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
hurtfull to the eyes and braine They cause troublesome dreames and worke all the effects that the Leeke doth The Vine-leeke or Ampeloprason prouoketh vrine mightily and bringeth downe the floures It cureth the bitings of venomous beasts as Dioscorides writeth CHAP. 97. Of Garlicke ¶ The Description 1 THe bulbe or head of Garlicke is couered with most thinne skinnes or filmes of a very lightwhite purple colour consisting of many cloues seuered one from another vnder which in the ground below groweth a tassell of threddy fibres it hath long greene leaues like those of the Leeke among which riseth vp a stalke at the end of the second or third yeare whereupon doth grow a tuft of floures couered with a white skinne in which being broken when it is ripe appeareth round blacke seeds ‡ 2 There is also another Garlicke which growes wilde in some places of Germanie and France which in shape much resembles the ordinarie but the cloues of the roots are smaller and redder The floure is also of a more duskie and darke colour than the ordinarie ‡ ¶ The Place and Times Garlick is seldome sowne of seed but planted in gardens of the small cloues in Nouember and December and sometimes in Februarie and March ¶ The Names It is called in Latine 〈◊〉 in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Apothecaries keepe the Latine name the Germanes call it 〈◊〉 the Low Dutch Look the Spaniards Aios Alho the Italians Aglio the French 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 the Bohemians Czesnek the English Garlicke and poore mans Treacle ¶ The Temperature Garlicke is very sharpe hot and dry as Galen saith in the fourth degree and exulcerateth the skinne by raising blisters ¶ The Vertues Being eaten it heateth the body extremely attenuateth and maketh thinne thicke and grosse humors cutteth such as are tough and clammy digesteth and consumeth them also openeth obstructions is an enemie to all cold poysons and to the bitings of venomous beasts and therefore Galen nameth it Theriaca Rusticorum or the husbaudmans Treacle It yeeldeth to the body no nourishment at all it ingendreth naughty and sharpe bloud 〈◊〉 such as are of a hot complexion must especially abstaine from it But if it be boyled in water vntill such time as it hath lost his sharpenesse it is the lesse forcible and retaineth no longer his euill iuyce as Galen saith It taketh away the roughnesse of the throat it helpeth an old cough it prouoketh vrine it breaketh and consumeth winde and is also a remedie for the Dropsie which procceedeth of a cold cause It killeth wormes in the belly and driueth them forth The milke also wherein it hath beene sodden is giuen to yong children with good successe against the wormes 1 Allium Garlicke ‡ 2 Allium syluestre rubentibus nucleis Wilde Garlicke with red cloues It helpeth a very cold stomacke and is a preseruatiue against the contagious and pestilent aire The decoction of Garlick vsed for a bath to sit ouer bringeth downe the floures and secondines or after-burthen as Dioscorides saith It taketh away the morphew tetters or ring-wormes scabbed heads in children dandraffe and scurfe tempered with honey and the parts anointed therewith With Fig leaues and Cumin it is laid on against the bitings of the Mouse called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in English a Shrew CHAP. 98. Of Crow-Garlicke and Ramsons ¶ The Description 1 THe wilde Garlicke or Crow-garlicke hath small tough leaues like vnto rushes smooth and hollow within among which groweth vp a naked stalke round slipperie hard and sound on the top whereof after the floures be gone grow little seeds made vp in a round cluster like small kernels hauing the smell and taste of Garlick In stead of a root there is a bulbe or round head without any cloues at all 2 Ramsons do send forth two or three broad longish leaues sharpe pointed smooth and of a light greene colour The stalke is a span high smooth and slender bearing at the top a cluster of white star-fashioned floures In stead of a root it hath a long slender bulbe which sendeth downe a multitude of strings and is couered with skinnes or thicke coats †1 Allium syluestre Crow Garlicke 2 Allium vrsinum Ramsons ¶ The Time They spring vp in Aprill and May. Their seed is ripe in August ¶ The Place The Crow Garlicke groweth in fertile pastures in all parts of England I found it in great plentie in the fields called the Mantels on the backside of Islington by London Ramsons grow in the Woods and borders of fields vnder hedges among the bushes I found it in the next field vnto Boobies barne vnder that hedge that bordereth vpon the lane and also vpon the left hand vnder an hedge adioyning to a lane that leadeth to Hampsted both places neere London ¶ The Names Both of them be wilde Garlicke and may be called in Latine Alliua syluestria in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The first by 〈◊〉 and Lobell is called Allium syluestretenuifolium Ramsons are named of the later practioners Allium Vrsinum or Beares Garlicke Allium latifolium and Moly Hippocraticum in English Ramsons Ramsies and Buckrams ¶ The Nature The temperatures of these wilde Garlickes are referred vnto those of the gardens ¶ The Vertues Wilde Garlicke or Crow-Garlicke as Galen saith is stronger and of more force than the garden Garlicke The leaues of Ramsons be stamped and eaten of diuers in the Low-countries with fish for a sauce euen as we do eate greene-sauce made with sorrell The same leaues may very well be eaten in April and May with butter of such as are of a strong constitution and labouring men The distilled water drunke breaketh the stone and driueth it forth and prouoketh vrine CHAP. 99. Of Mountaine Garlicks 1 Scorodoprasum Great mountaine Garlicke ‡ 2 Scorodoprasum primum Clusij Clusius his great mountaine Garlicke ¶ The Description 1 2 THe great Mountaine Garlicke hath long and broad leaues like those of Leekes but much greater and longer embracing or clasping about a great thicke stalke soft and full of juyce bigger than a mans finger and 〈◊〉 toward the top vpon which is set a great head bigger than a tennise ball couered with a skinne after the manner of an Onion The skinne when it commeth to perfection breaketh and discouereth a great multitude of whitish floures which being past blacke seeds follow inclosed in a three cornered huske The root is 〈◊〉 of the bignesse of a great Onion The whole plant smelleth very strong like vnto Garlicke and is in shew a Leeke whereupon it was called Scorodoprasum as if we should say Garlicke Leeke participating of the Leeke and Garlicke or rather a degenerate Garlicke growne monstrous ‡ I cannot certainely determine what difference there may be betweene the 〈◊〉 expressed by the first figure which is our Authors and the second figure which is taken out of Clusius Now the historie which Clusius giues vs to the second the same is out of him giuen by our Author to the
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
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 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
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 〈◊〉
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
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
like those of the last described And the seed also growes like vnto that of the Water 〈◊〉 last described 5 There is also another kinde of water Milfoile which hath leaues very like vnto water Violet smaller and not so many in number the stalke is small and tender bearing yellow gaping floures fashioned like a hood or the small Snapdragon which caused Pena to put vnto his 〈◊〉 this additament Galericulatum that is hooded The roots are small and threddy with some few knobs hanging thereat like the sounds of fish 2 Millesolium aquaticum Water Yarrow 3 Millesolium siue 〈◊〉 flore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aquatici 〈◊〉 facie Crow-foot or water Milsoile ‡ 6 To these may we adde a small water Milfoile set sorth by Clusius It hath round greene stalkes set with many ioynts whereout come at their lower ends many hairy fibres whereby it taketh hold of the mud the tops of these stems stand some handfull aboue the water and at each ioynt stand fiue long finely winged leaues very greene and some inch long which wax lesse and lesse as they stand higher or neerer the top of the stalke and at each of these leaues about the top of the stem growes one small white floure consisting of six little leaues ioyned together and not opening themselues and these at length turne into little knobs with foure little pointals standing out of them Clusius calls this Myriophyllon aquaticum minus ‡ ‡ 4 Millefolium tenuifolium Fennell leaued water Milfoile ‡ 5 Millefolium palustre galericulatum Hooded water Milfoile ¶ The Place They be found in lakes and standing waters or in waters that run slowly I haue not found such plenty of it in any one place as in the water ditches adioyning to Saint George his field neere London ¶ The Time They floure for the most part in May and Iune ¶ The Names The first is called in Dutch water Uiolerian that is to say Viola aquatilis in English Water Gillofloure or water Violet in French Gyroflees d'eaue Matthiolus makes this to be also Myrophylli 〈◊〉 or a kinde of Yarrow although it doth not agree with the description thereof for neither hath it one stalke onely nor one single root as Myriophyllon or Yarrow is described to haue for the roots are full of strings and it bringeth forth many stalkes The second is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Millefolium and Myriophyllon and also Supercilium Veneris in shops it is vnknowne This Yarrow differeth from that of the land the rest are sufficiently spoken of in their titles ¶ The Nature and Vertues Water Yarrow as Dioscorides saith is of a dry facultie and by reason that it taketh away hot inflammations and swellings it seemeth to be of a cold nature for Dioscorides affirmeth that water Yarrow is a remedie against inflammations in greene wounds if with vineger it be applied greene or dry and it is giuen inwardly with vineger and salt to those that haue fallen from a high place Water Gillofloure or water Violet is thought to be cold and dry yet hath it no vse in physicke at all CHAP. 301. Of Ducks meate Lens palustris Ducks meate ¶ The Description DVckes meate is as it were a certaine greene mosse with very little round leaues of the bignesse of Lentils out of the midst whereof on the nether side grow downe very fine threds like haires which are to them in stead of roots it hath neither stalke floure nor fruit ¶ The Place It is found in pounds lakes city ditches and in other standing waters euery where ¶ The Time The time of Ducks meate is knowne to all ¶ The Names Duckes meate is called in Latine Lens lacustris Lens aquatilis and Lens palustris of the Apothecaries it is 〈◊〉 Aquae Lenticula in high-Dutch Meerlinsen in low-Dutch 〈◊〉 and more vsually Enden gruen that is to say Anatum herba Ducks herbe because Ducks doe feed thereon whereupon also in English it is called Ducks meate some terme it after the Greeke water Lentils and of others it is named Graines The Italians call it Lent 〈◊〉 in French Lentille d eaue in Spanish Lenteias de agua ¶ The Temperature Galen sheweth that it is cold and moist after a sort in the second degree ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides saith that it is a remedie against all manner of inflammations Saint Anthonies fire and hot Agues if they be either applied alone or else vsed with partched barley meale It also knitteth ruptures in young children Ducks meate mingled with fine wheaten floure and applied preuaileth much against hot swellings as Phlegmons Erisipelas and the paines of the ioynts The same doth helpe the fundament fallen downe in yong children CHAP. 302. Of Water Crow-foot 1 Ranunculus aquatilis Water Crow-foot ¶ The Description 1 WAter Crow-foot hath slender branches trailing far abroad whereupon grow leaues vnder the water most finely cut and iagged like those of Cammomill Those aboue the water are somwhat round indented about the edges in forme not vnlike the smal tender leaues of the mallow but lesser among which do grow the floures small and white of colour made of fine little leaues with some yellownesse in the middle like the floures of the Straw-berry and of a sweet smell after which there come round rough and prickly knaps like those of the field Crowfoot The roots be very small hairy strings ‡ There is sometimes to be found a varietie of this with the leaues lesse and diuided into three parts after the manner of an Iuy leafe and the floures are also much lesser but white of colour with a yellow bottome I question whether this be not the Ranunculus hederaceus Daleschampij pag. 1031. of the hist. Lugd. ‡ 2 There is another plant growing in the water of smal moment yet not amisse to be remembred called Hederula aquatica or water Iuie the which is very rare to finde neuerthelesse I found it once in a ditch by Bermondsey house neere to London and neuer elsewhere it hath small threddy strings in stead of roots and stalkes rising from the bottome of the water to the top wherunto are fastned small leaues swimming or floting vpon the water triangled or three cornered like to those of barren Iuie or rather noble Liuerwort barren of floures and seeds 2 Hederula aquatica Water Iuie ‡ 3 Stellaria aquatica Water Starwort 3 There is likewise another herbe of small reckoning that floteth vpon the water called Stellaria aquatica or water Star-wort which hath many small grassie stems like threds comming from the bottome of the water vnto the vpper face of the same whereupon do grow smal double floures of a greenish or herby colour ‡ I take this Stellaria to be nothing else but a water Chickeweed which growes almost in euery ditch with two long narrow leaues at each ioynt and halfe a dozen or more lying close together at the top of the water in fashion of a starre it may be seene in this shape in the end of
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
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
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
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
side branches change into nerues bearing only the leaues When the leaues are at their full growth you may see in the middest of them at their roots the said scaly folding cluster and as the old leaues with their blacke threddy roots wholly perish they spring vp most yeares you may finde many of the old leaues greene all the Winter especially in warme places This groweth plentifully in the boggy shadowie moores neere Durford Abbey in Sussex and also on the moist shadowie rockes by Mapledurham in Hampshire neere Peters-field and I haue found it often on the dead putrified bodies and stems of old rotten okes in the said moores neere the old plants I haue obserued verie many small yong plants growing which came by the falling of the seed from those dusty scales for I beleeue all herbes haue seeds in themselues to produce their kindes Gen. 1. 11. 12. The three other haue but a twofold diuision the many stalks and the nerues bearing the leaues The roots of them all are blacke fibrous threds like the first their maine stalks grow many thicke and close together at the root as the first doth the difference is in the fashion of their leaues and manner of growing and for distinctions sake I haue thus called them 2 Filix mas non ramosa pinnulis latis densis minutim dentatis The leaues are of a yellowish greene colour on both sides set very thicke and close together on the nerue that you cannot see betweene them with maruellous small nickes by their sides and on their round tops each leafe hath also two rowes of dusty seed scales the figures set forth by Lobel Tabern and Gerard vnder the title of Filix mas do well resemble this Ferne. This growes plentifully in most places in shadowie woods and copses 3 Filix mas non ramosa pinnulis angustis raris profunde dentatis The leaues are of a deepe greene not closely set together on the the nerue but you may far off see betwixt them deeply indented by the sides ending with a point not altogether sharpe each leafe hath also two rowes of dusty seed scales I haue not seene any figure well resembling this plant This groweth also in many places in the shade 4 Filix mas non ramosa pinnulis latis auriculatis spinosis The leaues are of a deeper greene than either of the two last described placed-on the nerue not very close together but that you may plainly see between them each leafe especially those next the stalke hauing on that side farthest off the stalk a large eare or outgrowing ending with a sharp pricke like a haire as doth also the top of the leafe some of the sides of the leaues are also nicked ending with the like pricke or haire Each leafe hath two rowes of dusty seed scales This I take to be Filix mas aculeat a maior Bauhini Neither haue I seene any figure resembling this plant It groweth abundantly on the shadowie moist rockes by Maple-durham neere Peters-field in Hampshire Iohn Goodyer Iuly 4. 1633. ‡ 2 The female Ferne hath neither floures nor seed but one only stalke chamfered something edged hauing a pith within of diuers colours the which being cut aslope there appeareth a certain forme of a spred-Eagle about this stand very many leaues which are winged and like to the leaues of the male Ferne but lesser the root is long and blacke and creepeth in the ground being now and then an inch thicke or somewhat thinner This is also of a strong smell as is the male ¶ The Place Both the Fernes are delighted to grow in barren dry and desart places and as Horace testifieth Neglectis vrenda Filix innascitur agris It comes not vp in manured and dunged places for if it be dunged as Theophrastus lib. 8. cap. 8. reporteth it withereth away The male ioyeth in open and champion places on mountaines and stony grounds as Dioscorides saith ‡ It growes commonly in shadowie places vnder hedges ‡ The female is often found about the borders of fields vnder thornes and in shadowie woods ¶ The Time Both these Fernes wither away in winter in the spring there grow forth new leaues which continue greene all Sommer long ¶ The Names The former is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nicander in his discourse of Treacle nameth it 〈◊〉 in Latine Filix mas in Italian Felce in Spanish Helecho Falguero and Feyto in high-Dutch 〈◊〉 Farne in French Fougere or Feuchiere masle in low-Dutch Uaren Manneken in English male Ferne. The second kinde is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Filix foemina or female Ferne in Latine as Dioscorides noteth among the bastard names Lingna ceruina in high-Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 weiblin and Grosz Farnkraut in low-Dutch Uaren 〈◊〉 in French Fougere femelle in English Brake common Ferne and female Ferne. ¶ The Temperature Both the Fernes are hot bitter and dry and something binding ¶ The Vertues The roots of the male Ferne being taken to the weight of halfe an ounce driueth forth long flat wormes out of the belly as Dioscorides writeth being drunke in Mede or honied water and more effectually if it be giuen with two scruples or two third parts of a dram of Scamonie or of blacke Hellebor they that will vse it saith he must first eate Garlicke After the same manner as Galen addeth it killeth the childe in the mothers wombe The root hereof is reported to be good for them that haue ill spleenes and being stamped with swines grease and applied it is a remedie against the pricking of the reed for proofe hereof Dioscorides saith the 〈◊〉 dieth if the Reed be planted about it and contrariwise that the Reed dieth if it be compassed with Ferne which is vaine to thinke that it hapneth by any antipathie or naturall hatred and not by reason this Ferne prospereth not in moist places nor the Reed in dry The female Ferne is of like operation with the former as Galen saith Dioscorides reports That this bringeth barrennesse especially to women and that it causeth women to be deliuered before their time he addeth that the pouder hereof finely beaten is laid vpon old vlcers and healeth the galled neckes of oxen and other cattell it is also reported that the root of Ferne cast into an hogshead of wine keepeth it from souring The root of the male Ferne sodden in Wine is good against the hardnesse and stopping of the milt and being boyled in water stayeth the laske in yong children if they be set ouer the decoction thereof to ease their bodies by a close stoole CHAP. 466. Of Water-Ferne or Osmund the water-man ¶ The Description WAter Ferne hath a great triangled stalke two cubits high beset vpon each side with large leaues spred abroad like wings and dented or cut like Polypodie these leaues are like the large leaues of the Ash tree for doubtlesse when I first saw them a far off it caused me to wonder thereat thinking that I had
but ingendreth a thicke bloud and apt to become melancholy CHAP. 516. Of Chichlings Pease and Tare euerlasting ¶ The Description 1 THere is a Pulse growing in our high and thicke woods hauing a very thicke tough and wooddy root from which rise vp diuers long weake and feeble branches consisting of a tough middle rib edged on both sides with a thin skinny membrane smooth and of a grasse greene colour whereon do grow at certaine distances small flat stems vpon which stand two broad leaues ioyning together at the bottome from betwixt those leaues come forth tough clasping tendrels which take hold of such things as grow next vnto them from the bosome of the stem whereon the leaues do grow shooteth forth a naked smooth foot-stalke on which doe grow most beautifull floures like those of the Pease the middle part whereof is of a light red tending to a red Purple in graine the outward leaues are somewhat lighter inclining to a blush colour which being past there succeed long round cods wherein is contained seed of the bignesse of a Tare but rounder blackish without and yellowish within and of a bitter taste ‡ 5 Lathyrus maior latifolius Pease euerlasting ‡ 2 Lathyrus angustifolius flore albo White floured Chichelings †2 Ofwhich kinde there is likewise another like vnto the precedent in each respect sauing that the leaues hereof are narrower and longer and therefore called of most which set forth the description Lathyrus angustifolia the floures of this are white and such also is the colour of the fruit the root is small and not lasting like that of the former ‡ 3 The stalks leaues and floures of this are like those of the precedent but the floures 〈◊〉 of a reddish purple colour the cods are lesser than those of the former and in them are contained lesser harder and rounder seeds of a darke or blackish colour This growes not wilde with vs but is sometimes sowne in gardens where it floures in Iune and Iuly 4 This Egyptian differs not in shape from the rest of his kinde but the floures are of an elegant blew on the inside but of an ash colour inclining to purple on the outside the cods grow vpon long foot-stalkes and are a little winged or welted and containe but two or three little cornered seeds spotted with blacke spots This floures in Iune and Iuly and the seed thereof was sent to Clusius from Constantinople hauing been brought thither out of Egypt ‡ 3 Lathyrus angustifol flo purp Purple floured Chichelings ‡ 4 Lathyrus Aegyptiacus Egyptian Chichelings 5 The stalkes of this are some two or three foot long winged weake and lying on the ground vnlesse they haue somewhat to support them Vpon these at certaine distances grow winged leaues with two little eares at their setting on to the stalke these leaues consist of six long and narrow greene leaues like those of the other plants of this kinde and these six leaues commonly stand vpright by couples one against another otherwhiles alternately the footstalke whereon these stand ends in clasping tendrels the floures are in shape like the former but the outer leafe is of a faire red or crimson colour and the inner 〈◊〉 white after the floures come the cods containing some foure or fiue pretty large flat seeds which swell out of the cods where they lie which in the spaces betweene each seed are deprest like that of Orobus This is only a garden plant with vs and floures in Iune and Iuly the seed is ripe in August I haue for this giuen you Lobels figure of his Lathyris angustiore gramineo folio which may serue if you but make the leaues and cods to agree with this description ‡ 6 The yellow wilde 〈◊〉 or Fetch hath diuers very small ramping stalkes tough and leaning this way and that way not able to stand of it selfe without the helpe of props or things that stand by it the leaues are very thin and sharpe pointed the floures grow alongst the leaues in fashion of the pease floures of a bright yellow colour the roots are very small long tough and in number infinite insomuch that it is impossible to root it forth being once gotten into the ground vnlesse the earth be digged vp with the roots and both cast into the riuer or burned Doubtlesse it is the most pernicious and hurtfull weed of all others vnto all manner of greene wholsome herbes or any wood whatsoeuer ‡ 5 Lathyrus annuus 〈◊〉 Orobi Party coloured Cicheling ‡ 6 〈◊〉 syluestris 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tare euerlasting ¶ The Place The first growes in shadowie woods and among bushes there groweth great store thereof in Swainscombe wood a mile and a halfe from Greenhithe in Kent as you go to a village thereby called Betsome and in diuers other places The sixth groweth in most grassie pastures borders of fields and among graine almost euerie where ¶ The Time The time answereth the other Pulses ¶ The Names The first is called Lathyrus to make a difference betweene it and Lathyris or Spurge of Matthiolus Clymenum of Cordus Eruum sativum of Tragus Pisum Graecorum in English Pease euerlasting great wilde Tare and Cichling ‡ The second is the Evum album sativum of Fuchsius Lathyrus or Cicercula of Dodonaeus Lathyrus angustiore 〈◊〉 folio of Lobel The third is the Aracus siue Cicera of Dodonaeus the Lathyrus slore purpurco of Camerarius The fourth by Clusius is called Cicercula Aegyptiaca by Camerarius Aracus Hispanicus siue Lathyrus Aegyptiacus The 〈◊〉 is not mentioned by any that I remember but Mr. Parkinson in his garden of floures and that by the name I giue you it The sixth is the Lathyrus syluestris slo luteis of Thalius Legumenterrae glandibus 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Vicia of Tabernamontanus and it may be the Aracus 〈◊〉 luteo of the Aduers Howeuer I haue put 〈◊〉 figure of Aracus for it which well enough agrees with it I vse for some resemblance it hath to Aphaca to call it Aphacoides ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The temperature and vertues are referred to the manured Tare or Vetch notwithstanding they are not vsed 〈◊〉 meate or medicine CHAP. 517. Of the oylie Pulse called Sesamum Sesamum siue Sisamum The Oylie Graine ¶ The Description †SEsamum hath a thicke and fat vpright stalke a cubit and a halfe high garnished with leaues much like the Peach or Almond but 〈◊〉 and cut in with somwhat deepe gashes on their sides amongst these leaues come forth large white or else red floures somewhat shaped like those of Foxgloues which turne into round long crested cods containing white flat oileous seed Theophrastus affirmeth that there is a kinde thereof which is white bearing only one root No kinde of beast will eate this plant while it is greene because of his bitternesse but being withered and dried the seed thereof becommeth sweet and the cattell will feed on the whole plant ¶ The Place It groweth both in Egypt and in India Sesama saith Pliny
couples one against another without any odde leafe at the end these leaues are of an indifferent largenesse and of a light greene colour the floures grow vpon long foot-stalks comming 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 of the leaues many together hanging downe small yet shaped like those of other Pulses and of a purple colour after these follow cods almost like those of Fetches but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when they be ripe and containing in them a longish white seed the root is hard and wooddy running 〈◊〉 wayes with many fibres and 〈◊〉 sundry yeares this varies somtimes with yellower 〈◊〉 leaues and white floures It floures in May and growes onely in some few gardens with vs. 2 The stalkes of this also are a foot or more high stiffe 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 on these do grow winged leaues six or eight on a rib after the manner of those of the last 〈◊〉 each of these leaues hath three veines running alongst it the floures in shape and manner of growing are like those of the former but of a most elegant purple colour which fading they become blew The floures are succeeded by such cods as the former wherein are contained longish small 〈◊〉 seed which ripe the cods fly open and twine themselues round as in most plants of this kinde the root is blacke hard tuberous and wooddy sending forth each yeare new shouts This floures in April and May and ripeneth the seed in Iune This was found by Clusius in diuers 〈◊〉 wooddie places of Hungarie he calls it Orobus Pannonicus 1. ‡ 3 Orobus montanus 〈◊〉 albo White mountaine Pease ‡ 4 Orobus montanus 〈◊〉 Narrow leafed mountaine Pease 3 This hath stalkes some cubit high stiffe straight and crested whereon by turnes are fastned winged leaues consisting of foure sufficiently large and sharpe pointed leaues whereto sometimes at the very end growes a fifth the veines in these run from the middle rib towards their edges their taste is first somewhat sourish afterwards bitterish The floures grow vpon short stalks comming forth of the bosomes of the leaues fiue or six together like those of the Fetch but of colour white with some little yellownesse on the two little leaues that turne vpwards The cods are like those of the last described and containe in them a brownish seed larger than in any of the other kindes This is an annuall plant and perishes as soone as it hath perfected the seed 〈◊〉 giues vs this by the name of Orobus Pannonicus 4. 〈◊〉 giues the same figure for his Arachus latifolius and Bauhine affirmes this to be the Galegamontana in the Hist. Lugd. pag. 1139. But these seeme to be of two seuerall plants for Dodonaeus affirmes his to haue a liuing root and such seemes also that in the Hist. Lugd. to be yet Clusius saith expressely that his is an annuall and floureth in Aprill and May and groweth in some wooddy mountainous places of the kingdom of 〈◊〉 4 This fourth hath straight firme cornered stalkes some foot or more high whereupon grow leaues vsually foure on a foot-stalke standing two against two vpright being commonly almost three inches long at first of a sourish taste but afterwards bitter it hath no clauicles because the stalkes need no supporters the floures grow vpon long foot-stalkes spike-fashion like those of Pease but lesse and white of colour after these follow long blackish cods full of a blacke or else spotted seed the roots are about the length of ones little finger fashioned like those of the Asphodill or lesser female 〈◊〉 but lesser blacke without and white within Clusius found this on the mountainous places 〈◊〉 the baths of Baden and in the like places in Hungarie he calls it Orobus Pannonicus 3. ¶ The Temperature and Vertues These are not knowne nor vsed in physicke yet if the third be the Galega montana of the Historia Lugd. then it is there said to be effectuall against poyson the wormes the falling sicknesse and the Plague ‡ ‡ CHAP. 527. Of some other Pulses ‡ 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ervilia Birds Pease ‡ 2 Ervum 〈◊〉 Crimson grasse Fetch ¶ The Description ‡ 1 THe first of these hath cornered broad stalks like those of euerlasting Pease and they are weake and commonly lie vpon the ground vnlesse they haue something to support them the lower leaues are broad and commonly welt the stalke at their setting on and at the end of the first leafe do vsually grow out after an vnusuall manner two three or more other prety large leaues more long than broad and the middle rib of the first leafe runnes out beyond the setting on of the highest of the out-growing leaues and then it ends in two or three clasping tendrels Those leaues that grow the lowest vpon the stalkes haue commonly the fewest comming out of them The floures are like those of other Pulses of colour white the cods are some inch and halfe long containing some halfe dozen darke yellow or blackish small Pease these cods grow one at a ioynt on short foot-stalkes comming forth of the bosomes of the leaues and are welted on their broader side which stands towards the maine stalke This growes with vs only in gardens Dodonaeus Pena and Lobel call it Ochrus syluestris siue Ervilia 2 The stalkes of this grow vp sometimes a cubit high being very slender diuided into branches and set vnorderly with many grasse-like long narrow leaues on the tops of the stalkes and branches vpon pretty long foot-stalkes grow pretty pease-fashioned floures of a faire and pleasant crimson colour which fallen there follow cods long small and round wherein are nine ten or more round hard blacke shining graines the root is small with diuers fibres but whether it die when the seed is perfected or no as yet I haue not obserued This growes wilde in many places with vs as in the pasture and medow grounds about Pancridge Church Lobel and Dodon call this Ervum sylucstre and they both partly iudge it to be the first Catanance of Dioscorides and by that name it is vsually called It floures in Iune and Iuly and the seed is ripe in August 3 This also though it be not frequently found is no stranger with vs for I haue found it in the corne fields about Dartsord in Kent and some other places It hath long slender ioynted creeping stalkes diuided into sundry branches whereon stand pretty greene three cornered leaues two at a ioynt in shape and bignesse like those of the lesser Binde-weed Out of the bosomes of these leaues at each ioynt comes a clasping tendrel and commonly together with it a foot-stalke some inch or more long bearing a pretty little pease-fashioned yellow floure which is succeeded by a short flattish cod containing six or seuen little seeds This floures in Iune Iuly and August and so ripens the seed It is by Lobel and others thought to be the Aphace of Dioscorides Galen and Pliny and the Pitine of Theophrastus by Anguillara ‡ 3 Aphaca Small yellow Fetch I finde mention in Stowes
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
kidneyes Being melted vnder the tongue it quencheth thirst it is good for greene wounds being layed thereupon and for the stomacke if it be chewed The decoction of the fresh roots serueth for the same purposes But the dried root most finely poudered is a singular remedie for a pin and a web in the eye if it be strewed thereupon Dioscorides and Pliny also report that Liquorice is good for the stomack and vlcers of the mouth being cast vpon them It is good against hoarsenesse difficultie of breathing inflammation of the lungs the pleurisie spitting of bloud or matter consumption or rottennes of the lungs all infirmities and ruggednes of the chest It takes away inflammations mitigateth and tempereth the sharpnesse and saltnes of humors concocteth raw humors and procureth easie spitting The decoction is good for the kidnies and bladder that are exulcerated It cureth the strangurie and generally all infirmities that proceed of sharpe salt and biting humors These things concerning Liquorice hath also Theophrastus viz. that with this and with cheese made of Mares milke the Scythians were reported to be able to liue eleuen or twelue dayes The Scythian root is good for shortnesse of breath for a dry cough and generally for all infirmities of the chest Moreouer with honey it healeth vlcers it also quencheth thirst if it be held in the mouth for which cause they say that the Scythians do liue eleuen or twelue dayes with it and Hippace which is cheese made of Mares milke as Hippocrates witnesseth Pliny in his twenty fifth booke chap. 8. hath thought otherwise than truth that Hippace is an herbe so called CHAP. 13. Of Milke Trefoile or Shrub Trefoile ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers kindes or sorts of the shrubby Trefoile the which might very well haue passed among the three leaued Grasses had it not beene for my promise in the proeme of our first part That in the last booke of our History the shrubbie or wooddy plants should be set forth euerie one as neere as might be in kindred and neighbourhood ¶ The Description †1 THe sirst kinde of Cytisus or shrubby Trefoile growes to the forme of a small shrub or wooddy bush two or three cubits high branching into sundry small boughes or armes set full of leaues like the small Tresoile darke greene and not hairie three growing alwaies together among these come forth smal yellow floures like them of French Broome which doe turne into long and flat cods containing small seed of a blackish colour 2 The second kinde of Cytisus is likewise a small shrub in shape after the manner of the former but that the whole plant is altogether smaller and the leaues rounder set together by couples and the small cods hairy at the ends which sets forth the difference ‡ The leaues of this are almost round and grow three together close to the stalke they are smooth of a fresh greene and the middlemost leafe of the three is the largest and ends in a sharpe point the floures are of the bignesse and colour of the Trifolium corniculatum it floures in May. ‡ 3 The root of this third kinde is single from whence spring vp many smooth brittle stalks diuided into many wings and branches whereon grow greene leaues smaller than those of medow Trefoile the floures are yellow lesser than Broome floures otherwise very like growing about the tops of the twiggie branches diuided into spoky tufts which being vaded there follow thinne long narrow cods lesser than those of the Broome wherein is contained small blacke seed The root is long deeply growing into the ground and sometimes waxeth crooked in the earth ‡ This also hath smooth green leaues and differs little if any thing at all from the first described wherefore I thought it needlesse to giue a figure Our Author called it Cytisus siliquosus Codded shrub Trefoile because one of the branches was fairely in the figure exprest with cods I know no other reason for all the Cytisi are codded as well as this ‡ 1 Cytisus The first shrub Trefoile 2 Cytisus The second shrub Trefoile 4 Cytisus hirsutus Ilairy shrub Trefoile 5 Cytisus incanus Hoary shrub Trefoile 4 The fourth kinde of Cytisus hath a great number of small branches and stalkes like the former but it is a lower plant and more woolly whose stalks and branches grow not very high but yet very plentifully spred about the sides of the plant the leaues are greater than the former but lesser than those of medow Trefoile the floures grow close together as though they were bound vp or compact into one head or spokie tuft somewhat greater than the former the cods are also greater and more hairy the root groweth very deepe into the ground whereunto are adioyned a few fibres it falleth out to be more hairy or woolly in one place than in another and the more hairie and woolly that it is the whiter it waxeth for the roughnesse bringeth it a certain whitish colour ‡ The branches of this oft times lie along vpon the ground the leaues are smooth and greene aboue and hoarie vnderneath the floures yellow which fading sometimes become orange coloured the cods are round and seeds brownish ‡ 5 The fifth kinde of 〈◊〉 groweth to the height of a cubit or more hauing many slender twiggy branches like Broome streaked and very hard whereupon grow leaues very like 〈◊〉 yet all hoary three together from the bosome of which or betweene the leaues and the stalkes 〈◊〉 sorth yellow 〈◊〉 very like Broome Spartum or Pease but smaller the cods be like vnto Broome cods of an ash colour but slenderer rougher and flatter in the seueral cels or diuisions whereof are contained bright shining seeds like the blacke seeds of Broome all the whole plant is hoarie like 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 6 Cytisus 〈◊〉 Winged shrub Trefoile 7 Cytisus 7. Cornutus The Horned shrub Trefoile 6 The sixth kinde of Cytisus or bush Tresoile groweth to the height of a tall man with long stalkes couered ouer with a blackish barke and a few boughes or branches beset or garnished with leaues like the common Trefoile but smaller growing also three together whereof the middlemost 〈◊〉 the three leaues is twice as long as the two side leaues the vpper side whereof is green and the lower side somwhat reddish and hairie the floures grow along the stalks almost from the bottome to the top of a golden yellow colour fashioned like the Broome floure but greater than any of the rest of his kinde and of a reasonable good sauour the seed hath the pulsie taste of Cicer. 7 The seuenth kinde of Cytisus hath many tough and hairy branches rising from a wooddie root foure or fiue cubits high which are diuided into sundry smaller branches beset with leaues like the medow 〈◊〉 among which come 〈◊〉 yellow floures like Broome that turne into crooked flat cods like a sickle wherein is contained the seed tasting like Cicer or Legumen The whole plant is hoarie like
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
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
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
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
which barks doth flow the vpper barke being wounded a white Balsam like vnto teares or drops of a most sweet sauour and singular effects for one drop of this which thus 〈◊〉 out of the tree is worth a pound of that which is made by decoction the fruit hereof is small in respect of the others it seldome exceedeth the bignes of a Pease of a bitter taste inclosed in a narrow huske of the length of a finger something thin and of a white colour which the Indians do vse against head-ache which fruit of most is that we haue before described called Carpobalsamum It is also written that in the Island called Hispaniola there groweth a small tree of the height of two men without the industry of man hauing stalkes or 〈◊〉 of the colour of ashes whereon do grow greene leaues sharpe at both ends but more greene on the vpper side than on the lower hauing a middle rib somewhat thicke and standing out the foot-stalkes whereon they grow are somewhat reddish among which leaues commeth fruit growing by clusters as long as a mans hand fingers and all the stones or graines in the fruit be few and greene but growing to rednesse more and more as the fruit waxeth ripe From the which is gathered a juice after this manner they take the young shootes and buds of the tree and also the clusters of the fruit which they bruise and boile in water to the thickenesse of hony which being strained they keepe it for their vses They vse it against wounds and vlcers it stoppeth and stancheth the bloud maketh them cleane bringeth vp the flesh and healeth them mightily and with better successe than true Balsame The branches of the tree being cut do cast forth by drops a certaine cleare water more worth than Aqua vitae most wholesome against wounds and all other diseases proceeding from cold causes if it be drunken some few daies together ¶ The Place These trees grow in diuers parts of the world some in Aegypt and most of those countries adiacent there groweth of them in the East and West Indies as trauellers in those parts report ¶ The Time These trees for the most part keepe greene winter and Sommer ¶ The Names Balsame is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine also Balsamum of the Arabians Balseni Balesina and Belsan in Italian Balsamo in French Baume The liquor that floweth out of the tree when it is wounded is called Opobalsamum the wood 〈◊〉 the fruit Carpobalsamum and the liquor which naturally floweth from the tree in Aegypt Balsamum ¶ The Temperature Balsame is hot and dry in the second degree with astriction ¶ The Vertues Naturall Balsame taken in a morning fasting with a little Rosewater or wine to the quantitie of fiue or six drops helpeth those that be asthmatike or short of winde it preuaileth against the paines of the bladder and stomacke and comforteth the same mightily and also amendeth a stinking breath takes away the shaking fits of the quotidian 〈◊〉 if it be taken two or three times It helpeth consumptions clenseth the barren wombe especially being annointed vpon a pessary or mother suppositorie and vsed The stomacke being annointed therewith digestion is helped thereby it also preserueth the stomacke from obstructions and windinesse it helpeth the hardnesse of the spleene easeth the griefes of the reines and belly proceeding of cold causes It also taketh away all manner of aches proceeding of cold causes if they be annointed therewith but more speedily if a linnen cloth be wet therein and laid thereon vsed in the same manner it dissolueth hard tumors called 〈◊〉 and strengthneth the weake members The same refresheth the braine and comforteth the parts adioining it helpeth the palsie convulsions and all griefes of the sinewes if they be annoitned therewith The maruellous effects that it worketh in new and greene wound were heere too long to set downe and also superfluous considering the skilfull Chirurgion whom it most concerneth doth know the vse thereof and as for the beggerly Quacksaluers Runnagates and knauish Mountibanks we are not willing to instruct them in things so far aboue their reach capacitie and worthinesse CHAP. 146. Of a kinde of Balme or Balsame Tree ¶ The Description THis tree which the people of the Indies do call Molli groweth to the bignesse of a great tree hauing a trunke or body of a darke greene colour sprinkled ouer with many ash coloured spots the branches are many and of very great beautie whereupon do grow leaues not vnlike to those of the Ash-tree consisting of many small leaues set vpon a middle rib growing narrower euer towards the point euery particular one jagged on the sides like the teeth of a saw which being plucked from the stem yeeldeth forth a milkie juice tough and clammie 〈◊〉 like the bruised leaues of Fenell and as it seemeth in taste somewhat astringent the 〈◊〉 grow in clusters vpon the twiggie branches like those of the Vine a little before the grapes be formed after followeth the fruit or berries somewhat greater than Pepper cornes of an oilic substance greene at the first and of a darke reddish colour when they be ripe ‡ The first of the sigures was taken from a tree only of three yeeres growth but the latter from a tree come to his full growth as it is affirmed in Clusius his Cur. Poster It differs only in that the leaues of the old trees are not at all snipt or diuided on the edges ‡ 1 Molli siue Molly Clusij Lobelij The Balsame tree of Clusius and Lobels description ‡ 2 Molle arboris adult ae ramus A branch of the old tree of Molle ¶ The Place This tree saith a learned Physition called Ioh. 〈◊〉 doth grow in the King of Spaine his garden at Madryll which was the first that euer he did see since which time Iohn Ferdinando Secretary vnto the foresaid king did shew vnto the said Fragosus in his owne ' garden a tree so large and of such beautie that he was neuer satisfied with looking on it and meditating vpon the vertues thereof Which words I haue receiued from the hands of a famous learned man called Mr. 〈◊〉 Browne Dr. in Physicke and Physition to the Queenes 〈◊〉 at the impression hereof faithfully translated out of the Spanish tongue without adding or taking any thing away They grow plentifully in the vales and low grounds of Peru as all affirme that haue trauelled to the VVest Indies as also those that haue described the singularities thereof My selfe with diuers others as namely Mr. Nicholas Lete a worshipfull Merchant of the Citie of London and also a most skilfull Apothecary Mr. Iames Garret who haue receiued seeds hereof from the right Honorable the Lord Hunsdon Lord high Chamberlaine of England worthy of triple honour for his care in getting as also for his curious keeping rare and strange things brought from the farthest parts of the world which seedes we haue sowne in our gardens where
kinde of Liuerwort differeth not but in stature being altogether lesse and more smooth or euen the floures on the tops of the slender stems are not so much laid open like a star but the especiall difference consisteth in one chiefe point that is to say this kinde being 〈◊〉 in a pot and set in a garden aboue the ground notwithstanding it spitteth or casteth round about the place great store of the same fruit where neuer any did grow before ‡ Of this sort which is small and oftentimes found growing in moist gardens among Beares-eares and such plants when they are kept in pots there are two varieties one hauing little stalkes some inch long with a starre-fashioned head at the top the other hath the like tender stalke and a round head at the top thereof ‡ 1 Hepatica terrestris Ground Liuer-wort 2 Hepatica 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Small Liuer-wort with starry and round heads 3 Hepatica petraea Stone Liuerwort ¶ The Place This is often found in shadowy and moist places on rocks and great stones layd by the highway and in other common paths where the Sun beams do seldome come and where no traueller frequenteth ¶ The Time It brings forth his blasing stars and leaues oftentimes in Iune and Iuly ¶ The Names It is called of the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Latines Lichen and of some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say Muscus or Mosse as 〈◊〉 witnesseth it is named in shops Hepatica yet there 〈◊〉 also many other herbes named 〈◊〉 or Liuer-worts for difference whereof this may fitly be called Hepatica 〈◊〉 or Stone Liuer-wort hauing taken that name from the Germanes who call this Liuerwort Steyn Leberkraut and in low-Dutch Steen Leuercrupt in English 〈◊〉 ¶ The Temperature This Stone Liuerwort is of temperature cold and dry and somewhat binding ¶ The Vertues It is singular good against the inflammations of the liuer hot and sharpe agues and tertians which proceed of choler Dioscorides teacheth that Liuer-wort being applied to the place stancheth bleeding takes away all inflammations and that it is good for a tetter or ring-worme called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that it is a remedie for them that haue the yellow iaundice euen that which commeth by the inflammation of the liuer and that furthermore it quencheth the inflammations of the tongue CHAP. 164. Of Lung-wort or wood Liuer-wort and Oister-greene 1 Lichen arborum Tree Lung-wort 2 Lichen marinus Sea Lung-wort or Oister-greene ¶ The Description 1 TO Liuerwort there is ioyned Lung-wort which is also another kinde of Mosse drier broader of a larger size and set with scales the leaues hereof are greater and diuersly folded one in another not so smooth but more wrinckled rough and thicke almost like a Fell or hide and tough withall on the vpper side whitish and on the nether side blackish or dusty it seemeth to be after a sort like to lungs or lights 2 This kinde of sea Mosse is an herby matter much like vnto Liuer-wort altogether without stalke or stem bearing many greene leaues very vneuen or crumpled and full of wrinkles and somwhat broad not much differing from leaues of crispe or curled Lettuce this groweth vpon rockes within the bowels of the sea but especially among oisters and in greater plenty among those Oisters which are called Wall-fleet Oisters it is very well knowne euen to the poore Oister-women which carry Oisters to sell vp and downe who are greatly desirous of the said mosse for the decking and beautifying of their Oisters to make them sell the better This mosse they doe call Oister-greene ‡ 3 The branches of this elegant plant are some handfull or better high spred abroad on euerie side and only consisting of sundry single roundish leaues whereto are fastned somtimes one sometimes two or more such leaues so that the whole plant consists of branches made vp of such round leaues fastned together by diuers little verysmal threds the lower leaues which stick fast to the rockes are of a brownish colour the other of a whitish or a light greene colour smooth and shining This growes vpon rockes in diuers parts of the Mediterranean Clusius setteth it forth by the name of Lichen Marinus and he receiued it from Imperato by the name of Sertuloria and Cortusus had it from Corsica by the title of Corallina latifolia and he called it Opuntia marina hauing reference to that mentioned by Theophrast lib. 1. cap. 12. Hist. Plant. ‡ †3 Lichen marinus rotundifolius Round leaued Oister-weed 4 Quercus marina Sea Oke or Wracke ‡ 4 Quercus 〈◊〉 varietas A varietie of the sea Oke or Wrack 4 There is also another sort of sea Weed found vpon the drowned rockes which are naked and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 water at euery tyde This sea Weed groweth vnto the rocke fastned vnto the same at one end being a soft herby plant very slipperie insomuch that it is a hard matter to stand vpon it without falling it rampeth far abroad and here and there is set with certaine puft vp tubercles or bladders full of winde which giueth a cracke when it is broken the leafe it selfe doth somewhat resemble the Oken leafe whereof it tooke his name Quercus marina the sea Oke of some Wracke and Crow Gall. His vse in physicke hath not beene set sorth and therefore this bare description may suffice ‡ 5 Quercus marina secunda Sea Thongs ‡ 6 Quercus marina tertia The third sea Wracke ‡ Of this Quercus marina or Fucus there are diuers sorts whereof I will giue you the figures and a briefe historie the first of these is onely a varietie of the last described differing there-from in the narrownesse of the leaues and largenesse of the swolne bladders 5 This growes to the length of fiue or six foot is smooth and membranous being some halfe fingers bredth and variously diuided like wet parchment or leather cut into thongs this hath no swolne knots or bladders like as the former and is the Fucus marinus secundus of Dodonaeus 6 This Wracke or sea weed hath long and flat stalkes like the former but the stalks are thicke set with swolne knots or bladders out of which sometimes grow little leaues in other respects it is not vnlike the former kindes Dodonaeus makes this his Fucus marinus 3. 7 The leaues of this other Wracke which Dodonaeus makes his Fucus marinus quartus are narrower smaller and much diuided and this hath either none or very few of those swollen bladders which some of the former kindes haue 8 This which Lobel calleth Alga marina hath iointed blacke branched creeping roots of the thicknesse of ones finger which end as it were in diuers eares or hairy awnes composed of whitish hairy threds somewhat resembling Spikenard from the tops of those eares forth leaues long narrow soft and grasse-like first greene but white when they are dry It growes in the sea as the former They vse it in Italy and other hot
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
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
liked by 〈◊〉 lib. 〈◊〉 cap. 22. At this day in Candy where it 〈◊〉 growes it is called Adracla It is rather a shrub than a tree delighting in rockie and mountanous places and keeping greene VVinter and Sommer hauing leaues so like those of Bayes that they are distinguishable only by the smell which these are destitute of The barke of the bole and all the branches is so smooth red and shining that they shew like branches of Corall this barke crackes or breakes off in Sommer and pills off in thinne fleakes at which time it is neither red nor shining but in a meane betweene yellow and ash-colour It hath floures twice in a yeere like as the Arbutus or Strawberry tree and that so like it that you can scarse know the one from the other yet this differs from it in that it growes onely in the mountaines hath not the leaues jagged neither a rough barke the wood hereof is very hard and so brittle that it will not bend and they vse it to burne and to make whorles for their womens spindles Theophrastus reckons vp this tree amongst those which die not when their barkes are taken off and are alwaies greene and retaine their leaues at their tops all winter long which to be so Honorius Bellus obserued Bellonius also obserued this tree in many places of Syria The fruit in Temperature as in shape is like that of the Stawberry-tree CHAP. 11. Of the Cherry-Bay ¶ The Description THe Cherry-bay is one of the euergreen trees it rises vp 〈◊〉 an indifferent height and is diuided into sundry branches couered ouer with a swart green barke that of the yonger shoots is wholly green the leaues alternately ingirt the branches they are long smooth thick green and shining snipt also lightly about the edges when the tree is growne to some height at the tops of the branches amongst the leaues of the former yeares growth vpon a sprig of some fingers length it puts forth a great many little white floures consisting of fiue leaues a piece with many little chiues in them these floures quickly fall away and the fruit that succeeds them is a berry of an ovall figure of the bignesse of a large Cherry or Damson and of the same colour and of a sweet and pleasant Laurocerasi flos The Cherry-bay in floure 〈◊〉 fructus The Cherry-bay with the fruit taste with a stone in it like to a Cherry stone This floures in May and ripens the fruit in August or September it was first sent to Clusius from Constantinople and that by the name of Trabison curmasi 1. Trapezuntina dactylus the Date of Trapeson but it hath no affinitie with the Date 〈◊〉 refers it to the second Lotus mentioned by Theophrastus hist. plant lib. 4. cap. 4. but therewith it doth not agree Clusius and most since cal it fitly Laurocerasus or 〈◊〉 folio Laurino It is now got into many of our choise English gardens where it is well respected for the beauty of the leaues and their lasting or continuall greenenesse The fruit hereof is good to be eaten but what physicall vertues the tree or leaues thereof haue it is not yet knowne CHAP. 12. Of the Euer-greene Thorne THis plant which Lobel and some other late writers haue called by the name of Pyracantha is the Oxyacantha mentioned by Theophrastus lib. 1. cap. 15. lib. 3. cap. 4. hist. plant among the euer green trees and I thinke rather this than our white Thorn to be the Oxyacantha of 〈◊〉 lib. 1. c. 123. and certainely it was no other than this Thorne which Virgil makes mention of by the name of Acanthus lib. 2. 〈◊〉 in these words 〈◊〉 semper frondentis Acanthi That is And the berries of the 〈◊〉 greene Thorn Oxyacantha Theophrasti The Euer-greene Thorne ¶ The Description THis growes vp like a bush vnlesse you keepe it with 〈◊〉 and then it will 〈◊〉 time grow to the 〈◊〉 of a smal tree as the Hawthorne whereto it is of affinitie 〈◊〉 the wood is white and hard like it and couered ouer with the like barke but the leaues are somwhat like those of the Damson tree longish sharp pointed and snipt about the edges they grow alongst the branches without any order yet sometimes they keep this maner of growing at each knot where commonly there is a sharpe prickle growes out one of the larger leaues which may be some inch and halfe long and some three quarters of an inch broad then vpon the prickle and at the comming out therof are three or soure more or lesse much smaller leaues now these leaues are of a 〈◊〉 and shining green aboue but paler vnderneath and they keep on al the yeare At the ends and oft times in the middles of the branches come forth clusters or vmbels of little whitish blush coloured floures consisting of fiue leaues apiece with some little chiues in their middles then follow clusters of berries in shape taste and bignesse like those of the Hawthorne and of the same but much more orient and pleasing colour and containing in 〈◊〉 the like seed now these berries hang long vpon the tree make a gallant shew amongst the greene leaues and chiefely then when as the Autumne blasts haue depriued other trees of their wonted verdure This floures in May and Iune and ripens the fruit in September and October it growes wilde in sundry places of Italy and Prouince in France but is kept in gardens with vs where it is held in good esteeme for his euer greenesse and pliablenesse to any worke or forme you desire to impose vpon him The fruit haue the same faculties that are formerly attributed to Hawes in the foregoing booke pag. 1328. and therefore I will not here repeat them CHAP. 13. Of the Aegyptian Nap or great 〈◊〉 tree ¶ The Description THis tree which for his leaues and manner of growing I thinke may fitly be referred to the Iuiubes tree is of two sorts that is the one prickly and the other not prickly in other respects they are both alike so that one figure and historie may serue for them both which I will giue you 〈◊〉 of Clusius who receiued this figure together with a description thereof from Honorius Bellus and also added therto that which Prosper Alpin hath written of it in his 5. chap. de Plant. Aegypt It grows to the height of an indifferent Peare-tree and the bodie and branches thereof are couered with a whitish ash coloured barke the leaues are like those of the Iuiubes tree two inches long and one broad with three nerues running alongst them of a deepe shining greene aboue and more whitish vnderneath and they grow alternately vpon the branches and at their comming forth grow 〈◊〉 of little white floures hanging vpon single long foot-stalks after these followes the fruit like vnto a small Apple of the bignesse for the most part of a large Cherry and sometimes as big as a VValnut of a sweet taste containing therein a kernell or stone like
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
or six inches in length like to Fox-taile they in colour resemble white silke or siluer Thus much Lobell Our Author described this in the first place Ch. 23. vnder Iuncus Marinus Gramineus for so Lobell also calls it †¶ The place 1 This growes in Africa Nabathaea and Arabia and is a stranger in these Northerne Regions 2 The place of the second is mentioned in the description ¶ The time Their time answereth the other Reeds and Flags ¶ The Names 1 Camels Hay is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Iuncus odoratus and Scoenanthum in shops Squinanthum that is Flos Iunci in French Pasteur de Chammeau in English Camels Hay and Squinanth 2 This Lobell calls Iuncus marinus gramineus and Pseudoschaenanthum We call it Bastard Squinanth and Fox-taile Squinanth ¶ The temper This plant is indifferently hot and a little astrictiue ¶ The vertues Camels Hay prouoketh vrine moueth the termes and breaketh winde about the stomacke It causeth aking and heauinesse of the head Galen yeeldeth this reason thereof because it heateth moderately and bindeth with tenuitie of parts According to Dioscorides it dissolues digests and opens the passages of the veines The floures or chaffie tufts are profitable in drinke for them that pisse bloud anywayes It is giuen in medicines that are ministred to cure the paines and griefes of the guts stomacke lungs liuer and reines the fulnesse loathsomenesse and other defects of the stomacke the dropsie conuulsions or shrinking of sinews giuen in the quantitie of a dram with a like quantitie of Pepper for some few dayes The same boyled in wine helpeth the inflammation of the matrix if the woman do sit ouer the fume thereof and bathe her selfe often with it also CHAP. 36. Of Burre-Reed ¶ The Description 1 THe first of these plants hath long leaues which are double edged or sharpe on both sides with a sharpe crest in the middle in such manner raised vp that it seemeth to be triangle or three square The stalkes grow among the leaues and are two or three foot long being diuided into many branches garnished with many prickly huskes or knops of the bignesse of a nut The root is full of hairy strings 2 The great Water Burre differeth not in any thing from the first kind in roots or leaues saue that the first hath his leaues rising immediately from the tuft or knop of the root but this kinde hath a long stalke comming from the root whereupon a little aboue the root the leaues shoot out round about the stalke successiuely some leaues still growing aboue others euen to the top of the stalke and from the top thereof downeward by certaine distances It is garnished with many round wharles or rough coronets hauing here and there among the said wharles one single short leafe of a pale greene colour ¶ The place Both these are very common and grow in moist medowes and neere vnto water-courses They plentifully grow in the fenny grounds of Lincolnshire and such like places in the ditches about S. George his fields and in the ditch right against the place of execution at the end of Southwark called S. Thomas Waterings ¶ The time They bring forth their burry bullets or seedy knots in August 1 Sparganium Ramosum Branched Burre-Reed 2 Sparganium latifolium Great Water-Burre ¶ The Names These Plants of some are called Sparganium Theophrastus in his fourth Booke and eighteenth Chapter calleth them Butomus of some Platanaria I call them Burre-Reed in the Arabian tongue they are called Safarhe Bamon in Italian Sparganio of Dodoneus Carex Some call the first Sparganium ramosum or Branched Burre-Reed The second Sparganium non ramosum Notbranching Burre-Reed ¶ The temperature They are cold and dry of complexion ¶ The vertues Some write that the knops or rough burres of these plants boyled in wine are good against the bitings of venomous beasts if either it be drunke or the wound washed therewith CHAP. 37. Of Cats Taile ¶ The Description CAts Taile hath long and flaggy leaues full of a spongeous matter or pith among which leaues groweth vp a long smooth naked stalke without knot fashioned like a speare of a firme or solid substance hauing at the top a browne knop or eare soft thicke and smooth seeming to be nothing else but a deale of flockes thicke set and thrust together which being ripe turneth into a downe and is carried away with the winde The Roots be hard thicke and white full of strings and good to burne where there is plenty thereof to be had ¶ The place It groweth in pooles and such like standing waters and sometimes in running streames I haue found a smaller kinde hereof growing in the ditches and marshie grounds in the Isle of Shepey going from Sherland house to Feuersham ¶ The time They floure and beare their mace or torch in Iuly and August Typha Cats Taile ¶ The Names They are called in Greeke 〈◊〉 in Latine Typha of some Cestrum Morionis in French Marteau Masses in Dutch 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 In Italian Mazza sorda in Spanish Behordo and Iunco amacorodato In English Cats Taile and Reed-Mace Of this Cars Taile Aristophanes maketh mention in his Comedy of Frogs where he bringeth them forth one talking with 〈◊〉 being very glad that they had spent the whole day in skipping and leaping inter Cyperum Phleum among Galingale and Cats Taile Ouid seemeth to name this plant Scirpus for he termeth the mats made of the leaues Cats-taile Mats as in his sixth Booke Fastorum At Dominus discedite ait plaustróque morantes Sustulit in plaustro scirpea matta fuit ¶ The nature It is cold and dry of complexion ¶ The vertues The soft Downe stamped with swines grease well washed healeth burnings or scaldings with fire or water Some practitioners by their experience haue found That the Downe of the 〈◊〉 taile beaten with the leaues of Betony the roots of Gladiole and the leaues of Hippoglosson into powder and mixed with the yelks of egges hard sodden and so eaten is a most perfect medicine against the disease in children called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is when the gut called Intestinum caecum is fallen into the cods This medicine must be ministred euery day fasting for the space of thirtie dayes the quantitie thereof to be ministred at one time is 1. This being vsed as before is specified doth not onely helpe children and striplings but growne men also if in time of their cure they vse conuenient ligature or trussings and fit consounding plaisters vpon the grieued place according to art appointed for that purpose in Chirurgerie This Downe in some places of the Isle of Elie and the low countries adioyning thereto is gathered and well sold to make mattresses of for plowmen and poore people It hath beene also often proued to heale kibed or humbled heeles as they are termed being applied to them either before or after the skinne is broken CHAP. 38. Of Stitchwort ¶ The
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
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
ordinarie but at the bottome of the stalke aboue the fibrous roots it hath a bulbe greenish within and couered with two or three skins it growes in moist and 〈◊〉 low places of Holland ‡ 1 Ophris 〈◊〉 Twaiblade ‡ 3 Ophris bifolia bulbosa Bulbous Twaiblade ¶ The Place The first groweth in moist medowes fenny grounds and shadowie places I haue fonnd it in many places as at South fleet in Kent in a Wood of Master Sidleys by Long-field Downes in a Wood by London called Hampstead Wood in the fields by High-gate in the Woods by Ouenden neere to Clare in Essex and in the Woods by Dunmow in Essex The second sort is seldome seene ¶ The Time They floure in May and Iune ¶ The Names It is called of the later Herbarists Bifolium and Ophris ¶ The Nature and Vertues These are reported of the Herbarists of our time to be good for greene wounds burstings and ruptures whereof I haue in my vnguents and Balsams for greene wounds had great experience and good successe CHAP. 88. Of Adders-Tongue ¶ The Description 1 OPhioglosson or Lingua Serpentis called in English Adders tongue of some Adders Grasse though vnproperly riseth forth of the ground hauing one leafe and no more fat or oleous in substance of a finger long and very like the yong and tender leaues of Marigolds from the bottome of which leafe springeth out a small and tender stalke one finger and a halfe long on the end whereof doth grow a long small tongue not vnlike the tongue of a serpent whereof it tooke the name 2 I haue seene another like the former in root stalke and leafe and 〈◊〉 in that this plant hath two and sometimes more crooked tongues yet of the same fashion which if my iudgment faile not chanceth per accidens euen as we see children borne with two thumbes vpon one hand which moueth me so to thinke for that in gathering twenty bushels of the leaues a man shall hardly finde one of this fashion 1 Ophioglosson Adders-Tongue ‡ 2 Ophioglosson abortivum Mis-shapen Adders-Tongue ¶ The Place Adders-Tongue groweth in moist medowes throughout most parts of England as in a Meadow neere the preaching Spittle adioyning to London in the Mantels by London in the medowes by Cole-brooke in the fields in Waltham Forrest and many other places ¶ The Time They are to be found in Aprill and May but in Iune they are quite vanished and gone ¶ The Names Ophioglossum is called in shops Lingua serpentis Linguace and Lingualace it is also called Lancea Christi Enephyllon and Lingua vulneraria in English Adders tongue or Serpents tongue in Dutch Natertonguen of the Germanes Nater zungelin ¶ The Nature Adders-tongue is dry in the third degree ¶ The Vertues The leaues of Adders tongue stamped in a stone morter and boyled in Oile Oliue vnto the consumption of the iuyce and vntill the herbes be dry and partched and then strained will yeeld a most excellent greene oyle or rather a balsam for greene wounds comparable vnto oyle of S. Iohns wort if it do not farre surpasse it by many degrees whose beauty is such that very many Artists haue thought the same to be mixed with Verdigrease CHAP. 89. Of One-berry or Herbe True-loue and Moone-wort 1 Herba Paris One-Berry or Herbe True-loue 2 Lunaria minor Small Moone-wort ¶ The Description 1 HErbe Paris riseth vp with one small tender stalke two hands high at the very top whereof come forth foure leaues directly set one against another in manner of a Burgundian Crosse or True-loue knot for which cause among the Antients it hath bin called Herbe True 〈◊〉 In the midst of the said leafe comes forth a star-like floure of an herby or grassie colour out of the middest whereof there ariseth vp a blackish browne berrie the root is long and tender creeping vnder the earth and dispersing it selfe hither and thither 2 The small Lunary springeth forth of the ground with one 〈◊〉 like Adders-tongue iagged or cut on both sides into fiue or six deepe cuts or notches not much vnlike the leaues of Scolopendria or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a greene colour whereupon doth grow a small naked stem of a finger long bearing at the top many little seeds clustering together which being gathered and laid in a platter or such like thing for the space of three weekes there will fall from the same a fine dust or meale of a whitish colour which is the seed if it bring forth any The root is slender and compact of many small threddy strings ‡ In England saith Camerarius there growes a certaine kinde of Lunaria which hath many leaues and sometimes also sundry branches which therefore I haue caused to be delineated that other Herbarists might also take notice hereof Thus much Camerarius Epit. Mat. p. 644. where he giues an elegant figure of a varietie hauing more leaues and branches than the ordinary otherwise not differing from it 3 Besides this varietie there is another kinde set forth by Clusius whose figure and description I thinke good here to set downe This hath a root consisting of many fibres somewhat thicker than those of the common kinde from which arise one or two winged leaues that is many leaues set to one stalke and these are like the leaues of the other Lunaria but that they are longer thicker and more diuided and of a yellowish greene colour Amongst these leaues there comes vp a stalke fat and juycie bearing a greater tuft of floures or seeds for I know not whether to cal them than the ordinarie but otherwise very like thereto It groweth in the mountaines of Silesia and in some places of Austria ‡ ‡ 3 Lunaria minor ramosa Small branched Moon-wort ¶ The Place Herba Paris groweth plentifully in all these places following that is to say in Chalkney wood neere to wakes 〈◊〉 seuen miles from Colchester in Essex and in the wood by Robinhoods well neere to Nottingham in the parsonage orchardat Radwinter in Essex neere to Saffron Walden in Blackburne at a place called Merton in Lancashire in the Moore by Canturbury called the Clapper in Dingley wood six miles from Preston in Aundernesse in Bocking parke by Braintree in Essex at Hesset in Lancashire and in Cotting wood in the North of England as that excellent painefull and diligent Physition Mr. Doctor Turner of late memorie doth record in his Herbal Lunaria or small Moone-wort groweth vpon dry and barren mountaines and heaths I haue found it growing in these places following that is to say about Bathe in Somersetshire in many places especially at a place called Carey two miles from Bruton in the next Close vnto the Church-yard on Cockes Heath betweene Lowse and Linton three miles from Maidstone in Kent it groweth also in the ruines of an old bricke-kilne by Colchester in the ground of Mr. George Sayer called Miles end it groweth likewise vpon the side of Blacke-heath neere vnto the stile that leadeth vnto Eltham house about an hundred paces
the waters in all places for the most part The seuenth groweth in Yorkshire in a place called the Hooke neer vnto a close called a Cow pasture from whence I had these plants which doe grow in my garden very goodly to behold for the decking vp of houses and gardens ‡ The eighth I haue not yet found growing The ninth growes wild in some places of this kingdome but I haue seene it only in Gardens The tenth growes by the ponds and waters sides in Saint Iames his Parke in Tuthill fields and many other places ‡ The eleuenth groweth hard by the Thames as you goe from a place called the Diuels Neckerchiefe to Redreffe neere vnto a stile that standeth in your way vpon the Thames banke among the plankes that doe hold vp the same banke It groweth also in a ditch side not farre from the place of execution called Saint Thomas Waterings ‡ The other varieties of this grow in wet places about ditches and in woods and such like moist grounds ‡ ¶ The Time These herbes floure in Iune and Iuly and oftentimes vntill August ¶ The Names Lysimachia as Dioscorides and Pliny write tooke his name of a speciall vertue that it hath in appeasing the strife and vnrulinesse which falleth out among oxen at the plough if it bee put about their yokes but it rather retaineth and keepeth the name Lysimachia of King Lysimachus the sonne of Agathocles the first finder out of the nature and vertues of this herb as Pliny saith in his 25. book chap. 7. which retaineth the name of him vnto this day and was made famous by Erasistratus Ruellius writeth that it is called in French Cornelle and Corneola in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Latines Lysimachium of Pliny Lysimachia of the later Writers Salicaria in high Dutch 〈◊〉 in English Willow herbe or herbe Willow and Loose strife Chamaenerium is called of Gesner Epilobton in English Bay Willow or bay yellow herbe ‡ The names of such as I haue added haue been sufficiently set sorth in their titles and Histories ‡ ¶ The Nature The yellow Lysimachia which is the chiefe and best for Physicke vses is cold and drie and very astringent ¶ The Vertues The iuice according to Dioscordies is good against the bloudy flix being taken either by potion or Clister It is excellent good for greene wounds and stancheth the bloud being also put into the nosthrils it stoppeth the bleeding at the nose The smoke of the burned herbe driueth away serpents and killeth flies and gnats in a house which Pliny speaketh of in his 25. book chap. 8. Snakes saith he craull a way at the smell of Loos-strife The same Authour affirmeth in his 26 booke last chap. that it dieth haire yellow which is not very vnlike to be done by reason the floures are yellow The others haue not been experimented wherefore vntill some matter worthy the 〈◊〉 doth offer it selfe vnto our consideration I will omit further to discourse her 〈◊〉 The iuice of yellow Lysimachia taken inwardly stoppeth all fluxe of bloud and the Dysenteria or bloudy flix The iuice put into the nose stoppeth the bleeding of the same and the bleeding of wounds and mightily closeth and healeth them being made into an vnguent or salue The same taken in a mother suppositorie of wooll or cotton bound vp with threds as the manner thereof is well knowne to women staieth the inordinate flux or ouermuch flowing of womens termes It is reported that the fume or smoke of the herbe burned doth driue away flies and gnats and all manner of venomous beasts CHAP. 130. Of Barren-woort Epimedium Barren Woort ¶ The Description THis rare and strange plant was sent to me from the French Kings Herbarist Robinus dwelling in Paris at the signe of the blacke head in the street called Du bout du Monde in English The end of the world This herbe I planted in my garden in the beginning of May it came sorth of the ground with small hard woodie crooked stalks whereupon grow rough sharpe pointed leaues almost like Alliaria that is to say Sauce alone or lacke by the hedge Lobel and Dod. say that the leaues are somewhat like Iuie but in my indgement they are rather like Alliaria somewhat snipt about the edges and turning themselues flat vpright as a man turneth his hand vpwards when hee receiueth money Vpon the same stalkes come forth small floures consisting of soure leaues whose outsides are purple the edges on the inner side red the bottomeyellow the middle part of a bright red colour and the whole floure somewhat hollow The root is smal and creepeth almost vpon the vppermost face of the earth It beareth his seed in very small cods like Saracens Consound ‡ to wit that of our Author 〈◊〉 described pag. 274. ‡ but shorter which came not to ripenesse in my garden by reason that it was dried away with the extreme and vnaccustomed heat of the Sun which happened in the yeare 2590. since which time from yeare to yeare it bringeth seed to perfection Further Dioscorides and Pliny do report that it is without floure or seed ¶ The place †It groweth in the moist medowes of Italie about Bononia and Vincentia it groweth in the garden of my friend Mr. Iohn Milion in Old-street and some other gardens about towne ¶ The Time It floureth in Aprill and May when it hath taken sast hold and setled it selfe in the earth a yeare before ¶ The Names It is called Epimedium I haue thought good to call it Barren woort in English not because that Dioscorides saith it is barren both of floures and seeds but because as some authors affirme being drunke it is an enemie to conception ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Galen affirmeth that it is moderately cold with a waterie moisture we haue as yet no vse hereof in Physicke ‡ CHAP. 131. Of Fleabane ‡ 1 Conyza maior Great Fleawoort ‡ 2 Conyza minor vera Small Fleabane ‡ THe smalnesse of the number of these plants here formerly mentioned the confusion notwithstanding in the figures their nominations historie not oneagreeing with another hath caused me wholly too mit the descriptions of our Authour and to giue you new agreeable to the figures together with an addition of diuers other plants 〈◊〉 to this kindred Besides there is one thing I must aduertise you of which is that our Authour in the first place described the Bacchar is Monspeliensium of Lobel or Conyza maior of Matthiolus it is that which grows in Kent and Essex on chalkie hils yet he gaue no figure of it but as it were forgetting what he had don allotted it a particular chap. afterwards where also another figure was put for it but there you shall now finde it though I must confesse that this is as sit or a fitter place for it but I will follow the course of my Authour whose matter not method I indeauour to amend ¶ The Description 1 This great
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
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.
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
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
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
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
seene yong Ashes growing vpon a bog but beholding it a little neerer I might easily distinguish it from the Ash by the browne rough and round graines that grew on the top of the branches which yet are not the seed thereof but are very like vnto the seed The root is great and thicke folded and couered ouer with many scales and interlacing roots hauing in the middle of the great and hard wooddy part thereof some small whitenesse which hath beene called the heart of Osmund the water-man Filix florida siue Osmunda Regalis Water Ferne or Osmund Royall ¶ The Place It groweth in the midst of a bog at the further end of Hampsted heath from London at the bottome of a hill adioyning to a small cottage and in diuers other places as also vpon diuers bogges on a heath or common neere vnto Bruntwood in Essex especially neere vnto a place there that some haue digged to the end to finde a nest or mine of gold but the birds were ouer fledge and flowne away before their wings could be clipped ‡ It did grow plentifully in both these places but of late it is all destroyed in the former ‡ ¶ The Time It flourisheth in Sommer as the former Fernes the leaues decay in Winter the root continueth fresh and long lasting which being brought into the garden prospereth as in his natiue soile as my selfe haue proued ¶ The Names It is called in Latine Osmunda it is more truly named Filix palustris or aquatilis some terme it by the name of Filicastrum most of the Alchimists call it Lunaria 〈◊〉 Valerius Cordus nameth it Filix latifolia it is named in high-Dutch Grosz Farn in low-Dutch Groot Uaren 〈◊〉 Uaren in English Water-Ferne Osmund the Water-man of some Saint Christophers herbe and Osmund ¶ The Temperature The root of this also is hot and dry but lesse than they of the former ones ¶ The Vertues The root and especially the heart or middle part thereof boiled or else stamped and taken with some kinde of liquor is thought to be good for those that are wounded dry-bearen and 〈◊〉 that haue fallen from some high place and for the same cause the Empericks do put it in decoctions which the later Physitians do call wound-drinks some take it to be so effectuall and of so great a vertue as that it can dissolue cluttered bloud remaining in any inward part of the body 〈◊〉 that it also can expell or driue it out by the wound The tender sprigs thereof at their first comming forth are excellent good vnto the purposes aforesaid and are good to be put into balmes oyles and consolidatiues or healing plaisters and into vnguents appropriate vnto wounds punctures and such like CHAP. 467. Of Polypodie or wall-Ferne 1 Polypodium Wall Ferne or Polypodie of the wall 2 Polypodium quercinum Polypodie of the Oke ‡ 3 Polypodium Indicum Indian Polypody ¶ The Description 1 THe leaues of Polypodie might be thought to be like those of male Ferne but that they are far lesser and not nicked at all in the edges these do presently spring vp from the roots being cut on both the edges with many deepe gashes euen hard to the middle rib on the vpper side they are smooth on the nether side they are lightly powdred as it were with dusty markes the root is long not a finger thick creeping aslope on which are seen certaine little buttons like to those pits and dents that appeare in the tailes of cuttle fishes this hath in it a certaine sweetnesse with a taste something harsh this kinde of Ferne likewise wanteth not onely floures and seed but stalkes also 2 Polypodie of the Oke is much like vnto that of the wall yet the leaues of it are more finely cut smooth on the vpper side of a pale green color together with the stalkes and middle ribs on the nether side rough like those of Ferne this Ferne also liueth without a stalke it groweth without seed the root hath many strings fastned to it one folded within another of a meane bignesse and sweet in taste it sendeth forth heere and there new dodkins or springs whereby it increaseth ‡ 3 Clusius in his Exotickes lib. 4. cap. 17. giues vs the History of an Indian Ferne or Polypody found amongst the papers of one Dr. Nicholas Colie a Dutch Physitian who died in his returne from the East-Indies The root of it was six inches long and almost one thicke of the same shape and colour as the ordinarie one is from this came vp three leaues of which the third was lesser than the other two the two larger were eleuen inches long and their breadth from the middle rib which was very large was on each side almost fiue inches the edges were diuided almost like an Oken case from the middle rib came other veines that ran to the ends of the diuisions and betweene these be smaller veines variously diuaricated and netted which made the leafe shew prettily The colour of it was like that of a dry oken leafe Where Dr. Colie gathered this it was vncertaine for he had left nothing in writing ‡ ¶ The Place It groweth on the bodies of old rotten trees and also vpon old walls and the tops of houses it is likewise found among rubbish neere the borders of fields especially vnder trees and thornes and now and then in woods and in some places it groweth ranke and with a broader leafe in others not so ranke and with a narrower leafe That which groweth on the bodies of old Okes is preferred before the rest in stead of this most do vse that which is found vnder the Okes which for all that is not to be termed Quercinum or Polypodie of the Oke ¶ The Time Polypody is greene all the yeere long and may be gathered at any time it bringeth forth new leaues in the first spring ¶ The Names The Grecians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the holes of the fishes Polypi appearing in the roots it is called in Latine Polypodium after the Greeke name and many times Filicula as though they should say 〈◊〉 Filix or little Ferne the Italians name it Polipodio the Spaniards Filipodio and Polypodio in high Dutch Engelfusz Baumfarn Dropffoourtz in low Dutch Boom varen in French Polypode and we of England Polypodie that which groweth vpon the wall we call Polypodie of the wall and that on the Oke Polypodie of the Oke ¶ The Temperature Polypodie doth dry but yet without biting as Galen writeth ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides writeth that it is of power to purge and to draw forth choler and flegme Actuarius addeth that it likewise purgeth melancholy other suppose it to be without any purging sorce at all or else to haue very little of the same minde is also Iohannes Monardus who thinketh it purgeth very gently which thing is confirmed by Experience the mistris of things For in very deed Polypody of it selfe doth not purge at all but onely serueth a little
Oxys is three leafed it is good for a feeble stomacke and is also eaten of those that are bursten But Galen in his fourth booke of Simples saith that Oxys is the same which Oxalis or Sorrell is and Oxys is found in Pliny to be also Iunci species or a kinde of Rush. ¶ The Nature These herbes are cold and dry like Sorrell ¶ The Vertues Sorrell du Bois or wood Sorrell stamped and vsed for greene sauce is good for them that haue sicke and feeble stomackes for it strengthneth the stomacke procureth appetite and of all Sorrel sauces is the best not onely in vertue but also in the pleasantnesse of his taste It is a remedie against putrified and stinking vlcers of the mouth it quencheth thirst and cooleth mightily an hot pestilentiall feuer especially being made in a syrrup with sugar CHAP. 504. Of noble Liuer-wort or golden Trefoile ¶ The Description 1 NOble Liuerwort hath many leaues spred vpon the ground three cornered resembling the three leaued grasse of a perfect grasse greene colour on the vpper side but grayish vnderneath among which rise vp diuers small tender foot-stalkes of three inches long on the ends whereof stands one smal single blew floure consisting of six little leaues hauing in the middle a few white chiues the seed is inclosed in little round knaps of a whitish colour which being ripe do start 〈◊〉 of themselues the root is slender composed of an infinite number of blacke strings 2 The second is like vnto the precedent in leaues roots and seeds the floures hereof are of a shining red colour wherein consisteth the difference This strange three leaued Liuerwort differeth not from the former sauing that this brings forth double blew floures tending to purple and the others not so There is another in my garden with white floures which in stalks and euery other respect is like the others 1 Hepaticum trifolium Noble Liuerwort 2 Hepatica trifolia rubra Noble red Liuerwort 3 Hepatica multiflora Lobelij Noble Liuerwort with double floures ¶ The Place These pretty floures are found in most places of Germanie in shadowie woods among shrubs and also by high-waies sides in Italy likewise and that not onely with the blew floures but the same with double floures also by the report of Alphonsus Pancius Dr. of Physicke in the Vniuersity of Ferrara a man excellently well seen in the knowledge of Simples They do all grow likewise in my garden except that with double floures which as yet is a stranger in England ‡ it is now plentiful in many gardens ‡ ¶ The Time They floure in March and April and perfect their seed in May. ¶ The Names Noble Liuerwort is called Hepatica trifolia Hepatica aurea Trifolium 〈◊〉 of Baptista Sardus Herba Trinitatis in high-Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in low-Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in French Hepatique in English Golden Trefoile three leaued Liuerwort noble Liuerwort and herbe Trinitie ¶ The Temperature These herbes are cold and drie with an astringent or binding qualitie ¶ The Vertues It is reported to be good against the weakenesse of the liuer which proceedeth of an hot cause for it cooleth and strengthneth it not a little Baptista Sardus commendeth it and writeth that the chiefe vertue is in the root if a spoonfull of the pouder 〈◊〉 be giuen certaine dayes together with wine or with some kinde of broth it profiteth much against the disease called Enterocele CHAP. 505. Of Melilot or plaister Clauer ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Melilot hath great plenty of small tough and twiggy branches and stalkes full of ioynts or knees in height two cubits set full of leaues 〈◊〉 together like vnto Burgondie hay The floures grow at the top of the stalke of a pale yellow colour standing thickly set and compact together in order or rowes very like the floures of Securidaca 〈◊〉 which being vaded there follow certaine crooked cods bending or turning vpward with a sharpe point in fashion not much vnlike a Parrets bill wherein is contained seed like Fenugreeke but flatter and slenderer the whole plant is of a reasonable good smell much like vnto honey and very full of iuyce the root is very tough and pliant 1 Melilotus Syriaca odora Assyrian Clauer 2 Melilotus Italica Patauina Italian Clauer 2 The second kinde of Melilot hath small and tender vpright stalkes a cubit high and somewhat more of a reddish colour set full of round leaues three together not snipt about the edges like the other Trefoiles and they are of a very deepe greene colour thicke fat and full of iuyce The floures grow alongst the tops of the stalkes of a yellow colour which turne into rough round seeds as big as a 〈◊〉 and of a pale colour The whole plant hath also the sauour of honey and perisheth when it hath borne his seed 3 The third kind of Melilot hath round stalks and iagged leaues set round about not much vnlike the leaues of Fenugreeke alwaies three growing together like the Trefoiles and 〈◊〉 couered ouer with an hoarinesse as though meale had been strewed vpon them The floures be yellow and small growing thicke together in a tuft which turne into little cods wherein the seed is contained the root is small tough and pliant 4 The fourth kinde of Melilot growes to the height of three cubits set full of leaues like the common Melilot and of the same sauour the floures grow alongst the top of the stalks of a white colour which turne into small soft huskes wherein is contained little blackish seed the root is also tough and pliant 3 Melilotus Coronata Kings Clauer 4 Melilotus Germanica Germane Clauer ‡ Although our Author intended this last description for our ordinarie Melilot yet he made it of another which is three times larger growing in some gardens where it is onely sowne aboue two yards high with white floures and many branches the whole shape thereof is like the common kinde as far as I remember The common Melilot hath weake cornered greene stalkes some two foot and better high whereon grow longish leaues snipt and oftentimes eaten about the edges of a fresh greene colour out of the bosomes of the leaues come little stalkes some handfull long set thicke on their tops with little yellow floures hanging downe and turning vp again each floure being composed of two little yellow leaues whereof the vppermost turnes vp again and the vndermost seemes to be parted into three The floures past there succeed little cods wherein is the seed ‡ ¶ The Place These plants grow in my garden the common English Melilot Pena setteth sorth for Melilotus Germanica but for certaintie no part of the world doth enioy so great part thereof as England and especially Essex for I haue feene betweene Sudbury in Suffolke and Clare in Essex and from Clare to Heningham and from thence to Ouendon Bulmare and 〈◊〉 very many acres of earable pasture overgrowne with the same insomuch that it doth not
somewhat longish hauing two little sharpe pointed leaues growing at the setting on of the foot-stalkes to the stalkes they are greene of colour and not snipt about the edges The heads that grow on the tops of the stalkes are round short and greene with small purple or else whitish floures like those of the common Trefoile but lesser standing in cups diuided into fiue parts which when the floures are fallen become somewhat bigger harsher and more prickly but open not themselues so much as those of the former the seed is like that of Millet but somwhat rounder This floures in Iune and the seed is ripe in Iuly I first obserued it in Dartford salt marish the tenth of Iune 1633. I haue named this Trifolium stellatum glabrum Smooth starrie headed Trefoile ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues These especially the three last seeme to be of the same temper and vertue as the common Medow Trefoiles but none of them are at this day vsed in Physicke or knowne vnlesse to some few ‡ CHAP. 597. Of Pulse ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of Pulse as Beanes Peason Tares Chiches and such like comprehended vnder this title Pulse and first of the great Beane or garden Beane ¶ The Description 1 THe great Beane riseth vp with a foure square stalke smooth hollow without ioynts long and vpright which when it is thicke sowne hath no need of propping but when it is sowne alone by it selfe it soone falleth downe to the ground it bringeth forth long leaues one standing from another consisting of many growing vpon one rib or stem euerie one whereof is somewhat fat set with veines slipperie more long than round The floures are 〈◊〉 in forme long in colour either white with blacke spots or of a blackish purple after them come vp long cods thicke full of substance slenderer below frized on the inside with a certaine whitewooll as it were or soft flockes which before they be ripe are greene and afterwards being dry they are blacke and somewhat hard as be also the cods of broome yet they be longer than those and greater in which are contained three foure or fiue Beanes seldome more long broad flat like almost to a mans naile great and oftentimes to the weight of halfe a dram for the most part white now and then of a red purplish colour which in their vpper part haue a long black nauell as it were which is couered with a naile the colour whereof is a light greene the skin of the 〈◊〉 or beane is closely compacted the inner part being dry is hard and sound and easily cleft in sunder and it hath on the one side an euident beginning of sprouting as haue also the little pease great Pease Ciches and many other Pulses The roots hereof are long and fastned with many strings 1 Fabamaior hortensis The great garden Beane 2 Fabasyluestris The wilde Beane 2 The second kinde of Beane which Pena setteth forth vnder the title of Syluestris Graecorum Faba and Dodonaeus Bonasyluestris which may be called in English Greeke Beanes hath square hollow stalkes like the garden Beanes but smaller The leaues be also like the common Beane sauing that the ends of the rib whereon those leaues do grow haue at the very end small tendrels 〈◊〉 claspers such as the pease leaues haue The 〈◊〉 are in fashion like the former but of a darke red colour which being vaded there succeed long cods which are blacke when they be ripe within which is inclosed blacke seed as big as a Pease of an vnpleasant taste and sauour ‡ 3 The common Beane in stalkes leaues floures and cods is like the former great garden Beane but lesser in them all yet the leaues are more and grow thicker and out of the bosomes of the leaues vpon little foot-stalkes grow the floures commonly six in number vpon one stalk which are succeeded by so many cods lesser and rounder than those of the former the beans themselues are also lesse and not so flat but rounder and somewhat longish their colour are either whitish yellowish or else blacke This is sowne in most places of this kingdome in corne fields and known both to man and beast I much wonder our Author forgot to mention so common and vulgarly knowne a Pulse It is the 〈◊〉 or Faselus minor of Dodonaeus and the Faba minor of Pena and Lobel ‡ ¶ The Place The first Beane is sowne in fields and gardens euery where about London This blacke Beane is sowne in a few mens gardens who be delighted in varietie and study of herbes whereof I haue great plenty in my garden ¶ The Time They floure in Aprill and May and that by parcels and they be long in flouring the fruit is ripe in Iuly and August ¶ The Names The garden Beane is called in Latine Faba in English the garden Beane the field Beane is of the same kinde and name although the fertilitie of the soile hath amended and altered the fruit into a greater forme ‡ The difference betweene the garden and field Beane is a specificke difference and not an accidentall one caused by the soile as euery one that knoweth them may well perceiue ‡ The blacke Beane whose figure we haue set forth in the second place is called Faba 〈◊〉 of some thought to be the true physicke Beane of the Antients whereupon they haue named it Faba Veterum and also Faba Graecorum or the Greeke Beane Some would haue the garden Beane to be the true Phaseolus or Kidney Bean of which number Dodonaeus is chiefe who hath so wrangled and ruffled among his relatiues that all his antecedents must be cast out of dores for his long and tedious tale of a tub we haue thought meet to commit to obliuion It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereupon the Athenians feast dayes dedicated to Apollo were named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in which Beans and Pulses were sodden in Latine it is also called Faba fresa or fracta broken or bruised Beane ‡ Dodonaeus knew well what he did as any that are either iudicious or learned may see if they looke into the first chapter of the second booke of his fourth Pemptas But our Authors words are too iniurious especially being without cause against him from whom he borrowed all that was good in this his booke except the figures of Tabernamontanus It may be Dr. Priest did not fit his translation in this place to our Authors capacitie for Dodonaeus did not affirme it to be the Phaseolus but 〈◊〉 distinguishing betweene them ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The Beane before it be ripe is cold and moist being dry it hath power to bind and restraine according to some Authors further of the temperature and vertues out of Galen The Beane as Galen saith in his booke of the Faculties of nourishments is windie meate although it be neuer so much sodden and dressed any way Beanes haue not a close and heauy substance but a
second degree and hot in the first moreouer by how much it is bitter by so much it clenseth cutteth and remoueth stoppings but if it be ouermuch vsed it bringeth forth bloud by vrine Dioscorides writeth that bitter Vetch causeth head-ache and heauy dulnesse that it troubles the belly and driueth forth bloud by vrine notwithstanding being boyled it serueth to fatten Kine There is made of the seed a meale fit to be vsed in medicine after this maner the full and white graines are chosen out and being mixed together they are steeped in water and suffered to lie till they be plumpe and afterwards are parched till the skinne be broken then are they ground and searsed or shaken thorow a meale sieue and the meale reserued This looseth the belly prouoketh vrine maketh one well coloured being ouermuch eaten or drunke it draweth bloud by the stoole with gripings and also by vrine With honey it clenseth vlcers taketh away freckles sun-burnes blacke spots in the skinne and maketh the whole 〈◊〉 faire and cleane It stayeth running vlcers or hard swellings and gangrens or mortified sores it sosteneth the hardnesse of womens breasts it taketh away and breaketh eating vlcers carbuncles and sores of the head being tempered with wine and applied it healeth the bitings of dogs and also of venomous beasts With vineger it is good against the strangurie and mitigateth paine that commeth thereof It is good for them that are not nourished after their meat being parched and taken with hony in the quantitie of a nut The decoction of the same helpeth the itch in the whole body and taketh away kibes if they be washed or bathed therewith Cicer boyled in fountaine water with some 〈◊〉 doth asswage the swelling of the yard and priuie parts of man or woman if they be washed or bathed in the decoction thereof and the substance hereof may also be applied plaisterwise It is also vsed for bathing and washing of vlcers and running sores and is applied vnto the 〈◊〉 of the head with great profit CHAP. 515. Of the Vetch or Fetch ¶ The Description 1 THe Vetch hath slender and foure squared stalkes almost three foot long the leaues be long with clasping tendrels at the end made vp of many little leaues growing vpon one rib or middle stem euery one whereof is greater broader and thicker than that of the Lentil the floures are like to the floures of the garden beane but of a blacke purple colour the cods be broad small and in euery one are contained fiue or six graines not round but flat like those of the Lentil of colour blacke and of an vnpleasant taste ‡ 2 There is another of this kinde which hath a creeping and liuing root from which it 〈◊〉 deth forth crested stalkes some cubit and halfe high the leaues are winged commonly a dozen growing vpon one rib which ends in a winding tendrel each peculiar leafe is broader toward the bottome and sharper towards the top which ends not flat but somewhat round Out of the 〈◊〉 of the leaues towards the tops of the stalkes on short foot-stalkes grow two three or more pretty large pease-fashioned blewish purple floures which are succeeded by such cods as the former but somewhat lesser which when they grow ripe become blacke and fly open of themselues ‡ 1 Vicia Tare Vetch or Fetch 2 Vicia maxima 〈◊〉 Bush Vetch ‡ 3 Vicia syl flo albo White floured Vetch 4 Vicia sylue stris siue Cracca maior Strangle Tare Tine or wilde Fetch ‡ 5 〈◊〉 siue Cracca minima Small wilde Tare 3 This also hath a lasting root which sendeth vp round crested branches a foot and somtimes a cubit high whereon grow such leaues as those of the former but more white and downie the floures which grow on short foot-stalkes out of the bosomes of the leaues towards the top of the stalks are of a whitish colour with veines of a dusky colour diuaricated ouer the vpper leafe the cods are like those of the common Fetch Clusius found this in some wilde places of Hungarie it floured in May 〈◊〉 he calls it Vicia syluestris albo flore ‡ 4 Strangle Tare called in some countries Tine and of others wilde Vetch is a ramping herbe like vnto the common Tare 〈◊〉 and clymbing among corne where it chanceth that it plucketh it downe to the ground and ouergroweth the same in such sort that it spoileth and killeth not only wheat but all other graine whatsoeuer the herbe is better known than desired therefore these few lines shall suffice for the description ‡ This groweth pretty long with many slender weake branches the leaues are much smaller than the former and end in clasping tendrels the floures are of a purple colour and commonly grow but one at a ioint and they are succeeded by flat sharpe pointed cods which containe some nine or ten seeds apiece 5 This also growes a good height with slenderer stalks than the former which is diuided into sundry branches the leaues grow foure or six vpon foot-stalkes ending also in clasping tendrels the floures grow vpon pretty long but very slender foot-stalkes sometimes two or three otherwhiles more very small and of a whitish colour inclining to blewnesse which are succeeded by little short flat cods containing commonly foure or fiue little seeds of a blackish colour this is the Arachus siue Cracca minima of Lobel but I question whether it be that which Bauhine in his Pinax hath made the same with it calling it Vicia segetum cum siliquis plurimis hirsutis for that which I haue described and which exactly agrees with this figure of Lobel and that description in the Aduers hath cods very smooth without any hairinesse at all This floures most part of Sommer and growes in most places both in corne fields and medowes ‡ ¶ The Place The Tare is sowne in any ground or soile whatsoeuer ¶ The Time It floureth in May and perfecteth his seed toward September ¶ The Names It is called in Latine Vicia à vinciendo of binding or wrapping as Varro noteth because saith he it hath likewise clasping tendrels such as the vine hath by which it crawles vpward vpon the stalks of the weeds which are next vnto it of some Cracca and Arachus and also Aphaca it is called in high-Dutch 〈◊〉 in low-Dutch Uitsen in French Vesce in most shops it is falsely termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Fruum for Eruum doth much differ from Vicia it is called in English Vetch or Fetch The countrey men lay vp this Vetch with the seeds and whole plant that it may be a fodder for their cattell ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Notwithstanding I haue knowne saith Galen some who in time of famin haue fed hereof especially in the spring it being but greene yet is it hard of digestion and bindeth the belly Therefore seeing it is of this kinde of nature it is manifest that the nourishment which comes thereof hath in it no good iuyce at all
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
is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Cerrus yet doth Pliny make mention both of Aegilops and also of Cerrus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is likewise one of the diseases of corne called in Latine Festuca in English wilde Otes and far differing from the tree Aegilops That which hangeth from the boughs Pliny lib. 16. cap. 8. calleth Panus onely that acorne tree named Aegilops bringeth forth Panos arentes withered prickes couered with white mossie iags hanging downe not only in the barke but also from the 〈◊〉 halfe a yard in bignesse bearing a sweet smell as we haue said among ointments ¶ The Temperature and Vertues We finde nothing written of the faculties of this tree among the old Writers neither of our owne experience CHAP. 36. Of the Corke Oke ¶ The Description 1 THe Corke tree is of a middle bignesse like vnto Ilex or the barren skarlet Oke but with a thicker body and fewer boughes the leaues be for the most part greater broader rounder and more nicked in the edges the barke of the tree is thicke very rugged and full of chinkes or crannies that cleaueth and diuideth it selfe into pieces which vnlesse they be taken away in due time do giue place to another barke growing vnderneath which when the old is remoued is maruellous red as though it were painted with some colour the 〈◊〉 standeth in a cup which is great bristled rough and full of prickles this Acorne is also astringent or binding more vnpleasant than the Holme Acorne greater in one place and lesse in another 2 The Corke tree with narrow leaues groweth likewise to the height and bignesse of a great tree the trunke or body whereof is couered with a rough and scabbed barke of an ouerworn blackish colour which likewise cleaueth and casteth his coat when the inner barke groweth somwhat thicke the branches are long tough and flexible easie to be bowed any way like those of the Oziar whereupon do grow leaues like those of the precedent but longer and little or nothing indented about the edges the fruit groweth in small cups as the Acornes doe they are lesser than those of the other kinde as is the rest of the tree wherein is the chiefest difference ‡ This varies in the leafe as you may see in the figure which in some is snipt about the edge in other 〈◊〉 not at all 1. 2. Suber latifolium angustisolium The Corke tree with broad and narrow leaues ¶ The Place It groweth in the countrey of Aquitania neere to the mountaines called Pyrenaei it also groweth plentifully in the kingdomes of Spaine differing somewhat from that of Aquitania as 〈◊〉 declareth it is likewise found in Italy and that in the territorie of Pisa with a longer leafe and sharper pointed and about Rome with a broader and cut in the edges like a saw and rougher 〈◊〉 Matthiolus testifieth ¶ The Time The leaues of the first are alwaies greene in Spaine and Italy about the Pyrenaean mountaines they fall away in Winter ¶ The Names This tree is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Suber in French Liege in Italian Sugaro the same names do also belong to the barke the Spaniards call the tree Alcornoque the Englishmen Corke tree and the barke Corchade Alcornoque whereupon the Low-countrey men and English men also do call it Corke and yet it is called in low-Dutch also 〈◊〉 ¶ The Temperature and Vertues This barke doth manifestly dry with a binding facultie Being beaten to pouder and taken in water it stancheth bleeding in any part of the body The Corke which is taken out of wine vessels saith Paulus being burnt maketh ashes which do mightily dry and are mixed in compositions diuised against the bloudy flix Corke is also profitable for many things it is vsed saith Pliny about the anchors of 〈◊〉 Fishers nets and to stop vessels with and in Winter for womens shooes which vse remaines with vs euen to this day fishermen hang this barke vpon the wings of their nets for feare of sinking and shoo-makers put it in shooes and pantofles for warmnesse sake CHAP. 37. Of the Gall tree ¶ The Kindes OF trees that bring forth Galls there be diuers sorts as may appeare by the diuers formes and sorts of Galls set forth in this present chapter which may serue for their seuerall distinctions whereof some bring forth Acornes likewise and some nothing but Galls the figures of some few of the trees shall giue you sufficient knowledge of the rest for all the Acorne or Mast trees bring forth Galls but those trees whose figures we haue set forth do beare those Galls fit for medicine and to thicken skins with Dioscorides and Galen make but two sorts of Galls the one little yellow full of holes and more spongie in the inner part both of them round hauing the forme of a little ball and the other smooth and euen on the out side sinee the later wrirers haue found moe some hauing certain little knobs sticking forth like in forme to the Gall which doth also cleaue and grow without 〈◊〉 to the leafe There is also found a certaine excrescence of a light greene colour spongic and waterie in the middle whereof now and then is found a little flie or worme which soft ball in hot countries doth oftentimes become hard like the little smooth Gall as Theophrastus saith 1 Galla siue Robur maius The great Gall tree ‡ 2 Robur siue Galla maior altera Another great Gall tree ¶ The Description 1 THe Gall tree growes vp to a sufficient height hauing a very faire trunk or body whereon are placed long twiggy branches bringing forth very faire leaues broad and nicked in the edges like the teeth of a saw among which come forth acornes although the figure expresse not the same like those of the Oke and likewise a wooddy excrescence which we name the Gall hauing certaine small eminences or bunches on the out side growing for the most part vpon the slender branches without stalks and somtimes they grow at the ends thereof which by the heate of the Sun are harder greater and more sollid in one countrey than another according to the soile and clymat 3 Galla minor The little Gall tree ‡ 2 This growes to the height of a tall man hauing leaues deepely diuided on the edges like the Oke and they are green aboue but hairy and hoary below it carries a great Gall of the bignesse of a little Apple and that in great plenty without any order This groweth in diuers parts of old Castile in Spain and in all the mountainous woods about Vienna in Austria ‡ 3 The lesser Gall tree differeth not from the former sauing that it is altogether lesser the fruit and Gall is likewise lesser wherein especially consisteth the difference ¶ The Place The Galls are sound in Italy Spaine and Bohemia and most of the hot regions ¶ The Time The Gall saith Pliny appeareth or commeth forth when the Sun commeth out
laid plaisterwise vpon the temples staieth the rheume from falling into the iawes and teeth and easeth the paines thereof It preuaileth much against vlcers and wounds being put into digestiues and healing Vnguents It draweth flegme sorth of the head gently and without trouble It is also vsed in waters which serue to clense and make faire the face with The decoction of this filleth vp hollow vlcers with flesh if they be bathed therewith It knitteth broken bones staieth eating vlcers and prouoketh vrine CHAP. 85. Of the Turpentine Tree 1 Terebint hus The Turpentine tree 2 Terebint hus latifolia The broad leafed Turpentine tree ¶ The Description 1 THe first Turpentine Tree groweth to the height of a tall and faire tree hauing many long boughes or branches dispersed abroad beset with long leaues consisting of sundry other small leaues each whereof resembleth the Bay leafe growing one against another vpon a little stem or middle rib like vnto the leaues of the Ash tree the floures be small reddish growing vpon clusters or bunches that turne into round berries which at their beginning are greene afterwards reddish but being ripe wax blacke or of a darke blew colour clammie full of fat and oilous in substance and of a pleasant sauour this plant beareth an empty cod or crooked horne somewhat reddish wherein are found small flies wormes or gnats bred and ingendred of a certaine humorous matter which cleaueth to the inner sides of the said cods or hornes which wormes haue no physicall vse at all The right 〈◊〉 issueth out of the branches of those trees if you do cut or wound them the which is faire and cleere and better than that which is gathered from the barke of the 〈◊〉 tree 2 The second kinde of Turpentine tree is very like vnto the former but that it groweth not so great yet the leaues are greater and broader and of the same fashion but very like to the leaues of the Pistacia tree The berries are first 〈◊〉 a scarlet colour and when they be ripe of a skie colour The great horned cods are sharpe pointed and somewhat 〈◊〉 consisting as it were of the substance of gristles And out of those bladders being broken do creepe and come small flies or gnats bred of a fuliginous excrement and ingendred in those bladders The tree doth 〈◊〉 yeeld his Turpentine by dropping like the former ¶ The Place These trees grow as Dioscorides saith in Iurie Syria Cyprus Africke and in the Islands called Cyclades Bellonius reporreth that there are found great store of them in Syria and Cilicia and are brought from thence to Damascus to be sold. Clusius saith that 〈◊〉 growes of it selfe in Languedocke and in very many places of Portingale and Spaine but for the most part like a shrub and without bearing Turpentiue Theophrastus writeth that it groweth about the hill Ida and in Macedonia short in manner of a shrub and writhed and in Damascus and Syria great in manner of a small tree he also 〈◊〉 downe a certaine male Turpentine tree and a female the male saith he is barren and the female fruitfull And of these he maketh the one with a berry red at the first of the bignesse of a Lentill which cannot come to ripenes and the other with the fruit greene at the first afterwards somewhat of a yellowish red and in the end blacke waxing ripe in the spring of the bignesse of the Grecians Beane and rosenny He also writeth of a certaine Indian Turpentine tree that is to say a tree like in boughes and leaues to the right Turpentine tree but differing in fruit which is like vnto 〈◊〉 ¶ The 〈◊〉 The floures of the Turpentine tree come forth in the spring together with the new buds the berries are ripe in September and October in the time of Grape gathering The hornes 〈◊〉 about the same time ¶ The Names This tree is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and also many times 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Terebinthus in Italian Terebintho in Spanish Cornicabra in French Terebinte in English Turpentine tree the Arabians call it Botin and with an article Albotin The Rosin is surnamed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Terebinthina in high Dutch Termintijn in English Turpentine and right Turpentine in the Arabian language Albotia who name the fruit Granum viride or greene berries ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The barke leaues and fruit of the Turpentine tree do somewhat binde they are hot in the second degree and being greene they dry moderately but when they are dryed they dry in the second degeee and the fruit approacheth more neere to those that be dry in the third degree and also hotter This is fit to be eaten as Dioscorides saith but it hurteth the stomacke It prouoketh vrine helpeth those that haue bad spleenes and is drunke in wine against the bitings of the poysonsome spiders called Phalangia The Rosin of the Turpentine tree excelleth all other Rosins according to Dioscorides his opininion but Galen writeth that the Rosin of the masticke tree beareth the preheminence and then the Turpentine This Rosin hath also an astringent or binding facultie and 〈◊〉 not so much as masticke but it hath withall a certaine bitternesse ioyned by reason whereof it digesteth more than that of the Masticke tree thorow the same qualitie there is likewise in it so great a clensing as also it healeth scabs in his 8. booke of the faculties of simple medicines but in his booke of medicines according to the kindes he maketh that of the Turpentine tree to be much like the Rosins of the Larch tree which he affirmeth to be moister than all the rest and to be without both sharpnesse and biting The fruit of Turpentine prouoketh vrine and stirreth vp fleshly lust The Rosine of this tree which is the right Turpentine looseth the belly openeth the stoppings of the liuer and spleene prouoketh vrine and driueth forth grauell being taken the quantitie of two or three Beanes The like quantitie washed in water diuers times vntill it be white then must be put thereto the like quantity of the yolk of an egge and laboured togetheradding thereto by little and little continually stirring it a small draught of possit drinke made of white wine and giuen to drink in the morning fasting ithelpeth most speedily the Gonorrhaea or running of the reines commonly at the first time but the medicine neuer faileth at the second time of the taking of it which giues stooles from foure to eight according to the age and strength of the patient CHAP. 86. Of the Frankincense tree ¶ The Description THe tree from which Frankincense floweth is but low and hath leaues like the Mastick tree yet some are of opinion that the leafe is like the leafe of a Peare tree and of a grassie colour the rinde is like that of the Bay tree whereof there are two kindes the one groweth in mountains and rockie places the other in the plaine but those in the
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
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 ¶
were a vault through the thickest part from which also they cut certaine loope-holes or windowes in some places to the end to receiue thereby the fresh coole aire that entreth thereat as also for light that they may see their cattell that feed thereby to auoid any danger that might happen vnto them either by the enemie or wilde beasts from which vault or close walke doth rebound such an admirable echo or answering voice if one of them speake vnto another aloud that it doth resound or answer againe foure or fiue times according to the height of the voice to which it doth answer and that so plainly that it cannot be knowne from the voice it selfe the first or mother of this wood or desart of trees is hard to be knowne from the children but by the greatnesse of the body which three men can scarsely 〈◊〉 about vpon the branches whereof grow leaues hard and wrinckled in shape like those of the Quince tree greene aboue and of a whitish hoary colour vnderneath whereupon the Elephants delight to feed among which leaues 〈◊〉 forth the fruit of the bignes of a mans thumbe in shape like a small Fig but of a sanguine or bloudy colour and of a sweet tast but not so pleasant as the Figs of Spaine notwithstanding they are good to be eaten and withall very 〈◊〉 Arbor ex Goa siue Indica The arched Indian Fig tree ¶ The Place This wondrous tree groweth in diuers places of the East Indies especially neere vnto Goa and also in Malaca it is a stranger 〈◊〉 most parts of the world ¶ The Time This tree keepeth his leaues green 〈◊〉 and Sommer ¶ The Names This tree is called of those that haue trauelled Ficus Indica the Indian Fig and Arbor Goa of the place where it groweth in greatest plenty we may call it in English the arched Fig tree ‡ Such as desire to see more of this Fig tree may haue recourse to Clusius his Exoticks lib. I. cap. I. where he shewes it was mentioned by diuers antient Writers as Q. Curtius lib. 9. Plin. lib. 12. ca. 5. Strabo lib. 5. and 〈◊〉 Hist. Plant. lib. 4. cap. 5. by the name of Ficus Indica ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues We haue nothing to write of the temperature or vertues of this tree of our owne knowledge neither haue wee receiued from others more than that the fruit hereof is generally eaten and that without any hurt at all but rather good and also nourishing CHAP. 136. Of Adams Apple tree or the West-Indian Plantaine ¶ The Description WHether this plant may be reckoned for a tree properly or for an herby Plant it is disputable considering the soft and herby substance whereof it is made that is to say when it hath attained to the height of six or seuen cubits and of the bignesse of a mans thigh notwithstanding it may be cut downe with one stroke of a sword or two or three cuts with a knife euen with as much ease as the root of a Radish or Carrot of the like bignesse from a thicke fat threddy root rise immediately diuers great leaues of the length of three cubits and a halfe sometimes more according to the soile where it groweth and of a cubit and more broad of bignes sufficient to wrap a childe in of two yeares old in shape like those of Mandrake of an ouerworn green colour hauing a broad rib running thorow the middle thereof which leaues whether by reason of the extreme hot scorching Sun or of their owne nature in September are so dry and withered that there is nothing thereof left or to be seene but onely the middle rib From the middest of these leaues riseth vp a thicke trunke whereon doth grow the like leaues which the people do cut off as also those next the ground by meanes whereof it riseth vp to the height of a tree which otherwise would remaine a low and base plant This manner of cutting they vse from time to time vntill it come to a certaine height aboue the reach of the Elephant which greedily seeketh after the fruit In the middest of the top among the leaues commeth sorth a soft and fungous stumpe whereon do grow diuers apples in forme like a small Cucumber and of the same bignesse couered with a thin rinde like that of the Fig of a yellow colour when they be ripe the pulpe or substance of the meate is like that of the Pompion without either seeds stones or kernels in tast not greatly perceiued at the first but presently after it pleaseth and entiseth a man to eat liberally thereof by a certaine entising sweetnes it yeelds in which fruit if it be cut according to the length saith myne Author oblique transuerse or any other way whatsoeuer may be seen the shape and forme of a crosse with a man fastned thereto My selfe haue seene the fruit and cut it in pieces which was brought me from Aleppo in pickle the crosse I might perceiue as the forme of a spred-Egle in the root of Ferne but the man I leaue to be sought for by those that haue better eyes and iudgment than my selfe Musa Serapionis Adams Apple tree Musae Fructus Adams Apple ‡ Aprill 10. 1633. my much honored friend Dr. Argent now President of the Colledge of Physitions of London gaue me a plant he receiued from the Bermuda's the length of the stalke was some two foot the thicknesse thereof some seuen inches about being crested and full of a soft pith so that one might easily with a knife cut it asunder It was crooked a little or indented so that each two or three inches space it put forth a knot of some halfe inch thicknesse and some inch in length which incompassed it more than halfe about and vpon each of these ioints or knots in two rankes one aboue another grew the fruit some twenty nineteene eighteene c. more or lesse at each knot for the branch I had contained nine knots or diuisions and vpon the lowest knot grew twenty and vpon the vppermost fifteene The fruit which I receiued was not ripe but greene each of them was about the bignesse of a large Beane the length of them some fiue inches and the bredth some inch and halfe they all hang their heads downewards haue rough or vneuen ends and are fiue cornered and if you turne the vpper side downward they somewhat resemble a boat as you may see by one of them exprest by it selfe the huske is as thicke as a Beanes and will easily shell off it the pulpe is white and soft the stalke whereby it is fastned to the knot is verie short and almost as thicke as ones little finger This stalke with the fruit thereon I hanged vp in my shop were it became ripeabout the beginning of May and lasted vntil Iune the pulp or meat was very soft and tender and it did eate somewhat like a Muske-Melon I haue giuen you the figure of the whole branch with the fruit thereon
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
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
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
certainly the faculties of this fruit are not very much vnlike those which Dioscorides attributes to his Amomum for it hath an heating astrictiue and drying facultie and I thinke it may performe those things whereto Dioscorides Lib. 1. Cap. 14. saith his is good yet this wanteth some notes which he giues vnto his as the leaues of Bryonie c. But I more diligently considering this Exoticke fruit finde some prime notes which do much moue me for I will ingenuously professe what I thinke to iudge it the Garyophyllon of Pliny for he Hist. Nat. lib. 12. cap. 7. after he hath treated of Pepper addes these words There is besides in the Indies a thing like to the Pepper corne which is called Garyophyllon but more great and fragil they affirme it growes in an Indian groue it is brought ouer for the smels sake Though this description be briefe and succinct neither containes any faculties of the fruit it selfe yet it hath manifest notes which compared with those which the fruit I here giue you possesse you shal find them very like as comparing them to Pepper cornes yet bigger and more fragile as for the most part these berries are their smell is also very pleasing and comming very neere to that of Cloues and for the smells sake only they were brought ouer in Plinies time I found this fruit being chewed made the breath to smell well and it is credible that it would be good for many other purposes if triall were made CHAP. 19. Of Guaiacum or Indian Pock-wood Guaiaci arboris ramulus A branch of the Guaiacum tree ¶ The Description GVaiacum which some call Lignum Sanctum others Lignum vitae is a well kown wood though of a tree nknown or at least not certainly knowne for this figure which I here giue you out of Clusius was gotten and the historie framed as you shall heare by his own words taken out of his Scholia vpon the 21 Chapter of Monardus About the beginning saith he of the yeare 1601. I receiued from Peter Garret a branch of a foot long which he writ was giuen him by a certaine Surgeon lately returned from America for a branch of the tree Guaiacum which if it be a branch of the true Guaiacum then hath Nicolas Monardus sleightly enough set downe the historie of this tree I thus described this branch which was sent me This branch was a foot long very writhen and distinguished with many knots scarse at the lower end equalling the thicknesse of a writing pen or goose quil hauing an hard and yellowish wood and a wrinkled barke o an ash colour at the vpper end it was diuided into slender branches whereof some yet retained their leaues and other some the floures and the rudiment of the fruit the leaues or more truly the wings or foot-stalkes of the leaues grew vpon slender branches one against another each winged leafe hauing foure or 〈◊〉 little leaues alwaies growing by couples one against other as in the Masticke tree and these were thickish round and distinguished with many veines which by reason of their drinesse as I obserued would easily fall off leauing the footstalks naked and onely retaining the markes whereas the leaues had beene In the knots of the vpper branches there grew as it were swellings out of which together grew six eight ten or more slender foot-stalkes some inch long each carrying a floure not great consisting of six little leaues but whether white yellow or blew I could not by reason of the drinesse iudge out of the middle of the floure grew many little threds and in some the rudiment of the fruit began to appeare hauing two cels almost shaped like the seed-vessell of the common Shepheards purse Thus much Clusius who afterwards receiued the fruit from two or three but the most perfect from the learned Apothecarie Iohn Pona of Verona they are commonly parted into two parts or cels yet he obserued one with three he found longish stones in them almost like those of Euonymus and they consisted of a very hard and hairy substance like to that of the Date stones containing a smooth kernel of a yellowish colour Now will I giue you the descriptions of Monardus then what I haue obserued my selfe of this wood which I must confesse is very little yet which may giue some light to the ignorant Of this wood saith Monardus many haue written many waies saying that it is either Ebonie or a kinde of Box or calling it by some other names But as it is a new kinde of tree not found in these regions or any other of the whole world described by the Antients but only those of late discouered so this shall be a new tree to vs howeuer it be it is a large tree of the bigues of the Ilex ful of branches hauing a great matrix or blackish pith the substance of the wood being harder than Ebonie the barke is thicke gummie or fat and when the wood is dry falleth easily off the leaues are smal and hard the floure yellow the which is followed by a round follid fruit containing in it seeds like those of the Medlar It growes plentifully in the Isles of Sancto Domingo Another kinde of this was afterwards found in the Island of S. Iohn de Puerto rico neere to the former it is also like the last described but altogether lesse and almost without matrix or pith smelling stronger and being bitterer than the former which being left this is now in vse and of the wondrous effects it is called Lignum sanctum neither without desert being experience giuing testimonie it excells the other yet both their faculties are admirable in curing the French disease and therefore the water or decoction of both of them are drunke either mixed together or seuerally both for the cure of the forementioned disease as also against diuers other affects Thus much for Monardus his description The wood which is now in vse with vs is of a large tree whose wood is very heauy sollid and fit to turne into bowles or the like and all that I haue yet seene hath been wholly without matrix or pith and commonly it is of a darke brownish colour somewhat inclining to yellow hauing a ring of white ingirting it next to the barke I haue obserued a tree whose diametre hath been two foot and a quarter to haue had as little or lesse of this white wood as one whose diameter was thirteene inches and this which was thirteene inches had only a white circle about it of one inch in bredth I thinke the yonger the tree is the bigger the white circle is the best wood is dense heauy brownish leauing a quicke and biting taste in the decoction as also his smell and colour The barke of this wood is also dense and heauy of a hard substance and yellowish colour within but rough and greenish or else grayish without and of somewhat a bitterish taste Thus much for the description of the wood and his barke
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
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
the top whereof growes a sharpe prickly round head much after the manner of the last described each of the seed-vessels whereof this head consists ends in a prickly stalke hauing fiue or seuen points whereof the vppermost that is in the middle is the longest The seed that is contained in these prickly vessels is little and transparent like in colour to that of Cow-wheat The floures as in others of this kinde hang trembling vpon yellowish small threds ‡ ¶ The Place and Time 1 2 They grow in watery medows and fields as you may see in Saint Georges fields and such like places 3 4 Both these grow in diuers mountainous places of Italy the later whereof floures in May. ¶ The Names The first is called Hedge-hog Grasse and in Latine Gramen Echinatum by reason of those prickles which are like vnto a hedge-hog The second hairy Grasse is called Gramen exile hirsutum Cyperoides because it is small and little and rough or hairy like a Goat and Cyperoides because his roots do spring and creepe like the Cyperus ‡ 3 This by Anguillara is thought to be Combretum of Pliny it is Gram. lucidum of 〈◊〉 and Gramen hirsutum capitulo globoso of Bauhine Pin. pag. 7. 4 Fabius Columna calls this Gramen montanum Echinatum tribuloides capitatum and Bauhine nameth it Gramen spica subrotunda echinata Wee may call it in English Round headed Caltrope Grasse ¶ The Vertues 3 The heade of this which I haue thought good to call Siluer-grasse is very good to be applied to greene wounds and effectuall to stay bleeding Caesalp ‡ CHAP. 15. Of Hairy Wood 〈◊〉 ¶ The Description 1 HAiry Wood-grasse hath broad rough leaues somewhat like the precedent but much longer and they proceed from a threddy root which is very thicke and ful of strings as the common Grasse with small stalkes rising vp from the same roots but the top of these stalkes is diuided into a number of little branches and on the end of euery one of them standeth a little floure or huske like the top of Allium Vrsinum or common Ramsons wherein the seed is contained when the floure is fallen 2 Cyperus Wood-grasse hath many sheary grassie leaues proceeding from a root made of many hairy strings or threds among which there riseth vp sundry straight and vpright stalkes on whose tops are certaine scaly and chaffie huskes or rather spikie blackish eares not much vnlike the catkins or tags which grow on Nut-trees or Aller trees 1 Gramen hirsutum nemorosum Hairy Wood-grasse 2 Gramen Cyperinum nemorosum Cyperus Wood-grasse ¶ The Place Time and Names These two grow in woods or shadowie places and may in English be called Wood-grasses Their time is common with the rest ¶ Their Nature and Vertues There is nothing to be said of their nature and vertues being as vnknowne as most of the former CHAP. 16. Of Sea Spike-Grasse ¶ The Description 1 SEa Spike-grasse hath many small hollow round leaues about six inches long rising from a bushy threddy white fibrous root which are very soft and smooth in handling Among these leaues there doe spring vp many small rushy stalkes alongst which are at the first diuers small flouring round buttons the sides whereof falling away the middle part growes into a longish seed-vessell standing vpright 1 Gramen marinum spicatum Sea Spike-grasse 2 Gramen spicatum alterum Saltmarsh Spike grasse 2 Salt-marsh Spike-grasse hath a woody tough thicke root with some small hairy threds fastned thereunto out of which arise long and thicke leaues very like those of that Sea-grasse we vulgarly call Thrift And amongst these leaues grow vp slender naked rushy stalkes which haue on one side small knobs or buttons of a greenish colour hanging on them 3 The third hath many rushy leaues tough and hard of a browne colour well resembling Rushes his root is compact of many small tough and long strings His stalke is bare and naked of leaues vnto the top on which it hath many small pretty chaffie buttons or heads 4 The fourth is like the third sauing that it is larger the stalke also is thicker and taller than that of the former bearing at the top such huskes as are in Rushes 5 Great Cypresse Grasse hath diuers long three-square stalkes proceeding from a root compact of many long and tough strings or threds The leaues are long and broad like vnto the sedge called Carex The spike or eare of it is like the head of Plantaine and very prickly and commonly of a yellowish greene colour 6 Small Cypresse Grasse is like vnto the other in root and leaues sauing that it is smaller His stalke is smooth and plaine bearing at the top certaine tufts or pannicles like to the last described in roughnesse and colour 3 Gramen junceum marinum Sea Rush-grasse 4 Gramen junceum maritimum Marish Rush-grasse 5 Gramen palustris Cyperoides Great Cypresse Grasse 6 Gramen Cyperoides parvum Small Cypresse Grasse 7 Gramen aquaticum Cyperoides vulgatius Water Cypresse Grasse 8 Gramen Cyperoides spicatum Spike Cypresse Grasse 9 Gramen 〈◊〉 syluaticum Wood Rushy-grasse 7 The first of these two kindes hath many crooked and crambling roots of awoody substance very like vnto the right Cyperus differing from it onely in smell because the right Cyperus roots haue a fragrant smell and these none at all His leaues are long and broad rough sharp or cutting at the edges like sedge His stalke is long big and three square like to Cyperus and on his top a chaffie vmbel or tuft like vnto the true Cyperus ‡ 8 The second kinde hath many broad leaues like vnto those of Gillouers but of a fresher greene amongst the which riseth vp a short stalke some handful or two high bearing at the top three or foure short eares of a reddish murrey colour and these eares grow commonly together at the top of the stalk and not one vnder another There is also another lesser sort hereof with leaues and roots like the former but the stalke is commonly shorter and it hath but one single eare at the top thereof You haue the figures of both these exprest in the same table or piece This kinde of Grasse is the Gramen spicatum 〈◊〉 Vetonicae of Lobel ‡ 9 This hath long tough and hairy strings growing deepe in the earth like a turfe which make the root from which rise many crooked tough and rushy stalks hauing toward the top scaly and chaffie knobs or buttons ‡ This growes some halfe yard high with round brownish heads and the leaues are ioynted as you see them expressed in the figure we here giue you ‡ ¶ The Place Time Names Nature and Vertues All the Grasses which we haue described in this chapter doe grow in marish and watery places neere to the sea or other fenny grounds or by muddy and myrie ditches at the same time that the others do grow and flourish Their names are easily gathered of the places they
hath small creeping roots the stalks are some cubit high slender ioynted and set with short narrow leaues at the top of the stalke growes the eare long slender and bending composed of downy huskes containing a seed like to a naked Ote The seed is ripe in Iuly It growes in the mountainous and shadowie woods of Hungary Austria and Bohemia Our Author mistaking himselfe in the figure and as much in the title gaue the figure of this for Burnt Barley with this title Hordeum Distichon See the former edition pag. 66. 2 I cannot omit this elegant Grasse found by M. Goodyer vpon the wals of the antient city of Winchester and not described as yet by any that I know of It hath a fibrous and stringy root from which arise leaues long and narrow which growing old become round as those of Spartum or Mat-weed amongst these grassie leaues there growes vp a slender stalke some two foot long scarse standing vpright but oft times hanging down the head or top of the eare it hath some two ioints and at each of these a pretty grassy leafe The eare is almost a foot in length composed of many small and slender hairy tufts which when they come to maturitie looke of a grayish or whitish colour and do very well resemble a Capons taile whence my friend the first obseruer thereof gaue it the title of Gramen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Capons-taile Grasse by which name I receiued the seed thereof which sowen tooke root and flourishes ‡ 1 Gra. montanum avenaceum Mountaine Hauer-grasse ‡ 2 Gramen murorum spica 〈◊〉 Capon-taile Grasse 3 Next to this I thinke fit to place the Gramen Cristatum or Cocks-combe grasse of 〈◊〉 This Grasse hath for the root many white fibrous threds thicke packt together the leaues are but short about the bignesse of the ordinarie medow grasse the stalks are some cub it and halfe high with some two or three knots a piece the leaues of the stalke are some foure or fiue inches long the eare is small longish of a pale greene colour somewhat bending so that in some sort it resembles the combe of a Cocke or the seed-vessell of that plant which is called Caput Gallinaccum This is ordinarily to be found in most medowes about Mid-summer 4 There is also commonly about the same time in our medowes to be found a Grasse growing to some cub it high hauing a small stalke at the top whereof there growes an eare some inch and an halfe or two inches long consisting as it were of two rankes of corne it very much resembles Rieboth in shape and colour and in his short bearded awnes wherefore it may very fitly be termed Gramen secalinum or Rie-grasse Yet is it not Gramen spica secalina which Bauhine describes in the fifty seuenth place in his Prodromus pag. 18. for that is much taller and the eare much larger than this of my description 5 In diuers places about hedges in Iuly and August is to be found a fine large tall Grasse which Bauhine who also first described it hath vnder the name of Gramen spica 〈◊〉 This hath stalkes as tall as Rie but not so thicke neither are the leaues so broad at the top of the stalk grow diuers pretty little flattish eares consisting of two rankes of 〈◊〉 huskes or seed-vessells which haue yellowish little floures like to those of Wheat 6 There is also commonly to be found about May or the beginning of Iune in medowes and such places that grasse which in the Historia Lugdun is set forth vnder the 〈◊〉 of Cramen Lanatum Daleschampij the stalkes and leaues are much like the common 〈◊〉 grasse but that they are more whitish and hairy the head or panicle is also soft and woolly and it is commonly of a gray or else a murrie colour 7 There is to be found in some bogs in Summer time about the end of Iuly a pretty rushie grasse some foote or better in height the stalke is hard and rushie hauing some three ioints at each whereof therecomes forth aleafe as in other grasses and out of the bosome of the two vppermost of these leaues comes out a slender stalke being some 2 or 3 inches high and at the top thereof growes as in a little vmble a prety white 〈◊〉 floure and at or nigh to the top of the maine stalke there grow three or foure such sloures clustering together vpon little short and slender foot stalkes the leaues are but small and some handfull or better long the roote I did not obserue This seemes to haue some 〈◊〉 with the 〈◊〉 junceum aquaticum formerly described in the ninth chapter I neuer found this but once and that was in the companie of M. Thomas Smith and M. Iames Clarke Apothecaries of London we riding into Windsore Forest 〈◊〉 the search of rare plants and we found this vpon a bogge neere the high way side at the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the great parke I thinke it may very fitly be called Gramen 〈◊〉 leucanthemum White 〈◊〉 rush-grasse 8 The last yeare at Margate in the Isle of Tenet neere to the sea side and by the chalky 〈◊〉 I obserued a pretty litle grasse which from a small white fibrous roote sent vp a number of 〈◊〉 of an vnequall height for the longest which were those that lay partly spred vpon the 〈◊〉 were some handfull high the other that grew straight vp were not so much and of this one inch and halfe was taken vp in the spike or eare which was no thicker than the rest of the stalke and seemed nothing else but a plaine smooth stalke vnlesse you looked vpon it earnestly and then you might perceiue it to be like Darnell grasse wherefore in the Iournal that I wrot of this Simpling voyage I called it pag. 3. Gramen parvum marinum spica Loliacea I iudge it to be the 〈◊〉 that Bauhinc in his Prodromus pag. 19 hath set forth vnder the name of Gramen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spica simplici It may be called in English Dwarfe Darnell Grasse 9 The Darnell grasse that I compared the eare of this last described vnto is not the Gramen 〈◊〉 which our Author called Darnel-grasse but another grasse growing in most places with stalkes about some span high but they seldome stand vpright the eare is made iust like that which hereafter chap. 58. is called Lolium rubrum Red Darnell of which I iudge this a variety differing little therefrom but in smallnesse of growth 10 Vpon Hampsted heath I haue often obserued a small grasse whose longest leaues are seldome aboue two or three inches high and these leaues are very greene small and perfectly round like the Spartum Austriacum or Feather-grasse I could neuer finde any stalke or eare vpon it wherefore I haue brought it into the Garden to obserue it better In the forementioned Iournall pag. 33. you may finde it vnder the name of Gramen Spartium capillacco folio minimum It may be this is that grasse which
and Triangularis of others Aspalathum and 〈◊〉 in French Souchet in Dutch Galgan in Spanish Iunco odorosa By vs Cyperus and English Galangall ‡ ¶ The names in particular 1 This is called Cyperus longus and Cyperus longus Oderatior in English Common Cyperus and English Gallingall 2 This is called Cyperus rotundus vulgaris Round English Galangall 3 Cyperus rotundus Cyriacus or Aegyptiacus Syrian or Aegyptian round Cyperus 4 Cyperus minor Creticus Candy round Cyperus 5 Cyperus rotundus inodorus Littoreus Round Salt-marsh Cyperus or Galingale ‡ ¶ The nature Dioscorides saith That Cyperus hath an heating qualitie Galen saith The roots are most effectual in medicine and are of an heating and drying qualitie and some doe reckon it to be hot and dry in the second degree ¶ The vertues It maketh a most profitable drinke to breake and expell grauell and helpeth the dropsie If it be boyled in wine and drunke it prouoketh vrine driueth forth the stone and bringeth downe the naturall sicknesse of women The same taken as aforesaid is a remedie against the stinging and poyson of Serpents Fernelius saith The root of Cyperus vsed in Baths helpeth the coldnesse and stopping of the matrix and prouoketh the termes He writeth also that it increaseth bloud by warming the body and maketh good digestion wonderfully refreshing the spirits and exhilarating the minde comforting the senses and encreasing their liuelinesse restoring the colour decayed and making a sweet breath The powder of Cyperus doth not onely dry vp all moist vlcers either of the mouth priuy members and fundament but stayeth the humor and healeth them though they be maligne and virulent according to the iudgement of Fernelius ‡ CHAP. 25. Of Jtalian Trasi or Spanish Galingale 1 Cyperus Esculentus sine Caule flore Italian Trasi or Spanish Galingall without stalke and floure 2 Cyperus Esculentus sine Trasi Italorum Italian Trasi or Spanish Galingall ‡ 1 THe Italian Trasi which is here termed Spanish Galingale is a plant that hath many small roots hanging at stringy fibers like as our ordinary Dropwort roots do but they are of the bignesse of a little Medlar and haue one end flat and as it were crowned like as a Medlar and it hath also sundry streakes or lines seeming to diuide it into seueral parts it is of a brownish colour without and white within the taste thereof is sweet almost like a Chesnut The leaues are very like those of the garden Cyperus and neuer exceed a cubit in length Stalkes flowers or seed it hath none as Iohn Pona an Apothecary of Verona who diligently obserued it nigh to that city whereas it naturally growes affirmes but he saith there growes with it much wild Cyperus which as he judges hath giuen occasion of their error who giue it the stalkes and flowers of Cyperus or English Galingale as Matthiolus and others haue done It is encreased by setting the roots first steeped in water at the beginning of Nouember I haue here giuen you the figure of it without the stalke according to Pona and with the stalke according to Matthiolus and others ¶ The Names The Italian Trasi is called in Greeke by Theophrastus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hist. plant 4. cap. 10. as Fabius Columna hath proued at large Pliny termes it Anthalium the later writers Cyperus Esculentus and Dulcichinum The Italians Trasi and Dolzolini by which names in Italy they are cryed vp and downe the streets as Oranges and Lemmons are here ¶ The 〈◊〉 and vertues The milke or creame of these Bulbous rootes being drunke mundifies the brest and lungs wherefore it is very good for such as are troubled with coughs Now you must beat these roots and macerate them in broth and then presse out the creame through a linnen cloath which by some late Writers is commended also to be vsed in venereous potions The same creame is also good to be drunke against the heate and sharpnesse of the vrine especially if you in making it do adde thereto the seeds of Pompions Gourds and Cucumbers The Citisens of Verona eate them for dainties but they are somewhat windy ‡ ‡ CHAP. 26. Of the true Galingale the greater and the lesser ‡ 1 Galanga major The greater Galingale ‡ 2 Galanga minor The lesser Galingale THe affinitie of name and nature hath induced me in this place to insert these two the bigger and the lesser Galingale first therefore of the greater ¶ The Description 1 The great Galingale whose root onely is in vse and brought to vs from Iava in the East Indies hath flaggy leaues some two cubits high like these of Cats-taile or Reed-mace the root is thicke and knotty resembling those of our ordinary flagges but that they are of a more whitish colour on the inside and not so large Their tast is very hot and biting and they are somwhat reddish on the outside 2 The lesser growing in China and commonly in shops called Galingale without any addition is a small root of a brownish red colour both within and without the taste is hot and biting the smell aromaticall the leaues if we may beleeue Garcias ab Horto are like those of Myrtles ¶ The Names 1 The first is called by Matthiolus Lobell and others Galanga major Some thinke it to be the Acorus of the Ancients and Pena and Lobell in their Stirp Aduers question whither it be not the Acorus Galaticus of Dioscorides But howsoeuer it is the Acorus of the shops and by many vsed in Mithridate in stead of the true The Indians call it Lancuaz 2 The lesser is called Galanga and Galanga minor to distinguish it from the precedent The Chinois call it 〈◊〉 the Indians Lancuaz we in England terme it Galingale without any addition ¶ Their temper and vertue These roots are hot and dry in the third degree but the lesser are somewhat the hotter They strengthen the stomacke and mitigate the paines thereof arising from cold and flatulencies The smell especially of the lesser comforts the too cold braine the substance thereof being chewed sweetens the breath It is good also against the beating of the heart They are vsefull against the Collicke proceeding of flatulencies and the flatulent affects of the wombe they conduce to venery and heate the too cold reines To conclude they are good against all cold diseases ‡ ‡ CHAP. 27. Of Turmericke THis also challengeth the next place as belonging to this Tribe according to Dioscorides yet the root which onely is brought vs and in vse doth more on the outside resemble Ginger but that it is yellower and not so flat but rounder The inside thereof is of a Saffron colour the taste hot and bitterish it is said to haue leaues larger than those of Millet and a leafie stalke There is some varietie of these roots for some are longer and others rounder and the later are the hotter and they are brought ouer oft times together with Ginger ¶ The place It growes naturally in the East-Indies
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
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
vertues Such is the facultie of the roots of all the Irides before named that being pounding they prouoke 〈◊〉 and purge the head generally all the kinds haue a heating 〈◊〉 quality Xyris Stinking Gladdon They are effectuall against the cough they easily digest and consume the grosse humors which are hardly concocted they purge choler and tough flegme they procure sleepe and helpe the gripings within the belly It helpeth the Kings Euill and Buboes in the groine as Pliny saith If it be drunke in Wine it prouoketh the termes and being put in Baths for women to sit ouer it prouoketh the like effects most exquisitly The root put in manner of a pessarie hastneth the birth They couer with flesh bones that be bare being vsed in plaisters The roots boyled soft and vsed plaisterwise 〈◊〉 all old hard tumours and the 〈◊〉 of the throat called Strumae that is the Kings Euill and emplaistered with honey it draweth out broken bones The meale thereof healeth all the rifts of the fundament and the infirmities thereof called Condilomata and openeth Hemorrhoides The juice sniffed or drawne vp into the nose prouoketh sneesing and draweth downe by the nose great store of filthy excrements which would fall into other parts by secret and hidden waies and 〈◊〉 of the channels It profiteth being vsed in a pessarie to prouoke the termes and will cause abortion It preuaileth much against all euill affections of the brest and lungs being taken in a little sweet wine with some Spiknard or in Whay with a little Masticke The Root of Xyris or Gladdon is of great force against wounds and fractures of the head for it draweth out all thornes stubs prickes and arrow-heads without griefe which qualitie it effecteth as 〈◊〉 saith by reason of his tenuitie of parts and of his attracting drying and digesting facultie which chiefely consisteth in the seed or fruit which mightily prouoketh vrine The root giuen in Wine called in physicke Passum profiteth much against Convulsions Ruptures the paine of the huckle bones the strangury and the flux of the belly Where note That whereas it is said that the potion aboue named stayeth the flux of the belly hauing a purging qualitie it must be vnderstood that it worketh in that manner as Rhabarbarum and Asarum do in that they concoct and take away the cause of the laske otherwise no doubt it moueth vnto the stoole as Rheubarb Asarum and the other Irides do Hereof the Countrey people of Somersetshire haue good experience who vse to drinke the decoction of this Root Others do take the infusion thereof in ale or such like wherewith they purge themselues and that vnto very good purpose and effect The seed thereof mightily purgeth by vrine as Galen saith and the country people haue found it true CHAP. 44. Of Ginger ¶ The Description 1 GInger is most impatient of the coldnesse of these our Northerne Regions as my selfe haue found by proofe for that there haue beene brought vnto me at seuerall times sundry plants thereof fresh greene and full of juyce as well from the West Indies as from Barbary and other places which haue sprouted and budded forth greene 〈◊〉 in my garden in the heate of Sommer but as soone as it hath been but touched with the first sharp blast of Winter it hath presently perished both blade and root The true forme or picture hath not before this time beene set forth by any that hath written but the World hath beene deceiued by a counterfeit figure which the reuerend and learned Herbarist Matthias Lobell did set forth in his Obseruations The forme whereof notwithstanding I haue here expressed with the true and vndoubted picture also which I receiued from Lobelius his owne hands at the impression hereof The cause of whose former errour as also the meanes whereby he got the knowledge of the true Ginger may appeare by his owne words sent vnto me in Latine which I haue here inserted His words are these How hard and vncertaine it is to describe in words the true proportion of Plants hauing no other guide than skilfull but yet deceitfull formes of them sent from friends or other meanes they best do know who haue deepliest waded in this sea of Simples About thirty yeares past or more an honest and expert Apothecarie William Dries to satisfie my desire sent me from Antwerpe to London the picture of Ginger which he held to be truly and liuely drawne I my selfe gaue him credit easily because I was not ignorant that there had bin often Ginger roots brought greene new and full of juice from the Indies to Antwerpe and further that the same had budded and growne in the said Dries Garden But not many yeares after I perceiued that the picture which was sent me by my Friend was a 〈◊〉 and before that time had been drawne and set forth by an old Dutch Herbarist Therefore not suffering this error any further to spred abroad which I discouered not many yeares past at Flushing in Zeeland in the Garden of William of Nassau Prince of Orange of famous memorie through the means of a worthy person if my memorie faile me not called Vander Mill at what time he opened and loosed his first young buds and shoots about the end of Sommer resembling in leaues and stalkes of a foot high the young and tender shoots of the common Reed called Harundo vallatoria I thought it conuenient to impart thus much vnto Master Iohn Gerard an expert Herbarist and Master of happy successe in Surgerie to the end he might let posteritie know thus much in the painefull and long laboured trauels which now he hath in hand to the great good and benefit of his Countrey The plant it selfe brought me to Middleborrough and set in my Garden perished through the hardnesse of the Winter Thus much haue I set downe truly translated out of his owne words in Latine though too fauourably by him done to the commendation of my meane skill 1 〈◊〉 ficta Icon. The feigned figure of 〈◊〉 1 Zinziberis verior Icon. The true figure of Ginger ¶ The place Ginger groweth in Spaine Barbary in the Canary Islands and the Azores Our men which sacked Domingo in the Indies digged it vp there in sundry places wilde ¶ The time Ginger flourisheth in the hot time of Sommer and loseth his leaues in Winter ¶ The Names Ginger is called in Latine Zinziber and Gingiber in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In French Gigembre ¶ The nature Ginger heateth and drieth in the third degree ¶ The vertues Ginger as Dioscorides reporteth is right good with meate in sauces or otherwise in conditures for it is of an heating and digesting qualitie it gently looseth the belly and is profitable for the stomacke and effectually opposeth it selfe against all darknesse of the sight answering the qualities and effects of Pepper It is to be considered That canded greene or condited Ginger is hot and moist in qualitie prouoking Venerie and being dried it heateth and
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
‡ 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
in English Candy Thlaspi or Candy Mustard †¶ The Temperature The seed of Candie Mustard is hot and drie at the end of the third degree as is that called 〈◊〉 or treacle mustard CHAP. 21. Of Treacle Mustard ¶ The Description 1 ROund leaued Mustard hath many large leaues laid flat vpon the ground like the leaues of the wilde Cabbage and of the same colour among which rise vp many 〈◊〉 stalkes of some two handfulls high or thereabouts which are set with leaues far vnlike to those next the ground enclosing or embracing the stalkes as do the leaues of Perfoliatum or Thorow-wax The floures grow at the top of the branches white of colour which being past there do succeed flat huskes or pouches like vnto those of Shepheards purse with hot seed biting the tongue 1 Thlaspi rotundifolium Round leaued Mustard 2 Thlaspi Pannonicum Clusij Hungary Mustard 2 Hungary Mustard bringeth forth slender stalkes of one cubit high the leaues which first appeare are flat somewhat round like those of the wilde Beet but those leaues which after 〈◊〉 garnish the stalkes are long and broad like those of the garden Colewort but lesser and softer greene on the vpper side and vnder declining to whitenesse smelling like Garlicke The floures be small and white consisting of foure small leaues which in a great tuft or vmbel do grow thick thrust together which being past there followeth in euery small huske one duskish seed and no more bitter and sharpe in taste The root is white and small creeping vnder the ground far abroad like the roots of Couch-grasse preparing new shoots and branches for the yeare following contrarie to all the rest of his kinde which are encreased by seed and not otherwise 3 Churles Mustard hath many small twiggy stalkes slender tough and pliant set with small leaues like those of Cudweed or Lauander with small white floures the huskes and seeds are small few sharpe bitter and vnsauorie the whole plant is of a whitish colour 4 Peasants Mustard hath many pretty large branches with thin and iagged leaues like those of Cresses but smaller in sauor and taste like to the ordinarie Thlaspi the floures be whitish and grow in a small spoky tuft The seed in taste and sauor is equall with the other of his kinde and countrey or rather exceeds them in sharpnesse 3 Thlaspi Narbonense Lobelij Churles Mustard 4 Thlaspi vmbellatum 〈◊〉 Peasants Mustard of Narbone †5 Thlaspi supinum luteum Yellow Mustard 5 Yellow Mustard hath an exceeding number of whitish leaues spred vpon the ground in manner of a turfe or hassocke from the midst whereof riseth vp an vpright stalke of three foot high putting forth many small branches or armes at the top whereof grow many small yellow floures like those of the wall-floure but much lesser which being past the husks appeare flat pouch-fashion wherein is the seed like Treacle Mustard sharp also and biting 6 White Treacle Mustard hath leaues spred vpon the ground like the other but smaller the stalkes rise vp from the middest thereof branched set with leaues smaller than those that lie vpon the ground euen to the top where doth grow a tuft of white floures in fashion like to those of the other Thlaspies the seed is like the other ‡ The cods of this are sometimes flat and otherwhiles round the floures also grow sometimes spike-fashion otherwhiles in an vmbell I haue giuen you two figures expressing 〈◊〉 these varieties ‡ 6 Thlaspi album supinum 〈◊〉 White Treacle Mustard 7 Thlaspi minus Clusij Clusius his small Mustard ‡ 8 Thlaspi petraeum minus Small Rocke Mustard 7 This small kinde of Mustard hath a few small leaues spread vpon the ground like those of the lesser Dasie but of a blewisher greene colour from which rise vp small tender stalks set with three and sometimes foure small sharpe pointed leaues the floures grow at the top small and white the cods are flat pouch-fashion like those of Shepheards purse and in each of them there is contained two or three yellowish seeds ‡ 8 To these we may fitly adde another small mountaine Thlaspi first described by that diligent and learned Apothecarie Iohn Pona of Verona in his description of Mount Baldus This from a threddy root brings forth many small whitish leaues lying spred vpon the ground and a little nicked about their edges among these riseth vp a stalke some two or three handfulls high diuaricated toward the top into diuers small branches vpon which grow white little floures consisting of foure leaues 〈◊〉 which fading there follow round seed-vessels like to those of Myagrum whence Pona the first describer thereof calls it Thlaspi 〈◊〉 myagrodes The seed is as sharpe and biting as any of the other Thlaspies This growes naturally in the chinkes of the rocks in that part of Baldus that is termed Vallis frigida or The cold Valley ‡ ¶ The Place These kindes of Treacle Mustard grow vpon hills and mountaines in come fields in stony barren and grauelly grounds ¶ The Time These floure in May Iune and Iuly the seed is ripe in September ¶ The Names ‡ 1 This is Thlaspi oleraceum of Tabernamontanus Thlaspi primum of 〈◊〉 Thlaspi mitius rotundifolium of Columna Our Author confounded it with that whose figure is the first in the ensuing Chapter and called it Thlaspi incanum 2 Thlaspi montanum 〈◊〉 of Clusius and Thlaspi Pannonicum of Lobel and Taber 3 Thlaspi Narbonense centunculi angustifolio of Lobel and Thlaspi maritimum of Daleschampius 4 Thlaspi vmbellatum Nasturtij hortensis solio Narbonense of Lobel The figures of this and the precedent were transposed in the former edition 5 Thlaspi supinum luteum of Lobel Our Authors figure was a varietie of the next following 6 Thlaspi album supinum of Lobel Thlaspi montanum secundum of Clusius 7 Thlaspi 〈◊〉 of Clusius Thlaspi minimum of Tabernamontanus 8 Thlaspi petraeum myagrodes of Pona Thlaspi tertium saxatile of Camerarius in his Epit. of Matthiolus ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The seeds of these churlish kindes of Treacle Mustard haue a sharpe or biting qualitie breake inward apostumes bring downe the floures kill the birth and helpeth the Sciatica or pain in the hip They purge choler vpward and downeward if you take two ounces and a halfe of them as 〈◊〉 writeth They are mixed in counterpoysons as Treacle Mythridate and such like Compositions CHAP. 22. Of Wooddy Mustard ¶ The Description 1 WOoddy Mustard hath long narrow leaues declining to whitenesse like those of the stocke Gilloflower but smaller very like the leaues of Rosemary but somewhat broader with rough stalks very tough and pliant being of the substance of wood the floures grow at the top white of colour the seeds do follow in taste sharpe and biting The huskes or seed-vessels are round and somewhat longish 2 Small wooddy Mustard groweth to the height of two cubits with many stalkes set with small narrow leaues like those of Hyssop but rougher and
to them other two being by most Writers adiudged to be of the same Tribe or kindred The vertues of 〈◊〉 first were by our Author out of Dodonaeus formerly put to the Thlaspi Candiae Chapter 20. from whence I haue brought them to their proper place in the end of this present Chapter ¶ The Description †1 The first hath crested slender yet firme stalkes of some foot long which are set with leaues of some inch in length broad at the setting on sinuated about the edges and sharpe pointed their colour is a whitish greene and taste acride the leaues that are at the bottome of the stalke are many and larger The tops of the stalkes are diuided into many branches of an vnequall length and sustain many floures each whereof consists of soure litle white leaues so that together they much resemble the vmbell of the Elder when it is in floure Little swolne seed vessels diuided into two cells follow the fading floures the seed is whitish about the bignesse of millet the root also is white slender and creeping †2 This hath creeping roots from which arise many branches lying vpon the ground here and there taking root also the leaues which vpon the lower branches are many are in forme and colour much like those of the last described but-lesse and somewhat suipt about the edges The stalkes are about a handfull high or somewhat more round greene and hairy hauing some leaues growing vpon them The floures grow spoke fashion at the top of the stalkes white and consisting of foure leaues which fallen there follow cods conteining a small red seed 1 Draba Dioscoridis Turkie Cresses ‡ 2 Draba prima repens The first creeping Cresse 3 From a small and creeping root rise vp many shootes which while they are young haue many thicke juicy and darke greene leaues rose fashion adorning their tops out of the middest of which spring out many slender stalkes of some foot high which at certain spaces are encompassed as it were with leaues somewhat lesser then the former yet broader at the bottome the floures cods and seed are like the last mentioned 4 There is a plant also by some refer'd to this Classis and I for some reasons thinke good to make mention thereof in this place It hath a strong and very long root of colour whitish and of as sharpe a taste as Cresses the stalkes are many and oft times exceed the height of a man yet slender and towards their tops diuided into some branches which make no vmbell but carry their floures dispersed which consist of foure small yellow leaues after the floure is past there follow long slender cods conteining a small yellowish acride seed The leaues which adorne this plant are long sharpe pointed and snipt about the edges somewhat like those of Saracens Confound but that these towards the top are more vnequally cut in ‡ 3 Draba altera repens The other creeping Cresse ¶ The Time The first of these floures in May and the beginning of Iune The 2 and 3 in Aprill The fourth in Iune and Iuly ¶ The Place None of these that I know of are found naturally growing in this kingdome 〈◊〉 last excepted which I thinke may be sound in some places ¶ The Names 1 This by a generall consent of 〈◊〉 Anguillara Lobell c. is iudged to be the Arabis or Draba of the Ancients 2 Draba alter a of Clusius 3 Draba tertia succulento folio of Clusius Eruca Muralis of Daleschampius 4 This by Camerarius is set forth vnder the name of Arabis quorundam and he affirmes in his Hor. Med. that he had it outof 〈◊〉 vnder the name of Solidago The which is very likely for without doubt this is the very plant that our Author mistooke for Solidago 〈◊〉 for he bewraies himselfe in the Chapter of Epimedium whereas he saith it hath cods like Sarraccens Consound when as both he and all other giue no cods at all to Sarracens Consound My very good friend Mr. Iohn Goodyer was the first I thinke that obserued this mistake in our Author for which his obseruation together with some others formerly and hereafter to be remembred I acknowledge my selfe beholden to him ¶ The Vertues attributed to the first 1 Dioscorides saith that they vse to eate the dryed seed of this herbe with meate as we do pepper especially in Cappadocia They vse likewise to boyle the herbe with the decoction of barly called Ptisana which being so boiled concocteth and bringeth forth of the chest tough and raw flegme which sticketh therein The rest are hot and come neere to the vertues of the precedent ‡ CHAP. 25. Of Shepheards-purse ¶ The Description 1 THe leaues of Shepheards purse grow vp at the first long gashed in the edges like those of Rocket spred vpon the ground from these spring vp very many little weake stalks diuided into sundry branches with like leaues growing on them but lesser at the top whereof are orderly placed small white floures after these come vp little seed vessels flat and cornered narrow at the stem like to a certaine little pouch or purse in which lieth the seed The root is white not without strings ‡ There in another of this kinde with leaues not sinuated or cut in ‡ 2 The small Shepheards purse commeth forth of the ground like the Cuckow floure which I haue Englished Ladie-smockes hauing small leaues deepely indented about the edges among which rise vp many small tender stalkes with floures at the top as it were chasse The huskes and seed is like the other before mentioned ¶ The Place These herbes do grow of themselues for the most part neere common high waies in 〈◊〉 and vntilled places among rubbish and old walls 1 Bursa Pastoris Shepheards purse 2 Bursa Pastoria minima Small Shepheards purse ¶ The Time They floure flourish and seed all the Sommer long ¶ The Names Shepheards purse is called in Latine Pastorus bursa or Pera pastoris in high Dutch 〈◊〉 in low-Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in French Bourse de pasteur on Curé in English Shepheards purse or scrip of some Shepheards pouch and poore mans Parmacetie and in the North part of England Toy-wort Pick-purse and Case-weed ¶ The Temperature They are of temperature cold and dry and very much binding after the opinion of Ruellius 〈◊〉 and Dodonaeus but Lobel and Pena hold them to be hot and dry iudging the same by their sharpe taste which hath caused me to insert them here among the kindes of Thlaspi considering the fashion of the leaues cods seed and taste 〈◊〉 which do so wel agree together that I might very well haue placed them as kindes thereof But rather willing to content others that haue written before than to please my selfe I haue followed their order in marshalling them in this place where they may stand for cousine germanes ¶ The Vertues Shepheards purse stayeth bleeding in any part of the body whether the iuyce or the decoction thereof be drunke or whether it be
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
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
smel vpon which plant if any should chance to rest and sleepe he might very well report to his friends that he had reposed himselfe among the chiese of Scoggins heires ¶ The Place It groweth vpon dunghills and in the most filthy places that may be found as also about the common pissing places of great princes and Noblemens houses Sometime it is found in places neere bricke kilns and old walls which doth somewhat alter his smell which is like tosted cheese but that which groweth in his naturall place smells like stinking salt-fish whereof it tooke his name Garosmus ¶ The Time It is an herbe for a yeare which springeth vp and when the seed is ripe it perisheth and recouereth it selfe againe of his owne seed so that if it be gotten into a ground it cannot be destroyed ¶ The Names Stinking Orach is called of Cordus Garosmus because it smelleth like stinking fish it is likewise called Tragium Germanicum and Atriplex 〈◊〉 olens by Pena and Lobel for it smelleth more stinking than the rammish male Goat whereupon some by a figure haue called it Vulvaria and it may be called in English stinking Mother-wort ¶ The Nature and Vertues There hath been little or nothing set down by the Antients either of his nature or vertues notwithstanding it hath beene thought profitable by reason of his stinking smell for such as are troubled with the mother for as Hyppocrates saith when the mother doth stifle or strangle such things are to be applied vnto the 〈◊〉 as haue a ranke and stinking smell CHAP. 47. Of Goose-foot ¶ The Description 1 GOose-foot is a common herbe and thought to be a kinde of Orach it riseth vp with a stalke a cubit high or higher somewhat chamfered and branched the leaues be broad smooth sharpe pointed shining hauing certaine deepe cuts about the edges and resembling the foot of a goose the floures be small something red the seed standeth in clusters vpon the top of the branches being very like the seed of wilde Orach and the root is diuided into sundry strings ‡ 2 This differs from the last described in that the leaues are sharper cut and more diuided the seed somewhat smaller and the colour of the whole plant is a deeper or darker greene ‡ 1 Atriplex syluestris latifolia siue Pes Anserinus Goose-foot ‡ 2 Atriplex syluestris latifolia 〈◊〉 The other Goose-foot ¶ The Place It growes plentifully in obscure places neere old walls and high-waies and in desart places ¶ The Time It flourisheth when the Orach doth whereof this is a wilde kinde ¶ The Names The later Herbarists haue called it Pes anserinus and Chenopodium of the likenesse the leaues haue with the foot of a Goose in English Goose-foot and wilde Orach ¶ The Temperature This herbe is cold and moist and that no lesser than Orach but as it appeareth more cold ¶ The Vertues It is reported that it killeth swine if they do eate thereof it is not vsed in Physicke and 〈◊〉 lesse as a sallade herbe CHAP. 48. Of English Mercurie Bonus Henricus English Mercurie or good Henrie ¶ The Description GOod Henrie called Tota bona so named of the later Herbarists is accounted of them to be one of the Dockes but not properly This bringeth forth very many thicke stalkes set with leaues two foot high on the branches wherof towards the top stand greene floures in clusters thicke thrust together The seed is flat like that of the Orach whereof this is a kinde The leaues be fastened to long foote-stalkes broad behinde and sharpe pointed fashioned like the leaues of Aron or Wake-robin white or grayish of colour and as it were couered ouer with a fine meale in handling it is fat and olious with a very thicke root and parted into many diuisions of a yellow colour within like the sharpe pointed Docke ¶ The Place It is commonly found in vntilled places and among rubbish neere common waies old walls and by hedges in fields ¶ The Time It floureth in Iune and Iuly especially ¶ The Names It is called of some 〈◊〉 Anserinus and Tota bona in English All-Good and Good Henrie in Cambridgshire it is called Good king Harry the Germanes call it Guter Heinrick of a certaine good qualitie it hath as they also name a certaine pernicious herbe Malus Henricus or bad Henry It is taken for a kinde of Mercurie but vnproperly for that it hath no participation with Mercurie either in forme or quality except yee will call euery herbe Mercurie which hath power to loose the belly ¶ The Temperature Bonus Henricus or Good Henrie is moderately hot and dry clensing and scouring withall ¶ The Vertues The leaues boiled with other pot-herbes and eaten maketh the body soluble The same brused and laid vpon greene wounds or foale and old vlcers doth scoure mundisie and heale them CHAP. 49. Of Spinach Spinacia Spinach ¶ The Description 1 SPinach is a kinde of Blite after 〈◊〉 notwithstanding I rather take it 〈◊〉 kinde of Orach It bringeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and tender leaues of a darke greene colour full 〈◊〉 juice sharpe pointed and in the largest part 〈◊〉 neather end square parted oftentimes with a deepe gash on either side next to the 〈◊〉 foot-stalke the stalke is round a foot high 〈◊〉 within on the tops of the branches stand little floures in clusters in whose places doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prickly seed The root consisteth of many small threds 2 There is another sort found in our 〈◊〉 like vnto the former in goodnesse as also in 〈◊〉 sauing that the leaues are not so great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deepely gasht or indented and the seed 〈◊〉 prickles at all for which cause it is called 〈◊〉 Spinach ¶ The Place It is sowne in gardens without any great 〈◊〉 or industrie and forsaketh not any ground being but indifferent fertill ¶ The Time It may be sowne almost at any time of 〈◊〉 yeere but being sowne in the spring it quickly groweth vp and commeth to perfection within two moneths but that which is sowne in the fall of the leafe groweth not so soone to perfection yet continueth all the win terand seedeth presently vpon the first spring ¶ The Names It is called in these daies Spinachia of some Spinacheum olus of others Hispanicum olus 〈◊〉 nameth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Arabians and Serapio call it Hispane the Germanes Spinet in 〈◊〉 Spinage and Spinach in French Espinas ¶ The Nature Spinach is euidently cold and moist almost in the second degree but rather moist It is 〈◊〉 the pot-herbes whose substance is waterie and almost without taste and therefore quickly 〈◊〉 deth and looseth the bellie ¶ The Vertues It is eaten boiled but it yeeldeth little or no nourishment at all it is something windie and easily causeth a desire to vomit it is vsed in sallades when it is young and tender This herbe of all other pot-herbes and sallade herbes maketh the greatest diuersitie of 〈◊〉 and sallades CHAP. 50. Of Pellitorie of the wall ¶ The
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
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
healing The decoction hereof made with wine is commended to close vp and heale wounds of the entrailes and inward parts it is also good for vlcers of the kidneies especially made with water and the roots of Comfrey added thereto The leaues of Monophyllon or Vnifolium are of the same force in wounds with Pyrola especially in wounds among the nerues and sinewes Moreouer it is esteemed of some late writers a most perfect medicine against the pestilence and all poisons if a dram of the root be giuen in vineger mixed with wine or water and the sicke go to bed and sweat vpon it CHAP. 91. Of Lilly in the valley or May Lilly 1 Lilium conuallium Conuall Lillies 2 Lilium conuallium floribus suaue-rubentibus Red Conuall Lillies ¶ The Description 1 THe Conuall Lillie or Lilly of the Vally hath many leaues like the smallest leaues of Water Plantaine among which riseth vp a naked stalke halfe a foot high garnished with many white floures like little bels with blunt and turned edges of a strong sauour yet pleasant enough which being past there come small red berries much like the berries of Asparagus wherein the seed is contained The root is small and slender creeping far abroad in the ground 2 The second kinde of May Lillies is like the former in euery respect and herein varieth or differeth in that this kinde hath reddish floures and is thought to haue the sweeter smell ¶ The Place 1 The first groweth on Hampsted heath foure miles from London in great abundance neere to Lee in Essex and vpon Bushie heath thirteene miles from London and many other places 2 That other kind with the red floure is a stranger in England howbeit I haue the same growing in my garden ¶ The Time They floure in May and their fruit is ripe in September ¶ The Names The Latines haue named it Lilium Gonuallium Gesner doth thinke it to be Callionymum in the Germane tongue Meyen blumlen the low Dutch Meyen bloemkens in French Muguet yet there is likewise another herbe which they call Muguet commonly named in English Woodroof It is called in English Lillie of the Valley or the Conuall Lillie and May Lillies and in some places Liriconfancie ¶ The Nature They are hot and drie of complexion ¶ The Vertues The floures of the Valley Lillie distilled with wine and drunke the quantitie of a spoonfull restoreth speech vnto those that haue the dum palsie and that are falne into the Apoplexie and is good against the gout and comforteth the heart The water aforesaid doth strengthen the memorie that is weakened and diminished it helpeth also the inflammation of the eies being dropped thereinto The floures of May Lillies put into a glasse and set in a hill of antes close stopped for the space of a moneth and then taken out therein you shall find a liquour that appeaseth the paine griefe of the gout being outwardly applied which is commended to be most excellent CHAP. 92. Of Sea Lauander 1 Limonium Sea Lauander 2 Limonium parvum Rocke Lauander ¶ The Description 1 THere hath beene among writers from time to time great contention about this plant Limonium no one authour agreeing with another for some haue called this herbe Limonium some another herb by this name some in remouing the rock haue mired themselues in the mud as Matthiolus who described two kindes but made no distinction of them nor yet expressed which was the true Limonium but as a man heerein ignorant hee speakes not a word of them Now then to leaue controuersies and cauilling the true Limonium is that which hath faire leaues like the Limon or Orenge tree but of a darke greene colour somewhat fatter and a little crumpled amongst which leaues riseth vp an hard and brittle naked stalke of a foot high diuided at the top into sundry other small branches which grow for the most part vpon the one side full of little blewish floures in shew like Lauander with long red seed and a thicke root like vnto the small Docke 2 There is a kinde of Limonium like the first in each respect but lesser which groweth vpon rockes and chalkie cliffes ‡ 3 Besides these two here described there is another elegant Plant by Clusius and others referred to this kindred the description thereof is thus from a long slender root come forth long greene leaues lying spred vpon the ground being also deepely sinuated on both sides and somewhat roughish Amongst these leaues grow vp the stalkes welted with slender indented skinnes and towards their tops they are diuided into sundry branches after the manner of the ordinarie one but these branches are also winged and at their tops they carry floures some foure or fiue clustering together consisting of one thin crispe or crumpled leafe of a light blew colour which continues long if you gather them in their perfect vigour and so drie them and in the middest of this blew comes vp little white floures consisting of fiue little round leaues with some white threds in their middles This plant was first obserued by 〈◊〉 at Ioppa in Syria but it growes also vpon the coasts of Barbarie and at Malacca and Cadiz in Spaine I haue seene it growing with many other rare plants in the Garden of my kinde friend Mr. Iohn Tradescant at South Lambeth 4 Clusius in the end of his fourth Booke Historiae Plantarum sets forth this and saith hee receiued this figure with one dryed leafe of the plant sent him from Paris from Claude Gonier an Apothecarie of that citie who receiued it as you see it here exprest from Lisbone Now Clusius describes the leafe that it was hard and as if it had been a piece of leather open on the vpper side and distinguished with many large purple veines on the inside c. for the rest of his description was onely taken from the figure as he himselfe saith which I hold impertinent to set downe seeing I heere giue you the same figure which by no meanes I could omit for the strangenesse thereof but hope that some or other that trauell into forraine parts may finde this elegant plant and know it by this small expression and bring it home with them that so we may come to a perfecter knowledge thereos ‡ ‡ 3 Limonium folio sinuato Sea-Lauander with the indented leafe ‡ 4 Limonio congener Clus. Hollow leaued Sea-Lauander ¶ The Place 1 The first groweth in great plentie vpon the walls of the fort against Grauesend but abundantly on the bankes of the Riuer below the same towne as also below the Kings Store-house at Chattam and fast by the Kings Ferrey going into the Isle of Shepey in the salt marshes by Lee in Essex in the Marsh by Harwich and many other places The small kinde I could neuer finde in any other place but vpon the chalky cliffe going from the towne of Margate downe to the sea side vpon the left hand ¶ The Time They floure in Iune and Iuly ¶
Lobell calls Alismapusillum Angustifolium muricatum and in the Hist. Lugd. it is called Damasonium stellatum ‡ The third is named Plantago aquatical humilis that is the low water Plantaine ‡ I thinke it fit here to restore this plant to his antient dignitie that is his names and titles wherewith he was anciently 〈◊〉 by Dioscorides and Pliny The former whereof calls it by sundry names and all very significant and proper as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thus many are Greek and therefore ought not to be reiected as they haue been by some without either reason or authoritie For the barbarous names we can say nothing now it is said to be called Limonium because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it growes in wet or ouerflowen medowes it is called Neuroides because the leafe is composed of diuers strings or fibres running from the one end thereof to the other as in Plantain which therfore by Dioscordies is termed by the same reason 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Also it may be as fitly termed Lonchitis sor the similitude which the leafe hath to the top or head of a lance which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly signifies as that other plant described by Dios. lib. 3. cap. 161. for that the seed a lesse eminent part resembles the same thing And for Potamogeiton which signifies a neighbour to the Riuer or water I thinke it loues the water aswell and is as neere a neighbour to it as that which takes it's name from thence and is described by Dioscorides lib. 4. cap. 101. Now to come to Pliny lib. 20. cap. 8. he calls it Beta silvestris Limonion and Neuroides the two later namesare out of Dioscorides and I shall shew you where also you shall finde the former in him Thus much I thinke might serue for the vindication of my assertion sor I dare boldly affirme that no late writer can fit all these names to any other plant and that makes me more to wonder that all our late Herbarists as Matthiolus Dodonaeus 〈◊〉 Caesalpinus Daleschampius but aboue all Pena and Lobell who Aduers pag. 126. call it to question should not allow this plant to be Limonium especially seing that Anguillara had before or in their time asserted it so to be but whether he gaue any reasons or no for his assertion I cannot tell because I could neuer by any meanes get his Opinions but only finde by Bauhine his Pinax that such was his opinion hereof But to returne from whence I digrest I will giue you Dioscorides his description and a briefe explanation thereof and so desist it is thus It hath leaues like a Beet thinner and larger 10. or more a stalke slender straight and as tall as that of a Lilly and full of seeds of an astringent taste The leaues of this you see are larger than those of a Beet and thin and as I formerly told you in the names neruous which to be so may be plainely gathered by Dioscorides his words in the description of white Hellebore whose leaues he compares to the leaues of Plantaine and the wilde Beet now there is no wild Beet mentioned by any of the Antients but only this by Pliny in the place 〈◊〉 quoted nor no leafe more fit to compare those of white Hellebore to than those of water Plantaine especially sor the nerues and fibres that run alongst the leaues the stalke also of this is but slender considering the height and it growes straight and as high as that of a Lilly with the top plentirifully stored with astringent seed so that no one note is wanting in this nor scarse any to be found in the other plants that many haue of late set forth for Limonium ‡ ¶ The Nature Water Plantaine is cold and dry of temperature ¶ The Vertues The leaues of water Plantaine as some Authors report are good to be laid vpon the legs of such as are troubled with the Dropsie and hath the same propertie that the land Plantaine hath ‡ Dioscordies and Galen commend the seed hereof giuen in Wine against 〈◊〉 Dysenteries the spitting of bloud and ouermuch flowing of womens termes Pliny saith the leaues are good against burnes ‡ CHAP. 97. Of Land Plantaine 1 Plantago latifolia Broad leaued Plantaine 2 Plantago incana Hoarie Plantaine ¶ The Description 1 AS the Greekes haue called some kindes of Herbes Serpents tongue Dogs tongue and Oxe tongue so haue they termed a kind of Plantaine Arnoglosson which is as if you should say Lambes tongue very well knowne vnto all by reason of the great commoditie and plenty thereof growing euery where and therefore it is needlesse to spend time about them The greatnesse and fashion of the leaues hath been the cause of the varieties and diuersities of their names 2 The second is like the first kinde and differeth in that that this kinde of Plantaine hath greater but shorter spikes or knaps and the leaues are of an hoarie or ouerworne greene colour the stalkes are likewise hoary and hairy 3 The small Plantaine hath many tender leaues ribbed like vnto the great Plantaine and is very like in each respect vnto it sauing that it is altogether lesser 4 The spiked Rose Plantaine hath very few leaues narrower than the leaues of the second kinde of Plantaine sharper at the ends and further growing one from another It beareth a very double floure vpon a short stem like a rose of a greenish colour tending to yellownesse The seed groweth vpon a spikie tuft aboue the highest part of the plant notwithstanding it is but very low in respect of the other Plantaines aboue mentioned 4 Plantago Rosea spicata Spiked Rose Plantaine 5 Plantago Rosea exotica Strange Rose Plantaine ‡ 6 Plantago panniculis sparsis Plantaine with spoky tufts 5 The fifth kinde of Plantaine hath beene a stranger in England and elsewhere vntill the impression hereof The cause why I say so is the want of consideration of the beauty which is in this plant wherein it excelleth all the other Moreouer because that it hath not bin written of or recorded before this present time though plants of lesser moment haue beene very curiously set forth This plant hath leaues like vnto them of the former and more orderly spred vpon the ground like a Rose among which rise vp many small stalks like the other plantaines hauing at the top of euery one a fine double Rose altogether vnlike the former of an hoary or rusty greene colour ‡ I take this set forth by our Author to be the same with that which Clusius receiued from Iames Garret the yonger from London and therefore I giue you the figure thereof in this place together with this addition to the historie out of Clusius That some of the heads are like those of the former Rose Plantaine other some are spike fashion and some haue a spike growing as it were out of the midst of the Rose and some heads are otherwise shaped also the whole plant is more hoary than the common Rose
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
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
annua spuria One Sommers Nauell-woort ¶ The Description 1 THe Sea Nauel-woort hath many round thicke leaues like vnto little saucers set vpon small tender stalks bright shining and smooth of two inches long for the most part growing vpon the furrowed shels of cockles or the like euery small stem bearing vpon the end or point one little buckler and no more resembling a nauell the stalke and leafe set together in the middle of the same Whereupon the Herbarists of Montpelier haue called it 〈◊〉 Marinus or sea Nauel The 〈◊〉 and stalkes of this plant whilest they are yet in the water are of a pale ash colour but being taken forth 〈◊〉 presently waxe white as Sea Mosse called 〈◊〉 or the shel of a Cockle It is thought to be barren of seed and is in taste saltish 2 The second Androsace hath little smooth leaues spred vpon the ground like vnto the leaues of small Chickweed or Henbit whereof doubtles it is a kind among which riseth vp a slender stem hauing at the top certaine little chaffie floures of a purplish colour The seed is contained in small 〈◊〉 husks of a reddish colour a bitter taste The whole plant perisheth when it hath perfected his seede and must be sowne againe the next yeare which plant was giuen to Mathiolus by Cortusus who as he 〈◊〉 receiued it from Syria but I thinke hee said so to make Matthiolus more 〈◊〉 but surely I surmise he picked it out of one old wal or other where it doth grow euen as the small Chickweed or Naile-woort of the wall do ‡ The figure that was here was that vnperfect one of 〈◊〉 and the description of our Authour was framed by it vnlesse the last part therof which was taken out of the Aduersaria pag. 166. to amend both these we here present you with the true figure and description taken out of the workes of the iudicious and painfull Herbarist Carolus Clusius It hath saith he many leaues lying flat vpon the ground like to those of Plantaine but lesser and of a pale greene colour and 〈◊〉 about the edges soft also and iuicie and of somewhat a biting taste Amongst these leaues rise vp fiue or six stalkes of an handfull high commonly of a green vet sometimes of a purple colour naked and somewhat hairy which at their tops carry in a circle fiue roundish leaues also a little toothed and hairy from the midst of which arise fiue or more 〈◊〉 each bearing a greenish rough or hairie cup parted also into fiue little leaues or iags in the midst of which stands a little white floure parted also into fiue after which succeed pretty large seed vessels which containe an vnequall red seed like that of 〈◊〉 but bigger the root is single and slender and dies as soon as the seed is perfected It growes naturally in diuers places of Austria and amongst the corne about the Bathes of Baden whereas it floures in Aprill and ripens the seed in May and Iune ‡ ¶ The Place Androsace will not grow any where but in water great store of it is about Frontignan by Montpellier in Languedoc where euery fisher-man doth know it The second groweth vpon old stone and mud walls notwithstanding I haue the more to grace Matthiolus great iewell planted it in my garden ¶ The Time The bastard Androsace floureth in Iuly and the seed is ripe in August ¶ The Names Androsace is of some called Vmbilicus marinus or sea Nauell ‡ The second is knowne and called by the name of Androsace altera 〈◊〉 ‡ ¶ The Temperature The sea Nauell is of a diureticke qualitie and more drie than Galen thought it to be and lesse hot than others haue deemed it there can no moisture be found in it ¶ The Vertues Sea Nauelwoort prouoketh vrine and digesteth the filthinesse and sliminesse gathered in the ioints Two drams of it as Dioscorides saith drunke in wine bringeth downe great store of vrine out of their bodies that haue the dropsie and maketh a good plaister to cease the paine of the gout CHAP. 153. Of Rose-woort or Roseroot Rhodia radix Rose-root ¶ The Description ROsewoort hath many small thicke and fat stems growing from a thicke and knobby root the vpper end of it for the most part standeth out of the ground and is there of a purplish colour bunched knobbed like the root of Orpin with many hairy strings hanging therat of a pleasant smell when it is broken like the damaske rose whereof it tooke his name The leaues are set round about the stalks euen from the bottome to the top like those of the field Orpin but narrower and more snipt about the edges The floures grow at the top of a faint yellow colour ¶ The Place It groweth very plentifully in the North part of England especially in a place called Ingleborough Fels neere vnto the brookes sides and not elsewhere that I can as yet finde out from whence I haue had plants for my garden ¶ The Time It floureth and flourisheth in Iuly and the seed is ripe in August ¶ The Names Some haue thought it hath taken the name Rhodia of the Island in the Mediterranean sea called Rhodes but doubtlesse it took his name Rhodia radix of the root which smelleth like a rose in English Rose-root and Rose-woort ¶ The Vertues There is little extant in writing of the faculties of Rosewoort but this I haue found that if the root be stamped with oile of Roses and laid to the temples of the head it 〈◊〉 the paine of the head CHAP. 144. Of Sampier 1 Crithmum marinum Rocke Sampier 2 Crithmum Spinosum Thornie Sampier 3 〈◊〉 chrysanthemum Golden Sampier ¶ The Description 1 ROcke Sampier hath many fat and thicke leaues somewhat like those of the lesser 〈◊〉 of a spicy taste with a certaine saltnesse amongst which riseth vp a stalke diuided into many smal spraies or sprigs on the top wherof doe grow 〈◊〉 tufts of whitefloures like the tufts of Fenell or Dill after that commeth the seed like the seed of Fenell but greater The root is thicke and knobbie being of smell delightfull pleasant 2 The second Sampier called 〈◊〉 marina or Sea Parsnep hath long fat leaues very much iagged or cut euen to the middle rib sharpe or prickley pointed which are set vpon large fat iointed stalks on the top whereof do grow 〈◊〉 of whitish or els reddish floures The seed is wrapped in thornie huskes The root is thick and long not vnlike to the Parsnep very good and wholesome to be eaten 3 Golden Sampier bringeth forth many stalks from one root compassed about with a multitude of long fat leaues set together by equall distances at the top whereof come yellow floures The seed is like those of the Rocke Sampier ¶ The Place Rocke Sampier groweth on the rockie cliffes at Douer VVinchelsey by Rie about South-hampton the Isle of VVight and most rockes about the West and North-west parts about England The second
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
like to those of the Walnut tree and of an ouerworne grayish colour somewhat snipt about the edges like the teeth of a saw The floures grow at the top of the stalks in scaly knaps like the great Knapweed the middle thrums whereof are of a light blew or sky colour when the seed is ripe the whole knap or head turneth into a downy 〈◊〉 like the head of an 〈◊〉 wherein is found a long smooth seed bearded at one end like those of 〈◊〉 Sattron called Cartamus or the seed of Cardus Benedictus The root is great long blacke on the outside and of a sanguine colour on the inside somewhat sweet in taste and biting the tongue 2 There is likewise another sort hauing great and large leaues like those of the water Docke somewhat snipt or toothed about the edges The stalke is shorter than the other but the root is more oleous or fuller of iuyce otherwise like The floure is of a pale yellow purplish colour and the seed like that of the former 1 Centaurium magnum Great Centorie ‡ 2 Centaurium maius alterum Whole leaued great Centorie ¶ The Place The great Centorie ioyeth in a fat and fruitfull soile and in Sunny bankes full of Grasse and herbes It groweth very plentifully saith Dioscorides in Lycia Peloponnesus Arcadia and Morea and it is also to be found vpon Baldus a mountaine in the territories of Verona and likewise in my garden ¶ The Time It floureth in Sommer and the roots may be gathered in Autumne ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Theophrastus also Centauris in diuers shops falsly Rha Ponticum for Rha Ponticum is Rha growing in the countries of Pontus a plant differing from great Centorie Theophrastus and Pliny set downe among the kindes of Panaces or All-heales this great Centorie and also the lesser whereof we will write in the next chapter following Pliny reciting the words of Theophrastus doth in his twenty fifth booke and fourth chapter write that they were found out by Chiron the Centaure and syrnamed Centauria Also affirming the same thing in his sixth chapter where he more largely expoundeth both the Centauries hee repeateth them to be found out by Chiron and thereupon he addeth that both of them are named Chironia Of some it is reported That the said Chiron was cured therewith of a wound in his foot that was made with 〈◊〉 arrow that fell vpon it when he was entertaining Hercules into his house whereupon it was called Chironium or of the curing of the wounds of his souldiers for the which purpose it is most excellent ¶ The Temperature It is hot and dry in the third degree Galen 〈◊〉 by the taste of the root it sheweth contrarie qualities so in the vse it performeth contrarie effects ¶ The Vertues The root taken in the quantitie of two drams is good for them that be bursten or spit bloud against the crampe and shrinking of sinewes the shortnesse of wind or difficultie of breathing the cough and gripings of the belly There is not any part of the herbe but it rather worketh miracles than ordinarie cures in greene wounds for it ioyneth together the lips of simple wounds in the flesh according to the first intentention that is glewing the lips together not drawing to the place any matter at all The root of this Plant saith Dioscorides is a remedie for ruptures 〈◊〉 and cramps taken in the weight of two drams to be giuen with wine to those that are without a feuer and vnto those that haue with water Galen saith that the iuyce of the leaues thereof performeth those things that the root doth which is also vsed in stead of Lycium a kinde of hard iuyce of a sharpe taste CHAP. 163. Of Small Centorie ¶ The Description 1 THe lesser Centorie is a little herbe it groweth vp with a cornered stalke halfe a foot high with leaues in forme and bignesse of S. Iohns wort the floures grow at the top in a spoky bush or rundle of a red colour tending to purple which in the day time and after the Sun is vp do open themselues but towards euening shut vp againe after them come forth small seed-vessels of the shape of wheat cornes in which are contained very little seeds The root is slender hard and soone fading 2 The yellow Centorie hath leaues stalkes and seed like the other and is in each respect alike sauing that the floures 〈◊〉 are of a perfect yellow colour which setteth forth the difference ‡ This is of two sorts the one with broad leaues through which the stalkes passe and the other hath narrow leaues like those of the common Centorie ‡ 1 Centaurium parvum Small Centorie 2 Centaurium parvum luteum Lobelij Yellow Centorie ¶ The Place 1 The first is growing in great plenty throughout all England in most pastures and grassie fields 2 The yellow doth grow vpon the chalkie cliffes of Greenhithe in Kent and such like places ¶ The Time They are to be gathered in their flouring time that is in Iuly and August of some that gather them superstitiously they are gathered betweene the two Lady dayes ¶ The Names The Greekes call this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine it is called Centaurium minus yet Pliny nameth it Libadion and by reason of his great bitternesse Fel terrae The Italians in Hetruria call it Biondella in Spanish Centoria in low-Dutch 〈◊〉 in English Small little or common Centorie in French Centoire ¶ The Temperature The small Centorie is of a bitter qualitie and of temperature hot and dry in the second degree and the yellow Centorie is hot and dry in the third degree ¶ The Vertues Being boyled in water and drunke it openeth the stoppings of the liuer gall and spleene it helpeth the yellow jaundice and likewise long and lingering agues it killeth the wormes in the bellie to be briefe it cleanseth scoureth and maketh thinne humors that are thicke and doth effectually performe whatsoeuer bitter things can Dioscorides and Galen after him report that the decoction draweth downe by siege choler and thicke humors and helpeth the Sciatica but though wee haue vsed this often and luckily yet could we not perceiue euidently that it purges by the stoole any thing at all and yet it hath performed the effects aforesaid This Centorie being stamped and laid on whilest it is fresh and greene doth heale and closevp greene wounds cleanseth old vlcers and perfectly cureth them The iuyce is good in medicines for the eyes mixed with honey it cleanseth away such things as hinder the sight and being drunke it hath a peculiar vertue against the infirmities of the 〈◊〉 as Dioscorides teacheth The Italian Physitions do giue the pouder of the leaues of yellow Centorie once in three daies in the quantitie of a dram with annise or caraway seeds in wine or other liquor which preuaileth against the dropsie and greene sicknesse Of the red floured Ioannes Postius hath thus written Flos
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
decoction of Pennie Royall is very good against ventositie windinesse or such like and against the hardnes stopping of the mother being vsed in a bath or stew for the woman to sit ouer CHAP. 222. Of Basill ¶ The Description 1 GArden Basill is of two sorts differing one from another in bignesse The first hath broad thicke and fat leaues of a pleasant sweet smell and of which some one here and there are of a black reddish colour somewhat snipped about the edges not vnlike the leaues of French Mercurie The stalke groweth to the height of halfe a cubite diuiding itself into diuers branches whereupon doe stand small and base floures sometimes whitish and often tending to a darke purple The root is threddie and dieth at the approch of Winter 1 Ocimum 〈◊〉 Great Basill 2 Ocimum medium citratum Citron Basill 3 Ocimum minus Gariophyllatum Bush Basill ‡ 4 Ocimum Indicum Indian Basill 2 The middle Basill is very like vnto the former but it is altogether lesser The whole plant is of a most odoriferous smell not vnlike the smell of a Limon or Citron whereof it tooke his surname 3 Bush Basill or fine Basill is a low and base plant hauing a threddie root from which rise vp many small and tender stalks branched into diuers armes or boughes whereupon are placed many little leaues lesser than those of Pennie Royall The whole plant is of a most pleasing sweete smell ‡ 4 This which some call Ocimum Indicum or rather as Camerarius saith Hispanicum sends vp a stalk a foot or more high foure square and of a purple colour set at each ioint with two leaues and out of their bosomes come little branches the largest leaues are some two inches broad and some three long growing vpon long stalks and deepely cut in about their edges being also thicke fat and iuicie and either of a darke purple colour or else spotted with more or lesse such coloured spots The tops of the branches end in spokie tufts of white floures with purple veines running alongst them The seede is contained in such seed vessels as that of the other Basils and is round blacke and large The plant perishes euery yeare as soone as it hath perfected the seed Clusius calls this Ocimum Indicum ‡ ¶ The Place Basil is sowne in gardens and in earthen pots It commeth vp quickly and loueth little moisture except in the middle of the day otherwise if it be sowne in rainie weather the seed will putrifie and grow into a iellie or slime and come to nothing ¶ The Time Basill floureth in Iune and Iuly and that by little and little whereby it is long a flouring beginning first at the top ¶ The Names Basill is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and more commonly with 〈◊〉 in the first syllable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Ocimum It differeth from Ocymum which some haue called Cereale as we saith Dodonaeus haue shewed in the Historie of Graine The later Graecians haue called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in shops likewise Basilicum and Regium in Spanish Albabaca in French Basilic in English Basill garden Basill the greater Basill Royall the lesser Basill gentle and bush Basill of some Basilicum Gariophyllatum or Cloue Basill ¶ The Temperature Basill as Galen teacheth is hot in the second degree but it hath adioined with it a superfluous moisture by reason whereof he doth not like that it should be taken inwardly but being applied outwardly it is good to digest or distribute and to concoct ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides saith that if Basil be much eaten it dulleth the sight it mollifieth the belly breedeth winde prouoketh vrine drieth vp milke and is of a hard digestion The iuice mixed with fine meale of parched Barly oile of roses and Vineger is good against inflammations and the stinging of venomous beasts The iuice drunke in wine of Chios or strong Sacke is good against head ache The iuice clenseth away the dimmenesse of the eyes and drieth vp the humour that falleth into them The seede drunke is a remedie for melancholicke people for those that are short winded and them that can hardly make water If the same be snift vp in the nose it causeth often neesing also the herbe it selfe doth the same There be that shunne Basill and will not eat thereof because that if it be chewed and laid in the Sun it ingendreth wormes They of Africke do also affirme that they who are stung of the Scorpion and haue eaten of it shall feele no paine at all The Later writers among whom Simeon Zethy is one doe teach that the smell of Basill is good for the heart and for the head That the seede cureth the infirmities of the heart taketh away sorrowfulnesse which commeth of melancholy and maketh a man merry and glad CHAP. 223. Of wilde Basill ¶ The Description 1 THe wilde Basil or Acynos called of Pena Clinopodium vulgarc hath square hairie stems beset with little leaues like vnto the small Basil but much smaller and more hairie sharp pointed and a little snipt towards the end of the leafe with small floures of a purple colour fashioned like vnto the garden Basill The root is full of hairie threds and creepeth along the ground and springeth vp yearely anew of it selfe without sowing ‡ This is the Clinopodium alterum of Matthiolus ‡ 2 This kinde of wilde Basill called amongst the Graecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which by interpretation is Sine semine or Sterilis hath caused sundry opinions and great doubts concerning the words of Plinie and Theophrastus affirming that this herbe hath no floures nor seeds which opinions I am sure of mine owne knowledge to be without reason but to omit controuersies this plant beareth purple floures wharled about square stalkes rough leaues and hairie verie like in shape vnto Basil ‡ The stalkes are some cubite and more high parted into few branches and set at certaine spaces with leaues growing by couples This is the Clinopodium vulgare of Matthiolus and that of Cordus Gesner and others it is the Acinos of Lobel ‡ 3 Scrapio and others haue set forth another wilde Basill vnder the title of Molochia and Lobel after the minde of Iohn Brancion calleth it Corcoros which we haue Englished Fish Basill the seeds whereof the said Brancion receiued from Spaine saying that Corcoros 〈◊〉 hath the leaues of Basil the stalkes are two handfuls high the floures yellow growing close to the stalkes bearing his seed in smal long cods The root is compact and made of an innumerable companie of strings creeping far abroad like running Time ‡ This figure of Lobels which here we giue you is as Camerarius hath obserued vnperfect for it expresses not the long cods wherein the seed is contained neither the two little strings or beards that come forth at the setting on of each leafe to the stalke ‡ 1 Ocymum syluestre Wilde Basill 2 Acynos Stone Basill ‡ 3 Corchoros Fish Basill
‡ 5 Clinopodium Austriacum Austrian field Basill ‡ 6 Clinopodium Alpinum Wilde Basill of the Alpes ‡ 4 It may be our Authour would haue described this in the first place as I coniecture by those words which he vsed in mentioning the place of their growing and Clinopodium 〈◊〉 groweth in great plentie vpon Longfield downs in Kent but to this neither figure nor description did agree wherefore I will giue you the Historie therof It sends vp many little square stalks some handful and an halfe high seldome diuided into branches at each ioint stand two smal greenish leaues little hairy and not diuided or snipt about the edges and much like those of the next described as you see them exprest in the figure the little hollow and somewhat hooded floures grow in roundles towards the tops of the stalkes as in the first described and they are of a blewish violet colour The seeds I haue not yet obserued the root is fibrous and wooddie and lasts for many yeares The whole plant hath a pretty pleasing but weake smell It floures in Iuly and August I first obserued it Anno 1626 a little on this side Pomfret in Yorkshire and since by Datford in Kent and in the I le of Tenet I haue sometimes seene it brought to Cheapside market where the herbe women called it Poley mountaine some it may bee that haue taken it for Polium montanum misinforming them Clusius first tooke notice of this plant and called it Acinos Anglicum finding it growing in Kent Anno 1581. and he thinkes it to be the Acinos of Dioscorides now the vertues attributed by Dioscorides to his Acinos are set downe at the end of the chapter vnder the letter B. 5 This which Clusius hath also set forth by the name of 〈◊〉 or Acinos Austriacum doth not much differ from the last described for it hath tender square hard stalkes like those of the last described set also with two leaues at each joint heere and there a little snipt which is omitted in the figure the floures grow onely at the tops of the stalkes and these pretty large and of a violet colour yet they are sometimes found white they hang commonly forward and at is were with there vpper parts turned downe The seed vessels are like those of the first described and containe each of them foure little blacke seeds This floures in May and the seed is ripe in Iune It growes about the bathes of Badon and in diuers places of Austria 6 Pena also hath giuen vs knowledge of another that from a sibrous root sends vp many quadrangular rough branches of the height of the two former set also with two leaues at each joint and these rough and lightly snipt about the edges the floures grow thicke together at the tops of the stalkes of a darke red colour and in shape like those of the mountaine Calaminte It floures in the beginning of Iuly and growes vpon mount Baldus in Italy Pona sets it forth by the name of Clinopodium Alpinum 7 To these I thinke fit to adde another whose description was sent me by Mr. Goodyer and I question whether it may not be the plant which Fabius Columna 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sets forth by the name of Acinos Dioscoridis for he makes his to be endued odore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but to the purpose Acinos odoratissimum This herbe hath foure fiue or more foure square hard wooddy stalkes growing from one root diuided into many branches couered with a soft white hairinesse two or three foot long or longer not growing vpright but trailing vpon the ground the leaues grow on little-short footstalkes by couples of a light greene colour somewhat like the leaues of Basill very like the leaues of Acinos Lobelij but smaller about three quarters of an inch broad and not fully an inch long somewhat sharpe pointed lightly notched about the edges also couered with a light soft hoary hairinesse of a very sweete smell little inferiour to Garden Marjerome of a hot biting taste out of their bosomes grow other smaller leaues or else branches the floures also grow forth of the bosomes of the leaues toward the tops of the stalkes and branches not in whorles like the said Acinos but hauing one little short footstalke growing forth of the bosome of each leafe on which is placed three foure or more small floures gaping open and diuided into foure vnequall parts at the top like the floures of Basill and very neare of the likenesse and bignesse of the floures of Garden Marjerome but of a pale blewish colour tending towards a purple The seed I neuer obserued by reason it floured late This plant I first found growing in the Garden of Mr. William Yalden in Sheete neere Petersfield in Hampshire 〈◊〉 1620. amongst sweete Marjerome and which by chance they bought with the seedes thereof It is to be considered whether the seedes of sweete Marjerome degenerate and send forth this herbe or not 11. October 1621. Iohn Goodyer ‡ ¶ The Place The wilde kindes doe grow vpon grauelly grounds by water sides and especially I found the three last in the barren plaine by an house in Kent two miles from Dartford called Saint Iones in a village called Sutton and Clinopodium vulg are groweth in great plentie vpon Long field downes in Kent ‡ One of the three last of our Authors description is omitted as you may finde noted at the end of the chapter yet I cannot be persuaded that euer he found any of the foure he described euer wilde in this kingdome vnlesse the secoad which growes plentifully in Autumne almost by euery hedge also the fourth being of my description growes neere Dartford and in many such dry barren places in sundry parts of the kingdome ‡ ¶ The Time These herbes floure in Iune and Iuly ¶ The Names Vnprofitable Basil or wilde Basill is called by some Clinopodium ¶ The Nature The seed of these herbes are of complexion hot and dry ¶ The Vertues Wilde Basill pound with wine appeaseth the paine of the eyes and the juice doth mundifie the same and putteth away all obscurity and dimnesse all catarrhes and flowing humors that fall into the eies being often dropped into the same †The stone Basill howsoeuer it be taken stoppeth the laske and courses and outwardly applied it helpes hot Tumors and inflammations ‡ These plants are good for all such effects as require moderate heate and astriction ‡ CHAP. 224. Of Basill Valerian ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Ocymastrum called of Dodonaeus Valerianarubra bringeth forth long and brittle stalkes two cubits high sull os knots or joints in which place is joined long leaues much like vnto great Basill but greater broader and larger or rather like the leaues of Woade At the top of the stalkes do grow very pleasant and long red floures of the fashion of the floures of Valerian which hath caused Dodonaeus to call this plant red Valerian which being past the seedes are caried
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
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
preuaileth mightily against the cough and shortnesse of breath comforteth the stomacke also and helpeth digestion The roots condited after the manner of Eringos serueth for the purposes aforesaid The root of Enula boiled very soft and mixed in a morter with fresh butter and the pouder of Ginger maketh an excellent ointment against the itch scabs manginesse and such like The roots are to be gathered in the end of September and kept for sundrie vses but it is especially preserued by those that make Succade and such like CHAP. 280. Of Sauce alone or 〈◊〉 by the hedge Alliaria Sauce alone ¶ The Description SAuce alone hath affinitie with Garlicke in name not because it is like it in forme but in smell for if it be bruised or stamped it smelleth altogether like Garlicke the leaues hereof are broad of a light green colour nicked round about and sharpe pointed the stalke is slender about a cubit high about the branches whereof grow little white floures after which come vp slender smal and long cods in these black seed the root is long slender and something hard ¶ The Place It groweth of it selfe by garden hedges by old wals by highwaies sides or oftentimes in the borders of fields ¶ The Time It floureth chiefely in Iune and Iuly the seed waxeth ripe in the meane season The leaues are vsed for a sauce in March or Aprill ¶ The Names The later writers call it Alliaria and Alliaris of some Rima Maria it is not Scordium or water Germander which the apothecaries in times past mistooke for this herbe neither is it 〈◊〉 species or a kinde of water Germander whereof wee haue written it is named of some Pes Asininus it is called in High Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 and in Low Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 you may name it in Latine 〈◊〉 non bulbosum in French Alliayre in English Sauce alone and Iacke of the hedge ¶ The Temperature Iacke of the hedge is hot and drie but much lesse than Garlicke that is to say in the end of the second degree or in the beginning of the third ¶ The Vertues We know not what vse it hath in medicine diuers eat the stamped leaues hereof with Salt-fish for a sauce as they do those of Ramsons Some also boile the leaues in clisters which are vsed against the paine of the collicke and stone in which not only winde is notably wasted but the pain also of the stone mitigated and very much eased CHAP. 281. Of Dittany ¶ The Description 1 DIttanie of Crete now called Candie as Dioscorides saith is a hot and sharpe hearbe much like vnto Penni-roiall sauing that his leaues be greater and somewhat hoary couered ouer with a soft downe or white woollie cotton at the top of the branches grow small spikie eares or scaly aglets hanging by little small stemmes resembling the spiky tufts of Marierome of a white colour amongst which scales there doe come forth small floures like the flouring of wheat of a red purple colour which being past the knop is found full of small seed contrarie to the saying of Dioscorides who saith it neither beareth floure nor seed but my selfe haue seene it beare both in my Garden the whole plant perished in the next VVinter following 1 Dictamnum Creticum Dittanie of Candie 2 Pseudodictamnum Bastard Dittanie 2 The second kind called Pseudodictamnum that is Bastard Dittanie is much like vnto the first sauing that it is not sweet of smell neither doth it bite the tongue hauing round soft woolly stalks with knots and ioints and at euery knot two leaues somewhat round soft woolly and somewhat bitter the floures be of a light purple color compassing the stalks by certain spaces like garlands or wharles and like the floures of Peni-roiall The root is of a wooddie substance the whole plant groweth to the height of a cubite and an halfe and lasteth long ¶ The Place The first Dittanie commeth from Crete an Iland which we call Candie where it growes naturally I haue sowne it in my garden where it hath floured and borne seed but it perished by reason of the iniurie of our extraordinarie cold winter that then happened neuerthelesse Dioscorides writeth against all truth that it neither beareth floures nor seed after Theophrastus Virgil witnesseth that it doth beare floures in the twelfth of his Aeneidos Dictamnum genitrix Cretaea carpit ab Ida Puberibus caulem 〈◊〉 flore comantem 〈◊〉 In English thus His mother from the Cretaean Ida crops Dictamnus hauing soft and tender leaues And purple floures vpon the bending tops c. ¶ The Time They floure and flourish in the Sommer moneths their seed is ripe in September ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Dictamnus and Dictamnum of some Pulegium syluestre or wilde Pennie-roiall the Apothecaries of Germanie for Dictamnum with c in the first syllable doe read Diptamnum with p but saith Dodonaeus this errour might haue beene of small importance if in stead of the leaues of Dittanie they did not vse the rootes of Fraxinella for Dittany which they falsely call Dictamnum in English Dittanie and Dittanie of Candie The other is called Pseudodictamnum or bastard Dittanie of the likenesse it hath with Dittanie it skilleth not though the shoppes know it not the reason why let the Reader guesse ¶ The Temperature These plants are hot and drie of nature ¶ The Vertues Dittanie beeing taken in drinke or put vp in a pessarie or vsed in a fume bringeth away dead children it procureth the monethly termes and driueth foorth the secondine or the after-birth The iuice taken with wine is a remedie against the stinging of serpents The same is thought to be of so strong an operation that with the very smell also it driueth 〈◊〉 venomous beasts and doth astonish them It is reported likewise that the wilde Goats and Deere in Candie when they be wounded with arrowes do shake them out by eating of this plant and heale their wounds It preuaileth much against all wounds and especially those made with invenomed weapons arrowes shot out of guns or such like and is very profitable for Chirurgians that vse the sea and land wars to carry with them and haue in readinesse it draweth forth also splinters of wood bones or such like The bastard Dittanie or Pseudodictamnum is somewhat like in vertues to the first but not of so great force yet it serueth exceeding well for the purposes aforesaid CHAP. 282. Of Borage ¶ The Description 1 BOrage hath broad leaues rough lying flat vpon the ground of a blacke or swart green colour among which riseth vp a stalke two cubits high diuided into diuers branches whereupon do grow gallant blew floures composed of fiue leaues apiece out of the middle of which grow forth blacke threds ioined in the top and pointed like a broch or pyramide the root is threddie and cannot away with the cold of winter 2 Borage with white floures is like vnto
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
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
¶ The Description 1 Arum or Cockow pint hath great large smooth shining sharpe pointed leaues bespotted here and there with blackish spots mixed with some blewnesse among which riseth vp a stalke nine inches long bespeckled in many places with certaine purple spots It beareth also a certaine long hose or hood in proportion like the eare of an hare in the middle of which hood commeth forth a pestle or clapper of a darke murrie or pale purple colour which being past there succeedeth in place thereof a bunch or cluster of berries in manner of a bunch of grapes greene at the first but after they be ripe of a yellowish red like corall and full of pith with some threddy additaments annexed thereto 2 There is in Aegypt a kinde of Arum which also is to be seene in Africa and in certaine places of Lusitania about riuers and floods which differeth from that which groweth in England and other parts of Europe This plant is large and great and the leaues thereof are greater than those of the water Lillie the root is thicke and tuberous and toward the lower end thicker and broader and may be eaten It is reported to be without floure and seed but the 〈◊〉 that it hath is by the fibres which runne and spread from the roots ‡ This plant hath also pestells and clusters of berryes as the common Aron but somewhat different the leaues are not cut into the stalke but joined before the setting thereto the root also is very large Those that desire to see more of this plant and the question which some haue mooued whither this be the 〈◊〉 or Faba Aegyptia of the Antients let them haue recourse to the first chapter of Fabius Columna his Minus cognitarum stripium pars altera and there they shall finde satisfaction ‡ 1 Arum vulgare Cockow pint ‡ 2 Arum Aegyptiacum Aegyptian Cockow pint ¶ The Place Cockow pint groweth in woods neere vnto ditches vnder hedges euery where in shadowie places ¶ The Time The leaues appeare presently after winter the pestell sheweth it selfe out of his huske or sheath in Iune whilest the leaues are in withering and when they are gone the bunch on cluster of berries becommeth ripe which is in Iuly and August ¶ The Names There groweth in Aegypt a kinde of Aron or Cuckow pint which is found also in Africa and likewise in certaine places of Portingale neere vnto riuers and streames that differeth from those of our countries growing which the people of Castile call Manta de nuestra senora most would haue it to be called Colocasia but Dioscorides saith that Colocasia is the root of Faba Aegyptia or the Beane of Egypt ‡ Fabius Columna in the place formerly alledged prooues this not to be the true 〈◊〉 and yet Prosper Alpinus since in his second booke de plantis exoticis cap. 17. and 18. labours to proue the contrary let the curious haue recourse to these for it is too tedious for me in this place to insist vpon it being so large a point of controuersie which hath so much troubled all the late writers ‡ The common Cuckow pint is called in Latine Arum in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in shops Iarus and Barba-Aron of others Pes vituli of the Syrians Lupha of the men of Cyprus Colocasia as we finde among the bastard names Pliny in his 24. booke 16. chapter doth witnesse that there is great difference betweene Aron and Dracontium although there hath been some controuersie about the same among the old writers affirming them to be all one in high Dutch it is called Passen pint in Italian Gigora in Spanish Taro in low Dutch Calfsuoet in French Pied 〈◊〉 in English Cuckow pint and Cuckow pintle wake-Robin Priests pintle Aron Calfes foot and Rampe 〈◊〉 of some Stratchwoort ¶ The Temperature The faculties of Cuckow pint doe differ according to the varietie of countries for the root hereof 〈◊〉 Galen in his booke of the faculties of nourishments doth affirme is sharper and more 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 than in others almost as much as Dragons contrariwise in Cyren a city in Africke it is 〈◊〉 in all places hot and dry at the least in the first degree ¶ The Vertues If any man would haue thicke and tough humours which are gathered in the chest and lungs to be clensed and voided out by coughing then that Cuckowpint is best that biteth most It is eaten being sodden in two or three waters and fresh put to whereby it may lose his acrimonie and being so eaten they cut thicke humors meanely but Dragons is better for the same purpose Dioscorides sheweth that the leaues also are preserued to be eaten and that they must be eaten after they be dried and boyled and writeth also that the root hath a peculiar vertue against the gout being laid on stamped with Cowes dung Beares after they haue lien in their dens forty dayes without any manner of sustenance but what they get with licking and sucking their owne feet do as soone as they come forth 〈◊〉 the herbe Cuckowpint through the 〈◊〉 nature whereof the hungry gut is opened 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fit 〈◊〉 to receiue sustenance for by abstaining from food so long a time the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 close together that in a manner it is quite shut vp as Aristotle Aelianus Plutarch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 do write The most pure and white starch is made of the roots of Cuckowpint but most hurtfull to the hands of the Laundresse that hath the handling of it for it choppeth blistereth and maketh 〈◊〉 hands rough and rugged and withall 〈◊〉 CHAP. 305. Of Friers Cowle or hooded Cuckowpint 1 Arisarum latifolium Broad 〈◊〉 Friers Cowle 2 Arisarum angustifolium Narrow leaued Friers Cowle ¶ The Description 1 BRoad leaued Friers hood hath a leafe like Iuy broad and sharpe pointed but far lesse approching neere to the forme of those of Cuckow pint the stalke thereof is small and slender the 〈◊〉 or hose is little the pestel small and of a blacke purplish colour the cluster when it is ripe is red the kernels small the root white hauing the forme of Aron or Cuckowpint but lesser whereof doubtlesse it is a kinde 2 The second Friers hood hath many leaues long and narrow smooth and glittering The huske or hose is narrow and long the pestell that commeth forth of it is slender in forme like a great earth worme of a blackish purple colour as hath also the inside of the hose vpon which hard to the ground and sometimes a little within the ground groweth a certaine bunch or cluster of berries greene at the first and afterwards red the root is round and white like the others ¶ The Place These plants are strangers in England but common in Italy and especially in Tuscane about Rome and in Dalmatia as Aloisius Anguillara witnesseth notwithstanding I haue them in my Garden ¶ The Time The floures and fruit of these come to perfection with those of Cuckowpint and
stayeth the termes and boyled in mutton broth it helps weake and aking backes They haue vsed to put it into ointments against burning with fire gunpouder and such like Hedera terrestris being bound in a bundle or chopt as herbes for the pot and eaten or drunke as thin broth stayeth the flux in women CHAP. 315. Of Juy ¶ The Kindes THere be two kindes of Iuy as Theophrastus witnesseth reckoned among the number of those plants which haue need to be propped vp for they stand not of themselues but are fastned to stone walls trees and such like and yet notwithstanding both of a wooddy substance and yet not to be placed among the trees shrubs or bushes because of the affinitie they haue with climbing herbes as also agreeing in forme and figure with many other plants that climbe and are indeed simply to be reckoned among the herbes that clamber vp But if any will cauill or charge me with my promise made in the beginning of this historie where we made our diuision namely to place each plant as neere as may be in kindred and neighbourhood this promise I haue fulfilled if the curious 〈◊〉 can be content to reade without rashnesse those 〈◊〉 following in order and not onely this climbing Iuy that lifteth her selfe to the tops of trees but also the other Iuy that creepeth vpon the ground Of the greater or the climing Iuy there are also many sorts but especially three the white the blacke and that which is called Hedera Helix or Hedera sterilis ¶ The Description 1 THe greater Iuy climbeth on trees old buildings and walls the stalkes thereof are wooddy and now and then so great as it seemes to become a tree from which it sendeth a multitude of little boughes or branches euery way whereby as it were with arms it creepeth and wandereth far about it also bringeth forth continually fine little roots by which it fastneth it selfe and cleaueth wonderfull hard vpon trees and vpon the smoothest stone walls the leanes are smooth shining especially on the vpper side cornered with sharpe pointed corners The floures are very small and mossie after which succeed bundles of black berries euery one hauing a small sharpe pointall There is another sort of great Iuy that bringeth forth white fruit which some call Acharnicam irriguam and also another lesser the which hath blacke berries This Pliny calleth Selinitium We also finde mentioned another sort hereof spred abroad with a fruit of a yellow Saffron colour called of diuers Dionysias as Dioscorides writeth others Bacchica of which the Poets vsed to make garlands as Pliny testisieth lib. 16. cap. 34. 2 Barren Iuy is not much vnlike vnto the common Iuy aforesaid sauing that his branches are both smaller and tenderer not lifting or bearing it selfe vpward but creeping along by the ground vnder moist and shadowie ditch bankes The leaues are most commonly three square cornered of a blackish greene colour which at the end of Sommer become brownish red vpon the lower side The whole plant beareth neither floures nor fruit but is altogether barren and fruitlesse ‡ 3 There is kept for nouelties sake in diuers gardens a Virginian by some though vnfitly termed a Vine being indeed an Iuy The stalkes of this grow to a great heighth if they be planted nigh any thing that may sustaine or beare them vp and they take first hold by certaine small tendrels vpon what body soeuer they grow whether stone boords bricke yea glasse and that so firmely that oftentimes they will bring pieces with them if you plucke them off The leaues are large consisting of foure fiue or more particular leaues each of them being long and deeply notched about the edges so that they somewhat resemble the leaues of the Chesnut tree the floures grow clustering together after the manner of Iuy but neuer with vs shew themselues open so that we cannot iustly say any thing of their colour or the fruit that succeeds them It puts forth his leaues in April and the stalkes with the rudiments of the floures are to be seene in August It may as I said be fitly called Hedera Virginiana ‡ ¶ The Place Iuy groweth commonly about walls and trees the white Iuy groweth in Greece and the barren Iuy groweth vpon the ground in ditch bankes and shadowie woods 1 Hedera corymbosa Clymbing or berried Iuy 2 Hedera Helix Barren or creeping Iuy ¶ The Time Iuy flourisheth in Autumne the berries are ripe after the Winter Solstice ¶ The Names Iuy is called in Latine Hedera in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in high-Dutch 〈◊〉 in low-Dutch 〈◊〉 in Spanish Yedra in French Liarre The greater Iuy is called of Theophrastus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine 〈◊〉 attollens or Hedera assurgens Gaza interpreteth it Hedera excelsa The later Herbarists would haue it to be Hedera arborea or tree Iuy because it groweth vpon trees and Hedera muralis which hangeth vpon walls Creeping or barren Iuy is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in English Ground-Iuy yet doth it much differ from Hedera 〈◊〉 or Ground-Iuy before described of some it is called Clauicula Hedera Helix and Hedera 〈◊〉 and is that herbe wherein the Bore delighteth according to Iohannes Khuenius ¶ The Temperature Iuy as Galen saith is compounded of contrarie faculties for it hath a certaine binding earthy and cold substance and also a substance somewhat biting which euen the very taste doth shew to be hot Neither is it without a third facultie as being of a certaine warme waterie substance and that is if it be greene for whilest it is in drying this watery substance being earthy cold and binding consumeth away and that which is hot and biting remaineth ¶ The Vertues The leaues of Iuy fresh and greene boyled in wine do heale old vlcers and perfectly cure those that haue a venomous and malicious quality ioyned with them and are a remedy likewise against burnings and scaldings Moreouer the leaues boyled with vineger are good for such as haue bad spleens but the floures or fruit are of more force being very finely beaten and tempered with vineger especially so vsed they are commended against burnings The iuyce drawne or snift vp into the nose doth effectually purge the head stayeth the running of the eares that hath beene of long continuance and healeth old vlcers both in the eares and also in the nosthrils but if it be too sharpe it is to be mixed with oyle of Roses or sallad oyle The gum that is found vpon the trunke or body of the old stocke of Iuy killeth nits and lice and taketh away haire it is of so hot a qualitie as that it doth obscurely burne it is as it were a certaine waterish liquor congealed of those gummie drops Thus farre Galen The very same almost hath Dioscorides but yet also somewhat more for ouer and besides hee saith that fiue of the berries beaten small and made hot in a Pomegranat rinde
toucheth the fruite groweth vpon slender footstalkes fashioned like vnto a Peare of the bignes of a great Quince 4 The Spanish Melon bringeth forth long trailing branches whereon are set broad leaues slightly indented about the edges not diuided at all as are all the rest of the Melons The fruite groweth neere vnto the stalke like vnto the common Pompion very long not crested or furrowed at all but spotted with very many such markes as are on the backeside of the Harts-tongue leafe The pulpe or meate is not so pleasing in taste as the other ¶ The Place They delight in hot regions notwithstanding I haue seen at the Queenes house at Saint Iames very many of the first sort ripe through the diligent and curious nourishing of them by a skilfull Gentleman the keeper of the said house called Mr. Fowle and in other places neere vnto the right Honorable the Lord of 〈◊〉 house of Bermondsey by London where from yeere to yeere there is very great plenty especially if the weather be any thing temperate ¶ The Time They are set or sowne in Aprill as I haue already shewne in the chapter of Cucumbers their fruite is ripe in the end of August and sometimes sooner ¶ The Names The Muske Melon is called in Latine Melo in Italian Mellone in Spanish Melon in French 〈◊〉 in High Dutch Melaun in low Dutch Meloenen in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which doth signifie an apple and therefore this kinde of Cucumber is more truely called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 by reason that Pepo hath the smell of an apple whereto the smell of this fruit is like hauing withall the smell as it were of Muske which for that 〈◊〉 are also named Melones 〈◊〉 or Muske Melons ¶ The Temperature The meate of the Muske Melon is very cold and moist ¶ The Vertues It is harder of digestion than is any of the rest of Cucumbers and if it remaine long in the stomacke is putrifieth and is occasion of pestilent feuers which thing also Aëtius witnesseth in the first booke of his Tetrabibles writing that the vse of Cucumeres or Cucumbers breedeth pestilent feauers for he also taketh Cucumis to be that which is commonly called a Melon which is vsually eaten of the Italians and Spaniards rather to represse the rage of 〈◊〉 than for any other Physicall vertue The seed is of like operation with that of the former Cucumber CHAP. 345. Of Melons or Pompions ¶ The Kindes THere be found diuers kindes of Pompions which differ either in bignesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it shall be therefore sufficient to describe some one or two of them and referre the rest vnto the view of the figures which most liuely do expresse their differences especially because this volume waxeth great the description of no moment and I hasten to an end ¶ The Description 1 TThe great Pompion bringeth forth thicke and rough prickly stalkes which with their clasping tendrells take hold vpon such things as are neere vnto them as poles 〈◊〉 pales and ledges which vnlesse they were neere vnto them would creepe along vpon the ground the leaues be wilde and great very rough and cut with certaine deepe gashes nicked also on the edges like a saw the floures be very great like vnto a bell cup of a yellow colour like gold hauing fiue corners standing out like teeth 〈◊〉 fruite is great thicke round set with thicke ribbes like edges sticking forth The pulpe or meate whereof which is next vnder the rinde is white and of a meane hardnesse the pith or substance in the middle is spungie and slimie the seed is great broad flat something white much greater than that of the Cucumber otherwise not differing at all in forme The colour of the barke or rinde is oftentimes of an obscure greene sometimes gray The rinde of the greene Pompion is harder and as it were of a woody substance the rinde of the gray is softer and tenderer 2 The second kinde of Melons or Pompions is like vnto the former in stalkes and leaues and also in clasping tendrels but the gashes of the leaues are not so deepe and the stalkes be tenderer the floures are in like manner yellow gaping and cornered at the top as be those of the 〈◊〉 but the fruite is somewhat rounder sometimes greater and many times lesser and oftentimes of a greene colour with an harder barke now and then softer and whiter The meat within is like the former the seeds haue also the same forme but they be somewhat lesser 1 Pepo maximus oblongus The great long Pompion 2 Pepo maximus rotundus The great round Pompion 3 Of this kinde there is also another Pompion like vnto the former in rough stalkes and in gashed and nicked leaues the floure is also great and yellow like those of the others the fruit is of a great bignesse whose barke is full of little bunnies or hillie welts as is the rinde of the Citron which is in like manner yellow when it is ripe 4 The fourth Pompion doth very much differ from the others in form the stalks leaues and floures are like those of the rest but the fruit is not long or round but altogether broad and in a manner flat like vnto a shield or buckler thicker in the middle thinner in the compasse and curled or 〈◊〉 in certaine places about the edges like the rugged or vneuen barke of the Pomecitron the which rinde is very soft thin and white the meat within is meetely hard and dureable The seed is greater than that of the common Cucumber in forme and colour all one ‡ Macocks Virginiani sive Pepo Virginianus The Virginian Macocke or Pompion ‡ This hath rough cornered straked trailing branches proceeding from the roor eight or nine foot long or longer and those againe diuided into other branches of a blackish greene colour trailing 〈◊〉 or running alongst the earth couering a great deale of ground sending forth broad 〈◊〉 rough leaues on great grosse long rough hairy foot-stalks like and fully as big as the leaues of the common Pompion with clasping tendrels and great broad shriueled yellow floures also like those of the common Pompion the fruit succeedeth growing a longst the stalkes commonly not neere the root but towards the vpper part or toppes of the branches somewhat round not extending in length but flat like a bowle but not so bigge as an ordinarie bowle beeing seldome foure inches broad and three inches long of a blackish greene colour when it is ripe The substance or eatable part is of a yellowish white colour containing in the middest a great deale of pulpe or soft matter wherein the seed lyeth in certaine rowes also like the common Pompion but smaller The root is made of many whitish branches creeping far abroad in the earth and perish at the first approch of Winter 3 Pepo maximus compressus The great flat bottommed Pompion 4 Pepo maximus clypeatus The great buckler Pompion 5 Pepo Indicus minor rotundus The small round
larger is the floure and the warmer that the weather is the lesser is the floure and worse coloured these leaues I say come forth of the ground immediatly from the root with a naked soft and slender stem deeply cut or 〈◊〉 ged on the leaues of an exceeding faire greene colour in the midst of which commeth forth a yellow 〈◊〉 in shew or fashion like vnto the 〈◊〉 field Crow-foot after which follow sundry cods full of browne seeds like the other kindes of Aconites the root is thicke tuberous and knottie like to the kindes of 〈◊〉 Aconitum hyemale Winter Woolfes-bane ¶ The Place It groweth vpon the mountaines of Germany we haue great quantitie of it in our 〈◊〉 gardens ¶ The Time It floureth in Ianuarie the seed is ripe in the end of March. ¶ The Names It is called Aconitum hyemale or 〈◊〉 or winter Aconite that it is a kinde of Aconite or Woolfs-bane both the form of the leaues and cods and also the dangerous faculties of the herbe it selfe do declare It is much like to Aconitum Theophrasti which he describeth in his ninth booke saying it is a short herbe hauing no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or superfluous thing growing on it and is without branches as this plant is the root saith he is like to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or to a nur or els to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a dry fig onely the lease seemeth to 〈◊〉 it which is nothing at all like to that of Succorie which he compareth it vnto ¶ The Temperature and Vertues This herbe is counted to be very dangerous and deadly hot and drie in the sourth degree as Thcoph in plaine words doth testifie concerning his owne Aconite for which he saith that there was 〈◊〉 found his Antidote or remedie whereof Athenaeus and Theopompus write that this plant is the most poisonous herb of all others which moued Ouid to say Quae quia nascuntur dura vivacia caute notwithstanding it is not without his peculiar vertues 〈◊〉 Camerarius now liuing in Noremberg saith the water dropped into the eies ceaseth the pain and burning it is reported to preuaile mightily against the bitings of scorpions and is of such force that if the scorpion passe by where it groweth and touch the same presently 〈◊〉 becommeth dull heauy and sencelesse and if the same scorpion by chance touch the white Hellebor he is presently deliuered from his drowsinesse CHAP. 374. Of Mithridate Woolfes-bane ¶ The Description This plant called Anthora being the antidote against the poison of Thora Aconite or wolses bane hath slender hollow stalkes very brittle a cubit high garnished with 〈◊〉 cut or iagged leaues very like to Nigella Romana or the common Larkes spurre called 〈◊〉 Regalis at the top of the stalkes doe grow faire flowers fashioned like a little helmet of an ouerworne yellow colour after which come small blackish cods wherein is conteined blacke shining seed like those of Onions the root consisteth of diuers knobs or tuberous lumpes of the bignesse of a mans thumbe ¶ The Place This plant which in Greeke we may terme 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 groweth abundantly in the Alps called Rhetici in Sauoy and in Liguria The Ligurians of Turin and those that dwell neere the lake Lemane haue found this herbe to be a present remedy against the deadly poison of the herb Thora and the rest of the Aconites prouided that when it is brought into the garden there to be kept for 〈◊〉 vse it must not be planted neere to any of the Aconites for through his attractiue qualitie it will Anthorasive Aconitum salutiferum Wholsome Wolfes bane draw vnto it self the maligne and 〈◊〉 poison of the Aconite whereby it will become of the like qualitie that is to become poisonous likewise but being kept far off it retaineth his owne naturall qualitie still ¶ The Time It floureth in August the seed is ripe in the end of September ¶ The Names The inhabitants of the lake of Geneua the Piemontoise do call it Anthora and the common people Anthoro Auicen calleth a certaine herbe which is like to Monks hood as a remedy against the poison thereof by the name of Napellus Moysis in the 500 chap. of his second booke and in the 745. chap. he saith that Zedoaria doth grow with Napellus or Monkes hood and that by reason of the neerenesse of the same the force and strength thereof is dulled and made weaker and that it is a treacle that is a counterpoison against the Viper Monks hood all other poisons and hereupon it followeth that it is not only Napellus Moysis but also Zedoaria Auicennae notwithstanding the Apothecaries do sell another Zedoaria differing from Anthora which is a root of a longer forme which not without cause is thought to be Auicens and Scrapio's Zerumbeth or Zurumbeth It is called Anthora as though they should say 〈◊〉 because it is an enemie to Thora and a counterpoison to the same 〈◊〉 and Anthora or Tura and Antura seeme to be new words but yet they are vsed in Marcellus Empericus an old writer who teacheth a medicine to be made of Tura and Antura against the pin and web in the eies in English yellow Monks-hood yellow Helmet floure and Aconites Mithridate ¶ The Vertues The root of Anthora is wonderfull bitter it is an enemie to all poisons it is good for purgations for it voideth by the stoole both waterie and slimie humours killeth and driueth forth all manner of wormes of the belly Hugo Solerius saith that the roots of Anthora do largely purge not onely by the stoole but also by vomite and that the measure thereof is taken to the quantitie of 〈◊〉 which is commonly called a beane in broth or wine and is giuen to strong bodies Antonius Guanerius doth shew in his treatie of the plague the second difference the 〈◊〉 chapter that Anthora is of great force yea and that against the plague and the root is of like vertues giuen with Dittanie which I haue seene saith he by experience and he further saith it is an herbe that groweth hard by that herbe Thora of which there is made a poison wherewith they of Sauoy and those parts adiacent do enuenome their arrowes the more speedily to kill the wilde Goats and other wilde beasts of the Alpish mountaines And this root Anthora is the Bezoar or counterpoison to that Thora which is of so great a venome as that it killeth all liuing creatures with his poisonsome qualitie and thus much Guanerius Simon Ianuensis hath also made mention of Anthora and Arnoldus Villanovanus in his treatie of poisons but their writings do declare that they did not well know Anthora CHAP. 375. Of yellow Wolfes-bane ¶ The Description THe yellow kinde of Wolfes-bane called Aconitum 〈◊〉 Ponticum or according to Dodonaeus Aconitum Lycoctonon luteum maius in English yellow Wolfes-bane whereof this our age hath found out sundry sorts not knowne to Diosco ides although some of the sorts seeme to stand
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
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
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 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
much to say as Mouse prickle and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say 〈◊〉 Asparagus or Stone Sperage it is also named in Latine Asparagus syluestris and Corruda ¶ The Temperature The roots of the garden Sperage and also of the wilde doe clense without manifest heate and drinesse ¶ The Vertues The first sprouts or naked tender shoots hereof be oftentimes sodden in flesh broth and eaten or boyled in faire water and seasoned with oyle vineger salt and pepper then are serued at mens tables for a sallad they are pleasant to the taste easily concocted and gently loose the belly They 〈◊〉 prouoke vrine are good for the kidnies and bladder but they yeeld vnto the body little nourishment and the same moist yet not faultie they are thought to increase seed and stir vp lust CHAP. 458. Of Horse-taile or Shaue-grasse ¶ The Description 1 GReat Horse-taile riseth vp with a round stalke hollow within like a Reed a cubit high compact as it were of many small pieces one put into the end of another sometimes of a reddish colour very rough and set at euery ioint with many stiffe rush-like leaues or rough bristles which maketh the whole plant to resemble the taile of a horse whereof it tooke his name on the top of the stalke do stand in stead of floures clustered and thicke Catkins 〈◊〉 vnlike to the first shoots of Sperage which is called Myacantha the root is ioynted and creepeth 〈◊〉 the ground 2 This small or naked Shaue-grasse wherewith Fletchers and Combe-makers do rub and polish their worke 〈◊〉 out of the ground like the first shoots of Asparagus iointed or kneed by certaine distances like the precedent but altogether without such bristly leaues yet exceeding rough and cutting the root groweth aslope in the earth like those of the Couch-grasse 1 Equisetum maius Great Horse-taile 2 Equisetum nudum Naked Horse-taile 3 Horse-taile which for the most part groweth among corne and where corne hath been hath a very slender root and single from which rise vp diuers iointed stalkes whereon doe grow verie long rough narrow iointed leaues like vnto the first described but thicker and rougher as is the rest of the plant 4 Water Horse-taile that growes by the brinks of riuers and running streams and often in the midst of the water hath a very long root according to the depth of the water grosse thicke and iointed with some threds anexed thereto from which riseth vp a great thick iointed stalke whereon do grow long rough rushy leaues pyramide or steeple fashion The whole plant is also tough hard and fit to shaue and rub wooden things as the other 5 This kinde of Horse-taile that growes in woods and shadowie places hath a small root and single from which riseth vp a rough chamfered stalke ioynted by certaine spaces hauing at each ioynt two bushes of rough bristly leaues set one against another like the other of his kinde 3 Equisetum segetale Corne Horse-taile 4 Equisetum palustre Water Horse-taile 5 Equisetum 〈◊〉 Wood Horse-taile 6 Cauda equina foemina Female Horse-taile 9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Italian rushie 〈◊〉 taile 6 The female Horse taile 〈◊〉 for the most part in waterish places and by the brinks of small rills and pirling brookes it hath a long root like that of Couch grasse from which rise vp diuers hollow stalkes set about at certaine distances with smal leaues in rundles like those of Woodroofe altogether barren of seed and floure whereof it was called by Lobel Polygonon foemina semine 〈◊〉 ‡ This is sometimes found with tenne or more seedes at each ioynt whence Bauhine hath called it 〈◊〉 palustre breuioribus folijs poly spermon ‡ ‡ 7 In some boggie places of this kingdome is found a rare and pretty Hippuris or Horse taile which growes vp with many little branches some two or three inches high putting forth at each ioynt many little leaues clustering close about the stalke and set after the 〈◊〉 of other Horse-tailes towards the tops of the branches the ioynts are very thicke the colour of the whole plant is gray a little inclining to green very brittle and as it were stony or grauelly like Coralline and will crash vnder your feet as if it were frozen and if you chew it you shall finde it all stonie or grauelly My friend Mr. Leonard Buckner was the first that found this plant and brought it to me he had it three miles beyond Oxford a little on this side Euansham-ferry in a bog vpon a common by the Beacon hill neere Cumner-wood in the end of August 1632. Mr. Bowles hath since found it growing vpon a bog not far from Chisselhurst in Kent I question whether this bee not the Hippuris lacustris quaedam folijs 〈◊〉 arenosis of Gesner but if Gesners be that which Bauhine in his 〈◊〉 pag. 24. sets forth by the name of Equisetum nudum minus variegatum then I iudge it not to be this of my description for Bauhines differs from this in that it is without leaues and ofttimes bigger the stalks of his are hollow these not so this may be called Hippuris Coralloides Horse-taile Coralline 8 Towards the later end of the yeare in diuers ditches as in Saint Iames his Parke in the ditches on the backe of Southwarke towards Saint Georges fields c. you may finde couered ouerwith water a kinde of stinking Horse-taile it growes sometimes a yard long with many ioints and branches and each ioint set with leaues as in the other Horse-tailes but they are somewhat iagged or diuided towards the tops I take this to be the Equisetum faetiduni sub aqua repens described in the fist place of Bauhinus his 〈◊〉 we may call it in English Stinking water Horse-taile ‡ 9 Clusius hath set forth a plant that he referreth vnto the stocke of Horse-tailes which he thus describeth it hath many twiggie or rushie stalks whereupon it was called Iuncaria and may bee Englished Rush-weed the leaues grow vpon the branches like those of Flax on the toppes of the stalks grow small chassie floures of a whitish colour The seed is small and blacke of colour The root is little and white the whole plant is sweetish in taste 10 Dodonaeus setteth forth another Horse-taile which he called climing Horse-taile or horstaile of Olympus There is saith he another plant like Horse-taile but greater and higher It riseth vp oftentimes with a stalke as big as a mans arme diuided into many branches out of which there grow long slender sprigs very full of ioints like to the first Horse-taile The floures stand about the ioints of a mossie substance small as are those of the Cornell tree in places whereof grow vp red fruit full of sowre iuice not vnlike to little Mulberries in which is the seed The root is hard and wooddie This growes now and then to a great height and sometimes lower Bellonius writeth in his Singularities that it hath been seene to be equall in height with the Plane 〈◊〉
afterwards the whole flocke vntill such time as the Shepheard take it forth of her mouth as Plutarch writeth CHAP. 485. Of bastard Sea Hollies ¶ The Description THis Eryngium which Dodonaeus in his last edition calleth Eryngium planum and Pena more fitly and truely Eryngium Alpinum caeruleum hath stalkes a cubite and a halfe high hauing spaces 〈◊〉 euery ioint the lower leaues are greater and broader and notched about the edges but those aboue are lesser compassing or enuironing each ioint star-fashion beset with prickles which are soft and tender not much hurtful to the hands of such as touch them the knobs or heads are also prickley and in colour blew The root is bunchie or knottie like that of Helenium that is Elecampane blacke without and white within and like the Eringes in sweetnesse and taste 2 The second bastard Sea Holly whose picture is set forth in Dodonaeus his last Edition veric gallantly being also a kind of Thistle hath leaues like vnto the former Erynges but broader next the rootes than those which grow next the stalkes somewhat long greenish soft and not prickley but lightly creuised or notched about the edges greater than Quince leaues The stalks grow more than a cubit high on the tops whereof there hang downwards fiue or six knobs or heads in colour and floures like the other hauing three or foure whitish roots of a foot long 1 Eryngium caeruleum Blew Sea Holly 2 Eryngium spurium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bastard Sea Holly 3 Eryngium 〈◊〉 Clusij Dwarfe Sea Holly 4 Eryngium Montanum Mountaine Sea Holly ‡ 5 Eryngium pusillum planum Small smooth Sea Holly 4 The fourth kinde of bastard Sea Holly which 〈◊〉 calleth Eryngium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and is the fourth according to 〈◊〉 his account is like to the Erynges not in 〈◊〉 but in taste this beareth a very small and slender stalke of a meane height whereupon doe grow three or foure leaues seldom fiue made of 〈◊〉 leaues set vpon a midd'e rib narrow long hard and of a darke greene 〈◊〉 dented on both edges of the leafe like a saw the 〈◊〉 is a cubit high iointed or kneed and diuiding it selfe into many branches on the tops whereof are round tufts or vmbels wherin are contained the floures and after they be vaded the seedes which are small somewhat long well smelling and sharpe in taste the 〈◊〉 is white and long not a finger thicke in taste sweet but afterwards somewhat 〈◊〉 and in sent and 〈◊〉 not vnpleasant when the root is dried 〈◊〉 may be crumbled in pieces and therefore quickly 〈◊〉 ‡ 5 This is a low plant presently from the root diuided into sundry branches slender round lying on the ground at each ioint grow leaues without any certain order broad toward their ends and narrower at their setting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 about their edges those next the root were some inch broad and two or more long of a yellowish greene colour the stalkes are parted into sundry branches and at each ioint haue little leaues and rough and greene heads with 〈◊〉 floures in them the roots creepe and are somewhat like those of Asparagus This neither Clusius nor Lobel found wilde but it grew in the garden of Iohn 〈◊〉 of Tourney a learned Apothecarie verie skilfull in the knowledge of plants whereupon they both called it Eryngium pusillum planum Moutoni ‡ ¶ The Place These kindes of sea Holly are strangers in England we haue the first and second in our London gardens ¶ The Time They floure and flourish when the Thistles do ¶ The Names These plants be Eryngia spuria or bastard Sea Hollies and are lately obserued and therefore they haue no old names The first may bee called in Latine Eryngium Borussicum or Non spinosum Sea Hollie without prickles The second is called by Matthiolus Eryngium planum or flat Sea Holly others had rather name it Alpinum Eryngium or Sea Holly of the Alpes The third is rightly called Eryngium pumilum little Sea Huluer 〈◊〉 maketh the fourth to be Crithmum quartum or the fourth kinde of Sampier and others as Dodonaeus and Lobel haue made it a kinde of Sea Huluer ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Touching the faculties hereof we haue nothing to set downe seeeing they haue as yet no vse in medicine nor vsed to be eaten But yet that they be hot the very taste doth declare CHAP. 486. Of Star-Thistle ¶ The Description 1 THe Star-Thistle called Carduus stellatus hath many soft frizled leaues deepely cut or gasht altogether without prickles among which riseth vp a stalke diuiding it selfe into many other branches growing two foot high on the tops whereof are small knops or heads like the other Thistles armed round about with many sharpe prickles fashioned like a blasing star which at the beginning are of a purple colour but afterwards of a pale bleak or whitish colour the seed is small flat and round the root is long and browne without 1 Carduus stellatus The Star-Thistle 2 Carduus Solstitialis Saint Barnabies Thistle 2 Saint Barnabies Thistle is another kinde of Star-Thistle notwithstanding it hath prickles no where faue in the head onely and the prickles of it stand forth in manner of a star the stalks are two cubits high parted into diuers branches softer than are those of star-Thistle which stalks haue velmes or thin skins cleauing vnto them all in length by which they seeme to be foure-square the leaues are somewhat long set with deep gashes on the edges the floures are yellow and consist of threds the seed is little the root long and slender ¶ The Place The two first do grow vpon barren places neere vnto cities and townes almost euery where ¶ The Time They floure and flourish especially in Iuly and August ¶ The Names The first is called in Latine Stellaria as also Carduus Stellatus and likewise Carduus Calcitrapa but they are deceiued who take it to be Eryngium or Sea 〈◊〉 or any kinde thereof Matthiolus saith that it is called in Italian Calcatrippa in high Dutch Dallen distel in low Dutch Sterre distell in French 〈◊〉 in English Star-Thistle S. Barnabies Thistle is called in Latine 〈◊〉 spina because it floureth in the Sommer Solstice as Gesner saith or rather because after the Solstice the prickles thereof be sharpest of Guillandinus Eryngium but not properly and Stellaria 〈◊〉 Augerij who with good successe gaue it against the stone dropsies greene sicknesse and quotidian feuers It is called in English as aboue said Saint Barnabies Thistle ¶ The Temperature The Star-Thistle is of a hot nature ¶ The Vertues The seed is commended against the strangurie it is reported to driue forth the stone if it bee drunke with wine Baptista Sardus 〈◊〉 that the distilled water of this Thistle is a remedie for those that are infected with the French Pox and that the vse of this is good for the liuer that it taketh away the stoppings thereof That it clenseth the bloud from corrupt and putrified humours That it
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
they are as yet fresh which they lose when they be dried for this cause their iuice and infusion doth also make the bodie soluble yet not so much as of the others aforesaid These roses being dried and their moisture 〈◊〉 do bind and dry and likewise coole but lesser than when they are fresh ¶ The Vertues They strengthen the heart and helpe the trembling and beating thereof They giue strength to the liuer kidneies and other weake intrails they dry and comfort a weak stomacke that is flashie and moist stay the whites and reds stanch bleedings in any part of the body stay sweatings binde and loose and moisten the body And they are put into all manner of counterpoisons and other like medicines whether they be to be outwardly applied or to be inwardly taken to which they giue an effectuall binding and certaine strengthning qualitie Honie of Roses or Mel Rosarum called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is made of them is most excellent good for wounds vlcers issues and generally for such things as haue need to be clensed and dried The oile doth mitigate all kindes of heat and will not suffer inflammations or hot swellings to rise and being risen it doth at the first asswage them ¶ The Temperature and Vertues of the parts The floures or bloomings of Roses that is to say the yellow haires and tips do in like maner dry and binde and that more effectually than of the leaues of the roses themselues the same temperature the cups and beards be of but seeing none of these haue any sweet smell they are not so profitable nor so familiar or beneficiall to mans nature notwithstanding in fluxes at the sea it shall auaile the Chirurgion greatly to carry store thereof with him which doth there preuaile much more than at the land The same yellow called Anthera staieth not onely those lasks and bloudy fluxes which do happen at the sea but those at the land also and likewise the white flux and red in women if they bee dried beaten to pouder and two scruples thereof giuen in red wine with a little powder of Ginger added thereto and being at the sea for want of red wine you may vse such liquour as you can get in such extremitie The little heads or buttons of the Roses as Pliny writeth do also stanch bleeding and stoppe the laske The nailes or white ends of the leaues of the floures are good for watering eies The iuice infusion or decoction of Roses are to be reckoned among those medicines which are soft gentle loosing opening and purging gently the belly which may be taken at all times and in all places of euery kinde or sex of people both old and yong without danger or perill The syrrup made of the infusion of Roses is a most singular gentle loosing medicine carrying downwards cholericke 〈◊〉 opening the stoppings of the liuer helping greatly the yellow iaundies the trembling of the heart taking away the extreme heat in agues and burning feuers which is thus made Take two pound of Roses the white ends cut away put them to steepe or infuse in six pintes of warme water in an open vessell for the space of twelue houres then straine them out and put thereto the like quantitie of Roses and warme the water again so let it stand the like time do thus foure or fiue times in the end adde vnto that liquor or infusion foure pound of fine sugar in powder then boyle it vnto the forme of a syrrup vpon a gentle fire continually stirring it vntill it be cold then straine it and keepe it for your vse whereof may be taken in white wine or other liquour from one ounce vnto two Syrrup of the iuice of Roses is very profitable for the grieses aforesaid made in this manner Take Roses the white nailes cut away what quantitie you please stampe them and straine our the iuice the which you shall put to the fire adding thereto sugar according to the quantity of the iuice boiling them on a gentle fire vnto a good consistence Vnto these syrrups you may adde a few drops of oyle of Vitriol which giueth it a most beautifull colour and also helpeth the force in cooling hot and burning feuers and agues you likewise may adde thereto a small quantitie of the iuice of Limons which doth the like The conserue of Roses as well that which is crude and raw as that which is made by ebullition or boiling taken in the morning fasting and last at night strengthneth the heart and taketh away the shaking and trembling thereof strengthneth the liuer kidneies and other weake intrails comforteth a weake stomacke that is moist and raw staieth the whites and reds in women and in a word is the most familiar thing to be vsed for the purposes aforesaid and is thus made Take the leaues of Roses the nails cut off one pound put them into a clean pan then put thereto a pinte and a halfe of scalding water stirring them together with a woodden slice so let them stand to macerate close couered some two or three houres 〈◊〉 set them to the fire slowly to boyle adding thereto three pounds of sugar in powder letting them to simper together according to discretion some houre or more then keepe it for your vse The same made another way but better by many degrees take Roses at your pleasure put them to boyle in faire water hauing regard to the quantity for if you haue many roses you may take the more water if fewer the lesse water will serue the which you shall boyle at the least three or foure houres euen as you would boyle a piece of meat vntill in the eating they be very tender at which time the roses will lose their colour that you would thinke your labour lost and the thing spoyled But proceed for though the Roses haue lost their colour the water hath gotten the tincture thereof then shall you adde vnto one pound of Roses foure pound of fine sugar in pure powder and so according to the rest of the roses Thus shall you let them boyle gently after the Sugar is put therto continually stirring it with a woodden Spatula vntill it be cold whereof one pound weight is worth six pound of the crude or raw conserue as well for the vertues and goodnesse in taste as also for the beautifull colour The making of the crude or raw conserue is very well knowne as also Sugar roset and diuers other pretty things made of roses and sugar which are impertent vnto our historie because I intend neither to make thereof an Apothecaries shop nor a Sugar bakers storehouse leauing the rest for our cunning confectioners CHAP. 2. Of the Muske Roses ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of Roses planted in gardens besides those written of in the former chapter which are of most writers reckoned among the wilde roses notwithstanding we thinke it conuenient to put them into a chapter betweene those of the garden and
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 ¶
another saith the same Author almost like to the former but lower and diuided into more branches with lesser leaues more thick and salt of taste and whiter also than the former the floures are like in all things but their colour those of the former which in this are 〈◊〉 2 This hath more flexible stalks and branches and these also set with thornes the leaues are narrow and not so thicke or fleshie as those of the former yet remaine alwaies greene like as they do the floures are small and mossie of a greenish colour growing thicke about the branches and they are succeeded by a round fruit yellowish when it is ripe and remaining on the shrubbe all the ‡ 1 Rhamnus 1. Clusij flo albo White floured Ram-thorne ‡ 2 Rhamnus 2. Clusij Sallow-Thorne ‡ Rhamnus alter 〈◊〉 flore purpureo Purple floured Ram-thorne 3 Ramnus tertius Clusij Ram or Harts-Thorne 3 To these may be added another growing with many branches to the height of the Sloe-tree or blacke Thorne and these are couered with a blackish barke and armed with long prickles the leaues as in the first grow forth of certaine knots many together long narrow sleshie greene and continuing all the yeare their taste is astringent somewhat like that of Rhabarb the floures shew themselues at the beginning of the Spring of a greenish colour growing thicke together and neere the setting on of the leaues in Summer it carries a blacke fruit almost like a Sloe round and harsh of taste ¶ The Place The first of these growes in sundry places of 〈◊〉 Portugall and Prouince the other varietic thereof Clusius saith he found but onely in one place and that was neere the citie Horivela called by the Antients Orcellis by the riuer Segura vpon the borders of the kingdome of Valentia the second growes in many maritime places of Flanders and Holland and in some vallies by riuers sides The third growes in the vntilled places of the kingdome of Granado and Murcia ‡ ¶ The Time This Ram is euer greene together with his leaues the fruit or berries remaine on the shrub yea euen in Winter ¶ The Names The Grecians call this thorne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines also Rhamnus and of diuers it is also named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Spina alba or white Thorne Spina Cerualis or Harts-thorne as we finde written among the bastard words Marcellus nameth it Spina salutaris and Herba salutaris which hath saith he as it were a grape It is called in Italian Marruca and 〈◊〉 in Spanish Scambrones in English Ram or Harts Thorne ¶ The Temperature The Ram saith Galen doth drie and digest in the second degree it cooleth in the later end of the first degree and in the beginning of the second ¶ The Vertues The leaues saith Dioscorides are layed pultis wise vpon hot cholericke inflammations and Saint Anthonies fire but we must vse them whilest they be yet but tender as Galen addeth ‡ The leaues and buds or young shoots of the first are eaten as sallads with oile vineger and salt at Salamanea and other places of Castile 〈◊〉 they haue a certaine acrimonie and 〈◊〉 which are gratefull to the taste A decoction of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the third is good to foment relaxed and weake or paralyticke members and to ease 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the gout as the Inhabitants of Granado told Clusius ‡ CHAP. 29. Of 〈◊〉 Thorne ¶ The Description CHrists 〈◊〉 or Ram of Lybia is a very tough and hard shrubby bush growing vp sometimes vnto the height of a little tree hauing very long and sharpe pricklie branches but the thornes that grow about the leaues are lesser and not so prickly as the former The leaues are small broad and almost round somewhat sharpe pointed first of a darke greene colour and then somwhat 〈◊〉 The floures grow in clusters at the top of the stalks of a yellow colour the husks wherein the seeds be contained are flat and broad very like vnto small bucklers as hard as wood wherein are contained three or foure thin and flat seeds like the seed of Line or Flax. ¶ The Place This Thorne groweth in Lybia it is better esteemed of in the countrey of Cyrene than is their Lote tree as Pliny 〈◊〉 Of this shrub Diphilus Siphnius in 〈◊〉 in his foureteenth booke maketh mention saying that hee did verie often eat of the same in Alexandria that beautifull Citie Petrus Bellonius who trauelled ouer the Holly Land saith that this shrubbie thorne Paliurus was Paliurus Christs Thorne the thorne wherewith they 〈◊〉 our 〈◊〉 Christ his reason for the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is this that in Iudaea there was not any 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 common so pliant or so fit for to 〈◊〉 a crown or garland of nor any so full of cruell 〈◊〉 prickles It groweth throughout the whole countrey in such aboundance that it is their common fuell to burne yea so common with them there as our Gorsse Brakes and broome is here with vs. Iosephus in his first booke of Antiquities and 11. chap. saith that this Thorne hath the most sharpe prickles of any other and therefore that Christ might be the more tormented the Iewes rather tooke this than any other Of which I haue a small tree growing in my garden that I haue brought forth by sowing of the seed The Time The leaues fall away and continue not alwaies green as do those of the Rams it buddeth forth in the Spring as Pliny testifieth ¶ The Names This Thornie shrubbe is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines and Italians retaire the same name Paliurus for want of an English name it may be termed Ramme of Lybia or Christs Thorne Pliny reporteth that the 〈◊〉 is called Zura ¶ The Temperature The leaues and root of Christs 〈◊〉 doe euidently binde and cut ¶ The Vertues 〈◊〉 vertue of this cutting quality the seed doth weare away the stone and cause tough and slimy humors to remoue out of the chest and lungs as Galen saith The decoction of the leaues and root of Christs Thistle as Dioscorides writeth stoppeth the belly prouoketh vrine and is a remedy against poisons and the bitings of serpents The root doth waste and consume away Phymata and Oedemata if it be stamped and applied The seed is good for the cough and weareth away the stone in the bladder CHAP. 30. Of Buck-Thorne or laxatiue 〈◊〉 ¶ The Description 1 BVck-thorne groweth in manner of a shrub or hedge tree his trunke or body is often as big as a mans thigh his wood or timber is yellow within and his barke is of the colour of a Chestnut almost like the bark of a Cherry tree The branches are beset with leaues that are somewhat round and finely snipt about the edges like the leaues of the Crab or Wilding tree among which come forth Thornes which are hard and prickly the floures are white and smal which being vaded there succeed little round berries greene at the first but afterwards black wherof
that excellent greene colour is made which the Painters and Limners do call Sap-greene but these berries before they be ripe do make a faire yellow colour being steeped in vineger ‡ 1 Rhamnus solutivus Buck-thorne ‡ 2 Rhamnus solutivus minor Middle Buck-thorne †3 Rhamnus solutivus pumilus Dwarfe Buck-thorne 3 This other hath branches some cubite long and of the thicknesse of ones little finger or lesser couered with a blacke and shriuelled barke and towards the top diuided into little boughs which are couered with a thin smoother barke and commonly end in a sharp thorn the leaues much resemble those of the Slo-tree yet are they shorter and lesser greene also and snipt about the edges first of an astringent and afterwards of somewhat a bitterish taste the floures which grow amongst the leaues are of an herby colour and consist of foure leaues the fruit is not much vnlike that of the former but distinguished with two somtimes with three crests or dents first green and then black when it is ripe the root is thicke wooddie and hard Clusius found this on the hill aboue the Bathes of Baden hee calls it Spina infectoria pumila 2. This Matthiolus and others call Lycium Italicum and our Author formerly gaue the figure of Matthiolus and Tabernamontanus by the name of Lycium Hispanicum and here againe another for his Rhamnus solutivus which made mee to keepe it in this chapter and omit it in the former it being described in neither ‡ ¶ The Place Buck-thorne groweth neere the borders of fields in hedges woods and in other vntoiled places it delighteth to grow in riuers and in water ditches it groweth in Kent in sundry places as at Farningham vpon the cony burrowes belonging sometime to Mr. Sibil as also vpon cony burrowes in Southfleet especially in a small and narrow lane leading from the house of Mr. William 〈◊〉 vnto Longfield downes also in the hedge vpon the right hand at Dartford townes end towards London and in many places more vpon the chalkie bankes and hedges ¶ The Time It floureth in May the berries be ripe in the fall of the leafe ¶ The Names The later Herbarists call it in Latine Rhamnus 〈◊〉 because it is set with thornes like as the Ram and beareth purging berrics Matthiolus namethit Spina infectoria Valerius Cordus Spina 〈◊〉 and diuers call it Burgispina It is termed in high Dutch 〈◊〉 weghdorn in Italian Spino Merlo Spino Zcrlino Spino Ceruino in English Laxatiue Ram Way-thorne and Buck-thorne in low Dutch they call the fruit or berries Rhijnbesien that is as though you should say in Latine Baccoe Rhenanoe in English Rheinberries in French Nerprun ¶ The Temperature The berries of this Thorne as they be in taste bitter and binding so be they also hot and dry in the second degree ¶ The Vertues The same do purge and void by the stoole thicke flegme and also cholericke humors they are giuen being beaten into pouder from one dram to a dram and a halfe diuers do number the berries who giue to strong bodies from fifteene to twenty or moe but it is better to breake them and boile them in fat flesh broth without salt and to giue the broth to drinke for so they purge with lesser trouble and fewer gripings There is pressed forth of the ripe berries a iuice which being boyled with a little Allum is vsed of painters for a deep greene which they do call Sap greene The berries which be as yet vnripe being dried and insufed or steeped inwater do make a saire yellow colour but if they be ripe they make a greene CHAP. 31. Of the Holme Holly or Huluer tree Agrifolium The Holly tree ¶ The Description THe Holly is a shrubbie plant notwithstanding it oftentimes growes to a tree of a reasonable bignesse the boughes whereof are tough and flexible couered with a smooth and green bark The substance of the wood is hard and sound and blackish or yellowish within which doth also sinke in the water as doth the Indianwood which is called Guaiacum the leaues are of a beautifull green colour smooth and glib like almost the bay leaues but lesser and cornered in the edges with sharp 〈◊〉 which notwithstanding they want or haue few when the tree is old the floures be white and sweet of smell the berries are round of the bignesse of a little Pease or not much greater of colour red of tast vnpleasant with a white stone in the midst which do not easily fall away but hang on the boughes a long time the root is wooddie There is made of the smooth barke of this tree or shrub Birdlime which the birders and country men do vse to take birds with they pul off the barke and make a ditch in the ground specially in moist boggy or foggy earth wherinto they put this bark couering the ditch with boughes of trees letting it remaine there till it be rotten and putrified which will be done in the space of twelue daies or thereabout which done they take it forth and beat in morters vntill it be come to the thicknesse and clamminesse of Lime lastly that they may cleare it from pieces of barke and other 〈◊〉 they do wash it very often after which they adde vnto it a little oyle of nuts and after that do put it vp in earthen vessells ¶ The Place The Holly tree groweth plentifully in all countries It groweth green both winter and sommer the berries are ripe in September and they do hang vpon the tree a long time after ¶ The Names This tree or shrub is called in Latine Agrifolium in Italian Agrifoglio and 〈◊〉 in Spanish Azebo in high Dutch walddistell and of diuers Stecpalmen in low Dutch 〈◊〉 in French Hous and Housson in English Holly Huluer and Holme ¶ The Temperature The berries of Holly are hot and drie and of thin parts and waste away winde ¶ The Vertues They are good against the collicke for ten or twelue being inwardly taken bring away by the stoole thicke flegmaticke humors as we haue learned of them who oftentimes made triall thereof The Birdlime which is made of the barke hereof is no lesse hurtfull than that of Misseltoe for it is maruellous clammie it glueth vp all the intrails it shutteth and draweth together the guts and passages of the excrements and by this meanes it bringeth destruction to man not by any qualitie but by his glewing substance Holly beaten to pouder and drunke is an experimented medicine against all the fluxes of the belly as the dysenterie and such like CHAP. 32. Of the Oke 1 Quercus vulgaris cum glande musco suo The Oke Tree with his Acornes and Mosse ¶ The Description 1 THe common Oke groweth to a great tree the trunke or body wherof is couered ouer with a thicke rough barke full of chops or rifts the armes or boughs are likewise great dispersing themselues farre abroad the leaues are bluntly indented about the edges smooth and of a
shining greene colour whereon is often found a most sweet dew and somewhat clammie and also a fungous excrescence which we call Oke Apples The fruit is long couered with a browne hard and tough pilling set in a rough scaly cup or husk there is often found vpon the body of the tree and also vpon the branches a certaine kind of long white mosse hanging downe from the same and sometimes another wooddie plant which we cal Misseltoe being either an excrescence or outgrowing from the tree it selfe or of the doung as it is reported of a bird that hath eaten a certaine berrie ‡ Besides these there are about the roots of old Okes within the earth certaine other excrescences which Bauhine and others haue called Vuoe quercinoe because they commonly grow in clusters together after the manner of Grapes and about their bignes being sometimes round otherwhiles cornered of a woody substance hollow within and somtimes of a purple otherwhiles of a whitish colour on the outside their taste is astringent and vse singular in all 〈◊〉 and fluxes of bloud as Encelius affirmes Cap. 51. de Lapid Gen. ‡ 3 Carolus Clusius reporteth that hee found this base or low Oke not far from Lisbone of the height of a cubite which notwithstanding did also beare an acorne like that of our Oke-tree sauing that the cup is smoother and the Acorne much bitterer wherein it differeth from the rest of his kinde 2 Quercus vulgaris cum excrementis fungosis The common Oke with his Apple or greene Gall. 3 Quercus humilis The dwarfe Oke There is a wilde Oke which riseth vp oftentimes to a maruellous height and reacheth very 〈◊〉 with his armes and boughes the body wherof is now and then of a mighty thicknesse in compasse two or three fathoms it sendeth forth great spreading armes diuided into a multitude of boughs The leaues are smooth something hard broad long gashed in the edges greene on the vpper 〈◊〉 the Acornes are long but shorter than those of the tamer Oke euery one 〈◊〉 in his owne cup which is rough without they are couered with a thin rinde or shell the substance or kernell within is diuided into two parts as are Beans Pease and Almonds the bark of the yong Okes is smooth glib and good to thicken skins and hides with but that of the old Okes is rugged thicke hard and full of chops the inner substance or heart of the wood is somthing yellow hard and sound and the older the harder the white and outward part next to the barke doth easily rot being subiect to the worme especially if the tree be not felled in due time some of the roots grow deepe into the earth and othersome far abroad by which it stiffely standeth ¶ The Place The Oke doth scarcely refuse any ground for it groweth in a drie and barren soile yet doth it prosper better in a fruitfull ground it groweth vpon hills and mountaines and likewise in vallies it commethyp euery where in all parts of England but is not so common in other of the South and hot regions ¶ The Time The Oke doth cast his leaues for the most part about the end of Autumne some keepe their leaues on but dry all winter long vntill they be thrust off by the new spring ¶ The Names The Oke is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Quercus of some Placida as Gaza translateth it It may be called 〈◊〉 Vrbana or Culta some also Emeros mudion and Robur the Macedonians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as though you should say Veriquercus as Gaza expo undeth it or Vere Quercus the true Oke We may name it in English the tamer Oke-tree in French Chesne in Dutch 〈◊〉 boom The fruit is named in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Lat ine Glans in high Dutch Eichel in low Dutch Eekel in Spanish Bellotus in Italian Chiande in English Acorne and Mast. The cup wherein the Acorne standeth is named in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Paulus Aegineta in his third booke 42 chapter testifieth saying Omphacis is the hollow thing out of which the Acorne groweth in Latine Calix glandis in shops Cupula glandis in English the Acorne cup. ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The leaues barke Acorne cups and the Acornes themselues doe mightily binde and drie in the third degree being somewhat cold withall The best of them saith Galen is the thin skin which is vnder the barke of the tree and that next which lieth neerest to the pulpe or inner substance of the Acorne all these stay the whites the reds spitting of bloud and laskes the decoction os these is giuen or the pouder of them dried for the purposes aforesaid Acornes if they be eaten are hardly concocted they yeeld no nourishment to mans body but that which is grosse raw and cold Swine are fatted herewith and by feeding hereon haue their flesh hard and sound The Acorns prouoke 〈◊〉 and are good against all venome and poison but they are not of such a stopping and binding facultie as the leaues and barke The Oke apples are good against all fluxes of bloud and lasks in what manner soeuer they be taken but the best way is to boile them in red wine and being so prepared they are good also against the excessiue moisture and swelling of the iawes and almonds or kernels of the throat The decoction of Oke apples staieth womens diseases and causeth the mother that is falne downe to returne againe to the naturall place if they doe sit ouer the said decoction being very hot The same steeped in strong white wine vineger with a little pouder of Brimstone and the root of Ireos mingled together and set in the Sun by the space of a moneth maketh the haireb lacke consumeth proud and superfluous flesh taketh away sun-burning freckles spots the morphew with all deformities of the face being washed therewith The Oke Apples being broken in sunder about the time of their withering do foreshew the sequell of the yeare as the expert Kentish husbandmen haue obserued by the liuing things found in them as if they finde an Ant they foretell plenty of graine to insue if a white worme like a Gentill or Magot then they prognosticate murren of beasts and cattell if a spider then say they wee shall haue a pestilence or some such like sicknesse to follow amongst men these things the learned also haue obserued and noted for Matthiolus writing vpon Dioscorides saith that before 〈◊〉 haue an hole through them they containe in them either a flie a spider or a worme if a flie then war insueth if a creeping worme than scarcitie of victuals if a running spider then followeth great sicknesse or mortalitie CHAP. 33. Of the Scarlet Oke ¶ The Kindes ALthough Theophrastus hath made mention but of one of these Holme Holmeor Holly Okes onely yet hath the later age set downe two kindes thereof one bearing the scarlet grain and the other only the Acorn which
the Italians Pece liquida in high Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in low Durch 〈◊〉 in French Poix foudire in Spanish Pex liquida certaine Apothecaries Kitran and we in English Tar. And of this when it is boiled is made a harder Pitch this is named in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Arida or sicca Pix of diuers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as though they should say Iterata Pix or Pitch iterated because it is boiled the second time A certaine kinde hereof being made clammie or 〈◊〉 is named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in shops Pix naualis or Ship Pitch in high Dutch Bach in low Dutch Steenpeck in Italian Pece secca in French Poix seche in Spanish Pez seca in English Stone Pitch ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Pitch is hot and dry Tarre is hotter and stone pitch more drying as Galen writeth Tar is good against inflammations of the almonds of the throte and the uvula and likewise the Squincie being outwardly applied It is a remedie for mattering eares with oile of Roses it healeth the bitings of Serpents if it be beaten with salt and applied With an equall portion of wax it taketh away foule ilfauoured nailes it wasteth away swellings of the kernels and hard swellings of the mother and fundament With barly meale and a boies vrine it consumeth 〈◊〉 or the Kings euill it staieth eating vlcers if it be laid vnto them with brimstone and the barke of the Pitch Tree or with branne If it be mixed with fine Frankincense and a cerote made thereof it healeth chops of the fundament and feet Stone Pitch doth mollifie and soften hard swellings it ripens and maketh matter and wasteth away hard swellings and inflammations of kernels it filleth vp hollow vlcers and is fitly mixed with wound medicines What vertue Tarre hath when it is inwardly taken we may reade in Dioscorides and Galen but we set downe nothing thereof for that no man in our age will easily vouchsafe the taking There is also made of Pitch a congealed smoke or blacke which serueth 〈◊〉 the same purposes as that of the Rosins doth CHAP. 43. Of the Firre or Deale Tree ¶ The Description 1 THe Firre tree groweth very high and great hauing his leaues euer greene his trunke or body smooth euen and straight without ioints or knots vntill it hath gotten branches which are many and very faire beset with leaues not much vnlike the leaues of the Ewe tree but smaller among which come forth floures vpon the taller trees growing at the bottomes of the leaues like little catkins as you may see them exprest in a branch apart by themselues the fruit is like vnto the Pine Apple but smaller and narrower hanging downe as the Pine Apple the timber hereof excelleth all other timber for the masting of ships posts rails deale boords and sundry other purposes 1 Abies The Firre tree ‡ 2 Abies mas The male Firre tree 2 There is another kinde of Firre tree which is likewise a very high and tall tree and higher than the Pine the body of it is straight without knots below waxing smaller and smaller euen to the very top about which it sendeth forth boughes foure together out of one and the selfe same part of the body placed one against another in manner of a crosse growing forth of the foure sides of the body and obseruing the same order euen to the very top out of these boughes grow others also but by two and two one placed right against another out of the sides which bend downwards when the other beare vpwards the leaues compasse the boughes round about and the branches thereof they be long round and blunt pointed narrower and much whiter than those of the Pitch tree that is to say of a light greene and in a manner of a white colour the cones or clogs be long and longer than any others of the cone trees they consist of a multitude of soft scales they hang downe from the end of the twigs and doe not easily fall downe but remaine on the tree a very long time the kernels in these are small not greater than the kernels of the Cherrie stone with a thinne skin growing on the one side very like almost to the wings of Bees or great Flies the timber or substance of the wood is white and clad with many coats like the head of an Onion ‡ Abietis ramus cumjulis A branch with Catkins or floures ¶ The Place The Firre trees grow vpon high mountains in many woods of Germany and Bohemia in which it continueth alwaies greene it is found also on hils in Italy France other countries it commeth downe oftentimes into the vallies they are found likewise in Pruse Pomerania Liefeland Russia especially in Norway where I haue seene the good liest trees in the world of this kinde growing vpon the rockie and craggie mountaines almost without any earth about them or any other thing sauing a little mosse about the roots which thrust them selues here and there into the chinkes and cranies of the rockes and therefore are easily cast downe with any extreme gale of winde I haue seen these trees growing in Cheshire Staffordshire and Lancashire where they grew in great plenty as is reported before Noahs floud but then being ouerturned and ouerwhelmed haue lien since in the mosses and waterie moorish grounds very fresh and sound vntill this day so full of a resinous substance that they burne like a Torch or Linke and the inhabitants of those countries do call it Fir-wood and Fire-wood vnto this day out of this tree issueth the rosin called Thus in English Frank insence but from the young Fir trees proceedeth an excellent cleare and liquid Rosin in taste like to the peelings or outward rinde of the Pomecitron ¶ The Time The time of the Fir tree agreeth with the Pine trees ¶ The Names The tree is called in Latine Abies in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 amongst the Graecians of our time the same name remaineth whole and vncorrupt it is called in high Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Thannen baum in Low Dutch Witte Dennen boom or Abel-boom and Mast-boom in Italian Abete in Spanish Abeto in English Firre-tree Mast-tree and Deale-tree The first is called in rench du Sap or Sapin the other is Suiffe The liquid rosin which is taken forth of the barke of the young Firre-trees is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Lachryma abietis and Lachryma 〈◊〉 in the shops of Germany as also of England Terebinthina Veneta or Venice Turpentine in Italian Lagrimo diuers do thinke that Dioscorides calleth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oleasa Resina or oile Rosin but oile Rosin is the same that Pix liquida or Tar is Arida Abietum Resina or drie Rosin of the Fir trees is rightly called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine 〈◊〉 Resina it hath a sweet smell and is oftentimes vsed among other perfumes in stead of Frankincense ¶ The Temperature
deepe green colour like those of Peruincle but yet longer greater also than the leaues of the Oliue tree the floures be white sweet of smell very little growing in clusters which being vaded there succeed clusters of berries at the first greene and when they be ripe blacke like a little cluster of grapes which yeeld a purple iuice the root groweth euery way aslope ¶ The Place The common Priuet groweth naturally in enery wood and in the hedge rowes of our London gardens it is not found in the countrey of Polonia and other parts adiacent ¶ The Time It sloureth in the end of May or in Iune the berries are ripe in Autumne or about Winter which now and then continue all the Winter long but in the meane time the leaues fall away and in the Spring new come vp in their places ¶ The Names It is called in Latine Ligustrum in Italian at this day Guistrico by a corrupt word drawne from Ligustrum it is the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in no wise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Cyprus is a shrub that groweth naturally in the East and Priuet in the West They be very like one vnto another as the descriptions doe declare but yet in this 〈◊〉 differ as witnesseth Bellonius because the leaues of Priuet do fall away in winter and the leaues of Cyprus are alwaies greene moreouer the leaues of Cyprus do make the haire red as 〈◊〉 saith and as Bellonius reporteth do giue a yellow colour but the leaues of Priuet haue no vse at all in dying And therefore Pliny lib. 24. cap. 10. was deceiued in that he iudged Priuet to be the selfe same tree which Cyprus is in the East which thing notwithstanding he did not write as hee himselfe thought but as other men suppose for lib. 12. cap. 14. he writeth thus Some saith he affirme this viz. Cyprus to be that tree which is called in Italy Ligustrum and that 〈◊〉 or Priuet is that plant which the Grecians call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the description doth declare Phillyria saith Dioscorides is a tree like in bignesse to Cyprus with leaues blacker and broader than those of the Oliue tree it hath fruit like to that of the Mastick tree blacke something sweet standing in clusters and such a tree for all the world is Priuet as we haue before declared Serapio the Arabian cap. 44. doth call Priuet Mahaleb There is also another Mahaleh which is a graine or seed of which Auicen maketh mention cap. 478. that it doth by his warme and comfortable heate dissolue and asswage paine Serapio seemeth to intreat of them both and to containe diuers of the 〈◊〉 vnder the title of one chapter it is named in high-Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in low-Dutch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in French Troesne in English Priuet Primprint and Print Some there be that would haue the berries to be called Vaccinia and Vaccinium to be that of which Vitruvius hath made mention in his seuenth booke of Architecture or the art of building chap. 14. of purple colours after the same manner saith he they temper Vaccinium and 〈◊〉 milke vnto it do make a gallant purple in such breuitie of the old writers what can be certainely determined ¶ The Temperature The leaues and fruit of Priuet are cold dry and astringent ¶ The Vertues The leaues of Priuet do cure the swellings apostumations and vlcers of the mouth or throat being gargarised with the iuyce or decoction thereof and therefore they be excellent good to be put into lotions to wash the secret parts and the scaldings with women cankers and sores in childrens mouthes CHAP. 58. Of Mocke-Priuet 1 Phillyrea angustifolia Narrow leaued Mock-Priuet 2 Phillyrea latiore folio The broader leaued Mock-Priuet ¶ The Description 1 CYprus is a kinde of Priuet and is called Phillyrea which name all the sorts or kindes thereof do retaine though for distinctions sake they passe vnder sundry titles This plant groweth like an hedge tree sometimes as big as a Pomegranat tree beset with slender twiggy boughes which are garnished with leaues growing by couples very like the leaues of the Oliue tree but broader softer and of a greene colour from the bosomes of these leaues come forth great bunches of small white floures of a pleasant sweet smell which being vaded there succeed clusters of blacke berries very like the berries of the Alder tree 3 Phillyrea serrata 2. Clusij The second toothed Priuet of Clusius 3 This kinde of Priuet riseth vp like an hedge bush of the height of fiue or six cubits the branches are long fragile or brittle couered with a whitish barke whereon are set leaues somwhat broad iagged on the edges like the teeth of a saw and of a deep green colour among which come forth the floures which neither my Author nor my selfe haue seene the berries grow vpon small foot-stalks for the most part three together being round and of the bignesse of pepper graines or Myrtle berries of a blacke colour when they be ripe ¶ The Place These plants do grow in Syria neere the city Ascalon and were found by our industrious Pena in the mountaines neere Narbone and Montpelier in France the which I planted in the garden at Barn-Elmes neere London belonging to the right Honourable the Earle of Essex I haue them growing in my garden likewise ¶ The Time The leaues shoot forth in the first of the Spring the floures shew themselues in May and Iune the fruit is ripe in September ¶ The Names This Priuet is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine also Cyprus and may be named in English Easterlin Priuet and Mocke-Priuet for the reason following they are deceiued who taking Pliny for their Author do thinke that it is Ligustrum or our Westerne Priuet as wee haue shewed in the former chap. it is the Arabians Alcanna or Henne and it is also called of the Turks Henne euen at this present time ¶ The Temperature The leaues of these kindes of Priuet haue a binding qualitie as Dioscorides writeth ¶ The Vertues Being chewed in the mouth they heale the vlcers thereof and are a remedie against inflammations or hot swellings The decoction thereof is good against burnings and scaldings The same being stamped and steeped in the iuice of Mullen and laid on do make the haire red as Dioscorides noteth Bellonius writeth that not only the haire but also the nether parts of mans body and nailes likewise are coloured and died herewith which is counted an ornament among the Turks The floures being moistned in vineger and applied to the temples asswageth head-ache There is also made of these an oile called Olcum Cyprinum sweet of smell and good to heate and supple the sinewes CHAP. 59. Of bastard Priuet ¶ The Description 1 THis shrubby tree called Macaleb or Mahaleb is also one of the Priuets it riseth vp like vnto a small hedge tree not vnlike vnto the Damson or Bullesse tree
faculties that the Sesely of Marsilles hath whereunto I refer it CHAP. 77. Of the Elder tree ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of Elders some of the land and some of the water or marish grounds some with very jagged leaues and others with double floures as shall be declared ¶ The Description 1 THe common Elder groweth vp now and then to the bignesse of a meane tree casting his boughes all about and oftentimes remaineth a shrub the body is almost all wooddie hauing very little pith within but the boughes and especially the young ones which be iointed are full of pith within and haue but little wood without the barke of the body and great armes is rugged and full of chinks and of an ill fauoured wan colour like ashes that of the boughes is not very smooth but in colour almost like and that is the outward barke for there is another vnder it neerer to the wood of colour greene the substance of the wood is sound somewhat yellow and that may be easily cleft the leaues consist of fiue or six particular ones fastened to one rib like those of the Walnut tree but euery particular one is lesser nicked in the edges and of a ranke and 〈◊〉 smell The floures grow on spokie rundles which be thin and scattered of a white colour and sweet smell after them grow vp little berries greene at the first afterwards blacke whereout is pressed a purple juice which being boiled with Allom and such like things doth serue very well 〈◊〉 the Painters vse as also to colour vineger the seeds in these are a little flat and somewhat long There groweth oftentimes vpon the bodies of those old trees or shrubs a certaine 〈◊〉 called Auricula Iudae or Iewes 〈◊〉 which is soft blackish couered with a skin somewhat like now and then to a mans eare which being plucked off and dryed shrinketh together and becommeth hard This Elder groweth euery where and is the common Elder 2 There is another also which is rare and strange for the berries of it are not blacke but white this is like in leaues to the former 1 Sambucus The common Elder tree ‡ 2 Sambucus fructu albo Elder with white berries 3 The jagged Elder tree groweth like the common Elder in body branches shootes 〈◊〉 floures fruit and stinking smell and differeth onely in the fashion of the leaues which doth so much disguise the tree and put it out of knowledge that no man would take it for a kinde of Elder vntill he hath smelt thereunto which will quickely shew from whence he is descended for these strange Elder leaues are very much jagged rent or cut euen vnto the middle rib From the trunke of this tree as from others of the same kinde proceedeth a certaine fleshie excrescence like vnto the eare of a man especially from those trees that are very old 4 This kinde of Elder hath 〈◊〉 which are white but the berries redde and both are not contained in spokie rundles but in clusters and grow after the manner of a cluster of grapes in leaues and other things it resembleth the common Elder saue that now and then it groweth higher ¶ The Place The common Elder groweth euery where it is planted about 〈◊〉 burrowes for the shadow of the 〈◊〉 but that with the white berries is rare the other kindes grow in like places but that with the clustered fruit groweth vpon mountaines that with the jagged leaues groweth in my garden ¶ The Time These kindes of Elders do floure in Aprill and May and their fruit is ripe in September ¶ The Names This tree is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine and of the Apothecaries Sambucus of 〈◊〉 Salicetus Beza in high Dutch Holunder Holder in low Dutch Ulier in Italian Sambuco in French Hus and 〈◊〉 in Spanish Sauco Sauch Sambugueyro in English Elder and Elder tree that with the white berries diuers would haue to be called Sambucus sylucstris or wilde Elder but Matthiolus calleth it Montana or mountaine Elder 3 〈◊〉 laciniatis folijs The iagged Elder tree 4 Sambucus racemosa vel 〈◊〉 Harts Elder or Cluster Elder ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Galen attributeth the like facultie to Elder that he doth to Danewoort and saith that it is of a drying qualitie gluing and moderatly digesting and it hath not only these faculties but others also for the 〈◊〉 leaues first buds 〈◊〉 and fruit of Elder do not only dry but also heate and haue withall a purging qualitie but not without trouble and hurt to the stomacke The leaues and tender crops of common Elder taken in some broth or pottage open the belly purging both slimie flegme and cholericke humors the middle barke is of the same nature but stronger and purgeth the said humors more violently The seeds contained within the berries dried are good for such as haue the dropsie and such as are too fat and would faine be leaner if they be taken in a morning to the quantity of a dram with wine for a certaine space The leaues of Elder 〈◊〉 in water vntill they be very soft and when they are almost boiled enough a little oile of sweet Almonds added thereto or a little Lineseed oile then taken forth and laid vpon a red cloath or a piece of scarlet and applied to the hemorrhoides or Piles as hot as can be suffered and so let to remaine vpon the part affected vntill it be somewhat cold hauing the like in a readinesse applying one after another vpon the diseased part by the space of an houre or more and in the end some bound to the place and the patient put warme a bed it hath not as yet failed at the first dressing to cure the said disease but if the Patient be dressed twice it must needs doe good if the first faile The greene leaues pouned with Deeres suet or Bulls tallow are good to be laid to hot swellings and tumors and doth asswage the paine of the gout The inner and greene barke doth more forcibly purge it draweth forth choler and waterie humors for which cause it is good for those that haue the dropsie being stamped and the liquor pressed out and drunke with wine or whay Of like operation are also the fresh floures mixed with some kinde of meat as fried with egges they likewise trouble the belly and moue to the stoole being dried they lose as well their purging qualitie as their moisture and retaine the digesting and attenuating qualitie The vinegar in which the dried floures are steeped are wholsome for the stomacke being vsed with meate it stirreth vp an appetite it cutteth and attenuateth or maketh thin grosse and raw humors The facultie of the seed is somewhat gentler than that of the other parts it also moueth the belly and draweth forth waterie humors being beaten to pouder and giuen to a dram weight being new gathered steeped in vineger and afterwards dried it is taken and that effectually in the like weight of the dried lees of
plaines are much worse than those of the mountaines the gum hereof is also blacker fitter to mingle with Pitch and such other stuffe to trim ships than for other vses Arbor Thurifera The Frankincense tree Thuris Limpidifolium Lobelij The supposed leafe of the Frankincense tree Theuet in his Cosmographie saith that the Frankincense tree doth resemble a gummie or rosiny Pine tree which yeeldeth a iuice that in time groweth hard and is called Thus Frankincense in whom is found sometime certaine small graines like vnto grauell which they call the Manna of Frankincense Of this there is in Arabia two other sorts the one the gum wherof is gathered in the Dog daies when the Sun is in Leo which is white pure cleare and shining Pena writeth that he hath seene the cleare Frankincense called Limpidum and yeelding a very sweet smell when it is burnt but the 〈◊〉 hath been seldome seene which the Physition Launanus gaue to Pena and Lobel together with 〈◊〉 pieces of the Rosine which he had of certaine mariners but he could affirme nothing of certaintie whether it were the leafe of the Frankincense or of some other Pine tree yeelding the like 〈◊〉 or gum It is saith he which doth seldom happen in other leaues from the lower part or foot of the 〈◊〉 to the vpper end as it were doubled consisting of two thin rindes or coats with a sheath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and a halfe long at the top gaping open like a hood or fooles coxcombe and as it were 〈◊〉 with a helm at which is a thing seldome seene in a leafe but is proper to the floures of Napellus or Lonchitis as writers affirme the other is gathered in the spring which is reddish worser than 〈◊〉 other in price or value because it is not so well concocted in the heat of the Sunne The Arabians wound this tree with a knife that the liquour may flow out more abundantly whereof some trees yeeld threescore pounds of Frankinsence ¶ The Place Dioscorides saith it groweth in Arabia and especially in that quarter which is called Thurifera the best in that countrey is called 〈◊〉 and is round and if it be broken is fat within and when it is burned doth quickly yeeld a smel next to it in goodnes is that which groweth in Smilo lesser than the other and more yellow ¶ The Time The time is already declared in the description ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Thus in Italian Incenso in Dutch Uueirauch in Spanish Encenso in French Enceus in English Frankincense and Incense in the Arabian tongue 〈◊〉 and of some few Cond r. ‡ The Rosin carries the same name but in shops it is called 〈◊〉 os the Greeke name and article put before it ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues It hath as Dioscorides saith a power to heate and binde It driueth away the dimnesse of the eye-sight filleth vp hollow 〈◊〉 it closes raw wounds staieth all corruptions of bloud although it fall from the head Galen writeth thus of it Thus doth heate in the second degree and drie in the first and hath some small astriction but in the white there is a manifest astriction the rinde doth manifestly binde and dry exceedingly and that most certainly in the second degree for it is of more grosser parts than Frankincense and not so sharpe by reason whereof it is much vsed in spitting of bloud swellings in the mouth the collicke passion the flux in the belly rising from the stomacke and bloudy flixes The fume or smoke of it hath a more drier and hotter quality than the Frankincense it selfe being dry in the third degree It doth also clense and fill vp the vlcers in the eies like vnto Myrrhe thus far Galen Dioscorides saith that if it be drunk by a man in health it driueth him into a frensie but there are few Greekes of his minde Auicen reporteth that it doth helpe and strengthen the wit and vnderstanding but the often taking of it will breed the head-ache and if too much of it be drunke with wine it killeth CHAP. 87. Of Fisticke Nuts Pistacia The Fisticke Nut. ¶ The Description THe tree which beareth Fisticke Nuts is like to the Turpentine tree the leaues hereof be greater than those of the Masticke 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 after the same maner and in like order that they are being of a faint yellow colour out of a green the fruit or Nuts do hang by their stalks in clusters being greater than the Nuts of Pine Apples and much lesser than Almonds the husks without is of a grayish colour sometimes reddish the shell brickle and white the substance of the kernell greene the taste sweet pleasant to be eaten and something sweet of smell ¶ The Place Fisticke Nuts grow in Persia Arabia Syria and in India now they are made free Denizons in Italy as in Naples and in other Prouinces there ¶ The Time This tree doth floure in May and the fruit is ripe in September ¶ The Names This Nut is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Athenaeus Nicander Colophonius in his booke of Treacles nameth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Possidonius nameth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines obseruing the same termes haue named it Pistacion Bistacion or Phistacion the Apothecaries Fistici the Spaniards Alhocigos and 〈◊〉 in Italian 〈◊〉 English Fisticke Nut. ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The kernels of the Fisticke Nuts are oftentimes eaten as be those of the Pine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of temperature hot and moist they are not so easily 〈◊〉 but much easier than 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the iuice is good yet somewhat thicke they yeeld to the body no small nourishment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bodies that are consumed they recouer strength They are good for those that haue the phthisicke or rotting away of the lungs They concoct ripen and clense forth raw humours that cleaue to the lights and chest They open the stoppings of the liuer and be good for the infirmities of the 〈◊〉 they also remoue out of the kidneies sand and grauell and asswage their paine they are also good for vlcers The kernels of Fisticke nuts condited or made into 〈◊〉 with sugar and eaten doe procure bodily lust vnstop the lungs and the brest are good 〈◊〉 the shortnesse of breath and are an excellent preseruatiue medicine being ministred in wine against the bitings of all manner of wilde beasts CHAP. 88. Of the Bladder Nut. Nux vesicaria The Bladder Nut. ¶ The Description THis is a low tree hauing diuers young springs growing forth of the root the substance of the wood is white very hard sound the barke is of a light greene the leaues consist of fiue little ones which be nicked in the edges like those of the Elder but lesser not so greene nor ranke of smell It hath the pleasant whitish floures of Bryonie or Labrusca both in smell and shape which turne into smal cornered bladders of winter Cherries called Alkakengie but
giue vnto the patient a little milk and Saffron or milk and mithridate to drinke to expell to the extreme parts that venome which may lie hid and as yet not seene CHAP. 102 Of the Wilding or Crab tree ¶ The Kindes LIke as there be diuers manured Apples so are there sundry wilde Apples or Crabs whereof to write apart were to small purpose and therefore one description shall 〈◊〉 for the rest Malus syluestris The wilding or Crab tree ¶ The generall Description THere be diuers wilde Apple trees not husbanded that is to say not 〈◊〉 the fruit whereof is harsh and binding for by 〈◊〉 both Apples and Peares become more milde and pleasant The crab or wilding 〈◊〉 growes oftentimes to a reasonable greatnesse equall with the Apple tree the wood is hard firme and sollid the barke rough the branches or boughes many the floures and fruit like those of the apple tree some red others white some greater others lesser the difference is known to all therefore it shall suffice what hath been said for their seuerall distinctions we haue in our London gardens a dwarfe kinde of sweet Apple called Chamaemalus the dwarfe apple tree or Paradise apple which beareth apples very timely without grafting ‡ Our Author here also out of Tabernamontanus gaue foure figures whereof I onely retaine the best with their seueral titles 1 Malus syluestris rubens The great wilding or red Crab tree 2 Malus syluestris alba The white wilding or Crab tree 3 Malus syluestris 〈◊〉 The smaller Crab tree 4 Malus duracina syluestris The choking leane Crab-tree ‡ ¶ The Place The Crab tree groweth wilde in woods and hedge rowes almost euery where ¶ The Time The time answereth those of the garden ¶ The Names Their titles doth set forth their names in Latine and English ¶ The Temperature Of the temperature of wilde apples hath beene sufficiently spoken in the former Chapter ¶ The Vertues The iuice of wilde Apples or crabs taketh away the heate of burnings scaldings and all inflammations and being laid on in short time after it is scalded it keepeth it from blistering The iuice of crabs or Veriuice is astringent or binding and hath withall an abstersiue or clensing qualitie beeing mixed with hard yeest of Ale or Beere and applied in manner of a cold ointment that is spread vpon a cloth first wet in the Veriuice and wrung out and then laid to taketh away the heat of Saint Anthonies fire all inflammations what soeuer healeth scab'd legs burnings and scaldings wheresoeuer it be CHAP. 103. Of the Citron Limon Orange and Assyrian Apple trees ¶ The Kindes THe Citron tree is of kindred with the Limon tree the Orange is of the same house or stocke and the Assyrian Apple tree claimeth a place as neerest in kinred and neighbourhood where-ore I intend to comprehend them all in this one chapter ¶ The Description 1 Malus medica The Pome Citron tree 2 Malus Limonia The Limon tree 2 The Limon tree is like vnto the Pome Citron tree in growth thorny branches and 〈◊〉 of a pleasant sweet smell like those of the Bay-tree the floures hercof are 〈◊〉 than those of the Citron tree and of a most sweet smell the fruit is long and thicke lesser than the 〈◊〉 Citron the rinde is yellow somewhat bitter in taste and sweet of smell the pulpe is white more in quantitie than that of the Citron respecting the bignes in the middle part whereof is 〈◊〉 more soft spungic pulpe and fuller of soure juice the seeds are like those of the Pome Citron 3 The Orenge tree groweth vp to the height of a small Peare tree hauing many 〈◊〉 boughes or branches like those of the Citron tree the leaues are also like those of the Bay-tree ‡ but that they differ in this that at the lower end next the stalke there is a lesser lease made almost after the vulgar figure of an heart whereon the bigger leafe doth stand or is fastned 〈◊〉 they are of a sweet 〈◊〉 the floures are white of a most pleasant sweet smell also the fruit is round like a ball euery circumstance belonging to the forme is very well knowne to all the taste is soure sometimes sweet and often of a taste betweene both the seeds are like those of the Limon 3 Malus 〈◊〉 The Orange tree 4 Malus Assyria The Assyrian Apple tree 4 The Assyrian Apple tree is like vnto the Orange tree the branches are like the leaues are greater the floures are like those of the Citron tree the fruit is round three times as big as the Orange the barke or peeling is thicke rough and of a pale yellow colour wherein appeare often as it were small clifts or crackes the pulpe or inner substance is full of iuice in taste sharpe as that of the Limon but not so pleasant the seeds are like those of the Citron ¶ The Place The Citron Limon and Orange trees do grow especially on the sea coasts of Italy and on the Islands of the Adriaticke Turrhence and also Aegaean Seas likewise on the maine land neer vnto meeres and great lakes there is also great store of them in Spaine but in places especially ioining to the sea or not farre off they are also found in certaine prouinces of France which lie vpon the midland sea They were first brought out of Media as not onely 〈◊〉 writeth but also the Poet Virgil affirmeth in the second book of his Georgickes writing of the Citron tree after this maner Media fert tristes succos 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Felicis mali quo non praesentius vllum Pocula si 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Miscueruntque herbas non innoxiaverba Auxilium venit ac membris agit atra venena Ipsaingens arbos faciesque simillima Lauro Et si non alium late iactaret odorem Laurus erit folia haud vllis labentia ventis Flos apprime tenax Animas olentia 〈◊〉 Orafouent illo senibus medicantur anhelis The Countrey Media beareth iuyces sad And dulling tastes of happy Citron fruit Than which no helpe more present can be had If any time stepmothers worse than brute haue poyson'd pots and mingled berbs of sute With hurtfull charmes this Citron fruit doth chase Blacke venome from the body in euery place The tree it selfe in growth is large and big And very like in shew to th'Laurell tree And would be thought a Laurell leafe and twig But that the smell it casts doth disagree The floure it holds as fast as floure may be Therewith the Medes a remedie do finde For stinking breaths and mouthes a cure most kinde And helpe old men which hardly fetch their winde ¶ The Time These trees be alwaies greene and do as Pliny saith beare fruit at all times of the yere some falling off others waxing ripe and others newly comming forth ¶ The Names The first is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Malus Medica and Malus Citria in English Citron tree and Pomecitron tree The
the name of VVitch Hasell as 8. El. 10. This hath little affiaitie with 〈◊〉 which in Essex is called VVitch Hasell Vlmus folio glabro VVitch Elme or smooth leauen Elme 4 This kinde is in bignesse and height like the first the boughes grow as those of the VVitch Hasell doe that is hanged more downewards than those of the common Elme the barke is blacker than that of the first kinde it will also peele from the boughes the floures are like the first and so are the seeds the leaues in forme are like those of the first kinde but are smooth in handling on both sides My worthy friend and excellent Herbarist of happy memorie Mr. William Coys of Stubbers in the parish of Northokington in Essex told me that the wood of this kinde was more desired for naues of Carts than the wood of the first I obserued it growing very plentifully as I rode between Rumford and the said Stubbers in the yeere 1620. intermixed with the first kinde but easily to be discerned apart and is in those parts vsually called VVitch Elme ‡ ¶ The Place The first kinde of Elme groweth plentifully in all places of England The rest are set forth in their descriptions ¶ The Time The seeds of the Elme sheweth it selfe first and before the leaues it falleth in the end of Aprill at what time the leaues begin to spring ¶ The Names The first is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Vlmus in high Dutch 〈◊〉 holtz 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in low Dutch Oimen in French Orme and Omeau in Italian Olmo in Spanish Vlmo in English Elme tree The seed is named by Plinie and Columella Samera The little wormes which are found with the liquor within the small bladders be named in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Culices and Muliones The other Elme is called by Theophrastus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Gaza translateth Montiulmus or mountaine Elme Columella nameth it Vernacula or Nostras Vlmus that is to say Italica or Italian Elme it is called in low Dutch Herseleer and in some places Heerenteer ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The leaues and barke of the Elme be moderately hot with an euident clensing facultie they haue in the chewing a certaine clammie and glewing qualitie The leaues of Elme glew and heale vp greene wounds so doth the barke wrapped and swadled about the wound like a band The leaues being stamped with vineger do take away scurffe Dioscorides writeth that one ounce weight of the thicker barke drunke with wine or water purgeth flegme The decoction of Elme leaues as also of the barke or root healeth broken bones very speedily if they be fomented or bathed therewith The liquor that is found in the blisters doth beautifie the face and scoureth away all spots freckles pimples spreading tetters and such like being applied thereto It healeth greene wounds and cureth ruptures newly made being laid on with Spleenwoort and the trusse closely set vnto it CHAP. 117. Of the Line or Linden Tree ¶ The Description 1 THe female Line or Linden tree waxeth very great and thicke spreading forth his branches wide and farre abroad being a tree which yeeldeth a most pleasant shadow vnder and within whose boughes may be made braue sommer houses and banqueting arbors because the more that it is surcharged with weight of timber and such like the better it doth flourish The barke is brownish very smooth and plaine on the outside but that which is next to the timber is white moist and tough seruing very well for ropes trases and halters The timber is whitish plaine and without knots yea very soft and gentle in the cutting or handling Better gunpouder is made of the coles of this wood than of VVillow coles The leaues are greene smooth shining and large somewhat snipt or toothed about the edges the floures are little whitish of a good sauour and very many in number growing clustering together from out of the middle of the leafe out of which proceedeth a small whitish long narrow leafe after the floures succeed cornered sharpe pointed Nuts of the bignesse of Hasell Nuts This tree seemeth to be a kinde of Elme and the people of Essex about Heningham wheras great plenty groweth by the way sides do call it broad leafed Elme 1 Tilia faemina The female Line tree 2 Tilia mas The male Line tree 2 The male Tilia or Line tree groweth also very great and thicke spreading it selfe far abroad like the other Linden tree his bark is very tough and pliant and serueth to make cords and halters of The timber of this tree is much harder more knottie and more yellow than the timber of the other not much differing from the timber of the Elme tree the leaues hereof are not much vnlike luy leaues not very greene somewhat snipt about the edges from the middle whereof come forth clusters of little white floures like the former which being vaded there succeed small round pellets growing clustering together like Iuy berries within which is contained a little round blackish seed which falleth out when the berry is ripe ¶ The Place The female Linden tree groweth in some woods in Northampton shire also neere Colchester and in many places alongst the high way leading from London to Henningham in the countie of Essex The male Linden tree groweth in my Lord Treasurers garden at the Strand and in sundry other places as at Barn-elmes and in a garden at Saint Katherines neere London ‡ The female growes in the places here named but I haue not yet obserued the male ‡ ¶ The Time These trees floure in May and their fruit is ripe in August ¶ The Names The Linden tree is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Tilia in high Dutch Linden and Lindenbaum in low Dutch Linde and Lindenboom the Italians Tilia the Spaniards Teia in French Tilet and Tilieul in English Linden tree and Line tree ¶ The Temperature The barke and leaues of the Linden or Line tree are of a temperate heat somewhat drying and astringent ¶ The Vertues The leaues of Tilia boiled in Smithes water with a piece of Allom and a little honey cure the sores in childrens mouthes The leaues boiled vntill they be tender and pouned very small with hogs grease and the pouder of Fenugrecke and Lineseed take away hot swellings and bring impostumes to maturation being applied thereto very hot The floures are commended by diuers against paine of the head proceeding of a cold cause against dissinesse the Apoplexie and also the falling sicknesse and not onely the floures but the distilled water thereof The leaues of the Linden saith Theophrastus are very sweet and be a fodder for most kinde of cattle the fruit can be eaten of none CHAP. 118. Of the Maple tree ‡ 1 Acer maius The great Maple †2 Acer minus The lesser Maple ¶ The Description THe great Maple is a beautifull and high tree with a barke of a meane smoothnesse
corne when there is scarsitie of victuals Galen writeth that he 〈◊〉 a plant of the Sycomore tree like to the wilde Fig tree fruit and all ¶ The Time It bringeth forth 〈◊〉 three or foure times in one yeare and oftner if it be 〈◊〉 with an iron knife or other like instrument ¶ The Names This tree is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Fig tree and the Mulbery tree in Latine Sycomorus 〈◊〉 Celsus nameth it backward Morosycos the Egyptians of our time do call it Ficus 〈◊〉 or Pharao his Fig tree as witnesseth Bellonius and it is likewise termed Ficus Aegyptia Egyptian Fig tree and also Morus Aegyptia or Egyptian Mulberrie tree We cal it English Sycomore tree after the Greek and Latine and also Mulberry Fig tree which is the right Sycomore tree and not the great Maple as we haue said in the chapter of the Maple The fruit is named in Greeke Sycomoron and in Italian Sycomoro and Fico d'Egitto ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The fruit of the Sycomore tree hath no sharpnesse in it at all as Galen saith It is somwhat sweet in raste and is of temperature moist after a sort and cold as be Mulberries It is good saith Dioscorides for the belly but it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is without any nourishment and troublesome to the stomacke There issueth forth of the barke of this tree in the beginning of the Spring before the fruit appeareth a liquour which being taken vp with a spunge or a little wooll is dried made vp into fine cakes and kept in gallie pots this mollifieth closeth wounds together and dissolueth grosse humours It is both inwardly taken and outwardly applied against the bitings of serpents hardnesse of the milt or spleene and paine of the stomacke proceeding of a cold cause this liquor doth very quickly putrifie CHAP. 133. Of the Fig tree ¶ The Description 1 THe garden Fig tree becommeth a tree of a meane slature hauing many branches full of white pith within like Elderne pith and large leaues of a darke greene colour diuided into sundry sections or diuisions The fruit commeth out of the branches without any floure 〈◊〉 all that euer I could perceiue which fruit is in shape like vnto Peares of colour either whitish or somewhat red or of a deep blew full of small graines within of a sweet and pleasant taste which beeing broken before it be ripe doth yeeld most white milk like vnto the kindes of Spurge and the leaues also beeing broken doe yeeld the like liquour but when the Figges be ripe the iuice thereof is like honie 1 Ficus The Fig tree ‡ 2 Chamaeficus The dwarfe Fig tree 2 The dwarfe Fig-tree is like vnto the former in leaues and fruit but it neuer groweth aboue the height of a man and hath many small shoots comming from the roots whereby it greatly increaseth There is also another wilde kinde whose fruit is neuer ripe Theophrastus nameth it Erincos 〈◊〉 Caprificus ¶ The Place The Fig trees do grow plentifully in Spain and Italy and many other countries as in England where they beare fruit but it neuer commeth to kindely maturitie except the tree be planted vnder an hot wall whereto neither North nor Northeast windes can come ¶ The Time The dwarfe Fig tree groweth in my garden and bringeth forth ripe and very great fruit in the moneth of August of which Figs sundry persons haue eaten at pleasure In England the Fig trees put not forth their leaues vntill the end of May where oftentimes the fruit commeth forth before the leaues appeare ¶ The Names The Fig tree is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of diuers for difference sake betweene it and the wild Fig tree 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Ficus and Ficus satiua and Vrbana in high Dutch Feygenbaum in low-Dutch Uijgheboom in French Figuier in Italian Fico in Spanish Higuera in English Fig tree The fruit is named in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Ficus and the vnripe fruit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Grossus that which is dried is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Carica in high-Dutch Feygen in low-Dutch Uijghen in French Figues in Italian Fichi in Spanish Higos in 〈◊〉 Fig the little seeds which are found in them are named by Galen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cechramides ¶ The Temperature The greene Figs new gathered are somewhat warme and moist the dry and ripe Figs are hot almost in the third degree and withall sharpe and biting The leaues also haue some sharpnesse with an opening power but not so strong as the iuice ¶ The Vertues The dry Figs do nourish better than the greene or new Figs notwithstanding they ingender not very good bloud for such people as do feed much thereon doe become low sie Figs be good for the throat and lungs they mitigate the cough and are good for them that be short winded they ripen flegme causing the same to be easily spet out especially when they be sodden with Hyssop and the decoction drunke Figges stamped with Salt Rew and the kernels of Nuts withstand all poyson and corruption of the aire The King of Pontus called Mithridates vsed this preseruatiue against all venom and poyson Figs stamped and made into the forme of a plaister with wheat meale the pouder of Fenugreek and Lineseed and the roots of marish Mallowes applied warme do soften and ripen impostumes phlegmons all hot and angry swellings and tumors behinde the eares and if you adde thereto the roots of Lillies it ripeneth and breaketh Venerious impostumes that come in the flanke which impostume is called Bubo by reason of his lurking in such secret places in plaine English termes they are called 〈◊〉 Figs boiled in Wormwood wine with some Barly meale are very good to be applied as an implaister vpon the bellies of such as haue the dropsie Dry Figges haue power to soften consume and make thinne and may be vsed both outwardly and inwardly whether it be to ripen or soften impostumes or to scatter dissolue and consume them The leaues of the Fig tree do waste and consume the Kings Euill or swelling kernells in the throat and do mollifie waste and consume all other tumors being finely pouned and laid thereon but after my practise being boiled with the roots of marish Mallowes vntill they be soft and so incorporated together and applied in forme of a plaister The milky iuyce either of the figs or leaues is good against all roughnesse of the skinne lepries spreading sores tetters small pockes measels pushes wheales 〈◊〉 lentiles and all other spots scuruinesse and deformitie of the body and face being mixed with 〈◊〉 meale and applied it doth also take away warts and such like excrescences if it be mingled with some fattie or greasie thing The milke doth also cure the tooth-ache if a little lint or cotton be wet therein and put into the hollownesse of the tooth It openeth
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
singular remedie for all those that be in a consumption of the lungs and especially the distilled water thereof for as the herbe doth keep and hold fast the moisture and dew and so fast that the extreme drying heate of the Sun cannot consume and waste away the same so likewise men thought that herewith the naturall and radical humidity in mens bodies is preserued and cherished But the vse therof doth otherwise teach and reason sheweth the contrarie for seeing it is an extreme biting herb and that the distilled water is not altogether without this biting qualitie it cannot be taken with safety for it hath also bin obserued that they haue sooner perished that vsed the distilled water hereof than those that abstained from it and haue followed the right and ordinarie course of diet Cattell of the female kinde are stirred vp to lust by eating euen of a small quantity which thing hath greatly 〈◊〉 their vain opinion without sence or reason for it doth not moue nor prouoke cattell to lust for that it increaseth the substance of the seed but because through his sharp and biting qualitie it stirreth vp a desire to lust which before was dulled and as it were asleepe It strengthneth and nourisheth the body especially if it be distilled with wine and that liquour made thereof which the common people do call Rosa Solis If any be desirous to haue the said drinke effectuall for the purposes aforesaid let them lay the 〈◊〉 of Rosa Solis in the spirit of wine adding thereto Cinnamon Cloues Maces Ginger Nutmegs Sugar and a few graines of Muske suffering it so to stand in a glasse close stopt from the aire and set in the Sun by the space of ten daies then straine the same and keep it for your vse CHAP. 161. Of Mosse of trees ¶ The Description TRee Mosse hath certaine things like haires made vp as it were of a multitude of slender leaues now and then all to be iagged hackt and finely carued twisted and interlaced one in another which 〈◊〉 fast to the barkes of trees hanging downe from the bodies one of this kinde is more 〈◊〉 quernus The Mosse of the Oke of other trees slender and thin another more thicke another shorter another longer all of them 〈◊〉 the most being of a whitish colour yet oftentimes there is a certaine one also which is blacke but lesser and thinner the most commendable of them all as Pliny saith be those that are whitish then the reddish and lastly such as be blacke ¶ The Place This Mosse is found on the Oke tree the white and blacke Poplar tree the Oliue tree the 〈◊〉 tree the Apple tree the Peare tree the Pine tree the wilde Pine tree the Pitch tree the Firre tree the Cedar tree the Larch tree on a great sort of other trees The best as 〈◊〉 saith is that of the Cedar tree the next of the Poplar in which kinde the white and the sweet smelling Mosse is the chiefest the blackish sort is of no account Matthiolus writeth that in Italy that Mosse is sweet which groweth on the Pine tree the Pitch tree the Fir tree the Larch tree and the sweetest that of the Larch tree ¶ The Time Mosse vpon the trees continueth all the yeare long ¶ The Names It is called of the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Latins Muscus the Arabians and some Apothecaries in other countries call it Vsnea in high Dutch Mosz in low Dutch Mosch the French men Lu Mousch the Italians Musgo in Spanish Musco de los arbores in English Mosse tree Mosse or Mosse of trees ¶ The Temperature Mosse is somewhat cold and binding which notwithstanding is more and lesse according vnto the nature and facultie of that tree on which it groweth and especially of his barke for it taketh vnto it selfe and also retaineth a certaine propertie of that barke as of his breeder of which hee is ingendred therefore the Mosse which commeth of the Oke doth coole and very much binde besides his owne and proper facultie it receiueth also the extreme binding quality of the Oke barke it selfe The Mosse which commeth of the Cedar tree the Pine tree the Pitch tree the Fir tree the Larch tree and generally all the Rosine trees are binding and do moreouer digest and soften ¶ The Vertues Serapio saith that the wine in which Mosse 〈◊〉 been steeped certain daies bringeth sound sleep strengtheneth the stomacke staieth vomiting and stoppeth the belly 〈◊〉 writeth that the decoction of Mosse is good for women to sit in that are troubled with the whites it is mixed with the oile of Ben and with oiles to thicken them withall It is fit to be vsed in compositions which serue for sweet perfumes and that take away wearisomnesse for which things that is best of all which is most sweet of smell CHAP. 162. Of ground Mosse ¶ The Kindes THere groweth also on the supersiciall or vppermost part of the earth diuers Mosses as also vpon rocks and stony places and marish grounds differing in forme not a little ¶ The Description 1 Muscus 〈◊〉 vulgaris Common ground Mosse 2 Muscus 〈◊〉 scoparius Beesome ground Mosse 3. 4. Muscus capillaris siue Adianthuni aureum 〈◊〉 minus Goldilockes or golden Maiden-haire the bigger and lesse 2 Beesome Mosse which seldome or neuer is found but in bogs and marish places yet sometimes haue I found it in shadowie dry ditches where the Sun neuer sheweth his face it groweth vp 〈◊〉 a cubit high euery particular leafe consisting of an innumerable sort of hairy threds set vpon a middle rib of a shining blacke colour like that of Maiden-haire or the Capillare Mosse Adianthum 〈◊〉 whereof it is a kinde 5 Muscus 〈◊〉 floridus Flouring branched Mosse ‡ Of this Adiamhum aureum there are three kindes different onely in magnitude and that the two bigger haue many hairie threds vpon their branches when as the least hath onely three or foure close to the root and this is the least of plants that I euer yet saw grow ‡ 4 Of this there is also another kinde altogether lesser and lower This kind of mosse groweth in moist places also commonly in old mossie and rotten trees likewise vpon rocks and oftentimes in the chinks and crannies of stone walls 5 There is oftentimes found vpon old Okes and Beeches and such like ouer-grown trees a kinde of Mosse hauing many slender branches which diuide themselues into other lesser branches whereon are placed confusedly very many small threds like haires of a greenish ash colour vpon the ends of the tender branches sometimes there commeth forth a floure in shape like vnto a little buckler or hollow Mushrom of a whitish colour tending to yellownes and garnished with the like leaues of those vpon the lower branches 6 Muscus Pyxidatus Cup or Chalice Mosse 6 Of this Mosse there is another kinde which Lobel in his Dutch Herbal hath set forth vnder the title of Muscus Pyxtdatus which I
Allium siue Moly Virginianum ‡ ¶ The nature Galen saith Phalangium is of a drying qualitie by reason of the tenuitie of parts ¶ The vertues Dioscorides saith That the leaues seed and floures or any of them drunke in Wine preuaileth against the bitings of Scorpions and against the stinging and biting of the Spider called Phalangium and all other venomous beasts The roots tunned vp in new ale and drunke for a moneth together expelleth poyson yea although it haue vniuersally spred it selfe through the body CHAP. 40. Of the Floure de-luce ¶ The kindes THere be many kindes of Iris or Floure de-luce whereof some are tall and great some little small and low some smell exceeding sweet in the root some haue no smell at all some floures are sweet in smell and some without some of one colour some of many colours mixed vertues attributed to some others not remembred some haue tuberous or knobby roots others bulbous or Onion roots some haue leaues like flags others like grasse or rushes ¶ The Description 1 THe common Floure de-luce hath long and large flaggy leaues like the blade of a sword with two edges amongst which spring vp smooth and plaine stalkes two foot long bearing floures toward the top compact of six leaues ioyned together whereof three that stand vpright are bent inward one toward another and in those leaues that hang downward there are certaine rough or hairie welts growing or rising from the nether part of the leafe vpward almost of a yellow colour The roots be thicke long and knobby with many 〈◊〉 threds hanging thereat 2 The water Floure de-luce or Water flag or Bastard Acorus is like vnto the garden Floure de-luce in roots leaues and stalkes but the leaues are much longer sometimes of the height of foure cubits and altogether narrower The floure is of a perfect yellow colour and the Root knobby like the other but being cut it seemeth to be of the colour of raw flesh 1 Iris vulgaris Floure de-luce 2 Iris palustris lutea Water-flags or Floure de-luce ¶ The place The Water Floure de-luce or yellow flag prospereth well in moist medows and in the borders and brinks of riuers ponds and standing lakes And although it be a water plant of nature yet being planted in gardens it prospereth well ¶ The Names Floure de-luce is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Athenaeus and Theophrastus reade 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as though they should say Consecratrix by which name it is also called of the Latines Radix Marica or rather Radix Naronica of the riuer Naron by which the best and greatest store do grow Whereupon Nicander in his Treacles commendeth it thus Iridem quam aluit Drilon Naronis 〈◊〉 Which may thus be Englished Iris which Drilon water feeds And Narons bankes with other weeds The Italians Giglio azurro in Spanish Lilio Cardeno in French Flambe The Germanes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Dutch 〈◊〉 The second is called in Latine 〈◊〉 palustris lutea Pseudoacorus and Acorus palustris in English Water flags Bastard Floure de-luce or Water Floure de-luce and in the North they call them Seggs ¶ The nature 1 The roots of the Floure de-luce being as yet fresh and greene and full of juyce are hot almost in the fourth degree The dried roots are hot and dry in the 〈◊〉 degree burning the throat and mouth of such as taste them 2 The bastard Floure de-luce his root is cold and dry in the third degree and of an astringent or binding facultic ¶ The vertues The root of the common Floure de-luce cleane washed and stamped with a few drops of Rose water and laid plaister-wise vpon the face of man or woman doth in two dayes at the most take away the blacknesse or blewnesse of any stroke or bruse so that if the skinne of the same woman or any other person be very tender and delicate it shall be needfull that ye lay a piece of silke sindall or a piece of fine laune betweene the plaister and the skinne for otherwise in such tender bodies it often causeth heate and inflammation The iuyce of the same doth not onely mightily and vehemently draw forth choler but most especially watery humors and is a speciall and singular purgation for them that haue the Dropsie if it be drunke in whay or some other liquor that may somewhat temper and alay his heate The dry roots attenuate or make thinne thicke and tough humours which are hardly and with difficultie purged away They are good in a loch or licking medicine for shortnesse of breath an old cough and all infirmities of the chest which rise hereupon They remedie those that haue euill spleenes and those that are troubled with convulsions or cramps biting of serpents and the running of the reines being drunke with vinegre as saith Dioscorides and drunke with wine it bringeth downe the monethly courses of women The decoction is good in womens baths for it mollifieth and openeth the matrix Being boyled very soft and laid to plaister-wise it mollifieth or softneth the kings euil and old hard swellings ‡ The roots of our ordinary flags are not as before is deliuered cold and dry in the third degree nor yet in the second as Dodonaeus affirmes but hot and dry and that at the least in the second degree as any that throughly tastes them will confesse Neither are the faculties and vse as some would persuade vs to be neglected for as Pena and Lobell affirme though it haue no smell nor great heat yet by reason of other faculties it is much to be preferred before the Galanga major or forreigne Acorus of shops in many diseases for it imparts more heate and strength to the stomacke and neighbouring parts than the other which rather preyes vpon and dissipates the innate heate and implanted strength of those parts It bindes strengthens and condenses it is good in bloudy flixes and stayes the Courses ‡ CHAP. 40. Of Floure de-luce of Florence ¶ The Description 1 THe Floure de-luce of Florence whose roots in shops and generally euery where are called Ireos or Orice whereof sweet waters sweet pouders and such like are made is altogether like vnto the common Floure de-luce sauing that the flowers of the Ireos is of a white colour and the roots exceeding sweet of smell and the other of no smell at all 2 The white Floure de-luce is like vnto the Florentine Floure de-luce in roots flaggy leaues and stalkes but they differ in that that this Iris hath his flower of a bleake white colour declining to yellownesse and the roots haue not any smell at all but the 〈◊〉 is very sweet as we haue said 3 The great Floure de-luce of Dalmatia hath leaues much broader thicker and more closely compact together than any of the other and set in order like wings or the fins of a Whale fish greene toward the top and of a shining purple colour toward the bottome euen to the ground amongst which riseth vp a stalke of foure
in stalkes 〈◊〉 or floures the fruit hereof is for the most part fashioned like a bottle or flagon wherein especially consisteth the difference 1 Cucurbita anguina Snakes Gourd 2 Cucurbita lagenaria Bottle Gourds ¶ The Place The Gourds are cherished in the gardens of these cold regions rather for pleasure than for profit in the hot countries where they come to ripenesse there are sometimes eaten but with small delight especially they are kept for the rindes wherein they put Turpentine Oyle Hony and also serue them for pales to fetch water in and many other the like vses ¶ The Time They are planted in a bed of horse-dung in April euen as we haue taught in the planting of cucumbers they flourish in Iune and Iuly the fruit is ripe in the end of August ¶ The Names The Gourd is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Cucurbita edulis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Pliny Cucurbita Cameraria because it climeth vp and is a couering for arbours and walking places and banqueting houses in gardens he calleth the other which climeth not vp but lyeth crawling on the ground Cucurbita 〈◊〉 in Italian Zucca in Spanish 〈◊〉 in French Courge in high Dutch 〈◊〉 in low-Dutch 〈◊〉 in English Gourds ¶ The Temperature The meate or inner pulpe of the Gourd is of temperature cold and moist and that in the second degree ¶ The Vertues The iuyce being dropped into the eares with oyle of roses is good for the paine thereof proceeding of a hot cause The pulpe or meate mitigateth all hot swellings if it be laid thereon in manner of a pultis and being vsed in this manner it taketh away the head-ache and the inflammation of the eyes The same Author affirmeth that a long Gourd or else a Cucumber being laid in the cradle or bed by the young infant whilest it is asleepe and sicke of an ague it shall be very quickely made whole The pulpe also is eaten sodden but because it hath in it a waterish and thinne iuyce it yeeldeth small nourishment to the body and the same cold and moist but it easily passeth thorow especially being sodden which by reason of the slipperinesse and moistnesse also of his substance mollifieth the belly But being baked in an ouen or fried in a pan it loseth the most part of his naturall moisture and therefore it more slowly descendeth and doth not mollifie the belly so soone The seed allayeth the sharpnesse of vrine and bringeth downe the same CHAP. 348. Of the wilde Gourd 1 Cucurbita lagenaria syluestris Wilde Bottle Gourd 2 Cucurbita syluestris fungiformis Mushrome wilde Gourd ¶ The Description 1 THere is besides the former ones a certaine wilde Gourd this is like the garden Gourd in clymbing stalkes clasping tendrels and soft leaues and as it were downy all and 〈◊〉 one of which things being farre lesse this also clymbeth vpon Arbours and banquetting houses the fruit doth represent the great bellied Gourd and those that be like vnto bottles in forme but in bignesse it is very farre inferiour for it is small and scarse so great as an 〈◊〉 Quince and may be held within the compasse of a mans hand the outward rinde at the first is greene afterwards it is as hard as wood and of the colour thereof the inner pulpe is moist and very full of iuyce in which lieth the seed The whole is as bitter as Coloquintida which hath made so many errors one especially in taking the fruit Coloquintida for the wilde Gourd 2 The second wilde Gourd hath likewise many trailing branches and clasping tendrels wherwith it taketh hold of such things as be neere vnto it the leaues be broad deepely cut into diuers sections like those of the Vine soft and very downy whereby it is especially knowne to be one of the Gourds the floures are very white as are also those of the Gourds The fruit succeedeth growing to a round forme flat on the top like the head of a Mushrome whereof it tooke his syrname ¶ The Place They grow of themselues wilde in hot regions they neuer come to perfection of ripenesse in these cold countries ¶ The Time The time answereth those of the garden ¶ The Names The wilde Gourd is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Cucurbita syluestris or wilde Gourd Pliny lib. 20. cap. 3. affirmeth that the wilde Gourd is named of the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is hollow an inch thicke not growing but among stones the iuyce whereof being taken is very good for the stomacke But the wilde Gourd is not that which is so described for it is aboue an inch thicke neither is it hollow but full of iuyce and by reason of the extreme bitternesse offensiue to the stomacke Some also there be that take this for Coloquintida but they are far deceiued for Colocynthis is the wilde 〈◊〉 Cucumber whereof we haue treated in the chapter of 〈◊〉 ¶ The Temperature The wilde Gourd is as hot and dry as Coloquintida that is to say in the second degree ¶ The Vertues The wilde Gourd is extreme bitter for which cause it openeth and scoureth the stopped passages of the body it also purgeth downwards as do wilde Melons Moreouer the wine which hath continued all night in this Gourd likewise purgeth the belly mightily and bringeth forth cholericke and flegmaticke humors CHAP. 349. Of Potato's Sisarum Peruvianum 〈◊〉 Batata Hispanorum Potatus or Potato's ¶ The Description THis Plant which is called of some Sisarum Peruvianum or Skyrrets of Peru is generally of vs called Potatus or Potatoes It hath long rough flexible branches trailing vpon the ground like vnto Pompions whereupon are set greene three cornered leaues very like vnto those of the wilde Cucumber There is not any that haue written of this planthaue said any thing of the floures therefore I refer their description vnto those that shall hereafter haue further knowledge of the same Yet haue I had in my garden diuers roots that haue flourished vnto the first approch of Winter and haue growne vnto a great length of branches but they brought not forth any floures at all whether because the Winter caused them to perish before their time of flouring or that they be of nature barren of floures I am not certaine The roots are many thicke and knobbie like vnto the roots of Peionies or rather of the white Asphodill ioyned together at the top into one head in maner of the Skyrrit which being diuided into diuers parts and planted do make a great increase especially if the greatest roots be cut into diuers goblets and planted in good and fertile ground ¶ The Place The Potatoes grow in India Barbarie Spaine and other hot regions of which I planted diuers roots that I bought at the Exchange in London in my garden where they flourished vntil Winter at which time they perished and rotted ¶ The Time It flourisheth vnto the end of September at the first approch of great frosts the
leaues together with the roots and stalkes do perish ¶ The Names Clusius calleth it Battata Camotes Amotes and Ignames in English Potatoes Potatus and Potades ¶ The Temperature The leaues of Potatoes are hot and dry as may euidently appeare by the taste The roots are of a temperate 〈◊〉 ¶ The Vertues The Potato roots are among the Spaniards Italians Indians and many other nations common and ordinarie meate which no doubt are of mighty and nourishing parts and do strengthen and comfort nature whose nutriment is as it were a meane betweene flesh and fruit but somwhat windie but being tosted in the embers they lose much of their windinesse especially being eaten sopped in wine Of these roots may be made conserues no lesse toothsome wholesome and dainty than of the flesh of Quinces and likewise those comfortable and delicate meats called in shops 〈◊〉 Placentulae and diuers other such like These Roots may serue as a ground or foundation whereon the cunning Confectioner or Sugar-Baker may worke and frame many comfortable delicate Conserues and restoratiue sweete meates They are vsed to be eaten rosted in the ashes Some when they be so rosted infuse them and sop them in Wine and others to giue them the greater grace in eating doe boyle them with prunes and so eate them And likewise others dresse them being first rosted with Oyle Vineger and salt euerie man according to his owne taste and liking Notwithstanding howsoeuer they bee dressed they comfort nourish and strengthen the body procuring bodily lust and that with greedinesse CHAP. 350. Of Potatoes of Virginia ¶ The Description VIrginia Potato hath many hollow flexible branches trailing vpon the ground three square vneuen knotted or kneed in sundry places at certaine distances from the which knots commeth forth one great leafe made of diuers leaues some smaller and others greater set together vpon a fat middle rib by couples of a swart greene colour tending to rednesse the whole leafe resembling those of the Winter-Cresses but much larger in taste at the first like grasse but afterward sharpe and nipping the tongue From the bosome of which leaues come forth long round slender foot-stalkes whereon do grow very faire pleasant floures made of one entire 〈◊〉 leafe which is folded or plaited in such strange sort that it seemeth to be a sloure made of 〈◊〉 sundry small leaues which cannot easily be perceiued except the same be pulled open The whole floure is of a light purple colour striped downe the middle of euery fold or welt with a light shew of yellownesse as if purple and yellow were mixed together in the middle of the floure 〈◊〉 forth a thicke flat pointall yellow as gold with a small sharpe greene pricke or point in the middest thereof The fruit succeedeth the floures round as a ball of the bignesse of a little Bullesse or wilde plum greene at the first and blacke when it is ripe wherein is contained small white seed lesser than those of Mustard The root is thicke fat and tuberous not much differing either in shape colour or taste from the common Potatoes sauing that the roots hereof are not so 〈◊〉 nor long some of them are as round as a ball some ouall or egge-fashion some longer and others shorter the which knobby roots are fastened vnto the stalkes with an infinite number of threddie strings Battata Virginiana siue Virginianorum Pappus Virginian Potatoes ¶ The Place It groweth natnrally in America where it was first discouered as reports C. Clusius since which time I haue receiued roots hereof from Virginia otherwise called Norembega which grow and prosper in my garden as in their owne natiue countrey ¶ The Time The leaues thrust forth of the ground in the beginning of May the floures bud forth in August The fruit is ripe in September ¶ The Names The Indians do call this plant Pappus meaning the roots by which name also the common Potatoes are called in those Indian countries We haue the name proper vnto it mentioned in the title Because it hath not onely the shape and proportion of Potatoes but also the pleasant taste and vertues of the same we may call it in English Potatoes of America or Virginia ‡ Clusius questions whether it be not the Arachidna of Theophrastus Bauhine hath referred it to the Nightshades and calleth it Solanum tuberosum 〈◊〉 and largely figures and describes it in his Prodromus pag. 89. ‡ ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The temperature and vertues be referred vnto the common Potatoes being likewise a food as also a meate for pleasure equall in goodnesse and wholesomenesse vnto the same being either rosted in the embers or boyled and eaten with oyle vineger and pepper or dressed any other way by the hand of some cunning in cookerie ‡ Bauhine saith That he heard that the vse of these toots was forbidden in Bourgondy where they call them Indian Artichokes for that they were persuaded the too frequent vse of them caused the leprosie ‡ CHAP. 351. Of the Garden Mallow called Hollihocke ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts or kindes of Mallowes some of the garden there be also some of the Marish or sea shore others of the field and both wilde And first of the Garden Mallow or Hollihocke 1 Malua hortensis Single Garden Hollihocke 2 Malua rosea simplex peregrina Iagged strange Hollihoeke ¶ The Description 1 THe tame or garden Mallow bringeth forth broad round leaues of a whitish greene colour rough and greater than those of the wilde Mallow The stalke is straight of the height of foure or six cubits whereon do grow vpon slender foot-stalks single floures not much vnlike to the wilde Mallow but greater consisting only of fiue leaues sometimes white or red now and then of a deepe purple colour varying diuersly as Nature list to play with it in their places groweth vp a round knop like a little cake compact or made vp of a multitude of flat seeds like little cheeses The root is long white tough easily bowed and groweth deepe in the ground 3 Malua purpurea multiplex Double purple Hollihocke 2 The second being a strange kinde of Hollihocke hath likewise broad leaues rough and hoarie or of an ouerworne russet colour cut into diuers sections euen to the middle ribbe like those of Palma Christi The floures are very single but of a perfect red colour wherein consisteth the greatest difference ‡ And this may be called Malua rosea simplex peregrina folio Ficus Iagged strange Hollihocke ‡ 3 The double Hollihocke with purple floures hath great broad leaues confusedly indented about the edges and likewise toothed like a saw The stalke groweth to the height of foure or fiue cubits The floures are double and of a bright purple colour 4 The Garden Hollihocke with double floures of the colour of scarlet groweth to the height of fiue or six cubits hauing many broad leaues cut about the edges The stalke and root is like the precedent ‡ This may be called Multea
〈◊〉 it after the number of the leaues 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Septifolium in English Setfoile and Tormentill in high-Dutch 〈◊〉 most take it to be Chrysogonon whereof Dioscorides hath made a briefe description ¶ The Temperature The root of Tormentill doth mightily dry and that in the third degree and is of thin parts it hath in it very little heat and is of a binding quality ¶ The Vertues Tormentill is not only of like vertue with Cinkefoile but also of greater efficacie it is much vsed against pestilent diseases for it strongly resisteth putrifaction and procureth sweate The leaues and roots boiled in wine or the iuice thereof drunken prouoketh sweat and by that means driueth out all venome from the heart expelleth poison and preserueth the bodie in time of pestilence from the infection thereof and all other infectious diseases The roots dried made into pouder and drunke in wine doth the same The same pouder taken as aforesaid or in the water of a Smiths forge or rather the water wherein hot steele hath been often quenched of purpose cureth the laske and bloudy flix yea although the patient haue adioined vnto his scouring a grieuous feuer It stoppeth the spitting of bloud pissing of bloud and all other issues of bloud as well in men as women The decoction of the leaues and rootes or the iuice thereof drunke is excellent good for all wounds both outward and inward it also openeth and healeth the stoppings of the liuer and lungs and cureth the iaundice The root beaten into pouder tempered or kneaded with the white of an egge and eaten staieth the desire to vomite and is good against choler and melancholie CHAP. 384. Of wilde Tansie or Siluer-weed Argentina Siluerweed or wilde Tansie ¶ The Description WIlde Tansie creepeth along vpon the ground with fine slender stalkes and clasping tendrels the leaues are long made vp of many small leaues like vnto those of the garden Tansie but lesser on the vpper side greene and vnder very white The floures be yellow and stand vpon slender stems as doe those of Cinkfoile ¶ The Place It groweth in moist places neere vnto high waies and running brookes euery where ¶ The Time It floureth in Iune and Iuly ¶ The Names The later Herbarists do call it Argentina of the siluer drops that are to be seene in the distilled water therof when it is put into a glasse which you shall easily see rowling and tumbling vp and downe in the bottome ‡ I iudge it rather so called of the fine shining Siluer coloured leaues ‡ It is likewise called Potentilla of diuers Agrimonia syluestris Anserina and Tanacetum syluestre in High Dutch 〈◊〉 in Low Dutch 〈◊〉 in French Argentine in English Wilde Tansie and Siluerweed ¶ The Temperature It is of temperature moderatly cold and dry almost in the third degree hauing withall a binding facultie ¶ The Vertues Wilde Tansie boiled in wine and drunk stoppeth the laske and bloudy flix and all other flux of bloud in man or woman The same boiled in water and salt and drunke dissolueth clotted and congealed bloud in such as are hurt or bruised with falling from some high place The decoction hereof made in water cureth the vlcers and cankers of the mouth if some honie and allom be added thereto in the boiling Wilde Tansie hath many other good vertues especially against the stone inward wounds and wounds of the priuie or secret parts and closeth vp all greene and fresh wounds The distilled water taketh away freckles spots pimples in the face and Sun-burning but the herbe laid to infuse or steepe in white wine is far better but the best of all is to steepe it in strong white wine vinegre the face being often bathed or washed therewith CHAP. 385. Of Auens or Herbe Bennet 1 Caryophyllata Auens or herbe Bennet 2 Caryophyllata montana Mountaine Auens ¶ The Description 1 THe common Auens hath leaues not vnlike to Agrimony rough blackish and much clouen or deepely cut into diuers gashes the stalke is round and hairy a soot high diuiding it selfe at the top into diuers branches whereupon do grow yellow floures like those of Cinkefoile or wilde Tansie which being past there follow round rough reddish hairy heads or knops ful of seed which being ripe wil hang vpon garments as the Burs doe The root is thicke reddish within with certaine yellow strings fastened thereunto smelling like vnto Cloues or like vnto the roots of Cyperus 2 The Mountain Auens hath greater and thicker leaues than the precedent rougher and more hairie not parted into three but rather round nicked on the edges among which riseth vp slender stalkes whereon doe grow little longish sharpe pointed leaues on the toppe of each stalke doth 3 Caryophyllata Alpina pentaphyllaea Fiue leaued Auens ‡ 4 Caryophyllata montana purpurea Red floured mountaine Auens ‡ 5 Caryophyllata Alpina minima Dwarfe mountaine Auens 3 Fiue finger Auens hath many small leaues spred vpon the ground diuided into siue parts somewhat snipt about the edges like Cinkefoile whereof it tooke his name Among which rise vp slender stalkes diuided at the top into diuers branches whereon do grow small yellow floures like those of Cinkefoile the root is composed of many tough strings of the smell 〈◊〉 Cloues which makes it a kind of Auens otherwise doubtles it must of necessitie be one of the Cinksoiles ‡ 4 This hath ioynted stringy roots some finger thick from whence rise vp many large and hairy leaues composed of diuers little leaues with larger at the top and these snipt about the edges like as the common Auens amongst these leaues grow vp sundry stalkes some foot or better high whereon grow floures hanging downe their heads and the tops of the stalkes and cups of the floures are commonly of a purplish colour the floures themselues are of a pretty red colour and are of diuers shapes and grow diuers wayes which hath beene the reason that Clusius and others haue iudged them seuerall plants as may be seene is Clusius his Workes where he giues you the floures which you here finde exprest for a different kind Now some of these floures euen the greater part of them grow with fiue red round pointed leaues which neuer lie faire open but only stand straight out the middle part being filled with a hairy matter and yellowish threds other-some consist of seuen eight nine or more leaues and some againe lie wholly open with greene leaues growing close vnder the cup of the floure as you may see them represented in the figure and some few now and then may be found composed of a great many little leaues thick thrust together making a very double floure After the floures are falne come such hairy heads as in other plants of this kinde amongst which lies the seed Gesner calls this Geum rivale Thalius Caryophyllata maior purpurea Camerarius Caryophyllata aquatica Clusius Caryophyllata mont ana prima tertia 5 The root of this
Temperature Ladanum saith Galen is hot in the later end of the first degree hauing also a little astrictiueor binding qualitie it is likewise of a thin substance and therefore it softeneth and withall doth moderately digest and also concoct ¶ The Vertues Ladanum hath a peculiar property against the infirmities of the mother it keepeth haires from falling for it wasteth away any setled or putrified humour that is at their roots Dioscorides saith that Ladanum doth bind heat souple open being tempered with wine Myrrhe and oile of Myrtles it keepeth haires from falling being annointed therewith or laied on mixed with wine it maketh the markes or scars of wounds faire and well coloured It taketh away the paine in the eares if it be powred or dropped therein mixed with honied water or with oile of Roses A fume made thereof draweth forth the afterbirth and taketh away the hardnesse of the matrix It is with good successe mixed with mollifying plaisters that mitigate paine Being drunke with wine it stoppeth the laske and prouoketh vrine There is made hereof diuers sorts of Pomanders chaines and bracelets with other sweets mixed therewith CHAP. 8. Of Rosemarie ‡ The Description 1 ROsemarie is a wooddie 〈◊〉 growing oftentimes to the height of three or foure cubits especially when it is set by a wall it consisteth of slender brittle branches wheron do grow verie many long leaues narrow somewhat hard of a quicke spicy taste whitish vnderneath and of a full greene colour aboue or in the vpper side with a pleasant sweet strong smell among which come forth little floures of a whitish blew colour the seed is blackish the roots are tough and woody 1 Rosmarinum Coronarium Garden Rosemarie 2 Rosmarinum syluestre Wilde Rosemarie 2 The wilde Rosemarie Clusius hath referred vnto the kindes of Cistus Ledon we haue as a poore kinsman thereof inserted it in the next place in kinred or neighbourhood at the least This wilde Rosemarie is a small wooddie shrub growing seldome aboue a foot high hauing hard branches of a reddish colour diuiding themselues into other smaller branches of a whitish color wheron are placed without order diuers long leaues greene aboue and hoarie vnderneath not vnlike to those of the dwarfe Willow or the common Rosemarie of a drie and astringent taste of little smel or none at all the floures stand on the tops of the branches set vpon bare or naked footstalks consisting of fiue small leaues of a reddish colour somewhat shining after which appeare little knaps full of small seed the root is tough and wooddie 3 Casia Poetica Lobelij The Poets Rosemarie or Gardrobe ¶ The Place Rosemarie groweth in France Spaine and in other hot countries in woods and in vntilled places there is such plentie thereof in Languedocke that the inhabitants burne scarce any other fuell they make hedges of it in the gardens of Italy and England being a great ornament vnto the same it groweth neither in the fields nor gardens of the Easterne cold countries but is carefully and curiously kept in pots set into the stoues and sellers against the iniuries of their cold Winters Wilde Rosemarie groweth in Lancashire in diuers places especially in a field called Little Reed amongst the Hurtleberries neere vnto a small village called Maudsley there found by a learned Gentleman often remembred in our historie and that worthily Mr. Thomas Heskcth ¶ The Time Rosemarie floureth twice a yeare in the Spring and after in August The wilde Rosemarie floureth in Iune and Iuly ¶ The Names Rosemarie is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Rosmarinus Coronaria it is surnamed Coronaria for difference sake betweene it and the other Libanotides which are reckoned for kindes of Rosemarie and also because women haue been accustomed to make crownes and garlands thereof in Italian Rosmarino coronario in Spanish Romero in French and Dutch Rosmarin Wilde Rosemarie is called Rosmarinus syluestris of Cordus 〈◊〉 ¶ The Temperature Rosemarie is hot and drie in the second degree and also of an a stringent or binding quality as being compounded of diuers parts and taking more of the mixture of the earthy substance ¶ The Vertues Rosemarie is giuen against all fluxes of bloud it is also good especially the floures thereof for all infirmities of the head and braine proceeding of a cold and moist cause for they dry the brain quicken the sences and memorie and strengthen the sinewie parts 〈◊〉 witnesseth that Rosemarie is a remedie against the stuffing of the head that commeth through coldnesse of the braine if a garland thereof be put about the head whereof 〈◊〉 Mesuai giueth testimonie Dioscorides teacheth that it cureth him that hath the yellow iaundice if it be boiled in water and drunk before exercise that after the taking therof the patient must bathe himselfe drink wine The distilled water of the floures of Rosemarie being drunke at morning and euening first and last taketh away the stench of the mouth and breath and maketh it very sweet if there be added thereto to sleep or insuse for certaine daies a few Cloues Mace Cinnamon and a little Annise seed The Arabians and other Physitions succeeding do write that Rosemarie comforteth the brain the memorie the inward senses and restoreth speech vnto them that are possessed with the dumbe palsie especially the conserue made of the floures and sugar or any other way confected with sugar being taken euery day fasting The Arabians as Serapio witnesseth giue these properties to Rosemarie it heateth say they is of subtill parts is good for the cold rheume which salleth from the braine driueth away windines prouoketh vrine and openeth the stoppings of the liuer and milt Tragus writeth that Rosemarie is spice in the Germane Kitchins and other cold countries Further he saith that the wine boiled with Rosemarie and taken of women troubled with the mother or the whites helpeth them the rather if they fast three or foure houres after The floures made vp into plates with sugar after the manner of Sugar Roset and eaten comfort the heart and make it merry quicken the spirits and make them more liuely The oile of Rosemaire chimically drawne comforteth the cold weake and feeble braine in most wonderfull maner The people of Thuringia do vse the wilde Rosemarie to prouoke the desired sicknesse Those of Marchia vse to put it into their drinke the sooner to make their clients drunke and also do put it into chests and presses among clothes to preserue them from morhes or other vermine CHAP. 9. Of Vpright Wood-binde 1 Periclymenum rectum Sabaudicum Sauoy Honisuckles 2 Periclymenum rectum Germanicum Germane Honisuckles ¶ The Description 1 THis strange kinde of Hony-suckle found in the woods of Sauoy represents vnto vs that shrub or hedge-bush called Cornus foemina the Dog-berry tree or Pricke-timber tree hauing leaues and branches like the common Wood-binde sauing that this doth not clamber or clymbe as the others do but contrariwise groweth vpright without leaning to