadler an Apothecary there who both affirmed unto me for certaine that the white one was in many mens Gardens in the West parts and the purple also although not so plentifull before my booke came forth but from whence the originall of them came is not knowne the third as Clusius saith groweth in the skirts of the vineyards at the foote of the hills that are neare Viâ— in Austria the fourth groweth as Bauhinus from Barstrus relâ—eth it among the stony places in Proevnce that are moystned with springs the fift also neare Mompeâ—r in the 〈◊〉 grâ—ed grounds on hortus Dei the last grew in my garden from seede receaved from some friend but I have forgotten who The Time They all doe flower in the Summer Moneths of Iune and Iuly chiefly and the first abideth longest if it stand not too much in the Sunne The Names There is some doubt among many learned whether this Viola Matronalis as it is usually called in Latine should be the Hesperis or Theopâ—tus in his sixt Booke de causis plantarum and 25. Chap. because he is so briefe therein that there can be no more learned out of him then that it smelleth sweeter in the morning and evening then in the day time even as some of these and the ordinary sort doth whom Pliny followeth in his 20. Booke and 7. Chapter and thereof tooke the name Hesperis It is also called of Tragus 〈…〉 Herâ—lai and taken to be Ioâ—ucaium of Puschius Gesner