Bizantine Floure de-luce 5 Chamaeiris Angustifolia Narrow leafed Floure de 〈◊〉 6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Grasse Floure de 〈◊〉 ‡ 7 Iris flore caeruleo obsoleto polyanthos Narrow-leafed many-floured Iris. ‡ 8 Chamaeiris nivea 〈◊〉 Candida White Dwarfe Iris. ‡ 9 Chamaeiris latifolia flore rubello Red floured Dwarfe Iris. ‡ 10 Chamaeiris Lutea Yellow Dwarfe Iris. ‡ 11 Camaeiris variegata Varigated Dwarfe Iris. 3 The French or rather Sea Floure de-luce whereof there is also another of the same kinde altogether lesser haue their roots without any sauour In shew they differ little from the garden Floure de-luce but that the leaues of these are altogether slenderer and vnpleasant in smell growing plentifully in the rough crags of the rocks vnder the Alpes and neere vnto the sea side The which Pena found in the grassie grauelly grounds of the sea coast neere to Montpellier The learned Doctor Assatius a long time supposed it to be Medium Diosc. Matthiolus deceiued himselfe and others in that he said That the root of this plant hath the sent of the peach but my selfe haue proued it to be without sauour at all It yeeldeth his floures in Iune which are of all the rest most like vnto the grasse Floure de-luce The taste of his root is hot bitter and with much tenuitie of parts as hath been found by physicall proofe ‡ 4 This Iris Bizantina hath long narrow leaues like those of the last described very narrow sharpe pointed hauing no vngratefull smell the stalks are some cubit and an halfe in length and somtimes more at the top they are diuided into 2 or 3 branches that haue 2 or 3 floures a piece like in shape to the floures of the broad leafed variegated bulbous Iris they haue also a good smell the ends of the hanging-downe leaues are of a darke colour the other parts of them are variegated with white purple or violet colour The three other leaues that stand vp are of a deepe violet or purple colour The root is blackish slender hard knotty ‡ 5 Narrow leafed Floure de-luce hath an infinite number of grassie leaues much like vnto Reed among which rise vp many stalkes on the ends of the same spring forth two sometimes three right sweet and pleasant floures compact of nine leaues Those three that hang downward are greater than the rest of a purple colour stripped with white and yellow but those three small leaues that appeare next are of a purple colour without mixture those three that stand vpright are of an horse-flesh colour tipped with purple and vnder each of these leaues appeare three small browne aglets like the tongue of a small bird 6 The small grassie Floure de-luce differeth from the former in smalnesse and in thinnesse of leaues and in that the stalkes are lower than the leaues and the floures in shape and colour are like those of the stinking Gladdon but much lesse ‡ There are many other varieties of the broad leafed Floure de-luces besides these mentioned by our Authour as also of the narrow leafed which here wee doe not intend to insist vpon but referre such as are desirous to trouble themselues with these nicities to Clusius and others Notwithstanding I judge it not amisse to giue the figures and briefe descriptions of 〈◊〉 more of the Dwarfe Floure de-luces as also of one of the narrower leafed 7 This therefore which we giue you in the seuenth place is Iris slorc 〈◊〉 obsoleto c. 〈◊〉 The leaues of this are small and long like those of the wild 〈◊〉 Floure de-luce 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is not very big hath many strong threds or fibres comming out of it the stalke which is somewhat tall diuides it selfe into two or three branches whereon grow floures in shape like those of the other Floure de-luces but their colour is of an ouer-worne blew or Ash colour 8 Many are the differences of the Chamaeirides latifoliae or Broad leafed 〈◊〉 Floure deluces but their principall distinction is in their floures for some haue flowers of violet or purple colour some of white other some are variegated with yellow and purple c. Therefore I will onely name the colour and giue you their figure because their shapes differ little This eighth therefore is Chamaeiris nivea aut Candida White Dwarfe Iris The ninth Chamaeiris 〈◊〉 flore rubello Red floured Dwarfe Iris The tenth Camaeiris lutea Yellow Dwarfe Iris The eleuenth Chamaeiris variegata Variegated Dwarfe Iris. The leaues and stalkes of these plants are vsually about a foot high the floures for the bignesse of the plants large and they floure betimes as in April And thus much I thinke may suffice for the names and descriptions of these Dwarfe varieties of Floure de-luces ‡ ¶ The place These plants do grow in the gardens of London amongst Herbarists and other Louers of Plants ¶ The nature They floure from the end of March to the beginning of May. ¶ The Names The Turky Floure de-luce is called in the Turkish tongue Alaia Susiani with this additament from the Italians Fiore Belle pintate in English Floure de-luce The rest of the names haue 〈◊〉 touched in their titles and historie ¶ Their nature and vertues The faculties and temperature of these rare and beautifull floures are referred to the 〈◊〉 sorts of Floure de-luces whereunto they do very well accord There is an excellent oyle made of the floures and roots of Floure de-luce of each a like quantitie called Oleum Irinum made after the same manner that oyle of Roses Lillies and such like be made which oyle profiteth much to strengthen the sinewes and joints helpeth the cramp proceeding of repletion and the disease called in Greeke Peripneumonia The floures of French Floure de-luce distilled with Diatrion sandalon and Cinnamon and the water drunke preuaileth greatly against the Dropsie as Hollerius and Gesner testifie CHAP. 43. Of stinking Gladdon ¶ The Description STinking Gladdon hath long narrow leaues like Iris but smaller of a darke greene colour and being rubbed of a stinking smell very lothsome The stalkes are many in number and round toward the top out of which do grow floures like the Floure de-luce of an ouer-worne blew colour or rather purple with some yellow and red streakes in the midst After the floures be vaded there come great huskes or cods wherein is contained a red berry or seed as bigge as a pease The root is long and threddy vnderneath ¶ The place Gladdon groweth in many gardens I haue seene it wilde in many places as in woods and shadowie places neere the sea ¶ The time The stinking Gladdon floureth in August the seed whereof is ripe in September ¶ The Names Stinking Gladdon is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Dioscorides and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Theophrastus according to Pena in Latine Spatula 〈◊〉 among the Apothecaries it is called also Xyris in English stinking Gladdon and Spurgewort ¶ The nature Gladdon is hot and dry in the third degree ¶ The
grow starre-like yellow floures otherwise like the white Asphodill 3 Asphodelus 〈◊〉 rubente Red Asphodill 4 Asphodelus 〈◊〉 Yellow Asphodill ‡ 5 Asphodelus minimus Dwarfe Asphodil ‡ 5 Besides these there is an Asphodill which Clusius for the smalnesse calls Asphodelus minimus The roots thereof are knotty and tuberous resembling those of the formerly described but lesse from these arise fiue or sixe very narrow and long leaues in the middest of which growes vp a stalk of the height of a foot round and without branches bearing at the top thereof a spoke of floures consisting of six white leaues a piece each of which hath a streake running alongst it both on the inside and outside like as the first described It floures in the beginning of Iuly when as the rest are past their floures It loseth the leaues in Winter and gets new ones againe in the beginning of Aprill ‡ ¶ The time and place They floure in May and Iune beginning below and so flouring vpward and they grow naturally in France Italy Spaine and most of them in our London Gardens ¶ The Names Asphodill is called in Latine Asphodelus Albucum 〈◊〉 and Hastula Regia in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in English Asphodill not Daffodil for Daffodill is Narcissus another plant differing from Asphodill Pliny writeth That the stalke with the floures is called Anthericos and the root that is to say the bulbs Asphodelus Of this Asphodill 〈◊〉 maketh mention in his Works where he saith 〈◊〉 fooles know not how much good there is in the Mallow and in the Asphodill because the roots of Asphodill are good to be eaten Yet Galen doth not beleeue that he meant of this Asphodill but of that bulbed one whereof we will make mention hereafter And he himselfe testifieth that the bulbes thereof are not to be 〈◊〉 without very long seething and therefore it is not like that Hesiod hath commended any such 〈◊〉 he seemeth to vnderstand by the Mallow and the Asphodil such kinde of food as is easily prepared and soone made ready ¶ The nature These kindes of Asphodils be hot and dry almost in the third degree ¶ The vertues After the opinion of Dioscorides and 〈◊〉 the roots of Asphodill eaten prouoke vrine and the termes effectually especially being stamped and strained with wine and drunke One dram thereof taken in wine in manner before rehearsed helpeth the paine in the sides ruptures convulsions and the old cough The roots boiled in dregs of wine cure foule eating vlcers all inflammations of the dugges or 〈◊〉 and easeth the felon being put thereto as a pultesse The iuyce of the root boyled in old sweet Wine together with a little myrrh and saffron maketh an excellent Collyrie profitable for the eyes Galen saith the roots burnt to ashes and mixed with the grease of a ducke helpeth the Alopecia and bringeth haire againe that was fallen by that disease The weight of a dram thereof taken with wine helpeth the drawing together of sinews cramps and burstings The like quantitie taken in broth prouoketh vomit and helpeth those that are bitten with any venomous beasts The iuyce of the root cleanseth and taketh away the white morphew if the face be annointed therewith but first the place must be chafed and wel rubbed with a course linnen cloath CHAP. 71. Of the Kings Speare 1 Asphodelus luteus minor The Kings Speare 2 Asphodelus Lancastriae 〈◊〉 Asphodil ‡ 3 Asphodelus Lancastriae verus The true Lancashire Asphodil ¶ The Description 1 THe leaues of the Kings Speare are long narrow and chamfered or furrowed of 〈◊〉 blewish greene colour The stalk is round of a cubit high The floures which grow 〈◊〉 from the middle to the top are very many in shape like to the floures of the other which being past 〈◊〉 come in place thereof little round heads or seed-vessels wherein the seed is contained The roots in like manner are very many long and slender smaller than those of the other yellow sort Vpon the sides whereof grow forth certaine strings by which the plant it selfe is easily encreased and multiplied 2 There is found in these dayes a certaine waterie or marish Asphodill like vnto this last described in stalke and floures without any difference at all It bringeth forth leaues of a beautifull greene somwhat chamfered like to those of the Floure de-luce or corne-flag but narrower not full a span long The stalke is strait a foot high whereupon grow the floures consisting of sixe small leaues in the middle whereof come sorth small yellow chiues or threds The seed is very small contained in long sharpe pointed cods The root is long ioynted and creepeth as grasse doth with many small strings ‡ 3 Besides the last described which our Author I feare mistaking termed Asphodelus Lancastriae there is another water Asphodill which growes in many rotten moorish grounds in this kingdome and in Lancashire is vsed by women to die their haire of a yellowish colour and therefore by them it is termed Maiden-haire if we may beleeue Lobell This plant hath leaues of some two inches and an halfe or three inches long being somewhat broad at the bottome and so sharper towards their ends The stalke seldome attaines to the height of a foot and it is smooth without any leaues thereon the top thereof is adorned with pretty yellow star-like floures wherto succeed longish little cods vsually three yet sometimes foure or fiue square and in these there is contained a small red seed The root consists onely of a few small strings ‡ ¶ The place 1 The small yellow Asphodill groweth not of it selfe wilde in these parts notwithstanding we haue great plenty thereof in our London gardens 2 The Lancashire Asphodill groweth in moist and marish places neere vnto the Towne of Lancaster in the moorish grounds there as also neere vnto Maudsley and Martom two Villages not farre from thence where it was found by a Worshipfull and learned Gentleman a diligent searcher of simples and feruent louer of plants M. Thomas Hesket who brought the plants thereof vnto me for the encrease of my garden I receiued some plants thereof likewise from Master Thomas Edwards Apothecarie in Excester learned and skilfull in his profession as also in the knowledge of plants He found this Asphodill at the foot of a hill in the West part of England called 〈◊〉 hill neere vnto a village of the same name ‡ This Asphodill figured and described out of Dodonaeus and called Asphodelus Lancastriae by our Author growes in an heath some two miles from Bruges in Flanders and diuers other places of the Low-countries but whether it grow in Lancashire or no I can say nothing of certaintie but I am certaine that which I haue described in the third place growes in many places of the West of England and this yeare 1632 my kinde friend M. George Bowles sent mee some plants thereof which I keepe yet growing Lobell also affirmes this to be the Lancashire
leaues mixed together the shorter leaues are obtuse as if they were clipt off They are wholly yellow ‡ ‡ 19 Narcissus Iuncifolius reflexus minor The lesser reflex Iunquilia ‡ 20 Narcissus juncifolius multiplex The double Iunquilia 21 The Persian Daffodill hath no stalke at all but onely a small and tender foot stalke of an inch high such as the Saffron floure hath vpon which short and tender stalk doth stand a yellowish floure consisting of six small leaues of which the three innermost are narrower than those on the out side In the middle of the floure doth grow forth a long stile or pointall set about with many small chiues or threds The whole floure is of an vnpleasant smel much like to Poppy The leaues rise vp a little before the floure long smooth and shining The root is bulbed thicke and grosse blackish on the out side and pale within with some threds hanging at the lower part 22 The Autumne Daffodill bringeth forth long smooth glittering leaues of a deepe greene colour among which riseth vp a short stalke bearing at the top one floure and no more resemling the floure of Mead Saffron or common Saffron consisting of six leaues of a bright shining yellow colour in the middle whereof stand six threds or chiues and also a pestell or clapper yellow likewise The root is thicke and grosse like vnto the precedent ‡ 23 To this last may be adioyned another which in shape somewhat resembles it The leaues are smooth greene growing straight vp and almost a fingers breadth among which riseth vp a stalke a little more than halfe a foot in height at the top of which groweth forth a yellow floure not much vnlike that of the last described Autumne Narcisse it consisteth of sixe leaues some inch and halfe in length and some halfe inch broad sharpe pointed the three inner leaues being somewhat longer than the outer There grow forth out of the middest of the floure three whitish chiues tipt with yellow and a pestell in the midst of them longer than any of them The root consists of many coats with fibres comming forth of the bottome thereof like others of this kinde It floures in Februarie ‡ 21 Narcissus Persicus The Persian Daffodill 22 Narcissus Autumnalis major The great Winter Daffodill 24 Small Winter Daffodill hath a bulbous root much like vnto the root of Rush Daffodil but lesser from the which riseth vp a naked stalke without leaues on the top whereof groweth a small white floure with a yellow circle in the middle sweet in smell something stuffing the head as do the other Daffodils ¶ The Place The Daffodils with purple coronets do grow wilde in sundry places of France chiefly in Bourgondie and in Suitzerland in medowes The Rush Daffodill groweth wilde in sundry places of Spaine among grasse and other herbes Dioscorides saith That they be especially found vpon mountaines Theocritus affirmeth the Daffodils to grow in medowes in his nineteenth Eidyl or twentieth according to some editions where he writeth That the faire Ladie Europa entring with her Nymphs into the medowes did gather the sweet smelling Daffodils in these Verses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Which we may English thus But when the Girles were come into The medowes flouring all in sight That Wench with these this Wench with those Trim floures themselues did all delight She with the Narcisse good in 〈◊〉 And she with Hyacinths content But it is not greatly to our purpose particularly to seeke out their places of growing wilde seeing that we haue them all and euery of them in our London gardens in great aboundance The common white Daffodill groweth wilde in fields and sides of Woods in the West parts of England ¶ The Time They floure for the most part in the Spring that is from the beginning of Februarie vnto the end of Aprill The Persian and Winter Daffodils do floure in September and October ‡ 23 Narcissus vernus praecocior 〈◊〉 flore The timely Spring yellow Daffodill 24 Narcissus Autumnalis minor Small Winter Daffodill ¶ The Names Although their names be set forth in their seuerall titles which may serue for their appellations and distinctions notwithstanding it shall not be impertinent to adde a supply of names as also the cause why they are so called The Persian Daffodill is called in the Sclauonian or Turkish tongue Zaremcada Persiana and Zaremcatta as for the most part all other sorts of Daffodils are Notwithstanding the double floured Daffodill they name Giul catamer lale Which name they generally giue vnto all double floures The common white Daffodil with the yellow circle they call Serin Cade that is to say the kings Chalice and Deuebohini which is to say Camels necke or as we do say of a thing with long spindle shinnes Long-shankes vrging it from the long necke of the floure The Rush Daffodill is called of some Ionquillias of the similitude the leaues haue with Rushes Of Dioscorides Bulbus Vomitorius or Vomiting Bulbe according to Dodonaeus Generally all the kindes are comprehended vnder this name Narcissus called of the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Dutch 〈◊〉 in Spanish Iennetten in English Daffodilly Daffodowndilly and Primerose peerelesse Sophocles nameth them the garland of the infernal gods because they that are departed and dulled with death should worthily be crowned with a dulling floure Of the first and second Daffodill Ouid hath made mention in the third booke of his Metamorphosis where hee describeth the transformation of 〈◊〉 faire boy Narcissus into a floure of his own name saying Nusquam corpus erat croceum pro corpore florem Inueniunt folijs medium cing entibus albis But as for body none remain'd in stead whereof they found A yellow floure with milke white leaues ingirting of it round Pliny and Plutarch affirme as partly hath been touched before that their narcoticke quality was the very cause of the name Narcissus that is a qualitie causing sleepinesse which in Greekes is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or of the fish Torpedo called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which benummes the hands of them that touch him as being hurtfull to the sinewes and bringeth dulnesse to the head which properly belongeth to the Narcisses whose smell causeth drowsinesse ¶ The Nature The roots of Narcissus are hot and dry in the second degree ¶ The Vertues Galen saith That the roots of Narcissus haue such wonderfull qualities in drying that they consound and glew together very great wounds yea and such gashes or cuts as happen about the veins sinewes and tendons They haue also a certaine cleansing and attracting facultie The roots of Narcissus stamped with honey and applied plaister-wise helpeth them that are burned with fire and ioyneth together sinewes that are cut in sunder Being vsed in manner aforesaid it helpeth the great wrenches of the ankles the aches and pains of the ioynts The same applied with hony and nettle seed helpeth Sun burning and the morphew The same stamped with barrowes grease
our London Gardens Those which doe floure in Autumne do grow vpon certaine craggy rockes in Portugall not far from the sea side The other haue been sent ouer vnto vs some out of Italy and some out of Spaine by the labour and diligence of that notable learned Herbarist Carolus Clusius out of whose Obseruations and partly by seeing them in our owne gardens we haue set downe their descriptions That pleasant plant that bringeth forth yellow floures was sent vnto me from Robinus of Paris that painfull and most curious searcher of Simples ¶ The Time They floure for the most part in Ianuarie and Februarie that of the mountain excepted which floureth in September ¶ The Names All these Saffrons are vnprofitable and therefore they be truly said to be Croci syluestres or wild Saffrons in English Spring Saffrons and vernall Saffrons ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Of the faculties of these we haue nothing to set downe for that as yet there is no knowne vse of them in Physicke CHAP. 91. Of Medow Saffron ¶ The Kindes THere be sundry sorts of Medow Saffrons differing very notably as well in the colour of their floures as also in stature and Countrey from whence they had their being as shall be declared 1 Colchicum Anglicum Purpureum Purple English Medow Saffron 2 Colchicum Anglicum album White English Medow Saffron ¶ The Description 1 MEdow Saffron hath three or foure leaues rising immediately forth of the ground long broad smooth fat much like to the leaues of the white Lilly in forme and smoothnesse in the middle whereof spring vp three or foure thicke cods of the bignesse of a small Wall-nut standing vpon short tender foot-stalkes three square and opening themselues when they be ripe full of seed something round and of a blackish red colour and when this seed is ripe the leaues together with the stalkes doe fade and fall away In September the floures bud forth before any leaues appeare standing vpon short tender and whitish stemmes like in forme and colour to the floures of Saffron hauing in the middle small chiues or threads of a pale yellow colour altogether vnfit for meat or medicine The root is round or bulbous sharper at the one end than at the other flat on the one side hauing a deepe clift or furrow in the same flat side when it floureth and not at any time else it is couered with blackish coats or filmes it sendeth downe vnto the lowest part certaine strings or threds The root it selfe is full of a white substance yeelding a juyce like milke whilest it is greene and newly digged out of the earth It is in taste sweet with a little bitternesse following which draweth water out of the mouth 3 Colchicum Pannonicum florens sine flore Hungary mede Saffron with and without Floure 2 The second kinde of Mede Saffron is like the precedent differing onely in the colour of the floures for that this plant doth bring forth white leaues which of some hath beene taken for the true Hermodactylus but in so doing they haue committed the greater error 3 These two figures expresse both but one and the selfe same plant which is distinguished because it neuer beareth floures and leaues both at one time So that the first figure sets it forth when it is in leaues and seed and the other when it floureth and therefore one description shall suffice for them both In the Spring of the yeare it bringeth forth his leaues thicke fat shining and smooth not vnlike the leaues of Lillies which do continue greene vnto the end of Iune at which time the leaues do wither away but in the beginning of September there shooteth forth of the ground naked milke white floures without any greene leafe at all but so soone as the Plant hath done bearing of floures the root remaines in the ground not sending forth any thing vntill Februarie in the yeare following ‡ It beares plentifull store of reddish seed in loose triangular heads The root hereof is bigger than that of the last described ‡ 4 The small medow Saffron hath three or foure thicke fat leaues narrower than any of the rest The floure appeareth in the fall of the leafe in shape colour and manner of growing like the common mede Saffron but of a more reddish purple colour and altogether lesser The leaues in this contrarie to the nature of these plants presently follow after the floure and so continue all the Winter and Spring euen vntill May or Iune The root is bulbous and not great it is couered with many blackish red coats and is white within ‡ 5 This medow Saffron hath roots and leaues like to those of the last described but the leaues of the floure are longer and narrower and the colour of them is white on the inside greene on the middle of the backe part and the rest thereof of a certaine flesh colour 4 Colchicum montanum minus Hispanicum cum flore semine Small Spanish medow Saffron in floure and seed 6 The medow Saffron of Illyria hath a great thicke and bulbous root full of substance from which riseth vp a fat thicke and grosse stalke set about from the lower part to the top by equall distances with long thicke and grosse leaues sharpe pointed not vnlike to the leaues of leekes among which leaues do grow yellowish floures like vnto the English medow Saffron but smaller 7 The Assyrian medow Saffron hath a bulbous root made as it were of two pieces from the middle cleft whereof riseth vp a soft and tender stalke set with faire broad leaues from the middle to the top among which commeth forth one single floure like vnto the common medow Saffron or the white Anemone of Matthiolus description 8 The mountaine wilde Saffron is a base and low plant but in shape altogether like the common medow Saffron but much lesser The floures are smaller and of a yellow colour which setteth forth the difference ‡ The leaues and roots as Clusius affirmes are more like to the Narcisses and therefore he calls this Narcissus Autumnalis minor The lesser Autumne Narcisse ‡ ‡ 9 This whose figure we here giue you is by Clusius called Colchicum Byzantinum latifolium The broad leaued Colchicum of Constantinople The leaues of this are not in forme and magnitude much vnlike to those of the white Hellebor neither lesse neruous yet more greene It beares many floures in Autumne so that there come sometimes twenty from one root Their forme and colour are much like the ordinarie sort but that these are larger and haue thicker stalkes They are of a lighter purple without and of a deeper on the inside and they are marked with certaine veines running alongst these leaues The roots and seeds of this plant are thrice as large as those of the common kinde 10 This hath roots and leaues like to the first described but the floure is shorter and growes vpon a shorter stalke so that it rises but little aboue the earth
‡ The small sort I haue had many yeares growing in my garden but the greater I haue not had till of late giuen me by my louing friend M. Iames Garret Apothecarie of London ¶ The Time These Lillies of the mountaine floure at such time as the common white Lilly doth and sometimes sooner ¶ The Names The great mountaine Lilly is called of Tabernamontanus Lilium Saracenicum receiued by Master Garret aforesaid from Lisle in Flanders by the name of Martagon Imperiale of some Lilium Saracenicum mas It is Hemerocallis flore rubello of Lobel The small mountaine Lilly is called in Latine Lilium montanum and Lilium syluestre of Dodonaeus Hemerocallis of others Martagon but neither truly for that there is of either other Plants properly called by the same names In high Dutch it is called Goldwurtz from the yellownesse of the roots in low Dutch Lilikens van Caluarien in Spanish Lirio Amarillo in French Lys Sauvage in English Mountaine Lilly ¶ The Nature and Vertues There hath not beene any thing left in writing either of the nature or vertues of these plants notwithstanding we may deeme that God which gaue them such seemely and beautifull shape hath not left them without their peculiar vertues the finding out whereof we leaue to the learned and industrious Searcher of Nature CHAP. 105. Of the Red Lillie of Constantinople 1 Lilium Bizantinum The red Lilly of Constantinople ‡ 2 Lilium Byzantinum flo purpuro sanguineo The Byzantine purplish sanguine-coloured Lilly ¶ The Description 1 THe red Lilly of Constantinople hath a yellow scaly or cloued Root like vnto the Mountaine Lilly but greater from the which ariseth vp a faire fat stalke a finger thicke of a darke purplish colour toward the top which sometimes doth turne from his naturall roundnesse into a flat forme like as doth the great mountaine Lilly vpon which stalk grow sundry faire and most beautifull floures in shape like those of the mountaine Lilly but of greater beauty seeming as it were framed of red wax tending to a red leade colour From the middle of the floure commeth forth a tender pointall or pestell and likewise many small chiues tipped with loose pendants The floure is of a reasonable pleasant sauour The leaues are confusedly set about the stalke like those of the white Lilly but broader and shorter ‡ 2 This hath a large Lilly-like root from which ariseth a stalke some cubit or more in height set confusedly with leaues like the precedent The floures also resemble those of the last described but vsually are more in number and they are of a purplish sanguine colour ‡ 3 Lilium Byzantinum flo dilute rubente The light red Byzantine Lilly ‡ 4 Lilium Byzantinum miniatum polyanthos The Vermilion Byzantine many-floured Lilly 3 This differs little from the last but in the colour of the floures which are of a lighter red colour than those of the first described The leaues and stalkes also as Clusius obserueth are of a lighter greene 4 This may also more fitly be termed a varietie from the former than otherwise for according to Clusius the difference is onely in this that the floures grow equally from the top of the stalke and the middle floure rises higher than any of the rest and sometimes consists of twelue leaues as it were a twinne as you may perceiue by the figure ‡ ¶ The Time They floure and 〈◊〉 with the other Lillies ¶ The Names The Lilly of Constantinople is called likewise in England Martagon of Constantinople of Lobel Hemerocallis Chalcedonica and likewise Lilium Bizantinum of the Turks it is called Zufiniare of the Venetians Marocali ¶ The Nature and Vertues Of the nature or vertues there is not any thing as yet set down but it is esteemed especially for the beautie and rarenesse of the floure referring what may be gathered hereof to a further consideration ‡ CHAP. 106. Of the narrow leaued reflex Lillies ¶ The Description ‡ 1 THe root of this is not much vnlike that of other Lillies the stalke is some cubit high or better the leaues are many and narrow and of a darker green than those of the ordinarie Lilly the floures are reflex like those treated of in the last chap. of a red or Vermilion colour This floures in the end of May wherefore Clùsius calls it Lilium rubrum praecox The early red Lilly ‡ 1 Lilium rubrum angustifolium The red narrow leaued Lilly ‡ 3 Lilium mont flore flauo punctato The yellow mountaine Lilly with the spotted floure 2 This Plant is much more beautiful than the last described the roots are like those of Lillies the stalke some cubit and an halfe in height being thicke set with small grassie leaues The floures grow out one aboue another in shape and colour like those of the last described but ofrtimes are more in number so that some one stalke hath borne some 48 floures The root is much like the former ‡ 4 Lilium mont flore flauo non punctato The yellow Mountaine Lilly with the vnspotted floure 3 This in roots is like those afore described the stalke is some 2 cubits high set confusedly with long narrow leaues with three conspicuous nerues running alongst them The floures are at first pale coloured afterwards yellow consisting of six leaues bended backe to their stalkes marked with blackish purple spots 4 There is also another differing from the last described onely in that the floure is not spotted as that of the former ¶ The Place These Lillies are thought Natiues of the Pyrenean mountaines and of late yeares are become Denizons in some of our English gardens ¶ The Time The first as I haue said floures in the end of May the rest in Iune ¶ The Names 1 This is called by Clusius Lilium rubrum praecox 2 Clusius names this Lilium rubrum praecox 3. angustifolium Lobel stiles it Hemerocallis Macedonica and Martagon Pomponeum 3 This is Lilium slauo flore maculis distinctum of Clusius and Lilium montanum flauo 〈◊〉 of Lobel 4 This being a varietie of the last is called by Clusius Lilium flauo flore maculis 〈◊〉 distinctum ¶ The Temper and Vertues These in all likelihood cannot much differ from the temper and vertues of other Lillies which in all their parts they so much resemble ‡ CHAP. 107. Of the Persian Lilly ¶ The Description THe Persian Lilly hath for his root a great white bulbe differing in shape from the other Lillies hauing one great bulbe firme or solid full of juyce which commonly each yeare setteth off or encreaseth one other bulbe and sometimes more which the next yeare after is taken from the mother root and so bringeth forth such floures as the old plant did From this root riseth vp a fat thicke and straight stemme of two cubits high whereupon is placed long narrow leaues of a greene colour declining to blewnes as doth those of the woade The floures grow alongst the naked part of the stalke like
pessarie made thereof like a finger and put vp bringeth downe the termes in yong Wenches and such like The seedes of Zazintha beate to powder and giuen in the decreasing of the Moone to the quantitie of a spoonefull taketh away warts and such like excrescence in what part of the body soeuer they be the which medicine a certaine 〈◊〉 of Padua did much vse whereby he gained great sums of mony as reporteth that ancient Physition Ioachimus Camerarius of Noremberg a famous citie in Germanie And Matthiolus affirmes that he hath knowne some helped of warts by once eating the leaues hereof in a Sallade CHAP. 32. Of Dandelion ¶ The Description 1 THe herbe which is commonly called Dandelion doth send forth from the root long leaues deepely cut and gashed in the edges like those of wilde Succorie but smoother vpon euery stalke standeth a floure greater than that of Succorie but double and thicke set together of colour yellow and sweet in smell which is turned into a round downie blowball that is carried away with the winde The root is long slender and full of milkie juice when any part of it is broken as is the Endiue or Succorie but bitterer in taste than Succorie ‡ There are diuers varieties of this plant consisting in the largenesse smallnesse deepenesse or shallownesse of the diuisions of the leafe as also in the smoothnesse and roughnesse thereof ‡ 1 Dens 〈◊〉 Dandelion ‡ 3 Dens Leonis bulbosus Knottie rooted Dandelion 2 There is also another kinde of Succorie which may be referred heereunto whose leaues are long cut like those of broad leafed Succorie the stalkes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnlike being diuided into branches as those of Dandelion but lesser which also vanisheth into downe when the seed is ripe hauing a long and white root ‡ 3 There is another Dens Lconis or Dandelion which hath many knotty and tuberous roots like those of the Asphodil the leaues are not so deeply cut in as those of the common Dandelion but larger and somewhat more hairy the floures are also larger and of a paler yellow which flie away in such downe as the ordinary ‡ ¶ The Place They are found often in medowes neere vnto water ditches as also in gardens and high waies much troden ¶ The Time They floure most times in the yeere especially if the winter be not extreame cold ¶ The Names These plants belong to the Succory which Theophrastus Pliny call Aphaca or Aphace Leonardus Fuchsius thinketh that Dandelion is Hedypnois Plinij of which he writeth in his 20. booke and eighth chapter affirming it to be a wilde kinde of broad leafed Succorie and that Dandelion is Taraxacon but Taraxacon as Auicen teacheth in his 692. chapter is garden Endiue as Serapio mentioneth in his 143. chapter who citing Paulus for a witnesse concerning the faculties setteth down these words which Paulus writeth of Endiue and Succorie Diuers of the later Physitions do also call it Dens Leonis or Dandelion it is called in high Dutch 〈◊〉 in low-Dutch 〈◊〉 in French Pissenlit ou couronne de prestre or Dent de lyon in English Dandelion and of diuers Pisseabed The first is also called of some and in shops Taraxacon Caput monach Rostrum porcinum and Vrinaria The other is Dens 〈◊〉 Monspeliensium of 〈◊〉 and Cichoreum Constant inopolitanum of 〈◊〉 ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Dandelion is like in temperature to Succorie that is to say to wilde Endiue It is cold but it drieth more and doth withall clense and open by reason of the bitternesse which it hath ioyned with it and therefore it is good for those things for which Succory is ‡ Boiled it strengthens the weake stomacke and eaten raw it stops the bellie and helpes the Dysentery especially being boyled with Lentiles The juice drunke is good against the vnuoluntary effusion of seed boyled in vineger it is good against the paine that troubles some in making of water A decoction made of the whole plant helpes the yellow jaundice ‡ CHAP. 20. Of Sow-thistle †1 Sonchus asper Prickly Sow-thistle ‡ 2 Sonchus asperior The more 〈◊〉 Sow-thistle ¶ The Kindes THere be two chiefe kindes of Sow-thistles one tenderer and softer the other more pricking and wilder but of these there be sundry sorts more found by the diligence of the later Writers all which shall be comprehended in this chapter and euery one be distinguished with a seuerall description ¶ The Description 1 THe prickly Sow-thistle hath long broad leaues cut very little in but full of smal prickles round about the edges something hard and sharpe with a rough and hollow stalke the floures stand on the tops of the branches consisting of many small leaues single and yellow of colour and when the seed is ripe it turneth into downe and is carried away with the winde The whole plant is full of a white milky iuyce ‡ 2 There is another kinde of this whose leaues are sometimes prettily deepe cut in like as those of the ordinarie Sow-thistle but the stalkes are commonly higher than those of the last described and the leaues more rough and prickly but in other respects not differing from 〈◊〉 of this kinde It is also sometimes to be found with the leaues lesse diuided ‡ †3 Sonchus Laeuis Hares Lettuce 4 Sonchus laeuis latifolius Broad leaued Sow-thistle 3 The stalke of Hares Lettuce or smooth-Thistle is oftentimes a cub it high edged and hollow of a pale colour and sometimes reddish the leaues be greene broad set round about with deepe cuts or gashes smooth and without prickles The floures stand at the top of the branches yellow of colour which are caried away with the winde when the seed is ripe ‡ This is sometimes found with whitish and with snow-white floures but yet seldome whence our Authour made two kindes more which were the fourth and fifth calling the one The white floured Sowthistle and the other The snow-white Sow-thistle Both these I haue omitted as impertinent and giue you others in their stead ‡ 4 Broad leaued Sow-thistle hath a long thicke and milky root as is all the rest of the Plant with many strings or fibres from the which commeth forth a hollow stalke branched or diuided into sundry sections The leaues be great smooth sharpe pointed and greene of colour the floures be white in shape like the 〈◊〉 ‡ The floures of this are for the most part yellow like as the former ‡ ‡ 5 Wall Sow-thistle hath a fibrous wooddy root from which rises vp a round stalke not crested the leaues are much like to those of the other Sow-thistles broad at the setting on then narrower and after much broader and sharpe pointed so that the end of the leafe much resembles the shape of an iuy leafe these leaues are very tender and of somewhat a whitish colour on the vnder side the top of the stalke is diuided into many small branches which beare little yellow floures that fly away in downe 6 This hath longish narrow
and description from his friend Iaques Plateau of Tournay I coniecture this to be the same plant that Bauhine hath somewhat more accurately figured and described in his Prod. pag. 68. vnder the title of Chondrilla purpurascens foetida which plant being an annuall I haue seen growing some yeares since with Mr. Tuggy at Westminster and the last Summer with an honest and skilfull Apothecarie one Mr. Nicholas Swayton of Feuersham in Kent but I must confesse I did not compare it with Clusius yet now I am of opinion that both these figures and descriptions are of one and the same plant It floures in Iuly and August at the later end of which moneth the seeds also come to ripenesse 6 This other not described by Clusius but by Lobel hath long rough leaues cut in and toothed like to Dandelion with naked hairy stalkes bearing at their tops faire large and very double yellow floures which fading fly away in downe It growes in some medowes ‡ 5 Hieracium parvum Creticum Small Candy Hawk-weed ‡ 6 Hieracium Dentis leonis folio hirsutum Dandelion Hawk-weed ¶ The Place These kinds of Hawke-weeds according to the report of Clusius do grow in Hungarie and Austria and in the grassy dry hills and herby and barren Alpish mountaines and such like places notwithstanding if my memorie faile me not I haue seene them growing in sundry places in England which I meane God willing better to obserue hereafter as opportunitie shall serue me ¶ The Time He saith they floure from May to August at what time the seed is ripe ¶ The Names The Author himselfe hath not said more than here is set downe as touching the names so that it shall suffice what hath now been said referring the handling thereof to a further consideration ¶ The Nature and Vertues I finde not any thing at all set downe either of their nature or vertues and therefore I forbeare to say any thing else of them as a thing not necessarie to write of their faculties vpon my owne conceit and imagination CHAP. 36. ‡ Of French or Golden Lung-wort ‡ 1 Pulmonaria Gallica siue aurea latifolia Broad-leaued French or golden Lung-wort ‡ 2 Pulmonaria Gallica siue aurea 〈◊〉 Narrow leaued French or golden Lung-wort ¶ The Description ‡ 1 THis which I here giue you in the first place as also the other two are of the kinds of Hawke-weed or Hieracium wherefore I thought it most fit to treat of them in this place and not to handle them with the Pulmonaria maculosa or Sage of Ierusalem whereas our Author gaue the name Pulmonaria Gallorum and pointed at the description but his figure being false and the description imperfect I iudged it the best to handle it here next to those plants which both in shape and qualities it much resembles This first hath a pretty large yet fibrous and stringy root from the which arise many longish leaues hairy soft and vnequally diuided and commonly cut in the deepest neerest the stalke they are of a darke green colour and they are sometimes broader and shorter and otherwhiles narrower and longer whence Tabernamontanus makes three sorts of this yet are they nothing but varieties of this same plant Amongst these leaues grow vp one or two naked stalks commonly hauing no more than one leafe apiece and that about the middle of the stalke these stalks are also hairy and about a cubit high diuided at their tops into sundry branches which beare double yellow floures of an indifferent bignesse which fading and turning into downe are together with the seed carried away with the winde This whole plant is milky like as the other Hawk-weeds ‡ 3 Hieracium hortense latifolium siue Pilosella major Golden Mouse-eare or Grimme the Colliar 3 This plant which some also haue confounded with the first described hath a root at the top of a reddish or brownish colour but whitish within the earth on the lower side sending forth whitish fibres it bringeth forth in good and fruitfull grounds leaues about a foot long and two or three inches broad of a darke greene colour and hairy little or nothing at all cut in about the edges amongst these leaues riseth vp a stalke some cubit high round hollow and naked but that it sometimes hath a leafe or two toward the bottome and towards the top it puts forth a branch or two The floures grow at the top as it were in an vmbell and are of the bignes of the ordinarie Mouse-eare and of an orange colour The seeds are round blackish and are caried away with the downe by the wind The stalkes and cups of the floures are all set thicke with a blackish downe or hairinesse as it were the dust of coles whence the women who keep in it gardens for noueltie sake haue named it Grim the Colliar ¶ The Time All these floure in Iune Iuly and August about the later part of which moneth they ripen their seed ¶ The Place 1 I receiued some plants of this from Mr. Iohn Goodyer who first found it May 27 1631. in floure and the 3 of the following May not yet flouring in a copse in Godlemen in Surrey adioyning to the orchard of the Inne whose signe is the Antilope 2 This I had from my kinde friend Mr. William Coote who wrot to mee That he found them growing on a hill in the Lady Bridget Kingsmills ground in an old Romane campe close by the Decumane port on the quarter that regards the West-South-West vpon the skirts of the hill 3 This is a stranger and onely to be found in some few gardens ¶ The Names 1 This was first set forth by Tragus vnder the name of Auricula muris major and by Tabern who gaue three figures expressing the seuerall varieties thereof by the name of Pulmonaria Gallicasiue aurea Daleschampius hath it vnder the name of Corchorus 2 This was by Lobel who first set it forth confounded with the former as you may see by the title ouer the figure in his Obseruations pag. 317. yet his figure doth much differ from that of Tragus who neither in his figure nor description allowes so much as one leafe vpon the stalke and Tabernamontanus allowes but one which it seldome wants Now this by Lobels figure hath many narrow leaues and by the Description Aduers pag. 253. it is no more than an handfull or handfull and halfe high which very well agrees with the plant wee heere giue you and by no meanes with the former whose naked stalkes are at least a cubit high So it is manifest that this plant I haue described is different from the former and is that which Pena and Lobel gaue vs vnder the title of Pulmonaria Gallorum flore Hieracij Bauchine also confounds this with the former 3 Basil Besler in his Hortus Eystettensis hath well exprest this plant vnder the title of Hieracium latifolium peregrinum Phlomoides Bauhinus calls it Hieracium hortense floribus atropurpurascentibus and saith that some
Fleawoort or Fleabane from a thick long liuing fibrous root sends forth many stalkes of some yard high or more hard wooddy rough fat and of an ou erworne colour the leaues are many without order and alternately embrace the stalkes twice as big as those of the Oliue tree rough and fat being as it were besmeared with a gumminesse or fattinesse and of a yellowish greene colour the floures grow after a sort spoke fashion standing at the ends of footstalkes comming out of the bosomes of the leaues and they are yellow and round almost like to Groundswell and flie away in downe like as they doe the seed is small and ash coloured 〈◊〉 whole plant is fattie and glutinous with a strong yet not altogether vnpleasant smell This growes not that I know of in these cold Countries vnlesse sowne in gardens Clusius sound it by Lisbone and in diuers places of Spaine He as also Dodonaeus Lobel and others call this Conyzamaior and it is thought to be the Conyzamas of Theophrastus and Conyzamaior of Dioscorides 2 The lesser seldome sends vp more than one stalke and that of a cubit high yet vsually not so much it is diuided into little branches and also rough and glutionous as the precedent but more greene The leaues are three times lesse than those of the former somewhat shaped like those of Toad-flax yet hairy and vnctious the tops of the branches as in the bigger carrie lesse and lesse shining and sightly floures vanishing in like sort into downe The root is single and annuall and the whole plant more imelling than the former This is iudged the Conyza foemina of 〈◊〉 and Con. minor of Dioscorides it is the Con. minor of Gesner Lobel Clusius and others It growes in diuers of Spaine and Prouince in France but not here vnlesse in Gardens 3 Conyzamedia Middle Fleawoort 4 Conyzaminima Dwarfe Fleabane 3 The root of this middle kinde is prettie large and fibrous from whence ariseth a branched stalke of some cubite high engirt at certaine spaces with thicke rough grayish greene leaues at the tops of the branches grow pretty faire yellow floures of the bignes of a little Marigold which fading turne to downe and are carried away with the winde This floures in Iuly and August and may be found growing in most places about riuers and pond sides as in S. Iames his Parke Tuthill fields c. This is Conyzamedia of Matthiolus Dodonaeus and others Some haue referred it vnto the Mints as Fuchsius who makes it Calaminthae 3. genus and Lonicerus who calls it Mentha Lutea In Cheape-side the herbe-women call it Herbe Christopher and sell it to Empericks who with it as they say make Medicines for the eyes but against what affect of them or with what successe I know not 4 In like places or rather such as are plashy in winter this may be plentifully found growing The roots are small and fibrous from whence ariseth a branched stalke some foot high set with small longish leaues somewhat roundish pointed soft also and woolly with a smell not altogether vnpleasant like as the last described the floures are composed of many yellowish threds like to the middle part of Camomill floures or those of Tanscy and as the former turne into downe and are carried away with the winde it floures in Iuly and August This is the Conyzaminor of Tragus Mathiolus and others Lobel and Dodon call it Conyzaminima 5 This cut leaued Fleabane hath small fibrous roots from which arise thicke crested hollow stalks diuided towards the tops into sundry branches the leaues that incompasse the stalke are gashed or else onely sinuated on the edges the floures are star fashion and yellow and also flie away in downe the whole plant is couered ouer with a soft and tender downe and hath somewhat the smell of Honie This is a varietie of the third and is called by Dodon Conyzaemediae altera Lobel names it Conyza helenit is folijs laciniatis 6 The figure which you haue in this sixth place was formerly vnfitly giuen by our Authour for Solidago Saracenica it hath a large root which sends foorth many fibres and a crested hollow stalke some two cubites or more high which is vnorderly set with long yet narrow snipt leaues somewhat hairie and sharpe pointed the toppe is diuided into branches which beare prettie large yellow floures made after the manner of those of Ragwort and like as they are also carried away with the winde This Thalius cals Conyzamaxima serratifolia It is the Lingua maior of Daleschampius and the Consolida palustris of Tabernamontanus It groweth neere water sides and floures towards the latter end of Sommer I haue not yet heard that it doth grow wilde amongstvs ‡ 5 Conyza folijs laciniatis Great iagged leaued Fleabane ‡ 6 Conyza palustris serratifolia Water snipt Fleabanc ‡ 7 Conyza Austriaca Clusij Austrian Fleabane ‡ 8 Conyza incana Hoary Fleabane ‡ 9 Conyza Alpina pilosissima Hairie Fleabane of the Alpes 10 Conyza Caerulea 〈◊〉 Blew floured 〈◊〉 7 The stalkes of this are about a foot high straight stiffe hard and couered with a 〈◊〉 downe the leaues at the root grow vpon long stalkes and are soft and 〈◊〉 but those which are higher vp haue a short or else no stalke at all and rubbed they yeeld no vnpleasant smell and tasted they are somwhat bitter and acride The floures that grow vpon the tops of the branches are large and fashioned like those of Elecampane and are of the same yellow color The root is long slender and blackish creeping and putting vp new stalkes it hath many white fibres and a resinous smell Clusius sound it growing on dry hilly places in Austria and calls it Conyza 3. 〈◊〉 8 This which Lobel sets forth vnder the title of Conyza helentis 〈◊〉 incana I take to be the same Plant that I last figured and described out of Clusius onely the root is better exprest in Clusius his figure otherwise by the 〈◊〉 I cannot find any difference though 〈◊〉 reckon it vp in his Pinax as differing therefrom 9 This also seemes not much to differ from the last mentioned but onely in the hairinesse of the leaues and stalkes and that the floures are smaller This 〈◊〉 cals Conyza 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 incana Helenitis because the floures and leaues haue some semblance of 〈◊〉 and Mellita 〈◊〉 that they smell somewhat like Honie These last grow vpon mountaines but none of them with vs in England that I can yet heare of 10 This hath a small fibrous and yellowish root of a very hot and biting taste which sends vp diuers longish leaues about the head thereof the stalke is some foot and halfe high and set alternately with twined longish narrow and somewhat rough leaues of an ouerworne greene colour the top of the stalke and branches are 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 set in longish scaly heads like those of 〈◊〉 the outer little leaues are of a 〈◊〉
forth of the ground in tufts like Pseudo-Moly that is our common herbe called Thrift amongst the leaues come forth slender stalkes an handfull high loden with small yellow floures like vnto the common Prick-Madam after which come little thicke sharpe pointed cods which containe the seed which is small flat and yellowish ¶ The Place The former of these groweth in gardens in the Low-countries in other places vpon stone wals and tops of houses in England almost euery where The other groweth about 〈◊〉 in the borders of fields and in other places that lye open to the Sunne ¶ The Time They floure in the Sommer moneths ¶ The Names The lesser kinde is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Sedum and Semperuivum minus of the Germanes Kleyn Donderbaer and Kleyn Hauszwurtz of the Italians Semperuino minore of the Frenchmen Tricque-madame of the English men Pricke-Madam Dwarfe House-leeke and small Sengreene The second kinde is named in shops Crassula minor and they syrname it minor for difference betweene it and the other Crassula which is a kinde of Orpin it is also called Vermicularis in Italian Pignola Granellosa and Grasella in low-Dutch Blader loosen in English Wilde Pricke-Madam Great Stone-crop or Worme-grasse ‡ That which is vulgarly knowne and called by the name of Stone-crop is the Illecebra described in the following chapter and such as grow commonly with vs of these small Houseleekes mentioned in this chapter are generally named PrickeMadames but our Author hath confounded them in this and the next chapter which I would not alter thinking it sufficient to giue you notice thereof ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues All these small Sengreens are of a cooling nature like vnto the great ones and are good for those things that the others be The former of these is vsed in many places in sallads in which it hath a fine relish and a pleasant taste it is good for the heart-burne ‡ CHAP. 144. Of diuers other small Sengreenes ¶ The Description ‡ 1 THe stalke of this small water Sengreene is some spanne long reddish succulent and weake the leaues are longish a little rough and full of iuyce the floures grow vpon the tops of the stalkes consisting of six purple or else flesh-coloured leaues which are succeeded by as many little cods containing a small seed the root is small and threddy and the whole plant hath an insipide or waterish taste This was found by Clusius in some waterie places of Germany about the end of Iune and he calls it Sedum minus 3 siue palustre 2 This second from small fibrous and creeping roots sends vp sundry little stalkes set with leaues like those of the ordinary Pricke-Madam yet lesse thicke and flatter and of a more 〈◊〉 taste the floures which are pretty large grow at the tops of the branches and consist of siue pale yellowish leaues It growes in diuers places of the Alps and floures about the end of Iuly and in August This is the Sedum minus 6. or Alpinum 1. of Clusius 3 This hath small little and thicke leaues lying bedded or compact close together and are of an Ash colour inclining to blew the stalkes are some two inches long slender and almost naked vpon which grow commonly some three floures consisting of fiue white leaues apiece with some yellow threds in the middle This mightily encreases and will mat and couer the ground for a good space together It floures in August and growes vpon the craggy places of the Alpes Clusius calls it 〈◊〉 minus nonum siue Alpinum 3. 4 The leaues of this are somewhat larger and longer yet thicke and somewhat hairy about their edges at first also of an acide taste but afterwards bitterish and hot it also sendeth forth shoots and in the middest of the leaues it puts forth stalkes some two inches high which at the top as in an vmbel carry some six little floures consisting of 〈◊〉 leaues apiece hauing their bottomes of a yellowish colour It is found in the like places and floures at the same time as the former Clusius makes it his Sedum minus 10. Alpinum 4. and in the 〈◊〉 Lugd. It is called Iasme montana ‡ 1 Sedum minus palustre Small water Sengreene ‡ 2 Sedum Alpinum 1. Clusij Small Sengreene of the Alps. ‡ Sedum Alpinum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 White Sengreene 〈◊〉 the Alpes ‡ 4 Sedum Alpinum 4. Clusij Hairy Sengreene of the Alpes ‡ 5 Sedum petraeum Bupleurifolio Long leaued Rocke Sengreene 5 For these foure last described we are beholden to Clusius and for this fifth to 〈◊〉 who thus describes it It hath one 〈◊〉 and large root with few or no fibres but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bunching out here and there it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with a thicke barke and is of a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 colour on the outside the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 long and narrow lying spred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the stalke grows some 〈◊〉 high and is round and naked and at the top carries 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 7 sharpe pointed pale yellow leaues which are succeeded by seeds like 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of a strong smell It 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the middle of Iuly and the seed is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the middle of August 〈◊〉 who 〈◊〉 obserued this growing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Italy sets it forth by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bupleurifolio 〈◊〉 hath it by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Alpina Graminco folio and 〈◊〉 angustisolium Alpinum ¶ The Temper and 〈◊〉 The three first described without doubt are cold and partake in vertues with the 〈◊〉 small Sengreenes but the two last 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of an hot and attenuating 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them are commonly knowne or 〈◊〉 in Physicke ‡ CHAP. 145. Of Stone-crop called Wall-pepper 〈◊〉 siue Illecebra minor acris Wall-Pepper or Stone-crop ¶ The Description THis is a low and little herbe the stalks be slender and short the leaues about these stand very thicke and small in growth full bodied sharpe pointed and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the floures stand on the top and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 little of colour yellow 〈◊〉 of a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taste the root is nothing but 〈◊〉 ¶ The Place It groweth 〈◊〉 where in stony and dry places and in chinks and crannies of 〈◊〉 wals and on the tops of houses it is alwaies green and therefore it is very fitly placed among the Sengreenes ¶ The Time It floureth in the Sommer moneths ¶ The Names This is Tertium sempervivum Dioscoridis 〈◊〉 Dioscorides his third Sengreene which he saith is called of the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of the Romanes Illecebra Pliny also witnesseth that the Latines name it 〈◊〉 Yet there is another 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and another 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Germanes call this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Katzen treuble the French men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Low-countrey men Muer Pepper the English men Stone-crop and Stone hore little Stone-crop Pricket Mouse-taile Wall-Pepper Countrey Pepper and Iacke of the Butterie ¶ The Temperature This little herbe is sharpe and biting
Nauelwoort or Penniwoort of the Wall ¶ The Description 1 THe great Nauelwoort hath round and thicke leaues somewhat bluntly indented about the edges and somewhat hollow in the midst on the vpper part hauing a short tender stemme fastened to the middest of the leafe on the lower side vnderneath the stalke whereon the floures doe grow is small and hollow an handfull high and more beset with many small floures of an ouerworne incarnate colour The root is round like an oliue of a white colour ‡ The root is not well exprest in the figure for it should haue been more vnequall or tuberous with the fibers not at the bottome but top thereof ‡ 2 The second kinde of Wall Penniwoort or Nauelwoort hath broad thicke leaues somewhat deepely indented about the edges and are not so round as the leaues of the former but somewhat long towards the setting on spred vpon the ground in manner of a tuft set about the tender stalke like to Sengreene or Housleeke among which riseth vp a tender stalke whereon do grow the like leaues The floures stand on the top consisting of fiue small leaues of a white colour with red spots in them The root is small and threddie ‡ This by some is called Sedum Serratum ‡ ‡ 3. This third kinde hath long thicke narrow leaues very finely snipt or nickt on the edges which lie spred very orderly vpon the ground and in the midst of them rises vp a stalke some foot high which beares at the top thereof vpon three or foure little branches diuers white floures consisting of fiue leaues apiece 4 The leaues of this are long and thicke yet not so finely snipt about the edges nor so narrow as those of the former the stalke is a foot high set here and there with somewhat shorter and rounder leaues than those below and towards the top thereof out of the bossomes of these leaues come sundry little foot-stalkes bearing on their tops pretty large floures of colour white and spotted with red spots The rootes are small and here and there put vp new tufts of leaues like as the common Housleeke ‡ 5 There is a kinde of Nauelwoort that groweth in waterie places which is called of the husbandmen Sheeps bane because it killeth sheepe that do eat thereof it is not much vnlike the precedent but the round edges of the leaues are not so euen as the other and this creepeth vpon the ground and the other vpon the stone walls 1 Vmbilicus Veneris Wall Penniwoort ‡ 2 Vmbilicus Ven. sive Cotyledon altera Iagged or Rose Penniwoort ‡ 6 Because some in Italy haue vsed this for Vmbilicus Veneris and othersome haue so called it I thought it not amisse to follow Matthiolus and giue you the history thereof in this place rather than to omit it or giue it in another which may be perhaps as vnfit for indeed I cannot sitly ranke it with any other plant Bauhine sets it betweene Hedera Terrestris and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Columna refers it to the Linaria's but I must confesse I cannot referre it to any wherefore I thinke it as proper to giue it here as in any other place The branches of this are many long slender and creeping vpon which grow without any certaine order many little smooth thicke leaues fashioned like those of Ivie and fastened to stalkes of some inch long and together with these stalkes come sorth others of the same length that carry spur-fashioned floures of the shape and bignesse of those of the female Fluellen their outside is purple their inside blew with a spot of yellow in the opening The root is small creeping and threddie It floures toward the end of Sommer and growes wilde vpon walls in Italie but in gardens with vs. 〈◊〉 calls it Cymbalaria to which Lobel addes Italica Hederaceo folio Lonicerus termes it Vmbilicus Veneris 〈◊〉 and lastly Columna cals it Linaria hederae folio ‡ ¶ The Place The first kind of Penniwoort groweth plentifully in Northampton vpon euery stone wall about the towne at Bristow Bathe Wells and most places of the West Countrie vpon stone walls It groweth vpon Westminster Abbey ouer the doore that leadeth from Chaucers tombe to the old palace ‡ In this last place it is not now to be found ‡ The second third and fourth grow vpon the Alpes neere Piedmont and Bauier and vpon the mountaines of Germanie I found the third growing vpon Bieston Castle in Cheshire ‡ The fifth growes vpon the Bogges vpon Hampstead Heath and many such rotten grounds in other places ‡ ¶ The Time They are greene and flourish especially in VVinter They floure also in the beginning of Sommer ¶ The Names Nauelwoort is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Vmbilicus Veneris and Acetabulum of diuers Herba Coxendicum Iacobus Manlius nameth it Scatum Coeli and Scatellum in Dutch 〈◊〉 in Italian Cupertoiule in French Escuelles in Spanish Capadella of some Hortus Veneris or Venus garden and Terrae vmbilicus or the Nauel of the earth in English Penniwoort Wall-penniwoort Ladies nauell Hipwoort and Kidney-woort VVater Penniwoort is called in Latine Cotyledon palustris in English Sheepe-killing Pennigrasse Penny-rot and in the North Countrey VVhite-rot for there is also Red-rot which is Rosa solis in Northfolke it is called Flowkwoort ‡ Columna and Bauhine fitly refer this to the Ranunculi or Crowfeet for it hath no affinitie at all with the Cotyledons but onely in the roundnesse of the leafe the former of them cals it Ranunculus aquaticus vmbilicatofolio and the later Ranunculus aquat Cotyledonis folio ¶ The Temperature Nauelwoort is of a moist substance and somewhat cold and of a certaine obscure binding qualitie it cooleth repelleth or driueth backe scoureth and consumeth or wasteth away as Galen testifieth ‡ The VVater Pennywoort is of an hot and vlcerating qualitie like to the Crowfeet whereof it is a kinde The bastard Italian Nauelwoort seemes to partake with the true in cold and moisture ‡ ¶ The Vertues The iuice of VVall Pennywoort is a singular remedie against all inflammations and hot tumors as Erysipelas Saint Anthonies fire and such like and is good for kibed heeles being bathed therwith and one or more of the leaues laid vpon the heele The leaues and rootes eaten doe breake the stone prouoke vrine and preuaile much against the dropsie The ignorant Apothecaries doe vse the VVater Pennywoort in stead of this of the wall which they cannot doe without great error and much danger to the patient for husbandmen know well that it is noisome vnto Sheepe and other cattell that feed thereon and for the most part bringeth death vnto them much more to men by a stronger reason 3 Vmbilicus Veneris minor Small Nauelwoort ‡ 4 Cotyledon minor montana altera The other small mountaine Nauelwoort 5 Cotyledon palustris Water Penniwoort ‡ 6 Cymbalaria Italica Italian Bastard Nauelwoort CHAP. 152. Of Sea Pennywoort 1 Androsace Matthioli Sea Nauel-woort 2 Androsace
mihi suaue rubet sed inest quoque succus amarus Qui juvat obsessum bile aperitque jecur My floure is sweet in smell bitter my iuyce in taste Which purge choler and helps liuer that else would waste CHAP. 164. Of Calues snout or Snapdragon ¶ The Description 1 THe purple Snapdragon hath great and brittle stalks which diuideth it selfe into many fragile branches whereupon do grow long leaues sharpe pointed very greene like vnto those of wilde flax but much greater set by couples one opposite against another The floures grow at the top of the stalkes of a purple colour fashioned like a frogs mouth or rather a dragons mouth from whence the women haue taken the name Snapdragon The 〈◊〉 is blacke contained in round huskes fashioned like a calues snout whereupon some haue called it Calues snout or in mine opinion it is more like vnto the bones of a sheeps head that hath beene long in the water the flesh consumed cleane away 2 The second agreeth with the precedent in euery part except in the colour of the floures for this plant bringeth forth white floures and the other purple wherein consists the difference 3 The yellow Snapdragon hath a long thicke wooddy root with certain strings fastned thereto from which riseth vp a brittle stalke of two cubits and a halfe high diuided from the bottome to the top into diuers branches whereupon doe grow long greene leaues like those of the former but greater and longer The floures grow at the top of the maine branches of a pleasant yellow colour in shape like vnto the precedent 4 The small or wilde Snapdragon differeth not from the others but in stature the leaues are lesser and narrower the floures purple but altogether smaller the heads or seed-vessels are also like those of the former ‡ 5 There is another kinde hereof which hath many slender branches lying oft times vpon the ground the leaues are much smaller than these of the last described the floures and seed-vessels are also like but much lesser and herein consists the onely difference ‡ 1. 2. 〈◊〉 purpureum sinc album Purple or white floured Snapdragon 3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Yellow 〈◊〉 4 Antirrhinum minus Small Snapdragon ‡ 5 Antirrhinum 〈◊〉 repens Small creeping Snapdragon ¶ The Place The three first grow in most gardens but the yellow kinde groweth not common except in the gardens of curious Herbarists ‡ The fourth and fifth grow wilde amongst corne in diuers places ‡ ¶ The Time That which hath continued the whole Winter doth floure in May and the rest of Sommer afterwards and that which is planted later and in the end of Sommer floureth in the spring of the following yeare they do hardly endure the iniurie of our cold Winter ¶ The Names Snapdragon is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine also Antirrhinum of Apuleius Canis cerebrum Herba Simiana Venustaminor Opalis grata and Orontium it is thought to be Leo herba which Columella lib. 10. reckons among the floures yet Gesner hath thought that this Leo is Columbine which for the same cause he hath called 〈◊〉 but this name seemeth to vs to agree better with Calues snout than with Columbine for the gaping floure of Calues snout is more like to Lyons snap than the floure of Columbine it is called in Dutch 〈◊〉 in Spanish Cabeza de ternera in English Calues snout Snapdragon and Lyons snap in French Teste de chien and Teste de Veau ¶ The Temperature They are hot and dry and of subtill parts ¶ The Vertues The seed of Snapdragon as Galen saith is good for nothing in the vse of physicke and the herb it selfe is of like facultie with Bubonium or Star-wort but not so effectuall They report saith Dioscorides that the herbe being hanged about one preserueth a man from being bewitched and that it maketh a man gracious in the sight of people Apuleius writeth that the distilled water or the decoction of the herbe and root made in water is a speedy remedy for the watering of eyes proceeding of a hot cause if they be bathed therewith CHAP. 165. Of Tode-Flax 1 Linaria vulgaris lutea Great Tode-flax 2 Linaria purpurea odorata Sweet purple Tode-flax ¶ The Description 1 LInaria being a kinde of Antyrrhinum hath small slender blackish stalkes from which do grow many long narrow leaues like flax The floures be yellow with a spur hanging at the same like vnto a Larkes spur hauing a mouth like vnto a frogs mouth euen such as is to bee seene in the common Snapdragon the whole plant before it come to floure so much resembleth Esula minor that the one is hardly knowne from the other but by this old verse Esula lactescit sine lacte Linaria crescit ‡ Esula with milke doth flow Toad-flax without milke doth grow ‡ 2 The second kinde of Tode-flax hath leaues like vnto Bellis maior or the great Dasie but not so broad and somewhat iagged about the edges The stalke is small and tender of a cubit high beset with many purple floures like vnto the former in shape The root is long with many threds hanging thereat the floures are of a reasonable sweet sauour 3 The third being likewise a kinde of Tode-flax hath small and narrow leaues like vnto the first kinde of Linaria the stalke is a cubit high beset with floures of a purple colour in fashion like Linaria but that it wanteth the taile or spurre at the end of the floure which the other hath The root is small and threddie †4 Linaria Valentina hath leaues like the lesser Centorye growing at the bottome of the stalke by three and three but higher vp towards the top without any certaine order the stalkes are of a foot high and it is called by Clusius Valentina for that it was found by himselfe in Agro Valentino about Valentia in Spaine where it beareth yellow floures about the top of the stalke like common Linaria but the mouth of the floure is downie or mossie and the taile of a purple colour It floureth at Valentia in March and groweth in the medowes there and hath not as yet been seene in these Northerne parts 5 Osyris alba hath great thick and long roots with some threds or strings hanging at the same from which rise vp many branches very tough and pliant beset towards the top with floures not much vnlike the common Toad-flaxe but of a pale whitish colour and the inner part of the mouth somewhat more wide and open and the leaues like the common Tode-flax 3 Linaria purpurea altera Variable Tode-flax 4 Linaria Valentia Clus. Tode-flax of Valentia 5 Osyris alba Lob. White Tode-flax 6 Osyris purpurocaerulea is a kinde of Tode-flax that hath many small and weake branches trailing vpon the ground beset with many little leaues like flaxe The floures grow at the top of the stalke like vnto the common kinde but of a purple colour declining to blewnesse The root is small
stalks do grow very little white floures asterwhich come the seeds in small buttons of the bignesse of a pins head ‡ Our Author seemes here to describe the Paronychia 2. of Tabern ‡ 1 Paronychia vulgaris Common Whitlow grasse 2 Paronychia Rutacco folio Rew leased or iagged Whitlow grasse ¶ The Place These small base and low herbs grow vpon bricke and stone wals vpon old tiled houses which are growne to haue much mosse vpon them and vpon some shadowie and dry muddy wals It groweth plentifully vpon the bricke wall in Chancerie Lane belonging to the Earle of Southampton in the Suburbs of London and sundry other places ¶ The Time These floure many times in Ianuary and February and when hot weather approcheth they are no more to be seen all the yeare after ¶ The Names The Graecians haue called these plants 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Cicero calleth Reduvia There be many kindes of plants called by the said name of Paronychia which hath caused many writers to doubt of the true kinde but you may very boldly take these plants for the same vntill time hath reuealed or raised vp some new plant approching neerer vnto the truth which I thinke will neuer be so that we may call them in English Naile-woort and Whitelow grasse ¶ The Tmperatures and Vertues As touching the qualitie hereof we haue nothing to set downe onely it hath beene taken to heale the disease of the nailes called a Whitlow whereof it took his name CHAP. 198. Of the female Fluellen or Speedwell ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Elatine beeing of Fuchsius and Matthiolus called Veronica foemina 〈◊〉 the female Fluellen shooteth from a small and fibrous root many flexible and tender branches dispersed flat vpon the ground ramping creeping with leaues like Nummularia but that the leaues of Elatine are of an hoarie hairie and ouerworne greene colour among which come forth many small floures of a yellow colour mixed with a little purple like vnto the small Snapdragon hauing a certaine taile or Spur fastened vnto euery such floure like the herbe called Larkes spurre The lower iaw or chap of the floure is of a purple colour and the vpper iawe of a faire yellowe which beeing past there succeedes a small blacke seede contained in round husks 2 The second kinde of Elatine hath stalkes branches floures and roots like the first but the leaues are fashioned like the former but that they haue two little ears at the lower end somewhat resembling an arrow head broad at the setting on but the spur or taile of the floure is longer and more purple mixed with the yellow in the floure 1 Veronica foemina Fuchsij sive Elatine The Female Fluellen 2 Elatine altera Sharpe pointed Fluellen ¶ The Place Both these plants I haue found in sundry places where corne hath growne especially barley as in the fields about Southfleet in Kent where within six miles compasse there is not a field wherein it doth not grow Also it groweth in a field next vnto the house sometime belonging to that honourable gentleman Sir Frances Walsingham at Barn-elmes and in sundry places of Essex and in the next field vnto the Churchyard at Chiswicke neere London towards the midst of the field ¶ The Time They floure in August and September ¶ The Names Their seuerall titles set forth their names as well in Latine as English ¶ The Nature and Vertues These plants are not onely of a singular astringent facultie and thereby helpe them that bee grieued with the Dysenterie and hot swelling but of such singular efficacy to heale spreading and eating cankers and corosiue vleers that their vertue in a manner passeth all credit in these fretting sores vpon sure proose done vnto sundry persons and especially vpon a man whom Pena reporteth to haue his nose eaten most griouously with a canker or eating sore who sent for the Physitions Chirurgions that were famously knowne to be the best and they with one consent concluded to cut the said nose off to preserue the rest of his face among these Surgeons and Physitions came a poore sorie Barbar who had no more skill than he had learned by tradition and yet vndertooke to cure the patient This foresaid Barbar standing in the companie and hearing their determination desired that he might make triall of an herbe which he had seene his master vse for the same purpose which herbe Elatine though he were ignorant of the name whereby it was called yet hee knew where to fetch it To be short this herbe he stamped and gaue the iuice of it vnto the patient to drinke and outwardly applied the same plaisterwise and in very short space perfectly cured the man and staied the rest of his body from further corruption which was ready to fall into a leprosie Aduersar pag. 197. Elatine helpeth the inflammation of the eies and defendeth humours flowing vnto them beeing boiled and as a pultus applied thereto The leaues sodden in the broth of a hen or Veale staieth the dysenterie The new writers affirme that the female Fluellen openeth the obstructions or stoppings of the liuer and spleen prouoketh vrine driueth forth stones and clenseth the kidneies and bladder according to Paulus The weight of a dram or of a French crowne of the pouder of the herbe with the like waight of treacle is commended against pestilent Feuers CHAP. 192. Of Fluellen the male or Paul's Betonie 1 Veronica vera maior Fluellen or Speedwell 2 Veronica recta mas The male Speedwell ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Veronica is a small herbe and creepeth by the ground with little reddish and hairy branches The leafe is something round and hairy indented or snipped round about the edges The floures are of a light blew colour declining to purple the seed is contained in little flat pouches the root is fibrous and hairy 2 The second doth also creepe vpon the ground hauing long slender stemmes some foot high and somewhat large leaues a little hairy and pleasantly soft The floures be blew like as those of the former but somewhat bigger and of a brighter colour and they are also succeeded by round seed vessels 3 The third kinde of Veronica creepeth with branches and leaues like vnto Serpillum for which cause it hath beene called Veronica Serpillifolia The floures grow along the small and tender branches of a whitish colour declining to blewnesse The root is small and threddie taking hold vpon the vpper face of the earth where it spreadeth The seed is contained in small pouches like the former 4 The fourth hath a root somewhat wooddie from the which rise vp leaues like vnto the former The small vpright stalke is beset with the like leaues but lesser at the top whereof commeth forth a slender spike closely thrust together and full of blewish floures which are succeeded by many horned seed vessels ‡ 5 This hath many wooddie round smooth branches some handfull and halfe high
rise vp diuers branches charged with the like leaues the floures grow at the toppes of the branches of a most shining yellow colour the root is also like the former 3 The great Marsh Marigold with double floures is a stranger in England his natiue Countrey should seeme to be in the furthest part of Germanie by the relation of a man of those Countries that I haue had conference withall the which hee thus described it hath saith hee leaues roots and stalkes like those of our common sort and hath double floures like those of the garden Marigold wherein consisteth the difference 3 Calthapalustris multiplex Double floured Marsh Marigold The Place They ioy in moist and marish grounds and in watery medowes ‡ I haue not sound the double one wilde but seene it preserued in diuers gardens for the beautie of the floure ‡ ¶ The Time They floure in the Spring when the Crowfoots doe and oftentimes in Sommer the leaues keepe their greenenesse all the Winter long ¶ The Names Marsh Marigold is called of Valerius Cordus Caltha palustris of Tabernamontanus Populago but not properly in English Marsh Marigolds in Cheshire and those parts it is called Bootes ¶ The Temperature and 〈◊〉 Touching the faculties of these plants wee haue nothing to say either out of other mens writings or our owne experiences CHAP. 295. Of Frogge-bit Morsus Rana Frogge-bit ¶ The Description THere floteth or swimmeth vpon the vpper parts of the water a small plant which wee vsually call Frog-bit hauing little round leaues thicke and full of iuice very like to the leaues of wall Peniwoort the floures grow vpon long stems among the leaues of a white colour with a certaine yellow thrum in the middle consisting of three leaues in stead of roots it hath slender strings which grow out of a short and small head as it were from whence the leaues spring in the bottom of the water from which head also come forth slopewise certaine strings by which growing forth it multiplieth it selfe ¶ The Place It is found swimming or floting almost in euery ditch pond poole or standing water in all the ditches about Saint George his fields and in the ditches by the Thames side neere to Lambeth Marsh where any that is disposed may see it ¶ The Time It flourisheth and floureth most part of all the yeare ¶ The Names It is called of some Ranae morsus and Morsus Ranae and Nymphaeaparua ¶ The Temperature and Vertues It is thought to be a kinde of Pond-weed or rather of Water Lillie and to haue the same faculties that belong vnto it CHAP. 296. Of Water Lillie ¶ The Description 1 THe white water Lillie or Nenuphar hath great round leaues in shape of a Buckler thick fat and full of iuice standing vpon long round and smooth foot-stalkes ful of a spungious substance which leaues do swim or flote vpon the top of the water vpon the end of each stalk groweth one floure onely of colour white consisting of many little long sharpe pointed leaues in the middest whereof bee many yellow threds after the floure it bringeth forth a round head in which lieth blackish glittering seed The roots be thicke full of knots blacke without white and spungie within out of which groweth a multitude of strings by which it is fastened in the 〈◊〉 1 Nymphaea alba White Water Lillie 2 Nymphaealutea Yellow Water Lillie 2 The leaues of the yellow water Lillie be like to the other yet are they a little longer The stalkes of the floures and leaues be like the floures be yellow consisting onely of fiue little short leaues something round in the midst of which groweth a small round head or button sharpe towards the point compassed about with many yellow threds in which when it is ripe lie also glittering seeds greater than those of the other and lesser than wheat cornes The roots be thick long set with certaine dents as it were white both within and without of a spungious substance 3 The smal white water Lillie floreth likewise vpon the water hauing a single root with some few fibres fastened thereto from which riseth vp many long round smooth and soft foot-stalkes some of which doe bring forth at the end faire broad round buckler leaues like vnto the precedent but lesser on the other foot-stalkes stand prettie white floures consisting of fiue small leaues apeece hauing a little yellow in the middle thereof 3 Nymphaea alba minor The small white Water Lillie 5 Nymphaea lutea minima Dwarfe Water Lillie 4 The small yellow water Lillie hath a little threddie root creeping in the bottome of the water and dispersing it selfe far abroad from which rise small tender stalkes smooth and soft whereon do grow little buckler leaues like the last described likewise on the other small stalke standeth a tuft of many floures likewise floting vpon the water as the others do ‡ This hath the floures larger than those of the next described wherefore it may be fitly named Nymphaea lutea minor flore amplo ‡ 5 This dwarfe water Lillie differeth not from the other small yellow water Lillie sauing that that this kinde hath sharper pointed leaues and the whole plant is altogether lesser wherein lieth the difference ‡ This hath the floures much lesse than those of the last described wherefore it is fitly for distinction sake named Nymphaea 〈◊〉 minor flore paruo ‡ ¶ The Place These herbes do grow in fennes standing waters broad ditches and in brookes that run slowly and sometimes in great riuers ¶ The Time They floure and flourish most of the Sommer moneths ¶ The Names Water Lillie is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine also Nymphaea so named because it loues to grow in waterie places as Dioscorides saith the Apothecaries call it Nenuphar of Apuleius Mater Herculania Alga palustris Papauer palustre Clavus veneris and Digitus veneris Marcellus a very old writer reporteth that it is called in Latine Claua Herculis in French Badittin in high Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in low Dutch 〈◊〉 in English Water Lillie water Rose ¶ The Temperature Both the root and seed of water Lillie haue a drying force without biting ¶ The Vertues Water Lillie with yellow floures stoppeth laskes the ouerflowing of seed which commeth away by dreames or otherwise and is good for them that haue the bloudie flix But water Lillie which hath the white floures is of greater force insomuch as it staieth the whites but both this and the other that hath the black root must be drunke in red wine they haue also a scouring quality therfore they both clense away the morphew and be also good against the pilling away of the haire of the head against the morphew they are steeped in water and sor the pilling away of the haire in Tarre but for these things that is sitter which hath the black root and for the other that which hath the white root Theoprastus saith that being stamped and laid vpon
wherupon are set very rough leaues hairy sharp pointed of an ouerworne grayish greene colour from the bosome of which come forth long tender foot-stalkes on the ends whereof doe grow small floures composed of fiue small leaues of a pale yellow colour after which commeth forth the fruit of the bignes of the smallest pullets egge but somewhat longer verie rough and hairy on the outside and of the colour and substance of the stalkes wherein is contained very much water and smalhard blackish seeds also of the bignesse of tares which being come to maturitie and ripenesse it casteth or squirteth forth his water with the seeds either of it owne accord or being touched with the most tender or delicate hand neuer so gently and oftentimes striketh so hard against those that touch it especially if it chance to hit against the face that the place smarteth long after whereupon of some it hath been called Noli me tangere Touch me not The root is thicke white and long lasting The Place It is found in most of the hot countries among rubbish grauell other vntilled places it is planted in gardens in the Low-countries and being once planted saith Dodonaeus it easily commeth vp againe many yeares after which is true and yet saith he further that it doth not spring againe of the root but of the seeds spirted or cast about which may likewise be true where he hath obserued it but in my garden it is otherwise for as I said before the root is long lasting and continueth from yeare to yeare ¶ The Time It springeth vp in May it floureth and is ripe in Autumne and is to be gathered at the same time to make that excellent composition called Elaterium ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Agrestis and Erraticus Cucumis in shoppes Cucumer asininus in Italian Cocomero saluatico in Spanish Cogumbrillo amargo in English wilde Cucumber spirting Cucumbers and touch me not in French Concombres sauvages ¶ The Temperature The leaues of wilde Cucumbers roots and their rindes as they are bitter in taste so they be likewise hot and clensing The iuice is hot in the second degree as Galen witnesseth and of thin parts It clenseth and wasteth away ¶ The Vertues The iuice called 〈◊〉 doth purge forth choler flegme and waterie humours and that with force and not onely by siege but sometimes also by vomit The quantity that is to be taken at one time is from fiue grains to ten according to the strength of the patient The iuice dried or hardened and the quantitie of halfe a scruple taken driueth forth by siege grosse flegme cholericke humours and preuaileth mightily against the dropsie and shortnesse of breath The same drawne vp into the nosthrils mixed with a little milk taketh away the rednesse of the eies The iuice of the root doth also purge flegme cholericke and waterish humours and is good for the dropsie but not of such force as Elaterium which is made of the iuice of the fruit the making whereof I commend to the learned and curious Apothecaries among which number 〈◊〉r. William Wright in 〈◊〉 Burie my louing friend hath taken more paines in curious composing of it and hath more exactly performed the same than any other whatsoeuer that I haue had knowledge of CHAP. 342. Of Citrull Cucumbers 1 Citrullus officinarum Citrull Cucumber ‡ 2 Citrullus minor Small Citrull ¶ The Description 1 THe Citrull Cucumber hath many long flexible and tender stalkes trailing vpon the ground branched like vnto the Vine set with certaine great leaues deeply cut and very much iagged among which come forth long clasping tendrels and also tender footstalkes on the ends whereof do grow floures of a gold yellow colour the fruit is somewhat round straked or ribbed with certaine deepe furrowes alongst the same of a green colour aboue and vnderneath on that side that lyeth vpon the ground something white the outward skin whereof is very smooth the meat within is indifferent hard more like to that of the Pompion than of the Cucumber or Muske melon the pulpe wherein the seed lieth is spungie and of a slimie substance the seed is long flat and greater than those of the Cucumbers the shell or outward barke is blackish sometimes of an ouerworne reddish colour The fruit of the Citrull doth not so easily rot or putrifie as doth the Melon which being gathered in a faire dry day may be kept a long time especially being couered in a heape of wheat as Matthiolus saith but according to my practise you may keepe them much longer and better in a heape of dry sand 2 The second kinde of Citrull differeth not from the former sauing that it is altogether lesser and the leaues are not so deepely cut or iagged wherein consisteth the difference ¶ The Place and Time The Citrull prospereth best in hot Regions as in Sicilia Apulia Calabria and Syria about Alepo and Tripolis We haue many times sown the seeds and diligently obserued the order prescribed in planting of Cucumbers ¶ The Names The later Herbarists do call it Anguria in shoppes Citrullus and Cucumus Citrullus in English Citruls and Cucumber Citruls and the seed is knowne by the name of Semen Citrulli or Citrull seed But is Cucumis Citrullus be so called of the yellow colour of the Citron then is the common Cucumber properly Cucumis Citrullus which is knowne vnto all to be contrarie ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The meat or pulpe of Cucumer Citrull which is next vnto the bark is eaten raw but more commonly boiled it yeeldeth to the bodie little nourishment and the same cold it ingendreth a waterish bloud mitigateth the extremity of heat of the inner parts and tempereth the sharpnesse and feruent heat of choler being raw and held in the mouth it takes away the roughnesse of the tongue in Agues and quencheth thirst The seeds are of the like facultie with those of Cucumbers CHAP. 343. Of the wilde Citrull called Colocynthis ¶ The Description 1 COloquintida hath beene taken of many to be a kinde of the wild Gourd it lieth along creeping on the ground as doe the Cucumbers and Melons comming neerest of all to that which in those daies of some Herbarists is called Citrull Cucumber it bringeth forth vpon his long branches smal crooked tendrels like the Vine and also very great broad leaues deepely cut or iagged among which come forth small floures of a pale yellow colour then commeth the fruit round as a bowle couered with a thin rinde of a yellow colour when it is ripe which when it is pilled or pared off the white pulpe or spungie substance appeareth full of seedes of a white or else an ouerworne browne colour the fruit so pared or pilled is dryed for medicine the which is most extreame bitter and likewise the seede and the whole plant it selfe in all his parts 2 The second kinde of Coloquintida hath likewise many long branches and clasping tendrels
diuers 〈◊〉 sights and not to cease laughing till he hath drunke Pine apple kernells with Pepper in 〈◊〉 of the Date tree I thinke he would haue said vntill he be dead because the nature of laughing Crowfoot is thought to kill laughing but without doubt the thing is cleane contrary for it 〈◊〉 such convulsions cramps and wringings of the mouth and jawes that it hath seemed to some that the partyes haue dyed laughing whereas in truth they haue died in great torment 5 〈◊〉 Illyricus Crowfoot of Illyria 6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Roundrooted Crowfoot ¶ The Description 7 The seuenth kinde of Crowfoot called Auricomus of the golden lockes wherewith the 〈◊〉 is thrummed hath for his root a great bush of 〈◊〉 hairy strings from which shoote sorth small jagged leaues not much vnlike to Sanicle but diuided onely into three parts yet sometimes into fiue among which rise vp branched stalkes of a foot high whereon are placed the like leaues but smaller set about the top of the stalkes whereon do grow yellow floures sweet smelling of which it hath been called Ranunculus 〈◊〉 Tragi or Tragus his sweet Crowsoot ‡ It growes in medowes and about the sides of woods and floures in Aprill ‡ †8 Frogge Crowfoot called of Pena Aconitum Batrachioides of Dodonaeus Batrachion Apulei is that formerly described in the fourth place whereto this is much alike but that the stalkes and leaues are larger as also the floures which are white the root is tough and threddy 9 The ninth Crowfoote hath many grassie leaues of a deepe greene tending to blewnesse somewhat long narrow and smooth very like vnto those of the small Bistort or Snakeweed 7 Ranunculus auricomus Golden-haired Crow-foot †8 Ranunculus Aconiti folio Frog Crow-foot 9 Ranunculus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Grassie Crow 〈◊〉 10 Ranunculus Autumnalis 〈◊〉 Winter Crow-foot 10 The Autumne or Winter Crow-foot hath diuers broad leaues spred 〈◊〉 the ground snipt about the edges of a bright shining greene colour on the vpper side and hoary vnderneath full of ribs or sinewes as are those of Plantaine of an vnpleasant taste at the first afterward nipping the tongue among which leaues rise vp sundry tender foot-stalkes on the tops whereof stand yellow floures consisting of six small leaues apiece after which succeed little knaps of seed like to a dry or withered straw-berry The root is compact of a number of limber roots rudely thrust together in manner of the Asphodill 11 The Portugall Crow-foot hath many thicke clogged roots fastned vnto one head very like those of the yellow Asphodill from which rise vp three leaues seldome more broad thicke and pusfed vp in diuers places as if it were a thing that were blistered by meanes whereof it is very vneuen From the middle of which leaues riseth vp a naked stalke thicke fat very tender but yet fragile or easie to breake on the end whereof standeth a faire single yellow floure hauing in the middle a naked rundle of a gold yellow tending to a 〈◊〉 colour 11 Ranunculus Lusitanicus Clusij Portugall Crow-foot 12 Ranunculus globosus Locker Gowlons or Globe Crow foot 12 The Globe Crow-foot hath very many leaues deepely cut and iagged of a bright greene colour like those of the field Crow-foot among which riseth vp a stalke diuided toward the top into other branches furnished with the like leaues of those next the ground but smaller on the tops of which branches grow very faire yellow floures consisting of a few leaues folded or rolled vp together like a round ball or globe whereupon it was called Ranunculus globosus or the Globe Crow-foot or Globe floure which being past there succeed round knaps wherein is blackish seed The root is small and threddy ‡ 13 This hath large leaues like those of the last described but rough and hairy the stalk is some foot high the floures are pretty large composed of 〈◊〉 white sharpish pointed leaues It floures in Iuly and growes in the Alps it is the Ranunculi montani 2. species altera of Clusius ‡ 13 Ranunculus hirsutus Alpinus flo albo Rough white floured mountaine Crow-foot ‡ 14 Ranunculus montanus hirsutus purpureus Rough purple floured mountain Crowfoot ¶ The Place The twelfth kind of Crowfoot groweth in most places of York-shire and Lancashire and other bordering shires of the North countrey almost in euery medow but not found wilde in these Southerly or Westerly parts of England that I could euer vnderstand of ¶ The Time It floureth in May and Iune the seed is ripe in August ¶ The Names The Globe floure is called generally Ranunculus globosus of some Flos Trollius and 〈◊〉 Alpinus in English Globe Crow-foot Troll floures and Lockron gowlons CHAP. 368. Of Double yellow and white Batchelors Buttons ¶ The Description 1 THe great double Crow-foot or Batchelors button hath many iagged leaues of a deepe greene colour among which rise vp stalkes whereon do grow faire yellow floures exceeding double of a shining yellow colour oftentimes thrusting forth of the middest of the said floures one other smaller floure the root is round or fashioned like a Turnep the form whereof hath caused it to be called of some S. Anthonies Turnep or Rape Crow-foot The 〈◊〉 is wrapped in a cluster of rough knobs as are most of the Crow-feet 2 The double yellow Crow-foot hath leaues of a bright greene colour with many weake branches trailing vpon the ground whereon do grow very double yellow floures like vnto the precedent but altogether lesser The whole plant is likewise without any manifest difference sauing that these floures do neuer bring forth any smaller floure out of the middle of the greater as the other doth and also hath no Turnep or knobby root at all wherein consists the greatest difference Ranunculus maximus Anglicus Double Crow-foot or Batchelors buttons 2 Ranunculus dulcis multiplex Double wilde Crow-foot 3 Ranunculus albus multiflorus Double white Crow-foot 3 The 〈◊〉 double Crow-foot hath many great leaues deeply cut with great gashes and those snipt about the edges The stalks diuide themselues into diuers brittle branches on the tops whereof do grow very double floures as white as snow and of the bignesse of our yellow Batchelors button The root is tough limber and disperseth it selfe farre abroad whereby it greatly increaseth ¶ The Place The first and third are planted in gardens for the beauty of the floures and likewise the second which hath of late beene brought out of Lancashire vnto our London gardens by a curious gentleman in the searching forth of Simples Mr. Thomas Hesketh who found it growing wilde in the towne fields of a smal village called Hesketh not farre from 〈◊〉 in Lancashire ¶ The Time They floure from the beginning of May to the end of Iune ¶ The Names 〈◊〉 hath made no mention hereof but 〈◊〉 hath separated the first of these from the others intreating of it apart and naming it by a peculiar name Batrachion whereupon it is also called 〈◊〉 Batrachion
addition that it may differ from the true Melanthium for Pseudomelanthium Bastard Nigella or Cockle Hippocrates calleth it Melanthium ex Tritico of wheate Octauius Horatianus calleth that Gith which groweth among Corne and for the same cause it is named of the learned of this our time Nigellastrum Gigatho and Pseudomelanthium Ruellius saith it is called in French Niele and Flos Micancalus ¶ The Temperature The seed of Cockle is hot and dry in the later end of the second degree ¶ The Vertues The seed made in a pessarie or mother suppositorie with honey put vp bringeth 〈◊〉 the desired sicknesse as Hippocrates in his booke of womens diseases doth witnesse Octauius Horatianus giueth the seed parched and beaten to pouder to be drunke against the yellow jaundice Some ignorant people haue vsed the seed hereof for the seed of Darnell to the great danger of those who haue receiued the same what hurt it doth among 〈◊〉 the spoyle vnto bread as well in 〈◊〉 taste and vnwholesomnes is better known than desired CHAP. 445. Of Fumitorie ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers herbes comprehended vnder the title of Fumitorie some wilde and others of the garden some with bulbous or tuberous roots and others with fibrous or threddy roots and first of those whose roots are nothing but strings ¶ The Description 1 FVmitorie is a very tender little herbe the stalkes thereof are slender hauing as it were little knots or ioynts full of branches that scarse grow vp from the ground without proppings but for the most part they grow sidelong the leaues round about are small cut on the edges as those of Coriander which as well as the stalkes are of a whitish greene the floures be made vp in clusters at the tops of the small branches of a red purple colour then rise 〈◊〉 huskes round and little in which lieth the small seed the root is slender and groweth straight downe ‡ This is also found with floures of a purple violet colour and also somtimes with them white ‡ 2 The second kinde of Fumitorie hath many small long and tender branches wherupon grow little leaues commonly set together by threes or fiues in colour and taste like vnto the former hauing at the top of the branches many small clasping tendrels with which it taketh hold vpon hedges bushes and whatsoeuer groweth next vnto it the floures are small and clustering together of a white colour with a little spot in their middles after which succeed cods containing the seed the root is single and of a fingers length 3 The third kinde of Fumitorie hath a very small root consisting of diuers little strings from which arise small and tender branches trailing here and there vpon the ground beset with many small and tender leaues most finely cut and iagged like the little leaues of Dill of a deepe greene colour tending to blewnesse the floures stand on the tops of the branches in bunches or clusters thicke thrust together like those of the medow Clauer or three leafed grasse of a most bright red colour and very beautifull to behold the root is very small and threddy 1 Fumaria purpurea Common or purple Fumitory 2 Fumaria alba latifolia clauiculata White broad leafed Fumitorie 3 Fumaria 〈◊〉 Fine leafed Fumitorie 4 Fumaria lutea Yellow Fumitorie 4 The yellow Fumitorie hath many crambling threddy roots somewhat thicke grosse and fat like those of Asparagus from which rise diuers vpright stalkes a cubit high diuiding themselues toward the top into other smaller branches wheron are confusedly placed leaues like those of Thalictrum or English Rubarb but lesser and thinner alongst the tops of the branches grow yellow floures resembling those of Sage which being past there followeth small seed like vnto dust ¶ The Place The Fumitories grow in corne fields among Barley and other graine in vineyards gardens and such like manured 〈◊〉 I found the second and third growing in a corne field betweene a small village called Charleton and Greenwich ¶ The Time Fumitorie is found with his floure in the beginning of May and so continues to the end of sommer When it is in floure is the best time to gather it to keepe dry or to distill ¶ The Names Fumitorie is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and often 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Fumaria of Pliny Capnos in shops Fumus terrae in high Dutch Erdtrauch in low-Dutch 〈◊〉 Duyuen kernel in Spanish Palomilha in French and English Fumiterre ¶ The Temperature Fumitorie is not hot as some haue thought it to be but cold and something dry it openeth and clenseth by vrine ¶ The Vertues It is good for all them that haue either scabs or any other filth growing on the skinne and for them also that haue the French disease It remoueth stoppings from the liuer and spleene it purifieth the bloud and is oft times good for them that haue a quartane ague The 〈◊〉 of the herbe is vsed to be giuen or else the syrrup that is made of the iuyce the distilled water thereof is also profitable against the purposes aforesaid It is oftentimes boyled in whay and in this manner it helpeth in the end of the Spring and in Sommer time those that are troubled with 〈◊〉 Paulus Aegineta saith that it plentifully prouoketh vrine and taketh away the stoppings of the liuer and feeblenesse thereof that it strengthneth the stomacke and maketh the belly soluble Dioscorides affirmeth that the iuyce of Fumitorie of that which groweth among Barley as Aegineta addeth with gum Arabicke doth take away vnprofitable haires that pricke the eyes growing vpon the eye lids the haires that pricke being first plucked away for it will not suffer others to grow in their places The decoction of Fumitorie drunken driueth forth by vrine and siege all hot cholericke burnt and hurtfull humors and is a most singular digester of salt and pituitous humors CHAP. 446. Of bulbous Fumitorie or Hollow-root ¶ The Description 1 THe leaues of great Hollow root are iagged and cut in sunder as be those of Coriander of a light greenish colour that is to say like the gray colour of the leaues of Columbine whereunto they be also in forme like but lesser the stalks be smooth round and slender an handfull long about which on the vpper part stand little floures orderly placed long with a little horne at the end like the floures of Tode-flax of a light red tending to a purple colour the seed lieth in flat cods very soft and greenish when it is ready to yeeld vp his black shining ripe seed the root is bumped or bulbous hollow within and on the vpper part pressed down somewhat flat couered ouer with a darke yellow skin or barke with certaine strings fastned thereto and of a bitter and austere taste 2 The second is like vnto the first in each respect sauing that it bringeth floures of a white colour and the other not so 3 The small
Names The Artichoke is called in Latine Cinara of Cinis Ashes wherewith it loueth to be dunged Galen calleth it in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but with k and v in the first syllable of some it is called Cactos it is named in Italian 〈◊〉 Archiocchi in Spanish Alcarrhofa in English Artichoke in French Artichaux in low-Dutch Artichoken whereupon diuers call it in Latine Articocalus and Articoca in high-Dutch Strobidorn The other is named in Latine commonly not onely Spinosa cinara or prickly Artichoke but also of Palladius Carduus of the Italians Cardo and Cardino of the Spaniards Cardos of the French men Chardons Leonhartus Fuchsius and most writers take it to be Scolymus Dioscoridis but 〈◊〉 Dioscoridis hath the leafe of Chameleon or Spina alba with a stalke full of leaues and a prickly head but neither is Cinara the Artichoke which is without prickles nor the Artichok with prickles any such kinde of herbe for though the head hath prickles yet the stalke is not full of leaues but is many times without leaues or else hath not past a leafe or two Cinara doth better agree with that which Theophrastus and Pliny call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cactus and yet it doth not bring forth stalkes from the root creeping alongst the ground it hath broad leaues set with prickles the middle ribs of the leaues the skin pilled off are good to be eaten and likewise the fruit the seed and down taken away and that which is vnder is as tender as the braine of the Date tree which things Theophrastus and Pliny report of Cactus That which they write of the stalkes sent forth immediately from the root vpon the ground which are good to be eaten is peraduenture the ribs of the leaues euerie side taken away as they be serued vp at the table may be like a stalke except euen in Sicilia where they grew only in 〈◊〉 time It bringeth forth both certaine stalks that lie on the ground and another also standing straight vp but afterwards being remoued and brought into Italy or England it bringeth forth no more but one vpright for the soile and clyme do much preuaile in altering of plants as not onely Theophrastus teacheth but also euen experience it selfe declareth and of Cactus Theophrastus writeth thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cactus groweth onely in Sicilia it bringeth forth presently from the root stalkes lying along vpon the ground with a broad and prickly leafe the stalkes being pilled are fit to be eaten being somewhat bitter which may be preserued in brine it bringeth forth also another stalke which is likewise good to be eaten ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The nailes that is the white and thicke parts which are in the bottome of the outward scales or flakes of the fruit of the Artichoke and also the middle pulpe whereon the downy seed stands are eaten both raw with pepper and salt and commonly boyled with the broth of fat flesh with pepper added and are accounted a dainty dish being pleasant to the taste and good to procure bodily lust so likewise the middle ribs of 〈◊〉 leaues being made white and tender by good cherishing and looking to are brought to the table as a great seruice together with other junkets they are eaten with pepper and salt as be the raw Artichokes yet both of them are of ill iuyce for the Artichoke containeth plenty of cholericke iuyce and hath an hard substance insomuch as of this is ingendred melancholy iuyce and of that a thin and cholerick bloud as Galen teacheth in his book of the Faculties of nourishments But it is best to eate the Artichoke boyled the ribbes of the leaues are altogether of an hard substance they yeeld to the body a raw and melancholy iuice and containe in them great store of winde It stayeth the inuoluntarie course of the naturall seed either in man or woman Some write that if the buds of yong Artichokes be first steeped in wine and eaten they prouoke vrine and stir vp the lust of the body I finde moreouer that the root is good against the ranke smell of the arme-holes if when the pith is taken away the same root be boyled in wine and drunke for it sendeth forth plenty of 〈◊〉 vrine whereby the ranke and rammish sauor of the whole body is much amended CHAP. 480. Of Golden Thistles ¶ The Description 1 THe stalkes of Golden Thistle rise vp forthwith from the root being many round and branched The leaues are long of a beautifull green with deepe gashes on the edges and set with most sharpe prickles the floures come 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of the leaues set in a 〈◊〉 chaffie knap very like to Succorie floures but of colour as yellow as gold in their places come vp broad flat and thin seeds not great nor wrapped in downe the root is long a finger thicke 〈◊〉 soft and good to be eaten wherewith swine are much delighted there issueth forth of this thistle in what part soeuer it is cut or broken a iuyce as white as milke ‡ There is some varietie of this Thistle for it is found much larger about Montpelier than it is in Spaine with longer branches but fewer floures the leaues also are spotted or 〈◊〉 with white like as the milke Thistle whence Clusius whom I here follow hath giuen two figures thereof the former by the name of Scolymus Theophrasti H spanicus and the other by the title of 〈◊〉 Theophrasti Narbonensis This with white spots 〈◊〉 saw growing this yere with Mr. 〈◊〉 at South Lambeth ‡ 1 Carduus Chrysanthemus Hispanicus The Spanish golden Thistle ‡ Carduus Chrysanthemus 〈◊〉 The French golden Thistle 2 The golden Thistle of Peru called in the West Indies 〈◊〉 del Inferno a friend of mine brought it vnto me from an Island there called Saint Iohns Island among other seeds What reason the inhabitants there haue to call it so it is vnto me vnknowne vnlesse it be because of his fruit which doth much resemble a fig in shape and bignesse but so full of sharpe and venomous prickles that whosoeuer had one of them in his throat doubtlesse it would send him packing either to heauen or to hell This plant hath a single wooddy root as big as a mans thumbe but somwhat long from which ariseth a brittle stalke full of ioynts or knees diuiding it selfe into sundry other small branches set full of leaues like vnto the milke Thistle but much smaller and straked with many white lines or streakes and at the top of the stalks come 〈◊〉 faire and goodly yellow floures very like vnto the sea Poppy but more elegant and of greater beauty hauing in the midst thereof a small knop or boll such as is in the middle of our wild Poppy but full of sharpe thorns and at the end thereof a stainc or spot of a deepe purple after the yellow floures be fallen this foresaid knop groweth by degrees greater and greater vntill it come to full maturitie which openeth it selfe at
high a finger thicke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or surrowed and couered ouer with an hairy mossines which diuide 〈◊〉 into sundry smal branches 〈◊〉 with leaues consisting of sundry little leaues 〈◊〉 vpon a middle rib like the wilde Vetch placed on the small pliant branches like feathers which are 〈◊〉 couered ouer with a woollie 〈◊〉 in taste astringent at the first but afterwards burning hot among these leaues come forth many small white floures in fashion like the floures of 〈◊〉 which before their opening seeme to be somewhat yellow the root is maruellous great and large considering the smalnesse 〈◊〉 the plant for sometimes it groweth to the bignesse of a mans arme keeping the same bignesse for the space of a span in length and after diuideth it selfe into two or more forks or branches blacke without and wrinckled white within hard and wooddie and in taste vnpleasant which being dried becommeth harder than an horne 1 Astragalus Lusitanicus Clusij Portingale milke Vetch 2 Astragalus Syriacus Assyrian milke Vetch 2 The second kinde of Astragalus is a rare and gallant plant and may well be termed Planta 〈◊〉 guminosa by reason that it is accounted for a kinde of Astragalus resembling the same in the 〈◊〉 of his stalkes and leaues as also in the thicknesse of his rootes and the creeping and folding thereof and is garnished with a most thicke and pleasant comlinesse of his delectable red floures growing vp together in great tufts which are very seemly to behold 3 There hath been some controuersie about this third kinde which I am not willing to prosecute or enter into it may very well be Astragalus of Matthiolus his description or else his Polygala which doth exceeding well resemble the true Astragalus his small stalkes grow a foot high 〈◊〉 with leaues like Cicer or Galega but that they are somewhat lesser among which come forth small Pease like floures of an Orange colour very pleasant in sight the root is tough and flexible of a finger thicke ‡ 3 Astragalus Matthioli Matthiolus his milke Vetch ‡ 4 Astragaloides Bastard Milke Vetch 4 The fourth is called of 〈◊〉 and other learned Herbarists Astragaloides for that it resembleth the true Astragalus which groweth a cubit high and in shew resembleth Liquorice the floures grow at the tops of the stalks in shape like the Pease bloome of a faire purple colour which turne into small blacke cods when they be ripe the root is tough and very long creeping vpon the vpper part of the earth and of a wooddy substance The Place They grow amongst stones in open places or as 〈◊〉 writeth in places subiect to winds and couered with snow Dioscorides copies do adde in shadowie places it groweth plentifully in Phenea a citie in Arcadia as Galen and Pliny report in Dioscorides his copies there is read in Memphis a citie of Arcadia but Memphis is a citie of Egypt and in Arcadia there is none of that name some of them grow in my garden and in sundrie other places in England wilde they grow in the medowes neere Cambridge where the schollers vse to sport themselues they grow also in sundrie places of Essex as about Dunmow and Clare and many other places of that countrey ‡ I should be glad to know which or how many of these our Authour heere affirmes to grow wilde in England for as yet I haue not heard of nor seene any of them wilde nor in gardens with vs except the last 〈◊〉 which growes in some few gardens ‡ ¶ The Time They floure in Iune and Iuly and their seed is ripe in September ¶ The Names Milke Vetch is called of Matthiolus Polygala but not properly of most it is called Astragalus in Spanish Garauancillos in the Portingales tongue Alphabeca in Dutch Cleyne Ciceren ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Astragalus as Galen saith hath astringent or binding roots and therefore it is of the number of those simples that are not a little drying for it glueth and healeth vp old vlcers and staieth the flux of the belly if they be boiled in wine and drunke the same things also touching the vertues of Astragalus Dioscorides hath mentioned the root saith he being drunke in wine staieth the laske and prouoketh vrine being dried and cast vpon old vlcers it cureth them it likewise procureth great store of milke in cattell that do eat thereof whence it tooke his name It stoppeth bleeding but it is with much ado beaten by reason of his hardnesse CHAP. 521. Of Kidney Vetch ¶ The Description 1 KIdney Vetch hath a stalke of the height of a cubit diuiding it selfe into other branches whereon do grow long leaues made of diuers leaues like those of the Lentill couered as it were with a softwhite downinesse the floures on the tops of the stalks of a yellow colour verie many ioined together as it were in a spokie rundle after which grow vp little cods in which is contained small seed the root is slender and of a wooddie substance ‡ This is sometimes found with white floures whereupon 〈◊〉 gaue two figures calling the one Lagopodium flore luteo and the other Lagopodium flo albo Our Author vnfitly gaue this later mentioned figure in the chapter of Lagopus by the name of Lagopum maximum ‡ 1 Anthyllis Leguminosa Kidney Vetch 2 Stella leguminosa 〈◊〉 Kidney Vetch 2 The Starry Kidney Vetch called Stella leguminosa or according to Cortusus Arcturo hath many small flexible tough branches full of small knots or knees from each of which springeth forth one long small winged leafe like birds foot but bigger from the bosome of those leaues come forth little tender stems on the ends whereof do grow small whitish yellow floures which are very slender and soone vaded like vnto them of Birds-foot these floures turne into small sharpe pointed cods standing one distant from another like the diuisions of a 〈◊〉 or as though it consisted of little hornes wherein is contained small yellowish seeds the root is tough and deeply growing in the ground 3 There is another sort of Kidney Vetch called Birds-foot or Ornithopodium which hath very many small and tender branches trailing here and there close vpon the ground set full of small and 〈◊〉 leaues of a whitish greene in shape like the leaues of the wilde Vetch but a great deale lesser and siner almost like small feathers amongst which the floures doe grow that are very small yellowish and sometimes whitish which being vaded there come in place thereof little crooked 〈◊〉 fiue or six growing together which in shew and shape are like 〈◊〉 a small birds foot and each and euery cod resembling a claw in which are inclosedsmall seed like that of Turneps ‡ 3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The great Birds-foot ‡ 4 Ornithopodium minus Small Birds-foot ‡ 5 Scorpoides Leguminosa Small Horned pulse 4 There is also another kinde of Ornithopodium or Birds-foot called small Birds-foot which is very like vnto the first but that it is much smaller the branches or sprigs grow not
aboue a hand or halfe an hand in length spreading themselues vpon the ground with his small leaues and branches in maner of the lesser Arachus the floures are like vnto those of the former but very small and of a red colour ‡ 5 This small horned pulse may fitly here take place The root thereof consists of many little fibres from which arise two or three little slender straight stalkes some handfull and halfe or foot high at the tops of these grow little sharpe pointed crooked hornes rounder and slenderer than those of 〈◊〉 turning their ends inwards like the tailes of Scorpions and so jointed the floures are small and yellow the leaues little and winged like those of Birds foot Pena and 〈◊〉 found this amongst the corne in the fields in Narbon in France and they set it forth by the 〈◊〉 as I haue here giuen you it ‡ ¶ The Place 〈◊〉 4. These plants I found growing vpon Hampstead Heath neere London right against the Beacon vpon the right hand as you go from London neere vnto a grauell pit they grow also vpon blacke Heath in the high way leading from Greenwich to Charleton within halfe a mile of the towne ¶ The Time They floure from Iune to the middle of September ¶ The Names ‡ 1 This Gesner calls Vulneraria rustica Dodonaeus Lobel and Clusius call it Anthyllis and 〈◊〉 leguminosa ‡ 3. 4. I cannot finde any other name for these plants but Ornithopodium the 〈◊〉 is called in English great Birds-foot the second small Birds-foot ¶ The Nature and Vertues These herbes are not vsed either in meate or medicine that I know of as yet but they are very good food for cattel and procure good store of milke whereupon some haue taken them 〈◊〉 kindes of Polygala CHAP. 522. Of Blacke milke Tare Glaux Dioscoridis Dioscorides his milke Tare ¶ The Description THe true Glaux of Dioscorides hath very many tough and wooddy branches trailing vpon the ground set full of small winged leaues in shape like the common Glaux but a great deale smaller resembling the leaues of Tares but rather like Birds-foot of a very gray colour amongst which come forth knobby and scaly or chaffie heads very like the Medow Trefoile of a faire purple colour the root is exceeding long and wooddy which the figure doth not expresse and set forth ¶ The Place The true Glaux groweth vpon Barton hill foure miles from Lewton in Bedfordshire vpon both the sides of the declination of the hill ¶ The Time These plants do floure and flourish about Midsommer ¶ The Names These plants haue in times past been called Glaux i. folia habens glauca siue pallentia that is hauing skie coloured or pale leaues Sithens that in times past some haue counted Glaux among the kindes of Polygala or Milkewoorts we may therefore call this kinde of Glaux blacke Milke-woort ¶ The Nature These herbes are dry in the second degree ¶ The Vertues The seeds of the common Glaux are in vertue like the Lentils but not so much astringent they stop the flux of the belly dry vp the moisture of the stomacke and ingender store of milke CHAP. 523. Of red Fitchling Medick Fitch and Cockes-head ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Onobrychis hath many small and twiggie pliant branches ramping and creeping through and about bushes or whatsoeuer it groweth neere vnto the leaues and all the rest of the pulfe or plant is very like to the wilde Vetch or Tare the floures grow at the top of small naked stalks in shape like the pease bloome but of a purple colour layed 〈◊〉 with blew which turne into small round prickly husks that are nothing else but the seed 1 Onobrychis sive Caput Gallinaceum Medick Fitchling or Cockes-head 2 Onobrychis flore purpureo Purple Cockes-head 2 The second kind of Fitchling or Cocks-head of Clusius his description hath very many stalks especially when it is growne to an old plant round hard and leaning to the ground like the other pulses and leaues very like Galega or the wilde Vetch of a bitter taste and lothsome sauour among which come forth small round stems at the ends whereof do grow floures spike fashion three inches long in shape like those of the great Lagopus or medow Trefoile but longer of an excellent shining purple colour but without smell after which there follow small coddes containing little hard and blacke seed in taste like the Vetch The root is great and long hard and of a wooddy substance spreading it selfe far abroad and growing very deep into the ground 3 The third kinde of Fitchling or Cocks-head hath from a tough smal and wooddie root many twiggie branches growing a cubit high full of knots ramping and creeping on the ground The leaues are like the former but smaller and shorter among which come forth smal tender stemmes whereupon do grow little floures like those of the Tare but of a blew colour tending to purple the floures being vaded there come the small cods which containe little blacke seed like a Kidney of a blacke colour 3 Onobrychis 2. Clusij Blew Medicke Fitch 4 Onobrychis 3. Clusij flore pallido Pale coloured Medicke Fitch 5 Onobrychis montana 4. Clusij Mountaine Medick Fetch 5 The fifth kinde of Onobrychis hath many grosse and wooddie stalks proceeding immediatly from a thick fat and fleshie tough root the vpper part of which are small round and pliant garnished with little leaues like those of Lentils or rather Tragacantha somewhat soft and couered ouer with a woollie hairinesse amongst which come forth little long and naked stems eight or nine inches long whereon do grow many small floures of the fashion of the Vetch or Lentill but of a blew colour tending to purple and after them come smal cods wherein the seed is contained ¶ The Place The first and second grow vpon Barton hill foure miles from Lewton in Bedfordshire vpon both the sides of the hill and likewise vpon the grassie balks between the lands of corn two miles from Cambridge neere to a water mill towards London diuers other places by the way from London to Cambridge the rest are strangers in England ¶ The Time These plants do floure in Iuly their seed is ripe shortly after ¶ The Names It is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or without a name among the later writers the old and antient Physitions do call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for all those things that are found written in Dioscorides or Pliny concerning 〈◊〉 doe especially agree hereunto Dioscorides writeth thus Onobrychis hath leaues like a Lentill but longer a stalk a span high a crimson floure a little root it groweth in moist and vntilled places and Pliny in like manner Onobrychis hath the leaues of a Lentill somwhat longer a red floure a small and slender root it groweth about springs or fountaines of water All which things and euery 〈◊〉 are in this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or namelesse herbe as
close vp vlcers and ioyne together greene wounds ¶ The Vertues The floures are of most force which being drunke with wine are good against the bloudy flix weakenesse of the stomacke fluxes and ouerflowings of moist humors They cure 〈◊〉 vlcers being applied in manner of a pultis Dioscorides teacheth that they are a remedie for eating vlcers called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being anointed therewith and that they cure 〈◊〉 scaldings and old vlcers Hypocistis is much more binding it is a sure remedie for all infirmities that come of fluxes 〈◊〉 voiding of bloud the whites the laske and the bloudy flix but if it be requisit to strengthen that part which is ouerweakned with a superfluous moisture it doth notably comfort and strengthen the same It is excellent to be mixed with somentations that serue for the stomacke and liuer It is put into the Treacle of Vipers to the end it should comfort and strengthen weake 〈◊〉 as Galen writeth CHAP. 6. Of other Plants reckoned for dwarfe kindes of Cistus 1. 2. Helianthemum Anglicum luteum vel album English yellow or white dwarfe Cistus ¶ The Description 1 THe English dwarfe Cistus called of Lobel 〈◊〉 Chironium 〈◊〉 there is another Panax of 〈◊〉 description which I hold to be the true and right Panax notwithstanding he hath inserted it amongst the kindes of Cistus as being indifferent to ioyne with vs and others for the insertion is a low and base plant creeping vpon the ground hauing many smal tough branches of a browne colour whereupon do grow little leaues set together by couples thicke fat and ful of substance and couered ouerwith a soft downe from the bosome whereof come forth other lesser leaues the floures 〈◊〉 they be open are small knops or buttons of a browne colour mixed with yellow and being open and spred abroad are like those of the wild Tansie and of a yellow colour withsome yellower chiues in the middle the root is thicke and of a wooddy substance 2 The second is very like vnto the precedent sauing that the leaues are long and doe not grow so thicke thrust together and are more woolly the floures are greater and of a white colour wherein the especiall difference consisteth The root is like the former 3 Helianthemum luteum Germanicum The yellow dwarfe Cistus of 〈◊〉 3 There is found in Germanie a certaine plant like to Cistus and Ledon but much lesser creeping vpon the ground vnlesse it be propped vp hauing a multitude of twiggie branches slender and sine whereupon do grow leaues lesser than those of Ledon or Cistus very like to that of our English white dwarfe Cistus of a full substance fleightly haired wherein is contained a tough iuice the floures are small like little Roses or the wilde Tansie of a yellow colour the roots be slender wooddie and something red 4 Helianthemum album Germanicum The white dwarse Cistus of Germanie 5 Helianthemum 〈◊〉 The dwarfe Cistus of Sauoy 6 Helianthemum angustifolium Narrow leafed dwarfe Cistus 4 This differeth not from the last described sauing that the floures hereof are very white and the others yellow wherein they especially differ 5 The Dwarfe Cistus of Sauoy hath diuers tough branches of a reddish colour very tough and wooddy diuided into diuers other branches whereon are set small leaues foure together by certain spaces the floures grow at the top of the branches like those of our yellow Dwarfe Cistus of a yellow colour the root is very wooddie 6 This dwarfe Cistus with narrow leaues hath very many 〈◊〉 flexible branches of a 〈◊〉 colour very smooth and ramping vpon the ground whereon do grow small long narrow leaues like those of Time of Candie from the bosome whereof come forth diuers 〈◊〉 smaller leaues the floures grow on the tops of the branches of a bleak yellow colour the root is 〈◊〉 wooddy ‡ 7 To these I may fitly adde two more the first of these hath creeping stalks some foot 〈◊〉 two long blackish and diuided into sundry smaller branches the leaues grow thick and many together set by couples though the figure do not wel expresse so much these leaues are smal of 〈◊〉 bignes of those of Time thick green aboue and whitish vnderneath and of a bitter tast at 〈◊〉 ends of the branches grow two or foure floures neere together very small composed of fiue little leaves of a kinde of flesh colour to these succeed heads opening themselues when they come to 〈◊〉 into fiue parts and containing a very small seed the root is hard and wooddie sending out certaine fibres also the branches here and there put forth some fibres This plant dryed hath a pretty pleasing smell This growes vpon the highest Austrian and Styrian alpes and is set forth by Clusius by the name of Chamaeciftus septimus ‡ 7 Chamaecistus serpillifolius Tyme leaued dwarfe Cistus ‡ 8 Chamaecistus 〈◊〉 Frisian Dwarfe Cistus 8 The same Author also in his Curae posteriores giues vs the historie of this which he receiued with some other rare plants from Iohn Dortman a famous and learned Apothecarie of Groeningen This little plant is in leafe and root almost like and neere of the same bignesse with the Celticke Nard yet the stalks are vnlike which are small set with a few longish leaues and at the tops they carry fiue or six pretty floures like those of Crow feet consisting of six leaues apiece of a yellow colour yet with some few spots of another colour and these set in a double ring about the middle after these follow heads or seed vessels with forked tops filled with a chaffie seed the whole plant smells somewhat strong It growes together with Gramen Pernassi in rotten moorish places about a village in the county of Drent Dortman called this Hirculus Frisicus Clusius addes qui Chamaecisti genus ‡ ¶ The Place Their 〈◊〉 titles haue touched their naturall countries they grow in rough drie and sunnie places in plaine fields and vpon mountaines Those of our English growing I haue found in very many places especially in Kent vpon the chalkie bankes about Graues-end Southfleet and for the most part all the way from thence vnto Canturburie and Douer ¶ The Time They floure from Iuly to the end of August ¶ The Names Tragus calleth dwarfe Cistus in the high Dutch tongue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Gratia Dei but there is another herbe called also of the later Herbarists Gratia Dei which is Gratiola Valerius Cordus nameth it Helianthemum and 〈◊〉 flos or Sunne floure of Clusius Chamaecistus or Dwarfe 〈◊〉 Pliny writeth that Helianthe groweth in the champion countrey Temiscyra in Pontus and in the mountaines of Cilicia neere to the sea and he saith further that the wise men of those countries and the kings of Persia do annoint their bodies herewith boiled with Lions fat a little Saffron and wine of Dates that they may seeme faire and beautiful and therefore haue they called it 〈◊〉 or the beautie of the Sun Matthiolus saith that
Helianthemum is taken of some to be Panaces Chironium or Chirons All-heale but it is nothing likely as we haue said ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The faculties and temperature are referred to the kindes of Cistus for it healeth wounds stancheth bloud and stoppeth the spittings of bloud the bloudie flixe and all other issues of bloud The same boiled in wine healeth vlcers in the mouth and priuie parts if they be washed therewith to be briefe it ioineth together and strengthneth which things doe plainely and euidently shew that it is not onely like to Cistus and Ledon in forme but in vertues and faculties also and therefore it is manifest that it is a certaine wilde kinde of Cistus and Ledon CHAP. 7. Of Cistus Ledon and Ladanum ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of Cistus whereof that gummy matter is gathered called in shops Ladanum and Labdanum but vnproperly ¶ The Description 1 CIstus Ledon is a shrub growing to the height of a man and sometimes higher hauing many hard wooddie branches couered with a blackish bark wherupon do grow leaues set together by couples one right against another like vnto wings of an inch broad of a blacke swart greene on the vppersides and whitish vnderneath whereon is gathered a certain clammie transparent or through shining liquour of a very hot sweet smell which being gathered and hardned is that which in shops is called Labdanum the floures grow at the ends of the branches like little roses consisting of fiue white leaues euery one decked or beautified toward the bottome with pretty darke purplish spots tending to blacknesse hauing in the middle very many yellow chiues such as are in the middle of the Rose after come the knaps or seed vessels full of most smal reddish seed the whole plant being dried groweth somewhat whitish and of a pleasant smell the which it retaineth many yeares 2 The second groweth likewise to the height of an hedge bush the branches are long and very sragile or easie to breake whereon do grow leaues greener than any other of his kinde yet vnderneath of a hoarie colour growing toward winter to be somewhat reddish of a sower and binding taste the floures are like the precedent the forme whereof the Grauer hath omitted in other respects like the former 3 The third sort of Cistus Ledon groweth vp to the height of a small hedge bush hauing many twiggie branches whereon do grow leaues like those of the Poplar tree sharpe at the point couered ouer with that clammie dew that the others are the floures grow at the tops of the branches of a white colour like the precedent 1 Cistus Ledon 1. Clusij The first Cistus bringing 〈◊〉 2 Cistus ledon 2. Clusij The second gum Cistus 3 Cistus ledon populea fronde Cistus ledon with leaues like the Poplar 4 Cistus ledon 4. Clusij Cistus ledon the 4. of 〈◊〉 5 Cistus Ledon 5. Clusij The fist Cistus Ledon 6 Cistus Ledon 6. Clusij The sixth 〈◊〉 Ledon 7 Cistus Ledon 7. Clusij The 7. Cistus Ledon 8 Cistus Ledon cum Hypocistide Lobelij The 8. Cistus Ledon with his excrescence 9 〈◊〉 Ledon 10. Clusij The 10. Cistus Ledon 10 Cistus Ledon Myrtifolium Cistus Ledon with leaues like Myrtle 11 Cistus Ledum Silesiacum The Polonian Cistus Ledon 4 The fourth of Clusius description groweth likewise to the height of a shrubby bush hauing many branches flexible hoarie and hairie the leaues are like the rest of his kind but softer more hairy of a swart green colour dasht ouer with that dewie fatnesse not onely in the spring time but in the heat of 〈◊〉 likewise the floures are white with yellow thrums in the middle the rest answereth the last described 5 The fift groweth vp like a hedge 〈◊〉 with many tough branches whereon are set long rough leaues hoarie vnderneath somewhat dasht ouer with that fattie dew or 〈◊〉 mour that the rest are possessed of the floures are likewise of a white colour with 〈◊〉 yellow chiues in the middle the root is wooddie †6 The sixth hath diuers small branches couered with a blackish bark the floures are set together at the tops of the branches by certaine spaces they are yellow and like the former in each respect 7 The seuenth is a low shrub growing to the height of two cub it s hauing many branches couered with a barke of the colour of ashes whereon are confusedly set diuers leaues at certaine distances small narrow like those of winter Sauory of an ouerworne russet colour very thick fat and glutinous the floures are white differ not nor the seed from the rest 8 The eighth 〈◊〉 vp like a little hedge bush hauing leaues like the common 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that those of this plant are sprinckled ouer with that clammy moisture and the other not so the 〈◊〉 and seed are also like From the root of this plant commeth such like excrescence called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Hypocistis as there doth from the first male Cistus wherein it differeth from all the rest vnder the name Ledon 9 The ninth hath diuers brittle stalkes of an ash colour tending to a russet whereon are set very many leaues like those of Thyme of an ouerworne colour the floures are white with certaine yellow chiues in the middle which the grauer hath omitted in the figure 10 The tenth groweth vp like a small shrub hauing brittle stalkes couered with a blackish barke and diuided into diuers branches whereon are set vpon short truncheons or fat footstalkes foure or fiue like those the Myrtle tree of a strong smell the floures are likewise of a white colour 12 Cistus Ledum Rorismarini folio Cistus Ledon with leaues like Rosemarie 13 Cistus Ledum Matthioli Cistus Ledon of Matthiolus description 11. 12. The twelfth kinde of Cistus Ledon groweth vpright with a straight body or stocke bringeth at the top many small twigs or rods of a cubit long couered with a barke os the colour of ashes which diuide themselues into other branches of a purplish colour beset with long and narrow leaues not much vnlike to Rosemary but longer of a greene colour aboue but vnderneath hauing as it were a long rib made or compact of wooll or downe of a sweet and pleasant smell and somewhat sharpe in taste on the tops of the branches grow knops or heads compact as it were of many scales of an iron or rustie colour out of which commeth and proceedeth a certaine round and long mane or hairy panickled tuft of floures with many long tender greene and somewhat woolly stalkes or twigs growing vnto them of a sweet sent and smell the floures consist of fiue little white leaues within which are contained ten white chiues with a long stile or pointal in 〈◊〉 midst of the floure when the floures be vaded there succeed long knops or heads which are 〈◊〉 cornered in shape and bignesse like vnto the fruite and berries of Cornus which being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bespeckled with many siluer spots but being ripe are of a red
to drinke the distilled water of Broome floures against surfets and diseases thereof arising Sir Thomas Fitzherbert Knight was woont to cure the blacke iaundice with this drinke onely Take as many handfuls as you thinke good of the dried leaues of Broom gathered and brayed to pouder in the moneth of May then take vnto each handfull of the dried 〈◊〉 one spoonful and a halfe of the seed of Broom braied into pouder mingle these together and let the sicke drinke thereof each day a quantitie first and last vntill he finde some 〈◊〉 The medicine must be continued and so long vsed vntil it be quite extinguished for it is a disease not very 〈◊〉 cured but must by little and little be dealt withall Orobanch or Broom rape sliced and put into oyle Oliue to insuse or 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 same as ye do Roses for oile of Roses scoureth and putteth away all spots lentils freck les pimples wheals and pushes from the face or any part of the body being annointed therewith Dioscorides writeth that Orobanch may be 〈◊〉 either raw 〈◊〉 boiled in manner as we vse to eat the sprigs or young shoots of Asparagus The floures and seeds of Spanish Broome are good to be drunke with Mead or honied water in the quantitie of a dram to cause one to vomite with great force and violence euen as white Hellebor or neesing pouder If it be taken alone it looseneth the belly driueth forth great quantitie of waterie and filthie humours CHAP. 18. Of base Broome or greening weed ¶ The Description 1 THis base kinde of Broom called Greene weed or Diers weed hath many tough branches proceeding from a wooddie root whereon do grow great store of leaues of a deep green colour somewhat long like those of Flax the floures grow at the top of the branches not much vnlike the leaues of Broome but smaller of an exceeding faire yellow colour which turne into small flat cods wherein is contained a little flat seed 2 Carolius Clusius setteth forth another kinde of Broome which Dodonaeus calleth Genistatinctoria being another sort of Diers weed it groweth like the Spanish Broome vpon whose branches do grow long and small leaues like Flax greene on the vpper side and of an hoarie shining colour on the other The floures grow at the top of the stalks spike fashion in forme and colour like the former the roots are thicke and wooddie 3 Carolus Clusius setteth forth two kindes of Broome The first is a low and base plant creeping and lying flat vpon the ground whose long branches are nothing else but as it were stalkes consisting of leaues thicke in the middest and thinne about the edges and as it were diuided with small nicks at which place it beginneth to continue the same leafe to the end and so from leafe to leafe vntill it haue increased a great sort all which doe as it were make one stalke and hath none other leaues sauing that in some of the nicks or diuisions there commeth forth a small leafe like a little eare At the end of those flat and leafed stalks come forth the 〈◊〉 much like the floures of the common Greening weed but lesser and of a yellow colour which turne into small cods The roots are very long tough and wooddie ful of fibres closing at the top of the root from whence they proceed as from one body 4 This kinde of Greenweed called of some Chamaesparium hath a thicke wooddie root from which rise vp diuers long leaues consisting as it were of many pieces set together like a paire of Beads as may better be perceiued by the figure than expressed by words greene on the vpper side and whitish vnderneath very tough and as it were of a rushie substance among which rise vp very small naked rushie stalkes on the top whereof groweth an eare or spike of a chaffie matter hauing here and there in the said care diuers yellow floures like Broome but very small or little 1 Genistella tinctoria Greeneweed or Diers weed 2 Genistella infectoria Wooddie Diers weed 3 Genistella pinnata Winged Greeneweed 4 Genistella globulata Globe Greene weed 5 The fist Greeneweed hath a wooddie tough root with certaine strings annexed thereto from which rise vp diuers long flat leaues tough very hard consisting as it were of many little leaues set one at the end of another making of many one entire leafe of a greene colour amongst which come forth diuers naked hard stalks very small and stiffe on the tops whereof stand spikie 〈◊〉 of yellow floures like those of Broome in shape like that great three leafed grasse called Lagopus 〈◊〉 like the Fox-taile grasse after which come flat cods wherein is inclosed small seed like to Tares both in taste and forme 5 Genistella Lagopoides maior Hares foot Greeneweed 6 Genistella Lagopoides minor Small Greenweed with Hares foot floure 6 This differeth not from the precedent in stalks roots and leaues the floures consist of a flockie soft matter not vnlike to the grassie tuft of Foxtaile resembling the floure of Lagopus or Hares-foot but hauing small yellow floures lesser than the former wherein it chiefely differeth from the other of his kinde ¶ The Place The first being 〈◊〉 common Diers-weed groweth in most fertile pastures and fields almost euery where The rest are strangers in England ¶ The Time They floure from the beginning of Iuly to the end of August ¶ The Names The first of these Greenweeds is named of most Herbarists Flos Tinctorius but more rightly Genista Tinctoria of this Pliny hath made mention The Greenweeds saith he do grow to dye cloths with in his 18. booke 16. Chapter It is called in high Dutch Ferblumen and Ackerbrem in Italian Cerretta and Cosaria as Matthiolus writeth in his chapter of Lysimachia or Loose-strifie in 〈◊〉 Diers Greening weed base Broome and Woodwaxen The rest we refer to their seuerall titles ¶ The Temperature and Vertues These plants are like vnto common Broome in bitternesse and therefore are hot and drie in the second degree they are likewise thought to be in vertues equall notwithstanding their vse is not so well known and therefore not vsed at all where the other may be had we shall not need to speak of that vse that Diers make thereof being a matter impertinent to our Historie CHAP. 19. Of Spanish base Broomes ¶ The Description ‡ 1 THis growes to the height of a cubit and is couered with a crested and rough 〈◊〉 and diuided into many longish branches crested green which at their first springing vp haue some leaues vpon them which fall away as soon as the plant comes to floure from the sides of the branches come forth long foot-stalks whereon hang some small yellow floures which are succeeded by short round yellowish red cods which commonly containe but one seed 〈◊〉 two and these hard and blacke and like a little Kidney which when it is ripe will rattle in the cod being shaken ‡ 1 Pseudospartum Hispanicum Aphyllum
described but thinner and not snipt about the edges on the tops of the branches grow the floures wholly white consisting of nine ten or twelue leaues set in two rankes these floures are very sweet hauing a sent as it were compounded of the Spanish Iasmine and Orange floures It is a tender plant and may be graffed vpon the common Iasmine whereon it thriues well and floures most part of the Sommer It groweth plentifully in Egypt and Prosper Alpinus is thought to mention this by the name of Sambac Arabum siue Gelseminum Arabicum ‡ 4 Glans vnguentaria or the oylie Acorne is the fruit of a tree like Tamariske of the bignesse of an Hasell Nut out of the kernell whereof no otherwise than out of bitter Almonds is pressed an oylie iuyce which is vsed in pretious Oyntments as Dioscorides 〈◊〉 neither is it in our time wholly reiected for the oyle of this fruit mixed with sweet odours serueth to persume gloues and diuers other things and is vulgarly knowne by the name of Oyle of Ben. ¶ The Place 1. 2. These trees grow not wilde in England but I haue them growing in my garden in very great plenty ¶ The Time They floure in Aprill and May but as yet they haue not 〈◊〉 any fruit in my garden though in Italy and Spaine their fruit is ripe in September ¶ The Names The later Physitians call the first Syringa or rather 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say a Pipe because the stalks and branches thereof when the pith is taken out are hollow like a pipe it is also many times syrnamed Candida or white or Syringa candido slore or Pipe with a white floure because it should differ from Lillach which is sometimes named Syringa coerulea or blew Pipe in English White Pipe Blew Pipe the later Physitians as we haue said do name Lillach or 〈◊〉 of some Syringa 〈◊〉 or blew Pipe most do expound the word Lillach and call it Ben Serapio's and the Arabians 〈◊〉 is Glans vnguentaria which the Grecians name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from which Lillach doth very much differ among other differences it is very apparant that Lillach bringeth forth no Nut howsoeuer 〈◊〉 doth falsly picture it with one for it hath only a little cod the seed whereof hath in it no oile at all The figure of the Balanus Myrepsica we haue thought good to insert in this chapter for want of a more conuenient roome ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Concerning the vse and faculties of these shrubs neither we our selues haue found out any thing 〈◊〉 learned ought of others ‡ The Balanus Myrepsica taken in the quantitie of a dram causeth vomit drunk with Hydromel it purges by stoole but is hurtfull to the stomacke The oile pressed out of this fruit which is vsually termed oyle of Ben as it hath no good or pleasing smell so hath it no ill sent neither doth it become rancide by age which is the reason that it is much vsed by perfumers The oile smoothes the skin softens and dissolues hardnesse and conduces to the cure of all cold affects of the sinewes and it is good for the paine and noise in the eares being mixed with Goose-grease and so dropped in warme in a small quantitie ‡ CHAP. 62. Of Widow-Waile or Spurge Oliue ¶ The Description WIdow-waile is a small shrub about two cubits high The stalke is of a wooddy substance branched with many small twigs full of little leaues like Priuet but smaller and blacker on the ends whereof grow small pale yellow floures which being past there succeedeth a three cornered berrie like the Tithymales for which cause it was called Tricoccos that is three berried Chamelaea these berries are greene at the first red afterward and browne when they be withered and containe in them an oylie fatnesse like that of the Oliue being of an hot and biting taste and that doe burne the mouth as do both the leaues and rinde The root is hard and wooddy ¶ The 〈◊〉 It is found in most vntilled grounds of Italy and Languedoc in France in rough and desart places I haue it growing in my garden ¶ The Time It is alwaies greene the seed is ripe in Autumne ¶ The Names The Grecians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as though they should say low or short Oliue tree the Latines 〈◊〉 and Oleastellus and likewise Citocacium it is also named of diuers Oliuella as Matthiolus 〈◊〉 saith it is called in English Widow-Waile quia facit viduas The fruit is named of diuers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Coccus 〈◊〉 but he is deceiued saith 〈◊〉 that nameth the fruit of Spurge-Oliue Coccus 〈◊〉 Auicen and 〈◊〉 call 〈◊〉 or Spurge Oliue Mezereon vnder which name notwithstanding they haue also contained both the Chamaeleons or Carlines and so haue they confounded Chamelaea or Spurge Oliue with the Carlines and likewise 〈◊〉 or Spurge flax Chamelaea Arabum Tricoccos Widow-Waile ¶ The Temperature Both the leaues and fruit of Spurge-Oliue as we haue said are of a burning and extrme hot temperature ¶ The Vertues The leaues saith Dioscorides purge both flegme and choler especially taken in pills so that two parts of Wormewood be mixed with one of Spurge Oliue and made vp into pils with Mede or honied water They melt not in the belly but as many as be taken are voided whole Mesue likewise hath a description of pills of the leaues of Mezereon that is 〈◊〉 or Spurge-Oliue yet Syluius expoundeth it Thymelaea or Spurge-Flax but in stead of Wormwood he taketh the outward substance of the yellow Mirobalans and Cepula Mirobalans and maketh them vp with Tereniabin that is to say with Manna and soure 〈◊〉 which they call Tamarinds dissolued in Endiue water and appointeth the same leaues to be first tempered with very strong vineger and to be dried These pills are commended against the Dropsie for they draw forth watery humours but are violent to nature therfore we must vse them as little as may be Moreouer Dioscorides addeth that the leaues of Spurge Oliue beaten with hony do clense filthy or crusted vlcers 〈◊〉 Germanica siue Mezereon Spurge Flax or the dwarfe Bay CHAP. 63. Of Germane Oliue Spurge ¶ The Description THe dwarfe Bay tree called of Dutch men Mezereon is a smal shrub two cubits high the branches be tough limber easie to bend very soft to be cut whereon grow long leaues like those of Priuet but thicker and fatter The floures appeare before the leaues oft times in Ianuarie clustring together about the stalks at certain distances of a whitish colour tending to purple and of a most fragrant and pleasant sweet smel after come the small berries green at the first but being ripe of a shining red colour and afterward wax of a dark black colour of a very hot and burning taste inflaming the mouth and throat being tasted with danger of choking The root is wooddy ¶ The Place and Time This plant grows naturally in the moist and shadowy woods
conceiued in ones minde more easily than by a naked description Let the Studious thanke Pona for the knowledge hereof Thus much Clusius 2 In the 28 chapter of the first booke I gaue the figure of Zodoarie out of Clusius hauing not at that time this figure of Lobel which presents to your view both the long and the round with the manner how they grow together being not seuerall roots but parts of one and the same CHAP. 30. Of Rose-wood Aspalathus albicans torulo citreo White Rose-wood Aspalathus rubens Reddish Rose-wood ¶ The Description BOth these as also some other woods are referred to the Aspalathus described by Dioscorides l. 1. c. 19. But the later of these I take to be the better of the two sorts there mentioned The first of them is whitish without hauing a yellowish or citrine coloured round in the middle the taste is hottish and smell somewhat like that of a white-Rose The other hath also a small ring of white next the thicke and rugged barke and the inner wood is of a reddish colour very dense sollid and firme as also indifferent heauy the smell of this is also like that of a Rose whence they vulgarly call it Lignum Rhodium Rose-wood rather than from Rhodes the place where the later of them is said to grow ¶ The Faculties out of Dioscorides It hath a heating facultie with astriction whence the decoction thereof made in wine is conuenient to wash the vlcers of the mouth and the eating vlcers of the priuities and such vnclean sores as the Ozaena a stinking vlcer in the nose so called Put vp in a pessarie it drawes forth the childe the decoction thereof stayes the loosenesse of the belly and drunke it helpes the casting vp of bloud the difficultie of making water and windinesse AT the end of this Appendix I haue thought good to giue you diuers descriptions of Plants which I receiued from my often mentioned friend Mr. Goodyer which also were omitted in their fitting places partly through haste and partly for that I receiued some of them after the printing of those chapters wherein of right they should haue been inserted They are most of them of rare and not written of plants wherefore more gratefull to the curious Hicracium stellatum Boelij THis plant is in round hairy straked branched stalks and long rough blunt indented leaues like to Hieracium 〈◊〉 but scarce a foot high the floures are also yellow three times smaller which past there succeed long crooked slender sharpe pointed cods or huskes neere an inch long spreading abroad star-fashion wherein a long seed is contained this hath no heads or woolly down like any of the rest but onely the said crooked coddes which doe at the first spread abroad The root is small threddie full of milkie iuice as is also the whole plant and it perisheth when the seed is ripe Hieracium medio nigrum flore maiore Boelij This hath at the first spreading vpon the ground many long narrow green smooth leaues bluntly indented about the edges like those of Hieracium falcatum but smaller amongst which rise vp three foure or more small smooth straked round stalks diuided into other branches which grow longer than the stalks themselues leaning or trayling neere the ground the floures grow on the tops of the stalks but one together composed of many pale yellow leaues the middle of each floure being of a blackish purple colour Hieracium medio nigrum flore minore Boelij This is altogether like the last before described in stalkes and leaues the floures are also of a blackish purple in the middle but they are three times smaller Hieracium lanosum There groweth from one root three foure or more round vpright soft cottonie stalks of a reasonable bignesse two foot high diuided into many branches especially neere the top whereon groweth at each diuision one broad sharpe pointed leafe diuided into corners and very much crumpled and also very soft cottonie and woolly as is the whole plant the floures are small double of a pale yellow colour very like those of 〈◊〉 repens growing clustering very many together at the tops of the stalkes and branches forth of small round soft cottonie heads these foure plants grew from seed which I receiued from Mr. Coys 1620. and I made these descriptions by the Plants the 22. of August 1621. Blitum spinosum est Beta Cretica semine aculeato Baubini Matth. pag. 371. This sendeth forth from one root many round greene strailing ioynted small branches about a foot long the leaues are of a light greene colour and grow at euery ioint one somewhat like the leaues of great Sorrell but they are round topped without barbes or eares below or any manifest taste or smell very like the leaues of Beets but much smaller the floures grow clustering together about the ioints and at the tops of the branches small and greenish each floure containing fiue or six very small blunt topped leaues and a few dustie chiues in the middle which past there commeth great prickly shriuelled seed growing euen close to the root and vpwards on the ioints each seed hauing three sharpe prickes at the top growing side-waies which indeed may be more properly called the huske which huske in the in-side is of a darke reddish colour and containeth one seed in forme like the seed of Flos Adonis round at the lower end and cornered towards the top and sharp pointed couered ouer with a darke yellowish skin which skin pulled away the kernell appeareth yellow on the outside and exceeding white within and will with a light touch fall into very small pouder like 〈◊〉 Geranij Baeticae species Boelij This hath at the beginning many broad leaues indented about the edges somwhat diuided like those of Geranium Creticum but of a lighter greene colour and smaller amongst which grow vp many round hairy kneed trailing branches diuided into many other branches bearing leaues like the former but smaller and no more diuided The floures are smal like those of Geranum 〈◊〉 but of a deeper reddish colour each floure hauing fiue small round topped leaues after followeth small long hairie seed growing at the lower end of a sharpe pointed beak like that of Geranium Moschatum the whole plant perisheth when the seed is ripe Boelius a Low-countrey-man gathered the seeds hereof in Baetica a part of Spaine and imparted them to Mr. William Coys a man very skilfull in the knowledge of Simples who hath gotten plants thereof and of infinite other strange herbes and friendly gaue me seeds hereof and of many other Anno 1620. Antirrhinum minus flore Linariae luteum inscriptum This hath at the first many very small round smooth branches from one root trayling on the ground about foure or fiue inches long set with many small greene short sharp pointed leaues like those of Serpillum but that these are longer smooth and three or foure growing opposite one against another amongst which rise vp fiue or six sometimes
Description 1 STitchwort or as Ruellius termeth it Holosteum is of two kindes and hath round tender stalkes full of joints leaning toward the ground at euery ioynt grow two leaues one against another The flowers be white consisting of many small leaues set in the manner of a starre The roots are small jointed and threddy The seed is contained in small heads somewhat long and sharpe at the vpper end and when it is ripe it is very small and browne 2 The second is like the former in shape of leaues and flowers which are set in forme of a starre but the leaues are orderly placed and in good proportion by couples two together being of a whitish colour When the flowers be vaded then follow the seeds which are inclosed in bullets like the seed of flax but not so round The chiues or threds in the middle of the floure are sometimes of a reddish or of a blackish colour ‡ There are more differences of this plant or rather varieties as differing little but in the largenesse of the leaues floures or stalkes ‡ ¶ The place They grow in the borders of fields vpon banke sides and hedges almost euery where ¶ The time They flourish all the Sommer especially in May and Iune Gramen Leucanthemum Stitchwort ¶ The Names Some as Ruellius for one haue thought this to be the plant which the Grecians call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Tota ossea in English All-Bones whereof I see no reason except it be by the figure Antonomia as when we say in English He is an honest man our meaning is that he is a knaue for this is a tender herbe hauing no such bony substance ‡ Dodonaeus questions whether this plant be not Crataeogonon and he calls it Gramen Leucanthemum or White-floured Grasse The qualitie here noted with B. is by Dioscorides giuen to Crataeogonon but it is with his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Some say or report so much which phrase of speech hee often vseth when as he writes faculties by heare-say and doubts himselfe of the truth of them ‡ ¶ The nature The seed of Stitchwort as Galen writeth is sharpe and biting to him that 〈◊〉 it and to him that vseth it very like to Mill. ¶ The vertues They are wont to drinke it in Wine with the pwoder of Acornes against the paine in the side stitches and such like Diuers report saith Dioscorides That the Seed of Stitchwort being drunke causeth a woman to bring forth a man childe if after the 〈◊〉 of her Sicknesse before she conceiue she do drinke it fasting thrice in a day halfe a dram at a time in three 〈◊〉 of water many dayes together CHAP. 39. Of Spiderwort ¶ The Description 1 THe obscure description which Dioscorides and Pliny haue set downe for Phalangium hath bred much contention among late Writers This plant Phalangium hath leaues much like Couch Grasse but they are somewhat thicker and fatter and of a more whitish greene colour The stalkes grow to the height of a cubit The top of the stalke is beset with small branches garnished with many little white flowers compact of six little leaues The threds or thrums in the middle are whitish mixed with a faire yellow which being fallen there follow blacke seeds inclosed in small round knobs which be three cornered The roots are many tough and white of colour 2 The second is like the first but that his stalke is not branched as the first and floureth a moneth before the other 3 The third kinde of Spiderwort which Carolus Clusius nameth Asphodelus minor hath a root of many threddy strings from the which immediately rise vp grassie leaues narrow and sharpe pointed among the which come forth diuers naked strait stalkes diuided towards the top into sundry branches garnished on euery side with faire starre-like flowers of colour white with a purple veine diuiding each leafe in the middest they haue also certaine chiues or threds in them The seed followeth inclosed in three square heads like vnto the kindes of Asphodils ‡ 4 This Spiderwort hath a root consisting of many thicke long and white fibers not much vnlike the precedent out of which it sends forth some fiue or six greene and firme leaues somewhat hollowed in the middle and mutually inuoluing each other at the root amongst these there riseth vp a round greene stalke bearing at the top thereof some nine or ten floures more or lesse these consist of six leaues apiece of colour white the three innermost leaues are the broader and more curled and the three outmost are tipt with greene at the tops The whole floure much resembles a white Lilly but much smaller Three square heads containing a dusky and vnequall seed follow after the floure 1 Phalangium Ramosum Branched Spiderwort 2 Phalangium non ramosum Vnbranched Spiderwort †3 Phalangium Cretae Candy Spiderwort ‡ 4 Phalangium Antiquorum The true Spiderwort of the Ancients ‡ 5 Phalangium Virginianum Tradescanti Tradescants Virginian Spider-wort 5 This plant in my iudgement cannot be sitlier ranked with any than these last described therefore I haue here giuen him the fifth place as the last commer This plant hath many creeping stringy roots which here and there put vp greene leaues in shape resembling those of the last described amongst these there riseth vp a pretty stiffe stalke jointed and hauing at each joint one leafe incompassing the stalke and out of whose bosome oft times little branches arise now the stalke at the top vsually diuides it selfe into two leaues much after the manner of Cyperus between which there come forth many floures consisting of three pretty large leaues a piece of colour deepe blew with reddish chiues tipt with yellow standing in their middle These fading as vsually they doe the same day they shew themselues there succeed little heads couered with the three little leaues that sustained the floure In these heads there is contained a long blackish seed ¶ The place 1. 2. 3. These grow only in gardens with vs and that very rarely 4 This growes naturally in some places of Sauoy 5 This Virginian is in many of our English gardens as with M. Parkinson M. Tradescant and others ¶ The time 1. 4. 5. These floure in Iune the second about the beginning of May and the third about August ¶ The Names The first is called Phalangium ramosum Branched Spiderwort 2 Phalangium non ramosum Vnbranched Spiderwort Cordus calls it Liliago 3 This Clusius calls Asphodelus minor Lobell Phalangium Cretae Candy Spiderwort 4 This is thought to be the Phalangium of the Ancients and that of Matthiolus it is Phalangium Allobrogicum of Clusius Sauoy Spiderwort 5 This by M. Parkinson who first hath in writing giuen the figure and description thereof is aptly termed Phalangium Ephemerum Virginianum Soone-fading Spiderwort of Virginia or Tradescants Spiderwort for that M. Iohn Tradescant first procured it from Virginia Bauhine hath described it at the end of his Pinax and very vnfitly termed it
and leuen of rie bread hastneth to maturation hard impostumes which are not easily brought to ripenesse Being stamped with the meale of Darnell and honey it draweth forth thornes and stubs out of any part of the body The root by the experiment of Apuleius stamped and strained and giuen in drinke helpeth the cough and collicke and those that be entred into a ptisicke The roots whether they be eaten or drunken do moue vomit and being mingled with Vineger and nettle seed taketh away lentiles and spots in the face CHAP. 85. Of the Bastard Daffodill ¶ The Description 1 THe double yellow Daffodill hath small smooth narrow leaues of a darke greene colour among which riseth vp a naked hollow stalke of two hands high bearing at the top a faire and beautifull yellow floure of a pleasant sweet smell it sheddeth his floure but there followeth no seed at all as it hapneth in many other double floures The root is small bulbous or onion fashion like vnto the other Daffodils but much smaller 2 The common yellow Daffodill or Daffodowndilly is so well knowne to all that it needeth no description 3 We haue in our London gardens another sort of this common kind which naturally groweth in Spaine very like vnto our best knowne Daffodill in shape and proportion but altogether fairer greater and lasteth longer before the floure doth fall or fade ‡ 4 This hath leaues and roots like the last described but somewhat lesse the floure also is in shape not vnlike that of the precedent but lesse growing vpon a weake slender greene stalke of some fingers length the seed is contained in three cornered yet almost round heads The root is small bulbous and blacke on the outside 5 This hath a longish bulbous root somwhat blacke on the outside from which rise vp leaues not so long nor broad as those of the last described in the midst of these leaues springs vp a stalk slender and some halfe foot in height at the top of which forth of a whitish filme breakes forth a floure like in shape to the common Daffodill but lesse and wholly white with the brim of the cup welted about It floures in Aprill and ripens the seeds in Iune ‡ ¶ The Place The double yellow Daffodill I receiued from Robinus of Paris which he procured by meanes of friends from Orleance and other parts of France 1 Pseudonarcissus luteus multiplex Double yellow Daffodill 2 Pseudonarcissus Anglicus Common yellow Daffodill ‡ 3 Pseudonarcissus Hispanicus The Spanish yellow Daffodill ‡ 4 Pseudonarcissus minor Hispanicus The lesser Spanish Daffodill ‡ 5 Pseudonarcissus albo flore White Bastard Daffodill The yellow English Daffodill groweth almost euerie where through England The yellow Spanish Daffodill doth likewise decke vp our London Gardens where they increase infinitely ¶ The time The double Daffodill sendeth forth his leaues in the beginning of Februarie and his floures in Aprill ¶ The Names The first is called Pseudonarcissus multiplex and Narcissus luteus Polyanthos in English the double yellow Daffodill or Narcissus The common sort are called in Dutch Geel Sporckel bloemen in English yellow Daffodill Daffodilly and Daffodowndilly ¶ The Temperature The temperature is referred vnto the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 ¶ The Vertues Touching the vertues hereof it is found out by experiment of some of the later Physitians that the decoction of the roots of this yellow Daffodill do purge by siege tough and flegmaticke humors and also waterish and is good for them that are full of raw humors especially if there be added thereto a little anise seed and ginger which will correct the churlish hardnesse of the working The distilled water of Daffodils doth cure the Palsie if the Patient be bathed and rubbed with the sayd liquor by the fire It hath beene proued by an especiall and trusty Friend of myne a man learned and a diligent searcher of nature M. Nicholas Belson sometimes of Kings Colledge in 〈◊〉 CHAP. 86. Of diuers other Daffodils or Narcisses ‡ THere are besides the forementioned sorts of Daffodils sundry others some of which may be referred to them other some not I do not intend an exact enumeration of them it being a thing not so fitting for a historie of Plants as for a Florilegie or booke of floures Now those that require all their figures and more exact descriptions may finde satisfaction in the late Worke of my kinde friend M. Iohn Parkinson which is intitled Paradisus terrestris for in other Florilegies as in that of De Bry Swertz c. you haue barely the names and figures but in this are both figures and an exact historie or declaration of them Therefore I in this place will but onely briefely describe and name some of the rarest that are preserued in our choice gardens and a few others whereof yet they are not possest ¶ The Descriptions 1 The first of these which for the largenesse is called Nonpareille hath long broad leaues and roots like the other Daffodils The floure consists of six very large leaues of a pale yellow colour with a very large cup but not very long this cup is yellower than the incompassing leaues narrower also at the bottome than at the top and vneuenly cut about the edges This is called Narcissus omnium maximus or Non pareille the figure well expresseth the floure but that it is somewhat too little There is a varietie of this with the open leaues cup both yellow which makes the difference There is also another Non pareille whose floures are all white and the six leaues that stand spred abroad are vsually a little folded or turned in at their ends 2 Besides these former there are foure or fiue double yellow Daffodils which I cannot passe ouer in silence the first is that which is vulgarly amongst Florists knowne by the name of Robines Narcisse and it may be was the same our Author in the precedent chapter mentions he receiued from Robine but he giuing the figure of another and a description not well 〈◊〉 this I can affirme nothing of certaintie This double Narcisse of Robine growes with a stalke 〈◊〉 foot in height and the floure is very double of a pale yellow colour and it seemes commonly to 〈◊〉 it selfe into some six partitions the leaues of the floure lying one vpon another euen to the middle of the floure This may be called Narcissus pallidus multiplex Robini Robines double pale Narcisse ‡ 1 Narcissus omnium maximus The 〈◊〉 Daffodill ‡ 3 Pseudonarcissus flore pleno The double yellow Daffodill 3 The next to this is that which from our Author the first obseruer thereof is vulgarly called Gerrards Narcisse the leaues and root do not much differ from the ordinarie Daffodill the stalk is scarce a foot high bearing at the top thereof a floure very double the sixe outmost leaues are of the same yellow colour as the ordinarie one is those that are next are commonly as deepe as the tube or trunke of the single one and
he hated his knife poysoned with the iuyce of this Hemerocallis for to cut his meate withall he suspecting no treachery cut his victuals therewith and so eat them the other abstaining therefrom and saying that he had no stomacke Some few dayes after he that did eate the victuals died which shewed the strong and deadly qualitie of this plant which therefore as Clusius saith cannot be the Scilla Epimenidia of Pliny which was eatable and without malignitie ‡ CHAP. 95. Of Leekes 〈◊〉 Porrum capitatum Headed or set Leeke ‡ 2 Porrum sectivum aut tonsile Cut or vnset Leeke ¶ The Description 1 THe leaues or the blades of the 〈◊〉 be long somewhat broad and very many hauing a keele or crest in the backside in smell and taste like to the Onion The stalks if the blades be not often cut do in the second or third yeare grow vp round bringing forth on the top floures made vp in a round head or ball as doth the Onion The seeds are like The bulbe or root is long and slender especially of the vnset Leeke That of the other Leeke is thicker and greater ‡ 2 Most Writers distinguish the common Leeke into Porrum capitatum 〈◊〉 and Lobel giues these two figures wherewith we here present you Now both these grow of the same seed and they differ onely in culture for that which is often cut for the vse of the kitchen is called Sectivum the other which is headed is not cut but spared and remoued in Autumne ‡ ¶ The Place It requireth a meane earth fat well dunged and digged It is very common euery where in other countries as well as in England ¶ The Time It may be sowne in March or Aprill and it to be remoued in September or October ¶ The Names The Grecians call it 〈◊〉 the Latines Porrum The Emperour Nero had great pleasure in this root and therefore he was called in scorne Porrophagus But Palladius in the masculine gender called it Porrus the Germanes 〈◊〉 the Brabanders 〈◊〉 the Spaniards Puerro the French Porrean the English-men Leeke or Leekes ¶ The Temperature The Leeke is hot and dry and doth attenuate or make thinne as doth the Onion ¶ The Vertues Being boyled it is lesse hurtfull by reason that it loseth a great part of his sharpenesse and yet being so vsed it yeeldeth no good iuyce But being taken with cold herbes his too hot quality is tempered Being boyled and eaten with Ptisana or barley creame it concocteth and bringeth vp raw humors that lie in the chest Some affirme it to be good in a loch or licking medicine to 〈◊〉 the pipes of the lungs The iuyce drunke with honey is profitable against the bitings of venomous beasts and likewise the leaues stamped and laid thereupon The same iuyce with vineger frankincense and milke or oyle of roses dropped into the eares mitigateth their paine and is good for the noyse in them Two drams of the seed with the like weight of myrtill berries drunk stop the spitting of bloud which hath continued a long time The same ingredients put into Wine keepe it from souring and being alreadie soure amend the same as diuers write It cutteth and attenuateth grosse and tough humors ‡ Lobel commends the following Loch as very effectuall against phlegmatick Squinances and other cold catarrhes which are like to cause suffocation This is the description thereof Take blanched almonds three ounces foure figges soft Bdellium halfe an ounce iuyce of Liquorice two ounces of sugar candy dissolued in a sufficient quantitie of iuyce of Leekes and boyled in 〈◊〉 to the height of a 〈◊〉 as much as shall be requisit to make the rest into the forme of an Eclegma ‡ ¶ The Hurts It heateth the body ingendreth naughty bloud causeth troublesome and terrible dreames offendeth the eyes dulleth the sight hurteth those that are by nature hot and cholericke and is noysome to the stomacke and breedeth windinesse CHAP. 96. Of Ciues or 〈◊〉 and wilde Leekes ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers kindes of Leekes somewilde and some of the garden as shall be declared Those called Ciues haue beene taken of some for a kinde of wilde Onion but all the Authors that I haue beene acquainted with do accord that there is not any wild Onion 1 Schoenoprason Ciues or Chiues 2 Porrum vitigineum French Leekes or Vine Leekes 3 Ampeloprason siue porrum siluestre Wilde Leeke ¶ The Description 1 CIues bring forth many leaues about a hand-full high long slender round like to little rushes amongst which grow vp small and tender stalkes sending forth certaine knops with floures like those of the Onion but much lesser They haue many little bulbes 〈◊〉 headed roots fastned together out of which grow downe into the earth a great number of little strings and it hath both the smell and taste of the Onion and Leeke as it were participating of both 2 The Vine Leeke or French Leeke groweth vp with blades like those of Leekes the stalke is a cubit high on the top whereof standeth a round head or button couered at the first with a thinne skinne which being broken the floures and seeds come forth like those of the Onion The bulbe 〈◊〉 headed root is round hard and sound which is quickly multiplied by sending forth many bulbes ‡ 3 The wilde Leeke hath leaues much like vnto those of Crow-garlicke but larger and more acride The floures and seeds also resemble those of the Crow-garlicke the seeds being about the bignesse of cornes of wheat with smal strings comming forth at their ends ‡ ¶ The Time and Place 1 Ciues are set in gardens they flourish long and continue many yeares they suffer the cold of Winter They are cut and polled often as is the vnset Leeke 2 The Vine-leeke groweth of it selfe in Vineyards and neere vnto Vines in hot regions wherof it both tooke the name Vine-Leeke and French Leeke It beareth his greene leaues in Winter and withereth away in the Sommer It groweth in most gardens of England ‡ Thus farre our Author describes and intimates to you a garden Leeke much like the ordinarie in all respects but somewhat larger But the following names belong to the wilde Leeke which here we giue you in the third place ‡ ¶ The Names Ciues are called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Shoenoprasum in Dutch 〈◊〉 as though you should say Iunceum Porrum or Rush Leeke in English Ciues Chiues Ciuet and Sweth in French Brelles 2 The Vine-leeke or rather wild Leeke is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the place where it naturally groweth it may be called in Latine Porrum Vitium or Vitigineum Porrum in English after the Greeke and Latine Vine Leeke or French Leeke ¶ The Temperature Ciues are like in facultie vnto the Leeke hot and dry The Vine leeke heateth more than doth the other Leeke ¶ The Vertues Ciues attenuate or make thinne open prouoke vrine ingender hot and grosse vapours and are
so couered may be taken vp at times conuenient and vsed in sallades all the winter as in London and other places is to be seen and then it is called white Endiue whereof Pliny seemeth not to be ignorant speaking to the same purpose in his 20. booke and 8. chapter ¶ The Names These herbes be called by one name in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 notwithstanding for distinctions sake they called the garden Succory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the wilde Succory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pliny nameth the Succory 〈◊〉 and the bitterer Dioscorides calleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Intybum syluestre Intybum agreste Intybum 〈◊〉 and Cichorium in shops it is called Cichorea which name is not onely allowed of the later Physitions but also of the Poet Horace in the 31. Ode of his first booke Me pascunt 〈◊〉 Me Cichorea leuesque 〈◊〉 With vs saith Pliny in his 20. booke 8. chapter they haue called Intybum erraticum or wilde Endiue Ambugia others reade Ambubeia and some there be that name it Rostrum porcinum and others as Guilielmus Placentinus and Petrus Crescentius terme it Sponsa 〈◊〉 the Germanes call it 〈◊〉 which is as much to say as the keeper of the waies the Italians Cichorea the Spaniards Almerones the English-men Cicorie and Succory the Bohemians 〈◊〉 Endiue is named in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Intybum sativum of some Endiuia of Auicen and Serapio Taraxacon of the Italians Scariola which name remaineth in most shops also Seriola as 〈◊〉 they should fitly call it Seris but not so well Serriola with a double r for Serriola is 〈◊〉 sylue tris or wilde lettuce it is called in Spanish Serraya Enuide in English Endiue and Scariole and when it hath been in the earth buried as aforesaid then it is called white Endiue ‡ 5 This was first set forth by Clusius vnder this name Chondrillae genus elegans 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 since by Pona and Bauhine by the title we giue you to wit Cichorium spinosum Honorius Bellus writes that in Candy where as it naturally growes they vulgarly terme it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is 〈◊〉 spina the Pitcher Thorne because the people fetch all their water in stone pots or Pitchers which they 〈◊〉 with this plant to keepe mice and other such things from creeping into them and it growes 〈◊〉 round that it seems by nature to be prouided sor that purpose ‡ ¶ The Nature Endiue and Succorie are cold and drie in the second degree and withall somewhat binding and because they be something bitter they doe also clense and open Garden Endiue is colder and not so drie or clensing and by reason of these qualities they are thought to be excellent medicines for a hot liuer as Galen hath written in his 8. book of the compositions of medicines according to the places affected ¶ The Vertues These herbs when they be greene haue vertue to coole the hot burning of the liuer to helpe the stopping of the gall yellow jaundice lacke of sleepe stopping of vrine and hot burning feauers A syrup made thereof and sugar is very good for the diseases aforesaid The distilled water is good in potions cooling and purging drinkes The distilled water of Endiue Plantaine and roses profiteth against excoriations in the conduit of the yard to be iniected with a syringe whether the hurt came by vncleanenesse or by small stones and grauell issuing forth with the vrine as often hath been seene These herbes eaten in sallades or otherwise especially the white Endiue doth comfort the weake and feeble stomacke and cooleth and refresheth the stomacke ouermuch heated The leaues of Succorie brused are good against inflammation of the eyes being outwardly applied to the grieued place CHAP. 30. Of wilde Succorie 1 Cichorium syluestre Wilde Succorie 2 Cichorium luteum Yellow Succorie ¶ The Kindes IN like manner as there be sundrie sorts of 〈◊〉 and Endiues so is there wilde kindes of either of them ¶ The Description 1 WIlde Succorie hath long leaues somewhat snipt about the edges like the leaues of Sow-thistle with a stalke growing to the height of two cubits which is diuided towards the top into many branches The floures grow at the top blew of colour the root is tough and wooddie with many strings fastned thereto 2 Yellow Succorie hath long and large leaues deepely cut about the edges like those of the Hawkeweed The stalke is branched into sundry arms wheron do grow yellow flours very double resembling the floures of Dandelion or Pisse-abed the which being withered it flieth away in downe with euery blast of winde 3 Intybum 〈◊〉 Wilde Endiue 3 Wilde Endiue hath long smooth leaues slightly snipt about the edges The stalke is brittle and full of milkie juice as is all the rest of the plant the floures grow at the top of a blew or skie colour the root is tough and threddie 4 Medow Endiue or Endiue with broad leaues hath a thicke tough and wooddie root with many strings fastened thereto from which rise vp many broad leaues spread vpon the ground like those of garden Endiue but lesser and somewhat rougher among which rise vp many stalkes immediately from the root 〈◊〉 of them are deuided into sundrie branches whereupon doe grow many floures like those of the former but smaller ¶ The Place These plants doe grow wilde in sundrie places in England vpon wilde and vntilled barren grounds especially in chalkie and stonie places ¶ The Time They floure from the middest to the end of August ¶ The Names ‡ The first of these is Scris Picris of Lobell or Cichorium syluestre or Intybus erratica of Tabernamontanus ‡ Yellow Succorie is not without cause thought to be Hyosiris or as some copies haue it Hyosciris of which Pliny in his 20. booke and 8. chapter writeth Hyosiris saith he is like to Endiue but lesser and rougher it is called of Lobelius Hedypnois the rest of the names set forth in their seueall titles shall be sufficient for this time ¶ The Temperature They agree in temperature with the garden Succorie or Endiue ¶ The Vertues The leaues of these wilde herbes are boiled in pottage or brothes for sicke and feeble persons that haue hot weake and feeble stomackes to strengthen the same They are iudged to haue the same vertues with those of the garden if not of more force in working CHAP. 31. Of Gumme Succorie ¶ The Description 1 GVmme Succorie with blew floures hath a thicke and tough root with some strings annexed thereto full of a milkie iuyce as is all the rest of the plant the floures excepted The leaues are great and long in shape like to those of garden Succorie but deeplier cut or iagged somewhat after the manner of wilde Rocket among which rise tender stalkes very easie to be broken branched toward the top in two or sometimes three branches bearing very pleasant floures of an azure colour or deepe blew which being past the seed flieth away in
leaues soft and whitish vnequally diuided about the edges The stalkes grow some foot high hauing few branches and those set with few leaues broad at their setting on and ending in a sharpe point the floures are pretty large like to the great Hawk-weed and fly away in downe the root is long white and lasting It floures most part of Summer and in Tuscany where it plentifully growes it is much 〈◊〉 in sallets with oile and vineger it hauing a sweetish and somewhat astringent taste ‡ ‡ 5 Sonchus laeuis muralis Wall or Iuy-leaued Sow-thistle ‡ 6 Sonchus laeuis angustifolius Narrow leaued Sow-thistle †7 This blew floured Sow-thistle is the greatest of all the rest of the kindes somewhat resembling the last described in leaues but those of this are somewhat rough or hairy on the vnder side the floures are in shape like those of the ordinarie Sow-thistle but of a faire blew colour which fading flie away in Downe that carries with it a small ash-coloured seed The whole plant yeeldeth milke as all the rest do †8 Tree Sow-thistle hath a very great thicke and hard root set with a few hairy threds from which ariseth a strong and great stalke of a wooddy substance set with long leaues not vnlike to 〈◊〉 but more deepely cut in about the edges and not so rough vpon which do grow faire double yellow floures which turne into Downe and are caried away with the winde The whole plant is possest with such a milky iuyce as are the tender and hearby Sow-thistles which certainly 〈◊〉 it to be a kinde thereof otherwise it might be referred to the Hawke-weeds whereunto in face and shew it is like ‡ This hath a running root and the heads and tops of the stalkes are very rough and hairy ‡ 7 Sonchus slore 〈◊〉 Blew-floured Sow-thistle 8 Sonchus Arborescens Tree Sow-thistle ‡ 9 Sonchus arborescens alter The other Tree Sow-thistle †10 Sonchus syluaticus Wood Sow-thistle ‡ 9 This other Tree Sow-thistle growes to a mans height or more hauing a firme crested stalke smooth without any prickles and set with many 〈◊〉 incompassing the stalke at their setting on and afterwards cut in with foure or sometimes with two gashes only the vpper leaues are not diuided at all the colour of these leaues is green on the vpper side and grayish vnderneath the top of the stalke is hairy and diuided into many branches which beare the floures in an equall height as it were in an vmbell the floures are not great considering the largenesse of the plant but vsually as big as those of the common Sow-thistle and yellow hauing a hairy head or cap the seed is crested longish and ash-coloured and flies away with the downe the root is thicke whitish hauing many fibres putting out new shoots and spreading euery yeare 〈◊〉 maketh this all one with the other according to 〈◊〉 his description but in my opinion there is some difference betweene them which chiefely consists in that the former hath larger and fewer floures the plant also not growing to so great a height ‡ ‡ 10 This plant whose figure our Author formerly gaue pag. 148. vnder the title of Erysimum sytuestre hath long knotty creeping roots from whence ariseth a round slender stalke some two foot high 〈◊〉 at first with little leaues which grow bigger and bigger as they come neerer the middle of the stalke being pretty broad at their setting on then somewhat narrower and so broader againe and sharpe pointed being of the colour of the Wall or Iuy-leaued Sow-Thistle The top is diuided into many small branches which end in small scaly heads like those of the wilde Lettuce containing floures consisting of foure blewish purple leaues turned backe and snipped at their ends there are also some threds in the midle of the floure which turning into Downe carry away with them the seed which is small and of an Ash-colour Bauhine makes a bigger and a lesser of these distinguishing betweene that of Clusius whose figure I here giue you and that of Columna yet Fabius Columna himselfe could finde no difference but that Clusius his plant had fiue leaues in the floure and his but foure which indeed Clusius in his description affirmes yet his figure as you may see expresses but foure adding That the root is not well expressed which notwithstanding Clusius describes according to Columna's expression ‡ ¶ The Place The first soure grow wilde in pastures medowes woods and marishes neere the sea and among pot-herbes The fifth growes vpon walls and in wooddy mountainous places The Tree Sow-thist'e growes amongst corne in waterie places The sixth seuenth and tenth are strangers in England ¶ The Time They floure in Iune Iuly August and sometimes later ¶ The Names Sow-thistle is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Sonchus of diuers Cicerbitae lactucella and Lacterones Apuleius calleth it Lactuca Leporina or Hares-thistle of some Brassica Leporina or Hares Colewort The English names are sufficiently touched in their seuerall titles In Dutch it is called Hasen Latouwe the French Palays delieure ‡ ¶ Names in particular 1 This is Sonchus asper major of Cordus Sonchus tenerior aculeis asperior of Lobel Sonchus 3. asperior of Dodonaeus 2 This is Sonchus asper of Matthiolus Fuchsius and others 3 This Matthiolus Dodonaeus Lobel and others call Sonchus laeuis Tragus calls it Intybus 〈◊〉 tertia 4 This Tabernamontanus onely giues vnder the title as you haue it here 5 Matthiolus stiles this Sonchus laeuis 〈◊〉 Caesalpinus calls it Lactuca murorum and Tabern Sonchus syluaticus quartus Lobel Sonchus alter folio sinuato hederaceo 6 Lobel calls this Sonchus laeuis Matthioli it is Terracrepulus of 〈◊〉 and Crepis of Daleschampius 7 Clusius and Camerarius giue vs this vnder the title of Sonchus coeruleus 8 Onely Tabern hath this figure vnder the title our Author giues it 〈◊〉 puts it amongst the Hieracia calling it Hieracium arborescens palustre 9 This Bauhine also makes an Hieracium and would persuade vs that Clusius his description belongs to the last mentioned and the figure to this to which opinion 〈◊〉 cannot consent Clusius giueth it vnder the name of Sonchus 3 laeuis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 10 This Clusius giues vnder the name of Sonchus laeuior Pannonicus 4. flore purp Tabern calls it Libanotis Theophrasti sterilis Columna hath it by the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cordus Gesner Thalius and 〈◊〉 refer it to the Lactucae syluestres the last of them 〈◊〉 it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 purpuro-coerulea ‡ ¶ The Temperature The Sow-thistles as Galen writeth are of a mixt temperature for they consist of a watery and earthy substance cold and likewise binding ¶ The Vertues Whilest they are yet yong and tender they are eaten as other pot-herbes are but whether they be eaten or outwardly applied in manner of a pultesse they do euidently coole therefore they be good for all inflammations or hot swellings if they be laid thereon Sow-thistle giuen in
〈◊〉 and in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for they are reported to cleere their sight by conueying the juice heereof into their eyes 〈◊〉 calleth it Porcellia for it is numbred among the Succories they are called also Lampuca Yellow Hawkeweed is called of some 〈◊〉 diaboli or yellow Diuels bit for that the root doth very well resemble the bitten or cropt root of the common Diuels bit being like Scabious ‡ ¶ The Names in particular 1 Matthiolus Fuchsius Dodonaeus and others call this Hieracium 〈◊〉 2 3 These are varieties of the same plant the first of them being called by Fuchsius 〈◊〉 and Matthiolus Hieracium minus Lobell calls it Hieracium minus praemorsa radice That sort of this with more cut leaues is by Tabernamontanus 〈◊〉 Hieracium nigrum 4 Lobell calls this Hieracium folijs facie Chondrillae Bauhinus makes this to differ from 〈◊〉 which our Author gaue in this 4. place out of Tabern for he termes this Hieracium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hirsutum and the other 〈◊〉 Chondrillae folio Glabrum the one smooth leaued the other rough yet that which growes frequently with vs and is very well represented by this figure hath smooth leaues as he also obserued it to haue in Italy and about Mountpelier in France 5 This is Hieracium alterum grandius and Hieracium montanum angustifolium primum of 〈◊〉 6 Lobell calls this from the length of the root though sometimes it be not so long Hieracium Longius radicatum as also Taber Hieracium macrorhizon it is thought to be the Apargia of 〈◊〉 by Daleschampius in the Hist. Lugd. pag. 562. but the figure there that beares the title is of Huracium minus 7 Tabernamontanus first gaue this vnder the name of Hieracium intybaccum asperum Bauhine refers it to the wilde yellow Succories and calls it Cichoreum montanum angustifolium hirsutie asperum 8 This Lobell calls Hieracium Narbonense falcata siliqua 9 He calls this Hieracium facie Hedypnois and Caesalpinus termes this Rhagadiolus and the last mentioned Rhagadiolus alter 10 This by Tabernamontanus is called Hieracium montanum majus Latifolium The figure of this was giuen by our Author chap. 30. vnder the title of Chondrilla Hispanica 11 Tabernamontanus also stiles this Hieracium montanum Latifolium minus ‡ ¶ The Nature The kindes of Hawkeweed are cold and dr ie and somewhat binding ¶ The Vertues They are in vertue and operation like to Sonchus or Sowthistle and being vsed after the same manner be as good to all purposes that it doth serue vnto They be good for the eie-sight if the juice of them be dropped into the eyes especially that which is called Diuels bit which is thought to be the best and of greatest force Therefore as Dioscorides writeth it is good for an hot stomacke and for inflammations if it be laid vpon them The herbe and root being stamped and applied is a remedie for those that be stung of the scorpion which effect not onely the greater Hawkeweeds but the lesser ones also doe performe CHAP. 35. Of Clusius Hawkeweed ¶ The Kindes THere be likewise other sorts of Hawkeweeds which Carolus Clusius hath set forth in his Pannonicke obseruations the which likewise require a particular chapter for that they do differ in forme very notably 1 Hieracium primum latifolium Clusij The first Hawkeweed of Clusius 2 Hieracium 5. Clusij Clusius his 5. kinde of Hawkeweed ¶ The Description 1 THe first of Clusius his Hawkeweeds haue great broad leaues spred vpon the ground somewhat hairie about the edges oftentimes a little iagged also soft as is the leafe of Mullen or Higtaper and sometimes dasht here and there with some blacke spots in shape like the garden Endiue full of a milkie juice among which riseth vp a thicke hollow stalke of a cubit high diuiding it selfe at the top into two or three branches whereupon do grow sweete smelling floures not vnlike to those of yellow Succorie set or placed in a blacke hoarie and woollie cup or huske of a pale bleake yellow colour which turneth into a downie blowball that is caried away with the winde the root entereth deepely into the ground of the bignesse of a finger full of milke and couered with a thicke blacke barke 2 The second sort of great Hawkeweed according to my computation and the 5. of Clusius hath leaues like the former that is to say soft and hoarie and as it were couered with a kinde of white woollinesse or hairinesse bitter in taste of an inche broad The stalke is a foot high at the top whereof doth grow one yellow floure like that of the great Hawkeweed which is caried away with the winde when the seed is ripe The root is blacke and full of milkie juice and hath certaine white strings annexed thereto 3 This kinde of Hawkeweed hath blacke roots a finger thicke full of milkie juice deepely thrust into the ground with some small fibers belonging thereto from which come vp many long leaues halfe an inch or more broad couered with a soft downe or hairinesse of an ouerworne 〈◊〉 colour and amongst the leaues come vp naked and hard stalkes whereupon doe grow yellow floures set in a woollie cup or chalice which is turned into downe and caried away with his seed by the winde 4 The fourth Hawkeweed hath a thicke root aboue a finger long blackish creeping vpon the top of the ground and putting out some fibres and it is diuided into some heads each whereof at the top of the earth putteth out some six or seuen longish leaues some halfe an inche broad and somewhat hoarie hairie and soft as are the others precedent and these leaues are snipt about the edges but the deepest gashes are neerest the stalkes where they are cut in euen to the middle rib which is strong and large The stalke is smooth naked and somewhat high the floures be yellow and double as the other 3 Hieracium 6. Clusij Clusius his 6. Hawkeweed 4 Hieracium 7. Clusij Clusius his 7. Hawkeweed ‡ 5 The same Author hath also set forth another Hieracium vnder the name of Hieracium parvum Creticum which he thus describes this is an elegant little plant spreading some six or more leaues vpon the top of the ground being narrower at that part whereas they adhere to the 〈◊〉 and broader at the other end and cut about the edges hauing the middle rib of a purple colour amongst these rise vp two or three little stalkes about a foot high without knot vntill you come almost to the top whereas they are diuided into two little branches at which place 〈◊〉 forth leaues much diuided the floures grow at the top of a sufficient bignesse considering the magnitude of the plant and they consist of many little leaues lying one vpon another on the vpper side wholly white and on the vnder side of a flesh colour The root is single longish growing small towards the end and putting forth stringy fibres on the sides Thus much Clusius who receiued this figure
colour like the double Violers 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 flore lut co Yellow horned Poppie 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rubro Red horned Poppie ‡ 3 Papauer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 glabrum Red horned Poppie 〈◊〉 smooth leaues 4 Papauer cornutum flore violaceo Violet coloured horned Poppie ¶ The Place The yellow horned Poppie groweth vpon the sands and banks of the sea I haue found it growing neere vnto Rie in Kent in the Iles of Shepey and Thanet at Lee in Essex at Harwich at Whitestable and many other places alongst the English coast The second groweth not wilde in England Angelus Palea and Bartholomaeus ab Vrbe-veterum who haue commented vpon Mesue write that they found this red horned Poppie in the kingdomes of Arragon and Castile in Spaine and the fields neere vnto common paths They doe grow in my Garden very plentifully ¶ The Time They floure from May to the end of August ¶ The Names Most Writers haue taken horned Poppie especially that with red floures to be Glaucium neither is this their opinion altogether vnprobable for as 〈◊〉 saith Glaucium hath leaues like those of horned Poppey but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say fatter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 low or lying on the ground of a strong smell and of a bitter taste the iuice also is much like in colour to Saffron Now Lobel and Pena witnesse that this horned Poppie hath the same kinde of iuice as my selfe likewise can testifie Dioscorides saith that Glaucium groweth about Hierapolis a citie in Syria but what hindereth that it should not bee found also somewhere else 〈◊〉 things shew it hath a great affinity with Glaucium if it be not the true and legitimate Glaucium of D oscorides Howbeit the first is the Mecon 〈◊〉 or Papauer cor niculatum of the Antients by the common consent of all late Writers in English Sea Poppie ' and Horned Poppie in Dutch 〈◊〉 and Horne Heule in the Germane Tongue 〈◊〉 in French Pauot 〈◊〉 in Spanish Dormider a marina ¶ The Nature Horned Poppies are hot and drie in the third degree ¶ The Vertues The root of horned Poppie boiled in water vnto the consumption of the one halfe and drunke prouok eth vrine and openeth the stopping of the liuer The seed taken in the quantitie of a spoonefull looseth the belly gently The iuice mixed with meale and honie mundifieth old rotten and filthievlcers The leaues and floures put into vnguents or salues appropriate for greene wounds digest them that is bring them to white matter with perfect quitture or sanies CHAP. 73. Of Garden Poppies ¶ The Description 1 THe leaues of white Poppie are long broad smooth longer than the leaues of 〈◊〉 whiter and cut in the edges the stem or stalke is straight and brittle oftentimes a yard and a halfe high on the top whereof grow white floures in which at the very beginning appeareth a small head accompanied with a number of threds or chiues which being full growne is round and yet something long withall and hath a couer or crownet vpon the top it is with many filmes or thin skins diuided into coffers or seuerall partitions in which is contained abundance of small round and whitish seed The root groweth deepe and is of no estimation nor continuance 2 Like vnto this is the blacke garden Poppie sauing that the floures are not so white and shining but vsually red or at least spotted or straked with some lines of purple The leaues are greater more iagged and sharper pointed The seed is likewise blacker which maketh the difference ‡ 3 There is also another garden Poppie whose leaues are much more sinuated or crested and the floure also is all iagged or finely cut about the edges and of this sort there is also both blacke and white The floures of the blacke are red and the seed blacke and the other hath both the floures and seed white 4 There are diuers varieties of double Poppies of both these kindes and their colours are commonly either white red darke purple scarlet or mixt of some of these They differ from the former onely in the doublenesse of their floures 1 Papauer sativum album White garden Poppie 2 Papauer sativum nigrum Blacke Garden Poppie ‡ 3 Papauer simbriatum album White iagged Poppie 4 Papauer flo multipl albo nigro The double white and blacke Poppie 5 There is also another kinde of 〈◊〉 which ost times is sound wilde the slalles 〈◊〉 floures and heads are like but lesse than those of the 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 are of an 〈◊〉 blewish purple color after which sollow heads short and round which vnder their couer or crownet haue little holes by which the seed may fall out contrarie to the heads of the sormer which are close and open not of themselues There is also a double one of this kinde ‡ ¶ The Place These kinde of Poppies are sowne in gardens do afterward come of the fallings of their seed ¶ The Time They floure most commonly in Iune The seed is perfected in Iuly and August 5 Papauer syluestre Wilde Poppie ¶ The Names Poppie is called of the Graecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Latines Papauer the shops keepe the Latine name it is called in high Dutch Magsamen in low Dutch 〈◊〉 and Mancop in English Poppie Cheesebowls in French Pauot and Oliette by the Wallons The garden Poppie which hath blacke seeds is surnamed of Dioscorides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or wilde and is as hee saith called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because Opium flowes from it of Pliny and of the Latines Papauer nigrum whereof there be many variable colours and of great beautie although of euill smell whereupon our gentlewomen doe call it Ione Siluer pin ¶ The Temperature All the Poppies are cold as Galen testifieth in his booke of the Faculties of simple medicines ¶ The Vertues This seed as Galen saith in his booke of the Faculties of nourishments is good to season bread with but the white is better than the black He also addeth that the same is cold and causeth sleepe and yeeldeth no commendable nourishment to the body it is often vsed in comfits serued at the table with other iunketting dishes The oile which is pressed out of it is pleasant and delightsull to be eaten and is taken with bread or any other waies in meat without any sence of cooling A greater force is in the knobs or heads which doe specially preuaile to mooue sleepe and to stay and represse distillations or rheums and come 〈◊〉 in force to Opium but more gentle Opium or the condensed iuice of Poppie heads is strongest of all 〈◊〉 which is the iuice of the heads and leaues is weaker Both of them any waies taken either inwardly or outwardly applied to the head prouoke sleepe Opium somewhat too plentifully taken doth also 〈◊〉 death as Plinie truely writeth It mitigateth all kinde of paines but it leaueth behinde it oftentimes a mischiefe worse than the disease it selfe and
tuberous like those of other Anemones and the leaues are much diuided and cut in like to those of the first described in the former Chapter the stalke which hath three or foure leaues ingirting it as in all other Anemones at the top sustaineth a faire sanguine floure consisting of six large leaues with great white nailes The seeds are contained in downie heads like as those of the former This is 〈◊〉 tenuifol simpl flo 6. of Clusius 5 This differs from the former in the floure which consists of six leaues made somwhat rounder than those of the precedent their colour is betweene a skarlet and sanguine And there is a varietie hereof also of a bricke colour This is the eighth of Clusius 6 This differs from the rest in that the floure is composed of some fourteene or more leaues and these of a light purple or flesh-colour This is the ninth of Clusius 7 The floure of this is large consisting of six leaues being at the first of a whitish greene and then tending to a flesh colour with their nailes greene on the outside and white within and the threds in the middle of a flesh colour There is a lesser of this kinde with the floure of a flesh colour and white on the outside and wholly white within with the nailes greenish These are the tenth and eleuenth of Clusius 8 This floure also consists of six leaues of a flesh colour with whitish edges on the outside the inside is whitish with flesh coloured veines running to the middest thereof Besides these single kindes there are diuers double both of the broad and narrow leaued Anemones whereof I will only describe and figure two and refer you to the forementioned Authors for the rest which differ from these onely in colour 9 This broad leaued double Anemonie hath roots stalkes and leaues like those of the single ones of this kinde and at the top of the stalke there stands a faire large floure composed of two or three rankes of leaues small and long being of a kinde of skarlet or orange-tawny colour the bottomes of these leaues make a whitish circle which giues a great beauty to the floure and the downie head is ingirt with sanguine threds tipt with blew This is the 〈◊〉 major 1. of Clusius 10 This in shape of roots leaues and stalkes resembles the formerly described narrow leaued Anemones but the floure is much different from them for it consists first of diuers broad leaues which incompasse a great number of smaller narrow leaues which together make a very faire and beautifull floure the outer leaues hereof are red and the inner leaues of a purple Veluet colour Of this kinde there are diuers varieties as the double white crimson blush purple blew carnation rose-coloured c. ¶ The Place and Time These are onely to be found in gardens and bring forth their floures in the Spring ¶ Their Names I iudge it no waies pertinent to set downe more of the names than is already deliuered in their seuerall titles and descriptions ¶ Their Temper and Vertues These are of a hot and biting facultie and not that I know of at this day vsed in medicines vnlesse in some one or two ointments yet they were of more vse amongst the Greeke Physitions who much commend the iuyce of them for taking away the scares and scales which grow on the eyes and by them are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Trallianus also saith That the floures beaten in oyle and so anointed cause haire to grow where it is deficient The vertues set downe in the former Chapter do also belong to these here treated of as these here deliuered are also proper to them ‡ CHAP. 78. Of wilde Anemones or Winde-floures ¶ The Kindes LIke as there be many and diuers sorts of the garden Anemones so are there of the wild kindes also which do vary especially in their floures 1 Anemone nemorum lutea Yellow wilde Winde floure 2 Anemone nemorum alba White winde floure ‡ 3 Anemone nemorum flo pleno albo The double white wood Anemone ‡ 4 Anemone nemorum flo pleno purpurascente The double purplish wood Anemone ¶ The Description 1 THe first of these wilde Anemones hath iagged leaues deepely cut or indented which do grow vpon the middle part of a weake and tender stalke at the top whereof doth stand a prettie yellow floure made of six small leaues and in the middle of the floure there is a 〈◊〉 blackish pointell and certaine slender chiues or threds The root is small som ewhat knottie and very brittle 2 The second hath iagged leaues not vnlike to water Crowfoot or mountaine Crowfoot The flower groweth at the top of the stalke not vnlike to the precedent in shape sauing that this is of a milke white colour the root is like the other ‡ There is also of this single kinde two other varieties the one with a purple floure which 〈◊〉 may therefore call Anemone nemorum purpurea the wilde purple Winde-floure And the 〈◊〉 with a Scarlet or rather a Blush coloured floure which we may terme Anemone 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The wilde Scarlet wind floure These two differ not in other respects from the white wind 〈◊〉 3 There is in some choice gardens one of this kinde with white floures very double 〈◊〉 of the Scarlet Anemone and I had one of them giuen mee by a worshipfull Merchant of 〈◊〉 called Mr. Iohn Franqueuille my very good friend ‡ 4 This in roots and stalkes is like the last described wood Anemones or winde floures But this and the last mentioned double one haue leaues on two places of their stalks whereas the 〈◊〉 ones haue them but in one and that is about the middle of the stalkes The floure of this 〈◊〉 one consists of some fortie or more little leaues whereof the outermost are the biggest the 〈◊〉 or nailes of these leaues are of a deepe purple but the other parts of a lighter blush colour ‡ ¶ The Place All these wilde single Anemones grow in most woods and copses through England except that with the yellow floure which as yet I haue not seene notwithstanding I haue one of the greater kindes which beareth yellow floures whose figure is not expressed nor yet described for that it doth very notably resemble those with single floures but is of small moment either in beautie of the floure or otherwise ‡ The double ones grow onely in some few gardens ‡ ¶ The Time They floure from the middest of Februarie vnto the end of Aprill or the midst of May. ¶ The Names ‡ The first of these by most Writers is referred to the Ranunculi or 〈◊〉 and Lobel cals it fitly Ranunculus nemorosus luteus only Dodonaeus Caesalpinus and our Authour haue made it an Anemone 2 This with the varieties also by Tragus Fuchsius Cordus 〈◊〉 Lobell and others is made a Ranunculus yet Dodonaeus Caesalpinus and our Authour haue referred it to the Anemones Clusius thinkes this
it is brought into Persia Arabia Asia the lesse and also into Portingale and other parts of Europe but that is preferred which groweth in Cambaya ¶ The Names It is called of the Arabians Persians and Turkes Turbith and in Guzarata 〈◊〉 in the prouince Canara in which is the city Goa Tiguar likewise in Europe the learned call it diuersly according to their seuerall fancies which hath bred sundry controuersies as it hath fallen out aswell in Hermodactyls as in Turbith the vse and possession of which we cannot seeme to want but which plant is the true Turbith we haue great cause to doubt Some haue thought 〈◊〉 Tripolium marinum described in the former chapter to be Turbith others haue supposed it to be one of the Tithymales but which kinde they know not Guillandinus saith that the root of Tithymalus myrsinitis is the true Turbith which caused Lobeltus and Pena to plucke vp by the roots all the kindes of Tithymales and drie them very curiously which when they had beheld and throughly tried they found it nothing so The Arabians and halfe Moores that dwell in the East parts haue giuen diuers names vnto this plant and as their words are diuers so haue they diuers significatious but this name Turbith they seeme to interpret to be any milky root which doth strongly purge flegme as this plant doth So that as men haue thought good pleasing themselues they haue made many and diuers constuctions which haue troubled many excellent learned men to know what root is the true 〈◊〉 But briefly to set downe my opinion not varying from the iudgment of men which are of great experience I thinke assuredly that the root of Scammony of Antioch is the true and vndoubted Turbith one reason especially that moueth me so to thinke is for that I haue taken vp the roots of Scammony which grew in my garden and compared them with the roots of Turbith between which I found little 〈◊〉 no difference at all ‡ Through all Spain as Clusius in his notes vpon Garcias testifies they vse the roots of Thapsia for Turbith which also haue been brought hither and I keepe some of them by me but they purge little or nothing at all being drie though it may be the green root or juice may haue some purging faculty ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The Indian physitions vse it to purge flegme to which if there be no feuer they adde ginger otherwise they giue it without in the broth of a chicken and sometimes in faire water Mesues writeth that Turbith is hot in the third degree and that it voideth thicke tough flegme out of the stomacke chest sinewes and out of the furthermost parts of the body but as he saith it is slow in working and troubleth and ouerturneth the stomacke and therefore ginger masticke and other spices are to be mixed with it also oile of sweet almondes or almondes themselues or sugar least the body with the vse herof should pine and fall away Others temper it with Dates sweet Almonds and certaine other things making thereof a composition that the Apothecaries call an Electuarie which is named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 common in shops and in 〈◊〉 vse among expert Physitions There is giuen at one time of this Turbith one dram more or lesse two at the most but in the decoction or in the infusion three or foure CHAP. 95. Of Arrow-head or Water-archer 1 Sagittaria maior Great Arrow-head 2 Sagittaria minor Small Arrow-head ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Water-archer or Arrow-head hath large and long leaues in shape like the signe Sagittarius or rather like a bearded broad Arrow head Among which riseth vp a fat and thicke stalke two or three foot long hauing at the top many prettie white floures declining to a light carnation compact of three small leaues which being past there come after great rough knops or burres wherein is the seed The root consisteth of many strings 2 The second is like the first and differeth in that this kinde hath smaller leaues and floures and greater burres and roots 3 The third kinde of Arrow-head hath leaues in shape like the broad Arrow-head standing vpon the ends of tender foot stalkes a cubit 〈◊〉 among which rise vp long naked smooth stalks of a greenish colour from the middle whereof to the top doe grow floures like to the 〈◊〉 The root is small and threddie ¶ The Place These herbes doe grow in the watrie ditches by Saint George his field neere vnto London in the Tower ditch at London in the ditches neere the wals of Oxford by Chelmesford in Essex and many other places as namely in the ditch neere the place of execution called Saint Thomas Waterings not far from London ¶ The Time They floure in May and Iune ¶ The Names Sagittaria may be called in English the Water-archer or Arrow-head ‡ Some would haue it the 〈◊〉 of Theophrastus and it is the Pistana Magonis and Sagitta of 〈◊〉 lib. 21. cap. 17. ¶ The Nature and Vertues I finde not any thing extant in writing either concerning their vertues or temperament but doubtlesse they are cold and drie in qualitie and are like Plantaine in facultie and temperament CHAP. 96. Of Water Plantaine 1 Plantago aquatica maior Great Water Plantaine 2 Plantago aquatica minor stellata Starry headed small Water 〈◊〉 3 Plantago aquatica humilis Dwarfe water Plantaine ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of water Plantaine hath faire great large leaues like the land Plaintaine but smoother and full of ribs or sinewes among which riseth vp a tall stemme foure foot high diuiding it selfe into many slender branches garnished with infinit small white floures which being past there appeare triangle huskes or buttons wherein is the seed The root is as it were a great tuft of threds or thrums ‡ 2 This plant in his roots and leaues is like the last described as also in the stalke but much lesse in each of them the stalke being about some foot high at the top whereof stand many pretty starre-like skinny seed-vessels containing a yellowish seed ‡ 3 The second kinde hath long little and narrow leaues much like the Plantaine called Ribwoort among which rise vp small and feeble stalks branched at the top whereon are placed white floures consisting of three slender leaues which being fallen there come to your view round knobs or rough burs the root is threddy ¶ The Place 1 This herbe growes about the brinkes of riuers ponds and ditches almost euery where ‡ 2 3 These are more rare I found the second a little beyond Ilford in the way to Rumford and Mr. Goodyer found it also growing vpon Hounslow heath I found the third in the Company of Mr. William Broad and Mr. Leonard Buckner in a ditch on this side Margate in the Isle of Tenet ‡ ¶ The Time They floure from Iune till August ¶ The Names The first kinde is called Plantago 〈◊〉 that is water Plantaine ‡ The second
11. 〈◊〉 of Clusius 4 I take this to bee Clusius his Gentiana fugax 4. or Gentiana 10. We may call this in 〈◊〉 Small Autumne Gentian ¶ Their Temperature and Vertues These by their taste and forme should be much like to the greater Gentians in their operation and working yet not altogether so effectuall ‡ CHAP. 106. Of Calathian Violet or Autumne Bel-floure ¶ The Description AMong the number of the base Gentians there is a smal plant which is late before it commeth vp hauing stalks a span high and sometimes higher narrow leaues like vnto Time set by couples about the stalkes by certaine distances long hollow floures growing at the top of the stalks like a cup called a Beaker wide at the top and narrower toward the bottome of a deepe blew colour tending to purple with certain white threds or chiues in the bottome the 〈◊〉 at the mouth or brim is fiue cornered before it be opened but when it is opened it appeareth with fiue 〈◊〉 or pleats The whole plant is of a bitter taste which plainly sheweth it to be a kinde of wilde Gentian The root is small and perisheth when it hath perfected his seed and recouereth it selfe by 〈◊〉 of the same Pneumonanthe Calathian Violet ¶ The Place It is found sometimes in Meadowes oftentimes in vntilled places It groweth vpon Long-field downes in Kent neere vnto a village called Longfield by 〈◊〉 vpon the chalkie cliffes neere Greene-Hythe and Cobham in Kent and many other places It likewise groweth as you ride from Sugar-loafe hill vnto Bathe in the West countrey ‡ This plant I neuer found but once and that was on a wet Moorish ground in Lincolnshire 2. or 3. miles on this side Caster and as I remember the place is called Netleton Moore Now I suspect that our Authour knew it not first because he describes it with leaues like vnto Time when as this hath long narrow leaues more like to Hyssop or Rosemary Secondly for that he saith the root is small perisheth when as it hath perfected the seed whereas this hath a liuing stringie and creeping root Besides this seldome or neuer growes on 〈◊〉 cliffes but on wet Moorish grounds and Heaths wherefore I suspect our Authour tooke the small Autumne Gentian described by me in the fourth place of the last Chapter for this here treated of ‡ ¶ The Time The gallant floures hereof be in their brauerie about the end of August and in September ¶ The Names ‡ This is thought to be Viola Calathiana of Ruellius yet not that of Pliny and those that desire to know more of this may haue recourse to the 〈◊〉 chapter of the first booke of the 2. Pempt of Dodon his Latine Herball whence our Authour tooke those words that were formerly in this place though he did not well vnderstand nor expresse them ‡ It is called Viola Autumnalis or Autumne Violet and seemeth to bee the same that 〈◊〉 Cordus doth call Pneumonanthe which he saith is named in the Germane tongue 〈◊〉 or Lung-floure in English Autumne Bel-floures Calathian Violets and of some Haruestbels ¶ The Temperature This wilde Felwoort or Violet is in Temperature hot somewhat like in facultie to Gentian whereof it is a kinde but far weaker in operation ¶ The Vertues The latter Physitions hold it to be effectuall against pestilent diseases and the bitings stingings of venomous beasts CHAP. 109. Of Venus Looking-glasse ¶ The Description 1 BEsides the former Bel-floures there is likewise a certaine other which is low and little the stalkes whereof are tender two spans long diuided into many branches most commonly lying vpon the ground The leaues about the stalks are little sleightly nicked in the edges The floures are small of a bright purple colour tending to blewnes very beautifull with wide mouths like broad bels hauing a white 〈◊〉 or thred in the middle The floures in the day time are wide open and about the setting of the Sun are shut vp and closed fast together in fiue corners as they are before their first opening and as the other Bel-floures are The roots be 〈◊〉 slender and perish when they haue perfected their seed ‡ 2 There is another which from a small and wooddy root sendeth vp a straight stalk sometimes but two or three inches yet otherwhiles a foot high when as it lights into good 〈◊〉 This stalke is crested and hollow hauing little longish leaues crumpled or sinuated about the edges set thereon and out of the bosomes of those leaues towards the top of the stalke and sometimes lower come little branches bearing little winged cods at the tops of which in the middest of fiue little greene leaues stand small purple floures of little or no beauty which being past the cods become much larger and containe in them a small yellowish seed and they still retaine at their tops the fiue longish greene leaues that incompassed the floure This plant is an annuall like as the former ‡ 1 Speculum Veneris Venus Looking-glasse ‡ 2 Speculum Veneris minus Codded corne violet ¶ The Place It groweth in ploughed fields among the corne in a plentifull and fruitfull soile I found it in a field among the corne by Greene-hithe as I went from thence toward Dartford in Kent and in many other places thereabout but not elswhere from whence I brought of the seeds for my Garden where they come vp of themselues from yeare to yeare by falling of the seed ‡ That which is here figured and described in the first place I neuer found growing in England I haue seene only some branches of it brought from Leiden by my friend Mr. William Parker The other of my description I haue diuers times found growing among the corn in Chelsey field and also haue had it brought me from other places by Mr. George Bowls Mr. Lconard Buckner ‡ ¶ The Time It floureth in Iune and Iuly and the seed is ripe in the end of August ¶ The Names It is called 〈◊〉 Aruensis and of some O nobrychis but vnproperly of other Cariophyllus 〈◊〉 or corne Gillofloure or Corne pinke and Speculum Veneris or Ladies glasse The Brabanders in their tongue call it Urowen Spiegel ‡ Tabernamontamus hath two figures thereof the one vnder the name of Viola aruensis and the other by the title of Viola Pentagonia because the floure hath fiue folds or corners 2 This of my description is not mentioned by any Author wherefore I am content to follow that name which is giuen to the former and terme it in Latine Speculum Veneris minus and from the colour of the floure and codded seed vessell to call it in English Codded Corne Violet ¶ The Temperature and Vertues We haue not found any thing written either of his vertue or temperature of the antient or late Writers CHAP. 110. Of Neesing root or Neesewoort 1 Helleborus albus White Hellebor 2 Helleborus albus praecox Timely white Hellebor ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of white Hellebor
of the word cleere bright and light-giuing floures and therefore they were called the Gardners Delight or the Gardeners Eye in Dutch Christes eie in French Oeillers Oeilets Dieu in high-Dutch 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 ¶ The Temperature The seed of Rose-Campion saith Galen is hot and dry after a sort in the second degree ¶ The Vertues The seed drunken in wine is a remedie for them that are stung with a Scorpion as Dioscorides testifieth CHAP. 127. Of wilde Rose-Campions ¶ The Description 1 THe wilde Rose-Campion hath many rough broad leaues somewhat hoary and woolly among which rise vp long soft and hairy stalkes branched into many armes set with the like leaues but lesser The floures grow at the top of the stalkes compact of fiue leaues of a reddish colour the root is thicke and large with some threds anexed thereto ‡ There also growes commonly wilde with vs another of this kinde with white floures as also another that hath them of a light blush colour ‡ 2 The sea Rose Campion is a small herbe set about with many greene leaues from the lower part vpward which leaues are thicke somewhat lesser and narrower than the leaues of sea Purslane It hath many crooked stalkes spred vpon the ground a foot long in the vpper part whereof there is a small white floure in fashion and shape like a little cup or box after the likenesse of Behen album or Spatling Poppy hauing within the said floure little threds of a blacke colour in taste salt yet not vnpleasant It is reported vnto me by a Gentleman one Mr. Tho. Hesket that by the sea side in Lancashire from whence this plant came there is another sort hereof with red floures ‡ 3 This brings many stalkes from one root round long and weaker than those of the first described lying vsually vpon the ground the leaues grow by couples at each ioynt long soft and hairy amongst which alternately grow the floures about the bignesse of those of the first described and of a blush colour and they are also succeeded by such seed-vessels containing a reddish seed The root is thicke and fibrous yet commonly outliues not the second yeare 1 Lychnis syluestris rubello flore Red wilde Campion 2 Lychnis marina Anglica English Sea Campion 3 Lychnis syluestris hirta 5. Clusij Wilde hairy Campion 4 Lychnis syluestris 8. 〈◊〉 Hoary wilde Campion 5 Lychnis hirta minima 6. Clus. Small Hairy Campion 6 Lychnis syluestris ineana Lob. Ouerworne Campion 7 Lychnis caliculis striatis 2. Clusij Spatling Campion 8 Lychnis syluestris alba 9. 〈◊〉 Whitewilde Campion 4 The fourth kinde of wilde Campions hath long and slender stems diuiding themselues into sundry other branches which are full of ioynts hauing many small and narrow leaues proceeding from the said ioynts and those of a whitish greene colour The floures do grow at the top of the stalke of a whitish colour on the inner side and purplish on the outer side consisting of fiue small leaues euery leafe hauing a cut in the end which maketh it of the shape of a forke the seed is like the wilde Poppy the root somewhat grosse and thicke which also perisheth the second yeare 5 The fifth kinde of wilde Campion hath three or foure soft leaues somewhat downy lying flat vpon the ground among which riseth vp an hairy ash-coloured stalke diuided into diuers branches whereupon do grow at certaine spaces euen in the setting together of the stalke and branches small and grasse-like leaues hairy and of an ouerworne dusky colour as is all the rest of the Plant. The floures grow at the top of the branches composed of fiue small forked leaues of a bright shining red colour The root is small and of a wooddy substance 6 The sixth kinde of wilde Campion hath many long thicke 〈◊〉 and hoary leaues spred vpon the ground in shape and substance like those of the garden Campion but of a very dusty ouerworne colour among which rise vp small and tender stalkes set at certaine distances by couples with such like leaues as the other but smaller The floures do grow at the top of the stalks in little tufts like those of sweet Williams of a red colour The root is small with many threddy strings fastned to it ‡ 7 This growes some cubit high with stalkes distinguished with sundry joynts at each whereof are set two leaues greene sharpe pointed and somewhat stiffe the floures grow at the tops of the branches like to those of Muscipula or Catch-fly yet somewhat bigger and of a darke red which past the seed which is ash-coloured and somewhat large is contained in great cups or vessels couered with a hard and very much crested skin or filme whence it is called Lychnis caliculis striatis and not Cauliculis striatis as it is falsly printed in Lobels Icones which some as foolishly haue sollowed The root is single and not large and dies euery yeare 8 That which our Author figured in this place had greene leaues and red floures which no way sorted with his description wherefore I haue in lieu thereof giuen you one out of Clusius which may fitly carry the title This at the top of the large fibrous and liuing root sendeth forth many leaues somewhat greene and of some fingers length growing broader by degrees and at last ending againe in a sharpe point The stalkes are some cubit high set at each ioynt with two leaues as it were embracing it with their foot-stalkes which leaues are lesse and lesse as they are higher vp and more sharpe pointed At the tops of the branches grow the floures consisting of fiue white leaues deepely cut in almost to the middle of the floure and haue two sharpe pointed appendices at the bottome of each of them and fiue chiues or threds come forth of their middles these when they fade contract and twine themselues vp and are succeeded by thicke and sharpe pointed seed-vessels containing a small round Ash-coloured seed I coniecture that the figure of the Lychnis plumaria which was formerly here in the ninth place out of Tabern might be of this plant as well as of that which Bauhine refers it to and which you shall finde mentioned in the end of the chapter ‡ ¶ The Place They grow of themselues neere to the borders of plowed fields medowes and ditch banks common in many places ‡ I haue obserued none of these the 〈◊〉 and second excepted growing wilde with vs. ‡ The sea Campion groweth by the sea side in 〈◊〉 at a place called Lytham fiue miles from Wygan from whence I had seeds sent me by Mr. Thomas Hesketh who hath heard it reported that in the same place doth grow of the same kinde some with red floures which are very rare to be seene ‡ This plant in my last Kentish Simpling voyage 1632 with Mr. Thomas Hickes Mr. Broad c. I found growing in great plenty in the low marish ground in Tenet that lieth directly opposite to the towne
blew colour and the inner threds are yellow It 〈◊〉 in August and the floures quickly turne into downe and are carried away with the wind It grows in many Chalkie hils and I first obserued it in the company of Mr. George 〈◊〉 Mr. Iohn Bugs and others close by Farmingham in Kent and the last yeare Mr. William Broad found it growing at the Blockehouse at Grauesend Tragus calls it Tinctorius flos alter Dodonaeus because the floure quickly turns to downe makes it 〈◊〉 quartum and Gesner for that the root is hot and drawes rheume like as Pellitorie of Spaine which therefore is vsed against the Tooth-ache names it Dentelaria he also cals it Conyza muralis and Conyzoides Caerulea Tabernamontanus also calls it Conyza caerulea and lastly Fabius Columna hath it by the name of Amellus Montanus to which kinde it may in mine opinion be as fitly referred as to these Conyza's Our Author had the figure hereof in the third place in this Chapter ¶ The Place Time and Names All these haue beene sufficiently shewne in their particular Titles and Descriptions ‡ ¶ The Nature Conyza is hot and drie in the third degree ¶ The Vertues The leaues and floures be good against the strangurie the iaundise and the gnawing or griping of the bellie The same taken with Vineger helpeth the Epilepsie or falling sicknesse If Women doe sit ouer the decoction thereof it greatly 〈◊〉 their paines of the Mother The Herbe burned where 〈◊〉 Gnats fleas or any venemous things are doth driue them away CHAP. 132. Of Starre-woort ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of 〈◊〉 or Inguinalis hath large broad leaues like Verbascum 〈◊〉 or the great Conyza among which riseth vp a stalke foure or fiue handfuls high hard rough and hairie beset with leaues like Rose Campions of a darke greene colour At the top of the said stalkes come forth 〈◊〉 of a shining and glistering golden colour and vnderneath about these floures grow fiue or six long leaues sharpe pointed and rough not much in shape vnlike the fish called Stella marina The floures turne into downe and are carried away with the winde The root is fibrous of a binding and sharpe taste ‡ 2 The second called Italian Starrewoort hath leaues not much vnlike Marigolds but of a darke greene colour and rough and they are somewhat round at the vpper end the stalkes are many and grow some cubite high and at their tops are diuided into sundry branches which beare 〈◊〉 blewish purple floures yellow in their middles and shaped like Marigolds and almost of the same bignesse whence some haue called them blew Marigolds ‡ 3 The third kinde hath leaues so like Italian Starwort that a man can scarcely at the sudden distinguish the one from the other The single stalke is a cubit long vpright and slender on the top whereof grow faire yellow floures like those of Enula Campana and they fly away in downe the root is small and threddie 4 The fourth kinde in talnesse and floure is not much vnlike that last before specified but in stalke and leaues more hairie and longer somewhat like our small Hounds-tongue and the rootes are lesse fibrous or threddie than the former 5 There is another sort that hath a browne stalke with leaues like the small Coniza The floures are of a darke yellow which turne into downe that flieth away with the wind like Conyza The root is full of threds or strings 6 There is also another that hath leaues like the great Campion somewhat hairie amongst which come vp crooked crambling stalkes leaning lamely many waies Whereupon doe growe faire yellow floures Starre-fashion which past the cups become so hard that they will scarcely be broken with ones nailes to take forth the seed The root is long and straight as a finger with some few strings annexed vnto the vppermost part thereof It groweth wilde in some parts of Spaine 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Starrewoort ‡ 2 〈◊〉 Italorum Italian 〈◊〉 7 There groweth another kinde of Starrewoort which hath many leaues like 〈◊〉 but thinner and of a more greene colour couered with a woollie hairinesse sharpe and bitter in taste amongst which 〈◊〉 vp a round stalke more than a cubite high 〈◊〉 growing vnto a 〈◊〉 colour set with the like leaues but smaller and sharper pointed diuiding it selfe toward the top into some few branches whereon doe grow large yellow floures like Doronicum or Sonchus The root is thicke and crooked ‡ This is 〈◊〉 Pannonicus maior sive 〈◊〉 of Clus. and his 〈◊〉 primus 8 Wee haue seene growing vpon wilde Mountaines another sort which hath leaues much lesser than the former somewhat like to the leaues of Willow of a faire greene colour which doe adorne and decke vp the stalke euen to the top whereupon doe grow yellow floures starre fashion like vnto the former The root is small and tender creeping farre abroad whereby it mightily increaseth ‡ This is 〈◊〉 Pannonicus salignis 〈◊〉 sive 〈◊〉 4. Austriacus 2. of Clusius It is 〈◊〉 luteum of Tabern And our Author gaue the Figure heereof for Aster Italorum ‡ 9 Clusius hath set forth a kinde that hath an vpright stalke somewhat hairy two cubits high beser with leaues somewhat woollie like to those of the Sallow hauing at the top of the stalke faire yellow floures like 〈◊〉 Campana which turne into down that is carried away with the wind the root is thicke with some 〈◊〉 or threds fastened thereto ‡ This is Aster lanuginoso folio sive 5. of Clusius Our Authour gaue the figure hereof vnder the title of Aster Hirsutus it is Aster 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Taber 10 Hee hath likewise described another sort that hath leaues stalks floures and roots like the ninth but neuer groweth to the height of one cubite ‡ It bringeth forth many stalkes and the leaues that grow disorderly vpon them are narrower blacker harder and sharper pointed than the former not vnlike those of the common Ptarmica yet not snipt about the edges the floures are yellow and like those of the last described but lesse This is the Aster 〈◊〉 sive sextus of Clusius ‡ 11 There is likewise set forth in his Pannonicke obseruation a kind of Aster that hath many small hairie leaues like the common great Daisie among which riseth vp an hairy stalke of a foot high hauing at the top faire blew floures inclining to purple with their middle yellow which turn in the time of seeding into a 〈◊〉 downe that flieth away with the winde The whole plant hath a drying binding and bitter taste The root is threddie like the common Daisie or that of Scabious ‡ This is Asper Alpinus 〈◊〉 flore sive 7. of Clusius ‡ 3 Aster montanus flore amplo Mountaine Starwoort 4 Aster hirsutus Hairie Srarwoort ‡ 5 Aster Conyzoides Gesneri Fleabane Starrewoort ‡ 6 Aster Luteus supinus Clusij Creeping Starwoort ‡ 7 Aster luteus foliis Succisae Scabious leaued Starwoort ‡ 8 Aster Salicis
from his force of driuing away Agues ¶ The Temperature Feuerfew doth manifestly heat it is hot in the third degree and drie in the second it clenseth purgeth or scoureth openeth and fully performeth all that bitter things can do ¶ The Vertues It is a great remedie against the diseases of the matrix it procureth womens sicknes with speed it bringeth forth the after birth and the dead childe whether it bee drunke in a decoction or boiled in a bath and the woman sit ouer it or the herbes sodden and applied to the priuie part in manner of a cataplasme or pultis Dioscorides also teacheth that it is profitably applied to Saint Anthonies fire to all hot inflammations and hot swellings if it be laid vnto both leaues and floures The same Author affirmeth that the pouder of Feuerfew drunke with Oxymell or syrup of Vineger or wine for want of the others draweth away flegme and 〈◊〉 and is good for them that are pursie and haue their lungs stuffed with flegme and is profitable likewise to be drunke a gainst the stone as the same Author saith Feuerfew dried and made into pouder and two drams of it taken with honie or sweet wine purgeth by siege melancholy and flegme wherefore it is very good for them that are giddie in the head or which haue the turning called Vertigo that is a swimming and turning in the head Also it is good for such as be melancholike sad pensiue and without speech The herbe is good against the suffocation of the mother that is the hardnesse and stopping of the same being boiled in wine and applied to the place The decoction of the same is good for women to sit ouer for the purposes aforesaid It is vsed both in drinks and bound to the wrests with bay salt and the pouder of glasse stamped together as a most singular experiment against the ague CHAP. 211. Of Poley or Pellamountaine 1 Polium montanum album White Poley mountaine 2 Polium montanum 〈◊〉 Yellow Poley mountaine ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Polium or in English Poley of the mountain is a little tender and sweet smelling herbe verie hoarie whereupon it tooke his name for it is not onely hoary in part but his hoarie flockinesse possesseth the whole plant tufts and all being no lesse hoarie than Gnaphalium especially where it groweth neere the Sea at the bending of the hils or neere the sandie shores of the Mediterranean Sea from his wooddie and somewhat threddie root shooteth forth straight from the earth a number of small round stalkes nine inches long and by certaine distances from the stalke proceed somewhat long leaues like Gnaphalium which haue light nickes about the edges that stand one against another inclosing the stalke in the toppe of the stalkes stand spokie tufts of floures white of colour like Serpillum This plant is stronger of sent or sauour than any of the rest following which sent is somewhat sharp and affecting the nose with his sweetnesse 2 The tuftes of the second kinde of Polium are longer than the tuftes or floures of the last before mentioned and they are of a yellow colour the leaues also are broader otherwise they are very like 3 From the wooddie rootes of this third kinde of Polium proceed a great number of shootes like vnto the last rehearsed lying flat vpright vpon the ground whose slender branches take hold vpon the vpper part of the earth where they creepe The floures are like the other but of a purple colour 4 The last kinde of Polium and of all the rest the smallest is of an indifferent good smell in all points like vnto the common Polium but that it is foure times lesser hauing the leaues not snipt the floures white ‡ 5 This sends vp many branches from one root like to those of the first described but shorter and more shrubbie lying partly vpon the ground the leaues grow by couples at certain spaces somewhat like but lesser than those of Rosemarie or Lauander greene aboue and whitish beneath not snipt about their edges their taste is bitter and smell somewhat pleasant the floures grow plentifully vpon the tops of 〈◊〉 branches white of colour and in shape not vnlike those of the other Poleyes they grow on a bunch together and not Spike fashion the seed is blackish and contained in small vessels the root is hard and wooddie with many fibres Clusius calls this Polium 7. albo flore It is the Polium alterum of Matthiolius and Polium recentiorum foemina Lavandulae folio of Lobel I here giue you as Clusius also hath done two figures to make one good one the former shews the floures and their manner of growing the other the seede vessels and the leaues growing by couples together with a little better expression of the root ‡ 3 Polium montanum purpureum Purple Poley ¶ The Place These plants do grow naturally vpon the mountaines of France Italie Spaine and other hot regions They are strangers in England notwithstanding I haue plants of that Poley with yellow floures by the gift of Lobel ¶ The Time They floure from the end of May to the beginning of August 4 Polium montanum minimum Creeping Poley ‡ 5 Polium 〈◊〉 folio flore 〈◊〉 Lavander leaued Poley Another figure of the Lauander leaued Poley ¶ The Names Poley mountaine is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of his hoarinesse and in Latine also Polium Diuers suspect that Polium is 〈◊〉 and that Dioscorides hath twise intreated of that herbe vnder diuers names the kindes the occasion of the name and likewise the faculties do agree There bee two of the Leucades one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is of the mountaine the other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is that with the broader leafe it is called Leucas of the whitish colour and Polion of the hoarinesse because it seemeth like to a mans hoarie head for whatsoeuer waxeth hoarie is said to be white ¶ The Temperature Poley is of 〈◊〉 drie in the third degree and hot in the end of the second ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides saith it is a remedie for them that haue the dropsie the yellow iaundice and that are troubled with the spleene It prouoketh vrine is put into Mithridate treacle and counterpoisons It profiteth much against the bitings of venomous beasts and driueth away all venomous beasts from the place where it is strewed or burnt The same drunke with vineger is good for the diseases of the milt and spleene it troubleth the stomacke and afflicteth the head and prouoketh the loosenesse of the bellie CHAP. 212. Of Germander ¶ The Kindes THe old writers haue set downe no certaine kinds of Germander yet we haue thought it good and not without cause to intreat of mo sorts than haue been obserued of all diuiding those vnder the title of Teucrium from 〈◊〉 although they are both of one kind but yet differing very notably ¶ The Dèscription 3 THe first
standing waters elswhere This description was made vpon sight of the plant the 2. of Iune 1622. Tribulus aquaticus minor muscat 〈◊〉 floribus 1 Tribulus aquaticus Water Caltrops ‡ 2 Tribulus aquaticus minor quercus floribus Small water Caltrops or Frogs-lettuce ‡ 3 Tribulus aquaticus minor Muscatellae floribus Small Frogs-Lettuce ¶ The Place Cordus saith that it groweth in Germany in myrie lakes and in citie ditches that haue mud in them in Brabant and in other places of the Low-countries it is found oftentimes in standing waters and springs Matthiolus writeth that it groweth not only in lakes of sweet water but also in certaine ditches by the sea neere vnto Venice ¶ The Time It flourisheth in Iune Iuly and August ¶ The Names The Grecians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latins Tribulus aquatilis and aquaticus and Tribulus lacustris the Apothecaries Tribulus marinus in High Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Brabanders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of the likenesse of yron nailes 〈◊〉 the French men Macres in English it is named water Caltrops Saligot and Water nuts most do call the fruit of this Caltrops Castaneae aquatiles or water 〈◊〉 nuts ¶ The Temperature Water Caltrop is of a cold nature it consisteth of a moist essence which in this is 〈◊〉 waterie than in the land Caltrops wherein an earthie cold is predominant as Galen saith ¶ The Vertues The herbe vsed in manner of a pultis as Dioscorides teacheth is good against all inflammations or hot swellings boiled with honie and water it perfectly healeth cankers in the mouth sore gums and the Almonds of the throat The Thracians saith Plinie that dwell in Strymona do fatten their horses with the leaues of Saligot and they themselues do feed of the kernels making very sweet bread thereof which bindeth the belly The green nuts or fruit of Tribulus aquaticus or Saligot being drunke in wine is good for them which are troubled with the stone and grauell The same drunke in like manner or laied outwardly to the place helpeth those that are bitten with any venomous beast and resisteth all venome and poison The leaues of Saligot be giuen against all inflammations and vlcers of the mouth the 〈◊〉 and corruption of the iawes and against the Kings euill A pouder made of the nuts is giuen to such as pisse bloud and are troubled with grauell and it doth bind the belly very much ‡ The two lesser water Caltrops here described are in my opinion much agreeable in temper to the great one and are much fitter Succidanea for it then Aron which some in the composition of Vnguentum Agrippae haue appointed for it ‡ CHAP. 299. Of water Sengreene or fresh water Soldier Militaris Aizoides Fresh water Soldier ¶ The Description FResh water Soldier or water Housleeke hath leaues like those of the herbe Aloe or Semper vivum but shorter and lesser setround about the edges with certaine stiffe and short prickles amongst which commeth forth diuers cases or huskes verie like vnto crabbes clawes out of which when they open grow white floures consisting of three leaues altogether like those of Frogs-bit hauing in the middle little yellowish threds in stead of roots there be long strings round white vetic like to great Harp-strings or to long wormes which falling downe from a short head that brought sorth the leaues go to the bottom of the water and yet be they seldome there fastened there also grow from the same other strings aslope by which the plant is multiplied after the manner of Frogs-bit ¶ The Place ‡ I found this growing plentifully in the ditches about Rotsey a smal village in Holdernesse And my friend Mr. William Broad obserued it in the Fennes in Lincolne-shire ‡ The leaues and floures grow vpon the top of the water and the roots are sent downe through the water to the mud ¶ The Time It floures in Iune and sometimes in August ¶ The Names It may be called Sedum aquatile or water Sengreen that is to say of the likenesse of herbe Aloe which is also called in Latine Sedum of some Cancri chela or Cancri forficula in English VVater Housleeke Knights Pondwoort and of some Knights water Sengreene fresh water Soldier or wading Pondweed it seemeth to be Stratiotes aquatilis or Stratiotes potamios or Knights water Wound-woort which may also be named in Latine Militaris aquatica and Militaris 〈◊〉 or Soldiers Yarrow for it groweth in the water and floteth vpon it and if those strings which it sendeth to the bottome of the wat er be no roots it also liueth without roots ¶ The Temperature This herbe is of a cooling nature and temperament ¶ The Vertues This Housleeke staieth the bloud which commeth from the kidneies it keepeth green wounds from being inflamed and it is good against S. Anthonies fire and hot swellings being applied vnto them and is equall in the vertues aforesaid with the former CHAP. 300. Of Water Yarrow and water Gillofloure 1 Viola palustris Water Violet ‡ Viola Palustris tenuifolia The smaller leaued water violet ¶ The Description 1 WAter Violet hath long and great iagged leaues very finely cut or rent like Yarrow but smaller among which come vp small stalkes a cubit and a halfe high bearing at the top small white floures like vnto stocke Gillofloures with some yellownes in the middle The roots are long and small like blacke threds and at the end whereby they are fastened to the ground they are white and shining like Chrystall ‡ There is another varietie of this plant which differs from it only in that the leaues are much smaller as you may see them exprest in the figure ‡ 2 Water Milfoile or water Yarrow hath long and large leaues deepely cut with many diuisions like 〈◊〉 but finelier iagged swimming vpon the water The root is single long and round which brings vp a right straight and slender stalke set in sundry places with the like leaues but smaller The floures grow at the top of the stalke tuft fashion and like vnto the land Yarrow 3 This water Milfoile differeth from all the kindes aforesaid hauing a root in the bottom of the water made of many hairy strings which yeeldeth vp a naked slender stalke within the water and the rest of the stalke which floteth vpon the water diuideth it selfe into sundry other branches and wings which are bedasht with fine small iagged leaues like vnto 〈◊〉 or rather resembling hairy tassels or fringe than leaues From the bosomes whereof come forth small and tender branches euery branch bearing one floure like vnto water Crow-foot white of colour with a little yellow in the midst the whole plant resembleth water Crow-foot in all things saue in the broad leaues †4 There is another kinde of water violet very like the former sauing that his leaues are much longer somewhat resembling the leaues of Fennell fashioned like vnto wings and the floures are somewhat smaller yet white with yellownesse in their middles and shaped
many small reddish graines or round roots as bigge as pepper cornes which are vsed in medicine and are called Semen Saxifragae albae that is the seede of white Saxifrage or Stone-breake although beside these foresaid round knobbes it hath also small seed contained in little huskes following his floure as other herbes haue 1 Saxifraga alba White Saxifrage 2 Saxifraga aurea Golden Saxifrage ‡ 3 Saxifraga albapetraea White Rocke Saxifrage 2 Golden Saxifrage hath round compassed leaues bluntly indented about the borders like the former among which rise vp stalkes a handfull high at the top whereof grow two or three little leaues together out of the middle of them spring small floures of a golden color after which come little husks wherein is contained the red seed not vnlike the former the roote is tender creeping in the ground 〈◊〉 long threds or haires ‡ 3 Pona hath set forth this plant by the name of Saxifraga alba petraea and therefore I haue placed it here though I thinke I might more fitly haue ranked him with 〈◊〉 rutaceo folio formerly described It hath a small single root from which arise diuers fat longish leaues somewhat hairy and diuided into three parts amongst those rises vp a round knottie stalke roughish and of a purplish colour some halfe foot high diuided into sundry branches which carry white floures consisting of fiue leaues apiece with some yellowish threds in their middles these falling there remaines a cup containing a very small seed It floures at the end of Iune in the shadowie places of the Alpes whereas Pona first obserued it ‡ ¶ The Place The white Saxifrage groweth plentifully in sundrie places of England and especially in a field on the left hand of the high way as you goe from the place of execution called Saint Thomas Waterings vnto Dedford by London It groweth also in the great field by Islington called the Mantles also in the greene places by the sea side at Lee in Essex among the rushes and in sundrie other places thereabout and else where ‡ It also growes in Saint Georges fields behinde Southwarke ‡ The golden Saxifrage groweth in the moist and marish grounds about Bathe and Wels also in the Moores by Boston and Wisbich in Lincolnshire ‡ and Mr. George Bowles hath found it growing in diuers woods at Chisselhurst in Kent Mr. Goodyer also hath obserued it abundantly on the shadowie moist rockes by Mapledurham in Hampshire and I haue found it in the like places in Yorkshire ‡ ¶ The Time The white Saxifrage floureth in May and Iune the herbe with his floure are no more seen vntill the next yeare The golden Saxifrage floureth in March and Aprill ¶ The Names The first is called in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Alba in English white 〈◊〉 or white Stone-breake The second is called Golden Saxifrage or golden Stone-breake ¶ The Nature The first of these especially the root and seed thereof is of a warme or hot complexion Golden Saxifrage is of a cold nature as the taste doth manifestly declare ¶ The Vertues The root of white Saxifrage boiled in wine and drunken prouoketh vrine clenseth the kidneis and bladder breaketh the stone and driueth it forth and is singular good against the strangurie and all other griefes and imperfections in the reines The vertues of golden Saxifrage are yet vnto vs vnknowne notwitstanding I am of this minde that it is a singular wound herbe equall with Sanicle CHAP. 310 Of Sow-bread ¶ The Description 1 THe first being the common kinde of Sowbread called in shops Panis porcinus and Arthanita hath many greene and round leaues like vnto Asarabacca sauing that the vpper part of the leaues are mixed here and there confusedly with white spots and vnder the leaues next the ground of a purple colour among which rise vp little stemmes like vnto the stalks of violets bearing at the top small purple floures which turne themselues backward beeing full blowne like a Turks cap or Tulepan of a small sent or 〈◊〉 or none at all which being past there succeed little round knops or heads which containe slender browne seedes these knoppes 1 Cyclamen orbiculato folio Round Sowbread 2 Cyclamen folio Heder Iuie Sowbread ‡ 3 Cyclamen Vernum Spring Sowbread ‡ 4 Cyclamen Vernum album White floured Sowbread ‡ 5 An Cyclaminos altera hederaceis folijs planta 2 The second kinde of Sowbread hath broad leaues spred vpon the ground sharpe pointed somewhat indented about the edges of a darke greene colour with some little lines or strakes of white on the vpper side and of a darke reddish colour on that side next the ground among which rise vp slender foot-stalks of two or three inches long at the tops whereof stand such floures as the precedent but of a sweeter smell and more pleasant colour The seed is also wrapped vp in the stalk for his further defence against the iniurie of winter The root is somewhat greater and of more vertue as shall be declared 3 There is a third kinde of Sowbread that hath round leaues without peaked corners as the last before mentioned yet somewhat snipt about the edges and speckled with white about the brims of the leaues and of a blackish colour in the middle the floures are like to the rest but of a deeper purple the root also like but smaller and this commonly floures in the Spring ‡ 4 This in leaues and roots is much like the last described but the floures are smaller snow white and sweet smelling There are diuers other varieties of these plants which I thinke it not necessarie for me to insist vpon wherefore I referre the curious to the Garden of floures set forth by Mr. Iohn Parkinson where they shall finde satisfaction ‡ 5 There is a plant which I haue set forth in this place that may very well be called into question and his place also considering that there hath been great contention about the same and not fully determined on either part which hath moued me to place him with those plants that most do resemble one another both in shape and name this plant hath greene cornered leaues like to Iuie long and small gaping floures like the small Snapdragon more hath not been said of this plant either of stalke or root but is left vnto the consideration of the learned ‡ The plant which our Author here would acquaint you with is that which Lobel figures with this title which I here giue and saith it was gathered amongst other plants on the hils of Italy but in what part or place or how growing he knew not and he onely questions whether it may not be the Cyclaminos altera of Dioscorides lib. 2. cap. 195. ‡ ¶ The Place Sow bread groweth plentifully about Artoies and Vermandois in France and in the Forest of Arden and in Brabant but the second groweth plentifully in many places of Italie It is reported vnto mee by men of good credit that Cyclamen or Sow-bread groweth vpon the mountaines of Wales
and Vertues There is a certaine clammie iuice in the leaues of the Venice Mallow whereupon it is thought to come neere vnto the temperature of the common Mallow and to be of a mollifying facultie but his vse in Physicke is not yet knowne and therefore can there be no certaintie affirmed CHAP. 356. Of Cranes-bill ¶ The Kindes THere be many kindes of Cranes-bil whereof two were known to Dioscorides one with the knobby root the other with the Mallow leafe Geranium Columbinum Doues foot or Cranes-bill ¶ The Description DOues-foot hath many hairy stalks trailing or leaning toward the ground of a brownish color somewhat kneed or iointed wherupon do grow rough leaues of an ouerworne green colour round cut about the edges and like vnto those of the common Mallow amongst which come forth the floures of a bright purple color after which is the seed set together like the head and bil of a bird wherupon it was called Cranes-bill or Storks-bill as are also all the other of his kinde The root is slender with some fibres annexed thereto ‡ 2 There is another kinde of this with larger stalkes and leaues also the leaues are more deeply cut in and diuided and the floures are either of the same colour as those of the common kinde or else somewhat more whitish This may be called 〈◊〉 columbinum maius 〈◊〉 foliis Great Doues foot 3 To this kinde may also fitly be referred the Geranium Saxatile of 〈◊〉 the root is smal and threddy the leaues are smoother redder more bluntly cut about the edges and transparent than those of the first described yet round and otherwise like them the floures are small and red and the bills like those of the former Master Goodyer found it growing plentifully on the bankes by the high way leading from Gilford towards London neere vnto the Townes end ‡ ¶ The Place It is found neere to common high waies desart places vntilled grounds and specially vpon mud walls almost euery where ¶ The Time It springeth vp in March and Aprill floureth in May and bringeth his seede to ripenesse in Iune ¶ The Names It is commonly called in Latine Pes Columbinus in High Dutch Scarter kraut in Low Dutch Duyuen voet in French Pied de Pigeon hereupon it may be called Geranium Columbinum in English Doues-foot and Pigeons-foot of Dioscorides Geranium alterum of some Pulmonia and Gruina ¶ The Temperature Doues foot is cold and somewhat drie with some astriction or binding hauing power to soder or ioine together ¶ The Vertues It seemeth saith my Author to be good for greene and bleeding wounds and asswageth inflammations or hot swellings The herbe and roots dried beaten into most fine pouder and giuen halfe a spoonfull fasting and the like quantitie to bedwards in red wine or old claret for the space of one and twentie daies together cureth miraculously ruptures or burstings as my selfe 〈◊〉 often prooued whereby I haue gotten crownes and credit if the ruptures be in aged persons it shall be needfull to adde thereto the powder of red snailes those whithout shels dried in an ouen in number nine which fortisi the herbs in such sort that it neuer faileth although the rupture be great and of long continuance it likewise profiteth much those that are wounded into the body and the decoction of the herbe made in wine preuaileth mightily in healing inward wounds as my selfe haue likewise proued CHAP. 357. Of Herbe Robert Geranium Robertianum Herbe Robert ¶ The Description HErbe Robert bringeth forth slender weake and brittle stalks somewhat hairie and of a reddish colour as are oftentimes the leaues also which are iagged and deepely cut like vnto those of Cheruile of a most loathsome stinking smell The floures are of a most bright purple colour which being past there 〈◊〉 certaine smal heads with sharpe beaks or bils like those of birds the root is small and threddie ¶ The Place Herbe Robert groweth vpon old walls as wel those made of bricke and stone as those of mud or earth it groweth likewise among rubbish in the bodies of trees that are cut downe and in moist and shadowie ditch banks ¶ The Time It floureth from Aprill till Sommer be almost spent the herbe is green in winter also and is hardly hurt with cold ¶ The Names It is called in high Dutch Ruprechts kraut in low Dutch Robrechts kruit and thereupon it is named in Latine Ruberta and Roberti herba Ruellius calleth it Robertiana and we Robertianum of Tabernamontanus Rupertianum in English Herbe Robert Hee that conferreth this Cranes bill with Dioscorides his third Sideritis shall plainely perceiue that they are both one and that this is most apparently Sideritis 3. Dioscoridis for Dioscorides setteth downe three Sideritides one with the leafe of Horehound the next with the leafe of Fearne and the third groweth in walls and Vineyards the natiue soile of Herbe Robert agree thereunto and likewise the leaues being like vnto Cheruile and not vnlike to those of Corianders according to Dioscorides description ¶ The Temperature Herbe Robert is of temperature somewhat cold and yet both scouring and somewhat binding participating of mixt faculties ¶ The Vertues It is good for wounds and vlcers of the dugs secret parts it is thought to stanch bloud which thing Dioscorides doth attribute to his third Sideritis the vertue of this saith he is applied to heale vp bloudy wounds CHAP. 358. Of knobbed Cranes-bill Geranium tuberosum Knobbie Cranes-bill ¶ The Description THis kinde of Cranes-bill hath many flexible branches weake and tender fat and full of moisture wheron are placed very great leaues cut into diuers small sections or diuisions resembling the leaues of the tuberous Anemone or Wind-floure but somewhat greater of an ouerworn greenish colour among which come forth long foot-stalks whereon do grow faire floures of a bright purple colour and like vnto the smallest brier Rose in forme which being past there succeed such heads and beaks as the rest of the Cranes-bill haue the root is thick bumped or knobbed which we call tuberous ¶ The Place This kinde of Cranes-bill is a stranger in England notwithstanding I haue it growing in my garden ¶ The Time The time answereth the rest of the Cranes-bills ¶ The Names Cranes bill is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Gruinalis commonly Roftrum Gruis or Rostrum Ciconiae of the likenesse of a Cranes-bill or storkes-bill of some Acus moscata but that name doth rather belong to another of this kind it is also called Acus Pastoris in Italian Rostro di grua in French Bec de Grue in Spanish Pico di 〈◊〉 pico del grou in High Dutch Storckenschuable in Low Dutch Oiieuoers beck in English Storks-bill Cranes-bill Herons-bill and Pincke-needle this is also called for distinctions sake Geranium tuberosum and Geranium bulbosum it is likewise Geranium primum Dioscoridis or Dioscorides his first Cranes-bill ¶ The Temperature The roots of this Cranes-bill haue
Aconitum 〈◊〉 Ponticum Yellow Woolfes bane indifferent betweene the kindes of 〈◊〉 Helleborus and Napellus this yellow kinde 〈◊〉 say hath large shining greene leaues fashioned like a vine and of the same bignesse deepely indented or cut not much vnlike the leaues of Geranium Fuscum or blacke Cranes-bill the stalkes are bare or naked not bearing his leaues vpon the same stalkes one opposite against another as in the other of his kinde his stalkes grow vp to the height of three cubits bearing very fine yellow floures fantastically fashioned and in such manner shaped that I can very hardly describe them vnto you They are somewhat like vnto the helmet Monkes hood open and hollow at one end firme and shut vp at the other his roots are many compact of a number of threddy or blacke strings of an ouerworne yellow colour spreading far abroad euery way folding themselues one within another very confusedly This plant groweth naturally in the darke hillie forrests and shadowie woods which are not trauelled nor haunted but by wilde and sauage beasts and is thought to be the strongest and next vnto Thora in his poisoning qualitie of all the rest of the Aconites or Woolfes banes insomuch that if a few of the floures be chewed in the mouth and spit forth againe presently yet forthwith it burneth the jawes and tongue causing them to swell and making a certaine swimming or giddinesse in the head This calleth to my remembrance an history of a certaine Gentleman dwelling in Lincolneshire called Mahewe the true report whereof my very good friend Mr. Nicholas Belson sometimes fellow of Kings Colledge in Cambridge hath deliuered vnto me Mr. Mahewe dwelling in Boston a student in Physicke hauing occasion to ride through the Fennes of Lincolneshire found a root that the hogs had turned vp which seemed vnto him very strange and vnknowne for that it was in the spring before the leaues were out this he tasted and it so inflamed his mouth tongue and lips that it caused them to swell very extreamely so that before he could get to the towne of Boston he could not speake and no doubt had lost his life if that the Lord God had not blessed those good remedies which presently he procured and vsed I haue here thought good to expresse this history for two especiall causes the first is that some industrious and diligent obseruer of nature may be prouoked to seeke forth that venemous plant or some of his kindes for I am certainely persuaded that it is either the Thora Valdensium or Aconitum luteum whereof this gentleman tasted which two plants haue not at any time been thought to grow naturally in England the other cause is for that I would warne others to beware by that gentlemans harme ‡ I am of opinion that this root which Mr. Mahewe tasted was of the 〈◊〉 flammeus maior described in the first place of the 370. chapter aforegoing for that growes plentifully in such places and is of a very hot taste and hurtfull qualitie ‡ ¶ The Place The yellow Woolfes 〈◊〉 groweth in my garden but not wilde in England or in any other of these Northerly regions ¶ The Time It floureth in the end of Iune somewhat after the other Aconites ¶ The Names This yellow Woolfes-bane is called of Lobel Aconitum luteum Ponticum or Ponticke Woolfes-bane There is mention made in Dioscorides his copies of three Woolfes-banes of which the hunters vse one and Physitions the other two Marcellus Virgilius holdeth opinion that the vse of this plant is vtterly to be refused in medicine ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The facultie of this Aconite as also of the other Woolfes-banes is deadly to man and likewise to all other liuing creatures It is vsed among the hunters which seek after wolues the iuyce whereof they put into raw flesh which the wolues de uoure and are killed CHAP. 376. Of other Wolfes-banes and Monkes-hoods ¶ The Description 1 THis kinde of Wolfes-bane called Aconitum Lycoctonum and of Dodonaeus Aconitum 〈◊〉 flore Delphinij by reason of the shape and likenes that the floure hath with Delphinium or Larkes-spur and in English it is called blacke Wolfes-bane hath many large leaues of a very deepe greene or ouerworne colour very deepely cut or iagged among which riseth vp a stalke two cubits high whereupon do grow floures fashioned like a hood of a very ill fauoured blewish colour and the thrums or threds within the hood are blacke the seed is also blacke and three cornered growing in small husks the root is thicke and knobby †1 Aconitum lycoctonon flore Delphinij Larks-heele Wolfes-bane †2 Aconitum lycoctonon caeruleum parvum Small blew Wolfes-bane 2 This kinde of Wolfes-bane called 〈◊〉 coeruleum parvum facie Napelli in Englishsmall Wolfes-bane or round Wolfes-bane hath many slender brittle stalkes two cubits high beset with leaues very much iagged and like vnto Napellus called in English Helmet-floure The floures do grow at the top of the stalkes of a blewish colour fashioned also like a hood but wider open than any of the rest the cods and seed are like vnto the other the root is round and small fashioned like a Peare or small 〈◊〉 or Turnep which moued the Germanes to call the same 〈◊〉 bloemen which is in Latine Flos rapaceus in English Rape-floure 3 This kinde of Wolfes-bane called Napellus verus in English Helmet-floure or the great Monkes-hood beareth very faire and goodly blew floures in shape like an helmet which are so beautifull that a man would thinke they were of some excellent vertue but non est semper sides habenda fronti This plant is vniuersally knowne in our London gardens and elsewhere but naturally it groweth in the mountaines of Rhetia and in sundry places of the Alps where you shall find the grasse that groweth round it eaten vp with cattell but no part of the herbe it selfe touched except by certain flies who in such aboundant measure swarme about the same that they couer the whole plant and which is very strange although these flies do with great delight feed hereupon yet of them there is confected an Antidote or most auailable medicine against the deadly bite of the spider called 〈◊〉 or any other venomous beast whatsoeuer yea an excellent remedie not onely against the Aconites but all other poysons whatsoeuer The medicine of the foresaid flies is thus made Take of the flies which haue fed themselues as is aboue mentioned in number twentie of Aristolochia rotunda and bole Armoniack of each a dram 4 There is a kinde of Wolfes-bane which Dodonaeus reports he found in an old written Greeke booke in the Emperors Librarie at Vienna vnder the the title of Aconitum lycoctonum that answereth in all points vnto Dioscorides his description except in the leaues It hath leaues saith hee like vnto the Plane tree but lesser and more full of iags or diuisions a slender stalke as Ferne of a cubit high bearing his seed in long cods it hath blacke
of May the seed is ripe in August ¶ The Names It is called in Latine Anisum in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in high-Dutch Anisz in low-Dutch Anissaet in Italian Aniso in Spanish 〈◊〉 in French Anis in English Anise and Annise seed ¶ The Temperature Galen writeth That the seed of Anise is hot and dry in the third degree after others it is hot in the second degree and much lesse than dry in the second degree for it ingendreth milke which it could not do if it were very dry as Galen in his chapter of Fennell doth whether hee will or no declare and testifie in that it doth ingender milke his opinion is that it is not hot aboue the first degree which thing also may be in Anise seed both by this reason and also because it is sweet Therefore to conclude Anise seed is dry in the first degree and hot in the second ¶ The Vertues The seed wasteth and consumeth winde and is good against belchings and vpbraidings of the stomacke allayeth gripings of the belly prouoketh vrine gently maketh aboundance of milke and stirreth vp bodily lust it stayeth the laske and also the white flux in women Being chewed it makes the breath sweet and is good for them that are short winded and quencheth thirst and therefore it is fit for such as haue the dropsie it helpeth the yeoxing or hicket both when it is drunken or eaten dry the smell thereof doth also preuaile very much The same being dried by the fire and taken with honey clenseth the brest very much from flegmaticke superfluities and if it be eaten with bitter almonds it doth helpe the old cough It is to be giuen to yong children and infants to eate which are like to haue the falling sicknes or to such as haue it by patrimonie or succession It taketh away the Squinancie or Quincie that is a swelling in the throat being gargled with 〈◊〉 vineger and a little Hyssop gently boiled together CHAP. 414. Of Bishops Weed Herbe-William or Ameos ¶ The Description 1 THe common Ameos especially with vs here in England hath round greene stalks with diuers boughes and branches and large long leaues diuided into diuers other narrow long and small leaues dented or snipt about the edges hauing at the top of the stalke white floures in great spoky tufts which bring forth a little sharpe and bitter seed the root thereof is white and threddie 2 This excellent and aromaticall Ameos of Candy hath tufts and leaues like Daucus Creticus and a root like vnto the garden Carrot of a yellow colour and hot seed like Origanum of an excellent spicie sauour or smell growing in spoky tufts or roundles like Carum it hath beene brought from Candy and Syria into Venice and from Venice into France Flanders and England where we haue often sowne it but without doubt we haue beene beguiled therein by the deceitful drugmasters who haue first boyled it or vsed some other false and deceitfull deuice to bring greater admiration vnto the Venice treacle for the confection whereof this seed is a chiefe and most principall ingredient Ammi vulgare Common Bishops-weed 2 Ammi Creticum Candy Bishops-weed 3 There is another kinde of Ameos which is an herbe very small and tender hauing stalkes a foot and a halfe high very small and tender beset with leaues like vnto Dill finely iagged and somewhat slender and at the top of the stalkes grow little tufts or spokie white rundles which afterwards do turne into small gray seed hot and sharpe in taste The root is small and slender ¶ The Place These plants do all grow in my garden except Ammi Creticum whereof hath beene sufficiently spoken in the description ‡ 3 Ammi perpusillum Small Bishops-weed ¶ The Time They floure in Iune and Iuly and yeeld their seed in the end of August ¶ The Names The Grecians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines also Ammi diuers call it Cuminum Aethiopicum others Cuminum Regium or Comin Royall in shops Ammios or Ameos in the Genitiue case the Germanes Amey in English Ameos or Ammi of some Herbe-William Bull-wort and Bishops-weed ¶ The Temperature The seed of Ameos is hot and dry in the later end of the third degree ¶ The Vertues It auaileth against gripings of the belly in making of vrine against the bitings of serpents taken in wine and also it bringeth downe the floures being applied with honey it taketh away blacke and blew spots which come of stripes the seed of Sison doth also the like for it is hot and dry and that in the third degree likewise of thin 〈◊〉 prouoking vrine and bringing downe the desired sicknesse The seed of Ameos is good to be drunken in wine against the biting of all manner of venomous beasts and hath power against all maner of poyson pestilent feuers or the plague and is vsed in the correcting of Cantharides whereby those flies are made medicinable to be applied to the body without danger Ameos brayed and wingled with honey scattereth congealed bloud and putteth away blacke and blew markes which come by stripes or falls if it be applied 〈◊〉 in manner of a plaister CHAP. 416. Of Cheruill ¶ The Description 1 THe leaues of Cheruill are slender and diuersly cut something hairy of a whitish green the stalks be short slender round and hollow within which at the first together with the leaues are of a whitish green but tending to a red when the seeds are ripe the floures be white and grow vpon scattered tufts The seed is long narrow slender sharpe pointed the root is full of strings ‡ 2 There is found in Iune and Iuly almost in euerie hedge a certaine plant which Tabernamont and Bauhine fitly cal Chaerophyllum or Cerefolium syluestre and the figure was vnsitly giuen by our Author for Thysselinum It hath a whitish wooddy root from which arise round red and hairy stalkes some two cubits high sometimes more and oft times somewhat big and swolne about the ioynts and they are not hollow but full of pith toward the top it is diuided into sundry branches which on their tops carry vmbels of small pure white little floures which are succeeded by longish seeds The leaues are vsually parted into three chiefe parts and these againe subdiuided into fiue and they are snipt about the edges soft and hairy of a darke greene or else reddish colour It floureth in Iune and Iuly and then ripens the seed ‡ 3 Great Cheruill hath large leaues deepely cut or iagged in shew very like vnto Hemlocks of a very good and pleasant smell and taste like vnto Cheruill and something hairy which hath caused vs to call it sweet Cheruill Among these leaues riseth vp a stalke somwhat crested or furrowed of the height of two cubits at the top whereof grow spoky tufts or rundles with white floures which do turne into long browne crested and shining seed one 〈◊〉 being as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fennell seeds which being greene do
small white floures doe turne into long and crooked seeds growing at the top of the branches three cubits high ‡ 3 This in leaues stalkes and roots is larger than the last described the stalkes equalling or exceeding the height of a man the smell is strange and greiuous and in all the parts thereof it is like to the other plants of this kinde Lobel figures it by the name of Cicutaria maxima Brancionis and questions whither it be not Thapsia tertia Salamanticensium of Clusius but Clusius denies it so to be ‡ 2 Cicuta latifolia faetidissima Broad leafed stinking Hemlocks ‡ 3 Cicuta latifolia altera Gyant Hemlocke ¶ The Place Common Hemlocke groweth plentifully about towne walls and villages in 〈◊〉 places and fat soiles neere ditches The second groweth vpon mountaines and desart places and is a stranger in England yet I haue plants thereof in my garden ¶ The Time They flourish and seed in September ¶ The Names Homlocke is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Cicuta in high Dutch 〈◊〉 in low Dutch 〈◊〉 in Spanish 〈◊〉 Canaheia in French Cigue in English Hemlocke Homlocke Kexe and herbe Bennet The second is called Cicuta latifolia and Cicutaria latifolia and 〈◊〉 Peloponnense quorundam in English great Hemlockes and garden Homlocke ¶ The Temperature 〈◊〉 saith that Homlocke is extreme cold in operation euen in the fourth degree of coldnesse ¶ The Vertues It is therefore a very 〈◊〉 part to lay the leaues of Hemlocke to the stones of yong boyes or virgin brests and by that meanes to keepe those parts 〈◊〉 growing great for it doth not only 〈◊〉 cause those members to pine away but also hurteth the heart and liuer being outwardly 〈◊〉 then must it of necessitie hurt more being inwardly taken for it is one of the deadly 〈◊〉 which killeth by his cold qualitie as Dioscorides writeth saying Hemlocke is a very euill dangerous hurtfull and poysonous herbe insomuch that whosoeuer taketh of it into his body dieth remedilesse except the party drinke some wine that is naturally hot before the venome haue taken the heart as Pliny saith but being drunke with wine the poyson is with greater speed carie to the heart by reason whereof it killeth presently theresore not to be applied outwardly much lesse taken inwardly into the body The great Hemlocke doubtlesse is not possessed with any one good facultie as appeareth by his lothsome smell and other apparant signes and therefore not to be vsed in physicke CHAP. 430. Of wilde and water Hemlockes ¶ The Description 1 THis wilde kinde of Hemlocke hath a small tough white root from which arise vp diuets stiffe stalkes hollow somewhat reddish toward the Sun ioynted or kneed at certaine distances from which ioynts spring forth long leaues very greene and finely minced or iagged like the common Cheruill or Parsley the floures stand at the tops of the stalks in small spokie vmbels with little longish greene leaues about them the seed solloweth like those of Hemlocke or as they grow together on the tops of the stalks they resemble Coriander seeds but lesser the whole plant is of a naughty smell 1 Cicutaria tenuifolia Thin leafed wilde Hemlocke 2 Cicutaria 〈◊〉 Wilde water Hemlocke 2 Water Hemlock which Lobel calleth Cieutariapalustris Clusius and 〈◊〉 Phellandrium riseth vp with a thicke fat and empty hollow stalke full of knees or ioynts 〈◊〉 chamfered or furrowed of a yellowish greene colour the leaues shoot forth of the ioynts and branches like vnto wilde Hemlocke but much thicker fatter and oileous very finely cut or iagged almost like those of the smallest Visnaga or Spanish Tooth-pickes the floures stand at the top of the stalkes in small whitish tusts the seed followeth blackish of the bignesse of Anise seed and of a sweet sauour the root is thicke and long within the water very soft and tender with very many strings fastned thereto ¶ The Place 1 This growes among stones and rubbish by the walls of cities and towns almost euery where The other groweth in the midst of water ditches and standing pooles and ponds in most places of England it groweth very plentifully in the ditches by a causey as you goe from Redriffe to Detford neere London and in many other places ¶ The Time They floure and flourish in Iuly and August ¶ The Names ‡ 1 This is Petroselini vitium of Tragus and Dauci inutilis genus of Gesner Thalius calls it Apium cicutarium Lobel Cicutaria fatua Tabernamontanus Petroselinum caninum which name we may fitly make English and call it Dogs-parsley 2 This is Ligusticum syl Foeniculum syl of Tragus Cicutaria palustris of Lobel and others Dodonaeus thinkes it Plinies Phellandrion and Caesalpinus iudges it his Silaus ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Their temperature and faculties are answerable to the common Hemlocke which haue no vse in physicke as we haue said CHAP. 431. Of Earth-nut Earth Chest-nut or Kipper-nut †1 Bulbocastanon minus Small Earth-nut 2 Bulbocastanon 〈◊〉 Great Earth-nut ¶ The Description 1 EArth-nut or Kipper-nut called after Lobelius Nucula terrestris hath small euen crested stalkes a foot or somewhat more high whereon do grow next the ground leaues like those of Parsley and those that doe grow higher like vnto those of Dill the white floures doe stand on the top of the stalkes in spokie rundles like the tops of Dill which turne into small seed growing together by couples of a very good smell not vnlike to those of Fennell but much smaller the root is round knobbed with certaine eminences or bunchings out browne without white within of a firme and sollid substance and of a taste like the Chesse-nut or Chestnut whereof it tooke his name 2 There is also another Earth-nut that hath stalkes a foot high whereon doe grow iagged leaues like those of English Saxifrage of a bright greene colour the floures grow at the top of the branches in small spokie tufts consisting of little white floures the root is like the other bulbous fashion with some few strings hanging at the bottome of a good and pleasant taste ‡ This differs from the former in that the leaues are larger and greener the root also is not so far within the ground and it also sends forth some leaues from the bulbe it selfe whereas our common kind hath only the end of a small root that carries the stem and leaues vpon it fastned vnto it as you see it exprest in the former figure ‡ ¶ The Place These herbes do grow in pastures and corne fields almost euery where there is a field adioining to High-gate on the right side of the middle of the village couered ouer with the same and likewise in the next field vnto the conduit heads by Maribone neere the way that leadeth to Paddington by London and in diuers other places ‡ I haue not yet obserued the second to grow wilde with vs. ‡ ¶ The Time They floure in Iune and Iuly the seed
The first and likewise the Greeke Valerian are planted in gardens the wilde ones are found in moist places hard to riuers sides ditches and waterie pits yet the greater of these is brought into gardens where it flourisheth but the lesser hardly prospereth ¶ The Time These floure in May Iune and Iuly and most of the Sommer moneths ¶ The Names Generally the Valerians are called by one name in Latine Valeriana in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in shoppes also Phu which for the most part is meant by the garden Valerian that is called of Diosc. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine 〈◊〉 or Rustica Nardus of Pliny Nardus Cretica which names are rather referred to those of the next chapter although these be reckoned as wilde kindes thereof of certaine in our age Marinella Amantilla Valentiana Genicularis Herba Benedicta and Theriacaria in most shops Valeriana Domestica of Theophrastus Paracelsus Terdina in high Dutch Grosz baldrian in low Dutch Speercruyt S. Ioris cruyt and Ualeriane in English Valerian Capons taile and Setwall but vnproperly for that name belongeth to Zedoaria which is not Valerian what hath been set downe in the titles shall serue for the distinctions of the other kindes ¶ The Temperature The garden Valerian is hot as Dioscorides saith but not much neither the green root but the dried ones for the green is easily perceiued to haue very little heate and the dried to be hotter which is found by the taste and smell ¶ The Vertues The drie root as Dioscorides teacheth prouoketh vrine bringeth downe the desired sicknesse helpeth the painc in the sides and is put into counterpoisons and medicines preseruatiue against the pestilence as are treacles mithridates and such like whereupon it hath been had and is to this day among the poore people of our Northerne parts in such 〈◊〉 amongst them that no broths pottage or physicall meats are worth any thing if Setwall were not at an end whereupon some woman Poet or other hath made these verses They that will haue their heale Must put Setwall in their keale It is vsed generally in sleight cuts wounds and small hurts The extraction of the roots giuen is a most singular medicine against the difficultie of making water and the yellow iaundies Wilde Valerian is thought of the later Herbarists to be good for them that are bursten for such as be troubled with the crampe and other convulsions and also for all those that are bruised with falls The leaues of these and also those of the garden are good against vlcers and sorenes of the mouth and gums if the decoction thereof be gargarized or held in the mouth Some hold opinion that the roots of wilde Valerian dried and poudered and a dramme weight thereof taken with wine do purge vpward and downeward CHAP. 441. Of Mountaine Setwall or Nardus ¶ The Description 1 THe Nardus named Celtica but now by some Ligustica Nardus flourisheth in high mountaines The Vallesians in their mother tongue call it Selliga whence Gesner thought it to be Saliunca neither do I doubt but that it is the same which Virgil speaketh of in these verses Puniceis humilis quantum Saliunca 〈◊〉 Iudicio nostro tantum tibi cedit Amintas For it is a very little herbe creeping on the ground and afterward lifting vp it selfe with a stalke of a handfull high whereupon from the lower part grow small thin leaues first green but afterwards somewhat yellowish vpon the roughnesse of the root there are many scales platted one vpon another but vnder the root there are many browne strings and hairy threds in smell like the roots of Astrabacca or rather the wilde mountaine Valerian whereof it seemes to be a kinde in taste sharpe and bitter The floures grow along the vpper branches white or yellowish and very small 1 Nardus Celtica Celticke Spikenard 3 Hirculus Vrine-wort 4 ‡ Nardus montana germinans Mountaine Nard at the first springing vp 4 Nardus 〈◊〉 Mountaine Spikenard 2 The second sort of Spikenard hath many threddy roots from the which rise vp many scaly rough and thicke stalkes hauing at the top certaine flat hoary leaues growing vpon smal and tender foot-stalkes The whole plant is of a pleasant sweet smell 3 Hirculus is a plant very rare which as yet I neuer saw notwithstanding we are greatly beholding to Carolus Clusius the father of forreine Simples who finding this plant among many bunches or handfulls of mountaine Spikenard hath made it knowne vnto posteritie as he hath done many other rare plants in translating of Garcias the Lusitanian Physitian he setteth it forth with a light description saying It is a base and low herbe two handfulls high bringing forth leaues without any stalkes at all ‡ very hairy about the root and blackish hauing no pleasant sent at all The leaues chewed yeeld no aromaticke taste but are clammie or viscide whereas the leaues of Celticke Narde are hot with a little astriction and of a pleasant smell and taste ‡ 4 Mountaine Spikenard hath a great thicke knobbed root set here and there with some tender fibres of a pleasant sweet smel from the which come forth three or foure smooth broad leaues and likewise iagged leaues deepely cut euen to the middle rib among which rise vp naked stalks garnished in the middle with a tuft of iagged leaues The floures grow at the top of the stalks in an vmbel or tuft like those of the wilde Valerian in shape and colour and such also is the seed ‡ I haue giuen you the figure of the root and whole leaues as they shew themselues when they first appeare as it was taken by Clusius ‡ 5 Nardus Indica Indian Spikenard 6 Nardus Narbonensis French Spikenard 5 The Spikenard of India is a low plant growing close vnto the ground composed of many rough browne hairy cloues of a strong yet not vnpleasant smell The root is small and threddie ‡ It hath certainly stalkes floures and seeds but none of our Indian Writers or Trauellers haue as yet described them I haue seene little pieces of slender hollow stalkes some two inches long fastned to the roots that are brought to vs. ‡ †6 This French Spikenard being a bastard kinde groweth close vpon the ground like the precedent compact of scaly rough leaues in the middle whereof commeth forth a great bush of round greene stiffe and rushy leaues among the which shoot vp diuers round stalkes a cubit high set from the middle to the top with greenish little cods standing in chaffie huskes like those of Schoenanth The root is small and threddy the whole plant is altogether without smell which sheweth it to be a bastard kinde of Spikenard ¶ The Place These plants the first foure are strangers in England growing in great plentie vpon the mountaines of Iudenberg and Heluetia on the rockes among the mosse and in the mountains of Tiroll and Saltzburg The first and second if my memorie faile me not do grow in a field
in the North part of England called Crag close and in the foot of the mountaine called Ingleborow Fels ‡ The sourth may be found in some gardens with vs. The fifth growes in the East Indies in the 〈◊〉 of Mandou and Chito in the kingdome of Bengala and Decan The last growes in Prouince in France neere a little city called Gange ‡ ¶ The Time The leaues grow to withering in September at which time they smell more pleasantly than when they flourished and were greene ¶ The Names Nardus is called in Pannonia or Hungarie of the countrey people Speick of some Bechi 〈◊〉 that is the herbe of Vienna because it doth grow there in great aboundance from whence it is brought into other countries of Gesner Saliunca in English Celticke Spikenard of the Valletians 〈◊〉 and Nardus Celtica ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Celticke Narde mightily prouokes vrine as recordeth Rondeletius who trauelling through the desart countrey chanced to lodge in a monasterie where was a Chanon that could not make his water but was presently helped by the decoction of this herbe through the aduice of the said 〈◊〉 ‡ The true Spikenard or Indian Nard hath a heating and drying facultie being according to Galen hot in the first degree yet the Greeke copy hath the third and dry in the second It is composed of a sufficiently astringent substance and not much acride heate and a certaine light bitternesse Consisting of these faculties according to reason both inwardly and outwardly vsed it is conuenient for the liuer and stomacke It prouoketh vrine helps the gnawing paines of the stomacke dries vp the defluxions that trouble the belly and intrals as also those that molest the head and brest It stayes the fluxes of the belly and those of the wombe being vsed in a pessarie and in a bath it helpes the inflammation thereof Drunke in cold water it helpes the nauseousnesse gnawings and windinesse of the stomacke the liuer and the diseases of the kidneyes and it is much vsed to be put into Antidotes It is good to cause haire to grow on the eye lids of such as want it and is good to be strewed vpon any part of the body that abounds with superfluous moisture to dry it vp The Celticke-Nard is good for all the forementioned vses but of lesse esficacie vnlesse in the prouoking of vrine It is also much vsed in Antidotes The mountaine Nard hath also the same faculties but is much weaker than the former and not in vse at this day that I know of ‡ CHAP. 442. Of Larkes heele or Larkes claw ¶ The Description 1 THe garden Larks spur hath a round stem ful of branches set with tender iagged leaues very like vnto the small Sothernwood the floures grow alongst the stalks toward the tops of the branches of a blew colour consisting of fiue little leaues which grow together and make one hollow floure hauing a taile or spur at the end turning in like the spurre of Tode-flax After come the seed very blacke like those of Leekes the root perisheth at the sirst approch of Winter 2 The second Larks spur is like the precedent but somewhat smaller in stalkes and leaues the floures are also like in forme but of a white colour wherein especially is the difference These floures are sometimes of a purple colour sometimes white murrey carnation and of sundry other colours varying infinitely according to the soile or countrey wherein they liue ‡ 3 Larks spur with double floures hath leaues stalkes roots and seeds like the other single kinde but the floures of this are double and hereof there are as many seuerall varieties as there be of the single kinde to wit white red blew purple blush c. 4 There is also another varietie of this plant which hath taller stalkes and larger leaues than the common kinde the floures also are more double and larger with a lesser heele this kind also yceldeth vsually lesse seed than the former The colour of the floure is as various as that of the former being either blew purple white red or blush and sometimes mixed of some of these ‡ 5 The wilde Larks spur hath most sine iagged leaues cut and hackt into diuers parts consusedly set vpon a small middle tendrell among which grow the floures in shape like the others but 1 Consolida regalis satiua Garden Larks heele 2 Crnsoliaa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel 〈◊〉 White or red Larks spur ‡ 3 Consolida regalis flore duplict Double Larks spur ‡ 4 Consolida reg elatior 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Great double Larks spur 5 Consolidaregalis syluestris Wilde Larkes heele ¶ The Place These plants are set and sowne in gardens the last groweth wilde in corne fields and where corn hath grown ‡ but not with vs that I haue yet obserued though it be frequently found in such places in many parts of Germanie ‡ ¶ The Time They floure for the most part all Sommet long from Iune to the end of August and oft-times after ¶ The Names Larks heele is called Flos Regius of diuers Consolida regalis who make it one of the Consounds or Comfreyes It is also thought to be the Delphinium which Dioscorides describes in his third booke wherewith it may agree It is reported by Gerardus of Veltwijcke who remained Lieger with the great Turke from the Emperor Charles the fifth That the said Gerard saw at Constantinople a copy which had in the chap. of Delphinium not leaues but floures like Dolphines for the floures and especially before they be perfected haue a certaine shew and likenesse of those Dolphines which old pictures and armes of certain antient families haue expressed with a crooked and bending figure or shape by which signe also the heauenly Dolphine is set forth And it skilleth not though the chapter of Delphinium be thought to be falsified and counterfeited for although it be some other mans and not of Dioscorides it is notwithstanding some one of the old Writers out of whom it is taken and foisted into Dioscorides his bookes of some it is called Bucinus or Bucinum in English Larks spur Larks heele Larks toes and Larks claw in high-Dutch 〈◊〉 spooren that is Equitis calcar Knights spur in Italian Sperone in French Pied d' alouette ¶ The Temperature These herbes are temperate and warme of nature ¶ The Vertues We finde little extant of the vertues of Larks heele either in the antient or later writers worth the noting or to be credited for it is set downe that the seed of Larks spur drunken is good against the stingings of Scorpions whose vertues are so forcible that the herbe onely thrown before the Scorpion or any other venomous beast causeth them to be without force or strength to hurt insomuch that they cannot moue or stirre vntill the herbe be taken away with many other such trifling toyes not worth the reading CHAP. 443. Of Gith or Nigella ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of Gith or Nigella differing some in the colour of the
it be drunke thrise a day some ten or twelue spoonfuls at a time It helpeth them that are strangled with eating of Mushroms or toad stoois if it be drunk with vineger And being taken with wine it is good against the poison of Ixia being a viscous matter proceeding from the thistle 〈◊〉 and of Hemlock and against the biting of the shrew mouse and of the Sea Dragon it is applied to the 〈◊〉 or inflammations of the throat with honie and niter and with water to night wheales and with hony to swartish markes that come vpon bruses It is applied after the same manner to dim eies and to mattering eares 〈◊〉 Camerarius of 〈◊〉 commendeth it greatly against the iaundice giuing of the floures of Wormwood Rosemarie Sloes of each a small quantitie and a little saffron boiled in wine the body first being purged and prepared by the learned Physition CHAP. 449. Of Small leafed Wormewood Absinthium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Austrian Wormewood ¶ The Description SMall leafed Wormwood bringeth forth very many little branches slender a span or a foot high full of leaues lesse by a great deale and tenderer than the former most finely and nicely minced the floures like those of the former hang vpon the little branches and sprigs the roots are small creeping ouertwhart 〈◊〉 whence do rise a great number of yong sprouts this VVormwood also is somewhat white and no lesse bitter than the broad leafed one and hath not so ranke or so vnpleasant a smell but rather delightfull ¶ The Place It grows plentifully in Mysia Thracia Hungarie and Austria and in other regions neere adioining it is also found in Bohemia and in many vntilled places of Germanie it is a garden plant in the low Countries and in 〈◊〉 ¶ The Time It bringeth forth floures and seed in Autumne a little while after when winter commeth the herbe withereth away but the roote remaineth aliue from which leaues and stalks do come againe in the spring ¶ The Names ‡ This Lobel calls Absinthium Ponticum Tridentinum Herbariorum Clusius Absinthium tenuifolium Austriacum Tabernamontanus Absinthium Nabathaeum 〈◊〉 wee may call it in English small leaued Wormwood ‡ ¶ The Temperature Small leafed VVormwood is of facultie hot and drie it is as bitter also as the broad leafed one and of like facultie ¶ The Vertues The faculties are referred vnto the common VVormwood CHAP. 450. Of Sea Wormewood ¶ The Description 1 THe white or common Sea VVormwood hath many leaues cut and diuided into infinite fine iags like those of Sothernwood of a white hoaric colour and strong smell but not vnpleasant among which rise vp tough hoarie stalks set with the like leaues on the top wherof do grow smal yellowish floures the root is tough and creepeth far abroad by means whereof it greatly increaseth 1 Absinthium marinum album VVhite Sea VVormwood 2 Absinthium marinum repens Creeping Sea 〈◊〉 2 The broad 〈◊〉 Sea VVormwood hath very many soft leaues growing close by the ground of a darke swart colour nothing so 〈◊〉 cut or iagged as the other of his kinde the floures grow vpon the tops of the stalks of a yellowish colour the root is tough and creeping ‡ This hath many weake slender branches commonly two foot long at their ful growth red of colour and creeping vpon the ground the leaues are small narrow long and iagged or parted towards their ends into sundry parcels they are greene aboue and grayish vnderneath the toppes of the branches are set with many little stalkes some inch long which vpon short foot-stalkes comming out of the bosomes of little longish narrow leaues carry small round knops like as in other plants of this kind the taste is a little bitterish and the smell not vnpleasant this growes with Mr. Parkinson and others and as I remember it was first sent ouer from the Isle of Rees by Mr. Iohn Tradescant Lobel in his Obseruations mentions it by the name of Absinth 〈◊〉 supinum Herbariorum and 〈◊〉 sets it forth by the title of Absinthium repens ‡ ¶ The Place Thse VVormwoods do grow vpon the raised grounds in the salt marshes neere vnto the sea in most places of England which being brought into gardens doth there flourish as in his naturall place and retaineth his smell taste and naturall qualitie as hath beene often proued ‡ I haue not heard that the later growes wilde in any place with vs in England ‡ ¶ The Time These bring forth floures and seeds when the other Wormwoods 〈◊〉 ‡ The later scarce seedes with vs it floures so late in the yeare ‡ ¶ The Names Sea VVormwood is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Absinthium marinum and likewise 〈◊〉 in Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of diuers Santonicum as witnesseth Dioscorides neuerthelesse there is another Santonicum differing from sea VVormwood in English of some women of the countrey Garden Cypresse ¶ The Temperature Sea VVormwood is of nature hot and drie but not so much as the common ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides affirmeth that being taken of it selfe or boiled with Rice and eaten with hony it killeth the small wormes of the guts and gently looseth the belly the which Pliny doth also affirme The iuice of sea VVormwood drunke with wine resisteth poison especially the poison of Hemlockes The leaues stamped with figs salt-peter and the meale of 〈◊〉 and applied to the belly sides or flankes help the dropsie and such as are spleenticke The same is singular against all inflammations and heat of the stomacke and liuer exceeding all the kindes of VVormwood for the same purposes that common VVormwood serueth It is reported by such as dwell neere the sea side that the cattell which do feed where it groweth become fat and lusty very quickly The herbe with his stalks laid in chests presses and ward-robes keepeth clothes from moths and other vermine CHAP. 451. Of Holy Wormewood Sementina Holie VVormewood ¶ The Description THis Wormwood called Sementina and Semen sanctum which we haue Englished Holy is that kinde of Wormwood which beareth that seed which we haue invse called VVormeseed in shops Semen Santolinum about which there hath been great controuersie amongst writers some holding that the seed of Santonicum Galatium to be the true VVormseed others deeming it to be that of Romanum Absinthium it doth much resemble the first of the sea VVormwoods in shape and proportion it riseth vp with a wooddie stalke of the height of a cubite diuided into diuers branches and wings whereupon are set very small leaues among which are placed clusters of seeds in such abundance that to the first view it seemeth to be a plant consisting all of seed ¶ The Place It is a forreine plant the seeds being sowne in the gardens of hot regions doe prosper well in these cold countries it will not grow at all Neuertheles there is one or two companions about London who haue reported vnto mee that they had great store of it growing in their gardens
planted setteth forth the difference ¶ The Place Pease are set and sown in gardens as also in the 〈◊〉 in all 〈◊〉 of England The tufted Pease are in reasonable plenty in the West part of 〈◊〉 about Sennocke or Seuenock in other places not so 〈◊〉 The wilde Pease do grow in pastures and 〈◊〉 fields in diuers places specially about the field belonging vnto Bishops Hatfield in 〈◊〉 ¶ The Time They be sowne in the Spring time like as be also other pulses which are ripe in Summer they prosper best in warme weather and easily take harme by cold especially when they floure ¶ The Names The great Pease is called in Latine 〈◊〉 Romanum or 〈◊〉 maius in English Roman Pease or the greater Pease also garden Pease of some Branch Pease French Pease and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and other old Writers do call it in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine also Pisum in low Dutch Roomsche 〈◊〉 in French 〈◊〉 Pois The little Pease is called of the Apothecaries euery where Pisum and 〈◊〉 it is called in English little Pease or the common Pease ¶ The Temperature and Vertnes The Pease as Hippocrates saith is lesse windie than Beans but it passeth sooner through the belly Galen writeth that Peason are in their whole substance like vnto Beanes and be eaten after the same manner that Beans are notwithstanding they differ from them in these two things both because they are not so windie as be the beanes and also for that they haue not a clensing faculty and therefore they do more slowly descend through the belly They haue no effectuall qualitie manifest and are in a meane between those things which are of 〈◊〉 and bad iuice that nourish much and little that be windie and without winde as Galen in his booke of the Faculties of Nourishments hath written of these and of beans CHAP. 511. Of the 〈◊〉 or Garden Ciche ¶ The Description GArden Ciche bringeth forth round stalks branched and somewhat hairy leaning on the one side the leaues are made of many little ones growing vpon one stem or rib and set one right against another of which euery one is small broad and nicked on the edges lesser than the leaues of wilde Germander the floures be smal of colour either white or of a reddish purple after which come vp little short cods puffed vp as it were with winde like little bladders in which doe lie two or at the most three seeds cornered small towards the end with one sharp corner not much vnlike to a Rams head of colour either white or of a reddish blacke purple in which is plainly seen the place where they begin first to sprout The root is slender white and long For as Theophrastus saith the Ciche taketh deepest root of all the Pu ses ¶ The Place It is sowen in Italy Spaine and France euery where in the fields It is sowen in our London 〈◊〉 but not common Cicer sativum Garden Ciche ¶ The Time It is sowne in Aprill being first steeped in water a day before the fruit is ripe in August ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Cicer 〈◊〉 or Rams Ciches of the blackish purple colour Cicer nigrum vel 〈◊〉 blacke or red Ciche and the other is named Cand dum 〈◊〉 album 〈◊〉 orwhite Ciche in English Common Cich or Ciches red 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Sheepes Ciche Pease or Sheepes Ciche Peason ¶ The Temperature and 〈◊〉 The Ciche as Galen writeth in his booke of the Faculties of nourishments is no lesse 〈◊〉 than the true Bean but it yeeldeth a stronger nourishment than that doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lust and it is thought to ingender seed Some giue the same to stalion borses Moreouer Ciches do scoure more than do the true Beanes insomuch as certaine of them do manifestly diminish or 〈◊〉 away the stones in the Kidneyes those be the blacke and little Ciches called Arutina or 〈◊〉 Ciches but it is better to drinke the broth of them sodden in water Both the Rams Ciches as Dioscorides saith the white and the blacke proucke 〈◊〉 if the decoction therof be made with Rosemary and giuen vnto those that haue either the Dropsie or yellow iaundice but they are hurtfull vnto the bladder and Kidneies that haue vlcers 〈◊〉 them CHAP. 512. Of wilde Ciches ¶ The Kindes THe wilde Ciche is like to the tame saith Dioscorid 〈◊〉 but it differeth in seed the later writers haue set downe two kindes hereof as shall be declared ¶ The Description 1 THe first wilde Cich bringeth forth a great number of stalks branched lying flat on the ground about which be the leaues consisting of many vpon one rib as do those of the garden Ciche but not nicked in the edges more like to the leaues of 〈◊〉 the fioures come forth fastned on small stems which grow close to the stalks of a pale yellow colour and like vnto eares in their places come vp little cods in forme and bignesse of the fruit of garden Ciches black and something hairie in which lieth the seed that is smal hard flat and glittering in taste like that of Kidney Beane the root groweth deepe fastened with many strings 2 There is another kinde of wilde Cich that hath also a great number of stalks lying vpon the ground about which stand soft leaues something hairy and white consisting of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 standing vpon a middle rib the least of which stand neerest to the stem and the greatest at the very too the floures come forth at the bottome of the leaues many together of colour 〈◊〉 after which grow small long huskes soft and hairy in cuery one whereof is a little cod in which lie two seeds like little Cichlings 1 Cicer syluestre The wilde Cich 2 Cicer syluestre 〈◊〉 Broad leafed wilde Cich ¶ The Place These plants are sowne in the parts beyond the seas for to feed their cattell with in winter as we do tares vetches and such other base pulse ¶ The Time The time answereth the Vetch or tare ¶ The Names Thewild Cich hath no other name in Latine but Cicer syluestre the later writers haue not found any name at all ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Their temperature and vertues are referred to the garden Cich as Theophrastus 〈◊〉 and Galen saith that the wilde Cich is in all things like vnto that of the garden but in Physicks vse more effectuall by reason it is more hotter and drier and also more biting and bitter CHAP. 513. Of Lentils ¶ The Description 1 THe first Lentil growes vp with slender stalks and leaues which be somwhat hard growing aslope from both sides of the rib or middle stalke narrow and many in number like those of Tares but narrower and lesser the floures be small tending somewhat towards a purple the cods are little and broad the seeds in these are in number three or foure little round plaine and flat the roots are small and threddy 2 The second kinde of Lentill hath small tender and pliant
order composed of three leaues and sometimes of fiue or else the two lower leaues are diuided into two parts as Hop leaues are now and then of a light greene colour both aboue and vnderneath The floures grow on the tops of the branches racematim many together sometimes white sometimes of a very light purple colour euery floure containing fiue leaues which are crompled or wrinkled and do not grow plaine the fruit followes first green and afterwards blew euerie berry composed of one or two graines seldome oboue foure or fiue growing together about the bignesse of corans wherein is contained a stony hard kernell or seed and a iuyce of the colour of Claret wine contrarie to the common Rubus or Bramble whose leaues are white vnderneath the berries being ripe are of a shining blacke colour and euery berry containes vsually aboue forty graines closely compacted and thrust together The root is wooddy and lasting This growes common enough in most places and too common in ploughed fields Sept. 6. 1619. Iohn Goodyer ‡ 3 The Raspis or Framboise bush hath leaues and branches not much vnlike the common Bramble but not so rough nor prickly and sometimes without any prickles at all hauing onely a rough hairinesse about the stalkes the fruit in shape and proportion is like those of the Bramble red when they be ripe and couered ouer with a little downinesse in taste not very pleasant The root creepeth far abroad whereby it greatly encreaseth ‡ This growes either with prickles vpon the stalkes or else without them the fruit is vsually red but sometimes white of colour ‡ 1 Rubus The Bramblebush 2 Rubus Idaeus The Raspis bush or Hinde-berry 4 Stone Bramble seldome groweth aboue a foot high hauing many small flexible branches without prickles trailing vpon the ground couered with a reddish barke and somwhat hairy the leaues grow three together set vpon tender naked foot-stalkes somewhat snipt about the edges the floures grow at the end of the branches consisting of foure small white leaues like those of the Cherry tree after which come small Grape-like fruit consisting of one two or three large transparent berries set together as those of the common Bramble of a red colour when they be ripe and of a pleasant taste but somewhat astringent The roots creepe along in the ground very farre abroad whereby it greatly increaseth 4 Chamaemorus called in the North part of England where they especially doe grow Knot-berries and Knought-berries is likewise one of the Brambles though without prickles it brings forth small weake branches or tender stems of a foot high whereon do grow at certaine distances rough leaues in shape like those of the Mallow not vnlike to the leaues of the Gooseberrie bush on the top of each branch standeth one floure and no more consisting of fiue small leaues of a dark purple colour which being fallen the fruit succeedeth like vnto that of the Mulberrie whereof it was called Chamaemorus dwarfe Mulberry at the first white and bitter after red and somwhat pleasant the root is long something knotty from which knots or ioynts thrust forth a few threddie strings ‡ I take that plant to which our Author hereafter hath allotted a whole chapter and called Vaccinia nubis or Cloud-berries to be the same with this as I shall shew you more largely in that place ‡ 4 Rubus Saxatilis Stone blacke Berry bush 5 Chamaemorus Knot berry bush ¶ The Place The Bramble groweth for the most part in euery hedge and bush The Raspis is planted in gardens it groweth not wilde that I know of except in the field by a village in Lancashire called Harwood not far from Blackburne I found it among the bushes of a causey neere vnto a village called Wisterson where I went to schoole two miles from the Nantwich in Cheshire The stone Bramble I haue found in diuers fields in the Isle of Thanet hard by a village called 〈◊〉 neere Queakes house sometimes Sir Henry Crispes dwelling place ‡ I feare our Author mistooke that which is here added in the second place for that which he figured and described in the third now the fourth which I know not yet to grow wilde with vs. ‡ Knot-berries do loue open snowie hills and mountaines they grow plentifully vpon 〈◊〉 hils among the heath and ling twelue miles from Lancashire being thought to be the highest hill in England They grow vpon Stane-more betweene Yorkshire and Westmerland and vpon other wet Fells and mountaines ¶ The Time These floure in May and Iune with the Roses their fruit is ripe in the end of August and September ¶ The Names The Bramble is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in French Ronges Loi Duyts Brelmers in Latine Rubus and Sentis and Vepres as Ouid writeth in his first booke of Metamorpho sis Aut Leporiqui vepre latens hostilia cernit Oracanum Or to th'Hare that vnder Bramble closely lying spies The hostile mouthes of Dogs Of diuers it is called Cynosbatus but not properly for Cynoslatus is the wild Rose as we haue written in high-Dutch Bremen in low-Dutch Breemen in French Rouce in Italian Garza in English Bramble bush and Black-berry bush The fruit is named in Latine Morum rubi and as Fuchsius thinketh Vacinium but not properly in shops Mora Bati and in such shops as are more barbarous Mora Bassi in English Blacke-berries The Raspis is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Rubus Idaeus of the mountaine Ida on which it groweth in English Raspis Framboise and Hinde-berry ¶ The Temperature and 〈◊〉 The yong buds or tender tops of the Bramble 〈◊〉 the floures the leaues and the vnripe fruit do very much dry and binde withall being chewed they take away the heate and inflammation of the mouth and almonds of the throat they stay the bloudy flix and other fluxes and all maner of bleedings of the same force is their decoction with a little honey added They heale the eyes that hang out hard knots in the fundament and stay the hemorrhoids if the leaues be layd thereunto The iuyce which is pressed out of the stalks leaues and vnripe berries and made hard in the Sun is more effectuall for all those things The ripe fruit is sweet and containeth in it much iuyce of a temperate heate therefore it is not vnpleasant to be eaten It hath also a certaine kinde of astriction or binding qualitie It is likewise for that cause wholsome for the stomack and if a man eat too largely therof saith Galen he shall haue the head-ache but being dried whilest it is yet vnripe it bindeth and drieth more than the ripe fruit The root besides that it is binding containeth in it much thin substance by reason whereof it wasteth away the stone in the kidnies saith Galen Pliny writeth that the berries and floures do prouoke vrine and that the decoction of them in wine is a present remedie against the stone The leaues of the Bramble boiled in
ends in a pricke which by the falling of the leaues becommeth a long and naked thorne I haue giuen you a more accurate figure hereof out of Clusius wherein the leaues floures cods and seeds are all expressed apart ‡ 3 The Grecians haue called this plant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is good for the sinewes it should seeme it tooke the name Potcrion of Potrix because it loueth a watry or fenny soile it hath small branches and leaues of 〈◊〉 growing naturally in the tract of Piedmont in Italy it spreadeth abroad like a shrub the barke or rinde is blackish and dry without great moisture very much writhed or wrinkled in and out as that of Nepa or Corruda the sharpe pricks stand not in order as Tragacantha but confusedly and are finer and three times lesser than those of Tragacantha growing much after the manner of 〈◊〉 but the particular leaues are greene aboue and white below shaped somewhat like Burnet the seed is small and red like vnto Sumach but lesser ‡ 〈◊〉 minoris icon accuratior A better figure of the Goats-thorne 3 Poterion Lob. siue Pimpinella spinosa Camer Burnet Goats-thorne ¶ The Place Petrus Bellonius in his first booke of Singularities reports that there is great plenty hereof growing in Candy vpon the tops of the mountaines Theophrastus saith that it was thought to grow no where but in Candy but now it is certaine that it is found in Achaia Peloponessus and in Asia it doth also grow in Arcadia which is thought not to be inferiour to that of Candy It is thought by Lobel to grow in Languedock in France whereof Theophr hath written in his ninth booke that the liquor or gum issueth out of it selfe and that it is not needfull to haue the root broken or cut The best is that saith Dioscorides which is through-shining thin smooth vnmixt and sweet of smel and taste ¶ The Time They floure and flourish in the Sommer moneth I haue sowne the seed of Poterion in Aprill which I receiued from Ioachimus Camerarius of Noremberg that grew in my garden two yeares together and after perished by some mischance ¶ The Names Goats-thorne is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of most Herbarists likewise Tragacantha we may cal it in Latine Spina Hirci in French Barbe Renard and in English for want of a better name Goats-Thorne the liquor or gum that issueth forth of the roots beareth the name also of Tragacantha it is called in shops Gummi Tragacanthae and in a barbarous manner Gummi Tragacanthi in English Gum Dragagant ¶ The Temperature This plant in each part thereof is of a drying facultie without biting It doth consolidate or glew together sinewes that be cut but the roots haue that facultie especially which are boyled in wine and the decoction giuen vnto those that haue any griefe or hurt in the sinewes Gum Dragagant hath an emplasticke qualitie by reason whereof it dulleth or allayeth the sharpnesse of humors and doth also somthing dry ¶ The Vertues The Gumme is singular good to be licked in with honey against the cough roughnesse of the throat hoarsenesse and all sharpe and thin rheumes or distillations being laid vnder the tongue it taketh away the roughnesse thereof Being drunke with Cute or the decoction of Liquorice it taketh away and allayeth the heat of the vrine it is also vsed in medicines for the eyes The greatest part of those artificiall beades sweet chaines bracelets and such like pretty sweet things of pleasure are made hard and fit to be worne by mixing the gum hereof with other sweets being first steeped in Rose water till it be soft CHAP. 26. Of the Aegyptian Thorne ‡ 1 Acacia Dioscoridis The Egyptian Thorne 2 Acacia alteratrifolia Thorny Trefoile ¶ The Description 1 DIoscorides maketh mention of Acacia whereof the first is the true and right Acacia which is a shrub or hedge tree but not growing right or straight vp as other small small trees do his branches are wooddie beset with many hard and long Thorns about which grow the leaues compact of many small leaues clustering about one side as in the Lentill the floures are whitish the husks or cods be plaine and flat yea very broad like vnto Lupines especially on that side where the seed growes which is contained sometimes in one part and sometimes in two parts of the husk growing together in a narrow necke the seed is smooth and glistering There is a blacke iuice taken out of these huskes if they be dried in the shadow when they be ripe but if when rhey are not ripe then it is somewhat red some do wring out a iuice out of the leaues and fruit there floweth also a gum out of this tree which is the gum of Arabia called Gum Arabicke 2 Dioscorides hauing described Spina Acacia setteth downe a second kinde thereof calling it Acacia altera which hath the three leaues of Rue or Cytisus and coddes like those of Genistella but somewhat more blunt at the end and thicke at the backe like a Rasor and still groweth forward narrower and narrower vntill it come to haue a sharpe edge in these cods are contained three or foure flat seeds like Genistella which before they wax ripe are yellow but afterwards blacke the whole plant groweth to the height of Genista spinosa or Gorsse both in shape height and resemblance and not to the height of a tree as Matthiolus would persuade vs but full of sharpe Thornes like the former ¶ The Place The true Acacia groweth in Egypt Palestina Lombardie and Syria as Dioscorides writeth among the shrubs and trees that remaine alwaies greene Acacia is noted for one by Petrus Belloninius in his first booke of Singularities chap. 44. The other Acacia groweth in Cappadocia and Pontus as Dioscorides writeth it is also found in Corsica and on diuers mountaines of Italy and likewise vpon all the coast of Liguria and Lombardie and vpon the Narbone coast of the Mediterranean sea ¶ The Time These floure in May and their fruit is ripe in the end of August ¶ The Names The tree Acacia is named of the Graecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yea euen in our time and likewise of the Latins Acacia it is also called Aegyptia spina this strange thorne hath no English name that I can learn and therefore it may keep still the Latine name Acacia yet I haue named it the Egyptian thorne the iuice is called also Acacia after the name of the plant the Apothecarics of Germanie do vse in stead hereof the iuice that is pressed forth of sloes or snags which they 〈◊〉 call Acacia Germanica Matthiolus pictureth for Acacia the tree which the later Herbarists do call Arbor 〈◊〉 to which he hath vntruly added Thorns that he might belie Acacia and yet he hath not made it agree with Dioscorides his description They call this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Acacia altera or the other Acacia and Pontica Acacia or Ponticke Acacia ¶
purple colour very beautifull to behold and the rather to be esteemed because it floureth twise in the yeare the root is likewise wooddie 3 Erica maior flore albo 〈◊〉 The great Heath with white floures 4 Erica maior flore purpureo Great Heath with purple floures 5 Erica cruciata Crossed Heath 6 Erica Pyramidalis Steeple Heath ‡ 3 This saith Clusius which is the largest that I haue seene sometimes excceeds the height of a man very shrubby hauing a hard and blackish red wood the leaues are small and short growing about the branches by foures of a very a stringent taste it hath plentiful store of floures growing all alongst the branches so that somtimes the larger branches haue floures for a foot in length this floure is hollow and longish well smelling white and beautifull It growes betweene Lisbone and the Vniuersity of Conimbrica in Portugal where it floures in Nouember December and Ianuarie ‡ 4 Of this kind there is another sort with whitish purple floures more frequently found than the other sort which floures are somwhat greater than the former but in forme like and flouring at the same time ‡ The leaues also are hairy and grow commonly by foures the hollow floures grow clustering together at the very tops of the branches and are to be found in Iuly and August it growes on diuers heathy places of this kingdome ‡ 5 Crossed Heath groweth to the height of a cubit and a halfe full of branches commonly lying along vpon the ground of a swart darke colour whereon do grow small leaues set at certaine spaces by two vpon one side and two on the other opposite one answering another euen as doe the leaues of Crosse-wort The floures in like manner stand alongst the branches Crosse fashion of a darke ouerworne greenish colour The root is likewise wooddy as is all the rest of the plant 6 This Steeple Heath hath likewise many wooddy braunches garnished with small leaues which easily fall off from the dryed stalks among which come forth diuers little mossie greenish floures of small moment The whole bush for the most part groweth round together like a little cocke of hay broad at the lower part and sharp aboue like a Pyramide or steeple whereof it tooke his name 7 Erica tenuifolia Small leafed Heath 8 Erica tenuifolia caliculata Challice Heath 7 This small or thinne leafed Heath is also a low and base shrub hauing many small and slender shoots comming from the root of a reddish browne colour whereupon doe grow verie manie small leaues not vnlike to them of common Time but much smaller and tenderer the floures grow in tufts at certaine spaces of a purple colour The root is long and of a wooddie substance ‡ The branches of this are commonly whitish the leaues very green the floures are smallest at both ends and biggest in the middest hollow and of a faire purple colour which doth not easily decay it floures most part of Summer and growes in many Heathie grounds ‡ 8 Challice Heath hath also many wooddy branches growing from the roots slender of a reddish browne colour a foot and a halfe high garnished with very little leaues lesser than those of Time the floures grow on the tops and vpper parts of the branches and be in number fiue six or moe hanging downewards in fashion long hollow within like a little tunnell or open cup or challice of a light purplish colour the root creepeth and putteth forth in diuers places new springs or shoots 9 The Heath that bringeth forth berries hath many weake and slender branches of a reddish colour which trailing vpon the ground do take hold 〈◊〉 in sundry places whereby it mightily increaseth the leaues are somewhat broad of a thicke and fleshie substance in taste somthing drying at the first but afterwards somewhat sharpe and biting the tongue among which come forth small floures of an herbie colour which being vaded there succeed small round berries that at the first are greene and afterward blacke being as big as those of Iuniper wherein is contained purple iuice like that of the Mulberry within those berries are contained also small three cornered grains the root is hard and of a wooddy substance ‡ I found this growing in great plenty in Yorkshire on the tops of the hills by Gisbrough between it and Rosemary-topin a round hill so called and some of the people thereabouts told me they called the fruit Crake berries This is the same that Matthiolus calls Erica Baccifera and it is the Erica Coris folio 11. of Clusius ‡ ‡ 9 Erica baccifera procumbens Heath bearing Berries 10 Erica baccifera tenuifolia Small leafed Heath with Berries ‡ 10 This which our Authour figured as you seee in the tenth place putting the description of the former thereto hath brittle branches growing some cubit high couered with a barke blacker than the rest the leaues are like those of the former but blacker and smaller growing about the stalks by threes of a hottish taste with some astriction In September and October it carries a fruit on the tops of the branches different from the rest for it is very beautifull white transparent resembling dusky and vneuen pearles in forme and colour succulent also and of an acide taste commonly containing three little seeds in each berry in Nouember this fruit becomes dry and falls away of it selfe Clusius onely obserued this in Portugall and at the first sight a far off tooke the white berries to haue been graines of Manna He calls it Erica Coris folio 10. ‡ 11 Erica pumila 3. Dod. Dodonaeus his Dwarfe Heath ‡ 12 Erica ternis per intervalla ramis Heath with three branches at a ioint ‡ 13 Erica perigrina Lobelij Lobels strange Heath ‡ 14 Erica Coris folio 7. Clusij Creeping Dutch Heath ‡ 15 Erica Coris folio 9. Clusij Small Austrian Heath 12 This shrubby Heath is commonly some cubit high hauing slender branches which come out of the maine stemmes commonly three together and the leaues also grow in the same order the tops of the branches are adorned with many floures of a darke purple colour hollow round biggest below and standing vpon long foot stalks Clusius found this growing in the vntilled places of Portingale aboue Lisbone where it floured in December he calls it Erica 〈◊〉 folio 5. 13 Besides all these saith Lobel hauing first treated of diuers plants of this kinde there is a certaine rarer species growing like the rest after the manner of a shrub in pots in the Garden of Mr. Iohn 〈◊〉 the leafe is long and the purple floures which as far as I remember consisted of foure little leaues apiece grow on the tops of the branches I know not whence it was brought and therfore for 〈◊〉 rarity I call it Erica peregrina that is Strange or Forreine Heath 14 This hath many round blackish purple branches some foot or cubit high lying oft times along vpon the ground these are beset with many narrow
little leaues almost like those of the third described yet somewhat longer commonly growing foure yet sometimes fiue together of an astringent taste the little floures grow on the top of the branches longish hollow and of a light purple colour comming out of foure little leaues almost of the same colour when these are ripe and dryed they containe a blackish and small seed the root is hard wooddy and runnes diuers waies the weake branches also that lie vpon the ground now and then take root againe Clusius found this growing plentifully in diuers mountanous places of Germany where it floured in Iune and Iuly 15 The weake stalkes of this are some foot high which are set with many small greene leaues growing commonly together by threes the tops of the branches are deckt with little hollow and longish floures diuided at their ends into foure parts of a flesh colour together 〈◊〉 the foure little leaues out of which they grow hauing eight blackish little threds in them with a purplish pointall in the middle The seed is blacke and small the root wooddy as in other plants of this kinde Clusius found this in some mountanous woods of Austria where it floured in Aprill and May. ‡ ¶ The Place Heath groweth vpon dry mountaines which are hungry and barren as vpon Hampsteed Heath neere London where all the sorts do grow except that with the white floures and that which beareth berries ‡ There are not aboue three or foure sorts that I could euer obserue to grow there ‡ Heath with the white floures groweth vpon the downes neere vnto Grauesend Heath which beareth berries groweth in the North parts of England namely at a place called Crosby Rauenswaith and in Crag close also in the same countrey from whence I haue receiued the red berries by the gift of a learned Gentleman called Mr. Iames Thwaites ¶ The Time These kindes or sorts of Heath do for the most part 〈◊〉 all the Sommer euen vntill the last of September ¶ The Names Heath is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine also Erica diuers do falsly name it Myrica in high and low Dutch 〈◊〉 in Italian Erica in Spanish Breso Quirro in French Bruyre in English Heath Hather and Linge ¶ The Temperature Heath hath as Galen saith a digesting facultie consuming by vapors the floures and leaues are to be vsed ¶ The Vertues The tender tops and floures saith Dioscorides are good to be laid vpon the bitings and stingings of any venomous beast of these floures the Bees do gather bad hony The barke and leaues of Heath may be vsed for and in the same causes that Tamariske is vsed CHAP. 53. Of Heath of Ierico 1 Rosa Hiericontea maior The Heath Rose of Ierico ¶ The Description 1 THis kinde of Heath which of the later writers hath been called by the name Rosa Hiericontea the coiner spoiled the name in the mint for of all plants that haue bin written of there is not any more vnlike vnto the Rose or any kinde thereof than this plant what moued them thereto I know not but thus much of my owne knowledge it hath neither shape nature nor facultie agreeing with any Rose the which doubtlesse is a kinde of Heath as the barren soile and that among Heath doth euidently shew as also the Heathie matter wherewith the whole plant is possessed agreeing with the kindes of Heath in very notable points It riseth vp out of the ground of the height of four inches or an hand breadth compact or made of sundry hard stickes which are the stalkes clasping or shutting it selfe together into a round forme intricately weauing it selfe one sticke ouerthwart another like a little net vpon which wooddy stickes do grow leaus not vnlike to those of the Oliue tree which maketh the whole plant of a round forme and hollow within among the leaues on the inside grow small mossie floures of a whitish herbie colour which 2 Rosa Hiericontea siccata The Heath Rose of Ierico dried 2 The second figure setteth forth the dried plant as it is brought vnto vs from beyond the seas which being set into a dish of warme water for halfe an houre openeth it selfe in forme as when it did grow and taken forth vntill it be drie returneth shut vp againe as before ¶ The Place It groweth in the barren grounds of France and other hot regions among the Heath and such like plants it is a stranger in England yet dried we haue them in great plenty ‡ I haue not read nor heard that this grows wilde in France but Bellonius saith it growes in Arabia deserta 〈◊〉 saith it easily grew and flourished many yeares in his garden at Basill ‡ ¶ The Time The seed being sowne in our cold climate is sowne in Aprill it perisheth when it is sprung vp and bringeth neither floures nor seed ¶ The Names This kinde of Heath is called Rosa 〈◊〉 or de Hiericho the Rose of Ierico of some the Rose of Ierusalem and also Rosa 〈◊〉 in English the Heath Rose ¶ The Temperature and Vertues There is not any of the antient nor later writers that haue set downe any certaintie of this plant as touching the temperature and faculties but onely a bare picture with a slender description CHAP. 54. Of the Chaste Tree 1 Vitex sive Agnus 〈◊〉 The Chaste tree ‡ 2 Vitex latiore 〈◊〉 folio Chaste tree with cut leaues ¶ The Description 1 VItex or the Cháste tree groweth after the manner of a bushie shrub or hedge tree hauing many twiggie branches very pliant and easie to be bent without breaking like to the willow the leaues are for the most part diuided into fiue or seuen sections or diuisions much like the leaues of Hemp whereof each part is long and narrow very like vnto the willow leafe but smaller the floures do grow at the vppermost parts of the branches like vnto spikie eares clustering together about the branches of a light purple or blew colour and very sweet smel the fruit is small and round like vnto the graines or cornes of pepper ‡ 2 Lobel mentions another varietie hereof that differs from the former onely in that it hath broader leaues and these also snipt about the edges ‡ ¶ The Place Vitex groweth naturally in Italy and other hot regions by water courses and running streames I haue it growing in my garden ¶ The Time Vitex beginneth to recouer his last leaues in May and the floures come forth in August ¶ The Names †The Grecians call this shrub 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Agnos i. 〈◊〉 Chaste because saith Pliny in his 24. booke 9. Chapter the Athenian Matrons in their feast called Thesmophoria dedicated to the honour of Ceres desirous to keepe themselues chaste doe lay the leaues in their beds vnder them the Latines name it Vitex and of diuers it is termed as wee finde among the bastard and counterfeit names 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine
wherein he most shewed his weakenesse for that hee doth confound it with the Manihot or true Yuicca which all affirme to haue a leafe like that of hemp parted into seuen or more diuisions and also in that he puts it to the Arachidna of Theophrastus when as he denies it both floure and fruit yet within some few yeares after our Author had set forth this Worke it floured in his garden This some yeares puts forth a pretty stiffe round stalke some three cubits high diuided into diuers vnequall branches carrying many pretty large floures shaped somewhat like those of Fritillaria but that they are narrower at their bottomes the leaues of the floure are six the colour on the inside white but on the out side of an ouerworne reddish colour from the stalke to the middest of the leafe so that it is a floure of no great beautie yet to be esteemed for the raritie I saw it once floure in the garden of Mr. Wilmot at Bow but neuer since though it hath been kept for many yeares in sundry other gardens as with Mr. Parkinson and Mr. Tuggy This was first written of by our Author and since by Lobel and Mr. Parkinson who keepe the same name as also Bauhine who to distinguish it from the other calls it Yucca folijs Aloes ‡ ¶ The Place This plant groweth in all the tract of the Indies from the Magellane straights vnto the cape of Florida and in most of the Islands of the Canibals and others adioyning from whence I had that plant brought me that groweth in my garden by a seruant of a learned and skilfull Apothecary of Excester named Mr. Tho. Edwards ¶ The Time It keepeth greene both Winter and Sommer in my garden without any couerture at all notwithstanding the iniurie of our cold clymat ¶ The Names It is reported vnto me by Trauellers that the Indians do call it in some parts Manihot but generally Yucca and Iucca it is thought to be the plant called of Theophrastus Arachidna and of Pliny Aracidna ¶ The Temperature This plant is hot and dry in the first degree which is meant by the feces or drosse when the poisonous iuice is pressed or strained forth and is also dry in the middle of the second degree CHAP. 156. Of the fruit Anacardium and Caious or 〈◊〉 ¶ The Description THe antient writers haue been very briefe in the historie of Anacardium the Grecians haue touched it by the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taking the name from the likenesse it hath of an heart both in shape and colour called of the Portugals that inhabit the East Indies Faua de Malaqua the bean of Malaca for being greene and as it hangeth on the tree it resembleth a Beane sauing that it is much bigger but when they be dry they are of a shining blackish colour containing between the outward rinde and the kernell which is like an Almond a certaine oile of a sharpe causticke or burning qualitie called Mel Acardinum although the kernell is vsed in meates and sauces as we do Oliues and such like to procure appetite Anacardium The Beane of Malaca Caious The kidney Beane of Malaca The other fruit groweth vpon a tree of the bignesse of a Peare tree the leaues are much like to those of the Oliue tree but thicker and fatter of a feint greene colour the floures are white consisting of many small leaues much like the floures of the Cherry tree but much doubled without smell after commeth the fruit according to Clusius of the forme and magnitude of a goose egge full of iuice in the end whereof is a nut in shape like an Hares kidney hauing two rindes between which is contained a most hot and sharp oile like that of Anacardium whereof it is a kind The Beane or kernell it selfe is no lesse pleasant and wholsome in eating than the Pistacia or Fisticke nut whereof the Indians do eate with great delight affirming that it prouoketh Venerie wherein is their chiefest felicitie The fruit is contained in long cods like those of Beans but greater neere vnto which cods commeth forth an excrescence like vnto an apple very yellow of a good smell spongious within and full of iuice without any seeds stones or graines at all somewhat sweet in taste at the one end narrower than the other Peare fashion or like a little bottle which hath bin reputed of some for the fruit but not rightly for it is rather an excrescence as is the oke Apple ¶ The Place The first growes in most parts of the East Indies especially in Cananor Calecute Cambaya and Decan The later in Brasile ¶ The Time These trees floure and flourish Winter and Sommer ¶ The Names Their names haue been touched in their descriptions The first is called Anacardium of the likenesse it hath with an heart of the Arabians Balador of the Indians Bibo The second is called Caious and is thus written Caiöüs and Caius of some Caiocus ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The oile of the fruit is hot and dry in the fourth degree it hath also a causticke or corrosiue qualitie it taketh away warts breaketh apostumes preuaileth against leprie alopecia and 〈◊〉 the paine of the teeth being put into the hollownesse thereof The people of Malauar do vse the said oile mingled with chalke to marke their cloathes or any other thing they desire to be coloured or marked as we do vse chalke okar and red marking stones but their colour will not be taken forth againe by any manner of art whatsoeuer They also giue the kernell steeped in whay to them that be asthmaticke or short winded and when the fruit is yet green they sticke the same so steeped against the wormes The Indians for their pleasure will giue the fruit vpon a thorne or some other sharpe thing and hold it in the flame of a candle or any other flame which there will burne with such crackings lightnings and withall yeeld so many strange colours that it is great pleasure to the beholders which haue not seene the like before CHAP. 157. Of Indian Morrice Bells and diuers other Indian Fruits 1 〈◊〉 Theueti Indian Morrice Bels. 2 Fructus Higuero Indian Morosco bels ¶ The Description THis fruit groweth vpon a great tree of the bignesse of a Peare tree full of branches garnished with many leaues which are alwaies greene three or foure fingers long and in bredth two when the branches are cut off there issueth a milky iuice not 〈◊〉 to the fruit in his venomous qualitie The trunke or body is couered with a grayish barke the timber is white and soft not fit to make fire of much lesse for any othervse for being cut and put to the fire to burne it yeeldeth sorth such a loathsome and horrible stinke that neither man nor beast are able to endure it wherefore the Indians haue no vse thereof but onely of the fruit which in shape is like the Greeke letter 〈◊〉 of the bignesse of a Chestnut
Barnakle whose fabulous breed my Author here sets downe and diuers others haue also deliuered were found by some Hollanders to haue another originall and that by egges as other Birds haue for they in their third voyage to 〈◊〉 out the North-East passage to China and the Molucco's about the eightieth degree and eleuen minutes of Northerly latitude found two little Islands in the one of which they found aboundance of these Geese sitting vpon their egges of which they got one Goose and tooke away sixty egges c. Vide Pontani 〈◊〉 vrb 〈◊〉 Hist. lib. 2. cap. 22. Now the shells out of which these birds were thought to fly are a kinde of 〈◊〉 marinus and thus Fabius Columna in the end of his Phytobasanos writing piscium aliquot historia iudiciously proues to whose opinion I wholly subscribe and to it I refer the Curious His asseueration is this Conchas vulgò Anatiferas non esse fructus terrestres neque ex ijs Anates oriri sed 〈◊〉 marinae speciem I could haue said somthing more hereof but thus much I thinke may serue 〈◊〉 with that which Fabius Columna hath written vpon this point ‡ ¶ The Place The borders and rotten plankes whereon are found these shels wherein is bred the Barnakle are taken vp in a small Island adioyning to Lancashire halfe a mile from the maine land called the Pile of Foulders ¶ The Time They spawne as it were in March and Aprill the Geese are formed in May and Iune and come to fulnesse of seathers in the moneth after And thus hauing through Gods assistance discoursed somewhat at large of Grasses Herbes Shrubs Trees and Mosses and certaine Excrescences of the earth with other things moe incident to the historie thereof we conclude and end our present Volume with this wonder of England For the which Gods name be euer honored and praised FINIS AN APPENDIX OR ADDITION OF certaine Plants omitted in the former Historie The Preface HAuing run through the Historie of Plants gathered by Mr. Gerrard and much enlarged the same both by the addition of many Figures and histories of Plants not formerly contained in it and by the amending and encreasing the historie of sundry of those which before were therein treated of I finde that I haue forgotten diuers which I intended to haue added in their fitting places the occasion hereof hath beene my many businesses the troublesomenesse and aboue all the great expectation and hast of the Worke whereby I was forced to performe this task within the compasse of a yeare Now being constant to my first resolution I here haue as time would giue me leaue and my memorie serue made a 〈◊〉 collection and addition though without method of such as offered themselues vnto me and without doubt there are sundrie others which are as fitting to be added as those and I should not haue been wanting if time would haue permitted me to haue entred into further consideration of them In the meane time take in good part those that I haue here presented to your view CHAP. 1. Of the Maracoc or Passion-floure ¶ The Description THis Plant which the Spaniards in the West Indies call Granadilla because the fruit somewhat resembles a Pomegranat which in their tongue they term Granadas is the same which the Virginians call Maracoc The Spanish 〈◊〉 for some imaginarie resemblances in the floure first called it Flos 〈◊〉 the Passion floure and in a counterfeit figure by adding what was wanting they made it as it were an Epitome of our Sauiours Passion thus 〈◊〉 persons semper sibi somnium fingunt Bauhine desirous to refer it to some stock or kindred of formerly knowne plants giues it the name of Clematis trifolia yet the floures and fruit pronounce it not properly belonging to their Tribe but Clematis being a certaine genericke name to all wooddy winding plants this as a species may come vnder the denomination though little in other respects participating with them The roots of this are long somewhat like yet thicker than those of Sarsa parilla running vp and downe and putting vp their heads in seuerall places from these roots rise vp many long winding round stalkes which grow two three soure or more yards high according to the heate and seasonablenesse of the yeare and soile whereas they are planted vpon these stalkes grow many leaues diuided into three parts sharpe pointed and snipt about the edges commonly out of the bosomes of each of the vppermost leaues there groweth a clasping tendrell and a floure the floure growes vpon a little foot-stalke some two inches long and is of a longish cornered forme with fiue little crooked hornes at the top before such time as it open it selfe but opened this longish head diuides it selfe into ten parts and sustaines the leaues of the 〈◊〉 which are very many long sharpe pointed narrow and orderly spred open one by another 〈◊〉 lying straight others crooked these leaues are of colour whitish but thicke spotted with a 〈◊〉 colour and towards the bottome it hath a ring of a perfect Peach colour and aboue and 〈◊〉 it a white circle which giue a great grace to the floure in the middest whereof rises an 〈◊〉 which parts it selfe into foure or fiue crooked spotted hornes with broadish heads from the midst of these rises another roundish head which carries three nailes or hornes biggest aboue and smallest at their lower end this floure with vs is neuer succeeded by any fruit but in the West Indies whereas it naturally growes it beares a fruit when it is ripe of the bignesse and colour of Pomegranats but it wants such a ring or crown about the top as they haue the rinde also is much thinner and tenderer the pulpe is whitish and without taste but the liquor is somwhat tart they open them as they do egges and the liquor is supped off with great delight both by the Indians and Spaniards as Monardus witnesseth neither if they sup off many of them shall they find their stomack opprest but rather their bellies are gently loosned In this fruit are contained many seeds somwhat like Peare kernells but more cornered and rough Clematis trifolia siue Flos Passionis The Maracoc or Passion-floure This growes wilde in most of the hot countries of America from whence it hath been brought into our English gardens where it growes very well but floures only in some few places and in hot and seasonable yeares it is in good plenty growing with Mistresse Tuggy at Westminster where I haue some yeares seene it beare a great many floures CHAP. 2. Of Ribes or red Currans ¶ The Description 1 THe plant which carries the fruit which we commonly terme red Currans is a shrubbie bush of the bignesse of a Gooseberry bush but without prickles the wood is soft and white with a pretty large pith in the middle it is couered with a double barke the vndermost being the thicker is greene and the vppermost which sometimes chaps and pills off is
the leaues longish yellowish and diuided at the end into foure little leaues the fruit is said to be like that of Thymaelea but of a blackish colour the root is thicke and wooddie It growes frequently in the kingdome of Granado and Valentia in Spaine it floures in March and Aprill The Herbarists there terme it Sanamunda and the common people Mierda-cruz by reason of the purging facultie 1 Sanamunda 1. Clus. Heath Spurge 2 Sanamunda 2. Clus. The second Heath Spurge 2 The other is a shrub some cubit high hauing tough flexible branches couered with a dense and thick barke which the outward rinde being taken away ouer all the plant but chiefely next the root may be drawn into threds like Flax or Hemp the vpper branches are set with thick short fat rough sharp pointed leaues of somwhat a saltish taste at the first afterwards of a hot biting taste the floures are many little and yellow the root is thicke and wooddie like as that of the former this growes vpon the sea coast of Spaine and on the mountaines nigh Granado where they call it Sanamunda and the common people about Gibraltar call it Burhalaga and they only vse it to heat their ouens with It floures in Februarie Anguillara called this Empetron Caesalpinus 〈◊〉 and in the Historia Lugd it is the Cneoron nigrum Myconi Sesamoides minus Dalcchampij and Phacoides Oribasij 〈◊〉 3 This is bigger than either of the two former hauing whiter and more flexible branches whose barke is vnmeasurably tough and hard to breake the vpper branches are many and those very downie and hanging downe their heads set thicke with little leaues like Stone-crop and of the like hot or burning facultie the floures are like those of the former sometimes greenish otherwhiles yellow Clusius did not obserue the fruit but saith it floured at the same time with the former and grew in all the sea coast from the Straits of Gibralter to the Pyrenaean mountaines Alfonsus Pantius called this Cneoron Lobel and 〈◊〉 call it Erica Alexandrina 3 〈◊〉 3. Clus. The third Heath Spurge 4 Cneoron 〈◊〉 Rocke Rose 4 This also may not vnfitly bee ioined to the former for it hath many tender flexible tough branches commonly leaning or lying along vpon the ground vpon which without order grow leaues greeene skinny and like those of the true Thymelaea at first of an vngratefull and afterwards of a bitter taste yet hauing none or very little acrimony as far as may be perceiued by their taste the floures grow vpon the tops of the branches six seuen or more together consisting of foure little leaues of a reddish purple colour very beautifull and well smelling yet offending the head if they be long smelt vnto these are succeeded by small berries of colour white containing a round seed couered with an ash coloured skin The root is long of the thickenesse of ones little finger sometimes blackish yet most commonly yellowish tough and smallest at the top where the branches come forth It floures in Aprill and May and ripens the fruit in Iune it floures sometimes thrice in the yeare and ripens the fruit twise for Clusius affirmes that twise in one yeare he gathered ripe berries from one and the same plant It growes plentifully vpon the mountainous places of Austria about Vienna whither the countrey women bring the floures to the market in great plenty to sell them to deck vp houses it grows also in the dry medowes by Frankford on the Moene where there is obserued a variety with white floures Matthiolus would haue this to be the Cneoron album of Theophrastus Cordus calls it Thymelaea minor it is the Cneoron alterum Matthioli and Oleander syl 〈◊〉 Myconi in the Hist. Lugd. The Germans call it Stein Roselin and wee may call it Rocke Rose or dwarfe Oleander 5 This plant by Bauhine is called Cneorum album folio oleae argenteo 〈◊〉 and by Dalechampius Cneorum album which hath been the reason I haue put it here although Caesalpinus Imperatus and Plateau who sent it to Clusius would haue it to be and cal it Dorycnium It is a shrubby herb sending from one root many single stalkes some halfe cubit or better high the leaues which grow vpon the stalkes without order are like those of the Oliue but somewhat narrower and couered ouer with a soft siluer-like downinesse at the top of the stalks grow many floures clustering together of the shape of those of the lesser Bindeweed but white of colour This growes wilde in some parts of Sicily whence Caesalpinus calls it Dorychnium ex Sicilia 5 Cneorum album folijs argenteis White Rocke Rose Chamaebuxus flore Coluteae Bastard dwarfe box ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The three first are very hot and two first haue a strong purging facultie for taken in the weight of a dram with the decoction of Cicers they mightily purge by stoole both flegme choller and also waterish humours and they are often vsed for this purpose by the Countrey people in some parts of Spaine The faculties of the rest are not knowne nor written of by any as yet CHAP. 5. Of Bastard dwarfe Box. ¶ The Description THis which Clusius for want of a name calls Anonymos flore Coluteae Gesner called Chamaebuxus to which 〈◊〉 addes flore Coluteae and Besler in his hortus Eystettensis agreeable to the name I haue giuen it in English calls it Pseudochamaebuxus It is a small plant hauing many creping wooddy tough roots here and there sending forth small fibers from these arise many tough bending branches some span long hauing thicke sharpe pointed greene leaues almost like those of Boxe and these grow vpon the stalks without any order and when you first chew them they are of an vngratefull taste afterwards bitter and hot at the tops of the branches do come forth amongst the leaues three or foure longish floures for the most part without smell yet in some places they smell sweet like as some of the Narcisses they consist of three leaues apiece two whereof are white and spread abroad as wings a whitish little hood couering their lower ends the third is wrapt vp in forme of a pipe with the end hollow crooked and this is of a yellow colour which by age oft times becomes wholly red after those floures succeed cods broad and flat little lesse than those of the broad leaued Thlaspi and greene of colour rough and in each of these cods are commonly contained a couple of seeds of the bignes of little Chichlings of a blackish ash colour rough and resembling a little dug This is sometimes found to vary hauing the two winged leaues yellow or red and the middle one yellow ¶ The Place It floures in Aprill and May and ripens the seed in Iune it growes vpon most of the Austrian and Stirian Alpes and in diuers places of Hungarie It is neither vsed in Physicke nor the faculties thereof in medicine knowne CHAP. 6. Of Winged Bind weed or Quamoclit
which I heedfully obserued and carefully opening out some of the fairest leaues which as also the whole plant besides were carelesly dried I found the leaues grew vsually some dozen or more on a foot-stalke iust as many on one side as on the other they were couered ouer with a little downines which standing out on their edges made them look as if they had bin snipt about the edges which they were not also I found at euery ioint two little hooked prickles not two little leaues or appendices at the setting on of the foot-stalks but three or foure little leaues as the rudiment of a yong branch comming forth at the bosom of each foot-stalk the longest branch as far as I remember was not aboue a span long I then drew as perfect a figure as I could of the perfectest branch therof drawing as 〈◊〉 as I could the leaues to their ful bignesse the which I here present you withall There are two figures formerly extant the one this of 〈◊〉 which I here giue you and the other in the 18. booke 144 chap. of the Hist. Lug which is out of A Costa and this seems to be so far different from that of Clusius that Bauhine in his Pinax saith 〈◊〉 notis suis in Acostam diuer sam plane figuram proposuit herbam minosam nominans but he did not wel consider it for if he had he might haue found these so much different thus far to agree they both make the branches prickly weak the leaues many on one rib one opposite to another without an odde one at the end but Clusius figures the leaues so close together that they seem but one leafe and Acosta makes them too far a sunder and both of them make them too sharp pointed Clus. made his be taken from a dried plant and Acosta I iudg made his by the Idaea thereof which he had in his memorie and after this manner if my iudgement faile me not are most of the figures in him exprest but of this enough if not too much CHAP. 8. Of the Staffe tree and euer-greene Priuet 1 Celastrus Theophrasti The staffe tree 2 Phillyrea 1. Clus. Clusius his 1. Mocke-Priuet ¶ The Description 1 THe history and figure of this tree are set forth in Clusius his Curae poster and there it is asserted to be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Theophrastus for by diuers places in Theophrastus there collected it is euident that his Celastus was euer greene grew vpon very high and cold mountaines yet might be transplanted into plaine and milder places that it floured exceeding late and could not perfect the fruit by reason of the nigh approch of winter and that it was fit for no other vse but to make staues on for old men Now this tree growes but to a small height hauing a firme and hard body diuiding it selfe at the top into sundry branches which being yonge are couered with a greene barke but waxing old with a brownish one it hath many leaues growing alwaies one against another and thicke together of a deepe shining greene aboue and lighter vnderneath keeping their verdure both Winter and Sommer they are of the bignesse of those of 〈◊〉 not snipt about the edges but onely a little nickt when they are yet yong at the top of the tenderest branches among the leaues vpon footstalkes of some inch long grow fiue or six little floures consisting commonly of fiue little leaues of a yellowish greene colour and these shew themselues in the end of Autumne or the beginning of Winter and also in the beginning of the Spring but if the Sommer be cold and moist it shewes the buds of the sloures in October the fruit growes on a short stalke and is a berry of the bignesse of the Myrtle sirst green then red of the colour of that of Asparagus and lastly blacke when it is withered the stone within the berry is little and as it were three cornered conteining a kernell couered with a yellow filme Where this growes wilde I know not but it was first taken notice of in the publike Garden at the Vniuersitie of Leyden from whence it was brought into some few gardens of this Kingdome 2 The first Phyllyria of Clusius may fitly be refer'd to the rest of the same tribe and name described formerly in the 59. chapter of the the third booke It growes somewhat taller than the Scarlet Oke and hath branches of the thicknesse of ones thumbe or somewhat more and those couered with a greene barke marked with whitish spots the leaues somewhat resemble those of the Scarlet Oke but greater greener thicker somewhat prickley about the edges of an astringent taste but not vngratefull The floure thereof Clusius did not see the fruit is a little blacke berry hanging downe out from the bosome of the leaues and conteining a kernell or stone therein It growes wilde in many wilde places of Portugale where they call it Azebo The temperature and vertues are refer'd to those set downe in the formerly mentioned chapter CHAP. 9. Of Mocke-Willow Speiraea Theophrasti Clus. Mocke-Willow ¶ The Description THis Willow leaued shrub which Clusius coniectures may be refer'd to the Speiraea mentioned by Theophrastus lib. 1. cap. 23. histplant I haue named in English Mocke-Willow how fitly I know not but if any will impose a fitter name I shall be well pleased therewith but to the thing it selfe It is a shrub saith Clusius some two cubits high hauing slender branches or twigs couered ouer with a reddish barke whereon grow many leaues without order long narrow like those of the Willow snipt about the edges of a light green aboue and of a blewish greene vnderneath of a drying taste conjoyned with some bitternes The tops of the branches for some fingers length carry thicke spikes of small floures clustering together and consisting of fiue leaues apiece out of whose middle come forth many little threds of a whitish red or flesh colour together with the floure hauing no 〈◊〉 smell but such as is in the floure of the Oliue tree these floures fading there succeed small fiue cornered heads which comming to full maturitie containe a small and yellowish dusty seed it floures in Iuly and ripens the seed in the end of August Clusius had this plant from Fredericke 〈◊〉 Physition to the Duke of Briga and that from Briga in Silesia and he as I said refers it to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Theophrastus which he reckons amongst the shrubs that carry spike fashioned floures This is not vsed in medicine nor the Temperature and faculties thereof as yet knowne CHAP. 10. Of the Strawberry-Bay Adrachne Theophrasti The Strawberry-Bay ¶ The Description THe figure and history of this were sent by Honorius Bellus out of Candy to 〈◊〉 from whom I haue it It is that which Theophrastus calls Adrachne or as most of the printed bookes haue it Andrachne but the former seemes the righter and is the better
perisheth when the seed is ripe I first gathered seeds of this plant in the garden of my good friend Mr. Ioh. Parkinson an Apothecary of London Anno 1616. Fabaveterum serratis 〈◊〉 Boelij This is like the other wilde Beane in stalks floures cods fruit and clasping tendrels but it differeth from it in that the leaues hereof especially those that grow neere the tops of the stalks are notched or indented about the edges like the teeth of a saw The root also perisheth when the seed is ripe The seeds of this wilde Beane were gathered by Boelius a Low-country man in Baetica a part of Spaine and by him sent to Mr. William Coys who carefully preserued them and also imparted seeds thereof to me in Anno 1620. Iul. 31. 1621. Pisum maculatum Boelij They are like to the small common field Peason in stalkes leaues and cods the difference is the floures are commonly smaller and of a whitish greene colour the Peason are of a darke gray colour spotted with blacke spots in shew like to blacke Veluet in taste they are also like but somewhat harsher These peason I gathered in the garden of Mr. Iohn Parkinson a skilfull Apothecarie of London and they were first brought out of Spaine by Boelius a low-Countrey man Lathyrus aestivus flore 〈◊〉 Iuly 28. 1621 This is like Lathyris latiore folio 〈◊〉 in stalks leaues and branches but smaller the stalks are two or three foot long made flat with two skins with two exceeding small leaues growing on the stalks one opposite against another betweene which spring vp flat foot-stalks an inch long bearing two exceeding narrow sharpe pointed leaues three inches long betweene which grow the tendrels diuided into many parts at the top and taking hold therwith the floures 〈◊〉 smal and grow forth of the bosomes of the leaues on each foot-stalk one floure wholly yellow with purple strakes After each floure followeth a smooth cod almost round two inches long wherein is contained seuen round Peason somewhat rough but after a curious manner of the bignesse and taste of field Peason and of a darke sand colour Lathyrus aestivus Baeticus flore caeruleo Boelij This is also like Lathyris 〈◊〉 folio Lobelij but smaller yet greater than that with yellow flours hauing also adioining to the flat stalkes two eared sharpe pointed leaues and also two other slender sharpe pointed leaues about foure inches long growing on a flat foot-stalke beetweene them an inch and a halfe long and one tendrel between them diuided into two or three parts the floures are large and grow on long slender foure-square foot-stalkes from the bosomes of the leaues on each foot-stalk one the vpper great couering leafe being of a light blew the lower smaller leaues of a deeper blew which past there come vp short flat cods with two filmes edges or skins on the vpper side like those of Eruilia Lobelij containing within foure or fiue great flat cornered Peason bigger than field Peason of a darke sand colour Lathyrus aestivus edulis Baeticus flore albo Boelij This is in flat skinny stalks leaues foot-stalks and cods with two skins on the vpper side and in all things else like the said Lathyrus with blew floures only the floures of this are milk white the fruit is also like Lathyrus aestivus flore miniato This is also in skinnie flat stalks and leaues like the said Lathyris latiore folio but far smaller not three foot high it hath also small sharp pointed leaues growing by couples on the stalke between which grow two leaues about three inches long on a flat foot-stalk half an inch long also between those leaues grow the tendrels the floures are coloured like red lead but not so bright growing on smooth short foot-stalks one on a foot-stalke after which follow cods very like those of the common field peason but lesser an inch and a halfe long containing foure fiue or sixe cornered Peason of a sand colour or darke obscure yellow as big as common field peason and of the same taste Lathyrus palustris Lusitanicus Boelij Hath also flat skinnie stalks like the said Lathyrus latiore folio but the paire of leaues which grow on the stalke are exceeding small as are those of Lathyrus 〈◊〉 luteo and are indeed scarce worthie to be called leaues the other paire of leaues are about two inches long aboue halfe an inch broad and grow 〈◊〉 betweene those small leaues on flat foot-stalks an inch long betweene which leaues also grow the tendrels the floures grow on foot-stalks which are fiue inches long commonly two on a foot-stalke the great vpper 〈◊〉 leaues being of a bright red colour and the vnder leaues are somewhat paler after commeth flat cods containing seuen or eight small round peason no bigger than a Pepper corne gray and blacke spotted before they are ripe and when they are fully ripe of a blacke colour in taste like common Peason the stalks leaues foot-stalkes and coddes are somwhat hairy and rough Lathyrus aestivus dumetorum Baeticus Boelij Hath also flat skinnie stalks like the said Lathyrus latiore folio but smaller and in the manner of the growing of the leaues altogether contrarie This hath also two small sharp pointed leaues adioyning to the stalke betweene which groweth forth a flat middle rib with tendrels at the top hauing on each side not one against another commonly rhree blunt topped leaues sometimes three on the one side and two on the other and sometimes but foure in all about an inch and a halfe long the floures grow on foot-stalks about two or three inches long each foot-stalk vsually bearing two floures the great couering leafe being of a bright red colour and the two vnder leaues of a blewish 〈◊〉 colour afterwhich follow smooth cods aboue two inches long containing fiue sixe or seuen smooth Peason of a browne Chestnut colour not round but somewhat flat more long than broad especially those next both the ends of the cod of the bignesse and taste of common field peason Iuniperus sterilis This shrub is in the manner of growing altogether like the Iuniper tree that beareth berries only the vpper part of the leaues of the youngest and tenderest bowes and branches are of a more reddish greene colour the floures grow forth of the bosoms of the leaues of a yellowish colour which neuer exceed three in one row the number also of each row of leaues each floure is like to a small bud more long than round neuer growing to the 〈◊〉 of a quarter of an inch being nothing else but very small short crudely chiues very thicke and close thrust together fastened to a very small middle stem in the end turning into small dust which flieth away with the winde not much vnlike that of Taxus sterilis on this shrub is neuer found any fruit 15. Maij. 1621. WHen the last sheets of this worke were on the Presse I receiued a Letter from from Mr. Roger Bradshaghe wherein he sent me inclosed a
soporiferous and therefore the greater care must be had in the administration thereof lest in prouoking sleepe you induce a drow sinesse or dead sleepe CHAP. 30. Of Reeds ¶ The kindes OF Reeds the Ancients haue set downe many sorts 〈◊〉 hath brought them all first into two principall kindes and those hath he diuided againe into moe sorts The two principall are these Auleticae or Tibiales Arundines and Arundo vallatoria Of these and the rest we will speake in their proper places 1 Arundo vallatoria Common Reed 2 Arundo Cypria Cypresse Canes ¶ The Description 1 THe common Reed hath long strawie stalkes full of knotty joints or knees like vnto corne whereupon do grow very long rough flaggy leaues The tuft or spoky eare doth grow at the top of the stalkes browne of colour barren and without seed and doth resemble a bush of feathers which turneth into fine downe or cotton which is carried away with the winde The root is thicke long and full of strings dispersing themselues farre abroad wherby it doth greatly increase ‡ Bauhinus reports That he receiued from D. Cargill a Scottishman a Reed whose leaues were a cubit long and two or three inches broad with some nerues apparantly running alongst the leafe these leaues at the top were diuided into two three or foure points or parts as yet I haue not obserued it Bauhine termes it Arundo Anglica 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 dissectis ‡ 1 The Cypresse Reed is a great Reed hauing stalkes exceeding long sometimes twenty or thirty foot high of a woody substance set with very great leaues like those of Turky wheate It carrieth at the top the like downie tuft that the former doth 3 Arundo farcta Stuffed Canes 4 Calamus sagittalis Lobelij Small stuffed Reed 5 Nastos Clusij Turky walking staues 6 Arundo scriptoria Turky writing Reeds 3 These Reeds Lobelius hath seene in the Low countries brought from Constantinople where 〈◊〉 it 〈◊〉 said the people of that countrey haue procured them 〈◊〉 the parts of the Adriaticke sea side where they do grow They are full stuft with a spongeous substance so that there is no hollownesse in the same as in Canes other Reeds except here and there certaine small pores or passages of the bignesse of a pinnes point in manner such a pith as is to be found in the Bull-Rush but more firme and solid 4 The second differeth in smalnesse and that it will winde open in fleakes otherwise they are very like and are vsed for darts arrowes and such like 5 This great sort of Reeds or Canes hath no particular description to answer your expectation for that as yet there is not any man which hath written thereof especially of the manner of growing of them either of his owne knowledge or report from others so that it shall 〈◊〉 that yee know that that great cane is vsed especially in Constantinople and thereabout of aged and wealthy Citisens and also Noblemen and such great personages to make them walking staues of caruing them at the top with sundry Scutchions and pretty toyes of imagerie for the beautifying of them and so they of the better sort do garnish them both with siluer and gold as the figure doth most liuely set forth vnto you 6 In like manner the smaller sort hath not as yet beene seene growing of any that haue beene curious in herbarisme whereby they might set downe any certaintie thereof onely it hath beene vsed in Constantinople and thereabout euen to this day to make writing pens withall for the which it doth very fitly serue as also to make pipes and such like things of pleasure ¶ The place The common Reed groweth in standing waters and in the edges and borders of riuers almost euery where and the other being the angling Cane for Fishers groweth in Spaine and those hot Regions ¶ The time They flourish and flower from April to the end of September at what time they are cut down for the vse of man as all do know ¶ The Names The common Reed is called Arundo and Harundo vallatoria in French Roseau in Dutch 〈◊〉 in Italian Canne a far siepo of Diosc. Phragmitis in English Reed Arundo Cypria or after Lobelius Arundo Donax in French Canne in Spanish Cana in Italian Calami a far Connochia In English Pole reed and Cane or Canes ¶ The nature Reeds are hot and dry in the second degree as Galen saith ¶ The vertues The roots of reed stamped smal draw forth thorns and splinters 〈◊〉 in any part of mans body The same stamped with vineger ease all luxations and members out of ioynt And likewise stamped they heale hot and 〈◊〉 inflammations The ashes of them mixed with vineger helpeth the scales and scurfe of the head and helpeth the falling of the haire The great Reed or Cane is not vsed in physicke but is esteemed to make slears for 〈◊〉 sundry sorts of pipes as also to light candles that stand before Images and to make hedges and pales as we do of laths and such like and also to make certaine diuisions in ships to diuide the sweet oranges from the sowre the pomecitron and lemmons likewise in sunder and many other purposes CHAP. 31. Of Sugar Cane ¶ The Description 1 SVgar Cane is a pleasant and profitable Reed hauing long stalkes seuen or eight foot high ioynted or kneed like vnto the great Cane the leaues come forth of euerie joynt on euery side of the stalke one like vnto wings long narrow and sharpe pointed The Cane it selfe or stalke is not hollow as other Canes or Reeds are but full and stuffed 〈◊〉 a spongeous substance in taste exceeding sweet The root is great and long creeping along within the vpper crust of the earth which is likewise sweet and pleasant but lesse hard or woody than other Canes or Reeds from the which there doth shoot forth many yong siens which are cut away from the maine or mother plant because they should not draw away the nourishment from the old stocke and so get vnto themselues a little moisture or else some substance not much worth and cause the stocke to be barren and themselues little the better which shoots do serue for plants to set abroad for encrease Arundo Saccharina Sugar Cane ¶ The place The Sugar Cane groweth in many parts of Europe at this day as in Spaine Portugal Olbia and in Prouence It groweth also in Barbarie generally almost euery where in the Canarie Islands and in those of Madera in the East and West Indies and many other places My selfe did plant some shoots thereof in my garden and some in Flanders did the like but the coldnesse of our clymate made an end of mine and I thinke the Flemings will haue the like profit of their labour ¶ The time This Cane is planted at any time of the yeare in those hot countries where it doth naturally grow by reason they 〈◊〉 no frosts to hurt the yong shoots at their first planting ¶ The Names
foot high as my selfe did measure oft times in my garden whereupon doth grow faire large floures of a light blew or as we terme it a watchet colour The floures do smell exceeding sweet much like the Orenge floure The seeds are contained in square cods wherein are packed together many flat seeds like the former The root hath no smell at all 1 Iris Florentina Floure de-luce of Florence 2 Iris alba White Floure de-luce 3 Iris Dalmatica major Great Flourede-luce of Dalmatia 4 Iris Dalmatica minor Small Dalmatian Iris. 5 Iris Biflora Twice-flouring Floure 〈◊〉 6 Iris 〈◊〉 Violet Floure de-luce 7 Iris Pannonica Austrian Floure de luce †8 Iris Camerarij Germane Floure de-Iuce 4 The small Floure de-Iuce of Dalmatia is in shew like to the precedent but rather resembling Iris biflora being both of one stature small and dwarfe plants in respect of the greater The floures be of a more blew colour They flower likewise in May as the others do but beware that ye neuer cast any cold water vpon them presently taken out of a Wel for their tendernesse is such that they wither immediatly and rot away as I my selfe haue proued but those which I left vnwatred at the same 〈◊〉 liue and prosper to this day 5 This kinde of Floure de-luce came first from Portugal to vs. It bringeth forth in the Spring time floures of a purple or violet colour smelling like a violet with a white hairy welt downe the middle The root is thick and short stubborne or hard to breake In leaues and shew it is like to the lesser Floure de-luce of Dalmatia but the leaues be more spred abroad and it commonly hath but one stalke which in Autumne floureth againe and bringeth forth the like floures for which cause it was called Iris biflora 6 Iris violacea is like vnto the former but much smaller and the floure is of a more deepe violet colour 7 Carolus Clusius that excellent and learned Father of Herbarists hath set forth in his Pannonicke Obseruations the picture of this beautifull Floure de-luce with great broad leaues thicke and fat of a purple colour neere vnto the ground like the great Dalmatian Floure de-luce which it doth very well resemble The root is very sweet when it is dry and striueth with the Florentine Iris in sweetnesse The floure is of all the other most confusedly mixed with sundry colours insomuch that my pen cannot set 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 line or streake as it deserueth The three leaues that stand vpright do claspe or embrace one another and are of a yellow colour The leaues that looke downward about the edges are of a pale colour the middle part of white mixed with a line of purple and hath many small purple lines stripped ouer the said white floure euen to the brim of the pale coloured edge It smelleth like the Hauthorne floures being lightly smelled vnto 8 The Germane Floure de-luce which Camerarius hath set forth in his Booke named Hortus Medicus hath great thicke and knobby roots the stalke is thicke and full of iuyce the leaues be very broad in respect of all the rest of the Floure de-luces The floure groweth at the top of the stalke consisting of six great leaues blew of colour welted downe the middle with white tending to yellow at the bottome next the stalke it is white of colour with some yellownesse fringed about the said white as also about the brims or edges which greatly setteth forth his beautie the which Ioachimus Camerarius the sonne of old Camerarius of Noremberg had sent him out of Hungarie and did communicate one of the plants thereof to Clusius whose figure he hath most liuely set forth with this description differing somewhat from that which Ioachimus himselfe did giue vnto me 〈◊〉 his being in London The leaues saith he are very large twice so broad as any of the others The stalke is single and smooth the floure groweth at the top of a most bright shining blew colour the middle rib tending to whitenesse the three vpper leaues somewhat yellowish The root is likewise sweet as Ireos ¶ The place These kindes of Floure de-luces do grow wilde in Dalmatia Goritia and Piedmont notwithstanding our London gardens are very well stored with euery one of them ¶ The time Their time of flouring answereth the other Floure de-luces ¶ The Names The Dalmatian Floure de-Iuce is called in Greeke of Athenaeus and Theophrastes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is named also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the heauenly Bow or Rainbow vpon the same occasion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Admirable for the Poets sometime do call the Rainbow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Iris and in English Floure de-luce Their seuerall titles do sufficiently distinguish them whereby they may be knowne one from another ¶ The nature The nature of these Floure de-luces are answerable to those of the common kinde that is to say the dry roots are hot and dry in the latter end of the second degree ¶ The vertues The iuyce of these Floure de-luces doth not onely mightily and vehemently draw forth choler but most especially waterie humors and is a singular good purgation for them that haue the Dropsie if it be drunke in sweet wort or whay The same are good for them that haue euill spleenes or that are troubled with cramps or convulsions and for such as are bit with Serpents It profiteth also much those that haue the 〈◊〉 or running of the reines being drunke with Vineger as Diosc. saith and drunke with Wine they bring downe the monethly termes CHAP. 42. Of Variable Floure de-luces 1 Iris lutea variegata Variable Flourede 〈◊〉 †2 Iris Chalcedonica Turky Floure de 〈◊〉 ¶ The Description 1 THat which is called the Floure de-luce of many colours loseth his leaues in Winter and in the Spring time recouereth them anew I am not able to expresse the sundrie colours and mixtures contained in this floure it is mixed with purple yellow blacke white and a fringe or blacke thrum downe the middle of the lower leaues of a whitish yellow tipped or frized and as it were a little raised vp of a deep purple colour neere the ground 2 The second kinde hath long and narrow leaues of a blackish greene like the stinking Gladdon among which rise vp stalkes two foot long bearing at the top of euery stalke one floure compact of six great leaues the three that stand vpright are confusedly and very strangely stripped mixed with white and a duskish blacke colour The three leaues that hang downeward are like a gaping hood and are mixed in like manner but the white is nothing so bright as of the other and are as it were shadowed ouer with a darke purple colour somewhat shining so that cording to my iudgement the whole floure is of the colour of a Ginny hen a rare and beautifull floure to behold ‡ 3 Iris maritima Narbonensis The Sea Floure de-luce 4 Iris syluestris Bizantina Wilde
common Fox-taile but of a yellow colour ¶ The place 1 The first groweth among corne and in pasture grounds that be fruitfull it groweth plentifully in the pastures about London The rest are strangers in England ¶ The time They floure in Iune and Iuly ¶ The Names Melampyrum is called of some Triticum vaccinium in English Cow-wheat and Horse-floure in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The fourth is called Melampyrum luteum in English Yellow Cow-wheat ¶ The Danger The seed of Cow Wheat raiseth vp fumes and is hot and dry of nature which being taken in meats and drinks in the manner of Darnell troubleth the braine causing drunkennesse and headache CHAP. 69. Of Wilde Cow-Wheat 1 Crataeogonon album Wilde Cow-wheat ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of wilde Cow-Wheat Clusius in his Pannonick history calls Parietaria sylvestris or wilde Pellitorie which name according to his owne words if it do not fitly answer the Plant hee knoweth not what to cal it for that the Latines haue not giuen any name thereunto yet because some haue so called it he retaineth the same name Notwithstanding he referreth it vnto the kindes of Melampyrum or Cow-wheat or vnto Crataeogonon the wilde Cow-wheat which it doth very wel answer in diuers points It hath an hairy foure square stalke very tender weake and easie to breake not able to stand vpright without the helpe of his neighbours that dwell about him a foot high or more whereupon do grow long thin leaues sharp pointed and oftentimes lightly snipt about the edges of a darke purplish colour sometimes greenish set by couples one opposite against the other among the which come forth two floures at one ioynt long and hollow somewhat gaping like the floures of a dead nettle at the first of a pale yellow and after of a bright golden colour which do floure by degrees first a few and then more by meanes whereof it is long in flouring Which being past there succeed small cups or seed vessels wherein is contained browne seed not vnlike to wheat The whole plant is hairy not differing from the plant Stichwort 2 Red leafed wilde Cow-wheat is like vnto the former sauing that the leaues be narrower and the tuft of leaues more iagged The stalkes and leaues are of a reddish horse-flesh colour The floures in forme are like the other but in colour differing for that the hollow part of the floure with the heele or spurre is of a purple colour the rest of the floure yellow The seed and vessels are like the precedent 3 Crataeogonon Euphrosine Eyebright Cow-wheat ¶ The Description 3 This kinde of wilde Cow-wheat Tabernamontanus hath set forth vnder the title of Odontites others haue taken it to be a kinde of Euphrasia or Eyebright because it doth in some sort resemble it especially in his floures The stalks of this plant are small woody rough and square The leaues are indented about the edges sharpe pointed and in most points resembling the former Cow-wheat so that of necessitie it must be of the same kinde and not a kinde of Eyebright as hath beene set downe by some ¶ The place These wilde kindes of Cow-wheat doe grow commonly in fertile pastures and bushy Copses or low woods and among bushes vpon barren heaths and such like places The two first doe grow vpon Hampsted heath neere London among the Iuniper bushes and bilberry bushes in all the parts of the said heath and in euery part of England where I haue trauelled ¶ The time They floure from the beginning of May to the end of August ¶ The Names 1 The first is called of Lobelius Crataeogonon and of Tabernamontanus Milium Syluaticum or Wood Millet and Alsine syluatica or WoodChickweed 2 The second hath the same titles in English Wilde Cow-wheat 3 The last is called by Tabernamontanus Odontites of Dodonaeus Euphrasia altera and Euphrosine Hippocrates called the wilde Cow-wheat Polycarpum and Polycritum ¶ The Nature and vertues There is not much set downe either of the nature or vertues of these plants onely it is reported that the seeds do cause giddinesse and drunkennesse as Darnell doth The seed of Crataeogonon made in fine pouder and giuen in broth or otherwise mightily prouoketh Venerie Some write that it will likewise cause women to bring forth male children †See the vertues attributed to Crataeogonon by Dioscorides before Chap. 38. B. CHAP. 70. Of White Asphodill ¶ The kindes HAuing finished the kindes of corne it followeth to shew vnto you the sundry sorts of Asphodils whereof some haue bulbous roots other tuberous or knobby roots some of yellow colour and some of mixt colours notwithstanding Dioscorides maketh mention but of one Asphodill but Pliny setteth downe two which Dionysius confirmeth saying That there is the male and female Asphodil The latter age hath obserued many more besides the bulbed one of which Galen maketh mention 1 Asphodelus non ramosus White Asphodill 2 Asphodelus ramosus Branched Asphodill ¶ The Description 1 THe white Asphodill hath many long and narrow leaues like those of leeks sharpe pointed The stalke is round smooth naked and without leaues two cubits high garnished from the middle vpward with a number of floures starre-fashion made of fiue leaues apiece the colour white with some darke purple streakes drawne downe the backe-side Within the floures be certaine small chiues The floures being past there spring vp little round heads wherein are contained hard blacke and 3 square seeds like those of Buck-wheat or Staues-acre The toot is compact of many knobby roots growing out of one head like those of the Peonie full of juyce with a small bitternesse and binding taste 2 Branched Asphodill agreeth well with the former description sauing that this hath many branches or armes growing out of the stalke whereon the floures do grow and the other hath not any branch at all wherein consisteth the difference 3 Asphodill with the reddish floure groweth vp in roots stalke leafe and manner of growing like the precedent sauing that the floures of this be of a dark red color the others white which 〈◊〉 forth the difference if there be any such difference or any such plant at all for I haue conferred with many most excellent men in the knowledge of plants but none of them can giue mee certaine knowledge of any such but tell me they haue heard it reported that such a one there is and so haue I also but certainly I cannot set downe any thing of this plant vntill I heare more certaintie for as yet I giue no credit to my Authour which for reuerence of his person I forbeare to name 4 The yellow Asphodill hath many roots growing out of one head made of sundry tough fat and oleous yellow sprigs or grosse strings from the which rise vp many grassy leaues thick and grosse tending to squarenesse among the which commeth vp a strong thicke stalke set with the like leaues euen to the floures but lesse vpon the which do
proper Chapters it resteth that in like manner we set forth vnto your view certaine bulbous or Onion-rooted Floure de-luces which in this place do offer themselues vnto our consideration whereof there be also sundry sorts sorted into one chapter as followeth 3 Iris Bulbosa flore vario Changeable Floure de-luce ‡ 4 Iris Bulbosa versicolor Polyclonos Many branched changeable Floure de-luce ¶ The Description ‡ 1 THe first of these whose figure here we giue you vnder the name of Iris Bulbosa Latifolia hath leaues somewhat like those of the Day-Lillie soft and somewhat palish greene with the vnder sides somewhat whiter amongst which there riseth vp a stalk bearing at the top thereof a Floure a little in shape different from the formerly described Floure de-luces The colour thereof is blew the number of the leaues whereof it consists nine three of these are little and come out at the bottome of the Floure as soone as it is opened three more are large and being narrow at their bottome become broader by little and little vntill they come to turne downwards whereas then they are shapen somewhat roundish or obtuse In the middest of these there runnes vp a yellow variegated line to the place whereas they bend backe The three other leaues are arched like as in other Floures of this kinde and diuided at their vpper end and containe in them three threads of a whitish blew colour This is called Iris Bulbosa Latifolia by Clusius and Hyacinthus Poetarum Latifolius by Lobell It floures in Ianuarie and Februarie whereas it growes naturally as it doth in diuers places of Portugall and Spaine It is a tender plant and seldome thriues well in our gardens ‡ 2 Onion Floure de-luce hath long narrow blades or leaues crested chamfered or streaked on the backe side as it were welted below somewhat round opening it selfe toward the top yet remaining as it were halfe round whereby it resembleth an hollow trough or gutter In the bottome of the hollownesse it tendeth to whitenesse and among these leaues do rise vp a stalke of a cubit high at the top whereof groweth a faire blew Floure not differing in shape from the common Floure de-luce the which being past there come in the place thereof long thicke cods or seed-vessels wherein is contained yellowish seed of the bignesse of a tare or fitch The root is round like an Onion couered ouer with certaine browne skinnes or filmes Of this kind there are some fiue or six varieties caused by the various colours of the Floures 5 Iris Bulbosa Flore luteo cum flore semine Yellow bulbed Floure de-luce in floure and seed 3 Changeable Floure de-luce hath leaues stalkes and Roots like the former but lesser The Floure hath likewise the forme of the Floure de-luce that is to say it consisteth of sixe greater leaues and three lesser the greater leaues fold backward and hang downward the lesser stand vpright and in the middle of the leaues there riseth vp a yellow welt white about the brimmes and shadowed all ouer with a wash of thinne blew tending to a Watchet colour Toward the stalke they are stripped ouer with a light purple colour and likewise amongst the hollow places of those that stand vpright which cannot be expressed in the figure there is the same faire purple colour the smell and sauour very sweet and pleasant The root is Onion fashion or bulbous like the other ‡ 4 There is also another variegated Floure de-luce much like this last described in the colour of the Floure but each plant produceth more branches and Floures whence it is termed Iris Bulbosa versicolor polyclonos Many-branched changeable Floure de-luce ‡ 5 Of which kinde or sort there is another in my Garden which I receiued from my Brother Iames Garret Apothecarie far more beautifull than the last described the which is dasht ouer in stead of the blew or watchet colour with a most pleasant gold yellow colour of smell exceeding sweet with bulbed roots like those of the other sort 6 It is reported that there is in the garden of the Prince Elector the Lantgraue of Hessen one of this sort or kinde with white Floures the which as yet I haue not seene ‡ Besides these sorts mentioned by our Author there are of the narrow leaued bulbous Floure de-luces some twenty foure or more varieties which in shape of roots leaues and Floures differ very little or almost nothing at all so that he which knows one of these may presently know the rest Wherefore because it is a thing no more pertinent to a generall historie of Plants to insist vpon these accidentall nicities than for him that writes a historie of Beasts to describe all the colours and their mixtures in Horses Dogs and the like I refer such as are desirous to informe themselues of those varieties to such as haue onely and purposely treated of Floures and their diuersities as De-Bry Swerts and our Countreyman M. Parkinson who in his Paradisus terrestris set forth in English Anno 1629. hath iudiciously and exactly comprehended all that hath beene deliuered by others in this nature ‡ ‡ 6 Iris Bulbosa 〈◊〉 cinereo Ash-coloured Floure de 〈◊〉 ‡ 7 Iris Bulbosa flore albido Whitish Floure de-luce ¶ The place The second of these bulbed Floure de-luces growes wilde or of it selfe in the corne fields of the West parts of England as about Bathe and Wells and those places adiacent from whence they were first brought into London where they be naturalised and encrease in great plenty in our London gardens The other sorts do grow naturally in Spaine and Italy wilde from whence we haue had Plants for our London gardens whereof they do greatly abound ¶ The time They floure in Iune and Iuly and seldome after ¶ The Names The Bulbed Floure de-luce is called of Lobelius Iris Bulbosa and also Hyacinthus flore Iridis of some Hyacinthus Poetarum and peraduenture it is the same that Apuleius mentioneth in the one and twentieth Chapter saying That Iris named among the old Writers Hieris may also be called and not vnproperly Hierobulbus or Hieribulbus as though you should say Iris Bulbosa or 〈◊〉 Ireos vnlesse you would haue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 called a greater or larger Bulbe for it is certaine that great and huge things were called of the Antients 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Sacra in English Holy ¶ The nature The nature of these Bulbed Floure de-luces are referred to the kindes of Asphodils ¶ The vertues Take saith Apuleius of the herbe Hierobulbus six Goats suet as much Oile of Alcanna one pound mix them together being first stamped in a stone morter it taketh away the paine of the Gout 〈◊〉 if a woman do vse to wash her face with the decoction of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the meale of Lupines it forthwith cleanseth away the freckles morphew and such like deformities CHAP. 75. Of Spanish Nut. 1 Sisynrichium majus Spanish Nut. ‡ 2 Sisynrichium minus
Small Spanish Nut. 3 Iris Tuberosa Veluet Floure de-luce ¶ The Description 1 SPanish Nut hath small grassie leaues like those of the Starres of Bethlem or Ornithogalum among which riseth vp a small stalke of halfe a foot high garnished with the like leaues but shorter The Floures grow at the top of a skie colour in shape resembling the Floure de-luce or common Iris but the leaues that turne downe are each of them marked with a yellowish spot they fade quickely and being past there succeed small cods with seeds as small as those of Turneps The root is round composed of two bulbes the 〈◊〉 lying vpon the other as those of the Corne flag vsually do and they are couered with a skinne or filme in shape like a Net The Bulbe is sweet in taste and may be eaten before any other bulbed 〈◊〉 2 There is set forth another of this kinde somewhat lesser with Floures that smell sweeter than the former 3 Veluet Floure de-luce hath many long square leaues spongeous or full of pith trailing vpon the ground in shape like to the leaues 〈◊〉 Rushes among which riseth vp a stalke of a foot high bearing at the top a Floure like the Floure de-luce The lower leaues that turne downward are of a perfect blacke colour soft and smooth as is blacke Veluet the blacknesse is welted about with greenish yellow or as wee terme it a Goose-turd greene of which colour the vppermost leaues do consist which being past there followeth a great knob or crested seed vessell of the bignesse of a mans thumbe wherein is contained round white seed as bigge as the Fetch or tare The root consisteth of many knobby bunches like fingers ¶ The place These bastard kindes of Floure de-luces are strangers in England except it be among some few diligent Herbarists in London who haue them in their gardens where they increase exceedingly especially the last described which is said to grow wilde about Constantinople Morea and Greece from whence it hath beene transported into Italy where it hath beene taken for Hermodactylus and by some exprest or set forth in writing vnder the title Hermodactylus whereas in truth it hath no semblance at all with Hermodactylus ¶ The time The wilde or Bastard Floure de-luces do floure from May to the end of Iune ¶ The Names 1 2 These bulbed bastard Floure de-luces which we haue Englished Spanish Nuts are called in Spaine Nozelhas that is little Nuts the lesser sort Parua Nozelha and Macuca wee take it to be that kinde of nourishing Bulbe which is named in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Pliny Sisynrichium ‡ 3 Some as Vlysses Aldroandus would haue this to be Louchitis Prior of Dioscor Matthiolus makes it Hermodactylius verus or the true Hermodactill Dodonaeus and Lobell more fitly refer it to the Floure de-luces and call it Iris tuberosa ‡ ¶ The Nature and vertues Of these kindes of Floure de-luces there hath beene little or nothing at all left in writing concerning their natures or vertues only the Spanish nut is eaten at the tables of rich and delicious nay vitious persons in sallads or otherwise to procure lust and lecherie CHAP. 76. Of Corne-Flagge 1 Gladiolus Narbonensis French Corne-Flag or Sword-Flag 2 Gladiolus Italicus Italian Corne-Flag or Sword-Flag ‡ 4 Gladiolus Lacustris Water Sword-Flag ¶ The Description 1 FRench Corne-Flagge hath small stiffe leaues ribbed or chamfered with long nerues or sinewes running through the same in shape like those of the small Floure deluce or the blade of a sword sharpe pointed of an ouer-worne greene colour among the which riseth vp a stiffe brittle stalke two cubits high whereupon doe grow in comely order many faire purple Floures gaping like those of Snapdragon or not much differing from the Fox-Gloue called in Latine Digitalis After them come round knobbie seed-vessels full of chaffie seed very light of a browne reddish colour The root consisteth of two Bulbes one set vpon the other the vppermost whereof in the beginning of the Spring 〈◊〉 lesser and more ful of juice the lower greater but more loose and lithie which a little while 〈◊〉 perisheth 2 Italian Corn-Flag hath long narrow leaues with many ribbes or nerues running through the same the stalke is stiffe and brittle whereupon do grow Floures orderly placed vpon one side of the stalke whereas the precedent hath his floures placed on both the sides of the stalke in shape and colour like the former as are also the roots but seldome seene one aboue another as in the former 3 There is a third sort of Corne-Flag which agreeth with the last described in euerie point sauing that the Floures of this are of a pale colour as it were betweene white and that which we call Maidens Blush ‡ 4 This Water Sword-Flag described by 〈◊〉 in his Cur. Post. hath leaues about a span long thicke and hollow with a partition in their middles like as wee see in the cods of StockeGillouers and the like their colour is greene and taste sweet so that they are an acceptable food to the wilde Ducks ducking downe to the bottome of the water for they sometimes lie some ells vnder water which notwithstanding is ouer-topt by the stalke which springs vp from among these leaues and beares Floures of colour white larger than those of Stock-Gillouers but in that hollow part that is next the stalke they are of a blewish colour almost in shape resembling the Floures of the Corne-Flag yet not absolutely like them They consist of fiue leaues whereof the two vppermost are reflected towards the stalke the three other being broader hang downewards After the floures there follow round pointed vessels filled with red seed It floures at the end of Iuly It was found in some places of West-Friseland by Iohn Dortman a learned Apothecary of Groningen It growes inwaters which haue pure grauell at the bottome and that bring forth no plant besides Clusius and Dortman who sent it him call it Gladiolus Lacustris or Stagnalis ‡ ¶ The place These kindes of Corne-Flags grow in medowes and in earable grounds among corne in many places of Italy as also in the parts of France bordering thereunto Neither are the fields of Austria and Morauia without them as Cordus writeth We haue great plenty of them in our London Gardens especially for the garnishing and decking them vp with their seemly Floures ¶ The time They floure from May to the end of Iuly ¶ The Names Corne-Flag is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Gladiolus and of some Ensis of others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Gladiolus Segetalis Theophrastus in his discourse of Phasganum maketh it the same with Xiphion Valerius Cordus calleth Corne-Flag Victorialis foemina others Victorialis rotunda in the Germane Tongue Seigwurtz yet we must make a difference betweene Gladiolus and Victorialis longa for that is a kinde of Garlicke found vpon the highest Alpish mountaines which is likewise called of the Germanes Seigwurtz The Floures of
vertues ‡ The faculties of the starry Hyacinths are not written of by any But the Lilly leaued Iacinth which growes naturally in a hill in Aquitaine called Hos where the Herdmen call it Sarahug is said by them to cause the heads of such cattell as feed thereon to swell exceedingly and then kils them which shewes it hath a maligne and poysonous qualitie Clus. ‡ CHAP. 78. Of Autumne Hyacinths 1 Hyacinthus Autumnalis minor Small Autumne Iacinth 2 Hyacinthus Autumnalis major Great Autumne Iacinth ¶ The Description 1 AVtumne Iacinth is the least of all the Iacinths it hath small narrow grassy leaues spread abroad vpon the ground in the middest whereof springeth vp a small naked stalke an handfull high set from the middle to the top with many small starre-like blew floures hauing certaine small loose chiues in the middle The seed is blacke contained in small huskes the root is bulbous 2 The great Winter Iacinth is like vnto the precedent in leaues stalkes and floures not differing in any one point but in greatnesse ‡ 3 To these I thinke it not amisse to adde another small Hyacinth more different from these last described in the time of the flouring than in shape The root of it is little small white longish with a few fibres at the bottome the leaues are small and long like the last described The stalke which is scarce an handfull high is adorned at the top with three or foure starry floures of a blewish Ash colour each floure consisting of six little leaues with six chiues and their pointals of a darke blew and a pestill in the middest It floures in Aprill ‡ ¶ The place †The greater Autumne Iacinth growes not wilde in England but it is to be found in some gardens The first or lesser growes wilde in diuers places of England as vpon a banke by the Thames side betweene Chelsey and London †¶ The time They floure in the end of August and in September and sometimes after ¶ The Names 1 The first is called Hyacinthus Autumnalis minor or the lesser Autumne Iacinth and Winter Iacinth 2 The second Hyacinthus Autumnalis major the great Autumne Iacinth or Winter Iacinth 3 This is called by Lobell Hyacinthus parvulus stellaris vernus The small starry Spring Iacinth CHAP. 79. Of the English Iacinth or Hare-Bels 1 Hyacinthus Anglicus English Hare-bels 2 Hyacinthus albus Anglicus White English Hare-bels ¶ The Description 1 THe blew Hare-bels or English Iacinth is very common throughout all England It hath long narrow leaues leaning towards the ground among the which spring vp naked or bare stalkes loden with many hollow blew Floures of a strong sweet smell somewhat stuffing the head after which come the coddes or round knobs containing a great quantitie of small blacke shining seed The root is bulbous full of a slimy glewish juyce which wil serue to set feathers vpon arrowes in stead of glew or to paste bookes with whereof is made the best starch next vnto that of Wake-robin roots 4 Hyacinthus Orientalis caeruleus The blew Orientall Iacinth 5 Hyacinthus Orientalis Polyanthos Many floured Orientall Iacinth 2 The white English Iacinth is altogether like vnto the precedent sauing that the leaues hereof are somewhat broader the Floures more open and very white of colour 3 There is found wilde in many places of England another sort which hath Floures of a faire carnation colour which maketh a difference from the other ‡ There are also sundry other varieties of this sort but I thinke it vnnecessarie to insist vpon them their difference is so little consisting not in their shape but in the colour of their Floures ‡ The blew Hare-bels grow wilde in woods copses and in the borders of fields euery where thorow England The other two are not so common yet do they grow in the woods by Colchester in Essex in the fields and woods by South-fleet neere vnto Graues-end in Kent as also in a piece of ground by Canturbury called the Clapper in the fields by Bathe about the woods by Warrington in Lancashire and other places ¶ The time They floure from the beginning of May vnto the end of Iune ¶ The Names 1 The first of our English Hyacinths is called Hyacinthus Anglicus for that it is thought to grow more plentifully in England than elsewhere of Dodonaeus Hyacinthus non scriptus or the vnwritten Iacinth 2 The second Hyacinthus Belgicus candidus or the Low-Countrey Hyacinth with white Floures ‡ 3 This third is called Hyacinthus Anglicus aut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Carnation Hare-bels ‡ 6 Hyacinthus Orientalis polyanthos alter The other many-Floured Oriental Iacinth ‡ 7 Hyacinthus Orientalis 〈◊〉 Reddish purple Oriental Iacinth ‡ 8 Hyacinthus Orientalis albus White Oriental Iacinth ‡ 9 Hyacinthus Brumalis Winter Iacinth ¶ The Description 4 The Orientall Iacinth hath great leaues thicke fat and full of juyce deepely hollowed in the middle like a trough from the middle of those leaues riseth vp a stalke two hands high bare without leaues very smooth soft and full of juice loden toward the top with many faire blew Floures hollow like a bell greater than the English Iacinth but otherwise like them The root is great bulbous or Onion fashion couered with many scaly reddish filmes or pillings such as couer Onions 5 The Iacinth with many Floures for so doth the word Polyanthos import hath very many large and broad leaues short and very thicke fat or full of slimy juyce from the middle whereof rise vp strong thicke grosse stalkes bare and naked set from the middle to the top with many blew or skie coloured Floures growing for the most part vpon one side of the stalke The root is great thicke and full of slimy juyce ‡ 10 Hyacinthus Orientalis caule folioso Orientall Iacinth with leaues on the stalke ‡ 11 Hyacinthus Orientalis florepleno The double floured Oriental Iacinth ‡ 6 There is another like the former in each respect sauing that the floures are wholly white on the inside and white also on the outside but three of the out-leaues are of a pale whitish yellow These floures smell sweet as the former and the heads wherein the seeds are contained are of a lighter greene colour ‡ 7 There is come vnto vs from beyond the seas diuers other sorts whose figures are not extant with vs of which there is one like vnto the first of these Oriental Iacinths sauing that the floures thereof are purple coloured whence it is termed Hyacinthus purpuro rubeus 8 Likewise there is another called Orientalis albus differing also from the others in colour of the floures for that these are very white and the others blew 9 There is another called Hyacinthus Brumalis or winter Iacinth it is like the others in shape but differeth in the time of flouring ‡ 14 Hyacinthus obsoleto flore Hispanicus major Thegreater dusky floured Spanish Iacinth ‡ 15 Hyacinthus minor Hispanicus The lesser Spanish Iacinth ‡ 16 Hyacinthus Indicus 〈◊〉 The tuberous rooted Indian Iacinth ¶
Of double floured Oriental Hyacinths Of this kindred there are two or three more varieties whereof I wil giue you the description of the most notable and the names of the other two which with that I shall deliuer of this may serue for sufficient description The first of these which Clusius calls Hyacinthus Orientalis subvirescente flore or the greenish floured double Orientall Iacinth hath leaues roots and seeds like vnto the formerly described Oriental Iacinths but the floures wherin the difference consists are at the first before they be open greene and then on the out side next to the stalke of a whitish blew and they consist of six leaues whose tips are whitish yet retaining some manifest greenes then out of the midst of the floure comes forth another floure consisting of three leaues whitish on their inner side yet keeping the great veine or streake vpon the outer side each floure hauing in the middle a few chiues with blackish pendants It floures in Aprill 12 This varietie of the last described is called Hyacinthus Orientalis flore 〈◊〉 pleno The double blew Orientall Iacinth 13 This Hyacinthus Orientalis candidissimus flore pleno The milke-white double Orientall 〈◊〉 14 This which Clusius calls Hyacinthus obsoletior Hispanicus hath leaues somewhat narrower and more flexible than the Muscari with a white veine running alongst the inside of them among these leaues there riseth vp a stalke of some foot high bearing some fifteene or sixteene floures more or lesse in shape much like the ordinarie English consisting of six leaues three standing much out and the other three little or nothing These floures are of a very dusky colour as it were mixt with purple yellow and greene they haue no smell The seed which is contained in triangular heads is smooth blacke scaly and round It floures in Iune 15 The lesser Spanish Hyacinth hath leaues like the Grape-floure and small floures shaped like the Orientall Iacinth some are of colour blew and other some white The seeds are contained in three cornered seed-vessels I haue giuen the figure of the white and blew together with their seed-vessels 16 This Indian Iacinth with the tuberous root saith Clusius hath many long narrow sharpe pointed leaues spread vpon the ground being somewhat like to those of Garlicke and in the middest of these rise vp many round firme stalkes of some two cubits high and oft times higher sometimes exceeding the thicknesse of ones little finger which is the reason that oftentimes 〈◊〉 they be borne vp by something they lie along vpon the ground These stalkes are at 〈◊〉 spaces ingirt with leaues which end in sharpe points The tops of these stalkes are adorned with many white floures somewhat in shape resembling those of the Orientall Iacinth The roots are knotty or tuberous with diuers fibres comming out of them ‡ ¶ The place These kindes of Iacinths haue beene brought from beyond the Seas some out of one countrey and some out of others especially from the East countries whereof they tooke their names Orientalis ¶ The time They floure from the end of Ianuarie vnto the end of Aprill ¶ The nature The Hyacinths mentioned in this Chapter do lightly cleanse and binde the seeds are dry in the third degree but the roots are dry in the first degree and cold in the second ¶ The vertues The Root of Hyacinth boyled in Wine and drunke stoppeth the belly prouoketh vrine and helpeth against the venomous bitings of the field Spider The seed is of the same vertue and is of greater force in stopping the laske and bloudy flix Being drunke in wine it preuaileth against the falling sicknesse The roots after the opinion of Dioscorides being beaten and applied with white Wine 〈◊〉 or keepe backe the growth of haires ‡ The seed giuen with Southerne-wood in Wine is good against the Iaundice ‡ CHAP. 80. Of Faire baired Iacinth ¶ The Description 1 THe Faire haired Iacinth hath long fat leaues hollowed alongst the inside trough fashion as are most of the Hyacinths of a darke greene colour tending to rednesse The stalke riseth out of the middest of the leaues bare and naked soft and full of slimie juyce which are beset round about with many small floures of an ouerworne purple colour The top of the spike consisteth of a number of faire shining purple floures in manner of a tuft or bush of haires whereof it tooke his name Comosus or faire haired The seed is contained in small bullets of a shining blacke colour as are most of those of the Hyacinths The roots are bulbous or Onion fashion full of slimy juyce with some hairy threads fastned vnto rheir bottome 2 White haired Iacinth differeth not from the precedent in roots stalkes leaues or seed The floures hereof are of a darke white colour with some blacknesse in the hollow part of them which setteth forth the difference 3 Of this kinde I receiued another sort from Constantinople resembling the first hairy Hyacinth very notably but differeth in that that this is altogether greater as well in leaues roots and floures as also is of greater beauty without all comparison 1 Hyacinthus comosus Faire haired Iacinth 2 Hyacinthus comosus albus White haired Iacinth ‡ 3 Hyacinthus comosus Bizantinus Faire-haired Iacinth of Constantinople ‡ 5 Hyacinthus comosus ramosus elegantior Faire curld-haired branched Iacinth ‡ 4 There are two other more beautifull haired Iacinths nourished in the gardens of our prime Florists The first of these hath roots and leaues resembling the last described the stalke commonly riseth to the height of a foot and it is diuided into many branches on euery side which are small and threddy and then at the end as it were of these threddy branches there come forth many smaller threds of a darke purple colour and these spread and diuaricate themselues diuers wayes much after the manner of the next described yet the threds are neither of so pleasing a colour neither so many in number nor so finely curled This is called Hyacinthus comosus ramosus purpureus The faire haired branched Iacinth 5 This is a most beautiful and elegant plant and in his leaues and roots he differs little from the last described but his stalke which is as high as the former is diuided into very many slender branches which subdiuided into great plenty of curled threads variously spread abroad make a very pleasant shew The colour also is a light blew and the floures vsually grow so that they are most dilated at the bottome and so straiten by little and little after the manner of a Pyramide These floures keepe their beautie long but are succeeded by no seeds that yet could be obserned This by Fabius Columna who first made mention hereof in writing is called Hyacinthus 〈◊〉 panniculosa coma By others Hyacinthus comosus ramosus elegantior The faire curld-haire Iacinth These floure in May. ‡ 6 Hyacinthus botryoides 〈◊〉 Blew Grape-floure 7 Hyacinthus botryoides caeruleus major Great Grape-floure 6 The small
Grape floure hath many long fat and weake leaues trailing vpon the ground hollow in the middle like a little trough full of slimie juyce like the other Iacinths amongst which come forth thicke soft smooth and weake stalkes leaning this way and that way as not able to stand vpright by reason it is surcharged with very heauy floures on his top consisting of many little bottle-like blew floures closely thrust or packed together like a bunch of grapes of a strong smell yet not vnpleasant somewhat resembling the sauour of the Orange The root is round and bulbous set about with infinite young cloues or roots whereby it greatly increaseth 7 The great Grape-floure is very like vnto the smaller of his kinde The difference 〈◊〉 in that this plant is altogether greater but the leaues are not so long 8 The sky-coloured Grape-floure hath a few leanes in respect of the other Grape-floures the which are 〈◊〉 fuller of juyce stiffe and vpright whereas the others traile vpon the ground The floures grow at the top thrust or packt together like a bunch of Grapes of a pleasant bright sky colour euery little bottle-like floure set about the hollow entrance with small white spots not easie to be perceiued The roots are like the former 8 Hyacinthus Botryoides caeruleus major Great Grape-floure 9 The white Grape-floure differeth not from the sky-coloured Iacinth but in colour of the floure for this Iacinth is of a pleasant white colour tending to yellownes tipped about the hollow part with White whiter than White it selfe otherwise there is no difference ¶ The Place These plants are kept in gardens for the beautie of their floures wherewith our London gardens do abound ¶ The Time They floure from Februarie to the end of May. ¶ The Names The Grape-floure is called Hyacinthus 〈◊〉 and Hyacinthus 〈◊〉 Dodonaei of some Bulbus Esculentus Hyacinthus syluestris cordi Hyacinthus exiguus Tragi Some iudge them to be 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 †The faire haired Iacinth described in the first place is the Hyacinthus of Dioscorides and the Antients †¶ The Nature and Vertues †The vertues set downe in the precedent Chapter properly belong to that kinde of Hyacinth which is described in the first place in this Chapter CHAP. 81. Of Muscari or Musked Grape-floure ¶ The Description 1 YEllow Muscarie hath fiue or six long leaues spread vpon the ground thicke fat and full of slimie juyce turning and winding them selues crookedly this way that way hollowed alongst the middle like a trough as are those of faire haired Iacinth which at the first budding or springing vp are of a purplish colour but being growne to perfection become of a darke greene colour amongst the which leaues rise vp naked thicke and fat stalkes infirme and weake in respect of the thicknesse and greatnesse thereof lying also vpon the ground as do the leaues set from the middle to the top on euery side with many yellow floures euerie one made like a small pitcher or little box with a narrow mouth exceeding sweet of smell like the sauor of muske whereof it tooke the name Muscari The seed is inclosed in puffed or blowne vp cods confusedly made without order of a fat and spongeous substance wherein is contained round blacke seed The root is bulbous or onion fashion whereunto are annexed certaine fat and thicke strings like those of Dogs grasse 2 Ash-coloured Muscari or grape-floure hath large and fat leaues like the precedent not differing in any point sauing that these leaues at their first springing vp are of a pale dusky colour like ashes The floures are likewise sweet but of a pale bleake colour wherein consisteth the difference 1 Muscari 〈◊〉 Yellow musked Grape-floure 2 Muscari Clusij Ash-coloured Grape-floure Muscari caulis siliquis 〈◊〉 The stalke of Muscari hanged with the seed-vessels ¶ The Place These Plants came from beyond the Thracian Bosphorus out of Asia and from about Constantinople and by the meanes of Friends haue been brought into these parts of Europe whereof our London gardens are possessed ¶ The Time They floure in March and Aprill and sometimes after ¶ The Names They are called generally Muscari In the Turky Tongue Muschoromi Muscurimi Tipcadi and Dipcadi of their pleasant sweet smell Of Matthiolus Bulbus Vomitorius These plants may be referred vnto the Iacinths whereof vndoubtedly they be kindes ¶ The Nature and Vertues There hath not as yet any thing beene touched concerning the nature or vertues of these Plants onely they are kept and maintained in gardens for the pleasant smell of their floures but not for their beauty for that many stinking field floures do in beautie farre surpasse them But it should seem that Matthiolus called them Vomitorius in that he supposed they procurevomiting which of other Authors hath not bin remembred CHAP. 82. Of Woolly Bulbus Bulbus Eriophorus Woolly Iacinth ¶ The Description THere hath fallen out to be here inserted a bulbous plant consisting of many Bulbes which hath passed currant amongst all our late Writers The which I am to set forth to the view of our Nation as others haue done in sundry languages to theirs as a kind of the Iacinths which in roots and leaues it doth very wel resemble called of the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Laniferus because of his aboundance of Wooll-resembling substance wherewith the whole Plant is in euery part full fraught as well roots leaues as stalkes The leaues are broad thicke fat full of juyce and of a spider-like web when they be broken Among these leaues riseth vp a stalke two cubits high much like vnto the stalke of Squilla or Sea-Onion and from the middle to the top it is beset round about with many small starre-like blew floures without smell very like to the floures of Asphodill beginning to floure at the bottome and so vpward by degrees whereby it is long before it hath done flouring which floures the learned Physitian of Vienna Iohannes Aicholzius desired long to see who brought it first from Constantinople and planted it in his Garden where he nourished it tenne yeares with great curiositie which time being expired thinking it to be a barren plant he sent it to Carolus Clusius with whom in some few yeres it did beare such floures as before described but neuer since to this day This painefull Herbarist would gladly haue seene the seed that should succeed these floures but they being of a nature quickly subiect to perish decay and fade began presently to pine away leauing onely a few 〈◊〉 and idle seed-vessels without fruit My selfe hath beene possessed with this plant at the least twelue yeares whereof I haue yearely great encrease of new roots but I did neuer see any token of budding or flouring to this day notwith standing I shall be content to suffer it in some base place or other of my garden to stand as the cipher o at the end of the figures to attend his time and leisure as those men of famous memorie
haue done Of whose temperature and vertues there hath not any thing beene said but kept in gardens to the end aforesaid CHAP. 83. Of two feigned Plants ¶ The Description 1 I Haue thought it conuenient to conclude this historie of the Hyacinths with these two bulbous Plants receiued by tradition from others though generally holden for feigned and adulterine Their pictures I could willingly haue omitted in this historie if the curious eye could elsewhere haue found them drawne and described in our English Tongue but because I finde them in none I will lay them downe here to the end that it may serue for excuse to others who shall come after which list not to describe them being as I said condemned for feined and adulterine nakedly drawne onely And the first of them is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by others Bulbus Bomb cinus 〈◊〉 The description consisteth of these points viz. The floures saith the Author are no lesse strange than wonderfull The leaues and roots are like to those of Hyacinths which hath caused it to occupie this place The floures resemble the Daffodils or Narcissus The whole plant consisteth of a woolly or flockie matter which description with the Picture was sent vnto Dodonaeus by Iohannes Aicholzius It may be that Aicholzius receiued instructions from the Indies of a plant called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which groweth in India whereof Theophrastus and Athenaeus do write in this manner saying The floure is like the Narcissus consisting of a flockie or woolly substance which by him seemeth to be the description of our bombast Iacinth 1 Bulbus Bombicinus Commentitius False bumbaste Iacinth 2 Tigridis flos The floure of Tygris 2 The second feigned picture hath beene taken of the Discouerer and others of later time to be a kinde of Dragons not seene of any that haue written thereof which hath moued them to thinke it a feigned picture likewise notwithstanding you shall receiue the description thereof as it hath come to my hands The root saith my Author is bulbous or Onion fashion outwardly blacke from the which spring vp long leaues sharpe pointed narrow and of a fresh greene colour in the middest of which leaues rise vp naked or bare stalkes at the top whereof groweth a pleasant yellow floure stained with many small red spots here and there confusedly cast abroad and in the middest of the floure thrusteth forth a long red tongue or stile which in time groweth to be the cod or seed-vessell crooked or wreathed wherein is the seed The vertues and temperature are not to be spoken of considering that we assuredly persuade our selues that there are no such plants but meere fictions and deuices as we terme them to giue his friend a gudgeon ‡ Though these two haue beene thought commentitious or feigned yet Bauhinus seemeth to vindicate the latter and Iohn Theodore de Bry in his Florilegium hath set it forth He giues two Figures thereof this which we here giue you being the one but the other is farre more elegant and better resembles a naturall plant The leaues as Bauhine saith are like the sword-flag the root like a leeke the floures according 〈◊〉 De Bries Figure grow sometimes two or three of a stalke the floure consists of two leaues and a long stile or pestill each of these leaues is diuided into three parts the vttermost being broad and large and the innermost much narrower and sharper the tongue or stile that comes forth of the midst of the floure is long and at the end diuided into three crooked forked points All that De Bry saith thereof is this Flos Tigridis rubet egregiè circa medium tamen pallet albusque est maculatus ex Mexico à Casparo Bauhino That is Flos Tigridis is wondrous red yet is it pale and whitish about the middle and also spotted it came from about Mexico I had it from Caspar Bauhine ‡ CHAP. 84. Of Daffodils ¶ The Kindes DAffodill or Narcissus according to Dioscorides is of two sorts the floures of both are white the one hauing in the middle a purple circle or coronet the other with a yellow cup circle or coronet Since whose time there hath been sundry others described as shall be set forth in their proper places 1 Narcissus medio purpureus Purple circled Daffodill ‡ 4 Narcissus medio croceus serotinus Polyanthos The late many floured Daffodill with the Saffron-coloured middle ¶ The Description 1 THe first of the Daffodils is that with the purple crowne or circle hauing small narrow leaues thicke fat and full of slimie juyce among the which riseth vp a naked stalke smooth and hollow of a foot high bearing at the top a faire milk-white floure growing forth of a hood or thinne filme such as the floures of onions are wrapped in in the middest of which floure is a round circle or small coronet of a yellowish colour purfled or bordered about the edge of the said ring or circle with a pleasant purple colour which beeing past there followeth a thicke knob or button wherein is contained blacke round seed The root is white bulbous or Onion fashion 2 The second kinde of Daffodill agreeth with the precedent in euery respect sauing that this Daffodill floureth in the beginning of Februarie and the other not vntill Aprill and is somewhat lesser It is called Narcissus medio purpureus praecox That is Timely purple ringed Daffodill The next may haue the addition praecocior More timely and the last in place but first in time praecocissimus Most timely or very early flouring Daffodill ‡ 5 Narcissus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 flore pleno Double floured 〈◊〉 circled Daffodill 6 Narcissus minor serotinus The late flouring small Daffodill 7 Narcissus medioluteus Primrose Pearles or the common white Daffodill 8 Narcissus medioluteus polyanthos French Daffodill 9 Narcissus Pisanus Italian Daffodill 10 Narcissus albus multiplex The double white Daffodill of Constantinople ‡ 11 Narcissus flore pleno 〈◊〉 The other double white Daffodill ‡ 12 Narcissus flore pleno medio luteo Double white Daffodil with the middle yellow 3 The third kind of Daffodil with the pnrple ring or circle in the middle hath many small narrow leaues very flat crookedly bending toward the top among which riseth vp a slender bare stalke at whose top doth grow a faire and pleasant floure like vnto those before described but lesser and floureth sooner wherein consisteth the difference ‡ There is also another somewhat lesse and flouring somewhat earlier than the last described 4 This in roots leaues and stalkes differeth very little from the last mentioned kindes but it beares many floures vpon one stalke the out-leaues being like the former white but the cup or ring in the middle of a saffron colour with diuers yellow threds contained therein 5 To these may be added another mentioned by Clusius which differs from these onely in the floures for this hath floures consisting of six large leaues fairely spread abroad within which are other
amongst them are mixed also other paler coloured leaues with some green stripes here there among those leaues these floures are somtimes all contained in a trunk like that of the single one the sixe out-leaues excepted other whiles this inclosure is is broke and then the floure stands faire open like as that of the last described Lobel in the second part of his Aduersaria tells That our Author Master Gerrard found this in Wiltshire growing in the garden of a poore old woman in which place formerly a Cunning man as they vulgarly terme him had dwelt This may be called in Latine according to the English Narcissus multiplex Gerardi Gerrards double Narcisse The figure we here giue you is expressed somewhat too tall and the floure is not altogether so double as it ought to be 4 There are also two or three double yellow Daffodils yet remaining The first of these is called Wilmots Narcisse from Master Wilmot late of Bow and this hath a very faire double large yellow floure composed of deeper and paler yellow leaues orderly mixed The second which is called Tradescants Narcisse from Master Iohn Tradescant of South-Lambeth is the largest and 〈◊〉 of all the rest in the largenesse of the 〈◊〉 it exceeds Wilmots which otherwise it much resembles some of the leaues whereof the floure consists are sharp pointed and these are of a paler colour other some are much more obtuse and these are of a deeper and fairer yellow This may be called Narcissus Roseus Tradescanti Tradescants Rose Daffodill The third M. Parkinson challengeth to himselfe which is a floure to be respected not so much for the beautie as for the various composure thereof for some of the leaues are long and sharpe pointed others obtuse and curled a third sort long and narrow and vsually some few hollow and in shape resembling a horne the vtmost leaues are commonly streaked and of a yellowish green the next to them fold themselues vp ronnd and are vsually yellow yet sometimes they are edged with greene There is a deepe yellow pestill diuided into three parts vsually in the midst of this floure It floures in the end of March I vsually before M. Parkinson set forth his Florilegie or garden of floures called this floure Narcissus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by reason of its various shape and colour but since I thinke it fitter to giue it to the Author and terme it Narcissus multiplex varius Parkinsoni Parkinsons various double Narcisse ‡ 5 Narcissus Iacobaeus Indicus The Indian or Iacobaean Narcisse ‡ 6 Narcissus juncifolius montanus minimus The least Rush-leaued Mountaine Narcisse 5 Now come I to treat of some more rarely to be found in our gardens if at all That which takes the first place is by Clusius called Narcissus Iacobaeus Indicus the Indian or Iacobaean Narcisse The root hereof is much like to an ordinarie onion the leaues are broad like the other Narcisses the stalke is smooth round hollow and without knots at the top whereof out of a certaine skinny huske comes forth a faire red floure like that of the flouring Indian reed but that the leaues of this are somewhat larger and it hath six chiues or threds in the middle thereof of the same colour as the floure and they are adorned with brownish pendants in the midst of these there stands a little farther out than the rest a three forked stile vnder which succeeds a triangular head after the falling of the floure This giues his floure in Iune or Iuly 6 This Lobell calls Narcissus montanus juncifolius minimus The least Rush-leaued mountaine Narcisse The leaues of this are like the Iunquilia the stalke is short the floure yellow with the six winged leaues small and paler coloured the cup open and large to the bignesse of the floure 7 This also is much like the former but the six incompassing leaues are of a greenish faint yellow colour the cup is indented or vnequally curled about the edges but yellow like the precedent Lobell calls this Narcissus montanus juncifolius flore 〈◊〉 The mountaine Rush-leaued Narcisse with an indented or curled cup. ‡ 7 Narcissus montanus juncifolius flore fimbriato The mountaine Rush leaued Narcisse with an indented or curled cup. ‡ 8 Narcissus omnium minimus montanus albus The least mountaine white Narcisse 8 The leaues of this are as small as the Autumne Iacinth the stalke some handfull high and the floure like the last described but it is of a whitish colour Lobell calls this last described Narcissus omnium minimus montanus albus The least mountaine white Narcisse These three last vsually floure in Februarie ‡ CHAP. 87. Of Tulipa or the Dalmatian Cap. ¶ The Kindes TVlipa or the Dalmatian Cap is a strange and forreine floure one of the number of thebul bed floures whereof there be sundry sorts some greater some lesser with which all studious and painefull Herbarists desire to be better acquainted because of that excellent diuersitie of most braue floures which it 〈◊〉 Of this there be two chiefe and generall kindes viz. Praecex and Serotina the one doth beare his floures timely the other later To these two we will adde another sort called Media flouring betweene both the others And from these three sorts as from their heads all other kindes do proceed which are almost infinite in number Notwithstanding my louing friend M. Iames Garret a curious searcher of Simples and learned Apothecary of London hath vndertaken to finde out if it were possible the infinite sorts by diligent sowing of their seeds and by planting those of his owne propagation and by others receiued from his Friends 1 Tulipa Bononie nsis Italian Tulipa 2 Tulipa Narbonensis French Tulipa 3 Tulipa praecox tota lutea Timely flouring Tulipa 4 Tulipa Coccinea serotina Late flouring Tulipa 5 Tulipa media sanguinea albis oris Apple bloome Tulipa 6 Tulipa Candida suaue 〈◊〉 oris Blush coloured Tulipa 7 Tulipa bulbifera Bulbous stalked Tulipa ‡ 8 Tulipa sanguinea luteo fundo The bloud-red Tulip with a yellow bottome beyond the seas for the space of twenty yeares not being yet able to attaine to the end of his trauell for that each new yeare bringeth forth new plants of sundry colours not before seene all which to describe particularly were to roll Sisiphus stone or number the sands So that it shall suffice to speake of and describe a few referring the rest to some that meane to write of Tulipa a particular volume ‡ 9 Tulipa purpurea The purple Tulip ‡ 10 Tulipa rubra amethistina The bright red Tulip ¶ The Description 1 THe Tulipa of Bolonia hath fat thicke and grosse leaues hollow furrowed or chanelled bending a little backward and as it were folded together which at their first comming vp seeme to be of a reddish colour and being throughly growne turne into a whitish greene In the middest of those leaues riseth vp a naked fat stalke a foot high or something more on the top
all along these streakes some other colours They haue no smell at all that can be perceiued The roots of these are likewise bulbed or Onion fashion euery of the which to set forth seuerally would trouble the writer and wearie the Reader so that what hath bin said shall suffice touching the description of Tulipa's ‡ True it is that our Author here affirmes The varieties of these floures are so infinite that it would both tyre the Writer and Reader to recount them Yet for that some are more in loue with floures than with Plants in generall I haue thought good to direct them where they may finde somewhat more at large of this Plant Let such therefore as desire further satisfaction herein haue recourse to the Florilegies of De 〈◊〉 Swerts Robin or to M. Parkinson who hath not onely largely treated of the floures in particular but also of the ordering of them ‡ ‡ 27 Tulipa lutea serotina The late flouring yellow Tulip ‡ 28 Tulipa serotina lutea gutt is sanguineis fundo nigro The late Yellow with sanguine spots and a blacke bottome ¶ The Place Tulipa groweth wilde in Thracia Cappadocia and Italy in Bizantia about Constantinople at Tripolis and Alepo in Syria They are now common in all the gardens of such as affect floures all ouer England ¶ The Time They floure from the end of Februarie vnto the beginning of May and somewhat after although Augerius Busbequius in his journey to Constantinople saw between Hadrianople and Constantinople great aboundance of them in floure euery where euen in the middest of Winter in the moneth of Ianuarie which that warme and temperate climate may seeme to performe The Names The later Herbarists by a Turkish and strange name call it Tulipa of the Dalmatian Cap called Tulipa the forme whereof the floure when it is open seemeth to represent It is called in English after the Turkish name Tulipa or it may be called Dalmatian Cap or the Turkes Cap. What name the antient Writers gaue it is not certainly knowne A man might fuspect it to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if it were a Bulbe that might be eaten and were of force to make milke cruddy for Theophrastus reckoneth it among those Bulbes that may be eaten and it is an herbe as Hesychius saith wherewith milke is crudded Conradus Gesnerus and diuers others haue taken Tulipa to be that Satyrium which is syrnamed Erythronium because one kinde hath a red floure or altogether a certaine kinde of Satyrium with which it doth agree reasonable well if in Dioscorides his description we may in stead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reade 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for such mistakes are frequent in antient and moderne Authors both in writing and printing In the Turky Tongue it is called Café lalé Cauále lalé and likewise Turban and Turfan of the Turks Cap so called as beforesaid of Lobelius ‡ 29 〈◊〉 Holias alba strijs punctis sanguineis The white Holias with sanguine spots and streakes ‡ 30 Tulipa media sature purpurea fundo 〈◊〉 A middle Tulip of a deepe Purple colour with a blewish bottome ‡ I do verily thinke that these are the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lillies of the field mentioned by our Sauiour Mat. 6. 28 29. for he saith That Solomon in all his royaltie was not arayed like one of these The reasons that induce me to thinke thus are these First their shape for their floures resemble Lillies and in these places whereas our Sauiour was conuersant they grow wilde in the fields Secondly the infinite varietie of colour which is to be found more in this than any other sort of floure and thirdly the wondrous beautie and mixtures of these floures This is my opinion and these my reasons which any may either approue of or gainsay as he shall thinke good ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues There hath not beene any thing set downe of the antient or later Writers as touching the Nature or Vertues of the Tulipa's but they are esteemed especially for the beauty of their floures ‡ The roots preserued with sugar or otherwise dressed may be eaten and are no vnpleasant nor any way offensiue meat but rather good and nourishing ‡ CHAP. 88. Of Bulbous Violets ¶ The Kindes THeophrastus hath mentioned one kinde of bulbous Leucoion which Gaza translates Viola alba or the white Violet Of this Viola Theophrasti or Theophrastus his Violet we haue obserued three sorts whereof some bring forth many floures and leaues others fewer some floure very early and others later as shall be declared 1 Leucoium bulbosum praecox minus Timely flouring bulbous Violet ‡ 2 Leucoium bulbosum praecox Byzantinum The Byzantine early bulbous Violet ¶ The Description 1 THe first of these bulbous Violets riseth out of the ground with two small leaues flat and crested of an ouerworne greene colour betweene the which riseth vp a small and tender stalke of two hands high at the top whereof commeth forth of a skinny hood a small white floure of the bignesse of a Violet compact of six leaues three bigger and three lesser tipped at the points with a light greene the smaller are fashioned into the 〈◊〉 forme of a heart and pretily edged about with greene the other three leaues are longer and sharpe pointed The whole floure hangeth 〈◊〉 his head by reason of the weake foot stalke whereon it groweth The root is small white and bulbous ‡ 2 There are two varieties of this kind which differ little in shape but the first hath a floure as bigge againe as the ordinarie one and Clusius calls it Leucoium bulbosum praecox Byzantinum The greater early Constantinopolitan bulbous Violet The other is mentioned by Lobel and differs onely in colour of floures wherefore he calls it 〈◊〉 triphyllum flore caerulco The blew floured bulbous Violet 3 〈◊〉 bulbosum serotinum Late flouring bulbous Violet 4 Leucoium bulbosum majus polyanthemum The many floured great bulbous violet ‡ 5 Leucoium bulbosum Autumnale minimum The least Autumne bulbous Violet 3 The third sort of bulbed Violets hath narrow leaues like those of the leeke but lesser and smoother not vnlike to the leaues of the bastard Daffodill The stalks be slender and naked two hands high whereupon doe grow faire white floures tipped with a yellowish greene colour with many small chiues or threds in the middest of the floure The seed is contained in smal round buttons The root is white and bulbous 4 The great bulbed Violet is like vnto the third in stalke and leaues yet greater and higher It bringeth forth on euery stalke not one floure onely but fiue or six blowing or flouring one after another altogether like the other floures in forme and bignesse ‡ 5 This small bulbous plant may be annexed to the former the root is small compact of many coats the leaues are also small and the stalke an handfull high at the top whereof there hang downe one or two
The pouder of Ginger long Pepper Annise seed or Cumine seed and a little Masticke correcteth the churlish working of that Hermodactyll which is vsed in Shops But those which haue eaten of the common medow Saffron must drinke the milke of a cow or else death presently ensueth ¶ The Danger The roots of all the sorts of Mede Saffrons are very hurtfull to the stomacke and being eaten they kill by choaking as Mushromes do according vnto 〈◊〉 whereupon some haue called it Colchicum strangulatorium CHAP. 92. Of Starre of Bethlem ¶ The Kindes THere be sundry sorts of wilde field Onions called Starres of Bethlehem differing in stature taste and smell as shall be declared 1 Ornithogalum Star of Bethlehem 2 Ornithogalum luteum siue Cepa agraria Yellow or wilde Star of Bethlehem ¶ The Description 1 OVr common Starre of Bethlehem hath many narrow leaues thicke fat full of iuyce and of a very greene colour with a white streake downe the middle of each leafe among the which rise vp small naked stalkes at the top whereof grow floures compact of six little leaues stripped on the backeside with lines of greene the inside being milke-white These floures open themselues at the rising of the Sunne and shut againe at the Sun setting whereupon this Plant hath beene called by some Bulbus Solsequius The floures being past the seed doth follow inclosed in three cornered husks The root is bulbous white both within and without 2 The second sort hath two or three grassy leaues proceeding from a clouen bulbous root The stalke riseth vp in the middest naked but toward the top there doe thrust forth more leaues like vnto the other but smaller and shorter among which leaues do step forth very small weake and tender foot-stalkes The floures of this are on the backeside of a pale yellow stripped with greene on the inside of a bright shining yellow colour with Saffron coloured threds in their middles The seed is contained in triangular vessels 3 This Star of Hungarie contrarie to the custome of other plants of this kinde sendeth forth before Winter fiue or six leaues spread vpon the ground narrow and of some fingers length somewhat whitish greene and much resembling the leaues of Gillofloures but somewhat roughish In Aprill the leaues beginning to decay amongst them rises vp a stalke bearing at the 〈◊〉 a spoke of floures which consisting of six leaues apiece shew themselues open in May they in colour are like the first described as also in the greene streake on the lower side of each leafe The seed is blacke round and contained in triangular heads The root is bulbous long and white †‡ 4 This fourth which is the Ornithogalum Hispanicum minus of Clusius hath a little white root which sends forth leaues like the common one but narrower and destitute of the white line wherwith the other are marked The stalke is some two handfulls high bearing at the top thereof some seuen or eight floures growing each aboue other yet so as that they seeme to make an vmbell each of these floures hath six leaues of a shitish blew colour with so many white chiues or threds and a little blewish vmbone in the midst This floures in Aprill 5 This fifth first sends vp one onely leafe two or three inches long narrow and of a whitish colour and of an acide taste nigh whereto riseth vp a small stalke some inch or two high hauing one or two leaues thereon betweene which come forth small star-floures yellow within and of a greenish purple without The seed which is reddish and small is contained in triangular heads The root is white round and couered with an Ash-coloured filme 3 Ornithogalum Pannonicum Star of Hungary ‡ 4 Ornithogalum Hispanicum minus The lesser Spanish Star-floure 6 I thinke it not amisse hereto to adde another small bulbous plant which Clusius calls Bulbus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The one leaued Bulbe This from a small root sends forth one rush-leafe of some foot in length which about two inches aboue the earth being somewhat broader than in the other places and guttered sends forth a little stalke some three inches long whose top is set with three little floures each standing aboue other about the bignesse here presented vnto your view in the figure each of those consisteth of six very white leaues and are not much vnlike the floures of the grasse of Parnassus but yet without leaues to sustaine the floure as it hath six white threds tipt with yellow and a three square head with a white pointall possesse the middest of the floure the smell thereof is somewhat like that of the floures of the Haw-thorne It floures in the midst of Iune ‡ 5 Ornithogalum luteum parvum Dwarfe yellow Star of Bethlehem ‡ 6 Bulbus vnifolius The one leaued Bulbe ‡ 7 Ornithogalum majus Arabicum The great Arabicke Star-floure 8 This which is commonly called Ornithogalum spicatum hath large leaues and roots and the flalke growes some cubit or more high wheron grow many starre-floures in shape and colour like those of the ordinarie but larger and they begin to floure below and floure vpwards to the top There is a larger sort of this Spicatum whose floures are not streaked with greene on their backes There is also a lesser differing from the first of these onely in bignesse 9 This Neapolitan hath three or foure long leaues not much vnlike those of the Hyacinths but narrower the stalke is pretty thicke some foot high and hath vsually growing theron some fiue or six floures hanging one way though their stalkes grow alternately out of each side of the maine stemme These floures are composed of six leaues being about an inch long and some quarter of an inch broad white within and of an Ash-coloured greene without with white edges the middle of the floure is possessed by another little floure consisting also of six little leaues hauing in them six threads headed with yellow and a white pointall A blacke wrinkled seed is contained in three cornered heads which by reason of their bignesse weigh downe the stalke This floures in Aprill ‡ ‡ 8 Ornithogalum spicatum Spike fashioned Star-floure ‡ 9 Ornithogalum Neapolitanum The Neapolitan Star-floure ¶ The Place Stars of Bethlehem or Star-floures especially the first and second grow in sundry places that lie open to the aire not onely in Germany and the Low-countries but also in England and in our gardens very common The yellow kinde Lobell found in Somerset-shire in the corne fields The rest are strangers in England yet we haue most of them as the third fourth eighth and ninth in some of our choice gardens ¶ The Time These kindes of bulbed plants do floure from Aprill to the end of May. ¶ The Names Touching the names Dioscorides calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pliny Ornithogale in high Dutch it is called Feldz 〈◊〉 Ackerz 〈◊〉 as you should say 〈◊〉 agraria in English Stars of Bethlehem ‡
and chaffie It floures in August and September and the seed is ripe in October The leaues spring vp in Nouember and December after that the seed is ripe and stalke decayed ‡ 2 The great Sea Onion which 〈◊〉 hath set forth in his Spanish historie hath very great and broad leaues as Dioscorides saith longer than those of the Lilly but narrower The bulbe or headed root is very great consisting of many coats or scaly filmes of a reddish colour The floure is sometimes yellow sometimes purple and 〈◊〉 of a light blew ‡ Clusius saith it is like that of the former I thinke he meanes both in 〈◊〉 and colour ‡ 3 The sea-Onion of Valentia 〈◊〉 rather the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath many long and sat leaues and narrow like those of Narcissus but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lying vpon the ground among which riseth vp a stalke a foot high bare and naked 〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a tuft of white floures in shape like vnto our common yellow Daffodil The seed is inclosed in thicke knobby huskes blacke flat and thicke very soft in shape like vnto the seeds of Aristolochia longa or long Birth-wort The root is 〈◊〉 white long and bulbous 4 Red floured Sea Dasfodill or sea Onion hath a great bulbe or root like to the precedent the leaues long fat and sharpe pointed the stalke bare and naked bearing at the top sundry faire red floures in shape like to the last described 2 Pancratium Clusij Great Squill or Sea Onion 3 Pancratium Marinum Sea Onion of Valentia 5 The yellow floured sea Daffodill or sea Onion hath many thicke fat leaues like vnto the common Squill or sea Onion among which riseth vp a tender straight stalke full of iuyce bearing at the top many floures like the common yellow Daffodill The seed and root is like the precedent ‡ 6 To these may fitly be added that elegant plant which is knowne by the name of Narcissus tertius of Matthiolus and may be called White Sea Daffodill This plant hath large roots as bigge sometimes as the ordinarie Squill the leaues are like those of other Daffodils but broader rounder pointed and not very long The stalke is pretty thicke being sometimes round otherwhiles cornered at the top whereof grow many large white floures each floure is thus composed it hath six long white leaues in the midst growes forth a white pointall which is incompassed by a welt or cap diuided into six parts which six are againe by threes diuided into eighteen iagges ordiuisions a white thred tipt with greene of an inch long comming forth of the middle of each diuision This floureth in the end of May. It is said to grow naturally about the sea coast of Illyria ‡ ¶ The Place The first is found in Spaine and Italy not far from the sea side The second also neere vnto the sea in Italy Spaine and Valentia I haue had plants of them brought me from sundry parts of the Mediterranean sea side as also from Constantinople where it is numbred among the kindes of Narcissus The third groweth in the sands of the sea in most places of the coast of Narbone and about Montpellier The fourth groweth plentifully about the coasts of Tripolis and Aleppo neere to the sea and also in the salt marshes that are sandie 〈◊〉 lie open to the aire ¶ The Time They floure from May to the end of Iuly and their seed is ripe in the end of August ¶ The Names The first is called of the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of the Latines also Scilla the Apothecaries name it Squilla Diuers Cepamuris the Germanes Meer zwibel the Spaniards Cebolla albarrana the French-men Oignon de 〈◊〉 in English Squill and Sea Onion ‡ The second is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Scilla rubr a major 3 4 5. These are all figures of the same plant but the least which is the worst is the figure of the 〈◊〉 where it is called Pancratium marinum Dodonaeus calls it Narcissus marinus and Clusius Hemerocallis Valentina and it is iudged to be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Theoporastus Lib. 6. Hist. cap. 1. The Spaniards call this Amores mios the Turkes Con 〈◊〉 the Italians Giglio marino These three as I said differ no otherwise than in the colour of their floures The sixth is Narcissus tertius or Constantinopolitanus of Matthiolus 〈◊〉 calls it Lilionarcissus Hemerocallidis facie ‡ 4 Pancratium floribus rubris Red floured sea Daffodill ‡ 6 Narcissus tertius Matthioli The white sea Daffodill ¶ The Temperature The sea Onion is hot in the second degree and cutteth very much as Galen saith It is best 〈◊〉 it is taken baked or rosted for so the vehemencie of it is taken away ¶ The Vertues of Squills The root is to be couered with paste or clay as 〈◊〉 teacheth and then put into an ouen to be baked or else buried in hot embers till such time as it be throughly rosted for not being so baked or rosted it is very hurtfull to the inner parts It is likewise baked in an earthen pot close couered and set in an ouen That is to be taken especially which is in the midst which being cut in pieces must be boyled but the water is still to be changed till such time as it is neither bitter nor sharpe then must the pieces be hanged on a thread and dried in the shadow so that no one piece touch another ‡ Thus vsed it loseth most of the strength therefore it is better to vse it lightly dried without any other preparation ‡ These slices of the Squill are vsed to make oyle wine or vineger of Squill Of this vineger of Squill is made an Oxymel The vsew whereof is to cut thicke tough and clammy humors as also to be vsed in vomits This Onion rosted or baked is mixed with potions and other medicines which prouoke vrine and open the stoppings of the liuer and spleene and is also put into treacles It is giuen to those that haue the Dropsie the yellow Iaundise and to such as are tormented with the gripings of the belly and is vsed in a licking medicine against an old rotten cough and for shortnesse of breath One part of this Onion being mixed with eight parts of salt and taken in the morning fasting to the quantitie of a spoonefull or two looseth the belly The inner part of Squilla boyled with oyle and turpentine is with great profit applied to the chaps or chil-blanes of the feet or heeles It driueth forth long and round wormes if it be giuen with honey and oyle ‡ The Pancratium marinum or Hemerocallis Valentina saith Clusius when as I liued with Rondeletius at Montpellier was called Scilla and the Apothecaries thereof made the trochisces for the composition of Treacle afterwards it began to be called Pancratium flore Lilij Rondeletius also was wont to tell this following story concerning the poysonous and maligne qualitie thereof There were two Fishermen whereof the one lent vnto the other whom
an vmbel of ten or twelue white floures each of which consists of six leaues not sharpe pointed but turned round and pretty large considering the bignesse of the plant This plant hath also vsually but two leaues and those like those of Leekes but far lesse ‡ ¶ The Place †These plants grow in the garden of M. Iohn Parkinson Apothecarie and with M. Iohn Tradescant and some others studious in the knowledge of plants ¶ The Time They spring forth of the ground in Februarie and bring forth their floures fruit and seed in the end of August ¶ The Names †Some haue deriued the name Moly from these Greeke words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to driue away diseases It may probably be argued to belong to a certaine bulbous plant and that a kind of Garlicke by the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The former Galen in his Lexicon of some of the difficulter words vsed by Hippocrates thus expounds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is Moliza is a Garlicke hauing a simple or single head and not to be parted or distinguished into cloues some terme it Moly Erotianus in his Lexicon expounds the later thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith hee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. That is Molyx is a head of Garlicke round and not to be parted into cloues ‡ ¶ The Names in particular ‡ 1 this is called Moly by Matthiolus Moly Angustifolium by Dodonaeus Moly Dioscorideum by Lobel and Clusius 2 This Moly Serpentinum vocatum by Lobel and the Author of the Hist. Lugd. 3 This same is thought to be the Moly of Theophrastus and Pliny by Dodonaeus Clusius c. and some also would haue it to be that of Homer mentioned in his twentieth Odyss Lobel calleth it Moly Liliflorum 4 5 The fourth and fifth being one are called Caucafon and Moly Indicum by Lobel Clusius and others 6 This is Moly Montanum latifolium flauo flore of Clusius and Moly luteum of Lobel Aduersar par 2. 7 This same is Moly minus of Clusius ‡ ‡ 6 Moly latifolium flore 〈◊〉 Broad leaued Moly with the yellow floure ‡ 7 Moly minus flore albo Dwarfe white floured Moly ¶ The Temperature and Vertues These Molyes are very hot approching to the nature of Garlicke and I doubt not but in time some excellent man or other will find out as many good vertues of them as their stately and comely proportion should seeme to be possessed with But for my part I haue neither proued nor heard of others nor found in the writings of the Antients any thing touching their faculties Only Dioscorides reporteth That they are of maruellous efficacie to bring downe the termes if one of them be stamped with oyle of Floure de-luce according to art and vsed in manner of a pessarie or mother suppositorie ‡ CHAP. 79. Of diuers other Molyes ‡ BEsides the Garlickes and Molyes formerly mentioned by our Author and those I haue in this Edition added there are diuers others which mentioned by Clusius and belonging vnto this Tribe I haue thought good in this place to set forth Now for that they are more than conueniently could be added to the former chapters which are sufficiently large I thought it not amisse to allot them a place by themselues ‡ 1 Moly 〈◊〉 folijs primum The first Narcisse-leaued Moly ‡ 2 Moly 〈◊〉 folijs secundum The second Narcisse-leaued Moly ¶ The Description ‡ 1 THis which in face nighest represents the Molyes described in the last Chapter hath a root made of many scales like as an Onion in the vpper part but the lower part is knotty and runnes in the ground like as Solomons Seale the Onion-like part hath many fibres hanging thereat the leaues are like those of the white Narcisse very greene and shining amongst which riseth vp a stalke of a cubit high naked firme greene and crested at the top come forth many floures consisting of six purplish leaues with as many chiues on their insides after which follow three 〈◊〉 heads opening when they are ripe and containing a round blacke seed 2 This other being of the same kinde and but a varietie of the former hath softer and more Ash-coloured leaues with the floures of a lighter colour Both these floure at the end of Iune or in Iuly ‡ 3 Moly Narcissinis folijs tertium The third Narcisse-leaued Moly ‡ 4 Moly montanum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Clusij The first broad leaued mountaine Moly ‡ 5 Moly montanum 〈◊〉 Clusij The second mountaine Moly This floures later than the former to wit in Iuly and August All these plants grow naturally in Leitenberg and other hills neere to Vienna in Austria where they were first found and 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 Clusius 4 This hath a stalke some two cubits high which euen to the middle is incompassed with leaues much longer and broader than those of Garlicke and very like those of the Leeke on the top of the smooth and rush-like 〈◊〉 groweth a tuft consisting of many darke purple coloured bulbs growing close together from amongst which come forth pretty long stalkes bearing light purple starre-fashioned floures which are succeeded by three cornered seed-vessels The root is bulbous large consisting of many cloues and hauing many white fibres growing sorth thereof Moreouer there grow out certain round bulbes about the root almost like those which grow in the head and being planted apart they 〈◊〉 plants of the same kinde This is Allium siue Moly montanum latifolium 1. Clusij 5 This hath a smooth round greene stalke some cubit high whereon doe grow most commonly three leaues narrower than those of the former and as itwere grassy The top of the 〈◊〉 sustaines a head wrapped in two lax filmes each of them running out with a sharpe point like two hornes which opening themselues there appeare many small bulbes heaped together amongst which are floures composed of six purplish little leaues and fastned to long stalkes The root is round and white with many long white fibres hanging thereat Clusius calls this Allium siue Moly montanum secundum And this is Lobels Ampeloprason proliferum 6 Like to the last described is this in height and shape of the stalke and leaues as also in the forked or horned skinne inuoluing the head which consisteth of many small bulbes of a reddish greene colour and ending in a long greene point amongst which vpon long and slender stalkes hang downe floures like in forme and magnitude to the former but of a whitish colour with a darke purple streake alongst the middle and vpon the edges of each leafe The root is round and white like that of the last described This Clusius giues vnder the title of Allium siue Moly 〈◊〉 tertium ‡ 6 Moly montanum 3. Clus. The third mountaine Moly ‡ 7 Moly montani quarti spec 1. Clus. The fourth mountaine Moly 〈◊〉 first 〈◊〉 thereof 7 This also hath three rushy leaues with a round stalke of some cubit high whose
top is likewise adorned with a forked membrane containing many pale coloured floures hanging vpon long stalkes each floure consisting of six little leaues with the like number of chiues and a pestil in the midst This tuft of floures cut off with the top of the stalke and carried into a chamber wil yeeld a pleasant smell like that which is found in the floures in the earlier Cyclamen but it will quickly decay After these floures are past succeed three cornered heads containing a blacke small seed not much vnlike Gillofloure seed The root is round like the former sometimes yeelding off-sets This is Alij montani 4. species 1. of Clusius 8 There is another kinde of this last described which growes to almost the same height and hath like leaues and the head ingirt with the like skinny long pointed huskes but the floures of this are of a very darke colour The roots are like the former with off-sets by their side This is Clusius his Moly montani quarti species secunda The roots of the three last described smell of garlick but the leaues haue rather an hearby or grasse-like smell The fifth and sixth of these grow naturally in the Styrian and Austrian Alpes The seuenth growes about Presburg in Hungarie about Niclaspurg in Morauia but most aboundantly about the Baths in Baden ‡ 8 Moly 〈◊〉 quarti species 〈◊〉 Clusij The second kinde of the fourth mountaine Moly ‡ 9 Moly montanum quintum Clusij The fifth mountaine Moly 9 This growes to the like height as the former with a greene stalke hauing few leaues thereupon and naked at the top where it carieth a round head consisting of many star-like small floures of a faire purple colour fastned to short stalkes each floure being composed of sixe little leaues with as many chiues and a pestill in the middle The root is bulbous and white hauing somtimes his off-sets by his sides The smell of it is like Garlicke This groweth also about Presburgh in Hungarie and was there obserued by Clusius to beare his floure in May and Iune He calleth this Allium seu Moly montanum quintum ‡ CHAP. 102. Of White Lillies ¶ The Kindes THere be sundry sorts of Lillies whereof some be wilde or of the field others tame or of the garden some white others red some of our owne countries growing others from beyond the seas and because of the variable sorts we will diuide them into chapters beginning with the two white Lillies which differ little but in the natiue place of growing ¶ The Description 1 THe white Lillie hath long smooth and full bodied leaues of a grassie or light greene colour The stalkes be two cubits high and sometimes more set or garnished with the like leaues but growing smaller and smaller toward the top and vpon them 〈◊〉 grow faire white floures strong of smell narrow toward the foot of the stalke whereon they doe grow wide or open in the mouth like a bell In the middle part of them doe grow small tender pointals tipped with a dusty yellow colour ribbed or 〈◊〉 on the backe side consisting of six small leaues thicke and fat The root is a bulbe made of scaly cloues full of tough and clammie iuyce wherewith the whole plant doth greatly abound 2 The white Lilly of Constantinople hath very large and fat leaues like the former but narrower and lesser The stalke riseth vp to the height of three cubits set and garnished with leaues also like the precedent but much lesse Which stalke oftentimes doth alter and degenerate from his naturall roundnesse to a flat forme as it were a lath of wood furrowed or chanelled alongst the same as it were ribs or welts The floures grow at the top like the former sauing that the leaues do turne themselues more backward like the Turkes cap and beareth many more floures than our English white Lilly doth 1 Lilium album The white Lilly 2 Lilium album Bizantinum The white Lilly of Constantinople ¶ The Place Our English white Lilly groweth in most gardens of England The other groweth naturally in Constantinople and the parts adiacent from whence wee had plants for our English gardens where they flourish as in their owne countrey ¶ The Time The Lillies floure from May to the end of Iune The Names The Lillie is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Lilium and also Rosa Iunonis or Iuno's Rose because as it is reported it came vp of her milke that fell vpon the ground For the Poets feigne That Hercules who 〈◊〉 had by Alcumena was put to Iuno's breasts whilest shee was asleepe and after the sucking there fell away aboundance of milke and that one part was spilt in the heauens and the other on the earth and that of this sprang the Lilly and of the other the circle in the heauens called Lacteus Circulus or the milky way or otherwise in English Watling street Saint Basill in the explication of the 44. Psalme saith That no floure so liuely sets forth the frailty of mans life as the Lilly It is called in high Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in low Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Italian Giglio in Spanish Lirio blanco in French Lys blanc in English the white Lilly The other is called Lilium album Bizantinum and also Martagon album Bizantinum in English the white Lilly of Constantinople of the Turkes themselues Sultan Zambach with this addition that they might be the better knowne which kinde of Lilly they meant when they sent roots of them into these countries Fa sioragrandi Bianchi so that Sultan Zambach fa sioragrandi Bianchi is as much to say as Sultans great Lilly with white floures ¶ The Nature The white Lilly is hot and partly of a subtill substance But if you regard the root it is dry in the first degree and hot in the second ¶ The 〈◊〉 The root of the garden Lilly stamped with honey gleweth together sinewes that be cut in sunder It consumeth or 〈◊〉 away the vlcers of the head called Achores and 〈◊〉 all scuruinesse of the beard and face The Root stamped with Vineger the leaues of Henbane or the meale of Barley cureth the tumours and apostumes of the priuy members It bringeth the haire againe vpon places which haue beene 〈◊〉 or scalded if it be mingled with oyle or grease and the place anointed therewith The same root rosted in the embers and stamped with some 〈◊〉 of Rie bread and Hogges grease breaketh pestilentiall botches It 〈◊〉 Apostumes in the flankes comming of venery and such like The floures steeped in Oyle Oliue and shifted two or three times during 〈◊〉 and set in the Sunne in a strong glasse is good to soften the hardnesse of sinewes and the hardnesse of the matrix Florentinus a writer of husbandry saith That if the root be 〈◊〉 opened and therein be put some red blew or yellow colour that hath no causticke or burning qualitie it will cause the floure to be of the same colour Iulius Alexandrinus the Emperors
Physitian saith That the water thereof distilled and drunke causeth easie and speedy 〈◊〉 and expelleth the second me or after-burthen in most speedy manner He also saith the leaues boyled in red Wine and applied to old wounds or 〈◊〉 doe much good and forward the cure according to the doctrine of Galen in his seuenth booke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 med facultat The root of a white Lilly stamped and strained with wine and giuen to drinke for two or three dayes together expelleth the poyson of the pestilence and causeth it to breake 〈◊〉 in blisters in the outward part of the skinne according to the experience of a learned Gentleman M. William Godorus Sergeant Surgeon to the Queenes Maiestie who also hath cured many of the Dropsey with the iuyce thereof tempered with Barley meale and baked in cakes and so eaten ordinarily for some moneth or six weekes together with meate but no other bread during that time CHAP. 103. Of Red Lillies ¶ The Kindes THere be likewise sundry sorts of Lillies which we do comprehend vnder one generall name in English Red Lillies whereof some are of our owne countries growing and others of beyond the seas thewhich shall be distinguished seuerally in this chapter that followeth ¶ The Description 1 THe gold-red Lilly groweth to the height of two and sometimes three cubits and often higher than those of the common white Liily The leaues be blacker and narrower set very thicke about the stalke The floures in the top be many from ten to thirty floures according to the age of the plant and fertilitie of the soile like in 〈◊〉 and greatnesse to those of the white Lilly but of a red colour tending to a Saffron sprinkled or poudred with many little blacke specks like to rude vnperfect draughts of certaine letters The roots be great bulbes consisting of many cloues as those of the white Lilly ‡ 2 In stead of the Plantaine leaued red Lilly described and figured in this second place by our Author out of Tabernamontanus for that I iudge both the figure and description counterfeit I haue omitted them and here giue you the many-floured red Lilly in his stead This hath a root like that of the last described as also leaues and stalkes the floure also in shape is like that of the former but of a more light red colour and in number of floures it exceedeth the precedent for sometimes it beares sixty floures vpon one stalke ‡ †3 This red Lilly is like vnto the former but not so tall the leaues be fewer in number broader and downy towards the top of the stalke where it beares some bulbes The floures in shape be like the former sauing that the colour hereof is more red and thicke dasht with blacke specks The root is scaly like the former 4 There is another red Lilly which hath many leaues somewhat ribbed broader than the last mentioned but shorter and not so many in number The stalke groweth to the height of two cubits and sometimes higher whereupon do grow floures like the former among the foot-stalks of which floures come forth certaine bulbes or cloued roots browne of colour tending vnto rednesse which do fall in the end of August vpon the ground taking root and growing in the same place whereby it greatly encreaseth for seldome or neuer it bringeth forth seed for his propagation 1 Lilium aureum Gold-red Lilly †2 Lilium rubrum The red Lilly 5 There is another sort of red Lillie hauing a faire scaly or cloued root yellow aboue and browne toward the bottome from which riseth vp a faire stiffe stalke crested or furrowed of an ouer-worne browne colour set from the lower part to the branches whereon the floures doe grow with many leaues confusedly placed without order Among the branches close by the stem grow forth certaine cloues or roots of a reddish colour like vnto the cloues of Garlicke before they are pilled which being fallen vpon the ground at their time of ripenesse do shoot forth certaine tender strings or roots that do take hold of the ground whereby it greatly encreaseth The floures are in shape like the other red Lillies but of a darke Orange colour resembling a flame of fire spotted with blacke spots ‡ 6 This hath a much shorter stalke being but a cubit or lesse in height with leaues blackish and narrower than those afore going The floures as in the rest grow out of the top of the stalke and are of a purplish Saffron colour with some blackish spots The root in shape is like the precedent ‡ ¶ The Place These Lillies do grow wilde in the plowed fields of Italy and Languedocke in the mountaines and vallies of Hetruria and those places adiacent They are common in our English gardens as also in Germany ¶ The Time These red Lillies do floure commonly a little before the white Lillies and sometimes together with them 3 Lilium cruentum latifolium The fierie red Lilly ‡ 4 Lilium cruentum 〈◊〉 Red bulbe-bearing Lilly ¶ The Names ‡ 1 The first of these is thought by some to be the Bulbus cruentus of Hippocrates as also the Lilium purpureum of Dioscorides Yet Matthiolus and some others would haue it his Hemerocallis Dodonaeus and Bapt. Porta thinke it the Hyacinthus and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Poets of which you shall finde more hereafter It is the Martagon Chymistarum of Lobell and the Lilium aureum 〈◊〉 of Tabernamontanus 2 This is Martagon Chymistarum alterum of Lobell 3 This is Clusius his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 secundum 4 Martagon bulbiferum primum of Clusius 5 This 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lilium purpureum tertium and it is Martagon bulbiferum tertium of Clusius 6 This last Lobell and 〈◊〉 call Lilium purpureum minus I haue thought good here also to giue you that discourse touching the Poets Hyacinth which being translated out of Dodonaeus was formerly vnfitly put into the chapter of 〈◊〉 which therefore I there omitted and haue here restored to his due place as you may 〈◊〉 by Dodonaeus Pempt 2. lib. 2. cap. 2. ‡ †There is a Lilly which Ouid Metamorph. lib. 10. calls Hyacinthus of the boy 〈◊〉 of whose bloud he feigneth that this floure sprang when he perished as he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for whose sake he saith that Apollo did print certaine letters and notes of his 〈◊〉 These are his words Eccecruor quifusus humo signauerat herbas Desinit esse cruor Tyrioquenitentior ostro Flos oritur formamque capit quam Lilia si non Purpureus color his argenteus esset in illis Non satis hoc Phoebo est is enim fuit auctor honoris Ipse suos gemitus folijs inscribit ai ai Flos habet inscriptum funestaque litera ducta est Which lately were elegantly thus rendred in English by M. Sands Behold the bloud which late the grasse had dy'de Was now no bloud from thence a floure full blowne Far brighter than the Tyrian scarlet shone Which seem'd the same or did resemble right A Lilly changing but the
such sort that the stalkes cannot be seene for the leaues The floures grow 〈◊〉 the top not so thicke set or thrust together as the others purple of colour like in shape vnto little Birds with their wings spread abroad ready to fly The roots be like the former 10 Spotted Birds Satyrion hath leaues like vnto the sormer sauing that they be 〈◊〉 or spotted here and there with darke spots or streakes hauing a stalke couered with the like leaues so that the plants differ not in any point except the blacke spots which this kinde is dasht with 11 White Birds Satyrion hath leaues rising immediately forth of the ground like vnto the blades or leaues of Leekes but shorter among the which riseth vp a slender naked stalke two handfulls high on the top whereof be white floures resembling the shape or forme of a small bird ready to fly or a white Butter-fly with herwings spread abroad The roots are round and smaller than any of the former 12 Souldiers Satyrion bringeth forth many broad large and ribbed leaues spred vpon the ground like vnto those of the great plantaine among the which riseth vp a fat stalke full of sap or iuyce cloathed or wrapped in the like leaues euen to the tuft of floures whereupon do grow little floures resembling a little man hauing a helmet vpon his head his hands and legges cut off white vpon the inside spotted with many purple spots and the backe part of the floure of a deeper colour tending to rednesse The roots be greater than any of the other kindes of Satyrions 7 Orchis Myodes Lutea Yellow Satyrion 9 Orchis Myodes minor Small yellow Satyrion 13 Souldiers Cullions hath many leaues spread vpon the ground but lesser than the soldiers Satyrion as is the whole plant The backside of the floures are somwhat mixed with whitenesse and sometimes are ash coloured the inside of the floure is spotted with white likewise 14 Spider Satyrion hath many thinne leaues like vnto those of the Lilly scatteringly set vpon a weake and feeble stalk whereupon doth grow small floures resembling as well in shape as colour the body of a dead humble Bee ‡ or rather of a Spider and therefore I thinke Lobel who was the Author of this name would haue said Arachnitis of 〈◊〉 a Spider ‡ ‡ 15 This by right should haue beene put next the Gnat Satyrion described in the second place It hath short yet pretty broad leaues and those commonly three in number besides those small ones set vpon the stemme The floures are small and much like those of the second formerly described ‡ 16 Our Author gaue you this figure in the fourteenth place vnder the title of Orchis 〈◊〉 but it is of the Orchis 16. minor of Tabernam or Orchis Angustifolia of 〈◊〉 This Orchis is of the kinde of the Myodes or Fly Satyrions but his leaues are farre longer and 〈◊〉 9 Orchis Ornithophora Birds Satyrion 10 Orchis Ornithophora folio maculoso Spotted Birds Orchis 11 Orchis Ornithophora candida White Birds Orchis 12 Orchis Strateumatica Souldiers Satyrion ¶ The Place These kindes of Orchis grow for the most part in moist medowes and fertile pastures as also in moist woods The Bee the Fly and the Butter-fly Satyrions do grow vpon barren chalkie hills and heathie grounds vpon the hils adioyning to a village in Kent named Green-hithe vpon long field downes by South-fleet two miles from the same place and in many other places of Kent likewise in a field adioyning to a small groue of trees halfe a mile from Saint Albons at the South end thereof They grow likewise at Hatfield neere S. Albons by the relation of a learned Preacher there dwelling M. Robert Abot an excellent and diligent Herbarist 13 Orchis Strateumatica minor Souldiers 〈◊〉 14 Orchis Andrachnitis Spider Satyrion That kinde which resembleth the white Butter-fly groweth vpon the declining of the hill at the North end of Hampsted heath neere vnto a small cottage there in the way side as yee go from London to Henden a village thereby It groweth in tfie fields adioyning to the pound or pinnefold without the gate at the Village called High-gate neere London and likewise in the wood belonging to a Worshipfull Gentleman of Kent named Master Sidley of South-fleet where doe grow likewise many other rare and daintie Simples that are not to be found elsewhere in a great circuit ¶ The Time They floure for the most part from May to the end of August and some of them sooner ¶ The Names These kindes of Orchis haue not bin much written of by the Antients neither by the late writers to any purpose so that it may content you for this time to receiue the names set down in their seuerall titles reseruing what else might be said as touching the Greeke French or Dutch names or any generall definition vntill a further consideration ‡ 15 Orchis trifolia minor Small Gnat Satyrion ‡ 16 Orchis angustifolia Narrow leaued Satyrion ¶ The Nature and Vertues The nature and vertues of these kindes of Orchis are referred vnto the others namely to those of the Fox stones notwithstanding there is no great vse of these in physicke but they are chiefly regarded for the pleasant and beautifull floures wherewith Nature hath seemed to play and disport her selfe CHAP. 114. Of Sweet Cullions ¶ The Kindes THere be sundry sorts of sweet smelling Testicles or Stones whereof the first is most sweet and pleasant in smell the others of lesse smell or sauour differing in floure and roots Some haue white floures others yellow some flesh coloured some dasht vpon white with a little reddish wash some haue two stones others three and some foure wherein their difference consisteth ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Sweet stones is a small base and low plant in respect of all the rest The leaues be small narrow and short growing flat vpon the ground amongst the which riseth vp a small weake and tender stalke of a finger long whereupon doe grow small white floures spike fashion of a pleasant sweet smel The roots are two small stones in shape like the other 2 Triple Orchis hath commonly three yet sometimes foure bulbes or tuberous roots somewhat long set with many small fibres or short threads from the which roots rise immediately many flat and plaine leaues ribbed with nerues alongst them like those of Plantaine among the which come forth naked stalkes small and tender whereupon are placed certaine small white floures trace fashion not so sweet as the former in smell and sauour ‡ The top of the stalke whereon the floures do grow is commonly as if it were twisted or writhen about ‡ 3 Frieseland Lady traces hath two small round stones or bulbes of the bignesse of the pease that we call Rouncifalls from the which rise vp a few hairy leaues lesser than those of the triple stones ribbed as the small leafed Plantaine among the which commeth forth a
small naked stalk set round about with little yellow floures not trace fashion as the former 4 Liege Lady traces hath for his roots two greater stones and two smaller from the which come vp two and sometimes more leaues furrowed or made hollow in the midst like to a trough from the which riseth vp a slender naked stalke set with such floures as the last described sauing that they be of an ouerworne yellow colour 1 Testiculus 〈◊〉 Lady Traces 2 Triorchis Triple Lady Traces ¶ The Place These kindes of Stones or Cullions do grow in dry pastures and heaths and likewise vpon chalkie hills the which I haue found growing plentifully in sundry places as in the field by Islington neere London where there is a bowling place vnder a few old shrubby Okes. They grow likewise vpon the heath at Barne-elmes neere vnto the head of a conduit that sendeth water to the house belonging to the late Sir Francis Walsingham They grow in the field next vnto a Village called Thistleworth as you go from Branford to her Maiesties house at Richmond also vpon a common Heath by a Village neere London called Stepney by the relation of a learned merchant of London named M. Iames Cole exceedingly well experienced in the knowledge of Simples The yellow kindes grow in barren pastures and borders of fields about Ouenden and Clare in 〈◊〉 Likewise neere vnto Muche Dunmow in Essex where they were shewed me by a learned Gentleman Master Iames Twaights excellently well seene in the knowledge of plants ‡ I receiued some roots of the second from my kinde friend M. Thomas Wallis of Westminster the which he gathered at Dartford in Kent vpon a piece of ground commonly called the Brimth but I could not long get them to grow in a garden neither do any of the other Satyrions Ioue to be pent vp in such straight bounds ‡ 3 Orchis Frisia lutea Frieseland Lady-traces 4 Orchis Leodiensis Liege Lady-traces ¶ The Time These kindes of stones do floure from August to the end of September ¶ The Names The first is called in Latine Testiculus Odoratus in English Sweet smelling Testicles or stones not of the sweetnesse of the roots but of the floures It is called also Orchis spiralis or Autumnalis sor that this as also that which is set forth in the next place hath the top of the stalke as it were twisted or twined spire fashion and for that it commeth to flouring in Autumne of our English women they be called Lady-traces but euery countrey hath a seuerall name for some call them Sweet Ballocks sweet Cods sweet Cullions and Stander-grasse In Dutch 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 In French Satyrion The second sort is called Triorchis and also Tetrorchis in English Triple Lady-traces or white Orchis The third is called Orchis Frisia in English Frieseland Orchis The last of these kindes of Testicles or Stones is called of some in Latine Orchis Leodiensis and Orchis Lutea as also Basilica minor Serapias and Triorchis Aeginetae In English Yellow Lady-traces ¶ The Temperature These kindes of sweet Cullions are of nature and temperature like the Dogs stones although not vsed in Physicke in times past notwithstanding later Writers haue attributed some vertues vnto them as followeth ¶ The Vertues The full and sappy roots of Lady-traces eaten or boyled in milke and drunke prouoke venery nourish and strengthen the body and be good for such as be fallen into a Consumption or Feuer Hectique CHAP. 115. Of Satyrion Royall ¶ The Description 1 THe male Satyrion royal hath large roots knobbed not bulbed as the others but branched or cut into sundry sections like an hand from the which come vp thick and fat stalkes set with large leaues like those of Lillies but lesse at the top whereof groweth a tuft of floures spotted with a deepe purple colour 1 Palma Christimas The male Satyrion Royall 2 Palma Christi foemina The female Satyrion Royall 2 The female Satyrion hath clouen or forked roots with some fibres ioyned thereto The leaues be like the former but smaller and narrower and confusedly dashed or spotted with black spots from the which springeth vp a tender stalke at the top whereof doth grow a tuft of purple floures in fashion like vnto a Friers hood changing or varying according to the soile and clymat sometimes red sometimes white and sometimes light carnation or flesh colour ‡ 3 This in roots and leaues is like the former but that the leaues want the black spots the stalke is but low and the top thereof hath floures of a whitish colour not spotted they on the 〈◊〉 resemble gaping hoods with eares on each side and a broad lip hanging down the backe part ends in a broad obtuse spur These floures smell like Elder blossomes ‡ ¶ The Place The royall Satyrions grow for the most part in moist and fenny grounds medowes and Woods that are very moist and shadowie I haue found them in many places especially in the midst of a wood in Kent called Swainescombe wood neere to Grauesend by the village Swainescombe and likewise in Hampsted wood foure miles from London ¶ The Time They foure in May and Iune but seldome later ‡ 3 Orchis Palmata Pannonica 8. Clus. The Austrian handed Satyrion ¶ The Names Royal Satyrion or finger Orchis is called in Latine Palma Christi notwithstanding there is another herbe or plant called by the same name which otherwise is called Ricinus This plant is called likewise of some Satyrium Basilicum or Satyrium regium Some would haue it to be Buzeiden or Buzidan Arabum but Auicen saith Buzeiden is a woody Indian medicine and Serapio saith Buzeiden be hard white roots like those of Behen album and that it is an Indian drug but contrariwise the roots of Palma Christi are nothing lesse than woody so that it cannot be the same Matthiolus would haue Satyrion royall to be the Digiti Citrini of 〈◊〉 finding fault with the Monkes which set forth Commentaries vpon Mesues Compositions for doubting and leauing it to the iudgement of the discreet Reader Yet do we better allow of the Monkes doubt than of Matthiolus his assertion For 〈◊〉 words be these What is 〈◊〉 or Digiti Citrini and answering the doubt himselfe he saith It is in figure or shape like the palme of a mans hand of a mixt colour betweene yellow and white and it is hard in which there is a little sweetnesse and there is a Citrine sort dusty and without sweetnesse Rhasis also in the last booke of his Continent calls these Digiti Crocei or Saffron fingers and he saith it is a gumme or veine for Dyars Now these roots are nothing lesse than of a Saffron colour and wholly vnfit for Dying Wherefore without doubt these words of Auicen and Rhasis in the eares of men of iudgment do confirme That Satyrion Royall or Palma Christi are not those Digiti Citrini The Germans call it Creutsblum the low Dutch Handekens cruyt the French Satyrion royal ¶ The
slender and branched the floures are sometimes purplish but more often yellow The rootes are slender with certaine threds or strings hanging on them ‡ There is also another varietie hereof with the leaues lesse diuided and much smoother than the two last described hauing yellow floures and cods not so deeply joynted as the last described this is that which is set sorth by Matthiolus vnder the name of Lampsana 3 Water Chadlock groweth vp to the height of three foot or somewhat more with branches slender and smooth in respect of any of the rest of his kinde set with rough ribbed leaues deeply indented about the lower part of the leafe The floures grow at the top of the branches vmble or tust fashion sometimes of one colour and sometimes of another ‡ The root is long tough and sull of strings creeping and putting forth many stalkes the seed vessells are short and small 〈◊〉 hath this vnder the title of Raphanus 〈◊〉 alter ‡ 2 Rapistrum aruense alterum Another wilde Charlocke 3 Rapistrum aquaticum Water Chadlocke ¶ The Place Wilde Turneps or Rapes doe grow of themselues in fallow fields and likewise by highwayes neere vnto old walls vpon ditch-bankes and neere vnto townes and villages and in other vntoiled and rough places The Chadlocke groweth for the most part among corne in barraine grounds and often by the borders of fields and such like places Water Chadlocke groweth in moist medowes and marish grounds as also in water ditches and such like places ¶ The Time These doe floure from March till Summer be farre spent and in the meane season the seed is ripe ¶ The Names Wilde Turnep is called in Latine Rapistrum Rapum syluestre and of some Sinapi 〈◊〉 or wild mustard in high Dutch 〈◊〉 in low Dutch 〈◊〉 in French Vclar in English Rape and Rape seed Rapistrum aruorum is called Charlock and Carlock ¶ 〈◊〉 Temperature The seed of these wild kindes of Turneps as also the water Chadlock are hot and drie as mustard seed is Some haue thought that Carlock hath a drying and clensing qualitie and somewhat digesting ¶ The Vertues Diuers vse the seed of Rape in steed of mustard seed who either make hereof a sauce bearing the name of mustard or else mixe it with mustard seed but this kinde of sauce is not so pleasant to the taste because it is bitter Galen writeth that these being eaten engender euill blood yet Disoscorides saith they warme the stomacke and nourish somewhat CHAP. 3. Of Nauewes ¶ The Kindes THere be sundrie kindes of Nape or Nauewes degenerating from the kindes of Turnep of which some are of the garden and other wilde or of the field ¶ The Description 1 NAuew gentle is like vnto Turneps in stalkes floures and seed as also in the shape of the leaues but those of the Nauew are much smoother it also differeth in the root the Turnep is round like a globe the Nauew root is somewhat stretched forth in length 1 Bunias Nauew Gentle 2 Bunias 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wilde Nauew 2 The small or wilde Nauew is like vnto the former sauing that it is altogether lesser The root is small somewhat long with threads long and tough at the end thereof ¶ The 〈◊〉 Nauew-gentle requireth a loose and yellow mould euen as doth the Turnep and prospereth in a fruitfull soile he is sowen in France Bauaria and other places in the fields for the seeds sake as is likewise that wild Colewort called of the old writers Crambe for the plentifull increase of the seeds bringeth no small gaine to the husbandmen of that countrey because that being pressed they yeeld an oile which is vsed not onely in lampes but also in the making of sope for of this oile and a lie made of certaine ashes is boiled a sope which is vsed in the Lowe-countries euery where to scoure and wash linnen clothes I haue heard it reported that it is at this day sowen in England for the same purpose The wilde Nauew groweth vpon ditch bankes neere vnto villages and good townes as alsovpon fresh marshie bankes in most places ¶ The Time The Nauew is sowen floureth and seedeth at the same time that the Turnep doth ¶ The Names The Nauew is called in Latine Napus and also Bunias in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Germaines call it Steckruben the Brabanders Steckropen in Spanish Naps in Italian Nauo the Frenchmen Naueau in English Nauew-gentle or French Naueau The other is called Napus sylvestru or wild Nauew ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The Nauew and the Turnep are all one in temperature and vertues yet some suppose that the Nauew is a little drier and not so soone concocted nor 〈◊〉 downe so easily and doth withall ingender lesse winde In the rest it is answerable to the Turnep ‡ The seeds of these taken in drinke or broth are good against poyson and are vsually put into Antidotes for the same purpose ‡ CHAP. 4. Of Lyons Turnep or Lyons leafe Leontopet alon Lyons leafe ¶ The Description LYons Turnep or Lyons leafe hath broad leaues like vnto Coleworts or rather like the pionyes cut and diuided into sundry great gashes the stalke is two foot long thicke and full of iuyce diuiding it selfe into diuers branches or wings in the tops whereof stand red floures afterward there appeareth long cods in which lie the seeds like vnto tares or wilde chichs The root is great bumped like a Turnep and blacke without ¶ The Place It groweth among corne in diuers places of Italy in Candie also and in other Prouinces towards the South and East The right honorable Lord Zouch brought a plant hereof from Italy at his returne into England the which was planted in his garden But as farre as I doe know it perished ¶ The Time It floureth in winter as witnesseth Petrus Bellonius ¶ The Names The Grecians call it 〈◊〉 that is Leonis folium or Lyons leafe Plinie doth call it also Leontopetalon Apuleius Leontopodion yet there is another plant called by the same name There bee many bastard Names giuen vnto it as Rapeium Papauerculum Semen Lconinum Pes Leoninus and Brumaria in English Lyons leafe and Lyons Turnep ¶ The Temperature Lyons Turnep is of force to digest it is hot and drie in the third degree as Galen teacheth ¶ The Vertues The root saith Dioscorides taken in wine doth helpe them that are bitten of Serpents and it doth most speedily alay the paine It is put into glisters which are made for them that bee tormented with the Sciatica CHAP. 5. Of Radish ¶ The Kindes THere be sundrie sorts of Radish whereof some be long and white others long and blacke some round and white others round or of the forme of a peare and blacke of colour some wilde or of the field and some tame or of the garden whereof we will intreat in this present chapter †1 Raphanus sativus Garden Radish †2 Radicula satina minor Small garden Radish ¶ The Description 1 THe
small and white each consisting of foure leaues The seeds be placed vpon the branches from the lowest part of them to the top exceeding sharpe and hot in taste and of a yellowish colour The roote is small and woody 5 Grecian mustard hath many leaues spred vpon the ground like those of the common Daisie of a darke greenish colour from the midst whereof spring vp stalkes two foote long diuided 1 Thlaspi Dioscoridis Treacle 〈◊〉 2 Thlaspi Vulgatiss mum Mithridate Mustard 3 Thlaspi maius Knaues Mustard 4 Thlaspi minus Bowyers Mustard 5 Thlaspi Graecum Grecian Mustard 6 Thlaspi 〈◊〉 Clownes Mustard 7 Thlaspi Clypeatum Lobelij Buckler Mustard 8 Thlaspi minus Clypeatum Small Buckler Mustard †6 Clownes mustard hath a short white fibrous root from whence ariseth vp a stalke of the height of a foot which a little aboue the root diuides it selfe into some foure or fiue branches and these againe are subdiuided into other smaller so that it resembles a little shrub longish narrow leaues notched after the manee of Sciatica Cresses by turees garnish these branches and these leaues are as bitter as the smaller Centaury The flowers stand thicke togéther at the tops of these branches in manner of little vmbels and are commonly of a light blew and white mixed together being seldome onely white or yellow After the flowers succeed seed vessels after the manner of the other plants of this kinde and in them is conteined a small hot seed †7 Buckler mustard hath many large leaues spread vpon the ground like Hieracium or Hawkeweede somewhat more toothed or snipt about the edges among which comes vp stalkes small and brittle a cubit high garnished with many small pale yellowish flowers in whose place succeed many round flat cods or pouches buckler fashion conteining a seed like vnto the others 8 Small Buckler Mustard is a very small base or low plant hauing whitish leaues like those of wild Time set vpon small weake and tender branches The flowers grow at the top like the other buckler Mustard The seed vessels are like but not so round somewhat sharpe pointed sharp in taste burning the tongue The whole plant lieth flat vpon the ground like wild Tyme ¶ The Place Treacle or rather Mithridate Mustard growes wild in sundry 〈◊〉 in corn fields ditch banks and in sandy drie and barren ground I haue found it in corne fields betweene Croydon Godsstone in Surrey at South-fleete in Kent by the path that leadeth from Harnsey a small village by London vnto Waltham crosse and in many other places The other do grow vnder hedges oftentimes in fields and in stonie and vntoiled places they grow plentifully in Bohemia and Germany they are seene likewise on the stonie bankes of the riuer Rhene They are likewise to be found in England in sundrie places wilde the which I haue gathered into my garden ‡ I haue found none but the first and second growing wilde in any part of England as yet but I deny not but that some of the other may be found though not all ‡ ¶ The Time These treacle Mustards are found with their flowers from May to Iuly and the seed is ripe in the end of August ¶ The Names The Grecians call these kindes of herbes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the huske or seed vessell which is like a little shield They haue also other names which be found among the bastard words as Scandulaceum Capsella Pes gallinaceus Neither be the later writers without their names as Nasturtium tectorum and Sinapi rusticum it is called in Dutch Wilde 〈◊〉 in French 〈◊〉 sauuage in English Treacle Mustard dish Mustard Bowyers Mustard of some Thlaspi after the Greeke name Churles mustard and wilde Cresses ‡ 1 This is Thlaspi Dioscoridis Drabae aut Chamelinae folio of Lobell Thlaspi Latius of Dodonaeus and the second Thlaspi of Matthiolus 2 This Thlaspi Vulgatissimum Vaccariae folio of Lobell the first Thlaspi of Matthiolus and second of Dodonaeus and this is that Thlaspi whose seed is vsed in shops 3 This is Thlaspi majus of Tabernamontanus 4 This is Thlaspi minus of Dodonaeus Thlaspi 〈◊〉 of Fuchsius Thlaspi minus hortense Osyridis solio c. of Lobell and Nasturtium sylvestre of Thalius 5 This is Alysson of Matthiolus Thlaspi Graecum Polygonati folio of Lobell and Tabern 6 This the Author of the Hist. Lug. calls Nasturtium sylvestre Tabern calls it Thlaspi 〈◊〉 7 Lobell termes this Thlaspi parvum Hieracifolium and Lunaria Lutea Monspeliensium 8 This is Thlaspi minus clypeatum Serpillifolio of Lobell ‡ ¶ The Temperature The seed of these kindes of Treacle Mustards be hot and drie in the end of the third degree ¶ The Vertues The seed of Thlaspi or treacle Mustard eaten purgeth colour both vpward and downeward prouoketh flowers and breaketh inward aposthumes The same vsed in clysters helpeth the sciatica and is good vnto those purposes for which Mustard seed serueth ¶ The Danger The seed of these herbes be so extreame hot and vehement in working that being taken in too great a quantitie purgeth and scoureth euen vnto bloud and is hurtfull to women with child and therefore great care is to be had in giuing them inwardly in any great quantitie CHAP. 20. Of Candie Mustard ¶ The Description CAndie mustard excelleth all the rest as well for the comely floures that it bringeth forth for the decking vp of gardens and houses as also for that it goeth beyond the rest in his physicall vertues It riseth vp with a very brittle stalke of a cubit high which diuideth it selfe into sundry bowes or branches set with leaues like those of stocke gillifioures of a gray or ouerworne greene colour The floures grow at the top of thes stalke roundt hicke clustering together like those of Scabious or diuels bit sometimes blew often purple carnation or horse flesh but seldome white for any thing that I haue seen varying according to the soile or Clymate The seed is reddish sharpe and biting the tongue wrapped in little huskes fashioned like an heart ‡ There is a lesser variety of this with white well smelling flowers in other respects little differing from the ordinary ‡ Thlaspi Candiae Candie Mustard ‡ Thlaspi Candiae parvum slo albo Small Candy mustard with a white floure ¶ The Place This growes naturally in some places of Austria as also in Candy Spaine Italy from whence I receiued seeds by the liberality of the right Honorable the Lord Edward Zouch at his returne into England from those parts ‡ Clusius found the later as he trauelled through Switzerland into Germany ‡ ¶ The Time It floureth from the beginning of May vnto the end of September at which time you shall haue floures and seeds vpon one branch some ripe ond some that will not ripen at all ¶ The Name †This plant is called by Dodonaeus but not rightly Arabis and Draba as also Thlaspi Candiae which last name is reteined by most writers
at the top grow floures like those of Treacle Mustard or Thlaspi The whole plant groweth as a shrub or hedge-bush 3 Thorny Mustard groweth vp to the height of foure cubits of a wooddy substance like vnto a hedge-bush or wilde shrub with stalkes beset with leaues floures and seeds like the last before mentioned agreeing in all points sauing in the cruell pricking sharpe thornes wherewith this plant is armed the other not The root is tough wooddy and some strings or fibres annexed thereto 1 Thlaspi fruticosum incanum Hoary wooddy Mustard 2 Thlaspi fruticosum minus Small wooddy Mustard 3 Thlaspi spinosum Thorny Mustard ‡ 4 Thlaspi fruticosum folio 〈◊〉 Bushy Mustard ‡ 5 Thlaspi hederacium Iuy Mustard 4 There is another sort of wooddy Mustard growing in shadowie and obscure mountaines and rough stony places resembling the last described sauing that this plant hath no pricks at all but many small branches set thick with leaues resembling those of the lesser sea 〈◊〉 the floures are many and white the seed like the other Thlaspies the root is wooddy and fibrous ‡ 5 There is saith Lobel in Portland and about Plimouth and vpon other rockes on the sea coast of England a creeping little herbe hauing small red crested stalkes about a spanne high the leaues are thicke and fashioned like Iuy the white floures and small seeds do in taste and shape resemble the Thlaspies ‡ ¶ The Place ‡ 1 The first of these groweth about Mcchline 2. 3. 4. These plants grow vpon the Alpish and Pyrene mountaines in Piemont and in Italy in stony and rockie grounds ¶ The Time They floure when the other kindes of Thlaspies do that is from May to the end of August ¶ The Names ‡ 1 This Clusius and Lobel call Thlaspi incanum Mechliniense Bauhine thinks it to be the Iberis prima of Tabernamontanus whose figure retained this place in the former edition 2 This is Thlaspi fruticosum alterum of Lobel Thlaspi 5. Hispanicum of Clusius 3 Lobel calls this Thlaspi fruticosum spinosum 4 Camerarius calls this Thlaspi sempervirens 〈◊〉 folio Leucoij c. Lobel Thlaspi fruticosum folio Leucoij c. 5 This Lobel calls Thlaspi hederaceum ‡ ¶ The Nature and Vertues I finde nothing extant of their nature or vertues but they may be referred to the kinds of Thlaspies whereof no doubt they are of kindred and affinitie as well in facultie as forme CHAP. 23. Of Towers Mustard ¶ The Description 1 TOwers Mustard hath beene taken of some for a kinde of Cresses and referred by them to it of some for one of the Mustards and so placed among the Thlaspies as a kinde thereof and therefore my selfe must needs bestow it somewhere with others Therefore I haue with Clusius and Lobel placed it among the Thlaspies as a kinde thereof It commeth out of the ground with many long and large rough leaues like those of Hounds-tongue especially those next the ground amongst which riseth vp a long stalke of a cubit or more high set abont with sharpe pointed leaues like those of Woad The floures grow at the top if I may terme them floures but they are as it were a little dusty chaffe driuen vpon the leaues and branches with the winde after which come very small cods wherein is small reddish seed like that of Cameline or English Worm-seed with a root made of a tuft full of innumerable threds or strings ‡ 2 This second kinde hath a thicker and harder root than the precedent hauing also fewer fibers the leaues are bigger than those of the last described somewhat curled or sinuated yet lesse rough and of a lighter greene in the middest of these there rise vp one or two stalkes or more vsually some two cubits high diuided into some branches which are adorned with leaues almost ingirting them round at there setting on The floures are like those of the former but somewhat larger and the colour is either white or a pale yellow after these succeed many long cods filled with a seed somewhat larger than the last described ‡ 3 Gold of pleasure is an herbe with many branches set vpon a straight stalke round and diuided into sundry wings in height two cubits The leaues be long broad and sharpe pointed somewhat snipt or indented about the edges like those of Sow-thistles The flowers along the stalkes are white the seed contained in round little vessels is fat and oily 1 Turritis Towers Mustard ‡ 2 Turritis major Great Tower Mustard 4 〈◊〉 Wormeseed riseth vp with tough and pliant branches whereupou do grow many small yellow flowers after which come long slender cods like Flixe-weed or Sophia wherein is conteined small yellowish seed bitter as Wormeseed or Coliquintida The leaues are small and darke of colour in shape like those of the wilde stocke Gillofloures but not so thicke nor fat The root is small and single ¶ The Place Towers Treacle groweth in the West part of England vpon dunghils and such like places I haue likewise seen it in sundrie other places as at Pyms by a village called Edmonton neere London by the Citie wals of West-chester in corne fields and where flaxe did grow about Cambridge ‡ The second is a stranger with vs yet I am deceiued if I haue not seene it growing in M. Parkinsons garden ‡ The other grow in the territorie of Leiden in Zeeland and many places of the Low-countries and likewise wilde in sundrie places of England ¶ The Time These herbes doe floure in May and Iune and their seed is ripe in September ¶ The Names ‡ 1 This is 〈◊〉 of Lobell Turrita Vulgatior of Clusius 2 This is Turrita maior of Clusius who thinkes it to be Brassica Virgata of Cordus 3 Matthiolus calls this Pseudomyagrum Tragus calls it Sesamum Dodonaeus Lobel and others call it Myagrum 4 This Lobel calls Myagrum thlaspi effigie Tabernamontanus hath it twice first vnder the name of Erysimum tertium secondly of Myagrum secundum And so also our Authour as I formerly noted had it before vnder the name of Eruca syluestris angustifolia and here vnder the name of Camelina ‡ 3 Myagrum Gold of pleasure 4 Camelina Treacle Worm-seed ¶ The Temperature These Plants be hot and dry in the third degree ¶ The Vertues It is thought saith Dioscorides That the roughnesse of the skinne is polished and made smooth with the oylie fatnesse of the seed of Myagrum Ruellius teacheth That the iuyce of the herbe healeth vlcers of the mouth and that the poore peasant doth vse the oile in banquets and the rich in their lampes The seed of Camelina stamped and giuen children to drinke killeth the wormes and driueth them forth both by siege and vomit ‡ CHAP. 24. Of Turky Cresses ‡ OVr Author did briefely in the precedent Chapter make mention of the two plants wee first mention in this Chapter but that so briefely that I thought it conuenient to discourse more largely of them as also to adde
downe with the winde 1 Chondrilla coerulea Blew Gum Succorie 2 Chondrilla coerulea latifolia Robinus Gum Succory 2 Gum Succorie with broad leaues which I haue named Robinus Gum Succorie for that he was the first that made any mention of a second kind which he sent me as a great dainty as indeed I confesse it in roots is like the former the leaues be greater not vnlike to those of Endiue but cut more deeply euen to the middle rib the stalkes grow to the height of two foot the floures likewise are of an azure colour but sprinckled ouer as it were with siluer sand which addeth vnto the floure great grace and beauty 3 Yellow gum Succorie hath long leaues like in forme and diuision of the cut leaues to those of wild Succorie but lesser couered all ouer with a hoarie down The stalke is two foot high white and downie also diuided into sundry branches whereupon doe grow torne floures like those of Succorie but in colour yellow which are turned into downe that is caried away with the winde The root is long and of a meane thicknesse from which as from all the rest of the plant doth issue forth a milky iuyce which being dried is of a yellowish red sharp or biting the tongue There is found vpon the branches hereof a gum as Dioscorides saith which is vsed at this day in physicke in the Isle Lemnos as Bellonius witnesseth 4 Spanish Gum Succorie hath many leaues spred vpon the ground in shape like those of Groundsell but much more diuided and not so thicke nor fat amongst which rise vp branched stalkes set with leaues like those of Stoebe salamanticaminor or Siluer-weed where of this is a kinde The floures grow at the top of an ouerworne purple colour which seldome shew themselues abroad blowne ‡ The seed is like that of Carthamus in shape but blacke and shining ‡ 3 Chondrilla lutea Yellow Gum Succorie 4 Chondrilla Hispanica Spanish Gum Succorie 5 Rushy Gum Succorie hath a tough and hard root with a few short threds fastned thereto from the which rise vp a few iagged leaues like those of Succorie but much more diuided The stalke groweth vp to the height of two foot tough and limmer like vnto rushes whereon are set many narrow leaues The floures be yellow single and small which being faded doe fly away with the winde the whole plant hauing milky iuyce like vnto the other of his kinde ‡ There is another sort of this plant to be found in some places of this kingdome and it is mentioned by Bauhinus vnder the name of Chondrilla viscosa humilis †6 Sea Gum Succorie hath many knobby or tuberous roots full of iuyce of a whitish purple colour with long strings fastned to them from which immediately rise vp a few small thinne leaues fashioned like those of Succory narrower below and somewhat larger towards their ends among which spring vp small tender stalkes naked smooth hollow round of some foot high or thereabout each of these stalkes haue one floure in shape like that of the Dandelion but lesser The whole plant is whitish or hoary as are many of the sea plants †7 Swines Succorie hath white small and tender roots from the which rise many indented leaues like those of Dandelion but much lesse spred or laid flat vpon the ground from the midst whereof rise vp small soft and tender stalkes bearing at the top double yellow floures like those of Dandelion or Pisse-abed but smaller the seed with the downy tuft flieth away with the wind 8 The male Swines Succorie hath a long and slender root with some few threds or strings fastned thereto from which spring vp small tender leaues about the bignesse of those of Dasies spred vpon the ground cut or snipt about the edges confusedly of an ouerworne colour full of a milky iuyce among which rise vp diuers small tender naked stalkes bearing at the top of euery stalke one floure and no more of a faint yellow colour and something double which being ripe 5 Chondrilla 〈◊〉 Rushy Gum Succorie 6 Chondrilla marina Lobelij Sea Gum Succorie 7 〈◊〉 Porcellia Swines Succorie 8 Hyoseris mascula Male Swines Succorie ‡ 9 Cichorium verracarium Wart-Succorie ‡ 9 I thinke it expedient in this place to deliuer vnto you the historie of the Cichorium 〈◊〉 or Zacintha of 〈◊〉 of which our Author maketh mention in his Names and Vertues although he neither gaue figure nor the least description thereof This Wart-Succory for so I will call it hath leaues almost like Endiue greene with pretty deepe gashes on their sides the stalkes are much crested and at the top diuided into many branches betweene which and at their sides grow many short stalkes with yellow floures like those of Succorie but that these turne not into Downe but into cornered and hard heads most commonly diuided into eight cels or parts wherein the seed is contained ‡ ¶ The Place †These plants are found only in gardens in this country the seuenth eighth excepted which 〈◊〉 may be sound to grow in vntilled places vpon ditches bankes and the borders of fields or the like ¶ The Time They do floure from May to the end of August ¶ The Names Gum Succorie hath beene called of the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Latines 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Dioscorides and Pliny call it Cichorion and 〈◊〉 by reason of some likenesse they haue with Succorie especially the two first which haue blew floures as those of the Succories Lobelius maketh Cicherea verrucaria to be Zacintha of 〈◊〉 ‡ ¶ Names in particular ‡ 1 This is called Chondrilla coerulea Belgarum of Lobel Apate of Daleschampius 2 Condrilla 2. of Matthiolus Chondrilla 〈◊〉 coerulea of Tabernamontanus 3 Chondrilla prior Discoridis of 〈◊〉 and Lobel 4 Chondrilla rara purpurea c. of Lobel Chondrilla Hispanica Narbonensis of Tabern Seneciocarduus Apulus of 〈◊〉 5 Chondrilla prima Dioscoridis of Columna and Bauhinus Viminea viscosa of Lobel and Clusius 6 Chondrilla altera Dioscoridis of Columna some thinke it to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Theophrastus Lobell calls it Chondrilla pusilla marina lutea bullosa 7 Hypochaeris porcellia of Tabernamontanus 8 Hieracium minimum 9. of Clusius Hyoseris latifolia of 〈◊〉 The two last should haue bin put among the Hieracia 9 Cichorium verrucarium and Zacinthus of Matthiolus and Clusius ‡ ¶ The Nature and Vertues These kinds of gum Succoric are like in temperature to the common Succory but drier The root and leaues tempered with hony and made into Trochiskes or little flat cakes with niter or salt-peter added to them cleanse away the morphew sun-burnings and all spots of the face The gum which is gathered from the branches whereof it tooke his name layeth downe the stairing haires of the eye-browes and such like places and in some places it is vsed for Mastick as Bellonius obserues The gum poudered with myrrh and put into a linnen cloath and a
many and diuers dishes both faire and good CHAP. 43. Of Blites ¶ The Description 1 THe great white Blite groweth three or foure foot high with grayish or white round stalkes the leaues are plaine and smooth almost like to those of the white Orach but not so soft nor mealy the floures grow thrust together like those of Orach after that commeth the seed inclosed in little round flat husky skinnes 2 There is likewise another sort of Blites very smooth and flexible like the former sauing that the leaues are reddish mixed with a darke greene colour as is the stalke and also the rest of the plant 3 There is likewise found a third sort very like vnto the other sauing that the stalkes branches leaues and the plant is altogether of a greene colour But this growes vpright and creepes not at all 4 There is likewise another in our gardens very like the former sauing that the whole Plant traileth vpon the ground the stalks branches and leaues are reddish the seed is small and clustering together greene of colour and like vnto those of Ruellius his Coronopus or Bucks-horne ‡ 1 Blitum majus album The great white Blite 2 Blitum majus rubrum The great red Blite ¶ The Place The Blites grow in Gardens for the most part although there be found of them wilde many times ¶ The Time They flourish all the Summer long and grow very greene in Winter likewise ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Blitum in English Blite and Blites in Fr ench Blites or Blitres ‡ 3 Blitum minus album The small white Blite ‡ 4 Blitum minus rubrum The small red Blite ¶ The Nature The Blite saith Galen in his sixth booke of the faculties of simple medicines is a pot-hearbe which serueth for meate being of a cold moist temperature and that chiefely in the second degree It yeeldeth to the body small nourishment as in his second booke of the faculties of nourishments he plainly shewes for it is one of the pot-herbes that be vnsauoury or without taste whose substance is waterish ¶ The Vertues The Blite doth nourish little and yet is fit to make the belly soluble though not vehemently seeing it hath no nitrous or sharpe qualitie whereby the belly should be prouoked I haue heard many old wiues say to their seruants Gather no Blites to put into my pottage for they are not good for the eye-sight whence they had those words I know not it may be of some Doctor that neuer went to schoole for that I can finde no such thing vpon record either among the old or later Writers CHAP. 44. Of Floure-Gentle ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of floure-Gentle differing in many points very notably as in greatnesse and smallnesse some purple and others of a skarlet colour and one aboue the rest wherewith Nature hath seemed to delight her selfe especially in the leaues which in variable colours do striue with the Parats feathers for beautie 1 Amaranthus purpureus Purple Floure-Gentle 2 Amaranthus 〈◊〉 Scarlet Floure-Gentle 3 Amaranthus tricolor Floramor and 〈◊〉 4 Amaranthus Pannicula sparsa Branched Floure-Gentle ¶ The Description 1 PVrple floure Gentle riseth vp with a stalke a cubit high and sometime higher streaked or chamfered alongst the same often reddish toward the root and very smooth which diuideth it selfe toward the top into small branches about which stand long leaues broad sharpe pointed soft slippery of a greene colour and sometimes tending to a reddish in stead of floures come vp eares or spokie tufts very braue to looke vpon but without smell of a shining light purple with a glosse like veluet but far passing it which when they are bruised doe yeeld a iuyce almost of the same colour and being gathered doe keepe their beauty a long time after insomuch that being set in water it will reuiue againe as at the time of his gathering and it remaineth so many yeares whereupon likewise it hath taken its name The seed standeth in the ripe eares of colour blacke and much glittering the root is short and full of strings ‡ 5 Amaranthus pannicula incurua holoserica Veluet Floures Gentle 2 The second sort of floure Gentle hath leaues like vnto the former the stalke is vpright with a few small slender leaues set vpon it among which doe grow small clusters of scaly floures of an ouerworne scarlet colour The seed is like the former 3 It far exceedeth my skill to describe the beauty and excellency of this rare plant called Floramor and I thinke the pensill of the most curious painter wil be at a stay when he shall come to set him downe in his liuely colours but to colour it after my best manner this I say Floramor hath a thicke knobby root whereupon doe grow many threddy strings from which riseth a thicke stalke but tender and soft which beginneth to deuide himselfe into sundry branches at the ground and so vpward whereupon 〈◊〉 grow many leaues wherein doth consist his beauty for in few words euery leafe doth resemble in colours the most faire and beautifull feather of a Parrat especially those feathers that are mixed with most sundry colours as a stripe of red and a line of yellow a dash of white and a rib of green colour which I canot with words set forth such are the sundry mixtures of colours that nature hath bestowedin her greatest iollitie vpon this floure the floures doe grow betweene the foot-stalkes of those leaues and the body of the stalke or trunke base and of no moment in respect of the leaues being as it were little chassie husks of an ouerworne 〈◊〉 colour the seed is blacke and shining like burnished horne ‡ I haue not seene this thus variegated as our Author mentions but the leaues are commonly of three colours the lower part or that next to the stalke is greene the middle red and the end yellow or else the end red the middle yellow and the bottome greene ‡ 4 This plant hath a great many of threds and strings of which his roots doe consist From which doe rise vp very thicke fat stalkes crested and streaked exceeding smooth and of a shining red colour which begin at the ground to diuide themselues into branches whereupon doe grow many great and large leaues of a darke greene colour tending to rednesse in shew like those of the red Beet streaked and dasht here and there with red mixed with greene The floures grow alongst the stalkes from the middest thereof euen to the top in shape like Panicum that is a great number of chaffie confused eares thrust hard together of a deepe purple colour I can compare the shape thereof to nothing so 〈◊〉 as to the veluet head of a Stag compact of such soft matter as is the same wherein is the seed in colour white 〈◊〉 and bored through the middle ‡ 5 This in stalkes and leaues is much like the purple floure Gentle but the heads are larger
bended round and laced or as it were wouen one with another looking very beautifully like to Crimson veluet this is seldome to be found with vs but for the beauties sake is kept in the Gardens of Italy whereas the women esteemed it not only for the comelinesse and beautious aspect 1 Atriplex satiua alba White Orach †2 Atriplex satiua 〈◊〉 Purple Orach 3 Atriplex 〈◊〉 siue Polyspermon Wilde Orach or All-seed †4 Atriplex marina Sea Orach ¶ The Place and Time These pleasant floures are sowen in gardens especially for their great beauty They floure in August and continue flourishing till the frost ouertake them at what time they perish But the Floramor would be sowne in a bed of hot horse-dung with some earth strewed thereon in the end of March and ordered as we doe muske Melons and the like ¶ The Names This plant is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it doth not wither and wax old in Latin Amaranthus purpureus in Duch Samatbluomen in Italian Fior velluto in French Passe velours in English floure Gentie purple Veluet floure Floramor and of some floure Velure ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Most attribute to floure Gentle a binding faculty with a cold and dry temperature It is reported they stop all kinds of bleeding which is not manifest by any apparantquality in them except peraduenture by the colour only that the red eares haue for some are of opinion that all red things stanch bleeding in any part of the body because some things as Bole armoniacke sanguis Draconis terra Sigillata and such like of red colour doe stop bloud But Galen lib. 2. 4. de simp. facult plainly sheweth that there can be no certainty gathered from the colours touching the vertues of simple and compound medicines wherefore they are ill persuaded that thinke the floure Gentle to stanch bleeding to stop the laske or bloody flix because of the colour only if they had no other reason to induce them thereto CHAP. 45. Of Orach ¶ The Description 1 THe Garden white Orach hath an high and 〈◊〉 stalke with broad sharpe pointed leaues like those of Blite yet 〈◊〉 and softer The floures are small and yellow growing in clusters the seed round and like a leafe 〈◊〉 with a thin skin or filme and groweth in clusters The root is wooddy and fibrous the leaues and stalkes at the first are of a glittering gray colour and sprinkled as it were with a meale or floure 2 This differs from the former only in that it is of an ouerworne purple colour ‡ 3 This might more fitly haue beene placed amongst the Blites yet finding the figure here though a contrary discription I haue let it inioy the place It hath a white and slender root and it is somewhat like yet lesse then the Blite with narrow leaues somewhat resembling Basill it hath aboundance of small floures which are succeeded by a numerous sort of seeds which are blacke and shining ‡ 4 There is a wilde kinde growing neere the sea which hath pretty broad leaues cut deepely about the edges sharpe pointed and couered ouer with a certaine mealinesse so that the whole plant as well leaues as stalkes and floures looke of an hoary or gray colour The stalks lye spred on the shore or Beach whereas it vsually growes ‡ 5 The common wilde Orach hath leaues vnequally sinuated or cut in somewhat after the manner of an oaken leafe and commonly of an ouerworne grayish colour the floures and seeds are much like those of the garden but much lesse 6 This is like the last described but the leaues are lesser and not so much diuided the seeds grow also in the same manner as those of the precedent 7 This also in the face and manner of growing is like those already described but the leaues are long and narrow sometimes a little notched and from the shape of the leafe Lobell called it Atriplex Syluestris polygoni aut Helxines folio 8 This elegant Orach hath a single and small root putting forth a few fibers the stalkes are some foot high diuided into many branches and lying along vpon the ground and vpon these grow leaues at certaine spaces whitish and vnequally diuided somewhat after the manner of the wilde Orach about the stalke or setting on of the leaues grow as it were little berries somewhat like a little mulberry and when these come to ripenesse they are of an elegant red colour and make a fine shew The seed is small round and ash coloured ‡ ¶ The Place The Garden Oraches grow in most gardens The wilde Oraches grow neere paths 〈◊〉 and ditch sides but most commonly about dung-hils and such fat places Sea Orach I haue 〈◊〉 at Queeneborough as also at Margate in the I le of Thanet and most places about the sea side ‡ The eighth groweth only in some choice gardens I haue seen it diuers times with Mr. Parkinson ‡ ‡ 5 Atriplex syluestris vulgaris Common wilde Orach ‡ 6 Atriplex syluestris altera The other wilde Orach ‡ 7 Atriplex syluestris angustifolia Narrow leaued wilde Orach ‡ 8 Atriplex baccifera Berry-bearing Orach ¶ The Time They floure and seed from Iune to the end of August ¶ The Names Garden Orach is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Atriplex and Aureum Olus in Dutch 〈◊〉 in French Arrouches ou bonnes dames in English Orach and Orage in the Bohemian tongue Leboda Pliny hath made some difference betweene Atriplex and Chrysolachanum as though they differed one from another for of Atriplex he writeth in his twentieth booke and of Chrysolachanum in his twenty eighth booke and eighth chapter where hee writeth thus Chrysolachanum saith he groweth in Pinetum like Lettuce it healeth cut sinewes if it be forthwith applied 3 This wilde Orach hath beene called of Lobel Polyspermon Cassani Bassi or All seed ¶ The Temperature Orach saith Galen is of temperature moist in the second degree and cold in the first ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides writeth That the garden Orach is both moist and cold and that it is eaten boyled as other sallad herbes are and that it softneth and looseth the belly It consumeth away the swellings of the throat whether it be laid on raw or sodden The seed being drunke with meade or honied water is a remedie against the yellow jaundice Galen thinketh that for that cause it hath a clensing qualitie and may open the stoppings of the siuer CHAP. 46. Of Stinking Orach Atriplex olida Stinking Orach ¶ The Description STinking Orach growes flat vpon the ground and is a base and low plant with many weak and feeble branches whereupon doe grow small leaues of a grayish colour sprinkled ouer with a certaine kinde of dusty mealinesse in shape like the leaues of Basill amongst which leaues here and there confusedly be the seeds dispersed as it were nothing but dust or ashes The whole plant is of a most loathsome sauour or
winter Cherrie is brought out of Spaine and Italy or other hot regions from whence I haue had of those blacke seeds marked with the shape of a mans hart white as aforesaid and haueplanted them in my garden where they haue borne floures but haue perished before the fruit could grow to maturitie by reason of those vnseasonable yeeres 1594. 95. 96. ¶ The Time The red winter Cherrie beareth his floures and fruite in August The blacke beareth them at the same time where it doth naturally grow ¶ The Names The red winter 〈◊〉 is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Vesicaria and Solanum Vesicarium in shops 〈◊〉 Plinie in his 21. booke nameth it Halicacabus and Vesicaria of the little bladders or as the same Author writeth because it is good for the bladder and the stone it is called in Spanish Vexiga de porro in French Alquequenges Bagenauldes and Cerises d'outre mer in English red Nightshade Winter Cherries and Alkakengie 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Red winter Cherries 2 Halicacabum Peregrinum Blacke winter Cherries The blacke winter Cherrie is called Halacacabum Peregrinum Vesicaria Peregrina or strange 〈◊〉 Cherrie of Pena and Lobel it is called Cor Indum Cor Indicum of others Pisum 〈◊〉 in English the Indian heart or heart pease some haue taken it to be Dorycnion but they are greatly deceiued being in truth not any of the Nightshades it rather seemeth to agree with the graine named of Serapio Abrong or Abrugi of which he writeth in his 153. chapter in these words It is a little graine spotted with blacke and white round and like the graine Maiz with which notes this doth agree ¶ The Temperature The red winter Cherrie is thought to be cold and drie and of subtile parts The leaues differ not from the temperature of the garden Nightshade as Galen saith ¶ The Vertues The fruite brused and put to infuse or steepe in white wine two or three houres and 〈◊〉 boiled two or three bublings straining it and putting to the decoction a little sugar and cinnamon and drunke preuaileth very mightily against the stopping of vrine the stone and grauell the difficultie and sharpenes of making water and such like diseases if the griefe be old the greater quantity must be taken if new and not great the lesse it scoureth away the yellow jaundise also as some write CHAP. 58. Of the Maruell of the World Mirabilia Peruuiana flore luteo The maruell of Peru with yellowish floures ‡ Mirabilia Peruuiana flore albo The maruell of Peru with white floures The description THis admirable plant called the maruell of Peru or the maruell of the World springeth forth of the ground like vnto Basill in leaues amongst which it sendeth out a stalke two cubits and a halfe high os the thickenesse of a finger full of iuice very firme and of a yellowish greene colour knotted or 〈◊〉 with ioints somewhat bunching forth of purplish color as in the female Balsamina which stalke diuideth it selfe into sundrie branches or boughes and those also knottie like the stalke His branches are decked with leaues growing by couples at the ioints like the leaues of wilde Peascods greene fleshie and sull of ioints which beeing rubbed doe yeeld the like vnpleasant smell as wilde Peascods doe and are in taste also verie vnsauorie yet in the latter end they leaue a taste and sharpe smacke of Tabaco The stalkes towards the top are garnished with long hollow single flowers folded as it were into fiue parts before they be opened but being fully blowne doe resemble the flowers of Tabaco not ending into sharpe corners but blunt and round as the slowers of Bindeweede and larger than the flowers of Tabaco glittering oftentimes with a sine purple or Crimson colour many times of an horse-flesh sometime yellow sometime pale and sometime resembling an old red or yellow colour sometime whitish and most commonly two colours occupying halfe the flower or intercoursing the whole flower with streakes and orderly streames now yellow now purple diuided through the whole hauing sometime great sometime little spots of a purple colour sprinkled and scattered in a most variable order and braue mixture The ground or field of the whole flower is either pale red yellow or white containing in the middle of the hollownesse a pricke or pointell set round about with sixe small strings or chiues The flowers are verie sweet and pleasant resembling the 〈◊〉 or white Daffodill and are very suddenly fading for at night they are flowred wide open and so continue vntill eight of the clocke the next morning at which time they beginne to close or shut vp after the manner of the Bindeweede especially if the weather be very hot but if the aire be more temperate they remaine open the whole day and are closed onely at night and so perish one flower lasting but onely one day like the true Ephemerum or Hemerocailis This maruellous varietie doth not without cause bring admiration to all that obserue it For if the flowers be gathered and reserued in seuerall papers and compared with those flowers that will spring and flourish the next day you shall easily perceiue that one is not like another in colour though you should compare one hundreth which slower one day and another hundred which you gathered the next day and so from day to day during the time of their 〈◊〉 The cups and huskes which containe and embrace the flowers are diuided into fiue pointed sections which are greene and as it were consisting of skinnes wherein is contained one seede and no more couered with a blackish skinne hauing a blunt point whereon the flower groweth but on the end next the cup or huske it is 〈◊〉 with a little fiue cornered crowne The seed is as bigge as a pepper corne which os it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with any light motion Within this seede is contained a white kernell which being bruised resolueth into a very white pulpe like starch The root is thicke and like vnto a great 〈◊〉 outwardly blacke and within white sharpe in taste wherewith is mingled a superficiall sweetnes It bringeth new floures from Iuly vnto October in infinite number yea euen vntill the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cause the whole plant to perish notwithstanding it may be reserned in pots and set in chambers and cellars that are warme and so defended from the iniurie of our cold climate prouided alwaies that there be not any water cast vpon the pot or set forth to take any moisture in the aire vntill March following at which time it must bee taken forth of the pot and replanted in the garden By this meanes I haue preserued many though to small purpose because I haue sowne seeds that haue borne floures in as ample manner and in as good time as those reserued plants Of this wonderfull herbe there be other sorts but not so amiable 〈◊〉 so full of varietie and 〈◊〉 the most part their floures are ail of one color But I haue since by practise found out another
of the leaues be taken for certaine daies together It is reported that such as be barren are made fruitfull herewith if the woman first be bathed in a fit and conuenient bath for the purpose the parts 〈◊〉 the share and matrix annointed herewith and the woman presently haue the company of her husband CHAP. 71. Of Ginnie or Indian Pepper 1 Capsicum longioribus siliquis Long codded Ginnie Pepper ‡ 2 Capsicum rotundioribus siliquis Round codded Ginnie Pepper 3 Capsicum minimis siliquis Small codded Ginnie Pepper ‡ 〈◊〉 siliquae variae Varieties of the cods of Ginnie Pepper ¶ The Description 1 THe first of these plants hath square stalkes a foot high or 〈◊〉 more set with many thicke and fat leaues not vnlike to those of garden Nightshade but narrower and sharper pointed of a darke greene colour The 〈◊〉 grow alongst the stalkes out of the wings of the leaues of a white colour hauing for the most part fiue small 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a star with a greene button in the middle 〈◊〉 them grow the cods 〈◊〉 at the first and when they be ripe of a braue colour glittering like red corall in which is contained little flat seed of a light yellow colour of a hot biting taste like common pepper as is also the cod it selfe which is song and as big as a finger and sharpe pointed ‡ 2 The difference that is betweene this and the last described is small for it consists in nothing but that the cods are pretty large and round after the fashion of cherries and not so long as those of the former ‡ 3 The third kinde of Ginnie pepper is like vnto the precedent in leaues floures and stalkes The cods hereof are small round and red very like to the berries of Dulcamara or wooddy Nightshade both in bignesse colour and substance wherein consisteth the difference notwithstanding the seed and cods are very sharpe and biting as those of the first kinde ‡ Capsici siliquae variae Varieties of the cods of Ginnie pepper ‡ There are many other varieties of Ginnie pepper which chiefly consist in the shape and colour of the cods wherefore I thought good and that chiefely because it is a plant that will hardly brooke our climate only to present you with the figures of their seuerall shapes whereof the cods of 〈◊〉 stand or grow vpright and other some hang 〈◊〉 such as desire further information of this plant may be aboundantly satisfied in Clusius his Curaeposter from pag. 95. to pag. 108. where they shall finde these treated of at large in a treatise written in Italian by Gregory de Regio a Capuchine Fryer and sent to Clusius who translating it into Latine left it to be set forth with other his obseruations whith was 〈◊〉 2. yeares after his death to wit Anno 〈◊〉 1611. The figures we here giue are the same which are in that tractate ‡ ¶ The Place These plants are brought from forrein countries as Ginnie India and those parts into Spaine and Italy from whence we haue receiued seed for our English gardens where they come to 〈◊〉 but the cod doth not come to that bright red colour which naturally it is 〈◊〉 with which hath happened by reason of these vnkindly yeeres that are past but we expect better when God shall send vs a hot and temperate yeere ¶ The Time The seeds hereof must be sowen in a bed of hot horse-dung as muske-Melons are and 〈◊〉 into a pot when they haue gotten three or foure leaues that it may the more conueniently 〈◊〉 caried from place to place to receiue the heate of the sunne and are toward Autumne to be caried into some house to auoide the iniurie of the cold nights of that time of the yeere when it is 〈◊〉 beare his fruite ¶ The Names 〈◊〉 calleth it in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Capsicum and it is thought to be that which 〈◊〉 nameth Zinziber caninum or dogs Ginger and Pliny Siliquastrum which is more like in taste to pepper than is Panax and it is therefore called Piperitis as he hath written in his 19. booke 12. chap. 〈◊〉 saith he hath the tast of pepper and Siliquastrum for which cause it is called Piperitis The later Herbarists do oftentimes call it Piper Indianum or Indicum sometimes Piper 〈◊〉 or Piper Hispanicum in English it is called Ginnie pepper and Indian pepper in the Germane tongue 〈◊〉 Pfeffer in low Dutch 〈◊〉 Peper in French Poiure 〈◊〉 well knowne in the shops at Billingsgate by the name of Ginnie pepper where it is vsually to be bought ¶ The Temperature Ginnie pepper is extreame hot and drie euen in the fourth degree that is to say far hotter 〈◊〉 drier then 〈◊〉 sheweth dogs ginger to be ¶ The Vertues Ginnie pepper hath the taste of pepper but not the power or vertue notwithstanding in Spaine and sundrie parts of the Indies they do vse to dresse their meate therewith as we doe with Calecute pepper but saith my Authour it hath in it a malicious qualitie whereby it is an enemy to the liuer and other of the entrails 〈◊〉 writeth that it killeth dogs It is said to die or colour like Saffron and being receiued in such sort as Saffron is vsually 〈◊〉 it warmeth the stomacke and helpeth greatly the digestion of meates It dissolueth the swellings about the throat called the Kings Euill as kernels and cold swellings and taketh away spots and lentiles from the face being applied thereto with honie CHAP. 72. Of horned Poppie ¶ The Description 1 THe yellow horned Poppie hath whitish leaues very much cut or jagged somewhat like the leaues of garden Poppie but rougher and more hairie The stalks be long round and brittle The floures be large and yellow consisting of foure leaues which being past there come long huskes or cods crooked like an horne or cornet wherein is conteined small blacke seede The roote is great thicke scalie and rough continuing long 2 The second kinde of horned Poppie is much slenderer and lesser than the precedent and hath leaues with like deepe cuts as Rocket hath and something hairie The stalks be very slender brittle and branched into diuers armes or wings the floures small made of foure little leaues of a red colour with a small strake of blacke toward the 〈◊〉 after which commeth the seed inclosed in slender long crooked cods full of blackish seed The root is small and single and dieth euery yeere ‡ 3 This is much like the last described and according to Clusius rather a variety than difference It is distinguished from the last mentioned by the smoothnes of the leaues and the colour of the floures which are of a pale yellowish red both which accidents Clusius affirmes happen to the 〈◊〉 towards the later end of sommer ‡ 4 There is another sort of horned Poppie altogether lesser than the last described hauing tenderer leaues cut into fine little parcels the floure is likewise lesser of a blew purple
top of the stalkes of a red colour with some small blacknesse toward the bottome The seed is small contained in little round knobs The seed is small and threddy 2 The second is like the first sauing that the cods hereof be long and the other more round wherein the difference doth consist ¶ The Place These plants do grow in the corne fields in Somersetshire and by the hedges and high-wayes as yetrauell from London to Bathe Lobel found it growing in the next field vnto a village in Kent called Southfleet my selfe being in his company of purpose to discouer some strange plants not hitherto written of ‡ Mr. Robert Lorkin and I found both these growing in Chelsey fields as also in those belonging to Hamersmith but the shorter headed one is a floure of a more elegant colour and not so plentifull as the other ‡ 1 Argemone capitulotorulo Bastard wilde Poppy 2 Argemone capitulo longiore Long codded wilde Poppy ¶ The Time They floure in the beginning of August and their seed is ripe at the end thereof ¶ The Names The bastard wilde Poppy is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Argemone Argemonia 〈◊〉 Concordalis and Herba liburnica of some Pergalium Arsela and Sacrocolla Herba in English Wind rose and bastard wilde poppy ¶ The Temperature They are hot and dry in the third degree ¶ The Vertues The leaues stamped and the iuyce dropped into the eyes easeth the inflammation thereof and cureth the disease of the eye called Argema whereof it tooke his name which disease when it hapneth on the blacke of the eye it appeares white and contrariwise when it is in the white then it appeareth blacke of colour The leaues stamped and bound vnto the eyes or face that are blacke or blew by meanes of some blow or stripe doth perfectly take it away The dry herbe steeped in warme water worketh the like effect The leaues and roots stamped and the iuyce giuen in drinke helpeth the wringings or gripings of the belly The dry herbe infused in warme water doth the same effectually The herbe stamped cureth any wound vlcer canker or fistula being made vp into an vnguent or salue with oile wax and a little turpentine The iuyce taken in the weight of two drammes with wine mightily expelleth poyson or venome The iuyce taketh away warts if they be rubbed therewith and being taken in meate it helpes the milt or spleene if it be wasted CHAP. 76. Of Winde-floures ¶ The Kindes THe stocke or kindred of the Anemones or Winde-floures especially in their varieties of colours are without number or at the least not sufficiently knowne vnto any one that hathwritten of plants For Dodonoeus hath set forth fiue sorts Lobel eight Tabernamontanus ten My selfe haue in my garden twelue different sorts and yet I do heare of diuers more differing very notably from any of these which I haue briefely touched though not figured euery new yeare bringing with it new and strange kindes and euery countrey his peculiar plants of this sort which are sent vnto vs from far countries in hope to receiue from vs such as our countrey yeeldeth 1 Anemone tuberosa radice Purple Winde-floure 2 Anemone coccinea multiplex Double Skarlet Winde-floure ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Anemone or Winde-floure hath small leaues very much snipt or iagged almost like vnto Camomile or Adonis floure among which riseth vp a stalke bare or naked almost vnto the top at which place is set two or three leaues like the other and at the top of the stalke commeth forth a faire and beautifull floure compact of seuen leaues and sometimes eight of a violet colour tending to purple It is impossible to describe the colour in his full perfection considering the variable mixtures The root is tuberous or knobby 〈◊〉 very brittle 3 Anemone maxima Chalcedonica polyanthos The great double Winde-floure of Bithynia 4 Anemone Chalcedonica simplici flore The single Winde-floure of Bithynia 5 Anemone Bulbocastani radice Chesnut Winde-floure 2 The second kind of Anemone hath leaues like to the precedent insomuch that it is hard to distinguish the one from the other but by the floures onely for those of this plant are of a most bright and faire skarlet colour and as double as the Marigold and the other not so The root is knobby and very brittle as is the former 3 The great Anemone hath double floures vsually called the Anemone of Chalcedon which is a city in Bithynia and great broad leaues deeply cut in the edges not vnlike to those of the field Crow-foot of an ouerworne greene colour amongst which riseth vp a naked bare stalke almost vnto the top where there stand two or three leaues in shape like the others but lesser sometimes changed into reddish stripes confusedly mixed here and there in the said leaues On the top of the stalke standeth a most gallant floure very double of a perfect red colour the which is sometimes striped amongst the red with a little line or two of yellow in the middle from which middle commeth forth many blackish thrums The seed is not to be found that I could euer obserue but is carried away with the winde The root is thicke and knobby 4 The fourth agreeth with the first kind of Anemone in roots leaues stalks and shape of floures differing in that that this plant bringeth forth faire single red floures and the other of a violet colour as aforesaid 5 The fifth sort of Anemone hath many small iagged leaues like those of Coriander proceeding from a knobby root resembling the root of Bulbocastanum or earth Chesnut The stalke rises vp amongst the leaues of two hands high bearing at the top a single floure consisting of a pale or border of little purple leaues somtimes red and often of a white colour set about a blackish pointall thrummed ouer with many small blackish haires 6 Anemone latifolia Clusij Broad leaued Winde-floure ‡ 7 Anemone latifolia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The double yellow wind-floure 6 The sixt hath very broad leaues in respect of all the rest of the Anemones not vnlike to those of the common Mallow but greene on the vpper part and tending to rednesse vnderneath like the leaues of Sow-bread The stalke is like that of the last described on the top whereof growes a faire yellow star-floure with a head ingirt with yellow thrums The root saith my Author is a finger long thicke and knobby ‡ 7 There is also another whose lower leaues resemble those of the last described yet those which grow next aboue them are more diuided or cut in amongst these leaues riseth vp a stalke 8 Anemone Geranifolia Storkes bill Winde-floure 9 Anemone Matthioli Matthiolus white Winde-floure 10 Anemone trifolia Three leaued Winde-floure 11 Anemone Papaueracea Poppy Winde-floure 8 The eighth hath many large leaues deeply cut or iagged in shape like those of the Storks bil or Pinke-needle among which riseth vp a naked stalke set about toward the top with
the like leaues but smaller and more finely cut bearing at the top of the stalke a single floure consisting of many small blew leaues which do change sometimes into purple and oftentimes into white set about a blackish pointall with some small threds like vnto a pale or border The root is thick and knobby 9 The ninth sort of Anemone hath leaues like vnto the garden Crow-foot the stalke riseth vp from amongst the leaues of a foot high bearing at the top faire white floures made of fiue small leaues in the middle whereof are many little yellow chiues or threds The root is made of many slender threds or strings contrarie to all the rest of the Winde-floures 10 The tenth sort of Anemone hath many 〈◊〉 like vnto the common medow Trefoile fleightly snipt about the edges like a saw on the top of the slender stalkes standeth a single white floure tending to purple consisting of eight small leaues resembling in shape the floures of common field Crow-foot The root is knobby with certaine strings 〈◊〉 thereto 11 The eleuenth kinde of Anemone hath many iagged leaues cut euen to the middle rib resembling the leaues of Geranium Columbinum or Doues foot The leaues that do embrace the tender weake stalkes are flat and sleightly cut the floures grow at the top of the stalkes of a bright shining purple colour set about a blackish pointall with small thrums or chiues like a pale The root is knobby thicke and very brittle as are most of those of the Anemones ¶ The Place All the sorts of Anemones are strangers and not found growing wilde in England notwithstanding all and euery sort of them do grow in my garden very plentifully ¶ The Time They do floure from the beginning of Ianuarie to the end of Aprill at what time the floures do fade and the seed flieth away with the winde if there be any seed at all the which I could neuer as yet obserue ¶ The Names Anemone or Winde floure is so called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say of the winde for the floure doth neuer open it selfe but when the winde doth blow as Pliny writeth whereupon also it is named of diuers Herba venti in English Winde-floure Those with double floures are called in the Turky tongue Giul and Gul Catamer and those with small iagged leaues and double floures are called Lalé benzede and Galipoli lalé They do call those with small iagged leaues and single floures Binizate binizade and Binizante ¶ The Temperature All the kindes of Anemones are sharpe biting the tongue and of a binding qualitie ¶ The Vertues The leaues stamped and the iuyce sniffed vp into the nose purgeth the head mightily The root champed or chewed procureth spitting and causeth water and flegme to run forth out of the mouth as Pellitorie of Spaine doth It profiteth in collyries for the eyes to cease the inflammation thereof The iuyce mundifieth and clenseth maligne virulent and corrosiue vlcers The leaues and stalkes boyled and eaten of Nurses cause them to haue much milke it prouoketh the termes and easeth the leprosie being bathed therewith ‡ CHAP. 77. Of diuers other Anemones or Winde-floures ¶ The Kindes ‡ THese floures which are in such esteeme for their beauty may well be diuided into two sorts that is the Latifolia or broad leaued and the Tenuifolia or narrow leaued now of each of these sorts there are infinite varieties which consist in the singlenesse and doublenesse of the floures and in their diuersitie of colours which would aske a large discourse to handle exactly Wherefore I onely intend besides those set downe by our Authour to giue you the figures of some few others with their description briefly taken out of the Workes of the learned and diligent Herbarist Carolus Clusius where such as desire further discourse vpon this subiect may be aboundantly satisfied and such as do not vnderstand Latine may finde as large satisfaction in the late Worke of Mr. Iohn Parkinson whereas they shall not onely haue their historie at large but also learne the way to raise them of seed which hath been a thing not long knowne except to some few and thence hath risen this great varietie of these floures wherewith some gardens so much abound ¶ The Description 1 THe root of this is like to that of the great double red Anemone described in the third place of the precedent chapter and the leaues also are like but lesser and deeper coloured The stalke growes some foot high slender and greene at the top whereof groweth a single floure consisting of eight leaues of a bright shining skarlet colour on the inside with a paler coloured ring incompassing a hairy head set about with purple thrums the outside of the floure is hairy or downie This is Anem latifol simpl slo 16. of Clusius ‡ 1 Anemone latifolia slore coccineo The broad leaued skarlet Anemone ‡ 2 Anemone latifolia slore magno coccineo The skarlet Anemone with the large floure 2 This in shape of roots leaues is like the former but the leaues are blacker and more shining on their vpper sides the stalke also is like to others of this kinde and at the top carrieth a large 〈◊〉 consisting of eight broad leaues being on the inside of a bright skarlet colour without any circle and the thrums that ingirt the hairy head are of a sanguine colour This head as in others of this kindred growes larger after the falling of the floure and at length turnes into a downie substance wherein a smooth blacke seed is inclosed like as in other Anemones which sowen as soone as it is ripe vsually comes vp before winter This is Anem latifol simpl slore 17. of 〈◊〉 3 This differs not from the former but in floures which are of an orange-tawny colour like that of Come-rose or red Poppy and the bottomes of the leaues of the floures are of a paler colour which make a ring or circle about the hairy head This is the eighteenth of Clusius Besides these varieties here mentioned there are many others which in the colour of the leaues of the floure or the nailes which make a circle at the bottome thereof doe differ each from other Now let vs come to the narrow leaued ones which also differ little but in colour of their floures ‡ 3 Anemone latifolia Byzantina The broad leaued Anemone of Constantinople ‡ 4 Anemone tenuifolia flore amplo sanguineo Small leaued Anemone with the sanguine floure ‡ 5 Anemone tenuifolia flore coccineo The small leaued skarlet Anemone ‡ 6 Anemone tenuifol flo dilute purpureo The light purple small leaued Anemone ‡ 7 Anemone tenuifol flo exalbido The whitish small leaued Anemone ‡ 8 Anemone teuuifolia flo carneo striato The striped flesh-coloured Anemone ‡ 9 Anemone tenuifol flo pleno coccin The small leaued double crimson Anemone ‡ 10 Anemone tenuifol flo pleno atropurpurascente The double darke purple Anemone 4 The root of this is knotty and
〈◊〉 hard by a Gentlemans house called Mr. Leonard dwelling vpon Dawes heath in Southfleet and in Swainescombe wood also neere vnto Grauesend ¶ The Time They floure and flourish in the end of August ¶ The Names It is called in English Golden Rod in Latine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because the branches are like a golden rod in Dutch Gulden roede in French verge d'or 1 Virga aurea Golden Rod. 2 Virga aurea Arnoldi Villanouani Arnold of the new towne his Golden rod. ¶ The Temperature Golden Rod is hot and dry in the second degree it clenseth with a certaine astriction or binding qualitie ¶ The Vertues Golden Rod prouoketh vrine wasteth away the stones in the kidnies and expelleth them and withall bringeth downe tough and raw flegmatick humors sticking in the vrine vessels which now and then do hinder the comming away of the stones and causeth the grauell or sand which is brittle to be gathered together into one stone And therefore Arnoldus Villanouanus by good reason hath commended it against the stone and paine of the kidnies It is of the number of those plants that serue for wound-drinks and is reported that it can fully performe all those things that Saracens Consound can and in my practise shall be placed in the formost ranke Arnoldus writeth That the distilled water drunke with wine for some few dayes together worketh the same effect that is for the stone and grauell in the kidnies It is extolled aboue all other herbes for the stopping of bloud in sanguinolent vlcers and bleeding wounds and hath in times past beene had in greater estimation and regard than in these dayes for in my remembrance I haue knowne the dry herbe which came from beyond the sea sold in Bucklers Bury in London for halfe a crowne an ounce But since it was found in Hampstead wood euen as it were at our townes end no man will giue halfe a crowne for an hundred weight of it which plainly setteth forth our inconstancie and sudden mutabilitie esteeming no longer of any thing how pretious soeuer it be than whilest it is strange and rare This verifieth our English prouerbe Far fetcht and deare bought is best for Ladies Yet it may be more truely said of phantasticall Physitions who when they haue found an approued medicine and perfect 〈◊〉 neere home against any disease yet not content therewith they wil seeke for a new farther off and by that meanes many times hurt more than they helpe Thus much I haue spoken to bring these new fangled 〈◊〉 backe againe to esteeme better of this admirable plant than they haue done which no 〈◊〉 hath the same vertue now that then it had although it growes so neere our owne homes in neuer so great quantitie CHAP. 103. Of Captaine Andreas Dorias his Wound-woort Herba Doria L'obelij Dorias Woundwoort ¶ The Description THis plant hath long and large thicke and fat leaues sharp pointed of a blewish greene like vnto Woad which being broken with the hands hath a prettie spicie smell Among these leaues riseth vp a stalk of the height of a tal man diui led 〈◊〉 the top into many other branches whereupon grow small yellowish floures which turneth into downe that flieth away with the wind The root is thick almost like Helleborus albus Of which kinde there is another like the former but that the leaues are rougher somewhat bluntly indented at the edges and not so fat and grosse ‡ Herba Doria altera This herbe growes vp with a green round brittle stalke very much champhered sinewed or surrowed about foure or fiue foot high full of white pith like that of Elder and sendeth forth small branches the leaues grow on the stalk outof order are smooth sharpe pointed in shape like 〈◊〉 of Herba Doria but much shorter narrower the broadest and longest seldome being aboue ten or eleuen inches long and scarce two inches broad and are more finely and smally nickt or indented about the edges their smell being nothing pleasant but rather when together with the stalke they are broken and rubbed yeeld forth a smell hauing a small touch of the smell of Hemlocke Out of the bosomes of these leaues spring other smaller leaues or branches The floures are many and grow on small branches at the tops of the stalkes like those of Herba Doria but more like those of Iacobaea of a yellow colour as well the middle button as the small leaues that stand round about euery floure hauing commonly eight of those small leaues Which beeing past the button turneth into downe and containeth very small long seedes which flie away with the winde The root is nothing else but an infinite of small strings which most hurtfully spread in the ground and by their infinite increasing destroyeth and starueth other herbes that grow neere it It s naturall place of growing I know not for I had it from Mr. Iohn Coys and yet keep it growing in my garden Iohn Goodyer ‡ ¶ The Place These plants grow naturally about the borders or brinkes of riuers neere to Narbone 〈◊〉 France from whence they were brought into England and are contented to be made denizons in my garden where they flourish to the height aforesaid ¶ The Time They floured in my garden about the twelfth of Iune ¶ The Nature The roots are sweet in smell and hot in the third degree ¶ The Vertues Two drams of the roots of Herba Doria boiled in wine and giuen to drinke draweth downe waterish humors and prouoketh vrine The same is with good successe vsed in medicines that expell poison ‡ All these Plants mentioned in the three last Chapters to wit Solidago Virga aurea and this 〈◊〉 Dorea are by 〈◊〉 fitly comprehended vnder the title of Virga aurea because they are much alike in shape and for that they are all of the same facultie in medicine ‡ CHAP. 105. Of Felwoort or Baldmoney ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of Gentians or Felwoorts whereof some be of our owne countrey others more strange and brought further off and also some not before this time remembred either of the antient or later writers as shall be set forth in this present chapter ¶ The Description THe first kinde of Felwoort hath great large leaues not vnlike to those of Plantaine very well resembling the leaues of the white Hellebore among which riseth vp a round hollow stalke as thicke as a mans thumbe full of ioints or knees with two leaues at each of them and towards the top euery ioint or knot is set round about with small yellow starre-like floures like a coronet or garland at the bottome of the plant next the ground the leaues do spread themselues abroad embracing or clipping the stalke in that place round about set together by couples one opposite against another The seede is small browne flat and smooth like the seeds of the Stocke Gillo-floure The roote is a finger thicke The whole Plant is of a bitter taste 1 Gentiana maior Great
Felwoort ‡ 2 Gentiana maior purpurea 1. Clusij Great Purple Felwoort 3 Gentiana maior ij 〈◊〉 flore Clusij Blew floured Felwoort 4 Gentiana minor Cruciata Crossewoort Gentian 5 Gentiana Pennei minor Spotted Gentian of Dr. Pennie ‡ 2 This described by Clusius hath leaues and stalkes like the precedent these stalkes are some cubite and halfe or two cubits high and towards the toppes they are ingirt with two or three coronets of faire purple floures which are not star-fashioned like those of the 〈◊〉 but long and hollow diuided as it were into some fiue or six parts or leaues which towards the bottome on the inside are spotted with deepe purple spots these floures are without smell haue so many chiues as they haue iagges and these chiues compasse the head which is parted into two cells and containes store of a smooth chaffie reddish seed The root is large yellow on the outside and white within very bitter it sends forth euery yere new shoots It growes in diuers places of the Alps it floures in August and the seeds are ripe in September ‡ 3 Carolus Clusius also setteth forth another sort of a great Gentian rising forth of the ground with a stiffe firme or solide stalke set with leaues like vnto 〈◊〉 by couples one opposite against another euen from the bottome to the top in certaine distances from the bosome of the leaues there shoot forth set vpon slender foot-stalkes certaine long hollow floures like bels the mouth whereof endeth in fiue sharpe corners The whole floure changeth many times his colour according to the soile and climate now and then purple or blew sometimes whitish and often of an ashe colour The root and seed is like the precedent 4 Crosse-woort Gentian hath many ribbed leaues spred vpon the ground like vnto the leaues of Sopewoort but of a blacker greene colour among which rise vp weake iointed stalkes trailing or leaning toward the ground The floures grow at the top in bundles thicke thrust together like those of sweet Williams of a light blew colour The root is thicke and creepeth in the ground far abroad whereby it greatly increaseth 5 Carolus Clusius hath set forth in his Pannonicke historie a kinde of Gentian which he receiued from Mr. Thomas Pennie of London Dr. in Phisicke of famous memorie and a second Dioscorides for his singular knowledge in Plants which Tabernamontanus hath set forth in his Dutch booke for the seuenth of Clusius wherein he greatly deceiued himselfe and hath with a 〈◊〉 description wronged others This twelfth sort or kinde of Gentian after Clusius hath a round stiffe stalke firme and solide somewhat reddish at the bottome iointed or kneed like vnto 〈◊〉 Gentian The 〈◊〉 are broad smooth full of ribbes or sinewes set about the stalkes by couples 〈◊〉 opposite against another The floures grow vpon small tender stalkes compact of fiue slender blewish leaues spotted very curiously with many blacke spots and little lines hauing in the middle fiue yellow chiues The seed is small like sand the root is little garnished with a few strings of a yellowish colour ¶ The Place Gentian groweth in shadowie woods and the mountains of Italie Sclauonia Germany France and Burgundie from whence Mr. Isaac de Laune a learned Phisition sent me plants for the increase of my garden Crossewoort Gentian groweth in a pasture at the West end of little Rayne in Essex on the North side of the way leading from Braintree to Much-Dunmow and in the horse way by the same close ¶ The Time They floure and flourish in August and the seed is ripe in September ¶ The Names Gentius King of Illyria was the first finder of this herbe and the first that vsed it in medicine for which cause it was called Gentian after his owne name in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which name also the Apothecaries retaine vnto this day and call it Gentiana it is named in English Felwoort Gentian Bitterwoort Baldmoyne and Baldmoney 1 This by most Writers is called Gentiana and Gentiana maior Lutea 2 Gesner calleth this Gentiana punicea Clusius Gentiana maior flore purpurco 3 This is Gentiana folijs hirundinariae of Gesner and Gentiana Asclepiadis folio of 〈◊〉 4 This Cruciata or Gentiana Cruciata of Tragus Fuchsius Dodon Gesner and others it is the Gentiana minor of Matthiolus 5 Clusius calls this Gentiana maior pallida punctis distincta ¶ The Temperature The root of Felwoort is hot as Dioscorides faith clensing or scouring diuers copies haue that it is likewise binding and of a bitter taste ¶ The Vertues It is excellent good as Galen saith when there is need of attenuating purging clensing and remouing of obstructions which qualitie it taketh of his extreme bitternesse It is reported to be good for those that are troubled with crampes and convulsions for such as are burst or haue falne from some high place for such as haue euill liuers and bad stomacks It is put into Counterpoisons as into the composition named Theriaca diatessaron which Aetius calleth Mysterium a mysterie or hid secret This is of such force and vertue saith Pliny that it helpeth cattell which are not onely troubled with the cough but are also broken winded The root of Gentian giuen in pouder the quantitie of a dramme with a little pepper and herbe Grace mixed therewith is profitable for them that are bitten or stung with any manner of vonomous beast or mad dog or for any that hath taken poison The decoction drunke is good against the stoppings of the liuer and cruditie of the stomacke helpeth digestion dissolueth and scattereth congealed bloud and is good against all cold diseases of the inward parts CHAP. 106. Of English Felwoort ¶ The Description HOllow leafed Felwoort or English Gentian hath many long tough roots dispersed hither and thither within the vpper crust of the earth from which immediatly riseth a fat thicke stalke iointed or kneed by certaine distances set at euery knot with one leafe and sometimes moe keeping no certaine number which leaues doe at the first inclose the stalkes round about being one whole and entire leafe without any incisure at all as it were a hollow trunke which after it is growne to his fulnesse breaketh in one side or other and becommeth a flat ribbed leafe like vnto the great Gentian or Plantaine The floures come forth of the bosome of the vpper leaues set vpon tender foot stalkes in shape like those of the small Bindweed or rather the floures of Sopewoort of a whitish colour washt about the brims with a little light carnation Then followeth the seed which as yet I haue not obserued Gentiana concaua Hollow Felwoort ¶ The Place I found this strange kind of Gentian in a small groue of a wood called the Spinie neere vnto a small village in Northampton shire called Lichbarrow elsewhere I haue not heard of it ¶ The Time It springeth forth of the ground in Aprill and bringeth forth his floures and seed in
the end of August ¶ The Names I haue thought good to giue vnto this plant in English the name Gentian being doubtlesse a kinde therof The which hath not been set forth nor remembred by any that haue written of plants vntil this time In Latine we may call it Gentiana concaua of the hollow leaues It may be called also hollow leaued Felwoort ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Of the faculties of this plant as yet I can say nothing referring it vnto the other Gentians vntill time shall disclose that which yet is secret and vnknowne ‡ Bauhine receiued this plant with the figure thereof from Doctor Lister one of his Maiesties Physitions and he referres it vnto Saponaria calling it Saponaria concaua Anglica and as farre as I can coniecture hath a good description thereof in his Prodrom pag. 103. Now both by our Authour and Bauhines Description I gather that the roote in this Figure is not rightly expressed for that it should bee long thicke and creeping with few fibers adhering thereunto when as this figure expresseth an annuall wooddy root But not hauing as yet seene the plant I can assirme nothing of certaintie ‡ ‡ CHAP. 107. Of Bastard Felwoort ¶ The Description ‡ OVr Authour in this Chapter so confounded all that I knew not well how handsomely to set all right for his descriptions they were so barren that little might be gathered by them and the figures agreed with their titles but the place contradicts all for the first figured is found in England and the second is not that euer I could learne also the second floures in the spring according to Clusius and all others that haue written thereof and also by our Authours owne title truely put ouer the figure yet he said they both floure and flourish from August to the end of September These things considered I thought it fitter both for the Readers benefit and my owne credit to giue you this chapter wholly new with additions rather than mangled and confused as otherwise of necessitie it must haue beene ‡ ‡ 1 This elegant Gentianella hath a small yellowish creeping root from which arise many greene smooth thicke hard and sharpe pointed leaues like those of the broad leaued Myrtle yet larger and hauing the veines running alongst the leaues as in Plantaine Amongst the leaues come vp short stalkes bearing very large floures one vpon a stalke and these floures are hollow like a Bel-floure and end in fiue sharpe points with two little eares betweene each diuision and their colour is an exquisite blew After the floure is past there followes a sharpe pointed longish vessell which opening it selfe into two equall parts shewes a small crested darke coloured seede ‡ 1 Gentianella verna maior Spring large floured Gentian 2 Gentianella Alpina verna Alpes Felwoort of the spring time 2 This second rises vp with a single slender and purplish stalke set at certaine spaces with six or eight little ribbed leaues standing by couples one against another At the top stands a cup out whereof comes one long floure without smell and as it were diuided at the top into fiue parts and it is of so elegant a colour that it seemes to exceed blewnesse it selfe each of the foldes or little leaues of the floure hath a whitish line at the side and other fiue as it were pointed leaues or appendices set betweene them and in the middest of the floure are certaine pale coloured chiues a longish sharpe pointed vessell succeeds the floure which contains a small hard round seed The root is small yellowish and creeping putting vp here and there stalkes bearing floures and in other places onely leaues lying orderly spred vpon the ground 3 Gentianella fugax minor Bastard or Dwarfe Felwoort 3 Besides these two whose roots last long and increase euery yeare there are diuers other Dwarfe or Bastard Gentians which are annuall and wholly perish euery yeare assoone as they haue perfected their seed and therefore by Clusius they are fitly called Gentianae fugaces Of these I haue onely obserued two kindes or rather varieties in this Kingdome which I wil here describe vnto you The first of these which is the lesser whose figure we here giue you is a proper plant some two or three inches high diuided immediatly from the root into three or foure or more branches set at certaine spaces with little longish leaues being broadest at the setting on and so growing narrower or sharper pointed The tops of these stalkes are beautified with long hollow and pretty large floures considering the magnitude of the plant and these floures are of a darke purplish colour and at their tops diuided into fiue parts The root is yellowish small and wooddy The seede which is small and round is contained in longish vessels The stalkes and leaues are commonly of a darke green or else of a brownish colour 4 This from a root like yet a little larger than the former sends vp a pretty stiffe round stalke of some span high which at certaine spaces is set with such leaues as the last described but larger and out of the bosomes of these leaues from the bottome to the top of the stalke come forth little foot stalkes which vsually carry three floures a piece two set one against another and the third vpon a stalke somewhat higher and sometimes there comes forth a single floure at the root of these foot stalkes The floures in their shape magnitude and colour are like those of the last mentioned and also the seed and seed vessels The manner of growing of this is very well presented by the figure of the third Gentian formerly described in the Chapter last saue one aforegoing ¶ The Place 1 2 These grow not wilde in England that I know of but the former is to bee found in most of our choice Gardens As with Mr. Parkinson Master Tradescant and Master Tuggye c. 3 4 These are found in diuers places as in the Chalke-dale at Dartford in Kent and according to our Authour for I know he meant these in Waterdowne Forest in Sussex in the way that leadeth from Charlwoods lodge vnto the house of the Lord of Abergauenie called Eridge house by a brooke side there especially vpon a Heath by Colbrooke neere London on the Plain of Salisburie hard by the turning from the said Plaine vnto the right Honourable the Lord of Pembrooks house at Wilton and vpon a Chalkie banke in the high way betweene Saint Albons and Goramberrie ¶ The Time 1 2 These two floure in Aprill and May. The other from August vnto the end of October ¶ The Names 1 This is the Gentiana 4. of Tragus The Gentianella Alpina of Gesner Gentianella 〈◊〉 flore and Heluetica of Lobel the Gentiana 5. or 〈◊〉 maior verna of 〈◊〉 2 Gesner called this Calathiana verna Lobel 〈◊〉 Alpina and 〈◊〉 Gentiana 6. and Gentianella minor verna 3 This is the Calathiana vera of Daleschampius and the Gentiana fugax 5. or Gentiana
leaues cut about the edges like the teeth of a sawe and so like the leaues of nettles that it is hard to know the one from the other but by touching them The floures are hollow hairy within and of a perfect blew colour bell fashion not vnlike to the Couentry bells The root is white thicke and long lasting ‡ There is also in some Gardens kept a variety hereof hauing double floures ‡ 2 The white Canterbury bells are so like the precedent that it is not possible to distinguish them but by the colour of the floures which of this plant is a milke white colour and of the other a blew which setteth forth the difference 4 Trachelium minus Small Canterbury bells ‡ 5 Trachelium majus petroeum Great Stone Throtewort ‡ Our Author much mistaking in this place as in many other did againe figure and describe the third and fourth and of them made a fift and sixt calling the first Trachelium Giganteum and the next Viola Calathiana yet the figures were such as Bauhine could not coniecture what was meant by them and therefore in his 〈◊〉 he saith Trachelium Giganteum Viola 〈◊〉 apud Gerardum quid but the descriptions were better wherefore I haue omitted the former description and here giuen you the later ‡ 3 Giants Throtewort hath very large leaues of an ouerworne greene colour hollowed in the middle like the Moscouites spoone and very rough slightly intended about the edges The stalke is two cubits high whereon those leaues are set from the bottome to the top from the bosome of each leafe commeth forth one slender footestalke whereon doth grow a faire and large floure fashioned like a bell of a whitish colour tending to purple The pointed corners of each floure turne themselues backe like a scrole or the Dalmatian cap in the middle whereof commeth forth a sharpe stile or clapper of a yellow colour The root is thicke with certaine strings annexed thereto 4 The smaller kinde of Throtewort hath stalkes and leaues very like vnto the great Throtewoort but altogether lesser and not so hairy from the bosome of which leaues shoot forth very beautifull floures bell fashion of a bright purple colour with a small pestle or clapper in the middle and in other respects is like the precedent ‡ 5 This from a wooddy and wrinkled root of a pale purple colour sends forth many rough crested stalkes of some cubit high which are vnorderly set with leaues long rough and snipt lightly about their edges being of a darke colour on the vpper side and of a whitish on their vnder part At the tops of the stalkes grow the floures being many and thicke thrust together white of colour and diuided into fiue or seuen parts each floure hauing yellowish threds and a pointall in their middles It floures in August and was first set forth and described by Pona in his description of Mount Baldus ‡ ¶ The Place The first described and sometimes the second growes very plentifully in the low woods and hedge-rowes of Kent about Canterbury Sittingborne Grauesend Southfleet and Greenehyth especially vnder Cobham Parke-pale in the way leading from Southfleet to Rochester at Eltham about the parke there not farre from Greenwich in most of the pastures about Watford and Bushey fifteene miles from London ‡ 3 The third was kept by our Author in his Garden as it is also at this day preserued in the garden of Mr. Parkinson yet in the yeere 1626 I found it in great plenty growing wilde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bankes of the Riuer Ouse in Yorkshire as I went from Yorke to visite Selby the place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was borne being ten miles from thence ‡ The fourth groweth in the medow next vnto Ditton ferrie as you goe to Windsore vpon 〈◊〉 chalky hills about Greenehithe in Kent and in a field by the high way as you go from thence to Dartford in Henningham parke in Essex and in Sion medow neere to Brandford eight miles from London The fifth growes on Mount Baldus in Italy ¶ The Time All the kindes of bell floures do floure and flourish from May vntill the beginning of August except the last which is the plant that hath been taken generally for the Calathian violet which floureth in the later end of September notwithstanding the Calathian violet or Autumne violet is of a most bright and pleasant blew or azure colour as those are of this kinde although this plant sometimes changeth his colour from blew to whitenesse by some one accident or other ¶ The Names 1 2 Throtewoort is called in Latine Ceruicaria and Ceruicaria major in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of most Vuularia of Fuchsius Campanula in Dutch Halscruyt in English Canterburie bells Haskewoorte Throtewoort or Vuula woort of the vertue it hath against the paine and swelling thereof ‡ 3 This is the Trachelium majus Belgarum of Lobell and the same as I before noted that our Author formetly set forth by the name of Trachelium Giganteum so that I haue put them as you may see together in the title of the plant 4 This is the Trachelium maius of Dodonoeus Lobell and others the Ceruicaria minor of Tabernamontanus and 〈◊〉 of Tragus Our Author gaue this also another figure and description by the name of Viola 〈◊〉 not knowing that it was the last saue one which he had described by the name of Trachelium minus ‡ ¶ The Temperature These plants are cold and dry as are most of the Bell floures ¶ The Vertues The Antients for any thing that we know haue not mentioned and therefore not set downe any thing concerning the vertues of these Bell floures notwithstanding we haue found in the later writers as also of our owne experience that they are excellent good against the inflammation of the throte and Vuula or almonds and all manner of cankers and vlcerations in the mouth if the mouth and throte be gargarized and washed with the decoction of them and they are of all other herbes the chiefe and principall to be put into lotions or washing waters to iniect into the priuy parts of man or woman being boiled with hony and Allom in water with some white wine CHAP. 117. Of Peach-bells and Steeple-bells ¶ The Description 1 THe Peach-leaued Bell-floure hath a great number of small and long leaues rising in a great bush out of the ground like the leaues of the Peach tree among which riseth vp a stalke two cubits high alongst the stalke grow many floures like bells sometime white and for the most part of a faire blew colour but the bells are nothing so deepe as they of the other kindes and these also are more dilated or spred abroad than any of the rest The seed is small like Rampions and the root a tuft of laces or small strings 2 The second kinde of Bell-floure hath a great number of faire blewish or Watchet floures like the other last before mentioned growing vpon goodly tall stems two cubits and a halfe
the top many little floures of a 〈◊〉 colour tending to a purple The seede is in long cods like the others of his kinde 4 The great Sea stock Gillofloure hath many broad leaues growing in a great tuft sleightly indented about the edges The floures grow at the top of the stalkes of a gold yellow colour The root is small and single 5 The small yellow Sea stocke Gillofloure hath many smooth hoary and sost leaues set vpon a branched stalke on the top whereof grow pretty sweet smelling yellow floures bringing his seed in little long cods The root is small and threddy ‡ The Floures of this are sometimes of a red or purplish colour ‡ 4 Leucoium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 maius Clusij L'obelij The yellow Sea stocke Gillofloure 5 Leucoium marinum minus L'obelij Clus. Small yellow Sea stocke Gillofloure ¶ The Place These plants do grow neere vnto the sea side about Colchester in the Isle of Man neere Preston in Aundernesse and about Westchester ‡ I haue not hard of any of these wilde on our coasts but onely the second which it may bee growes in these places here set downe for it was gathered by Mr. George Bowles vpon the Rocks at Aberdovye in Merioneth shire ‡ ¶ The Time They flourish from Aprill to the end of August ¶ The Names There is little to bee said as touching the names more than hath been touched in their seuerall titles ¶ The Temperature and Vertues There is no vse of these in Physicke but they are esteemed for the beauty of their floures CHAP. 122. Of Dames Violets or Queenes Gillofloures ¶ The Description 1 DAmes Violets or Queenes Gillofloures haue great large leaues of a darke greene colour somewhat snipt about the edges among which spring vp 〈◊〉 of the height of two cubits set with such like leaues the floures come forth at the tops of the branches of a 〈◊〉 purple colour verie like those of the stocke Gillofloures of a very 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after which come vp long cods wherein is contained small long blackish seed The root is slender and threddie The Queenes white Gillofloures are like the last before remembred sauing that this 〈◊〉 bringeth forth faire white floures and the other purple ‡ 2 By the industrie of some of our Florists within this two or three yeares hath 〈◊〉 brought to our knowledge a very beautifull kinde of these Dame Violets hauing very faire double white floures the leaues stalks and roots are like to the other plants before described ‡ 1 Viola Matronalis 〈◊〉 purpureo sive albo Purple or white Dames Violets ‡ 3 Viola matronalis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Russet Dames Violets ‡ 4 Leucoium melancholicum The Melancholly floure ¶ The Place They are sown in gardens for the beauty of their floures ¶ The Time They especially floure in Maie and Iune the second yeare after they are sowne ¶ The Names Dames Violet is called in Latine Viola matronalis and Viola Hyemalis or Winter Violets and Viola Damascena It is thought to be the Hesperis of Pliny lib. 21. cap. 7. so called for that it smels more more pleasantly in the euening or night than at any other time They are called in French Violettes des Dames de domas and Girofflees des dames or Matrones Violettes in English Damaske Violets winter Gillofloures Rogues Gillofloures and close Sciences ¶ The Temperature The leaues of Dames Violets are in taste sharpe and hot very like in taste and facultie to Eruca or Rocket and seemeth to be a kinde thereof ¶ The Vertues The distilled water of the floures hereof is counted to be a most effectuall thing to procure sweat CHAP. 123. Of White Sattin floure ¶ The Description 1 Bolbonac or the Sattin floure hath hard and round stalkes diuiding themselues into many other small branches beset with leaues like Dames Violets or Queenes Gillofloures somewhat broad and snipt about the edges and in fashion almost like Sauce alone or Iacke by the hedge but that they are longer and sharper pointed The stalkes are charged or loden with many floures like the common stocke 〈◊〉 of a purple colour which being 〈◊〉 the seed commeth forth contained in a flat thin cod with a sharp point or prick at one end in fashion of the Moone and somewhat blackish This cod is composed of three filmes or skins whereof 〈◊〉 two outmost are of an ouerworne ash colour and the innermost or that in the middle whereon the seed doth hang or cleaue is thin and cleere shining like a shred of white Sattin newly cut from the peece The whole plant dieth the same yeare that it hath borne seed must be sowne yearely The root is compact of many tuberous parts like key clogs or like the great Asphodill 2 The second kind of Bolbonac or white Sattin hath many great and broad leaues almost like those of the great burre Docke among which riseth vp a very tall stem of the height of foure cubits stiffe and of a whitish greene colour set with the like leaues but smaller The floures grow vpon the slender branches of a purple colour compact of foure small leaues like those of the stocke Gillofloure after which come thin long cods of the same substance and colour of the former The root is thicke whereunto are fastened an infinite number of long threddie strings which roote dieth not euery yeare as the other doth but multiplieth it selfe as well by falling of the seede as by new shoots of the root 1 Viola Lunaris sive Bolbonac White Sattin 2 Viola Lunaris longioribus siliquis Long codded white Sattin ¶ The Place These plants are set and sowne in gardens notwithstanding the first hath been found wilde in the woods about Pinner and Harrow on the hill twelue miles from London and in Essex likewise about Horn-church The second groweth about Watford fifteene miles from London ¶ The Time They floure in Aprill the next yeare after they be sowne ¶ The Names They are commonly called Bolbonac by a barbarous name we had rather call it with 〈◊〉 Clusius Viola latifolia and Viola lunaris or as it pleaseth most Herbarists Viola peregrina the Brabanders name it Penninck blocmen of the fashion of the coddes like after a sort to a groat or testerne and Paesch bloemen because it alwaies floureth neere about the Feast of Easter most of the later Herbarists doe call it Lunaria Others Lunaria Graeca either of the fashion of the seed or of the siluer brightnesse that it hath or of the middle skinne of the cods when the two outtermost skinnes or huskes and seedes likewise are falne away We call this herbe in English Penny floure or Money floure Siluer Plate Pricke-songwoort in Norfolke Sattin and White Sattin and among our women it is called Honestie it seemeth to be the old Herbarists Thlaspi alterum or second Treacle mustard and that which Crateuas describeth called of diuers Sinapi Persicum for as Dioscorides saith Crateuas maketh mention of a certaine Thlaspi or Treacle Mustard with
broad leaues and bigge roots and such this Violet hath which we surname Latifolia or broad leased generally taken of all to be the great Lunaria or Moonwoort ¶ Their Temperature and Vertues The seed of Bolbonac is of Temperature hot and drie and sharpe of taste and is like in taste and force to the seed of Treacle Mustard the roots likewise are somewhat of a biting qualitie but not much they are eaten with sallads as certaine other roots are A certaine Chirurgian of the Heluetians composed a most singular vnguent for wounds of the leaues of Bolbonac and Sanicle stamped together adding thereto oile and wax The seed is greatly commended against the falling sicknesse CHAP. 124. Of Galen and Dioscorides Moonwoorts or Madwoorts 1 Alyssum Galeni Galens Madwoort 2 Alyssum Dioscoridis Dioscorides Moonwoort or Madwoort ¶ The Description 1 THis might be one of the number of the Horehounds but that Galen vsed it not for a kind thereof but for Alysson or Madwoort it is like in forme and shew vnto Horehound and also in the number of the stalks but the leaues thereof are lesser more curled more hoary whiter without any manifest smell at all The little coronets or spokie whurles that compasse the stalkes round about are full of sharpe prickles out of which grow floures of a blewish purple colour like to those of Horehound The root is hard woody and diuersly parted 2 I haue one growing in my garden which is thought to be the true right Lunary or Moonwoort of Dioscorides description hauing his first leaues somewhat round and afterward more long whitish and 〈◊〉 or somewhat woolly in handling among which rise vp rough brittle stalkes some cubite high diuided into many branches whereupon doe growe many little yellow floures the which being past there follow flat and rough huskes of a whitish colour in shape like little targets or bucklers wherein is contained flat seed like to the seeds of stock Gillofloures but bigger The whole huske is of the same substance fashion and colour that those are of the white Sattin ¶ The Place These Plants are sowne now and then in Gardens especially for the rarenesse of the m the seede beeing brought out of Spaine and Italy from whence I receiued some for my Garden ¶ The Time They floure and flourish in May the seede is ripe in August the second yeare after their sowing ¶ The Names Madwoort or Moonwoort is called of the Graecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Latines Alyssum in English Galens Madwoort of some Heale-dog and it hath the name thereof because it is a present remedy for them that are bitten of a mad dogge as Galen writeth who in his second booke Di Antidotis in Antoninus Cous his composition describeth it in these words Madwoort is an herbe very like to Horehound but rougher and more full of prick les about the floures it beareth a floure tending to blew ‡ 2 The second by Dodonaeus Lobell Camerarius and others is reputed to bee the Alysson of Dioscorides Gesner mames it Lunarta 〈◊〉 and Columna Leucoium Montanum Lunatum ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Galen saith it is giuen vnto such as are inraged by the biting of a mad dogge which thereby are perfectly cured as is knowne by experience without any artificiall application or method at all The which experiment if any shall proue he shall finde in the working thereof It is of temperature meanly drie digesteth and something scoureth withall for this cause it taketh away the morphew and Sun-burning as the same Authour affirmeth CHAP. 125. Of Rose Campion Lychnis Chalcedonica Floure of Constantinople ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of Rose Campions some of the Garden and others of the Field the which shal be diuided into seuerall chapters and first of the Campion of Constantinople ¶ The Description THe Campion of Constantinople hath sundry vpright stalks two cubits high and ful of ioynts with a certaine roughnesse and at euery ioynt two large leaues of a browne greene colour The floures grow at the top like Sweet-Williams or rather like Dames violets of the colour of red lead or Orenge tawny The root is somewhat sharpe in taste ‡ There are diuers varieties of this as with white and blush coloured floures as also a double kinde with very large double and beautiful floures of a Vermelion colour like as the single one here described ‡ ¶ The Place The floure of Constantinople is planted in Gardens and is very common almost euerie where ‡ The white and blush single and the double one are more rare and not to be found but in the Gardensof our prime Florists ‡ ¶ The Time It floureth in Iune and Iuly the second yeare after it is planted and many yeares after 〈◊〉 it consisteth of a root full of life and endureth long and can away with the cold of our clymate ¶ The Names It is called Constantinopolitanus 〈◊〉 and Lychnis Chalcedonica of Aldrouandus Flos Creticus 〈◊〉 Floure of Candy of the Germans 〈◊〉 Hierosolymitanus or Floure of Ierusalem in English Floure of Constantinople of some Floure of Bristow or None-such ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Floure of Constantinople besides that grace and beauty which it hath in gardens and garlands is for ought we know of no vse the vertues thereof being not as yet found out CHAP. 126. Of Rose-Campion 1 Lychnis Coronaria rubra Red Rose Campion 2 Lychnis Coronaria alba White Rose Campion ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Rose-Campion hath round stalks very knotty and woolly and at 〈◊〉 knot or ioynt there do stand two woolly soft leaues like Mulleine but lesser and much narrower The floures grow at the top of the stalke of a perfect red colour which being past there follow round cods full of blackish seed The root is long and threddy 2 The second Rose Campion differs not from the precedent in stalkes leaues or fashion of the floures the onely difference consisteth in the colour for the floures of this plant are of a milke white colour and the other red ‡ 3 This also in stalks roots leaues and manner of growing differs not from the former but the floures are much more beautifull being composed of some three or foure rankes or orders of leaues lying each aboue other ‡ ‡ 3 Lychnis coronaria multiplex Double Rose Campion ¶ The Place The Rose Campion growes plentifully in most gardens ¶ The Time They floure from Iune to the end of August ¶ The Names The Rose Campion is called in Latine Dominarum Rosa Mariana Rosa 〈◊〉 Rosa Coeli flos of Dioscorides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Lychnis Coronaria or Satiua Gaza translateth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lucernula because the leaues thereof be soft and fit to make weekes for candles according to the testimonie of Dioscorides it was called Lychnis or Lychnides that is a torch or such like light according to the signification
haue somewhat the smell of a Primrose whence Mr. Parkinson gaue it the English name which I haue also here giuen you after the floures are fallen the cods grow to be some two inches long being thicker below and sharper at the top and somwhat twined which in fine open themselues into foure parts to shatter their seed which is blacke and small and sowne it growes not the first yeare into a stalke but sends vp many large leaues lying handsomely one vpon another Rose-fashion It floures in Iune and ripens the seed in August ‡ 5 The second kinde of Willow-herbe in stalks and leaues is like the first but that the leaues are longer narrower and greener The floures grow along the stalke toward the top spike-fashion of a faire purple colour which being withered turne into downe which is carried away with the winde 5 Lysimachia purpurea spicata Spiked Willow-herbe 6 Lysimachia siliquosa Codded Willow-herbe 6 This Lysimachia hath leaues and stalkes like vnto the former The floure groweth at the top of the stalke comming out of the end of a small long cod of a purple colour in shape like a stocke Gillofloure and is called of many Filius ante Patrem that is The Sonne before the Father because that the cod commeth forth first hauing seeds therein before the floure doth shew it selfe 〈◊〉 ‡ The leaues of this are more soft large and hairy than any of the former they are also snipt about the edges and the floure is large wherein it differs from the twelfth hereafter described and from the eleuenth in the hairinesse of the leaues and largenesse of the floures also as you shall finde hereafter ‡ 7 This being thought by some to be a bastard kinde is as I do esteeme it of all the rest the most goodly and stately plant hauing leaues like the greatest Willow or Ozier The branches come out of the ground in great numbers growing to the height of six foot garnished with braue floures of great beauty consisting of foure leaues a piece of an orient purple colour hauing some threds in the middle of a yellow colour The cod is long like the last spoken of and full of downy matter which flieth away with the winde when the cod is opened †7 Chamaenerion Rose bay Willow-herbe ‡ 8 〈◊〉 alterum angastifolium Narrow leaued Willow-floure ‡ 9 Lysimachia coerulea Blew Loose-strife ‡ 10 Lysimachiagalericulata Hoodéd Loose-strife 11 Lysimachia campestris Wilde Willow-herbe 9 There is another bastard Loose-strife or Willow-herbe hauing stalkes like the other of his kinde whereon are placed long leaues snipt about the edges in shape like the great Veronica or herbe Fluellen The floures grow along the stalkes spike-fashion of a blew colour after which succeed small cods or pouches The root is small and fibrous it may be called Lysimachia coerulea or blew Willow-herbe 10 We haue likewise another Willow-herbe that groweth neere vnto the bankes of 〈◊〉 and water-courses This I found in a waterie lane leading from the Lord Treasurer his house called Theobalds vnto the backeside of his slaughter-house and in other places as shall be declared hereafter Which Lobel hath called Lysimachia galericulata or hooded Willow-herbe It hath many small tender stalkes trailing vpon the ground beset with diuers leaues somwhat snipt about the edges of a deep green colour like to the leaues of Scordium or water Germander among which are placed sundrie small blew floures fashioned like a little hood in shape resembling those of Ale-hoofe The root is small and fibrous dispersing it selfe vnder the earth farre abroad whereby it greatly increaseth 11 The wilde Willow-Herbe hath fraile and very brittle stalkes slender commonly about the height of a cubit and sometimes higher whereupon doe grow sharpe pointed leaues somewhat snipt about the edges and set together by couples There come forth at the first long slender coddes wherein is contained small seed wrapped in a cottony or downy wooll which is carried away with the winde when the seed is ripe at the end of which commeth forth a small floure of a purplish colour whereupon it was called Filius ante Patrem because the floure doth not appeare vntill the cod be filled with his seed But there is another Sonne before the Father as hath beene declared in the Chapter of Medow-Saffron The root is small and threddie ‡ This differeth from the sixth onely in that the leaues are lesse and lesse hairy and the floure is smaller ‡ 12 The Wood VVillow-hearbe hath a slender stalke diuided into other smaller branches whereon are set long leaues rough and sharpe pointed of an ouerworne greene colour The floures grow at the tops of the branches consisting of foure or fiue small leaues of a pale purplish colour tending to whitenesse after which come long cods wherein are little seeds wrapped in a certaine white Downe that is carried away with the winde The root is threddie ‡ This differs from the sixth in that it hath lesser floures There is also a lesser sort of this hairie Lysimachia with small floures There are two more varieties of these codded Willow-herbes the one of which is of a middle growth somewhat like to that which is described in the eleuenth place but lesse with the leaues also snipped about the edges smooth and not hairie and it may fitly be called Lysimachia siliquosa glabra media or minor The lesser smooth-leaued Willow-herbe The other is also smooth leaued but they are lesser and narrower wherefore it may in Latine be termed Lysimachia siliquosa glabra minor angustifolia in English The lesser smooth and narrow leaued Willow-herbe ‡ 13 This lesser purple Loose-strife of Clusius hath stalkes seldome exceeding the height of a cubit they are also slender weake and quadrangular towards the top diuided into branches growing one against another the leaues are lesse and narrower than the common 〈◊〉 kinde and growing by couples vnlesse at the top of the stalkes and branches whereas they keepe no certaine order and amongst these come here and there cornered cups containing floures composed of six little red leaues with threds in their middles The root is hard woody and not creeping as in others of this kinde yet it endures all the yeere and sends forth new shoots It floures in lune and Iuly and was found by Clusius in diuers wet medowes in Austria ‡ ¶ The Place The first yellow Lysimachia groweth plentifully in moist medewos especially along the medowes as you go from Lambeth to Battersey neere London and in many other places throughout England ‡ 13 Lysimachia purpurea minor Clus. Small purple Willow herbe ‡ The second and third I haue not yet seene The fourth groweth in many gardens ‡ The fift groweth in places of greater moisture yea almost in the running streames and standing waters or hard by them It groweth vnder the Bishops house wall at Lambeth neere the water of Thames and in moist ditches in most places of England The sixth groweth neere the waters and in
folio Willow leaued Starwoort ‡ 9 Aster Austriacus 5 Clus. Sallow leaued Starwoort ‡ 12 There are kept in the 〈◊〉 of Mr. Tradescant Mr. 〈◊〉 and others two 〈◊〉 different much from all these formerly mentioned the first of them is to bee esteemed for that it floures in October and Nouember when as few other floures are to be found the root is large and liuing which sends vp many small stalks some two cubits high wooddy slender and not hollow and towards the top they are diuided into aboundance of small twiggie branches the 〈◊〉 that grow alternately vpon the stalkes are long narrow and sharpe pointed hauing soure or sixe scarce discernable nicks on their edges the floures which plentifully grow on small branches much after the manner of those of Virga aurea consist of twelue white leaues set in a ring with many threds in their middles which being young are yellow but becomming elder and larger they are of a reddish colour and at length turne into downe I haue thought fit to call this plant not yet described by any that I know of being reported to be a Virginian by the name of Aster Viginianus fruticosus Shrubbie Starwoort 13 This which in gardens floures some moneth before the former growes not so high neither are the stalkes so straight but often crooked yet are they diuided into many branches which beare small blewish floures like those of the former the leaues are longish and narrow This also is said to haue come from Canada or Virginia and it may be called Aster fruticosus minor Small shrubby Starwoort ‡ ‡ 10 Aster 6 Clusij Narrow leaued Starwoort ‡ 11 Aster 7. Clusij Dwarfe Dasie leaued Starwoort ¶ The Place The kindes of Starwoort grow vpon mountaines and hillie places and sometimes in woods and 〈◊〉 lying by riuers sides The two first kindes doe grow vpon Hampstead heath foure miles from London in Kent vpon Southfleet Downes and in many other such downie places ‡ I could neuer yet finde nor heare of any of these Starfloures to grow wilde in this kingdome but haue often seene the Italian Starwort growing in gardens These two kindes that our Authour mentions to grow on Hampstead heath and in Kent are no other than two Hieracia or Hauke-weedes which are much differing from these ‡ ¶ The Time They floure from Iuly to the end of August ¶ The Names This herbe is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Aster 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Inguinalis of some Asterion Asteriscon and Hyophthalmon in high Dutch Megetkraut in Spanish Bobas in French Estrille and Asper goutte menne in English Starwoort and Sharewoort ¶ The Nature It is of a meane temperature in cooling and drying Gaten saith it doth moderately waste and consume especially while it is yet soft and new gathered That with the blew floure or purple is thought to be that which is of Virgil called 〈◊〉 Amellus of which he maketh mention in the fourth booke of his Georgickes Est etiam flos in pratis cui nomen Amello Fecere agricolae facilis quaerentibus herba Namque vno ingentemtollit de cespite sylvam Aureus ipse sed in solijs quae plurima circum Funduntur violae sublucet purpura nigrae In English thus In Meades there is a floure Amello 〈◊〉 By him that seekes it easie to be found For that it seemes by many branches fram'd Into a little Wood like gold the ground Thereof appeares but leaues that it beset Shine in the colour of the Violet ¶ The Vertues The 〈◊〉 of Aster or Inguinalis stamped and applied vnto botches imposthumes and venereous bubones which for the most part happen in Inguine that is the flanke or share doth mightily maturate and suppurate them whereof this herbe Aster tooke the name 〈◊〉 It helpeth and preuaileth against the inflammation of the fundament and the falling sorth of the gut called Saccus ventris The floures are good to be giuen vnto children against the Squinancie and the falling sicknes CHAP. 133. Of Woade ¶ The Description 1 GLastum or Garden Woad hath long leaues of a blewish greene colour The stalk groweth two cubits high set about with a great number of such leaues as come vp first but smaller branching it selfe at the top into many little twigs whereupon do grow many small yellow floures which being past the seed commeth forth like little blackish tongues the root is white and single 2 There is a wilde kinde of VVoad very like vnto the former in stalks leaues and fashion sauing that the stalke is tenderer smaller and browner and the leaues and little tongues narrower otherwise there is no difference betwixt them ¶ The Place The tame or garden VVoad groweth in fertile fields where it is sowne the wilde kind growes where the tame kinde hath been sowne ¶ The Time They floure from Iune to September ¶ The Names VVoad is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine 〈◊〉 and Glastum 〈◊〉 in his fifth booke of the French wars saith that all the Brittons do colour themselues with VVoad which giueth a blew colour the which thing also Pliny in his 22. booke chap. 1. doth testifie in France they call it Glastum which is like vnto Plantaine wherewith the Brittish wiues and their daughters are coloured all ouer and go naked in some kinde of sacrifices It is likewise called of diuers Guadum of the Italians Guado a word as it seemeth wrung out of the word Glastum in Spanish and French 〈◊〉 in Dutch 〈◊〉 in English VVoad and VVade 1 Glastum sativum Garden Woade ‡ 2 Glastum syluestre Wilde 〈◊〉 ¶ The Nature Garden Woade is dry without sharpenesse the wilde Woade drieth more and is more sharpe and biting ¶ The Vertues The decoction of Woade drunken is good for such as haue any stopping or hardnesse in the milt or spleene and is also good for wounds or vlcers in bodies of a strong constitution as of countrey people and such as are accustomed to great labour and hard course fare It serueth well to dye and colour cloath profitable to some few and hurtfull to many CHAP. 134. Of Cow-Basill ¶ The Description 1 THis kinde of wilde Woade hath fat long leaues like Valeriana rubra 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 rubrum the stalke is small and tender hauing thereupon little purple floures consisting of foure leaues which being past there come square cornered huskes full of round blacke seed like Coleworts The whole plant is couered ouer with a clammy substance like Bird-lime so that in hot weather the leaues thereof will take flies by the wings as 〈◊〉 doth in such manner that they cannot escape away 2 Ephemerum Matthioli hath long fat and large leaues like vnto Woad but much lesse among which riseth vp a round stalke a cubit high diuiding it selfe into many branches at the top the which are set with many small white floures consisting of fiue leaues which being past there 〈◊〉 little round bullets
kinde of Tithymale 20 As in name so in shape this twentieth resembleth Peplus and commeth in likelihood neerer the signification of Peplum or Flammeolum than the other therefore Dioscorides affirmeth it to be 〈◊〉 amphilaphes for that it bringeth foorth a greater plentie of branches more closely knit and wound together with shining twists and claspers an handfull and a halfe long The leaues are lesser than those of Peplus of an indifferent likenesse and resemblance betweene Chamaesyce and wilde Purslane The seed is great and likethat of Peplus the root is small and single 21 The one and twentieth kinde may be easily knowne from the two last before mentioned although they be verie like It hath many branches and leaues creeping on the ground of a pale greene colour not vnlike to Herniaria but giuing milke as all the other Tithymales doe bearing the like seed pouch and floures but smaller in each respect 22 The two and twentieth kinde of Tithymale hath a round root like a small Turnep as euery Authour doth report yet my selfe haue the same plant in my garden which doth greatly 〈◊〉 of which I haue giuen diuers vnto my friends whereby I haue often viewed the roots which do appeare vnto me somewhat tuberous and therein nothing answering the descriptions which 〈◊〉 Pena and others haue expressed and set sorth This argueth that either they were 〈◊〉 and described the same by 〈◊〉 say or else the plant doth degenerate being brought from his 〈◊〉 soile The leaues are 〈◊〉 all alongst a small rib like 〈◊〉 somewhat 〈◊〉 greene aboue and reddish 〈◊〉 The seed groweth among the leaues like the seed of Peplus The whole plant is full of milke like the other Tithymales ‡ Our Authour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taxes other Writers of plants 〈◊〉 Pena by name which 〈◊〉 that he either neuer read or else vnderstood not what they writ for neither of them nor any other that I know of resembles the root of this to a Turnep but say it hath a tuberous peare fashioned root c as you may see in Diosc. lib. 4. cap. 177. and in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pag. 204. The leaues also grow not by couples one against another as in 〈◊〉 but rather alternately or else without any certaine order as in other Tithymales ‡ ‡ 23 This saith 〈◊〉 hath also a tuberous root but not peare fashioned like as the former but almost euery where of an equall thicknesse beeing about an inch and sometimes two inches long and the lower part thereof is diuided into soure other roots or thicke sibers growing smaller by little and little and sending forth some few fibers it is blacke without and white within full of a milkie iuice the 〈◊〉 are short and weake set with little leaues like those os the former the floures are of a yellowish red colour and the seede is contained in such vessels as the other Tithymales This is 〈◊〉 tuberosus or Ischas 〈◊〉 of Clusius ‡ ¶ The Place The first kinde of Spurge groweth by the Sea side vpon the rowling Sand and Baich as at Lee in Essex at Lang-tree point right against Harwich at Whitstable in Kent and in many other places The second groweth in grounds that lie waste and in 〈◊〉 earable soile almost euery where The third and fourth as also the foureteenth and eighteenth grow in gardens but not wilde in England The ninth Spurge called Characias groweth in most VVoods of England that are drie and warme The eighteenth and nineteenth grow in salt marshes 〈◊〉 the sea as in the isle of Thanet by the sea side betwixt Reculvers and Margate in great 〈◊〉 ¶ The Time These plants floure srom Iune to the end of Iuly ¶ The Names 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is called in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Spanish 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in high Dutch Dolfer milch that is to say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Wolfes milke Wood Spurge is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The first is called in English Sea Spurge or Sea VVartwoort The second Sun Spurge the third and sourth Mirtle Spurge the sisth Cypresse Spurge or among women VVelcome to our house the sixth Pine Spurge the seuenth shrub Spurge and tree Mirtle Spurge the eighth and ninth 〈◊〉 Spurge the 〈◊〉 Broad leafed Spurge the thirteenth Great Tree Spurge the 〈◊〉 and sisteenth Quack saluers Spurge the sixteenth Venice Spurge the seuenteenth Dwarfe Spurge the eighteenth common Spurge the nineteenth and twentieth Petie Spurge the one and twentieth Spurge Time The two and twentieth True Apios or the knobbed 〈◊〉 ¶ The Temperature All the kinds of Tithymales or Spurges are hot and drie almost in the fourth degree of a sharp and biting qualitie sretting or consuming First the milke and sap is in speciall vse then the fruit and leaues but the root is of least strength The strongest kinde of Tithymale and of greatest force is that of the sea Some write by report of others that it inflameth exceedingly but my selfe speak by experience for walking along the sea coast at Lee in Essex with a Gentleman called Mr. Rich dwelling in the same towne I tooke but one drop of it into my mouth which neuerthelesse did so inflame and swell in my throte that I hardly escaped with my life And in like case was the gentleman which caused vs to take our horses and poste for our liues vnto the next farme house to drinke some milk to quench the extremitie of our heate which then ceased ¶ The Vertues The iuice of Tithymale I do not meane sea Tithymale is a strong medicine to open the bellie and causing vomite bringeth vp tough flegme and cholericke humours Like vertue is in the seed and root which is good for such as fall into the dropsie being ministred with discretion and good aduice of some excellent Physition and prepared with his Correctories by some honest Apothecarie The iuice mixed with honie causeth haire to fall from that place which is anointed therewith if it be done in the Sun The iuice or milke is good to stop hollow teeth being put into them warily so that you touch neither the gums nor any of the other teeth in the mouth with the said medicine The same cureth all roughnesse of the skin manginesse leprie scurfe and running scabs and the white scurfe of the head It taketh away all manner of warts knobs and the hard callousnesse of 〈◊〉 hot swellings and Carbuncles It killeth fish being mixed with any thing that they will eat These herbes by mine aduise would not be receiued into the bodie considering that there be so many other good and wholesome potions to be made with other herbes that may bee taken without perill CHAP. 140. Of Herbe Terrible 1 Alypum montis 〈◊〉 Herbe Terrible 2 Tarton-Raire Gallo-Prouinciae Gutwoort ¶ The Description 1 HErbe Terrible is a small shrub two or three cubits high bran ched with many small twigges hauing a thin rinde first browne then purple with many little and thinne leaues like Myrtle The floures are rough like the middle of Scabious floures of a blew purple
chamfered or crested hard and wooddy being for the most part two foot high The leaues are three or foure times bigger than those of S. Iohns wort which be at the first greene afterwards and in the end of Sommet of a dark red colour out of which is pressed a iuyce not like blacke bloud but Claret or Gascoigne wine The floures are yellow and greater than those of S. Peters wort after which riseth vp a little round head or berry first greene afterwards red last of all blacke wherein is contained yellowish red seed The root is hard wooddy and of long continuance ‡ 2 This which Dodonaeus did not vnfitly call Ruta syluestris Hypericoides and which others haue set forth for Androsaemum and our Author the last chapter saue one affirmed to be the true 〈◊〉 though here it seemes he had either altered his minde or forgot what he formerly wrot may fitly stand in competition with the last described which may passe in the first place for the Androsaemum of the Antients for adhuc sub judice lis est I will not here insist vpon the point of controuersie but giue you a description of the plant which is this It sends vp round slender reddish stalkes some two cubits high set with fewer yet bigger leaues than the ordinarie S. Iohns Wort and these also more hairy the floures and seeds are like those of the common S. Iohns wort but somewhat larger It growes in some mountainous and wooddy places and in the Aduersaria it is called Androsaemum excellentius seu magnum and by Dodonaeus as we but now noted Ruta syluestris Hypericoides thinking it to be the Ruta syluestris which is described by Dioscorides lib. 〈◊〉 cap. 48. in the old Greeke edition of Manutius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And in that of Marcellus Virgilius his Interpretation in the chapter and booke but now mentioned but reiected amongst the Notha in the Paris Edition Anno 1549. You may finde the description also in Dodonaeus Pempt primae lib. 3. cap. 25 whither I refer the curious being loath here to insist further vpon it ‡ 1 Clymenon Italorum Tutsan or Parke leaues ‡ 2 Androsaemum Hypericoides Tutsan S. Iohns wort ¶ The Place Tutsan groweth in woods and by hedges especially in Hampsted wood where the Golden rod doth grow in a wood by Railie in Essex and many other places ¶ The Time It floureth in Iuly and August the seed in the meane time waxeth ripe The leaues becom 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 at that time is very easily pressed forth his winie iuyce ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines also Androsaemon it is likewise called 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 witnesseth They are farre from the truth that take it to be Clymenum and it is needlesse to finde fault with their error It is also called Siciliana and Herba Siciliana in English Tutsan and Parke-leaues ¶ The Temperature The faculties are such as S. Peters wort which doth sufficiently declare it to be hot and dry ¶ The Vertues The seed hereof beaten to pouder and drunke to the weight of two drams doth purge cholericke excrements as Dioscorides writeth and is a singular remedie for the Sciatica prouided that the Patient do drinke water for a day or two after purging The herbe cureth burnings and applied vpon new wounds it stancheth the bloud and healeth them The leaues laid vpon broken shins and scabbed legs healeth them and many other hurts and griefes whereof it tooke his name Tout-saine or Tutsane of healing all things ‡ CHAP. 161. Of Bastard S. Johns wort ‡ 1 Coris Matthioli Matthiolus his bastard S. Iohns wort ‡ 2 Coris coerulea Monspeliaca French bastard S. Iohns wort ‡ THe diligence of these later times hath beene such to finde out the Materia medica of the Antients that there is scarse any plant described by them but by some or other of late there haue been two or more seuerall plants referred thereto and thus it hath happened vnto 〈◊〉 which Dioscorides lib. 3. cap. 174. hath set forth by the name of Coris and presently describes after the kindes of Hypericon and that with these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some also call this Hypericon to which Matthiolus and others haue fitted a plant which is indeed a kinde of Hypericon as you may perceiue by the figure and description which I giue you in the first place Some as 〈◊〉 referre it to Chamaepytis and indeed by Dioscorides it is placed betweene Androsaemon and Chamaepytis and to this that which is described by Pena and Lobel in the Aduers and by Clusius in his Historie may fitly be referred this I giue you in the second place ¶ The Description 1 THe first hath a wooddy thicke and long lasting root which sendeth vp many branches some foot or more high and it is set at certaine spaces with round leaues like those of the small Glasse-wort or Sea-Spurry but shorter the tops of the stalkes are diuided into 〈◊〉 branches which carry floures like those of S. Iohns wort of a whitish red colour with threds in their middles hauing little yellow pendants It growes in Italy and other hot countries in places not far from the sea side This is thought to be the true Coris by Matthiolus Gesner Lonicerus Lacuna Bellus Pona and others 2 This from a thicke root red on the outside sendeth vp sundry stalkes some but an handfull other some a foot or more long stiffe round purplish set thicke with leaues like those of Heath but thicker more succulent and bitter which so netimes grow orderly and otherwhiles out of order The spikes or heads grow on the tops of the branches consisting of a number of little cups diuided into fiue sharpe points and marked with a blacke spot in each diuision out of these cups comes a floure of a blew purple colour of a most elegant and not fading colour and it is composed of foure little biside leaues whereof the two vppermost are the larger the seed which is round and blackish is contained in seed-vessels hauing points somewhat sharpe or prickly It floures in Aprill and May and is to be found growing in many places of Spaine as also about Mompelier in France whence Pena and Lobel called it Coris Monspeliaca and Clusius Coris quorundam Gallorum Hispanorum ¶ The Temperature These Plants seeme to be hot in the second or third degree ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides saith That the seed of Coris drunke moue the courses and vrine are good against the biring of the Spider Phalangium the Sciatica and drunke in Wine against that kinde of Convulsion which the Greekes call Opisthotonos which is when the body is drawne backwards as also against the cold fits in Agues It is also good anointed with oyle against the aforesaid Convulsion ‡ CHAP. 162. Of the great Centorie ¶ The Description 1 THe great Centory bringeth forth round smooth stalkes three cubits high the leaues are long diuided as it were into many parcels
and threddie ‡ 7 This hath many small creeping branches some handfull or better high and hath such leaues floures and seed as the common kinde but all of them much lesse and therein consisteth the difference It growes naturally in the dry fields about Salamanca in Spaine and floures all Sommer long Lobel calls it Osyris flava syluestris and Clusius Linaria Hispanica 8 The branches of this eight kind are spred vpon the ground and of the length of those of the last described the leaues are lesser than those of the common Tode-flax thicke iuicie and of a whitish greene colour and they grow not disorderly vpon the stalks but at certaine spaces sometimes three but most vsually foure together the floures in shape are like those of the ordinarie kinde but of a most perfect Violet colour and the lower lip where it gapes of a golden yellow the taste is bitter After the floures are past come vessels round thick which contain a flat black seed in two partitions or cells the root is slender white and long lasting and it floures vnto the end of Autumne It grows naturally vpon the highest Alps. Gesner cals it Linaria Alpina and Clusius Linariatertia Styriaca ‡ 6 Osyris 〈◊〉 Purple Tode-flaxe †9 Forasmuch as this plant is stalked and leafed like common Flaxe and thought by some to be Osyris the new writers haue called it Linosyris it hath stalkes very stiffe and wooddie beset with leaues like the common Linaria with floures at the top of the stalkes of a faint shining yellow colour in forme and shape somewhat like vnto Conyza maior The whole plant groweth to the height of two cubits and is in taste sharpe and clammie or glutinous and somewhat bitter The root is compact of many strings intangled one within another †10 Guillandinus calleth this plant Hyssopus vmbellifera Dioscoridis that is Dioscorides his Hysope which beareth a tuft in all points like Linosyris whereof it is a kinde not differing from it in shew leaues The stalks are a cubit high diuided aboue into many small branches the 〈◊〉 wherof are garnished with tufts of small floures each little floure being parted into fiue parts with a little thred or pestell in the middle so that it seemes full of many golden haires or thrums The seed is long and blackish and is carried away with the winde ‡ Bauhine in his Pinax makes this all one with the former but vnfitly especially if you marke the descriptions of their floures which are far vnlike Fabius Columna hath proued this to be the Chrysocome described by Diosc. lib. 4. cap. 55. ‡ ‡ 7 Osyris flavasyluestris Creeping yellow Tode-flax ‡ 8 Linaria quadrifoliasupina Foure leaued creeping Tode-flax 9 Linosyris Nuperorum Lob. Golden Star-floured Tode-slax 10 Linaria aurea Tragi Golden Tode-flax 11 Scoparia sive Osyris Graecorum Bushieor Besome Tode 〈◊〉 12 Passerina linariae folio Lob. Sparrowes Tode-flax 13 Passerina altera Sparrow-tongue ‡ 14 Linaria adulterina Bastard Tode-flax †11 Scoparia or after Dodonaeus Osyris which the Italians cal 〈◊〉 hath very many shoots or sprigs rising from one smal stalk making the whole plant to resemble a Cypres tree the branches grow so handsomely now it growes some three foot high and very thick and bushie so that in some places where it naturally groweth they make besomes of it whereof it tooke the name Scoparia The leaues be small and narrow almost like to the leaues of flax The floures be small and of an hearbie colour growing among the leaues which keep greene all the Winter ‡ I neuer knew it here to ripen the seed nor to out 〈◊〉 the first frost ‡ 12 This plant also for resemblance sake is referred to the Linaries because his leaues be like Linaria At the top of the small branched stalks do grow little yellowish floures pale of colour somewhat like the tops of Chrysocome Iohn Mouton of Turnay taketh it to be Chrysocome altera And because there hath bin no concordance among Writers it 's sufficient to set forth his description with his name Passerina ‡ Bauhine refers it to the Gromills and calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 folio Monspeliacum ‡ 13 This which Tabern calls Lingua Passerina and whose figure was giuen by our Authour for the former hath a small single whitish root from which it sends vp a slender stalke some cubit and halfe high naked on the lower part but diuided into little branches on the vpper which branches are set thicke with little narrow leaues like those of Winter Sauorie or 〈◊〉 amongst which grow many little longish seeds of the bignesse and taste of Millet but somewhat hotter and bitterer The floures consist of foure small yellow leaues Tragus calls this 〈◊〉 Dodonaeus makes it Lithospermum minus and Columna hath set it forth by the name of Linaria altera 〈◊〉 montana ‡ ‡ 14 This which Clusius hath set forth by the name of Anonymos or Namelesse is called in the Hist. Lugd. pag. 1150. Anthyllis montana and by Tabern Linaria adulterina It hath many hard pale greene branches of some foot high and vpon these without any order grow many hard narrow long leaues like those of flaxe at first of a very tart and afterwards of a bitterish taste the tops of the stalkes are branched into sundry foot-stalkes which carry little white floures consisting of fiue small leaues lying starre-fashion with some threds in their middles after which at length come single seeds fiue cornered containing a white pith in a hard filme or skin The root is white diuided into sundry branches and liues long euery yeare sending vp many stalkes and sometimes creeping like that of Tode-flax It floures in May and grows vpon mountainous places of Germany Mr. Goodyer found it growing wilde on the side of a chalkie hill in an inclosure on the right 〈◊〉 of the way as you 〈◊〉 from Droxford to Poppie hill in Hampshire ‡ ¶ The Place The kindes of Tode-flax grow wilde in many places as vpon stone walls grauelly grounds barren medowes and along by hedges ‡ I do not remember that I haue seene any of these growing wilde with vs vnlesse the first ordinary kinde which is euery where common ‡ ¶ The Time They floure from Iune to the end of August ¶ The Names †Tode-flax is called of the Herbarists of our time Linaria or Flax-weed and Vrinalis of some 〈◊〉 in high Dutch 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 low Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in English Wild-flax Tode-flax and Flax-weed the eleuenth is called in Italian Bel-videre or Faire in sight The same plant is also called Scoparia and Herba studiosorum because it is a fit thing to make brooms of wherewith schollers and students may sweepe their owne studies and closets The particular names are expressed both in Latine and English in their seuerall titles whereby they may be distinguished ‡ It is thought by most that this Belvidere or Scoparia is the Osyris described by Dioscorides lib. 4.
greene colour The root is very slender and single 2 There is another kinde of Herniaria called Mille grana or All-seed that groweth vpright a handfull high with many small and tender branches set with leaues like the former but few in number hauing as it were two smal leaues no more The whole plant seemeth as it were couered ouer with seeds or graines like the seed of Panicke but much lesser ‡ I haue not seen many plants of this but all that euer I yet saw neuer attained to the height of two inches ‡ ¶ The Place 1 It ioyeth in barren and sandy grounds and is likewise found in dankish places that lie wide open to the sunne it doth grow and prosper in my garden exceedingly ‡ 2 I found this in Kent on a Heath not farre from Chiste-hurst being in company with Mr. Bowles and diuers others in Iuly 1630. ¶ The Time It floureth and flourisheth in May Iune Iuly and August ¶ The Names It is called of the later Herbarists Herniaria and Herniola taken from the effect in curing the disease Hernia of diuers Herba Turca and Empetron in French 〈◊〉 in English Rupture woort and Burstwoort ¶ The Temperature and Vertue Rupture woort doth notably drie and throughly closeth vp together and fasteneth It is reported that being drunke it is singular good for Ruptures and that very many that haue been bursten were restored to health by the vse of this herbe also the pouder hereof taken with wine doth make a man to pisse that hath his water stopt it also wasteth away the stones in the kidnies and expelleth them CHAP. 173. Of wilde Time 1 Serpillum vulgre Wilde Time 3 Serpillum majus flore purpurco Great purple wilde Time ¶ The Description 1 BOth Dioscoridcs and Pliny make two kindes of Serpillum that is of creeping or wilde Time whereof the first is our common creeping Time which is sowell knowne that it needeth no description yet this ye shall vnderstand that it beareth floures of a purple colour as euery body knoweth Of which kinde I found another sort with floures as white as snow and haue planted it in my garden where it becommeth an herbe of great beauty 2 This wilde Time that bringeth forth white floures differeth not from the other but only in the colour of the floures whence it may be called Serpillum vulgare flore albo White floured Wilde Time There is another kinde of Serpillum which groweth in gardens in smell and sauour resembling Marjerome It hath leaues like Organy or wilde Marjerome but somewhat whiter putting forth many small stalkes set full of leaues like Rue but longer narrower and harder The floures are of a biting taste and pleasant smell The whole plant groweth vpright whereas the other creepeth along vpon the earth catching hold where it growes spreading it selfe far abroad 3 This great wilde Time creepeth not as the others doe but standeth vpright and bringeth forth little slender branches full of leaues like those of Rue yet narrower longer and harder The flours be of a purple colour and of a twingging biting taste it groweth vpon rocks and is hotter than any of the others 4 This other great one with white floures differeth not from the precedent hauing many knaps or heads of a milke white colour which setteth forth the difference and it may be called Serpillum maius flore albo Great white floured wilde Time 5 This wilde Time creepeth vpon the ground set with many leaues by couples like those of Marjerom but lesser of the same smel the flours are of a reddish color The root is very threddy 6 Wilde Time of Candy is like vnto the other wild Times sauing that his leaues are narrower and longer and more in number at each joint The smell is more aromaticall than any of the others wherein is the difference 7 There is a kinde of wilde Time growing vpon the mountaines of Italy called Serpillum 5 Serpillum folijs amaraci Marjerome Time 6 Serpillum Creticum Wilde Time of Candy ‡ 7 Serpillum citratum Limon Time ‡ 8 Serpillum hirsutum Hoary wilde Time 8 This which is the Serpillum Pannonicum 3. of Clusius runnes or spreds it selfe far vpon the ground For though it haue a hard and wooddy root like as the former kindes yet the branches which lie spred round about here and there take root which in time become as hard and wooddy as the former The leaues and stalkes are like those of the last described but rough and hoarie the floures also are not vnlike those of the common kind The whole plant hath a kinde of resinous smell It floures in Iune with the rest and growes vpon the like mountainous places 〈◊〉 whether with vs in England or no I cannot yet affirme any thing of certaintie ‡ ¶ The Place The first groweth vpon barren hills and vntoiled places the second groweth in gardens The white kinde I found at 〈◊〉 in Kent in a barren field belonging to one Mr. William Swan ¶ The Time They floure from May to the end of Sommer ¶ The Names Wild Time is called in Latine Serpillum à serpendo of creeping in high and low-Dutch 〈◊〉 and Wilden Thymus and also 〈◊〉 Urouwen 〈◊〉 in Spanish Serpoll in Italian Serpillo in French Pillolet in English Wilde Time Puliall Mountaine Pella mountaine running Time creeping Time Mother of Time in shops it is called Serpyllum yet some call it Pulegium montanum and it is euery where saith Dodonaeus thought to be the Serpyllum of the Antients Notwithstanding it answereth not so wel to the wilde Times as to Dioscorides his Saxifranga for if it be diligently compared with the description of both the Serpilla and the Saxifranga it shal be found to be little like the wilde Times but very much like the Saxifranga for saith Dioscorides Saxifranga is an herbe like Time growing on rockes where our common wilde Time is ostentimes found Aelianus in his ninth booke of his sundry Histories seemeth to number wilde Time among the floures Dionysius Iunior saith he comming into the city Locris in Italy possessed most of the houses of the city and did strew them with roses wild Time and other such kindes of floures Yet Virgil in the second Eclog of his Bucolicks doth most manifestly testifie that wilde Time is an herbe in these words Thestylis rapido fessis messoribus 〈◊〉 Allia serpillumque herbas contundit olentes Thestilis for mowers tyr'd with parching heate Garlicke wilde Time strong smelling herbes doth beate Out of which place it may be gathered that common wilde time is the true and right Serpillum or wilde Time which the Grecians call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Marcellus an old antient Author among the Frenchmen saith it is called Gilarum as Plinius Valerianus saith it is called of the same Laurio ¶ The Temperature Wilde Time is of temperature hot and dry in the third degree it is of thin and subtill parts 〈◊〉 and much biting ¶ The Vertues It bringeth downe the
the stopping of the liuer and gall it is a remedie against lingring agues bastard and long tertians quartains also and properly agues in infants and young children as Mesues 〈◊〉 in Scrapio who also teacheth that the nature of Dodder is to purge choler by the stoole and that more effectually if it haue Wormewood ioined with it but too much vsing of it is hurtfull to the stomacke yet Auicen writeth that it doth not hurt it but strengtheneth a weake or feeble stomacke which opinion also we do better allow of 〈◊〉 or the Dodder which groweth vpon Tyme is hotter and drier than the Dodder that groweth vpon flax that is to say euen in the third degree as Galen saith It helpeth all the 〈◊〉 of the milt it is a remedy against obstructions and hard swellings It taketh away old head-aches the salling sicknesse madnesse that commeth of Melancholy and especially that which proceedeth from the spleene and parts thereabout it is good for those that haue the French disease and such as be troubled with contagious vlcers the leprosie and the scabbie euill It purgeth downewards blacke and Melancholicke humours as Aetius Actuarius and Mesue write and also flegme as Dioscorides noteth that likewise purgeth by stoole which groweth vpon Sauorie and Scabious but more weakly as Actuarius saith 〈◊〉 or Dodder that groweth vpon flax boiled in water or wine and drunke openeth the stoppings of the liuer the bladder the gall the milt the kidneies and veines and purgeth both by siege and vrine cholericke humours It is good against the ague which hath continued a long time and against the iaundise I meane that Dodder especially that groweth vpon brambles Epiurtica or Dodder growing vpon nettles is a most singular and effectuall medicine to prouoke vrine and to loose the obstructions of the body and is proued oftentimes in the West parts with good successe against many maladies CHAP. 177. Of Hyssope ¶ The Description 1 DIoscorides that gaue so many rules for the knowledge of simples hath left Hyssope altogether without description as beeing a plant so well knowne that it needed none whose example I follow not onely in this plant but in many others which bee common to auoid tediousnesse to the Reader 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hyssope with blew floures 2 Hyssopus Arabum slore rubro Hyssope with reddish floures 3 Hyssopus albis floribus VVhite floured Hyssope 4 Hyssopus tenuifolia Thinne leafed Hyssope ‡ 5 Hyssopus parva angustis folijs Dwarfe narrow leaued Hyssope 2 The second kind of Hyssope is like the former which is our common Hyssope and differeth in that that this Hyssope hath his small and slender branches decked with faire red floures 3 The third kinde of Hyssop hath leaues stalkes branches seed and root like the common Hyssope and differeth in the floures only which are as white as snow 4 This kinde of Hyssope of all the rest is of the greatest beauty it hath a wooddie root tough and full of strings from which rise vp small tough and slender flexible stalkes wherupon do grow infinite numbers of small Fennel-like leaues much resembling those of the smallest grasse of a pleasant sweet smel aromatick taste like vnto the rest of the Hyssops but much sweeter at the top of the stalks do grow amongst the leaues smal hollow floures of a blewish colour tending to purple The seeds as yet I could neuer obserue ‡ 5 This differs from the first described in that the stalkes are weaker and shorter the leaues also narrower and of a darker colour the floures grow after the same manner are of the same colour as those of the common kinde ‡ We haue in England in our gardens another kinde whose picture it shall be needlesse to expresse considering that in few words it may be deliuered It is like vnto the former but the leaues are some of them white some greene as the other and some green and white mixed and spotted very goodly to behold Of which kinde we haue in our gardens moreouer another sort whose leaues are wonderfully curled rough and hairie growing thicke thrust together making as it were a tuft of leaues in taste and smell and in all other things like vnto the common Hyssope I haue likewise in my garden another sort of Hyssope growing to the forme of a small wooddie shrub hauing very faire broad leaues like vnto those of Numularia or Monywoort but thicker fuller of iuice and of a darker greene colour in taste and smell like the common Hyssope ¶ The Place All these kindes of Hyssope do grow in my garden and in some others also ¶ The Time They floure from Iune to the end of August ¶ The Names Hyssope is called in Latine Hyssopus the which name is likewise retained among the Germans Brabanders French-men Italians and Spaniards Therefore that shall suffice which hath been set downe in their seuerall titles ‡ This is by most Writers iudged to be Hyssope vsed by the Arabian Physitions but not that of the Greekes which is neerer to Origanum and Maricorme as this is to Satureia or Sauorie ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues A decoction of Hyssope made with figs and gargled in the mouth and throte ripeneth breaketh the tumors and imposthumes of the mouth and throte and easeth the difficultie of swallowing comming by cold 〈◊〉 The same made with figges water honie and rue and drunken helpeth the inflammation of the lungs the old cough and shortnesse of breath and the obstructions or stoppings of the breast The sirrup or iuice of Hyssope taken with the sirrup of vineger purgeth by stoole tough and clammie flegme and driueth forth wormes if it be eaten with figges The distilled water drunke is good for those diseases before named but not with that speed and force CHAP. 178. Of Hedge Hyssope ¶ The Description 1 HEdge Hyssope is a low plant or herbe about a span long very like vnto the common Hyssope with many square stalkes or slender branches beset with leaues somewhat larger than Hyssope but very like The floures grow betwixt the leaues vpon short stems of a white colour declining to blewnesse All the herbe is of a most bitter taste like the small Centory The root is little and threddy dilating it selfe farre abroad by which meanes it multiplieth greatly and occupieth much ground where it groweth 1 〈◊〉 Hedge Hyssope ‡ 2 Gratiola angustifolia Grasse Poley 3 Gratiola latifolia Broad leaued Hedge Hyssope ‡ 2 Narrow leaued Hedge Hyssope from a small fibrous white root sends vp a reddish round crested stalke diuided into sundry branches which are set with leaues like those of knot grasse of a pale greene colour and without any stalkes out of the bosome of these come floures set in long cups composed of foure leaues of a pleasing blew colour which are succeeded by longish seed-vessells conteyning a small dusky seed The whole plant is without smell neither hath it any bitternesse or other manifest taste It varies in leaues sometimes broader and otherwhiles
two thinne narrow little leaues at the top of each of these stalkes growes a single skinny smooth shining huske out of which as in other Pinkes growes not one onely floure but many one still comming out as another withers so that oft times out of one head come seuen eight or nine floures one after another which as they fade leaue behinde them a little pod containing small blacke flattish seed The floure is of a light red and very small standing with the head somewhat far out of the hose or huske ‡ ¶ The Place These plants are kept and maintained in gardens more for to please the eye than either the nose or belly ‡ 5 Armeria prolifera Lob. Childing sweet Williams ¶ The Time They flourish and bring forth their floures in April and May somewhat before the Gillofloures and after beare their floures the whole Sommer ¶ The Names The sweet Iohn and also the sweet William are both comprehended vnder one title that is to say Armeria of some Superba and Caryophyllus syluestris of some Herbarists Vetonica agrestis or Syluestris of some Herba tunica but it doth no more agree herewith than the Cloue Gillofloure doth with Vetonica altera or Polemonium in French Armoires hereupon Ruellius nameth them 〈◊〉 Flores in Dutch 〈◊〉 as though you should say a bundell or cluster for in their vulgar tongue bundles of floures or nose gaies they call 〈◊〉 doubt lesse they are wild kindes of Gillofloures In English the first two are called Sweet Iohns and the two last Sweet Williams Tolmeiners and London Tufts ¶ The Temperature and Vertues These plants are not vsed either in meat or medicine but esteemed for their beauty to decke vp gardens the bosomes of the beautifull garlands and crownes for pleasure CHAP. 185. Of Crow floures or Wilde Williams ¶ The Description 1 BEsides these kindes of Pinkes before described there is a certaine other kinde either of the Gillofloures or else of the Sweete Williams altogether and euery where wilde which of some hath beene inserted amongst the wilde Campions of others taken to be the true Flos Cuculi Notwithstanding I am not of any of their mindes but doe hold it for neither but rather a degenerate kinde of wilde Gillofloure The Cuckow floure I haue comprehended vnder the title of Sisimbrium Englished Ladies smocks which plant hath been generally taken for Flos Cuculi It hath stalks of a span or a foot high wherupon the leaues do stand by couples out of euery ioint they are small and bluntly pointed very rough and hairy The floures are placed on the tops of the stalkes many in one tuft finely and curiously snipt in the edges lesser than those of Gillofloures very well resembling the Sweet VVilliam whereof no doubt it is a kinde of a light red or Scarlet colour 2 This female Crow-floure differeth not from the male sauing that this plant is lesser and the floures more finely iagged like the feathered Pinke whereof it is a kinde 3 Of these Crow-floures we haue in our gardens one that doth not differ from the former of the field sauing that the plant of the garden hath many faire red double floures and those of the field single ¶ The Place These grow all about in Medowes and pastures and dankish places 1 Armoraria pratensis mas The male Crow floure ‡ 3 Armoraria pratensis flore pleno The double Crow-floure ¶ The Time They begin to floure in May and end in Iune ¶ The Names The Crow floure is called in Latine Armoraria syluestris and Armoracia of some Flos Cuculi but not properly it is also called Tunix of some Armeria Armerius flos primus of Dodon and likewise Caryophillus minor syluestris folijs latioribus in Dutch 〈◊〉 that is to say Cornicis flores in French Cuydrelles In English Crow floures wilde Williams marsh Gillofloures and Cockow Gillofloures The Temperatures and Vertues These are not vsed either in medicine or in nourishment but they serue for garlands crowns and to decke vp gardens CHAP. 186. Of Catch-Flie or Limewoort ¶ The Description 1 Viscaria siue Muscipula Limewoort 2 Muscipula Lobelij Catch Flie. ‡ 3 Muscipula angustifolia Narrow leaued Catch-flie 2 This plant hath many broad leaues like the great sweet VVilliam but shorter whereof it is likewise a kinde set vpon a stiffe and brittle stalk from the bosom of which leaues spring forth smaller branches clothed with the like leaues but much lesser The floures grow at the top of the stalkes many together tuft fashion of a bright red colour The whole plant is also possessed with the like liminesse as the other is but lesse in quantitie ‡ This is Lychissyl 1. of Clusius and Muscipula sive Armoraria altera of Lobel Dodonaeus calls it Armerius flos 3. in his first Edition but makes it his fourth in the last Edition in Folio ‡ ‡ 3. There is also belonging vnto this kindred another plant which Clusius makes his Lychnissyl 4. It comes vp commonly with one stalke a foot or more high of a green purplish colour with two long sharpe pointed thicke greene leaues set at each ioint from the middle to the top of the stalke grow little branches which vpon pretty long stalkes carry floures consisting of fiue little round leaues yet diuided at the tops they are of a faire incarnate colour with a deepe purple ring in their middles without smell after the floures are past succeede skinny and hard heads smaller towards the stalkes and thicker aboue and in these are contained verie small darke red seeds The root is thicke and blacke with many fibers putting vp new shootes and stalks after the first yeare and not dying euery yeare like as the two last described ¶ The Place These plants do grow wilde in the fields in the VVest parts of England among the corne wee haue them in our London gardens rather for toyes of pleasure than any vertues they are possessed with that hath as yet been knowne ¶ The Time They floure and flourish most part of the Sommer ¶ The Names Catch Flies hath beene taken for Behen commonly so called for the likenesse that it hath with Behen rubente flore or with Behen that hath the red floure called of some Valeriana rubra or red Valerian for it is something like vnto it in iointed stalkes and leaues but more like in colour of Lobel Muscipula and Viscaria of Dodon Armerius flos tertius of Clusius Lychnis syluestris Silene Theophrasti and Behen rubrum Salamanticum in English Catch Flie and Limewoort ¶ The Nature and Vertues The nature and vertues of these wilde VVilliams are referred to the Wilde Pinkes and Gillofloures CHAP. 187. Of Thrift or our Ladies Cushion 1 Caryophyllus marinus minimus 〈◊〉 Thrift or Sea Gillofloure 2 Caryophyllus Mediterraneus Leuant Thrift or Sea Gillosloure ¶ The Description 1 THrift is also a kind of Gillofloure by Dodonaeus reckoned among grasses which brings forth leaues in great tufts thick thrust together
1620. Iohn Goodyer ‡ 3 Ptarmica Austriaca Sneesewoort of Austrich ¶ The Place The first kinde of Sneesewoort grows wilde in drie and barren pastures in many places and in the three great fieldes next adioyning to a Village neere London called Kentish towne and in sundry fields in Kent about Southfleet †The rest grow onely in gardens ¶ The Time They floure from May to the end of September ¶ The Names Sneesewoort is called of some Ptarmica and Pyrethrum syluestre and also Draco syluestris or Tarcon syluestris of most Sternutamentoria taken from his effect because it procureth sneesing of Tragus Tabern Tanacetum acutum album in English wilde Pellitorie taking that name from his sharp and biting taste but it is altogether vnlike in proportion to the true Pellitorie of Spaine ¶ The Nature They are hot and drie in the third degree ¶ The Vertues The iuice mixed with Vineger and holden in the mouth 〈◊〉 much the paine of the Tooth-ache The herbe chewed and holden in the mouth bringeth mightily from the braine slimie flegme like Pellitorie of Spaine and therefore from time to time it hath beene taken for a wilde kinde thereof CHAP. 190. Of Hares Eares ¶ The Description 1 NArrow leafed Hares Eares is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and is reputed of the 〈◊〉 writers to be Bupleurum Plinij from which the name or figure disagreeth not it 〈◊〉 the long narrow and grassie leaues of Lachryma Iob or Gladiolus streaked or balked as it were with sundry stiffe streakes or ribbes running along euery leafe as 〈◊〉 speaketh of his Heptapleuram The stalkes are a cubite and a halfe long full of knots or knees very rough or stiffe spreading themselues into many branches at the tops whereof grow yellow floures in round tusts or heads like Dill. The root is as big as a finger and blacke like Peucedanum whereunto it is like in taste smell and resemblance of seede which doth the more persuade me that it is the true 〈◊〉 whereof I now speake and by the authoritie of Nicander and Pliny confirmed 1 Bupleurum angustifolium Monspeliense Narrow leafed Hares Eare. 2 Bupleurum latifolium Monspeliense Broad leafed Hares Eare. 2 The second kinde called broad leafed Hares Eares in figure tuftes and floures is the very same with the former kinde saue that the leaues are broader and stiffer and more hollow in the midst which hath caused me to call it Hares Eares hauing in the middle of the leafe some hollownesse resembling the same The root is greater and of a wooddie substance ¶ The Place They grow among Oken woods in stony and hard grounds in Narbon I haue found them growing naturally among the bushes vpon Bieston castle in Cheshire ¶ The Time They floure and bring sorth their seed in Iuly and August ¶ The Names Hares Eare is called in Latine Bupleurum in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Apothecaries of Montpelier in France do call it Auricula leporis and therefore I terme it in English Hares-Eare Valcrius Cordus nameth it Isophyllon but whence he had that name it is not knowne ¶ The Temperature They are temperate in heat and drinesse ¶ The Vertues Hippocrates hath commended it in meats for sallads and Pot-hearbs but by the authoritie of Glaucon and 〈◊〉 it is effectuall in medicine hauing the taste and sauour of Hypericon seruing in the place thereof for wounds and is taken by Tragus for Panax Chironium who doth reckon it inter Herbas vulnerarias The 〈◊〉 stamped with salt and wine and applied doe consume and 〈◊〉 away the swelling of the 〈◊〉 called the Kings euill and are vsed against the stone and Grauell CHAP. 191. Of Gromell ¶ The Description 1 THe great Gromell hath long slender and hairie stalkes beset with long browne hoarie leaues among which grow certaine bearded huskes bearing at the first small blew floures which being past there succeedeth a gray stonie seed somewhat shining The root is hard and of a wooddie substance 2 The second kinde of Gromell hath straight round wooddie stalks full of branches The leaues long small and sharpe of a darke greene colour smaller than the leaues of great Gromell among which come forth little white floures which being past there doth follow such seed as the former hath but smaller †3 There is another kinde of Gromell which hath leaues and stalkes like the small kinde the seed is not so white neither so smooth and plaine but somewhat shriueled or wrinckled The leaues are somewhat rough like vnto the common Gromell but the floures are of a purple colour and in shape like those of that wilde kinde of Buglosse called Anchusa for which cause it carrieth that additament Anchusae facie 4 There is also a degenerate kinde hereof called Anchusa degener being either a kinde of wilde Buglosse or a kinde of wilde Gromell or else a kinde of neither of both but a plant participating of both kindes it hath the seeds and stalkes of Milium solis or Gromell the leaues and rootes of Anchusa which is Alkanet and is altogether of a red colour like the same 1 Lithospermum maius Great Gromell 2 Lithospermum minus Small Gromell ‡ 3 Lithospermum Anchusae facie Purple floured Gromell ‡ 4 Anchusa degener facie Milij 〈◊〉 Bastard Gromell ¶ The Place The two first kindes do grow in vntoiled places as by the high waies sides and barren places in the street at Southfleet in Kent as you goe from the church vnto an house belonging to a 〈◊〉 of worship called Mr. William Swan and in sundry other places The two last kindes grow vpon the sands and Bach of the Sea in the isle of Thanet neere 〈◊〉 among the kindes of wilde Buglosse there growing ¶ The Time They floure from the Sommer Solstice or from the twelfth day of Iune euen vnto 〈◊〉 and in the meane season the seed is ripe ¶ The Names Gromell is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the hardnesse of the seed of diuers Gorgonium of others Aegonychon Leontion or Diosporon or Diospyron as Plinie readeth it and also Heracleos of the Arabians Milium soler in shops and among the Italians Milium solis in Spanish Mijo 〈◊〉 sol in French Gremill and Herbe aux perles in English Gromell of some Pearle plant and of others Lichwale ¶ The Temperature The seed of Gromell is hot and drie in the second degree ¶ The Vertues The seed of Gromell pound and drunke in White wine breaketh dissolueth and driueth forth the stone and prouoketh vrine and especially breaketh the stone in the bladder CHAP. 192 Of Chickeweed ¶ The Description 1 THe great Chickeweede riseth vp with stalkes a cubit high and sometime higher a great many from one roote long and 〈◊〉 slender full of ioints with a couple of 〈◊〉 growing out of euery knot or ioynt aboue an inch broad and longer than the leaues of 〈◊〉 of the wall whereunto they are very like in shape but smooth without haires
mouth and tongue must be often washed with the same decoction and sometimes a little vineger mixed therewith This disease is thought to be vnknowne to the old writers but notwithstanding if it be conferred with that which Paulus Aegineta calleth Erysipelas 〈◊〉 an inflammation of the braine then will it not be thought to bee much differing if it be not the very same CHAP. 202. Of the great Daisie or Maudelen woort 1 Bellis maior The great Daisie ¶ The Description 1 THe great Daisie hath very many broad leaues spred vpon the ground somewhat indented about the edges of the breadth of a finger not vnlike those of groundswell among which rise vp stalkes of the height of a cubit set with the like leaues but lesser in the top whereof do grow large white floures with yellow thrums in the middle like those of the single field Daisy or Mayweed without any smell at all The root is full of strings ¶ The Place It groweth in Medowes and in the borders of fields almost euery where ¶ The Time It floureth and flourisheth in May and Iune ¶ The Names It is called as we haue said Bellis maior and also 〈◊〉 media vulnerariorum to make a difrence betweene it and Bugula which is the true Consolida media notwithstanding this is holden of all to bee Consolida medij generis or a kinde of middle Consound in High Dutch as Fuchsius reporteth 〈◊〉 in English the Great Daisie and Maudelen woort ¶ The Temperature This great Daisie is moist in the end of the second degree and cold in the beginning of the same ¶ The Vertues The leaues of the great Maudleine woort are good against all burning vlcers and apostemes against the inflammation and running of the eies being applied thereto The same made vp in an vnguent or salue with wax oile and turpentine is most excellent for wounds especially those wherein is any inflammation and will not come to digestion or maturation as are those weeping 〈◊〉 made in the knees elbowes and other ioints The iuice decoction or distilled water is drunk to very good purpose against the rupture or any inward burstings The herbe is good to be put into Vulnerarie drinks or potions as one simple belonging thereto most necessarie to the which effect the best practised do vse it as a simple in such cases of great effect It likewise asswageth the cruell torments of the gout vsed with a few Mallows and butter boiled and made to the sorme of a pultis The same receipt aforesaid vsed in Clysters profiteth much against the vehement heat in agues and ceaseth the torments or wringing of the guts or bowels CHAP. 203. Of little Daisies ¶ The Description 1 THe Daisie bringeth forth many leaues from a threddy root smooth fat long and somwhat round withall very sleightly indented about the edges for the most part lying vpon the ground among which rise vp the floures euery one with his owne slender stem almost like those of Camomill but lesser of a perfect white colour and very double 2 The double red Daisie is like vnto the precedent in euery respect sauing in the colour of the floures for this plant bringeth forth floures of a red colour and the other white as aforesaid ‡ These double Daisies are of two sorts that is either smaller or larger and these againe either white or red or of both mixed together wherefore I haue giuen you in the first place the figure of the small and in the second that of the larger 3 Furthermore there is another pretty double daisie which differs from the first described only in the floure which at the sides thereof puts forth many foot-stalkes carrying also little double floures being commonly of a red colour so that each stalke carries as it were an old one and the brood thereof whence they haue fitly termed it the childing Daisie ‡ 1 Bellis minor multiplex flore albo vel rubro The lesser double red or white Daisie 2 Bellis media multiplex flore albo vel rubro The larger double white or red Daisie 4 The wilde field Daisie hath many leaues spred vpon the ground like those of the garden Daisie among which rise vp slender stems on the top whereof do grow small single floures like those of Camomill set about a bunch of yellow thrums with a pale of white leaues sometimes white now and then red and often of both mixed together The root is threddy 5 There doth likewise grow in the fields another sort of wilde Daisie agreeing with the former in each respect sauing that it is somewhat greater than the other and the leaues are somwhat more cut in the edges and larger ‡ 3 Bellis minor prolifera Childing Daisie 4 Bellis minor syluestris The small wilde Daisie 5 Bellis media syluestris The middle wilde Daisie 7 The French blew Daisie is like vnto the other blew Daisies in each respect sauing it is altogether lesser wherein consisteth the difference ‡ There were formerly three figures and descriptions of this blew Daisie but one of them might haue serued for they differ but in the tallnesse of their growth and in the bredth and narrownesse of their leaues ‡ ¶ The Place The double Daisies are planted in gardens the others grow wilde euery where The blew Daisies are strangers in England their naturall place of abode is set forth in their seuerall titles 6 Bellis coerulea siue Globularia 〈◊〉 The blew Italian Daisie 7 Bellis coerulea Monspeliaca Blew French Daisies ¶ The Time The Daisies do floure most part of the Sommer ¶ The Names The Daisie is called in high-Dutch Maszlieben in low Dutch Margrieten in Latine Bellis minor and Consolida minor or the middle Consound of Tragus Primula veris but that name is more proper vnto Primrose of some Herba Margarita or Margarites herbe in French Marguerites and Cassaudes in Italian Fiori di prima veri gentili In English Daisies and Bruisewort The blew Daisie is called Bellis coerulea of some Globularia of the round forme of the floure it is also called Aphyllanthes and Frondislora in Italian Botanaria in English blew Daisies and Globe Daisie ¶ The Temperature The lesser Daisies are cold and moist being moist in the end of the second degree and cold in the beginning of the same ¶ The Vertues The Daisies doe mitigate all kinde of paines but especially of the ioynts and gout proceeding from an hot and dry humor if they be stamped with new butter vnsalted and applied vpon the pained place but they worke more effectually if Mallowes be added thereto The leaues of Daisies vsed amongst other Pot-herbes doe make the belly soluble and they are also put into Clysters with good successe in hot burning feuers and against inflammations of the intestines The iuyce of the leaues and roots snift vp into the nosthrils purgeth the head mightily of foule and filthy slimie humors and helpeth the megrim The same giuen to little dogs with milke keepeth them
same very double When the floure hath long flourished and is waxen old then comes there in the middest of the floure a certaine browne yellow thrumme such as is in the midst of the Daisie which floure being gathered when it is young may be kept in such manner as it was gathered I meane in such freshnesse and well liking by the space of a whole yeare after in your chest or elsewhere wherefore our English women haue called it Liue-long or Liue for euer which name doth aptly answer his effects ‡ Clusius receiued this plant out of England and first set it forth by the name of Gnaphalium Americanum or Argyrocome ‡ 9 This plant hath three or foure small grayish cottony or woolly stalkes growing strait from the root and commonly diuided into many little branches the leaues be long narrow whitish soft and woolly like the other of his kinde the floures be round like buttons growing very many together at the top of the stalkes but nothing so yellow as Mouse-eare which turne into downe and are caried away with the winde 10 〈◊〉 siue Herba impia Herbe impious or wicked Cudweed 11 Leontopodium siue Pes Leoninus Lions Cudweed 10 The tenth is like vnto the last before mentioned in stalkes leaues and floures but much larger and for the most part those floures which appeare first are the lowest and basest and they are ouertopt by other floures which come on younger branches and grow higher as children secking to ouergrow or ouertop their parents as many wicked children do for which cause it hath beene called Herbaimpia that is the wicked Herbe or Herbe Impious 12 Leontopodium 〈◊〉 Small Lyons Cudweed ‡ 13 Gnaphalium oblongo 〈◊〉 Long leaued Cudweed ‡ 14 Gnaphalium minus latiore 〈◊〉 Small broad leaued Cudweed 12 This small kinde of 〈◊〉 being likewise a kind of Cotton-weed neither by Dioscorides or any other antient writer once remembred hath one single stalke nine inches in height and the leaues of Gnaphalium montanum which leaues and stalkes are white with a thicke hoary woollinesse bearing at the top pale yellow floures like Gnaphalium montanum the root is slender and wooddy ‡ 13 This which Clusius calls Gnaphalium 〈◊〉 2. hath small stalkes so ne handfull high or somewhat more of which some stand vpright others lie along vpon the ground being round hairy and vnorderly set with soft hoary leaues ingirting their stalkes at their setting on and sharpe pointed at their vpper ends The tops of the stalkes carry many whitish heads full of a yellowish downe the root is thicke and blackish with some fibres 14 This sends vp one stalke parted into seuerall branches set here and there with broad 〈◊〉 and hoarie leaues and at the diuision of the branches and amongst the leaues grow seuen or eight little heads thicke thrust together being of a grayish yellow colour and full of much downe the root is vnprofitable and perishes as soone as it hath perfected his seed Clusius calls this 〈◊〉 Plateau 3. he hauing as it seemes receiued them both from his friend Iaques Plateau ‡ ¶ The Place The first groweth in the darke woods of Hampsted and in the woods neere vnto Deptford by London The second groweth vpon dry sandy bankes The third groweth at a place called Merezey six miles from Colchester neere vnto the sea side ‡ I also had it sent me from my worshipfull friend Mr. Thomas Glynn who gathered it vpon the sea coast of Wales ‡ The rest grow vpon mountaines hilly grounds and barren pastures The kinde of Gnaphalium newly set forth to wit Americanum groweth naturally neere vnto the Mediterranean sea from whence it hath beene brought and planted in our English gardens ‡ If this be true which our Author here affirmes it might haue haue had a fitter at least a neerer denomination than from America yet Bauhine affirmes that it growes frequently in Brasill and it is not improbable that both their assertions be true ‡ ¶ The Time They floure for the most part from Iune to the end of August ¶ The Names Cotton-weed is called in Greeke Gnaphalion and it is called Gnaphalion because men vse the tender leaues of it in stead of bombaste or Cotton as Paulus Aegineta writeth Pliny saith it is called Chamaexylon as though he should say Dwarfe Cotton for it hath a soft and white cotton like vnto bombaste whereupon also it was called of diuers 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 of others Centunculus Centuncularis and Albinum which word is found among the bastard names but the later word by reason of the white colour doth reasonably well agree with it It is also called Bombax Humilis filago and Herba Impia because the yonger or those floures that spring vp later are higher and ouertop those that come first as many wicked children do vnto their parents as before touched in the description in English Cotton-weed Cud-weed Chaffe-weed and petty Cotton ¶ The Nature These herbes be of an astringent or binding and drying qualitie ¶ The Vertues Gnaphalium boyled in strong lee cleanseth the haire from nits and lice also the herbe being laid in ward-robes and presses keepeth apparell from moths The same boyled in wine and drunken killeth wormes and bringeth them forth and preuaileth against the bitings and stingings of venomous beasts The fume or smoke of the herbe dried and taken with a funnell being burned therein and receiued in such manner as we vse to take the fume of Tabaco that is with a crooked pipe made for the same purpose by the Potter preuaileth against the cough of the lungs the great ache or paine of the head and clenseth the brest and inward parts CHAP. 206. Of Golden Moth-wort or Cudweed ¶ The Description 1 GOlden Moth-wort bringeth forth slender stalkes somewhat hard and wooddy diuided into diuers small branches whereupon do grow leaues somewhat rough and of a white colour very much iagged like Southernwood The floures stand on the tops of the stalkes ioyned together in tufts of a yellow colour glittering like gold in forme resembling the scaly floures of Tansie or the middle button of the floures of Camomil which being gathred before they be ripe or withered remaine beautifull long time after as my selfe did see in the hands of Mr. Wade one of the Clerks of her Maiesties Counsell which were sent him among other things from Padua in Italy For which cause of long lasting the images and carued gods were wont to weare garlands thereof whereupon some haue called it Gods floure For which purpose 〈◊〉 King of Egypt did most diligently obserue them as Pliny writeth 1 Elyochryson siue Coma aurea Golden Moth-wort ¶ The Place It growes in most vntilled places of Italy and Spaine in medowes where the soile is barren and about the banks of riuers it is a stranger in England ¶ The Time It floures in August and September notwithstanding Theophrastus and Plmy reckon it among the floures of the Spring ¶ The Names Golden Moth-wort is called of Dioscorides Elichryson
Pliny and Theophrastus call it 〈◊〉 Gaza translates it Aurelia in English Gold-floure Golden Moth-wort ¶ The Temperature It is saith Galen of power to cut and make thinne ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides teacheth that the tops thereof drunke in wine are good for them that can hardly make water against stingings of Serpents paines of the huckle bones and taken in sweet wine it dissolueth congealed bloud The branches and leaues laid amongst cloathes keepeth them from moths whereupon it hath beene called of some Moth-weed or Mothwort CHAP. 207. Of Golden Floure-Gentle ¶ The Description 1 THis yellow Euerlasting or Floure-Gentle called of the later Herbarists Yellow Stoecas is a plant that hath stalkes of a span long and slender whereupon do grow narrow leaues white and downie as are also the stalks The floures stand on the tops of the stalks consisting of a scattered or disordered scaly tuft of a reasonable good smell of a bright yellow colour which being gathered before they be ripe do keep their colour and beauty a long time without withering as do most of the Cottonweeds or Cudweeds whereof this is a kinde The root is blacke and slender ‡ There is some varietie in the heads of this plant for they are sometimes very large and longish as Camerarius notes in his Epitome of 〈◊〉 otherwhiles they are very compact and round and of the bignesse of the ordinarie 2 This growes to some soot or more high and hath rough downie leaues like the former but broader the floures are longer but of the same yellow colour and long continuance as those of the last described This varies somthing in the bredth and length of the leaues whence Tabernamontanus gaue three figures thereof and therein was followed by our Author as you shall finde more particularly specified at the end of the chapter ‡ 3 About Nemausium and Montpelier there growes another kinde of Chrysocome or as Lobel termes it Stoechas Citrina altera but that as this plant is in all points like so in all points it is lesser and slenderer blacker and not of such beauty as the former growing more neere vnto an ash colour consisting of many small twigs a foot long The root is lesser and hath fewer strings annexed thereto and it is seldome found but in the cliffes and crags among rubbish and on walls of cities This plant is browne without sent or sauor like the other euery branch hath his own bunch of floures comming forth of a scaly or round head but not a number heaped together as in the first kinde It prospereth well in our London Gardens 1 〈◊〉 Citrina siue Amaranthus luteus Golden Stoechas or Goldilockes 2 Amaranthus luteus latifolius Broad leaued Goldilockes 3 Chrysocome capitulis conglobatis Round headed Goldilockes 4 Amaranthus luteus floreoblongo Golden Cudweed 4 There is a kinde hereof beeing a very rare plant and as rare to be found where it naturally groweth which is in the woods among the Scarlet-Okes betweene Sommieres and Mountpellier It is a fine and beautifull plant in shew passing the last described Stoechas Citrina altera but the leaues of this kinde are broad and somewhat hoarie as is all the rest of the whole plant the stalke a foot long and beareth the very floures of Stoechas Citrina altera but bigger and longer and somewhat like the floures of Lactuca agrestis the root is like the former without any manifest smel little knowne hard to finde whose faculties be yet vnknowne 5 Heliochrysos syluectris Wilde Goldylockes 5 This is a wilde kinde which Lobel setteth forth that here may be inserted called Eliochrysos 〈◊〉 The woolly or flockey leafe of this plant resembleth Gnaphalium vulgare but that it is somewhat broader in the middle the floures grow clustering together vpon the tops of the branches of a yellow colour and almost like those of Maudline the roots are blacke and wooddie ¶ The Place The first mentioned growes in Italy and other hot countries and the second growes in rough and grauelly places almost euery where neere vnto the Rhene especially between Spires and Wormes ¶ The Time They floure in Iune and Iuly ¶ The Names Golden floure is called in Latine Coma aurea of his golden locks or beautifull bush and also Tineraria in shops Stoechas citrina Amaranthus luteus 〈◊〉 Tragi of some Linaria aurea but not truely in Greeke Chryscome in Dutch Reynbloemen and Motten cruyt in Italian Amarantho Giallo in English Gold-floure Gods floure Goldilockes and Golden Stoechas ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The floures of Golden Stoechados boiled in wine and drunke expell worms out of the bellie and being boiled in Lee made of strong ashes doth kill lice and nits if they bee bathed therewith The other faculties are refered to the former plants mentioned in the last chapter CHAP. 208. Of Costmarie and Maudelein ¶ The Description 1 COstmary groweth vp with round hard stalkes two foot high bearing long broad leaues finely nicked in the edges of an ouerworn whitish green colour The tuft or bundle is of a golden colour consisting of many little floures like clusters ioyned together in a rundle after the manner of golden Stoechados The root is of a wooddy substance by nature verie durable not without a multitude of little strings hanging thereat The whole plant is of a pleasant smell sauour or taste 2 Maudleine is somewhat like to Costmary whereof it is a kinde in colour smell taste and in the golden floures set vpon the tops of the stalks in round clusters It bringeth forth a number of stalkes slender and round The leaues are narrow long indented and deepely cut about the edges The cluster of floures is lesser than that of Costmarie but of a better smell and yellower colour The roots are long lasting and many 1 Balsamita mas Costmarie 2 Balsamita foemina sive Ageratum Maudelein ‡ 3 Ageratum folijs non serratis Maudelein with vncut leaues 4 Ageratum floribus albis White floured Maudlein ‡ 4 This differeth not from the common Maudelein but in the colour of the floures which are white when as those of the ordinarie sort are yellow ‡ ¶ The Place They grow euery where in gardens and are cherished for their sweet floures and leaues ¶ The Time They bring forth their tufts of yellow floures in the Sommer moneths ¶ The Names Costmarie is called in Latine Balsamita maior or mas of some Costus 〈◊〉 it is also called Mentha Graeca and Saracenica Officinarum of Tragus Alisma of Matthiolus 〈◊〉 Graeca of others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Herbalassulata of some Herba D. Mariae in English Costmarie and Ale-coast in High Dutch Frauwenkraut in low Dutch 〈◊〉 windkraut in French Coq Maudlein is without doubt a kinde of Costmarie called of the Italians Herba Giulia of Valerius Cordus Mentha Corymbifera minor and Eupatorium Mesue It is iudged to be Dioscorides his Ageratum and it is the Costus minor hortensis of Gesner we
Germander groweth lowe with very many branches lying vpon the ground tough hard and wooddie spreading it selfe here and there whereupon are placed small leaues snipt about the edges like the teeth of a saw resembling the shape of an oken leafe The floures are of a purple colour very small standing close to the leaues toward the top of the branches The seed is little and blacke The root slender and full of strings creeping and alwaies spreading within the ground whereby it greatly increaseth ‡ This is sometimes found with bigger leaues otherwhiles with lesse also the floure is sometimes white and otherwhiles red in the same plant whence Tabernam gaue two figures and our Authour two figures and descriptions whereof I haue omitted the later and put the two titles into one ‡ 2 The second Germander riseth vp with a little straight stalk a span long and sometimes longer wooddie and hard like vnto a little shrub it is afterwards diuided into very many little small branches The leaues are indented and nicked about the edges lesser than the leaues of the former great creeping Germander the floures likewise stand neere to the leaues and on the vpper parts of the sprigs of colour sometimes purple and oftentimes tending to blewnesse the roote is diuersly dispersed with many strings 1 Chamaedrys maior latifolia Great broad leaued Germander 2 Chamaedrys minor Small Germander 3 Chamaedrys syluestris Wilde Germander 3 Wilde Germander hath little stalkes weake and feeble edged or cornered somewhat hairie and set as it were with ioints about the which by certaine distances there come forth at each ioint two leaues something broad nicked in the edges and something greater than the leaues of creeping Germander and softer The floures be of a gallant blew colour made of foure small leaues a peece standing orderly on the tops of the tender spriggie spraies after which come in place little huskes or seede vessels The root is small and threddie ¶ The Place These plants do grow in rocky and rough grounds and in gardens they do easily prosper The wilde Germander groweth in manie places about London in Medowes and fertil fields and in euery place wheresoeuer I haue trauelled in England ¶ The Time They floure and flourish from the end of May to the later end of August ¶ The Names Garden Germander is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chamaedrys of some Trissago Trixago and likewise Quercula minor notwithstanding most of these names do more properly belong to Scordium or water Germander in Italian Querciuola in English Germander or English Treacle in French Germandre Before creeping Germander was knowne this wilde kinde bare the name of Germander amongst the Apothecaries and was vsed for the right Germander in the compositions of Medicines but after the former were brought to light this began to be named Syluestris and Spuria Chamaedrys that is wilde and bastard Germander of some Teucrium pratense and without errour because all the sorts of plants comprehended vnder the title of Teucrium are doubtlesse kindes of Germander Of some it hath been thought to be the plant that Dioscorides called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hierabotane that is to say the Holie herbe if so bee that the Holie herbe and Verbenaca or Veruaine which is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be sundrie herbes Dioscorides maketh them sundrie herbes describing them apart the one after the other but other Authors as Paulus Aetius and Oribasius make no mention of Herba Sacra the Holie herbe but onely of Peristereon and this same is found to be likewise called Hierabotane or the Holie Herb and therefore it is euident that it is one and the selse same plant called by diuers names the which things considered if they say so and say truely this wilde Germander cannot be Hierabotane at all as diuers haue written and said it to be ¶ The Temperature Garden Germander is of thin parts and hath a cutting facultie it is hot and drie almost in the third degree euen as 〈◊〉 doth write of Teucrium or wilde Germandet The wilde Germander is likewise hot and drie and is not altogether without force or power to open and clense it may be counted among the number of them that do open the liuer and spleen ¶ The Vertues Germander boiled in water and drunk deliuereth the bodie from all obstructions or stoppings diuideth and cutteth tough and clammie humors being receiued as aforesaid it is good for them that haue the cough and shortnesse of breath the strangurie or stopping of vrine and helpeth those which are entring into a dropsie The leaues stamped with honie and strained and a drop at sundrie times put into the eies takes away the web and hawe in the same or any dimnesse of sight It prouoketh mightily the termes being boiled in wine and the decoction drunk with a fomentation or bath made also thereof and the secret parts bathed therewith CHAP. 213 Of Tree Germander ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Tree Germander riseth vp with a little straight stalke a cubite high wooddie and hard like vnto a small wooddie shrubbe The stalke diuideth it selfe from the bottome vnto the toppe into diuers branches whereon are set indented leaues nicked about the edges in shape not much vnlike the leafe of the common Germander The floures grow among the leaues of a purple colour The root is wooddie as is all the rest of the plant 1 Teucrium latifolium Tree Germander with broad leaues 2 Teucrium Pannonicum Hungarie Germander 2 The Tree Germander of Hungarie hath many tough threddie roots from which rise vp diuers weake and feeble stalks reeling this way and that way whereupon are set together by couples long leaues iagged in the edges not vnlike those of the vpright Fluellen on the tops of the stalks stand the floures Spike fashion thicke thrust together of a purple colour tending towards blewnesse ‡ 3 This which is the fourth of Clusius description hath diuers stalkes some cubite high foure square rough and set at certaine spaces with leaues growing by couples like those of the wilde Germander the tops of the stalkes are diuided into sundry branches carrying long spokes of blew floures consisting of foure leaues whereof the vppermost leafe is the largest and distinguished with veines after the floures are past follow such 〈◊〉 seed vessels as in Fluellen the root is fibrous and liues long sending forth euery yeare new branches ‡ ‡ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 maius Pannonicum Great Austrian Germander ‡ 4 Teucrium petraeum pumilum Dwarfe Rocke Germander 5 Teucrium Baeticum Spanish Tree Germander 6 Teucrium Alpinum Cisti flore Rough headed Tree Germander 4 This Dwarfe Germander sends vp stalkes some handfull high round not branched the leaues grow vpon these stalkes by couples thicke shining a little hairy and greene on their vpper sides and whitish below the tops of the stalkes carry spoky tufts of floures consisting of foure or fiue blewish leaues which falling there followes a seed-vessell
This floures in March and was found growing wilde by Clusius in the fields of Valentia he calls it Tragoriganum Hispanicum tertium Pena and Lobel call it Tragoriganum Cretense apud Venetas that is the Candy Goats Marierome of the Venetians ‡ ¶ The Place These plants grow wilde in Spaine Italy and other hot countries The first of these I found growing in diuers barren and chalky fields and high-wayes neere vnto Sittingburne and Rochester in Kent and also neere vnto Cobham house and Southfleet in the same county ‡ I doubt our Author was mistaken for I haue not heard of this growing wilde with vs. ‡ ¶ The Time They floure in the moneth of August I remember saith Dodonaeus that I haue seene Tragoriganum in the Low-countries in the gardens of those that apply their whole study to the knowledge of plants or as we may say in the gardens of cunning Herbarists ¶ The Names Goats Organie is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine likewise Tragoriganum in English goats Organie and Goats Marierome ¶ The Temperature Goats Organies are hot and dry in the third degree They are saith Galen of a binding qualitie ¶ The Vertues Tragoriganum or Goats Marierome is very good against the wamblings of the stomacke and the 〈◊〉 belchings of the same and stayeth the desire to vomit especially at sea 〈◊〉 bastard kindes of Organie or wilde Marieromes haue the 〈◊〉 force and faculties that the other 〈◊〉 haue for the diseases mentioned in the same chapter CHAP. 220. Of Herbe Masticke ¶ The Description 1 THe English and French herbarists at this day do in their vulgar tongues call this herb Masticke or Mastich taking this name Marum of Maro King of Thrace though some rather suppose the name corruptly to be deriued from this word Amaracus the one plant being so like the other that many learned haue taken them to be one and the selfe same plant others haue taken 〈◊〉 for Sampsuchus which doubtlesse is a kinde of Marierome Some as Dodonaeus haue called this our Marum by the name of Clinopodium which name rather belongs to another plant than to Masticke ‡ This growes some foot high with little longish leaues set by couples at the tops of the stalkes amongst white downie heads come little white floures the whole plant is of a very sweet and pleasing smell ‡ 2 If any be desirous to search for the true Marum let them be assured that the plant last mentioned is the same but if any do doubt thereof for nouelties sake here is presented vnto your view a plant of the same kinde which cannot be 〈◊〉 for a speciall kind thereof which hath a most pleasant sent or smell and in shew resembleth Marierome and Origanum consisting of smal twigs a foot and more long the heads 〈◊〉 like the common Marierome but the leaues are lesse and like Myrtus the root is of a 〈◊〉 substance with many strings hanging thereat 1 Marum Herbe Masticke 2 Marum Syriacum Assyrian Masticke 3 Marum supinum Lobelij Creeping Masticke ¶ The Place These plants are set and sowne in the gardens of England and there maintained with great care and diligence from the iniurie of our cold clymate ¶ The Time They floure about August and somewhat later in cold Sommers ¶ The Names ‡ Masticke is called of the new writers Marum and some as Lobel and Anguillara thinke it the 〈◊〉 odorum of Theophrastus Dodonaeus iudges it to be the Clinopodium of 〈◊〉 Clusius makes it his Tragoriganum 1. and saith he receiued the seeds thereof by the name of Ambra dulcis ‡ ¶ The Nature These plants are hot and drie in the third degree ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides writeth that the herbe is drunke and likewise the decoction thereof against the bitings of venomous beasts crampes and convulsions burstings and the strangurie The decoction boiled in wine till the third part be consumed and drunke stoppeth the laske 〈◊〉 them that haue an ague and vnto others in water CHAP. 221. Of Pennie Royall or pudding grasse 1 Pulegium regium Pennie Royall 2 Pulegium mas Vpright Pennie Royall ¶ The Description 1 PVlegium regium vulgatum is so exceedingly well knowne to all our English 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it needeth no description being our common Pennie Royall 2 The second being the male Pennie Royall is like vnto the former in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and smell and differeth in that this male kinde groweth vpright of himselfe without 〈◊〉 much like in shew vnto wilde Marierome 3 Pulegium angustifolium Narrow leafed Pennie Royall 3 The third kinde of Pennie Royall growes like vnto Tyme and is of a wooddie substance somewhat like vnto the thinne leased Hyssope of the sauour of common Pennie Royall ‡ but much stronger and more pleasant the longish narrow leaues stand vpon the stalkes by couples with little leaues comming forth of their bosomes and towards the tops of the branches grow rundles of small purple floures This grows plentifully about Montpellier and by the Authors of the Aduersaria who first set it forth it is stiled Pulegium angustifol sive ceruinum Monspeliensium ‡ ¶ The Place The first and common Pennie Royall groweth naturally wilde in moist and ouerflown places as in the Common neere London called Miles end about the holes ponds thereof in sundry places from whence poore women bring plentie to sell in London markets and it groweth in sundrie other Commons neere London likewise The second groweth in my garden the third I haue not as yet seene ¶ The Time They floure from the beginning of Iune to the end of August ¶ The Names Pennie Royall is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and oftentimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Pulegium and Pulegium regale for difference sake betweene it and wilde Tyme which of some is called Pulegium 〈◊〉 in Italian Pulegio in Spanish Poleo in Dutch Poley in French Pouliot in English Pennie Roy. all Pudding grasse Puliall Royall and of some Organie ¶ The Nature Pennie Royall is hot and drie in the third degree and of subtill parts as Galen saith ¶ The Vertues Pennie Royall boiled in wine and drunken prouoketh the monthly termes bringeth forth the secondine the dead childe and vnnaturall birth it prouoketh vrine and breaketh the stone especially of the kidneies Pennie Royall taken with honie clenseth the lungs and cleereth the breast from all grosse and thicke humours The same taken with honie and Aloes purgeth by stoole melancholie humours helpeth the crampe and drawing together of 〈◊〉 The same taken with water and Vineger asswageth the inordinate desire to vomite the pains of the stomacke If you haue when you are at the sea Pennie Royal in great quantitie drie and cast it into corrupt water it helpeth it much neither will it hurt them that drinke thereof A Garland of Pennie royall made and worne about the head is of great force against the swimming in the head the paines and giddinesse thereof The
away with the winde being few in number and little in quantity so that without great diligence the seed is not to be gathered or preserued for my selfe haue often indeuoured to see it and yet haue lost my labour The roote is very thicke and of an excellent sweete sauour 1 Valeriana rubra Dodonaei Red Valerian 2 Behen album Spatling poppy 2 The second is taken for Spumeum papauer in respect of that kinde of frothy spattle or spume which we call Cuckow spittle that more aboundeth in the bosomes of the leaues of these plants than in any other plant that is knowne for which cause Pena calleth it Papaver spumeum that is frothy or spatling Poppy his floure doth very little resemble any kinde of Poppy but onely the seede and cod or bowle wherein the seede is contained otherwise it is like the other Ocymastrum the floures grow at the top of the stalkes hanging downewards of a white colour and it is taken generally for Behen album the roote is white plaine and long and very tough and hard to breake ¶ The Place The first groweth plentifully in my garden being a great ornament to the same and not common in England The second groweth almost in euery pasture ¶ The Time These plants do floure from May to the end of August ¶ The Names Red Valerian hath beene so called of the likenesse of the floures and spoked rundles with Valerian by which name we had rather haue it called than rashly to lay vpon itan vnproper name There are some also who would haue it to be a kinde of Behen of the later Herbarists naming the same 〈◊〉 rubrum for difference between it and the other Behenalbum that of some is called Ocymastrum and Papauer spumeum which I haue Englished Spatling Poppie and is in truth another plant much differing from Behen of the Arabians it is also called Valerianthon Saponaria altera Struthium Aldroandi and Condurdum in English red Valerian and red Cow Basill Spatling Poppie is called Behen album Ocymastrum alterum of some Polemonium and Papauer spumeum in English Spatling Poppie frothie Poppie and white Ben. ¶ The Nature These plants are drie in the second degree ¶ The Vertues The root of Behen Album drunke in wine is good against the bloudie fluxe and beeing pound leaues and floures and laid to cureth the stingings of Scorpions and such like venomous beasts insomuch that who so doth hold the same in his hand can receiue no damage or hurt by any venomous beast The decoction of the root made in water and drunke prouoketh vrine it helpeth the strangurie and paines about the backe and Huckle bone CHAP. 225. Of Mints ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of Mints some of the garden other wilde or of the field and also some of the water ¶ The Description 1 THe first tame or garden Mint commeth vp with stalkes foure square of an obscure red colour somewhat hairie which are couered with round leaues nicked in the edges like a saw of a deepe greene colour the floures are little and red and grow about the stalkes circle-wise as those of Pennie Royall the roote creepeth aslope in the ground hauing some strings on it and now and then in sundry places it buddeth out afresh the whole herbe is of a pleasant smell and it rather lieth downe than standeth vp 2 The second is like to the first in hairie stalkes something round in blackish leaues in creeping roots and also in smell but the floures do not at all compasse the stalke about but stand vp in the tops of the branches being orderly placed in little eares or rather catkines or aglets 3 The leaues of Speare-Mint are long like those of the Willow tree but whiter softer and more bairie the floures are orderly placed in the tops of the stalks and in ears like those of the second The root hereof doth also creepe no otherwise than doth that of the first vnto which it is like 4 There is another sort of Mint which hath long leaues like to the third in stalks yet in leaues and in roots lesser but the floures hereof stand not in the tops of the branches but compasse the stalks about circle-wise as do those of the first which be of a light purple colour 1 Mentha sativarubra Red Garden Mints 2 Mentha cruciata sive crispa Crosse Mint or curled Mint 3 Mentha Romana Speare Mint ‡ 4 Mentha Cardiaca Heart Mint ‡ 5 Mentha spicata 〈◊〉 Balsam Mint ¶ The Place Most vse to set Mints in Gardens almost euery where ¶ The Time Mints do floure and flourish in Sommer in Winter the roots onely remaine being once set they continue long and remaine 〈◊〉 and fast in the ground ¶ The Names Mint is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the sweet smell saith Pliny in his 19. booke cap. 8. hath changed the name among the Graecians when as otherwise it should be called Mintha from whence our old writers haue deriued the name for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth sweet and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 smel The Apothecaries Italians and French men do keepe the Latine name Mentha the Spaniards do call it Yerua buena and Ortelana in High Dutch Muntz in Low Dutch Munte in English Mint The first Mint is called in High Dutch Diement in Low Dutch Bruyn heylighe he that would translate it into Latin must call it Sacranigricans or the holy blackish mint in English browne Mint or red Mint The second is also called in High Dutch Krausz diement Krausz muntz and Krausz balsam that is to say Mentha cruciata in French Beaume crespu in English CrosseMint or curled Mint The third is called of diuers Mentha Sarracenica Mentha Romana it is called in High Dutch Balsam muntz Onser frawen muntz Spitzer muntz Spitzer balsam it may be called Mentha angustifolia that is to say Mint with the narrow leafe and in English Speare Mint common garden Mint our Ladies Mint browne Mint and Macrell Mint The fourth is called in High Dutch Hertzkraut as though it were to bee named Cardiaca or Cardiaca Mentha in English Hart-woort or Heart-mint ‡ This is the Sisymbrium sativum of Matthiolus and Mentha hortensis altera of Gesner the Italians call it Sisembrio domestico and Balsamita the Germanes Kakenbalsam ‡ ¶ The Temperature Mint is hot and drie in the third degree It is saith Galen somewhat bitter and harsh and it is inferiour to Calamint The smell of Mint saith Pliny doth stir vp the minde and the taste to a greedy desire to meat ¶ The Vertues Mint is maruellous wholesome for the stomacke it staieth the Hicket parbraking vomiting scowring in the Cholerike passion if it be taken with the iuice of a soure pomegranate It stoppeth the casting vp of bloud being giuen with water and vineger as Galen teacheth And in broth saith Pliny it staieth the floures and is singular good against
about as those doe of common Horehound but they are yellow and the wharles be narrower the root is wooddy and durable 1 〈◊〉 Wilde Hore-hound 2 Stachys 〈◊〉 Wilde 〈◊〉 Horehound ‡ 3 Stachys spinosa Cretica Thorny Horehound ‡ 4 Stachys Lusitanica Portugall Wilde Horehound ‡ 5 Sideritis Scordioides Germander Ironwoort ‡ 6 Sideritis Alpina Hyssopifolia Hyssop-leaued Iron-wort 2 Besides this there is also another described by Fuchsius the stalkes hereof are thicke foure square now and then two or three foot long the leaues be broad long hoarie nicked in the edges hairie as are also the stalks and much broader than those of the common Horehound the floures in the whorles which compasse the stalke about are of a purple colour the seede is round and blackish the root hard somthing yellow ‡ 3 This thorny Stachys hath leaues before it comes to send forth the stalk like those of the lesser Sage but more white hairie those that grow vpon the stalkes are much narrower the stalks are square some foot high and at the parting of them into branches grow alwaies two leaues one opposit against another the tops of the branches end in long sharpe thornie prickles the floures grow about the toppes of the branches like those of Sage but of somewhat a lighter colour This grows naturally in Candy about a Towne called Larda where Honorius Bellus first obserued it there it is called Guidarothymo or Asses Tyme though it agree with Tyme in nothing but the place of growth Clusius sets it forth by the name of Stachys spinosa 4 Lobel hath giuen vs the figure and first description of this by the name of Stachys Lusitanica It hath creeping and downie stalkes some handfull and halfe high set with little leaues amongst which in rundles grow smal floures like those of the other wilde Horehounds the whole plant is of somewhat a gratefull smell ‡ 5 There is another wilde Horehound of Mountpelier called Sideritis Monspelliaca Scordioides siue Scordij folio being that kind of Sideritis or wilde 〈◊〉 which is like vnto Scordium or water Germander which groweth to the height of a handfull and a halfe with many small branches rising vpright of a wooddie substance hauing the tops and spokie coronets of Hyssop but the leaues do resemble Dioscorides his Scordium saue that they be somewhat lesser stiffer more wrinckled 〈◊〉 curled and hairie than 〈◊〉 or the Iudaicall herb the floures do 〈◊〉 those of the common Sauorie in taste bitter and of an aromaticall smell 6 Mountaine Sideritis beeing also of the kindes of Horehound was first found by Valerandus 〈◊〉 in the mountains of Sauoy resembling very wel the last described but the leaues are much narrower and like those of Hyssope the floures grow in small rough rundlets or tusts pale of 〈◊〉 like Marrubium or Tetrahit the root long and bending of a wooddie substance and purple colour bitter in taste but not vnpleasant whose vertue is yet vnknowne ¶ The Place These herbes are 〈◊〉 they grow in rough and barren places notwithstanding I haue them growing in my garden ‡ My kinde friend Mr. Buckner an Apothecary of London the last yeare being 1632 found the second of these growing wilde in Oxfordshire in the field ioyning to 〈◊〉 Parke a mile from the Towne ‡ ¶ The Time They floure in the Sommer moneths and wither towards winter the root remaineth aliue a certaine time ¶ The Names The former is taken for the right Stachys which is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is knowne in shoppes and euery where we name it in English yellow Horehound and wilde Horehoond ‡ Lobel calls it Stachys Lychnites spuria Flandrorum ‡ The other wilde Horehound seeing it hath no name is to be called Stachys spuria for it is not the right neither is it Sphacelus as most haue suspected of which Theophrastus hath made mention it is called in English purple Horehound bastard wild Horehound Fuchsius his wild Horehound ‡ Fabius Columna proues the second to be the Sideritis Heraclia of Dioscorides and the Antients ‡ ¶ The Temperature These herbes are of a biting and bitter taste and are hot in the third degree according to 〈◊〉 ‡ The Stachys Fuchsij and Sideritides seem to be hot and drie in the first degree ‡ ¶ The Vertues The decoction of the leaues drunk doth draw downe the menses and the secondine as Dioscorides teacheth ‡ 2 This is of singular vse as most of the herbes of this kinde are to keep wounds from inflammation and speedily to heale them vp as also to stay all fluxes and defluctions hauing a drying and moderate astrictiue facultie Aetius and Aegineta commend the vse of it in medicines vsed in the cure of the biting of a mad Dog ‡ ‡ CHAP. 232. Of the Fronwoorts or Alheales ‡ 1 Sideritis vulgaris Ironwoort or Alheale ‡ 2 Sideritis Angustifolia Narrow leaued Alheale ¶ The Kindes ‡ THere are many plants that belong to this kindred of the 〈◊〉 or Ironwoorts and some of them are already treated of though in seuerall places that not verie fitly by our Authour and one of them is also set forth hereafter by the name of Clownes Alheale these that are 〈◊〉 handled and properly belong to this Chapter are first the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being in the fourth place of the 229. Chapter Secondly the Stachys Fuchsij being the first 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 described in the second place of the last chapter Thirdly the 〈◊〉 Scordioides set forth in the fift place and fourthly the Sideritis Alpina Hyssopisolia set forth in the 〈◊〉 place of the last chapter Now besides all these I will in this Chapter giue you the Descriptions 〈◊〉 some others like to them in face and Vertues and all of them may be referred to the first S. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dioscorides his description ¶ The Description 1 THis hath square stalkes some cubite high rough and iointed with two leaues at 〈◊〉 ioint which are wrinkled and hairie of an indifferent bignesse snipt about 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a strong smell and of a bitterish and somewhat hottish taste almost 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ioint grow branches set with lesser leaues the floures which in roundles incompasse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the stalks end in a spike being somewhat hooded whitish well smelling and marked on the 〈◊〉 with sanguine spots The seed is rough and blacke being contained in fiue cornered seed 〈◊〉 The root is hard and wooddie sending forth many stalkes This is the Sideritis 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Cordus 〈◊〉 and others it hath a very great affinitie with the Panax Coloni or Clownes A of our Authour and the difference betweene them certainly is very small ‡ 3 Siderit is procumbens 〈◊〉 Creeping branched Ironwoort ‡ 3 Sideritis procumbens 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not branched Creeping 〈◊〉 ‡ 6 Sideritis latifolia glabra Smooth broad leaued Alheale 3 This hath some branches lying along vpon the ground slender quadrangular hairie which at certain spaces are set with leaues growing by couples almost
inflammation of the Vuula The seed of Nettle stirreth vp lust especially drunke with Cute for as Galen saith it hath in it a certaine windinesse It concocteth and draweth out of the chest raw humors It is good for them that cannot breathe vnlesse they hold their necks vpright and for those that haue the pleurisie and for such as be sick of the inflammation of the lungs if it be taken in a looch or licking medicine and also against the troublesome cough that children haue called the Chin-cough Nicander affirmeth that it is a remedie against the venomous qualitie of Hemlocke Mushroms and Quick-siluer And Apollodoris saith that it is a counterpoyson for Henbane Serpents and Scorpions As Pliny witnesseth the same Author writeth that the oyle of it takes away the stinging which the Nettle it selfe maketh The same grossely powned and drunke in white wine is a most singular medicine against the stone either in the bladder or in the reines as hath beene often proued to the great ease and comfort of those that haue been grieuously tormented with that maladie It expelleth grauell and causeth to make water The leaues of any kinde of Nettle or the seeds do worke the like effect but not with that good speed and so assuredly as the Romane Nettle CHAP. 238. Of Hempe 1 Cannabis mas Male or Steele Hempe ‡ 2 Cannabis foemina Femeline or Female Hempe ¶ The Description 1 HEmpe bringeth forth round stalkes straight hollow fiue or six foot high full of branches when it groweth wilde of it selfe but when it is sowne in fields it hath very few or no branches at all The leaues thereof be hard tough somewhat blacke and if they be bruised they be of a ranke smell made vp of diuers little leaues ioyned together euery particular leafe whereof is narrow long sharpe pointed and nicked in the edges the seeds come forth from the bottomes of the wings and leaues being round somewhat hard full of white substance The roots haue many strings 2 There is another being the female Hempe yet barren and without seed contrarie vnto the nature of that sex which is very like to the other being the male and one must be gathered before the other be ripe else it will wither away and come to no good purpose ¶ The Place Hempe as Columella writeth delighteth to grow in a fat dunged and waterie soile or plaine and moist and deepely digged ¶ The Time Hempe is sowne in March and Aprill the first is ripe in the end of August the other in Iuly ¶ The Names This is named of the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also of the Latines Cannabis the Apothecaries keep that name in high-Dutch 〈◊〉 hanff of the Italians Canape of the Spaniards Canamo in French Chanure of the Brabanders Kemp in English Hempe The male is called Charle Hempe and Winter Hempe the female Barren Hempe and Sommer Hempe ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The seed of Hempe as Galen writeth in his bookes of the faculties of simple medicines is hard of digestion hurtfull to the stomacke and head and containeth in it an ill iuyce notwithstanding some do vse to eate the same 〈◊〉 cum alijs tragematis with other junkets It consumeth winde as the said Author saith in his booke of the faculties of medicines and is so great a drier as that it drieth vp the seed if too much be eaten of it Dioscorides saith That the iuyce of the herbe dropped into the eares asswageth the paine thereof proceeding as I take it of obstruction or stopping as Galen addeth The inner substance or pulpe of the seed pressed out in some kinde of liquor is giuen to those that haue the yellow jaundice when the disease first appeares and oftentimes with good successe if the disease come of obstruction without an ague for it openeth the passage of the gall and disperseth and concocteth the choler through the whole body Matthiolus saith that the seed giuen to hens causeth them to lay egges more plentifully CHAP. 239. Of wilde Hempe 1 Cannabis Spuria Wilde Hempe ‡ 2 Cannabis Spuria altera Bastard Hempe ‡ 3 Cannabis Spuria tertia Small Bastard Hempe ¶ The Description 1 THis wilde Hempe called Cannabis Spuria 〈◊〉 Bastard Hempe hath smal slender hoary and hairie stalkes a foot high beset at euery ioynt with two leaues smally indented about the edges somewhat like a Nettle The floures grow in rundles about the stalkes of a purple colour and sometimes also white the root is little and threddy 2 There is likewise another kind of wild Hempe which hath 〈◊〉 stalkes and leaues like the former but the floures are greater gaping wide open like the floures of Lamium or dead Nettle whereof this hath been taken for a kinde but hee that knoweth any thing may easily discerne the sauor of hempe from the smell of dead Nettle The floures are of a cleare and light carnation colour declining to purple 3 There is also another kinde of wilde Hempe like vnto the last before mentioned sauing that it is smaller in each respect and not so hairy The lease is somewhat rounder the root small and threddy the 〈◊〉 is larger being purple or white with a yellow spot in the inside ¶ The Place These kinds of wild or bastard Hempe do grow vpon hills and mountaines and barren hilly grounds especially in earable land as I haue often seene in the corne fields of Kent as about Grauesend 〈◊〉 and in all the tract from thence to Canturbury and in many places about London ¶ The Time These herbes do floure from Iuly to the end of August ¶ The Names It shall suffice what hath been set downe in the titles 〈◊〉 the Latine names in English Wilde Hempe Nettle Hempe and Bastard Hempe ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The temperature and faculties are referred to the 〈◊〉 Hempe notwithstanding they are not vsed in physicke where the other may be had CHAP. 240. Of Water-Hempe ¶ The Description 1 WAter-Hempe or Water-Agrimony is seldome found in 〈◊〉 regions for which cause it is called Eupatorium Cannabinum foemina Septentrionalium and groweth in the cold Northerne countries in moist places and in the midst of ponds slow running riuers and ditches The root continueth long hauing many long and slender strings after the nature of water herbes the stalkes grow a cubit and a halfe high of a darke purple colour with many branches standing by distances one from another The leaues are more indented and lesse hairy than the male kind the floures grow at the top of a browne yellow colour 〈◊〉 with blacke spots like Aster atticus which consisteth of such a substance as is in the midst of the Daisie or the Tansie floure and is set about with small and sharpe leaues such as are about the Rose which causeth the whole floure to resemble 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and it sauoreth like gum Elemni Rosine or Cedar wood when it is burned The seed is long 〈◊〉 Pyrethrum closely thrust together and lightly cleaueth
plant bringeth forth floures of the same fashion but of a snow white colour wherein consisteth the difference ‡ Our Authour out of 〈◊〉 us gaue three figures with as many descriptions of this plant yet made it onely to vary in the colour of the floures being either purple white or red but he did not touch the difference which Tabernamontanus by his figures exprest which was the first had all the leaues whole being only snipt about the edges the lower leaues of the second were most of them whole and those vpon the stalkes deepely cut in or diuided and the third had the leaues both below and aboue all cut in or deepely diuided The figure which we here giue you expresses the first and third varieties and if you please the one may be with white and the other with red or purple floures ‡ ¶ The Place Sawe-woort groweth in woods and shadowie places and sometimes in medowes They grow in Hampsted wood likewise I haue seene it growing in great abundance in the wood adjoining to Islington within halfe a mile from the further end of the towne and in sundry places of Essex and Suffolke ¶ The Time They floure in Iuly and August ¶ The Names The later age doe call them Serratula and Serratula tinctoria it differeth as we haue said from Betony which is also called Serratula other names if it haue any we know not it is called in English Sawewoort ‡ Coesalpinus calls it Cerretta and Serretta and Thalius 〈◊〉 or Centaurium maius sylvestre Germanicum ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Serratula is wonderfully commended to be most singular for wounds ruptures burstings and such like and is referred vnto the temperature of Sanicle CHAP. 243. Of Betony ¶ The Description 1 BEtony groweth vp with long leaues and broad of a darke greene colour slightly indented about the edges like a saw The stalke is flender foure square somewhat rough a foote high more or lesse It beareth eared floures of a purplish colour and 〈◊〉 reddish after the floures commeth in place long cornered seed The root consisteth of many strings 1 Betonica Betony 2 Betony with white floures is like the precedent in each respect sauing that the flours of this plant are white and of greater beautie and the others purple or red as aforesaid ¶ The Place Betony loues shadowie woods hedge-rowes and copses the borders of pastures and such like places Betony with white floures is seldome seene I found it in a wood by a village called Hampstead neere vnto a worshipfull Gentlemans house one of the Clerkes of the Queenes counsell called Mr. Wade from whence I brought plants for my garden where they flourish as in their naturall place of growing ¶ The Time They floure and flourish for the most part in Iune and Iuly ¶ The Names Betony is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Betonica of diuers Vetonica but vnproperly There is likewise another Betonica which Paulus Aegineta described and Galen in his first booke of the gouernment of health sheweth that it is called 〈◊〉 that is to say Betonica Betonie and also Sarxiphagon Dioscorides notwithstanding doth describe another Sarxiphagon ¶ The Temperature Betony is hot and dry in the second degree it hath force to cut as Galen saith ¶ The Vertues Betony is good for them that be subject to the falling sickenesse and for those also that haue ill heads vpon a cold cause It clenseth the lungs and chest it taketh away obstructions or stoppings of the liuer milt and gall it is good against the yellow jaundise It maketh a man to haue a good stomack and appetite to his meate it preuaileth against sower belchings it maketh a man to pisse well it mitigateth paine in the kidnies and bladder it breaketh stones in the kidnies and driueth them forth It is also good for ruptures cramps and convulsions it is a remedie against the bitings of mad dogs and venomous serpents being drunke and also applied to the hurts and is most singular against poyson It is commended against the paine of the Sciatica or ache of the huckle bone There is a Conserue made of the floures and sugar good for many things and especially for the head-ache A dram weight of the root of Betonie dried and taken with meade or honied water procureth vomit and bringeth forth grosse and tough humors as diuers of our age do report The pouder of the dried leaues drunke in wine is good for them that spit or pisse bloud and cureth all inward wounds especially the greene leaues boyled in wine and giuen The pouder taken with meate looseth the belly very gently and helpeth them that haue the falling sicknesse with madnesse and head-ache It is singular against all paines of the head it killeth wormes in the belly helpeth the Ague it cleanseth the mother and hath great vertue to heale the body being hurt within by bruising or such like CHAP. 244. Of Water-Betony ¶ The Description WAter Betony hath great square hollow and brown stalks whereon are set very broad leaues notched about the edges like vnto those of Nettles of a swart greene colour growing for the most part by two and two as it were from one ioynt opposite or standing one right against an other The floures grow at the top of the branches of a darke purple colour in shape like to little helmets The seed is small contained in round bullets or buttons The root is compact of many and infinite strings Betonica aquatica Water Betony ¶ The Place It groweth by brookes and running waters by ditch sides and by the brinks of riuers and is seldome found in dry places ¶ The Time It floureth in Iuly and August and from that time the seed waxeth ripe ¶ The Names Water Betonie is called in Latine Betonica aquatica some haue thought it Dioscorides his Clymenum others his Galeopsis it is Scrophularia altera of Dodonoeus of Turner Clymenon of some Sesamoides minus but not properly of others Serpentaria in Dutch S. Antonies cruyd in English Water Betonie and by some Browne-wort in Yorke-shire Bishops leaues ¶ The Temperature Water Betony is hot and dry ¶ The Vertues The leaues of Water Betony are of a scouring or cleansing qualitie and is very good to mundifie foule and stinking vlcers especially the iuyce boyled with honey It is reported if the face be washed with the iuyce thereof it taketh away the rednesse and deformitie of it CHAP. 245. Of Great Figge-wort or Brownewort ¶ The Description 1 THe great Fig-wort springeth vp with stalkes foure square two cubits high of a darke purple colour and hollow within the leaues grow alwayes by couples as it were from one ioynt opposite or standing one right against another broad sharpe pointed snipped round about the edges like the leaues of the greater Nettle but bigger blacker and nothing at all stinging when they be touched the floures in the tops of the 〈◊〉 are of a darke purple colour very like in forme to little
helmets then commeth vp little smal seed in pretty round buttons but sharpe at the end the root is whitish beset with little knobs and bunches as it were knots and kernels 2 There is another Figge-wort called Scrophularia Indica that hath many and great branches trailing here and there vpon the ground full of leaues in fashion like the wilde or common Thistle but altogether without prickes among the leaues appeare the floures in fashion like a hood on the out side of a feint colour and within intermixt with purple which being fallen and withered there come in place small knops very hard to breake and sharpe at the point as a bodkin which containeth a small seed like vnto Time The whole plant perisheth at the first approch of Winter and must be sowen againe in Aprill in good and fertile ground ‡ This is the Scrophularia Cretica 1. of Clusius ‡ 1 Scrophularia maior Great Fig-wort ‡ 2 Scrophularia Indica Indian Fig-wort ‡ 3 The stalke of this is also square and some yard high set with leaues like those of the hedge Nettle but somewhat larger and thicker and a little deeper cut in out of the besomes of these leaues come little rough foot-stalkes some inch or two long carrying some foure or fiue hollow round floures of a greenish yellow colour with some threds in them being open at the top and cut in with fiue little gashes the seeds are blacke and contained in vessels like those of the first described the root is like that of the Nettle and liues many yeares it floures in May and the seeds are ripe in Iune I haue not found nor heard of this wilde with vs but seen it flourishing in the garden of my kinde friend Mr. Iohn Parkinson Clusius calls it Lamium 2. Pannonicum exoticum and Bauhine hath set it forth by the name of Scrophularia slore luteo whom in this I follow ‡ ‡ 3 Scrophularia flore luteo Yellow floured Fig-wort ¶ The Place The great Scrophularia groweth plentifully in shadowie Woods and sometimes in moist medowes especially in greatest aboundance in a wood as you go from London to Harnesey and also in Stow wood and Shotouer neere Oxford The strange Indian figure was sent me from Paris by Iohn Robin the Kings Herbarist and it now groweth in my garden ¶ The Time They floure in Iune and Iuly ¶ The Names Fig-wort or Kernel-wort is called in Latine Scrophularia maior that it might differ from the lesser Celandine which is likewise called Scrophularia with this addition minor the lesser it is called of some Millemorbia and Castrangula in English great Fig-wort or Kernel-wort but 〈◊〉 vsually Brown-wort ¶ The Vertues Fig-wort is good against the hard kernells which the Grecians call 〈◊〉 the Latines Strumas and commonly Scrophulas that is the Kings Euill and it is reported to be a remedy against those diseases whereof it tooke his name as also the painefull piles and swelling of the haemorrhoides Diuers do rashly teach that if it be hanged about the necke or else carried about one it keepeth a man in health Some do stampe the root with butter and set it in a moist shadowie place fifteene dayes together then they do boyle it straine it and keepe it wherewith they anoint the hard kernels and the haemorrhoide veines or the piles which are in the fundament and that with good successe CHAP. 246. Of Veruaine ¶ The Description 1 THe stalke of vpright Veruaine riseth from the root single cornered a foot high seldome aboue a cubite and afterwards diuided into many branches The leaues are long greater than those of the Oke but with bigger cuts and deeper the floures along the sprigs are little blew or white orderly placed the root is long with strings growing on it 2 Creeping Veruaine sendeth forth stalkes like vnto the former now and then a cubit long cornered more slender for the most part lying vpon the ground The leaues are like the former but with deeper cuts and more in number The floures at the tops of the sprigs are blew and purple withall very small as those of the last described and placed after the same manner and order The root groweth straight downe being slender and long as is also the root of the former 1 Verbena communis Common Veruaine 2 Verbena sacra Common Veruaine ¶ The Place Both of them grow in vntilled places neere vnto hedges high-wayes and commonly by ditches almost euery where ‡ I haue not seene the second and doubt it is not to be found wilde in England ‡ ¶ The Time The Veruaines floure in Iuly and August ¶ The Names Veruaine is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Verbena and Verbenaca Herculania Ferraria and Exupera of some Matricalis and Hiera botane of others Veruena and Sacra herba Verbenae are herbes that were taken from the Altar or from some holy place which because the Consull or Pretor did cut vp they were likewise called Sagmind which oftentiwes are mentioned in Liuy to be grassie herbes cut vp in the Capitoll Pliny also in his two and twentieth booke and eleuenth Chapter witnesseth That Verbenae and Sagmina be all one and this is manifest by that which wee reade in Andraea in Terence Ex ara verbenas hinc sume Take herbes here from the Altar in which place Terence did not meane Veruaine to be taken from the Altar but some certaine herbes for in Menander out of whom this Comedie was translated is read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Myrtle as Donatus saith In Spanish it is called Vrgebaom in Italian Verminacula in Dutch Jser cruijt in French Veruaine in English Iuno's teares Mercuries moist bloud Holy-herbe and of some Pigeons grasse or Columbine because Pigeons are delighted to be amongst it as also to eat thereof as Apuleius writeth ¶ The Temperature Both the Veruaines are of temperature very dry and do meanly binde and coole ¶ The Vertues The leaues of Veruaine pownd with oile of Roses or hogs grease doth mitigate and appease the paines of the mother being applied thereto The leaues of Veruaine and Roses stamped with a little new hogs grease and emplaistered after the manner of a pultesse doth cease the inflammation and grieuous paines of wounds and suffereth them not to come to corruption and the greene leaues stamped with hogs grease takes away the swelling and paine of hot impostumes and tumors and cleanseth corrupt and rotten vlcers It is reported to be of singular force against the Tertian and Quartane Feuers but you must obserue mother Bombies rules to take iust so many 〈◊〉 or sprigs and no more lest it fall out so that it do you no good if you catch no harm by it Many odde old wiues fables are written of 〈◊〉 tending to witchcraft and sorcerie which you may read elsewhere for I am not willing to trouble your eares with reporting such trifles as honest eares abhorre to heare Archigenes maketh a garland of Veruaine for the head-ache
Scabious whereof they be kindes therefore their faculties are like although not so proper to Physickes vse They be commended against the swellings of the Vvula as is Diuels bit but of lesse force and vertue CHAP. 250. Of Siluer Knapweed ¶ The Description 1 THe great Siluer Knapweed hath at his first comming vp diuers leaues spred vpon the ground of a deepe greene colour cut and iagged as are the other Knapweeds 〈◊〉 here and there with some siluer lines downe the same whereof it tooke his surname Argentea among which leaues riseth vp a straight stalke of the height of two or three cubits somwhat rough and brittle diuiding it selfe toward the top into other twiggie branches on the tops whereof do grow floures set in scaly heads or knaps like the other Matfellons of a gallant purple colour consisting of a number of threds or thrums thicke thrust together after which the seedes appeare slipperie smooth at one end and bear ded with blacke haires at the other end which maketh it to leap and skip away when a man doth but lightly touch it The root is small single and perisheth when the seed is ripe ‡ This is not streaked with any lines as our Author imagined nor called Argentea by any but himselfe and that very vnfitly ‡ 1 Stoebe argentea maior Great Siluer Knapweed 2 Stoebe argentea minor Little siluer Knapweed ‡ 4 Stoebe Rosmarini folio Narrow leafed Knapweed ‡ 5 Stoebe ex Codice Caesareo Thornie Knapweed ‡ 3 There is another like this in each respect but that the heads haue not so white a shining siluer colour and this I haue also seene growing with Master Iohn Tradescant at South Lambeth ‡ ‡ 4 To these may be added that plant which Pona hath set forth by the name of Stoebe capitata Rosmarini folio It hath a whitish wooddy root from whence arise diuers branches set with long narrow leaues somewhat like those of Rosemary but liker those of the Pine of a greenish colour aboue and whitish below at the tops of the branches grow such heads as in the first described Stoebe with floures of somewhat a deeper purple colour the seed is like that of Carthamus but blackish The root is not annuall but lasts many yeares ‡ ‡ 5 Though these plants haue of late been vulgarly set forth by the name of Stoebe's yet are they not iudged to bee the true Stoebe of Dioscorides and the Antients but rather another whose figure which we here giue was by Dodonaeus taken forth of a manuscript in the Emperours Library and he saith Paludanus brought home some of the same out of Cyprus and Morea as he returned from his journey out of Syria the bottome leaues are said to be much diuided those on the stalkes long and onely snipt about the edges and white the floures white and contained in scaly heads like the Blew-bottles and the tops of the branches end in sharpe prickles ‡ ¶ The Place These doe grow of themselues in fields neere common high waies and in vntilled places but they are strangers in England neuerthelesse I haue them in my garden ¶ The Time They spring vp in April they floure in August and the seed is ripe in September ¶ The Names Siluer Knapweed is called of Lobel Staebe Salamantica of Dodonaeus Aphyllanthes that is without leaues for the floures consist onely of a number of threds without any leaues at all in English Siluer Knapweed or Siluer Scabious whereof doubtlesse they be kindes ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The faculties of these Matfellons are not as yet found out neither are they vsed for meat or medicine ‡ The faculties of Staebe out of Dioscorides The seed and leaues are a stringent wherefore the decoction of them is cast vp in Dysenteries and into purulent eares and the leaues applied in manner of a pultis are good to hinder the blacknesse of the eies occasioned by a blow and stop the flowing of bloud ‡ CHAP. 251. Of Blew Bottle or Corne Floure 1 Cyanus maior Great blew Bottle 2 Cyanus vulgaris Common blew Bottle ¶ The Description 1 THe great blew Bottle hath long leaues smooth soft downie and sharpe pointed among the leaues rise vp crooked and prettie thicke branches chamfered furrowed and garnished with such leaues as are next the ground on the toppes whereof stand faire blew floures tending to purple consisting of diuers little floures set in a scaly huske or knap like those of the Knapweeds the seed is rough or bearded at one end smooth at the other and shining The root is tough and long lasting contrary to the rest of the Corne floures and groweth yearely into new shoots and springs whereby it greatly increaseth 7 Cyanus coeruleus multiflorus Double Blew-Bottles 8 Cyanus purpurens multiflorus Double Purple-Bottles ‡ 9 Cyanus repens latifolius Broad leafed creeping Blew-Bottle ‡ 10 Cyanus repens angustifolius Small creeping Blew-Bottle 2 The common Corne-floure hath leaues spred vpon the ground of a whitish greene colour somewhat hackt or cut in the edges like those of Corne Scabious among which riseth vp a stalke diuided into diuers small branches whereon do grow long leaues of an ouerworne greene colour with few cuts or none at all The floures grow at the top of the stalkes of a blew colour consisting of many small floures set in a scaly or chaffie head like those of the Knapweeds the seed is smooth bright shining and wrapped in a woolly or flocky matter The root is small and single and perisheth when it hath perfected his seed 3 This Bottle is like the last described in each respect sauing in the colour of the floures which are purple wherein consisteth the difference 4 The fourth Bottle is also like the precedent not differing in any point but in the floures for as the last before mentioned are of a purple colour contrariwise these are of a milke white colour which setteth forth the difference 5 The Violet-coloured Bottle or Corne-floure is like the precedent in stalkes leaues seeds and roots the onely difference is that this bringeth floures of a violet colour and the others not so 6 Variable Corne-floure is so like the others in stalks leaues and proportion that it cannot be distinguished with words onely the floures hereof are of two colours mixed together that is purple and white wherein it differeth from the rest 7 There is no difference to be found in the leaues stalkes seed or rootes of this Cornefloure from the other but onely that the floures hereof are of a faire blew colour and very double 8 The eighth Corne-floure is like vnto the precedent without any difference at all sauing in the colour of the floures the which are of a bright purple colour that setteth 〈◊〉 the difference ‡ 9 This from a small root sends vp diuers creeping branches some foot long set with long hoary narrow leaues at the tops of the stalkes stand the floures in scaly heads like as the other Blew-Bottles
but of a darke purple colour The whole plant is very bitter and vngratefull to the taste Lobel calls this Cyanus repens 10 This is like the last described but that the leaues are much smaller or narrower also the scaly heads of this are of a finer white siluer colour and this plant is not possessed with such bitternesse as the former Lobel calls this Cyanus minimus repens ‡ ¶ The Place The first groweth in my garden and in the gardens of Herbarists but not wilde that I know of The others grow in corne fields among wheat Rie Barley and other graine it is sowne in gardens which by cunning looking to doth oft times become of other colours and some also double which hath beene touched in their seuerall descriptions ‡ The two last grow wilde about Montpellier in France ‡ ¶ The Time They bring sorth their floures from the beginning of May vnto the end of haruest ¶ The Names The old Herbarists called it 〈◊〉 flos of the blew colour which it naturally hath most of the later sort following the common 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 call it Flos frumentorum for the Germans name it 〈◊〉 in low-Dutch 〈◊〉 in French Blaueole and Bluet in Italian Fior campese and Bladiseris i. Seris 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 as though it should be called Blaptisecula because it hindereth and annoyeth the Reapers by dulling and turning the edges of their sickles in reaping of corne in English it is called Blew-Bottle Blew-Blow Corne-floure hurt-Sickle ‡ Fabius Columna would haue it to be the Papauer spumeum or Heracleum of the Antients ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The faculties of these floures are not yet sufficiently knowne Sith there is no vse of them in physicke we will leaue the rest that might be said to a further consideration notwithstanding some haue thought the common Blew-Bottle to be of temperature something cold and therefore good against the inflammation of the eyes as some thinke CHAP. 252. Of Goats Beard or Go to bed at noone ¶ The Description 1 GOats-beard or Go to bed at noone hoth hollow stalks smooth and of a whitish green colour whereupon do grow long leaues crested downe the middle with a swelling rib sharpe pointed yeelding a milky iuyce when it is broken in shape like those of Garlick from the bosome of which leaues thrust forth small render stalks set with the like leaues but lesser the floures grow at the top of the stalkes consisting of a number of purple leaues dasht ouer as it were with a little yellow dust set about with nine or ten sharpe pointed greene leaues the whole floure resembles a starre when it is spred abroad for it shutteth it selfe at twelue of the clocke and sheweth not his face open vntill the next dayes Sun doth make it floure anew whereupon it was called Go to bed at noon when these floures be come to their full maturitie and ripenesse they grow into a downy Blow-ball like those of Dandelion which is carried away with the winde The seed is long hauing at the end one piece of that downie matter hanging at it The root is long and single with some few threds thereto anexed which perisheth when it hath perfected his seed yeelding much quantitie of a milky 〈◊〉 when it is cut or broken as doth all the rest of the plant 2 The yellow Goats beard hath the like leaues stalkes root seed and downie blow-balls that the other hath and also yeeldeth the like quantitie of milke insomuch that if the pilling while it is greene be pulled from the stalkes the milky iuyce followeth but when it hath there remained a little while it waxeth yellow The floures hereof are of a gold yellow colour and haue not such long 〈◊〉 leaues to garnish it withall wherein consisteth the difference 1 Tragopogon purpureum Purple Goats-beard 2 Tragopogon 〈◊〉 Yellow Goats-beard 3 There is another small sort of Goats-beard or Go to bed at noone which hath a thicke root full of a milky sap from which rise vp many leaues spred vpon the ground very long narrow thin and like vnto those of grasse but thicker and grosser among which rise vp tender stalkes on the tops whereof do stand faire double yellow floures like the precedent but lesser The whole plant yeeldeth a milkie sap or iuyce as the others do it perisheth like as the other when it hath perfected his seed This may be called Tragopogon minus angustifolium Little narrow leaued Goats-beard ¶ The Place The first growes not wild in England that I could euer see or heare of except in Lancashire vpon the banks of the riuer Chalder neere to my Lady Heskiths house two miles from Whawley it is sowen in gardens for the beauty of the floures almost euery where The others grow in medows and fertil pastures in most places of England It growes plentifully in most of the fields about London as at Islington in the medowes by Redriffe 〈◊〉 and Putney and in diuers other places ¶ The Time They floure and flourish from the beginning of Iune to the end of August ¶ The Names Goats-beard is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Barbahirci and also Coma in high-Dutch Bocxbaert in low-Dutch Josephes 〈◊〉 in French Barbe de 〈◊〉 and Sassify in Italian Sassefrica in Spanish Barba Cabruna in English Goats 〈◊〉 Iosephs floure Star of Ierusalem Noone-tide and Go to bed at noone ¶ The Temperature These herbes are temperate betweene heate and moisture ¶ The Vertues The roots of Goats-beard boyled in wine and drunke asswageth the paine and pricking stitches of the sides The same boyled in water vntill they be tender and buttered as parseneps and carrots are a most pleasant and wholsome meate in delicate taste farre surpassing either Parsenep 〈◊〉 Carrot which meate procures appetite warmeth the stomacke preuaileth greatly in consumptions and strengthneth those that haue been sicke of a long lingring disease CHAP. 253. Of Vipers-Grasse 1 〈◊〉 siue Scorzonera Hispanica Common Vipers Grasse 2 Viperaria humilis Dwarfe Vipers Grasse 3 Viperaria Pannonica Austrian Vipers grasse ‡ 4 Viperaria angustifolia 〈◊〉 Hungary Vipers grasse 5 Viperaria Pannonica angustifolia Narrow leafed Vipers grasse ¶ The Description 1 THe first of the Viper grasses hath long broad leaues fat or ful bodied vneuen about the edges sharpe pointed with a high swolne ribbe downe the middle and of an ouerworne colour tending to the colour of Woade among which riseth vp a stiffe stalke smooth and plaine of two cubits high whereon do grow such leaues as those next the ground The flours stand on the top of the stalkes consisting of many small yellow leaues thicke thrust together very double as are those of Goates beard whereof it is a kinde as are all the rest that 〈◊〉 follow in this present chapter the root is long thicke very brittle continuing many yeeres yeelding great increase of roots blacke without white within and yeelding a milkie juice as 〈◊〉 the leaues also like vnto the
Goates beard 2 The dwarfe Vipers grasse differeth not from the precedent sauing that it is altogether lesser wherein especially consisteth the difference †3 The broad leafed Austrian Vipers-grasse hath broad leaues sharpe pointed vneuen about the edges of a blewish greene colour the stalke riseth vp to the height of a foot or better on the top whereof do stand faire yellow 〈◊〉 very double greater and broader than any of the rest of a resonable good smell The seed followeth long and sharpe like vnto those of Goates-beard The root is thicke long and full of a milkie juice as are the leaues also 4 The narrow leaued Hungary Vipers-grasse hath long leaues like to those of Goates-beard but longer and narrower among which riseth vp a slender hollow stalke stiffe and smooth on the top whereof do stand faire double floures of a faire blew colour tending to purple in shape like the other of his kinde of a pleasant sweet smell like the smell of sweet balls made of Benzoin The seed is conteined in small cups like those of Goates beard wrapped in a downie matter that is caried away with the winde The root is not so thicke nor long as the others very single bearded at the top with certain hairy thrums yeelding a milkie juice of a resinous taste and somewhat sharpe withall It endureth the winter euen as the others do ‡ 5 This whose figure was by our Authour put to the last description hath leaues like those of Goates-beard but stiffer and shorter amongst which there growes vp a short hollow stalke some handfull high set with a few short leaues bearing a yellow floure at the top almost like that of the last saue one but lesse the seed is conteined in such cups as the common Vipers-grasse and being ripe is caried away with the leastwinde The root is blacke with a wrinkled barke and full of milke hauing the head hairy as also the last described hath This by Clusius is called Scorsonera humilis angustifolia Pannonica ‡ ¶ The Place and Time Most of these are strangers in England The two first described do grow in my garden The rest are touched in their seuerall titles They floure and flourish from May to the end of Iuly ¶ The Names Vipers-grasse is called of the Spaniards Scorzonera which soundeth in Latine Viperaria or Viperina or Serpentaria so called because it is accounted to be of force and efficacy against the poisons of Vipers and serpents for Vipera or a viper is called in Spanish Scurzo it hath no name either in the high or low Dutch nor in any other more than hath been said that I can reade in English we may call it Scorzoner after the Spanish name or Vipers-grasse ¶ The Temperature They are hot and moist as are the Goates-beards ¶ The Vertues It is reported by those of great iudgement that Vipers-grasse is most excellent against the infections of the plague and all poisons of venomous beasts and especially to cure the bitings of vipers of which there be very many in Spaine and other hot countries yet haue I heard that they haue been seen in England if the juice or herbe be drunke It helpeth the infirmities of the heart and such as vse to swoune much it cureth also them that haue the falling sickenesse and such as are troubled with giddinesse in the head The root being eaten either rosted in embers sodden or raw doth make a man merry and remoueth all sorrow The root condited with sugar as are the roots of Eringos and such like worke the like effects but more familiarly being thus dressed CHAP. 254. Of Marigolds ¶ The Description 1 THe greatest double Marigold hath many large fat broad leaues springing immediately from a fibrous or threddy root the vpper sides of the leaues are of a deepe greene and the lower side of a more light and shining greene among which rise vp stalkes somewhat hairie and also somewhat jointed and full of a spungious pith The floures in the top are beautifull round very large and double something sweet with a certaine strong smell of a light saffron colour or like pure gold from the which follow a number of long crooked seeds especially the 〈◊〉 or those that stand about the edges of the floure which being sowne commonly bring forth single floures whereas contrariwise those seeds in the middle are lesser and for the most part bring forth such floures as that was from whence it was taken 2 The common double Marigold hath many 〈◊〉 thicke crumpled leaues set vpon a grosse and spungious stalke whereupon do grow faire double 〈◊〉 floures hauing for the most part in the middle a bunch of threddes thicke thrust together which being past there succeed such crooked seeds as the first described The root is thicke and hard with some threds annexed thereto 1. 2. Calendula maior polyanthos The greater double Marigold 4 Calendula multiflora 〈◊〉 Double globe Marigold 6 Calendula simplici 〈◊〉 Single Marigold 7 Calendula 〈◊〉 Fruitfull Marigold 3 The smaller or finer leafed double Marigold groweth vpright hauing for the most part one stem or fat spongeous stalke garnished with smooth and fat leaues confusedly The floures grow at the top of the small branches very double but lesser than the other consisting of more fine iaggednesse and of a faire yellow gold colour The root is like the precedent 4 The Globe-flouring Marigold hath many large broad leaues rising immediately forth of the ground among which riseth vp a stalke of the height of a cubit diuiding it selfe toward the top into other smaller branches set or garnished with the like leaues but confusedly or without order The floures grow at the top of the stalkes very double the small leaues whereof are set in comely order by certaine rankes or rowes as sundry lines are in a Globe trauersing the whole compasse of the same whereupon it tooke the name Orbiculata 5 The fifth sort of double Marigold differeth not from the last described sauing in the colour of the floures for this plant bringeth forth floures of a straw or light yellow colour and the others not so wherein consisteth the difference ‡ All these fiue here described and which formerly had so many figures differ nothing but in the bignesse and littlenesse of the plants and floures and in the intensenesse and remisnesse of their colour which is either orange yellow or of a straw colour ‡ 6 The Marigold with single floures differeth not from those with double floures but in that it consisteth of fewer leaues which we therefore terme Single in comparison of the rest and that maketh the difference 7 This fruitfull or much bearing Marigold is likewise called of the vulgar sort of women Iacke-an-apes on horsebacke it hath leaues stalkes and roots like the common sort of Marigold differing in the shape of his floures for this plant doth bring forth at the top of the stalke one floure like the other Marigolds from the which start forth
nothing to the contrary but that there may be many plants with soft downie leaues fit to make Candle weeke of in English it is generally called French Sage wee may call it Sage Mulleine ¶ The Temperature As these be like in vertues to the others going before so they be likewise dric in temperature ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides saith that the leaues are stamped and laied in manner of a pultis vpon burnings and scaldings CHAP. 267. Of Clarie 1 Gallitricum 〈◊〉 Horminum Common Clarie 2 Gallitricum alterum Small Clarie ‡ 3 Horminum syluestre Fuchsij Fuchsius his wilde Clarie ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Clarie which is the right bringeth forth thick stalks foure square two foot long diuided into branches it hath many leaues growing both from the rootes and along the stalkes and branches by distances one against another by two and two great a handfull broad or broader somewhat rough vnequall whitish and hairie as be also the stalkes The floures are like those of Sage or of dead Nettle of colour white out of a light blew after which grow vp long toothed huskes in stead of cods in which is blacke seed The root is full of strings the whole herbe yeeldeth forth a rank and strong smell that stuffeth the head it perisheth after the seed is ripe which is in the second yeare after it is sowne 2 The second kinde of Clarie hath likewise stalkes foure square a foot and a halfe high the leaues also be rough and rugged lesser and not so white The floures be alike of colour purple or blew the rootes bee as those of the former are This hath not so strong a sent by a great deale 3 There is a kinde of Clarie which Fuchsius pictureth for wilde Clarie that hath shorter stalkes hairie and also foure square the leaues lesser long deeper indented the floures blew of colour sweet of smell but not so sweet as those of 4 Colus Iouis Iupiters 〈◊〉 the right Clarie the husks or cods when they are ripe bend downwards the seed is blackish the roots in like manner are blacke and full of strings 4 The fourth kind of Horminum called Iovis Colus representeth in the highest top of the stalke a distaffe wrapped about with yellow flax whereof it tooke his name hauing knobbie roots with certaine strings annexed thereto like Galcopsis or like vnto the roots of Clarie which doe yeeld forth sundry foure square rough stalks two cubits high whereon do grow leaues like tl ose of the Nettle rough sharpe pointed and of an ouerworne greene colour the floures do grow alongst the top of the stalks by certaine spaces set round about in smal coronets or wharles like those of Sage in forme but of a yellow colour ¶ The Place These doe grow wilde in some places notwithstanding they are manured and planted in Gardens almost euery where except Iupiters distaffe beeing a kinde thereof which I haue in my Garden ¶ The Time They floure in Iune Iuly and August ¶ The Names Clarie is called of the Apothecaries Gallitricum it is likewise named Oruala of some Tota bona but not properly of others Scarlea Sclarea Centrum Galli and Matrisaluia in Iralian Sciaria in French Oruale in High Dutch Scharlach in Low Dutch Scharleye in English Clarie or Cleere eie Iupiters distaffe is called Colus Iovis of some Galeopsis lutea but not properly of diuers Horminum luteum or yellow Clarie and Horminum Tridentinum or Clarie of Trent ¶ The Temperature Clarie is hot and drie in the third degree ¶ The Vertues The seed of Clarie poudered finely searced and mixed with hony taketh away the dimnesse of the eies and clecreth the sight The same stamped infused or laied to steepe in warme water the mussilag or slimie substance taken and applied plaisterwise draweth forth splinters of wood thornes or any other thing fixed in the bodie it also scattereth and dissolueth all kindes of swellings especially in the ioints The seed poudered and drunke with wine stirreth vp bodily lust The leaues of Clarie taken any manner of way helpeth the weaknesse of the backe proceeding of the ouermuch flowing of the whites but most effectually if they be fried with egges in manner of a Tansie either the leaues whole or stamped CHAP. 268. Of wilde Clarie or Oculus Christi ¶ The Description 1 OCulus Christi is also a kinde of Clarie but lesser the stalkes are many a cubite high squared and somewhat hairie the leaues be broad rough and of a blackish green colour The floures grow alongst the stalkes of a blewish colour The seed is round and blackish the root is thicke and tough with some threds annexed thereto ‡ This is Hormini syluestris 4. quinta species of Clusius ‡ 2 The purple Clarie hath leaues somewhat round layd ouer with a hoarie cottony substance not much vnlike Horehound among which rise vp small hairie square stalks set toward the top with little leaues of a purple colour which appeare at the first view to be floures and yet are nothing else but leaues turned into an excellent purple colour and among these beautifull leaues come forth small floures of a blewish or watchet colour in fashion like vnto the floures of Rosemarie which being withered the husks wherein they did grow containe certaine blacke seed that falleth forth vpon the ground very quickely because that euery such huske doth turne and hang downe his head toward the ground The root dieth at the first approch of Winter 1 Horminum syluestre Wilde Clarie or Oculus Christi 2 Horminum syluestre folijs purpurcis Clarie with purple leaues ‡ 3 Horminum syluestre latifolium Broad leaued wilde Clarie ‡ 4 Horminum syluestre flore albo White floured wilde Clarie ‡ 5 Horminum syluestre flore rub ro Red floured wilde Clarie 4 This hath long leaues next vnto the ground growing vpon prettie long stalkes broad at their setting on and so ending by little and little in sharpe points they are not deeply cut in but onely lightly snipt about the edges they are also wrinckled on the vpper side and whitish but hairie on the vnder side The square 〈◊〉 are some cubite high iointed and set with two leaues at each ioint The floures grow alongst the tops of the branches and are of a snow white colour There is a varietie of this with the leaues greener and the floures of an elegant deepe purple colour This is the Horminum syluestris quarti species prima of Clusius and the varietie with the white floures is his Hormini syluestris quarti 〈◊〉 prima and the figure that our Authour gaue in the first place was of 〈◊〉 5 There is another variety of the last described which also hath square stalks set with rough snipt leaues which end in sharp points but are narrower at the lower end than the former and they are greene of colour vpon the tops of the stalkes grow red hooded floures and those not very large the seed is small and blacke and
the root liues many yeares This floures in Iuly Clusius makes this his Hormini syluestris quarti 〈◊〉 quarta ‡ ¶ The Place The first groweth wilde in diuers barren places almost in euery Country especially in the fields of Holborne neere vnto Grayes Inne in the high way by the end of a bricke wall at the end of Chelsey next to London in the high way as you go from the Queenes pallace of Richmond to the waters side and in diuers other places The other is a stranger in England it groweth in my garden ¶ The Time They floure and flourish from Iune to the end of August ¶ The Names Wilde Clarie is called after the Latine name Oculus Christi of his effect in helping the diseases of the eies in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and likewise in Latine Horminum of some Geminalis in English wild Clarie and Oculus Christi The second is thought of some to be the right Clarie and they haue called it Horminum verum but with greater errour it may be called in Latine Horminum syluestre folijs floribus 〈◊〉 Clarie with leaues and floures of a purple colour ‡ Our Authour should haue shewn his reasons why this is not the Horminum verum to haue conuincted the errour of Anguillara Matthiolus Gesner 〈◊〉 Lobel and others who haue accounted it so as I my selfe must needs do vntill some reason be shewne to the contrarie the which I thinke cannot be done ‡ ¶ The Temperature and 〈◊〉 The temperature and faculties are referred vnto the garden Claries yet Paulus Aegineta saith it is hot and moderately drie and it also clenseth The seed of wilde Clarie as Dioscorides writeth being drunke with wine stirreth vp lust it clenseth the eies from filmes and other imperfections being mixed with honie The seede put whole into the eies clenseth and purgeth them exceedingly from waterish humours tednesse inflammation and diuers other maladies or all that happen vnto the eies and takes away the paine and smarting thereof especially being put into the eies one seed at one time and no more which is a generall medicine in Cheshire and other Countries thereabout 〈◊〉 of all and vsed with good successe The leaues are good to be put into pottage or brothes among other 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 congealed bloud warme the stomacke and helpe the 〈◊〉 of the eies CHAP. 269. Of Mullein ¶ The Description 1 THe male Mullein or Higtaper hath broad leaues 〈◊〉 soft whitish and downie in the midst of which riseth vp a stalke straight single and 〈◊〉 same also whitish all ouer with a hoarie downe and couered with the like leaues but lesser and 〈◊〉 euen to the top among which taperwise are set a multitude of yellow floures consisting 〈◊〉 fiue leaues apeece in the places whereof come vp little round vessels in which is contained very small seed The root is long a 〈◊〉 thicke blacke without and full of strings 1 Tapsus Barbatus Mullein or Higtaper 2 Tapsus Barbatus flore albo White 〈◊〉 Mullein 2 The female Mullein hath likewise many white woolley leaues set vpon an hoarie cottonie vpright stalke of the height of foure or fiue cubits the top of the stalks resembleth a torch decked with infinite white floures which is the speciall marke to know it from the male kinde being like in euery other respect ¶ The Place These plants do grow of themselues neere the borders of pastures and plowed fields or causies and drie sandie ditch banks and in other vntilled places They grow in great plentie neere vnto a lyme kill vpon the end of black Heath next to London as also about the 〈◊〉 house at Eltham neere vnto Dartford in Kent in the high waies about Highgate neere London and in most countries of England that are of a sandie soile ¶ The Time They are found with their floure from Iuly to September and bring forth their seed the second yeare after the seed is sowne ¶ The Names Mullein is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in shops Tapsus Barbatus of diuers Candela Regia Candelaria and Lanaria Dioscorides Pliny and Galen do call it Verbascum in Italian Verbasco and Tasso Barbasso in Spanish 〈◊〉 in High Dutch 〈◊〉 in French Bouillon in English Mullein or rather Woollen Higtaper Torches Long-woort and Bullockes Long-woort and of some Hares-beard ¶ The Temperature Mullein is of temperature drie the leaues haue also a digesting and clensing qualitie as Galen affirmeth ¶ The Vertues The leaues of Mullein being boiled in water and laid vpon hard swellings and inflammations of the eies cureth and ceaseth the paine The root boiled in red wine and drunke stoppeth the laske and bloudy flix The same boiled in water and drunke is good for them that are broken and hurt inwardly and preuaileth much against the old cough A little fine treacle spred vpon a leafe of 〈◊〉 and laied to the piles or Hemorhoides cureth the same an ointment also made with the leaues thereof and old hogs grease worketh the same effect The leaues worne vnder the feet day and night in manner of a shooe sole or sock bringeth down in yong maidens their desired sicknesse being kept vnder their feet with some socks or other thing for falling away The Countrey people especially the husbandmen in Kent doe giue their cattell the leaues to drinke against the cough of the lungs being an excellent approued medicine for the same whereupon they doe call it Bullocks Lung-woort Frankensence and Masticke burned in a 〈◊〉 dish of coles and set within a close stoole and the fume thereof taken vnderneath doth perfectly cure the piles hemorrhoids and all diseases happening in those lower parts if also there be at euery such fuming which must bee twice euerie day a leafe of the herbe bound to the place and there kept vntill the next dressing There be some who thinke that this herbe being but carried about one doth helpe the falling sicknesse especially the leaues of that plant which hath not as yet borne floures and that is gathered when the Sun is in Virgo and the Moone in Aries which thing notwithstanding is vaine and superstitious The later Physitions commend the yellow floures beeing steeped in Oile and 〈◊〉 in warme doung vntill they bee wasted into the Oile and consumed away to bee a remedie against the piles The report goeth saith Pliny that figges do not putrifie at all that are wrapped in the leaues of Mullein which thing Dioscorides also maketh mention of CHAP. 270. Of base Mullein ¶ The Description 1 THe base white Mullein hath a thicke wooddie root from which riseth vp a stiffe and hairie stalke of the height of foure cubites garnished with faire grayish leaues like those of Elecampane but lesser the floures grow round about the stalks taper or torch fashion of a white colour with certaine golden thrums in the middle the seed followeth smal and of the colour of dust 2 Blacke Mullein hath long leaues not downie at all large and sharp pointed of an ouerworne
and slackenesse of the sinewes which is the palsie The decoction of the roots is thought to be profitably 〈◊〉 against the stone in the kidneyes and bladder and the iuyce of the leaues for members that are loose and out of ioynt or inward parts that are hurt rent or broken A dramme and a halfe of the pouder of the dried roots of field Primrose gathered in Autumne giuen to drinke in Ale or Wine purgeth by vomit very forcibly but safely waterish humours choler and flegme in such manner as Azarum doth experimented by a learned and skilfull Apothecarie of Colchester Mr. Thomas Buckstone a man singular in the knowledge of Simples A conserue made with the floures of Cowslips and sugar preuaileth wonderfully against the palsie convulsions cramps and all the diseases of the sinewes Cowslips or Paigles do greatly restraine or stop the belly in the time of a great laske or bloudy flix if the decoction thereof be drunke warme A practitioner in London who was famous for curing the frensie after that hee had performed his cure by the due obseruation of physicke accustomed euery yeare in the moneth of May to diet his patients after this manner Take the leaues and floures of Primrose boyle them a little in fountaine water and in some Rose and Betony waters adding thereto sugar pepper salt and butter which being strained he gaue them to drinke thereof first and last The roots of Primrose stamped and strained and the iuyce sniffed into the nose with a quill or such like purgeth the braine and qualifieth the paine of the megrim An 〈◊〉 made with the iuyce of Cowslips and oyle of Linseed cureth all scaldings or burnings with fire water or otherwise The floures of Primroses sodden in vineger and applied do heale the Kings Euill as also the almonds of the throat and uvula if you gargarise the part with the decoction thereof The leaues and floures of Primroses boyled in wine and drunke is good against all diseases of the brest and lungs and draweth forth of the flesh any thorne or splinter or bone fixed therein CHAP. 274. Of Birds-eine 1 Primulaveris flore rubro Red Bird-eyne 2 Primula veris flore albo White Bird-eyne ¶ The Description 1 SOme Herbarists call this plant by the name of Sanicula angustifolia making thereof two kinds and distinguishing them by these termes maior minor siue media others cal them Paralytica alpina which without controuersie are kindes of Cowslips agreeing with them as well in shape as in their nature and vertues hauing leaues much like vnto Cowslips but smaller growing flat vpon the ground of a faint greenish colour on the vpper side vnderneath of a white or 〈◊〉 colour among which rise vp small and tender stalkes of a foot high hauing at the top of euery stalke a bush 〈◊〉 small floures in shape like the common Oxlip sauing that they are of a faire stammell colour tending to purple in the middle of euery small floure appeareth a little yellow spot resembling the eye of a bird which hath moued the people of the North parts where it aboundeth to call it Birds eyne The seed is small like dust and the root white and threddy 2 The second is like the first sauing that the whole plant is greater in each respect and that the floures are of a whitish colour ¶ The Place These plants grow very plentifully in moist and squally grounds in the North parts of England as in Harwood neere to Blackburne in Lancashire and ten miles from Preston in Aundernesse also at Crosby Rauenswaith and Crag-Close in Westmerland They likewise grow in the medowes belonging to a village in Lancashire neere Maudsley called Harwood and at Hesketh not far from thence and in many other places of Lancashire but not on this side Trent that I could euer haue any certaine knowledge of Lobel reporteth That doctor Penny a famous Physition of our London Colledge did finde them in these Southerne parts ¶ The Time They floure and flourish from Aprill to the end of May. ¶ The Names The first is called Primrose with the red floure the second Primrose with the white floure and Birds eyne ¶ The Nature and Vertues The nature and vertues of these red and white Primroses must be sought out amongst those aboue named CHAP 275. Of Beares eares or Mountaine Cowslips 1 Auricula vrsiflore luteo Yellow Beares-eare 2 Auricula vrsiflore purpurco Purple Beares-eare ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of Mountaine Cowslips or Beares-eares differing especially in the colour of their floures as shall be declared notwithstanding it may appeare to the curious that there is great difference in the roots also considering some of them haue knobby roots and others threddy notwithstanding there is no difference in the roots at all ‡ There are diuers 〈◊〉 of these 〈◊〉 and the chiefe differences arise either from the leaues or floures from their leaues which are either smooth and greene or else gray and hoary againe they are smooth about the edges or snipt more or lesse The floures some are fairer then othersome and their colours are so various that it is hard to finde words to expresse them but they may be refer'd to whites reds yellowes and purples for of all the varieties and mixtures of these they chiefely consist The gardens of Mr. Tradescant and Mr. 〈◊〉 are at this present furnished with very great varieties of these floures ‡ 3 Auricula Vrsi ij Clusij Red Beares eare 4 Auricula Vrsi iiij Clusij Scarlet Beares eare ¶ The Description 1 AVricula Vrsi was called of Matthiolus Pena and other Herbarists Sanicula Alpina by reason of his singular facultie in healing of wounds both inward and outward They do all call it Paralityca because of his vertues in curing the palsies cramps and convulsions and is numbred among the kindes of Cowslips whereof no doubt they are kinds as others are which do hereafter follow vnder the same title although there be some difference in the colour of the floures This beautifull and braue plant hath thicke greene and fat leaues somewhat finely snipt about the edges not altogether vnlike those of Cowslips but smoother greener and nothing rough or crumpled among which riseth vp a slender round stem a handfull high bearing a tuft of floures at the top of a faire yellow colour not much vnlike to the floures of Oxe-lips but more open and consisting of one only leafe like Cotiledon the root is very threddy and like vnto the Oxe-lip 2 The leaues of this kinde which beareth the purple floures are not so much sinipt about the edges these said purple floures haue also some yellownesse in the middle but the floures are not so much laid open as the former otherwise in all respects they are like 3 Carolus Clusius setteth forth in the booke of his Pannonicke trauels two kindes more which he hath found in his trauell ouer the Alpes and other mountaines of Germanie and Heluetia being the third in
number according to my computation it hath leaues like the former but longer smaller and narrower toward the bottome greene aboue and of a pale colour vnderneath The floures are in fashion like to the former but of a most shining red colour within and on the outside of the colour of a mulberry the middle or eye of the floure is of a whitish pale colour the root is like the former 4 The fourth is a smaller plant than any of the foresaid whose leaues are thicke and fat nothing at all snipt about the edges greene aboue and grayish vnderneath The floures are like the former shining about the edges of an ouerworne colour toward the middle and in the 〈◊〉 commeth a forke couered with an hairinesse the root is blacke and threddy 5 Auricula Vrsierubescens Blush coloured Beares eare 6 Auricula Vrsi suane rubens Bright red Beares eare 7 Auricula Vrsi minima Stamell Beares eare 5 The blush-coloured Beares 〈◊〉 hath 〈◊〉 thicke fat leaues spred vpon the ground of a whitish green colour sleightly or not at all indented in the edges among which riseth vp a naked stalke likewise hairy or whitish on the top whereof stand very faire floures in shape like those of the common Cowslip but of a whitish colour tending to purple which wee terme blush-colour The root is tough and threddy as are all the rest 6 The bright shining red Beares eare of Matthiolus description seemes to late Herbarists to be rather a figure made by conceit or imagination than by the sight of the plant it self for doubtlesse we are persuaded that there is no such plant but onely a figure foisted for ostentations sake the description whereof we leaue to a further consideration because we haue not seene any such plant neither do we beleeue there is any such ‡ Our Author is here without cause iniurious to Matthiolus for he figures and describes onely the common first described yellow Beares eare yet if he had said the floures were of a light shining red he had not erred for I haue seen these floures of all the reds both bright and darke that one may imagine ‡ 7 Pena setteth forth a kinde of Beares eare vnder the name of Sanicula Alpina hauing his vppermost leaues an inch long somewhat iagged and hem'd at the ends and broad before like a shouel the lower leaues next the ground are somewhat shorter but of the same forme among which riseth a small slender foot-stalke of an inch long whereon doth stand a small floure consisting of fiue little leaues of a bright red or stammell colour 8 The snow white Beares eare differeth not from the last described but in the colour of the floure for as the others are red contrarie these are very white and the whole plant is lesser wherein consisteth the difference The root is long tough with some fibres thereto belonging Neither of these two last described will be content to grow in gardens ¶ The Place They grow naturally vpon the Alpish and Heluetian mountaines most of them do grow in our London gardens ¶ The Time These herbes do floure in Aprill and May. ¶ The Names Either the antient writers knew not these plants or else the names of them were not by them or their successors diligently committed vnto posteritie Matthiolus and other later writers haue giuen names according to the similitude or of the shape that they beare vnto other plants according to the likenesse of the qualities and operations you may call it in English Beares eare they that dwell about the Alps doe call it Orastkrawt and Schwindlekrawt by reason of the effects thereof for the root is amongst them in great request for the strengthning of the head that when they are on the tops of places that are high giddinesse and 〈◊〉 swimming of the braine may not afflict them it is there called the Rocke-rose for that it groweth vpon the rockes and resembleth the braue colour of the Rose ‡ Fabius Columna proues this to be the Alisma or Damasonium of 〈◊〉 and the Antients ¶ The Nature These herbes are dry and very astringent ¶ The Vertues It healeth all outward and inward wounds of the brest and the enterocele also if for some reasonable space of time it be put in drinkes or boyled by itselfe These plants are of the nature and temperature of Primula veris and are 〈◊〉 amongst the Sanicles by reason of their vertue Those that hunt in the Alps and high mountaines after Goats and Bucks do as highly esteeme hereof as of Doronicum by reason of the singular effects that it hath but as I said before one especially euen in that it preuenteth the losse of their best ioynts I meane their neckes if they take the roots hereof before they ascend the rocks or other high places ‡ The root of Damasonium according to Dioscorides taken in the weight of one or two drams helpeth such as haue deuoured the 〈◊〉 marinus or sea Hare or haue been bitten by a Toad or taken too great a quantitie of Opium It is also profitably drunke either by it selfe or with the like quantitie of Daucus seeds against gripings in the belly and the bloudy flux Also it is good against convulsions and the affects of the wombe The herbe stayes the fluxes of the belly moues the courses and applied in forme of a pultis asswageth oedematous tumors ‡ CHAP. 276. Of Mountaine Sanicle ¶ The Kindes THere be sundry sorts of herbes contained vnder the name of Sanicle and yet not one of them agreeing with our common Sanicle called Diapensia in any one respect except in the vertues whereof no doubt they tooke that name which number doth dayly increase by reason that the later writers haue put downe more new plants not written of before by the Antients which shall be distinguished in this chapter by seuerall titles ¶ The Description 1 Sanicula guttata Spotted Sanicle 2 Pinguicula siue Sanicula 〈◊〉 Butterwort or Yorkshire Sanicle 3 Sanicula Alpina Clusij siue Cortusa Matthioli Beares eare Sanicle 2 The second kind of Sanicle which Clusius calleth Pinguicula not before his time remembred hath small thicke leaues fat and ful of iuyce being broad towards the root and 〈◊〉 towards the point of a faint greene colour and bitter in taste out of the middest wherof sprouteth or shooteth vp a naked slender stalke nine inches long euery stalke bearing one floure and no more sometimes white and commonly of a blewish purple colour fashioned like vnto the common Consolida regalis hauing the like spur or Larks heele anexed thereto 3 The third kinde of mountaine Sanicle some Herbarists haue called Sanicula alpina store 〈◊〉 the leaues shoot forth in the beginning of the Spring very thicke and fat and are like a purse or round lumpe at their first comming out of the ground and when it is spred abroad the vpper part thereof is full of veines or sinewes and houen vp or curled like Ranunculus Lusitanicus or like the crumpling of a cabbage
the precedent but differeth in the floures for those of this plant are white and the others of a perfect blew colour wherein is the difference †3 Neuer dying Borage hath manie verie broad leaues rough and hairie of a blacke darke greene colour among which rise vp stiffe hairie stalkes whereupon doe grow faire 〈◊〉 floures somewhat rounder pointed than the former the root is blacke and lasting hauing leaues both winter and Sommer and hereupon it was called Semper virens and that very properly to distinguish it from the rest of this kinde which are but annuall ‡ 1 Borago hortensis Garden Borage 2 Borago flore albo White floured Borage 3 Borago semper virens Neuer dying Borage 4 There is a fourth sort of Borage that hath leaues like the precedent but thinner and lesser rough and hairy diuiding it selfe into branches at the bottom of the plant whereupon are placed faire red floures wherein is the chiefest difference between this and the last described ‡ The figure which belonged to this description was put hereafter for Lycopsis Anglica ‡ ¶ The Place These grow in my garden and in others also ¶ The Time Borage floures and flourishes most part of all Sommer and till Autumne be far spent ¶ The Names Borage is called in shops Borago of the old Writers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is called in Latine Lingua Bubula Pliny calleth it Euphrosinum because it maketh a man merry and ioyfull which thing also the old verse concerning Borage dothtestifie Ego Borago gaudia semper ago I Borage bring alwaies courage It is called in high Dutch 〈◊〉 in Italian Boragine in Spanish Boraces in low Dutch 〈◊〉 in English Borage ¶ The Temperature It is euidently moist and not in like sort hot but seemes to be in a meane betwixt hot and cold ¶ The Vertues Those of our time do vse the floures in sallads to exhilerate and make the mind glad There be also many things made of them vsed euery where for the comfort of the heart for the driuing away of sorrow and encreasing the ioy of the minde The leaues boyled among other pot-herbes do much preuaile in making the belly soluble they being boyled in honied water be also good against the roughnesse of the throat and hoarsenesse as Galen teacheth The leaues and floures of Borage put into Wine make men and women glad and merry and driue away all sadnesse 〈◊〉 and melancholy as Dioscorides and Pliny affirme Syrrup made of the floures of Borage comforteth the heart purgeth melancholy and quieteth the phrenticke or lunaticke person The floures of Borage made vp with sugar do all the aforesaid with greater force and effect Syrrup made of the iuyce of Borage with sugar adding thereto pouder of the bone of a Stags heart is good against swouning the cardiacke passion of the heart against melancholy and the falling sicknesse The root is not vsed in medicine the leaues eaten raw ingender good bloud especially in those that haue been lately sicke CHAP. 283. Of Buglosse ¶ The Kindes LIke as there be diuers sorts of Borage so are there sundry of the Buglosses notwithstanding after Dioscorides Borage is the true Buglosse many are of opinion and that rightly that they may be both referred to one kinde yet will we diuide them according to the custome of our time and their vsuall denominations 1 Buglossa vulgaris Common Buglosse or Garden Buglosse 2 Buglossum luteum Lang de beefe ¶ The Description 1 THat which the Apothecaries call Buglosse bringeth forth leaues longer than those of Borage sharpe pointed longer than the leaues of Beets rough and hairy The stalke groweth vp to the height of two cubits parted aboue into sundry branches whereon are orderly placed blewish floures tending to a purple colour before they be opened and afterward more blew The root is long thicke and grosse and of long continuance ‡ 3 Buglossa syluestris minor Small wilde Buglosse 2 Lang de Beefe is a kinde hereof altogether lesser but the leaues hereof are rougher like the rough tongue of an oxe or cow whereof it tooke his name ‡ The leaues of Lang-de 〈◊〉 are very rough the stalke some cubit and halfe high commonly red of colour the tops of the branches 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in scaly rough heads these floures are composed of many small yellow leaues in manner of those of Dandelion and flie away in down like as they do the floures are of a verie bitter taste whence Lobel calls it Buglossum 〈◊〉 luteum Hieracio cognatum Tabernamontanus 〈◊〉 fitly called it Hieracium echioides 3 There is another wilde Buglosse which Dodonaeus hath by the name of Buglossa 〈◊〉 it hath a small white root from which arises a slender stalke some foot and halfe high set with smal rough leaues sinuated or cut in on the edges the stalkes at the top are diuided into three or foure small branches bearing small blew floures in rough huskes ‡ ¶ The Place These do grow in gardens euery where ‡ The Lang-de-Beefe growes wilde in many places as betweene Redriffe and Deptsord by the waterie ditch sides The little wilde Buglosse growes vpon the drie ditch bankes about Pickadilla and almost euery where ‡ ¶ The Time They floure from May or Iune euen to the end of Sommer The leaues perish in Winter and new come vp in the Spring ¶ The Names Garden Buglosse is called of the later Herbarists Buglossa and Buglossa Domestica or garden Buglosse Lang-de Beefe is called in Latine Lingua bouis and Buglossum Luteum Hieracio cognatum and also Buglossa syluestris or wilde Buglosse ‡ Small wilde Buglosse is called Borago syluestris by Tragus Echium Germanicum Spinosum by Fuchsius and Buglossa syluestris by Dodonaeus ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The root saith Dioscorides mixed with oile cureth greene wounds and adding thereto a little barley meale it is a remedie against Saint Anthonies fire It causeth sweat in agues as Plinie saith if the iuice be mixed with a little Aquavitae and the body rubbed therewith The Physitions of the later time vse the leaues floures and roots in stead of Borage and put them both into all kindes of medicines indifferently which are of force and vertue to driue away sorrow and pensiuenesse of the minde and to comfort and strengthen the heart The leaues are of like operation with those of Borage and are vsed as potherbes for the purposes aforesaid as wel Buglosse as Lang-de-Beefe and also to keepe the belly soluble CHAP. 284. Of Alkanet or wilde Buglosse ¶ The Description 1 Anchusa Alcibiadion Red Alkanet 2 Anchusa lutea Yellow Alkanet ‡ 3 Anchusa minor Small Alkanet 1 The first kinde of Alkanet hath many leaues like Echium or small Buglosse couered ouer with a prickie hoarinesse hauing commonly but one stalke which is round rough and a cubite high The cups of the floures are of a skie colour tending to purple not vnlike the floures of Echium the seed is small somewhat long
whereof I will here present you with but the second you shall finde hereafter in the chapter of Asarum by the name of Asarina 〈◊〉 This here delineated hath fiue or six leaues not much vnlike those of Alehoofe of a darke shining green colour aboue and very white and downy below the stalke is naked some handfull high hollow and downy bearing one floure at the top composed of purplish threds and flying away in downe 〈◊〉 which the stalke falls away and so the leaues onely remaine during the rest of the yeare the 〈◊〉 is small and creeping It growes on the tops of the Austrian and Stirian mountaines where it floures in Iune or August Brought into gardens it floures in Aprill Clusius calls it Tussilago Alpina 1. and he hath giuen two figures thereof both which I here giue you by the same titles as he hath them ‡ ‡ 2 Tussilago Alpina flore aperto Mountaine Colts-foot full in floure ‡ 2 Tussilago Alpina flore evanido Mountaine Colts-foot with the floure fading ¶ The Place This groweth of it selfe neere vnto Springs and on the brinkes of brookes and riuers in wet 〈◊〉 by ditches sides and in other moist and watery places neere vnto the sea almost euery where ¶ The Time The floures which quickly fade are to be seene in the end of March and about the Calends of Aprill which speedily wither together with the stems after them grow forth the leaues which remaine greene all Sommer long and hereupon it came that Colts-foot was thought to be without floures which thing also Pliny hath mentioned in his sixe and twentieth booke cap. 6. ¶ The Names Folefoot is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Latines likewise 〈◊〉 and Tussilago in shops Farfara and Vngula Caballana of diuers Pata equina in Italian Vnghia di Cauallo in Spanish vnha d' asno in French Pas d' asne in English Fole-foot Colts-foot Horse-hoofe and Bull-foot The same is also 〈◊〉 which Pliny in his twenty eighth booke and fifteenth chapter reporteth to be likewise called Farfugium and Farranum if there be not an error in the copy which thing also 〈◊〉 in his first booke affirmeth pretermitting the name of Bechium and attributing vnto it all the vertues and faculties of Bechium or Colts-foot Whose opinion Orabasius 〈◊〉 to be of in his fifteenth booke of his medicinable Collections making mention of Chamaeleuce only Pliny also agreeth with them shewing that some thinke that Bechium is called by another name Chamaeleuce in his twenty sixth booke cap. 6. and it may be that Dioscorides hath written of one and the selfe same herbe in sundry places and by diuers names Bechium and Tussilago which may also be Englished Coughwort so called of the effect and Farfara of the white Poplar tree to whose 〈◊〉 it is like which was named of the Antients Farfarus as 〈◊〉 writeth in his Comedie called 〈◊〉 viscum legioni dedi fundasque eos prosternebam vt folia Farfari To the company I gaue both lime bush and sling That to the ground as Poplar leaues I might them sling ‡ Dodonaeus from whom our Author tooke this sets downe this place in Plautus as you 〈◊〉 it here but not well for the last verse should be Fundasque 〈◊〉 praesternebant folia Farfari Thus it is in most editions of Plautus and that rightly as the ensuing words in that place declare ‡ The white Poplar tree is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and hereupon Bechion or Colts-foot was also 〈◊〉 Chamaeleuce ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The leaues of Colts-foot being fresh and greene are something cold and haue withall a 〈◊〉 qualitie they are good for vlcers and inflammations but the dried leaues are hot and drie 〈◊〉 somewhat biting A decoction made of the greene leaues and roots or else a syrrup thereof is good for the cough that proceedeth of a thin rheume The green leaues of Fole-foot pound with hony do cure and heale the hot inflammation called Saint Anthonies fire and all other inflammations The fume of the dried leaues taken through a funnell or tunnell burned vpon coles effectually helpeth those that are troubled with the shortnesse of breath and fetch their winde thicke and often and breaketh without perill the impostumes of the brest Being taken in manner as they take Tobaco it mightily preuaileth against the diseases aforesaid CHAP. 291. Of Butter-Burre ¶ The Description 1 BVtter-Burre doth in like manner bring forth floures before the leaues as doth Coltsfoot but they are small mossie tending to a purple colour which being made vp into a big eare as it were do quickly together with the stem which is thicke 〈◊〉 of substance and brittle wither and fall away the leaues are very great like to a round cap or hat called in Latine Petasus of such a widenesse as that of it selfe it is big and large enough to keepe a mans head from raine and from the heate of the Sunne and therefore they be greater than the leaues of the Clot-burre of colour somewhat white yet whiter vnderneath euery stem beareth his leafe the stem is oftentimes a cubit long thicke full of substance vpon which standeth the leafe in the centre or middlemost part of the circumference or very neere like to one of the greatest Mushroms but that it hath a cleft that standeth about the stem especially when they are in perishing and withering away at the first the vpper superficiall or outside of the Mushroms standeth 〈◊〉 and when they are in withering standeth more in and euen so the leafe of Butter-bur hath on the outside a certaine shallow hollownesse the root is thicke long blacke without white within 〈◊〉 taste somewhat bitter and is oftentimes worme-eaten ¶ The Place This groweth in moist places neere vnto riuers sides and vpon the brinks and banks of lakes and ponds almost euery where ¶ The Time The eare with the floures flourish in Aprill or sooner then come vp the leaues which continue till Winter with new ones still growing vp 1 Petasites florens Butter-Burre in floure 〈◊〉 Petasit is folia The leaues of Butter 〈◊〉 ¶ The Names Butter-bur is called in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 of the lease that is like to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or a hat the Latines call it Petasites in high Dutch 〈◊〉 in low-Dutch 〈◊〉 in English it is named Butter-Burre it is very manifest that this is like to Colts-soot and of the same kinde ¶ The Temperature Butter-Burre is hot and dry in the second degree and of thinne parts ¶ The Vertues The roots of Butter-burre stamped with ale and giuen to drinke in pestilent and burning Feuers 〈◊〉 cooleth and abateth the heate thereof The 〈◊〉 dried and 〈◊〉 to pouder and drunke in wine is a soueraigne medicine against the plague and pestilent feuers because it prouoketh sweat and driueth from the heart all 〈◊〉 and ill heate it killeth wormes and is of great force against the suffocation of the mother The same cureth all
here placed the same for the reasons rendred in my Proeme The seed is blacke and groweth in round huskes the root is long and small thrusting it selfe far abroad and into the earth like the other Binde-weeds 2 Soldanella or mountaine Binde-weed hath many round leaues spred vpon the ground not much vnlike the former but rounder and more full of veines greener of a bitter taste like sea Binde-weed among which commeth forth a small and tender stalke a handfull high bearing at the top little floures like the small Bell-floure of a sky colour The root is small and threddy ‡ 3 Soldanella Alpina minor Small Mountaine Bindweed ‡ 3 There is of this kinde another hauing all the parts smaller and the leaues redder and rounder the floures also blew and composed of one leafe diuided into fiue parts and succeeded by a longish cod round and sharp pointed ‡ ¶ The Place The first grows plentifully by the Sea shore in most places of England especially neere to Lee in Essex at Mersey in the same countie in most places of the Isle of Thanet and Shepey and in many places along the Northern coast The second groweth vpon the mountains of Germanie and the Alpes it groweth vpon the mountains of VVales not far from Cowmers Meare in North-Wales ¶ The Time These herbes do floure in Iune and are gathered in August to be kept for medicine ¶ The Names The first called Soldanella is of the Apothecaries and the Antients called Marina Brassica that is to say Sea Co'ewoort but what reason hath moued them so to doe I cannot conceiue vnlesse it be penurie and scarsitie of names and because they know not otherwise how to terme it of this I am sure that this plant and Brassica are no more like than things which are most vnlike for Brassica Marina is the Sea Colewoort which doth much resemble the garden Cabbage or Cole both in shape and in nature as I haue in his due place expressed A great fault and ouersight therefore it hath been of the old writers and their successors which haue continued the custome of this error not taking the paines to distinguish a Binde-weed from a Cole-woort But to auoid controuersies the truth is as I haue before shewed that this Soldanella is a Bindeweed and cannot be esteemed for a Brassica that is a Colewoort The later Herbarists call it Soldana and Soldanella in Dutch Zeewind that is to say Convoluulus Marinus of Dioscorides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i Brassica Marina in English Sea VVithwinde Sea Bindweed Sea-bels Sea-coale of some Sea Fole-foot and Scottish Scuruie-grasse The second is called Soldanella montana in English Mountaine Bindweed ¶ The Nature Sea Bindeweed is hot and drie in the second degree the second is bitter and very astringent ¶ The Vertues Soldanella purgeth downe mightily all kinde of watrish humours and openeth the stoppings of the liuer and is giuen with great profit against the dropsie but it must be boiled with the broth of some fat meat or flesh and the broth drunke or else the herbe taken in pouder worketh the like effect Soldanella hurteth the stomack and troubleth the weake and delicate bodies which doe receiue it in pouder wherefore aduice must be taken to mix the said pouder with Annise seeds Cinnamon ginger and sugar which spices do correct his malignitie Practitioners about Auspurge and Rauispurge cities of Germanie do greatly boast that they haue done wonders with this herbe Soldanella montana saying that the leaues taken and emplaistred vpon the nauell and somewhat lower draw forth water from their bellies that are hydroptike that is troubled with water or the dropsie this effect it worketh in other parts without heating It doth also wonderfully bring flesh in wounds and healeth them Dioscorides witnesseth that the whole herbe is an enemie to the stomacke biting and extremely purging both sodden and taken with meat and bringeth troublesome gripings thereunto and doth oftentimes more hurt than good ‡ My friend Mr. Goodyer hath told me that in Hampshire at Chichester and 〈◊〉 they make vse of this for Scuruio-grasse and that not without great errour as any that know the qualities mayeasily perceiue CHAP. 308. Of the Grasse of Parnassus 1 Gramen Parnassi Grasse of Parnassus ‡ 2 Gramen Parnassi flore duplici Grasse of Parnassus with double floures ¶ The Description 1 THe Grasse of Parnassus hath small round leaues very much differing from any kind of Grasse much resembling the leaues of Iuie or Asarabacca but smaller and not of so darke a colour among these leaues spring vp small stalkes a foot high bearing little white floures consisting of fiue round pointed leaues which beeing falne and past there come vp round knops or heads wherein is contained a reddish seed The root is somewhat thicke with many strings annexed thereto 2 The second kinde of Gramen Parnassi doth answer the former in each respect sauing that the leaues are somewhat larger and the floures double otherwise verie like ¶ The Place The first groweth very plentifully in Lansdall and Crauen in the North parts of England at Doncaster and in Thornton fields in the same countrie moreouer in the Moore neere to Linton by Cambridge at Hesset also in Suffolke at a place named Drinkstone in the medow called Butchers mead ‡ Mr. Goodyer found it in the boggy ground below the red well of Wellingborough in Northampton shire and Mr. William Broad obserued it to grow plentifully in the Castle fields of Berwicke vpon Tweed ‡ The second is a stranger in England ¶ The Time These herbes do floure in the end of Iuly and their seed is ripe in the end of August ¶ The Names Valerius Cordus hath among many that haue written of these herbes said something of them to good purpose calling them by the name of Hepatica alba whereof without controuersie they are kindes in English white Liuerwoort although there is another plant called Hepatica alba which for distinction sake I haue thought good to English Noble white Liu erwoort The second may be called Noble white Liuerwoort with the double floure ¶ The Nature The seed of Parnassus Grasse or white Liuer-woort is drie and of subtill parts ¶ The Vertues The decoction of the leaues of Parnassus Grasse drunken doth drie and strengthen the feeble and moist stomacke stoppeth the bellie and taketh away the desire to vomite The same boiled in wine or water and drunken especially the seed thereof prouoketh vrine breaketh the stone and driueth it forth CHAP. 309. Of white Saxifrage or Golden Saxifrage ¶ The Description 1 THe white Saxifrage hath round leaues spred vpon the ground and somewhat iagged about the edges not much vnlike the leaues of ground Iuie but softer and smaller and of a more faint yellowish greene among which riseth vp a round hairie stalke a cubit high bearing at the top small white floures almost like Stockgillofloures the root is compact of a number of blacke strings whereunto are fastened very
earth of Erethria in it and grinding the same they make the Azure colour of Athens After the same manner they temper Vaccinium and putting milke vnto it do make a gallant purple colour But what Vaccinia are we will elsewhere declare ¶ The Temperature The floures and leaues of the Violets are cold and moist ¶ The Vertues The floures are good for all inflammations especially of the sides and lungs they take away the hoarsenesse of the chest the ruggednesse of the winde-pipe and iawes allay the extream heate of the liuer kidneyes and bladder mitigate the fierie heate of burning agues temper the sharpnesse of choler and take away thirst There is an oyle made of Violets which is likewise cold and moist The same being anointed vpon the testicles doth gently prouoke sleepe which is hindred by a hot and dry distemper mixed or laboured together in a woodden dish with the yelke of an egge it asswageth the pain of the fundament and hemorrhoides it is likewise good to be put into cooling clisters and into pultesses that coole and ease paine But let the oyle in which the Violets be steeped be either of vnripe oliues called Omphacinum or of sweet Almonds as Mesues saith and the Violets themselues must be fresh and moist For being dry and hauing lost their moisture they doe not coole but seeme to haue gotten a kinde of heate The later Physitians do thinke it good to mix dry Violets with medicines that are to comfort and strengthen the heart The leaues of Violets inwardly taken do coole moisten and make the belly soluble Being outwardly applied they mitigate all kinde of hot inflammations both taken by themselues and also applied with Barley floure dried at the fire after it hath lien soking in the water They are likewise laid vpon a hot stomacke and on burning eyes as Galen witnesseth Dioscorides writeth that they be moreouer applied to the fundament that is fallen out They may helpe the fundament that is fallen out not as a binder keeping back the fundament but as a suppler and a mollifier Besides Pliny saith that Violets are as well vsed in garlands as smelt vnto and are good against surfeting heauinesse of the head and being dried in water and drunke they remoue the Squinancie or inward swellings of the throat They cure the falling sicknesse especially in yong children and the seed is good against the stinging of Scorpions There is a syrrup made of Violets and Sugar whereof three or foure ounces being taken at one time soften the belly and purge choler The manner to make it is as followeth First make of clarified sugar by boyling a simple syrrup of a good consistence or meane thickenesse whereunto put the floures cleane picked from all manner of filth as also the white ends nipped away a quantitie according to the quantitie of the syrrup to your owne discretion wherein let them infuse or steepe soure and twenty houres and set vpon a few warme embers then strain it and put more Violets into the same syrrup thus do three or foure times the oftner the better then set them vpon a gentle fire to simper but not to boyle in any wise so haue you it simply made of a most perfect purple colour and of the smell of the floures themselues Some do adde thereto a little of the iuyce of the floures in the boyling which maketh it of better force and vertue Likewise some do put a little quantitie of the iuyce of Lymons in the boyling which doth greatly encrease the beauty thereof but nothing at all the vertue There is likewise made of Violets and sugar certain plates called Sugar Violet or Violet tables or Plate which is most pleasant and wholesome especially it comforteth the heart and the other inward parts The decoction of Violets is good against hot feuers and the inflammation of the liuer and all other inward parts the like propertie hath the iuyce syrrup or conserue of the same Syrrup of Violets is good against the inflammation of the lungs and brest against the pleurisie and cough against feuers and agues in yong children especially if you put vnto an ounce of Syrrup eight or nine drops of oyle of Vitrioll and mix it together and giue it to the childe a spoonefull at once The same giuen in manner aforesaid is of great efficacie in burning feuers and pestilent diseases greatly cooling the inward parts and it may seeme strange to some that so sharpe a corrosiue as oyle of Vitriol should be giuen into the body yet being delayed and giuen as aforesaid sucking children may take it without any perill The same taken as aforesaid cureth all inflammations of the throat mouth uvula squinancie and the falling euill in children Sugar-Violet hath power to cease inflammations roughnesse of the throat and comforteth the heart asswageth the paines of the head and causeth sleepe The leaues of Violets are vsed in cooling plaisters oyles and comfortable cataplasmes or pultesses and are of greater efficacie among other herbes as Mercurie Mallowes and such like in clisters for the purposes aforesaid CHAP. 313. Of Hearts-ease or Pansies ¶ The Description 1 THe Hearts-ease or Paunsie hath many round leaues at the first comming vp afterward they grow somewhat longer sleightly cut about the edges trailing or creeping vpon the ground The stalkes are weake and tender whereupon do grow floures in forme and figure like the Violet and for the most part of the same bignesse of three sundry colours whereof it tooke the syrname Tricolor that is to say purple yellow and white or blew by reason of the beauty and brauerie of which colours they are very pleasing to the eye for smell they haue little or none at all The seed is contained in little knaps of the bignesse of a Tare which come forth after the floures be fallen and do open of themselues when the seed is ripe The root is nothing else but as it were a bundle of threddy strings 2 The vpright Paunsie bringeth forth long leaues deepely cut in the edges sharpe pointed of a bleake or pale greene colour set vpon slender vpright stalkes cornered ioynted or kneed a foot high or higher whereupon do grow very faire floures of three colours viz. of purple blew and yellow in shape like the common Hearts-ease but greater and fairer which colours are so excellently and orderly placed that they bring great delectation to the beholders though they haue little or no smell at all For oftentimes it hapneth that the vppermost floures are differing from those that grow vpon the middle of the plant and those varie from the lowermost as Nature list to dally with things of such beauty The seed is like the precedent 3 The wilde Paunsie differeth from that of the garden in leaues roots and tender branches the floures of this wilde one are of a bleake and pale colour far inferiour in beauty to that of the garden wherein consisteth the difference 4 Stony Hearts-ease is a base and low plant The
Vine but tenderer and for the length and great spreading therof it is very fit to make shadows in arbors the leaues are smooth like Iuie but somewhat bigger and being broken are full of milke amongst which come forth great white and hollow floures like bells The seed is three cornered growing in small huskes couered with a thin skin The root is small white and long like the great Dogs grasse 2 Smilax 〈◊〉 minor is much like vnto the former in stalkes leaues floures seed and roots sauing that in all respects it is much smaller and creepeth vpon the ground The branches are small and smooth the little leaues tender and soft the floures like vnto little bells of a purple colour the seed three cornered like vnto the others 3 Convolvulus minimus spicae-folius Lauander leafed Binde-weed 4 Convolvulus argenteus 〈◊〉 Siluer leafed Binde-weed 3 This Bindweed Pena saith he neuer saw but in the brinks of quicke-sets and Oliuets in Prouence Sauoy and Narbone notwithstanding I found it growing in the corne fields about great Dunmow in Essex in such abundance that it doth much hurt vnto their corne This kind of Bindweed or Volubilis is like vnto the small Bindweed before mentioned but it hath a finer floure plaited or folded in the compasse of the bell very orderly especially before the Sun rise for after it opens it selfe the welts are not so much perceiued and it is of a darke purple colour the seed is not vnlike the rest cornered and flat growing out of slender branches which stand vpright and thicke together proceeding out of a wooddy white root The leaues are long and narrow resembling Linaria both in colour and hairinesse in taste drying and somewhat heating 5 Volubilis nigra Blacke Bindweed ‡ 4 The stalkes and branches of this are some cubite long slender weake and hairy so that they lie vpon the ground if they haue nothing to sustaine them vpon these without any order grow leaues shaped like those of luy or the marsh Mallow but lesse and couered ouer with a siluer-like downe or hairinesse and diuided somewhat deep on the edges sometimes also curled and otherwhiles onely snipt about The floure growes vpon long stalkes like as in other plants of this kinde and consists of one folding lease like as that of the last mentioned and it is either of a whitish purple or else absolute purple colour The root is small and creeping It growes in many places of Spaine and there floures in March and Aprill Clusius calls this Convoluulus Altheae folio and saith that the Portugals name it Verdezilla and commend it as a thing most effectuall to heale wounds Our Authour gaue the figure hereof how fitly let the Reader iudge by the name of Papauer cornutum luteum minus making it a horned Poppy as you may see in the former Edition Pag. 294. ‡ †5 This kinde of Bindweed hath a 〈◊〉 root full of threddie strings from which rise vp immediatly diuers trailing branches wherupon grow leaues like the common field Bindweed or like those of Orach of a black green colour whereof it tooke his name the floures are smal and like those of Orach the seed is black three square like but lesse than that of Buck-wheat The whole plant is not onely a hurtfull weed but of an euill smell also and too frequently found amongst corne Dodonaeus calls this Convolvulum 〈◊〉 and Helxine Cissampelos Tabernamontanus Volubilis nigra and Lobel Helxine Cissampelos altera Atriplicis effigie ¶ The Place All these kindes of Bindweeds do grow very plentifully in most parts of England ‡ The third and fourth excepted ‡ ¶ The Time They do floure from May to the end of August ¶ The Names The great Bindweed is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Smilax Laeuis of Galen and Paulus Aegineta 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is surnamed Laeuis or smooth because the stalkes and branches thereof haue no prickles at all Dolichus called also Smilax hortensis or Kidney beane doth differ from this and likewise Smilax the tree which the Latines call Taxus in English the Yew tree The later Herbarists do call this Bindweed Volubilis maior Campanella Funis arborum Convoluulus albus and Smilax laeuis maior in like manner Pliny in his 21. booke 5. chapt doth also name it Conuoluulus It is thought to be Ligustrum not the shrub priuet but that which Martial in his first booke of Epigrams speaketh of writing against Procillus The small Bindweed is called Convoluulus minor and Smilax laeuis minor Volubilis minor in high Dutch Windkraut in Low Dutch Wrange in French Liseron in Italian Vilucchio in Spanish Campanilla Yerua in English Withwinde Bindeweed and Hedge-bels ¶ The Nature These herbs are of an hot and dry temperature ¶ The Vertues The leaues of blacke Bindweed called Helxine Cissampelos stamped and strained and the iuice drunken doth loose and open the bellie exceedingly The leaues pound and laid to the grieued place dissolueth wasteth and consumeth hard lumps and swellings as Galen saith The rest of the Bindweeds are not fit for medicine but vnprofitable weeds and hurtfull vnto each thing that groweth next vnto them CHAP. 318. Of Blew Bindweed ¶ The Description 1 BLew Bindweed bringeth forth long tender and winding branches by which it climeth vpon things that stand neere vnto it and foldeth it selfe about them with many turnings and windings wrapping it selfe against the Sun contrary to all other things whatsoeuer that with their clasping tendrels do embrace things that stand neere vnto them whereupon doe grow broad cornered leaues very like vnto those of Iuie something rough and hairy of an ouerworne russet greene colour among which come forth most pleasant floures bell fashion somthing cornered as are those of the common Bindweed of a most shining azure colour tending to purple which being past there succeed round knobbed seed vessels wherein is contained long blackish seed of the bignesse of a Tare and like vnto those of the great hedge Bindweed The root is threddy and perisheth at the first approchof Winter 1 Convolvulus Caeruleus Blew Binde-weed ‡ 2 Convolvulus caeruleus folio rotundo Round leaued blew Bindweed ‡ 2 There are also kept in our gardens two other blew floured Bindweeds The one a large and great plant the other a lesser The great sends vp many large and long winding branches like those of the last described and a little hairie the leaues are large and roundish ending in a sharpe point the floures are as large as those of the great Bindweed and in shape like them but blew of colour with fiue broad purplish veines equally distant each from other and these floures commonly grow three neere together vpon three seuerall stalks some inch long fastened to another ‡ 3 Convolvulus caeruleus minor folio oblongo Small blew Bindweed 3 This small blew Bindweed sendeth forth diuers long slender creeping hairie branches lying flat vpon the ground vnlesse there be something for
the edges the floure resembles a crosse with foure sharpe pointed rough leaues of a whitish blew colour which containe diuers small loose little leaues in their middles The root is long and lasting It growes vpon the rocky places of mount Baldus in Italy where Pona found it and he calls it Clemat is cruciata Alpina ‡ ‡ 6 Clematis cruciata Alpina Virgins Bower of the Alps. ¶ The Place These plants do not grow wilde in England that I can as yet learne notwithstanding I haue them all in my garden where they flourish exceedingly ¶ The Time These plants do floure from August to the end of September ¶ The Names There is not much more found of their names than is expressed in their seuerall titles notwithstanding there hath beene somewhat said as I thinke by hearesay but nothing of certaintie wherefore let that which is set downe suffice We may in English call the first Biting Clematis or white Clematis Biting Peruinkle or purging Peruinkle Ladies Bower and Virgins Bower ¶ The Temperature The leafe hereof is biting and doth mightily blister being as Galen saith of a causticke or burning qualitie it is hot in the beginning of the fourth degree ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides writeth that the leaues being applied do heale the scurfe and lepry and that the seed beaten and the pouder drunke with faire water or with mead purgeth flegme and choler by the stoole CHAP. 328. Of Wood-binde or Hony-suckle The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of Wood-bindes some of them shrubs with winding stalks that wrappe themselues vnto such things as are neere about them Likewise there be other sorts or kindes found out by the later Herbarists that clime not at all but stand vpright the which shall bee set forth among the shrubbie plants And first of the common Woodbinde ¶ The Description 1 WOodbinde or Honisuckle climeth vp aloft hauing long slender wooddie stalkes parted into diuers branches about which stand by certaine distances smooth leaues set together by couples one right against another of a light greene colour aboue vnderneath of a whitish greene The floures shew themselues in the topps of the branches many in number long white sweet of smell hollow within in one part standing more out with certaine threddes growing out of the middle The fruit is like to little bunches of grapes red when they be ripe wherein is contained small hard seed The root is wooddie and not without strings 2 This strange kind of Woodbind hath leaues stalks and roots like vnto the common Woodbinde or Honisuckle sauing that neere vnto the place where the floures come forth the stalkes 〈◊〉 grow through the leaues like vnto the herbe Thorow-wax called Perfoliata which leaues do resemble little saucers out of which broad round leaues proceed faire beautifull and well smelling floures shining with a whitish purple colour and somewhat dasht with yellow by little and little stretched out like the nose of an Elephant garnished within with small yellow chiues or threddes and when the floures are in their flourishing the leaues and floures do resemble saucers filled with the floures of Woodbinde many times it falleth out that there is to be found three or foure saucers one aboue another filled with floures as the 〈◊〉 which hath caused it to be called double Hony-suckle or Woodbinde 1 Periclymenum Woodbinde or Honisuckles 2 Periclymenum perfoliatum Italian Woodbinde ¶ The Place The VVoodbinde groweth in woods and hedges and vpon shrubbes and bushes oftentimes winding it selfe so straight and hard about that it leaueth his print vpon those things so wrapped The double Honisuckle 〈◊〉 now in my garden and many others likewise in great plenty although not long since very rare and hard to be found except in the garden of some diligent Herbarists ¶ The Time The leaues come forth betimes in the spring the floures bud forth in May and Iune the fruit is ripe in Autumne ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Volucrum maius of Scribonius Largus Syluaemater in shops Caprifolium and Matrisylua of some Lilium inter spinas in Italian vincibosco in High Dutch Geysbladt in Low Dutch Gheytenbladt and Mammekens Cruit in French Cheurefueille in Spanish 〈◊〉 in English VVoodbinde Honisuckle and Caprifoly ¶ The Temperature There hath an errour in times past growne amongst a few and now almost past recouerie to bee called againe being growne an errour vniuersall which errour is how the decoction of the leaues of Honisuckles or the distilled water of the floures are rashly giuen for the inflammations of the mouth and 〈◊〉 as though they were binding and cooling But contrariwise Honisuckle is neither cold nor binding but hot and attenuating or making thinne For as Galen saith both the fruit of VVoodbinde and also the leaues do so much attenuate and heat as 〈◊〉 somewhat too much of them be drunke they will cause the vrine to be as red as bloud yet do they at the first onely prouoke vrine ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides writeth that the ripe seed gathered and dried in the shadow and drunke vnto the quantitie of one dram weight fortie daies together doth waste and consume away the 〈◊〉 of the spleene remoueth wearisomnesse helpeth the 〈◊〉 and difficultie of breathing cureth the hicket procureth bloudie vrine after the sixt day and causeth women to haue speedie trauell in childe bearing The leaues be of the same force which being drunk thirty daies together are reported to make men barren and destroy their naturall seed The floures steeped in oile and set in the Sun is good to annoint the bodie that is benummed and growne verie cold The distilled water of the floures are giuen to be drunke with good successe against the pissing of bloud A syrrup made of the floures is good to be drunke against the diseases of the lungs and spleene that is stopped being drunke with a little wine Notwithstanding the words of Galen or rather of 〈◊〉 it is certainely found by experience that the water of Honisuckles is good against the sorenesse of the throte and uvula and with the same leaues boiled or the leaues and floures distilled are made diuers good medicines against cankers and sore mouths as well in children as elder people and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vlcerations and 〈◊〉 in the priuie parts of man or woman if there be added to the decoction hereof some allome or Verdigreace if the sore require greater clensing outwardly 〈◊〉 alwaies that there be no Verdigreace put into the water that must be iniected into the secret parts CHAP. 329. Of Jasmine or Gelsemine 1 Iasminum album VVhite Gessemine 2 Iasminum Candiflorum maius Great white Gessemine ¶ The Description 3 Iasminum luteum Yellow Iasmine 2 Lobel reporteth that he saw in a garden at Bruxels belonging to a reuerend person called Mr. Iohn Boisot a kinde of 〈◊〉 very much differing from our Iasmine which he nourished in an earthen pot it grew not aboue saith he to the height of a cubit
a little kinde of heat in them ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides saith that the roots may be eaten and that a dram weight of them drunk in wine doth waste and consume away the windinesse of the Matrix Also Pliny 〈◊〉 that the root hereof is singular good for such as after weaknesse craue to be restored to their former strength The same Author affirmeth that the weight of a dram of it drunke in wine three times in a day is excellent good against the Ptisicke or consumption of the lungs CHAP. 359. Of Musked Cranes-bill ¶ The Description MVsked Cranes-bil hath many weake and feeble branches trailing vpon the ground whereon doe grow long leaues made of many smaller leaues set vpon a middle rib snipt or cut about the edges of a pleasant sweete smell not vnlike to that of Muske among which come forth the floures set vppon tender foote-stalkes of a red colour compact of fiue small leaues apiece after which appeare small heads and pointed beakes or bills like the other kindes of Cranes bills the root is small and threddy Geranium moschatum Musked Cranes bill ¶ The Place It is planted in Gardens for the sweet smell that the whole plant is possessed with ‡ but if you rub the leaues and then smell to them you shall finde them to haue a sent quite contrary to the former ‡ ¶ The Time It floureth and flourisheth all the sommer long ¶ The Names It is called Myrrhida Plinij Rostrum Ciconiae Arcus moschata in shops and Acus pastoris and likewise Geranium moschatum in English Musked Storkes bill and Cranes bill 〈◊〉 and of the vulgar sort Muschata and also Pickneedle ¶ The Temperature This Cranes bill hath not any of his faculties found out or knowne yet it seemeth to be colde and a little dry with some astriction or binding ¶ The Vertues The vertues are referred vnto those of Doues foot and are thought of Dioscorides to be good for greene and bloudy wounds and hot swellings that are newly begun CHAP. 360. Of Crow-foot Cranes-bill or Gratia Dei. ¶ The Description 1 CRow foot Cranes bill hath many long and tender branches tending to rednesse set with great leaues deepely cut or jagged in forme like those of the fielde Crow foot whereof it tooke his name the floures are pretty large and grow at the top of the stalkes vpon tender footstalkes of a perfect blew colour which being past there succeed such heads beakes and bils as the other Cranes bils I haue in my garden another sort of this Cranes bill bringing forth very faire white floures which maketh it to differ from the precedent in other respects there is no difference at all ‡ 2 This which is the Geranium 2. Batrachiodes minus of Clusius hath large stalkes and leaues and those very much diuided or cut in the stalkes also are diuided into sundry branches which vpon long footstalkes carry floures like in shape but lesse than those of the formerly described and not blew but of a reddish purple colour hauing ten threds and a pointall comming forth of the middle of the floure the beakes or bils which are the seed stand vpright and hang not downe their points as most others do The root is large and liues many yeares 3 The stalkes of this are stiffe greene and hairy diuided at their tops into sundry branches which end in long footstalkes vpon which grow floures commonly by couples and they consist of fiue leaues apiece and these of a darke red colour The leaues are large soft and hairy diuided into six or seuen parts and snipt about the edges the roots are large and lasting It is kept with vs in gardens and floures in May. Clusius calls it Geranium 1. 〈◊〉 flore 4 This also hath stalkes and leaues much like those of the last described but somewhat lesse the florues are as large as those of the last described but of a more light red and they are conteined in thicker and shorter cups and succeeded by shorter seeds or bills and are commonly of a sweet muske-like smell The root is very long red and lasting It floures in the middest of May and is †1 Geranium Batrachioides Crow-foot Cranes-bill 2 Geranium 〈◊〉 alterum Small Crow-foot Cranes-bill ‡ 3 Geranium 〈◊〉 pullo flore Duskie Cranes-bill 4 Geranium Batrachioides longius radicatum Long rooted Cranes-bill ¶ The Place These Cranes bils are wilde of their owne nature and grow in barren places and in vallies rather than in mountaines both of them do grow in my garden ¶ The Time They floure flourish and grow greene most part of the Summer ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Geranium batrachioides which name it taketh from the likenesse of Crowfoot of some it is called Ranunculus caeruleus or blew Crowfoot Fuchsius calleth it Gottes gnad that is in Latine Gratia Dei in English also Gratia dei blew Cranes bill or Cranes bill with the blew floures or blew Crowfoot Cranes bill ¶ The Temperature The Temperature is referred to the other Cranes bils ¶ The Vertues None of these plants are now in vse in Physicke yet Fuchsius saith that Cranes bill with the blew floure is an excellent thing to heale wounds CHAP. 361. Of Candy Cranes bill 1 Geranium Creticum Candy Cranes bill 2 Geranium Malacoides Bastard Candy Cranes bill ¶ The Description 1 THe Cranes bill of Candie hath many long tender stalks soft and full of iuice diuiding it selfe into diuers branches whereon are set great broad leaues cut or jagged in diuers sections or cuts among which come forth flowers composed of fiue leaues apicce of a 〈◊〉 or watchet colour in the middle part whereof come forth a 〈◊〉 chiues and a small pointell of a purplish colour the head and beake is like to the rest of the Cranes bills but greater the 〈◊〉 dieth when it hath perfected his seed 2 This Cranes-bill being a bastard kinde of the former hath lorg 〈◊〉 branches growing to the height of two or three cubits set about with very great leaues not vnlike to those of Hollihocks but somewhat lesser of an ouerworne greene colour among which rise vp little 〈◊〉 stalks on the ends whereof do grow small floures lesser than those of the precedent 〈◊〉 of a murrey colour the head and seeds are like also but much lesser the 〈◊〉 doe likewise die at the first approch of Winter ¶ The Place These are strangers in England except in the gardens of some Herbarists they grow in my garden very plentifully ¶ The Time The time answereth the rest of the Cranes-bils yet doth that of Candie floure sor the most part with me in May. ¶ The Names There is not more to be said of the names than hath been remembred in their seueral titles they may be called in English Cranes-bils or Storkes-bils ¶ The Temperature Their temperature answereth that of Doues-foot ¶ The Vertues Their faculties in working are equall to those of Doues-foot and vsed for the
same purposes rightly specially being vsed in wound drinks for the which it doth far excel any of the Cranes bils and is equall with any other herbe whatsoeuer for the same purpose CHAP. 362. Of diuers wilde Cranes-bills ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts or kindes of Cranes-bils which haue not been remembred of the antient nor much spoken of by the later writers all which I meane to comprehend vnder this chapter making as it were of them a Chapter of wilde Cranes-bils although some of them haue place in our London gardens and that worthily especially for the beautie of the floures their names shall be expressed in their seueral titles their natures and faculties are referred to the other Cranes-bils or if you please to a further consideration ¶ The Description 1 SPotted Cranes-bill or Storkes-bill the which Lobel describeth in the title thus Geranium Fuscum flore liuido purpurante medio Candicante whose leaues are like vnto Crowfoot beeing a kinde doubtlesse of Cranes bill called Gratia Dei of an ouerworne dustie colour and of a strong sauour yet not altogether vnpleasant the stalkes are drie and brittle at the tops whereof doe grow pleasant floures of a darke purple colour the middle part of them tending to whitenesse from the stile or pointel thereof commeth forth a tuft of small purple hairy threds The root is thick and very brittle lifting it selfe forth of the ground insomuch that many of the said roots lie aboue the ground naked without earth euen as the roots of Floure-de-luces doe 2 Of these wilde ones I haue another sort in my garden which Clusius in his Pannonicke obseruations hath called Geranium Haematoides or sanguine Cranes bill and Lobel Geranium Gruinum or Gruinale it hath many flexible branches creeping vpon the ground the leaues are much like vnto Doues foot in forme but cut euen to the middle rib the floures are like those of the small wilde mallow and of the same bignesse of a perfect bright red colour which if they be suffered to 1 Geranium maculatum siue fuscum Spotted Cranes bill 2 Geranium sanguin arium Bloudy Cranes bill 3 Geranium Cicutae folio inodorum Vnsauorie fielde Cranes-bill 5 Geranium Violaceum Violet Storkes-bill 3 This wilde kinde of musked Cranes bill being altogether without sauour or smell is called Myrrhida inodorum or Geranium arvense inodorum which hath many leaues spred flat vpon the ground euery leafe made of diuers smaller leases and those cut or iagged about the edges of no smel at all amongst which rise vp slender branches whereon doe grow small floures of a light purple colour the root is long and fibrous 4 This is also one of the wilde kindes of Cranes-bills agreeing with the last described in each respect except the floures for as the other hath purple floures so this plant bringeth forth white floures other difference there is none at all 5 The Cranes-bill with violet coloured floures hath a thicke wooddie root with some few strings annexed thereto from which rise immediatly forth of the ground diuers stiffe stalks which diuide themselues into other small branches whereupon are set confusedly broad leaues made of three leaues apiece and those iagged or cut about the edges the floures grow at the top of the branches of a perfect Violet colour whereof it tooke his name after which come such beakes or bils as the other of his kinde ‡ The figure that was put vnto this Description is the same with Geranium Robertianum and therefore I thought it not much amisse to put it here againe ‡ 6 I haue likewise another sort that was sent me from Robinus of Paris whose figure was neuer set forth neither described of any it bringeth from a thicke tough root with many branches of a brownish colour wherupon do grow leaues not vnlike to those of Gratia Dei but not so deeply cut somewhat cornered and of a shining greene colour the floures grow at the top of the tender branches composed of sixe small leaues of a bright scarlet colour ¶ The Place The third and fourth of these Cranes bills growe of themselues about old VValls and about the borders of fields VVoods and copses and most of the rest wee haue growing in our gardens ¶ The Time Their time of flouring and seeding answereth the rest of the Cranes bills ¶ The Names Their seuerall titles shall serue for their names referring what might haue been said more to a further consideration ¶ The Nature and Vertues There hath not as yet any thing beene found either of their temperature or 〈◊〉 but may be referred vnto the other of their kinde ‡ CHAP. 363. Of certaine other Cranes-bills ¶ The Description ‡ 1 Geranium bulbosum Pennaei Pennies bulbous Cranes bill ‡ 2 Geranium nodosum Plateau Knotty Cranes bill ‡ 3 Geranium argenteum Alpinum Siluer leaued Mountaine Cranes bill 2 This hath stalks some foot high iointed and of a purplish colour vpon which grow leaues diuided into three parts but those below are cut into fiue and both the one and the other are snipt about the edges the floures are composed of fiue reddish purple leaues of a pretty largenesse with a reddish pointall in the middle and falling the seed follows as in other plants of this kind the root is knotty and ioynted with some fibres it floures in May and so continueth a great part of the Sommer after Clusius calls this Geranium 5. nodosum Plateau This somtimes is found to carry tuberous excrescences vpon the stalkes toward the later end of Sommer whence Plateau distinguished it from the other but afterwards found it to be the same and Clusius also figures and describeth this later variet ie by the name of Geranium 6. tuberiferum Plateau 3 The root of this is some two handfuls long blacke without and white within and towards the top diuided into sundry parts whence put forth leaues couered ouer with a fine siluer downe and they are diuided into fiue parts each of which againe is diuided into three others and they are fastned to long slender and round foot-stalkes the floures grow vpon foot-stalkes shorter than those of the leaues the floures in colour and shape are like those of the Veruaine Mallow but much lesse and after it is vaded there followes a short bill as in the other plants of this kinde It floures in 〈◊〉 and growes vpon the Alps where Pona found it and first set it forth by the name of Geranium Alpinum longius radicatum 4 The stalkes of this pretty Cranes bill are some foot or better high whereon grow leaues parted into fiue or six parts like those of the Geranium 〈◊〉 but of a lighter greene colour the floures are large composed of fiue thin and soone fading leaues of a whitish colour all ouer intermixt with fine veines of a reddish colour which adde a great deale of beauty to the floure for these veines are very small and curiously dispersed ouer the leaues of
the floure It floures in Iune and is preserued in diuers of our gardens some cal it Geran Romanum striatum in the Hortus 〈◊〉 it is set forth by the name of Geranium Anglicum variegatum Baubine calls it Geranium batrachiodes flore variegato We may call it Variegated or striped Cranes bill 5 There is of late brought into this kingdome and to our knowledge by the industry of Mr. Iohn Tradescant another more rare and no lesse beautifull than any of the former and he had it by the name of Geranium Indicum 〈◊〉 odoratum this hath not as yet beene written of by any that I know therefore I will giue you the description thereof but cannot as yet giue you the figure because I omitted the taking thereof the last yeare and it is not as yet come to his perfection The leaues are larger being almost a foot long composed of sundry little leaues of an vnequal bignes set vpon a thicke and stiffe middle rib and these leaues are much diuided and cut in so that the whole leafe somewhat resembles that of Tanacetum inodorum and they are thicke greene and somewhat hairy the stalke is thicke and some cubit high at the top of each branch vpon foot-stalkes some inch long grow some 〈◊〉 or twelue floures and each of these floures consisteth of 〈◊〉 round pointed leaues of a yellowish colour with a large 〈◊〉 purple spot in the middle of each leafe as if it were painted which giues the floure a great deale of beauty and it also hath a good smell I did see it in floure about the end of Iuly 1632. being the first time that it floured with the owner thereof We may fitly call it Sweet Indian Storks bill or painted Storks bill and in Latine Geranium Indicum odoratum flore maculato ‡ CHAP. 364. Of Sanicle Sanicula siue Diapensia Sanicle ¶ The Description SAnicle hath leaues of a blackish greene colour smooth and shining somewhat round diuided into fiue parts like those of the Vine or rather those of the maple among which rise vp slender stalkes of a browne colour on the tops whereof stand white mossie floures in their places come vp round seed rough cleauing to mens garments as they passe by in manner of little burs the root is blacke and full of threddie strings ¶ The Place It groweth in shadowie woods and copses almost euerie where it ioyeth in a fat and fruitful moist soile ¶ The Time It floureth in May and Iune the seed is ripe in August the leaues of the herbe are greene all the yeare and are not hurt with the cold of Winter ¶ The Names It is commonly called Sanicula of diuers Diapensia in high and low Dutch Sanikel in French Sanicle in English Sanickle or Sanikel it is so called à sanandis vulneribus or of healing of wounds as Ruellius saith there be also other Sanicles so named of most Herbarists as that which is described by the name of 〈◊〉 or Coral-wort and likewise Auricula vrsi or Beares care which is a kind of Cowslip and likewise another set forth by the name of Saniculaguttata whereof we haue entreated among the kindes of Beares eares ¶ The Temperature Sanicle as it is in taste bitter with a certaine binding qualitie so besides that it clenseth and by the binding faculty strengthneth it is hot and dry and that in the second degree and after some Authors hot in the third degree and astringent ¶ The Vertues The iuyce being inwardly taken is good to heale wounds The decoction of it also made in wine or water is giuen against spitting of bloud and the bloudie flix also foule and filthy vlcers be cured by being bathed therewith The herbe boyled in water and applied in manner of a pultesse doth dissolue and waste away cold swellings it is vsed in potions which are called Vulnerarie potions or wound drinkes which maketh whole and sound all inward wounds and outward hurts it also helpeth the vlcerations of the kidnies ruptures or burstings CHAP. 365. Of Ladies Mantle or great Sanicle Alchimilla Lyons foot or Ladies mantle ¶ The Description LAdies mantle hath many round leaues with fiue or six corners finely indented about the edges which before they be opened are plaited and folded 〈◊〉 not vnlike to the leaues of Mallowes but whiter and more curled among which rise vp tender stalks set with the like leaues but much lesser on the tops whereof grow small mossie floures clustering thicke together of a yellowish greene colour The seed is small and yellow inclosed in greene husks The root is thicke and full of threddy strings ¶ The Place It groweth of it selfe wilde in diuers places as in the towne pastures of Andouer and in many other places in Barkshire and Hampshire in their pastures and copses or low woods and also vpon the banke of a mote that incloseth a house in Bushey called Bourn hall fourteen miles from London and in the high-way from thence to Watford a small mile distant from it ¶ The Time It floureth in May and Iune it flourisheth in Winter as well as in Sommer ¶ The Names It is called of the later Herbarists Alchimilla and of most Stellaria Pes Leonis Pata Leonis and Sanicula maior in high-Dutch Synnauw and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mantel in French Pied de Lion in English Ladies mantle great Sanicle Lyons foot Lyons paw and of some Padelyon ¶ The Temperature Ladies 〈◊〉 is like in temperature to little Sanicle yet is it more drying and more binding ¶ The Vertues It is applied to wounds after the same manner that the 〈◊〉 Sanicle is being of like efficacie it stoppeth bleeding and also the ouermuch flowing of the natural sicknesse it keeps downe maidens paps or dugs 〈◊〉 when they be too great or flaggy it maketh them lesser or harder CHAP. 366. Of Neese-wort Sanicle 〈◊〉 Alpina Neesewort Sanicle ¶ The Description WHen I made mention of Helleborus albus I did also set downe my censure concerning Elleborine or Epipactis but this Elleborine of the Alpes I put in this place because it approcheth neerer vnto Sanicle and Ranunculus as participating of both it groweth in the mountaines and highest parts of the Alpish hills and is a stranger as yet in our English gardens The root is compact of many small twisted strings like black Hellebor from thence arise small tender stalkes smooth and easie to bend in whose tops grow leaues with fiue diuisions somewhat nickt about the edges like vnto Sanicle the sloures consist of six leaues somewhat shining in taste sharp yet not vnpleasant This is the plant which 〈◊〉 found in the forrest of Esens not sarre from Iupiters mount and sets forth by the name of Alpina Elleborine Saniculae Ellebori nigri facie ¶ The Nature and Vertues I haue not as yet sound any thing of his nature or vertues CHAP. 367. Of Crow-feet ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts or kinds of these pernitious herbes comprehended vnder the name of Ranunculus or Crowfoot
in the Turkish tongue Torobolos Catamer 〈◊〉 in English the double red Ranunculus or Crow-foot The fourth is called Ranunculus Tripolitanus of the place from whence it was first brought into these parts of the Turks Tarobolos Catamer without that addition 〈◊〉 which is a proper word to all floures that are double ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Their temperature and vertues are referred to the other Crow-feet whereof they are thought to be kindes CHAP. 370. Of Speare-woort or Bane-woort ¶ The Description 1 SPeare-woort hath an hollow stalke full of knees or ioynts whereon do grow long leaues a little hairy not vnlike those of the willow of a shining green colour the floures are very large and grow at the tops of the stalks consisting of fiue leaues of a faire yellow colour verie like to the field gold cup or wilde Crow-foot after which come round knops or seed vessels wherein is the seed the root is contract of diuers bulbes or long clogs mixed with an infinite number of hairy threds 1 Ranunculus flammeus maior Great Speare-woort 2 Ranunculus flammeus minor The lesser Speare-woort 2 The common Spearewoort being that which we haue called the lesser hath leaues floures and stalks like the precedent but altogether lesser the roote consisteth of an infinite number of threddie strings 3 Ranunculus flammeus serratus Iagged Speare-woort 4 Ranunculus palustris rotundifolius Marish Crow-foot or Speare-worts 3 Iagged Speare-woort hath a thicke fat hollow stalke diuiding it selfe into diuers branches whereon are set somtimes by couples two long leaues sharp pointed cut about the edges like the teeth of a saw The floures grow at the top of the branches of a yellow colour in form like those of the field Crowfoot the root consisteth of a number of hairy strings 4 Marsh Crow-foot or Speare-woort whereof it is a kinde taken of the best approued authors to be the true Apium risus though diuers thinke that Pulsatilla is the same of some it is called Apium 〈◊〉 riseth forth of the mud or waterish mire from a threddie root to the height of a cubit sometimes higher The stalke diuideth it selfe into diuers branches whereupon doe grow leaues deeply cut round about like those of Doues-foot and not vnlike to the cut Mallow but somewhat greater and of a most bright shining green colour the floures grow at the top of the branches of a yellow colour like vnto the other water Crow-feet ¶ The Place They grow in moist and dankish places in brinkes or water courses and such like places almost euery where ¶ The Time They floure in May when other Crow-feet do ¶ The Names Speare-woort is called of the later Herbarists Flammula and Ranunculus Flammeus of Cordus Ranunculus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or broad leaued Crow-foot of others Ranunculus longifolius or long leafed Crow foot in Low Dutch 〈◊〉 in English Speare-Crowfoot Speare-woort and Banewoort because it is dangerous and deadly for sheep and that if they feed of the same it inflameth their liuers fretteth and blistereth their guts and intrails ¶ The Temperature of all the Crowfeet Speare-woort is like to the other Crow-feet in facultie it is hot in the mouth or biting it exulcerateth and raiseth blisters and being taken inwardly it killeth remedilesse Generally all the Crow-feet as Galen saith are of a very sharpe or biting qualitie insomuch as they raise blisters with paine and they are hot and drie in the fourth degree ¶ The Vertues of all the Crowfeet The leaues or roots of Crowfeet stamped and applied vnto any part of the body causeth the skin to swell and blister and raiseth vp wheales bladders causeth scars crusts and ouglie vlcers it is laid vpon cragged warts corrupt nailes and such like excrescences to cause them to fall away The leaues stamped and applied vnto any pestilentiall or plague sore or carbuncle staieth the spreading nature of the same and causeth the venomous or pestilentiall matter tobreath forth by opening the parts and passages in the skin It preuaileth much to draw a plague sore from the inward parts being of danger vnto other remote places further from the heart and other of the spirituall parts as hath beene declared in the description Many do vse to tie a little of the herbe stamped with salt vnto any of the fingers against the pain of the teeth which medicine seldome-faileth for it causeth greater paine in the finger than was in the tooth by the meanes whereof the greater paine taketh away the lesser Cunning beggers do vse to stampe the leaues and lay it vnto their legs and arms which causeth such 〈◊〉 vlcers as we daily see among such wicked vagabonds to moue the people the more to pittie The kinde of Crowfoot of Illyria being taken to be Apium risus of some yet others thinke Aconitum Batrachioides to be it This plant spoileth the sences and vnderstanding and draweth together the sinewes and muscles of the face in such strange manner that those who beholding such as died by the taking hereof haue supposed that they died laughing so forceably hath it drawne and contracted the nerues and sinewes that their faces haue been drawne awry as though they laughed whereas contrariwise they haue died with great torment ‡ CHAP. 371. Of diuers other Crowfeet ‡ 1 Ranunculus Creticus latifolius Broad leaued Candy Crowfoot ‡ 2 Ranunculus folio Plantaginis Plantaine leaued Crowfoot ¶ The Description ‡ 1 THe roots of this are somwhat like those of the Asian Ranunculus the leaues are verie large roundish of a light green colour cut about the edges here and there deeply diuided the stalke is thicke round and stiffe diuided into two or three branches at the setting on of which grow longish leaues a little nickt about the end the floures are of an indifferent bignesse and consist of fiue longish round pointed leaues standing a little each from other so 〈◊〉 the green points of the cups shew themselues between them there are yellow threds in the middle of these floures which commonly shew themselues in Februarie or March It is found only in some gardens and 〈◊〉 onely hath set it forth by the name we here giue you 2 This also that came from the Pyrenaean hills is made a Denizen in our gardens it hath a stalke some foot high set with neruous leaues like those of Plantaine but thinner and of the colour of Woad and they are something broad at their setting on and end in a sharpe point at the top of the stalke grow the floures each consisting of fiue round slender pure white leaues of a reasonable bignesse with yellowish threds and a little head in the middle the root is white and fibrous It floures about the beginning of May. Clusius also set forth this by the title of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 albo flore 3 The same Author hath also giuen vs the knowledge of diuers other plants of this kinde and this hee calls 〈◊〉 montanus 1. It hath many round leaues here and there
roots in shape like Creauises Hereunto agreeth the Emperors picture in all things sauing in the leaues which are not so large nor so much diuided but notched or toothed like the teeth of a saw 3 Napellus verus coeruleus Blew Helmet-floure or Monks-hood ‡ 4 Aconitum lycoctonum ex Cod. Caesareo ‡ 5 Besides these mentioned by our Author there are sundry other plants belonging to this pernitious Tribe whose historie I will briefely runne ouer The first of these is that which Clusius hath set forth by the name of Aconitum lycoctonum flo Delphinij Silesiacum it hath stalks some two or three cubits high smooth and hollow of a greenish purple colour and couered with a certaine mealinesse the leaues grow vpon long stalks being rough and fashioned like those of the yellow Wolfes bane but of a blacker colour the top of the stalke ends in a long spike of spurre-floures which before they be open resemble locusts or little Lyzards with their long and crooking tailes but opening they shew fiue leaues two on the sides two below and one aboue which ends in a crooked 〈◊〉 or horne all these leaues are wrinckled and purple on their outsides but smooth and of an elegant blew within After the floures are past succeed three square cods as in other Aconites wherein is contained an vnequall brownish wrinckled seed the root is thicke black and tuberous This growes naturally in some mountaines of Silesia and floures in Iuly and August 〈◊〉 ‡ 5 Aconitum lycoct hirsutum flo Delphinij Rough Larks-heele Wolfes-bane ‡ 6 Aconitum 〈◊〉 Violet coloured Monks hood ‡ 7 Aconitum purpureum 〈◊〉 Purple Monks-hood of Newburg ‡ 8 Aconitum maximum Iudenbergense Large floured Monks-hood 6 The leaues of this are somwhat like yet lesse than those of our common Monks-hood blackish on the vpper side and shining The stalke is some cubit and halfe high firme 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 smooth and shining diuided towards the top into some branches carrying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 like 〈◊〉 forme to those of the vulgar Monks-hood of a most elegant and deepe 〈◊〉 colour the seeds are like the former and roots round thicke and short with many fibres It growes vpon the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Saltsburg where it floures in Iuly but brought into gardens it floures sooner than the rest of 〈◊〉 kinde to wit in May. Clusius calls this Aconitum 〈◊〉 4. Tauricum 7 This hath leaues broader than those of our ordinarie Monks-hood yet like them the stalke is round straight and firme and of some three cubits height and oft times toward the top diuided into many branches which carry their floures spike-fashion of a purple colour absolutely like those of the common sort but that the thrummie matter in the middest of the floures is of 〈◊〉 duskier colour The root and rest of the parts are like those of the common kinde it growes naturally vpon the Styrian Alpes whereas it floures somewhat after the common kinde to wit in Iuly Clusius hath it by the name of Aconitum lycoctonum 5. 〈◊〉 ‡ 9 Aconitum maximum nutante coma Monkes-hood with the bending 〈◊〉 nodding head 8 The leaues of this are also diuided into fiue parts and snipt about the edges and doe very much resemble those of the smal 〈◊〉 described in the second place but that the leaues of that shine when as these do not the stalke is two cubits high not very thicke yet firme and straight of a greenish purple colour and at the top carries fiue or six floures the largest of all the 〈◊〉 hoods consisting of foure leaues as in the rest of this kind with a very large helmet ouer them being sometimes an inch long of an elegant blewish purple color the seed-vessels seeds and roots are like the rest of this kinde This growes on Iudenberg the highest hill of all Stiria and floures in August in gardens about the end of Iuly Clusius names it Aconitum Lycoct 9. Iudenbergense 9 This rises vp to the height of three cubits with a slender round stalke which is diuided into sundry branches and commonly hangs downe the head whence Clusius cals it Aconitum lycoctonum 8. 〈◊〉 nutante The floures are like those of the common Monks-hood but of somewhat a lighter purple colour The leaues are larger and long and much more cut in or diuided than any of the rest The roots seeds and other particles are not vnlike those of the rest of this kinde ‡ ¶ The Place Diuers of these Wolfs-banes grow in some gardens except Aconitum lycoctonon taken forth of the Emperors booke ¶ The Time These plants do floure from May vnto the end of August ¶ The Names The first is Lycoctoni specics or a kinde of Wolfes-bane and is as hurtfull as any of the rest and called of Lobel Aconitum flore Delphinij or Larke-spur Wolses-bare Auicen speaketh hereof in his second booke and afterwards in his fourth booke Fen. 6. the first Treatise hauing his reasons why and wherefore he hath separated this from Canach adip that is to say the Wolses strangler or the Wolfes-bane The later and barbarous Herbarists call the third Wolfes bane in Latine Napellus of the figure and shape of the roots of Napus or Nauet or Nauew gentle it is likewise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a kinde of Wolfes-bane also it may be called Toxicum sor Toxicum is a deadly medicine wherewith the Hunters poyson their speares darts and arrowes that bring present death so named 〈◊〉 arrowes which the Barbarians call Toxcumata and Toxa 〈◊〉 setting downe the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or accidents caused by Toxicum together with the remedies reckoneth vp almost the verie same that Auicen doth concerning Napellus notwithstanding Auicen writes of Napellus and Toxicum seuerally but not knowing what Toxicum is as he himselfe confesseth so that it is not to be maruelled that hauing written of Napellus he should afterward entreat againe of Toxicum ¶ The Nature and Vertues All these plants are hot and dry in the fourth degree and of a most venomous qualitie The force and facultie of Wolfes-bane is deadly to man and all kindes of beasts the same was tried of late in Antwerpe and is as yet fresh in memorie by an euident experiment but most lamentable for when the leaues hereof were by certaine ignorant persons serued vp in sallads all that did eate thereof were presently taken with most cruell symptomes and so died The symptomes that follow those that do eate of these deadly herbes are these their lips and tongues swell forthwith their eyes hang out their thighes are stiffe and their wits are taken from them as Auicen writeth in his fourth booke The force of this poyson is such that if the points of darts or arrowes be touched with the same it bringeth deadly hurt to those that are wounded therewith Against so deadly a poyson Auicen reckoneth vp certaine remedies which helpe after the poyson is vomited vp and among these he maketh mention of the Mouse as the copies euery where haue it nourished and fed vp with Napellus which
Time It floureth and flourisheth in May and Iune and the fruit is ripe in the end of Sommer ¶ The Names It is called in our age Christophoriana and S. Christophori herba in English Herbe Christopher some there be that name it Costus niger others had rather haue it Aconitum bacciferum it hath no likenes at all nor affinitie with Costus as the simplest may perceiue that do know both But doubtlesse it is of the number of the Aconites or Wolfs-banes by reason of the deadly and pernicious qualitie that it hath like vnto Wolfes-bane or Leopards-bane ¶ The Temperature The temperature of Herbe Christopher answereth those of the Aconites as we haue said ¶ The Vertues I finde little or nothing extant in the antient or later writers of any one good propertie wherewith any part of this plant is possessed therefore I wish those that loue new medicines to take heed that this be none of them because it is thought to be of a venomous and deadly qualitie CHAP. 380. Of Peionie ¶ The Kindes THere be three Peionies one male and two females described by the Antients the later writers haue found out foure more one of the female kinde called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or dwarfe Peonie and another called Paeonia promiscua siue neutra Bastard Mis-begotten or neither of both but as it were a plant participating of the male and female one double Peionie with white floures and a fourth kinde bearing single white floures 1 Poeoniamas Male 〈◊〉 Poeonia mas cum semine Male Peionie in 〈◊〉 ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Peionie being the male called Paeonia mas in English Male Peiony hath thicke red stalkes a cubit long the leaues be great and large consisting of diuers 〈◊〉 growing or ioyned together vpon one slender stemme or rib not much vnlike the leaues of the Wall-nut tree both in fashion and greatnesse at the top of the stalkes grow faire large red floures very like roses hauing also in the midst yellow threds or thrums like them in the rose called Anthera which being vaded and fallen away there come in place three or foure great cods or huskes which do open when they are ripe the inner part of which cods is of a 〈◊〉 red colour wherein is contained blacke shining and polished seeds as big as a pease and betweene euery black seed is couched a red or crimson seed which is barren and empty The root is thicke great and tuberous like vnto the common Peionie 2 There is another kinde of Peionie called of Dodonaeus Paeonia foemina prior of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 foemina in English female Peonie which is so well knowne vnto all that it needeth not any description 3 The third kinde of Peionie which Pena setteth forth vnder the name 〈◊〉 foemina polyanthos Dodonaeus Paeonia foemina multiplex in English Double Peionie hath leaues roots and floures like the common female Peionie saue that his leaues are not so much iagged and are of a lighter greene colour 〈◊〉 roots are thicker and more tuberous and the floures much greater exceeding double of a very deep red colour in fashion very like the great double rose of Prouince but greater and more double 2 Paeonia foemina Female Peionie 3 Paeonia foemina multiplex Double red Peionie 4 There is found another sort of the double 〈◊〉 not differing from the precedent in 〈◊〉 leaues or roots this plant bringeth forth white floures wherein consisteth the difference 5 There is another kinde of Peionie called of Dodonaeus Paeonia foemina altera but of Pena Paeonia promiscua 〈◊〉 neutra in English Maiden or Virgin Peiony that is like to the common Peiony sauing that his leaues and floures 〈◊〉 much lesse and the stalks shorter it beareth red floures and seed also like the former 6 We haue likewise in our London gardens another sort bearing floures of a pale whitish colour very single resembling the female wilde 〈◊〉 in other respects like the double white Peiony but lesser in all the parts thereof ‡ 7 Clusius by seed sent him from Constantinople had two other varieties of single Peionies the one had the leaues red when they came out of the ground and the floure ofthis was 〈◊〉 a deep red colour the other had 〈◊〉 of a whitish greene and the floures of this were somewhat larger and of a lighter colour In the leaues 〈◊〉 parts they resembled the 〈◊〉 double 〈◊〉 ‡ 4 Poeonia foemina polyanthos flore albo The double white Peionie ‡ 5 Poeonia promiscua Maiden Peionie ‡ 6 Poeonia foemina pumila Dwarfe female Peionie ‡ 7 Poeonia Byzantina Turkish Peionie ¶ The Place All the sorts of Peionies do grow in our London gardens except that double Peiony with white floures which we do expect from the Low countries of Flanders The male Peionie groweth wilde vpon a cony berry in Betsome being in the parish of Southfleet in Kent two miles from gravel-Grauel-end and in the ground somtimes belonging to a farmer there called Iohn Bradley ‡ I haue been told that our Author himselfe planted that Peionie there and afterwards seemed to finde it there by accident and I do beleeue it was so because none before or since haue euer seen or heard of it growing wild since in any part of this Kingdome ‡ ¶ The Time They floure in May the seed is ripe in Iuly ¶ The Names The Peionie is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine also Poeonia and Dulcifida in shops Pionia in high Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in low Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in French Pinoine in Spanish Rosa del monte in English Peionie it hath also many bastard names as Rosa fatuina Herba 〈◊〉 of some Lunaris or Lunaria Poeonia because it cureth those that haue the falling sicknesse whom some men call Lunaticos or Lunaticke It is called 〈◊〉 Dactylus which agreeth with the female Peionie the knobbie roots of which be like to Dactyli Idaei and Dactyli Idaei are certaine precious stones of the forme of a mans finger growing in the Island of Candie it is called of diuers Aglaophotis or brightly shining taking his name of the shining and glittering graines which are of the colour of scarlet There be found two Aglaophotides described by Aelianus in his 14. booke one of the sea in the 24. Chapter the other of the earth in the 27. chapter That of the sea is a kinde of Fucus or sea mosse which groweth vpon high rocks of the bignesse of Tamarisk with the head of Poppy which opening in the Sommer Solstice doth yeeld in the night time a certain 〈◊〉 and as it were sparkling brightnesse or light That of the earth saith he which by another name is called Cynospastus lieth hid in the day time among other herbes and is not knowne at all and in the night time it is easily seene for it shineth like a star and glittereth with a fierie brightnesse And this Aglaophotis of the earth or Cynospastus is Paeonia for Apuleius saith that the seedes or graines of Peionie shine
vnder the title Dentaria Matthioli Pentaphyllos which Pena doth also expresse vnder the title of Nemoralis alpina Herbarioruus Alabastrites Cordus calleth it Coralloides and may very well bee called in English Cinkfoile violet hath leaues so like the greater Cinkfoile that it is hard to know one from another therefore it might very well haue been reckoned among the herbes called Pentaphylla that is fiue leaued herbes This plant groweth in the shadowie forrest about Turin and the mountain Sauena called Calcaris and by the Rhene not far from Basill The stalks grow to the height of a cubit beset with a tuft of floures at the top like to that of the first but of a deeper purple colour which being vaded there succeed long and flat cods like vnto Rocket or the great Celandine wherein is contained a small seed All the whole plant is of a hot and bitter taste The roots are like vnto Corall of a pale whitish colour the leaues are rough and harsh in handling and of a deep greene colour ‡ 5 Clusius giues vs another varietie of Dentaria pentaphyllos whose roots are more vneuen and knobby than the last described the stalke is some foot high the leaues fiue vpon a stalke but not so rough nor of so deep a greene as those of the former yet the floures are of a deep purple colour like those of the last described ‡ ¶ The Place They grow on diuers shadowie and darke hills Valerius Cordus writeth that they are found about the forest Hercinia not far from Northusium most plentifully in a fat soile that hath quaries of stone in it The first I haue in my garden ¶ The Time They floure especially in Aprill and May the seed commeth to perfection in the end of August ¶ The Names The toothed Violet or after some Dogs-tooth violet is commonly called Dentaria of Cordus Coralloides of the root that is in forme like to Corall Matthiolus placeth it inter Solidagines Symphyta among the Consounds and Comfries Wee had rather call them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the likenesse the floures haue with Stocke-gillofloures They may be called in English Toothed Violets or Corall-woorts ¶ The Temperature and Vertues I haue read of few or no vertues contained in these herbes sauing those which some women haue experienced to be in the first kinde thereof and which Matthiolus ascribeth vnto Pentaphylla dentaria the fourth kinde in the fourth booke of his Commentaries vpon 〈◊〉 and in the chap. conterning Symphytum where he saith that the root is vsed in drinkes which are made against Enterocele and inward wounds but especially those wounds and hurts which haue entred into the hollownesse of the brest CHAP. 382. Of Cinkefoile or fiue finger Grasse ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Cinkfoile is so common and so vniuersally knowne that I thinke it a needlesse trauell to stand about the description ‡ It hath manylong long slender stalks lying spred vpon the ground out whereof grow leaues made of fiue longish snipt leaues fastened to one long foot-stalke the floures also grow vpon the like foot-stalks and are composed of fiue yellow leaues The root is pretty large of a reddish colour and round but dried it becomes square ‡ 2 The second kinde of Cinkfoile or Quinquefoile hath round and smal stalks of a cubit high the leaues are large and very much iagged about the edges very like the common Cinkfoile the floures grow at the top of the stalks in fashion like the common kind but much greater and of a pale or bleake yellow or elsewhitish colour the root is blacke without and full of strings annexed thereto and of a wooddie substance Quinquefolium vulgare Common Cinkfoile 2 Quinquefolium maius rectum Great vpright Cinkfoile 3 Pentaphyllum purpureum Purple Cinkfoile 4 Pentaphyllum rubrum 〈◊〉 Marsh Cinkfoile 5 Pentaphyllum petrosum Heptaphyllum Clusy Stone Cinkfoile 6 Pentaphyllon supinum Potentillae facie Siluerweed Cinkfoile 7 Quinquesolium Tormentillae facie Wall Cinkfoile 8 Pentaphyllum Incanum Hoarie Cinkfoile 3 The third kinde of Cinkefoile hath leaues like those of the last described and his floures are of a purple colour which being past there succeedeth a round knop of seed like a Strawberry before it be ripe the stalkes are creeping vpon the ground the root is of a wooddy substance full of blacke strings appendant thereto ‡ This differs not from the last described but in the colour of the floures ‡ 4 The fourth kinde of Cinkefoile is very like vnto the other especially the great kinde the stalkes are a cubit high and of a reddish colour the leaues consist of fiue parts somewhat snipt about the edges the floures grow at the tops of the stalkes like vnto the other Cinkefoiles sauing that they be of a darke red colour the root is of a wooddy substance with some fibres or threddy strings hanging thereat 9 Pentaphyllum incanum minus repens Small hoary creeping Cinkefoile 10 Quinquefolium syluaticum majus flo albo Wood Cinkefoile with white floures 5 The fifth kinke of Cinkefoile groweth vpon the cold mountaines of Sauoy and in the vallie of Austensie and in Narbone in France and if my memory faile not I haue seen the same growing vpon Beeston castle in Cheshire the leaues hereof are few and thinne set consisting of siue parts like the other Cinkefoiles oftentimes six or seuen set vpon one foot-stalke not snipt about the edges as the other but plaine and smooth the leafe is of a shining white siluer colour very soft and shining the floures grow like starres vpon slender stalkes by tufts and bunches of a white colour and sometimes purple in fashion like the floures of Alchimilla or Ladies mantle the root is thicke and full of strings and of a browne purple colour ‡ 6 This plant whose figure our Author formerly gaue for Fragaria sterilis in his description confounded with it to auoid confusion I thinke fit to giue you here amongst the Cinkefoiles and in that place the Fragaria sterilis as most agreeable thereto This seemes to challenge kindred of three seuerall plants that is Cinkefoile Tormentill and Siluer-weed for it hath the vpper leaues the yellow floures creeping branches and root of Cinkefoile but the lower leaues are of a darke greene and grow many vpon one middle rib like those of Siluer-weed the fruit is like an vnripe Strawberry Lobel calls this Pentaphyllum supinum Tormentilae facie and Tabernamontanus Quinquefolium fragifcrum repens ‡ 7 The seuenth kinde of Cinkefoile Pena that diligent searcher of Simples found in the Alpes of Rhetia nere Clauena and at the first sight supposed it to be a kinde of Tormentilla or Pentaphyllum saue that it had a more threddy root rather like Geranium it is of a darke colour outwardly hauing some sweet smell representing Garyophyllata in the sauor of his roots in leaues and floures it resembles Cinkefoile and Tormentill and in shape of his stalkes and roots Auens or Garyophyllata participating of
them all notwithstanding it approcheth neerest vnto the Cinkefoiles hauing stalkes a foot high whereupon grow leaues diuided into fiue parts and jagged round about the edges like the teeth of a saw hauing the pale yellow floures of Pentaphyllum or Tormentilla within which are little mossie or downy threddes of the colour of saffron but lesser than the common Auens 8 The eighth kinde of Cinkefoile according to the opinion of diuers learned men who haue had the view thereof and haue iudged it to be the true Leucas of Dioscorides agreeable to Dioscorides his description is all hoary whereupon it tooke the addition Incanum The stalkes are thicke wooddy and somewhat red wrinckled also and of a browne colour which rise vnequall from the root spreading themselues into many branches shadowing the place where it groweth beset with thicke and notched leaues like Scordium or water Germander which according to the iudgment of the learned is thought to be of no lesse force against poison than Pentaphyllon or Tormentilla being of an astringent and drying quality Hereupon it may be that some trying the force hereof haue yeelded it vp for Leucas Dioscoridis This rare plant I neuer found growing naturally but 〈◊〉 the hollownesse of the peakish mountaines and dry grauelly vallies ‡ 11 Quinquefolium syluaticum minus flo albo Small white floured wood Cinkefoile ‡ 12 Quinquefolium minus flo aureo Small golden floured Cinkefoile ‡ 9 This hath the like creeping purple branches as the last described the leaues are narrower more hairy and deeper cut in the floures are also of a 〈◊〉 golden colour in other respects they are alike ‡ 10 The wood Cinkefoile hath many leaues spred vpon the ground consisting of fiue parts among which rise vp other leaues set vpon very tall foot-stalkes and long in respect of those that did grow by the ground and somewhat snipt about the ends and not all alongst the edges The floures grow vpon slender stalkes consisting of fiue white leaues The root is thicke with diuers sibres comming from it ‡ 13 Pentaphyllum fragiferum Strawberry Cinkfoile 12 This from a blacke and fibrous root sends forth creeping branches set with leaues like the common Cinkfoile but lesse somewhat hoary and shining the stalks are some handfull high and on their tops carry large floures in respect of the smalnesse of the plant and these of a faire golden colour with saffron coloured threds in their middle the seedes grow after the manner of other Cinkfoiles this floures in Iune and it is Clusius his Quinquefolium 3. aureo flore ‡ 13 There is one of the mountain Cinkfoiles that hath diuers slender brittle stalks rising immediatly out of the ground whereupon are set by equall distances certain iagged leaues not vnlike to the smallest leaues of Auens the floures are white and grow at the top hauing in them threds yellow of colour and like to the other Cinkfoiles but altogether lesser The root is thicke tough and of a wooddie substance ‡ The seedes grow clustering together like little Strawberries whence Clusius calls it Quinquefolium fragiferum ‡ ¶ The Place They grow in low and moist medowes vpon banks and by high waies sides the second is onely to be found in gardens The third groweth in the woods of Sauena and Narbon but not in England The fourth groweth in a marsh ground adioining to the land called Bourne ponds halfe a mile from Colchester from whence I brought some plants for my garden where they flourish and prosper well The fifth groweth vpon Beestone castle in Cheshire the sixth vpon bricke and stone wals about London especially vpon the bricke wall in Liuer-lane The place of the seuenth and eight is set forth in their descriptions ¶ The Time These plants do floure from the beginning of May to the end of Iune ¶ The Names Cinkfoile is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Quinquefolium the Apothecaries vse the Greek name Pentaphyllon and sometime the Latine name There be very many bastard names wherewith I will not trouble your eares in High Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Low Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Italian Cinquefoglio in French Quinte fueille in Spanish Cinco en rama in English Cinkfoile Fiue finger Grasse Fiue leaued grasse and Sinkfield ¶ The Temperature The roots of Cinkfoile especially of the first do vehemently drie and that in the third degree but without biting for they haue very little apparant heat or sharpnesse ¶ The Vertues The decoction of the roots of Cinkfoile drunke cureth the bloudy flixe and all other fluxes of the belly and stancheth all excessiue bleeding The iuice of the roots while they be yong and tender is giuen to be drunke against the diseases of the liuer and lungs and all poison The same drunke in Mead or honied water or wine wherein some pepper hath been mingled cureth the tertian or quartaine feuers and being drunken after the same manner for thirty daies together it helpeth the falling sicknesse The leaues vsed among herbes appropriate for the same purpose cureth ruptures and burstings of the rim and guts falling into the cods The iuice of the leaues drunken doth cure the Iaundice and 〈◊〉 the stomacke and liuer The decoction of the roots held in the mouth doth mitigate the paine of the teeth staieth putrifaction and all putrified vlcers of the mouth helpeth the inflammations of the almonds throat and the parts adioining it staieth the laske and helpeth the bloudy flix The root boiled in vineger is good against the shingles appeaseth the rage of fretting sores and cankerous vlcers It is reported that foure branches hereof cureth quartaine agues three tertians and one branch quotidians which things are most vaine and sriuolous as likewise many other such like which are not onely found in Dioscorides but also in other Authors which we willingly withstand Ortolpho Morolto a learned Physition commended the leaues being boiled with water and some Lignum vitae added therto against the falling sicknesse if the patient be caused to sweat vpon the taking thereof He likewise commendeth the extraction of the roots against the bloudy flix CHAP. 383. Of Setfoile or Tormentill Tormentilla Setfoile ¶ The Description THis herbe Tormentill or Setfoile is one of the Cinkfoiles it brings forth many stalks slender weake scarse able to lift it selfe vp but rather lieth downe vpon the ground the leaues be lesser than Cinkefoile but moe in number somtimes fiue but commonly seuen whereupon it tooke his name Setfoile which is seuen leaues and those somewhat snipt about the edges the floures grow on the toppes of slender stalkes of a yellow colour like those of the Cinkfoiles The root is blacke without reddish within thicke tuberous or knobbie ¶ The Place This plant loueth woods and shadowie places and is likewise found in pastures lying open to the Sun almost euery where ¶ The Names 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 May vnto the end of 〈◊〉 ¶ The Names It is called of the later Herbarists Tormentilla some
is also thicke fibrous and whitish from which arise many leaues three fingers high resembling those of Agrimonie the little leaues standing directly opposite each against other snipt about the edges hairy a little curld and of a deepe greene colour out of the midst of those vpon a short stalk growes commonly on single floure of a gold-yellow colour much like the mountaine Auens described in the second place It floures at the beginning of Iuly and groweth vpon the Alpes Pona was the first that described it and that by the name of Caryophyllata Alpina omnium minima ‡ ¶ The Place These kindes of Auens are found in high mountaines and thicke woods of the North parts of England we haue them in our London gardens where they flourish and encrease infinitely ‡ The red floured mountaine Auens was found growing in Wales by my much honoured friend Mr. Thomas Glynn who sent some plants thereof to our Herbarists in whose gardens it thriueth exceedingly ‡ ¶ The Time They floure from the beginning of May to the end of Iuly ¶ The Names Auens is called Caryophyllata so named of the smell of Cloues which is in the roots and diuers call it Sanamunda Herba benedicta and Nardus rustica in high-Dutch Benedicten 〈◊〉 in French Galiot of the Wallons Gloriafilia in English Auens and herbe Benet it is thought to be Geum Plinij which most do suspect by reason he is so briefe Geum saith Pliny lib. 26. cap. 7. hath little slender roots blacke and of a good smell The other kinde of Auens is called of the later Herbarists Caryophyllata montana Mountaine Auens it might 〈◊〉 with the description of Baccharis if the floures were purple tending to whitenesse which as we haue said are yellow and likewise differ in that that the roots of Auens smell of Cloues and those of Baccharis haue the smell of Cinnamon ¶ The Temperature The roots and leaues of Auens are manifestly dry and something hot with a kinde of scouring qualitie ¶ The Vertues The decoction of Auens made in wine is commended against cruditie or rawnesse of the stomacke paine of the Collicke and the biting of venomous beasts The same is likewise a remedie 〈◊〉 stitches and griefe in the side 〈◊〉 stopping of the liuer it concocteth raw humours scoureth away such things as cleaue to the intrals wasteth and dissolueth winde especially being boyled with wine but if it be boyled with pottage or broth 〈◊〉 is of great efficacie and of all other pot-herbes is chiefe not onely in physicall broths but commonly to be vsed in all The leaues and roots taken in this manner dissolue and consume clottered bloud in any inward part of the body and therfore they are mixed with potions which are drunk of those that are bruised that are inwardly broken or that haue fallen from some high place The roots taken vp in Autumne and dried do keep garments from being eaten with moths and make them to haue an excellent good odour and serue for all the physicall purposes that Cinkefoiles do CHAP. 386. Of Straw-berries ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of Strawberries one red another white a third sort greene and likewise a wilde Straw-berrie which is altogether barren of fruit 1 Fragaria Fraga Red Straw-berries 2 Fragaria Fraga subalba White Straw-berries ¶ The Description 1 THe Straw-berry hath leaues spred vpon the ground somewhat snipt about the edges three set together vpon one slender foot-stalke like the Trefoile greene on the vpper side and on the nether side more white among which rise vp slender stems whereon do grow small floures consisting of fiue little white leaues the middle part somwhat yellow after which commeth the fruit not vnlike to the Mulberrie or rather the Raspis red of colour hauing the taste of wine the inner pulpe or substance whereof is moist and white in which is contained little seeds the root is threddy 〈◊〉 long continuance sending forth many strings which disperse themselues far abroad whereby it greatly increaseth 2 Of these there is also a second kinde which is like to the former in stems strings leaues and floures The fruit is something greater and of a whitish colour wherein is the difference 3 Fragariaminime vesca siue sterilis Wilde or barren Straw-berry ‡ There is also kept in our gardens onely for varietie another Strawberrie which in leaues and growing is like the common kinde but the floure is greenish and the fruit is harsh rough and prickely being of a greenish colour with some shew of rednesse Mr. Iohn Trade scant hath told me that he was the first that tooke notice of this Straw-berry and that in a womans garden at Plimouth whose daughter had gathered and set the roots in her garden in stead of the common Straw-berry but she finding the fruit not to answer her expectation intended to throw it away which labor he spared her in taking it and bestowing it among the louers of such varieties in whose gardens it is yet preserued This may be called in Latine Fragaria fructu hispido The prickly Straw-berry ‡ 3 This wild Strawberry hath leaues like the other Straw-berry but somewhat lesse and softer slightly indented about the edges and 〈◊〉 a light greenecolour among which rise vp 〈◊〉 stems bearing such floures as the common Straw-berries doe but lesser which doe wither away leauing behinde a barren or chaffie head in shape like a Straw-berrie but of no worth or value the root is like the others ¶ The Place Straw-berries do grow vpon hills and vallies likewise in woods and other such places that be somewhat shadowie they prosper well in Gardens the first euery where the other two more rare and are not to be found saue only in gardens ‡ The barren one growes in diuers places as vpon Blacke heath in Greenwich parke c. ‡ ¶ The Time The leaues continue greene all the yeare in the Spring they spred further with their strings and floure afterward the berries are ripe in Iune and Iuly ‡ The barren one floures in April and May but neuer carries any berries ‡ ¶ The Names The fruit or berries are called in Latine by Virgil and Ouid Fraga neither haue they any other name commonly knowne they are called in high-Dutch Erdbeeren in low-Dutch 〈◊〉 in French Fraises in English Strawberries ¶ The Temperature The leaues and roots do coole and dry with an astriction or binding quality but the berries be cold and moist ¶ The Vertues The leaues boyled and applied in manner of a pultis taketh away the burning heatc in wounds the 〈◊〉 thereof strengthneth the gummes fastneth the teeth and is good to be held in the mouth both against the inflammation or burning heate thereof and also of the almonds of the throat they stay the ouermuch flowing of the bloudy flix and other issues of bloud The berries quench thirst and do allay the inflammation or heate of the stomack the nourishment which they yeeld is little
26. saith that the leaues are round and of a great compasse but it is suspected that these are drawne from the description of Hercules Panax Broad leafed Panax is thought to be the great Centory for Pliny witnesseth that Panax which Chiron found out is syrnamed Centaurium Centorie Matthiolus saith it growes of it selfe in the tops of the hills Apennini in the Cape Argentaria in the sea coasts of Siena and it is cherished in the gardens of Italy but he cannot affirme That the liquor hereof is gathered in Italy for the liquor Opopanax which is sold in Venice is brought saith he out of Alexandria a city in Egypt it groweth also in Syria Booetia and in Phocide cities of Arcadia ¶ The Time They floure and flourish from the first of May vnto the end of September ¶ The Names That which is is called 〈◊〉 in Greeke is likewise named Panax in Latine and that Panax Heraclium which Dioscorides setteth downe is called in Latine Panax Heraculanum or Herculeum or Hercules Panax it may be called in English Hercules his Wound-wort or All-heale or Opopanax wort of the Greeke name ¶ The Temperature The barke of the root of Hercules Wound-wort is hot and dry yet lesse than the iuyce as Galen teacheth ¶ The Vertues The seed beat to pouder and drunke in Wormwood wine is good against poyson the biting of mad dogs and the stinging of all manner of venomous beasts The leafe or root stamped with honey and brought to the forme of an Vnguent or Salue 〈◊〉 wounds and vlcers of great difficultie and couereth bones that are bare or naked without flesh CHAP. 390. Of Clownes Wound-wortor All-heale ¶ The Description CLownes All-heale or the Husbandmans Wound-wort hath long slender square stalks of the height of two cubits furrowed or chamfered along the same as it were with small gutters and somewhat rough or hairy whereupon are set by couples one opposite to another long rough leaues somewhat narrow bluntly indented about the edges like the teeth of a saw of the forme of the leaues of Speare-mint and of an ouerworne greene colour at the top of the stalkes grow the floures spike fashion of a purple colour mixed with some few spots of white in forme like to little hoods The root consisteth of many small threddy strings whereunto are annexed or tied diuers knobby or tuberous lumpes of a white colour tending to yellownesse all the whole plant is of an vnpleasant sauour like Stachys or stinking Hore-hound ‡ The root in the Winter time and the beginning of the Spring is somewhat knobby tuberous and ioynted which after the stalkes grow vp become flaccide and hollow and so the old ones decay and then it putteth forth new ones ‡ ¶ The Place It groweth in moist medowes by the sides of ditches and likewise in fertile fields that are somwhat moist almost euery where especially in Kent about South-fleet neere to Grauesend and likewise in the medowes by Lambeth neere London ¶ The Time It floureth in August and bringeth his seed to perfection in the end of September ¶ The Names That which hath bin said iu the description shall suffice touching the names as well in Latine as English Panax Coloni Clownes All-heale ‡ This plant by Gesner was called Stachys palustris and Betonica faetida and thought to be of the kinde of Herba 〈◊〉 or Sideritis to which indeed I should and Thaltus hath referred it calling it Sideritis 1. grauis odoris Caesalpinus calls it Tertiola and giues this reason quod Tertianas sanet because it cures Tertians Tabernamontan called it Stachys aquatica whose figure with a description our Authour in the former edition gaue pag. 565. by the name of Marrubium aquaticum acutum yet as it 〈◊〉 either not knowing or forgetting what he had formerly done he here againe setteth it forth as a new thing vnder another title but the former figure of Tabern being in my iudgment the better I haue here giuen you with addition of the iointed tuberous roots as they are in Winter yet by the Caruers fault they are not altogether so exquisitely exprest as I intended ‡ ¶ The Temperature This plant is hot in the second degree and dry in the first ¶ The Vertues The leaues hereof stamped with Axungia or hogs grease and applied vnto greene wounds in manner of a pultesse healeth them in short time and in such absolute manner that it is hard for any that haue not had the experience thereof to beleeue for being in Kent about a Patient it chanced that a poore man in mowing of Peason did cut his leg with a sithe wherein he made a wound to the bones and withall very large and wide and also with great effusion of bloud the poore man crept vnto this herbe which he bruised with his hands and tied a great quantity of it vnto the wound with a piece of his shirt which presently stanched the bleeding and ceased the paine insomuch that the poore man presently went to his dayes worke againe and so did from day to day without resting one day vntill he was perfectly whole which was accomplished in a few dayes by this herbe stamped with a little hogs grease and so laid vpon in manner of a pultesse which did as it were glew or soder the lips of the wound together and heale it according to the first intention as we terme it that is without drawing or bringing the wound to suppuration or matter which was fully performed in seuen dayes that would haue required forty dayes with balsam it selfe I saw the wound and offered to heale the same for charitie which he refused saying that I could not heale it so well as himselfe a clownish answer I confesse without any thankes for my good will whereupon I haue named it Clownes Wound-wort as aforesaid Since which time my selfe haue cured many grieuous wounds and some mortall with the same herbe one for example done vpon a Gentleman of Grayes Inne in Holborne Mr. Edmund Cartwright who was thrust into the lungs the wound entring in at the lower part of the Thorax or the brest-blade euen through that cartilaginous substance called Mucronata Cartilago insomuch that from day to day the frothing and puffing of the lungs did spew forth of the wound such excrements as it was possessed of besides the Gentleman was most dangerously vexed with a double quotidian feuer whom by Gods permission I perfectly cured in very short time and with this Clownes experiment and some of my foreknowne helpes which were as followeth First I framed a slight vnguent hereof thus I tooke foure handfulls of the herbe stamped and put them into a pan whereunto I added foure ounces of Barrowes grease halfe a pinte of oyle Oliue wax three ounces which I boyled vnto the consumption of the iuyce which is known when the stuffe doth not bubble at all then did I straine it putting it to the 〈◊〉 againe adding thereto two ounces of Turpentine the which I suffered to
and aboundeth with milke as Ferula doth 〈◊〉 a reasonable good 〈◊〉 ¶ The Place I haue the two last kindes growing in my garden the first and second grow vpon the high Deserts and mountaines of Germanie ¶ The Time These herbs do floure in Iuly and August ¶ The Names This herbe is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because their roots do smell like incense which is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Rosmarinus the first may be Englished great Frankincense Rosemarie the second small Frankincense Rosemarie Mr. Lite calleth the third in English blacke Hart-root the fourth white Hart-root the seed is called Cachrys or Canchrys ¶ The Nature These herbes with their seeds and roots are hot and drie in the second degree and are of a digesting dissoluing and mundifying qualitie ¶ The Vertues The leaues of Libanotis pounded stoppe the fluxe of the Hemorrhoides or piles and supple the swellings and inflammations of the fundament called Condilomata concoct the swellings of the throat called Strum and ripen botches that will hardly bee brought to suppuration or to ripenesse The iuice of the leaues and roots mixed with honie and put into the eies doth quicken the sight and cleereth the dimnesse of the same The seed mingled with honie doth scoure and clense rotten vlcers and being applied vnto cold and hard swellings consumeth and wasteth them The leaues and roots boiled vntill they be soft and mingled with the meale of Darnell and vineger asswageth the paine of the gout if they be applied thereto Moreouer being receiued in wine and pepper it helpeth the iaundice and prouoketh sweat and being put into oile and vsed as an ointment it cureth ruptures also It purgeth the disease called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Vitiligo or Impetigo that is the white spottines of the skin chaps or rifts in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet and by your patience cousin german to the scab of Naples transported or transferred into France and prettily well sprinkled ouer our Northern coasts When the seed of Libanotis is put into receits you must vnderstand that it is not meant of the seed of Cachris because it doth with his sharpenesse exasperate or make rough the gullet for it hath a very heating qualitie and doth drie very vehemently yea this seed being taken inwardly or the herbe it selfe causeth to purge vpward and downeward very vehemently CHAP. 395. Of Corianders ¶ The Description 1 THe first or common kinde of Coriander is a very stinking herbe smelling like the stinking worme called in Latine Cimex it hath a round stalke full of branches two foot long The leaues are of a faint greene colour very much cut or iagged the leaues that grow lowest and spring first are almost like the leaues of Cheruill or Parsley but those which come forth afterward and grow vpon the stalks are more iagged almost like the leaues of Fumitorie though a great deale smaller tenderer and more iagged The floures are white and do grow in round tassels like vnto Dill. The seed is round hollow within and of a pleasant sent and sauour when it is drie The root is hard and of a wooddie substance which dieth when the fruit is ripe and soweth it selfe 〈◊〉 yeare to yeare whereby it mightily increaseth 1 Coriandrum Coriander ‡ 2 Coriandrum alterum minus odorum Bastard Coriander 2 There is a second kinde of Coriander very like vnto the former sauing that the bottome leaues and stalks are smaller the fruit thereof is greater and growing together by couples it is not so pleasant of sauour nor taste being a wilde kinde thereof vnfit either for meat or medicine ¶ The Place Coriander is sowne in fertile fields and gardens and the first doth come of it selfe from time to time in my garden though I neuer sowed the same but once ¶ The Time They floure in Iune and Iuly and deliuer their seed in the end of August ¶ The Names The first is called in Latine Coriandrum in English Corianders The second Coriandrum alterum wilde Corianders ¶ The Temperature The greene and stinking leaues of Corianders are of complexion cold and dry and very naught vnwholesome and hurtfull to the body The drie and pleasant well sauouring seede is warme and very conuenient to sundrie purposes ¶ The Vertues Coriander seed prepared and couered with sugar as comfits taken after meat closeth vp the mouth of the stomacke staieth vomiting and helpeth digestion The same parched or rosted or dried in an ouen and drunk with wine killeth and bringeth forth wormes stoppeth the laske and bloudy flix and all other extraordinarie issues of bloud The manner how to prepare Coriander both for meat and medicine Take the seed well and sufficiently dried whereupon poure some wine and vineger and so leaue them to 〈◊〉 or steepe foure and twentie houres then take them forth and drie them and keepe them for your vse The greene leaues of Coriander boiled with the crums of bread or barly meale consumeth all hot swellings and inflammations and with Beane meale dissolueth the Kings euill wens and hard lumpes The juice of the leaues mixed and 〈◊〉 in a leaden mortar with Ceruse Litharge of 〈◊〉 vineger and oile of Roses cureth S. Anthonies fire and taketh away all inflammations whatsoeuer The juice of the greene Coriander leaues taken in the quantitie of foure dragmes killeth and poisoneth the body The seeds of Coriander prepared with sugar preuaile much against the gout 〈◊〉 in some small quantitie before dinner vpon a fasting stomacke and after dinner the like without drinking immediately after the same or in three or foure houres Also if the same be taken after 〈◊〉 it preuaileth the more and hath more superiority ouer the disease Also 〈◊〉 it be taken with meate fasting it causeth good digestion and shutteth vp the stomacke keepeth away fumes from rising vp out of the same it taketh away the sounding in the eares drieth vp the rheume and easeth the squinancy CHAP. 396. Of Parsley 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Garden Parsley ¶ The Description 1 THe leaues of garden Parsley are of a 〈◊〉 greene consisting of many little ones fastned together diuided most commonly into three parts and also snipt round about the edges the stalke is aboue one cubit high slender something chamfered on the top whereof stand spoked rundles bringing forth very fine little floures and afterwards small seeds somewhat of a fiery taste the root is long and white and good to be eaten 2 There is another garden Parsley in taste and vertue like vnto the precedent the onely difference is that this plant bringeth forth leaues very admirably crisped or curled like fannes of curled feathers whence it is called Apium crispum siue multifidum Curl'd Parsley ‡ 3 There is also kept in some gardens another Parsley called Apium siue Petroselinum Virginianum or Virginian Parsly it hath leaues like the ordinary but rounder and of a yellowish greene colour the stalkes are some three
herbe described growes on the hills which diuide Silesia from Morauia called in times past the counntrey of the Marcomans also it is said to be found on other mountaines and hills in the North parts of England ¶ The Names The Grecians doe name it of the mountaines 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which the Latines also for that cause doe call Apium Montanum and Montapium in English mountaine Parsley in Latine Apium but Dioscorides maketh Petroselinum or stone Parsley to differ from mountaine Parsley for saith he we must not be deceiued taking mountaine Parsley to be that which groweth on 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rocke Parsley is another plant of some it is called 〈◊〉 in Latine 〈◊〉 in English much good for it is so named because it is good and profitable 〈◊〉 many things and this is not altogether vnproperly termed Orcoselinum or mountaine Parsley for it groweth as we haue said on mountaines and is not vnlike to stone Parsley the seed is not like to that of Cumin 〈◊〉 if it were so who would deny it to be Oreoselinum or Dioscorides his mountaine Parsley ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Oreoselinum or mountaine Parsley is as Galen saith like in faculty vnto Smallage but more effectuall Dioscorides writeth that the seed and root being drunke in wine prouoke vrine 〈◊〉 downe the menses and that they are mixed with counterpoisons diureticke medicines and medicines that are hot The root of 〈◊〉 or much good is also hot and dry and that in the later end of the second degree it maketh thin it cutteth openeth prouoketh breaketh the stone and expelleth it 〈◊〉 the stoppings of the liuer and spleene and cureth the yellow jaundise being chewed it helpeth the tooth-ach and bringeth much water out of the mouth CHAP. 399. Of stone Parsley of Macedonie 1 Petroselinum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bastard stone Parsley 2 Petroselinum Macedonicum 〈◊〉 The true Parsley of Macedonia ¶ The Description OF stone Parsley very little is written of the old writers Dioscorides onely saith that this hath seed like to that of Ameos but of a more pleasant smell sharpe aromaticall or spiced touching the forme of the leaues the colour of the floures and fashion of the 〈◊〉 he writeth nothing at all and Pliny is more briefe as for Theophrastus he doth not so much as name it making mention onely of Parsley Alexander Smallage and mountaine Parsley 1 For stone Parsley Leonhartus Fuchsius hath set down a plant hauing leaues not 〈◊〉 and cut after the manner of garden Parsley but long and snipped round about made vp and fastened to a 〈◊〉 or stem in the midst something like but yet not altogether to the first leaues of the lesser Saxifrage the stalke is slender and a cubit and a halfe high the floures on the spokie tufts are white the seed something blacke like to that of Ameos and garden Parsley very sweet of smell something sharpe or biting the root is slender and full of strings 2 Lobel also in stead of the right stone Parsley describeth another which the Venetians call stone Parsley of Macedonia this hath leaues like those of garden Parsley or rather of the Venetian Saxifrage which is the blacke herbe Frankincense formerly described the stalke is a cubit high the spokie tufts something white the seed small quickely vading as he saith inferiour to that of garden Parsley in temperature and vertues but whether this be the true and right stone Parsley he addeth he is ignorant ¶ The Place It groweth on craggy rocks and among stones but the best in Macedonia whereupon it beareth the surname Macedonicum of Macedonia ¶ The Time It floureth in the sommer moneths ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the stony places where it groweth in Latine Petrapium and Petroselinum Macedonicum in English stone Parsley the Apothecaries know it not they are farre deceiued that would haue the herbe which Fuchsius pictureth to be Amomum for Amomum differeth from this as it is very plaine by the description thereof in Dioscorides but we hold this for the true stone Parsley till such time as we may learne some other more like in leaues to the Parslies and in seed such as that of stone Parsley ought to be and the very seed it selfe may cause vs to hold this opinion being so agreeing to the description as no herbe more for it is sharpe and biting and of a sweeter smell than is that of Ameos and of a more spicy sent yet do not the leaues gainesay it which though they haue not the perfect forme of other Parsleyes yet notwithstanding are not altogether vnlike ‡ The first of these is thought by Anguillara Turner Gesner Cordus and others to be the Sison of Dioscorides and Tragus calls it Amomum Germanicum and the seeds in shops retaine the name of Sem. Amomi The second is thought by Columna to be the second Daucus of Dioscorides ‡ ¶ The Temperature The seed of stone Parsley which is most commonly vsed is hot and dry hauing withall a cutting quality ¶ The Vertues It prouoketh vrine and bringeth downe the floures it is profitable against winde in the stomacke and collicke gut and gripings in the belly for it is as Galen saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say a waster or consumer of winde it is a remedy against paine in the sides kidnies and bladder it is also mixed in counterpoisons Dioscorides ‡ CHAP. 400. Of Corne Parsley or Hone-wort ¶ The Description THis herbe commeth vp at the first from seed like Parsley with two small long narrow leaues the next that spring are two small round smooth leaues nickt about the edges and so for two or three couples of leaues of the next growth there are such round leaues growing on a middle rib by couples and one round one also at the top after as more leaues spring vp so the fashion of them also change that is to say euery leafe hath about eight or nine small smooth greene leaues growing on each side of a middle rib one opposite against another and one growing by it selfe at the top and are finely snipt or indented about the edges in forme resembling those of Sium odoratum Tragi but not so bigge long or at all brownish amongst which rise vp many small round straked stalkes or branches about two foot long now and then aboue twenty from one root sometimes growing vpright sometimes creeping not farre from the ground joynted or kneed ‡ Selinum Sij folijs Honewoort and diuiding themselues into very many branches at euery joynt groweth one lease smaller than the former which together with the lowermost-perish so that there is seldome one greene leafe to be seen on this herbe when the seed is ripe the floures are white and grow most commonly at the tops of the branches sometimes at most of the joynts euen from the earth in vneuen or vnorderly vmbells euery floure hauing fiue exceeding small leaues flat and broad at the toppe and in the middle
come neerest of all to the wilde Parsley And therefore seeing that Olsenichium or wilde Parsley hath the lower part of the stalke of a purplish colour and like in leaues to Parsley which in times past we thought good rather to call Apium syluestre or wilde Parsley than to erre with the Apothecaries and to take it for Mew And after when we now know that it was held to be Thysselium Plinij and that we could alledge nothing to the contrary we also setled our selues to be of their opinion and the rather because the faculties are agreeable Thysselium saith Pliny lib. 25. chapter 11. is not vnlike to Parsley the root hereof purgeth flegme out of the head which thing also the root of Olsenichium doth effectually performe as we will forthwith declare The name also is agreeable for it seemeth to be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it extendeth it selfe in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thorow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or marish places ¶ The Temperature The root hereof is hot and dry in the third degree ¶ The Vertues The root being chewed bringeth by the mouth flegme out of the head and is a remedy for the tooth-ach and there is no doubt but that it also makes thin cutteth and openeth prouoketh vrine and bringeth downe the floures and doth likewise no lesse but more effectually performe those things that the rest of the Parsleyes do CHAP. 403. Of bastard Parsley ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of bastard Parsley is a rough hairy herbe not much vnlike to Carrots the leaues are like to those of Corianders but parted into many small jagges at the top of the branches do grow shadowie vmbels or spokie rundles consisting of many small white 1 Caucalis albis floribus Bastard Parsley with white floures ‡ 2 Caucalis Apij folijs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bastard Parsley with red 〈◊〉 ‡ 3 Caucalis Peucedanij folio Hogs Parsley ‡ 4 Caucalis maior Clus. Great rough Parsley 2 There is another sort like vnto the former sauing that the leaues 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are broader and the floures are of a reddish colour there hath great controuersie risen 〈◊〉 out the true determination of Caucalis because the Latine interpretation of Dioscorides is greatly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in it selfe much superfluous matter not pertinent to the history but wee deeme that this plant is the true Caucalis the notes set downe declare it so to be the floures saith he are reddish the seeds 〈◊〉 with a rough huske set about with prickles which cleaue vnto garments that it toucheth as doe Burs which roughnesse being pilled 〈◊〉 the seed appeares like vnto hulled Otes not vnpleasant in taste all which do shew it to be the same 3 There is likewise another sort that hath a long single root thrummed about the vpper 〈◊〉 with many thrummy threds of a browne colour from which riseth vp diuers stalkes full of joynts or knees couered with a sheath or skinnie silme like vnto that of 〈◊〉 the leaues are finely cut or jagged resembling the leaues of our English Saxisrage the floures grow at the top of the stalkes in spoky rundles like Fennell the seed is small like that of Parsley ‡ 5 Caucalis minor flosculis rubentibus Hedge Parsley ‡ 6 Caucalis nodosa echinoto semine Knotted Parsley ‡ 4 Clusius vnder the name of Caucalis maior hath described and figured this which hath many crested straight stalkes some two cubits high or more which are diuided into sundry branches and at each joynt send forth large winged leaues somewhat like those of Angelica but rougher and of a darker greene at the tops of the branches grow vmbels of whitish floures being of somewhat a purplish or flesh colour vnderneath and these are succeeded by broad seed almost like those of the Cow-Parsnep but that they are rougher and sorked at the top and prickly the root is white hard and wooddy It floures in Iune ripens the seed in Iuly and August and then the root dyes and the seed must be sowne in September and so it will come vp and continue greene all the winter 5 Besides these formerly described there are two others growing wilde with vs the first of these which I haue thought good to call Hedge or field Parsley because it growes about hedges and in plowed fields very plentifully euery where hath crested hollow stalkes growing vp to some cubit and 〈◊〉 high whereon stand winged leaues made of sundry little longish ones set one against another snipt about the edges and ending in a long and sharpe pointed leafe these leaues as also the stalkes are somewhat rough and harsh and of a darke greene color the floures are small and reddish and grow in little vmbels and are succeeded by longish little rough seed of somewhat a strong and aromaticke taste and smell It is an annuall plant and floures commonly in Iuly and the seeds are ripe in August Cordus and Thalius call it Daucoides minus and Bauhine Caucalis semine aspeo flosoulis subrubentibus There is a bigger and lesser variety or sort of this plant for you shall find it growing to the height of two cubits with leaues and all the vpper parts answerable and you may againe obserue it not to exceed the height of 〈◊〉 a foot 6 This other which 〈◊〉 hath first set forth in writing by the name of Caucalis nodosa echinato semine hath a white and long root from which it sends vp sundry small crested and rough branches which commonly lie along vpon the ground and they are commonly of an vnequall length some a cubit long other-some scarse two handfulls the leaues are small rough winged and deeply jagged and at the setting on of each leafe close to the stalkes vsually vpon very short foot-stalkes grow small little floures of colour white or reddish and made of fiue little leaues apeece after these follow the seed round small and rough and they grow close to the stalkes It floures in Iune and Iuly and growes wilde in sundry places as in the fields and vpon the bankes about S. Iames and Pickadilla Fabius Columna iudges it to be the true Scandix of the Antients ‡ There is likewise one of these found in Spaine called Caucalis Hispanica like the first but it is an annuall plant which perishes at the first approach of winter the which I haue sowne in my garden but it perished before the seed was perfected ¶ The Place These plants do grow naturally vpon rockes and stony grounds we haue the first and the third in our pastures in most places of England that with red floures is a stranger in England ‡ I haue not heard that the third growes wilde with vs but the second was found growing in the corne fields on the hilles about Bathe by Mr. Bowles ‡ ¶ The Time They floure and flourish from May to the end of August ¶ The Names Bastard Parsley is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine also Caucalis of some Daucus 〈◊〉 among
Athenaeus citing Diphilus for his Author saith that the Carrot is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it serueth for loue-matters and Orpheus as Pliny writeth said that the vse hereof winneth loue which things be written of wilde Carrot the root whereof is more effectuall than that of the garden and containeth in it as Galen saith a certaine force to procure lust ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The seed of this wild Carrot and likewise the root is hot and drie in the second degree and doth withall open obstructions The root boiled and eaten or boiled with wine and the decoction drunke prouoketh vrine expelleth the stone bringeth forth the birth it also procureth bodily lust The seed drunke bringeth downe the desired sicknesse it is good for them that can hardly make water it breaketh and dissolueth winde it remedieth the dropsie it cureth the collick and stone being drunke in wine It is also good for the passions of the mother and helpeth conception it is good against the bitings of all manner of venomous beasts it is reported saith Dioscorides that such as haue first taken of it are not hurt by them CHAP. 409. Of Candie Carrots Daucus Cret ensis verus Candie Carrots ¶ The Description THis Daucus Cretensis being the true Daucus of Dioscorides doth not grow in Candy only but is found vpon the mountaines of Germany and vpon the hills and rockes of Iura about Geneua from whence it hath beene sent and conuied by one friendly Herbarist vnto another into sundrie regions it beareth leaues which are small and very finely iagged resembling either Fennel or wild Carrot among which riseth vp a stalke of a cubit high hauing at the top white spokie tufts and the floures of Dill which being past there come great plentie of long seed well smelling not vnlike the seed of Cumin saue that it is whitish with a certaine mossinesse and a sharpe taste and is in greater vse than any part of the plant The root also is right good in medicine being lesser than the root of a Parsnep but hotter in taste and of a fragrant smell ¶ The Time This floures in Iune and Iuly his seed is ripe in August ¶ The Names There is sufficient spoken in the description as 〈◊〉 the name ¶ The Nature These plants are hot and drie especially the seed of Daucus Creticus which is hot and drie in the third degree but the seed of the wilde Carrot is hot and drie in the second degree ¶ The Vertues The seed of Daucus drunken is good against the strangurie and painfull making of water it preuaileth against the grauell and stone and prouoketh vrine Itasswageth the torments and gripings of the belly dissolueth windines cureth the collick and ripeneth an old cough The same beeing taken in VVine is verie good against the bitings of beasts and expelleth poison The seed of Daucus Creticus is of great efficacie and vertue being put into 〈◊〉 Mithridate or any antidotes against poison or pestilence The root thereof drunke in wine stoppeth the laske and is also a soueraigne remedie against venome and poison CHAP. 410. Of stinking and deadly Carrots ¶ The Description 1 THe great stinking Carrot hath very great leaues spread abroad like wings resembling those of Fennell gyant whereof some haue taken it to be a kinde but vnproperly of a bright greene colour somewhat hairie among which 〈◊〉 vp a stalk of the height of two cubits and of the bignesse of a mans finger hollow and full of a spungious pith whereupon are set at certaine ioints leaues like those next the ground but smaller The floures are yellow standing at the top of the stalkes in spokie rundles like those of Dill after which commeth the seed flat and broad like those of the Parsnep but much greater and broader The root is thicke garnished at the top with certaine capillaments or hairy threds blacke without white within full of milkie iuice of a most bitter sharpe and lothsome taste and smell insomuch that if a man do stand where the wind doth blow from the plant the aire doth exulcerate and blister the face and euery other bare or naked place that may be subiect to his venomous blast and poisonous qualitie 1 Thapsia 〈◊〉 Clusij Stinking Carrots 2 Thapsia tenuifolia Small leafed stinking Carrot 2 This small kind of stinking or deadly Carrot is like to the last described in each respect sauing that the leaues are thinner and more finely minced or iagged wherein consists the difference 3 The common deadly Carrot is like vnto the precedent sauing that he doth more neerely resemble the stalkes and leaues of the garden carrot and is not garnished with the like bush of haire about the top of the stalks otherwise in seed root and euill smell taste and qualitie like ¶ The Place These 〈◊〉 plants delight in stonie hills and mountaines they are strangers in England 3 Thapsia vulgaris Deadly 〈◊〉 ¶ The Time They floure in August or somewhat after ¶ The Names The French Physitians haue accepted the root of Thapsia for a kinde of Turbith calling it 〈◊〉 Cineritium notwithstanding vpon better consideration they haue left the vse thereof especially in purging for it mightily hurteth the principall parts and doth often cause cruell gripings in the guts and belly with 〈◊〉 and cramps neuerthelesse the venomous qualitie may bee taken away with those correctiues which are vsed in mitigating the extreme heate and virulent qualitie of Sarcocolla Hammoniacum and Turpetum but where there be so many wholesome Simples and likewise compounds they are not to be vsed Of some it is called Turpetum Griseum it is called Thapsia as some thinke of the Island Thapsus where it was first found or as we deeme of the likenesse it hath with Carrots Of the people of Sicilia and Apulia it is called 〈◊〉 where it doth grow in great aboundance ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The temperature and faculties in working haue been touched in the description and likewise in the names CHAP. 411. Of Fennell ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Fennell called in Latine Foeniculum in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is so well knowne amongst vs that it were but lost labour to describe the same 2 The second kinde of Fennell is likewise well knowne by the name of Sweet Fennell so called because the seeds thereof are in taste sweet like vnto Annise seeds resembling the common Fennell sauing that the leaues are larger and fatter or more oleous the seed greater and whiter and the whole plant in each respect greater Foeniculum vulgare Common Fennell ¶ The Place These herbs are set and sowne in gardens but the second doth not prosper well in this 〈◊〉 for being sowne of good and perfect seed yet in the second yeare after his sowing it will degenerate from the right kinde and become common Fennell ¶ The Time They floure in Iune and Iuly and the seed is ripe in the end of August ¶ The Names Fennell is called in Greeke
leaues of the bignesse and growing somewhat after the manner of the wild Angelica the stalks are crested and diuided into sundry branches which carry long bending spikes or eares of white floures seeds some what like those of the common kinde This floures at the same time as the former and I haue not yet heard of it wilde with vs but onely seene it growing with Mr. Tradescant ‡ ¶ The Place It groweth in the brinkes of waterie ditches and riuers sides and also in medowesit liketh waterie and moist places and groweth almost euery where ¶ The Time It floureth and flourisheth in Iune Iuly and August ¶ The Names It is called of the later age Regina prati Barba Capri of some Vlmaria à foliorum Vlmi similitudine from the likenesse it hath with the Elme tree leafe in high Dutch 〈◊〉 It is called Barba 〈◊〉 which name belongeth to the plant which the Grecians do call Tragopogon of Anguillara Potentillamaior It hath some likenesse with Rhodora Plinij but yet we cannot affirme it to be the same It is called in low Dutch Rejjnette in French Barbe de Cheure Reine des Praiz in English Meades-sweet Medow-sweet and Queene of the medowes Camerarius of Noremberg saith it is called of the Germanes his countrimen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because the roots saith he seem to be eaten with wormes I rather suppose they call it so because the antient hackny men and horsleaches do giue the decoction therof to their horses and asses against the bots and wormes for 〈◊〉 which it is greatly commended ¶ The Temperature Mede-sweet is cold and drie with an euident binding qualitie adioined ¶ The Vertues The root boiled or made into pouder and drunke helpeth the bloudy flix staieth the laske and all other fluxes of bloud in man or woman It is reported that the floures boiled in wine and drunke do take away the fits of a quartaine ague and make the heart merrie The leaues and floures farre excell all other strowing herbes for to decke vp houses to straw in chambers halls and banqueting houses in the sommer time for the smell thereof makes the heart merrie delighteth the senses neither doth it cause head-ache or lothsomenesse to meat as some other sweet smelling herbes do The distilled water of the floures dropped into the eies taketh away the burning and itching thereof and cleareth the sight CHAP. 420. Of Burnet Saxifrage ¶ The Description 1 THis great kinde of Pimpinell or rather Saxifrage hath great and long roots fashioned like a 〈◊〉 of an hot and biting taste like Ginger from which riseth vp an hollow stalke with ioints and knees two cubits high beset with large leaues which do more neerely represent Smallage than Pimpernell or rather the garden Parsnep This plant consisteth of many small leaues growing vpon one stem snipt or dented about the edges like a saw the floures do grow at the top of the stalkes in white round tufts the seed is like the common Parsley sauing that it is hotter and biting vpon the tongue ‡ There is a bigger and lesser of this kinde which differ little but that the stalkes and veins of the leaues of the lesser are of a purplish colour and the root is hotter Our Authour formerly gaue the figure of the lesser in the second place in stead of that of Bipinella ‡ 1 Pimpinella Saxifraga Burnet Saxifrage †2 Bipinella siue Saxifragaminor Small Burnet Saxifrage 2 〈◊〉 is likewise a kinde of Burnet or Pimpinell vpon which Pena hath bestowed this addition Saxifragaminor vnder which name Saxifraga are comprehended diuers herbs of diuers kinds and the one very vnlike to the other but that kinde of Saxifrage which is called Hircina which is rough or hairie Saxifrage of others Bipinella is best knowne and the best of all the rest like vnto the small Burnet or common Parsley sauing that it is void of haires as may 〈◊〉 by the old Latine verse Pimpinella habet pilos Saxifraga non habet vllos Pimpinell hath haires some but Saxifrage hath none Notwithstanding I haue found a kinde hereof growing in our pastures adioining to London the leaues whereof if you take and tenderly breake with your hands you may draw forth small threds like the web of a spider such as you may draw from the leaues of Scabious The stalke is hollow diuiding it selfe from the ioints or knees into sundry other small branches at the top whereof doe grow small tufts or spokie rundles of a white colour after which commeth the seed like to Carui or Caruwaies of a sharpe taste the root is also sharpe and hot in taste ¶ The Place These plants do grow in drie pastures and medowes in this countrey very plentifully ¶ The Time They floure from Iune to the end of August ¶ The Names That which 〈◊〉 calleth 〈◊〉 maior Dodonaeus termeth Saxifragia 〈◊〉 which kinde of Saxifrage doth more absolutely answer the true Phellandrium of Pliny than any other plant whatsoeuer wherein the Physitions of Paris haue been 〈◊〉 calling or supposing the medow Rue to be the right 〈◊〉 whereunto it is not like either in shape or facultie for it is nothing so effectuall in breaking the stone or prouoking of 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 of these plants especially 〈◊〉 Hircina which is not so called because it hath any rammish smell of a goat but because practitioners haue vsed to feed 〈◊〉 with it whose flesh and bloud is singular good against the stone 〈◊〉 we rather take it to be named Hircina of 〈◊〉 where it doth grow in great abundance the sauour of the herbe not being vnpleasant somewhat resembling the smell and taste of 〈◊〉 Ligustrum and Pastinaca so to 〈◊〉 both 〈◊〉 are called 〈◊〉 the smaller is called of some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Bipenula of Baptista Sardus and also of Leonardus Fuchsius 〈◊〉 maior wherefore diuers call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for there is also another Pimpinella called Pimpinella 〈◊〉 notwithstanding the 〈◊〉 before rehearsed sheweth a difference betweene Pimpinella and Saxifraga in high Dutch it is called 〈◊〉 in Low Dutch Bauenaert in English the greater may be called great Saxifrage and the other small Saxifrage Bipinella is called Saxifragia minor in English Small Saxifrage as Pimpinella is called great Saxifrage ‡ Columna iudges it to be the Tragium of 〈◊〉 ‡ ¶ The Nature Saxifrage of both kindes with their seed leaues and roots are hot and drie in the third degree and of thin and subtill parts ¶ The 〈◊〉 The seed and root of Saxifrage drunken with wine or the deco ction thereof made with wine causeth to pisse well breaketh the stone in the kidnies and bladder and is singular against the strangurie and the stoppings of the kidnies and bladder whereof it tooke the name 〈◊〉 or breake stone The iuice of the leaues of Saxifrage doth clense and take away all spots and freckles of the face and leaueth a good colour The distilled water thereof mingled with some vineger in the distillation cleareth the sight and taketh away all
obscuritie and darknesse of the same CHAP. 421. Of Burnet 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Garden Burnet 2 Pimpinella syluestris Wilde Burnet ¶ The Kinds Bvrnet of which we will intreat doth differ from Pimpinella which is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Burnets is lesser for the most part 〈◊〉 in gardens notwithstanding it groweth in barren fieldes where it is much smaller the other greater is 〈◊〉 wilde ¶ The Description 1 GArden Bumet hath long leaues made vp together of a great many vpon one stem euery one whereof is something round nicked on the edges somwhat 〈◊〉 among these riseth a stalke that is not altogether without leaues something chamsered vpon the tops whereof grow little round heads or knaps which bring sorth small floures of a 〈◊〉 purple colour and after them cornered seeds which are thrust vp together The root is long the whole plant doth smell something like a Melon or Cucumber 2 Wilde Burnet is greater in all parts it hath wider and bigger leaues than those of the sormer the stalke is longer sometimes two cubits high the knaps are greater of a darke purple colour and the seed is likewise cornered and greater the root longer but this Burnet hath no pleasant smell at all ‡ 3 There is kept in some gardens another of this kinde with very large leaues stalkes and heads for the heads are some inch and halfe long yet but slender considering the 〈◊〉 and the floures as I remember are of a whitish colour in other respects it differs not from the precedent it may fitly be called Pimpinella sanguisorba hortensis maxima Great Garden 〈◊〉 ‡ ¶ The Place The small Pimpinell is commonly planted in gardens notwithstanding it doth grow wilde vpon many barren heaths and pastures The great wilde Burnet groweth as Mr. Lyte saith in dry medowes about Viluord and my selfe haue found it growing vpon the side of a causey which crosseth the one halfe of a field whereof the one part is carable ground and the other part medow lying between Paddington and Lysson 〈◊〉 neere vnto London vpon the high way ¶ The Time They floure 〈◊〉 Iune vnto the end of August ¶ The Names The later herbarists doe call Burnet Pimpinella sanguisorba that it may differ from the other and yet it is called by seuerall names 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Gesner had rather it should be called 〈◊〉 of the smell of Melons or Pompious to which it is like as we haue said of others it is named Pimpinella or Bipennyla of most men Solbastrella in High Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in French Pimpennelle 〈◊〉 in English Burnet It agreeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say with Dioscorides his second Iron-woort the leafe and especially that of the lesser sort which we haue written to consist of many nicks in the edges of the leaues and this may be the very same which Pliny in his 24 book chapter 17. 〈◊〉 to be named in Persia Sissitiepteris because it made them merry he also calleth the same Protomedia and Casigneta and likewise 〈◊〉 for that it doth 〈◊〉 agree with wine to which also this Pimpinella as we haue said doth giue 〈◊〉 pleasant sent neither is that repugnant that Pliny in another place hath written De Sideritibus of the Iron-woorts for it osten falleth out that he intreateth of one and the selfe same plant in diuers places vnder diuers names which thing then 〈◊〉 sooner when the writers themselues do not well know the plant as that Pliny did not well know Sideritis or Iron-woort it is euen thereby manisest because he setteth not downe his owne opinion hereof but other mens ¶ The Temperature Burnet besides the drying and binding facultie that it hath doth likewise meanly coole and the lesser Burnet hath likewise with all a certaine superficiall sleight and temperate sent which when it is put into the wine it doth leaue behind it this is not in the dry herbe in the iuice nor in the decoction ¶ The Vertues Burnet is a singular good herb for wounds which thing Dioscorides doth attribute to his second Ironwoort and commended of a number it stancheth bleeding and therefore it was named Sanguisorba as well inwardly taken as outwardly applied Either the iuice is giuen or the decoction of the pouder of the drie leaues of the herbe beeing 〈◊〉 it is outwardly applied or else put among other externall medicines It staieth the laske and bloudy flix it is also most effectuall to stop the monthly course The lesser 〈◊〉 is pleasant to be eaten in sallads in which it is thought to make the heart 〈◊〉 and glad as also being put into wine to which it yeeldeth a certaine grace in the drinking The decoction of Pimpinell drunken cureth the bloudy flix the spitting of bloud and all other fluxes of bloud in man or woman The herbe and seed made into pouder and drunke with wine or water wherein iron hath beene quenched doth the like The leaues of Pimpinell are very good to heale wounds and are receiued in drinkes that are made for inward wounds The leaues of Burnet steeped in winc and drunken comfort the heart and make it merry and are good against the trembling and shaking thereof CHAP. 422. Of English Saxifrage ¶ The Description 1 THis kinde of Saxifrage our English women Physitions haue in great vse and is familiarly knowne vnto them vouchsafing that name vnto it of his vertues against the stone it hath the leaues of Fennel but thicker and broader very like vnto Seseli pratense Monspeliensium which addition Pena hath bestowed vpon this our English Saxifrage among which riseth vp a stalke of a cubit high or more bearing at the top spokie rundles beset with whitish yellow floures the root 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thicke blacke without and white within and of a good sauour 1 Saxifraga Anglicana facie Seseli pratensis English Saxifrage ‡ 2 Saxifraga Pannonica Clusq Austrian Saxifrage ‡ 2 Clusius hath set forth another plant not much different from this our common Saxifrage and called it Saxifraga Pannonica which I haue thought fit here to insert the leaus saith he are much 〈◊〉 than those of Hogs-Fennell and somewhat like those of Fumitorie the stalkes are some soot high slender hauing some few small leaues and at the top carrying an vmbel of white floures the root is not much vnlike that of Hogs-Fennel but shorter and more acride it is 〈◊〉 at the top thereof whence the stalkes and leaues come forth it growes vpon some hils in Hungarie and Au stria and floures in Iuly ‡ ¶ The Place Saxifrage groweth in most fields and medowes euery where through out this our kingdome of England ¶ The Time It floureth from the beginning of May to the end of August ¶ The Names Saxifraga Anglicana is called in our mother tongue Stone-breake or English Saxifrage 〈◊〉 and Lobel call it by this name Saxifraga Anglicana for that it groweth more plentifully in England than in any other countrey ¶ The Nature Stone-breake is hot
and drie in the third degree ¶ The Vertues A decoction made with the seeds and roots of 〈◊〉 breaketh the stone in the bladder and kidneies helpeth the strangurie and causeth one to pisse freely The root of Stone-breake boiled in wine and the decoction drunken bringeth downe womens sicknesse expelleth the secondine and dead childe The root dried and made into pouder and taken with sugar comforteth and warmeth the stomack cureth the gnawings and griping paines of the belly It helpeth the collicke and driueth away ventosities or windinesse Our English women vse to put it in their running or rennet for cheese especially in 〈◊〉 where I was borne where the best cheese of this Land is made CHAP. 423. Of Siler Mountaine or bastard Louage 1 Siler montanum Officinarum Bastard Louage 2 Seseli pratense 〈◊〉 Horse Fennell ¶ The Description 1 THe naturall plants of Seseli being now better knowne than in times past especially among our Apothecaries is called by them Siler montanum and Sescleos this plant they haue retained to very good purpose and consideration but the errour of the name hath caused diuers of our late writers to erre and to suppose that Siler 〈◊〉 called in shops Seselcos was no other than 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Dioscorides But this plant containeth in his substance much more acrimony sharpenesse and efficacy in working than any of the plants called Seselios It hath stalkes like Ferula two cubits high The root smelleth like Liguslicum the leaues are very much cut or diuided like the leaues of Fennell or Seseli 〈◊〉 and broader than the leaues of Peucedanum At the top of the stalkes grow spoky tufts like Angelica which bring forth a long and lcafie seed like Cumine of a pale colour in taste seeming as though it were condited with sugar but withall somewhat sharpe and sharper than Seseli pratense 2 There is a second kinde of Siler which Pena and Lobel set forth vnder the title of Seseli pratense Monspeliensiam which Dodonaeus in his last edition calleth Siler pratense alterum that is in shew very like the sormer the stalkes thereof grow to the height of two cubits but his leaues are somewhat broader and blacker there are not so many leaues growing vpon the stalke and they are lesse diuided than the former and are of little sauour The seed is smaller than the former and sauouring very little or nothing The root is blacke without and white within diuiding it selfe into sundry diuisions ¶ The Place It groweth of it selfe in Liguria not far from Genua in the craggy mountaines and in the gardens of diligent Herbarists ¶ The Time These plants do floure from Iune to the end of August ¶ The Names It is called commonly Siler Montanum in French and Dutch by a corrupt name Ser-Montain in diuers shops Seseleos but vntruly for it is not Seseli nor a kinde thereof in English Siler mountaine after the Latine name and bastard Louage ‡ The first is thought to be the Ligusticum of the Antients and it is so called by Matthiolus and others ‡ ¶ The Nature This plant with his seed is hot and dry in the third degree ¶ The Vertues The seeds of Siler drunke with Wormewood wine or wine wherein Wormewood hath been sodden mooueth womens diseases in great abundance cureth the suffocation and strangling of the matrix and causeth it to returne vnto the naturall place againe The root stamped with hony and applied or put into old sores doth cure them and couer bare and naked bones with flesh Being drunke it prouoketh vrine easeth the paines of the guts or entrailes proceeding of cruditie or rawnesse it helpeth concoction consumeth winde and swelling of the stomacke The root hath the same vertue or operation but not so effectuall as not being so hot and dry CHAP. 224. Of Seselios or Harte-worts of Candy ¶ The Description 1 THis plant being the Seseli of Candy and in times past not elsewhere found tooke his surname of that place where it was first found but now adaies it is to be seen in the corne fields about Narbon in France from whence I had seeds which prosper well in mv garden This is but an annuall plant and increaseth from yeere to yeere by his owne sowing The leaues grow at the first euen with the ground somewhat hairy of an ouerworne greene colour in shape much like vnto Cheruill but thicker among which riseth vp an hairy rough stalke of the height of a cubit bearing at the top spokie tufts with white floures which being vaded there followeth round and flat seed compassed and cunningly wreathed about the edges like a ring The seed is flat like the other ioyned two together in one as you may see in the seed of Ferula or Angelica in shape like a round target in taste like Myrrhis Matthiolus did greatly mistake this plant 2 There is a kinde of Seseli Creticum called also Tordylion and is very like vnto the former sauing that his leaues are more like vnto common Parsneps than Cheruil and the whole plant is biggerthan the former 1 Seseli Creticum minus Small Seseleos of Candie ‡ 2 Seseli Creticum maius Great Seselios of Candie 3 There is likewise a kinde of Seseli that hath a root as big as a mans arme especially if the plant be old but the new and young plants beare roots an inch thicke with some knobs and tuberous sprouts about the lower part the root is thicke rough and couered ouer with a thicke barke the substance whereof is first gummie afterward sharpe and as it were full of spattle from the vpper part of the root proceed many knobs or thicke swelling roots out of which there issueth great and large wings or branches of leaues some whereof are notched and dented round about growing vnto one side or rib of the leafe standing also one opposite vnto another of a darke and delaid green colour and somewhat shining aboue but vnderneath of a grayish or ashe colour from amongst these leaues there ariseth a straked or guttered stalke a cubit and a halfe high sometimes an inch thicke hauing many ioints or knees and many branches growing about them and vpon each ioint lesser branches of leaues At the top of the stalkes and vpper ends of the branches grow little cups or vmbels of white floures which being vaded there commeth in place a seed which is very like Siler montanum ‡ I take this here described to be the Seseli montanum 1. of Clusius or Ligusticum alterum Belgarum of 〈◊〉 and therefore I haue giuen you Clusius his figure in this place ‡ There is also a kinde of Seseli which Pena setteth forth for the first kinde of Daucus whereof I take it to be a kinde growing euery where in the pastures about London that hath large leaues growing for a time euen with the earth and spred thereupon and diuided into many parts in manner almost like to the former for the most part in all things in the round
or speake of it but Pena that painefull Herbarist found it growing naturally in Narbone in France 〈◊〉 vnto Veganium on the top of the high hills called Paradisus Dei and neere vnto the mountaine Calcaris this rare plant hath many knobby long roots in shape like to Ashodelus luteus or rather like the roots of Corruda or wilde Asparagus from which riseth vp a stalke a foot high and more which is thicke round and chanelled beset full of leaues like those of common Filipendula but they be not so thicke set or winged but more like vnto the leaues of a Thistle consisting of sundry small leaues in fashion like to Coronopus Ruellij that is Ruellius his Bucks horne round about the top of the stalke there groweth a very faire tuft of white floures resembling fine small hoods growing close and thicke together like the floures of Pedicularis that is Red Rattle called of Carolus Clusius Alectorolophos whereof he maketh this plant a kinde but in my iudgement and opinion it is rather like Cynosorchis a kinde of Satyrion 3 Filipendula angustifolia Narrow leafed Drop-wort †4 Filipendula Cicutaefacie Hemlocke Drop-wort 5 Filipendula aquatica Water Drop-wort †4 The fourth kinde of Filipendula is as strange a plant as the former especially with vs here in England except in the waterie places and rilles in the North where Paludapium or water Smallage groweth whereunto in leaues it is not vnlike but more like Ruta pratensis it hath many large branches a naughty sauor and in colour and shape like Cicuta that is Hemlocke The stalkes are more than two cubits high comming from a root which exceedingly multiplies it selse into bulbes like Asphodelus albus The smell of this plant is strong and grieuous the taste hot and biting it being full of a iuyce at first milky but afterwards turning yellow The spoky tusts or rundles growing at the top are like Cicuta yea it much resembleth Hemlocke in propertie and qualities and so doe they affirme that haue proued and seene the experience of it 〈◊〉 being eaten in sallads it did well nigh poyson those which ate of it making them giddie in their heads waxing very pale staggering and reeling like drunken men Beware and take good heed of this and such like Simples for there is no Physitian that will giue it because there be many other excellent good Simples which God hath bestowed vpon vs from the preuenting and curing of diseases ‡ Pernitious and not excusable is the ignorance of some of our time that haue bought and as one may probably coniecture vsed the roots of this plant in stead of those of Peionie and I know they are dayly by the ignorant women in Cheape-side sold to people more ignorant than themselues by the name of water Louage Caueat Emptor The danger that may ensue by vsing them may be gathered by that which our Author hath here set downe being taken out of the Aduersaria pag. 326. ‡ 5 The fifth and last kinde of Filipendula which is the fourth according to Matthiolus his account hath leaues like water Smallage which Pliny calleth Sylaus the leaues very much resembling those of Lauer Cratcuae among which riseth vp a small stalke deepely furrowed or crested bearing at the top thereof spokie or bushy rundles of white floures thicke thrust together The roots are compact of very many filaments or threds among which come forth a few tuberous or knobbie roots like vnto the second ¶ The Place and Time The first groweth plentifully vpon stonie rockes or mountaines and rough places and in fertile pastures I found great plenty thereof growing in a field adioyning to Sion house somtime a Nunnerie neere London on the side of a medow called Sion Medow The second hath been sufficiently spoken of in the description The third groweth neere vnto brookes and riuers sides The 〈◊〉 groweth betweene the plowed lands in the moist and wet furrowes of a field belonging to Battersey by London ‡ It also groweth in great aboundance in many places by the Thames side as amongst the oysiers against Yorke house a little aboue the Horse-ferrey against Lambeth c. ‡ The fifth groweth neere the sides of riuers and water-streames especially neere the riuer of Thames or Tems as in S. Georges fields and about the Bishop of Londons house at Fulham and such like places They floure from May to the end of Iune ¶ The Names They are commonly called Filipendulae The first is called of Nicolaus Myrepsus Philipendula of some Saxisragrarubra and Millefolium syluestre of Pliny Molon in Italian and Spanish Filipendula in English Filipendula and Drop-wort Water Filipendula is called Filipendula aquatica Oenanthe aquatica and Silaus Plinij The fourth whose leaues are like to Homlocks is as some thinke called of Cordus Oisenichium in English Homlocke Filipendula ¶ The Nature These kindes of Filipendula are hot and dry in the third degreé opening and clensing and yet with a little astriction or binding All the kindes of Oenanthes haue the same facultie except the fourth whose pernitious facultie we haue formerly touched ¶ The Vertues The root of common Filipendula boiled in wine and drunken is good against all paines of the bladder causeth one to make water and breaketh the stone The like Dioscorides hath written of Oenanthe the root saith he is good for them that pisse by drops The powder of the roots of Filipendula often vsed in meate will preserue a man from the falling sickenesse CHAP. 429. Of Homlocks or herbe Bennet ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Hemlocke hath a long stalke fiue or six foot high great and hollow full of joints like the stalkes of Fennell of an herby colour poudered with small red spots almost like the stems of Dragons The leaues are great thicke and small cut or jagged like the leaues of Cheruill but much greater and of a very strong and vnpleasant sauor The floures are white growing by tufts or spokie tops which do change and turne into a white flat seed the root isshort and somewhat hollow within 1 Cicuta Hemlocks 2 The Apothecaries in times past not knowing the right Seseli Peloponnense haue erroniously taken this Cicuta latifolia for the same The leaues whereof are broad thicke and like vnto Cicutaria yet not the same they called it Seseli Peloponnense cum folio Cicutae the faculties whereof deny and refute that assertion and opinion yea and the plant it selfe which being touched yeeldeth or breatheth out a most virulent or lothsome smell these things sufficiciently argue that it is not a kinde of Seseli besides the reasons following Seseli hath a reasonable good sauour in the whole plant the root is bare and single without fibres like a Carrot but Cicuta hath not onely a lothsome smell but his roots are great thicke and knobby like the roots of Myrrhis the whole plant doth in a manner resemble the leaues stalkes and floures of Myrrhis odorata whose
of the stems of a yellow colour after which come vp little flat pouches or purses couered ouer or contained within a little bladder or flat skin open before like the mouth of a fish wherein is contained flat yellowish seed which being ripe and drie will make a noise or ratling when it is shaken or moued of which propertie it tooke the name yellow Rattle Crista Galli Yellow Rattle or Coxcombe ¶ The Place It groweth in drie 〈◊〉 and pastures and 〈◊〉 to them a great 〈◊〉 ¶ The Time It floureth most part of the Sommer ¶ The Names It is called in low Dutch Ratelen and Geele Ratelen commonly in Larine 〈◊〉 Galli and Gallinacca Crista in English Coxcombe Penie grasse yellow or white Rattle in High Dutch it is called geel Rodel in French Creste de Coc diuers 〈◊〉 it to be the old writers Alectorolophos ‡ Some thinke it to be the Mimmulus or as others that more fitly reade it Nummulus mentioned by Pliny lib. 18. cap. 28. ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues But what temperature or vertue this herbe is of men haue not as yet beene carefull to know seeing it is accounted vnprofitable CHAP. 437. Of red Rattle or Lousewoort ¶ The Description Pedicularis Lousewoort or red Rattle REd Rattle of Dodonaeus called Fistularia and according to the opinion censure of Carolus Clusius Pena others the true Alectorolophos hath very small rent or iagged leaues of a browne red colour and weake small and tender stalkes whereof some lie along trailing vpon the ground within very moorish medowes they grow a cubit high and more but in moist and wet heathes and such like barren grounds not aboue an handful high the floures grow round about the stalke from the middest thereof euen to the top and are of a brown red colour in shape like the floures of dead Nettle which being past there succeed little flat pouches wherin is contained flat and blackish 〈◊〉 in shew very like vnto the former the root is small white and tender ¶ The Place It groweth in moist and moorish medowes the herbe is not onely vnprofitable but also hurtfull and an infirmitie of the medowes ¶ The Time It is found with his floures and stalkes in May and Iune ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 in High Dutch Braun Rodel in Latine Pedicularis of the effect because it filleth sheep and other cattel that 〈◊〉 in medowes where this groweth full of lice diuers of the later 〈◊〉 call it 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Crista Galli and diuers take it to be Mimmulus herba in English Rattle-grasse Red Rattle grasse and Louse-woort ¶ The Temperature It is cold and drie and astringent ¶ The Vertues It is held to be good for Fistulaes and hollow vlcers and to stay the ouermuch flowing of the menses or any other flux of bloud if it be boiled in red wine and drunke CHAP. 438. Of Yarrow or Nose-bleed ¶ The Description 1 COmmon Yarrow hath very many stalkes comming vp a cubit high round and somewhat hard about which stand long leaues cut in the sides sundry wise and as it were made vp of many small iagged leaues euery one of which seeme to come neere to the slender leaues of Coriander there stand at the top tufts or spoked rundles the floures whereof are 〈◊〉 white or purple which being rubbed do yeeld a strong smell but vnpleasant the root sendeth downe many strings 1 Millefolium terrestre vulgare Common Yarrow 2 Millefolium flore 〈◊〉 Red floured Yarrow 2 The second kinde of Milsoile or Yarrow hath stalkes leaues and roots like vnto the former sauing that his spokie tufts are of an excellent faire red or crimson colour and being a little rubbed in the hand of a reasonable good sauour ¶ The Place The first groweth euery where in drie pastures and medowes red Milfoile groweth in a field by Sutton in Kent called Holly-Deane from whence I brought those plants that do grow in my Garden but it is not common euery where as the other is ¶ The Time They floure from May to the end of October ¶ The Names Yarrow is called of the Latine Herbarists Millefolium it is Dioscorides his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine 〈◊〉 and Achillea siderit is which thing he may very plainely see that will compare with that 〈◊〉 which Dioscorides hath set downe 〈◊〉 was found out saith Pliny in his 25. booke chap. 〈◊〉 by Achilles Chirons disciple which for that cause is named 〈◊〉 of others 〈◊〉 among vs 〈◊〉 yet be there other Sideritides and also another Panaces 〈◊〉 whereof we will 〈◊〉 in another place Apuleius setteth downe diuers names hereof some of which are also 〈◊〉 among the bastard names in Dioscorides in Latine it is called 〈◊〉 Supercilium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Acorum syluaticum of the French-men Millefucille in high Dutch Garben 〈◊〉 in low Dutch Geruwe in Italian Millefoglio in Spanish Milhoyas yerua in English Yarrow Nose-bleed common Yarrow red Yarrow and Milfoile ¶ The Temperature Yarrow as Galen saith is not vnlike in temperature to the Sideritides or Iron worts that is to say clensing and meanely cold but it most of all bindeth ¶ The Vertues The leaues of Yarrow doe close vp wounds and keepe them from inflammation or fiery swelling it stancheth bloud in any part of the body and it is likewise put into bathes for women to sit in it stoppeth the laske and being drunke it helpeth the bloudy flixe Most men say that the leaues chewed and especially greene are a remedy for the tooth-ache The leaues being put into the nose do cause it to bleed and ease the paine of the megrim It cureth the inward excorations of the yard of a man comming by reason of pollutions or extreme flowing of the seed although the issue do cause inflammation and swelling of those secret parts and though the spermaticke matter do come downe in great quantity 〈◊〉 the juice be injected with a syringe or the decoction This hath been prooued by a certain friend of mine sometimes a Fellow of Kings Colledge in Cambridge who lightly brused the leaues of common Yarrow with Hogs-grease and applied it warme vnto the priuie parts and thereby did diuers times helpe himselfe and others of his fellowes when he was a student and a single man liuing in Cambridge One dram in powder of the herbe giuen in wine presently taketh away the paines of the colicke CHAP. 439. Of yellow Yarrow or Milfoile 1 Millefolium luteum Yellow Yarrow 2 Achillea siue Milsefo lium nobile Achilles Yarrow ¶ The Description 1 YEllow Yarrow is a small plant seldome aboue a span high the stalkes whereof are couered with long leaues very finely cut in the edges like feathers in the wings of little birds the tufts or spokie 〈◊〉 bring forth yellow floures of the same shape and forme of the common Yarrow the root consisteth of threddy strings 2 Achilles Yarrow or noble Milfoile hath a thicke and tough root with strings fastened thereto
purple Hollow-root hath roots leaues stalkes floures and seeds like the precedent the especiall difference is that this plant is somewhat lesse 4 The small white Hollow-root likewise agreeth with the former in each respect 〈◊〉 that this plant bringeth white floures and the other not so 1 〈◊〉 caua maior purpurea Great purple Hollow-root 2 Radix caua maior alba Great white Hollow-root 5 This kinde of Hollow-root is also like the last described sauing that the floures hereof are mixed with purple and white which maketh it to differ from the others 6 There is no difference in this that can possibly be distinguished from the last described sauing that the floures hereof are of a mixt colour white and purple with some yellow in the hollownesse of the same wherein consisteth the difference from the precedent 7 This thin leafed Hollow-root hath likewise an hollow root couered ouer with a yellow pilling of the bignesse of a tennise ball from which shoot vp leaues spred vpon the ground very like vnto the leaues of Columbines as well in forme as colour but much thinner more iagged and altogether lesser among which rise vp small tender stalkes weake and feeble of an handfull high bearing from the middle thereof to the top very fine floures fashioned vnto one piece of the Columbine floure which resembleth a little bird of a purple colour 8 This other thin leafed Hollow-root is like the precedent sauing that this plant brings 〈◊〉 white floures tending to yellownesse or as it were of the colour of the field Primrose 9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Dutch men doe call it hath many small iagged 〈◊〉 growing immediately from the ground among which rise vp very slender stalkes whereon doe grow such leaues as those next the ground on the top of the branches stand faire purple floures like vnto the others of his kinde sauing that the floures hereof are as it were small birds the bellies or lower parts whereof are of a white colour wherein it differeth from all the rest of the Hollow-roots 10 The last and small hollow-root is like the last described sauing that it is altogether lesse and the floures hereof are of a greene colour not vnlike in shape to the floures of Cinkefoile ‡ This plant whose figure our Author here gaue with this small description is that which from the smel of muske is called Moschatella by Cordus and others it is the Denticulata of Daleschampius the Fumaria bulbosa tuberosaminima of Tabernamont anus and the Ranunculus minimus septentrionalium 〈◊〉 muscoso store of Lobel The root hereof is small and toothed or made of little bulbes resembling teeth and ending in white hairy fibres it sendeth vp diuers little branches some two or three inches high the leaues are somewhat like those of the yellow Fumitorie or Radix cava but much lesse the floures grow clustering on the top of the stalke commonly fiue or seuen together each of them made of foure yellowish green leaues with some threds in them it floures in Aprill and is to be found in diuers places amongst bushes at that time as in Kent about Chislehurst especially in Pits his wood and at the further end of Cray heath on the left hand vnder a hedge among bryers and brambles which is his proper seat ‡ 9 Radix caua minor Bunnikens Holwoort 10 Radix caua 〈◊〉 viridi flore Small Bunnikens Holwoort ¶ The Place These plants do grow about hedges brambles and in the borders of fields and vineyards in low and fertile grounds in Germanie and the Low-countries neuerthelesse the two first and also the two last described do grow in my garden ¶ The Time These do floure in March and their seed is ripe in Aprill the leaues and stalkes are gon in May and nothing remaining saue onely the roots so little a while do they continue ¶ The Names Hollow root is called in high Dutch Holwurtz in low Dutch Hoolewortele that is Radix cava in English Hollow root and Holewoort it is vsed in shops in steed of Aristolochia or round Birthwoort which errour is better knowne than needfull to be confuted and likewise their errour is apparant who rashly iudge it to be Pistolochia or little Birthwoort It should seem the old Writers knew it not wherefore some of our later Authors haue made it Leontopetali species or a kinde of Lions Turnep others Eriphium and othersome Thesium most men Capnos Chelidonia it seemeth to agree with Leontopetalon in bulbed roots and somewhat in leaues but in no other respects as may be perceiued by Dioscorides and Plinies description of Leontopetalon And if Eriphium haue his name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say of the Spring then this root may be not vnproperly Eriphium and Veris Planta or the Plant of the Spring for it is euident that it appeareth and is greene in the Spring onely some thinke it hath beene called Eriphium ab Hoedo or of the Goat but this Eriphion is quite another plant as both Apuleius writeth and that booke also mentioneth which is attributed to Galen and dedicated to Paternianus In the booke which is dedicated to Paternianus there be read these words Eriphion is an herbe which is found vpon high mountaines it hath leaues like 〈◊〉 a fine floure like the Violet and a root as great as an Onion it hath likewise other roots which send forth roots after roots Whereby it is euident that this root whereof we intreat is not this kinde of Eriphium Concerning Thesium the old Writers haue written but little Theophra 〈◊〉 saith that the root thereof is bitter and being stamped purgeth the belly Pliny in his 21. booke chap. 17. sheweth that the root which is called Thesium is like the bulbed plants and is rough in taste Athenaeus citing Timachida for an Authour saith that Thesium is called a floure of which 〈◊〉 garland was made These things seeme well to agree with Hollow root for it is bumped or bulbous of taste bitter and austere or something rough which is also thought to purge but what certaintie can be affirmed seeing the old writers are so briefe what manner of herbe Capnos Chelidonia is which groweth by hedges and hereupon is surnamed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aetius doth not expound onely the name thereof is found in his second Tetrab the third booke chap. 110. in 〈◊〉 his Collyrium and in his Tetrab 3. booke 2. chap. among such things as strengthen the liuer But if Capnos Chelidonia be that which Pliny in his 25. booke chap. 13. doth call Prima Capnos or the first Capnos and commendeth it for the dimnesse of the sight it is plain enough that Radix caua or the Hollow root is not Capnos Chelidonia for Plinies first Capnos is branched and foldeth it selfe vpon hedges but Hollow root hath no such branches growing on it and is a low herbe and is not held vp with props nor needeth them But if Aetius his Capnos Chelidonia be another herb
it 〈◊〉 vp lower neere to shorter and lesser trees or shrubs yet doth it not fasten it selfe to the trees with any 〈◊〉 or clasping aglets much lesse doth it winde it selfe about 〈◊〉 yet doth it delight to stand neere and close vnto them ¶ The Place The titles and descriptions shew the place of their growing the last Bellonius reporteth to grow in diuers vallies of the mountaine Olympus and not far from Ragusa a citie in Sclauonia ¶ The Time They floure from Aprill to the end of Sommer ¶ The Names Horse-taile is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hippuris in Latine 〈◊〉 and Equinalis of Plinie in his 15. booke 28 chap. Equisetis of the likenesse of a horse haire of some Salix equina in shoppes Cauda equina in high Dutch Schaffthew in low Dutch Peertsteert in Italian Coda di Cauallo in Spanish Coda de mula in French 〈◊〉 de cheual and Caquene in English Horse-taile and Shaue-grasse Shaue-grasse is not without cause named Asprella of his ruggednesse which is not vnknowne to women who scoure their pewter and woodden things of the kitchin therewith which the German women call 〈◊〉 and therefore some of our huswiues do call it Pewterwoort Of some the tenth is called Ephedra Anobasis and Caucon ¶ The Temperature Horse-taile as Galen saith hath a binding facultie with some bitternesse and therefore it doth mightily dry and that without biting ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides saith that Horse-taile being stamped and laied to doth perfectly cure wounds yea though the sinewes be cut in sunder as Galen addeth It is of so great and so singular a vertue in healing of wounds as that it is thought and reported for truth to cure the wounds of the bladder and other bowels and helpeth ruptures or burstings The herbe drunke either with water or wine is an excellent remedy against bleeding at the nose and other fluxes of bloud It staieth the ouermuch flowing of womens floures the bloudy flix and the other fluxes of the belly The iuice of the herbe taken in the same manner can do the like and more effectually Horse-taile with his roots boiled in wine is very profitable for the vlcers of the kidnies bladder the cough and difficultie of breathing CHAP. 459. Of Sea-Cluster or Sea Raison 1 Vuamarina minor Small Sea Grape ¶ The Description 1 SMall Sea Grape is not vnlike to horstaile it bringeth forth slender stalks almost like rushes set with many little ioints such as those are of the Horse-taile and diuided into many wings and branches the tops whereof are sharpe pointed somewhat hard and pricking it is without leaues the floursgrow in clusters out of the ioints with little stems they are small and of a whitish green colour the fruit consisteth of many little pearles like to the vnripe berries of Raspis or Hind-berry when it is ripe it is red with a saffron colour in taste sweet and pleasant the seede or kernell is hard three square sharpe on euery side in taste binding the root is iointed long and creeps aslope the plant it selfe also doth rather lie on the ground than stand vp it groweth all full of small stalkes and branches casting themselues all abroad 2 Carolus Clusius hath set forth another sort of sea Grape far different from the precedent it riseth vp to the height of a man hauing manie branches of a wooddie substance in form like to Spanish Broome without any leaues at all wherupon doe grow clusters of floures vpon slender foot-stalks of a yellowish mossie or herby colour like those of the Cornell tree after which come the fruit like vnto the mulberrie of a reddish colour and sower taste wherein lieth hid one or two seeds like those of Millet blacke without and white within the root is hard tough and wooddie 2 Vuamarina maior Great shrubbie sea Grape 3 Tragos Matthioli Bastard Sea Grape 3 Tragon Matthioli or rather Tragos improbus 〈◊〉 which he vnaduisedly called Tragon is without controuersie nothing else but a kinde of Kali this plant riseth vp out of the ground with stalks seldome a cubite high diuided into sundry other grosse thicke and writhen branches set or armed with many pricking leaues of the colour and shape of 〈◊〉 and somewhat thicke and fleshie among which come forth such prickley burres as are to be seen in Tribulus 〈◊〉 as that it is hard for a man to touch any part thereof without pricking of the hands the floures are of an herbie colour bringing forth flat seed like vnto Kali the 〈◊〉 is slender and 〈◊〉 vnder the turfe of the earth the whole plant is full of clammie iuice not any thing astringent but somewhat saltish and of no singular vertue that is yet knowne wherefore I may conclude that this cannot be Tragos Dioscoridis and the rather for that this Tragon of Matthiolus is an herbe and not a shrub as I haue before spoken in Vuamarina neither beareth it any berries or graines like wheat neither is it pleasant in taste and smell or any thing astringent all which are to be found in the right Tragos before expressed which as Dioscorides saith is without leaues neither is it thorney as Tragus improbus Matthioli is this plant I haue found growing in the Isle of Shepey in the tract leading to the housc of Sir Edward 〈◊〉 called Sherland ¶ The Place It loueth to grow vpon dry banks and sandy places neere to the sea it is found in Languedocke not far from Montpelier and in other places by the sea side and is a stranger in England ¶ The Time When it groweth of it selfe the fruit is ripe in Autumne the plant it selfe remaineth long green for all the cold in Winter ¶ The Names It is called of the later Herbarists Vuamarina in French Raisin de Mer of the pearled fruit and the likenesse that it hath with the Raspis berrie which is as it were a Raison or Grape consisting of many little ones it is named in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but it is not called Tragus or Traganos of a Goat for so signifieth the Greeke word or of his ranke and rammish smell but because it bringeth forth fruit fit to be eaten of the Verbe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth to eat it may be called Scorpion because the sprigs thereof are sharpe pointed like to the Scorpions taile ¶ The Temperature The berries or Raisons and especially the seed that is in them haue a binding quality as we haue said and they are drie in the later end of the second degree ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides writeth that the Raisons of sea Grape do stay the flix and also the whites in women when they much abound CHAP. 460. Of Madder ¶ The Kindes THere is but one kinde of Madder onely which is manured or set for vse but if all those that 〈◊〉 like vnto it in leaues and manner of growing were referred thereto there should be many 〈◊〉 as Goose-grasse soft 〈◊〉 our Ladies Bedstraw Woodroofe and Crosse-woort
who in his Rapsodes hath noted that the decoction of Madder giuen with Triphera that great composition is singular good to stay the reds the hemorrhoides and bloudy flixe and the same approoued by diuers experiments which confirmeth Madder to be of an astringent and binding qualitie Of the same opinion as it seemeth is also Eros Iulia her freed man commonly called Trotula who in a composition against vntimely birth doth vse the same for if he had thought that Madder were of such a qualitie as Dioscorides writeth it to be of he would not in any wise haue added it to those medicines which are good against an vntimely birth For Dioscorides reporteth that the root of Madder doth plentifully prouoke vrine and that grosse and thicke and oftentimes bloud also and it is so great an opener that being but onely applied it bringeth downe the menses the birth and after-birth but the extreme rednes of the vrine deceiued him that immediately followeth the taking of Madder which rednesse came as he thought from bloud mixed therewith which notwithstanding commeth no otherwise then from the colour of the Madder For the root hereof taken any maner of way doth by by make the vrine extreme red no otherwise than Rubarb doth make the same yellow not changing in the meane time the substance thereof nor making it thicker than it was before which is to be vnderstood in those which are in perfect health which thing doth rather shew that it doth not open but binde no otherwise than Rubarbe doth for by reason of his binding quality the waterish humors do for a while keepe their colour For colours mixed with binding things do longer remaine in the things coloured and do not so soone vade this thing they will know that gather colours out of the juices of floures and herbes for with them they mixe allume to the end that the colour may be retained and kept the longer which otherwise would be quickely lost By these things it manifestly appeareth that Madder doth nothing vehemently either clense or open and that Dioscorides hath rashly attributed vnto it this kinde of qualitie and after him Galen and the rest that followed standing stiffely to his opinion Pliny saith that the stalkes with the leaues of Madder are vsed against serpents The root of Madder boiled in Meade or honied water and drunken openeth the 〈◊〉 of the liuer the milt and kidnies and is good against the jaundise The same taken in like maner prouoketh vrine vehemently insomuch that the often vse thereof causeth one to pisse bloud as some haue dreamed Langius and other excellent Physitions haue experimented the same to amend the lothsome colour of the Kings-euill and it helpeth the vlcers of the mouth if vnto the decoction be added a little allume and hony of Roses ‡ 5 The fifth being the Synanchica of Daleschampius dries without biting and it is excellent against sqinancies either taken inwardly or applied outwardly for which cause they haue called it Synanchica Hist. Lugd. ‡ CHAP. 461. Of Goose-grasse or Cliuers ¶ The Description 1 A Parine Cliuers or Goose-grasse hath many small square branches rough and sharpe full of joints beset at euery joint with small leaues star fashion and like vnto small Madder the floures are very little and white pearking on the tops of the sprigs the seeds are small 〈◊〉 a little hollow in the middest in maner of a nauell set for the most part by couples the roots slender and full of strings the whole plant is rough and his ruggednesse taketh hold of mens vestures and woollen garments as they passe by being drawne along the tongue it fetcheth bloud Dioscorides reports that the sheepheards in stead of a Cullender do vse it to take haires out of milke if any remaine therein 2 The great Goose-grasse of Pliny is one of the Moone-worts of Lobel it hath a very rough tender stalke whereupon are set broad leaues somewhat long like those of Scorpion grasse or Alysson Galeni Galens Moone-woort very rough and hairy which grow not about the joints but three or soure together on one side of the stalke the floures grow at the top of the branches of a blew colour after which commeth rough cleauing seeds that do sticke to mens garments which touch it the root is small and single 1 Aparine Goose-grasse or Cleuers 2 Aparine maior Plinij Great Goose-grasse ¶ The Place Goose-grasse groweth neere the borders of fields and oftentimes in the fields themselues mixed with the corne also by common waies ditches hedges and among thornes Theophrastus and 〈◊〉 write that it groweth among Lentles and with hard embracing it doth choke it and by that meanes is burdensome and troublesome vnto it ¶ The Time It is found plentifully euery where in summer time ¶ The Names It is named in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apparine in Latine Lappaminor but not properly Pliny affirmeth it to be Lappaginis speciem of some Philanthropos as though he should say a mans friend because it taketh hold of mens garments of diuers also for the same cause Philadelphos in Italian Speronella in Spanish 〈◊〉 or amor di Hortalano in high Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in French Reble ou Grateron in low Dutch 〈◊〉 in English Goose-share Goose-grasse Cleuer or Clauer ¶ The Temperature It is as Galen saith moderately hot and dry and somewhat of thin parts ¶ The Vertues The iuice which is pressed out of the seeds stalks and leaues as Dioscorides writeth is a remedie for them that are bitten of the poisonsome spiders called in Latine Phalangia and of vipers if it be drunke with wine And the herbe stamped with swines grease wasteth away the kernels by the throte Pliny teacheth that the leaues being applied do also stay the aboundance of bloud issuing out ofwounds Women do vsually make pottage of Cleuers with a little mutton and Otemeale to cause lanknesse and keep them from fatnesse CHAP. 462. Of Crosse-woort ¶ The Description 1 CRosse-woort is a low and base herbe of a pale greene colour hauing many square feeble rough stalks full of ioints or knees couered ouer with a soft downe the leaues are little short smal alwaies foure growing together and standing crossewise one right against another making a right Burgunion crosse toward the top of the stalke and from the bosome of those leaues come forth very many small yellow floures of a reasonable good fauour each of which is also shaped like a Burgunion crosse the roots are nothing else but a few small threds or fibres 1 Cruciata Crosse-woort ‡ 2 Rubia Cruciata laevis Crosse-woort Madder ‡ 2 This in mine opinion may be placed here as fitly as any where els for it hath the leaues standing crosse-waies foure at a ioint somewhat like those of the largest Chickweed the stalkes are betweene a foot and a halfe and two cubites high The white Starre-fashioned floures stand in roundles about the tops of the stalks It growes plentifully in Piemont on the hills not farre
the vpper end shewing his seed which is very blacke and round like the seeds of mustard The whole plant and each part thereof doth yeeld verie great aboundance of milkie iuyce which is of a golden colour falling and 〈◊〉 from any part thereof if it be cut or bruised the whole plant perisheth at the approch of Winter The vertues hereof are yet vnknowne vnto me wherefore I purpose not to set downe any thing thereof by way of coniecture but shall God willing be ready to declare that which certaine knowledge and experience either of myne owne or others shall make manifest vnto me ¶ The Place The golden Thistle is sowne in gardens of the Low Countries Petrus Bellonius writes That it groweth plentifully in Candy and also in most places of 〈◊〉 Clusius reporteth that he found it in the fields of Spaine and of the kingdome of Castile and about Montpelier with fewer branches and of a higher growth The Indian Thistle groweth in Saint Iohns Island in the West Indies and prospereth very well in my garden ¶ The Time They floure from Iune to the end of August the seed of the Indian golden Thistle must be sowne when it is ripe but it 〈◊〉 not grow vp vntill May next after ¶ The Names This Thistle is called in Latine Carduus Chrysanthemus in Greeke of Theophrastus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for those things which he writeth of Scolymus in his sixth and seuenth bookes doe wholly agree with this Thistle Chrysanthemus which are these Scolymus doth floure in the Sommer solstice brauely and a long time together it hath a root that may be eaten both sod and raw and when it is broken it yeeldeth a milky iuyce Gaza nameth it Carduus Of this Pliny also makes mention lib. 21. ca. 16. Scolymus saith he differs from those kindes of Thistles viz. Acarna and Atractilis because the root thereof may be eaten boyled Againe 〈◊〉 22. Cap. 22. The East Countries vse it as a meate and he calleth it by another name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which thing also Theophrastus seemeth to affirme in his sixt booke for when he reckoneth vp herbes whose leaues are set with prickles he addeth Scolymus or Limonia Notwithstanding Pliny maketh mention likewise of another Scolymus which hee affirmeth to bring sorth a purple 〈◊〉 and betweene the middle of the prickes to wax white quickely and to fall off with the winde in his twentieth booke cap. 23. Which Thistle doubtlesse doth not agree with Carduus Chrysanthemus that is with Theophraslus his Scolymus and with that which we mentioned before so that there be in Pliny two Scolymi one with a root that may be eaten and another with a purple 〈◊〉 turning into downe and that speedily waxeth white Scolymus is likewise described by Dioscorides but this differs from Scolymus Theophrasti and it is one of those which Pliny reckoneth vp as we wil more at large declare hereaster But let vs come againe to Chrysanthemus This the inhabitants of Candy keeping the marks of the old name do call Ascolymbros the Italians name it Anconitani Rinci the Romans Spinaborda the Spaniards Cardon lechar and of diuers it is also named Glycyrrhizon that is to say dulcis Radix or sweet Root it is called in English 〈◊〉 Thistle some would haue it to be that which 〈◊〉 in Arte Veterinaria calls Eryngium but they are deceiued for that Eryngium whereof Vegetius writeth is Eryngium marinum or sea Huluer of which we will intreat The golden Thistle of India may be called Carduus Chrysanthemus of his golden colour adding thereto his natiue countrey Indianus or Peruanus or the golden Indian Thistle or the golden Thistle of Peru the seed came to my hands by the name Fique del Inferno in Latine Ficus infernalis the infernall fig or fig of hell ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The root and tender leaues of this Scolymus which are sometimes eaten are good for the stomacke but they containe very little nourishment and the same thinne and waterie as Galen teacheth Pliny saith that the root hereof was commended by Eratosthenes in the poore mans supper and that it is reported also to prouoke vrine especially to heale tetters and dry scurse being taken with vineger and with Wine to stir vp fleshly lust as Hefiod and Alcaeus testifie and to take away the stench of the arme-holes if an ounce of the root the pith picked out be 〈◊〉 in three parts of wine till one part be wasted and a good draught taken fasting after a bath and likewise after meat which later words Dioscorides likewise 〈◊〉 concerning his Scolymus out of whom Pliny is thought to haue borrowed these things CHAP. 481. Of white Carline Thistle of Dioscorides ¶ The Description 1 THe leaues of Carline are very full of prickles cut on both edges with a multitude of deepe gashes and set along the corners with stiffe and very sharpe prickles the middle ribs whereof are sometimes red the stalke is a span high or higher bringing forth for the most part onely one head or knap being full of prickles on the outward circumference or compasse like the Vrchin huske of a chesnut and when this openeth at the top there groweth forth a broad floure made vp in the middle like a flat 〈◊〉 of a great number of threds which is compassed about with little long leaues oftentimes somewhat white very seldome red the seed 〈◊〉 is slender and narrow the root is long a finger thicke something blacke so chinked as 〈◊〉 it were split in sunder sweete of smell and in taste somewhat bitter ‡ 1 Carlina caulescens magno flore Tall Carline Thistle 2 Carlina seu 〈◊〉 albus Dioscoridis The white Carline Thistle of 〈◊〉 with the red floure ‡ 3 Carlina 〈◊〉 minor flore purp Dwarfe Carline Thistle ‡ 3 This small purple Carline Thistle hath a prety large root diuided oft times at the top into diuers branches from which rise many green leaues lying spred vpon the ground deeply cut and set with sharpe prickles in the midst of these leaues come vp sometimes one but otherwhiles more scaly heads which carry a pretty large floure composed of many purple threds like that of the 〈◊〉 but larger and of a brighter colour these heads grow vsually close to the leaues yet sometimes they stand vpon stalkes three or foure inches high when the floure is past they turne into downe and are carried away with the winde the seed is small and grayish This growes vpon Blacke-Heath vpon the chalky hills about Dartford and in many such places It floures in Iuly and August Tragus calls it Chamaeleon albus vel exiguus Lobel Carduus acaulis Septentrionalium and 〈◊〉 albus Cordi Clusius Carlina minor 〈◊〉 flore and he saith in the opinion of some it seemes not vnlike to the Chamaeleon whereof 〈◊〉 makes mention lib. 6. cap. 3. Hist. plant ‡ ¶ The Place They both grow vpon high mountaines in desart places and oftentimes by high way sides but that which
together and likewise Arnoldus de Villanoua reporteth that if it be stamped with Barrows grease to the form of an vnguent adding thereto a little wheat floure it doth the same being applied twice a day The herbe also is good being stamped and applied and so is the iuice thereof The extraction of the leaues drawne according to Art is excellent good against the French disease and quartaine agues as reporteth the foresaid Camerarius The same Author reporteth that the distilled water taken with the water of Louage and Dodder helpeth the sauce-flegme face if it be drunke for certaine daies together CHAP. 490. Of Thistle vpon Thistle and diuers other Wilde Thistles ¶ The Description 1 AMong all the Thornes and Thistles this is most full of prickles the stalks thereof are verie long and seem to be cornered by reason of certaine thin skins growing to them being sent downe forth of the leaues the leaues are set round about with many deep gashes being very full of prickles as well as the stalks the heads are very thicke set in euery place with stiffe prickles and consist of a multitude of scales out of which grow purple floures as they do out of other Thistles seldome white the root is almost straight but it groweth not deep 2 To this also may be referred that which Lobel writeth to be named of the Italians Leo and Carduus ferox sor it is so called of the wonderfull sharpe and stiffe prickles wherewith the whole plant aboundeth the stalke thereof is short scarce a handfull high the floure groweth forth of a prickly head and is of a pale yellow colour like that of wilde bastard Saffron and it is also inuironed and set round about on euery side with long hard thornes and prickles 3 The third groweth seldome aboue a cubite or two foot high it bringeth forth many round stalkes 〈◊〉 into diuers branches the leaues are like those of white Cotton Thistle but lesser and blacker and not couered with downe or Cotton vpon the tops of the stalks grow little heads †1 Polyacanthos Thistle vpon Thistle 2 Carduus ferox The cruell Thistle †3 Carduus Asininus sive Onopyxes The Asses Thistle or Asses box †4 Carduus 〈◊〉 viarum The Way Thistle 4 The fourth riseth vp with an higher stalke now and then a yard long round and not so full of branches nor leaues which are sharpe and full of prickles but lesser and narrower the heads be also lesser longer and not so full of stiffe prickles the floures are of a white colour and vanish into downe the root is blacke and of a foot long 5 This wilde Thistle which groweth in the fields about Cambridge hath an vpright stalke whereon do grow broad prickley leaues the floures grow on the tops of the branches consisting of a flockie downe of a white colour tending to purple of a most pleasant sweet smell 〈◊〉 with the sauour of muske the root is small and perisheth at the approch of Winter ‡ I had no figure directly fitting this wherefore I put that of Dodonaeus his Onopordon which may well serue for it if the leaues were narrower and more diuided ‡ †5 Carduus Muscatus The musked Thistle 6 Carduus lanceatus The Speare Thistle 6 The Speare Thistle hath an vpright stalke garnished with a skinnie membrane full of most sharpe prickles whereon do grow very long leaues diuided into diuers parts with sharp prickles the point of the leaues are as the point of a speare whereof it tooke his name the floures growon the tops of the branches set in a scaly prickly head like vnto the heads of Knapweed in forme consisting of many threds of a purple colour the root consisteth of many tough strings 7 Theophrastus his fish Thistle called Acarna which was brought from Illyria to Venice by the learned Valerandus Donrez described by Theophrastus hath horrible sharpe yellow prickles set vpon his greene indented leaues which are couered on the backe side with an hoarie downe as all the rest of the plant hauing a stalke of a cubit and a halfe high and at the top certaine scaly knops containing yellow thrummie floures armed or fenced with horrible sharp prickles the root is long and threddie 8 The other kinde of fish Thistle being also another Acarna of Valerandus description hath long and large leaues set ful of sharpe prickles as though it were set full of pins all the whole plant is couered with a certaine hoarinesse like the former there ariseth vp a stalke nine inches long yea in some fertile grounds a cubite high bearing the floure of Carduus benedictus standing thicke together but lesser 7 Acarna Theophrasti Theophrastus his fish Thistle 8 Acarna Valerandi Donrez Donrez his fish Thistle †9 Picnomos The thicke or bush headed Thistle ‡ 9 This Thistle in the opinion of 〈◊〉 whereto I much incline is the same with the former The root is small the leaues long welting the stalks at their setting on and armed on the edges with sharpe prickles the stalkes lie trailing on the ground like those of the star-Thistle so set with prickles that one knoweth not where to take hold thereof it hath many closely compact vmbels consisting of pale yellowish little floures like those of Groundswell the seed is like that of Carthamus smal and chaffie Pena and Lobel call this Picnomos Cretae Salonensis of a place in Prouince where they first found it called the Crau being not farre from the city Salon Tabernamontanus set it forth for Chamaeleon niger and our Author formerly gaue the figure hereof by the same title though his historie belonged to another as I haue formerly noted ‡ ¶ The Time The two first grow on diuers banks not farre from mount Apennine and sometimes in Italy but yet seldome The way Thistles grow euery where by high-waies sides and common paths in great plenty The places of the rest baue beene sufficiently spoken of in their descriptions ¶ The Time These kindes of Thistles do floure from the beginning of Iune vntill the end of September ¶ The Names These Thistles comprehended in this present chapter are by one generall name called in Latine Cardui syluestres or wilde Thistles and that which is the second in order is named 〈◊〉 but not that Scolymus which Theophr declareth to yeeld a milky iuyce of which wee haue written before but one of those which Pliny in his twentieth booke cap. 23. describeth of some they are taken for kindes of Chamaeleon their seuerall titles do set forth their seuerall Latine names and also the English ‡ There was formerly much confusion in this chapter both in the figures and historie which I will here endeauour to amend and giue as much light as I can to the obscuritie of our Authour and some others to which end I haue made choice of the names as the fittest place 1 This description was taken out of Dodonaeus and the title also of Onopordon which was formerly put ouer the
Montanum 1. of Clusius and Cirsium alterum of Lobel It floures in Iune the root is about the thicknesse of ones little finger fibrous also and liuing 5 This sends vp long narrow leaues hairy and set about the edges with slender prickles out of the middest of these leaues growes vp a stalke sometimes a foot otherwhiles a cubit high slender stiffe and downy vpon which grow leaues somewhat broad at their setting on and there also a little nicked or cut in this stalke sometimes hath no branches otherwhiles two or three long slender ones at the tops whereof grow out of 〈◊〉 heads such floures as the common Knap-weed ‡ 5 Cirsium montanum Anglicum Single headed Thistle ‡ Cirsij Anglici alia Icon 〈◊〉 Pennies figure of the same ‡ Cirsij Anglici Icon Lobelij Lobels figure of the same ‡ 6 〈◊〉 mollis folijs dissectis 〈◊〉 leaued Thistle gentle ‡ 7 Carduus mollis folijs Lapathi Docke leaued Thistle-gentle 6 These also Clusius whom I herein 〈◊〉 addeth to the kindes of Thistles This iagged leafed one which he calleth Carduus mollior primus hath many leaues at the root both spred vpon the ground and also standing vpright and they are couered with a white and soft downinesse yet greene on the vpper side they are also much diuided or cut in euen to the middle rib like to the 〈◊〉 or tenderer leaues of the Starre Thistle they haue no prickles at all vpon them 〈◊〉 of the middest of these leaues grow vp one or two stalkes round crested purplish hoarie and some cubit or better high The leaues that grow vpon the lower part of the stalke are diuided those aboue not so the tops of the stalkes sometimes yet very seldome are parted into branches which cary scaly heads containing elegant floures made of many purple strings The floure decaying there succeeds a cornered seed the root somtimes equalls the thickenesse of ones 〈◊〉 brownish long and somewhat fibrous It floures in May and growes vpon the hilly places of Hungarie 7 The stalke of this is some foot or 〈◊〉 high thicke crested and somwhat hairy the leaues about the root are somwhat large aud in shape like those of Bonus Henricus abusiuely called in English Mercurie somewhat sinuated about the edges and set with harmelesse prickles greene aboue and verie hoarie vnderneath like the leaues of the white Poplar those that grow vpon the stalke are lesser and narrower out of whose bosomes towards the tops of the stalke grow out little branches which carry three foure or more little scaly heads like those of the Blew-Bottle or Knapweed whereout grow threddy blewish purple floures the seed is wrapped in downe and not vnlike that of Blew-Bottle the root is blacke hard and liuing sending forth shoots on the sides It growes vpon the highest Austrian Alpes and floures in Iuly Clusius calls this 〈◊〉 mollior Lapathi folio ¶ The Temperature and Vertues These plants seeme by their taste to be of a moderately heating and drying facultie but 〈◊〉 of them are vsed in medicine nor haue their vertues set downe by any Author ‡ CHAP. 494. Of three leafed Grasse or Medow Trefoile ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of three leafed Grasses some greater others lesser some beare floures of one colour some of another some of the water and others of the land some of a sweet smel others stinking and first of the common medow Trefoiles called in Irish Shamrockes 1 Trifolium pratense Medow Trefoile ‡ 3 Trifolinm maius flore albo Great white Trefoile ¶ The Description 1 MEdow Trefoile bringeth forth stalkes a cubit long round and something hairy the greater part of which creepeth vpon the ground whereon do grow leaues consisting of three ioyned together one standing a little from another of which those that are next the ground and roots are rounder and they that grow on the vpper part longer hauing for the most part in the midst a white spot like a halfe moon The floures grow on the tops of the stalkes in a tuft or small Fox-taile care of a purple colour and sweet of taste The seed groweth in little huskes round and blackish the root is long wooddy and groweth deepe 2 There is another of the field Trefoiles differing from the precedent especially in the colour of the floures for as those are of a bright purple contrariwise these are very white which maketh the difference The leaues floures and all the whole plant is lesse than the former 3. 4. There is also a Trefoile of this kinde which is sowne in fields of the Low-Countries in 〈◊〉 and diuers other places beyond the seas that commeth vp ranker and higher than that which groweth in medowes and is an excellent food 〈◊〉 cattell both to fatten them and cause them to 〈◊〉 great store of milke ‡ 4 Trifolium maius flo purpureo Great purple Trefoile ‡ 5 Trifolium luteum Lupulinum Hop Trefoile ‡ 6 Trifolium luteum minimum Little yellow Trefoile 5. 6. Likewise we haue in our fields a smaller Trefoile that bringeth forth yellow floures a greater and a lesser and diuers others also differing from these in diuers notable points the which to distinguish apart would greatly inlarge our volume and yet to small purpose therefore we leaue them to be distinguished by the curious who may at the first view easily perceiue the difference and also that they be of one stocke or kindred ‡ The greater of these yellow Trefoiles hath prety large yellow heads which afterward become of a brownish colour and somewhat resemble a Hop whence Thalius called it Lupulus syluaticus or Trifolium luteum alterum lupulinum Dodonaeus cals it Trifolium agrarium The leaues are small and lightly nickt about the edges The lesser hath smaller and far lesser yellow heads which are succeeded by many little crooked clustring seeds the leaues of this are small and also snipt about the edges both this the other haue two little leaues close by the fastning of the foot-stalkes of the leaues to the main stalks wherfore I refer them to the Medicks and vsually cal this later Medica sem 〈◊〉 It is the Trifol luteum minimum of 〈◊〉 and Lobel and Trifolium arvense of Tabern ‡ ¶ The Place Common Medow Trefoile groweth in medowes fertile 〈◊〉 and waterish grounds The others loue the like soile ¶ The Time They floure from May to the end of Sommer ¶ The Names Medow Trefoile is called in Latine Trifolium pratense in High Dutch 〈◊〉 in low Dutch Claueren in French Treffle and Trainiere and Visumarus as Marcellus an old writer testifieth in English Common Trefoile Three-leafed grasse of some Suckles and Honi-suckles Cocksheads and in Irish Shamrocks ¶ The Temperature The leaues and floures of Medow Trefoiles are cold and drie ¶ The Vertues The decoction of three leaued Grasse made with honie and vsed in a clyster is good against the frettings and paines of the guts and driueth forth tough and slimie humours that cleaue vnto the
together like the other Trefoiles smooth shining and of a deepe greene colour among which toward the top of the stalkes standeth a bush of feather like floures of a white colour dasht ouer slightly with a wash of light carnation after which the seed followeth contained in small buttons or knobby huskes of a browne yellowish colour like vnto Millet and of a bitter taste the roots creepe diuers waies in the middle marish ground being full of joints white within and full of pores and spungie bringing forth diuers by-shoots stalkes and leaues by which meanes it is easily increased and largely multiplied 2 The second differeth not from the precedent sauing it is altogether lesser wherein consisteth the difference if there be any for doubtlesse I thinke it is the selfe same in each respect and is made greater and lesser according to his place of growing clymate and countrey ¶ The Place These grow in marish and Fenny places and vpon boggie grounds almost euery where ¶ The Time They floure and flourish from Iune to the end of August ¶ The Names Marish Trefoile is called in high Dutch 〈◊〉 that is to say Castoris Trifolium or Trifolium fibrinum in low Dutch of the likenesse that the leaues haue with the garden Beanes 〈◊〉 that is to say 〈◊〉 Hircinus or Boona Hircina the later Herbarists call it Trifolium palustre and Paludosum of some 〈◊〉 in English marsh-Clauer marsh-Trefoile and Buckes-Beanes ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The seed of Isopyrum saith Dioscorides if it be taken with meade or honied water is good against the cough and paine in the chest It is also a remedy for those that haue weake 〈◊〉 and spet bloud for as Galen saith it clenseth and cutteth tough humours hauing also adjoined with it 〈◊〉 astringent or binding quality CHAP. 499 Of sweet Trefoile or garden Clauer Trifolium odoratum Sweet Trefoile ¶ The Description SWeet Trefoile hath an vpright stalk hollow and of the height of two cubirs diuiding it selfe into diuers branches whereon do grow leaues by three and three like to the other Trefoiles sleightly and superficiously nicked in the edges from the bosom wherof come the floures euery one standing on his owne single foot-stalk consisting of little 〈◊〉 husks of a light or pale blewish colour after which 〈◊〉 vp little heads or knops in which lieth the seed of a whitish yellow colour and lesser than that of Fenu-greeke the root hath diuers strings the whole plant is not onely of a whitish green colour but also of a sweet smell and of a strong 〈◊〉 or spicie sent and more sweet when it is dried which smel in the gathered and dried plant doth likewise continue long and in moist and rainie weather it smelleth more than in hot and drie weather and also when it is yet fresh and greene it loseth and recouereth againe his smell seuen times a day whereupon the old wiues in Germanie do call it Sieuen gezeiten kraut that is the herbe that changeth seuen times a day ¶ The Place It is sowne in gardens not onely beyond the seas but in diuers gardens in England ¶ The Time It is sowne in May it floureth in Iune and Iuly and perfecteth his seed in the end of August the same yere it is sowne ¶ The Names It is commonly called in Latine Trifolium odoratum in high Dutch as we haue said Sieuen gezeiten in low Dutch Seuenghetijcruijt that is to say an herb of seuen times it is called in Spanish Trcbol real in French Treffle oderiferant in English Sweet Trefoile and garden Clauer it seemeth to be Lotus Vrbana or satiua of which Dioscorides writeth in his fourth booke neuerthelesse diuers Authors set downe Melilot for Lotus vrbana and Trifolium odoratum but not properly ‡ The Gardiners and herbe women in Cheapside commonly call it and know it by the name of Balsam or garden Balsam ‡ ¶ The Temperature Galen saith that sweet Trefoile doth in a meane concoct and drie and is in a meane and temperate facultie betweene hot and cold the which faculties vndoubtedly are plainely perceiued in this sweet Trefoile ¶ The Vertues The iuice pressed forth saith Dioscorides with hony added thereto clenseth the vlcers of the eies called in Latine 〈◊〉 and taketh away spots in the same called Albugines and remooueth such things as doe hinder the sight The oile whrein the floures are infused or steeped doth perfectly cure greene wounds in very short space it appeaseth the paine of the gout and all other aches and is highly commended against ruptures and burstings in young children The iuice giuen in white wine cureth those that haue fallen from some high place auoideth congealed and clotted bloud and also helpeth those that do pisse bloud by meanes of some great bruise as was prooued lately vpon a boy in Fanchurch street whom a cart went ouer whereupon he did not onely pisse bloud but also it most wonderfully gushed forth both at his nose and mouth The dried herbe laied among garments keepeth them from Mothes and other vermine CHAP. 500. Of Fenugreeke ¶ The Description 1 FEnugreeke hath a long slender trailing stalke greene hollow within and diuided into diuers small branches whereon do grow leaues like those of the medow Trefoile but rounder and 〈◊〉 greene on the vpper side on the lower side tending to an ash colour among which come small white floures after them likewise long slender narrow cods in which do lie small vneuen seeds of a yellowish colour which being dried haue a strong smell yet not vnpleasant the root is small and perisheth when it hath perfected his seed 1 Foenumgraecum Fenugreeke ‡ 2 Foenumgraecum syluestre Wilde Fenugreeke 2 There is a wilde kinde hereof seruing to little vse that hath small round branches full of knees or ioints from each ioint proceedeth a smal tender footstalk whereon do grow three leaues and no more somewhat snipt about the edges like vnto those of Burgundie Haie from the bosoms whereof come forth small yellow floures which turne into little cods the root is thicke tough and pliant ¶ The Place Fenugreeke is sowne in fields beyond the seas in England wee sow a small quantitie thereof in our gardens ¶ The Time It hath two seasons of sowing according to Columella of which one is in September at what time it is sowne that it may serue for fodder against winter the other is in the end of Ianuarie or the beginning of Februarie notwithstanding we may not sow it vntill Aprill in England ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or as it is found in Pliny his copies Carphos in Latine 〈◊〉 Graecum Columella saith that it is called Siliqua in Pliny we read Silicia in Varro Silicula in high Dutch 〈◊〉 in Italian Fiengreco in Spanish Alfornas in French Fenegrec and in English 〈◊〉 ¶ The Temperature and Vertues It is thought according to Galen in his booke of the Faculties of nourishments that it is one of those
simples which do manifestly heat and that men do vse it for food as they do Lupines for it is taken with pickle to keep the body soluble and for this purpose it is more agreeable than Lupines seeing it hath nothing in his owne proper substance that may hinder the working The iuice of boiled Fenegreeke taken with honie is good to purge by the stoole all manner of corrupt humors that remaine in the guts making soluble through his sliminesse and mitigating paine through his 〈◊〉 And because it hath in it a clensing or scouring facultie it raiseth humors out of the chest but there must be added vnto it no great quantitie of honie least the biting qualitie should abound In old diseases of the chest without a feuer fat dates are to be boiled with it but when you haue mixed the same iuice pressed out with a great quantitie of hony and haue againe boiled it on a soft fire to a mean thicknesse then must you vse it long before meat In his booke of the Faculties of simple medicines he saith that Fenegreek is hot in the second degree and dry in the first therefore it doth kindle and make worse hot inflammations but such as are lesse hot and more hard are thereby cured by being wasted and consumed away The meale of Fenegreeke as Dioscorides saith is of force to mollifie and waste away being boiled with mead and applied it taketh away inflammations as well inward as outward The same being tempered or kneaded with niter and vineger doth soften and waste away the hardnesse of the milt It is good for women that haue either imposthume vlcer or stopping of the matrix to bathe and sit in the decoction thereof The iuice of the decoction pressed forth doth clense the haire taketh away dandraffe scoureth running sores of the head called of the Graecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being mingled with goose grease and put vp in manner of a pessarie or mother supposititorie it doth open and mollifie all the parts about the mother Greene Fenegreeke bruised and pounded with vineger is a remedie for weak and feeble parts and that are without skin vlcerated and raw The decoction thereof is good against vlcers in the low gut and foule stinking excrements of those that haue the bloudy flix The oile which is pressed out thereof scoureth haires and scars in the priuie parts The decoction of Fenegreeke seed made in wine and drunke with a little vineger expelleth all euill humors in the stomacke and guts The seed boiled in wine with dates and hony vnto the form of a syrrup doth mundifie and clense the breast and easeth the paines thereof The meale of Fenegreek boiled in mead or honied water consumeth and dissolueth all cold hard imposthumes and swellings and being mixed with the roots of Marsh Mallows and Linseed effecteth the same It is very good for women that haue any griefe or swelling in the matrix or other lower parts if they bathe those parts with the decoction thereof made in wine or sit ouer it and sweat It is good to wash the head with the decoction of the seed for it taketh away the scurfe scailes nits and all other such like imperfections CHAP. 501. Of Horned Clauer and blacke Clauer ¶ The Description 1 THe horned Clauer or codded Trefoile groweth vp with many weake and slender stalks lying vpon the ground about which are set white leaues somewhat long lesser aud narrower than any of the other Trefoiles the floures grow at the tops of the fashion of those of Peason of a shining yellow colour after which come certain straight cods bigger than those of Fenegreek but blunter at their ends in which are contained little round seed the root is hard and wooddie and sendeth forth young springs euery yeare 1 Lotus trifolia corniculata Horned or codded Clauer 2 Lotus quadrifolia Foure leafed grasse 2 This kinde of three leafed grasse or rather foure leafed Tre foile hath leaues like vnto the common Trefoile sauing that they bee lesser and of a browne purplish colour knowne by the name of Purple-wort or Purple-grasse whose floures are in shape like the medow Trefoile but of a dustie ouerworn colour tending to whitenesse the which doth oftentimes degenerate sometime into three leaues sometimes in fiue and also into seuen and yet the plant of his nature hathbut foure leaues no more ‡ I do not thinke this to be the purple leaued Trefoile with the white floure which is commonly called Purple-grasse for I could neuer obserue it to haue more leaues than three vpon a stalke ‡ ‡ 3 The root of this is small and white from which arise many weake hairie branches some cubit long wheron grow soft hairy leaues three on one foot-stalke with two little leaues at the root therof out of the bosoms of these vpon like footstalkes grow three lesser leaues as also floures of the bignes and shape of those of a Vetch but of a braue deep crimson veluet colour after these are past come cods set with foure thinne welts or skins which make them seem foure square whence Camerarius called it Lotus pulcherrima tetragonolobus the seed is of an ash colour somewhat lesse than a pease It floures most of the Sommer moneths and is for the prettinesse of the floure preserued in many Gardens by yearely sowing the seede for it is an annuall plant Clusius hath it by the name of Lotus siliquosus rubello flore and hee saith the seeds were diuers times sent out of Italy by the name of Sandalida It is also commonly called in Latine 〈◊〉 quadratum ‡ ¶ The Place The first groweth wilde in barren ditch bankes pastures and drie Mountaines ‡ 3 Lotus siliqua qaudrata Square crimson veluet pease The second groweth likewise in pastures and fields but not so common as the other and is planted in gardens ¶ The Time They floure in Iuly and August ¶ The Names The second is called Lotus Trifolia in English horned Clauer or codded Trefoile The other is called Lotus quadrifolia or foure leafed Grasse or Purple-wort of Pena and Lobel Quadrifolium phaeum fuscum hortorum ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Their faculties in working are referred vnto the medow Trefoiles notwithstanding it is reported that the leaues of Purple-wort stamped and the iuyce giuen to drinke cureth young children of the disease called in English the Purples CHAP. 502. Of Medicke Fodder or snaile Clauer ¶ The Description 1 THis kinde of Trefoile called Medica hath many small and slender ramping branches crawling and creeping along vpon the ground set full of broad leaues slightly indented about the edges the floures are very small and of a pale yellow colour which turne into round wrinkled knobs like the water Snaile or the fish called Periwinckle wherein is contained flat seed fashioned like a little kidney in colour yellow in taste like a Vetch or pease the 〈◊〉 is small and dieth when the seed is ripe it growes in my garden
and is good to feed cartell fat 1 Trifolium Cochleatum Medicke Fodder ‡ 2 Medicafructu cochleato spinoso Prickly Snaile Trefoile ‡ There are many varieties of these plants and they chiefely consist in the fruit for some are smooth and flat as this first described other some are rough and prickely some with lesser and other some with bigger prickles as also with them standing diuers wayes some are onely rough and of those some are as big as a small nut other some no bigger than a pease I giue you here the descriptions of three rough ones as I receiued them from Mr. Goodyer whereof the last is of the sea which as you may see our Author did but superficially describe 2 Medicae maioris Baeticae species prima spinulis intortis This hath foure square reddish streaked hairy trailing branches like the small English Medica greater and longer foure or fiue foot long the leaues are also smooth growing three together neither sharpe pointed nor yet so broad at the top as the said English Medica but blunt topped with a small blacke spot in the midst not crooked the floures are also yellow three foure or fiue on a foot-stalke after commeth a round writhed fruit fully as big as a hasell nut with small prickles not standing fore-right but lying flat on the fruit finely wrapped plaited folded or interlaced together wherein lieth wrapped the seed in fashion of a kidney very like a kidney beane but foure times smaller and flatter of a shining blacke colour without like polished Ieat containing a white kernell within the root is like the former and perisheth also at Winter Medicae maioris Baeticae spinosae species altera The branches also creepe on the ground and are straked smooth foure square reddish here and there three or foure foot long the leaues are smooth finely notched about the edges sharp pointed without blacke spots very like Medica pericarpio plano the floures are small and yellow like the other the fruit is round writhed or twined in also fully as big as a hasell nut somewhat cottonie or woolly with short sharpe prickles wherein lyeth also wrapped a shining blacke kidney-like seed so like the last described that they are not to be discerned apart the root is also alike and perisheth at Winter Medicae marinae spinosae species The branches of this are the least and shortest of all the rest little exceeding a foot or two in length and are foure square greene somewhat hairie and trailing on the ground the leaues are like to those of Medica pericarpio plano not fully so sharpe pointed without blacke spots soft hairy three on a foot-stalke the floures grow alongst the branches on very small foot-stalkes forth of the bosomes of the leaues not altogether on or neere the tops of the branches and are very small and yellow but one on a foot-stalke after commeth small round writhed fruit no bigger than a pease with very short sharpe prickles wherein is contained yellowish seed of the fashion of a kidney like the former and is the hardest to be plucked forth of any of the rest the root is also whitish like the roots of the other and also perisheth at Winter Aug. 2. 1621. Iohn Goodyer ‡ 3 Trifolium Cochleatum marinum Medick Fodder of the sea 3 This kinde also of Trefoile called Medica marina in English sea Trefoile growing naturally by the sea side about Westchester and vpon the Mediterranean sea coast and about Venice hath leaues very like vnto the common medow Trefoile but thicker and couered ouer with a flockie hoarinesse like Gnaphalium after the manner of most of the sea herbes the floures are yellow the seeds wrinkled like the former but in quantitie they be lesser ¶ The Place The first is sowne in the fields of Germanie Italy and other countries to feed their cattell as we in England do Bucke-wheat we haue a small quantitie thereof in our gardens for pleasures sake The third groweth neere vnto the sea side in diuers places ¶ The Time Medica must be sowne in Aprill it floureth in Iune and Iuly the sruit is ripe in the end of August ¶ The Names Medick fodder is called of some Trifolium Cochleatum and Medica in French L'herbe à Limasson in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Spanish 〈◊〉 of the Valentians and Catalons Alfafa by a word either barbarous or Arabicke for the chiefe of the Arabian writers Auicen doth call Medica Cot Alaseleti and Alfasfasa The other is called Sea Clauer and Medick fodder of the sea ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Medick fodder is of temperature cold for which cause it is applied greene to such inflammations and infirmities as haue need of cooling CHAP. 503. Of Wood Sorrell or Stubwort 1 Oxys alba Whitewood Sorrell ¶ The Description 1 OXys 〈◊〉 or Trifolium acetosum being a kind of three leafed grasse is a low and base herbe without stalk the leaues immediately rising from the root vpon short stems at their first comming forth folded together but afterward they do spred abroad and are of a faire light greene colour in number three like the rest of the Trefoiles but that each lease hath a deepe cleft or rift in the middle amongst these leaues come vp small and weake tender stems such as the leaues do grow vpon which beare small star-like floures of a white colour with some brightnes of carnation dasht ouer the same the floure consisteth of fiue small leaues after which come little round knaps or huskes full of yellowish seed the root is very threddy and of a reddish colour the whole herbe is in taste like Sorrell but much sharper and quicker and maketh better greene sauce than any other herbe or Sorrell whatsoeuer ‡ My oft mentioned friend Mr. George Bowles sent me some plants of this with very faire red floures which he gathered in Aprill last in a wood of Sir Thomas Walsinghams at Chisselhurst in Kent called Stockwell wood and in a little round wood thereto adioyning ‡ 2 Oxys lutea Yellow wood Sorrell ¶ The Place These plants grow in woods and vnder bushes in sandie and shadowie places in euery countrie ‡ I haue not as yet found any of the yellow growing with vs. ‡ ¶ The Time They floure from the beginning of Aprill vnto the end of May and midst of Iune ¶ The Names Wood Sorrell or Cuckow Sorrell is called in Latine Trifolium acetosum the Apothecaries and Herbarists call it Alleluya and Panis Cuculi or Cuckowes meate because either the Cuckow feedeth thereon or by reason when it springeth forth and floureth the Cuckow singeth most at which time also Alleluya was wont to be sung in Churches Hieronymus Fracastorius nameth it Lujula Alexander Benedictus saith that it is called Alimonia in high-Dutch 〈◊〉 in Low-Dutch 〈◊〉 in French Pain de Cocu in English wood Sorrel wood Sower Sower Trefoile Stubwort Alleluia and Sorrell du Bois It is thought to be that which Pliny lib. 27. cap. 12. calleth Oxys writing thus
it is manifest and therefore it is not to be doubted at all but that the same is the Onobrychis of the old Writers it may be called in English red Fetchling or as some suppose Medick Fitch or Cockes-head ¶ The Temperature These herbs as Galen hath written in his books of the Faculties of simple Medicines do 〈◊〉 or make thin and waste away ¶ The Vertues Therefore the leaues thereof when it is greene being but as yet layed vpon hard swellings waxen kernals in manner of a salue do waste and consume them away but beeing dried and drunke in wine they cure the strangurie and laied on with oile it procureth sweat Which things also concerning Onobrychis Dioscorides hath in these words set downe the herbe stamped and applied wasteth away hard swellings of the kernels but beeing drunke with wine it helpeth the strangurie and rubbed on with oile it causeth sweatings CHAP. 524. Of Bastard Dittanie Fraxinella Bastard Dittanie ¶ The Description BAstard Dittanie is a very rare and gallant plant hauing many browne stalks somwhat rough diuided into sundry small branches garnished with leaues like Liquorice or rather like the leaues of the Ash tree but blacker thicker and more ful of iuice of an vnpleasant sauor among which grow floures consisting of fiue whitish leaues stripped with red whereof one which groweth vndermost hangeth downe low but the four which grow vppermost grow more stiffe and vpright out of the midst of this floure commeth forth a tassell which is like a beard hanging also downwards and somewhat turning vp at the lower end which beeing vaded there come in place foure huskes ioined together much like the husks or coddes of Columbines somewhat rough without slimie to handle and of a lothsome sauour almost like the smell of a goat whereupon some Herbarists haue called it Tragium in the cods are contained small black shining seeds like Peonie seeds in colour the roots are white a finger thicke one twisting or knotting within another in tast somwhat bitter There is another kinde hereof growing in my garden not very much differing the leaues of the one are greater greener harder and sharper pointed of the other 〈◊〉 not so hard nor so sharpe pointed the floures also hereof be somthing more bright coloured and of the other a little redder ¶ The Place Bastard Dittany groweth wilde in the monntaines of Italy and Germanie and I haue it growing in my garden ¶ The Time It floureth in Iune and Iuly the seed is ripe in the end of August ¶ The Names The later Herbarists name it Fraxinella most 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as though they should say Humilis Fraxinus or a low Ash in English bastard or false Dittanie the shops call it 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 but not truly and vse oftentimes the roots hereof in stead of the right Dittanie That it is not the right Dittanie it is better knowne than needfull at all to be confuted and it is as euident that the same is not Dioscorides his Pseudodictamnum or bastard Dittanie but it is plaine to be a kinde of Tragium of the old Writers wherewith it seemeth to agree in shew but not in substance ‡ The root of this is onely vsed in shops and there knowne by the name of Radix Diptamni 〈◊〉 Dictamni ‡ ¶ The Temperature The root of bastard Dittanie is hot and dry in the second degreee it is of a wasting attenuating and opening facultie ¶ The Vertues It bringeth downe the menses it also bringeth away the birth and after birth it helpeth cold diseases of the matrix and it is reported to be good for those that haue ill stomackes and are short winded They also say that it is profitable against the stingings and bitings of venomous serpents against deadly 〈◊〉 against contagious and pestilent diseases and that it is with good 〈◊〉 mixed with counterpoisons The seed of Bastard Dittanie taken in the quantitie of a dram is good against the strangury prouoketh vrine breaketh the stone in the bladder and driueth it forth The like vertue hath the leaues and iuice taken after the same sort and being applied outwardly it draweth thornes and splinters out of the flesh The root taken with a little Rubarb killeth and driueth forth wormes Dioscorides reporteth that the wilde Goats being stricken with darts or arrowes will eat Dictam and thereby cause them to fall out of their bodies which is meant of the right Dictam though Dodonaeus reporteth that this plant will do the like which I do not beleeue ‡ nor 〈◊〉 affirme ‡ CHAP. 525. Of Land Caltrops Tribulus terrestris Land Caltrops ¶ The Description LAnd Caltrops hath long branches full 〈◊〉 ioints spred abroad vpon the ground garnished with many leaues set vpon a middle rib after the manner of Fetches 〈◊〉 which grow little yellow branches consisting of fiue smal leaues like vnto the floures of Tormentill I neuer saw the plant beare yellow but white floures agreeing with the description of 〈◊〉 in each respect saue in the colour of the floures which 〈◊〉 turne into small square fruit rough and full of prickles wherein is a small kernell or seed the root is white and full of strings ¶ The Place It groweth plentifully in Spain in the fields it is hurtful to corne but yet as Pliny saith it is rather to be accounted among the diseases of corne than among the plagues of the earth it is also found in most places of Italy France I found it growing in a moist medow adioyning to the wood or Park of Sir Francis Carew 〈◊〉 Croidon not far from London and not elsewhere from whence I brought plants sor my garden ¶ The Time It floureth in Iune and Iuly the fruit is ripe in August ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Tribulus and that it may differ from the other which groweth in the water it is named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Tribulus terrestris it may be called in English land Caltrops of the likenesse which the fruit hath with Caltrops that are instruments of 〈◊〉 cast in the way to annoy the feet of the Enemies horses as is before remembred in the Water Saligot ¶ The Temperature and Vertues In this land Caltrop there is an earthy and cold qualitie abounding which is also binding as Galen saith The fruit thereof being drunke wasteth away stones in the kidneyes by reason that it is of thin parts Land Caltrops saith Dioscorides being 〈◊〉 to the quantitie of a French crowne weight and 〈◊〉 applied cureth the bitings of the Viper And if it be drunke in wine it is a remedie against poysons the 〈◊〉 thereof sprinckled about killeth fleas ‡ CHAP. 526. Of Spring or mountaine 〈◊〉 or Vetches ‡ 1 Orobus Venetus Venice Pease ‡ 2 Orobus syluaticus vernus Spring Pease ¶ The Description ‡ 1 THis which Clusius calls Orobus Venetus hath many cornered stalkes some foot long whereon grow winged leaues foure or six fastned to one rib standing by
Rose commonly called the great Prouince Rose We haue in our London gardens one of the red Roses whose floures are in quantitie and beauty equal with the former but of greater estimation of a perfect red colour wherein especially it differeth from the Prouince Rose in stalks stature and manner of growing it agreeth with our common red Rose ¶ Te Place All these sorts of Roses we haue in our London gardens except that Rose without prickles which as yet is a stranger in England The double white Rose doth grow wilde in many 〈◊〉 of Lancashire in great abundance euen as Briers do with vs in these Southerly parts 〈◊〉 in a place of the countrey called Leyland and in a place called Roughford not far 〈◊〉 Latham 〈◊〉 in the said Leyland fields doth grow our garden Rose wilde in the plowed fields among the 〈◊〉 in such abundance that there may be gathered daily during the time many 〈◊〉 els of Roses equall with the best garden Rose in each respect the thing that giueth great cause of worder is that in a field in the place aforesaid called Glouers field euery yeare that the field is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 corne that yeare the field will be spred ouer with Roses and when it lyeth as they call it ley and not 〈◊〉 then shall there be but few Roses to be gathered by the relation of a curious Gentleman there dwelling so often remembred in our Historie ‡ I haue heard that the Roses which grow in such plenty in Glouers field euery yeare the field is plowed are no other than corne Rose that is red Poppies howeuer our Author was informed ‡ ¶ The Time These floure from the end of May to the end of August and diuers times after by reason 〈◊〉 tops and superfluous branches are cut away in the end of their flouring then do they sometimes floure euen vntill October and after ¶ The Names The Rose is called in Latine Rosa in Greeke 〈◊〉 and the plant it selfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which in Latine keepeth the same name that the floure hath and it is called Rodon as Plutarch saith because it sendeth forth plenty of smell The middle part of the Roses that is the yellow chiues or seeds and typs is called Anthos and Flos Rosae the floure of the Rose in shops Anthera or the blowing of the rose The white parts of the leaues of the floure it selfe by which they are fastened to the cups be named Vngues or 〈◊〉 That is called Calix or the cup which containeth and holdeth in together the yellow part and leaues of the floure Alabastri are those parts of the cup which are deeply cut that compasse the floure close about before it be opened which be in number fiue two haue beards and two haue none and the fift hath but halfe one most do call them Cortices Rosarum or the husks of the roses the shoots of the plant of roses Strabo Gallus in his little garden doth call Viburna The white Rose is called Rosa alba in English the white Rose in high Dutch Weisz Roosen in low Dutch Ditte Roosen in French Rose Blanche of Plinie Spincola Rosa or Rosa Campana The red Rose is called in Latine Rosa rubra the Frenchmen Rose Franche Rose de Prouins a towne in Campaigne of Plinie Trachinia or Praenestina The Damaske Rose is called of the Italians Rosa incarnata in high Dutch Leibfarbige Roosen in low Dutch Prouenice Roose of some Rosa Provincialis or Rose of Prouence in French of some Melesia the Rose of Melaxo a citie in Asia from whence some haue thought it was first brought into those parts of Europe The great Rose which is generally called the great Prouence rose which the Dutch men cannot endure for say they it came first out of Holland and therefore to be called the Holland Rose 〈◊〉 by all likelihood it came from the Damaske rose as a kinde thereof made better and fairer by art which seemeth to agree with truth The rose without prickles is called in Latine Rosa sine spinis and may be called in English the rose without thornes or the rose of Austrich because it was first brought from Vienna the Metropolitan citie of Austrich and giue nto that famous Herbarist Carolus Clusius ¶ The Temperature The leaues of the floures of roses because they doe consist of diuers parts haue also diuers and sundry faculties for there be in them certain that are earthy and binding others moist and watery and sundrie that are spirituall and airie parts which notwithstanding are not all after one sort for in one kinde these excell in another those all of them haue a predominant or ouerruling cold tempe rature which is neerest to a meane that is to say of such as are cold in the first degree moist airie and spirituall parts are predominant in the White roses Damaske and Muske ¶ The Vertues The distilled water of roses is good for the strengthning of the heart refreshing of the spirits and likewise for all things that require a gentle cooling The same being put into iunketting dishes cakes sauces and many other pleasant things giueth a fine and delectable taste It mitigateth the paine of the cies proceeding of a hot cause bringeth sleep which also the fresh roses themselues prouoke through their sweet and pleasant smell The 〈◊〉 of these roses especially of Damask doth moue to the stoole and maketh the belly 〈◊〉 but most 〈◊〉 that of the Musk roses next to them is the iuice of the Damask which is more commonly vsed The infusion of them doth the same and also the syrrup made thereof called in Latine 〈◊〉 or Serapium the Apothecaries call it Syrrup of roses solutiue which must be made of the infusion in which a great number of the leaues of these fresh roses are diuers and sundry times steeped It is profitable to make the belly loose soluble when as either there is no need of other stronger purgation or that it is not fit and expedient to vse it for besides those excrements which stick to the bowels or that in the first and neerest veines remaine raw flegmaticke and now and then cholericke it purgeth no other excrements vnlesse it be mixed with certaine other stronger medicines This syrrup doth moisten and coole and therefore it alayeth the extremitie of heart in hot burning feuers mitigateth the inflammations of the intrails and quencheth thirst it is scarce good for aweake and moist stomacke for it leaueth it more slacke and weake Of 〈◊〉 vertue also are the leaues of these preserued in Sugar especially if they be onely bruised with the hands and diligently tempered with Sugar and so heat at the fire rather than boiled ¶ The Temperature of Red Roses There is in the red Roses which are common euery where and in the other that be of a deep purple called Prouence roses a more earthie substance also a drying and binding qualitie yet not without certaine moisture ioined being in them when
colour conteining within 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 long yellow seed which is so small and slender that it is like to the dust or powder that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 worme holes ‡ This is the Ledum Silesiacum of Clusius and the Ledum Rorismarini folio of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is also the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Matthiolus and 〈◊〉 of Cordus and I 〈◊〉 deceiued if the figure which Tabernamont anus and our Author out of him gaue by the name of Cistus adulterinus were not of this ‡ 13 Among the shrubby bushes comprehended vnder the title of Cistus Ledum Matthiolus hath set forth one whereof to write at large were impossible considering the Author is so briefe and of our selues we haue not any acquaintance with the plant it selfe Dioscorides to helpe what may be saith that it is a shrub growing like vnto the stocke or kindred of the Cisti from whose leaues is gathered a clammy dew which maketh that gummie matter that is in shops called Lapdanum it groweth saith he in hot regions but not with vs the Mauritanians call the juice or clammy matter Leden and Laden of some Ladano and Odano in Spanish Xara and surther saith it groweth in Arabia where the bush is called Chasus thus much for the description ‡ Our Author here seems to make Dioscorides to comment vpon Matthiolus which shewes his learning and how well he was exercised in reading or vnderstanding any thing written of Plants But of this 〈◊〉 The plant here figured which Matthiolus iudges to be the true Ledon or Cistus Ladanifera of Dioscorides hath 〈◊〉 stalkes and branches whereon grow very thicke leaues broad also and long with the 〈◊〉 running alongst the leaues the floure of this consists of fiue white leaues and the seed is contained in a three cornered seed vessel ‡ 14 Cistus Ledum Alpinum Clusij The Mountaine Cistus ‡ 15 Cistus Ledon folijs Rorismarini Rosemary leaued Cistus Ledon 14 The foureteenth Cistus being one of those that do grow vpon the Alpish mountaines which Lobel setteth downe to be Balsamum alpinum of Gesner notwithstanding I thinke it not amisse to insert it in this place hauing for my warrant that famous Herbarist Carolus Clusius this plant is one of beautifullest differing in very notable points and yet resembleth them in the wooddy branches and leaues it riseth vp hauing many weake branches leaning to the ground yet of a wooddy substance couered ouer with an ash coloured barke the leaues are broad and very rough of a shining greene colour and a binding taste the floures grow at the tops of the branches like little bels hanging downe their heads diuided at the lips or brims into fiue diuisions of a deepe red color on the out side and dasht ouer here and there with some siluer spots on the inside of a bright shining red colour with certaine chiues in the middle and of a very sweet smell as is all the rest of the plant after which come small heads or knaps full of seed like dust of a very strong smell making the head of them to ake that smel thereto the root is long hard and very woody oftentimes there is found vpon the trunke or naked part of the stalks certaine excrescences or out 〈◊〉 in manner of galls of a fungous substance like those of Touchwood white within and red without of an astringent or binding 〈◊〉 ‡ 15 This growes some cubite and better high and hath long narrow glutinous leaues like in shape to those of Rosemarie set by couples but not very thick the branches whereon the floures do grow are slender and the seed vessels are diuided into fiue parts as in other plants of this kinde This Clusius found in Spaine and sets forth for his Ledum nonum ‡ ¶ The Place Cistus Ledon groweth in the Island of Candie as Bellonius doth testifie in vntilled places euery where it is also found in Cyprus as Pliny sheweth and likewise in many places of Spaine that lie open to the Sun moreouer both the forme and bignesle of the leaues and also of the plants themselues as well of those that bring sorth Ladanum as the other Cistus do varie in this wonderful maner according to the 〈◊〉 of the places and countries where they grow they are strangers in these Northerly parts being very impatient of our cold clymate ¶ The Time They floure for the most part from May to the end of August the clammie matter which falleth vpon the leaues which is a liquid kinde of Rosen of a sweet smell is gathered in the Spring time as Dioscorides saith but as Petrus Bellonius asfirmeth being an eye witnes of the gathering in the midst of sommer and in the extreme heat of the Dog-daies the which in our time not without great care and diligence and as great labour is gathered from the whole plant with certain instruments made in manner of tooth pickes or eare pickes which in their tongue they call Ergastiri and not gathered from the beards of Goats as it is reported in the old fables of the lying Monks themselues called Calohieros that is to say Greekish Monkes who of very mockerie haue foisted that fable among others extant in their workes ‡ I thinke it not amisse for the better explanation of the matter here treated of as also to shew you after what manner our Author in diuers places gaue the testimonies of sundry Writers and how well he vnderstood them here to set downe in English the words of Bellonius concerning the gathering of Ladanum which are these The Greekes saith he for the gathering of Ladanum prouide a peculiar instrument which in their vulgar tongue they terme Ergastiri This is an instrument like to a Rake without teeth to this are fastened sundry thongs cut out of a raw and vntanned hide they gently rub these vpon the Ladanum bearing shrubs that so the liquid moisture concrete about the leaues may sticke to them which afterwards with kniues they shaue off these thongs in the heat of the day Wherefore the labour of gathering Ladanum is exceeding great yea intollerable seeing they must of necessitie stay in the mountaines all the day long in the greatest heat of the Dog-daies neither vsually shall you finde any other who will take the paines to gather it besides the Calohieroi that is the Greeke Monkes It is gathered no where in the whole Island of Candy in greater plenty than at the foot of the mountaine Ida at a village called Cogualino and at Milopotamo ‡ ¶ The Names The shrub it selfe is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 the Latines keep the name Ledon or Ladon and is a kinde of Cistus or Hollie Roses the fat or clammie matter which is gathered from the leaues is named Ladanon and Ledanon according to the Greeke the Apothecaries corruptly call it Lapdanum Dioscorides counteth that to be the best which is sweet of smell and somewhat greene that easily waxeth soft is fat without sand and is not easily broken but very full of Rosine or Gumme ¶ The
or low Furze 6 Genista 〈◊〉 minor siue Nepa Theophr Scorpion Furzes 6 The smallest of all the Furzes is that of the Antients called Nepa or Scorpion Furze as the word Nepa seemeth to import it is a stranger in England it hath beene touched of the Antients in name onely which fault they haue beene all and euerie of them to be complained of being so briefe that nothing can be gathered from their description and therefore I refer what might hereof be said to a further consideration ‡ This hath a thicke wooddy blacke root some halfe foot long from whence arise many slender branches some foot high which are set with many stiffe and sharpe prickles growing somewhat after the maner of the wilde prickly Sperage the yong plants haue little leaues like those of Tragacanth the old ones none the floures are smal and come forth at the bottome of the prickles and they are succeeded by broad cods wherein the seed is contained It growes in diuers places of France and Spaine and is thought to be the Scorpius of Theophrastus which 〈◊〉 translates Nepa ‡ ¶ The Place The common sort hereof are very well knowne to grow in pastures and fields in most places of England The rest are likewise well knowne to those that curiously obserue the difference ¶ The Time They floure from the beginning of May to the end of September ¶ The Names Furze is commonly called Genista spinosa in high-Dutch 〈◊〉 in English Furze Furzen bushes Whinne Gorsse and Thorne-Broome This thorny Broome is taken for Theophrastus his Scorpius which Gaza nameth Nepa the name Scorpius in Pliny is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say signifying many things and common to certaine Plants for besides this Scorpius of which he hath made mention lib. 25. cap. 5. setting downe Theophrastus his words where he maketh Aconitum Thelyphonon to be Scorpius lib. 23. cap. 10. and likewise other plants vnder the same title but vnproperly ¶ The Temperature and Vertues There is nothing written in Theophrastus concerning the faculties of Scorpius spinosus or Furze Pliny seemeth to attribute vnto it the same vertues that 〈◊〉 hath notwithstanding the later Writers do agree that it is hot and dry of complexion the seeds are vsed in medicines against the stone and staying of the laske CHAP. 21. Of Cammocke Furze Rest-Harrow or Petty Whinne ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of Rest-Harrow which some haue inserted among the smooth Broomes others among those with prickles whereof some haue purple floures and likewise ful of prickles others white floures and sharpe thornes some also purple floures others white and also yellow and euery of them void of prickles 1 Anonis siue Resta Bouis Cammocke or Rest-Harrow 3 Anonis non 〈◊〉 Purple Rest-Harrow without prickles ¶ The Description 1 CAmmocke or ground Furze riseth vp with stalkes a cubit high and often higher set with diuers ioynted branches tough pliable and full of hard sharpe thornes among which do grow leaues in forme like those of S. Iohns wort or rather of the Lentill of a deep green colour from the bosome of which thorns and leaues come forth the 〈◊〉 like those of Peason of a purple colour after which do come the cods in which do lie flat seed the root is long and runneth far abroad very tough and hard to be torne in pieces with the plough 〈◊〉 that the oxen can hardly passe forward but are constrained to stand still whereupon it was called Rest-Plough or Rest-Harrow 4 Anonis siue Spinalutea Yellow Rest-Yarrow 2 We haue in our London pastures and likewise in other places one of the Rest-Harrowes not differing from the precedent in stalkes leaues or prickles the onely difference is that this plant bringeth forth white floures and the others not so whence we may call it Anonis flore albo Cammocke with white floures 3 Rest-Harrow without thornes hath a tough hoary rough stalke diuided into other rough branches whereon are set without order long leaues sharpe pointed sleightly cut about the edges of an hoary colour and somewhat hairy from the bosome whereof commeth forth purple Pease-like floures of a reasonable good smell the root is verie tough long and wooddy 4 The yellow floured Cammock is a 〈◊〉 in these parts it is only found in the cold Easterne countries for ought that I can learne it differs not from the last described sauing that the floures hereof are of a darke yellow colour wherein it differeth from all the other of his kinde ¶ The Place These grow in 〈◊〉 grounds in fertile pastures and in the borders of fields in a fat fruitful and long lasting soile it is sooner found than desired of husbandmen because the tough and wooddie roots are combersome vnto them for that they stay the plough and make the oxen stand ¶ The Time They send forth new shoots in May they be ful growne in Autumne and then those that of nature are prickly be fullest of sharpe thornes they floure in Iuly and August ¶ The Names Cammocke is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and likewise in Latine Anonis and Ononis Of Herbarists commonly Aresta Bouis and Remora aratri because it maketh the Oxen whilest they be in plowing to rest or stand still it is also called Acutella of the stiffe and sharpe thorns which prick those that passe by in French Areste beuf and Boucrande Crateuas nameth it Aegipyrus in high-Dutch Stalkraut in low-Dutch Prangwortele in Italian Bonaga in Spanish Gattilhos in French Arreste beuf Beuf Bouerande in 〈◊〉 Cammocke Rest-Harrow Petty Whinne and ground Furze ¶ The Temperature The root of Cammocke is hot in the third degree as Galen saith it cutteth also and maketh thinne ¶ The Vertues The barke of the root drunke with Wine prouoketh vrine breaketh the stone and driueth it sorth The root boyled in water and vineger allayeth the paine of the teeth if the mouth be often washed therewith hot Pliny reporteth that being boyled in Oxymel or the syrrup made with honey and vineger till the one halfe be wasted it is giuen to those that haue the falling sicknesse 〈◊〉 reporteth that he knew a man cured of a rupture by taking of the pouder of this root for many moneths together The tender sprigs or crops of this shrub before the thornes come forth are preserued in pickle and be very pleasant sauce to be eaten with meat as sallad as a Dioscorides teacheth CHAP. 22. Of Goose-berrie or Fea-berry Bush. ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of the Goose-berries some greater others lesse some round others long and some of a red colour the figure of one shall serue for the rest ‡ I will not much insist vpon diuersities of fruits because my kinde friend Mr. Iohn Parkinson hath sufficiently in his late Worke discoursed vpon that subiect onely because I iudge many will be desirous to know their names and where to get them I will briefely name the chiefe varieties
a weake and feeble heart vnlesse this stone called Lapis Cyaneus be quite left out Therefore he that is purposed to vse this composition against beatings and throbbings of the heart and swounings and that not as a purging medicine shall do well and wisely by leauing out the stone Cyaneus for this being taken in a little weight or small quantitie cannot purge at all but may in the meane season trouble and torment the stomacke and withall thorow his sharpe and venomous qualitie if it be oftentimes taken be very offensiue to the guts and intrailes and by this meanes bring more harme than good Moreouer it is not necessarie no nor expedient that the bristle died with Cochenele called Chesmes as the Apothecaries terme it should be added to this composition for this bristle is not died without Auripigmentum called also Orpiment and other pernitious things ioyned therewith whose poysonsome qualities are added to the iuyces together with the colour if either the bristle or died silke be boyled in them The berries of the Cochenele must be taken by themselues which alone are sufficient to dy the iuices and to impart vnto them their vertue neither is it likewise needfull to boile the raw silke together with the graines as most Physitians thinke this may be left out for it maketh nothing at all for the strengthning of the heart CHAP. 34. Of the great Skarlet Oke ¶ The Description THe great Skarlet Oke or the great Holme Oke groweth many times to the full height of a tree sometimes as big as the Peare tree with boughes far spreading like the Acorne or 〈◊〉 Mast trees the timber is firme and sound the leaues are set with prickles round about the edges like those of the former Skarlet Oke the leaues when the tree waxeth old haue on them no prickles at all but are somwhat bluntly cut or indented about the edges greene on the vpper side and gray vnderneath the Acorne standeth in a prickly cup like our common Oke Acorne which when it is ripe becommeth of a browne colour with a white kernel within of taste not vnpleasant There is found vpon the branches of this tree a certaine kinde of long hairy mosse of the colour of ashes not vnlike to that of our English Oke ‡ This tree is euer greene and at the tops of the branches about the end of May here in England carrieth diuers long catkins of mossie yellow floures which fall away and are not succeeded by the acornes for they grow out vpon other stalks Clusius in the yeare 1581 obserued two trees the one in a garden aboue the Bridge and the other in the priuat garden at White-Hall hauing lesser leaues than the former The later of these is yet standing and euery yeare beares small Acornes which I could neuer obserue to come to any maturitie ‡ Ilex maior Glandifera The great Skarlet Oke ‡ Ilicis ramus floridus The floures of the great Skarlet Oke ¶ The Place In diuers places there are great woods of these trees hills also and vallies are beautified therewith they grow plentifully in many countries of Spaine and in Languedocke and Prouence in great plenty It is likewise found in Italy It beareth an Acorne greater and of a larger size than doth the tame Oke in some countries lesser and shorter they are strangers in England notwithstanding there is here and there a tree thereof that hath been procured from beyond the seas one groweth in her Maiesties Priuy Garden at White-Hall neere to the gate that leadeth into the street and in some other places here and there one ¶ The Time It is greene at all times of the yeare it is late before the Acornes be ripe Clusius reporteth that he saw the floures growing in clusters of a yellow colour in May. ¶ The Names This Oke is named in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Ilex in Spanish Enzina in Italian Elize in French Chesneuerd in English Barren Skarlet Oke or Holme Oke and also of some French or Spanish Oke The Spaniards call the fruit or Acorne Bellota or Abillota Theophrastus seemeth to call this tree not Prinos but Smilax for he maketh mention but of one Ilex onely and that is of Scarlet Oke and he sheweth that the Arcadians do not call the other Ilex but Smilax for the name Smilax is of many significations there is Smilax among the Pulses which is also called Dolichus and Phaseolus and Smilax aspera and Laeuis amongst the Binde-weeds likewise Smilax is taken of Dioscorides to be Taxus the Yew tree Of Smilax Theophrastus writeth thus in his third booke the inhabitants of Arcadia do call a certaine tree Smilax being like vnto the Skarlet Oke the leaues thereof be not set with such sharpe prickles but tenderer and softer Of this Smilax Pliny also writeth in his sixteenth booke chap. 6. There be of Ilex saith he two kindes Ex ijs in Italia folio non multum ab oleis distant called of certain Grecians Smilaces in the proninces Aquifolia in which words in stead of Oliue trees may perchance be more truly placed Suberis or the Corke tree for this kinde of Ilex or Smilax is not reported of any of the old writers to haue the leafe of the Oliue tree but Suber in Greeke called Phellos or the Corke tree hath a little leafe ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The leaues of this Oke haue force to coole and repell or keepe backe as haue the leaues of the Acornes or Mast trees being stamped or beaten and applied they are good for soft swellings and strengthen weake members The barke of the root boiled in water vntill it be dissolued and layd on all night maketh the haire blacke being first scoured with Cimolia as Dioscorides saith Clusius reporteth that the Acorne is esteemed of eaten and brought into the market to be sold in the city of Salamanca in Spaine and in many other places of that countrey and of this Acorne Pliny also hath peraduenture written lib 16. cap. 5. in these words Moreouer at this day in Spain the Acorne is serued for a second course CHAP. 35. Of the great Holme-Oke 1 Cerris maiore Glande The Holme Oke with great Acornes 2 Cerris minore Glande The Holme Oke with lesser Acorns ¶ The Description ‡ Cerri minoris 〈◊〉 cum flore A branch of the smaller Holme Oke with floures 2 The second is altogether like the first sauing that this beareth smaller Acornes and the whole tree is altogether lesse wherein consisteth the difference ‡ Both this the former cary floures clustering vpon long stalkes like as in the common Oke but the fruit doth not succeed them but grow forth in other places ‡ ¶ The Place This Oke groweth in vntoiled places it is seldome times found and that but in Woods onely it is for the most part vnknowne in Italy as Pliny reporteth ¶ The Time They bring forth their fruit or 〈◊〉 in the fall of the leafe ¶ The Names This Oke
to their blame that call sweet and odoriferous smells euen all of them by that name because he doth especially make mention withall in one verse of Cedrus and Thya the copies haue falsly Larix or Larch tree in which it is manifest that he spake onely of trees the verse is extant in the fift booke of Odysses where he mentioneth that Mercurie by Iupiters commandement went to Calypsus den and that he did smell the burnt trees Thya and Cedrus a great way off Theophrastus attributeth great honor to this tree shewing that the roofs of old Temples became famous by reason of that wood and that the timber thereof of which the rafters are made is euerlasting and it is not hurt there by rotting cobweb nor any other infirmitie or corruption ¶ The Temperature The fruit and leaues of the Cypres are dry in the third degree and astringent ¶ The Vertues The Cypres nuts being stamped and drunken in wine as Dioscorides writeth stoppeth the laske and bloudy flix it is good against the spitting of bloud and all other issues of bloud They glue and heale vp great vlcers in hard bodies they safely and without harme soke vp and consume the hid and secret moisture lying deepe and in the bottome of weake and moist infirmities The leaues and nuts are good to cure the rupture to take away the Polypus being an excrescence growing in the nose Some do vse the same against 〈◊〉 and eating sores mixing them with parched Barley meale The leaues of Cypres boyled in sweet wine or Mede helpes the strangurie and difficulty of making water It is reported that the smoke of the leaues doth driue away gnats and that the clogs do so likewise The shauings of the wood laid among garments preserueth them from the moths the rosin killeth Moths little wormes and magots CHAP. 46. Of the Tree of Life Arhor Vitae The Tree of Life ¶ The Description THe tree Tree of Life groweth to the height of a small tree the barke being of a darke reddish colour the timber very hard the branches spreading themselues abroad hanging down toward the ground by reason of the weakenesse of the twiggie branches surcharged with very oileous and ponderous leaues casting and spreading themselues like the feathers of a wing resembling those of the Sauine tree but thicker broader and more ful of gummie or oileous substance which being 〈◊〉 in the hands do yeeld an aromatick spicie or gummie sauor very pleasant and comfortable amongst the leaues come forth small yellowish floures which in my garden fall away without any fruit but as it hath beene reported by those that haue seene the same there followeth a fruit in hot regions much like vnto the fruit of the Cypres tree but smaller compact of little and thinne scales closely pact one vpon another which my selfe haue not yet seene The branches of this tree laid downe in the earth wil very easily take root euen like the Woodbinde or some such plant which I haue often proued and thereby haue greatly multiplied these trees ¶ The Place This tree groweth not wilde in England but it groweth in my garden very plentifully ¶ The Time It endureth the cold of our Northerne clymat yet doth it lose his gallant greenes in the winter moneths it floureth in my garden about May. ¶ The Names Theophrastus and Pliny as some thinke haue called this sweet and aromatical tree Thuia or Thya some call it 〈◊〉 Lycia the new writers do terme it Arbor vitae in English the tree of life I doe not meane that whereof mention is made Gen. 3. 22. ¶ The Temperature Both the leaues and boughes be hot and dry ¶ The Vertues Among the plants of the New-found land this Tree which Theophrastus calls Thuia or 〈◊〉 is the most principal and best agreeing vnto the nature of man as an excellent cordial and of a very pleasant smell CHAP. 47. Of the Yew tree Taxus The Yew tree ¶ The Description ‡ IN stead of the description and place mentioned by our Author which were not amisse giue me leaue to present you with one much more accurate sent me by Mr. Iohn Goodyer Taxus glandifera bacciferáque The Yew bearing Acornes and berries THe Yew tree that beareth Acornes and berries is a great high tree remaining alwaies greene and hath vsually an huge trunke or body as big as the Oke couered ouer with a scabbed or scaly barke often pilling or falling off and a yong smooth barke appearing vnderneath the timber hereof is somewhat red neere as hard as Box vniuersally couered next the barke with a thickewhite sap like that of the Oke and hath many big limmes diuided into many smal spreading branches the leaues be about an inch long narrow like the leaues of Rosemary but smooth and of a darker greene colour growing all alongst the little twigs or branches close together seldome one opposite against another often hauing at the ends of the twigs little branches composed of many leaues like the former but shorter and broader closely compact or ioyned together amongst the leaues are to be seene at all times of the yeare small slender buds somewhat long but neuer any floures which at the very beginning of the Spring grow bigger and bigger till they are of the fashion 〈◊〉 little Acornes with a white kernell within after they are of this forme then groweth vp from the bottomes of the Acornes a reddish matter making beautiful reddish berries more long than round smooth on the out side very clammie within and of a sweet taste couering all the Acorne onely leauing a little hole at the top where the top of the Acorne is to be seene these 〈◊〉 or deuoured by birds leaue behinde them a littlewhitish huske made of a few scales appearing like a little floure which peraduenture may deceiue some taking it to be so indeed it seemes this tree if it were not hindred by cold weather would alwaies haue Acornes and berries on him for he hath alwaies little buds which so soone as the Spring yeelds but a reasonable heate they grow iuto the forme of Acornes about the beginning of August seldome before you shall finde them turned into ripe berries and from that time till Christmasse or a little after you may see on him both Acornes and red berries Taxus tantum florens The Yew which only floures The Yew which onely beareth floures and no berries is like the other in trunke timber barke and leaues but at the beginning of Nouember or before this tree doth beginne to be very thicke set or fraught on the lower side or part of the twigs or little branches with small round buds verie neere as big and of the colour of Radish seed and do so continue all the Winter till about the beginning or middle of Februarie when they open at the top sending forth one small sharpe pointall little longer than the huske diuided into many parts or garnished towards the top with many small dusty things like floures of the colour
boyled in oyle Oliue and kept therein kill the wormes in children if you anoint their bellies therewith and the leaues poudered and giuen in milke or Muscadell do the same The leaues dried and beate into fine pouder and strewed vpon those kindes of excrescences sub praeputio called Caroles and such like gotten by dealing with vncleane women take them away perfectly curing and healing them but if they be inueterate and old and haue been much tampered withall it shall be necessarie to adde vnto the same a small quantitie of Auripigmentum in fine pouder and vse it with discretion because the force of the medicine is greatly increased thereby and made more corrosiue CHAP. 51. Of Tamariske 1 Tamariscus Narbonensis French Tamariske 2 Tamariscus Germanica Germane Tamariske ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Tamariske groweth like a small hedge tree couered with a reddish barke hauing many branches set and bedeckt with leaues much like vnto Heath among which come forth small mossie white floures declining to purple which turne into a pappous or downie seed that flieth away with the winde as that of Willow doth the root is wooddie as the roots of other shrubs be and groweth diuers waies 2 The Germane Tamariske hath many wooddie branches or shoots rising from the root with a white bark hauing his leaues thicker and grosser than the former and not so finely iagged or cut The floures are reddish and larger than the former growing not vpon foot-stalkes many thick clustering together as those of the former but each a 〈◊〉 distance from another on the tops of the branches spike fashion and begin to floure below which do turne into seed that is likewise carried away with the winde ¶ The Place Tamariske groweth by running streames and many times by riuers that breake forth and not seldome about fenny grounds commonly in a grauelly soile for it best prospereth in moist and stony places it is sound in Germany Vindelicia Italy Spaine and also in Greece The Tamarisks do also grow in Egypt and Syria as Dioscorides writeth and likewise in Tylus an Island in Arabia as Theophrastus noteth the wood wherof saith he is not weak as with vs in Greece but strong like 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or timber or any other strong thing this Tamariske Dioscorides doth call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say tame or planted and saith that it bringeth forth fruit very like to Galls in taste rough and binding Petrus Bellonius in his second booke of singularities reporteth that hee saw in Egypt very high Tamarisks and great like other trees and that sometimes in moist places by riuers sides and many times also in dry and grauelly grounds where no other trees did grow which now and then did beare hanging on the boughes such a multitude of Galls that the inhabitants call Chermasel as being ouer loden they were ready to breake Both these grow and prosper well in gardens with vs here in England ¶ The Time These trees or shrubs floure in May and in the later end of August their seed is carried away with the wind ¶ The Names They are called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine also Myrica and Tamarix in shops Tamariscus of Octautus Horatianus Murica Dioscorides maketh that which groweth in Greece and Italy to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 orwilde Tamariske it is named in high Dutch Tamarischen holk and Pork in low Dutch 〈◊〉 Tamarlschboome in Italian Tamarigio in Spanish Tamarguira and Tamariz in French Tamaris in English Tamariske ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Tamariske hath a clensing and cutting facultie with a manifest drying it is also somewhat astringent or binding and by reason of these qualities it is very good for an hard spleen being boyled with vineger or wine either the root or leaues or tender branches as Galen writeth Moreouer Dioscorides teacheth that the decoction of the leaues made with wine doth waste the spleene and that the same is good against the tooth-ache if the mouth be washed therewith that it bringeth downe the Menses if the patient sit therein that it killeth lice and nits if the parts be bathed therewith The ashes of burnt Tamariske hath a drying facultie and greatly scouring withall and a little binding The floures and downie seed of the greater Tamariske doth greatly binde insomuch as it commeth very neere to the Gall named Galla Omphacitis but that the roughnesse of taste is more euident in the Gall the which floures are of an vnequall temperature for there is ioined to the nature therof a great thinnesse of parts and clensing facultie which the Gall hath not as Galen writeth These floures we fitly vse saith Dioscor in stead of Gall in medicines for the eies and mouth It is good to stanch bloud and to stay the laske and womens whites it helpeth the yellow iaundice and also cureth those that are bit of the venomous spider called Phalangium the barke serueth for the same purposes The leaues and wood of Tamariske haue great power and vertue against the hardnesse and stopping of the spleene especially the leaues being boiled in water and the decoction drunke or else 〈◊〉 in a small vessell of Ale or Beere and continually drunke and if it bee drunke forth of a cup or dish made of the wood or timber of Tamariske is of greater efficacie CHAP. 52. Of Heath Hather or Linge ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of Heath some greater some lesser some with broad leaues and some narrower some bringing forth berries and others nothing but floures ¶ The Description 1 THe common Heath is a low plant but yet wooddie and shrubby scarce a cubit high it bringeth forth many branches whereupon do grow sundry little leaues somewhat hard and rough very like to those of Tamariske or the Cypresse tree the floures are orderly placed alongst the branches small soft and of a light red colour tending to purple the root is also wooddie and creepeth vnder the vpper crust of the earth and this is the Heath which the Antients tooke to be the right and true Heath 1 Erica vulgaris sive Pumila Common or dwarfe Heath ‡ Erica vulgaris hirsuta Rough leaued Heath There is another Heath which differeth not from the precedent sauing that this plant bringeth forth floures as white as snow wherein consisteth the difference wherefore we may call it Erica pumila alba Dwarfe Heath with white floures 2 The great Heath which Carolus Clusius at his being in England found in the barren grounds about Windsor which in his Spanish trauels he maketh the first kinde groweth to the height of two cubits seldome higher full of branches couered with a blackish barke whereon are set in very good order by couples small rough square leaues finer than those of Tamariske or Cypresse The floures inclose the little twiggie branches round about at certaine distances from the lower part to the top fashioned like little bottles consisting of foure parts of a shining
of an ouerworne greenish colour in these bladders are contained two little nuts and sometimes no more but one lesser than the Hasell nut but greater than the Ram Cich with a wooddie shel and somewhat red the kernell within is something green in taste at the first sweet but afterwards lothsome and ready to prouoke vomit ¶ The Place It groweth in Italy Germany and France it groweth likewise at the house of sir Walter Culpepper neere Flimmewell in the Weild of Kent as 〈◊〉 in the Frier yard without Saint Paules gate in Stamford and about Spalding Abbey and in the garden of the right honourable the Lord Treasurer my very good Lord and Master and by his house in the Strand It groweth also in my garden and in the garden hedges of sir Francis Carew neere Croydon seuen miles from London ¶ The Time This tree floureth in May the Nuts be ripe in August and September ¶ The Names It is commonly called in high Dutch 〈◊〉 which signifieth in low Dutch 〈◊〉 diuers call it in Latine Pistacium Germanicum we thinke it best to call it Nux vesicaria 〈◊〉 in his Epistles doth iudge the Turks 〈◊〉 and Hebulben to agree with this Gulielmus 〈◊〉 affirmeth Coulcoul to be vsed of diuers in Constantinople for a daintie especially when they be new brought out of Egypt This plant hath no old name vnlesse it be Staphylodendron 〈◊〉 forwhich it is taken of the later writers and Pliny hath written of it in his 16. book 16. chap. There is also saith he beyond the Alpes a tree the timber whereof is very like to that of white Maple and is called Staphylodendron it beareth cods and in those kernels hauing the 〈◊〉 of the Hasel nut It is called in English S. Anthonies nuts wilde Pistacia or Bladder nuts the Italians call it 〈◊〉 Saluaticke the French men call it Baguenaudes a patre nostres for that the Friers do vse to make 〈◊〉 of the nuts ¶ The Temperature and Vertues These nuts are moist and ful of superfluous raw humours and therefore they easily procure a readinesse to vomite and trouble the stomacke by reason that withall they be somewhat binding and therefore they be not to be eaten They haue as yet no vse in medicine yet notwithstanding some haue attributed vnto them some vertues in prouoking of Venerie CHAP. 89. Of the Hasell tree ¶ The Description 1 THe Hasell tree groweth like a shrub or small tree parted into boughes without ioints tough and pliable the leaues are broad greater and fuller of wrinckles than those of the Alder tree cut in the edges like a saw of colour greene and on the backside more white the bark is thin the root is thicke strong and growing deep in stead of floures hang downe catkins aglets or blowings slender and well compact afterwhich come the Nuts standing in a tough cup of a greene colour and iagged at the vpper end like almost vnto the beards in Roses The shell is smooth and wooddie the kernel within consisteth of a white hard and sound pulpe and is couered with a thin skin oftentimes red most commonly white this kernell is sweet and pleasant vnto the taste 1 Nux Auellana sive Corylus The Filberd Nut. 2 Corylus syluestris The wilde hedge Nut. 2 Corylus syluestris is our hedge Nut or Hasell Nut tree which is very well knowne and therefore needeth not any description whereof there are also sundry sorts some great some little some rathe ripe some later as also one that is manured in our gardens which is very great bigger than any Filberd and yet a kinde of Hedge nut this then that hath beene said shall suffice for HedgeNuts ‡ 3 The small Turky Nut tree growes but low and the leaues grow without order vpon the twigs they are in shape like those of the former but somewhat longer the chiefe difference consists in the fruit which is small and like an Hasell Nut but shorter the huske wherein somtimes one otherwhiles more Nuts are contained is very large tough and hard diuided both aboue and below into a great many iags which on euery side couer and hold in the Nuts and these cups are very rough without but smooth on the inside 〈◊〉 first set this 〈◊〉 hauing receiued it from Constantinople by the name of Auellana pumila 〈◊〉 ‡ 3 Auellana pumila 〈◊〉 cum suo 〈◊〉 The Filberd Nut of Constantinople ¶ The Place The Hasell trees do commonly grow in Woods and in dankish vntoiled places they are also set in Orchards the Nuts whereof are better and of a sweeter taste and be most commonly red within ¶ The Time The 〈◊〉 or aglets come forth very timely before winter be fully past and fall away in March or Aprill so soone as the leaues come forth the Nuts be ripe in August ¶ The Names This shrub is called in Latine Corylus in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is 〈◊〉 Pontica or Ponticke Nut in high-Dutch Hasel strauck in low-Dutch Haseleer in English Hasel tree and Filberd tree but the Filberd tree is properly that which groweth in gardens and Orchards and whose fruit is commonly wholly couered ouer with the huske and the shell is thinner The Nut is named in Latine Nux Pontica 〈◊〉 Nux 〈◊〉 Nux it is also called Nux Praenestina Nux 〈◊〉 and commonly Nux auellana by which name it is vsually knowne to the Apothecaries in high-Dutch Hasel Nusz in low-Dutch Hasel Noten in Italian Nocciuole 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in French 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Spanish Auellanas in English Hasell nut and Filberd These Nuts that haue their skinnes red are the garden and planted Nuts and the right Pontick Nuts or Filberds they are called in high-Dutch Rhurnusz and Rotnusz in low-Dutch Roode Hasel Noten in English Filberds and red Filberds The other Nuts which be white are iudged to be wilde ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Hasell Nuts newly gathered and not as yet dry containe in them a certaine superfluous moisture by reason whereof they are windie not onely the new gathered Nuts but the dry also be very hard of digestion for they are of an earthy and cold essence and of an hard and sound substance for which cause also they very slowly passe thorow the belly therefore they are troublesome and clogging to the stomacke cause head-ache especially when they be eaten in too great a quantitie The kernells of Nuts made into milke like Almonds do mightily bind the belly and are good for the laske and the bloudy flix The same doth coole exceedingly in hot feuers and burning agues The catkins are cold and dry and likewise binding they also stay the lask ‡ The kernels of Nuts rather cause than cure the bloudy flix and lasks wherefore they are not to be vsed in such diseases ‡ CHAP. 90. Of the Wall-nut tree Nux Iuglans The 〈◊〉 tree ¶ The Description THis is a great tree with a thicke and tall body the barke is somewhat greene and tending to the colour of ashes and oftentimes
Praecox in Latine is diuers times called Praecoquum it is named Malum Armeniacum and commonly Armeniacum it is called in high-Dutch Molletteu Mollelin S. Iohans Pfersing in low-Dutch Uroege 〈◊〉 Auant Persen in Italian 〈◊〉 Bacoche Grisomele Moniache in French Abricoz in Spanish Aluarcoques 〈◊〉 as and Albercocs in English Abrecocke and of some Aprecocke and Aprecox Galen seemeth to make a difference betweene Praecocia and Armeniaca in his booke of the 〈◊〉 of nourishments preferring Praecocia before Armeniaca yet he doth confesse that both of them be called Armeniaca others pronounce them Armenia with foure syllables And in his booke of the saculties of simple medicines he affirmeth that both the fruit and the tree are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 diuers of the later Physitions do between these also make a difference saying that the greater ones and those that are grasted be Armeniaca which the French men call Auant Perses and the lesser Praecocia in French Abricoz ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Aprecocks are cold and moist in the second degree but yet not so moist as Peaches for which cause they do not so soone or easily putrifie and they are also more wholesome for the stomacke and pleasant to the taste yet do they likewise putrifie and yeeld but little nourishment and the same cold moist and full of excrements being taken after meate they corrupt and putrifie in the stomacke being first eaten before other meate they easily descend and cause the other meates to passe downe the sooner like as also the Peaches do The kernell within the same is sweet and nothing at all like in facultie to that of the Peach The vertues of the leaues of this tree are not as yet found out CHAP. 96. Of Pomegranat tree ¶ The Kindes AS there be sundry sorts of Apples Peares Plums and such like fruits so there are two sorts of Pomegranates the garden and the wilde and a third sort which is barren and fruitles the fruit of the garden Pomegranat is of three sorts one hauing a soure iuyce or liquour another hauing a very sweet and pleasant liquor and the third the taste of Wine of the wilde also there be two sorts and the difference betweene them is no more than betwixt crabs and weildings which are both wilde kindes of Apples therefore the description of the garden Pomegranat shal suffice 〈◊〉 the rest ¶ The Description 1 THe manured Pomegranat tree groweth vp to the height of a hedge tree being seuen or eight cubits high hauing many pliant and twiggy branches very limber tough and of a browne colour whereon are set very many leaues in shape like those of the Priuet but more like those of the Myrtle tree of a bright shining greene colour tending to yellownesse amongst which there stand certaine sharpe thornes confusedly set and likewise hollow floures like vnto the hedge Rose indented on the edges like a starre of a Carnation colour and very single after which commeth the fruit couered with a hard barke of an ouerworne purplish colour full of graines and kernels which after they be ripe are of a gallant crimson colour and ful of iuyce which differeth in taste according to the soile clymat and countrey where they grow some be sweet others soure and the third are in a middle betweene them both hauing the taste of Wine 1 Malus Granata siue Punica The Pomegranat tree 2 Malus Punica syluestris The wilde Pomegranat Balaustia siue Pleni flores Gran. syl The double floures of wild Pomegranat †2 The wilde Pomegranat tree is like the other in leaues and twiggy branches but it is more prickly and horrid of this there are two sorts the one hauing such floures fruit as the tame Pomgranat the other bearing floures very double as may appeare by the figure which wither and fall away leauing no fruit behind them as the double floured Cherry doth and diuers other herbes and trees also it is altogether barren of fruit of this Dioscorides makes sundry sorts differing in colour one is white saith he another yellowish red and a third sort of the colour of the Rose this with red floures is best knowne among the Apothecaries ¶ The Place Pomegranats grow in hot countries toward the South in Italy Spaine and chiefely in the kingdome of Granado which is thought to be so named of the great multitude of Pomgranats which be commonly called Granata they grow in a number of places also without manuring yet being manured they prosper better for in gardens vineyards orchards and other like husbanded grounds they come vp more cheerefully I haue recouered diuers yong trees hereof by sowing of the seed 〈◊〉 grains of the height of three or foure cubits attending Gods leisure for floures and fruit ¶ The Time The Pomegranate floureth in the moneths of May and Iune the fruit is ripe in the end of August ¶ The Names The Pomegranate tree is called in Latine Malus Punica in Greeke of the Athenians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Galen saith in English Pomegranate tree the fruit is also named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Malum Punicum in shops Malum or Pomum Granatum in high Dutch Granatopffel in low Dutch Gratappel in Italian 〈◊〉 and Pomo Granato in Spanish Granadas and Romanas in French Pommes Granades in English Pomegranate The floure of the fruitfull Pomegranate tree is called of the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is notwithstanding properly the cup of the floure the Latines name it also Cytinus The floure of the wilde and barren Pomegranate tree is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Apothecaries doe likewise terme it Balaustium The pill or rinde of the Pomegranate which is so much in vse is named in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Malicorium and Sidium in shops it is called Cortex granatorum or Pomegranate Pill ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The iuicie grains of the Pomegranate are good to be eaten hauing in them a meetly good iuice they are wholesome for the stomacke but they all containe in them a thin and small nourishment or none at all The sweet ones be not so cold as the rest but they easily cause hot swellings to arise and they are not so much commended for agues The soure ones and especially if they be withall something harsh doe euidently coole dry and something binde They are good for the heart burne they represse and stay the ouermuch vomiting of choler called the Felonie they are a remedie against the bloudy flixe aptnesse to vomite and vomite it selfe There is made of the iuice of these soure Pomegranats a fyrrup which serueth for the same purposes and is also many times very profitable against the longing of women with childe vnlesse the coldnesse of the stomacke be a hinderance thereunto The seeds of the graines and especially of the sower Pomegranat being dried do likewise coole and binde They stop the flix stay
of the Pomecitron tree of a 〈◊〉 smell and bitter taste amongst which come forth slender footstalks very long and naked whereon do grow small floures consisting of foure small leaues like those of the 〈◊〉 tree but lesser of a white colour tending to a blush with some yellownesse in the middle after commeth the fruit which is larger than the former and as it were winged parted commonly into foure yet somtimes into 〈◊〉 parts and opening when it is ripe it sheweth the white graines filled with a yellow 〈◊〉 The root is tough and wooddy 〈◊〉 it selfe farre abroad vnder the vpper crust of the earth 3 The same Author setteth forth another sort which he found in the mountaines of Morauia and Hungary hauing a trunke or stocke of the height of three or foure cubits couered with a bark greene at the first afterward sprinkled ouer with many blacke spots the boughes are diuided toward the top into diuers small branches very brittle and easie to breake whereon are placed leaues by couples also one opposite to another somewhat snipt about the edges in shape like those of the great Myrtle of an astringent taste at the beginning after somewhat hot and bitter amongst which come forth small floures standing vpon long naked foot-stalkes consisting of foure 〈◊〉 leaues of a bright shining purple colour hauing in the middle some few spots of yellow after commeth the fruit foure cornered not vnlike to the common kinde of a spongious substance and a gold yellow colour wherein is contained not red berries like the other but blacke very like to those of Fraxinella of a shining blacke colour like vnto burnished horne which are deuoured of birds when they be 〈◊〉 and the rather because they fall of themselues out of their huskes otherwise the bitternesse of the husks would take away the delight ¶ The Place The first commeth vp in vntoiled places and among shrubs vpon rough bankes and heapes of earth it serueth also ostentimes for hedges in fields growing amongst Brambles and such other Thornes The other sorts Carolus Clusius sound in a wood of Hungarie beyond the riuer Drauus and also vpon the mountaines of Morauia and other places adiacent ¶ The Time The floures appeare in Aprill the fruit is ripe in the end of August or in the moneth of September ¶ The Names Theophrastus calleth this shrub 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and describeth it in his third booke of the Historie of 〈◊〉 diuers also falsly reade it Anonymos Petrus Crescentius calleth it Fusanum because spindles be made of the wood hereof and for that cause it is called in high-Dutch 〈◊〉 yet most of them 〈◊〉 in low Dutch 〈◊〉 in Italian Fusano in French 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in English Spindle tree Prick-wood and Prick-timber ¶ The Temperature and Vertues This shrub is hurtfull to all things as Theophrastus writeth and namely to Goats hee saith the fruit hereof killeth so doth the leaues and fruit destroy Goats especially vnlesse they scoure as wel 〈◊〉 as downwards if three or foure of these fruits be giuen to a man they purge both by 〈◊〉 and stoole CHAP. 107. Of the blacke Aller tree ¶ The Description THe blacke Aller tree bringeth forth from the root straight stalkes diuided into diuers branches the outward barke whereof is blacke and that next to the wood yellow and giueth a colour as yellow as Saffron the substance of the wood is white and brittle with a reddish pith in the midst the leaues be like those of the Alder tree or of the Cherry tree yet blacker and a little rounder the floures be somewhat white the fruit are round berries in which appeare a certaine rift or chinke as though two were ioined together at the first greene afterwards red and last of all blacke in this there be two little stones the root runneth along in the earth ¶ The Place The Aller tree groweth in moist woods and copses I found great plenty of it in a wood a mile from Islington in the way from thence toward a small village called Harnsey lying vpon the right hand of the way and in the woods at Hampsted neere London and in most woods in the parts about London ¶ The Time The leaues and floures appeare in the beginning of the Spring and the berries in Autumne ¶ The Names This shrub is called 〈◊〉 or blacke Alder and by others Frangula Petrus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it Auornus in low 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and oftentimes 〈◊〉 because boies make for themselues arrowes 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 Dutch 〈◊〉 it is called in English blacke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of diuers 〈◊〉 pricke tree Alnus nigra siue Frangula The blacke Aller tree ¶ The Temperature The inner barke of the blacke Aller tree is of a purging and dry qualitie ¶ The Vertues The inner barke hereof is vsed of diuers country men who drink the infusion thereof when they would be purged it purgeth thicke phlegmaticke humors and also cholericke and not only by the stoole but many times also by vomit not without great trouble and paine to the stomacke it is therefore a medicine more fit for clownes than for ciuill people and rather for those that seed grossely than for dainty people There be others who affirme that the dried barke is more gentle and causeth lesser paine for the greene bark say they which is not yet dried containeth in it a certaine superfluous moisture which causeth gripings and vomitings and troubles the stomacke The same barke being boiled in wine or vineger makes a lotion for the tooth 〈◊〉 and is commended against scabs and 〈◊〉 nesse of the skin The leaues are reported to be good 〈◊〉 for cattell especially for kine and to cause them to yeeld good store of milke CHAP. 108. Of the Seruice tree ¶ The Description 1 THe Seruice tree groweth to the height and bignesse of a great tree charged with many great armes or boughes which are set with sundry small 〈◊〉 garnished with many great leaues somewhat long like those of the Ash the floures are white and stand in clusters which turne into small browne berries somewhat long which are not good to be eaten vntill they haue lien a while and vntill they be soft like the Medlar 〈◊〉 it is like in taste and operation 2 The common Seruice tree groweth likewise to the height of a great tree with a straight body of a brownish colour full of branches set with large displayed leaues like the Maple or the White-Thorne sauing that they are broader and longer the floures are white and grow in tufts which being fallen there come in place thereof small round berries browne vpon one side and reddish toward the Sun of an vnpleasant taste in respect of the former in which are contained little blackish kernels ¶ The Place These trees are found in woods and groues in most places of England there be many smal 〈◊〉 thereof in a little wood a mile beyond Islington from London in Kent it groweth in great aboundance especially about Southfleet and 〈◊〉 ‡ The
copies haue it it is called in high Dutch 〈◊〉 in low Dutch 〈◊〉 in Italian Betula by them of Trent Bedallo in French Bouleau in English Birch tree ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Concerning the medicinable vse of the Birch tree 〈◊〉 his parts there is nothing extant either in the old or new writers This tree saith Pliny in his 16-booke 18. chapter Mirabili candore tenuitate terribilis 〈◊〉 virgis for 〈◊〉 times past the Magistrates roddes were made heereof and in our time also the Schoolemasters and parents do terrifie their children with rods made of Birch It serueth well to the decking vp of houses and banquetting roomes for places of pleasure and 〈◊〉 of streets in the crosse or gang weeke and such like CHAP. 115. Of the Hornebeame or Hard beame Tree Betul us sive Carpinus The Hornebeame tree ¶ The Description BEtulus or the Hornebeam tree grows great and very like vnto the Elme or Wich 〈◊〉 tree hauing a great body the wood or timber whereof is better for arrowes and shafts pulleies for mills and such like deuises than Elme or Wich Hazell for in time it waxeth so hard that the toughnesse and hardnesse of it may be rather compared vnto horn than vnto wood and therefore it was called Hornebeame or Hardbeame the leaues hereof are like the Elme sauing that they be tenderer among those hang certaine triangled things vpon which be found knaps or little heads of the bignesse of Ciches in which is contained the fruit or seed the root is strong and thicke ¶ The Place Betulus or the Hornebeame tree growes plentifully in Northamptonshire also in Kent by Grauesend where it is commonly taken for a kinde of Elme ¶ The Time This tree doth spring in Aprill and the seed is ripe in September ¶ The Names The Hornebeam tree is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is as if you should say Coniugalis or belonging to the yoke because it serueth well to make 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of in Latine Iuga yokes wherewith oxen are yoked together which are also euen at this time made thereof as witnesseth Benedictus Curtius Symphorianus and our selues haue sufficient knowledge thereof in our owne country and therefore it may be Englished Yoke Elme It is called of some Carpinus and Zugia it is also called Betulus as if it were a kinde of Birch but my selfe better like that it should be one of the Elmes in high Dutch Ahorne in French Carne in Italian Carpino in English Hornebeame Hardbeame Yoke Elme and in some places Witch hasell ¶ The Temperature and Vertues This tree is not vsed in medicine the vertues are not expressed of the Antients neither haue wee any certaine experiments of our owne knowledge more than hath beene said for the vse of Husbandrie CHAP. 116. Of the Elme tree ‡ OVr Author onely described two Elmes and those not so accurately but that I thinke I shall giue the Reader content in exchanging them for better receiued from Mr. Goodyer which are these Vlmus vulg 〈◊〉 folio lato scabro The common Elme 1 THis Elme is a very great high tree the barke of the young trees and boughes of the Elder which are vsually lopped or shred is smooth and very tough and wil strip or pil from the wood a great length without breaking the bark of the body of the old trees as the trees grow in bignesse teares or rents which makes it very rough The innermost wood of the tree is of reddish yellow or brownish colour and curled and after it is drie very tough hard to cleaue or rent whereof aues of Carts are most commonly made the wood next the barke which is called the sap is white Before the leaues come sorth the floures appeare about the end of March which grow on the 〈◊〉 or branches closely compacted or thrust together and are like to the chiues growing in the 〈◊〉 of most floures of a reddish colour afterwhich come flat seed more long than broad not much vnlike the garden Arach seed in forme and bignesse and doe for the most part fall away before or shortly after the leaues spring forth and some hang on a great part of the Sommer the leaues grow on the twigges of a darke greene colour the middle size whereof are two inches broad and three inches long some are longer and broader some narrower and shorter rough or harsh in handling on both sides nickt or indented about the edges and many times crumpled hauing a nerue in the middle and many smaller nerues growing from him the leafe on one side of the nerue is alwaies longer than on the other On these leaues oftentimes grow blisters or small bladders in which at the spring are little wormes about the bignesse of Bed-fleas This Elme is common in all parts of England where I haue trauelled Vlmus minor folio angusto scabro The Narrow leaued Elme 1 Vlmus vulgatiss folio lato scabro The common Elme tree ‡ 2 Vlmus minor folio augusto scabro The narrow leaued Elme ‡ 3 Vlmus folio latissimo scabro Witch Hasell or the broadest leaued Elme 4 Vlmus folio glabro Witch Elme or smooth leaued Elme Vlmus folio latissimo scabro Witch Hasell or the broadest leaued Elme 3 This groweth to be a very great tree and also very high especially when he groweth in moods amongst other trees the barke on the outside is blacker than that of the first and is also very tough so that when there is plenty of sap it will strip or peele from the wood of the boughes from the one end to the other a dozen foot in length or more without breaking whereof are often made cords or ropes the timber hereof is in colour neere like the first it is nothing so firme or strong for naues of Carts as the fruit is but will more easily cleaue this timber is also couered with a white sappe next the barke the branches or young boughes are grosser and bigger and do spread themselues broader and hang more downewards than those of the first the floures are nothing but chiues very 〈◊〉 those of the first kind the seed is also like but something bigger the leaues are much broader and longer than any of the kindes of Elme vsually three or foure inches broad and fiue or six inches long also rough or harsh in handling on both sides snipt or indented about the edges neere resembling the leaues of the Hasell the one side of the leaues are also most commonly longer than the other also on the leaues of this Elme are sometimes blisters or bladders like those on the first kinde This prospereth and naturally groweth in any soile moist or dry on high hills and in low vallies in good plenty in most places in Hampshire wher it is commonly called VVitch Hasell Old men affirme that when long boughes were in great vse there were very many made of the wood of this tree for which purpose it is mentioned in the statutes of England by
the substance of the wood is tender and easie to worke on it sendeth forth on euery side very many goodly boughes and branches which make an excellent shadow against the heate of the Sun vpon which are great broad and cornered leaues much like to those of the Vine hanging by long reddish stalks the floures hang by clusters of a whitish greene colour after them commeth vp long fruit fastened together by couples one right against another with kernels bumping out 〈◊〉 to the place in which they are combined in all the other parts flat and thin like vnto parchment or resembling the innermost wings of grashoppers the kernels be white and little 2 There is a small Maple which doth oftentimes come to the bignes of a tree but most commonly it groweth low after the maner of a 〈◊〉 the barke of the young shoots hereof is likewise smooth the substance of the wood is white and easie to be wrought on the leaues are cornered like those of the former slippery and fastened with a reddish stalke but much lesser very like in bignes and smoothnes to the leafe of Sanicle but that the cuts are deeper the floures be as those of the former greene yet not growing in clusters but vpon spoked roundles the fruit standeth by two and two vpon a stem or foot-stalke ¶ The Place The small or hedge Maple groweth almost euery where in hedges and low woods The great Maple is a stranger in England only it groweth in the walkes and places of pleasure of noble men where it especially is planted for the shadow sake and vnder the name of Sycomore tree ¶ The Time These trees floure about the end of March and their fruit is ripe in September ¶ The Names This tree is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Acer in English Maple or Maple tree The great Maple is called in high Dutch 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 the French men Grand Erable and Plasne abusiuely and this is thought to be properly called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but they are far deceiued that take this for Platanus or the Plane tree being drawne into this errour by the neerenesse of the French word for the Plane tree doth much differ from this ‡ This is now commonly yet not rightly called the Sycomore tree And seeing vse will haue it so I thinke it were not vnfit to call it the bastard Sycomore ‡ The other is called in Latine Acer minor in high Dutch 〈◊〉 in low Dutch 〈◊〉 in French Erable in English small Maple and common Maple ¶ The Temperature and Vertues What vse the Maple hath in medicine we finde nothing written of the Grecians but Pliny in his 14. booke 8. chapter affirmeth that the root pouned and applied is a singular remedy for the paine of the liuer Serenus Sammonicus writeth that it is drunke with wine against the paines of the 〈◊〉 Si latus immeritum morbo tentatur acuto Accensum tinges lapidem stridentibus vndis Hinc bibis aut Aceris radicem tundis vna 〈◊〉 vino capis hoc praesens medicamen habetur Thy harmelesse side if sharpe disease inuade In hissing water quench a heated stone This drinke Or Maple root in pouder made Take off in wine a present med'cine knowne CHAP. 119. Of the Poplar tree ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers trees vnder the title of Poplar yet differing very notably as shall be declared in the descriptions whereof one is the white another the blacke and a third sort set downe by 〈◊〉 which is the Aspe named by him Lybica and by Theophrastus 〈◊〉 likewise there is another of America or of the Indies which is not to be found in these regions of Europe ¶ The Description 1 THe white Poplar tree commeth soone to perfection and groweth high in short time full of boughes at the top the barke of the body is smooth and that of the boughes is likewise white withall the wood is white easie to be cleft the leaues are broad deeply gashed cornered like almost to those of the Vine but much lesser smooth on the vpper side glib and somwhat greene and on the nether side white and woolly the catkins are long downy at the first of a purplish colour the roots spread many waies lying vnder the turfe and not growing deepe and therefore it happeneth that these trees be oftentimes blowne downe with the winde 1 Populus alba The white Poplar tree 2 Populus nigra The blacke Poplar tree 2 The black Poplar tree is as high as the white and now and then higher oftentimes fuller of boughes and with a thicker body the barke thereof is likewise smooth but the substance of the wood is harder yellower and not so white fuller of veines and not so easily cleft the leaues be somwhat long and broad below towards the stem sharp at the point and a little snipt about the edges neither white nor woolly like the leaues of the former but of a pleasant greene colour amongst which come forth long aglets or catkins which do turne into clusters the buds which shew themselues before the leaues spring out are of a reasonable good sauour of the which is made that profitable ointment called Vnguentum Populeon 3 The third kinde of Poplar is also a great tree the barke and substance of the wood is somewhat like that of the former this tree is garnished with many brittle and tender branches set full of leaues in a manner round much blacker and harder than the blacke Poplar hanging vpon long and slender stems which are for the most part stil wauering and make a great noise by being beaten one to another yea though the weather be calme and scarce any winde blowing and it is knowne by the name of the Aspen tree the roots hereof are stronger and grow deeper into the ground than those of the white Poplar 3 Populus Libyca The Aspen tree 4 Populus Americana The Indian Poplar tree ‡ 5 Populus alba folijs minoribus The lesser leaued white Poplar 5 There is also another sort of Poplar which groweth likewise vnto a great tree the branches whereof are knotty and bunched forth as though it were full of scabs or sores the leaues come forth in tufts most commonly at the end of the boughes not cut or iagged but resembling the leaues of that Atriplex called Pes Anserinus in colour like the former but the aglets are not so closely packed together otherwise it is like ¶ The Place These trees doe grow in low moist places as in medowes neere vnto ditches standing waters and riuers The first kinde of white Poplar groweth not very common in England but in some places here and there a tree I found many both small great growing in a low medow turning vp a lane at the farther end of a village called Black-wall from London and in Essex at a place called Ouenden and in diuers other places The Indian Poplar groweth in most parts of the Islands of the West Indies ¶
grease it maketh a good ointment against burning and scalding 〈◊〉 The burned barke doth mightily dry and scoureth withall it remoueth the white scurfe and 〈◊〉 moist vlcers The dust or downe saith Galen that lieth on the leaues of the tree is to be taken heed of for if it be drawne in with the breath it is offensiue to the winde-pipe by his extreme drinesse and making the same rough and hurting the voice as it doth also the sight and hearing if it fall into the eyes or eares Dioscorides doth not attribute this to the dust or downe of the leaues onely but also to that of the balls CHAP. 121. Of the Wayfaring Tree Lantana siue Viburnum The Wayfaringtree ¶ The Description THe Wayfaring mans tree growes vp to the height of an hedge tree of a mean bignes the trunke or body thereof is couered with a russet barke the branches are long tough and easie to be bowed and hard to be broken as are those of the Willow couered with a soft whitish barke whereon are broad leaues thicke and rough sleightly indented about the edges of a white colour and somewhat hairy whilest they be fresh and green but when they begin to wither and fall away they are reddish and set together by couples one opposit to another The floures are 〈◊〉 and grow in clusters after which come clusters of fruit of the bignesse of a pease somewhat flat on both sides at the first greene after red and blacke when they be ripe the root disperseth it selfe far abroad vnder the vpper crust of the earth ¶ The Place This tree groweth in most hedges in rough and stony places vpon hils and low woods especially in the chalky grounds of Kent about Cobham Southfleet and Grauesend and in all the tract to Canturbury ¶ The Time The floures appeare in Sommer the berries are ripe in the end of Autumne and new leaues come forth in the Spring This hedge tree is called Viurna of Ruellius in French Viorne and Viorna in Italian Lantana it is reputed for the tree Viburnum of which Virgil maketh mention in the first Eclog where hee commendeth the city Rome for the loftinesse and statelinesse thereof aboue other Cities saying that as the tall Cypres trees do shew themselues aboue the low and shrubby Viorn so doth Rome aboue other cities lift vp her head very high in these verses Verum haec tantùm alias inter cuput exulit vrbes Quantum lenta solent inter viburna cupressi But this all other cities so excels As Cypresse which 'mongst bending Viornes dwels ‡ I iudge Viburnum not to be a name to any particular plant but a generall name to all low and bending shrubs amongst which this here described may take place as one I enquired of a countrey man in Essex if he knew any name of this he answered it was called the Cotton tree by reason of the softnesse of the leaues ‡ ¶ The Temperature The leaues and berries of Lantana are cold and dry and of a binding qualitie ¶ The Vertues The decoction of the leaues of Lantana is very good to be gargled in the mouth against al swellings and inflammations thereof against the scuruie and other diseases of the gums and fastneth loose teeth The same boiled in lee doth make the haires blacke if they be bathed or washed therewith and suffered to dry of it selfe The berries are of the like facultie the pouder whereof when they be dried stay the laske all issues of bloud and also the whites It is reported that the barke of the root of the tree buried a certaine time in the earth and afterwards boiled and stamped according to art maketh good Bird-lime for Fowlers to catch Birds with CHAP. 122. Of the Beade tree 1 Zizypha candida The Beade tree ‡ 2 Zizypha Cappadocica The Beade tree of Cappadocia ¶ The Description 1 THis tree was called Zizypha candida by the Herbarists of Montpellier and by the Venetians and Italians Sycomorus but vntruly the Portugals haue termed it Arbor Paradizo all which and each whereof haue erred together both in respect of the fruit and of the whole tree some haue called it Zizypha though in facultie it is nothing like for the taste of this fruit is very vnpleasant virulent and bitter But deciding all controuersies this is the tree which 〈◊〉 calleth Azederach which is very great charged with many large armes that are garnished with twiggie branches set full of great leaues consisting of sundry small leaues one growing right opposite to another like the leaues of the Ash tree or Wicken tree but more deepely cut about the edges like the teeth of a saw among which come the floures consisting of fiue small blew leaues layd abroad in manner of a starre from the middest whereof groweth forth a small hollow cup resembling a Chalice after which succeedeth the fruit couered with a brownish yellow shel very like vnto the fruit of Iuiubes whereof Dodonaeus in his last edition maketh it a kinde of a 〈◊〉 bitter and vnpleasant taste with a six cornered stone within which being drawne on a string serueth to make Beades of for want of other things 2 〈◊〉 Cappadocica groweth not so great as the former but is of a meane stature and full of boughes the barke is smooth and euen and that which groweth vpon the trunke and great boughes is of a shining scarlet colour out of these great armes or boughes grow slender twigges white and soft which are set full of whitish leaues but more white on the contrarie or backe part and are like to the leaues of Willow but narrower and whiter amongst these leaues come forth small hollow yellowish floures growing at the ioints of the branches most commonly three together and of a pleasant sauour with some few threds or chiues in the middle thereof After which succeedeth the fruit of the bignesse and fashion of the smallest Oliue white both within and without wherein is contained a small stone which yeeldeth a kernell of a pleasant taste and very sweet ¶ The Place Matthiolus writeth that Zizyphus candida is found in the cloisters of many monasteries in Italy 〈◊〉 saith that it groweth in many places in Venice and Narbon and it is wont now of late to be planted and cherished in the good liest orchards of all the low-Countries Zizyphus Cappadocica groweth likewise in many places of Italy and specially in Spaine it is also cherished in gardens both in Germany and in the low-Countries ‡ It groweth also here in the garden of Mr. Iohn Parkinson ‡ ¶ The Time These trees floure in Iune in Italy and Spain their fruit is ripe in September but in Germany and the low-Countries there doth no fruit follow the floures ¶ The Names Zizyphus candida Auicen calleth Azederach or as diuers read it Azederaeth and they name it saith he in Rechi Arbor Mirobalanorum or the Mirobalane tree but not properly and in Tabrasten and Kien and Thihich The later writers are far deceiued in taking
it to be the Sycomore tree and they as much that would haue it to be the Lote or Nettle tree it may be named in English Bead tree for the cause before alledged The other is altera species Zizyphi or the second kinde of Iuiube tree which Columella in his ninth booke and fourth chap. doth call Zizyphus alba or white 〈◊〉 tree for difference from the other that is syrnamed Rutila or glittering red Pliny calleth this 〈◊〉 Cappadocica in his 〈◊〉 booke ninth chapter where he entreateth of the honour of Garlands of which he saith there be two sorts whereof some be made of floures and others of leaues I would call the floures saith he brooms for of those is gathered a yellow floure and Rhododendron also Zizypha which is called Cappadocica The 〈◊〉 of these are sweet of smell and like to Oliue floures Neither doth Columella or Pliny vn 〈◊〉 take this for Zizyphus sor both the leaues and floures grow out of the tender and yong sprung twigs as they likewise do out of the former the floures are very sweet of smel and cast their sauor far abroad the fruit also is like that of the former ¶ The Temperature Auicen writing and intreating of Azadaraeth saith that the floures thereof be hot in the third degree and dry in the end of the first Zizyphus Cappadocica is cold and dry of complexion ¶ The Vertues The floures of Zizyphus or Azadaraeth open the obstructions of the braine The distilled water thereof killeth nits and lice preserueth the haire of the head from falling especially being mixed with white wine and the head bathed with it The fruit is very hurtfull to the chest and a troublesome enemie to the stomacke it is dangerous and peraduenture deadly Moreouer it is reported that the decoction of the barke and of Fumitorie with Mirobalans added is good for agues proceeding of flegme The iuice of the vppermost leaues with honey is a remedie against poison The like also hath Rhasis the Beade tree saith he is hot and dry it is good for stoppings of the head it maketh the haire long yet is the fruit thereof very offensiue to the stomacke and oftentimes found to be pernitious and deadly Matthiolus writeth that the leaues and wood bringeth death euen vnto beasts and that the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is resisted by the same remedies that Oleander is 〈◊〉 Cappadocica preuaileth against the diseases aforesaid but the decoction thereof is verie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whose water scaldeth them with the continuall issuing thereof as also 〈◊〉 such as haue the running of the reines and the exulcerations of the bladder and priuy parts A looch or licking medicine made thereof or the syrrup is excellent good against spitting of bloud proceeding of the distillations of sharpe or salt humors CHAP. 123. Of the Lote or Nettle tree Lotus arbor The Nettle tree ¶ The Description THe Lote whereof we write is a tree as big as a Peare tree or bigger and higher the body and armes are very thicke the barke whereof is smooth of a gallant green colour tending to blewnesse the boughes are long and spread themselues all about the leaues be like those of the Nettle sharpe pointed and nicked in the edges like a saw and dasht here and there with stripes of a yellowish white colour the berries be round and hang vpon long stalkes like Cherries of a yellowish white colour at the first and afterwards red but when they be ripe they be somewhat blacke ¶ The Place This is a rare and strange tree in both the Germanies it was brought out of Italy where there is found store thereof as Matthiolus testifieth I haue a small tree thereof in my garden There is likewise a tree thereof in the garden vnder London wall sometime belonging to Mr. Gray an Apothecary of London and another great tree in a garden neere Coleman street in London being the garden of the Queenes Apothecarie at the impression hereof called Mr. Hugh Morgan a curious conseruer of rare simples The Lote tree doth also grow in Africke but it somewhat differeth from the Italian Lote in fruit as Pliny in plaine words doth shew in his thirteenth booke seuenteenth chapter That part of Africke saith he that lieth towards vs bringeth forth the famous Lote tree which they call Celtis and the same well knowne in Italy but altered by the soile it is as big as the Peare tree although Nepos Cornelius reporteth it to be shorter the leaues are full of fine cuts otherwise they be thought to be like those of the Holme tree There be many differences but the same are made especially by the fruit the fruit is as big as a Beane and of the colour of Saffron but before it is thorow ripe it changeth his color as doth the Grape It growes thicke among the boughes after the manner of the Myrtle not as in Italy after the manner of the Cherry the fruit of it is there so sweet as it hath also giuen a name to that countrie and land too hospitable to strangers and forgetfull of their owne countrey It is reported that they are troubled with no diseases of the belly that eate it The better is that which hath no kernell which in the other kinde is stony there is also pressed out of it a wine like to a sweet wine which the same Nepos denieth to endure aboue ten daies and the berries stamped with Alica are reserued in vessels for food Moreouer we haue heard say that armies haue been fed therewith as they haue passed too and fro thorow Africke The colour of the wood is blacke they vse to make flutes and pipes of it the root serueth for kniues hafts and other short workes this is there the nature of the tree thus farre Pliny In the same place he saith that this renowmed tree doth 〈◊〉 about Syrtes and 〈◊〉 and in his 5. booke 7. chapter he sheweth that there is not far from the lesser Syrtis the Island Menynx surnamed Lotophagitis of the plenty of Lote trees Strabo in his 17. booke 〈◊〉 that not onely Menynx but also the lesser Syrtis is said to be 〈◊〉 first saith he lieth Syrtis a certaine long Island by the name Cereinna and another lesser called Circinnitis next to this is the lesser Syrtis which they call Lotophagitis Syrtis the compasse of this gulfe is almost 1600. furlongs the bredth of the mouth 600. By both the capes there be Islands ioined to the maine land that is Circinna and Menynx of like bignesse they thinke that Menynx is the countrey of the Lotophagi or those that feed of the Lote trees of which 〈◊〉 Homer maketh mention and there are certaine monuments to be seen and 〈◊〉 Altar and the fruit is selfe for there be in it great plenty of Lote trees whose fruit is wonderful sweet thus saith Strabo This Lote is also described by Theophrastus in his 〈◊〉 booke he saith that there be very many kindes which be seuered by the fruit the fruit is of
but the Arabians haue mentioned this Indian Nut tree the body whereof is very great smooth and plaine void of boughes or branches of a great height wherefore the Indians do wrap ropes about the body thereof as they doe vpon the tree last described for their more ease in gathering the fruit the timber whereof is verie spongie within but hard without a matter fit to make their Canoos and boats of on the top of the tree grow the leaues like those of the Date tree but broad and sharpe at the point as thornes whereof they vse to make needles bodkins and such like instruments wherewith they sow the sailes of their ships and do such like businesse among these leaues come forth clusters of floures like those of the Chestnut tree which turne into great fruit of a round forme and somwhat sharp at one end in that end next vnto the tree is one hole somtimes two bored through this Nut or fruit is wrapped in a couerture consisting of a substance not vnlike to hempe before it be beaten soft there is also a 〈◊〉 and gentler stuffe next vnto the shell like vnto Flax before it be made soft in the middle whereof is contained a great Nut couered with a very hard shell of a browne colour before it be polished afterward of a blacke shining colour like burnished horne next vnto the shell vpon the inside there cleaueth a white cornelly substance firme and sollid of the 〈◊〉 and taste of a blanched Almond within the cauitie or hollownes thereof is contained a most delectable liquor like vnto milke and of a most pleasant taste 2 We haue no certaine knowledge from those that haue trauelled into the Indies of the tree which beareth this little Indian Nut neither haue we any thing of our owne knowledge more than that we see by experience that the fruit hereof is lesser wherein consisteth the difference 1 Nux Indica arbor The Indian Nut tree Nux Indica The Indian Nut. 2 Nucula Indica The little Indian Nut. 〈◊〉 3 ¶ The Place This Indian Nut groweth in some places of Africa and in the East Indies and in all the Islands of the West Indies especially in Hispaniola Cuba and Saint Iohns Island and also vpon the continent by Carthagena Nombre de Dios and Panama and in Virginia otherwise called Norembega part of the same continent for the most part neere vnto the sea side and in moist places but it is seldome found in the vplandish countries ¶ The Time It groweth greene Winter and Sommer ¶ The Names The fruit is called in Latine Nux Indica of the Indians Cocus of the Portugals that dwell in the East Indies Cocco taken from the end wherein are three holes representing the head of a Monkie Serapio and Rhasis do call this tree Iaralnare idest Arborem Nuciferam the tree bearing Nuts of 〈◊〉 Glauci al hend of the vulgar people Maro and the fruit Narel which name Narel is common among the Persians and Arabians it is called in Malauar Tengamaran the ripe fruit 〈◊〉 and the greene fruit Eleri in 〈◊〉 it is called Lanhan in Malaio Triccan and the Nut 〈◊〉 The distilled liquor is called Sula and the oile that is made thereof Copra ¶ The Temperature It is of a meane temper betwixt hot and cold ¶ The Vertues and vse The Indians do vse to cut the twigs and tender branches toward the euening at the ends whereof they haue bottle gourds hollow canes and such like things fit to receiue the water that droppeth from the branches thereof which pleasant liquor they drinke in stead of wine from the which is drawne a strong and 〈◊〉 Aqua Vitae which they vse in time of need against all manner of sicknesses of the branches and boughes they make their houses of the trunk or body of the tree ships and boates of the hempon the outward part of the fruit they make ropes and cables and of the siner stuffe sailes for their ships Likewise they make of the shell of the Nut cups to drinke in which we likewise vse in England garnished with siluer for the same purposes The kernell serueth them for bread and meat the milkie iuice doth serue to coole and refresh their wearied spirits out of the kernel when it is stamped is pressed a most precious oile not onely good for meat but also for medicine wherewith they annoint their feeble lims after their tedious trauell by meanes whereof the ache and paine is mitigated and other infirmities quite taken away proceeding of other causes CHAP. 141. Of the Dragon Tree 1 Draco arbor The Dragon tree Draconis fructus The Dragon tree fruit ¶ The Description THis strange and admirable tree groweth very great resembling the Pine tree by reason it doth alwaies flourish and hath his boughes or branches of equal length and bignesse which are bare and naked of eight or nine cubits long and of the bignesse of a mans 〈◊〉 from the ends of which do shoot out leaues of a cubit and a halfe long and full two inches broad somewhat thicke and raised vp in the middle then thinner and thinner like a two edged sword among which come forth little mossie floures of small moment and turne into berries of the bignesse of Cherries of a yellowish colour round light and bitter couered with a threesold skin or filme wherein is to be seene as 〈◊〉 and diuers other report the forme of a Dragon hauing a long necke or gaping mouth the ridge or backe armed with sharpe prickles like the Porcupine it hath also a long taile foure feet very easie to be discerned the figure of it we haue set forth vnto you according to the greatnesse thereof because our words and meaning may be the better vnderstood and also the 〈◊〉 of the tree in his full bignesse because it is impossible to be expressed in the figure the trunke or body of the tree is couered with a rough barke very thin and 〈◊〉 to be opened or wounded with any small toole or instrument which being so wounded in the Dog daies bruised or bored doth yeeld forth drops of a thicke red liquour which of the name of the tree are called Dragons teares or Sanguis Draconis Dragons bloud diuers haue doubted whether the liquour or gummie iuice were all one with Cinnabaris of Dioscorides not meaning that Cinaber made of Quicksiluer but the receiued opinion is they differ not by reason their qualitie and temperature worke the like effect ¶ The Place This tree groweth in an Island which the Portugals call Madera and in one of the Canarie Islands called Insula Portus Sancti and as it seemeth it was first brought out of Africke although some are of a contrary opinion and say that it was first brought from Carthagena in America by the Bishop of the same Prouince ¶ The Time The time of his growing we haue touched in the description where wee said that it flourisheth and groweth greene all the yeare ¶ The Names The names haue
second degree agreeing with Nardus in temperature or as others report with Mace it prouoketh vrine mightily warmeth and comforteth the stomacke and helpeth digestion It preuaileth against the pin and web in the eyes the inflamed and waterie eyes and all other infirmities of the same It is laid among cloathes as well to keepe them from moths and other vermine as also to giue vnto them a sweet smell CHAP. 150. Of the Cloue tree Caryophylli veri Clusij The true forme of the Cloue tree ¶ The Description THe Cloue tree groweth great in forme like vnto the Bay tree the trunke or bodie whereof is couered with a russet barke the branches are many long and very brittle whereupon do grow leaues like those of the Bay tree but somewhat narrower amongst which come the floures white at the first after of a greenish colour waxing of a darke red colour in the end which floures are the very cloues when they grow hard after when they be dried in the Sunne they become of that dusky black colour which we dayly see wherein they continue For those that wee haue in estimation are beaten downe to the ground before they be ripe and are suffered there to lie vpon the ground vntill they bee dried throughly where there is neither grasse weeds nor any other herbes growing to hinder the same by reason the tree draweth vnto it selfe for his nourishment all the moisture of the earth a great circuit round about so that nothing can there grow for want of moisture and therfore the more conuenient for the drying of the Cloues Contrariwise that grosse kinde of Cloues which hath beene supposed to be the male are nothing else than fruit of the same tree tarrying there vntill it fall downe of it selfe vnto the ground where by reason of his long lying and meeting with some raine in the mean season it loseth the quick taste that the others haue Some haue called these Fusti whereof we may English them Fusses Some affirme that the floures hereof surpasse all other floures in sweetnesse when they are greene and hold the opinion that the hardned floures are not the Cloues themselues as wee haue written but thinke them rather to be the seat or huske wherein the floures doe grow the greater number hold the former opinion And further that the trees are increased without labour graffing planting or other industrie but by the falling of the fruit which beare fruit within eight yeares after they be risen vp and so continue bearing for an hundred yeares together as the inhabitants of that countrey do affirme ¶ The Place The Cloue tree groweth in some few places of the Molucca Islands as in Zeilan Iaua the greater and the lesse and in diuers other places ¶ The Time The Cloues are gathered from the fifteenth of September vnto the end of Februarie not with hands as we gather Apples Cherries and such like fruit but by beating the tree as Wall-nuts are gotten as we haue written in the description ¶ The Names The fruit hereof was vnknowne to the antient Grecians of the later writers called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine also Caryophyllus and Clavus in French Clou de Gyrofle the Mauritanians Charhumfel in Italian Carofano in high-Dutch Nagel in Spanish Clauo de especia of the Indians Calasur in the Molucca's Changue of the Pandets Arumfel and Charumfel in English Cloue tree Cloues ¶ The Temperature Cloues are hot and dry in the third degree ¶ The Vertues Cloues strengthen the stomacke liuer and heart helpe digestion and prouoke vrine The Portugall women that dwell in the East Indies draw from the Cloues when they bee yet greene a certaine liquor by distillation of a most fragrant smell which comforteth the heart and is of all cordials the most effectuall Cloues stop the belly the oile or water thereof dropped into the eyes sharpens the sight and clenseth away the cloud or web in the same The weight of foure drams of the pouder of Cloues taken in milke procureth the act of generation There is extracted from the Cloues a certaine oile or rather thicke butter of a yellow colour which being chafed in the hands smelleth like the Cloues themselues wherewith the Indians do cure their wounds and other hurts as we do with Balsam The vse of Cloues not onely in meat and medicine but also in sweet pouder and such like is sufficiently knowne therefore this shall suffice CHAP. 151. Of the Nutmeg tree 1 Nux Muscata rotunda siue foemina The round or female Nutmeg 2 Nux Myristica oblonga fiue 〈◊〉 The longish or male Nutmeg Nux Moschatacum sua Maci. The Nutmeg with his Mace about him ¶ The Description 1 THe tree that beareth the Nutmeg and the Mace is in forme like to the Peare tree but the leaues of it are like those of the Bay or Orenge tree alwaies greene on the vpper side and more whitish vnderneath among which come forth the Nut and Mace as it were the floures The Nut appeareth first compassed about with the Mace as it were in the middle of a single rose which in processe of time doth wrap and inclose the Nut round on euery side after commeth a huske like that of the Wall-nut but of an harder substance which incloseth the Nut with his Mace as the Wall-nut husk doth couer the Nut which in time of ripenesse doth cleaue of it selfe as the Wall-nut huske doth and sheweth his Mace which then is of a perfect crimson colour and maketh a most goodly shew especially when the tree is well laden with fruit after the Nut becommeth dry the Mace likewise gapeth and forsaketh the Nut euen as the first huske or couerture and leaues it bare and naked as we all do know at which time it getteth to it selfe a kinde of darke yellow colour and loseth that braue crimson dye which it had at the first ‡ 2 The tree which carrieth the male Nutmeg according to Clusius thus differs from the last described the leaues are like those of the former in shape but much bigger being sometimes a foot long and three or foure inches broad their common length is seuen or eight inches and bredth two and a halfe they are of a whitish colour vnderneath and greene and shining aboue The Nuts also grow at the very ends of the branches sometimes two or three together and not onely one as in the common kinde The Nut it selfe is also larger and longer the Mace that incompasses it is of a more elegant colour but not so strong as that of the former I can scarse beleeue our Authors assertion in the foregoing description that the Nut appeareth first compassed about with the Mace as it were in the middest of a single Rose c. But I rather thinke they all come forth together the Nutmeg Mace the greene outward huske and all iust as we see Wall-nuts do and onely open themselues when they come to full maturitie In the third figure you may see
of a brownish colour and smooth the barke of the yongest shoots is whitish and rough the leaues which grow vpon footstalkes some two inches long are somewhat like Vine leaues but smaller by much and lesse cornered being cut into three and sometimes but seldomer into fiue parts somwhat thicke with many veines running ouer them greener aboue than they are below out of the branches in Spring time grow stalkes hanging downe some six inches in length carrying many little greenish floures which are succeeded by little red berries cleare and smooth of the bignesse of the Whortle berries of a pleasant tart taste Of this kinde there is another onely different from this in the fruit which is twice so big as that of the common kind 2 The bush which beares the white Currans is commonly straighter and bigger than the former the leaues are lesser the floures whiter and so also is the fruit being cleare and transparent with a little blackish rough end 1 Ribes vulgaris fructu rubro Red Currans 2 Ribes fructu albo White Currans 3 Besides these there is another which disfers little from the former in shape yet grows somwhat higher and hath lesser leaues the floures are of a purplish green colour and are succeeded by fruit as big againe as the ordinary red but of a stinking and somewhat loathing sauour the leaues also are not without this stinking smell ¶ The Place Time and Names None of these grow wild with vs but they are to be found plentifully growing in many gardens especially the two former the red and the white The leaues and floures come forth in the Spring and the fruit is ripe about Midsommer This plant is thought to haue been vnknowne to the antient Greekes some thinke it the Ribes of the Arabian Serapio Fuchsius Matthiolus and some other deny it notwithstanding Dodonaeus affirmes it neither is the controuersie easily to be decided because the Author is briefe in the description thereof neither haue we his words but by the hand of a barbarous Translator Howeuer the shops of late time take it the faculties consenting thereto for the true Ribes and of the fruit hereof prepare their Rob de Ribes 〈◊〉 calls it Ribesium grossularia rubra Grossularia transmarina and they are distinguished into three sorts Rubra Alba Nigra 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 white and blacke Currans the Germans call them S. 〈◊〉 traubell or traublin and S. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Dutch 〈◊〉 ouer Zee the Italians Vuetta rossa the French Groisseles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Bohemians 〈◊〉 S. 〈◊〉 the English Red Currans yet must they not be confounded with those Currans which are brought from Zant and the continent adioyning thereto and which are vulgarly sold by our Grocers for they are the fruit of a small Vine and differ much from these The Temperature and Vertues The berries of red Currans as also of the white are cold and dry in the end of the second degree and haue some astriction together with tenuitie of parts They extinguish and mitigate feuerish heates represse choler temper the ouer-hot bloud resist putrefaction quench thirst helpe the deiection of the appetite stay cholericke vomitings and scourings and helpe the Dysenterie proceeding of an hot cause The iuice of these boiled to the height of honey either with or without sugar which is called Rob de Ribes hath the same qualities and conduces to the same purposes CHAP. 3. Of Parsley Breake-stone and bastard Rupturewort 1 Percepier Anglorum Lob. Parsley Breake-stone 2. Polygonū Herniariae facie Bastard Rupture-wort ¶ The Description 1 I Thought it was not altogether inconuenient to 〈◊〉 these two Plants together in one Chapter first because they are 〈◊〉 one stature and secondly taken 〈◊〉 of one and the 〈◊〉 History of Plants to wit the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and Lobel The first of these which the Authors of the 〈◊〉 set sorth by the name of 〈◊〉 and rather assert than affirme to be the Scandix of the Antients is by 〈◊〉 called Scandix minor and by 〈◊〉 Columna 〈◊〉 montana minima it hath a small wooddy yellowish fibrous root 〈◊〉 which rise vp one two or more little stalks seldome exceeding the height of an handfull and these are round and hairy and vpon them grow little roundish leaues like the tender leaues of Cheruill but hairy and of a whitish green colour fastned to the stalkes with short foot-stalkes and hauing little eares at their setting on the floures are small greene and fiue cornered many clustering together at the setting on of the leaues the seed is small smooth and yellowish the stalks of this plant grow sometimes vpright and otherwhiles they lean on the ground it is to be found vpon diuers dry and barren grounds as in Hide Parke Tuthill fields c. It floures in May and ripens the feed in Iune and Iuly It seemes by the Authors of the Aduersaria that in the West countrey about Bristow they call this Herbe Percepier but our herbe women in Cheapside know it by the name of Parsley Breakestone This is hot and dry and of subtil parts it vehemently and speedily moues vrine and by some is kept in pickle and eaten as a sallad The distilled water is also commended to be effectuall to moue vrine and clense the kidnies of grauell 2 The historie of this by the forementioned Authors Aduers pag. 404. is thus set forth vnder this title Polygonium Herniariae folijs facie perampla radice 〈◊〉 Neither say they ought this to be despised by such as are studious of the knowledge of Plants for it is very little knowne being a very small herbe lying along vpon the ground and almost ouerwhelmed or couered with the grasse hauing little branches very full of ioints the little leaues and seeds are whitish and very like those of Herniaria or Rupture-wort the whole plant is white hauing a very small and mossie floure the root is larger than the smalnesse of the plant seemeth to require hard branched diuersly turning and winding and therefore hard to be plucked vp the taste is dry and hottish It growes vpon a large Plaine in Prouince betweene the cities Arles and Selon Thus much Pena and Lobel I am deceiued if some 〈◊〉 yeares agone I was not shewed this plant gathered in some part of this kingdome but where I am not able to 〈◊〉 CHAP. 4. Of Heath Spurge and Rocke Rose ¶ The Description 1 THese Plants by right should haue followed the historie of Thymelaea for in shape and facultie they are not much vnlike it The first is a low shrub sending from one root many branches of some cubit long and these bending flexible and couered with an outer blackish barke which comprehends another within tough and which may be diuided into fine threds the leaues are like those of Chamaelea yet lesser shorter and thicker a little rough also and growing about the branches in a certaine order if you chew them they are gummie bitter at the first and afterwards hot and biting the floures grow amongst
Quamoclit sive Conuoluulus Pennatus Winged Windeweed ¶ The Description THe first that writ of and described this plant was 〈◊〉 that by the name of Gelsiminum rubrum alterum after him Camerarius gaue a description and figure therof in his Hortus Medicus by the name of Quamoclit and after him Fabius Columna both figured and described it more accurately whose description is put to the figure of it we here giue in Clus. his Curaeposteriores It is so tender a plant that it will not come to any perfection with vs vnlesse in extraordinary hot yeres and by other artificiall helps wherefore I will borrow the description thereof out of Fabius Columna This exoticke plant saith he cannot more fitly be referred to any kinde than to the family of the 〈◊〉 or Bindweeds for in the nature and whole habit it is almost like them excepting the shape of the winged leaues it is stored with lesse milk the flours are long hollow but parted into fiue at the top of a pleasing red colour with streaked lines or folds standing vpon long stalkes one or two together comming out of the bosomes of the leaues at each ioint of the branches and they haue in them fiue yellowish pointalls then succeeds a longish fruit standing in a scaly cup ending in a sharp pointall and couered with a tough skin as that of the common Convoluulus but lesser hauing within it foure longish blacke hard seedes of a biting taste The leaues grow alternately out of the ioints of the purple winding branches being winged and finely diuided twise as small as the common Rheseda of a darke greene colour but the young ones are yellowish first hauing a few diuisions but afterwards more till they come to haue thirteen on a side and one at the top but the lower ones are oft times forked by reason of the great plenty of leaues and flouring stalks or branches winding themselues about artificiall hoops crossings or other fashioned workes of Reeds or the like set for winding herbs to clime vpon it much delights the eie of the beholder and is therefore kept in pots in gardens of pleasure The seed sowne in the beginning of the Spring growes vp in Iune and the first leaues resemble the winged fruit of the Maple it floures in the end of August and ripens the seed in the end of September CHAP. 7. Of the sensitiue Herbe Herbamimosa The sensitiue berbe 〈◊〉 exactior icon A perfect figure thereof ¶ The Description THis which I here call the sensitiue herbe is that which Christopher a Costa sets forth by the name of Herba mimosa or the Mocking herbe because when one puts his hand thereto it forthwith seemes to wither and hang downe the leaues but when you take it away againe it recouers the pristine greenesse and vigor I wil here giue you that which Acosta writes thereof the figure historie which Clusius giues in his notes vpon him and also another figure better expressing the leaues and manner of growing There is found saith Acosta in some Gardens another plant some fiue handfuls long resting vpon the neighbouring shrubs or walls hauing a slender stalke of a fresh greene colour not very round set at certaine spaces with small and pricking thornes the leaues are not vnlike the former That is the Herba viua which in condition is little different from this being somewhat lesser than those of the female Ferne. It loues to grow in moist and stony places and is called Herbamimosa for the reason formerly giuen The nature hereof is much different from that of Arbor tristis for euery night at Sun-set it as it were withers and dries so that one would thinke it were dead but at Sun-rise it recouers the former vigor and by how much the Sun growes hotter by so much it becomes the greener and all the day it turnes the leaues to the Sun This plant hath the smell and taste of Liquorice and the leaues are commonly eaten by the Indians against the cough to clense the chest cleare the voice it is also thought good against the paines of the kidneies and to heale greene wounds Thus much Acosta Now saith Clusius the leaues of many plants especially pulses vse to contract or shrinke vp their leaues in the night time Now I receiued a dry plant which was sent to me by the name of Herbamimosa by Iames Garret in the end of October 1599 which he writ he had of the right Honourable the Earle of Cumberland who returning from Saint Iohn de Puerto rico in the West Indies brought it put in a pot with some earth but could not preserue it aliue But I caused the figure of that dried plant to be expressed as well as it might so to fit it to the description following made also by the dried plant This plant which was wholly drie and without leaues had a single root and that not thick but hard and wooddy with few fibres from whence arose three or foure short stalks which straight diuided themselues into slender branches which spread themselues round about vpon the ground at each ioint putting forth many long and slender fibres like as in the branches of the common Woodbinde which lye vpon the ground these branches were a cubit long and sometimes more round tough with some prickles broader at their setting on as you may see in the common bramble yet lesser fewer lesse firme these againe were diuided into other more slender branches set with many little prickles out of whose ioints betwixt two little leaues grew forth foot-stalks bedeckt with their little leaues which were many set in order with other to answer to them on the other side but hauing no single leafe at the end they were tender green not vnlike the little leaues of Acacia these at their first comming out couered with a thin whitish hairines as I gathered by a little branch retaining the foot-stalke and leaues thereon which he sent with the former and it had also some fibres comming forth thereof He also added to the former two little heads which growing vpon the same plant he writ he receiued of the forementioned right Honorable Earle with some branches yet retaining the leaues These little heads consisted of many slender narrow and as it were prickly little leaues amongst which lay hid round seeds smooth blacke and somewhat swoln in the middle the floures I saw not neither know 〈◊〉 whether they were brought with the rest but whether the leaues of this plant being green yet growing on the ground do wither at the approch of ones hand as Christopher A Costa writes and for that cause imposes the name thereon they best know who haue seene the greene and yet growing plant for the faculties you may haue recourse to that which A Costa hath set downe Thus much out of Clusius Novemb. 7. 1632. I being with Mr. Iob Best at the Trinity house in Ratcliffe among other varicties he shewed me a dry plant hereof
Now let me say somewhat briefely of the temperature and qualities The Temperature and Vertues It is iudged to be hot and dry in the second degree it hath a drying attenuating dissoluing and clensing facultie as also to moue sweat and resist contagion and putrefaction The decoction of the barke or wood of Guajacum made either alone or with other ingredients as shall be thought most fit for the temper and age of the Patient is of singular vse in the cure of the French Poxes and it is the most antient and powerfull antidote that is yet known against that disease I forbeare to specifie any particular medicine made thereof because they are wel enough knowne to all to whom this knowledge belongs and they are aboundantly set downe by all those that haue treated of that disease It also conduceth to the cure of the dropsie Asthma Epilepsie the diseases of the bladder and reines paines of the ioints flatulences crudities and lastly all chronicall diseases proceeding from cold and moist causes for it oftentimes workes singular effects whereas other medicines little preuaile It doth also open the obstructions of the liuer and spleene warmes and comforts the stomacke and all the intrals and helps to free them of 〈◊〉 grosse viscous matter which may be apt to breed diseases in them CHAP. 20. Of the Guayaua or Orange-Bay ¶ The Description SImon de Touar sent Clusius a branch of the tree which the Spaniards call Guayauas from which he drew this figure and thus describes it This branch saith Clusius whose vpper part together with the fruit I caused to be drawne was some foot long foure square alternately set with leaues growing by couples being foure inches long and one and a halfe or two broad of the forme of Bay leaues very firme hauing a swelling rib running alongst the lower side with veins running obliquely from thence to the sides of an ash or grayish colour beneath but smooth aboue with the veines lesse appearing which broken though old yet retained the smell of Bay leaues and also after some sort the taste the fruit was smooth yet shriueled because peraduenture it was vnripe of the bignesse of a small apple longish blackish on the out side like a ripe plum but within full of a reddish pulpe of an acide taste and in the middle were many whitish seeds of the bignesse of Miller 〈◊〉 those that are in Figs. Guayavae arboris ramus The Orange-Bay The fruit is vsually eaten the rinde being first taken off it is pleasing to the palate wholesome and easie of concoction being greene it is good in fluxes of the belly for it powerfully bindes and ouer or throughly ripe it looseth the belly but betweene both that it is neither too greene nor ouer-ripe if rosted it is good both for sound and sicke for so handled it is wholesommer and of a more pleasing taste that also is the better which is gathered from domesticke and husbanded trees The Indians profitably bathe their swolne legges in the decoction of the leaues and by the same they free the spleene from obstruction The fruit seemes to be cold wherefore they giue it rosted to such as are in feuers It growes commonly in all the VVest Indies Thus much Monardus CHA. 21. Of the Corall tree ¶ The Description THe same last mentioned Simon de Touar a learned and prime Physition of Ciuill sent Clusius three or foure branches of this tree from whence he framed this history and figure He writ saith Clus. that this tree grew in his garden sprung vp of seeds sent from America which had the name of Corall imposed on them by reason the floures were like Corall but he did not set downe there shape writing onely this in his letter That he had two little shrubs which had borne floures and that the greater of them bore also cods full of large beanes but in the extreme Winter which they had the yeere before he lost not onely that tree and others sprung vp of Indian seed but also many other plants Now seeing that this tree carries coddes I coniecture the floures were in forme not vnlike to those of Pease or of the tree called Arbor Iudae but of another colour to wit red like Corall especially seeing that in the catalogue of his garden which hee sent me the yeere before he had writ thus Arbor Indica dicta Coral ob eius florem similem Corallo c. that is An Indian tree called Corrall by reason of the floure like to Corrall whose leaues are very like those of the Arbor Iudae but this hath thornes which that wants And verily the branches which he sent for he writ he sent the branches with the leaues but the tree brought 〈◊〉 some twice or thrice as bigge had leaues not much vnlike those of Arbor Iudae but fastened to a shorter footstalke and growing one against another with a single one at the end of the branch which was here and there set with sharpe and crooked prickles but whether these branches are onely the stalkes of the leaues or perfect branches I doubt because all that hee sent had three leaues apiece I could easily persuade my selfe that they were onely leaues seeing the vpper part ended in one leafe and the lower end of one among the rest yet shewed the place where it seemed it grew to the bough But I affirme nothing seeing there was none whereof I could inquire by Coral arboris ramus A branch of the Corall tree reason of his death who sent them m e which hapned shortly after yet I haue made the forme of the leaues with the manner as I coniectured they grow to be delineated in the figure which I here giue you 〈◊〉 Matthiolus in his last edition of his Commentaries vpon Dioscorides would haue 〈◊〉 this by the Icon of his first Acacia which is prickly and hath leaues resembling those of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I know not but if he would haue expressed this tree the painter did not well play his part After that Clusius had set forth thus much of this tree in his Hist. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the learned Dr. Castaneda a Physition also of Ciuill certified me saith he that the floures of this tree grow thicke together at the tops of 〈◊〉 branches ten twelue or more hanging vpon short foot 〈◊〉 growing out of the same place whose figure he also sent but so rudely drawne that I could not thereby haue come to any knowledge of the floures but that 〈◊〉 therewith sent me two dried floures by which I partly gathered their form Now these flours were very narrow 2. inches long or more consisting of three leaues the vppermost of which much exceeded the 2. narrow ones on the sides both in length and breadth and it was doubled but before the floure was opened it better resembled a horne or cod than a floure and the lower end of it stood in a short green cup in the middest of the floure vnder the vpper leafe that was folded but open at
of the husks and if you shall beate or throw stones into this tree about the end of Februarie or a good space after there will proceed and fly from these floures an aboundance of dustie smoke These dusty floures continue on the trees till about haruest and then some and some fall away and shortly after the round buds come vp as aforesaid ¶ The Place These trees are both very common in England in Hampshire there is good plentie of them growing wilde on the chalkie hills and in Church-yards where they haue been planted ¶ The Time The time is expressed in their descriptions Dec. 19. 1621. Iohn Goodyer ‡ ¶ The Names This tree is named by Dioscorides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Theophrastus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but Nicander in his book of Counterpoysons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Galen doth also call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is named in Latine Taxus in high-Dutch Eybenbaum in low-Dutch Ibenboom in Italian Tasso in Spanish Toxo and Taxo in French Yf in English Ewe or Yew tree in the vnlearned shops of Germany if any of them remaine it is called Tamariscus where in times past they were wont not without great error to mix the bark hereof in compound medicines in stead of the Tamariske barke ¶ The Temperature The Yew tree as Galen reporteth is of a venomous qualitie and against mans nature Dioscorides writeth and generally all that heretofore haue dealt in the facultie of Herbarisme that the Yew tree is very venomous to be taken inwardly and that if any doe sleepe vnder the shadow thereof it causeth sicknesse and oftentimes death Moreouer they say that the fruit thereof being eaten is not onely dangerous and deadly vnto man but if birds do eat thereof it causeth them to cast their feathers and many times to die All which I dare boldly affirme is altogether vntrue for when I was yong and went to schoole diuers of my schoole-fellowes and likewise my selfe did eat our fils of the berries of this tree and haue not only slept vnder the shadow thereof but among the branches also without any hurt at all and that not one time but many times Theophrastus saith That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 animalia Gaza translates them Iumenta or labouring beasts do die if they do eat of the leaues but such cattell as chew their cud receiue no hurt at all thereby Nicander in his book of Counterpoisons doth reckon the Yew tree among the venomous plants setting downe also a remedie and that in these words as Gorraeus hath translated them Parce venenata Taxo quae surgit in Oeta Abietibus similis lethoque absumit acerbo Ni praeter morempleno cratere meraca Fundere vina pares cum primum sentiet aeger Arctari obstructas fauces animaeque canalem ‡ Shun th' poys'nous Yew the which on Oeta growes Like to the Firre it causes bitter death Vnlesse besides thy vse pure wine that flowes From empty'd cups thou drinke when as thy breath Begins to faile and passage of thy life Growes strait Pena and Lobel also obserued that which our Author here affirmes and dayly experience shewes it to be true that the Yew tree in England is not poysonous yet diuers affirme that in Prouince in France and in most hot countries it hath such a maligne qualitie that it is not safe to sleepe or long to rest vnder the shadow thereof ‡ CHAP. 48. Of the Iuniper tree ¶ The Kindes AMong the Iuniper trees one is lesser another greater being a strange and forreine tree one of these bringeth forth a floure and no fruit the other fruit and no floures ¶ The Description 1 Iuniperus The Iuniper tree 2 Iuniperus maxima The great Iuniper tree ‡ 3 Iuniperus Alpina minor Small Iuniper of the Alps. 2 The great Iuniper tree comes now and then to the height of the Cypres tree with a greater and harder lease and also with a fruit as big as Oliue berries as Bellonius writeth of an exceeding faire blew colour and of an excellent sweet sauor ‡ 3 This exceeds not the height of a cubit but growes low and as it were creeps vpon the ground and consists of sundry thicker and shorter branches than the common kind tough also writhen and hard to breake 3 leaues alwaies growing at equall distances as in the common but yet broader shorter and thicker neither lesse pricking than they of a whitish greene colour on the inside and green without incompasse the tender branches Clusius who giues vs this figure and historie obserued 〈◊〉 the floure but the fruit is like that of the 〈◊〉 but yet somewhat longer It growes vpon the Austrian Alpes and ripens the fruite in August and September ‡ ¶ The Place The common Iuniper tree is found in very many places especially in the South parts of England Bellonius reporteth that the greater groweth vpon mount Taurus Aloisius Anguillara writeth that it is found on the sea shores of the Ligurian and Adriaticke sea and in Illyricum bringing forth great berries and others say that it growes in Prouence of France it commeth vp for the most part in rough places and neere to the sea as Dioscorides noteth ¶ The Time The Iuniper tree floureth in May the floure whereof is nothing else but as it were a little yellowish dust or powder strowed vpon the boughes The fruit is ripe in September and is seldome found either winter or Sommer without ripe and vnripe berries and all at one time ¶ The Names The Iuniper tree is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Apothecaries keepe the Latine name Iuniperus the Arabians call it Archonas and 〈◊〉 the Italians Ginepro in high Dutch 〈◊〉 in Spanish Enebro 〈◊〉 and Zimbro the French men and base Almaines 〈◊〉 in English Iuniper tree The lesser is named in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Iuniperus The great Iuniper Tree is called as some thinke in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine by Lobel Iuniperus maximus Illyricus 〈◊〉 bacca by reason of the colour of the berries and may be called in English blew Iuniper The berries are called Grana Iuniperi in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 although the Tree it selfe also is oftentimes called by the same name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is termed in high Dutch Krametbeer 〈◊〉 in low Dutch Genevrebesien in Spanish Neurinas in English Iuniper berries The gum of the Iuniper tree is vsually called of the Apothecaries Vernix in Latine Lachryma 〈◊〉 Scrapio nameth it Sandarax and Sandaracha but there is another Sandaracha among the Grecians being a kinde of Orpment which growes in the same minerals wherein Orpment doth and this doth farre differ from Vernix or the Iuniper gum Pliny in his 11. booke 7. chapter maketh mention also of another Sandaracha which is called 〈◊〉 and Cerinthus this is the meate of Bees whilest they be about their worke ¶ The Temperature Iuniper is hot and dry and that in the third degree as Galen teacheth the berries
the top there came forth a smooth pointall diuided at the top into nine parts or threds who se ends of what colour they were as also the threds I know not because I could not gather by the dry floure whose colour was quite decayed and the picture it self expressed no separation of the leaues in the floure no forme of threds but onely the floures shut and resembling rather cods than floure sand those of a deepe red colour But if I could haue seen them fresher I should haue been able to haue giuen a more exact description wherefore let the reader take in good 〈◊〉 that which I haue here 〈◊〉 Thus much Clusius CHAP. 22. Of the sea Lentill ¶ The Description SOme call this Vna marina and others haue thought it the Lenticula marina of Serapio but they are deceiued for his Lenticula marina described in his 245. chapter is nothing else than the Muscus marinus or Bryon thalassion described by Dioscorides lib. 4. cap. 99. as any that compares these two places together may plainely see 1 The former of these hath many winding stalkes whereon grow short branches set thick with narrow leaues like those of Beluidere or Besome flax and among these grow many skinny hollow empty round berries of the bignesse and shape of Lentills whence it takes the name this growes in diuers places of the Mediterranian and Adriaticke seas 1 Lenticula marina angustifolia Narrow leaued Sea Lentill 2 Lenticula marina serratis 〈◊〉 Cut leaued Sea Lentill This plant pickled with salt and vineger hath the same tast as Sampier and may be vsed in stead thereof and also eaten by such as saile in place of Capers I willed it should be giuen newly taken forth of the sea to Goats which we carried in the ship and they fed vpon it greedily I found no faculties thereof but one of the Sailers troubled with a difficultie of making water casting out sand and grosse humors ate thereof by chance both raw and boiled onely for that the taste thereof pleased him 〈◊〉 a few dayes hee told to me that he found great good by the eating thereof and he tooke some of it with him that so he might vse it when he came ashore Hitherto A Costa. CHAP. 23. Of the Sea Feather Myriophyllum marinum The Sea Feather ¶ The Description THis elegant plant which Clusius receiued from Cortusus by the name of Myriophyllum Pelagicum is thus described by him As much saith hee as I could coniecture by the picture this was some cubit high hauing a straight stalke sufficiently slender diuided into many branches or rather branched leaues almost like those of Ferne but far finer bending their tops like the branches of the Palme of a yellowish colour the top of the stalk adorned with lesser leaues ended in certaine scales or cloues framed into a head which are found to containe no other seed than tender plants already formed in shape like to the old one which falling sinke to the bottome of the sea and there take root and grow and so become of the same magnitude as the old one from whence they came The stalke is fastned with most slender and more than capillarie fibres in stead of a root not vpon rocks and Oister shells as most other sea plants are but vpon sand or mud in the bottome of the sea this stalke when it is drie is no lesse brittle than glasse or Coralline but greene and yet growing it is as tough and flexible as Spartum or Matweed ¶ The Place It groweth in the deepest streames of the Illyrian sea whence the Fishermen draw it forth with hooks and other instruments which they call Sperne The whole plant though dried retains the faculties ¶ The Names The Italian Fishermen call it Penachio delle Ninfe and Palma de Nettuno some also Scettro di Nettuno ¶ The Vertues They say it is good against the virulent bites of the Sea serpents and the venomous stings or prickes of Fishes Applied to small greene wounds it cures them in the space of 24 houres Cortusus writ that he had made triall thereof for the killing and voiding of wormes and that he found it to be of no lesse efficacie than any Coralline and that giuen in lesse quantitie CHAP. 24. Of the Sea Fan. ¶ The Description THis elegant shrub groweth vpon the rockes of the sea where it is sometimes couered with the water in diuers places for it hath been brought both from the East and West Indies and as I haue been informed it is to be found in great plenty vpon the rocks at the Burmuda Isles Clusius Frutex marinus reticulatus Sea Fan. calls it Frutex Marinus elegantissimus and thinkes it may be referred to the Palma Marina of Theophrastus Bauhine hath referred it to the Corallina's calling it Corallina cortice reticulato maculoso purpurascente It growes vp somtimes to the height of three foot hauing a stalke some handfull or two high before it part into branches then is it diuided into three foure or more branches which are subdiuided into infinite other lesser strings which are finely interwouen and ioyned together as if they were netted yet leauing sometimes bigger otherwhiles lesser holes and these twiggy branches become smaller and smaller the farther they are from the root and end as it were in smal threds these branches grow not vp on euerie side as in other plants but flat one besides another so that the whole plant resembles a fan or a cabbage leafe eaten full of holes yet somtimes vpon the sides come forth other such fanne-like branches some bigger some lesse sometimes one or two otherwhiles more The inner substance of this Sea-Fan is a blackish tough and hard wood and it is all couered ouer with a rough 〈◊〉 like stony matter of a reddish or purplish colour and this you may with your naile or a knife scrape off 〈◊〉 the smooth and blacke wood I know no vse of this but it is kept for the beauty and raritie thereof by many louers of such curiosities amongst which for the rarenesse of the structure this may hold a prime place CHAP. 25. Of China and Bastard China ¶ The Description THis root which is brought from the remotest parts of the world and is in frequent vse with vs hath not been knowne in Europe little aboue fourescore and ten yeares for Garcias ab Orta the Portugall Physition writes That he came to the first knowledge thereof in the East Indies in the yeare 1535 and that by this meanes as he relates it It hapned saith he that about that time a merchant in the Isle Diu told the noble gentleman Sr. Mart. Alfonso de 〈◊〉 my Patron by what meanes he was cured of the French Poxes which was by a certaine root brought from China whose faculties he much extolled because such as vsed it needed not obserue so strict a diet as was requisit in the vse of Guajacum but should onely abstaine from Beefe Porke Fish and crude fruits but