thereof quite altered as Cassius and Dionysius Vticensis doe write in their bookes of tillage yet doth not Athenaeus ascribe that vertue of driuing away drunkennesse to the leaues but to the seeds of Colewoort Moreouer the leaues of Colewoorts are good against all inflammations and hot swellings being stamped with barley and meale and laid vpon them with salt and also to breake carbuncles The iuyce of Colewoorts as Dioscorides writeth being taken with floure-deluce and niter doth make the belly soluble aud being drunke with wine it is a remedie against the bitings of venomous beasts The same being applyed with the powder of Fennugreeke taketh away the paine of the gout and also cureth old and foule vlcers Being conueied into the nosthrils it purgeth the head being put vp with barley meale it bringeth downe the floures Pliny writeth that the iuyce mixed with wine and dropped into the eares is a remedie against deafenesse The seed as Galen saith driueth forth wormes taketh away freckles of the face sun-burning and what thing soeuer that need to be gently scoured or clensed away They say that the broth where in the herbe hath beene sodden is maruellous good for the sinewes and ioynts and likewise for Cankers in the eies claled in Greeke Carcinomata which cannot be healed by any other meanes if they be washed therewith CHAP. 41. Of Rape-Cole ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Rape Cole hath one single long root garnished with many threddy strings from which riseth vp a great thicke stalke bigger than a great Cucumber or great Turnep at the top whereof shooteth forth great broad leaues like vnto those of Cabbage Cole The floures grow at the top on slender stalkes compact of foure small yellow floures which being past the seed followeth inclosed in litle long cods like the sed of Mustard 2 The second hath a long fibrous root like vnto the precedent the tuberous stalke is very great and long thrusting forth in some few places here and there small footstalkes whereupon doe grow smooth leaues sleightly indented about the edges on the top of the long Turnep stalke grow leane stalkes and floures like the former ‡ This second differs from the former onely in the length of the swolne stalke whence they call it Caulorapum longum or Long Rape Cole ‡ ¶ The Place They grow in Italy Spaine and some places of Germanie from whence I haue receiued seedes for my garden as also from an honest and curious friend of mine called master Goodman at the Minories neere London 1 Caulorapum rotundum Round rape Cole ¶ The Time They floure and flourish when the other Colewoorts doe whereof no doubt they are kinds and must be carefully set and sowne as muske Melons and Cucumbers are ¶ The Names They are called in Latine Caulorapum and Rapocaulis bearing for their stalkes as it were Rapes and Turneps participating of two plants the Colewort and Turnep whereof they tooke their names ¶ The Temperature and Vertues There is nothing set downe of the faculties of these plants but are accounted for daintie meate contending with the Cabbage Cole in goodnesse and pleasant taste CHAP. 42. Of Beets ¶ The Description 1 THe common white Beet hath great broad leaues smooth and plain from which rise thicke crested or chamfered stalks the floures grow along the stalks clustering together in shape like little starres which being past there succeed round and vneuen 〈◊〉 seed The root is thicke hard and great 1 Beta alba White Beets 2 Beta rubra Red Beets ‡ 3 Beta rubra Romana Red Roman Beet 2 There is another sort like in shape and proportion to the former sauing that the leaues of this be streaked with red here and there confusedly which setteth forth the difference 3 There is likewise another sort hereof that was brought vnto me from beyond the seas by that courteous merchant master Lete before remembred the which hath leaues very great and red of colour as is all the rest of the plant as well root as stalke and floures full of a perfect purple iuyce tending to rednesse the middle rib of which leaues are for the most part very broad 〈◊〉 thicke like the middle part of the Cabbage leafe which is equall in goodnesse with the leaues of Cabbage being boyled It grew with me 1596. to the height of viijcubits and did bring forth his rough and vneuen seed very plentifully with which plant nature doth seeme to play and sport herselfe for the seeds taken from that plant which was altogether of one 〈◊〉 and sowen doth bring 〈◊〉 plants of many and variable colours as the worshipfull gentleman master Iohn Norden can very well testifie vnto whom I gaue some of the seeds 〈◊〉 which in his garden bruoght forth many other of beautifull colours ¶ The Place The Beete is sowen in gardens it loueth to grow in a 〈◊〉 and fertile ground ‡ The ordinary white Beet growes wilde vpon the sea-coast of Tenet and diuers other places by the Sea for this is not a different kind as some would haue it ‡ ¶ The Time The fittest time to sow it is in the spring it flourisheth and is greene all sommer long and likewise in winter and bringeth forth his seed the next yeare following ¶ The Names The Grecians haue named it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines Beta the Germanes Maugolt the Spaniards Aselgas the French de la Porée des 〈◊〉 and Beets Theophrastus saith that the white Beete is surnamed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say 〈◊〉 or of Sicilia hereof 〈◊〉 the name Sicla by which the Barbarians and some Apothecaries did call the Beet the which word we in England doevse taken for the same ¶ The Nature The white Beets are in moisture and heate temperate but the other kinds are drie and all of them abstersiue so that the white Beete is a cold and moist pot-herbe which bath ioyned with it a certaine salt and nitrous quality by reason whereof it 〈◊〉 and draweth flegme out of the nosthrils ¶ The Vertues Being eaten when it is boyled it quickly descend eth looseth the belly and prouoketh to the stcole especially being taken with the broth wherein it is sodden it nourisheth little or nothing and is not so wholesome as 〈◊〉 The iuyce conueied vp into the nosthrils doth gently draw sorth flegme and purgeth the head The great and beautifull Beet last described may be vsed in winter for a sallad herbe with vineger oyle and salt and is not onely pleasant to the taste but also delightfull to the eye The greater red Beet or Roman Beet boyled and eaten with oyle 〈◊〉 and pepper is a most excellent and 〈◊〉 sallad but what might be made of the red and beautifull root which is to be preferred before the leaues as well in beauty as in goodnesse I refer vnto the curious and cunning cooke who no doubt when he hath had the view thereof and is assured that it is both good and wholesome will make thereof
desired sicknesse prouoketh vrine applied in bathes and fomentations it procureth sweat being boyled in wine it helpeth the ague it easeth the strangurie it stayeth the hicket it breaketh the stones in the bladder it helpeth the Lethargie frensie and madnesse and stayeth the vomiting of bloud Wilde Time boyled in wine and drunke is good against the wambling and gripings of the bellie ruptures convulsions and inflammations of the liuer It helpeth against the bitings of any venomous beast either taken in drinke or outwardly applied Aetius writeth That Serpillum infused well in Vineger and then sodden and mingled with rose water is a right singular remedie to cure them that haue had a long phrensie or lethargie Galen prescribeth one dram of the iuyce to be giuen in vineger against the vomiting of bloud and helpeth such as are grieued with the spleene CHAP. 174. Of Garden Time ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Time is so well knowne that it needeth no description because there is not any which are ignorant what Thymum durius is I meane our common garden Time 2 The second kinde of Time with broad leaues hath many wooddy branches rising from a threddy root beset with leaues like Myrtus The floures are set in rundles about the stalke like Horehound The whole plant is like the common Time in taste and smell 1 Thymum durius Hard Time 2 Thymum latifolium Great or broad leaued Time 3 Time of Candy is in all respects like vnto common Time but differeth in that that this kinde hath certaine knoppy tufts not much vnlike the spikes or knots of Stoecados but much lesser beset with slender floures of a purple colour The whole plant is of a more gracious smell than any of the other Times and of another kinde of taste as it were sauouring like spice The root is brittle and of a wooddy substance 4 Doubtlesse that kinde of Time whereon Epithymum doth grow and is called for that cause Epithymum and vsed in shops is nothing else than Dodder that growes vpon Time and is all one with ours though Matthiolus makes a controuersie and difference thereof for Pena trauelling ouer the hills in Narbone neere the sea hath seene not onely the garden Time but the wilde Time also loden and garnished with this Epithymum So that by his sight and mine owne knowledge I am assured that it is not another kinde of Time that beareth Epithymum but is common Time for I haue often found the same in England not onely vpon our Time but vpon Sauorie and other herbes also notwithstanding thus much I may coniecture that the clymate of those Countries doth yeeld the same forth in greater aboundance than ours by reason of the intemperance of cold whereunto our countrey is subiect 3 Thymum Creticum Time of Candy 4 Epithymum Graecorum Laced Time ¶ The Place These kindes of Time grow plentifully in England in most gardens euery where except that with broad leaues and Time of Candy which I haue in my garden ¶ The Time They flourish from May vnto September ¶ The Names The first may be called hard Time or common garden Time the second Broad leaued Time the third Time of Candy our English women call it Muske Time the last may be called Dodder Time ¶ The Temperature These kindes of Time are hot and dry in the third degree ¶ The Vertues Time boyled in water and hony drunken is good against the cough and shortnes of the breath it prouoketh vrine expelleth the secondine or after-birth and the dead childe and dissolues clotted or congealed bloud in the body The same drunke with vineger and salt purgeth flegme and boyled in Mede or Methegline it cleanseth the breast lungs reines and matrix and killeth wormes Made into pouder and taken in the weight of three drams with Mede or honied vineger called Oxymel and a little salt purgeth by stoole tough and clammie flegme sharpe and cholericke humors and all corruption of bloud The same 〈◊〉 in like sort is good against the Sciatica the paine in the side and brest against the winde in the side and belly and is profitable also for such as are fearefull melancholike and troubled in minde It is good to be giuen vnto those that haue the falling sicknesse to smell vnto 〈◊〉 after Galen is of more effectuall operation in physicke than Time being hot and dry in the third degree more mightily cleansing heating drying and opening than Cuscuta 〈◊〉 right good effect to eradicat melancholy or any other humor in the spleen or other disease sprung by occasion of the spleene It helpeth the long continued paines of the head and besides his singular effects about spleneticall matters it helpeth the lepry or any disease of melancholy all quart aine agues and such like griefes proceeding from the spleene Dioscorides saith Epithymum drunke with honied water expelleth by siege flegme and melancholy Of his natiue propertie it relieueth them which be melancholieke swolne in the face and other parts if you pound Epithymum and take the fine pouder thereof in the quantity of foure scruples in the liquour which the Apothecaries call Passum or with Oxymell and salt which taketh away all flatuous humours and ventosities CHAP. 175. Of Sauorie ¶ The Kindes THere be two kindes of Sauorie the one that indureth VVinter and is of long continuance the other an annuall or yearely plant that perisheth at the time when it hath perfected his seed and must be sowne againe the next yeare which we call Sommer Sauorie or Sauorie of a yeare There is likewise another which is a stranger in England called of Lobel Thymbra S. 〈◊〉 denying it to be the right Satureia or Sauorie whether that of Lobel or that we haue in our English gardens be the true winter Sauorie is yet disputable for we thinke that of S. Iulians rocke to be rather a wilde kinde than otherwise ‡ Pena and Lobel do not denie 〈◊〉 affirme it in these words Nullus non fatetur Satureiam veram that is which none can denie to be the true Satureia or Sauorie Vid. 〈◊〉 pag. 182. ‡ 1 Satureia hortensis VVinter Sauorie 2 Satureia hortensis aestiva Sommer Sauorie ¶ The Description 1 WInter Sauorie is a plant resembling Hyssope but lower more tender and brittle it bringeth forth very many branches compassed on euery side with narrow and sharpe pointed leaues longer than those of Time among which grow the floures from the bottome to the top out of small husks of colour white tending to a light purple The root is hard and wooddie as is the rest of the plant 2 Sommer Sauorie groweth vp with a slender brittle stalke of a foot high diuided into little branches the leaues are narrow lesser than those of Hysope like the leaues of winter Sauorie 〈◊〉 thinner set vpon the branches The floures stand hard to the branches of a light purple tending to whitenesse The root is small full of strings and perisheth when it hath perfected his seed 3
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
Sorgho in Portugal Milium Saburrum in English Turky Mill or Turky Hirsse ‡ This seemes to be the Milium which was brought into Italy out of India in the reigne of the Emperour Nero the which is described by Pliny lib. 18. cap. 7. ‡ ¶ The temperature and vertues The seed of Turky Mill is like vnto Panicke-In taste and temperature The country People sometimes make bread hereof but it is brittle and of little nourishment and for the most part it serueth to fatten hens and pigeons with CHAP. 63. Of Panick 1 Panicum Indicum Indian Panick 2 〈◊〉 Caeruleum Blew Panicke ¶ The kindes THere be sundry sorts of Panicke although of the Antients there haue beene set downe but two that is to say the wilde or field Panicke and the garden or manured Panicke ¶ The descrip tin 1 THe Panick of India groweth vp like Millet whose straw is knotty or full of ioynts the ears be round and hanging downward in which is contained a white or yellowish seed like Canarie seed or Alpisti 2 Blew Panick hath a reddish stalke like to Sugar cane as tall as a man thicker than a finger full of a fungous pith of a pale colour the stalkes be vpright and knotty these that grow neere the root are of a purple colour on the top of the stalk commeth forth a spike or eare like the water Cats Taile but of a blew or purple colour The Seed is like to naked Otes The Roots are very small in respect of the other parts of the plant ‡ 3 Panicum Americanum 〈◊〉 West-Indian Panicke with a very long eare ‡ 3 To these may be added another West-Indian Panicke sent to Clusius from M. Iames 〈◊〉 of London The eare hereof was thicke close compact and made Taper-fashion smaller at the one end than at the other the length thereof was more than a foot halfe The shape of the seed is much like the last described but that many of them together are contained in one hairie huske which is fastned to a very short stalke as you may see represented apart by the side of the figure ‡ 4 Panicum vulgare Common or Germane Panicke 5 Panicum syluestre Wild Panicke 4 Germane Panicke hath many hairy roots growing thicke together like vnto wheat as is all the rest of the plant as well leaues or blades as straw or stalke The eare groweth at the top single not vnlike to Indian Panicke but much lesser The graines are contained in chaffie scales red declining to tawny 5 The wilde Panicke groweth vp with long reeden stalkes full of ioynts set with long leaues like those of Sorghum or Indian Panicke the tuft or feather-like top is like vnto the common reed or the eare of the grasse called Ischaemon or Manna grasse The root is small and threddy ¶ The place and time The kindes of Panick are sowen in the Spring and are ripe in the beginning of August They prosper best in hot and dry Regions and wither for the most part with much watering as doth Mil and Turky wheat they quickly come to ripenesse and may be kept good a long time ¶ The Names Panick is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Diocles the Physition nameth it Mel Frugum the Spaniards Panizo the Latines Panicum of Pannicula in English Indian Panicke or Otemeale ¶ The temperature Panicks nourish little and are driers as Galen saith ¶ The vertues Panicke stoppeth the laske as Millet doth being boyled as Pliny reporteth in Goats milke and drunke twice in a day Outwardly in Pultesses or otherwise it dries and cooles Bread made of Panick nourisheth little and is cold and dry very brittle hauing in it neither clamminesse nor fatnesse and therefore it drieth a moist belly CHAP. 64. Of Canary seed or Pety Panicke 1 Phalaris Canarie seed 2 Phalaris pratensis Quaking grasse ¶ The Description 1 CAnarie seed or Canarie grasse after some hath many small hairy roots from which arise small strawie stalkes ioynted like corne whereupon do grow leaues like those of Barley which the whole plant doth very well resemble The small 〈◊〉 eare groweth at the top of the stalke wherein is contained small seeds like those of Panicke of a yellowish colour and shining 2 Shakers or Quaking Grasse groweth to the height of halfe a foot and sometimes higher when it groweth in fertile medowes The stalke is very small and benty set with many grassie leaues like the common medow grasse bearing at the top a bush or tuft of flat scaly pouches like those of Shepheards purse but thicker of a browne colour set vpon the most small and weake hairy foot stalkes that may be found whereupon those small pouches do hang by meanes of which small hairy strings the knaps which are the floures do continually tremble and shake in such sort that it is not possible with the most stedfast hand to hold it from shaking ‡ 3 There is also another Grassie plant which may fitly be referred to these the leaues and stalkes resemble the last described but the heads are about the length and bredth of a small 〈◊〉 and handsomely compact of light scaly filmes much like thereto whence some haue termed it Gramen Lupuli glumis The colour of this pretty head when it commeth to ripenesse is white ‡ ¶ The place 1 Canarie seed groweth naturally in Spaine and also in the Fortunate or Canary Islands and doth grow in England or any other of these cold Regions if it be sowen therein 3 Phalaris pratensis altera Pearle Grasse 2 Quaking Phalaris groweth in fertile pastures and in dry medowes 3 This growes naturally in some 〈◊〉 of Spaine and it is sowen yearely in many of our London Gardens ¶ The time 1 3 These Canarie seeds are sowen in May and are ripe in August ¶ The Names 1 Canary seed or Canarie corne is called of the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines retaining the same name Phalaris in the Islands of Canarie Alpisti in English Cana rie seed and Canary grasse 2 Phalaris pratensis is called also Gramen tremulum in Cheshire about Nantwich Quakers and Shakers in some places Cow-quakes 3 This by some is termed Phalaris altera Clusius calleth it Gramen Amourettes majus Bauhine Gramen tremulum maximum In English they call it Pearle-Grasse and Garden-Quakers ¶ The Nature and vertues I finde not any thing set downe as touching the temperature of Phalaris notwithstanding it is thought to be of the nature of Millet The iuyce and seed as Galen saith are thought to be profitably drunke against the paines of the bladder Apothecaries for want of Millet doe vse the same with good successe in fomentations for in dry fomentations 〈◊〉 in stead thereof and is his succedaneum or quid pro quo We vse it in England also to feed the Canarie Birds 〈◊〉 Fox-taile CHAP. 65. Of Fox-Taile ¶ The Description 1 FOx-taile hath many grassie leaues or blades rough and hairy like vnto those of
grow starre-like yellow floures otherwise like the white Asphodill 3 Asphodelus 〈◊〉 rubente Red Asphodill 4 Asphodelus 〈◊〉 Yellow Asphodill ‡ 5 Asphodelus minimus Dwarfe Asphodil ‡ 5 Besides these there is an Asphodill which Clusius for the smalnesse calls Asphodelus minimus The roots thereof are knotty and tuberous resembling those of the formerly described but lesse from these arise fiue or sixe very narrow and long leaues in the middest of which growes vp a stalk of the height of a foot round and without branches bearing at the top thereof a spoke of floures consisting of six white leaues a piece each of which hath a streake running alongst it both on the inside and outside like as the first described It floures in the beginning of Iuly when as the rest are past their floures It loseth the leaues in Winter and gets new ones againe in the beginning of Aprill ‡ ¶ The time and place They floure in May and Iune beginning below and so flouring vpward and they grow naturally in France Italy Spaine and most of them in our London Gardens ¶ The Names Asphodill is called in Latine Asphodelus Albucum 〈◊〉 and Hastula Regia in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in English Asphodill not Daffodil for Daffodill is Narcissus another plant differing from Asphodill Pliny writeth That the stalke with the floures is called Anthericos and the root that is to say the bulbs Asphodelus Of this Asphodill 〈◊〉 maketh mention in his Works where he saith 〈◊〉 fooles know not how much good there is in the Mallow and in the Asphodill because the roots of Asphodill are good to be eaten Yet Galen doth not beleeue that he meant of this Asphodill but of that bulbed one whereof we will make mention hereafter And he himselfe testifieth that the bulbes thereof are not to be 〈◊〉 without very long seething and therefore it is not like that Hesiod hath commended any such 〈◊〉 he seemeth to vnderstand by the Mallow and the Asphodil such kinde of food as is easily prepared and soone made ready ¶ The nature These kindes of Asphodils be hot and dry almost in the third degree ¶ The vertues After the opinion of Dioscorides and 〈◊〉 the roots of Asphodill eaten prouoke vrine and the termes effectually especially being stamped and strained with wine and drunke One dram thereof taken in wine in manner before rehearsed helpeth the paine in the sides ruptures convulsions and the old cough The roots boiled in dregs of wine cure foule eating vlcers all inflammations of the dugges or 〈◊〉 and easeth the felon being put thereto as a pultesse The iuyce of the root boyled in old sweet Wine together with a little myrrh and saffron maketh an excellent Collyrie profitable for the eyes Galen saith the roots burnt to ashes and mixed with the grease of a ducke helpeth the Alopecia and bringeth haire againe that was fallen by that disease The weight of a dram thereof taken with wine helpeth the drawing together of sinews cramps and burstings The like quantitie taken in broth prouoketh vomit and helpeth those that are bitten with any venomous beasts The iuyce of the root cleanseth and taketh away the white morphew if the face be annointed therewith but first the place must be chafed and wel rubbed with a course linnen cloath CHAP. 71. Of the Kings Speare 1 Asphodelus luteus minor The Kings Speare 2 Asphodelus Lancastriae 〈◊〉 Asphodil ‡ 3 Asphodelus Lancastriae verus The true Lancashire Asphodil ¶ The Description 1 THe leaues of the Kings Speare are long narrow and chamfered or furrowed of 〈◊〉 blewish greene colour The stalk is round of a cubit high The floures which grow 〈◊〉 from the middle to the top are very many in shape like to the floures of the other which being past 〈◊〉 come in place thereof little round heads or seed-vessels wherein the seed is contained The roots in like manner are very many long and slender smaller than those of the other yellow sort Vpon the sides whereof grow forth certaine strings by which the plant it selfe is easily encreased and multiplied 2 There is found in these dayes a certaine waterie or marish Asphodill like vnto this last described in stalke and floures without any difference at all It bringeth forth leaues of a beautifull greene somwhat chamfered like to those of the Floure de-luce or corne-flag but narrower not full a span long The stalke is strait a foot high whereupon grow the floures consisting of sixe small leaues in the middle whereof come sorth small yellow chiues or threds The seed is very small contained in long sharpe pointed cods The root is long ioynted and creepeth as grasse doth with many small strings ‡ 3 Besides the last described which our Author I feare mistaking termed Asphodelus Lancastriae there is another water Asphodill which growes in many rotten moorish grounds in this kingdome and in Lancashire is vsed by women to die their haire of a yellowish colour and therefore by them it is termed Maiden-haire if we may beleeue Lobell This plant hath leaues of some two inches and an halfe or three inches long being somewhat broad at the bottome and so sharper towards their ends The stalke seldome attaines to the height of a foot and it is smooth without any leaues thereon the top thereof is adorned with pretty yellow star-like floures wherto succeed longish little cods vsually three yet sometimes foure or fiue square and in these there is contained a small red seed The root consists onely of a few small strings ‡ ¶ The place 1 The small yellow Asphodill groweth not of it selfe wilde in these parts notwithstanding we haue great plenty thereof in our London gardens 2 The Lancashire Asphodill groweth in moist and marish places neere vnto the Towne of Lancaster in the moorish grounds there as also neere vnto Maudsley and Martom two Villages not farre from thence where it was found by a Worshipfull and learned Gentleman a diligent searcher of simples and feruent louer of plants M. Thomas Hesket who brought the plants thereof vnto me for the encrease of my garden I receiued some plants thereof likewise from Master Thomas Edwards Apothecarie in Excester learned and skilfull in his profession as also in the knowledge of plants He found this Asphodill at the foot of a hill in the West part of England called 〈◊〉 hill neere vnto a village of the same name ‡ This Asphodill figured and described out of Dodonaeus and called Asphodelus Lancastriae by our Author growes in an heath some two miles from Bruges in Flanders and diuers other places of the Low-countries but whether it grow in Lancashire or no I can say nothing of certaintie but I am certaine that which I haue described in the third place growes in many places of the West of England and this yeare 1632 my kinde friend M. George Bowles sent mee some plants thereof which I keepe yet growing Lobell also affirmes this to be the Lancashire
first so that by this reason they are of one and the same plant To the which opinion I rather incline than affirme the contrarie with Bauhine who distinguishing them puts the first amongst the Leekes vnder the name of Porrum folio latissinio following Tabernamontanus who first gaue this figure vnder the name of Porrum 〈◊〉 3 This plant is lesser in all the parts than the former the root is set about with longer and slenderer bulbes wrapped in brownish skinnes the floures and leaues are like yet smaller than Garlicke ‡ 3 Scorodoprasum minus The lesser leeke-leaued Garlicke ‡ 4 Ophioscoridon Vipers Garlike 4 The third which Clusius makes his second Scorodoprasum hath stalkes some two cubits high hauing many leaues like those of Leekes from the bottome of the stalke to the middle thereof their smell is betweene that of Leekes and Garlicke the rest of the stalke is naked green smooth sustaining at the top a head composed of many bulbes couered with a whitish skinne ending in a long greene point which skinne by the growth of the bulbes being broken they shew themselues being first of a purplish and afterwards of a whitish colour amongst which are some floures The top of the stalke at first twines it selfe so that it in some sort represents a serpent then by little it vntwines againe and beares the head straight vp The root consists of many cloues much like that of Garlicke ‡ 5 The broad leaued Mountaine Garlicke or rather the Mountaine Ramsons riseth vp with a stalke a cubit high a finger thicke yet very weake full of a spongeous substance neere to the bottome of a purplish colour and greene aboue bearing at the top a multitude of small whitish floures somewhat gaping star-fashion The leaues are three or floure broad ribbed like the leaues 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gentian resembling those of Ramsons but greater The root is great and long couered with many scaly coats and hairy strings 5 Allium Alpinum latifolium seu Victorialis Broad leaued Mountaine Garlicke ¶ The Place The great mountaine Garlicke growes about Constantinople as saith Clusius I receiued a plant of it from M. Thomas Edwards Apothecary of Excester who found it growing in the West parts of England Victorialis groweth in the mountaines of Germany as saith Carolus Clusius and is yet a stranger in England for any thing that I do know ‡ ¶ The Time ‡ Most of these plants floure in the months of Iune and Iuly ¶ The Names Of the first and second I haue spoken already The third is Scorodoprassum minus of Lobell The fourth is Allium sativum secundum of 〈◊〉 and Scorodoprasum secundum of Clusius The fifth is Allium anguinum of Matthiolus Ophioscoridon of 〈◊〉 and Victorialis of Clusius and others as also Allium Alpinum The Germanes call it Seigmurtz ¶ The Temper They are of a middle temper between Leekes and Garlicke ¶ Their Vertues Scorodoprasum as it partakes of the temper so also of the vertues of Leekes and Garlicke that is it attenuates grosse and tough matter helpes expectoration c. Victorialis is like Garlicke in the operation thereof Some as 〈◊〉 writeth hang the root thereof about the necks of their cattell being falne blinde by what occasion 〈◊〉 it happen and persuade themselues that by this meanes they will recouer their sight Those that worke in the mines in Germany affirme That they find this root very powerfull in defending them from the assaults of impure spirits or diuels which often in such places are troublesome vnto them Clus. ‡ CHAP. 100. Of Moly or the Sorcerers Garlicke ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Moly hath for his root a little whitish bulbe somewhat long not vnlike to the root of the vnset Leeke which sendeth forth leaues like the blades of 〈◊〉 or grasse among which doth rise vp a slender weake stalke fat and sull of iuyce at the top whereof commeth forth of a skinny filme a bundle of milke-white floures not vnlike to those of Ramsons The whole plant hath the smell and taste of Garlicke whereof no doubt it is a kinde 2 Serpents Moly hath likewise a small bulbous root with some fibres fastned to the bottom from which rise vp weake grassie leaues of a shining greene colour crookedly winding and turning themselues toward the point like the taile of a Serpent whereof it tooke his name the stalke is tough thicke and full of iuyce at the top whereof standeth a cluster of small red bulbes like vnto the smallest cloue of Garlicke before they be pilled from their skinne And among those bulbes there do thrust forth small and weake foot-stalkes euery one bearing at the end one small white floure tending to a purple colour which being past the bulbes do fall downe vpon the ground where they without helpe do take hold and root and thereby greatly encrease as also by the infinite bulbes that the root doth cast off all the whole plant doth smell and taste of Garlick whereof it is also a kinde 1 Moly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Moly 2 Moly Serpentinum Serpents Moly 3 Moly 〈◊〉 Homers Moly 4 Indian Moly hath verythicke fat short leaues and sharpe pointed in the bosome wherof commeth forth a thicke knobby bulbe like that of Homers Moly The stalke is also like the precedent bearing at the top a cluster of scaly bulbes included in a large thinne skin or filme The root is great bulbous fashion and full of iuyce 5 Caucafon or withering Moly hath a very great bulbous root greater than that of Homers Moly and fuller of a slimie iuyce from which do arise three or foure great thicke and broad leaues withered alwaie at the 〈◊〉 wherein consisteth the difference betweene these leaues and those of Homers Moly which are not so In the middle of the leaues riseth vp a bunch of smooth greenish bulbes set vpon a tender foot-stalke in shape and bignesse like to a great garden Worme which being ripe and planted in the earth do also grow vnto a faire plant like vnto their mother ‡ These two last mentioned according to Bauhine and I thinke the truth are but figures of one and the same plant the later whereof is the better and more agreeing to the growing of the plant 6 To these may be fitly added two other Molyes the first of these which is the yellow Moly hath roots whitish and round commonly two of them growing together the leaues which it sends sorth are long and broad and somwhat resemble those of the Tulip and vsually are but two in number betweene which rises vp a stalke some foot high bearing at the top an vmbell of faire yellow star-like floures tipt on their lower sides with a little greene The whole plant smelleth of Garlicke 4 Moly Indicum Indian Moly 5 Caucafon Withering Moly 7 This little Moly hath a root about the bignesse of an Hasell nut white with some fibres hanging thereat the stalke is of an handfull or little more in height the top thereof is adorned with
Rosins saith Galen that haue this kinde of moisture and clamminesse ioined with them do as it were binde together and vnite dry medicines and because they haue no euident biting qualitie they doe moisten the vlcers nothing at all therefore diuers haue very well mixed with such compound medicines either Turpentine Rosin or Larch Rosin thus far Galen Moreouer Larch Rosin performeth all such things that the Turpentine Rosin doth vnto which as we haue said it is much like in temperature which thing likewise Galen himselfe affirmeth Agaricke is hot in the first degree and dry in the second according to the old writers It cutteth maketh thin clenseth taketh away obstructions or stoppings of the intrailes and purgeth also by stoole Agaricke cureth the yellow iaundice proceeding of obstructions and is a sure remedie for cold shakings which are caused of thicke and cold humors The same being inwardly taken and outwardly applied is good for those that are bit of venomous beasts which hurt with their cold poison It prouoketh vrine and bringeth downe the menses it maketh the body well co loured driueth forth wormes cureth agues especially quotidians and wandring feuers and others that are of long continuance if it be mixed with fit things that serue for the disease and these things it performes by drawing forth and purging away grosse cold and flegmaticke humors which cause the diseases From a dram weight or a dram and a halfe to two it is giuen at once in substance or in pouder the weight of it in an infusion or decoction is from two drams to fiue But it purgeth slowly and doth somewhat trouble the stomacke and therefore it is appointed that Ginger should be mixed with it or wilde Carrot seed or Louage seed or Sal gem in Latine Salfossilis Galen as Mesue reporteth gaue it with wine wherein Ginger was infused some vse to giue it with Oxymel otherwise called syrrup of vineger which is the safest way of all Agaricke is good against the paines and swimming in the head or the falling Euill being taken with syrrup of vineger It is good against the shortnesse of breath called Asthma the inueterate cough of the lungs the ptysicke consumption and those that spet bloud it comforteth the weake and seeble stomacke causeth good digestion and is good against wormes CHAP. 45. Of the Cypresse tree Cupressus satiua syluestris The Garden and wild Cypresse tree ¶ The Description THe tame or manured Cypresse tree hath a long thicke and straight body whereupon many slender branches do grow which do not spred abroad like the branches of other trees but grow vp alongst the body yet not touching the top they grow after the fashion of a steeple broad below and narrow toward the top the substance of the wood is hard sound well compact sweet of smell and somewhat yellow almost like the yellow Saunders but not altogether so yellow neither doth it rot nor wax old nor cleaueth or choppeth itself The leaues are long round like those of Tamariske but fuller of substance The fruit or nuts do hang vpon the boughes being in manner like to those of the Larch tree but yet thicker and more closely compact which being ripe do of themselues part in sunder and then falleth the seed which is shaken out with the winde the same is small flat very thin of a swart ill fauoured colour which is pleasant to Ants or Pismires and serueth them for food Of this diuers make two kindes the female and the male the female barren and the male fruitfull Theophrastus reporteth that diuers affirme the male to come of the female The Cypresse yeelds forth a certaine liquid Rosin like in substance to that of the Larch tree but in taste maruellous sharpe and biting The wilde Cypresse as Theophrastus writeth is an high tree and alwaies greene so like to the other Cypresse as it seemeth to be the same both in boughes body leaues and fruit rather than a certaine wilde Cypresse the matter or substance of the wood is sound of a sweet smell like that of the Cedar tree which rotteth not there is nothing so crisped as the root and therefore they vse to make precious and costly workes thereof ‡ I know no difference betweene the wilde and tame Cypresse of our Author but in the handsomnesse of their growth which is helped somewhat by art ‡ ¶ The Place The tame and manured 〈◊〉 groweth in hot countries as in Candy Lycia Rhodes and also in the territorie of Cyrene it is reported to be likewise found on the hills belonging to Mount Ida and on the hills called Leuci that is to say white the tops whereof be alwaies couered with snow Bellonius denieth it to be found vpon the tops of these hills but in the bottoms on the rough parts and ridges of the hills it groweth likewise in diuers places of England where it hath beene planted as at Sion a place neere London sometime a house of Nunnes it groweth also at Greenwich and at other places and likewise at Hampsted in the garden of Mr. Wade one of the Clerkes of her Maiesties priuy Councell The wilde kinde of Cypresse tree groweth hard by Ammons Temple and in other parts of the countrey of Cyrene vpon the tops of mountaines and in extreme cold countries Bellonius affirmeth that there is found a certaine wilde Cypresse also in Candy which is not so high as other Cypresse trees nor groweth sharpe toward the top but is lower and hath his boughes spred flat round about in compasse he saith the body thereof is also thicke but whether this be Thya of which Theophrastus and Pliny make mention we leaue it to consideration ¶ The Time The tame Cypres tree is alwaies greene the fruit may be gathered thrice a yeare in 〈◊〉 May and September and therefore it is syrnamed Trifera The wilde Cypres tree is late and very long before it buddeth ¶ The Names The tame Cypres is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine 〈◊〉 in shops Cypressus in Italian Cypresso in French and Spanish Cipres in high-Dutch Cipressenbaum in low-Dutch Cypresse boom in English Cypres and Cypres tree The fruit is named in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Pilulae Cupressi Nuces Cupressi and Galbuli in shops Nuces Cypressi in English Cypres nuts or clogs This tree in times past was dedicated to Pluto and was said to be deadly whereupon it is thought that the shadow thereof is vnfortunate The wilde Cypres tree is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from this doth differ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being a name not of a plant but of a mortar in which dry things are beaten Thya as Pliny writeth lib. 13. cap. 16. was well knowne to Homer he sheweth that this is burned among the sweet smells which Circe was much delighted withall whom he would haue to be taken for a goddesse
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