the stomack The Empresse Iulia Augusta passed not a day without eating the Elecampane root thus confected and condite and therupon came it to be in so great name and bruit as it is The seed therof is needlesse and good for nothing therefore to maintaine and increase this plant gardeners vse commonly to set the joints cut from the root after the order as they doe Reeds and Canes The manner is to plant them as well as Parsnips Skirwirts and Carrots at both times of seednes to wit the Spring and the Fall but there would be a good distance betweene euery seed or plant at least three foot because they spread and braunch very much and therewith take vp a deale of ground As for the Skirwirt or Parsnip Siser it will do the better if it be remoued and replanted It remaineth now to speak in the next place of plants with bulbous or onion roots and their nature which Cato recommendeth to Gardeners and he would haue them to be set and sowed aboue all others among which he most esteemeth them of Megara Howbeit of all this bulbous kind the Sea-onyon Squilla is reputed chiefe and principall notwithstanding there is no vse of it but in Physick and for to quicken vinegre As there is none that groweth with a bigger head at the root so there is not any more aegre and biting than it Of these Sea-onyons there be two kinds medicinable the male with the white leafe the female with the blacke There is a third sort also of Squillae which is good for to be eaten the leaues whereof be narrower and not so rough and sharp as the other and this they cal Epimenidium All the sort of these squilles are plentifull in seed howbeit they come vp sooner if they be set of cloues or bulbes which grow about their sides And if a man would haue the head of the root wax big the leaues which vsually be broad and large ought to be bended downe into the earth round about and so couered with mould for by this means all the sap and nourishment is diuerted from the leafe and runneth backe into the root These Squils or sea-onions grow in exceeding great abundance within the Baleare Islands and Ebusus as also throughout all Spaine Pythagoras the Philosopher wrote one entire volumne of these onions wherein he collected their medicinable vertues and properties which I meane to deliuer in the next booke As touching other bulbous plants there be sundry kinds of them differing all in colour quantity and sweetnesse of tast for some there bee of them good to be eaten raw as those of Cherrhonesus Taurica Next vnto them are they of Barbary and most commended for goodnesse and then those that grow in Apulia The Greeks haue set downe their distinct kindes in these terms Bulbine Setanios Pythios Acrocorios Aegylops and Sisyrinchios But strange it is of this Sisyrinchios last named how the foot and bottom of the root wil grow down stil in winter but in the Spring when the Violets appeare the same diminisheth and gathereth short vpward by which meanes the head indeed of the root seedeth and thriueth the better In this rank of bulbous plants is to be set that which in Egypt they call Aron i. Wake-Robin for bignesse of the head it commeth next to Squilla beforesaid the leaues resemble the herb Patience or garden Dock it riseth vp with a streight stem or stalke two cubits high as thicke as a good round cudgell As touching the root it is of a soft and tender substance and may be eaten raw If you would haue good of these bulbous roots you had need to dig them out of the ground before the spring for if you passe that time they will presently be the worse You shall know when they be ripe and in their perfection by the leaues for they will begin to wither at the bottom If they be elder or if their roots grow small and long they are reiected as nothing worth Contrariwise the ruddy root the rounder and the biggest withall are most commended know this moreouer That the bitternesse of the root in most of them lyeth in the crowne as it were or top of the head for the middle parts be sweet The antient writers held opinion That none of these bulbous plants would grow but of seed only howbeit both in the pastures and fields about Preneste they come vp of themselues and also among the corn lands and arable grounds of the Rhenians they grow beyond all measure CHAP. VI. ¶ Of the roots leaues floures and colours of Garden-herbes ALl Garden plants ordinarily put out but one single root apiece as for example the Radish Beet Parsley and Mallow howbeit the greatest and largest of all others is the root of the herb Patience or garden Docke which is knowne to run downe into the ground three cubits deep In the wild of this kind which is the common docke the roots be smaller yet plumpe and swelled whereby after they be digged vp and laied aboue ground they will liue a long time Some there be of them that haue hairy strings or beards hanging to the roots as namely Parsley or Ach and Mallows Others there be againe which haue branching roots as the Basill As the roots of some be carnous and flâ—…ie altogether and namely of the Beet but especially of Saffron so in others they consist of rind and carnositie both as we may see in Radishes and Rapes or Turneps And ye shall haue of them that be knotty and full of ioints as for example the root of the Quoich grasse or Dent-de-chien Such hearbs as haue no streight and direct root run immediatly into hairie threds as we may see plainly in the Orach and Bleet as for the sea Onion Squilla and such bulbous plants the garden Onions also and Garlicke they put forth their roots streight and neuer otherwise Many hearbes there be which spring of their own accord without setting or sowing and of such many there be that branch more cloue in root than in leafe as we may see in Aspalax Parietarie of the wall and Saffron Moreouer a man shall see these hearbes floure at once together with the Ash namely the running or creeping Thyme Southernewood Naphewes Radishes Mints and Rue and by that time as others begin to blow they are ready to shed their floures whereas Basill putteth forth floures by parcels one after another beginning first beneath and so going vpward by leisure which is the cause that of all others it is longest in the floure The same is to be seene in the herb Heliotropium i. Ruds or Turnsol In some the floures be white in others yellow and in others purple As touching the leaues of herbes some are apt to fall from their heads or tops as in Origan and Elecampane yea and otherwhiles in Rue if some iniurie be done vnto it Of all other herbes the blades of Onions and Chibbols be most hollow Where by the
muskles and sinews that he became paralyticke in that part and euer after vnto his dying day was rid as well of all sence as of the paine of the gout But say that in these cases it might be tollerable to set down in their books some poisons what reason nay what leaue had those Greeks to shew the means how the brains and vnderstanding of men should be intoxicat and troubled what colour and pretence had they to set downe medicines and receits to cause women to slip the vntimely fruit of their womb and a thousand such like casts deuises that may be practised by herbs of their penning for mine owne part I am not for them that would send the conception out of the body vnnaturally before the due time they shall learne no such receits of me neither will I teach any how to temper spice an amatorious cup to draw either man or woman into loue it is no part of my profession For wel I remember that Lucullus a most braue Generall and a captain of great execution lost his life by such a loue potion Much lesse then shall ye haue me to write of Magick witch-craft charmes inchantments and sorceries vnlesse it be to giue warning that folk should not meddle with them or to disproue those courses for their vanities and principally to giue an Item how little trust and assurance there is to be had in such trumpery It sufficeth me and contenteth my mind yea and I think that I haue done wel for mankind in recording those herbs which be good and wholsome found out by men of wit and learning for the benefit of posterity CHAP. IIII. ¶ Of Moly and Dodecatheos of Poeony otherwise called Pentorobus or Glycyside Of Panaces Asclepium Heraclium and Chironium Of Panaces Centarium or Pharnaceum Of Heraclium Siderium Of Henbane called Hyoscyamus Apollinaris or Altercangenus HOmer is of opinion That the principall and soueraigne hearb of all others is Moly so called as he thinketh by the gods themselues The inuention or finding of this hearbe hee ascribeth vnto Mercury and sheweth that it is singular against the mightiest witcheraft inchantments that be Some say that this herb Moly euen according to Homers description with a round and black bulbous root to the bignesse of an onion and with a leafe or blade like that of Squilla groweth at this day about the riuer or lake Peneus and vpon the mountain Cylleum in Arcadia also that it is hard to be digged out of the ground The Grecian Simplists describe this Moly with a yellow floure wheras Homer hath written that it is white I met with one physitian a skilful Herbarist who affirmed vnto me That this Moly grew in Italy also and in verie truth he brought and shewed me a plant which came out of Campaine about the digging vp whereof among hard and stony rocks he had bin certain daies but get he could not the entire root whole and sound but was forced to break it off and yet the root which he shewed mee was thirtie foot long Next vnto Moly in account and reputation is that plant which they call Dodecatheos for that it doth represent comprehend the maiesty of all the chiefe gods They say if it be drunk in water it is a soueraign medicine for al maladies Seuen leaues it hath resembling very much those of Lectuce and the same spring from a yellow root As touching Paeony it is one of the first herbs that were euer known and brought to light as may appeare by the author or inuentor thereof whose name it beareth still Some call it Pentorobos others Glycyside where by the way I am to aduertise the Reader of the difficulty in the knowledge of herbs by their names considering that the same herbe hath in sundry places diuers appellations But to proceed forward with our Paeony it groweth among bleake and shady mountains rising vp with a stem between the leaues 4 fingers high and bearing in the top 4 or 5 heads fashioned somwhat like to Filberds within which there is plenty of seed both red and black This herb is good against the fantasticall illusions of the Fauni which appeare in sleep It is said that this herb must be gathered in the night season for if the Rainbird woodpeck or Hickway called Picus Martius should chance to spie it gathered he would flie in the face and be ready to peck out the eies of him or her that had it The herb Panace promiseth by the very name a remedy of all diseases A number there be of herbs so called and all ascribed to some god or other for the inuention of them for one of them hath the addition of Asclepion for that Aesculapius had a daughter named also Panacea As touching the concret juice named Opopanax it is drawn from the root of this plant beeing of the Ferula or Fennell kind such as I haue heretofore shewed by way of incision the which root hath a thick rind and of a saltish sauor When the root is pulled out of the ground there is a religious ceremony obserued to fil vp the hole again with all sorts of corn as it were in satisfaction to the earth for the violence offered in tearing it vp As for the said juice Opopanax where and how it should be made and which is the best kind therof and not sophisticat I haue declared already in my Treatise of forrain and strange plants That which is brought out of Macedony they cal Bucosicum because the Neat-heards of the country mark when the liquor breakes forth and runneth out of it selfe and so receiue and gather it from the plant this wil not last but of all the rest soonest loseth the force Moreouer in all sorts of it that is rejected principally which is black and soft for these be markes to know that it is corrupted and sophisticate with wax A second kind there is of Panaces which they cal Heraclium the inuention of the vertues and properties whereof is attributed vnto Hercules Some there be who call it Origanum Heracleaticum the wild because it is like to Origan wherof I haue heretofore written but the root of this Panaces is good for nothing A third kind of Panaces took the name of Chiron the Centaur who was the first that gaue intelligence of the herbe and the vertues thereof The leafe is like vnto the Dock but that it is bigger and more hairy the floure is of a golden yellow color the root but small it loueth to grow in rich fat and battle grounds The floure of this Panaces is most effectual in Physick in which regard there is more vse and profit thereof than of all the former kindes A fourth Panaces there is besides found out also by the same Chiron whereupon it hath the denomination of Centaureum called also it is Pharnaceum the occasion of this two fold name is this because there is some controuersie in the first inuention thereof
and indeed so like as oftentimes one is taken for the other howbeit the leaues be not altogether so white and more little branches it putteth forth bearing likewise a pale yellow floure cast this herb or strew it in any place all the moths there about will gather to it whereupon at Rome they call it Blattaria The herbe Lemonium yeeldeth a white juice much like vnto milke which will harden and grow together in manner of a gum and it groweth in moist places The weight of one denarius giuen in wine is a singular preseruatiue against the dangerous sting of serpents As for Cinque soile or fiue leaued grasse there is not one but knoweth it so common it is and commendable besides for the strawberries which it beareth The Greeks call it Pentapetes Chamaezelon or Pentaphyllon the Latines Quinquefolium The root when it is new digged looketh red but as it beginneth to drie aboue ground so it waxeth black and becommeth also cornered It tooke the common naâ—…e both in Greeke and Latine of the number of leaues which it beareth This herb herein is of great affinitie with the vine that they both bud spring leafe and shed the same together It is vsed also about purging blessing of the house against naughtie spirits or inchantments As for Sparganium an herb so called by the Greeks the root thereof is good to be giuen in white wine against venomous serpents Of Carrots Petronius Diodotus hath set downe 4 seueral kinds But what need I to go through them all foure seeing they may be reduced well enough into twaine and doe require no other distinctions The best and most approued Carrots be those of Candy the next to which in goodnesse come out of Achaia But generally in what countrey soeuer they grow the better be such as come vp in the sounder and drier grounds As touching the Candy Carot it resembleth fennel but that the leaues stand more vpon the white they be smaller also and hairy withall The stem groweth vpright a foot high and hath a root odoriferous to smell vnto and of a most pleasant tast this ioieth in stony places exposed to the South quarter of the world As for the other Carots of a wild nature In what countrey grow they not you shall finde them vpon earthie bankes and hils you shall haue them about high waies but neuer shal a man meet with them in a leane and hungry ground they loue a battle and fat soile their leaues come neare to the Coriander their stem ariseth to a cubit heigth bearing round heads three ordinarily and otherwhiles more the root is of a wooddy substance and being once dried it serueth to no purpose The seed of this kind is like vnto Cumin but of the former to Millet grain white quick and sharp and they be all odoriferous and hot in the mouth The seed of the second is more aegre and biting than the former and therefore ought to be taken in lesse quantitie As for the third kind if we list to make so many it is much like to the wild Parsnep called in Greek Staphylinos and in Latine Pastinaca Erratica the same beareth a seed somwhat long in form and a sweet root All the sort of these Dauci or Carots are safe enough from the bit of four-footed beasts both winter summer vnlesse it be after they haue cast their abortiue fruit before-time for then they seek therto to be clensed of their gleane Of all Carots the seeds be vsed only but that of Candie affordeth the root also which is sweet but both the seed of the one sort and the root of the other be most appropriat remedies against serpents a dram weight in wine is a sufficient dose at a time which also may be giuen in a drench to foure-footed beasts that be stung by them Touching the herb Therionarca I mean not that which the Magitians vse it groweth also in this part of the world here with vs in Italy many branches it putteth forth and springs thick with diuers shoots from the root the leaues be of a light green and the floure of a red-rose colour it killeth serpents outright besides it hath this property That if it be brought neere vnto any wild beast whatsoeuer it benummeth their sences whereupon it took that name Persolata which the Greek writers call Arcion there is not one but knoweth large leaues it hath and bigger than the very Gourds more hairy blacker also and thicker a white root and a great this root taken in wine to the weight of two deniers Roman is good likewise against the venom of serpents In like manner the root of Cyclaminus or Sow-bread is as effectual against them all leaues it hath somewhat resembling those of Ivy but that they be of a more duskish and sad greene smaller also and without corners wherein a man may perceiue certaine whitish specks The stem is little and hollow within the flours of a purple colour the root broad so as a man would take it to be a Turnep and couered ouer with a black rind it groweth in shadowy places Our countrymen here in Italy call it in Latine Tuber terrae that is to say The knur or bunch of the ground Sowne and planted it would be in euery garden about an house if so be it be true that is reported of it namely that wheresoeuer it groweth it is as good as a countercharm against al witchcraft and sorceries which kind of defensatiue is called properly Amuletum Moreouer this root they say if it be put into a cup of wine turneth the brain presently and maketh as many drunk as drink therof For the better keeping and preseruing of this root it must be ordered after the manner of Squilla or Sea-onion roots i. cut into thinne slices or roundles then dried and so laid vp the same also is vsually sodden to the consistence or thickenesse of hony As good as this root is in those former respects yet it is not without some venomous quality for it is commonly said That if a woman with child chance to step ouer it shee will fall presently to labour before her time and lose the fruit of her wombe A second kind of Cyclaminus or Swine bread I finde syrnamed by the Greekes Cissanthemos growing with stems full of knots or joints hollow within and good for nothing far different from the former winding and clasping about trees bearing berries much like to those of Ivy but they are soft a white floure faire and louely to see too but a needlesse root for any goodnesse in it the berries that it beareth be only in vse and those are of a sharp and biting tast yet they be viscous and clammy to the tongue these being dried in the shadow and stamped are afterwards reduced into certain bals or trosches My self haue seen a third kind also of Cyclaminos carying the name besides of Chamaecissos which brought forth but one only leafe the root was
feare least it being replanted againe by these Herbarists such is the malicious sorcerie of some of them as I haue already shewed the malady returne and be as bad as it was before the like caueat I find giuen vnto them who are cured of this disease eitherby Mugwort or Plantaine The herb Damasonium called likewise Alisma if it be gathered about the Summer solstead applied vnto the foresaid wens with rain water is singular good for them for which purpose the leaues are to be stamped or the root bru sed and incorporat with hogs grease and so applied in a liniment with charge That the place be couered with a leafe of the same in which manner prepared and vsed it serueth to allay all pains in the nape of the neck and to keep downe or dissipat the swelling in any part of the body There is an herb growing commonly in â—…o vs called the Daisie with a white floure partly inclining to a red which if it be ioined with Mugwort in an ointment is thought to make the medicine far more effectual for the kings euil Condurdum is an herb of smal continuance for about the Summer Solstice it sheweth a red floure and soon sheddeth the same which as they say if it be hanged about the neck represseth and keepeth vnder the foresaid disease the like doth Veruaine together with Plantaine vsed and worne in the same manner Touching all the accidents happening to the fingers and namely the excrescences risings of the skin about the roots of the nailes called in Greeke Pterygia Cinquefoile is a singular good herb for them Amongst all the infirmities of the breast the cough is most troublesome and grieuous for which the root of Panaces in sweet wine is a soueraigne remedie The juice of Henbane is excellent for them also that reach vp bloud out of the breast and the very smoke therof as it burneth is as proper for them that cough In like manner Scordotis beeing dried and made into pouder afterwards mingled with cresses and rosin and so reduced into a liquid confection or lohoch cureth the cough The said herb taken simply by it self alone raiseth tough flegme out of the brest and causeth it to break from the patient with ease The like effect hath Centaurie the greater yea though a man did bring vp bloud for which infirmity the juice of Plantain also is thought to be singular Betony taken in water to the weight of three oboli is of great force against the spitting of bloud and raising vp of filthy matter out of the chest The root of the great bur hath the like vertue if it be eaten to the weight of one dram with 11 Pine-nuts The juice of Harstrang as also Galangale is good for the pain in the brest and therfore they go both of them into preseruatiues and antidots which serue for counterpoisons The Carot likewise helpeth those that cough like as the herb Scythica which is the wild Caraway for beeing drunk to the weight of 3 cyaths in sweet wine cuit it is generally good for all diseases of the brest for the cough and helpeth such as fetch vp filthy and rotten matter CHAP. VI. ¶ Of Mullen or Lungwort of Cacalia of Folefoot called Tussilago or Bechium and of Sauge herbs all appropriate for the cough MVllen or Lungwort with the yellow golden floure being in like maner taken to the same quantity eases the foresaid infirmities Certes this herb is of that efficacy in these cases that if a drench thereof be giuen to horses which not onely haue the cough but also bee broken winded it wil help them the same effects I find attributed to Gentian The root of Cacalia soked in wine and chewed is good not onely for the cough but also for the infirmities in the throat Take 5 branches or slips of hyssop and two sprigs of rue with 3 figs seeth these together it is an excellent drink for to discharge the brest of flegme that stuffeth it Folefoot called in Greek Bechion that is to say in Latin Tussilago doth appease the violence of the cough Two kinds there be of this herb the wild which wheresoeuer it is seene to grow sheweth that there is water vnder it a thing that they know well enough who seek for springs for they take it to be an assured sign and direction to water it beareth leaues like to Iuy but somwhat bigger either 5 or 7 in number which vnderneath or toward the ground be somwhat whitish but aboue in the vpper side of a pale colour without floure stem or seed and the root is but small Some would haue it and Chamâ—…leuce both to be one and the same herb called by diuers names take this herb leafe and root together when they be dried set all on fire and receiue the smoke by a pipe as if you would suck or drinke it downe it is they say a notable medicine to cure an old cough but between euery pipe you must sip a pretty draught of sweet wine The second Bechion some would haue to be called Saluia an herb like vnto Mullen stampe the same and let the juice run through a streiner which being made hot drink it for the cough and pain in the sides This herb likewise is very effectuall against scorpions sea-dragons Also an inunction made therwith and oile together is commended much for the sting of serpents A bunch of hyssope sodden with three ounces of hony is a fine medicine for the cough CHAP. VII ¶ For the paine of the sides and breast for those that cannot draw their wind but sitting vpright for the paine of the lâ—…uer the heart ach for the lights difficulty of vrine the cough the breast vlcers for the eies for the flux of the belly occasioned by a feeble liuer against immoderat vomits for the yex the pleurisie and all griefes of the side LVngwort or Mullen drunke in water with Rue is very good for the pain of the sides and the brest for which purpose also they say that pouder of Betony is as good if it be taken in water wel warmed The juice of Scordotis is holden to be a great corroboratiue of the stomack so is Centaury also Gentian drunk in a draught of water Plantain either eaten alone by it selfe or with a gruell broth of Lentils or els with a frumenty potage made with wheat is comfortable to the stomack Betony although otherwise it lie heauy in the stomacke yet if one either chew the leaues or drink them in some broth it helpeth much the defects infirmities thereof In like case Aristolochia if it be taken in drinke Also Agaricke chewed drie so as betwixt whiles the patient sup a little of pure wine of the grape hath like vertue as for Nymphâ—…a or Nemphar syrnamed Heraclia it strengtheneth the stomacke applied outwardly in a siniment euen so doth the juice of Harstrang For the hot distemper of the stomacke it is good to lay vnto it the
In agues it procureth sweat so that the patient drink the juice thereof mingled with hot water But of all herbes that be there is none more wonderful then Greimile some call it in Greek Lithospermon others Aegonychon some Diospyron and other Heracleos It groweth ordinarily fiue inches high and the leaues be twice as big as those of Rue The foresaid stalks or stems be no thicker than bents or rushes and the same garnished with small and slender branches It bringeth forth close ioining to the leaues certain little beards one by one in the top of them little stones white and round in manner of pearls as big as cich pease but as hard as very stones Toward that side where they hang to their steles or tailes they haue certain holes or concauities containing seed within This herb groweth in Italy but the best in the Island Candy And verily of all the plants that euer I saw I neuer wondred at any more so sightly it groweth as if some artificiall goldsmith had set in an alternatiue course and order these prety beads like orient pearls among the leaues so rare a thing it is difficult to be conceiued that a very hard stone should grow out of an herb The Herbarists who haue written thereof do say that it lieth along and creepeth by the ground for mine owne patt I neuer saw it growing in the plant but shewed it was vnto me plucked out of the ground This is for certaine knowne that these little stones called Greimile seed drunke to the weight of one dram in white wine breake the stone expell the same by grauell and dispatch those causes that be occasions of strangurie Certes a man no sooner seth this hearb but he may presently know the vertues thereof and for what it serueth in Physicke a thing that he shall not obserue again in any other whatsoeuer for at the very first sight of these little stones his eie will tell him what it is good for without information from any person at all There be common stones found about riuers bearing a certain drie hoary mosse vpon them Rub one of these stones against another hauing spit first therupon and then therewith touch the tettar or ringworme in any part of the body it will kill the same but the party must as he toucheth it vtter this charme following 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is to say Cantharides flie apace for a wilde Wolfe followeth in chase The French-men haue a certaine herbe which they call Limeum out of which they draw a venomous juice named by them Stags-poison wherewith they vse to envenome their Arrow heads when they go to hunt their red Deere Take of this as much as goeth to the poysoning of one arrow and put it in three measures or Modij of a mash wherewith they vse to drench cattel and make sops thereof and conuey them down the throat of sick oxen or kine it will recouer them But presently after the receit of this medicine they must be tied vp sure vnto their bousies vntill the medicine haue done purging for the beasts commonly fare all the while that it is in working as if they were wood In case they fall a sweating vpon it they must be washed all ouer with cold water Leuce is an herbe like vnto Mercury but it tooke that name by reason of a certaine white strake or line that runneth crosse through the mids of the leafe for which cause some cal it Mesoleucas The iuice of this herbe healeth fistuloes and the substance of the herbe it selfe stamped cureth cancerous sores It may be peraduenture the same herb which is named Leucas that is so effectuall against all venomous stings proceeding from any sea-fishes The herbarists haue not described this herb otherwise than thus That the wild kind thereof with the broader leafe is more effectual in the leaues and that the seed of the garden kind hath more acrimony than the other Touching Leucographis what manner of herbe it should be I haue not found in any writer and I wonder thereat the rather because it is reported to be so good for them that void reach bloud vpward namely if it be taken to the weight of three oboli with Safron likewise stamped with water and so applied it is singular good against those fluxes that proceed from the imbecility of the stomacke soueraigne also for to stav the immoderat flux of womens termes And it entereth into those medicines which are appropriate for the eies yea and into incarnatiues such especially as be fit to incarnat those vlcers which are in the most tender and delicat parts of the body CHAP. XII ¶ Of Medium Myosota Myagros Nigina Natrix Odontitis Othonne Omosma Onopordos Osyris Oxys Batrachion Polygonon Pancration Peplos Periclymenos Laucanthemon Phyteuma Phyllon Phellandrion Phalaris Polyrrhizon and Proserpinaca of Rhacoma Reseda and Stoechas MEdion hath leaues like vnto garden Floure-de-lis A stem three foot high garnished with faire large floures of purple colour and round in forme the seed is small and the root halfe a foot long it groweth willingly vpon stony grounds lying in the shade The root taken in a liquid electuary or lohoch made with hony to the quantity of 2 drams for cerdaies together staieth the immoderat flux of womens monethly termes The seed also reduced into pouder and drunke in wine represseth their extraordinary shifts Myosota otherwise called Myosotis is a smooth herbe shooting forth many stems from one single root and those in some sort of a reddish colour and hollow garnished with leaues which toward the root be narrow long and blackish hauing their backe part sharpe and edged which leaues grow along the stems two by two together and out of the concauities or armpits between the stalk and them there put forth other small branches with a blew floure The root is of the thicknesse of a mans finger bearded with many small strings resembling hairs This root is of a corrosiue nature fretting and exulcerating any place wherunto it is applied in which regard it healeth vp the fistulous vlcers called Aegilops growing between the nose and angles of the eies The Aegyptians are of opinion that if vpon the 27 day of that moneth which they call Thiatis and which answereth very neare to our moneth August a man or woman do annoint themselues with the juice of this herb in a morning before they haue spoken one word he or she shall not be troubled with bleared eies all that yeare long Myagros is an herb growing vp with stems in manner of Fenell geant in leaues resembling Madder and riseth to the height of 3 foot The seed which it beareth is oleous out of it there is an oile drawne which is good for the sores in the mouth if they be annointed therewith The herbe called Nigina hath three long leaues like vnto those of Succorie wherewith if scars remaining after vlcers and wounds be rubbed it will reduce
them to the natural color of the other skin There is an herb which in Latine is named Natrix the root whereof being pulled out of the ground hath a rank smell like vnto a Goat with this herbe they vse in the Picene countrey to driue away those hob-goblins which they haue a maruellous opinion to be spirits called Fatui but for mine own part I am verily persuaded they be nothing else but fantasticall illusions of such as be troubled in mind and bestraught the which may be chased and rid away by the vse of this medicinable herbe Odontitis may be reckoned among the kinds of hey-grasse putting forth many small stems growing thicke together from one root and those knotted and ful of ioints triangled and blackish withall in euery ioint small leaues it hath resembling those of knot-grasse howbeit somwhat longer in the concauities between the said leaues and the stem there is contained a seed like vnto Barly corns the floure is of a purple colour and very small It groweth ordinarily in medow grounds The decoction of the branches and tender stalks of this herb to the quantitie of one handful boiled in some astringent wine cureth the toothach if the patient hold the same in the mouth Othonne groweth plenteously in Scythia like vnto Rocket the leaues be full of holes and the floure resembleth Safron which is the cause that some haue called it Anemone The juice of this herbe entreth very well into those medicines which are appropriate to the eies for it is somewhat mordicatiue and heateth gently besides exiccatiue it is and by that meanes astringent It clenseth the eies of those films and clouds which darken the sight and remoueth whatsoeuer hindereth the same Some ordain for this purpose that it should be washed first and after it is dried againe made into certain balls or troschisks Onosma beareth leaues wel-neare three fingers long and those lying flat vpon the ground three in number and indented or cut after the manner of Orchanet without stem without flour without seed If a woman with child eat thereof or do but step ouer it she shal cast her vntimely birth out of her wombe As for Onopordon they say if Asses eat thereof they will fall a fizling and farting Howbeit of vertue it is to prouoke vrine and the monethly sicknesse of women to stop a laske to discusse and resolue impostumes and to heale them when they be broken and do run Osyris putteth forth small branches of a browne colour slender pliable and easie to wind the same be garnished with leaues resembling those of Line or flax of a dark duskish green at first but afterwards changing colour and inclining to a red colour and the seed is contained in those branches Of these leaues are made certain washing balls to scoure womens skin and make them look faire The decoction of the root being drunk cureth those that haue the jaundise The same roots gathered before the seed be ripe cut into roundles and dried in the Sun do stop the laske but drawn after that the seed is ripe they represse all catarrhes and fluxes of the belly if the patient drink the supping wherein they are boiled Also stamped simply and so giuen in rain water they haue the same effect Oxys beareth three leaues and no more This herb is singular to be giuen for a feeble stomack which hath lost all appetite to meat They also who haue a rupture and whose guts be fallen down eat thereof to very good successe Polyanthemum which some call Batrachion hath a causticke quality whereby it doth blister any vnseemly scars by means whereof reduceth them to their fresh and former colour the same also applied scoureth away the morphew and bringeth the skin to the natiue hue answerable to the rest of the body Knot grasse is that herb which the Greeks name Polygonon and we in Latine Sanguinaria in leaf it resembleth Rue in seed common quich grasse riseth not from the ground but creepeth along the juice of this herb conueied vp into the nosthrils stancheth bleeding at the nose They who set down many kinds of Polygonon do hold that this is to be taken for the male and by reason of the multitude of seed which it beareth is called Polygonon or for that it groweth so thick in tufts Calligonon Others name it Polygonaton for the number of knots or knees which it carrieth There be again who giue it the name Theuthalis some cal it Carcinetron others Clema many Myrtopetalon and yet I meet with some writers who say this is the female knot-grasse and that the male is the greater and not altogether so dark of colour growing also thicker with knots swelling with seed vnder euery leaf wel how soeuer it it the property of them both the one as well as the other is to bind and coole and yet their seed doth loosen the belly which if taken in any great quantity is diuretical and represseth any rheums prouided alwaies that the patient be troubled therwith otherwise it doth no good The leaues are singular good to be applied vnto the stomack for to assuage the heat thereof in a liniment they mitigat the griefe of the bladder and stop the course of shingles and such like wilde-fires The juice is soueraigne to be dropped alone by it selfe into the eares that run and into the eyes to abate their pain It is vsually giuen to the quantity of 2 cyaths in tertian Agues and Quartans especially before the fit commeth likewise for the feeblenesse of the stomack when it will keep nothing for the bloudy flix and the rage of cholerick humors both vpward and downward A third kind there is which they cal Oreon growing vpon the mountains resembling a tender reed rising vp in one single stem but full of little knees or knots and those couched thrust together Leafed it is like the Pitch tree the root needlesse and of no vse and generally the whole herb of lesse strength and operation than the former Howbeit this singular propertie hath it to help the sciatica A fourth Polygonum there is called the wild and this busheth like a shrub or a prety tree rather the root is of a wooddy substance the stock or plant of a reddish colour resembling the Cedar it beareth branches much like to Spart or Spanish broome two spans long iointed into three or four knots and those of a blackish colour This also hath an astringent nature and tasteth in the mouth like to a Quince The decoction thereof in water till the third part be consumed or the pouder of it dried is commended for the sores in the mouth and for any part that is fretted and galled And the very substance thereof is good to be chewed in case the gums be sore It represseth the malignity of eating corrosiue vlcers and cankers and in one word staieth the malice of all sores that run on end and be
drying confiture Some grapes there be that are condite in Must or new wine and so they drinke their owne liquor wherein they lie soking without any other seething Others againe are boiled in Must abouesaid vntill they lose their owne verdure and become sweet and pleasant Moreouer yee shall see old grapes hang still vpon the Vine their mother vntill new come but within glasses that a man may see them easily through howbeit to make them to last and continue in their full strength as well those which be preserued in barrels tuns and such like vessels aforesaid they vse the helpe of pitch or tarre which they poure vpon the stalks that the cluster hangs to and wherewith they stop close the mouth of the said glasse It it not long since that there was a deuise found that wine of it selfe as it came naturally from the grape growing vpon the vine should haue a smack and sent of pitch And surely this kind of Pitch wine brought the territory about Vienna into great name reputation before that this vine was known those of Auern Burgundy and the Heluij were in no request at all But these deuises as touching vines wines were not in the daies of the Poet Virgil who died about 90 yeres past But behold what I haue to say more of the Vine tree the vine wand is now entred into the camp and by it our armies are ranged into battalions nay vpon the direction thereof depends the main estate of our soueraigne Empire for the Centurion hath the honour to carry in his hand a Vine-rod the good guidance and ordering whereof aduanceth after long time the centeniers for a good reward of their valorous and faithfull seruice from the leading of inferior bands to the captainship of that regiment and chiefe place in the army vnto which the maine standard of the Aegle is committed yea and more than that the Vine wand chastiseth the trespasses and lighter offences of the souldiers who take it for no dishonor nor disgrace to be thus punished at their Centurions hand Ouer and besides the planting of Vineyards hath taught martiall men how to approach the wals of their enemies to giue an assault vnder a frame deuised for the purpose which therupon took the name of Vinea Lastly for medicinable vertues in phisick the Vine is so profitable to mans health that the vse of it alone is a sufficient remedy for the distemperature of mans body caused by wine it selfe CHAP. II. ¶ Of the diuers kindes of vines DEmocritus was the onely Philosopher euer known who made profession to reduce all the sorts and kinds of vines to a certaine number and indeed he vaunted and made his boast that he had the knowledge of all things that were in Greece All others besides himselfe and those comming neerer to the truth as shal appeare more euidently by the variety of wines resolutely haue set downe that there be infinit sorts of Vine-trees Looke not therefore at my hands that I should write of them all but onely of the principall for that in truth there bee in manner as many and as sundry kinds of them as are of grounds Wherefore I will content my selfe and thinke it sufficient to shew those that be singular and most renowned among them or such as haue some secret propriety wortlradmiration And first to begin with the Aminean Vines all the world giueth them the chiefe praise and greatest name as wel for their grapes of so lasting and durable a nature as for the wine made thereof which in all places continues long invigor is euer the better for the age And hereof there be fiue sundry sorts Of which the kindly Vines named Germanae haue both lesse grapes and grains within but they burgen and bloom better than others and after the floure is gon they can abide both rain and tempest but the second kind which is the greater is not so hardy howbeit lesse subiect to wind and weather when they be planted to run vp a tree rather than to creepe vpon a frame A third sort are called Gemellae for that their grapes grow double like twins they be very harsh and in taste vntoothsome howbeit their vertue and strength is singular The smaller sort of these take harm by the South wind but all other winds nourish them as we may see in the mount Vesuvius and the little hils of Surrentum for in all other parts of Italy ye shal neuer finde them but wedded to trees and growing vpon them As for the fift kind of these Amminean vines they be called Lanatae so freezed they are with a kind of down or cotton insomuch as we need not wonder any more at the Seres or Indians for their cotton and silken trees The first kind of these Amminean grapes come soonest to their ripenesse and perfection and most quickly do they rot putrifie Next to these Amminean vines those of Nomentum are in most account and for that their wood is red some haue called them Rubellae These grapes yeeld no great plenty of wine but in stead thereof their stones and kernels and other refuse remaining grow to an exceeding big cake howbeit this property they haue The frost they will indure passing well lesse harme they take also by raine than drought and thriue better in cold than heat and therefore in cold and moist grounds they excell and haue no fellow Of these vines they are more plentifull which beare grapes with smaller stones and leaues with lesse cuts and iags indented As touching the Muscadell vines Apianae they tooke that name of bees which are so much delighted in them and desirous to settle and feed of them Of two sorts they are and both carry cotton down Howbeit this difference is between them that the grapes of the one wil be sooner ripe than the other and yet there is neither of them both but be hasty enough These Muscadell grapes like wel and loue cold countries and yet none sooner rot than they if showers take them The muscadell wines are at the first sweet but with age become harsh and hard yea and red withal And to conclude there is not a grape that ioies more to hang vpon the vine than it doth Thus much of the very floure of Vines and the principall grapes that be familiar and proper vnto our countrey of Italy as their natiue soile The rest be strangers come out of Chios or Thasos As for the Greeke grapes of Corinth they be not in goodnes inferior to the Aminean aforesaid They haue a very tender stone within and the grape it selfe is so small that vnlesse the soile be exceeding faâ—… and battle there is no profit in planting and tending such vines The quick-sets of the vine Eugenia were sent vnto vs from the Taurominitane hils in Sicily together with their syrname pretending a noble gentle race Howbeit they are neuer in their kind with vs but only in the Alban country for if you
than to flie from it to the leaues of the Ash. A wonderfull goodnesse of dame Nature that the Ash bloometh and flourisheth alwaies before that serpents come abroad and neuer sheddeth leaues but continueth greene vntill they be retired into their holes and hidden within the ground CHAP. XIIII ¶ Of the Line or Linden tree two sorts thereof GReat difference there is euery way between the male female Linden tree for the wood of the male is hard and knottie of a redder colour also and more odoriferous than the female The barke moreouer is thicker and when it is plucked from the tree it is stiffe and will not bend It beareth neither seed nor floure as the female doth which also is rounder and bigger in bodie and the wood is whiter more faire and beautifull by farre than is the male A strange thing it is to consider that there is no liuing creature in the world will touch the fruit of the Linden tree and yet the juice both of leaf and barke is sweet ynough Between the bark and the wood of this tree there be thin pellicles or skins lying in many folds together whereof are made bands cords called Brazen ropes The finest of these pellicanes or membrans serued in old time for to make labels and ribbands belonging to chaplets and it was reputed a great honor to weare such The timber of the Linden or Tillet tree will neuer be worm-eaten The tree it selfe is nothing tall but of a meane height howbeit the wood is very commodious CHAP. XV. ¶ Ten kinds of the Maple tree THe Maple in bignesse is much about the Linden tree the wood of it is very fine and beautifull in which regard it may be raunged in the second place and next to the very Citron tree Of Maples there be many kinds to wit the white and that is exceeding faire and bright indeed growing about Piemont in Italie beyond the riuer Po also beyond the Alps and this is called the French Maple A second kind there is which hath a curled graine running too and fro with diuers spots the more excellent worke whereof resembling the eies in the Peacockes taile thereupon took also the name And for this rare and singular wood the countries of Istria and Rhaetia be chiefe As for that which hath a thicke and great graine it is called Crassiuenium of the Latines and is counted to be of a baser kind The Greekes distinguish Maples by the diuerse places where they grow For that of the champion or plaine countrey which they name Glinon is white and nothing crisped contrariwise the wood of the mountaine Maple is harder and more curled and namely the male of that sort and therefore it is in great request for most exquisite and sumptuous workes A third sort they name Zygia which hath a reddish wood and the same easie to cleaue with a barke of a swe rt colour and rough in handling Others would haue it to be no Maple but rather a tree by it selfe and in Latine they call it Carpinus CHAP. XVI ¶ Of the Bosses Wennes and Nodosities called Bruscum and Molluscum Of the wild Fisticke or Bladder nut-tree called Staphylodendron also three kinds of the Box tree THe bunch or knurre in the Maple called Bruscum is passing faire but yet that wich is named Molluscum excelleth it Both the one and the other swell like a wen out of the Maple As for the Bruscum it is curled and twined after a more crawling and winding manner whereas the Molluscum is spread with a more direct and strait course of the grain And certes if there might be plankes hereof found broad enough to make tables doubtlesse they would be esteemed and preferred before those of the Citron wood But now it serueth only for writing tables for painels also and thin bords in wainscote work to set out beds heads and seelings and such are seldome seen As for Bruscum there be tables made of it inclining to a blackish color Moreouer there be found in Alder trees such nodosities but not so good as those by how much the wood of the Alder it selfe is inferior to the Maple for beauty and costlines The male Maples do put forth leaues and flourish before the female Yea and those that grow vpon dry grounds are ordinarily better esteemed than those of moist and waterish places in like sort as the ashes Beyond the Alps there is a kind of bladder Nut-tree whereof the wood is very like to the white white Maple and the name of it is Staphylodendron It beareth certain cods and within the same kernels in tast like the Filberd or Hazell-nut Now for the Box tree the wood thereof is in as great request as the very best seldom hath it any grain crisped damask-wise and neuer but about the root the which is dudgin and ful of work For otherwise the grain runneth streight and euen without any wauing the wood is sad enough and weighty for the hardnesse thereof and pale yellow colour much set by and right commendable As for the tree it selfe gardeners vse to make arbors borders and curious works thereof Three sorts there be of the Box tree the first is called the French Box it groweth taper-wise sharp pointed in the top and runneth vp to more than ordinarie height The second is altogether wild and they name it Oleastrum good for no vse at all and besides careith a strong and stinking sauor with it The third is our Italian box and so called Of a sauage kind I take this to be also howbeit by setting and replanting brought to a gentle nature This spreadeth and brancheth more broad and herewith a man shall see the borders and partitions of quarters in a garden growing thick and green all the yeare long and kept orderly with cutting and clipping Great store of box trees are to be seen vpon the Pyrenaean hils the Cytorian mountains and the whole Berecynthian tract The thickest and biggest Box trees be in Corsica and they beare a louely and amiable floure which is the cause that the hony of that Island is so bitter there is not a beast that will eat the fruit or grain thereof The Boxes of Olympus in Macedonie are more slender than the rest and but low of growth This tree loueth cold grounds yet lying vpon the Sun The wood is as hard to burn as iron it will neither flame nor burn cleare it selfe nor serue to make charcole of CHAP. XVII ¶ Of the Elme foure kinds BEtween these wild trees abouesaid and those that bear fruit the Elm is reckoned of a middle nature in regard of the wood and timber that it affords as also of the friendship acquaintance that it hath with vines The Greekes acknowledge two sorts thereof namely one of the mountains which is the taller and the bigger and the other of the plaines champion which is rather more like a shrub the branches that it shooteth forth are so smal and slender In
Italy men hold the Elmes about Atinum to be the tallest and of those they prefer them which grow in dry grounds and haue no water comming to them before those by riuers sides A second sort of them which are not all out so great they call the French Elmes The third kinde be the Italian Elmes thicker growne with leaues than the rest and those proceeding in greater number from one stem In the fourth place be ranged the wilde Elmes The Atinian Elmes aboue said beare no Samara for so they cal the seed or grain of the Elme All the kind of them are planted of sets taken from the roots whereas others come of seeds CHAP. XVIII ¶ The nature of trees as touching the place where they grow HAuing thus discoursed in particular of the most famous and noble trees that are I think it not amisse to say somewhat of their natures in generall And first to beginne with the mountain high countries the Cedar the Larch and the Torch-tree loue to grow among the hills like as all the rest that ingender rosin semblably the Holly the Box tree the Mast-Holme the Iuniper the Terebinth the Poplar the wilde Ash Ornus the Cornell tree and the Carpin Vpon the great hill Apennine there is a shrub named Cotinus with a red or purple wood most excellent for in-laid works in Marquetry As for Firs the wild hard okes Robora Chestnut trees Lindens Mast-holmes and Cornell trees they can away with hills and vallies indifferently The Maple the Ash the Seruis tree the Linden and the cherry tree delight in the mountains neere to waters Lightly a man shall not see vpon any hills Plum trees Pomegranat trees wild Oliues Walnut trees Mulberry trees and Elders And yet the Cornel tree the Hasel the common Oke the wild Ash the Maple the ordinary Ash the Beech and the Carpin are many times found to come downe into the plaines like as the Elme the Apple tree the Peare tree the Bay tree the Myrtle the Bloud shrubs the Holme and the Broome which naturally is so good for to dry clothes do as often climbe vp the mountains The Servis tree gladly groweth in cold places so doth the Birch and more willingly of the twaine This is a tree which is meere French and came first out of France it sheweth wonderfull white and hath as fine and small branches or twigs which are so terrible to the offenders as wherewith the Magistrates rods are made for to execute justice And yet the wood of this tree is passing good for hoopes so pliable it is and easie to bend the twigs thereof serue also for to make paniers and baskets In France they vse to boile the wood and thereof draw a glutinous and clammy slime in maner of Bitumen In the same quarters there loueth to grow for company the white thorn which in old time they were wont to burne for torches at weddings and it was thought to be the most fortunate and lucky light that could be deuised because as Massurius reporteth the Romane shepheards and heardmen who rauished the Sabine maidens were furnished euery one with a branch thereof to make them torches But now adaies the Carpine and Hazel are commonly vsed for such nuptial lights The Cypres walnut Chestnut trees and the Laburnum cannot in any wise abide waters This last named is a tree proper to the Alps not commonly known the wood thereof is hard and white it beares a blossom of a cubit long but Bees will not settle vpon it The plant likewise called Iovis Barba so handsom to be cut in arbors and garden works which groweth so thicke and round withall full of leaues and those of a siluer colour hates waterie places Contrariwise Willows Alders Poplars and Osiars the Privet which is so good for to make dice will not grow well and prosper but in moist grounds Also the Vacinia or Whortles set and sowed in Italy for the Fowlers to catch birds withall but in France for the purple colour wherewith they vse to die clothes for their seruants and slaues To conclude this is a generall rule What trees soeuer will grow indifferently as well vpon hills as plaines arise to be taller bigger and carry a fairer head to see to in the low champion grounds but timber is better and caries a more beautifull grain vpon the mountaines except only Apple trees and Pyrries CHAP. XIX ¶ A diuision of Trees according to their generall kinds MOreouer some trees lose their leaues others continue alwaies green And yet there is another difference of trees before this and whereupon this dependeth For trees there be which are altogether wild and sauage there be again which are more gentle and ciuil and these names me thinks are very apt to distinguish them Those trees therefore which are so kind and familiar vnto vs as to serue our turns either with their fruit which they bear or shade which they yeeld or any other vertue or property that they haue may be very aptly and fitly be called ciuill and domesticall CHAP. XX. ¶ Of Trees that neuer shed their leaues also of Rhododendron AMong these trees and plants which are of the gentle kind the Olive the Lawrel the Date tree Myrtle Cypres Pines Ivy and the Oleander lose not their leaues As for the Oleander although it be called the Sabine herb yet it commeth from the Greeks as may appeare by the name Rhododendron Some haue called it Nerion others Rhododaphne it continueth alwaies green leafed beareth floures like roses and brancheth very thicke Hurtfull it is and no better than poison to Horses Asses Mules Goats and Sheepe and yet vnto man it serueth for a countrepoyson and cureth the venom of serpents CHAP. XXI ¶ What trees shed not their leaues at all which they be that lose them but in part and in what countries all trees are euer greene OF the wild sort the Fir the Larch the wilde Pine the Iuniper the Cedar the Terebinth the Box tree the Mast-holme the Holly the Cork tree the Yew and the Tamariske be green all the yeare long Of a middle nature between these two kinds aboue named are the Adrachne in Greece and the Arbut or Strawberry tree in all countries for these lose the leaues of their waterboughs but are euer green in the head Among the shrubs kind also there is a certain bramble and Cane or Reed which is neuer without leaues In the territorie of Thurium in Calabria where somtime stood the city Sybaris within the prospect from the said Citie there was an Oke aboue the rest to be seen alwaies green and ful of leaues and neuer began to bud new before Midsummer where by the way I maruel not a little that the Greek writers deliuered thus much of that tree in writing and our countrymen afterwards haue not written a word thereof But true it is that great power there is in the clymat insomuch as about Memphis in Egypt and Elephantine in the territorie of Thebais
water at command and good cause why prouided alwaies that they lie vnder a good towne side In the third place he rangeth the Oâ—…r plots and after them Oliue rewes then he counteth of medows which our ancestors called Parata as a man would say Ready and prouided The same Cato being asked What was the most assured profit rising out of land made this answer To feed Cattell well beeing asked againe VVhat was the next Marie quâ—…th hee to feed in a meane By which answers he would seeme to conclude That the most certain and sure reuenue was that which would cost least Howbeit this is not so generall a rule but it may alter according to the diuersitie of places sundry occasions occurrent Herunto also is to be referred another speech of his That a good husbandman ought to be a seller and not a buyer as also That a man should make speed in his youth and not delay to plant and stocke his ground but not to build thereupon before it be well and throughly stored that way and euen then also he should not be forward thereto but take leisure ere he be a builder for it is the best thing in the world according to the common prouerbe To make vse and reap profit of other mens follies prouided alwaies that a mans land be not ouer-built lest the expence of keeping all in good repaire be chargeable and burdensome Now when there is a sufficient and competent house builded thereupon a good husband will vse to repaire often thereunto and take pleasure so to do and verily a true saying it is That the lords eie is far better for the land than his heele CHAP. VI. ¶ How to chuse a conuenient place for to build a manour house in the country Also certain rules obserued in antient time as touching Husbandrie and tilling ground IN building vpon a mans land this mean and moderation is commended That the house be answerable in proportion to the ground for as it is a bad sight to see a large domain and circuit of ground without a sufficient graunge or home-stal to it so it is as great a folly to ouer-build the same to make a faire house where there is not land enough lying to it Like as there were two men at one time liuing who faulted diuersly in this behalfe to wit L. Lucullus and Q. Scaeuola for the one was possessed of faire lands without competent building thereto whereas Lucullus contrariwise built a goodly house in the country with little or no liuing adjoyning to it in which regard checked he was by the Censors for sweeping more floures than he ploughed lands Now in building there would be art and cunning shewed for euen of late daies C. Marius who had bin seuen times Consull of Rome was the last man that built an house within the territory of the cape Misenum and he seated it so as if he had pitched fortified a camp right skilfully in such sort that when Sylla syrnamed Foelix i. Happy saw his manner of building he gaue out and said That all the rest in comparison of him were blind beetles and knew neither how to build nor to encamp Well then a house in the country would be set neither neere vnto a fenny and dormant water ne yet ouer-against the course and stream of a running riuer and yet what saith Homer besides to this purpose The aire and mists quoth he and that right truly arising from a great riuer betimes in a morning before day-light cannot chuse but be euer cold and vnholesome How then mary if the country or climat be hot an house must stand into the North but in case the quarter be cold it ought to affront the South if the tract be temperate between both it should lie open vpon the East point where the Sun riseth at the Aequinoxes As touching the goodnesse of the soile and namely what signes and marks there be of it although I may seem to haue sufficiently spoken already in the discourse which I had of the best kind of ground yet I am content to subscribe to other tokens thereof deliuered by other men and especially by Cato in these words following When you see quoth hee growing vpon any land store of Walwort Skeg trees Brambles the little wild Bulbous Crow-toes called otherwise our Ladies Cowslips Clauer-grasse or Trifoâ—…le Melilote Oke wilde Pyrries and Crab-trees know yee that these doe shew a ground good for Wheat and such like white-corne So doth also the blacke mould and that of ashes colour testifie no lesse Where there is store of chalke or plaister the ground is not so fit for corne for all kinde of chalke doth heat ouermuch vnlesse the same be very leane The like doth sand also if it be not passing fine and small And the effects abouesaid are much more seen in the plaines and champaine vallies than vpon the hills and mountaines Our ancestours in old time thought it a principall point of Husbandry not to haue ouermuch ground about one graunge for they supposed more profit grew by sowing lesse and tilling it better of which mind I perceiue Virgil was And to say a truth confesse we must needs That these large enclosures and great domains held by priuat persons haue long since bin the ruine of Italie and of late daies haue vndone the prouinces also thereto belonging Six Land-lords there were and no more that possessed the one moitie of all Africke at what time as the Emperour Nero defeated and put them to death Where by the way I may not defraud Cn. Pompeius of the due glory answerable to that greatnesse of his who neuer in all his life would purchase any ground that butted or bordered vpon his owne land Mago thought it no reason but a very vngentle and vnkind part for the buying of land to sell a mansion house and in his conceit it preiudiced much the weale-publick And verily this was the principall point that he recommended in the entrance of his treatise and rules set downe for Husbandry so as a man might perceiue very euidently that hee required continuall residence vpon the land Next to these principles aboue named great regard would be had in chusing of good skilful bayliffs of the husbandry concerning whom Cato hath giuen many rules For mine own part it shal suffice to say thus much only that the lord ought to loue his bayliffe very well set him next to his heart but himself should not let him know so much Moreouer I hold it the worst thing that is to set slaues condemned persons in their gyues chains about tilling and husbanding of a ferm neither do I like of any thing don by such forlorne and hopelesse persons for lightly nothing thriues vnder their hand I would put down one saying more of our antient forefathers but that haply it may seeme a fond rash speech yea and altogether incredible that is this Nothing is lesse profitable expedient
soone as the seede is in the ground that it may be harrowed in with the corne But in case this manner of dunging be neglected it followeth then before that you do harrow to strew the short small dung in manner of dust gathered out of Coupes Mues and Bartons where foule are fed or els to cast Goats treddles vpon the land as if you would sow seed and then with rakes and harrowes to mingle it with the soile To the end now that we may determine fully as touching this care also belonging to dung euery sheep or goat and such small cattell should by right yeeld ordinarily in dung one load in ten daies and euery head of bigger beasts ten load for vnlesse this proportion and quantity of muck be gathered plain it is that the granger or master of husbandry hath not don his part but failed in litering of his cattell Some hold opinion that the best way of mucking a land is to fold sheep and such like small cattell thereupon euen in the broad open field and to this purpose they inclose or impark them within hurdles In a word a ground not dunged at al groweth to be cold and again if it be ouermuch dunged the heart thereof is burned away And therefore the better and safer way is to muck by little at once and often rather than to ouerdo it at once The hotter that a soile is it stands by good reason that the lesse compost it requireth CHAP. XXIIII ¶ Of good seed-corne The manner of sowing ground well How much seed of euery kind of graine an acre will take The due seasons of Seednesse THe best corne or Zea for seede is of one yeares age two yeares old is not so good that of three is worst of all for beyond that time the heart is dead and such corne wil neuer spurt And verily this that is said of one sort may be verified of all kindes The corne that setleth to the bottome of the mowgh in a barn toward the floore is euer to be reserued for seed And that must needs be best because it is weightiest for therein lieth the goodnesse neither is there a better way to discern and distinguish good corn from other If you see an eare of corn hauing grains in it here and there staring distant asunder be sure the corn is not good for this purpose and therefore it must be cast aside The best graine looketh reddish and being broken between ones teeth retaineth stil the same colour within the worse corn for seed is that which sheweth more of the white flower within Furthermore this is certain that some grounds take more seed and some lesse And hereby verily do husband men gather their first presage religiously of a good or bad haruest for when they see the ground swallow more seed than ordinary they haue a ceremonie to say beleeue that it is hungry and hath greedily eaten the seed When a man is to sow a moist ground good reason there is to make the quicker dispatch and to do it betimes for fear lest rain come to rot it But contrariwise in dry places it is not amisse to stay the later and attend till raine follow lest by lying long in the earth and not conceiuing for want of moisture it lose the heart turn to nothing Semblably when a man soweth early he must bestow the more seed and sow thick because it is long ere it swel and be ready to chit But if he be late in his seednes he should cast it thin into the ground for thick sowing will choke and kill the seed Moreouer in this feat of sowing there is a pretty skil and cunning namely to cary an euen hand and cast the seed equally thorowout the whole field The hand in any case of the seeds-man must agree with his gate and march it ought alwaies to go iust with his right foot Herein also this would not be forgotten that one is more fortunate and hath a more lucky hand than another and the seed will prosper better and yeeld more encrease that such a one soweth an hidden secret surely in Nature and whereof we can yeeld no sound reason Ouer and besides this is to be considered that corn comming from a cold soile must not be sowne in a hot ground nor that which grew in a forward and hasty field ought to be transferred into lateward lands Howsoeuer some there be that haue giuen rule clean contrary howbeit they haue deceiued themselues with al their foolish curiositie Now as touching the quantitie of seed that must be giuen according to the varietie both of ground and grain these principles following are to be obserued in a reasonable good ground of a mean temperature an acre in ordinarie proportion wil ask of common wheat Triticum or of the fine wheat Siligo 5 modij of the red wheat Far or of seed for so we cal a kind of bread corn ten Modij of Barly six of Beans as much as of common wheat and a fift part or one Modius ouer of Vetches 12 of Cich pease the greater Cichlings the lesse and of pease three of Lupines ten of Lentils 3 as for these folk would haue them sowed together with dry dung of Ervile six of Silicia or Feni-greek six of Phaseols or Kidny beans foure of Dradge or Balimong for horse prouender 20 but of Millet and Panick 4 Sextars Howbeit herein can be set down no iust proportion for the soile may alter all And in one word a fat ground will receiue more and a lean lesse Besides there ariseth a difference another way in this manner if it be a massie fast chalky and moist ground you may bestow in one acre thereof six Modij either of common wheat or of fine Siligo but in case it be loose and light naked dry and yet in good heart and free it will aske but foure For the leaner that a ground is vnlesse it be sown scant and the straw come vp also thinne the shorter eare will the corne haue and the same light in the head and nothing therein Be the ground rich and fat ye shall see out of one root a number of stems to spring so that although the grain be thin sown yet will it come vp thick and beare a faire and full eare And therefore in an acre of ground you shall not do amisse to keep a meane between foure and six Modij hauing respect to the nature of the soile And yet some there be who would haue of wheat fiue Modij sown at all aduenture and neither more not lesse whatsoeuer the ground be To conclude if the ground be set with trees or lying on the side of an 〈◊〉 all is one as if it were lean hungry and out of heart And hereto may be reduced that notable Aphorisme worthy to be kept and obserued as a diuine Oracle Take not too much of a land weare not out all the fatnesse but leaue it in some heart Ouer and aboue
stem which they called Magydaris And they affirme besides that it beareth leafy flat graines for the seed in color like gold which shed presently vpon the rising of the Dog-star especially if the wind be south Of which grains or seeds fallen to the ground young plants of Laserpitium vse to grow vp vnderneath that within the compasse of one yere wil thriue both in root and stem to the just and full perfection they haue writen moreouer that the vse was to dig about their roots and to lay them bare at certain times of the yeare Also that they serued not to purge cattell as is aforesaid but to cure them if they were diseased for vpon the eating thereof either they mended presently or else ended and died out of hand but few they were that miscaried in this sort As touching the former opinion of purging and scouring true it is that it agreeth well to the other Silphium or Laserpitium of Persia aforesaid Another kind there is of it named Magydaris more tender and lesse forcible and strong in operation than the former and affourdeth no such juice or liquor at all it grows about Syria and commeth not vp in all the region about Cyrenae Moreouer vpon the mount Pernassus there is great plentie found of a certaine hearbe which the inhabitants would needs haue to be Laserpitium and so they cal it wherewith indeed they are wont to abuse and sophisticat that singular and diuine plant the true Laserpitium so highly commended and of so great account and regard The principall and best triall of the true and sincere Laser is taken from the colour somewhat enclining to rednesse without breake it you shall haue it appeare white within and anone transparent If you drop water vpon it or otherwise thin spittle it will resolue and melt Much vse there is of it in many medicines for to cure mens maladies Two plants more therebe well knowne to the common sort and base multitude and to say a truth few els are acquainted with them notwithstanding they be commodities of much gaine and many a peny is gotten thereby The first is Madder in great request among diers and curriers and for to set a color vpon their wooll and leather right necessarie The best of all and most commended is our Madder of Italie principally that which groweth about villages neere vnto our citie of Rome And yet there is no country or prouince lightly but is full of it It commeth vp of the owne accord and is sowed besides of seed and set of slips in manner of Eruile Howbeit a prickie stalke it hath of the owne the same is also full of joints and knots and commonly about euery one of them it hath fiue leaues growing round in a circle The seed is red What medicinable vertues it hath and to what purpose it serueth in Physicke I will declare in place conuenient The second is that which is called in Latin Radicula i Sope-wort an hearb the juice wherof Fullers vse so much to scoure their wooll withall and wonderfull it is to see how white how pure how neat and soft it will make it Beeing set it will come vp and grow in any place but of it selfe without mans hand it groweth most in Asia and Syria among rough craggie and stony grounds The best is that which is found beyond the riuer Euphrates and that bears a stem like tall Fennell howbeit small and slender and whereof the inhabitants of the countrey there doe make a delicate dish for besides that it hath a commendable tast and much desired it giueth a pleasant colour to what meat soeuer is sodden in the pot with it It beareth a leafe like the Oliue the Greeks cal it Strution it floureth in Summer louely it is to the eie but no smel at all it hath to content the nose prickie moreouer it is like a thorne and the stalke notwithstanding couered with a soft down seed hath it none but a big root which they vse to cut shred mince small for the purposes aforesaid CHAP. IV. ¶ The manner of trimming and ordering Gardens the sorting of all those things that grow out of the Earth into their due places besides corne and plants bearing fruit IT remaineth now to treat of Gardens and the carefull diligence thereto belonging a commendable thing in it selfe and recommended vnto vs besides by our fore-fathers and auncient writers who had nothing to speake of in more account and admiration in old time than the gardens of the Hesperides of Adonis and Alcioniis as also those pendant gardens vpon tarraces and leads of houses whether they were those that Semyramis Queene of Babylon or Cyrus K. of Assyria deuised and caused to be made Of which and of their workmanship my intent is to make a discourse in some other booke Now for this present to goe no farther than Rome the Romane KK verily themselues made great store of gardens and set their minds vpon them for so we read that Tarquin surnamed the Proud the last king of Rome was in his garden when he gaue dispatch vnto that messenger that was sent from his sonne about a cruell and bloudie errand for to know his fathers aduise and pleasure as touching the citizens of Gabij In all the twelue tables throughout which contain our ancient lawes of Rome there is no mention made so much as once of a Grange or Ferm-house but euermore a garden is taken in that signification and vnder the name of Hortus i. a Garden is comprised Haeredium that is to say an Heritage or Domain and herupon grew by consequence a certain religious or rediculous superstition rather of some whom we ceremoniously to sacre and blesse their garden and hortyard dores only for to preserue them against the witchcraft and sorcerie of spightful and enuious persons And therefore they vse to set vp in gardens ridiculous and foolish images of Satyres Antiques and such like as good keepers and remedies against enuy and witchcraft howsoeuer Plautus assigneth the custodie of gardens to the protection of the goddesse Venus And euen in these our daies vnder the name of Gardens and Hortyards there goe many daintie places of pleasure within the very citie vnder the color also and title of them men are possessed of faire closes and pleasant fields yea and of proper houses with a good circuit of ground lying to them like pretie farmes and graunges in the countrey all which they tearme by the name of Gardens The inuention to haue gardens within a citie came vp first by Epicurus the doctor and master of all voluptuous idlenesse who deuised such gardens of pleasance in Athens for before his time the manner was not in any citie to dwell as it were in the countrey and so to make citie and countrey al one but all their gardens were in the villages without Certes at Rome a good garden and no more was thought a poore mans cheiuance it went I say for land and liuing The
be tied fast vnto them Of all Garden-hearbs Beets are the lightest The Greeke writers make two kinds thereof in regard of the colour to wit the black Beets and the whiter which they prefer before the other although it be very scant and sparie of seed these also they cal the Sicilian Beets and for their beautiful white hew and nothing else they esteeme them aboue Lectuce But our countreymen here in Italy put no other difference between Beets but in respect of the two seasons when they be sowed namely in the Spring and Autumne whereof we haue these two sorts the spring Beets and the Autumnall and yet they be vsually sowne in Iune also This herbe likewise is ordinarily remooued in the plant and so replanted or set againe it loueth besides to haue the roots medicined with muck as well as the other abouesaid yea and it is very wel content with a moist and waterish ground The roots as well as the leaues or herbage thereof vse to be eaten with Lentils Beans but the best way to eat them is with Senuie or Mustard for to giue a tast and edge as it were to that dull and wallowish flatnesse that it hath Physitians haue set downe their iudgement of this herb That the roots be more hurtfull than the leafe and therefore being set vpon the bourd before all persons indifferently as well the sound as the sick and crasie yet many a one maketh it nice and scrupulous once to tast therof and if they do it is but slightly for fashion only leauing the hearty feeding thereupon to those rather that be in health and of strong constitutions The Beet is of two diuers natures and qualities for the herbage or leafe hath one and the bulbs comming from the head of the stem another but their principall grace and beautie lieth in their spreading and breadth that they beare as they cabbage And this they come vnto as the manner is of Lectuces also by laying some light weight vpon the leaues when they begin once to gather into a stalke and shew their colour And there is not an hearbe throughout the Garden that taketh vp greater compasse with fuellage than doth the Beet for otherwhiles you shal see it to spread it selfe two foot euery way whereunto the goodnesse and nature of the soile is a great help The largest that be knowne of these Beets are those which grow in the territory about Circij Some hold opinion that the only time to sow Beets is when the Pomegranat doth blossome and to transplant them so soon as they haue 5 leaues A wonderfull thing to see the diuersitie in Nature of these Beets if it be true namely that the white should gently loosen the belly and make one soluble whereas contrariwise the black doe stay a flux and knit the body It is as strange also to obserue another effect thereof for when the Colewort hath marred the taste of wine within the tun or such like vessell the only sauour and smell of Beet leaues steeped therein will restore and fetch it againe As touching the Beets as also Colewoorts which now beare all the sway and none but they in Gardens I do not find that the Greeks made any great account of them yet Cato highly extolleth Coules and reporteth great wonders of their vertues and properties which I meane to relate in my treatise of Physick For this present you shall vnderstand that he putteth downe three kinds of them the first that stretcheth out broad leaues at ful and carieth a big stem the second with a crisped and frizled leafe the which he calleth Apiana the third is smooth plain and tender in leafe and hath but a little stalke and these are of no reckoning at all with Cato Moreouer like as Coleworts may be cut at all times of the yeare for our vse so may they be sown set al the yere long yet the most appropriat season is after the Aequinox in Autumn Transplanted they be when they haue once gotten fiue leaues The tender crops called Cymae after the first cutting they yeeld the Spring next following now are these Cymae nothing else but the yong delicat tops or daintier tendrils of the maine stem And as pleasant and sweet as these crops were thought to other men yet Apicius that notable glutton tooke a loathing of them and by his example Drusus Caesar also careth not for them but thought them a base and homely meat for which nice and dainty tooth of his he was well checked and shent by his father Tiberius the Emperor after this first crop or head is gone there grow out of the same colewort other fine colliflories if I may so say or tendrils in Summer in the fall of the leafe and after them in winter and then a second spring of the foresaid Cymae or tops against the spring following as the yeare before so as there is no hearb in that regard so fruitfull vntill in the end her owne fertility is her death for in this manner of bearing she spends her heart her selfe and all There is a third top-spring also at mid-summer about the Sunstead which if the place bee any thing moist affoordeth yong plants to be set in summer time but in case it be ouer-drie against Autumne If there be want of moisture and skant of muck the better taste Colewoorts haue if there be plenty and to spare of both the more fruitfull and ranke they are The onely muck that which agreeth best with Coleworts or Cabbages is Asses dung I am content to stand the longer vpon this Garden-wort because it is in so great request in the kitchin and among our riotous gluttons Would you haue speciall and principal Coleworts both for sweet tast and also for great and faire cabbage first and foremost let the seed be sowne in a ground throughly digged more than once or twice and wel manured secondly see you cut off the tender springs and yong stalkes that seem to put out far from the ground or such as you perceiue mounting too ranke and ouer-high from the earth thirdly be sure to raise other mould in maner of a bank vp to them so as there peep no more without the ground than the very top these kind of Coleworts be fitly called Tritiana for the threefold hand and trauell about them but surely the gaine will pay double for all the cost and toile both Many more kindes there be of them to wit that of Cumes which beareth leaues spreading flat along the ground and opening in the head Those of Aricia be for heigth no taller than they but rather more in number than for substance thinner and smaller this kind is taken for the best and most gainfull because vnder euery main leafe in maner it putâ—… forth other yong tendrils or buds by themselues which are good to be eaten The Colewort Pompeianum so called of the towne Pompeij is taller than the rest rising vp with a smal stem
odoriferous and senting well but the root Of which root as Aristophanes an auncient Comicall Poet testifieth in one of his Comoedies they were woont in old time to make sweet perfumes and odoriferous compositions for their ointments whereupon some there be who call the root Barbarica but falsly for deceiued they are The sauour that this root doth cast draweth very neere to the sent of Cinamon It loueth a leane and light soile and in no wise commeth vp in a moist ground As touching the hearb named Combretum it resembleth the same very much howbeit the leaues be passing small and as slender as threds but the plant it selfe is taller than Bacchar well rest we must not in the description of these hearbes and floures only but also we are to reforme and correct their error who haue giuen to Bacchar the name of Nard-rustick For there is anotheir hearbe properly so called to wit that which the Greeks name Asaron i. Asara-bacca or Fole-foot a plant far different from Bacchar as may appear by the description therof which I haue set down among the sundrie kinds of Nardus And verily I do find that this plant is named Asarum because it is neuer vsed in making of guirlands and chaplets Concerning Saffron the wild is the best To plant it within any garden in Italic is held no good husbandry for it will not quit cost considering there is neuer a quarter set therewith but it asketh a scruple more in expence than the fruit or increase commeth to when all the cards be told For to haue Saffron grow you must set the cloues or bulbous heads of the root and being thus planted it prooueth larger bigger and fairer than the other howbeit sooner far it doth degenerate and become a bastard kind neither is it fruitfull and beareth chiues in euerie place no not about Cyrene where the goodliest floures of Saffron in the world are to be seen at all times The principal Saffron groweth in Cilicia and especially vpon the mountain Corycus there next to it is that of Lycia and namely vpon the hill Olympus and then in a third degree of goodnesse is reckoned the Saffron Centuripinum in Sicily although some there bee who attribute the second place vnto the saffron of the mount Phlegra Nothing is so subject to sophistication as Saffron and therfore the only triall of true Saffron indeed is this If a man lay his hands vpon it he shall heare it to cracke as if it were brittle and readie to burst for that which is moist a qualitie comming by some indirect means and cunning cast yeeldeth to the hand and makes no words Yet is there another proofe of good Saffron If a man after hee haue handled it reach his hand vp presently to his mouth perceiue that the aire and breath therof smiteth to his face and eyes and therewith fretteth and stingeth them a little for then he may be sure that the saffron is right there is a kind of garden saffron by it self and this commonly is thought best and pleaseth most when there appeareth some white in the mids of the floure and thereupon they name it Dialeucon whereas contrariwise this is thought to be a fault and imperfection in the Corysian Saffron which is chiefe and indeed the floure of it is blacker than any other soonest fadeth But the best simply in any place whersoeuer is that which is thickest and seemes to like best hauing besides short chiues like hairs the worst is that which smelleth of mustines Mutianus writeth that in Lycia the practise is to take it vp euery 7 or 8 yere and remoue it to a plot of ground wel digged and delued to a fine mould where if it be replanted it will become fresh again and youg whereas it was ready before to decay and degenerate No vse thereis in any place of Saffron floures in garlands for the leaues are small and narrow in manner almost of threads Howbeit with wine it accordeth passing well especially if it be of any sweet kind and being reduced into powder and tempered therewith it is commonly sprinkled ouer all the theatres and filleth the place with a persume It bloometh at the setting or occultation of the star Vergiliae and continueth in floure but few daies and the leaf driueth out the floure In the mids of winter it is in the verdure and al green and then would it be taken vp and gathered which done it ought to be dried in the shadow and the colder that the shade is so much the better For the root of Saffron is pulpous and full of carnositie and no root liueth so long aboue ground as it doth Saffron loueth a-life to be trampled and trod vpon vnder foot and in truth the more injurie is done vnto it for to mar it the better it thriueth and therefore neare to beaten paths and wells much frequented it commeth forward and prospereth most CHAP. VII ¶ Of the floures vsed in old time about coronets and guirlands the great diuersitie in aromaticall and sweet smelling simples Of Saliunca and Polium SAffron was no doubt in great credit and estimation during the flowring estate of Troy for certes the Poet Homer highly commendeth these three floures to wit Melilot Saffron and Hyacinth Of all odoriferous and sweet senting simples nay of all hearbes and floures whatsoeuer the difference consisteth in the colour the smel and the juice And note this to begin withall that seldome or neuer you shal meet with any thing sweet in sent but it is bitter in tast and contrariwise sweet things in the mouth be few or none odoriferous to the nose And this is the reason that wine refined smelleth better than new in the lees and simples growing wild haue a better sauor far than those of the garden Some floures the further they be off the more pleasant is their smell come nearer vnto them their sent is more dull and weaker than it was as namely Violets A fresh and new gathered rose casteth a better smel afar off than neere at hand let it be somwhat withered and dry you shal sent it better at the nose than farther off Generally all floures be more odoriferous and pleasant in the Spring than at any other season of the yeare and in the morning they haue a quicker and more piercing sent than at any houre of the day besides the neerer to noon the weaker is the smell of any herb or floure Moreouer the floures of new plants are nothing so sweet as those of an old stock and yet I must needs say that floures smell strongest in the mids of Summer As for Roses and Saffron floures they cast the pleasanter smell if they be gathered in cleare weather when it is faire and dry aboue head and in one word such as grow in hot countries be euer sweeter to smell vnto than in cold Climats Howbeit in Aegypt the floures haue no good sent at all by reason that the aire is
it somwhat stuffeth and offendeth The floure is of a golden colour And say that it carrieth neither seed nor floure yet commeth it vp of it selfe in void and vacant places altogether neglected and without any culture for it doth propagat and increase by the tops and tips of the branches lying vpon the ground and so taking root And therefore it groweth the better if it be set of root or slip than sowed of seed For of seed much adoe there is to make it come vp and when it is aboue ground the yong plants are remoued and set as it were in Adonis gardens within pots of earth and that in Summer time after the maner of the herb and floure Adonium for as well the one as the very tender and can abide no cold and yet as chill as they be they may not away with ouer-much heat of the Sun for taking harme But when they haue gotten head once and be strong enough they grow and branch as Rue doth Much like vnto Sothernwood in sent and smell is Camomile the floure is white consisting of a number of pretty fine leaues set round about the yellow within CHAP. XI ¶ Of Marioram the greater and the lesse called in Latine Amaracus or Sampsuchum Of Nyctygretum Melilote the white Violet of Codiaminum and wild Bulbes of Heliochrysum and Lychnis or Rose Campain And of many other herbs growing on this side the sea DIocles the Physitian and the whole nation in maner of the Sicilians haue called that herb Amaracus which in Egypt and Syria is commonly named Sampsuchum It commeth vp both waies as well of seed as of a slip and branch It liueth and continueth longer than the herbs beforenamed and hath a more pleasant and odoriferous sent Marjoram is as plentifull in seed as Sothernewood but whereas Sothernewood hath but one tap root and the same running deep into the ground the rest haue their roots creeping lightly aloft and eb within the earth As for all the other herbes they are for the most part set and sowne in the beginning of the Autumne some of them also in the spring and namely in places which stand much in the shade which loue to be well watered also and inriched with dung As touching Nyctygretum or Lunaria Democritus held it to be a wonderfull herb and few like vnto it saying that it resembleth the colour of fire that the leaues be pricky like a thorne that it creeps along the ground he reporteth moreouer That the best kind therof growes in the lad Gedrosia That if it be plucked out of the ground root and all after the Spring Aequinox and be laid to drie in the Moonshine for 3 daies together it will giue light and shine all night long also That the Magi or Sages of Persia as also the Parthian kings vse this herb ordinarily in their solemn vowes that they make to their gods last of all That some call it Chenomychos because Geese are afraid of it when they see it first others name it Nyctilops because in the night season it shineth and glittereth afarre off As for Melilote it commeth vp euery where howbeit the best simply wherof is made the greatest account is in Attica but inwhat place soeuer it growes that is most accâ—…pted which is fresh new gathered not enclining to white but as like vnto Saffron as is possible And yet in Italie the white Melilote is the sweeter and more odoriferous The first floure bringing tidings of the springs approch is the white bulbous stock-Gillofre And in some warmer climates they put forth and shew euen in Winter Next vnto it for their timely appearance is the purple March Violet and then after them the Panse called in Latine Flammea and in Greeke Phlox I meane the wild kind onely Codiaminon bloweth twice in the yeare namely in the Spring and the Autumne for it cannot abide either Winter or Summer Somewhat later than those before rehearsed are the Daffodil and Lilly ere they flour especially in countries beyond sea in Italy verily as I haue said before they bloum not till after Roses for in Greece the Passe-floure Anemone is yet more lateward Now is this Anemone the floure of certain wild Bulbes different from that other Anemone whereof I will speake in the Treatise of Physick-hearbs Then followeth Oenanthe and Melanion and of the wild sort Heliochrysos After them a second kind of Passe-flower or Anemone called also Leimonia beginneth to blow And immediatly vpon it the pety Gladen or sword-grasse accompanied with the Hyacinth last of all the Rose sheweth in her likenes But quickly hath the Rose done and none so soone and yet I must except the garden Rose Of all the rest the Hyacinths or Harebels the stock-Gillo floure and Oenanthe or Filipendula beare floures longest But of this Oenanthe this regard must bee had that the floures bee often picked and plucked off and not suffered to run to seed This groweth in warme places It hath the very same sent that Grapes when they first bud and put out blossom whereupon it took the name Oenanthe But before I leaue the Hyacinth I cannot chuse but report the fable or tale that goeth thereof and which is told 2 maner of waies by reason that the floure hath certaine veines to be seen running in and out resembling these two letters in Greek AI plaine and easie to be read which as some say betoken the lamentable mone 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that Apollo made for his wanton minion Hyacinthus whome he loued or as others make report sprung vp of the bloud of Aiax who slew himselfe and represented the two first letters of his name AI. Helyachrysos beareth a yellow floure like to gold a small and fine leafe a little stalk also a slender but hard and stiffe withall The Magi or Sages of Persia vse to weare this hearbe and floure in their Guirlands and they be fully persuaded that by this meanes they shall win grace and fauour in this life yea and attaine to much honour in glorie prouided alwaies that their sweet compositions wherewith they annoint and perfume themselues be kept in a vessel or box of gold not yet fined nor purified in the fire which gold they call Apyron And thus much for the floures of the Spring Now succeed and comeafter in their rank the summer floures to wit Lychnis Iupiters flower or Columbine-and a second kind of Lilly likewise Iphyon and that Amaracus or Marjeram which they cal the Phrygian But of all others the flower Pathos is most louely beautifull whereof there be two kinds the one with a purple flower like vnto the Hyacinth the other is whiter and groweth commonly in churchyards among graues and tombs and the same holdeth on flouring better and liueth longer The flower de-luce also is a Summer flower These haue their time fade and are soone gone And then come other flowers for them in their place in
who forbiddeth expressely to take Cypirus inwardly in any drink and yet he protesteth that it is most effectuall for them that be troubled with the stone and full of grauel but by way of fomentation onely He affirmeth moreouer that without all doubt it causes women to trauell before their time to slip their vntimely fruit But one miraculous effect therof he reports namely that the Barbarians vse to receiue the fume of this herb into their mouth and thereby wast and consume their swelled Spleens also they neuer go forth of dores before they haue drunk a pipe therof in that maner for persuaded they are verily saith he that by this means they are more youthful liuely and strong He saith moreouer that if it be applied as a liniment with oile it healeth all merry-gals and raw places where the flesh is rubbed off or chafed it helpeth the rank rammish smel vnder the arm-holes and without faile cureth any chilling numnesse and through cold Thus much of Cypirus As for Cyperus a Rush it is as I haue said growing square and cornered neere the ground it is white toward the top of a dark blackish green and fattish the vnder leaues that be lowest are slenderer than leek-blades the vppermost in the head are smal among which is the seed the root is like vnto a black oliue which if it grow long-wise is called Cyperis and is of singular operation in Physick The best Cyperus is that which groweth amongst the sands in Africke neere the temple of Iupiter Ammon in a second rank is that of Rhodes in a third place may bee ranged the Cyperus in Thracia and in the lowest degree that of Egypt And hereupon came the confounding of these two plants Cyperus and Cypirus because both the one and the other grow there But the Cyperus of Egypt is very hard and hath no smell at all whereas in the other there is a sauor resembling the very Spikenard There is another herb also comming from the Indians called Cyperis of a seuerall kind by it selfe in forme like vnto ginger if a man chew it in the mouth it coloureth the spittle yellow like as Saffron But to come again to Cyperus and the medicinable properties therof It is counted to haue a depilatory vertue for to feth off haire In a liniment it is singular good for the excrescence of the flesh about the naile roots or the departure and loosenesse therof about them which both imperfections be called Pterygia it helpeth the vlcers of the secret parts and generally all exulcerations proceeding of rheumatick humors as the cankers in the mouth The root of Cyperus is a present remedy against the stinging of serpents and scorpions specially Taken in drink it doth desopilat open the obstructions of the matrice but if a woman drink too much therof it is so forcible that it will driue the matrice out of the body It prouoketh vrine so as it expelleth the stone and grauell withall in which regard also it is an excellent medicine for the dropsie A liniment thereof is singular for cancerous and eating sores but especially for those that be in the stomack if it be annointed with wine or vineger tempered with it As concerning the rushes beforesaid their root sodden in three hemines of water vntill one third part be consumed cureth the cough The seed parched against the fire and so drunk in water staieth the flux of the belly and stoppeth the immoderat course of womens moneths but it procureth head-ach As for the rush called Holoschoenos take that part of it which is next the root and chew it then lay it to the place that is stung with a venomous spider it is an approoued remedie I find one sort more of Rushes which they cal Euripice and this property withal That it bringeth one to sleepe but it must be vsed with moderation for otherwise it breedeth drowsinesse sib to the lethargy Now seeing I am entred into the treatise of rushes I must needs set down the medicinable vertues of the sweet Rush called Squinanth and the rather because as I haue already shewed it groweth in Syria surnamed Coele The most excellent Squinanth commeth out of Nabataea and the same is knowne by the addition or syrname Teuchites In a second place is that of Babylon The worst of all is brought out of Africke and it is altogether without smell Squinanth is round of an hote and fiery taste biting at the tongues end The true Squinant indeed which is not sophisticated if a man rub it hard yeeldeth the smel of a Rose and the fragments broken from it do shew red As touching the vertues thereof It resolueth all ventosities and therefore comfortable it is and good for the wind in the stomack also it helpeth them that puke vp choler or reach and spit bloud it stinteth the yex causeth rifting and breaking wind vpward it prouoketh vrine helpeth the bladder The decoction thereof is good for womens infirmities if they sit therein A cerot made therewith and dry rosin together is excellent against spasmes and cricks that set the neck far backward As concerning Roses the temperature thereof is hot howbeit they knit the matrice by an astrictiue quality that they haue and coole the naturall parts of women The vse of Roses is twofold according to the leafe of the floure and the floure it selfe which is the yellow The head of the Rose leafe to wit the white part thereof is called in Latine Vnguis i. the Naile In the yellow floure aforesaid are to be considered seuerally the seed the hairy threds in the top the husk and pellicle that couereth the Rose in the bud the cup within euery one of these haue their proper qualities vertues by themselues The leaues are dried or the iuice is drawn and pressed out of them three waies either all whole as they be without clipping off the white nailes for therein lyeth the most moisture or when the said nails are taken off and the rest behind is infused in the sun lying either in wine or oile within glasses for oile rosat or wine rosat Some put thereto salt others mingle withall either Orchanet or Aspalathus or els Squinanth and this manner of juice thus drawne and prepared is very good for the matrice and the bloudy flix The same leaues with the whites taken away are stamped then pressed through a thicke linnen cloth into a vessell of brasse and the said juice is sodden with a soft fire vnto the consistence of hony and for this purpose choise would be made of the most odoriferous leaues CHAP. XIX ¶ The medicinable vertues of Roses of the Lilly and Daffodill called Laus tibi Of the Violet of Bacchar Combretum and Azarabacca HOw wine of Roses should be made I haue shewed sufficiently in the treatise of diuers kinds of wines The vse of the juice drawn out of Roses is good for the eares the cankers and exulcerations in the mouth
Pitch tree Larch tree brused and sodden in vineger do ease the tooth-ache if the mouth be washed with the decoction The ashes made of their barks skin the places that be chafed fretted and galled betweene the thighs and heale any burn or scald Taken in drinke they bind the belly but open the passages of the vrin A perfume or suffumigation therof doth settle the matrice when it is loose and out of the right place But to write more distinctly of these two trees the leaues of the Pitch tree haue a particular property respectiue to the liuer and the infirmities thereof if one take a dram weight of them and drink it in mead and honied water It is well known and resolued vpon that to take the aire of those woods and forests only where these trees be cut lanced and scraped for to draw pitch and rosin out of them is without all comparison the best course which they can take who either be in a consumption of the lungs or after some long and languishing sicknes haue much ado to recouer their strength Certes such an aire is far better than either to make a long voiage by sea into Egypt or to goe among the cottages in summer time for to drinke new milk comming of the fresh and green grasse of the mountains As for Chamaepitys it is named in Latine by some Abiga for that it causeth women to slip their conception beforetime of others Thus terrae i. ground Frankincense this herb putteth forth branches a cubit long and both in floure and sauor resembleth the Pine tree A second kind there is of Chamaepitys lower than the other seeming as though it bended and stooped downward to the ground There is also a third sort of the same odor that the rest and therefore so named This last Chamaepitys riseth vp with a little stalke or stem of a finger thicknesse it beareth rough small slender and white leaues and it groweth commonly amongst rockes All these three be herbs indeed and no other and should not be ranged among trees yet for names sake because they carry the denomination of Pitys i. the Pitch-tree I was induced the rather to treat of them in this present place to stay no longer Soueraigne they bee all against the pricks or stings of Scorpions applied in manner of a liniment with dates and quinces they be wholsome for the liuer their decoction together with barly meale is good for the infirmities of reins and bladder Also the decoction of these hearbes boiled in water helpeth the jaundise and the difficulty of vrine if the Patient drinke thereof The third kind last named taken with hony is singular against the poison of serpents and in that maner only applied as a cataplasme it clenseth the matrice natural parts of women If one drink the same herbe it will dissolue and remoue the cluttered thick bloud within the body it prouoketh sweat if the body be therwith annointed and it is especially good for the reins Being reduced into pills together with figs it is passing wholsome for those that be in a dropsie for it purgeth the belly of waterish humors If this herb be taken in wine to the weight of a victoriat piece of siluer i. halfe a Roman denier it warisheth for euer the pain of the loins and stoppeth the course of a new cough Finally if it be boiled in vineger and so taken in drink it is said that it will presently expel the dead infant out of the mothers wombe For the like cause and reason I will do the herb Pityusa this honor as to write of it among trees since that it seemeth by the name to come from the Pitch tree this plant some do reckon among the Tithymals a kind of shrub it is like vnto the Pitch tree with a small floure and the same of purple color If one drink the decoction of the root to the quantity of one hemina it purgeth downward both fleam and choler so doth a spoonfull of the seed therof put vp into the body by suppositories The decoction of the leaues in vineger doth cleanse the skin of dandruffe and scales if the decoction of rue be mingled therwith it is singular for sore brests to appease the wrings and tormenrs of the cholick against the sting of serpents and generally for to discusse and resolue all apostemations and botches a breeding But to returne againe to our former trees how Rosine is ingendred in them of their seuerall kinds and the countries where they grow I haue shewed before first in the treatise of wines and afterwards in the discourse and histories of Trees And to speak summarily of rosins they may be diuided into two principal kinds to wit the dry and the liquid rosin The dry is made of the Pine and the Pitch trees the liquid commeth from the Terebinth Larch Lentisk Cypresse trees for these beare rosin in Asia and Syria wheras some there be of opinion That the rosins of the Pitch and Larch trees be all one they be much deceiued for the Pitch tree yeeldeth a fatty rosin and in maner of frankincense vnctuous but from the Larch tree there issueth a subtill and thin liquor running like to life hony of a strong and rank vnpleasant smell Physitians seldome vse any of these liquid Rosins and neuer prescribe them but to be taken or supped off with an egge As for that of the Larch tree they giue it for the cough and exulceration of some noble parts within neither is that per-rosin of the Pine tree much vsed as for the rest they be not of any vse vnlesse they be boiled Touching the diuers manners of boiling them I haue shewed them sufficiently But if I should put a difference between these rosins according to the trees from whence they come the right Terpentine indeed which the Terebinth yeeldeth liketh and pleaseth me best being of all others lightest and most odoriferous If I should make choice of them in regard of the countries where they are found certes they of Cypresse and Syria be best and namely those that in colour resemble Attick hony and for the Cyprian rosin that which is of a more fleshie substance and drier consistence Of the dry per-rosins those are in most request which be white pure transparent or cleare quite through In generall those that come from trees growing vpon mountains be preferred before them of the plains also regarding the Northeast rather than any other wind For salues to heale wounds as also for emollitiue plasters rosins ought to be dissolued in oile for drinks or potions with bitter almonds As touching their medicinable vertues they be good to clense and close vp wounds to discusse and resolue any apostemes which bee in gathering Moreouer they be vsed in the diseases of the brest and namely true Terpentine by way of liniment for then it is singular good especially if it be applied hot also for the pains
poole it would draw the same dry and was of power by touching onely to open lockes or vnbolt any dore whatsoeuer Of Achoemenis also another herb they made this boast That beeing throwne against an armie of enemies ranged in battel array it would driue the troups and squadrons into feare disorder their ranks and put them to flight Semblably they gaue out and said That when the king of Persia dispatcâ—…ed his Embassadors to any forrein states and Princes he was wont to giue them an herb called Latace which so long as they had about them come where they would they should want nothing but haue plenty of all that they desired besides a number of such fooleries wherewith their bookes bee pestered But where I beseech you were these herbs when the Cimbrians and Teutons were defeated in a most cruell and terrible battell so as they cried and yelled again What became of these Magitians and their powerfull herbs when Lucullus with a small army consisting of some few legions ouerthrew and vanquished their owne kings If herbs were so mighty what is the reason I pray you that our Romane captaines prouided euermore aboue all things how to be furnished with victuals for their camp and to haue al the waies and passages open for their purveâ—…ours In the expedition of Pharsalia how came it to passe that the souldiers were at the point to be famished for want of victuals if Caesar by the happy hauing of one hearbe in his campe might haue injoied the abundance of all things Had it not bin better think ye for Scipio Aemilianus to haue caused the gates of Carthage to flie open with the help of one herbe than to lie so many yeres as he did in leaguer before the city with his engins ordinance to shake their wals batter their gates Were there such vertue in Ethiopius aforesaid why do we not at this day dry vp the Pontine lakes and recouer so much good ground vnto the territory about Rome Moreouer if that composition which Democritus hath set downe and his bookes maketh prayse of to be so effectual as to procure men to haue faire vertuous and fortunat children how happeneth it that the kings of Persia themselues could neuer attaine to that felicity And verily wee might maruell well enough at the credulity of our Ancestors in doting so much vpon these inuentions howsoeuer at the first they were deuised and brought in to right good purpose in case the mind and wit of man knew how to stay and keepe a meane in any thing els besides or if I could not proue as I suppose to doe in due place that euen this new leech-craft brought in by Asâ—…lepiades which checketh those vanities is growne to farther abuses and absurdities than are broched by the very Magitians themselues But this hath beene alwaies and euer will bee the nature of mans mind To exceed in the end and go beyond all measure in euery thing which at the beginning arose vpon good respects and necessary occasions But to leaue this discourse let vs proceed to the effects and properties remaining behind of those herbs which were described in the former booke with a supplement also and addition of some others as by occasion shall be offered and presented vnto vs. Howbeit to begin first with the remedies of the said Tettars so foule and vnseemly diseases I mean to gather a heape of as many medicines as I know appropriat for that malady notwithstanding I haue shewed alreadie of that kind not a few Well then in this case Plantaine stamped is very commendable so is Cinquefoile and the root of the white Daffodill punned and applied with vineger The young shoots or tender branches of the fig-tree boiled in vineger likewise the root of the Marsh-Mallow sodden with glow in a strong and sharpe vineger to the consumption of a fourth part Moreouer it is singular good to rub tettars throughly with a pumish stone first to the end that the root of Sorrell stamped and reduced into a liniment with vineger might be applied afterwards therupon with better successe as also the floure of Miselto tempred incorporat with quick-lime the decoction likewise of Tithymale together with rosin is much praised for this cure but the herb Liuerwort excelleth all the rest which therupon tooke the name Lichen it groweth vpon stony grounds with broad leaues beneath about the root hauing one stalke and the same small at which there hang downe long leaues and surely this is a proper herb also to wipe away all marks and cicatrices in the skin if it be bruised and laid vpon them with hony Another kind of Lichen or Liuerwort there is cleauing wholly fast vpon rockes and stones in manner of mosse which also is singular for those tettars being reduced into a liniment This herb likewise stancheth the flux of bloud in green wounds if the juice be dropped into them and in a liniment it serueth well to be applied vnto apostumat places the jaundise it healeth in case the mouth and tongue be rubbed and annointed with it and hony together but in this cure the Patients must haue in charge To bathe in salt water to anoint themselues with oile of almonds and in any case to abstain from all salads and pothearbs of the garden For to heale tettars the root of Thapsia stamped with hony is much vsed As for the Squinsie Argemonia is a soueraigne remedy if it be drunk in wine Hyssop also boiled in wine and so gargarized likewise Harstrang with the rennet of a Seale or Sea-calse taken both of them in equall portion moreouer Knot-grasse stamped with the pickle made of Cackrebs and oile and so gargled or els but held only vnder the tongue Semblaby the juice of Cinquefoile being taken in drink to the quantity of three cyaths this juice besides in a gargarisme cureth all other infirmities of the throat And to conclude with Mullen if it be drunk in water it hath a speciall vertue to cure the inflammation of the amygdals or almond kernels of the throat CHAP. V. ¶ Receits for the scrophules ar wens called the Kings-euill for the paines and griefes of the singers for the diseases of the breast and namely for the Cough PLantaine is a soueraigne herb to cure the Kings euill also Celendine applied with honey and hogs lard so is Cinquefoile The root of the great Clot-bur serueth for the same purpose if it be incorporat with hogs grease so that the place after it is annointed therewith be couered with a leafe of the said Bur laid fast vpon it in like manner Artemisia or Mugwort also a Mandrage root applied with water is good for that purpose The broad leafed Sideritis or Stone-sauge being digged round about with a spike of yron and taken vp with the left hand and so applied vnto the place cureth the kings euill prouided alwaies that the Patients when they be healed keep the same herbe still by them for
pleurisie Touching that Plant which the French cal Halum the Venetians Cotonea it is holden excellent for the griefe of the sides for the reines those that be plucked with the cramp and bursten by any inward rupture this herb somwhat resembleth wild Origan or Marjeram saue that in the â—…ead it is like rather vnto Thyme sweet it is in tast and quencheth thirst a spungeous and â—…ht root it hath in one place white in another black Of the same operation for the paires of the â—…de is Chamaerops an herbe which hath leaues growing double about the stalk and those like vnto the Myrtle leaues and bearing certain buttons or heads much after the manner of the Greekish Rose and the way to take it is in wine Agarick drunk in that order as it was prescribed for the cough doth assuage the paine of the Sciatica and the back bone Semblably doth the pouder of dried Stoechas or Betony if it be taken in mead or honied water CHAP. VIII ¶ Of all the infirmities and remedies of the belly and those parts that either be adioining to it or within contained The means how to loosen and bind the belly TOuching the panch or belly much ado there is with it and although most men care for nothing els in this life but to content and please the belly yet of all other parts it putteth them to most trouble for one while it is so costiue as that it will giue no passage to the meat another while so slippery as it will keep none of it one time you shal haue it so peeuish as that it can receiue no food and another time so weake and feeble that it is able to make no good concoction of it And verily now adaies the world is growne to that passe that the mouth and panch together are the chiefe meanes to worke our death The wombe I say the wickedest vessell belonging to our bodies is euermore vrgent like an importunat creditour demanding debt and oftentimes in a day calleth vnto vs for victuals for the bellies sake especially we are so couetous to gather good for the belly we lay vp so many dainties and superfluities to content the belly we stick not to saile as far as the riuer Phasis and to please the belly we seek sound the bottome of the deep seas and when all is done no man euer thinketh how base and abject this part of the body is considering that filthy ordure and excrement which passeth from it in the end No maruell then if Physitians be much troubled about it and be forced to deuise the greatest number of medicines for the help and cure thereof And to begin with the staying and binding of it a dram of Scordotis the herbe stamped greene and taken in wine doth the feat so doth the decoction thereof if it be drunke Also Polemonia is a soueraigne herb to be giuen in wine for the bloudy flix The root of Mullen or Lungwort taken to the quantity of two fingers in water worketh the same effect The seed of Nymphaea Heraclea drunk in wine is of the like operation so is the vpper part of the double root of Glader or the Flagge ministred to the weight of two drams in vineger To this purpose also serueth Plantaine seed done into pouder and put into a cup of wine or the herb it selfe boiled with vineger or els frumenty pottage taken with the juice thereof Plantaine sodden with Lentils or the pouder of the dry herb strewed like spice into drinke together with the pouder of starched Poppie The iuice also of Plantain or of Betony put into wine that hath bin heat with a red hot gad of steele either ministred by clystre or drunk in the said case is very commendable Moreouer the same Plantain or Betony is singular to be giuen in some green or austere wine for those who are troubled with the lask proceeding from a weake stomack and for that purpose Iberis may be applied vnto the region of their belly as I haue before said In the disease Tinesmus which is an inordinat quarrell to the stool and a straining vpon it without doing any thing the root of Nemphar or Nymphaea Heraclia is singular good to bee drunk in wine likewise Fleawort taken in water the decoction of Galangale root the juice of Housleeke or Sengreene stoppeth the flux of the womb staieth the bloudy flix and chaseth out of the body the round worms The root of Comfrey and of the Carot stoppeth likewise the bloudy flix The leaues of Housleeke stamped and taken in wine are singular good against the wringing torments of the belly The pouder of dried Alcaea drunk cureth the said wrings Astragalus i. Pease Earth-nut an herb bearing long leaues indented with many cuts or jags and those which be about the root made bias riseth vp with three or foure stems full of leaues carieth a floure like to the Hyacinth or Crow toes the roots are bearded and full of strings enfolded one within another red of colour and exceeding hard in substance it groweth in rockes and stonie grounds exposed to the Sun and yet charged or couered with snow the most part of the yeare such as is the mountain Pheneus in Arcadia This herb hath an astringent power the root if it be drunk in wine bindeth the belly by which means it prouoketh vrine namely by driving backe the serous and watery humors to the reines like as most of those simples that be astringent that way are diureticall The same root stamped and taken in red wine healeth the exulceration of the guts thereby staieth the bloudy flix but suâ—…ely hard it is to bruise or stamp it the same is singular for the apostumation of the gums if they be fomented therwith the right season to draw and gather those roots is in the end of Autumne when the herb hath lost the leaues and then they ought to be dried in the shade Both sorts of Ladanum growing among corne be excellent for to knit the belly if they be stamped and searced The manner is to drink them in mead likewise in wine to represse choler Now the herb whereof Ladanum is made is called Lada groweth in the Island Cypros the liquor wherof sticketh commonly to goats beards The excellent Ladanum commeth out of Arabia There is a kind of it made now adaies in Syria and Africke which they call Toxicon for that in those countries the people vse to take their bow strings lapped about with wooll trail the same after them among those plants which beare Ladanum and so the fattie dew cleaueth therto Of this Ladanum I haue written more at large in my treatise of ointments redolent compositions but this later kind is strongest in sauor hardest in hande and no maruell for it gathereth much grosse and earthy substance whereas indeed the best Ladanum is commended and chosen when it is pure clear odoriferous soft green and full of rosin The nature
certain liquid gum issuing out of it self and sticking fast to the stem thereof and therefore they hold it good to paue or ram the ground hard all about the place where Aloe groweth that the earth should not drink vp the liquor which distilleth from it Some haue written that in Iury aboue Ierusalem higher into the country there is a certain minerall Aloe to be found growing in manner of a mettal within the ground but there is none worse than it neither is there any blacker or moister If you would know the best chuse that which is fat and cleare of a red colour brittle and apt to crumble close compact in manner of a liuer easie also to melt and resolue If you see any that is black hard sandy or grittie a thing which may soone be knowne betweene the teeth in tasting of it the same is to be rejected for naught Many there be who do sophisticat it with other gums and the juice Acacia Aloe is of an astringent nature seruing to make thick to close fast and gently to heat any part of the body Much vse there is of it in many cases but principally to loosen the belly being the onely purgatiue medicine that is comfortable to the stomack and strengtheneth it so farre is it from offending the same by that laxatiue vertue or any contrary qualitie that it hath for this purpose the ordinary dose to be giuen in drinke is one dram But when the stomacke is feeble and wil keep nothing the manner is to take the quantity of one spoonfull thereof in two cyaths of water either warm or cold twice or thrice in a day by turns pausing some space between as need requireth and as the patient shall find expedient Moreouer if occasion be to purge the bodie throughly Physitians vse to giue three drams thereof and not aboue And the better wil it work if it be taken presently before meat If the head be rubbed or annointed therewith and some austere and astringent wine against the haire and in the Sunne it retaineth the haire that is ready to fail A liniment made of it together with vineger and oile Rosat applied vnto the forehead and temples in maner of a frontall easeth the head ach so doth it also if by way of embrochation it be distilled from aloft vpon the head in a more thin and liquid substance A very conuenient and singular medicine it is to heale all the diseases incident to the eies but especially for the itch and scab rising in the eie-lids Also when the skin looketh blacke and blew vnder the eies or otherwise be marked by occasion of some bruise it taketh them all away if it be applied thereto with hony and namely that which commeth out of Pontus It is a proper remedy for the amygdals the gums and all the vlcers of the mouth Taken to the weight of a dram in water it staieth the spitting and voiding of bloud vpward if it be not excessiue but in case it bee violent immoderat it ought to be drunk in vineger The flux of bloud in wounds or the bleein any part whatsoeuer it stancheth either applied by it self alone or els with vineger In other respects also it is right soueraign for wounds a great healer and that which vniteth skinneth quickly A singular remedy it is to be either cast vpon the vlcers of a mans yard the swelling piles the rifts chaps of the seat in plain dry pouder by it self alone or els to be applied therto with wine or with cuit according as the griefe requireth to be mitigated or repressed Moreouer it gently staieth the immoderat flux of bloud by the haemorrhoids And in a clyster it is excellent to heale the exulceration of the guts in the bloudy flix Also it is very good wholsom for those who hardly digest their meat to drink it a pretty while after supper And for the Iaundise it is singular to take the weight of 3 oboli thereof in water It is good to swallow pils of Aloe either with boiled hony or Turpenttne for to purge the guts and inward bowels and a salue made therewith taketh away the whitflaws and impostumations about the naile roots for eie-salues and other ocularie medicines it ought to be washed that the most sandy and grosse parts therof may settle to the bottom and be separated from the purer substance or els it ought to be torrified in an earthen vessell and plied continually with stirring with a quill or feather that it may be burnt and calcined equally Touching Alcaea it is an herb bearing leaues like vnto Veruain which also is called Peristereon rising vp with three or foure stems well garnished with leaues and carrying floures in maner of Roses it putteth forth for the most part six white roots and those a cubit long not directly but crooked and bending bias It groweth ordinarily in battle grounds and such as stand somwhat vpon water The roots chiefely do serue in Physick which being taken with wine or water do cure the dysentery or bloudy flix stop a lask and knit those that are burst inwardly vpon some violent strain or convulsion As for Alypon a pretty herbe it is shooting vp with a slender stem adorned with little soft and tender heads not vnlike to the Beet quick and sharp in taste biting exceedingly and burning howbeit clammy to the tongue Taken in mead with a little salt it maketh the body soluble The least dose that is giuen thereof is two drams from which they arise to foure which is counted a reasonable indifferent potion but neuer exceed the weight of six And ordinarily this purgation is taken by them that haue occasion to vse it in broth of a cock capon or pullet Alsine which some call Myosoton is an herbe growing among groues whereupon it tooke that name Alsine It begins to put forth and appeare aboue ground about midwinter and by midsummer it is dried away when it traileth and creepeth vpon the ground the leaues doe represent the ears of little mice But another herb there is as I will shew hereafter which more fitly and properly in that regard may be called Myosotis Surely this might be taken well enough for Hexine but that the leaues be smaller and those lesse hairy It groweth vsually in gardens and most of all vpon walls when it is stamped or bruised it senteth of a Cucumber Commonly vsed it is in cataplasmes for to be applied vnto impostumes and inflammations and emploied it may be in all those cases whereunto Parietary serueth For the same effect they haue both but that Chickweed is weaker in operation And this particular property it hath by it selfe besides to stay the flux of waterie humors into the eies also to heale all vlcers and those especially which are in the priuy parts being applied thereto in a pultesse with Barly meale the juice thereof is good to be dropped or poured into the
of salnitre it healeth corrupt and putrified vlcers such as stink again the same being boiled in hony with Nigella Romana doth gently loose the belly if the naual be anointed therwith To conclude M. Varro saith that gold wil cause werts to fal off CHAP. V. ¶ Of Borras and the six medicinable properties that it hath the wonderfull Nature thereof in sodring one mettall with another and in bringing all mettals to their perfection CHrysocolla called otherwise Borax or green earth is found in those pits and mines that are digged for gold and a humor it is at the first running along the veine of gold which as it thickneth and groweth muddy congealeth at length by the extreame cold of winter to the hardnesse of a pumish stone Howbeit the best kind of Borax we haue known by experience to be ingendred in mines of brasse and the next to it for goodnes in those of siluer otherwhiles also men meet withal in leaden mines but the same is not so good as that which the gold mines doe yeeld Moreouer there may be an artificiall Borras made in all the said mettall mines but far inferior to that which is naturall namely by letting water gently to run among their veines all winter long vntill the month of Iune the which water in Iune Iuly wil grow to be dry and prooue Borras whereby a man may perceiue plainely that Borras is nothing els but a putrified vein of mettall But this Minerall if it be of the own kind differeth from this other which is made by art of man especially in hardnesse for much harder it is and called the yellow Borax or in Latine Lutea and yet it may be brought to that colour by artificiall means namely by dying with an herb called likewise Lutea for of this nature it is that it will take color drink it in as well as linnen or woollen But for to dresse and prepare it for the purpose first they pun it in a morter then they let it passe through a fine serce afterwards it is ground or beaten againe so it is serced a second time through a finer serce whatsoeuer passeth not through but remaineth behind must be punned once more in a mortar so ground into a small pouder and euer as they haue reduced any into pouder they put it into sundry pots or cruses then they let the same to lie enfused and soked in vinegre till the hardnes therin be wholly resolued which done to the mortar it goeth againe where it must be throughly stamped for altogether and so when it is well washed out of one trey or boll into another they let it dry after it is thus prepared they giue it a colour with the herb Lutea beforesaid and alume de plume and thus you see it must be painted and died first before it selfe serue to paint or die withall And herein it skilleth much how pliable apt it is to receiue the said color for vnlesse it haue willingly taken a deep tincture they vse to put therto Schytanum and Turbystum for so they call two drugs which serue to make it take a color the better This Borax thus died our painters vse to call Orobitis and two kinds they make therof to wit Lutea i. the yellow which they keep for the pouder or colour Lomuntum the other liquid namely when the said grains or pellets be resolued into a kind of moisture like drops of sweat This Borax of both sorts is made in the Isle Cypros The principall and best of all other comes from Armenia in a second degree from Macedonia but the greatest quantity therof is in Spain The excellent Borax is known by this mark especially If it resemble perfectly in colour the deep and full green that is in the blade of corn wel liking In our time namely in the daies of the Emperor Nero the floore of the grand cirque or shew-place at Rome was seen paued all ouer with greene Boras at what time as he exhibited goodly sights and pastimes to the people and namely when he meant himselfe to run a race with charriots and took pleasure to driue his horses vpon a ground sutable to the colour of the cloth or liuerie that he wore himself at that time and in truth a world of workemen he brought thither to lay the said pauing Al the sorts of Boras may be reduced into three distinct kinds to wit the rough valued at seuen denarij a pound the meane which is worth fiue and the poudred Boras called also the grasse-green Borax which costeth not aboue three deniers the pound As for the sandie or poudred Boras the painters before they vse it lay the first ground vnderneath it of vitrioll and Paraetonium and then the Borax aloft for these things take it passing well besides giue a pleasant lustre to the color This Paraetonium for that it is most fattie vnctious by nature for the smoothnes besides most apt to sticke too and take hold ought to be laid first vpon which must follow a course of the vitrioll ouer it for feare least the whitenes of the foresaid Paraetonium do pall the greenesse of the Borax which is to make the third coat As for the Borax called Lutea some thinke it tooke that name of the herbe Lutea which also if it be mixed and tempered with azure or blew maketh a greene which many do lay and paint withall in stead of Borax which as it is the cheapest greene of all other so is it a most deceitfull colour Borax doth not onely serue painters but is much vsed also by Physicians and namely to mundifie wounds and vlcers if it be made into a salue with wax and oile and dry as it is of it selfe in pouder it hath a desiccatiue qualitie and doth conglutinat and sodder very well being mixed with hony into an electuarie they giue it inwardly vnto those that haue the squinancie and cannot draw their wind but sitting vpright and so it prouoketh vomit Moreouer it entreth into many collyries or eie-salues especially to consume and discusse the cicatrices and filmes growing with in the eie it goeth also to the making of green plasters such as be applied either to mitigat paine or to heale the skin And verily this Borax not artificially died thus emploied in Physick the Physicians call Acesin and is not that which men name Orobitis and which receiueth a tincture from mans hand Furthermore there is a Borax or Chrysocolla that goldsmiths occupie especially about sodring their gold of this kind al the rest take the name also of Chrysocolla This is altogether artificiall and is made of Cyprian Verdegris or rust of brasse the vrin of a yong lad and salnitre tempered all together incorporat in a brasen morter stamped with a pestill of the same mettall Our countrymen in Latin call this Borax Santerna with it they vse to sodder that gold especially which standeth much vpon
seat another besides of good importance called Sabe But for them that would make a voiage to the Indians the most commodious place to set forward is Ocelis for from thence and with the West wind called Hypalus they haue a passage of forty daies sailing to the first towne of merchandise in India called Muziris Howbeit a port this is not greatly in request for the daunger of pirates and rouers which keep ordinarily about a place called Hydrae and besides that it is not richly stored and furnished with merchandise And more than so the harborough is farre from the town so as they must charge and dischrge their wares to and fro in little boats At the time when I wrot this story the king that reigned there was named Celebothras But another hauen there is more commodious belonging to the Necanidians which they cal Becare the kings name at this present is Pandion not far off is another town of merchandise within the firme land called Madusa As for that region from whence they transport pepper in small punts or troughes made of one peece of wood it is named Corona And yet of all these nations hauens and towns there is not a name found in any of the former writers By which it appeareth that there hath been great change and alteration in these places But to come again to India our merchants returne from thence back in the beginning of our month December which the Aegiptians cal Tybis or at farthest before the sixt day of the Aegyptians month Machiris and that is before the Ides of Ianuary and by this reckoning they may passe to and fro and make return within the compasse of one yere Now when they saile from India they haue the Northeast wind Vulturnus with them and when they be entered once into the red sea the South or Southwest Now wil we return to our purposed discourse as touching Carmania The coast wherof after the reckoning of Niccarchus may take in circuit 12050 miles From the first marches thereof to the riuer Sabis is counted 100 miles From whence all the way as far as to the riuer Andaius the country is rich and plenteous for in it are vineyards and corne fields wel husbanded This whole tract is called Amuzia The chiefe townes of Carmania be Zetis and Alexandria Vpon the marches of this realme the sea breaks into the land in two armes which our countrymen call the red sea and the Greekes Erythraeum of a king named Erythras or as some thinke because the sea by reason of the reflection and beating of the Sun beams seemes of a reddish colour There be that suppose this rednesse is occasioned of the sand and ground which is red and others againe that the very water is of the own nature so coloured CHAP. XXIV ¶ The Persian and Arabian gulfes THis red sea is diuided into two armes that from the East is named the Persian gulfe being in compasse 2500 miles by the computation of Eratosthenes Ouer against this gulfe in Arabia which lieth in length 1200 miles on the other side another arme there is of it called the Arabian gulfe which runs into the Ocean Azanius The mouth of the Persian gulfe where it maketh entrance is 5 miles ouer and some haue made it but 4 from which to the farthest point thereof take a direct and straight measure by a line and for certaine it is that it containeth 1225 miles and is fashioned directly like a mans head One sichritus and Nearchus write That from the riuer Indus to the Persian gulfe and so from thence to Babylon by the meeres and fens of the riuer Euphrates it is 2500 miles In an angle of Carmania inhabit the Chelonophagi i. such as feed vpon the flesh of Tortoises and the shells of them serue for roofes to couer their cottages They inhabit all that coast along the riuer Arbis euen to the very cape rough they are hairy all their body ouer but their heads and weare no garment but fish skins CHAP. XXV ¶ The Island Cassandrus and the kingdomes vnder the Parthians WHen you are past this tract of the Chelonophagi directly toward India there lieth fifty miles within the sea the Island Cassandrus by report all desart and not inhabited and neere to it with a little arme of the sea between another Island called Stois wherein pearles are good chaffer and yeeld gainfull trafficke But to returne againe to Carmania when you are beyond the vtmost cape thereof you enter presently vpon the Armozei who ioyn vpon the Carmanians But some say that the Arbij are between both and that their coast may containe in the whole 402 miles There are to be seen the port or hauen of the Macedonians and the altars or columnes which Alexander erected vpon the very promontorie and vtmost cape Where also be the riuers Saganos Daras and Salsos Beyond which is the cape Themisceas and the Isle Aphrodisias well peopled Then beginneth the realme of Persis which extendeth to the riuer Oroatus that diuides it from Elymais Ouer-against the coasts of Persis these Islands be discouered Philos Cassandra and Aratia with an exceeding high mountaine in it and this Isle is held consecrated to Neptune The very kingdome of Persis Westward hath the coasts lying out in length 450 miles The people are rich and giuen to royall and superfluous expence in all things and long since are become subiect to the Parthians carying their name And seeing we are come to speake of them we will briefly now mention their dominion and empire the Parthians haue in all 18 realmes vnder them for so they termed all their prouinces as they lie diuided about the two seas as wee haue before said namely the red sea Southward and the Hircane sea toward the North. Of which eleuen that lie aboue in the countrey and are called the higher Prouinces they take their beginning at the confines and marches of Armenia and the coasts of the Caspians on the one side and reach to the Scythians whom they confront of the other side with whom they conuerse and keepe company together as Equalls The other seuen are called the base or lower Realmes As for the Parthians their land was alwaies counted to ly at the foot and descent of those mountains wherof we haue so often spoken which do enuirone and enclose all those nations It confineth Eastward vpon the Arij and Southward vpon Carmania and the Arians on the West side it butteth vpon the Pratites â—…nd Modes and on the North boundeth vpon the realm of Hircania compassed round about with deserts and mountaines The vtmost nations of the Parthians before yee come to those desarts be called Nomades and their cheife townes seated toward the West are Islaris and Calliope whereof we haue written before but toward the Northeast Europum and Southeast Mania In the heart and midland standeth the citie Hecatompylos as also Arsacia And there likewise the noble region of Nysaea in Parthyerum together with the famous
gaue the name vnto that city Howbeit the Persians caused this Hypparenum to be dismantled and the walls thereof to be demolished There be also in this tract the Orchenes towards the South from whence is come a third sort of the Chaldaeans called Orcheni Being past this region you meet with the Notites Orthophants and Graeciophants Nearchus and Onesicratus who registred the voiage of Alexander the Great into India report That from the Persian sea to the city Babylon by the riuer Euphrates is 412 miles But the later and moderne Writers do count from Seleucia to the Persian gulfe 490 miles K. Iuba writeth That from Babylon to Charax is 175 miles Some affirme moreouer That beyond Babylon the riuer Euphrates doth maintaine one entire course and keepeth one channel 87 miles before he is diuided into seuerall branches here and there for to water the country and that he holdeth on his course from his head to the sea for the space of 1200 miles This varietie of Authors as touching the measure is the cause why a man may not so wel resolue and conclude thereof considering that euen the very Persians agree not about the dimensions of their Scoenes and Paraâ—…anges but haue diuers measures of them Whereas the riuer Euphrates giueth ouer his owne chanel which for the bredth thereof is a sufficient munition to it selfe and beginneth to part into diuers branches which it doth about the marches confines of Charax in all the tract neere adioyning great danger there is of the Attalae a theeuish nation amongst the Arabians who presently set vpon all passengers comming and going to and fro When you are past this infamous and suspected Region you shall enter into the Countrey of the Schenites As for the Arabians which are called Nomades they occupie all the coasts of the riuer Euphrates as farre as to the Desarts of Syria From the which place we haue said that hee turned and tooke his way into the South abandoning the desarts of Palmyrene To conclude from the beginning and head of Mesopotamia it is counted to Seleucia if you passe vpon the riuer Euphrates 1125 miles and from the red sea if you go by the riuer Tigris 320 miles from Zeugma 527 miles and to Zeugma from Seleucia in Syria vpon the coast of our sea is reckoned 175 miles This is the very true and iust latitude there of the firm land between the two seas to wit the Persian gulfe and the Syrian sea As for the kingdome of Parthia it may containe 944 miles Finally there is yet another towne of Mesopotamia vpon the banke of Tigris neere the place where the riuers meet in one called Digba CHAP. XXVII ¶ The riuer Tigris MEet also and conuenient it is to say somewhat of the riuer Tigris It begins in the land of Armenia the greater issuing out of a great source and euident to be seen in the very plaine The place beareth the name of Elongosine The riuer it selfe so long as it runs slow and softly is named Diglito but when it begins once to carry a more forcible streame it is called Tigris for the swiftnesse thereof which in the Medians language betokens a shaft It runs vp into the lake Arethusa which beareth vp aflote all that is cast into it suffering nothing to sinke and the vapors that arise out of it carry the sent of Nitre In this lake there is but one kind of fish and that entreth not into the chanell of Tigris as it passeth through nor more than any fishes swim out of Tigris into the water of the lake In his course and colour both he is vnlike and as he goes may be discerned from the other and being once past the lake and incountreth the great mountain Taurus he loseth himself in a certain caue or hole in the ground and so runs vnder the hill vntill on the other side thereof he breaketh forth again and appeares in his likenesse in a place called Zoroanda That it is the same riuer it is euident by this that he carrieth through with him and sheweth in Zoroanda whatsoeuer was cast into him before he hid himselfe in the caue aforesaid After this second spring and rising of his he enters into another lake and runneth through it likewise named Thospites and once again takes his way vnder the earth through certain blinde gutters and 25 miles beyond he putteth forth his head about Nymphaeum Claudius Caesar reporteth that in the countrey Arrhene the riuer Tigris runs so neere the riuer Arsania that when they both swell and their waters are out they ioyne both their streams together yet so as the water is not mingled for Arsanias being the lighter of the twain swimmeth and floteth ouer the other for the space wel-neere of 4 miles but soon after they part asunder and Arsania turneth his course toward the riuer Euphrates into which he entreth But Tigris receiuing into him certain goodly great riuers out of Armenia to wit Parthenis Agnice and Pharion so diuiding the Arabians Troeanes from the Adiabenes and by this means making as it were an Island of Mesopotamia aforesaid after he hath passed by and viewed the mountaines of the Gordiaeans neere vnto Apamia a town of Mesene on this side Seleucia syrnamed Babylonia 125 miles diuiding himselfe into two armes or channels with the one he runneth Southward to Seleucia watering as he goeth the country of Messene and with the other windeth Northward he goeth on the backside of the said Mesene and cutteth through the plains of the Cauchians Now when these two branches are re-vnited again the whole is called Pasitigris After this he taketh into him out of Media the great riuer Coaspes and so passing between Seleucia and Ctesiphon as we haue said he fals into the meeres and lakes of Chaldaea which he furnisheth and replenisheth with water for the compasse of seuentie miles which done he issueth forth againe gushing out with a mighty great and large streame and running along the towne Charax on the right hand thereof he dischargeth himselfe into the Persian sea carrying there a mouth ten miles ouer Between the mouthes of these two riuers Tigris Euphrates where they fall into the sea were counted in old time 25 miles or as some would haue it but seuen and yet both of them were nauigable and bare right great ships But the Orcheniens and other neighbor inhabitants long since turned the course of Euphrates aside to serue their owne turnes in watering their fields and stopped the ordinarie passages thereof insomuch as they forced him to run into Tigris not otherwise than in his chanell to fall into the sea The next country bordering vpon Tigris is called Parapotamia in the marches whereof is the city Mesene whereof we haue spoken The chiefe towne thereof is Dibitach from thence you enter presently into the region Chalonitis ioyning hard vpon Ctesiphon a rich country beautified not only with rowes of date trees but also with Oliue Apple and peare
Mentor at length was ware that the Lion had a wound in his foot and that it swelled therwith whereupon he gently plucked out the spill of wood that had gotten into it and so eased the beast of his paine This accident is for a memoriall represented in a picture at Syracusa Semblably Elpis a Samiaâ—… being arriued and landed in Africk chanced to espy neer the shore a Lion gaping wide and seeming afar off to whet his teeth at him in menacing wise he fled apace to take a tree calling vpon god Bacchus to help him for then commonly wee fall to our praiers when we see little or no hope of other helpe but the Lion stopt him not in his flight albeit he could haue crossed the way well enough but laying himselfe downe at the tree root with that open mouth of his wherewith he had skared the man made signes to moue pitty and compassion Now so it was that the beast hauing lately fed greedily had gotten a sharp bone within his teeth that put him to exceeding paine besides that hee was almost famished and he looking pittifully vp to the man shewed how he was punished himselfe among those verie weapons wherewith he was wont to anoy others and after a sort with dumb and mute prayers besought his help Elpis avised him well a pretty while and besides that hee was not very forward to venture vpon the wilde beast he staied the longer and made the lesse hast while he considered rather this strange and miraculous accident than otherwise greatly feared At last hecomes downe from the tree and plucks out the bone whiles the Lion held his mouth handsomly to him and exposed himselfe to his helpfull hand as fitly as he possibly could In requitall of which good turne it is said that so long as this ship of his lay there at anchor the Lion furnished him and his company with good store of venison ready killed to his hand And vpon this occasion Elpis after his return dedicated a temple to Bacchus which vpon this reason the Greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. of gaping Bacchus 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. the chappell of Bacchus the Sauiour Can we maruell any more from henceforth that wild beasts should marke and know the footing of a man seeing that in their extremities and necessities they haue recourse to him alone for hope of succour Why went not they to other creatures or who taught them that the hand of man was able to cure them vnlesse this be the reason that griefe anguish and extreme perill forceth euen sauage beasts to seeke all means of help and reliefe CHAP. XVII ¶ Of Panthers DEmetrius the philosopher so wel seen into the speculation of Natures works the causes thereof makes mention of as memorable a case as the former touching a Panther for as he saith there was a Panther desirous to meet with a man therefore lay in the mids of an high-way vntill some passenger should come by and suddenly was espied by the father of Philinus the Philosopher who trauailed that way The man for feare began to retire and go backe againe but the wild beast kept a tumbling and vauting all about him doubtlesse and by all apparance after a flattering sort as if it would haue had somwhat and such a tossing and tormenting of it selfe she made so piteously that it might soone be seene in what griefe and pain the Panther was The poore beast had but lately kindled and her young whelps were falne into a ditch afarre off well the first point that the man shewed of pitty and commiseration was not to be affraid and the next was to haue regard and care of her follow he did the Panther as she seemed to train and draw him by his garment which with her clawes shee tooke hold of daintily vntill they were come to the pit or ditch aboue-said So soon then as he knew the cause of her griefe and sorrow and withall what might be the reward of his courtesie euen as much as his life came to he drew forth her little ones that were fallen into the said pit which don she and her whelps together leaping and shewing gambols for ioy accompanied him and through the wildernesse directed him vntill he was gotten forth So as it appeared in her that shee was thankfull vnto him and requited his kindnesse albeit there passed no couenant nor promise between them of any such recompence a rare example to be found euen among men This story and such like giue great colour of truth to that which Democritus reporteth namely that Thoas in Arcadia saued his life by means of a dragon This Thoas being but a very childe had loued this dragon when he was but yong very well and nourished him but at last being somewhat fearfull of his nature and not well knowing his qualities and fearing withall the bignes that now he was growne vnto had carried him into the mountains and desarts wherein it fortuned that he was afterward set vpon and inuironed by theeues whereupon he cried out and the dragon knowing his voice came forth and rescued him As for babes and infants cast forth to perish and sustained by the milke of wilde beasts like as Romulus and Remus our first founders who were suckled by a she wolfe such things in mine opinion are in all reason to be attributed more to fortune and fatall destinies than to the nature of those beasts The Panthers and Tygers are in a maner the only beasts for the varietie of spotted skins and furres which they yeeld in great request and commendable for other beasts haue each one a proper colour of their owne according to their kind Lions there be all blacke but they are found in Syria only The ground of the Panthers skin is white beset all ouer with little black spots like eies It is said that all foure-footed beasts are wonderfully delighted and enticed by the smell of Panthers but their hideous looke and crabbed countenance which they bewray by shewing their heads skareth them as much againe wherefore their maner is to hide their heads and hauing trained other beasts within their reach by their sweet sauour they fly vpon them and worrie them Some report that they haue one marke on their shoulder resembling the Moone growing and decreasing as she doth sometime shewing a full compasse and otherwhiles hollowed and pointed with tips like hornes In all this kind and race of wild beasts now adaies they cal the male Variae and Pardi and great abundance there is of them in Africke and Syria Some there be againe that make no other difference betweene the Luzernes and Leopards and these Panthers but only this that the Panthers are white and as yet I know no other marks to descry them by There passed an old Act and Ordinance of the Senate forbidding expresly that any Panthers of Africke should be brought into Italy Against this edict Cn. Aufidius a Tribune of the commons put
Germanie The Geese there be all white but lesse of bodie than from other parts and there they be called Ganzae And truly a pound of such feathers be worth 5 deniers Hereupon it is that so many complaints are made of Colonels and Captaines ouer companies of auxiliarie souldiers for their disorders For wheras they should keep them together in a standing corps de gard to watch and ward night and day they license many times whole bands to straggle abroad to hunt and chase Geese for their feathers and downe And now forsooth the world is growne to be so delicate and daintie that not only our fine smooth dames but also our men cannot take their repose and sleep without this ware but complaine of a paine in their necks and heads vnlesse they may lay them vpon bolsters and pillowes of goose feathers and their soft downe Now to that part of Syria called Comagena we are beholden for another proper inuention of theirs They take me the leafe and grease of Geese and Cinnamon together which they put into a brazen pot and couer it all ouer with good store of snow wherein they let it lie in steepe well infused in this cold humor to vse in that notable composition and sweet ointment which of that countrey is called Comagenum Of the Geese kind are the Birganders named Chelanopeces and than which there is not a daintier dish knowne in England the Chenerotes lesse than wild Geese As for the phesant Bustards they haue a trim shining brightnesse that becommeth and graceth them exceeding well in their perfect and absolute black hew and their eie-browes painted red as it were with deep Scarlet Another kind there is of them bigger than Vultures but in feather and colour much resembling them And there is not a Foule setting the Ostrich aside that poiseth weigheth more heauy than they for they grow to that bignes that a man can hardly lift them from the ground These breed in the Alpes and the North countries If they be mued vp and kept in a pen they lose their pleasant taste and are no good meat nay they grow so sullen and self-willed that they will die with holding their breath Next to these are those which in Spaine they cal the Slowbirds and in Greece Otides but their meat is naught for the marow in their bones if it be let run out hath such a stinking smell that a man cannot abide it but shall be readie to vomite CHAP. XXIII ¶ Of Cranes Storkes Swans Quailes the Glotis and strange birds of other countries THe nation of the prettie Pigmies enjoy a truce and cessation from armes euery yeare as we haue said before when the Cranes who vse to wage war with them be once departed come into our countries And verily if a man consider well how far it is from hence to the Leuant sea it is a mightie great journey that they take their flight exceeding long They put not themselues in their journey nor set forward without a counsell called before and a generall consent They flie aloft because they would haue a better prospect to see before them and for this purpose a captain they chuse to guide them whom the rest follow In the rereward behind there be certaine of them set and disposed to giue signall by their manner of crie for to raunge orderly in rankes and keep close together in array and this they doe by turnes each one in his course They maintaine a set watch all the night long and haue their sentinels These stand on one foot and hold a little stone within the other which by falling from it if they should chance to sleepe might awaken them and reproue them for their negligence Whiles these watch all the rest sleep couching their heads vnder their wings and one while they rest on the one foot and otherwhiles they shift to the other The captaine beareth vp his head aloft into the aire and giueth signall to the rest what is to be done These Cranes if they be made tame and gentle are very playfull and wanton birds and they will one by one dance as it were and run the round with their long shankes stalking ful vntowardly This is surely known that when they mind to take a flight ouer the sea Pontus they will fly directly at the first to the narrow streights of the sayd sea lying between the two capes Criu-Metophon and Carambis and then presently they ballaise themselues with stones in their feet and sand in their throats that they flie more steadie and endure the wind When they be halfe way ouer down they fling these stones but when they are come to the continent the sand also they disgorge out of their craw Cornelius Nepos who died in the daies of Augustus Caesar Emperor in that chapter where he wrote That a little before his time men began to feed and cram Blackbirds and Thrushes in coupes saith moreouer That in his daies Storks were holden for a better dish at the bourd than Cranes And yet see how in our age now no man will touch a Storke if it be set before him vpon the bourd but euery one is readie to reach vnto the Crane and no dish is in more request From whence these Storks should come or whither they go againe is not yet known No doubt from far remote countries they visite vs and in the same manner as the Cranes do only this is the difference that the cranes are our guests in Winter and the Storks in Summer When they be minded to part out of our coasts they assemble all together in one certain place appointed there is not one left out nor absent of their owne kind vnlesse it be some that are not at libertie but captiue or in bondage Thus as if it had been published before by proclamation they rise all in one entire companie and away they flie And albeit well knowne it might be afore that they were vpon their remoue and departure yet was there neuer any man watched he neuer so well that could perceiue them in their flight neither do we at any time see when they are comming to vs before we know that they be alreadie come The reason is because they doe the one and the other alwaies by night And notwithstanding that they flie too and fro from place to place and make but one flight of it yet be they supposed neuer to haue ariued at any coast but in the night There is a place in the open plaines and champion countrey of Asia called Pithonos-Come where by report they assemble all together and being met keepe a jangling one with another but in the end look which of them lagged behind and came tardie him they reare in peeces and then they depart This also hath been noted that after the Ides of August they be not lightly seene there Some affirme constantly that Storkes haue no tongues But so highly regarded they are for â—…aying of Serpents that in Thessalie it
purpose they make much of Iaies Dawes and Choughes whom they doe honour highly because they flie opposite against the Locusts and so destroy them Moreouer in Syria they are forced to leuie a warlike power of men against them and make riddance by that meanes See in how many parts of the world this hurtfull and noisome vermine is dispersed and spread and yet in Parthia they are taken for very good meat The voice that they haue such as it seemes to come from the hinder part of their head for about that place where the joincture is of the shoulders to the nape of the neck they are thought to haue certain teeth which by grating and grinding one against the other doe yeeld a kind of crashing noise and namely about the time of both the Aequinoctials like as the Grashoppers at mid summers Sunstead Locusts engender after the manner of all other Insects which do engender to wit the female carries the male and she lying vnderneath bends vp the very end of her taile against the other and thus they continue a good while ere they part asunder To conclude the males of all this kind be lesse than the females CHAP. XXX ¶ Of the ordinarie Pismires of our countrey in Italie MOst part of Insects do breed a grub or little worme For euen the very Ant in the Spring time doth bring forth such wormes like egges These silie creatures labor and trauell in common as the Bees do this only is the difference that Bees do make their owne meat wheras these store vp only their food and prouision As touching their strength if a man would compare the burdens that they carie with their own bodies he wil find and confesse that there is not a creature againe in the world for that proportion stronger And how doe they carrie them euen with their very mouthes Howbeit if they meet with any greater load than they can bite betweene their chawes then they set their shoulders to it and with their hinder legs also make meanes to driue it forward They haue among them a certaine forme of Common-wealth they remember they are not without care and fore-cast Looke what seedes or graines they do lay vp for prouision sure they will be to gnaw it first for feare they should sprout and take root againe and so grow out of the earth If a corne or seed be too big for their carriage they diuide it into peeces that they may go with it more easily into their house If their seeds within chance to take wet they lay them abroad and so drie them They giue not ouer worke by night when the Moone is at the full but when she is in the change they rest and play them When they are at worke how painfull are they how busie how industrious And for as much as they make their purueiance in diuers places and bring from al parts without knowledge one of the other they keepe among them certaine market daies for a mutuall enteruiew and conference together And verily it is a world to see how then they will assemble what running what greeting what entercourse and communication there is between them whiles they are inquisiâ—…iue as they meet one with onother What newes abroad euen like merchants at a Burse Their â—…aifare is so ordinarie and continual that we may see the very hard flint and pebble stones worn â—…ith their passage too and fro we may see I say a very path-way made where they vse to goe about their worke whereby let no man doubt of what force and power continuall vse is of any thing whatsoeuer be it neuer fo little Of all liuing creatures they only and men doe enterre and burie their dead among them To conclude thoroughout all Sicilie a man shall not see a flying Ant. CHAP. XXXI ¶ Of Indian Pismires IN the temple of Hercules at Erythrae there were to be seen the horns of a certain Indian Ant which were there set vp and fastned for a wonder to posteritie In the countrey of the Northerne Indians named Dardae the Ants do cast vp gold aboue ground from out of the holes and mines within the earth these are in colour like to cats and as big as the wolues of Aegypt This gold before said which they worke vp in the winter time the Indians do steale from them in the extreme heate of Summer waiting their opportunitie when the Pismires lie close within their caues vnder the ground from the parching Sun Yet not without great danger for if they happen to wind them and catch their sent out they go and follow after them in great hast and with such fury they fly vpon them that oftentimes they teare them in pieces let them make way as fast as they can vpon their most swift camels yet they are not able to saue them So fleet of pace so fierce of courage are they to recouer gold that they loue so well CHAP. XXXII ¶ The diuers generation of some Insects MAny Insects there be that breed after another sort than the former aboue specified and principally of dew which settles vpon the radish leafe in the beginning of the Spring For being made thicke and hardned with the heate of the Sun it growes to the bignes of the grain of Millet From it ariseth a little grub and three daies after it becomes a kind of canker-worme and so in processe and tract of time it groweth bigger without mouing at all and gathereth an hard husk or case about her only if a man touch the webby panicles wherein the said worme lieth inwrapped it will seem to stir This is called Chrysalis and after some time when the kex or husk is broken he proueth a faire flying butter-fly CHAP. XXXIII ¶ Of Insects that breed in wood and of wood SEmblably there be some Insects ingendred of raine drops standing vpon the earth and others also of wood for not only the ordinarie wood-wormes breed in timber but also câ—…tain Brees and horse-flies come of it yea and other such like creatures whensoeuer the wood happen to be dotted with ouer-much moisture Like as within one of our bodies there haue bin found broad wormes of 30 foot in length yea and sometimes longer Also there haue bin seen in dead carions many worms and the very flesh of liuing men is apt to breed such vermin and so is the haire of the head to harbor lice of which silthy loathsome creatures both Sylla the Dictator and also Alcman one of the most renowned Greeke Poets perished Moreouer birds are much infested and troubled therewith And as for Feasants they will dy thereof vnlesse they bestrew themselues with dust Of such beasts as carry haire it is verily thought that the Asse alone and sheep are free from this kind of vermin Some kind of cloath likewise is apt to ingender lice and especially those which are made of wooll that sheepe bare which were worried of wolues Ouer and besides I find in some writers That there is
CHerry-trees Peach-trees and generally all that either haue Greek names or any other but Latine are held for aliens in Italy Howbeit some of them now are infranchised and taken for free denizens among vs so familiar they be made vnto vs and they like the ground so well But of them we will speake in the ranke of those trees that beare fruit For this present we are to treat of those that be meere forrainers and for good lucke sake begin we will with that which of all others is most holesome to wit the Citron tree called the Assyrian tree and by some the Median Apple-tree the fruit whereof is a counterpoison and singular Antidote against all venome The tree it selfe bears the leafe like vnto an Arbut tree mary it hath certain pricks among The Pomecitron is not so good to be chewed and eaten of it selfe howbeit very odoriferous it is as be the leaues also therof which are vsed to be laid in wardrobes among apparel for the smel thereof wil passe into the cloths and preserue them from the moth spider and such like vermin This tree beares fruit at all times of the yere for when some fall for ripenesse others wax mellow and some again begin then but to shew their blossome Many forrainers haue assaied to transplant them and set them in their own countries in regard of their excellent vertue to resist poisons And for this purpose they haue caried yong quick sets or plants of them in earthen pots made for the purpose and inclosed them well with earth howbeit the roots had liberty giuen them to breath as it were at certain holes for the nones because they should not be clunged and pent in prison Which I rather note because I would haue it known once for all and well remembred That all plants which are to be remoued and carried far off must be set very close and vsed in the same order most precisely But for all the care and paines taken about it for to make it grow in other countries yet would it not forget Media and Persia nor like in any other soile but soon die This is that fruit the kernels wherof as I said before the lords and great men of Parthia vse to seeth with their meat for to correct their soure and stinking breaths And verily there is not a tree in all Media of better respect than is the Citron tree As for those trees in the region of the Seres which beare the silk wool or cotton we haue spoken thereof in our Cosmographie when we made mention of that Nation CHAP. IV. ¶ Of Indian Trees and when the Ebene was first knowne at Rome IN like manner discoursed we haue of the talnesse and greatnesse of Indian trees Of all those trees which be appropriate to India Virgil hath highly commended the Ebene aboue all the rest and he affirmeth That it will not grow elswhere But Herodotus assigneth it rather to Aethyopia and saith That euery three yeares the Aethyopians were wont to pay by way of tribute vnto the kings of Persia 100 billets of the timber of that tree together with gold and yuory Moreouer I must not forget since that mine author hath so expressely set it downe that the Ethyopians in the same regard were bound to pay in like manner twentie great and massie Elephants teeth In such estimation was yuorie then namely in the 310 yeare after the foundation of Rome at what time as Herodotus put forth that historie at Thurij in Italy The more maruell it is that we giue so much credit to that writer saying as he doth How that in his time before there was no man knowne in Asia or Greece nor yet to himselfe who had not so much as seen the riuer Po. The Card or Map of Ethiopia which lately was presented and shewed to the Emperor Nero as wc haue before said doth sufficiently testifie That from Syene which confines and bounds the lands of our Empire and dominion as far as to the Island Meroe for the space of 996 miles there is little Ebene found and that in all those parts betweene there be few other trees to be found but Date trees Which peraduenture may be a cause That Ebene was counted a rich tribute and deserued the third place after Gold Iuory Certes Pompey the Great in that solemnitie of triumph for the victorie and conquest of Mithridates shewed one Ebene tree Fabianus is of opinion that it wil not burne howbeit experience sheweth the contrary for take fire it will yea and cast a pleasant and sweet perfume Two kindes there be of Ebene the one which as it is the better so likewise it is rare and geason it carrieth a trunke like another tree without knot the wood thereof is blacke and shining and at the very first sight faire and pleasant to the eie without any art or polishing at all The other is more like a shrub and putteth forth twigs as the Tretrifolie A plant this is commonly to be seene in all parts of India CHAP. V. ¶ Of certaine Thornes and Fig-trees of India THere groweth also among the Indians a Thorne resembling the later kind of Ebene and found to serue for the vse of candles for no sooner commeth it neere vnto the fire but it catcheth a flame the fire leaps presently vnto it Now it remains to speak of those trees which set Alexander the Great into a wonder at what time as vpon his victory he made a voiage for to discouer that part of the world First and formost there is a fig tree there which beareth very small and slender Figs. The property of this tree is to plant and set it selfe without mans help For it spreadeth out with mighty armes and the lowest water-boughes vnderneath doe bend so downward to the very earth that they touch it againe and lie vpon it whereby within one yeares space they will take fast root in the ground and put forth a new Spring round about the Mother-tree so as these branches thus growing seeme like a traile or border of arbors most curiously and artificially made Within these bowers the Sheepherds vse to repose and take vp their harbor in Summer time for shady and coole it is and besides well fenced all about with a set of young trees in manner of a pallaisado A most pleasant and delectable sight whether a man either come neere and looke into it or stand a farre off so faire and pleasant an arbour it is all greene and framed arch-wise in just compasse Now the vpper boughes thereof stand vp on high and beare a goodly tuft and head aloft like a little thicke wood or forrest And the body or trunke of the Mother is so great that many of them take vp in compasse threescore paces and as for the foresaid shadow it couereth in ground a quarter of a mile The leaues of this Tree are verie broad made in forme of an Amazonian or Turkish Targuet which is the reason that the
Figges thereof are but small considering that the leafe couereth it and suffereth it not to grow vnto the full Neither doe they hang thicke vpon the Tree but here and there very thinne and none of them bigger than a beane Howbeit so well and throughly ripened they bee with the heate of the Sunne notwithstanding the leaues are betweene that they yeeld a most pleasant and sweet rellice in tast and are a fruit for a king answerable to the mightie huge and prodigious tree that beareth it These Fig-trees grow abundantly about the riuer Acesine CHAP. VI. ¶ Of the tree named Pala of other Indian trees whereof the names be vnknowne Also of those that beare wooll or Cotton ANother tree there is in India greater yet than the former bearing a fruit much fairer bigger and sweeter than the figs aforesaid and whereof the Indian Sages Philosophers do ordinarily liue The leafe resembleth birds wings carrying three cubits in length and two in bredth The fruit it puts forth at the bark hauing within it a wonderfull pleasant iuice insomuch as one of them is sufficient to giue 4 men a competent and ful refection The trees name is Pala and the fruit thereof is called Ariena Great plenty of them is in the country of the Sydraci the vtmost limit of Alexander the Great his expeditions and voiages And yet is there another tree much like to this and beareth a fruit more delectable than this Ariena howbeit the guts in a mans belly it wringeth and breeds the bloudy-flix Whereupon Alexander made open proclamation and straitly forbad That no man should taste thereof As for the Macedonian souldiers they talked much of many other trees but they described them in generall tearmes only and to the most of them they gaue no names at all For one tree there is besides in other respects resembling the Terebinth and it carrieth a fruit much like to Almonds onely it is lesse but of a most sweet and toothsome taste In Bactriana verily some take it to be a speciall kind of the Terebinth indeed rather than a tree like vnto it but that tree which carrieth a fine flax whereof they make their dainty linnen lawn it hath leaues like to those of the Mulbery tree and beareth a red berry like to the hips of an Eglantine They plant and set these in their fields and plains and surely standing as they do in such order there are no roweâ—… of any trees thatyeeld a fairer sight and prospect The Oliue tree of India is but barren saue that it brings a fruit much like the Wild Oliue CHAP. VII ¶ Of Peppertrees of the Cloue tree and many other THe trees that beare Pepper euery where in those parts be like vnto our Iuniper trees And yet some haue written That they grow only vpon the front of the hill Caucasus on that side which lieth full vpon the Sun The corns or graines that hang thereupon differ from Iuniper berries and those lie in certain little huskes or cods like to the pulse called Faseâ—…s or Kidney beans If that be plucked from the tree before they gape and open of themselues they make that spice which is called long-Pepper but if as they do ripen they cleaue and chawn by little little they shew within the white pepper which afterwards being parched in the Sun changeth colour and waxeth black and therewith riueled also Peppers be subiect to the iniury of the weather as well as other fruits for if the season be vnkindly and vntemperat they will catch a blast and then the seeds will be deafe void light naught This fault is called among the Indians Brechmasis which in their language signifieth an abortiue or vntimely fruit This pepper of all other kinds is most biting and sharp but it is the lightest and pale of colour withall The blacke is more kindly and pleasant and the white is more milde in the mouth than both the other Many haue taken Ginger which some cal Zimbiperi and others Zingiberi for the root of that tree but it is not so although in taste it somwhat resembles pepper For Ginger grows in Arabia and Troglodytica in medowes about the villages and it is a white root of a certain little herbe And how soeuer it be very bitter and biting yet it quickly meeteth with a worme and rottes A pound of Ginger is commonly sold at Rome for six deniers Long pepper is soon sophisticated with the Senuie or mustard-seed of Alexandria a pound of it is worth fifteen Romane deniers The white costeth seuen deniers a pound and the blacke is sold after foure deniers by the pound As for Pepper I wonder greatly that it should be so much in request as it is for whereas some fruits are sweet and pleasant in taste and therefore desired others beautifull to the eie and in that regard draw chapmen Pepper hath neither the one nor the other A fruit or berry it is call it whether you will neither acceptable to the tongue nor delectable to the eie and yet for the biting bitternesse that it hath we are pleased therwith and we must haue it fet forsooth from as far as India What was he gladly would I know that ventured first to bite of pepper and vse it in his meats Who might he be that to prouoke his appetite and find himselfe a good stomack could not make a shift with fasting and hunger onely Surely Ginger and Pepper both grow wild in those countries where they do like and yet wee must buy them by weight as we do gold and siluer Of late daies here in Italy wee haue made means to haue the Pepper tree growing among vs and verily a litle scrubby plant it is or shrub rather bigger somwhat than the myrtle and not far vnlike The graine that ours beareth carrieth the very same bitternesse that the greene pepper of India is thought to haue before it be ful ripe For here it wanteth the due parching and ripening against the sun and by that means commeth short of the riuels and blacknesse that the outlandish pepper hath Sophisticated it is by intermingling with it the grains or berries of Iuniper for surely they do maruellous soon take the taste and strength of pepper And as for the weight there be diuers waies to deceiue the chapman therein Ouer and besides there is another fruit that commeth out of India like vnto pepper cornes and it is called Cloues but bigger somwhat and more brittle And they say that it groweth in a certain groue consecrated to their gods in India Transported ouer it is vnto vs for the sweet smell that it casteth Moreouer the Indians haue a thorny and pricky plant which beareth a fruit like to pepper and passing bitter the leaues be smal and grow thick after the maner of Priuet it putteth forth branches 3 cubits long the bark is pale the root broad and of a wooddy substance resembling the colour of box Of the infusion of this root in faire
for the male putteth forth his bloome in the branch but the female sheweth no floure at all but sprouteth and shooteth out buds in manner of a thorne howbeit both in the one and the other the pulp or flesh of the Date commeth first and after it the wooddy stone within which stands in stead of the grain and seed of the Date And this appeares euidently by a good token for that in the same branch there be found little yong Dates without any such stone at al. Now is the said stone or kernell of the Date in forme long not so round and turned like a ball as that of the Oliue Besides along the back it hath a cut or deep slit chamfered in as it were between two pillowes but in the mids of the belly on the other side for the most part it hath a round specke formed like a nauill whereat the root or chit beginneth first to put forth Moreouer for the better planting of Dates they set two together of their stones in a ranke with the bellies downward to the earth and as many ouer their heads for if one alone should come vp it were not able to stand of it selfe the root and young plant would be so feeble but foure together so ioine clasp and grow one to another that they do well enough and are sufficient to beare themselues vpright the kernel or wooddy substance within the Date is diuided from the fleshy pulp and meat thereof by many white pellicles or thin skins between neither lieth it close thereto but hollow a good distance from it saue that in the head it is fastened thereunto by a thred or string and yet there be other pellicles that cleaue fast and sticke to the substance of the Date within The Date is a yeare in ripening Howbeit in certaine places as namely in Cyprus the meat or fleshie pulp thereof is sweet and pleasant in taste although it be not come to the full ripenesse where also the leafe of the tree is broader and the fruit rounder than the rest mary then you must take heed not to eat and swallow down the very bodily substance of it but spit it forth after you haue wel chewed sucked out the iuice therof Also they say that in Arabia the dates haue but a faint weak sweetnes with them yet K. Iuba makes greatest account of those which the region of the Scenites in Arabia doth yeeld where they be called Dabula and he commends them for their delicate and pleasant tast before all others Moreouer it is constantly affirmed That the females be naturally barten and will not beare fruit without the company of the males among them to make them for to conceiue yet grow they wil neuerthelesse and come vp of themselues yea and become tall woods and verily a man shall see many of the females stand about one male bending and leaning in the head full kindly toward him yeelding their branches that way as if they courted him for to win his loue But contrariwise he a grim sir and a coy carries his head aloft bears his bristled rough arms vpright on high and yet what with his very lookes what with his breathing and exhalations vpon them or else with a certain dust that passes from him he doth the part of an husband insomuch as all the females about him conceiue and are fruitfull with his only presence It is said moreouer that if this male tree be cut downe his wiues wil afterwards become barren and beare no more Dates as if they were widows Finally so euident is the copulation of these sexes in the Date trees knowne to be so effectuall that men haue deuised also to make the females fruitful by casting vpon them the blooms and down that the male bears yea and otherwhiles by strewing the pouder which he yeelds vpon them Besides the maner abouesaid of setting date stones for increase the trees may be replanted of the very truncheons of two cubits long sliued and diuided from the very brain as it were of the green tree in the top and so couched and interred leauing only the head without the ground Moreouer Date trees wil take again and liue if either their slips be pluckt from the root or their tendrils small branches be set in the earth As for the Assyrians they make no more adoe but if it be a moist soile plash the very tree it selfe whole as it stands and draw it along and so trench it within the ground and thus it will take root and propagate but such will neuer proue faire trees but skrubs only And therefore they deuise certain Seminaries or Nource gardens of them and no sooner be they of one yeares growth but they transplant them and so againe a second time when they be two yeares old for these trees loue alone to be remoued from one place to another But whereas in other countries this transplantation is practised in the spring the Assyrians attend the very mids and heat of Summer and in the beginning of the Dog-daies vse to replant them Moreouer in that countrie they neither cut off the heads ne yet shred the branches of the yong plants with their hooks and bils but rather bind vp their boughes that they may shoot vp in height the better Howbeit when they are strong they cut their branches for to make the bodies burnish and waxe thicker but yet in the lopping they leaue stumps of boughes halfe a foot long to the very tree which if they were cut off in other places would be the death of the mother stocke And forasmuch as Date trees delight in a salt and nitrous soile according as hath bin before said the Assyrians therefore when they meet not with a ground of that nature strew salt not close about the roots but somwhat farther off In Syria and Egypt there be some Date trees that diuide themselues and are forked in twaine rising vp in two trunkes or bodies In Crete they haue three and some also fiue The nature of the Palme or Date tree is to beare ordinarily when they be three yeares old howbeit in Cyprus Syria and Egypt it is soure yeares first ere some bring fruit yea and fiue yeares before others begin and such neuer exceed a mans height neither haue they any stone or wooddy kernel within the Date so long as they be young and tender during which time they haue a pretty name for them and call them Gelded Dates and many kindes there be of these trees As for those that be barren and fruitlesse all Assyria and Persia throughout vse them for timber to make quarters and pamels for seeling wainescot and their fine ioyned workes There be also of Date trees coppey woods which they vse to fell and cut at certaine times and euermore they put forth a yong spring from the old root and stock These haue in the very head and top a certain pleasant and sweet marow which they terme The braine and therfore
which was made of two demie-rounds or halfe circles joined together so artificially that for the closenesse of the joint which could not be discern'd it was more admirable than possibly it could haue been if it had been naturally of one entire peece the diameter of it caried foure foot and a halfe and three inches thicke it was Likewise another such table there was surnamed Nomien of one Nomius a slaue enfranchised by Tiberius the Emperour the square or diametre whereof was foure foot within 3 quarters of an inch and the thicknesse halfe a foot lacking so much And here I cannot forget and ouerpasse how that the Emperor Tiberius himselfe had a table which being two inches and three quarters aboue 4 foot in the diametre and an inch and an half thick throughout he caused to be plated all ouer for that Nomius his freed-seruant had one so rich and magnificent made altogether of a knot a knot I say or a knur in the root of the tree which is the very beautie of the wood and giues all the grace to tables made therof and namely if this knot lie altogether within ground it is without comparison excellent and farre more rare and singular than any of the timber aboue either in the trunk and bodie or in the armes and boughes of the tree So that to say a truth this costly ware bought so deare is no better than the superfluous excrescense of trees the largenesse wherof as also of their roots may be esteemed by the roundnesse that they carie Now are these Citron trees much like to the female Cypresse especially that of the wild kind in leaf in smel and in body A mountaine there is in high Mauritania called Anchorarius which was wont to yeeld the best and fairest citron trees although now it be naked and despoiled of them But to returne to our tables aforesaid the principall be they which are either crisped in the length of the vein or beset here and there with winding spots In the former the wood curleth in and out along the graine and therefore such bee named Tigrinae i. Tigre-tables In the other there be represented sundrie tufts as it were enfolded and enwrapped round and those they call Pantherinae i. Panther or Luzerne tables There be againe whereof the worke in wainescot resembleth the waues of the sea and the better grace they haue and be more esteemed if they make a shew of the eyes appearing in Peacockes tailes Next in account and request to these abouenamed be those that are frisled with small spots standing thicke as if many graines were gathered together which they call thereupon of some resemblance of little bees or flies Apiatae as if they were speckled filed with their dung But be the worke and graine of the wood what it will the color makes all Here at Rome we set most store by that colour which is like to mead or honied wine shining and glittering in the veines of the wood After which considerations men regard much the breadth largenes of the whole plank standing of one entire peece which makes the table Some take a great pleasure to see in one Citron bourd many of those faults which be incident to trees to wit the Lignum for so they call the simple plain and bare wood and timber without any branched or curled graine at all without a shining lustre and glittering glosse without worke to be seen in any order digested or at the most if any be representing the leaues of a Plane tree Againe the resemblance either of the vein or color of a kind of Oke wood called Ilex Moreouer the rifts and chinks which timber is subject vnto by reason principally of wind and Suns heat or else hairie streakes that be like to such clifts and creuisses Afterwards men were delighted with a kind of Lamprey veine trauersing and running ouer a black crosse way and with an outward skin or coat marked with speckes or knottie knurs like to Poppie heads and generally with a color all ouer comming neer to black or at leastwise bespotted with sundrie colors The Barbarians for to season the wood of this Citron tree vse to burie the green bourds or plankes thereof within the ground and besmeare them all ouer with wax But the artificers and workemen do put them for 7 daies within heaps of corne and stay 7 daies more ere they be wrought a wonder it is incredible how much of the weight the wood loses by this means Meorouer of late daies we haue found the experience by shipwracks that this timber also wil by nothing in the world be sooner dried nor hardened to last a long time without corruption than by sea-water Howbeit to maintaine these tables best and to cause them for to shine bright the way is to rub them with a drie hand especially after that a man is newly come out of the baines or hot house Neither catch they any harme or staine if wine be spilt thereupon so as it should seeme they were naturally made for wine To conclude a tree this is seruing for the ornaments of this life and the trim furniture of our house few or none like to it and therfore me thinks I do not amisse to continue the discourse thereof somewhat longer than ordinarie CHAP. XVI ¶ Of the tree Thya what it is WEll knowne vnto Homer was this tree which in Greeke is named * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but some call it Thya for among other daintie odors and sweet woods he reports That dame Circe whom he would haue to be reputed as a goddesse burnt of this Thyon And therefore much deceiued are they who vnderstand by that word Thyon perfumes and lodoriferous spice considering that in one and the very same verse the Poet maketh mention of the Cedar and Larch tree together with Thyon whereby it appeareth plaine that he spake of trees onely Theophrastus who after the daies of Alexander the Great was the first that wrate the historie of those acts which happened about the 440 yeare from the foundation of Rome gaue great honour euen then to this Tree and reported That all carpenters worke of temples in old time was made of the same as of a timber euerlasting and which in roufes would continue without all putrefaction and corruption whatsoeuer Moreouer he writeth That the wood of the root is so curled and frisled as none more and that of no timber besides are more curious peeces of works made nor of greater price Ouer and besides he saith That the fairest and goodliest trees of this kind doe grow about the temple of Iupiter Hammon and some of them also within the countrey Cyrenaica toward the inland parts But all this while not a word of the foresaid costly tables speakes he in his whole history and verily before that of Ciceroes there is no record in writers of any such tables whereby it appeareth that they become vp but of late daies Another tree there is likewise
other the thinnest hauing but one kernel within which they call Gigarton and the same very small and a man shall not find a bunch without one or two passing great grapes aboue the rest there is also a kind of black Aminean grape which some name Syriaca likewise the grape of Spain which of the base and common kinds carries the greatest credit and is most commended As touching both vines and grapes that run and traile vpon frames there be those which are called Escariae good only for to eat and namely those which haue grains or stones like to Ivie berries as well white as black Grapes resembling great dugs named therupon Bumasti both black and white are carried vpon frames in like sort But al this while we haue not spoken of the Aegyptian and Rhodian grapes ne yet of the Ounce-grapes whereof euery one weighes a good ounce and thereupon tooke that name Item the grape Pucina the blackest of all others the Stephanitis also wherein Nature hath seemed to disport her selfe for the leaues run among the grapes in manner of a garland plaited with them Moreouer the market-grapes called Forenses they grow and are ripe with the soonest vendible at the very first sight and sold with the best and most easie to be carried from market to market But contrariwise the ash-coloured grape Cinerea the silk-russet grape Ravuscula the asse-hued grape Asinisca please not the eie but are presently reiected and yet the Fox-tailed grape Alopecis for that it resembles Rainards taile is not so displeasant nor so much discommended as the former About a cape or crest of the hill Ida which they call Phalacra there is a vine named Alexandrina smal of growth and puts forth branches of a cubit in length the grapes be black as big as beans the pepin or kernell within soft tender and exceeding small the bunches are crooked full of grapes passing sweet and finally the leaues little round and not cut or iagged at all Within these seuen yeres last past about Alba Eluia a city in Languedock or the prouince of Narbon there was found a vine which in one day both floured and shed her floures by which meanes most secured it was from all dangers of the weather They call it Narbonica or the vine of Languedock and now it is commonly planted all that prouince ouer and euery man desireth to store his vineyard therewith CHAP. IIII. ¶ Notable considerations about the husbandrie and ordering of Vineyards THat noble and worthy Cato the first of that name renowned among other dignities for his honorable triumph and the incorrupt administration of his Censorship and yet more famous and renowned to posterity for his singular knowledge and learning and namely for the good precepts and ordinances tending to all vertues and commendable parts which he left in memory for the people of Rome principally touching agriculture as he was by the common voice and generall accord of that age wherein he liued reputed for an excellent husbandman and one who in that profession had neither peere nor second that came neere vnto him This Cato I say hath in his workes made mention but of a few kinds of vines and yet some of them already be growne out of knowledge so as their verie names are quite forgotten Yet neuerthelesse his opinion and judgement would be set downe in particular as it may be gathered out of his whole treatise to the end that we might both know in euery kind of vine which were of most account in his daies to wit in the 600 yere after the foundation of Rome about the time that Carthage and Corinth were forced and woon when he departed this life and also learn how much we haue profited and proceeded in good husbandry and agriculture from his death vnto this present day namely for the space of 230 yeares As concerning vines and grapes therefore thus much hath Cato deliuered in writing and in this manner following All places or grounds quoth he exposed to the Sun-shine and which in other regards shall be found good for to plant vineyards in see they bee employed for the lesse Aminean for both the Eugenian Vines and the smaller Heluine Item In euery tract that is more grosse thicke and mistie looke that you set the greater Aminean or the Murgentine the Apician also and the Lucane Vine All other vines and the common mingled sort especially will agree well enough with any ground The right keeping of grapes is in a small thinne wine of the second running The grapes Duracinae and the greater Amineans are good to be hanged or else dried before a blacke-smithes forge and so they may be well preserued and goe for Raisins of the Sun Loe what the precepts of Cato be neither are there any of this argument more antient left vnto vs written in the Latine tongue Whereby we may see that we liue not long after the very first rudiments and beginnings of knowledge in these matters But by the way the Amineans last named Varro calleth Scantians And in very truth few there be euen in this our age who haue left any rules in forme of Art as touching the absolute skill in this behalfe Yet such as they be and how few soeuer we must not leaue them behinde but so much the rather take them with vs to the end it may be knowne what reward profit they met with who trauelled in this point of husbandry reward I say and profit which in euery thing is all in all To begin therefore with Acilius Sihenelus or Stelenus a mean commoner of Rome descended from the race of Libertines or Slaues newly infranchised he attained to the highest glory and greatest name of all others for hauing in the whole world not aboue 60 acres of land lâ—…ing all in vineyards within the territory of Nomentum he plaied the good husband so well therâ—…n that he sold them again at the price of 400000 Sesterces There went a great bruit and fame likewise of one Verulenus Aegialus in his time a man but of base condition by birth and no better than the former namely come of the stocke of freed-men who by his labor husbandry greatly inriched a domain or liuing at Liternum in Campaine and the more renowned he was by occasion of the fauour of so many men affectionate vnto Africanus whose very place of exile he held in his hands and occupied so well for vnto Scipio the aboue said Liternum appertained But the greatest voice and speech of men was of Rhemnius Palaemon who otherwise by profession was a famous and renowned Grammarian for that he by the means and helpe of the foresaid Sthenelus bought a ferme within these twenty yeares for 600000 Sesterces in the same territorie of Nomentum about ten miles distant from Rome lying somewhat out of the high way Now is it well knowne farre and neare of what price and account all such fermes are and how cheape such ware is lying so neere to the city
side but amongst the rest this of Palaemons in that place was esteemed most cheap and lowest prised in this regard especially That he had purchased those lands which through the carelesnesse bad husbandry of the former owners lay neglected and fore-let were not of themselues thought to be of the best soile chosen and piked from among the worst But being entred once vpon those grounds as his owne liuelode and possession he set in hand to husband and manure them not so much of any good mind and affection that he had to improue and better any thing that he held but vpon a vaine glory of his own at the first whereunto he was wonderously giuen for he makes fallows of his vine-plots anew and delueth them all ouer again as he had seen Sthenelus to do with his before but what with digging stirring and medling therewith following the good example and husbandry of Sthenelus hee brought his vineyards to so good a passe within one eight yeares that the fruit of one yeares vintage was held at 400000 Sesterces and yeelded so much rent to the lord a wonderfull and miraculous thing that a ground should be so much improoued in so small a time And in very truth it was strange to see what numbers of people would run thither onely to see the huge and mighty heaps of grapes gathered in those vineyards of his and ill idle neighbors about him whose grounds yeelded no such increase attributed all to his deepe learning and that he went to it by his book had some hidden speculation aboue other men obiecting against him that he practised Art Magicke and the blacke Science But last of all Annaeas Seneca esteemed in those daies a singular clerke and a mighty great man whose ouermuch Learning and exceeding power cost him his ouerthrowing in the end one who had good skill and judgement in the world and vsed least of all others to esteeme toies and vanities brought this ferm into a greater name and credit for so far in loue was he of this possession that hee bought out Palaemon and was not ashamed to let him go away with the pricke and praise for good husbandry and to remoue him into other parts where he might shew the like cunning and in one word paid for these foresaid vineyards of his fourfold as much as they cost not aboue ten yeres before this good husbandry was bestowed vpon them Certes great pity it is that the like industry was not shewed and imploied in the territories about the hils Cecubus Setinus where no doubt it would haue well quit all the cost considering that many a time afterwards euery acre of vineyard there yeelded seuen Culei that is to say 140 Amphores of new wine one yere with another But lest any man should thinke that wee in these daies haue surpassed our ancestors in diligence as touching good husbandrie know he that the aboue named Cato hath left in writing How of an acre of vineyard there hath arisen ordinarily ten Culei of wine by the yeare Certainly these be effectuall examples and pregnant proofes that the hardy and aduenturous voiages by sea are not more aduantageous ne yet the commodities and merchandise and namely Pearls which be fet as far as the red sea and the Indian Ocean are more gainefull to the merchant than a good ferm and homestall in the countrey well tilled and carefully husbanded As touching the wines in old time Homer writes that the Maronean wine made of the grapes growing vpon the sea coasts of Africk was the best most excellent in his daies But my meaning is not to ground vpon fabulous tales variable reports as touching the excellency or antiquitie of wine True it is that Aristaeus was the first who in that very nation mingled honey with wine which must needs be a passing sweet and pleasant liquor made of two natures so singular as they be of themselues And yet to come againe to the foresaid Maronean wine the same Homer saith That to one part therof there would be but 20 parts of water and euen at this day that kind of wine continues in the said land of the same force and the strength thereof will not be conquered nor allaied For Mutianus who had bin thrice consul of Rome one of those that latest wrote of this matter found by experience being himselfe personally in that tract that euery sextar or quart of that wine would beare 8 of water who reports moreouer that the wine is of colour blacke of a fragrant sweet smell and by age comes to be fat and vnctious Moreouer the Pramnian wine which the same Homer hath so highly commended continueth yet in credit and holds the name still it comes from a vineyard in the countrey about Smyrna neere to the temple of Cybele the mother of the gods As for other wines no one kind apart excelled other One yere there was when all wines proued passing good to wit when L. Opimius was Consul at what time as C. Gracchus a Tribune of the Commons practising to sow sedition within the city among the common people was slaine for then such seasonable weather happened and so fauorable for ill fruit that they called it Coctura as a man would say the ripening time so beneficiall was the Sun to the earth and this fell out in the yere after the natiuity and foundation of the city of Rome 634. Moreouer there be some wines so durable that they haue beene knowne to last two hundred yeares and are come now by this time to the qualitie and consistence of a rough sharpe and austere kind of hony and this is the nature of all when they bee old neither are they potable alone by themselues vnlesse the water be predominant so tart they are of the lees and so musty withall that they are bitter againe Howbeit a certaine mixture there is of them in a very small quantity with other wines that giues a prety commendable tast vnto them Suppose now that according to the price of wine in those daies of Opimius euery Amphore were set but at an hundred Sesterces yet after the vsurie of six in the hundred yearly which is the ordinary proportion and a reasonable interest among citizens for the principall that lieth dead and dormant in stock by the hundred and sixtieth yere after the said Amphor was bought which fell out in the time that C. Caligula Caesar the son of Germanicus was Emperor no maruell if an ounce in measure of the same wine to wit the twelfth part of a Sextarius cost so many Sesterces for as we haue shewed by a notable example when we did set downe the life of Pomponius Secundus the Poet and the feast that he made to the sayd Prince Caligula there was not a Cyathus of that wine drawne but so much was paied for it Loe what a deale of mony lieth in these wine-cellars for keeping of wine And in very truth there is nothing
root and beare the fairer head Let that which you cut or shred be so little short withal that it resemble a mans fist rather than a bough the thicker will it come again a tree no doubt that would not be set in the lowest rank but be wel regarded how soeuer we make but base reckoning thereof for surely there is not a tree for reuenue and profit more safe and certain for cost lesse chargeable and for iniury of weather in better security Certes Cato among the commodities that commend a good ferm or manor esteemeth it in the third place and preferreth the increase and benefit thereby before the gain that groweth from oliue rows corn fields good medows Yet hereof we must not infer that we are not furnished with many other things which wil serue for bands to bind withal for we haue certain sorts of Spart or Spanish broom we haue Poplars Elmes the Sanguine-shrubs Birch clouen Reeds leaues of Cane as for example in Liguria the cuttings also of the very Vine and Briars so their sharp pricks be cut away to tie withall yea and the Hazell wands also so they be writhen and twined wherein a man may see a wonderful property That a wood should be stronger for to bind withal when it is crushed and bruised than whiles it was entire and sound All these I say are good for bands and yet the willow hath a gift therein beyond all the rest The Greek willow is red and commonly is sliuen for to make wit hs The Amerian Osier is the whiter but more brittle and soon wil crack therfore it is put to that vse of binding sound and whole as it groweth and not clouen through In Asia they make account of three sorts of willows the black which they imploy to wind and bind withal so tough and pliant it is the white wherewith husbandmen make their wicker paniers and baskets with other such vessels for their vse as for the third it is the shortest of all other and they cal it Helix or Helice With vs also here in Italy there be as many kinds those distinguished by their seuerall names the first which is of a deep purple colour they call the free osier or willow and that is so good for bands the second which is more thin and slender is named Vitelina or Vitellinam rather for the yellow colour of the yolke of egges for the bright hew that it hath the third that is smallest of all three is the French willow To come now to the brittle Rushes that grow in marish grounds which serue to thatch houses and to make mats and the pith whereof when the rind is pilled maketh wieke for watch-candles and funerall lights to burne by a dead corps whiles it lieth aboue ground they cannot iustly be reckoned in the ranke either of shrubbes or Brier-bushes and Brambles ne yet of tall plants growing vp with stems and stalks no more than among Hearbes and Weeds creeping along the ground but are to be counted a seuerall kind by it selfe True it is that in some places there are to be found rushes more stiffe hard and strong than in others For not onely mariners and watermen in the riuer Po do make sailes thereof but fishermen also of Affrick in the maine sea howbeit they hang their sailes betweene the masts from mast to mast after a preposterous manner contrary to all other The Mores also do couer their cottages with Bulrushes and surely if a man looke neerly to the nature of them they may seeme to serue for that vse which the Papyr-reeds in the netherland of Aegypt are put vnto about the descent and fall of the riuer Nilus As touching Brambles they may go among the shrubs of the water so may the Elders also which consist of a spungeous kind of matter yet cannot wel be counted among those plants which bee termed Fenels-gyant for surely the Elder standeth more vpon the wood than they do The shepherds are verily persuaded that the Elder tree growing in a by-place farre out of the way and from whence a man cannot heare a cock crow out of any town maketh more shrill pipes and louder trumpes than any other The Brambles beare certaine berries like the Mulberries euen as the sweet Brier of another kind which they call Cynosbatos or the Eglantine carieth the resemblance of a Rose A third sort there is of brambles which the Greeks cal Idea of the mountaine Ida. This is the Raspis smaller it is and more slender than the rest with lesse pricks vpon it and nothing so sharpe and hooked The floure of this Raspis beeing tempered with hony is good to be laied to bleared and bloud-shotten eies as also to the wild-fire or disease called Saint Anthonies fire Being taken inwardly and namely drunk with water it is very comfortable to a weake stomacke The Elder beareth certain blacke and small berries full of a grosse and viscous humor vsed especially to die the haire of the head black If they be boiled in water they are good and wholsome to be eaten as other pot-herbs CHAP. XXXVIII ¶ Of the iuice or humor in trees The nature of their wood and timber The time and manner of felling and cutting downe trees TRees haue a certaine moisture in their barkes which we must vnderstand to be their very bloud yet is it not the same nor alike in all for that of the Fig trees is as white as milke and as good as rendles to giue the forme to cheese Cherry trees yeeld a glutinous and clammy humor but Elmes a thin liquor in manner of spittle In Apple trees the same is fattie and viscous in Vines and Pyrries waterish And generally those trees continue and liue longest that haue such a glewy moisture in them In summe there are to be considered in the substance and body of trees like as of all other liuing creatures their skin their bloud flesh sinues veins bones and marrow For in lieu of their hide is the barke And I assure you a strange and maruellous thing it is to be obserued here in the Mulberry that when Physitians seek to draw the foresaid liquour out of it at seuen or eight a clocke in a morning if they scarifie or lightly cut the bark with a stone it issueth forth and they haue their desire but if they crush or cut it deeper in they meet with no more moisture than if it were stark dry In most trees next to the skin lieth the fat this is nought else but that white sap which of the colour is called in Latin Alburnum As it is soft in substance so is it the worst part of the wood and euen in the strong oke as hard as otherwise it is ye shal haue it soon to putrifie and rot yea and quickly be worm-eaten And therefore if a man would haue sound and good timber this white must be alwaies cut away in the squaring After it followeth the flesh of the tree and so the
odoriferous any wood is the more durable also it is and euerlasting Next to these trees aboue rehearsed the wood of the Mulberrie tree is most commended which in tract of time as it growes to be old waxes also blacke Moreouer some kinds of wood as they be more lasting than other so they continue better being emploied in one kind of work than they do in another The Elme timber will well abide the aire and the wind The wild Oke Robur loueth to stand within the ground and the common Oke is good in the water let it bee vsed aboue ground to take the aire and the weather it will cast warpe and cleaue too bad The Larch wood agreeth passing wel with water works and so doth the black Alder. As for the Oke Robur it will corrupt and rot in the sea The Beech will doe well in water and the Walnut tree likewise but to stand within the earth they are principall good and haue no fellow And for the Iuniper it will hold the owne being laid vnder ground but for building aboue in the open aire it is excellent good The Beech and the Cerus wood rot quickly The smal Oke called Esculus canot abide the water The Cherrie tree wood is firme and fast the Elme and the Ash are tough how beit they will soone settle downward and sag being charged with any weight but bend they will before they break and in case before they were fallen they stood a while in the wood after they had a kerfe round about for their superfluous moisture to run out vntill they were well dried they would be the better and sure in building It is commonly said that the Larch wood if it be put into ships at sea is subject to wormes like as al other kinds of wood vnlesse it be the wild and tame Oliue For to conclude some timber is more readie to corrupt and be marred in the sea and others againe vpon the land CHAP. XLI ¶ Of wormes that breed in wood OF vermine that eat into wood there be 4 kinds The first are called in Latine Teredines a very great head they haue for the proportion of the body and with their teeth they gnaw These are found only in ships at sea and indeed properly none other be Teredines A second sort there be and those are land wormes or mothes named Tineae But a third kind resembling gnats the Greeks tearme by the name of Thripes In the fourth place bee the little wormes whereof some are bred of the putrified humor and corruption in the very timber like as others againe engender in trees of a worme called Cerastes for hauing gnawne and eaten so much that he hath roume enough to turne him about within the hole which he first made hee engendreth this other worm Now some wood there is so bitter that none of these wermin will breed in it as the Cypresse others likewise so hard that they cannot eat into it as the Box. It is a generall opinion that if the Firre be barked about the budding times at such an age of the Moon as hath been before said it will neuer putrifie in the water Reported it is by those that accompanied Alexander the great in his voiage into the East that in the Isle Tylos lying within the red sea there be certain trees that serue for timber to build ships the which were known to continue two hundred yeares and being drowned in the sea were found with the wood nothing at all perished They affirmed moreouer that in the same Island there grew little plants or shrubs no thicker than would wel serue for walking staues to cary in a mans hand the wood whereof was massie and ponderous striped also and spotted in manner of a Tygres skin but so brittle withall that if it chanced to fall vpon a thing harder than it selfe it would breake into fitters like glasse CHAP. XLII ¶ Of timber good for Architecture and Carpentrie what wood will serue for this or that worke and which is the strongest and surest timber for roufes of building WEe haue here in Italie wood and timber that will cleaue of it selfe For which cause our Maister Carpenters giue order to besmeare them with beasts dung and so to lie a drying that the wind and piercing aire should not hurt them The joists and plankes made of Firre and Larch are very strong to beare a great weight although they bee laid in length ouerthwart Contrariwise the Rafters made of the wild Oke Robur and Oliue wood wil bend yeeld vnder their load whereas the other named before do resist mainly withstand neither will they easily break vnlesse they haue much wrong nay sooner do they rot than faile otherwise in strength The Date-tree wood also is tough and strong for it yeeldeth not but curbeth the contrarie way The Poplar setteth and bendeth downeward whereas the Date-tree contrariwise rises vpward archwise The Pine and the Cypres are not subject either to rottennesse or worme-eating The Walnut tree wood soone bendeth and is saddle-backt as it lieth for thereof also they often vse to make beames and rafters but before that it breaketh it will giue wâ—…ing by a cracke which saued many a mans life in the Island Antandros at what time as being within the common baines they were skared with the crack that the floore gaue and ran forth speedily before all fell Pines Pitch trees and Allar are very good for to make pumps and conduit-pipes to conuey water and for this purpose their wood is boared hollow lying buried vnder the ground they will continue many a yeare sound and good let them bee vncouered without any mould and lie aboue ground they will quickly decay But if water also stand aboue the wood a wonder it is to see how they will harden therewith and endure Firre or Deale wood is of all other surest and strongest for roufes aboue head the same also is passing good for dore leaues for bolts and barres also in all seelings and wainscot or whatsoeuer it bee whether Greekish Campaine or Sicilian it is best and maketh very faire worke A man shall see the fine shauings thereof run alwaies round and winding like the tendrills of a vine as the Ioyner runneth ouer the painels and quarters with his plainer Moreouer the timber of it is commendable for coaches and chariots and there is not a wood that makes a better and stronger joynt with glew than it doth insomuch as the sound plank will sooner cleaue in any other place than in the joynt where it was glewed CHAP. XLIII ¶ Of glewing timber of rent clouen and sawen painell GReat cunning there is in making strong glew and in the feat of joyning with it as well in regard of seelings and wainscot made of thin bourd and painell as of marquetry other inlaid workes and for this purpose Ioyners doe chuse the mistresse threadie grain that is most streight which some call the Fertill veine because ordinarily it breedeth others and
is that hee beareth downe before him the roofe of many a house and carrieth it cleane away CHAP. III. ¶ The societie of the skie and aire with the earth respectiue to trees SOme men do force the skie for to be obedient conformable to the earth as namely when planting in dry grounds they haue regard to the East and North and contariwise when in moist places they respect the South Moreouer it falleth out that they be driuen otherwhiles to follow the nature of the very Vines and thereby to be ruled wherupon in cold ground they plant such as be of the hastie kind and soone ripen their grapes to the end that they may come to their maturity and perfection before cold weather comes As for such Vines and trees bearing fruit as canot abide dews those they set in to the East that the Sun may soon dispatch and consume the said dew but looke what trees do loue dewes and like well therewith those they will be sure to plant against the West or at leastwise toward the North to the end they may inioy the full benefit thereof All others againe grounding in manner vpon natural reason only haue giuen counsell to set as well Vines as Trees into the Northeast And Democritus verily is of this mind that such fruits will bee more pleasant and odoriferous CHAP. IIII. ¶ The quality of sundrie regions AS touching the proper seat of the Northeast wind and of all other winds we haue spoken already in the second booke and our purpose is in the next following to treat of the rising and falling of signes and notable stars of other Astronomical points also concerning heauen Now in the mean time for this present it is sufficient that in the former rule of the North wind we seem to rest and resolue vpon the apparent and euident argument of the wholesome and healthfull climate of the heauen forasmuch as we see that euermore all such trees as stand into the South soonest shed their leaues the same reason also is to be giuen of those that grow vpon the sea coasts and albeit in some places the winds blowing from thence and the very aire of the sea be hurtfull yet in most parts the same are good and profitable Certaine plants and trees there are which take pleasure to be remot from the sea and ioy to haue the sight of it only a farre off set them neerer to the vapors and exhalations ascending from thence they will take harm and mislike therewith The like is to be said of great riuers lakes and standing pooles As for those which we haue spoken of they either burn their fruit with such mists or refresh and coole such as be hot with their shade yea take joy and prosper in the frost and cold And therfore to conclude this point the surest way is to beleeue trust vpon experience thus much for this present concerning the heauen our next discourse will be of the Earth and Soile the consideration whereof is no lesse difficult to be handled than the other First and formost all grounds are not alike good for trees and most kinds of corne For neither the black mould such as Campain standeth vpon much as in all places best for Vines or that which â—…umeth and sendeth vp small and thin mists neither is the red veine of earth any better how soeuer there be many that commend it The white earth or chalkie marle the clay also within the territory of Alba and Pompeij for a vineyard are generally preferred before all other countries although they be exceeding fat which in that case is otherwise vsually reiected On the other side the white sand about * Ticinum likewise the blacke mould or grit in many places as also the red sandy ground although it be wel mingled tempred with fat earth are all of them nothing to the purpose for increase fruitfulnesse And herein must men take heed because oftentimes their judgement may faile when it goeth but by the eie for wee must not streight waies conclude that the ground is rich battle wheron we see goodly faire tall trees to grow vnlesse it be for those trees only for where shal we meet with any higher than the Fir is there a tree again that possibly can liue where it doth No more is rank grasse plentifull forrage a true token alwaies of a good ground for there is no better pasture nor grasing to be found than in Almaine and yet dig but vp the greene sourd and the thinnest coat of turfe that may be ye shal presently come to barren sand vnder it ne yet is it by by a moist ground that hath vpon it deepe grasse and hearbes shooting vp in height no more verily than a fat and rich soile is knowne by sticking to one fingers as appeareth plainly in all sorts of clay And verily no earth doth fill vp the trenches euen againe out of which it was cast that therby a man might find out whether the ground be sad or hollow and generally all sorts thereof will cause yron to rust that shal be put into it Moreouer there is no weighing of earth in ballance to know by that means which is lighter or heauier for who could possibly euer set down the iust weight that earth should haue Againe the ground that is cast vp into banks by the ouerflow of great riuers is not alwaies commendable seeing that some plants there be that decay if they be set in water And say that some such bank were ground good enough yet it continueth not so long vnlesse it be for Willowes and oisiers onely But if you would know a rich ground indeed one of the best arguments and signes therof is this when you see it to bring forth a thick strong haulme or straw such as vsually groweth in that noble territorie Laborine within Campaine which is of that bignesse that the people of the country vse it for fewell in stead of wood Now this ground so good as it is where whensoeuer we haue found it is hard enough to be tilled and requireth great labour and husbandry putting the poore husbandman to more paines in manner with that goodnesse of it than possibly he could haue with any defects and imperfections thereof For euen the hot earth called by the name of Carbunculus which vseth to burn the corne sown therupon may be helped remedied as it is thought by setting it with plants of poore hungry vines The rough grauell stone which naturally will crumble as grit many writers there bee that allow and commend for vines As for Virgil he findeth no fault with the ground that beareth fern and brake for a Vineyard The earth that is brackish and standeth much vpon salt pâ—…tre is thought to be more found for many plants than others and in regard of vermine that vse to breed therein much safer also Neither do high banks and hils remaine vntilled and naked for want of
Now doth this ground shine againe after the plough-share resembling that veine of earth which Homer the very fountaine and spring of all good wits reported to haue bin engrauen by a god in the armour of Achilles adding moreouer that the said earth looked black withall wherein hee obserued a wonderfull piece of workemanship notwithstanding it was wrought in gold This is that ground I say which beeing new broken and turned vp with the plough the shrewd and busie birds seeke after and goe vnder the plough-share for it this is it that the very Rauens follow the plough man hard at heeles for yea and are readie for greedinesse to pecke and job vnder his very feet And here in this place I cannot chuse but relate the opinion that is currant among our roiotous and delicate gallants which some other thing also making for our purpose in the discourse of this argument which wee haue in hand Certes Cicero a man reputed as he was no lesse indeed for a second light of all good learning and literature Better are esteemed quoth hee the sweet compositions and ointments which tast of earth than of saffron where note by the way that this great Clearke chose to vse the word of tast rather than of smell in such odoriferous perfumes and mixtures Well to speake at a word surely that ground is best of all other which hath an aromaticall smell and tast with it Now if we list moreouer to be better instructed what kind of sauour and odour that should be which we would so gladly find in the earth we may oftentimes meet with that sent euen when she is not stirred with the plough but lieth stil and quiet namely a little before the sun-setting especially where a rainbow seemeth to settle pitch her tips in the Horizon also when after some long and continuall drought it beginneth to rain for then being wet and drenched therwith the earth will send vp a vapor and exhalation conceiued from the Sun so heauenly and diuine as no perfume how pleasant soeuer it be is comparable vnto it This smell there must be in it when you ere it vp with the plough which if a man find once he may be assured it is a right good ground for this rule neuer faileth so as to say a truth it is the very smel and nothing els that will iudge best of the earth and such commonly are new broken grounds where old woods were lately stocked vp for all men by a generall consent do commend such for excellent Moreouer the same ground for bearing is held to be far better whensoeuer it hath rested between and either lien ley or fallow whereas for vineyards it is clean contrary and therefore the more care and diligence is to be emploied in chusing such ground least wee approoue and verifie their opinion who say That the soile of all Italie is alreadie out of heart and weary with bearing fruit This is certaine that both there and elsewhere the constitution of the aire and weather both giueth and taketh away the opportunitie of good husbandrie that a man cannot otherwhiles do what he would for some kind of grounds there is so fat and ready to resolue into mire and dirt that it is impossible to plough them and make good worke after a shower of raine Contrariwise in Byzacium a territory of Africke it is far otherwise for there is not a better and more fruitfull piece of ground lieth without dore than it is yeelding ordinarily 150 fold let the season be dry the strongest teeme of oxen that is cannot plough it fall there once a good ground shower one poore asse with the help of a silly old woman drawing the plough-share at another side will be able to go round away with it as I my selfe haue seen many a time and often And whereas some great husbands there be that teach vs to inrich and mend one ground with another to wit by spreading fat earth vpon a lean and hungry soile likewise by casting drie light and thirstie mould vpon that which is moist and ouer-fat it is a meere follie and wastfull expence both of time and trauaile for what fruit can he euer looke to reape from such a mingle mangle of ground CHAP. VI. ¶ Of the earth which Britaine and France loue so well THe Britaines and Frenchmen haue deuised another meanes to manure their ground by a kind of lime-stone or clay which they call Marga i. Marle And verily they haue a great opinion of the same that it mightily inricheth it maketh it more plentiful This marle is a certaine fat of the ground much like vnto the glandulous kernels growing in the bodies of beasts and it is thickned in manner of marrow or the kernell of fat about it CHAP. VII ¶ The discourse of these matters continued according to the Greekes THe Greekes also haue not ouerpassed this in silence for what is it that they haue not medled withall The white clay or earth wherewith they vse to marle their grounds in the territorie of Megara those onely I meane which are moist and cold they call Leucargillae These marles all the kind of them do greatly inrich France and Britaine both and therefore it would not be amisse to speak of them more exactly In old time there were two sorts therof and no more but of late daies as mens wits are inuentiue euery day of one thing or other they haue begun to find out more kindes and to vse the same for there are now diuers marles the white the red the Columbine the clay soile the stony and the sandy and all these are but two in nature to wit either hard and churlish or else gentle and fat The triall of both is knowne by the handling and a twofold vse they yeeld either to beare corne onely or els for grasse and pasture also The stonie or grauelly soile is good only for to nourish corne which if it be white withall and the pit thereof found among springs or fountains it wil cause the ground to be infinite fruitfull but it is rough in handling and if it be laid too thick vpon the lands or leyes it wil burn the very ground The next to it is the red marle called also Capnumargos which hath intermingled in it a certaine small stony grit full of sand This stony marle the manner is to break and bruise vpon the very lands and for the first yeares hardly can the straw be mowne or cut downe for the said stones Lighter is this marle than the rest by the one halfe and therefore the cariage thereof into the field is least chargeable It ought to be spred and laid thin some thinke that it standeth somewhat vpon salt But both the one and the other will serue well for fifty yeares and the ground inriched thereby will during that time yeeld plenty as well of corne as grasse CHAP. VIII ¶ Sundry sorts of Earth and Marle OF those marles which are found
onely those that being cut downe doe spring new again from the root Of seed also although the same be farre vnlike to others those also will grow that are vsually planted otherwise as for example Vines Apple trees and Pyrries for in these the stone and pepin within serueth in stead of the seed and not the fruit it selfe as in those before rehearsed the kernels whereof i. the fruit are sowne Medlars likewise may come vp of seed But all the sort of these that spring after this maner be late ere they be come forward and slow in growth they turn also to a degenerat and bastard nature and had need to be graffed anew ere they be restored to their owne kind which is the case of Chestnuts also otherwhiles Howbeit there be others for them againe which sow or set them what way you will neuer grow out of their owne kind and such be Cypresses Date trees and Lawrels for the Lawrell commeth vp by sowing by setting and planting after sundry sorts The diuers kinds whereof we haue described already Of all which the Lawrell Augusta with the broad leaues the common Bay tree also that beareth berries as also the wild kind named Tinus be ordered all three after one and the same sort The manner whereof is this the Bayes or berries thereof be gathered dry in the moneth of Ianuary when the Northeast wind bloweth they are laid abroad thin to wither one apart from another not in heaps for feare they should catch a heat This done some put them afterwards in dung and being thus prepared and ready for to be sowne they steep them in wine Others take and lay them within a large basket or twiggen panier trample them vnder their feet in a brook of running water vntill they be pilled and rid of their outward skins for otherwise their skin is of so tough and moist a substance that it would hardly or not at all suffer them to come vp grow After all this in a plot of ground wel and throughly digged once or twice ouer a trench or furrow must be made a hand full deepe and therein the berries ought to be buried by heaps to wit twenty or thereabout together in one place and all this would be done in the month of March. Lawrels also will grow if their branches or boughes be bended from the stocke and laid within the ground but the Triumphall Lawrell will come vp no other way but by setting a graffe or impe cut from it As for the Myrtle all the sorts thereof within Campaine come of berries sown but we at Rome vse to interre only the boughes of the Tarentine Myrtle growing still to the body and by that means come to haue Myrtle trees Democritus sheweth another deuise also to increase Myrtles namely to take the fairest and biggest berries thereof lightly to bruise or bray them in a mortar so that the grains or kernels within be not broken then to besmere with the batter or stamped substance thereof a course cord made of Spart or Spanish broome or els hempen hurds and so lay it along within the ground Thus there wil spring therof a maruellous thick hay or wall as it were of yong Myrtles out of which the small twigs you may draw which way you will yea and plant them elswhere After the like manner folke vse to sow thorns or brambles for to make hedges mounds namely by annointing such another hempen rope with bramble blacke-berries and interring the same As for Bayes thus sowne when they come once to beare a dark and blackish leafe Myrtles also when their leaues be of a wine color to wit of a deep red which commonly happeneth when they be three yeres old it wil be time to remoue and transplant Among those plants and trees that are sowne of seeds Mago maketh much ado and is foully troubled about those trees that beare nuts such like fruit in shels for to begin with almonds first he would haue them to be set in a soft clay ground that lieth into the South yet he saith again that Almond trees loue a hot and hard soile for in a fat or moist ground they will either die or els wax vnfruitful But aboue all he giueth a rule to chuse Almonds for to set or sow that be mo stâ—…oked and especially such as were gathered from a young tree also he ordaineth that they should be well soked or infused in soft beast sherne or thin dung for three daies together or at leastwise in honied water a day before they be put into the ground Item they ought by his saying to be set charilâ—… with the sharp and pointed end pitched downward and the edge of the one side to turne into the Northeast Also that they must stand three and three together in a triangle forsooth so as there be a handbredth iust between euery one Moreouer that euerie tenth day they ought to be watered till they be shot vp to a good bignesse Now to come vnto walnuts they be laid along within the earth with this regard that they do ly vpon their ioints As for pine nuts there would be six or seuen of their kernels put together into pots that haue holes in them and so buried in the ground or else they should be ordered after the manner of the Bay tree which commeth of berries bruised as hath been shewed before The Citron tree will grow of seed and may be set also of sprigges or twiggs drawne to the ground from the tree and so couched Servis trees come of the grains thereof sowed of a quick-set plant also with the root or of a slip plucked from it But as the Citron trees liue in hot grounds so these Servises loue cold and moist As concerning seminaries and nourse-gardens Nature hath shewed vs the reason and maner thereof by certaine trees that put forth at the root a thick spring of yong shoots or sions but lightly the mother that beareth these imps killeth them when she hath done with her shade and dropping together And this is euident to be seene in Lawrels Pomegranate trees Planes Cherry trees and Plum trees for standing as these imps doe a number of them without all order vnder their mother stocke they be ouershadowed and kept downe so that they mislike and neuer come to proofe Howbeit some few there be of this sort that are not so vnkinde to their yong breed as to kill them with the shadow of their boughs and namely Elmes Date trees This would be obserued by the way that no trees haue such yong imps springing at their feet but they only-whose roots for loue of the warm sun and moist rain spred aloft and ly eb within the ground Moreouer the manner is not to set these yong plants presently in the place where they must remaine and continue for altogether but first they are to be bestowed in a piece of ground where they may take nourishment to wit in some nurse-garden
for the nones vntil they are grown to a good stature and then they are to be remoued a second time to their due place And a wonder it is to see how this transplanting doth mitigate euen the sauage nature of the wildest trees that are whether it be that trees as well as men are desirous of nouelties and loue to be trauelling for change or that as they go from a place they leaue behind them their malicious qualitie and being vsed to the land become tame and gentle like the wild beasts especially when such yong plants are plucked and taken vp with the quicke root Wee haue learned of Nature also another kinde of planting like to this for we see that not only water shoots springing out of the root but other sprigs slipped from the stocke liue and doe full well but in the practise of this feat they ought to be pulled away with a colts foot of their owne so as they take a quicke parcell also of their mothers bodie with them in manner of a fringe or border hanging thereto After this manner they vse to set Pomegranate Filberd Hazell Apple and Servise trees Medlars also Ashes and Figge trees but Vines especially marie a quince ordered and planted in that sort will degenerate and grow to a bastard kinde From hence came the inuention to set into the ground yong sprigs or twigs cut off from the tree This was at first practised with foot-sets for a prick-hedge namely by pitching down into the earth Elder Quince-cuttings brambles but afterwards men began to do the like by those trees that are more set by and nourished for other purposes as namely Poplars Alders and the Willow which of all others may be pricked into the ground with any end of the cutting or sprig downward it makes no matter whether for the smaller end will take as wel as the bigger Now al the sort of these are bestowed and ranged in order at the first hand euen as a man would haue them and where he list to see them grow neither need they any remouing or transplantation at all But before we proceed any further to other sorts of planting trees it were good to declare the manner how to order seminaries seed-plots or nource-gardens For to make a good pepinnier or nource-garden there would be chosen a principal and special peece of ground for oftentimes it falleth out yea and meet it is that the nource which giueth sucke should be more tender ouer the infant than the owne naturall mother that bare it In the first place therefore let it be sound and drie ground how be it furnished with a good and succulent elemental moisture and the same broken vp and afterwel digged ouer and ouer with mattock and spade and brought to temper and order so as it be nothing coy but readie to receiue al manner of plants that shall come and to entertain them as welcome guests withall as like as may be to that ground vnto which they must be remoued at last But before al things this would be looked to that it be rid clean of all stones surely fenced also and paled about for to keep out cockes and hens and all pullen it must not be full of chinkes and cranies for feare that the heat of the sunne enter in and burne vp the small filaments or strings and beard of the new roots and last of all these pepins or kernels ought to stand a foot and a halfe asunder for in case they meet together and touch one another besides other faults inconueniences they will be subiect to wormes and therefore I say there would be some distance between that the ground about them may be often harrowed and raked to kill the vermin and the weeds pluckt vp by the heeles that do breed them Moreouer it would not be forgotten to proin these yong plants when they are but new come vp to cut away I say the superfluous springs vnderneath and vse them betimes to the hooke Cato giueth counsel to sticke forks about their beds a mans height and lay hurdles ouer them so as the Sun may be let in vnderneath and those hurdles to couer and thatch ouer with straw or holme for to keepe out the cold in winter Thus are yong plants of Peare trees and Apple trees nourished thus Pine nut trees thus Cypresses which do likewise come vp of â—…eed are cherished As for the grains or seeds of the Cypres tree they be exceeding small and so small indeed that some of them can scarce be discerned well by the eye Wherein the admirable worke of Nature would be considered to wit that of so little seeds should grow so great and mightie trees considering how far bigger are the cornes of Wheat and Barley to make no reckoning nor speech of Beans in comparison of them What should we say to Peare trees and Apple trees what proportion or likenesse is there between them and the pretty little pepins whereof they take their beginning Maruell we not that of so slender and small things at the first they should grow so hard as to checke and turne again the very edge of ax and hatchet that frames and stocks of presses should be made thereof so strong and tough as will not shrinke vnder the heauiest poise and weights that be that Mast-poles comming thereof should be able to beare saile in wind and weather and finally that they should afford those huge and mightie Rams and such like engins of batterie sufficient to command towers and bastils yea and beat downe strong walls of stone before them Lo what the force of Nature is see how powerfull shee is in her works But it passeth and exceedeth all the rest that the very gum and liquour distilling out of a tree should bring forth new plants of the same kind as we will more at large declare in time and place conuenient To returne then againe to the female Cypres for the male as hath bin said already bringeth forth no fruit after that the little balls or pills which be the fruit thereof be gathered they are laid in the Sun to dry during those moneths which we haue before shewed and being thus dried they will breake and cleaue in sunder Now when they are thus opened they yeeld forth a seed which Pismires are very greedy of Where another wonder of Nature offereth it selfe vnto vs That so small a creature as it should eat and consume the seed which giueth life and being to so great and tall trees as the Cypres Well when the said seed is gotten and the plot of ground â—…aid euen and smooth with cilinders or rollers it must be sowne of a good thicknesse in the moneth of Aprill and fresh mould sifted and strewed ouer with riddles an inch thicke and no more for if this grain be buried ouer-deep and surcharged it is not able to break through against the weight of the earth but in stead of rising vp the new chit turneth and bendeth backward
and fruit This is a generall thing obserued That al trees will thriue and prosper better yea and grow sooner to perfection if the shoots and suckers that put out at the root as also other water twigs be rid away so that al the nourishment may be turned to the principall stocke only The work of Nature in sending out these sprigs taught vs the feat to couch and lay sets in the ground by way of propagation and euen after the same manner briers and brambles doe of themselues put forth a new off-spring for growing as they do smal and slender and withal running vp to be very tall they cannot chuse but bend and lean to the ground where they lay their heads againe and take fresh root of their owne accord without mans hands and no doubt ouergrow they would and couer the whole face of the earth were they not repressed and withstood by good husbandrie The consideration whereof maketh me to enter into this conceit That men were made by Nature for no other end but to tend and look vnto the earth See yet what a commodious deuice we haue learned by so wicked and detestable a thing as this bramble is namely to lay slips in the ground and quick-sets with the root Of the same nature is the Yuie also euen to grow and get new root as it creepeth and climbeth And by Catoes saying not onely the Vine but Fig trees Oliues also wil grow increase of cuttings couched in the ground likewise Pomegranate trees all kinds of Apple-trees Baies Plum-trees Myrtles Filberds Hazels of Praeneste yea Plane-trees Now be there two waies to increase trees by way of propagation or enterring their twigs The first is to force a branch of a tree as it grows downe to the ground so to couch it within a trench foure foot square euery way after two yeares to cut it atow where it bent from the tree and after three yeares end to transplant it But if a man list to haue such plants or young trees to beare longer the best way were to burie the said branches at the first within would either in paniers or earthen vessels that when they are once rooted they might be remoued all whole and entire in them and so replanted The second is a more curious and wanton deuise than this namely to procure roots to grow on the very tree by carrying and conveighing branches either through earthen pots or oisier baskets full of earth thrust close to the said branches and by this means the branches feeling comfort of the warme earth enclosing them on euery side are easily intreated to take root euen among Apples and other fruits in the head of the tree for surely by this meanes we desire to haue roots to chuse growing vpon the very top So audacious are men and of such monstrous spirits to make one tree grow vpon another far from the ground beneath Thus in like manner as before at 2 yeares end the said impes or branches that haue taken root be cut off and carried away in the foresaid pots or paniers thither where they shall grow As for the Sauine an hearb or plant it is that wil take if it bee in this sort couched in the ground also a sprig if it be slipped off cleane from the stocke will come again and root Folke say that if a man take wine lees or an old bricke out of the wal broken small and either pour the one or lay the other about the root it wil prosper and come forward wonderfully In like manner may Rosemarie be set as the Sauine either by couching it or slipping off a branch from it for neither of them both hath any seed To conclude the hearb or shrub Oleander may be set of any impe and so grow or else come of seed CHAP. XIIII ¶ Of encreasing trees by seed the manner of graffing one in another how the fine deuise of inoculation by way of scutcheon and emplaister was deuised NAture not willing to conceal any thing from man hath also taught him to engraffe trees with their seed and graine For oftentimes it happeneth that birds being hungrie haue greedily gobled vp seed and fruit whole and sound which after they haue moistened in their gorge and tempered it also with the warmth and natural heat of their stomack they send forth and squirt out again when they meute together with their dung that giueth vnto it a vertue of fecunditie and so lay it vpon the soft beds of tree leaues which many a time the winds catch and driue into some clifts and cranies of the barke by meanes whereof wee haue seene a Cherrie tree vpon a Willow a Plane tree vpon a Lawrell a Lawrell vpon a Cherrie trre and at one time Berries and fruits of diuerse sorts and sundry colors hanging at one and the same tree It is said moreouer that the Chough or Daw hath giuen occasion herof by laying vp for store seeds and other fruit in creuises and holes of trees which afterwards sprouted and grew From hence came the manner of inoculation or graffing in the scutcheon namely to cut out a parcel of the barke of that tree which is to be graffed with a sharp knife made in manner of a shomakers nall blade and then to enclose within the said concauity the eie or seed taken out of another tree with the said instrument And in old time verily this was the only maner of inoculation vsed in fig-trees and apple trees Virgil teaches vs to open a concauity in the knot or joint of a bud that driueth out the barke and within it to enclose the gem or bud taken out of another tree And thus much for the graffing that Nature hath shewed But there is another way of graffing which casualtie and chance hath taught And to say a truth this Maister hath shewed well neer more experiments now daily practised than Nature her selfe Now the manner of it came by this occasion A certain diligent painfull husbandman minding to mound and empale his cottage round about with a fence of an hedge to the end that the stakes should nor rot laid a sill vnder them of Iuie wood but such was the vitall force of the said Iuie that it took hold fast of the stakes and clasped them hard insomuch as by the life therof they also came to liue and euident it was to the eye that the log of Iuie vnderneath was as good as the earth to giue life and nourishment vnto the stakes afore-said To come then vnto our graffing which we haue learned by this occasion first the head or vpper part of the stock must be sawed off very euen and then pared smooth with a sharp gardenhook or cutting-knife which don there offers vnto vs a two-fold way to perform the rest of the worke The first is to set the graffe or Sion between the barke and the wood for in old time truly men were afraid at first to cleaue the stocke but soon
graffe remain bound vntill such time as it haue put forth shoots two foot long and then the foresaid bands to be cut in sunder that they may burnish in thicknes and at ease accordingly The season which they haue allowed for to graffe vines is from the Equinoctial in Autumne vnto the time that they begin to bud forth Generally all trees that are tame and gentle may wel be graffed into stocks and roots of the wild which by nature are dryer contrariwise grasse the wild and sauage kind vpon the other you shal haue all degenerate and become wild Touching other points belonging to the seat of graffing all dependeth vpon the goodnesse or malignitie of the sky and weather In sum a dry season is good for all trees graffed in this maner and say that the drought were excessiue there is a good remedie for it namely to take certain earthen pots of ashes and to let water distill through them softly by little and little to the root of the stock As for inoculation it loueth small dewes otherwhiles to refresh both stock scutcheon and Oilet CHAP. XVI ¶ Of Emplastration or graffing with the Scutcheon THe manner of graffing by way of emplaistre or scutcheon may seeme also to haue come from inoculation and this deuise agreeth best with those trees that haue thick barks as namely Fig trees To goe therefore artificially to worke the mother stocke or tree to be graffed must be well rid and clensed from the branches all about the place where you mean to practise this feat because they should not suck the sap from thence and chuse the nearest and frimmest part which seems most fresh and liuely then cut forth a scutcheon of the barke but be careful that your instrument pierce no farther than the bark nor enter into the quick wood which done take from another tree the like scutcheon of the bark sauing the eye or bud thereon and set it in the place of the other but so equall this must be to the place and so close ioyned and vnited to it that a man may see no token at all or apparance in the ioynt of any wound or skar made to the end that presently they may concorporat that no humor of the sap may issue forth nor so much as any wind get between and yet to make sure work the better way is to lute it well and close with clay and then to bind it fast This deuice of graffing thus with the scutcheon was but lately found out by their saying that fauor all new and modern inuentions howbeit I find that the antient Greeks haue written thereof yea and Cato also our own Countryman who ordained to graffe both Oliue and Fig tree in that order and as he was a man verie diligent and curious in all things that he tooke in hand he hath set downe the iust measure and proportion of the scutcheon for he would haue the barks both the one and the other to be cut out with a chisell foure fingers long and three in bredth and so to close vp all in manner aforesaid that they might grow together and then to be dawbed ouer with that mortar of his making aforesaid after which maner Apple trees also may be graffed Some there be who haue intermingled and comprehended vnder this kinde of graffing with the scutcheon that deuise of making in the side a cleft and namely in vines for they take forth a little square piece with the bark and then set in an impe very hard close on that side where it is plain and euen to the very marow or pith Certes neere to Thuliae in the Tyburtines country I haue seen a tree graffed all these waies abouesaid and the same laden with all manner of fruits one bough bearing Nuts another berries here hung Grapes there Figs in one part you should see Peares in another Pomegranats and to conclude no kind of Apple or other fruit but there it was to be found mary this tree liued not long Howbeit let vs vse what diligence we can yet neuer shal we able with all our experiments to attain vnto the depth of Natures secrets For some Trees there be that come vp of themselues and by no art and industry of man wil be made to grow such also loue ordinarily to be in wild forests and in rough desarts where they prosper well wheras the Plane tree wil beare all manner of graffing best of any other and next vnto it the wild and hard Oke but both the one and the other corrupt and mar the tast of what fruit soeuer is graffed thereupon Some trees there be that refuse not to be ingraffed vpon any stock and what way soeuer they be graffed it skils not as fig trees and Pomgranat trees As for the Vine it will not beare the scutcheon neither any Tree besides that hath a thin barke or which doth pill and rift no nor such as be dry or haue small store of sap within them can away with inoculation Howbeit this maner of graffing is most fruitfull of all other and next vnto it that which is done by way of scutcheon or emplastre yet trees so graffed be of all others most tender and feeble as also such as rest and stay vpon the bark only are with the least wind that is soonest displanted and laid along on the ground The surest and strongest way therefore is to graffe imps vpon the head of a stocke yea and more plentifull by far than to sow them of seed or plant them otherwise CHAP. XVII ¶ An historie shewing the example and proofe hereof IN this discourse and question concerning grafts I cannot passe ouer the rare obseruation of one example practised by Corellius a Knight of Rome borne at Ateste This Gentleman of Rome in a ferme that he had within the territorie of Naples chanced to graffe a Chestnut with an imp cut from the same tree This graft tooke and bare faire Chestnuts and pleasant to the tast which of him took their name After the decease of this gentleman his heire who had bin somtime his bondslaue and by him infranchised graffed the foresaid Corellian Chestnut tree a second time and certainly between them both was this difference The former Corellian bare the more plenty but the nuts of the other twice graffed were the better As for other sorts of graffing or planting mans wit hath deuised by obseruing that which hath fallen out by chance thus are we taught to set broken boughs into the ground when we saw how stakes pitched into the earth tooke root Many trees are planted after that maner and especially the Fig tree which will grow any way saue only of a little cutting but best of all if a man take a good big branch thereof sharpen it at the end in manner of a stake and so thrust it deepe into the ground leauing a small head aboue the ground and the same couered ouer with sand The Pomegranate likewise and the Myrtles are set of
branches but the hole first ought to be made easie and large with a strong stake or crow of iron In sum all these boughs ought to be 3 foot long smaller in compasse than a mans arme sharpned at the one end and with the barke saued whole and sound with great care As for the Myrtle tree it wil come also of a cutting the Mulberry will not otherwise grow for to couch and plant them with their branches we are forbidden for feare of the lightnings And forasmuch as we are fallen into the mention of such cuttings I must now shew the manner of planting them also aboue all things therefore regard would be had that they be taken from such trees as be fruitfull that they be not crooked rough and rugged nor yet sorked ne yet slenderer than such as would fil a mans hand or shorter than a foot in length Item That the barke be not broken or rased that the nether end of the cut be set into the ground and namely that part alwaies which grew next the root and last of al that they be banked wel with earth about the place where they spring and bud forth vntil such time as the plant haue gotten strength CHAP. XVIII ¶ The manner of planting ordering and dâ—…essing Olive trees Also which be the conuenient times for graffing WHat rules by the iudgment of Cato are to be obserued in the dressing and husbanding of Oliues I think it best to set down here word for word as he hath deliuered them Thus he saith therefore The trunches or sets of Oliue trees which thou meanest to lay in trenches make them 3 foot long handle them gently and with great care that in cutting sharpning or squaring them the bark take no harm nor pill from the wood As for such as thou dost purpose to plant in a nourse-garden for to remoue again see they be a foot in length and in this manner set them Let the place be first digged throughly with a spade vntill it be well wrought lie light and brought into temper when thou puttest the said truncheon into the ground beare it downe with thy foot if it goe not willingly deepe enough by that means driue it lower with a little beetle or mallet but take heed withall that thou riue not the barke in so doing A better way there is To make a hole first with a stake or crow before thou set it into the ground and therein maist thou put it at ease and so will it liue also and take root the sooner when they be three yeares old haue then a carefull eye to them in any case and marke where and when the bark turneth If thou plant either in ditches or furrowes lay three plants together in the earth but so as their heads may stand a good way asunder aboue the ground also that there be no more seen of them than the bredth of foure fingers or els if thou thinke good set the buds or eyes only of the Oliue Moreouer when thou art about to take vp an oliue plant for to set again be wary and carefull that thou break not the root get as many spurres or strings called the beard as thou canst earth and all about them and when thou hast sufficiently couered those roots with mould in the replanting be sure thou tread it down close with thy foot that nothing hurt the same Now if a man demand and would gladly know what is the fittest time for planting oliues in one word I will tell him Let him chuse a dry ground in seed time i. in Autumne and a fat or battle ground in the spring furthermore begin to prune thy Oliue tree 15 daies before the Aequinox in the spring and from that time forward for the space of sorty daies thou canst not do amisse The maner of pruning or disbranching them shall be thus Looke where thou seest a place fertile if thou spy any dry or withered twigs or broken boughs that the wind hath met withall be sure thou cut them away euerie one but if the plot of ground be barren eare it vp better with the plough take pains I say to till it well to breake all clots and make it euen to clense the trees likewise of knurs and knots and to discharge them of all superfluous wood also about Autumne bate the earth from about the roots of Oliues and lay them bare but in stead thereof put good mucke thereto Howbeit if a man do very often labor the ground of an olive plot and take a deep stitch he shall now and then plough vp the smallest roots thereof so ebbe they will run within the ground which is not good for the trees for in case they spread aloft they will wax the thicker and so by that means the strength and vertue of the Oliue will turne all into the root As touching all the kinds of Olive trees how may they be also in what ground they ought to be set and wherein they will like liue best likewise what coast of the heauen they should regard we haue shewed sufficiently in our discourse and treatise of Oile Mago hath giuen order in his books of husbandry that in planting them vpon high grounds in dry places and in a vein of clay the season should be between Autumne and mid-Winter but in case you haue a fat moist or waterish soile he sets down a longer time namely from haruest to mid-winter But this rule of his you must take to be respectiue to the clymat of Africk only for in Italy at this day verily men vse to plant most in the Spring howbeit if a man hath a mind to be doing also in Autumne he may be bold to begin after the Equinox for during the space of 40 dayes together euen to the setting of the Brood-hen star there are no more but 14 days ill for planting In Barbarie the people haue this practise peculiar to themselues For to graffe in a wilde Oliue stock whereby they continue a certain perpetuity for euer as the boughs that were graffed and as I may say adopted first wax old and grow to decay a second quickly putteth forth afresh taken new from another tree and in the same old stock sneweth yong and liuely and after it a third successiuely and as many as need so as by this meanes they take order to eternise their Oliues insomuch as one Oliue plant hath bin known to haue prospered in good estate a world of yeares This wilde Oliue aforesaid may be graffed either with sions set in a cliffe or els by way of inoculation with the scutcheon aforesaid But in planting of Oliues this heed must be taken that they be not set in a hole where an Oke hath been stocked vp by the root for there be certain canker-wormes called Erucae in Latine or Raucae breeding in the root of an Oke which eat the same and no doubt will do as much by the Oliue tree Moreouer it is found by experience better
two sets there be a foot an half one way to wit in breadth and halfe a foot another way to wit forward in length These plants being thus ordered after they haue growne to twelue moneths they should be then discharged of all their burgeons euen to the nethermost knot vnlesse haply it bee spared and let alone for some there be that cut it also after these commeth forth the matter of the oilets shew themselues and therewith at the third tweluemonth end the quick-set root and all is remoued to another place in the vineyard Besides all this there is another pretty and wanton deuise more curious ywis than needfull to plant Vines and â—…mely after this manner Take foure branches of foure vines growing together and bearing sundry kindes of grapes bind them wel and strongly together in that part where they are most ranke and best nourished being thus bound fast together let them passe along either through the concauitie of an Oxe shanke and maribone or els an earthen pipe or tunnell made for the nonce Thus couch them in the ground and couer them with earth so as two ioints or buds be seen without By this meanes they inioy the benefit of moisture and take root together and although they be cut from their owne stocke yet they put out leaues branches After this the pipe or bone aforesaid is broken that the root may haue libertie bo th to spread and also to gather more strength And will you see the experience of a pretty secret you shall haue this one plant thus vnited of foure to beare diuers and sundry grapes according to the bodies or stocks from whence they came Yet is there one fine cast more to plant a Vine found out but of late and this is the manner thereof take a Vine-set or cutting slit it along through the midst and scrape out the marrow or pith very cleane then set them together again wood to wood as they were before and bind them fast but take heed in any case that the buds or oilets without-forth be not hurt nor rased at all This done put the same cutting into the ground interre it I say wel within earth and dung tempered together when it begins to spread yong branches cut them off and oftentimes remember to dig about it lay the earth light certes Columella holdeth it for certain and assureth vs vpon his word That the grapes comming of such a vine wil haue no stones or kernels at all within them A strange thing and passing wonderfull that the very set it selfe should liue and that which more is grow and beare notwithstanding the pith or marrow is taken quite away Furthermore since we are entred thus far into this discourse and argument I cannot passe by but I must needs speake of such twigs and branches of trees as wil knit and grow together euen to a tree For certain it is that if you take fiue or six of the smallest sprigs of box binde them together and so prick them into the ground they will proue and grow to one entire tree Howbeit in old time men obserued that these twigs should be broken off from a Box tree which neuer had bin cut or disbranched for otherwise it was thought verily they would neuer liue but afterwards this was checked by experience and the contrary knowne Thus much as touching the order of Vine-plants and their nource-garden for store It remaineth now to speak of the manner of Vineyards and Vines themselues Where in the first place there offer vnto vs fiue sorts thereof For some traine and run along vpon the ground spreading euery way with their branches others grow vpright and beare vp themselues without any staies Some rest vpon props without any traile or frame at all others be bornvp with forkes and one single raile lying ouer in a long range and last of all there be vines that run vpon trailes and frames laid ouer crosse-wise with foure courses of railes in manner of a crosse dormant The same manner of husbandry that serues those Vines which beare vpon props without any other frame at all will agree well enough to that which standeth of it selfe without any staies For surely it groweth so for default onely and want of perches and props As for the vine that is led vpon a single range as it were in one direct line which they call Canterius it is thought better than the other for plenty of liquor for besides that it shadoweth not it selfe it hath the furtherance and help of the Sun-shine continually to ripen the grapes it hath the benefit also of the wind blowing through it by which means the dew will not long stand vpon it Moreouer it lieth more handsome to the hand for the leaues to be plucked away and for the clods to be broken vnder it in one word is readiest for all kind of good husbandry to be don about it But aboue all other commodities it hath this that it is not long in the floure but bloometh most kindly As for the frame aforesaid that is ranged in one line a length it is made of perches or poles reeds and canes cords and ropes or els lines of haire as in Spaine and about Brindis The other kind of frame with railes and spars ouerthwart beareth a vine more free for plenty of wine than the rest and called this is Compluviata vitis because it resembleth the hollow course of gutter tiles that in houses receiue all raine water and cast it off For as the crosse dormant in building shutteth off the raine by foure gutters euen so is this Vine led and caried foure waies vpon as many trailes Of this Vine and the maner of planting it we will only speak for that the same ordering will serue well enough in euery kind besides marie there be far more waies to plant this than the rest but these three especially The first and the surest is to set the Vine in a plot well and throughly delued the next to it is in the furrow the last of all in a trench or ditch As for digging a plot and planting therein ynough hath been written already CHAP. XXII ¶ Of furrowes and trenches wherein vines are planted also of pruning vines IT sufficeth that the furrow or trench wherin a vine is to be planted be a spade or shouels bit breadth but ditches would be three foot long euery way Be it furrow trench or ditch wherin a vine is to be replanted it ought to be three foot deepe and therefore no plant thereof should be remoued so little but that it might ouer and besides stand aboue ground and shew two buds at the least in sight Needful it is moreouer that the earth be well loosened and made more tender and gentle by small furrowes ranged and trenched in the bottom of the ditch yea and be tempered sufficiently with dung Now if the vineyard lie pendant vpon the hanging of the hill it requireth deeper ditches and those
wrong yea to stifle and strangle them outright whereas indeed a vine as it ought to be kept down with oisier twigs so it must not bee tied ouer streight For which cause euen they also who othewise haue store plenty ynough euen to spare of willows oisiers yet chuse rather to bind vines with some more soft and gentle matter to wit with a certain hearb which the Sicilians in their language called Ampelodesmos i. Vine-bind But throughout all Greece they tie their vines with Rushes Cyperus or Gladon Reeke and sea grasse Ouer and besides the maner is otherwhiles to vntie the Vine and for certain daies together to giue it liberty for to wander loosely and to spred it selfe out of order yea and to lie at ease along the ground which all the yere besides it onely beheld from on high in which repose it seemeth to take no small contentment and refreshing for like as draught horses when they be out of their geeres and haknies vnsadled like as Oxen when they haue drawn in the yoke yea and greyhounds after they haue run in chase loue to tumble themselues and wallow vpon the earth euen so the Vine also hauing bin long tied vp and restrained liketh wel now to stretch out her â—…ims and loins and such easement and relaxation doth her much good Nay the tree it selfe findes some comfort and ioy therby in being discharged of that burden which it carried continually as it were vpon the shoulders and seemeth now to take breath and heart again And certes go through the whole course and worke of Nature there is nothing but by imitation of day and night desireth to haue some alternatiue ease and play dayes between And it is by experience found very hurtfull and therefore not allowed of to prune and cut Vines presently vpon the Vintage and grape-gathering whiles they be still wearie and ouertrauelled with bearing their fruit so lately ne yet to binde them thus pruned in the same place again where they were tied before for surely vines do feel the very prints and marks which the bonds made and no doubt are vexed and put to pain therewith and the worse for them The maner of the Gaules in Lumbardy in training of Vines from tree to tree is to take two boughs or branches of both sides and draw them ouer in case the stock Vines that beare them be sorty foot asunder but foure if they are but twenty foot â—…istant And these meet one with another in the space between and are interlaced twisted and tied together But where they are somwhat weake and feeble they be strengthened with Oisier twigs or such like rods here and there by the way vntill they beare out stiffe and look where they be so short that they wil not reach out they are with an hook stretched and brought to the next tree that standeth without a Vine coupled thereto A Vine branch drawn thus along in a traile they were wont to cut when it had growne two yeares for in such Vine stocks as by reason of age are charged with wood it is the better way to giue time leisure for to grow and fortifie the said branch that is to passe from tree to tree so as the thicknes thereof will giue leaue yea and otherwise it is good for the old main bough to feed still and thriue in pulp and carnositie if we purpose that it should remaine and carrie a length with it Yet is there one maner besides of planting and maintaining Vines of a mean or middle nature between couching or interring a branch by way of propagation and drawing them thus in a traile from one to another namely to supplant that is lay along vpon the ground the whole stock or main body of a Vine which done to cleaue it with wedges and so to couch in many furrowes or raies as many parcels thereof comming all together from one Now in case each one of these branches or armes proceeding from one body be of it selfe small weake and tender they must be strengthned with long rods like staues bound vnto them round about neither ought the small sprigs and twigs that spring out of the side be cut away The husbandmen of Novaria rest not contented with a number of these trailed branches nor with store of boughs and trees to sustaine and beare them vnlesse they be shored and supported also with posts and ouerthwart railes about which the yong tendrils may creep wind No maruell therefore if their wines be after a sort rough hard and vnpleasant for besides the baduesse of their soile the maner of their husbandry is so crooked and vntoward Our husbandmen moreouer here about vs neer vnto the city of Rome commit the like fault and find the same defect thereupon in the Varracine Vines that be pruned but once in two yeres a piece of husbandry by them practised not for any good that it doth vnto the vine but because the wine thereof is so cheap that oftner pruning would not quit cost neither doth the reuenue answer the labor and the charges In the territorie of Carseoli a champion and plain countrey about Rome the peasants take a better order and hold a middle and temperat course For their maner is to proin and cut away from the Vine those parts onely that are faulty and rotten when they begin once to drie and to wither leauing all the rest for to beare Grapes and thus discharging it of the superfluous burden that it caried they hold opinion that it is not good to wound it in diuers places for by this means say they it will be nourished and come on very well But by their leaue vnlesse the ground be passing rich and fat Vines thus ouercharged with wood will for want of pruning degenerate into the bastard wild wines called Labruscae But to returne againe vnto our plots planted with Trees and Vines coupled together such grounds when they be plowed require a good deep stitch although the corn therein sown need it not Also it is not the manner to disburgen or deffoile altogether such trees and thereby a great deale of toile and labor is saued but when the Vines are a pruning they would be disbranched at once with them where the boughs grow thickest and to make a glade onely thorow the superfluous branches would be cut away which otherwise might consume the nutriment of the grape As for the cuts and wounds remaining after such pruning and debranching we haue already forbidden that they should stand either against the North or the South And I think moreouer it were very well that they did not regard the West where the Sunne setteth for such wounds will smart and be long sore yea and hardly heale again if either extreme cold pinch or extreme heate parch them Furthermore a Vine hath not the same liberty in a vineyard that it hath vpon a tree for better means there are and easier it is to hide the said wounds from the weather
flanked as they be within those close sides than to wryth and wrest them to a mans mind to fro In lopping and shredding of trees when the cut standeth open there would be no hollow places made like cups for feare that water should stand therein Last of all if a Vine be to climbe Trees that are of any great height there would be stayes and appuies set to it wherupon it may take hold and so by little and little arise and mount vp aloft CHAP. XXIIII ¶ The maner of keeping and preseruing Grapes Also the maladies whereto Trees be subiect IT is holden for a rule That the best Vine-plants which run vpon a frame of rails ought to be pruned in mid-March about the feast of Minerua called Quinquatrus and if a man would preserue and keep their grapes it would be done in the wane of the Moone Also that such vines as be cut in the change of the Moon wil not be suâ—…iect to the iniurie and hurt of any noisom vermin Although in some other respect men are of opinion that they should be cut in the night at the full of the Moon when the signe is in Leo Scorpio Sagittarius and Taurus and generally it is thought good to set them when the Moon is at the full or at leastwise when she is croissant Moreouer this is to be noted that in Italy there need not aboue ten men for to look vnto a vineyard of an hundred acres And now that I haue discoursed at large as touching the manner of planting graffing and dressing of Trees I purpose not here to treat again of Date Trees Tretrifoly whereof I haue sufficiently written already in the Treatise of strange and forrein Trees but forasmuch as my meaning is to omit nothing I will proceed forward to decipher those matters which concerne principally the nature of Trees and namely their maladies and imperfections whereto they also as well as beasts and other liuing creatures are subiect And to say a truth what creature is there vnder heauen freed therefrom And yet some say that wild and sauage trees are in no such danger only the hail may hurt them in their budding and blooming time True it is also that scorched they may be otherwhiles with heate and bitten with cold black winds comming late and out of season for cold weather surely in due time is kindly and good for them as hath bin said before But let me not forget my self See we not many times the cold frost to kill the very Vines Yes verily but this is long of the soile and nothing else for neuer hapneth this accident but in a cold ground So as this conclusion holdeth still That in winter time we alwaies find frost and cold weather to do much good but we neuer allow of a cold and weake ground Moreouer it is neuer seen that the weakest and smallest trees are indangered by frost but they are the greatest and tallest that feele the smart And therefore no maruel if in such the tops being nipped therewith seem first to fade and wither by reason that the natiue and radical moisture being bitten and dulled before was neuer able to reach vp thither Now concerning the diseases that haunt Trees some there bee that are common vnto all others againe that extend peculiarly to some certaine kind or other As for the former sort generall it is that no trees are exempt from the worme the blasting and the joint-ach Hereof it commeth that we see them more feeble and weake in one part or member than in another as if they did participate the maladies and miseries of mankind so common are the names of diseases vnto them both For certes we vse to say indifferently That trees are headlesse when they be lopt and topt as wel as men who are beheaded we tearme their eyes to bee enflamed sendged and bloud-shotten when their buds be blasted many other infirmities according to the like proportion And therupon it is that we say they be hungerstarued and pined and contrariwise that they be full of crudites and raw vndigested humors namely when moisture aboundeth in them Yea and some of them are said to be grosse and ouerfat to wit al such as bear rosin when by the means of too much grease as it were they begin to putrifie and turn into Torch-wood yea and it falleth out that they die withall in case the said grease take once to the roots euen as liuing creatures being ouergrowne with fat Moreouer ye shall see a kind of pestilence light amongst one peculiar kind of trees like as it fareth sometimes with men in sundrie states and degrees whereby one while slaues only die of a plague another while the Commons and those either artisans in a citie or peasants and husbandmen of the countrey Now as touching the Worme some trees are more subject vnto it than others and to say a truth in manner al more or lesse and that the birds know well ynough for with their bills they will job vpon the barke and by the sound trie whether they be worm eaten or no. But what say we to our gluttons and belly gods in these daies who make reckoning among their dainty dishes of wormes breeding in trees and principally of those great fat ones bred in Okes which wormes they call Cossi are esteemed a most delicat meat These forsooth they feed in mue and franke them vp like fat-ware with good corn-meale But aboue al others Pear trees Apple trees and Fig trees are soonest worme-eaten and if any trees escape they be such as are of a bitter wood in tast and odoriferous in smell Touching those wormes that be found in Fig trees some are engendred of themselues and of the very wood others are bred of a bigger vermine called Cerastes Howbeit al of them which way soeuer they come are shaped in maner of the said Cerastes and make a certaine small noise like the shrill and creaking sound of a little criquet The Seruise tree likewise is haunted and plagued with little red and hairie wormes that in the end doe kill it The Medlar trees also when they be old are subject to this maladie As for the misliking of trees calsed Sideratio wherby they consume wither away crumble to powder it is a thing caused only of the weather and influence of some Planet And therfore in this ranke are to be raunged Haile Blasting with some vntoward winds and frosts that bite and nip them to the heart And verily it falleth out that in a mild and warme Spring when plants bee too forward and put foorth their soft buds and tender sprouts ouer-soone the black wind taketh them on a suddaine and a certaine rime settleth thereupon sendging and burning the oilets of the Burgeons whiles they be ful of a milky sap which accident if it light in blooming time vpon the blossome is called properly Carbunculus i. a Mieldeaw As for the Frost at such a time it is far worse
were holden to call the Commons away from their market affaires Also the manner in those daies was to take their sleepe and repose in good straw and litter Yea and when speech was of glory and renowne men would call it by no other term but Adorea of Ador a kind of fine red wheat Where by the way I haue in great admiration the antique words of those times and it doth me good to think how significant they were For thus we read in the sacred Pontificall Commentaries of the high priests For the Augurie or solemne sacrifice called Canarium let there be certain daies appointed to wit before the corn shew eare out of the hose yea and before that it come into it But to return againe to the praise of Husbandry When the world was thus addicted and giuen to Agriculture Italy was not only well prouided and sufficiently furnished of corne without any help from out prouinces but also all kind of grain and victuals were in those daies so exceeding cheap as it is incredible for Manius Martius a Plebeian Edile of Rome was the first man that serued the people wheat at one Asse the Modius and after him Minutius Augurinus the eleuenth Tribune of the commons euen he who indited that mutinous and seditious citizen Sp. Melius brought down the price of wheat for 3 market daies to an Asse the Modius The people therefore of Rome in regard of this good deed of his erected a statue for him without the gate Trigemina and that with such affection and deuotion that euery man contributed somewhat thereto by way of beneuolence Trebius also in the time of his Aedileship caused wheat to be sold vnto the people at the same rate to wit one Asse a Modius For which cause there were 2 statues also in memorial of him set vp both in the Capitoll and also in Palatium and himselfe when he was departed this life had this honor done vnto him by the people at his exequies as to be carried on their shoulders to his funerall fire It is reported moreouer That in the very same yeare wherein the great goddesse Cybele called also the mother of the gods was brought to Rome there was a more plentifull haruest that Summer and corn was at a lower price than had bin known in ten yeares before Likewise M. Varro hath left in writing That when L. Metellus made shew of so many Elephants in his triumph at Rome a Modius of good red wheat was worth no more than one Asse also a gallon of wine cost no more And as for drie figges thirty pound weight carried no higher price and a man might haue bought a pound of Oile oliue and 12 pound of flesh at the very same reckoning And yet all this plenty and cheapnesse proceeded not from the great domaines and large possessions of those priuate persons that incroched vpon their neighbors and hemmed them within narrow compasse For by the law published by Stolo Licinius prouided it was that no Roman citizen should hold in priuat aboue fiue hundred acres The rigor of which law or statute was extended and practised vpon the Law-maker himselfe and by vertue thereof he was condemned who for to possesse aboue that proportion and to defraud the meaning of the said Act purchased more lands in the name of his Son Loe what might be the proportion and measure of possessions allowed euen then when as the State and Common-wealth of Rome was in the prime and began to flourish And as for the Oration verily of Manius Curius after such triumphs of his and when he had subdued and brought vnder the obeisance of the Roman Empire and laid to their dominion so many forrein nations what it was euery man knoweth wherin he deliuered this speech That he was not to be counted a good man but a dangerous citizen who could not content himselfe with a close of seuen acres of ground And to say a truth after that the kings were banished out of Rome and their regiment abolished this was the very proportion of land assigned to a Roman Commoner If this be so What might be the cause of so great plenty abundance aforesaid in those daies Certes this nothing els great LL and generals of the field as it should seem tilled themselues their ground with their own hands the Earth again for her part taking no small pleasure as it were to be eared and broken vp with ploughes Laureat and ploughmen Triumphant strained her selfe to yeeld increase to the vttermost Like it is also that these braue men and worthy personages were as curious in sowing a ground with corne as in ordinance of a battell in array as diligent I say in disposing and ordering of their lands as in pitching of a field and commonly euery thing that commeth vnder good hands the more neat and cleane that the vsage thereof is and the greater paines that is taken about it the better it thriueth and prospereth afterwards What shall we say more was not C. Attilius Serranus when the honorable dignity of Consulship was presented vnto him with commission to conduct the Roman army found sowing his own field and planting trees whereupon he took that syrname Serranus As for Quintius Cincinnatus a purseuant or messenger of the Senat brought vnto him the letters patents of his Dictatorship at what time as he was in proper person ploughing a piece of ground of his owne containing foure acres and no more which are now called Prata Quintiana i. Quintius his medowes lying within the Vaticane and as it is reported not onely bare-headed was hee and open breasted but also all naked and full of dust The foresaid officer or sergeant taking him in this maner Do on your cloths sir quoth he and couer your body that I may deliuer vnto you the charge that I haue from the Senate and people of Rome Where note by the way that such Pursevants and Sergeants in those daies were named Viatores for that eftsoones they were sent to fetch both Senatours and Generall captaines out of the fields where they were at worke but now see how the times be changed They that doe this businesse in the field what are they but bond-slaues fettered condemned malefactors manacled and in one word noted persons and such as are branded and marked in their visage with an hot yron Howbeit the Earth whom wee call our Mother and whom wee would seem to worship is not so deafe and sencelesse but she knoweth well enough how shee is by them depriued of that honour which was done in old time vnto her insomuch as wee may well weet that against her will shee yeeldeth fruit as shee doth howsoeuer wee would haue it thought by these glorious titles giuen vnto her that she is nothing displeased therewith namely to be labored and wrought by such vile and base hirelings But we forsooth do maruell that the labor of these contemptible bond slaues and abiect villains doth not render the like
saw so rife in euerie mans mouth that the only thing to make ground most fertile and fruitfull is the Masters eie As for all other rules and precepts of Agriculture respectiue to this or that peculiar point of husbandry I will deliuer them in their proper places accordingly And in the meane time I wil not omit such as be more generall as they shal come into my mind and remembrance First and formost there offereth it selfe to me one aboue the rest wherof Cato is the Author and which of all others I hold to be most profitable and sounding to ciuilitie to wit that in all our doings we aime at this To haue the loue and good will of our neighbors and that for many and sufficient reasons by him alledged which I suppose no man will make any doubt of Imprimis hee giueth a good caueat That our seruitors and people about vs be not shrewd but well ordered and that none of our family be ill disposed to offer any wrong Item All good husbands agree in this that nothing would be done too late and when the time is ouerhipt And againe That euery worke should haue the due and conuenient season to the same effect there is a third admonition namely That when the opportunity is once past in vain we seek to recall and recouer it As touching a rotten and putrified ground we haue at large shewed already how much Cato doth abhor and curse it And yet he ceaseth not to forewarne vs of it and besides to giue vs these rules following What work soeuer may be performed by a poore Asse is thought to cost little or nothing and to be done very cheape Ferne or Brake will die at the root in two yeares if you wil not suffer it to branch and grow aboue ground and this shall you hinder most effectually in case you knap off the head of the first spring with a wand or walking staffe for the liquid juice dropping downe from them doth kill the root It is commonly said also that if they be pulled vp about the summer Sun-stead they will not come againe but die as also if they be topt or their heads whipt off with a reed or if they be eared vp with the plough so as there be a reed fastned to the share Semblably for to kill reeds they giue order to plough them vp with some Fern likewise laid vpon the share A rushie ground must be broken vp and turned ouer ouer with the broad spade but if it be stony it would be digged with a mattock or two tined fork Rough grounds and giuen to beare shrubs if a man would stork the best way is to burne them vp by the roots If the place lie low and be ouermoist the onely meanes to make it sound and drie is to draine away the water by trenching In case a ground doe stand vpon chalke or plaister the ditches or trenches therin should be left wide open but if the soile be more loose not so fast they must be strengthned and kept vp with quick-set hedges for feare of salling or else they ought to be made in such sort as both the sides thereof be well bedded and couched bearing out a belly aslope and not digged plum downe-right Some would be closed vp aboue and made very strait and narrow for to run directly into others that are more wide and large also if occasion doe so require the bottome of their channell would be paued with pebble or laied with good grauell As for the mouth and end therof to wit for entrance and issue they ought both of them to be fortified and vnderset with two stones at either side and a third laied crosse ouer them Last of all if a ground run to wood and be ouergrowne therewith Democritus hath taught vs the means how to kill the same in this manner Take Lupine floures let them be steeped one whole day in the juice of Hemlock and therewith besprinckle and drench the roots of the shrubs that ouerrun the place and they will die CHAP. VII ¶ Sundry sorts of corne and their seuerall natures NOw that we haue thus shewed the way how to prepare a field for to beare corne it remaimaineth to declare the nature of corne And to speake generally of all graine there are two principall kinds thereof to wit first Fourment containing vnder it wheat and Barley and such like secondly Pulse comprising Beans Pease Chiches c. The difference obserued both in the one sort and the other is so euident and plaine that needlesse it is for me to vse any words thereof And as for the former kind called Fourment it is diuided also into sundry sorts according to the seuerall seasons wherein they be sowne First there is the Winter corn which â—…eing sowed about the setting of the star Virgilia i. in Nouember lieth all winter long in the ground and there is nourished as for example Wheat Rie and barley Secondly Summer corne which is put into the earth in Summer about the rising of the foresaid star Virgilia i. The Brood-hen to wit in May namely Millet Panick Horminum and Irio two kinds or grain But note that I speak here of the manner vsed in Italy For otherwise in Greece and Asia they sow all indifferently at the retrait or occultation of Virgiliae and to come again to our Italy some grain there is which is sown there both in Winter and Summer as also you shall haue other corne sowed in a third season to wit in the Spring Some there be who take for Spring-corn Millet Panick Lentils â—…ich Pease and the grain wherof Fourmenty is made But Wheat Barley Beans Navews Turneps and Rapes they hold for Sementina i. to be sowed at the proper and timely season of seeds 〈◊〉 in Autumne In that kind of corne which comprehendeth Wheat there is to be reckoned that grain which serueth for prouender and forrage and is sown for beasts namely that which they call dredge or ballimong Likewise in the other kind to wit of Pulse the Vetches be comprised but that which is good indifferently both for man and beast is the Lupine All sorts of Pulse called in Latine Legumina vnlesse it be the Bean haue but one root apiece and such be as hard as wood and full of shoots and those diuided into forked branches and the roots of the cich Pease run deepest into the ground But all other corne vnder the name of Frumentâ—… haue many small fillets or strings appendant to the roots otherwise branch not as for Barly 〈◊〉 chitteth and begins to shew within 7 daies after it is first sowne All sorts of Pulse appeare aboue ground by the fourth day or the fift at the vtmost And yet Beans ordinarily do lie in the ground 15 or 20 daies Howsoeuer in Aegypt all Pulse commeth vp by the third day In Barlâ—…y one end of the seed runneth to root downward and the other into blade and that bloometh first Now if
you would know which end serueth for the one and the other certaine it is that the bigger and thicker part of the grain yeeldeth root and the smaller the greene blade In all other seeds there is no such diuersitie for from one and the same end breaketh our both root and greene blade All kind of corn carying spike or eare called Frumenta shew nothing but the green blade during winter howbeit no sooner commeth the spring but they begin to grow vp into straw and to spindle vpward pointwise I meane all that be of the winter kind But Millet and Panick run vp into an hollow stem full of knots and ioynts and Sesama by it self into a kex or hollow stem in maner of fenell and such like The fruit or seed of all graine that is sowne or set is contained within eares as we see in bearded wheat and barley and the same is defended as it were with a palisaide of eales disposed square in foure rankes or is inclosed within long cods and husks as the Pulse kind or els lieth in little cups as Sesame and Poppie Millet and Panick only put forth their fruit grape-wise and openly without any partitions and defences so as their seed is exposed to the little birds of the aire for no otherwise are they defended than within small skins and thin huls And as for Panick it taketh the name of certain panicles or chats hanging from the top thereof whereby the head bendeth and leaneth downward as if it were weake and wearie of the burden The stem or stalk thereof groweth smaller and smaller and pointed vpward insomuch as by little and little it runneth vp in maner of a little sprig or sion and there you shall see a number of seeds or grains clustered together thicke insomuch as they are somtimes bunched with an head a good foot long As touching the Millet the head thereof bearing seed round about is bent likewise and curbed beset also with fringes as it were of hairy fillets But to return to Panick againe there be sundry sorts thereof for some of it is found with a tuft or bunch from which depend certain small clustered chats or panicles the same also hath two knaps or heads and this is called Mammosum as one would say the Panick with bigs or dugs Moreouer you shall haue Panick seed of sundry colours white blacke and red yea and purple Of Mill or Millet there be diuers sorts of bread made in many places but of panick it is not so common howbeit there is no grain more ponderous and weighty than it or which in the seething or baking swelleth and riseth more for out of one Modius or pecke thereof there is ordinarily made 60 pound of dough for bread Moreouer take but 3 sextares or quarts of it being steeped and it will yeeld a measure called Modius of thicke gruel or batter called in Latine Puls It is not fully ten yeres since there was a kind of Millet brought out of India into Italy and the same was of colour black the seed or grain in quantitie big and faire and for stem like vnto a reed It riseth vp in height seuen foot the stalks are mighty and great some call them Lobae or Phobae Of all sorts of corne it is most fruitfull and yeeldeth greatest increase for of one grain a man shal haue 3 sextars or quarts again But it loueth yea 〈◊〉 to be sown in a moist soile Moreouer some kinds of spiked corn begin to spindle and gather eare at the third ioynt others at the fourth but there it lieth as yet hidden and inclosed Now as touching these 〈◊〉 wheat beareth vsually foure beere Barly six and the common sprit Barly eight which is wel 〈◊〉 be considered for no corn vseth to spier before it be fully knotted or iointed in maner abouesaid And so soon as the said spier sheweth some hope of an eare within 4 or fiue daies after at the most they begin to bloum and in as many dayes space or little more they will haue done and shed their floures And yet I must needs say that all sorts of barley are a seuen-night at the vtmost in so doing Varro saith that in foure times 9 daies this kind of corn commeth to perfection but it ought to stay nine moneths before it be ripe for to be reaped and mowne downe As for Beanes after they be set or cast into the ground first they put forth leafe and afterward stalk that shooteth vp euen without any partition of ioynts or knots between All other pulse besides the Bean haue a more sollid and wooddy substance in the straw Of which the Chich pease the Ervile and Lentils doe spred forth in branches And some of them runne so low that they creep along the ground vnlesse they be born vp and supported with some props as for example Pease which help if they misse they proue the worse for it Of all manner of Pulse the Bean alone and Lupine beare but one single stalke apiece the rest doe branch into very small sprigs or tendrils Howbeit none of them but their stalke or straw is fistulous and hollow in maner of reeds Some pulse put out leaues presently from the root others again from the top or head only wheat and Barly both the one and the other and what corn soeuer standeth vpon a stalk beareth one leafe in the head or top thereof But the leaues of Barly are rough wheras in other corn they be smooth Contrariwise Beanes Chiches and Pease haue many leaues In spiked corn the leafe resembleth that which groweth to reeds in beans they be round and so likewise in the most kinds of puls how beit in pease and Ervile we see they be somwhat longer The leaues of Fasels or Kidney beanes are ribbed and full of veines of Sesama and Irio they be red and resemble bloud The Lupines only and the Poppies do shed their leaues All pulse is long in the bloom and namely Ervile and the Cich pease but Beans continue longest euen for the space of 40 daies together howbeit euery single stalk beareth not bloom so long but thus it is as one hath done and giuen ouer another beginneth afresh Neither bloumeth the whole field at once as spiked corn doth Also all kinds of Pulse doe cod at sundrie times and not vpon the same day beginning first at the bottome and so likewise the floure riseth vp higher by little and little All corne growing in spike or eare so soone as it hath done blooming waxeth big and strong and commeth to maturitie within forty daies at the farthest so doth Beanes also but the Cich pease receiueth her full perfection in very few daies for from the time that it was first sowed it groweth to be ripe in forty daies Millet Panick Sesame and all Summer corn haue their full ripenesse forty daies after their blooming But herein there is great diuersitie according to the clyme and the soile in which respects corne
better to grind and withal yeeldeth better and is more fruitfull The Red-wheat called Far is polled wheat in Aegypt and carieth no beard or eiles about it So is the white winter Wheat Siligo saue onely that which is named Laconica To these may be adioyned other kinds also to wit * Bromos the poll wheat Siligo differing from all the other of that name and Tragos strangers all brought from the Levant or East parts and resembling Rice euerie one Typhe likewise is of the same kind whereof in Italy and this part of the world is made that husked corne which goeth among vs for Rice for it turneth into it The Greeks haue a kind of wheat called Zea or Spelt it is commonly said that both it and Typhae considering that they vse to degenerate and proue bastard will turne to their kinde again and become wheat if they be husked before a man sow them howbeit this change will not be seen presently nor before the third yeare As touching our common wheat there is no grain more fruitfull than it this gift hath Nature endued it withall because she meant thereby to nourish mankinde most for one Modius thereof sowne if the soile be good and agreeable thereto such as lieth about Biâ—…acium the champian countrey of Africke will yeeld an hundred and fiftie fold againe The procurator generall of that prouince vnder Augustus Caesar sent from thence vnto him one plant thereof a wondrous thing and incredible to be reported which had little vnder 400 straws springing from one grain meeting all in one and the same root as it appeareth vpon records by the letters sent testifying no lesse Likewise to the Emperour Nero he sent 340 strawes out of the same country rising all from one onely corne But to goe no farther than to Sicilie within the territorie about Leontium there haue beene certaine fields knowne wherein one graine putteth forth no fewer than a hundred stalks with ears vpon them and not there onely but also in many other parts of that Island And this is ordinarie throughout all the kingdome of Granade and Andalusia in Spaine But aboue all the land of Aegypt may make boast in rendring such interest to the husbandmen Moreouer of all those kinds of wheat which are so plentiful there is principal account made of that which branches as also of another which men call Centigranum i. the wheat that beareth 100 graines To leaue this kind of graine and to come to Pulse there hath been found in Italie and goe no farther one beane stalke laden with an hundred beanes Touching Summer corne to wit Sesama Millet and Panicke we haue alreadie spoken As for Sesama it commeth from the Indians whereof they make a certaine kind of oile The color of this graine is white Like vnto it there is another grain called Erysinum which is rife in Asia Greece and I would say it were the very same that with vs in Latine is named Irio but that it is more oileous and fatty and indeed to be counted a medicinable or Physicall plant rather than a kind of corne Of the same nature is that which the Greekes call Hormium it resembleth Cumin aed is vsually sowed with Sesama how beit no beast will eat thereof while it is greene no more than they do of Irio a foresaid To come now to the manner of husking and cleansing of corne the feat is not so easily done in all as in some for in Tuscane they take the eares of their red wheat called Far when they be parched and dried at the fire they pound or bray them with a pestill headed at the nether end with yron or els fistulous and hollow within yet bound about with a hoop or ring of yron and the same within forth toothed in manner of a star so as if they be not heed full in the stamping the yron-work at the pestill end will either cut the cornes in two or else bruise and break them clean In Italy for the most part they vse a reed or plain pestill not headed with yron to huske and dresse their corn or els certain wheeles that are turned and driuen apace with water which going very swift doe also grind the said corne But since we are fallen into this treatise concerning husking and grinding of corn it shall not be amisse for to set down the opinion and resolution of Mago in this behalfe First for common wheat he giueth order that it be well steeped and soked in good store of water afterwards to berid from the hulls and eiles that it hath in a mortar which done it ought to be dried in the sunne and followed a second time with a pestil In like maner saith he should barley be vsed how beit two Sextars or quarts of water will be sufficient to besprinckle and wet twentie Sextars of barly As for Lentils he would haue them first parched and dried and then lightly punned or stamped together with brans or els to put vnto twentie Sextars thereof a fragment or peece of a broken semeld brick and half a Modius or peck of sand Eruile would be cleansed or husked as Lentils be but Sesama after it hath bin infused or soked in hot water he saith ought to be laid abroad a sunning then to be rubbed hard together and afterwards to be put into cold water and therewith couered so as the huls or chaffes do flote and swim aloft which done to be laid forth a second time in the sun vpon linnen clothes for to drie Now if all this be not don one thing after another and dispatched with the more speed and hast it wil soone vinew or catch a mouldinesse and besides lose the bright natiue hew and looke wan and of a leaden colour Now say that corn be cleansed and husked some one way and some another it is ground afterwards in diuers sorts If the ears be bolted by themselues alone for goldsmiths worke the chaffe comming thereof is called in Latine Acus but if it be threshed and beaten vpon a paued floor eare straw and altogether as in most parts of the world they vse to doe for to fodder cattell and to giue in prouender to horses then it is tearmed Palâ—…a but the refuse or chaffe remaining after that Panick or Sesama be clensed they call in Latine Appluda how soeuer in other countries it be otherwise named To speake more particularly of Millet there is great store thereof in Campaine and there they set much by it for of it they make a kind of white grewel or pottage also the bread therof is passing sauorie and sweet The Tartarians also nations in Sarmatia feed most of this water gruell made with Millet as also with the crude and raw meale thereof vnsodden and vnbaked tempered with mares milk or els with horse-bloud that runneth out of their master leg-vains by way of incision made for the purpose with the phleame As for the Aethiopians they know no other corne but Millet and
he contained in long and flat according to the forme and figure of the seed which they hold Pease by themselues haue a long round cod in forme of a Cylinder The Pulse called Phasâ—…oli i. Kidney Beans vse to be eaten cod and al together These may be set or sowne in what ground you list from the Ides of October to the Calends of Nouember Finally all kinds of Pulse so soone as they begin to ripen are to be gathered or plucked hastily for stay neuer so little they leape out of their cods and shed and being once fallen they lie hidden in the ground like as the Lupine also CHAP. XIII ¶ Of Rapes or Neuewes of Amiternium Turneps NOw let vs proceed and passe to other matters and yet in this discourse it were meet to write somwhat as touching Rapes or Nauews The Latin writers our countreymen haue slightly passed by and touched them only by the way The Greeks haue treated of them somwhat more diligently and yet among pot-hearbes and worts growing in gardens whereas indeed according to good order they would be spoken of immediatly after Corne or Beanes at least wise considering there is not a plant of more or better vse than is the Rape or Nauew First and formost they grow not only for beasts of the earth and the Foules of the aire but also for men For all kinds of Pullen about a Farme-house in the countrey doe feed vpon the feed thereof as much as of any thing else especially if they be boiled first in water As for four-footed beasts they eat the leaues thereof with great delight and wax fat therewith Last of al men also take as great pleasure and delight in eating the leaues and heads of Rapes or Nauewes in their season as they do of young Coly-flories Cabbages or any tender crops of hearbs whatsoeuer yea when they are faded flaggie and dead in the Barn they are esteemed better than being fresh and green As for Rapes or Nauewes they will keep long and last al Winter both within the ground where they grew and being well wintered they will continue afterwards out of the earth lying abroad euen almost till new come so as they yeeld men great comfort to withstand hunger and famin In Piemont Lombardie those countries beyond the Po the people make the most account of gaine by gathering Rapes next to wine vintage and corne haruest It is not choise and daintie of the ground where it will grow for lightly it wil prosper where nothing els can be sowed In foggy mists hard frosts and other cold weather it thriues passing wel and grows to a wonderfull bignes I haue seene one of their roots weigh aboue fortie pounds As touching the handling and dressing of them for our table there be many waies and deuises to commend and set them out Preserued they may be till new come specially condite with sharp and biting Senuie or Mustard seed Moreouer our Cooks know how to giue them six other colours besides their owne which is pure and naturall they haue the cast to set euen a purple hew vpon them And to say a truth there is no kind of viands besides that being thus painted colored hath the like grace The Greeke writers haue diuided them by the sexe and therby made two principal kinds therof to wit the male and the female Nay more than that out of one and the same seed according as it is sowed they can make male or female whether they please For if they sow thicke and chuse therto a hard and churlish ground it will proue of the male kind Also the smaller that the seed is the better it is esteemed But of al Rapes male or female three especiall sorts there be no more For some roots spread flat and broad others are knit round like a ball the third sort that runs downe into the ground with a long root in manner of a Raddish they cal the wild Rape or Nauew this bears a rough lease and ful of angles or corners the juice that it yeelds is sharp hote and biting which being gathered in haruest time reserued mundisieth the eies and cleareth the sight especially being tempered with brest-milke If the weather be cold they are thought not only to thriue in bignesse of the root but also to prooue the sweeter whereas contrariwise in a warm season they run vp all to stalke and leafe The best simply are those that grow in the Nursine territory For they are sold by the weight and euery pound is worth a Roman Sesterce yea and otherwhiles twaine if there be any scarcity of them Next to these in goodnes be those that come out of Algidum Thus much of Rapes Navews As for the Turneps of Amiternum they be in a manner of the same nature that the Rapes aforesaid cold they loue as well Sown they are before the Calends of March foure quarts of their seed will take vp a whole acre of ground The best Husbandmen and such as are more exquisite in their practise of Agriculture giue order That the ground for Turneps should haue fiue tilthes whereas Rapes or Nauewes are content with foure but both the one and the other had need of a soile well inriched with dung or compost By their sayings also Rapes will prosper the better and come vp thicker if they be sowed in their huls chaffe and all together Moreouer they would haue the seeds-man to be naked when he sowes them and in sowing to protest that this which he doth is for himselfe and his neighbors and withall to pray as he goeth The proper season for the seednesse of them both is between the feasts of the two gods to wit Neptune and Vulcan To conclude there is a subtill and curious obseruation that many go by and do hold namely this To marke how many daies old the Moon was when the first snow sel the winter next before for if a man do sow Rapes or Turneps within the foresaid compasse of that time the moon being so many daies old they will come to be wondrous great and increase exceedingly Men vse to sow them also in the Spring but then they make choise of moist and hot grounds CHAP. XIIII ¶ Of Lupines AFter Rapes and Turneps the Lupines haue greatest vse and serue to be raunged next for that they indifferently serue both men and also all foure footed beasts that be houfed either whole or clouen Now for that the stalke is very shittle in mowing and therefore flyeth from the edge of the syth the onely remedie therefore that the mower may catch it is to goe to worke presently after a good shower And verily there is not a plant growing vpon the earth I meane of such as are sowne of seed more admirable than the Lupine in regard of the great amity and sympathie betweene the earth and it Looke how the Sun keepeth his course in our Horizon aboue so doth it turne and go withall insomuch as the
Husbandmen of the countrey go by no other clocke to know how the day passeth in close and cloudie weather than this obseruation Moreouer it hath three seasons of blowming it loueth the earth well but yet willingly it would not be couered ouer with mould for this is the onely seed that is sowne vpon ground without any ploughing or digging it would grow to chuse in a most grauelly drie and sandy soile and in no case can it abide any tending or husbandry about it so affected is it to the earth that cast it vpon any rough ground among bushes leaues briers and brambles it will chit and spurt neuerthelesse neuer lin til it take root within the earth If Lupines be sowed either in vineyards or vpon corne lands they inrich the same and make the ground better as we haue before written and so little need haue they of dung that they stand in stead of the very best To say a truth there is no graine lesse chargeable to be sowne than it nay there is none costeth nought at all but it for it needeth not so much as to be brought into the field and why it soweth it selfe presently in the same field where it grew and sâ—…edding as it doth of the own accord a man neuer needs to cast and throw it vpon the land as other corne It is first sowne and last gathered and lightly both these seasons fall out in the moneth of September for if the Seed-nes preuent not the winter so as it may haue good root before it commeth it will be in danger of the cold Ouer and besides if it chance to lie bare and vncouered aboue-ground left carelessely without any keeping and that no raine come vpon it presently for to driue it into the ground it is safe enough and catcheth no harme for so bitter it is that no liuing creature will touch it and yet for the most part the husbandmen bestow a light furrow vpon it and so couer it verie shallow If the ground be fast and heauie it loueth that â—…est which standeth vpon a red clay And for the maintaining and inriching of this kind of soile it must be turned vp or eared after the third flouring but in case it be grauelly or sandy it wil serue to do it after the second Chalkie grounds onely and myrie it hateth and therein it wil not grow As bitter as otherwise it is yet if it be steeped and soked in hot water it is mans meat also Moreouer one Modius or pecke of Lupines is sufficient for to satisfie and feed an Oxe or a cow at a time and this kind of prouender will make beasts strong and healthfull Moreouer the meale of Lupines applied to the bellies of yong children that haue the wormes is a singular remedy For the good keeping of Lupines all men agree that they should be laid vp in some chimney or smokie place especially for if they lie in a moist roome there be certain little worms that wil nibble off and eat the tip or nauill that it hath and by that meanes marre it for euer sprouting againe Finally if Lupines be eaten downe by beasts while they be greene in the leafe the ground where they grew must presently be ploughed vp CHAP. XV. ¶ Of Vetches and Eruile VEtches also do manure and fat the ground where they be sowed neither be they chargeable or stand the husbandman in much they be sown with one tilth otherwise there needs no harrowing nor weeding there is required no mucking onely they would be couered with mould and the clods broken for sowing of vetches there be three sundry times first about the setting of the star Arcturus that by the moneth of December it may get a good head for to be eaten with beasts and it is generally holden that being sowne in this season it will bring the best seed for say it be eaten downe then it will carry the burden neuerthelesse the second Seednesse is in Ianuarie the last in March and being then put into the ground it will run vp most to blade and yeeld the best forrage for cattell Of all seeds that are cast into the earth it loueth drought most it can brooke also shadie places well enough The chaffe that commeth of the seed thereof is excellent good and better than any other in case it were ripe when it was gathered It robbeth vines of their nourishment if it be sowed neere those trees wherto vines are wedded in somuch as a man may see euidently how they languish As touching Eruile it asketh no great hand or trauell about it yet thus much more attendance it requireth than Vetches for that it must be weeded and grubbed about the roots Besides this kind of Pulse is of great vse in Physick for Augustus Caesar was cured of a disease that he had and recouered his health by the means of Eruile as himselfe reporteth in some of his letters now extant Moreouer fiue Modij or pecks of Eruile sown is sufficient to maintain and find a yoke of oxen As for that which is sowne in March it is hurtfull forage men say for kine and oxen as also that which is sowne in Autumne maketh beasts heauie and stuffed in the head but that which is put into the ground in the beginning of the Spring is harmlesse CHAP. XVI ¶ Of Foenigreeke of Rie of Dredge of the prouender corne or Bolimong Ocymum of Spanish Trefoile or horned Clauer-grasse called in Latine Medica of the shrub Trifoile named Cytisus FOr the sowing of Silicia or Siliqua otherwise called Foenigreeke there needs no more but to scarrifie or scrape it lightly vp with a furrow not aboue foure fingers breadth deepe for the lesse cost and husbandry that is bestowed about it and the worse that it is vsed the better it prospereth and yeeldeth greater increase a strange thing to be spoken and seldom verified That Negligence should be any waies profitable and yet herein it prooueth true That which is called Secale and Farrago in Latine i. Rie needeth no more adoe but to be harrowed the clods well broken There is a kinde of Secale or Rie which the people called Taurines dwelling vnder the Alpes doe call Asia it is simply worst of all other and good for nothing but onely to driue away hunger plentifull enough this corne is and yeeldeth good increase but the straw is slender blacke it is and of an vnpleasant colour howbeit exceeding weightie and ponderous they vse to mingle the red wheat Far therewith and make thereof a Mascelline to allay the bitternesse thereof and yet for all that the bread which it maketh is most vnsauorie to the mouth and ill for the stomack It wil come vp in any ground whatsoeuer and bring forth a hundred fold ordinarily neither doth it eat the ground out of heart but rather maketh it more battle and serueth in stead of compost or mucke As for that kind of dredge of farrage which commeth of the refuse and light corne purged from
winds hurt all spiked corne as well Wheat as Barly at three seueral times to wit in their floure presently vpon their blooming and last of all when they begin to ripen for then namely when they are vpon the point of maturitie those blasts consume the grain and bring it to nothing which before was full whereas at the two former seasons they hinder it altogether from knitting and growing The hot gleames moreouer of the Sun betweene often clouding do much harme to corne Furthermore there be certaine little wormes breeding in the root that do eat it which happeneth by occasion of much raine falling immediatly after the seednesse especially when some sudden heat and drowth ensueth therupon which bindeth the earth aboue and so encloseth the moisture conceiued within the very cause nourice of putrifaction Ye shall haue other such like vermin engender likewise in the very grain of the corn namely when the ear doth glow within and is chafed with sultry hot rains Ouer and besides there be certain green flies like small Beetles called Cantharides which do gnaw and eat the corne But al these and such like worms or flies die presently when the corn which was their food is gone Moreouer Oile Pitch and Tarre all manner of greace also be contrarie to seed-corne especially and therefore take heed that you sow none such as hath caught oile pitch or grease As for showers of raine good they are for corne so long only as it is in the green blade when corne is blooming be it either wheat or barley or such like raine is hurtfull Mary Pulse takes no harme thereby vnlesse it be the Cich-pease All kinds of wheat and other bread corne when they be toward ripenesse catch hurt by showers but Barley more than any Besides all this there is a certaine white hearbe or weed resembling Panicke growing among corne and ouerspreading whole fields which not onely hindereth corne but also killeth all the cattell that feedeth thereupon For as touching ray or darnel burs thistles and brambles I may hold and reckon them not so much for faults and imperfections of corn as rather the plagues and infections proceeding from the very earth And for blasting which commeth of some distemperature of the aire a mischiefe common as well to corn as vines it is as hurtful as any other malady whatsoeuer This vnhappie blast falleth most often in places subject to mists and dewes and namely hollow vallies and low grounds lying vnder the winde for contrariwise windie quarters and such as are mounted high are not subiect to this inconuenience Also we may number among the faults incident to corne their rankenesse namely when the blade is so ouergrowne and the stalke so charged and loden with a heauie head that the corn standeth not vpright but is lodged lieth along Moreouer when there fals a great glut of rain insomuch as the ground stands with water there befalleth vnto all corn and pulse yea and whatsoeuer is sowne a certaine disease called in Latine Vrica insomuch as the very Cich-pease taketh hurt therby for by reason that the rain washed from them that salt quality which was naturall thereunto it becommeth sweeter than it should be and loseth the kind tast There is a weed that claspeth and tieth about Ciches and Eruiles wherby it choketh and killeth them both and thereupon it is called Orobanctum i. Choke Eruile After the same maner dealeth Ray or Darnel by wheat wild Otes likewise named by some Aegilops with barly as also the weed Securidaca i. Ax-fitch which the Greeks also for the resemblance that it hath to an axe head call Pelicinon with Lentils These weeds I say kill corne by winding about it Another herb there is growing neere to the city Philippi which killeth Beans if the ground be fat and good they name the said weed Ateramnon but if it be found in a hungry and leane soile and namely when being wet some vnhappy wind bloweth vpon it they call it Teramnon As for the graine of Raie or Darnell it is very small and lieth inclosed with a sharpe-pointed husk The bread which hath any of this seed in it soone causeth dizinesse and swimming of the head And by report in Asia and Greece the masters of the common Bains and Stuphes when they would keep away the great resort of multitude thither haue a deuise to cast Darnell seeds vpon burning coles for this perfume will quickly set them farther off Moreouer if the Winter proue to be wet and waterish ye shall haue in the Pulse called Eruile a little vermin ingendred there called Phalangion and it is of the kind of these spiders Likewise vpon Vetches there wil breed naked dew-snails yea otherwhile those little ones with shels or houses on their backs which creeping from the ground wil gnaw eat them that it is a wonder to see what foul work they will make Thus much concerning all the maladies and inconueniences to speak of incident to corne It remaineth now to treat of the remedies As touching the cure of those harms that come by hurtful weeds to the corn in blade it consisteth principally in two things namely either in the vse of the weeding knife or hooke when they be newly come vp or els in strewing ashes when the corn is a sowing But as for those dangers that touch the seed or grain in the eare and cod as also that settle about the root they must be preuented by good forecast euen before it be thrown into the ground It is generaly thought that if seed-corn lie steeped beforehand in Wine it will be better able afterwards to resist all diseases whatsoeuer Virgil giueth order to infuse or soke the Beanes that must be sown in nitre and oile lees or dregs and he assureth vs that they will prosper mightily besides and become exceeding great But others are of opinion that if for 3 daies before they be cast into the earth they lie in vrine shere water mingled together they wil being thus prepared come on apace and thriue passing well It is said moreouer That if Beans be thrice raked and rid from weedes one Modius of them being whole and solid wil yeeld a Modius again after it is husked broken As for other seed-corn it wil escape the danger of the worme if either it lie before among Cypresse leaues bruised or be sowed in and about the change of the Moon namely when she is not to be seen aboue the earth in our hemisphaere Many there be who practise other remedies namely for the Millet they would haue a toad to be caried round about the field before that it be harrowed which done to be put close within an earthen pot and so buried in the middest of the said field and by this meanes for sooth neither Sparrows will lie vpon the corn nor any worm hurt it Mary in any case this same toad must be digged out of the ground againe before the field be mowed
lighter and also more massie and richer ground for our ordinary wheat In a low and wet piece of ground it is good to sow the red wheat Adoreum rather than the common wheat Triticum but both it and barley will sort well with a soile of a middle temperature The hills yeeld a firm fast and strong kind of wheat but the grain is but smal And to conclude the best kinds of wheat to wit Far and Siligo challenge for their lot to bee seated in a chalky soile and therwith alwaies wet and soked in water CHAP. XVIII ¶ Of strange prodigies and wonders obserued in corne the knowledge and skill of earing and tilling the ground also diuers sorts of plough-shares ALbeit I haue in the title of this chapter purposed to write of prodigies seen in corne yet to my knowledge there neuer happened but once the like wonder and portenteous sight to this which I shall tell and which befell in the time that P. Aelius and Cn. Cornelius were Consuls of Rome that very yeare wherein Annibal with his whole armie was defeated and vanquished for then by report there was corne grew vpon trees But forasmuch as I haue discoursed at large of the sundry kinds as well of corn as of ground I will proceed now forward and come to the manner of ploughing the earth after I haue first set downe before all things els how easie the husbandrie is in Egypt for there the riuer Nilus seruing in stead of a good plough man beginneth to swel and ouerflow as we haue before rehearsed at the first new Moone after the Summer Sunstead Hee beginneth faire and softly and so increaseth more and more by little and little but all the while that the Sun passeth vnder the signe Leo he higheth apace vntill he be risen to his ful heigth being entered once into Virgo his fury slaketh then decreaseth he as fast vntill hee be fallen againe into his wonted channell which ordinarily happeneth by the time that the Sun is in Libra Now this is obserued That if he rise not plumb aboue 12 cubits high the people are sure to haue a famine of corn that yere the like also do they make account of in case he passe the gage of sixteen cubits for the higher that he is risen the longer it is again ere he be fully fallen by which time the Seednesse is past and men cannot sow the ground in due season It hath bin generally receiued for a truth That presently vpon the departure of this deluge and ouerflowing of Nilus they were woont to cast their seed-corne vpon the floten ground and presently let in their swine after for to trample it with their feet into the earth whiles it was soft and drenched And verily for mine owne part I beleeue wel they vsed so to do in old time for euen now adaies also much more ado they make not about it Howbeit this is certaine that first they cast their seed vpon the slime and mud so soone as the riuer is downe which commonly falleth out in the very beginning of Nouember which done they go ouer it with the plough and giue it a light tilth so as it may be couered only and lie vnder a small furrow Some few there be that afterwards fall aweeding which point of husbandry they call Botanismos but the most part after they haue once sowed and turned their seed into the ground neuer after make a step into field to see how their corne groweth vntil they go once for all with syth on neck or sickle in hand namely at the end of March for then they fall to reaping and cutting it downe so as by the moneth of May they sing in Egypt Haruest in and all is done for that yeare As touching this corne gathered in Base Egypt the straw is neuer a cubit long the reason is because the seed lieth very ebbe and hath no other nutriment than from the mud and slime aforesaid for vnder it is nothing but sand and grauell But those that inhabit higher vp into the countrey namely about Thebais they be far better prouided for corne because Egypt indeed for the most part lyeth low vpon marais ground Toward Babylon likewise and Seleucia where the riuers Euphrates and Tigris doe swell ouer their banks and water the country the same husbandry is practised but to better effect and greater profit by reason that the people may let in the water at sluces and floud-gates more or lesse with their owne hands according as they list themselues Also in Syria they haue their small ploughs for the nones to take a shallow stitch and make light worke whereas in many places here with vs in Italy eight oxen are little enough to euery plough and to go away withall they must laborat it till they blow and pant again It is an old said Saw and may goe for an Oracle to be practised in all parts of husbandry but in this point of ploughing especially Bee ruled by the nature of euery countrey and see what each ground will abide To come now vnto our ploughes Of Shares there be many sorts first there is that instrument called a culter which serueth to make way before cutting and cleauing the hard and thick ground as it goeth before it be broken vp and turned atoneside this sheweth by the slits and incisions that it maketh as it were by a true line drawn how the furrows shal go after which commeth the broad bit of the ploughshare indeed lying flat-wise and in earing casteth vp all before it and cleareth the furrow A second sort there is commonly vsed in many places and it is no more but a bar of yron pointed sharpe in manner of a beak-head or stem of a ship and it may be called a Rostle And when the ground is not stubborn but gentle to be wrought there is a third kind vsed which is nothing but a piece of yron not reaching all ouer the plough head and shooing it to the full but turning vp like a snout with a small point sharp at the end This neb is somewhat broader in a fourth kinde of shares but as it is broader in blade and trenchant withall so it is sharper also at the end insomuch that both with the point forward the edges of the sides it not only pierces the ground before it poinctant like a sword but also cutteth the roots of weeds which it incountreth a deuise inuented not long since in Rhoetia As for the Gaules they set too besides certain smal roundles or wheels a plough thus shod harnaised they call in their language Planarati the head of their share is broad fashioned like vnto the bit of a spade and thus they sow their grounds for the most part new broken vp and not tilled nor eared before And for that their plough-shares be large and broad so much the easier turn they vp good turfs of earth and make broad furrows Presently after the plough they throw
needs the great harrows and clotting Contrariwise a man may know where there is good worke namely if the turfe be so close couched that there be no seams to be seen where the plough-share went finally it is a profitable point of husbandry and much practised where the ground doth both beare and require it For to draw here and there broad gutters or furrows to drain away the water into ditches and trenches cast for the nones betweene the lands that otherwise would stand within and drowne the corne CHAP. XX. ¶ Of harrowing and breaking clods Of a certaine kind of ploughing vsed in old time Of the second tilth or fallow called Stirring and of cutting AFter the second fallow called Stirring done with crosse and ouerthwart furrow to the first then followeth clodding if need be either with rakes or great harrowes vpon which insueth sowing and when the seed is in the ground harrowing a second time with the smal harrow In some places where the manner of the country doth so require this is performed with a tined or toothed harrow or els with a broad planke fastened vnto the plough taile which doth hide and couer the seed newly sown and in this maner to rake or harrow is called in Latine Lirare from whence came first the word Delirare which is to leaue bare balks vncouered and by a Metaphore and borrowed speech to raue and speake idlely It should seem that Virgil prescribed that the ground should haue foure tilthes in all by these words when he said That the corne was best which had two Summers and two Winters But if the ground be strong and tough as in most parts of Italy there needs a fift tilth before sowing and in Tuscan verily they giue their ground otherwhiles no fewer than nine fallowes before it be brought into tillage As for Beans and Vetches they may be sowed vnder furrow without breaking vp the ground before for this is a ready way gaining time sauing charges sparing labour And here I cannot ouerpasse one inuention more as touching earing and ploughing the ground deuised in Piemont and those parts beyond the Po by occasion of some hard measure and wrong offered to the people and peisants of that country during the wars And thus stood the case The Salassians making rodes into the vale lying vnder the Alpes as they forraied and harried the country all ouer assaied also to ouerrun their fields of Panick and Millet being now come vp and wel growne meaning thereby to destroy it but seeing the nature of that graine to be such as to rise againe and to check this iniury they set ploughs into it and turned all vnder furrow imagining by that means to spoil it for euer But see what insued therupon those fields thus misused in their conceit bare a twofold crop in proportion to other yeres yeelded so plentifull an haruest as that thereby the peisants aforesaid learned the deuise of turning corn in the blade into the ground which I suppose in those days when it new came vp they called Aratrare And this point of husbandry they put in practise when the corne beginnes to gather and shew the stem or straw to wit so soone as it hath put forth two or three leaues and no more Neither will I conceale from you another new deuise practised and inuented first not aboue three yeres past in the territory of Treuiers neer to Ferrara For at what time as their corn fields by reason of an extreme cold winter seemed to be frost-bitten and spoiled they sowed the same again in the month of March raking and scraping the vpper coat of the ground onely without more ado and neuer in their liues had they the like increase when haruest came Now as touching all other tillage and husbandry meet for the ground I will write thereof respectiuely to the seuerall kinds of corne CHAP. XXI ¶ Of the tillage and ordering of the ground THe fine Wheat Siligo the red bearded Wheat Far and the common Wheat Triticum Spelt or Zea generally called Seed and Barly when they be new sown would be wel clotted and couered first harrowed afterwards weeded at the last to the very root al at such seasons as shall be shewed hereafter And to say a truth euery one of these is a sufficient worke for one man to do in a day throughout an acre As for the Sarcling or second harrowing it doth much good to corn for by loosening the ground about it which by the winter cold was hardened clunged and as it were hide bound it is somwhat inlarged and at libertie against the Spring tide and full gladly admitteth and receiueth the benefit of the fresh and new come Sun-shine daies let him take heed who thus sarcles or rakes the ground that he neither vndermine the roots of the corn nor yet race or disquiet loosen them The common wheat Barley the Seed Zea i. Spelt and Beans would do the better if they were thus sarcled and the earth laied loose about them twice the grubbing vp of weeds by the root at what time as the corne is iointed namely when the vnprofitable and hurtful hearbs are plucked forth and rid out of the way much helpeth the root of the corn discharging it from noisom weeds procuring it more nutriment and seuering it apart from the other green sourd of common grasse Of all Pulse the cich pease asketh the same dressing and ordering as the red wheat Far. As for beans they passe not at all for weeding and why they ouergrow all the weeds about and choke them The Lupines require nought els to be done to them but only weeding Millet and Panick must be clotted and once harrowed vntill they be couered they call not for a second raking scraping about them for to loosen the earth and to lay fresh mould vnto them much lesse to be weeded As for Silicia or Siliqua i. Fenigreeke and Fasels i. Kidney-beans they care onely for clodding there an end Moreouer there be certain grounds so fertile that the corn comming vp so thick ranke in the blade ought then to be kembed as it were raked with a kind of harrow set with teeth or spikes of yron and yet for all this they must be grased or eaten down besides neuerthelesse with sheep Now we must remember that after such cattel hath gon ouer it with their teeth the same corne thus eaten downe must of necessity be sarcled and the earth lightly raked and raised vp fresh againe Howbeit in Bactriana Africke and Cyrene there needs no such hand at all for the climate is so good so kinde and beneficiall that none of all this paines is required for after the seed is once sowne they neuer visit it but once for all at nine months end at what time they returne to cut it down and lay it vpon their thrashing floores the reason is because the drought keepeth downe all weeds and the dewes that fall by night
are sufficient to refresh and nourish the corne Virgil is of opinion That fallowes would be made euery yeare and that our corn field should rest betweene whiles and beare but each other yere And surely I doe find this rule of his most true and doubtlesse right profitable in case a man haue land enough for to let his grounds play them and rest euery second yere But how if a man is streighted that way and hath no such reach and circuit lying to his liuing Let him help himselfe this way let him I say sow his good red wheat Far against the next yere vpon that ground from whence he gathered this yeare a crop of Lupines Vetches or Beans or some such grain as doth inrich and muck the ground For this also is principally to be noted that some corne is sowne for no other purpose but by the way as it were to aduance and help others to fructifie howbeit small fruit and increase to speak of ariseth thereby as I haue obserued once for all in the booke immediatly going before because I would not willingly reiterate and inculcate one thing often For herein regard especially ought to be had vnto the nature and property of euery soile CHAP. XXII ¶ Of certaine countries exceeding fertile and fruitfull Of a vine bearing grapes twise in one yeare Of the difference and diuersitie obserued in waters THere is in Africke or Barbary a city called Tacape scituate in the midst of the sands as men go to the Syrts and Leptis the great the territory lying about which city by reason that it is so well watered is maruellous fruitfull and indeed passeth a wonder and is incredible Within this tract there is a fountain which serueth abundantly for three miles well neer euery way the head therof verily is large enough otherwise howbeit the inhabitants about it are serued with water from thence by turns and dispensed it is among them at certain set hours and not otherwise There standeth there a mighty great date-tree hauing vnder it growing an oliue vnder which there is a fig-tree and that ouerspreadeth a Pomegranat tree vnder the shade whereof there is a Vine and vnder the compasse thereof first they sow Frument or eared corne after that Pulse and then worts and herbs for the pot all in one and the same yere Euery one of these rehearsed liue joy and thriue vnder the shade of others Euery foure cubits square of this soile taking the measure of a cubit from the elbow not to the fingers ends stretched out in length but clasped together into the fist is sold for 4 deniers Roman but this one surpasseth all the rest The vines in the said territory beare twice a yeare and yeeld their grapes ripe for a double Vintage So exceeding fruitfull is the soile that vnlesse the ranknesse thereof were abated and taken downe by bearing sundry fruits one vnder and after another so that it were imploied to one thing alone the inhabitants should neuer haue any good thereof for by reason of the ouer-ranknesse each seuerall fruit would perish and come to nought but now by meanes of plying and following it still with seed a man shall gather one fruit or other ripe all the yeare long And for certaine it is knowne that men cannot ouercharge the ground no nor feed the fertilitie of it sufficiently Moreouer all kinds of water are not of like nature nor of equall goodnesse for to drench and refresh the ground In the prouince of Narbon now Languedoc there is a famous wel or fountain named Orge within the very head wherof there grow certaine herbes so much desired and sought for by kine and oxen that to seeke and get a mouthfull of them they will thrust in their whole heads ouer their eares vntill they meet therewith but howsoeuer these herbs seeme to spring grow within the water certain it is that nourished they are not but by rain from aboue And therefore to conclude knit vp all in one word Let euery man be wel acquainted with the nature both of his own land which he hath and also of the water wherewith he is serued CHAP. XXIII ¶ Of the diuers qualities of the soile Also the manner of dunging or manuring grounds IF you meet with a ground of your owne which we called heretofore by the name of Tenera the floure indeed and principall of all others after you haue taken off a crop of Barley you may very wel sow Millet thereupon and when that is inned and laid vp in the barne proceed to Raddish Last of all after they be drawne there may be barly or common wheat sowed in the place like as they do in Campaine for surely such a piece of ground needs no other tillage but often sowing Another order there is besides this in sowing of such soile namely that where there grew the red wheat Adoreum or Far there the ground should rest all the four winter moneths and in the Spring be sowed again with Beans so that it alwaies be imploied and kept occupied vntill Winter without any intermission And say that the ground be not altogether so fat yet it may be ordered so that it be euer bearing by turns in this sort that after the Frumenty or Spike corne be taken off there be pulse sowne three times one after another But in case the ground be ouer poore and lean it must be suffered to rest and take repose two yeares in three Moreouer many husbandmen do hold that it is not good to sow white corne or Frument vpon any land but such as lay fallow and rested the yeare before Howeuer it be the principall thing in this part of Agriculture consisteth in dunging wherof I haue written already in the former book next to this This one point only is resolued vpon by all men that none of our grounds ought to be sowed vnlesse they be manured and mucked before And yet herein must we be directed by certain rules peculiar and proper thereunto as follow Millet Panick Rapes Turneps or Navews ought neuer to be sowed but in a ground that is dunged If there be no compost laid vpon a ground sow vpon it Frument or bread-corne rather than Barley Likewise in grounds that rest and lie fallow euery other yere albeit in all mens opinion they are thought good for to beare Beans yet notwithstanding beans loue better wheresoeuer they come to be sowed in a ground but newly mucked He that mindeth to sow at the fal of the leafe must in the month of September before spread his dung turn it in with the plough and so incorporat it with the soile presently after a shower of rain euen so also if a man purpose to sow in the spring let him in the winter time dispose of his mucke vpon the lands and spread it The ordinary proportion is to lay 18 tumbrels or loads therof vpon euery acre Throwne abroad it must be also before it be dried and ere you sow or els so
man a god 4. g Man compared with other creatures 152. i Man hath no certaine time to abide in the wombe 258. k Mankind more inordinate than other creatures in the act of generation 302. m the Mani-foot fish Ozoena 250. m Manilius wrot of the Phoenix in Arabia dedicated vnto the Sunne 272. b. the age of this bird and manner of dying ibid. hence the young Phoenix is bred 271. c Mandri people women bring forth children at seuen yeares of age 157. a Manlius Capitolinus first that was rewarded with a murall crown 170. k. his deeds and rewards ib. his praise ib. Manna what it is 376. h Manna Thuris 367. e Mantichora what kinde of beast 206 k. resembleth mans language 222. l Maples of many kindes 466. k. the wood commended for fine graine and serueth in curious workemanship 466. l Maquerels 243. e Cn. Martius first deuised to cut out arbors at Rome 359 b Marcellus Esurinus brought plain trees into Italie 358. m Mareolis Lybia bordering vpon Aegypt described 95. d Mares of the nature of Hermophrodites 352. i. seene they were at Rome ibid. a Mare in fole wan the prize in the Olympian race 304. g Mares better than stallions in war seruice in Scythia 222 l Mares conceiue by the wind ibid. Mares how they be brought to admit Asses to couer them 303. e. Mares with fole labour as well as before 303. f. they steale their foling many times 304. g Margarides Dates 387. b Margo a kinde of Limestone 505. d Mario a fish of pleasant tast 243. b Marioram oyle the best 382. g C. Marius commended by Sylla Foelix for building a mannor house in the countrie 554. i Marmosets where bred 106. g Marmotanes their nature 226. m Maiorinae what Oliues 432. g of Marrow 344. l. m Marrow neuer found but in hollow bones 344. l Marrow of the Uine tree and nature thereof 526. i Marrow of the backe descendeth from the braine ibid. Marrow of a mans backe proueth a snake 305. b Marsians endued with a vertue against serpents 154. l Mars his nature and motion 6. g Mars his course least of all others can be obserued 12. m his colour 13. c Mars his motion and light 10. h Marsys hung himselfe in a Plane tree 495. d Marsyans descended from ladie Circes sonne 154. l Martia the name of a ladie which was strucken with lightening being great with child her child killed and shee without harme 25. f Martines enemies to Bees 292. i Martines called Apodes ibid. Martines or Martinets See Swallowes Martius Musician stroue with Apollo 107. b Martius in an Oration of his his head was on a flaming fire 48. h Massaris what it is 379. d Mast trees honoured especially by the Romanes 456. g Mast a great reuenewes in some countries ibid. ground for bread ibid. serued vp to the table for delicates ibid. Mast of different kindes 456. h beech Mast sweetest of all others 458. i beech Mast described ibid. k Mast of sundry trees ibid. l Mast differ sundrie waies 459. a Mast which is best for feeding cattell 459. e. f Mast of a ship of maine bignesse 489. e Mast tree how it groweth 525. f Masticke tree sheweth three reasons of plowing ground 599. b. Masticke the rosin of the Lentiske tree 424. g Masticke gum 369. c. the best ibid. f. issueth of the Lentiske-tree 370. g of the Matrice 344. g. h Mattimacians their presumptuousnesse 15. b Matutine rising or setting of fixed starres 587. d Mauises change thelr colour 285. f Mauritania the description thereof 90. i M E Measure of the sea 149 d Measure of the parts of the world ibid. e Medow grounds how to be chosen and ordered 595. b. when to be mowed ibid. Medaea burnt her husbands concubine by force of Naptha 47. a. Medowes called Prata or Parata 553. f Media the descâ—…ption thereof 122. i Medica described 573. b. how and where to be sowed ib. c. d a singular forage ibid. Medicines not applied in due season be mischiefes 546. g Melampus taught to vnderstand birds language 296. l Melitaei dogs whence so called 71. f Meleandrya 243. d Mellaria a towne 51. d Members of mens bodies of miraculous effects 168. h Memorie lost by sundry occasions 155. Memorie rare examples 167. f. reduced into art 168. g Members genitall of a bonie substance 352. h. in what creatures ib. are medicinable for the disease of the ston ib Memmonides birds 284. k Memphis sometime neere the sea 36. e Men slaine for sacrifice 154 g Men conuersing generally with beasts 154. h. their deformitie and swiftnesse ibid. Men headed like dogs their manners 155. 〈◊〉 Men aboue fiue cubits tall their strong constitution of bodie ibid. Men without noses and mouthes in Aegypt 146. l Men that know not the vse of fire in Aegypt ibid. Men that goe euer naked 177. b Men eight cubits high called Olabij 147. b Men headed like dogs called Cynamolgi ibid. e Men in Aethiopia which liue onely on wild locusts 147. f Men and women greatest footed for their proportion 150. l Men surnamed of trees 499. c Men made to husband the earth 516. g Men weigh heauier than women 165. 〈◊〉 Men haue been slaine and yet not bled ibid. Men canonized wherefore 54. g. their strange shapes 155 f Menoba a riuer 52. i Mentor plucked a spill out of a lions foot 203. b Mercurie so named to expresse his nature 4. g Mercurie his nature and motion 6. k. of some called Apollo ibid. Mercurie his stations 10. i. wherefore his starre differs not from the Sunne aboue three and twentie degrees 12. h Mercurie his colour 13. c Meremaides 236. h. no fabulous things ibid. Meremen or Seamen ibid. i Meroe an Island 36. g Merops a bird 289. b Mese wind 23. a Mesopheron 364. k Messalina the Empresse of vnsatiable lusts 302. i Lu. Messalinus Cotta deuised a dish of meat made of Geese feet and Cockes combes 280. l L. Metellus his rare praises 177. f Metellus Macedonicus highly commended 178. i. his vnhappie fortune ibid. k. l Meteagrides what birds 284. k Motopia what trees 375. d M I Mice and Rats indocible 295. b Mice presage the fall of an house 211. e Mice forced a people to void out of an Island 212. h Mice great theeues 233. a Mice presage shining things to one 232. m. they gnaw yron and steele ibid. Mice engender more in a drought 305. a Mice of Aegipt prickely and goe on their hinder feet 305. a Mice most fruitfull 304. l. they engender by licking ibid. young Mice found with young in the bellie of the old dam. 304. l Mice forced the inhabitants of Troas to abandon the region ibid. m Mice and rats ominous in some cases 233. f field-Mice sleepe all Winter ibid. c against Mice Rats and Dormice to be serued vp to the table an Act made ibid. of the Midriffe 342. h Miel-dewes remedied in corne 576. g Miletus the head citie of Ionia 108. g. the diuerse names
foure deniers Roman The lint or nappie downe which linnen cloth beareth in manner of a soft cotton especially such as commeth of ship sailes that haue lien at sea is of great vse in Physicke The ashes also made thereof be counted a good Succedane of Spodium and for their efficacie may go for it Moreouer there is a kind of Poppies much sought after for blanching and bleaching of linnen clothes for being skoured therewith it is wonderfull how white and pure they will look yet for all the beautie that consisteth in that colour people are grown to this disorder vain enormity that they haue assaied to stain and die their linnen and naperie into other colours as well as their woollen cloth Which practise was first seen in the Armada or fleet of K. Alexander the Great vpon the great riuer Indus at what time as his captaines and Admiralls in a certaine skirmish that they made with the Indians changed the armes and ensignes of their ships wherat the inhabitants being vpon the shore and strond were astonied to see their sailes and streamers painted with diuers colours wauing in the wind Semblably the sailes of that ship were died purple wherein M. Antonius together with Cleopatra came to Actium and in which they fled both from thence and escaped And indeed heretofore a red purple banner erected on the top of the mast was the badge or ensigne of the royall Admirall ship but afterwards they began at Rome to incourtaine their Theatre with such vailes dyed in colours onely for shade an inuention deuised by Q. Catulus at what time as he dedicated the temple of the Capitoll In processe of time Lentulus Spinter by report was the first man that in the solemnity of the games and plaies Appollinate drew fine curtaines ouer the great Amphitheatre at Rome howbeit not long after Caesar Dictator caused the grand Forum or Common place at Rome to be couered all ouer with such rich Courtains yea and the high faire street called Sacra to bee hanged on both sides from his owne dwelling house to the very Capitoll cliffe which magnificent and sumptuous sight was more wondered at and seene with greater admiration than the braue shew and Tourney that he set out at the same time of Sword-plaiers at sharpe and to the vtterance Then followed Marcellus also the son of Octauia sister to the Emperour Augustus who in his own Aedileship and in the tenth Consulship of his vncle Augustus beforesaid vpon the Calends or first day of August that yeare caused the Romane Forum to be drawne all ouer and shadowed with the like courtains although he represented at that time no solemnitie at all of games and plaies and this he did only that they who came to plead at the barre might stand vnder shade more wholesomely Lord what a change was here at Rome since the daies of Cato the Censor who thought it meet and requisit yea and gaue aduise that the said Forum or great Hal of common Pleas should be paued and laid all ouer with caltraps vnder foot To keep our Lawyers and busie pleaders from thence Of late daies there were seene in the Amphitheatres of Emperour Nero trauerses drawne vpon cords and ropes with fine courtains of blew azure colour like the skie and those beset with stars where the very floore of the ground vnder mens feet was coloured red And wherefore serue these in cloister courts and walks now but to keepe the mosse forsooth vpon the ground or rather the fine fret-worke in pauements from sun-burning But for all these paintings and rich dyes yet when all is done the white linnen held the own still was highly esteemed aboue al colors And no doubt in great price such cloth was in the time of the Trojan war and in good faith I see no reason why it should not be as well in bloudy battails as at broken shipwracks howbeit Homer testifies that few there were who went to the wars with linnen habergeons or curets but it should seem that the Poet as the better learned expositors doe terpret meant That ship-tackling sailes cords and ropes were made of this Line speaking as he doth of Sparta whereby he vnderstandeth indeed Sata i. cordage of sowne Line or garden Flaxe CHAP. II. ¶ The nature of Spart or Spanish broome the manner of handling and dressing it when it was first vsed in cordage what Plants there be that liue and grow without root SPart verily was not in vse and request for many hundred yeares after neither was it knowne before the first voiage and expedition that the Carthaginians made in warlike manner into Spaine An herb this is also growing of it selfe without setting or sowing which indeed it cannot abide Full well and properly it might be called the rush of a dry and leane ground and a very defect or imperfection appropriate to that countrey alone of Spaine for to say a truth it is the fault and badnesse of the soile in the highest degree that breedeth it and where it commeth vp nothing else can be sowed and set or will grow at all That in Affricke or Barbary is very small and good for nothing In the territory of new Carthage or Cartagena which is in the higher part of Spaine it groweth much howbeit all that tract is not giuen to breed it but look where it commeth vp you shall see whole mountaines all ouer-spread and couered with it Hereof the rusticall peasants make their mattraces and beds this is their fewel wherewith they keep fires of it they make their torches and links to giue them light with it they are commonmonly shod and the poore sheepheards cloath themselues therewith Howbeit hurtfull is this plant to cattell vnlesse it be the tender tops and crops of the branches which they may brouse and eat without harme For other vses when the Spaniards would plucke it vp they haue much adoe withall and a great toile about it for their legs must be wel booted as it were with griues their hands couered with thick hedging-gloues as gantlets and being thus armed at all points yet they lie tugging at it pulling writhing and wresting the same with hooks and crooks either of bone or wood vntill they haue their will of it Come they about this work in winter time it is in manner vnpossible to get it vp but from the Ides i. the mids of May vnto mid-Iune it is very tractable for this is the time and season when it is ripe and then commonly they gather it for their ordinary vses before named Being once pulled and sorted the good from the bad it is made vp into bundles and faggots with the life still in it and so piled on a heap for the first two daies the third day they vnbind it lay it loose and scattering in the Sun for to be dried which done they make it vp againe into fagots and so bring it in and lay it vp within house After all this they steep it
in sea water for that is best or els in fresh for want of the other After this watering it must be dried in the Sun and then steeped in water a second time but if a man haue vrgent occasion to vse it presently out of hand he must put it in a great tub or bathing vessel let it soke there in hot water a time Now if when it is dried againe it be stiffe and will stand alone they take it for a sure signe that it is sufficiently watered and hath that which it should haue This is a very neere and ready way saueth them much labour Thus being prepared one of these two waies it ought to be brayed and beaten before it will serue the turne and then no cordage in the world is better than that which is made of it nor lasteth so well within the water and the sea especially for it will neuer be done For drie worke I confesse and out of the water the gables ropes wrought of hemp are better but Spart made into cordage will liue receiue nourishment within the water drinking now the full as it were to make amends for that thirst which it had in the natiue place where it first grew Of this nature is Spart besides that if the ropes made thereof be worne and with much occupying out of repaire a little thing will mend and refresh them yea and make them as good as euer they were for how old soeuer it be yet will it be wrought very well again with some new among A wonderfull thing it is to consider and look into the nature of this herb and namely how much it is vsed in all countries what in cables and other ship-tacking what in ropes for Masons and Carpenters and in a thousand necessities of this our life And yet seel the place which furnisheth all this store lying along the coast of new Carthage we shal find to be within the compasse of thirty miles in bredth lesse somewhat in length And verily if it were fetched farther off within the main the cariage would not quit for the cost and expences The Greekes in old time emploied their rishes in drawing of ropes as may appeare by the very word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth with them a rish and a rope But afteâ—…ards they vse their cordage of Date tree leaues the thin barks of the Linden or Tillet tree from whence verily like and probable it is That the Carthaginians borowed both their vse of Spartum and maner also of dressing it Theophrastus writeth That there is a bulbous plant with a root like an Onion-head growing about the banks of riuers between the vtmost rind whereof and that part within which is good to be eaten there is a certain cotton or woolly substance whereof folke vse to make woollen sockes and some such slight peeces of apparell But he neither named the countrey where they be made nor sets downe any other particularities more than this That the said plant they called Eriophoron i. Bearing wooll so far as euer I could find in any copies comming to my hand And albeit Theophrastus was otherwise a diligent and curious writer of plants and searched deep into the nature of simples foure hundred and ninety yeres before my time yet hath he made no mention at all of Spart a thing that I haue obserued and noted in him once already before now Whereby euident it is that the manner of dressing and vsing Spart came vp after his daies And since we are entred into a discourse of the wonders of Nature I will follow on still and continue the same wherein this may be one of the greatest That a thing should liue and grow as a plant without root Looke but to those Mushroomes or Toad-stooles which are called in Latin Tubera out of the ground they grow compassed about on euery side with the earth with out root without any filaments or so much as small strings beards resembling a root wherevpon they should rest the place where they breed doth not swel or bear vp one jot nay it shews no chink or creuasse at all out of which they should issue and to conclude they seem not once to stick and cleaue to the ground whereupon they stand A certaine barke or pill they seem to haue which encloseth them such as to speake plainely we cannot say is earth indeed nor any thing else but a very brawnie skin or callositie of the earth These breed commonly in drie and sandie grounds in rough places full of shrubs and bushes and lightly in none else Oftentimes they exceed the quantity of good big Quinces euen such as weigh a pound Two sorts there be of them Some be full of sand and grit and such plague folkes teeth in the eating others bee clean and their meat is pure without any such thing among They differ also in color for there be of them that are red ye shall haue those also that seem blacke and yet are white within But the best simply are those that come out of Africk or Barbarie To determin resolutely whether they grow still from day to day as other plants or whether this imperfection of the earth for better I know not how to call it commeth at one instant to that full growth that euer it will haue also whether they liue or no I suppose it is a difficult and hard matter surely this is certaine that their putrifaction is much after the manner of wood and they rot both alike Many yeres past there are not since Lartius Licinius sometimes lord Pretor and gouernour vnder the Romans in the prouince of Spain chanced of my knowledge while he was there at Carthage in biting one of these Mushroms to meet with a siluer Roman denier within it that turned the edge againe of some of his fore teeth and set them awry Whereby a man may perceiue manifestly that they be a certaine excresence of the very earth gathering into a round forme as all other things that grow naturally of themselues and come neither by setting nor sowing CHAP. III. ¶ Of the excrescence named Misy and of other such like Puffes and Mushroms Of those flat Fusses and broad Toad-stooles called Pezici Of the plant or hearbe Laserpitium Of Magydaris Of Madder Of Sope-weed or the Fullers hearbe Radicula WIthin the prouince of Cyrenaica in Affricke there is found the like excrescence called Misv passing sweet pleasant as well in regard of the smell as the tast more pulpous also fuller of carnositie than the rest likewise another of that nature in Thracia called Ceraunium As touching al the sorts of Mushroms Toad-stooles Puffes Fusbals or Fusses these particulars following are obserued First it is known for certain that if the autumn be much disposed to rain and withal the aire be troubled and disquieted with many thunders during that season there wil be good store of such Mushromes c.
be not all commendable in one and the same respect For of some the goodnesse lieth only in their bulbous and round root of others contrariwise in their head aloft There be of them that haue no part good but their stem or maister stalk and there are for them againe the leaues wherof be only eaten Now a man shall haue amongst them those that are wholesome meat both leafe and stalke In some the seed or graine in other the outward pil or rind alone of the root is in request And as there be that tast well in the skin or cartilage and gristly substance without-forth so there are that haue either their pulpous carnosity within or else their fleshy coat aboue as daintie All the goodnes of many of them lieth hidden within the earth and of as many again aboue the ground and yet some there be that are al one as good within as without Some traine along and run by the ground growing on end stil as they creep as Gourds and Cucumbers And yet the same as well as they loue to be neere the earth yet are led lpon trailes and hang thereon yea and be knowne for to rampevpon trees How beit much weightier and better nourished be they that keepe beneath As for the Cucumber it is the cartilage substance of the fruit thereof that delighteth and pleaseth our tast for of all fruits this propertie it alone hath that the vtmost rind which it beareth groweth to a very wood when it is once ripe Within the earth lie hidden and are kept all Winter Raddishes Nauews Turneps or Rapes Elecampane also after another sort so doe Skirworts and Parseneps or Wypes Moreouer this I would aduertise the Reader that when I tearme some hearbes Ferulacea I meane such as resemble in stalke Dil or the great Mallowes For some writers doe report That in Arabia there be a kind of Mallowes which after they haue grown six or seuen months come to be in the nature of pretie trees insomuch as their stalks streightwaies serue in stead of walking staues But what should I stand vpon this In Mauritania by report of trauellers neer the frith or arme of the sea adjoining to Lixos the head citie of Fez where somtimes as folke say were the hort-yards and gardens of the Hesperides not aboue halfe a quarter of a mile from the maine ocean hard vnto the chappell of Hercules farre more ancient than that temple of his which is in the Island Calis there groweth a Mallow that is a very tree indeed in height it is twentie foot and in bodie bigger and thicker than any man can fadome In this kind I meane for the raunge the Hempe likewise And as I purpose to tearme such Ferulacea so there bee some others that I will call Carnosa such as resemble the riuer or fresh-water Spunges which commonly are seene vpon ouer-floten medowes where the water standeth For as touching the fungous substance or calliositie of some plants I haue alreadie spoken thereof in the Treatise of Wood and Trees and of their nature Likewise in our late discourse of another sort of Mushroomes and Toad-stooles CHAP. V. ¶ Garden plants their natures kinds and seuerall histories OF the cartilage and pulpous kind such I meane onely wherof there is nothing good but that which is aboue the ground I reckon the Cucumber a fruit that Tiberius the Emperor much loued and affected for he tooke such a wondrous delight and pleasure therein that there was not a day went ouer his head but he had them serued vp to his table The beds and gardens wherein they grew were such as went vpon frames to be remooued euery way with wheeles and in winter during the cold and frosty daies they could draw them backe into certaine high couert buildings exposed to the Sun and there house them vnder roufe Moreouer I find in some ancient Greek writers that their seed ought to lie 2 daies in steepe or infused in honied milke before they be prickt or set into the ground for by that meanes the Cucumbers will be the sweeter and more pleasant The nature of them is to grow in what forme and fashion soeuer that a man would haue them Throughout all Italy green they be of colour and least of any others in the out-prouinces they be as fair and great and those either of a yellow color like wax and citrons or els blacke In Affrick or Barbary men take delight to haue the greatest plenty of them wheras in Moesia they lay for to haue them passing big and huge Now when they exceed in greatnes they be called Pepones is Melons or Pompons Let a man eat them alone they will lie raw and greene in the stomacke a whole day and neuer be digested howbeit with meats they are not vnwholsom and yet for the most part swim they will aloft and ride vpon a mans stomacke A wonderfull thing in their nature they cannot abide oile in any wise but water they loue well insomuch as if they be cut off or fallen from the place where they grew they wind and creep therinto if it be but a little way off contrariwise flie they will as fast from oile if a man set it by them and in case any thing be in their way to let them or that they hang still vpon their plant a man shall perceiue how they wil turn vp and crook to shun auoid it This amitie to the one and enmity to the other may be seene euen in one nights space for if a man set vnder them 4 fingers off where they grow a vessel with water ouer-night he shal see by the morning that they wil come downe to it contrariwise let oile stand the like distance from them shrink they wil from it and hook vpward Marke another experiment in the cucumber If when it hath don flouring you enter the knot of the fruit into a long cane or trunk it will grow vo a wonderfull length But behold a very straunge and new fashion of them in Campaine for there you shall haue abundance of them come vp in forme of a Quince And as I heare say one of them chanced so to grow first at a very venture but after from the seed of it came a whol race and progeny of the like which therupon they cal Melopepones as a man would say the quince pompions or Cucumbers These neuer hang on high but go low by the ground and gather round in form of a globe A strange case it is of this kind for ouer and besides their shape their color and sauor different from the rest they are no sooner ripe but presently they fall from the stele or taile wherto they grew notwithstanding they hang not hollow from the ground where their owne poise might weigh them downe Columella tells of a pretie deuise that he hath of his own how to keep of them fresh all the yere long chuse quoth he the biggest bramble you can meet with among a thousand translate
it into a warm sun-shine bank and there replant it then cut it off leauing not aboue 2 fingers breadth from the root aboue the ground but this must be don about the Spring Aequinox in mid-March then take a Cucumber seed set it within the soft pith of the said bramble bank it will round about with fine fresh mould dung blended together This is the way he assureth vs to make that the roots therof bearing such cucumbers or Melons will abide the greatest cold in Winter and neuer shrink at it of cucumbers the Greeks haue set down 3 kinds to wit the Laconick the Scvtalick the Boeotick Of which as they say the first sort only they be that loue waters so wel some there be who prescribe to take the seed of Cucumber or Melon to temper it in the juice of a certain hearb stamped which they cal Culix then to sow it persuading vs that we shal haue fruit therof without anyseed Of the like nature I meane for their manner of growing be the Gourds Winter and al cold weather they canot endure they loue also places wel watered dunged As wel Gourds as the cucumbers or Melons aboue said are commonly sowed between the Aequinox in March the Sunstead in Iune prouided alwaies that their seedly in a trench within the ground a foot a halfe deepe But in very deed the best and meetest time to sow them is about the feast Parilia howsoeuer there be some would haue the seed of gourds to be put into the ground presently after the Calends or first day of March but of cucumbers about the Nones i. the 7 day thereof or at farthest by the feast or holy-daies of Minerva named Quinquatrus They loue both alike to creep and crawle with their winding top branches or tendrels and gladly they would be clambering vpon walls and climbing vp to the house roofe if they can meet with any rough places to take hold by for naturally they are giuen to mount on high Howbeit their strength is not answerable â—…o their will and desire for stand they canot alone without the help of some props forks or railes to stay them vpright Exceeding forward and swift they be in growth They run on end when they are set on it and if they may be born vp sustained in maner aforesaid they will gently ouershade galleries walking places arbors frames allies vnder them in a garden and that right quickly In regard of which nature and behauior of theirs two principall kindes there be of them the one Camerarium as one would say the frame or trail Gourd and cucumber which climbeth aloft the other Plebeium i. the vulgar and common which creepeth along the ground beneath In the former kind it is worth the noting to see how the fruit heauy as it is hangeth stiffe poised as it were in the wind and will not stir notwithstanding the stele wherto it groweth be wondrous fine and smal Moreouer Gourds also may be fashioned in the head euery way as a man will like as the Cucumbers or Melons before named and specially within wicker cases made of pliable oisiers into which they are put for to grow to take their form so soon as they haue cast their blossom The nature of them I say is to receiue what figure a man will force and put them to but commonly shaped they are in their growth like to a Serpent winding and turnign euery way There haue bin known of them such I meane as were of the traile kind being led vpon a frame from the ground and permitted to run at libertie which grew to an incredible length for one of them hath bin seen 9 foot long As for cucumbers they bloom not all at once but by piece-meale floure after floure now one and then another yea and floure vpon floure one vpon the head of another Howsoeuer the Cucumber loueth waterish grounds yet can he abide drier places also Couered al ouer this plant and fruit is with a white down euen at the first but especially all the while he is in his growth Gourds are imploied sundry waies and to many more vses than Cucumbers For first their yong and tender stalks be very good meat and being dressed are serued vp as a dish to the table but the rind is of a cleane contrary nature Gourds of late time came to be vsed in stouves and baines for pots and pitchers but long before that they stood in stead of rundlets or small barrels to keep wine in The green of this kind hath a tender rind which must be scraped notwithstanding before a dish of meat can be made thereof And certes albeit Gourds be of digestion hard and such as will not throughly be concocted in a mans stomacke yet they are taken 〈◊〉 be a light mild and wholsom meat as they be handled and dressed diuers waies for that they 〈◊〉 not a mans belly to swel as some meats doe Of those seeds which be found within the gourd next â—…o the neck therof if they be set come the long gourds commonly such lightly you shall haue ingendred of those also that are in the bottom howbeit nothing comparable to the other Those that lie in the midst bring forth round ones but from the seeds that are taken out of the sides ordinarily there grow the shorter sort of Gourds such as be thicke and broad These grains or seeds would be handled in this manner First they are dried in the shadow and afterwards when a man list to sow them they ought to be steeped in water The longer slenderer that a Gourd is the better meat it yeelds and more pleasant to be eaten and therefore it is that they be thought more wholesome which grew hanging vpon trailes such indeed haue least store of seed within them Howbeit wax they once hard away with them out of the kitchen for then they haue lost all their grace and goodnes which commended them to the cooks dresser Such as are to be kept for seed the manner is not to cut vp before winter and then are they to hang or stand a drying in the smoake as proper stuffe and implements to be seen in a country house to keep as good chaffer seeds for the gardner against the time Moreouer there is a means deuised how to preserue them and cucumbers too for meat sound and good almost til new come that is by laying both the one and the other in a kind of brine or pickle Some say also that they may be kept fresh and greene interred in a caue or ditch vnder the ground in some darke and shady place with a good course or bed of sand laid vnder them and well couered afterward with dry hay and earth vpon the same in the end Ouer besides as in all plants and herbs in maner of the garden there be both wild and tame so is there of Gourds and Cucumbers both a certain sauage kinde
defended against the frost and cold weather also during the spring insuing to be opened at the root sarcled and well weeded In the third yeare by his rule they ought to be burned in the spring time and the sooner that the ground is thus burned the better wil they come vp again and in greater plenty which is the cause that they like and prosper best in plots set with Canes and Reeds for such desire to be burnt betimes in the yere Moreouer he giueth another precept that they must not be sarcled nor haue the earth opened laid hollow about them before their buds or tops be aboue ground to be seen for feare least in the sarcling the roots take harm thereby either by rasing or shaking them vntill they be loose From which time forward if a man would gather any of the said buds or yong springs for salad or other vse they ought to be plucked and slipped from the root for otherwise if they be broken and knapt off in the mids the root wil presently put forth many vnprofitable sprouts which wil suck away all the heart and kill it in the end Sliue and pluck it you may in manner aforesaid vntil it spindle and run to seed which commonly beginneth to be ripe in the Spring then it must be set on fire as is before said and then once again so soon as new buds and tendrons appeare aboue ground from the root they must be sarcled bared and dunged afresh Now after it hath grown in this manner nine yeres so as by this time it is waxen old the roots must be taken vp and then replanted again in a piece of ground well digged and as throughly dunged Then I say ought the smal roots called Spongiae in Latine to be set again a foot distant one from another Furthermore Cato ordaineth expressely by name That sheeps dung should be vsed for that purpose because any other would breed store of weeds And verily there was neuer knowne any other thing practised or assaied afterwards to more gain and benefit about this Garden-herb vnlesse it were this That about the Ides or mids of February some haue let the seeds of Sperage lie well soked in dung and then sowed the same by heaps in little trenches or holes made for the purpose after which when the roots are wouen and knit one within another into a knot the spurns shooting from them they plant after the Aequinox in Autumne following a foot asunder by which means they wil continue bearing plenteously for ten yeres together For to breed and maintaine these garden Sperages there is no better soile than the gardens of Rauenna from whence we haue the fairest of all other As for the herb named in Latine Corruda I haue written heretofore of it and I vnderstand thereby the wild Sperage which the Greekes call Orminum and Myacanthon howbeit there be who giue it other names Finally I reade of certaine Sperages which will engender and grow of Rams hornes beaten or stamped and then put into the ground A man would thinke that I had discoursed already of all such Garden herbes as were of any price and regard but that there remaineth one thing yet behind whereof the greatest gaine of all other is raised and yet me thinks I cannot write thereof but be abashed to range it amongst the good herbs of the garden and that forsooth is our Thistle howbeit this is certaine to the shame be it spoken of our wanton and wasting gluttons that the Thistles about Carthage the great Corduba especially cost vs ordinarily six thousand thousand Sesterces to speak within compasse See how vaine and prodigal we be to bring into our kitchin and serue vp at our table the monstruosities of other nations and cannot forbeare so much as these Thistles which the very asses and other fourfooted beasts haue wit enough to auoid refuse for pricking their lips and muzzles Well since they be grown into so great request I must not ouer-passe the gardinage to them belonging and namely how they be ordered two maner of waies to wit replanted of yong sets or roots in Autumn and sowed of seed before the nones of March. As for the plants beforesaid they ought to be slipped from it and set before the Ides or mids of Nouember in any hand orels if the ground be cold we must stay vntil February and then be doing with them about the rising of the Western wind Fauonius Manured ywis it ought to be dunged I would not els so faire and goodly an herbe it is and so forsooth and it please you they prosper the better and come on trimly They are condite also and preserued in vineger or else all were mard in delicate liâ—…e honey seasoned also and bespiced I may say to you with the costly root of the plant Laser-woort yea and with Cumin because wee would not be a day without Thistles but haue them as an ordinary dish all the yeare long As for the rest of Garden-herbs behind they need no long discourse but a light running ouer them may serue well enough First and foremost men say That the best sowing of Basil is at the feast Palilia but some are of mind that Autumne is as good and they that would haue it done in winter giue order to infuse and soke the seed first in vineger Rocket also and garden Cresses are not dainty to grow but be it winter or Summer they will soon come vp prosper at al times But Rocket of the twain stands more at defiance with winter and scorns al his frowning looks and cold weather as being of a contrary nature to Lecture for it stirreth vp fleshly lust and therfore commonly it is ioined with Lecture in sallads both are eaten together that the exceeding heat of the one mixt with the extreme coldnes of the other might make a good mariage and temperature Cresses tooke the name in Latine Nasturtium a narium tormento as a man would say Nose-wring because it will make one writh and shrink vp his nosthrils which is the reason that the word is grown into a prouerb when we would signifie a thing which will put life into one that is dull and vnlusty In Arabia the Cresses by report proue to a wonderful bignesse Rue also is sowed vsually in February when the Western wind Fauonius bloweth and soon after the Aequinox in Autumne It cannot away with winter for it brooketh not cold or rain nor moist ground neither will it abide muck it liketh well to grow in dry places and such as lie faire vpon the Sun-shine but a clay ground which is good for bricke and tile that is alone for it and best of all other it delighteth in ashes and therewith is it fed and nourished insomuch as they vse to blend ashes the seed together for to keep away the canker worm and such like Certes we find that in old time Rue was in some great account and especiall
it came vp without sowing euen in the very woods and carried a more duskish green leafe and the same rougher It is said that if men eat the seed it wil extinguish vtterly their own seed The juice of green Hemp-seed being dropped into the eares driueth out any wormes or vermin there ingendred yea and what ear-wigs or such like creatures that are gotten into them but it will cause head-ach withall So forcible is this plant that by report if it be put into water it will make it to gather and coagulat Which is the reason that if horses haue the gurry they shall find help by drinking the said water The root if it be boiled in water doth mollifie and softenioints that be shrunk vp it assuageth the pains likewise of the Gout and such like wicked humors that fall down vpon any part Being yet green and reduced into a liniment and so applied it is good for burnes or scaldings but it must be often remoued and changed before it be drie As for Ferula or Fennel geant it carrieth a seed like to Dill. That kind which riseth vp in one stem and then diuideth it self and brancheth forth in the head is supposed to be the female The stalks are good to be eaten boyled and the right sauce wherein they be serued vp to giue them a more commendable tast is new wine and hony tempered accordingly and so prepared they be good for the stomack Howbeit if one eat ouer-liberally of them they cause head-ach Take the weight of one denier Roman of the root beat it to pouder and drinke it in two cyaths of wine you shall find it a soueraigne medicine against the stinging of serpents but you must not forget mean while to apply the root it self stamped into a cataplasme vnto the hurt place After this manner it helpeth the wringing torments of the guts Make a liniment or vnguent thereof and vineger together annoint the body therewith it restraineth the immoderate sweats that burst out although the Patient be sick of a feuer The juice of Ferula if it be eaten to the quantity of a Beane doth loosen the belly The small tendrils or branches of greene Ferula is good for all the infirmities abouenamed Take ten grains of Ferula seed in pouder with wine or so much of the pith within the stalk it stancheth bloud Some hold it good to giue a spoonful thereof euery fourth sixth and seuenth day after the change of the Moon to preuent the fits of the falling sicknes The nature of all these Fennel-geants is most aduerse to Lampreies for if they be touched neuer so little therewith they will die vpon it Castor was of opinion That the juice is excellent good to cleare the eye-sight And forasmuch as I haue spoken somewhat of Thistles and Artichoux how they should be ordered in my treatise of other garden plants I will put off no longer to discourse also of their properties and vertues in Physick Of the wild Thistles there be two kinds the one more ful of branches shooting out immediatly from the root the other riseth vp in one intire stem and the same is thicker withall Both of them haue but few leaues and those beset with prickles they beare heads pointed with sharp pricks round about in manner of caltrops Howbeit there is one kind which is the Artichoke which putteth forth a purple floure amidst those sharpe pointed prickes which very quickly turns into an hoarie downe readie to flie away with euery puffe of wind and this thistle the Greeks cal Scolymos The juice of the Artichoke stamped pressed out before it bloome bringeth haire again thicke if the naked place be annointed therewith The root either of Thistle or Artichoke sodden in water and so eaten is as good as a shooing-horne to draw on pot after pot for these great bibbers that desire nothing more than to be thirsty and to make quarrell to the cup. It strengtheneth the stomacke and if we may beleeue it is so appropriate vnto the matrice of women that it disposeth and prepareth it to conceiue men children In good faith Chaereas the Athenian and Glaucias especially who seemeth to be most curious in describing the nature and properties of these Thistles or Artichokes giue out no lesse To conclude if one chew them in his mouth hee shall finde that they will cause a sweet breath CHAP. XXIV ¶ The composition of a Treacle which was the ordinarie and familiar medicine of King Antiochus BVt before that we go out of the garden and leaue the herbes there growing I think it good to set down one confection made of them thought to be a most excellent and soueraigne antidote or preseruatiue against the poison of all venomous beasts whatsoeuer and which for the excellency thereof was ingrauen in stone vpon the forefront of the temple dedicated to Aesculapius in this maner following Take of wild running Thyme the weight of two deniers of Opopanax and Meu of each the like quantitie the seed of Dil Fennel Ameos and Parsly of each the weight of six deniers of Ervil floure twelue deniers or drams Let these be beaten into pouder and finely searced and when they be incorporat in the best wine that may be had they ought to be reduced into the form of Trosches euery one weighing a victoriat or half denier When occasion is to vse this composition dissolue one of these Trosches in three cyaths of wine and drinke it This is that famous Treacle or countrepoyson which great Antiochus the King was wont by report to take against all venoms or poysons whatsoeuer THE TVVENTY FIRST BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF NATVRE WRITTEN BY C. PLINIVS SECVNDVS The nature of Floures and namely those of Chaplets and Guirlands CHAP. I. ¶ The wonderfull varietie of Floures CAto in his Treatise of Gardens ordained as a necessary point That they should be planted and inriched with such herbs as might bring forth floures for Coronets and Garlands And in very truth their diuersitie is such that vnpossible it is to decipher and expresse them accordingly Whereby wee may see that more easie it was for dame Nature to depaint adorn the earth with sundrie pictures to beautifie the fields I say with all maner of colours by her handy-worke especially where she hath met with a ground to her minde and when she is in a merrie humour and disposed to play and disport her selfe than for any man in the world to vtter the same by word of mouth Wherin certes her admirable prouidence she hath shewed principally in this That whereas she hath giuen vnto those fruits of the earth which serue for necessities the sustentation of man long life and a kind of perpetuitie euen to last yeares and hundreds of yeres these floures of pleasure and delight good only to content the eye or please the sence of smelling she would haue to liue and die in one day A great document and lesson for vs men in generall to
them cups of diuers forms and fashions out of which they take no small pleasure to drink And now adaies this herb is planted here in Italy Next to Colocasia the Aegyptians make most account of that Cichory which I named before the wild and wandring Endiue which herb commeth vp in that country after the rising of the Brood hen star it floureth not all at once but bloweth by branches one after another a supple and pliable root it hath and therefore the Aegyptians vse it in stead of cords to binde withall As for Anthalium it groweth not in Nilus but not far from the riuer it beareth a fruit in bignesse and roundnesse resembling a Medlar hauing neither kernell within nor husk without and the leafe of this plant is like to Cyperus or English Galangale This herbe they vse to eat being first dressed and prepared in the kitchin They feed likewise vpon Oetum a plant that hath few leaues and chose very small howbeit a great root Touching Aracidna and Aracos they haue many roots verily branching and spreading from them but neither leafe nor herbage ne yet any thing els appearing aboue ground And thus much of the chiefest and greatest herbs of Egypt serued vp to the table the rest are common or vulgar and euery mans meat by name Condrylla Hypochoeris Caucalis Authriscum Scandix called by some Tragopogon which beareth leaues like to Saffron Parthenium Strychnum Corchorus and A pace which sheweth his head about the Aequinox also Acinos and that which they name Epipetron and it neuer beareth floure whereas Aphace contrariwise neuer giueth ouer flouring but when one floure is faded and shed another commeth vp and this course it holdeth all Winter long throughout the Spring also euen to the heat of Summer Many other hearbs they haue of base reckoning but aboue all they make greatest account of Cnicus an herbe not knowne in Italy not for any good meat they find in it but for the oyle drawne out of the seed thereof Of this herb there be two principall kinds to wit the Wild and the Tame the Wild is subdiuided into two speciall sorts the one of a more mild and gentle nature than the other although the stalks of both be alike that is to say stiffe and streight vpright and therefore women in old time vsed the stems thereof for rocks and distaffes whereupon some do call the herb Atractylis the seed is white big and bitter The second is more rough and hairy creeping long on the ground with stalks more musculous and fleshy and carrieth a small seed The herb may be ranged among those that be prickly for so must herbs be diuided into such general heads namely that some be full of pricks others cleane without and smooth As for those which stand vpon pricks they be subdiuided into many members and branches And to begin with a kind of Sperage called also Scorpio it hath no leafe at all but instead therof pricks and nothing els some there be leafed indeed but those are beset with prickes as the Thistle Sea-holly Liquorice and Nettle for the leaues of all these herbs be pricky stinging withall Others besides their leaues haue prickles also as the bramble Rest harrow or whin Some be provided of pricks both in lease and stalk as Phleos which others haue called Stoebe As for Hippophacet it hath a prick or thorne in euery joint but the bramble Tribulus aforesaid hath this property by it selfe That the fruit also which it beareth is set with pricks Of all these sorts the Nettle is best knowne which carrieth certain goblets and concauities and the same yeelding a purple kind of downe in the floure and it riseth vp sometimes aboue two cubits high Many kinds there be of these Nettles namely the wild Nettle which some would haue to be the female and this is more milde than the rest In this wilde kinde is to be reckoned also that which they cal Cania and is of the twain more aegre for the very stalke will sting and the leaues be purfled as it were and jagged But that Nettle which carrieth a stinking sauor with it called is Herculanea All the sort of them are full of seed and the same blacke A strange quality in these Nettles that the very hairy downe of them hauing no euident prickes sticking out should be so shrewd as it is that if one touch it neuer so little presently there followeth a smarting kind of itch and anon the skin riseth vp in pimples and blisters as if it had been skalt or burnt but well knowne is the remedie of this smart namely to annoint the place with oyle Howbeit this biting property that it hath commeth not to it at the beginning when it is new comevp but it is the heat of the Sun that fortifieth this mordacitie And verily in the Spring when the Nettle is young and peepeth first out of the ground they vse to eat the crops therof for a pleasant kind of meat and many be persuaded besides that it is medicinable therefore precisely religiously feed thereupon as a preservatiue to put by all diseases for that present yeare Also the root of the wild Nettle if it be sodden with any flesh maketh it to eat more tender The dead nettle which stingeth not at all is called Lamium As touching the herb Scorpio I will write in the treatise of herbs medicinable CHAP. XVI ¶ Of Carduus and Ixine of Tribulus and Anchusa THe common Thistle is ful of pricky hairs both in leafe stalk likewise Acorna Leucacanthos Chalceos Cnicos Polyacanthos Onopyxos Ixine Scolymos As touching the Thistle Chamaeleon it hath no pricks in the leafe Moreouer these pricky hearbes are distinguished different one from another in this that some of them be furnished with many stems and spred into diuers branches as the Thistle others againe rise vp with one maine stalk and branch not as Cnecos Also there be of them that be prickly only in the head as the Eryngium or Sea-holly Some floure in Summer as Tetralix and Ixine As for Scolymus late it is also ere it blow but it continueth long in the floure Acorna differeth from it onely in the red colour and fattier juice that commeth from it Atractylis also might go for Scolymus but that it is whiter and yeeldeth a liquor like bloud wherupon there be some who cal it Phonos i. Murderer this quality it hath besides that it senteth strong the seed also ripeneth late not before Autumne and yet this is a property common to all plants of this pricky and thistly kind But all these herbs wil come of seed and root both As for Scolymus it differeth from the rest of these Thistles herein that the root if it be sodden is good to be eaten besides it hath a strange nature for all the sort of them during the Summer throughout neuer rest and giue ouer but either
the blacke oliue is not so friendly to the stomacke better for the belly but offensiue both to the head and the eies Both the one and the other as well the white as the black being punned and applied to burned or skalded places do cure them but the black haue this propertie That if they be chewed and presently as they be taken out of the mouth laid to the burne or scald they will keep the place from blistering Oliues in pickle are good to clense foule and filthie vlcers but hurtful to those who pisse with difficultie As touching the mother or lees of oliue I might be thought to haue written sufficiently following the steps of Cato who deliuered no more in writing but I must set down also the medicinable vertues obserued therein First and foremost therefore it helpeth the sorenesse of the gumbs cureth the cankers vlcers of the mouth and of all other medicins it is most effectuall to fasten the teeth in the head If it be dropped or poured vpon S. Anthonies fire and such other corrosiue and fretting vlcers it is of singular operation to heale them but for kibed heeles the grounds or dregs of the black oile-oliue is the better as also therewith to foment smal children As for that of the white oliues women vse to apply it with wooll to their secret parts for some accidents thereto belonging Be it the one or the other generally it is more effectuall sodden than otherwise Boiling it ought to be in a copper or brasse vessell vntill it come to the consistence of honey Vsed it is with vineger old wine or with must according as the cause requireth in curing the infirmities of the mouth teeth and eares in healing running skalls and finally in the cure of the genetoirs or priuie members of the fissures or chaps in any part of the body In wounds it is vsed with linnen cloth or lint but in dislocations it is applied with wooll And verily in these cases and in this practise it is much emploied especially if the medicine be old and long kept for being such it healeth fistulous sores And being injected by a syring into the vlcers of the fundament genetoirs or otherwise by a metrenchyte into the secret sores within the naturall parts of women it cureth them all Also a liniment thereof is singular for to be applied to the gout of the feet also in the rest whether they be in the hands knees hucklebone or any other joint so they be not setled or inueterat but taken at the first But in case it be sodden againe in the oile of green oliues vntill it come to the consistence of honey and so applied it causeth those teeth to fall out of the head without paine which a man would willingly be rid of It is wonderfull to see how it healeth the farcines and manges of horses being vsed with the decoction of Lupines and the herbe Chamaeleon To conclude there is no better thing than to foment the gout with these lees of oile raw CHAP. IIII. ¶ Of the wild Oliue leaues The oile of the floures of the wild vine Ocnanthe Of the oile Cicinumâ—… of Palma Christi The oile of Almonds of Bayes of Myrtles of Ruscus or Chamaemyrsine of Cypresse of Citrons and of Nuts THe leaues of the wild oliue haue the same nature that the leaues of the tame As for Antispodium or the ashes made of the tender branches of the wild oliue it is of greater force and operation in staying and repressing of rheume catarrhes and fluxes than that abouenamed in the former chapter Ouer and besides it assuageth the inflammations of the eies it mundifieth vlcers it doth incarnat and fill vp the void places where the flesh is gone it gently eateth away and without mordication the excrescence of ranke and proud flesh drieth the sores healeth and skinneth them vp In other cases this oliue is vsed as the other oliues yet one peculiar propertie hath the wild oliue That a spoonefull of the decoction of their leaues with hony is giuen with good successe to them that spit and reach vp bloud Howbeit the oile made hereof is more aegre and sharpe yea and mightier in operation than that of the other Oliues and a collution thereof to wash the mouth withall setleth the teeth that be loose The leaues of the wild oliue reduced into a cataplasm with wine and so applied do cure whitflawes about the root of the nails carbuncles and generally al such apostemations with hony the said cataplasme serueth well to clense and mundifie where need is The decoction of the leaues yea and the juice of the wild oliue is put into many compositions and medicines appropriat to the eies To good purpose also the same is dropped into the ears with hony yea although they ran filthy atter A liniment made with the floures of the wilde Oliue is singular for the swelling piles and the chilblanes that be angry in the night and the same applied with barley meale to the belly or with oile to the head for the ache thereof occasioned by some rheume is known to do very much good The young tendrils or springs of the wild oliue being boiled and laid to with hony do re-ioyn and re-vnite the skin of the head which was departed from the bones of the skull The same tendrils pulled ripe from the wild oliue and eaten with meat do knit the belly and stay lasks but torrified and so beaten to pouder and incorporat with honey they do mundifie the corrosiue and eating vlcers they breake also carbuncles As touching oile of oliues the natute and manner of making it I haue already treated of at large But forasmuch as there are many kindes thereof I purpose do set dogn in this place such as serue for physick only And first to begin with the oile made of vnripe oliues called in Latin Omphacinum and which commeth neere to a green colour it is thought of all others most medicinable moreouer the same is best when it is fresh and new vnlesse it be in some case when it were requisit to haue the oldest that may be found thin and subtil odoriferous and nothing at all biting which be qualities al of them contrarie to that oile which we vse with our meats This greene or vnripe oile I say is good for the sores of the gumbes and if it be held in the mouth there is no one thing preserueth the whitenesse of the teeth better it represseth also immoderat and diaphoretical sweats The oile Oenanthemum made of the floures of the wild vine Oenanthe hath the same operations that oile rosat hath But note by the way that any oile howsoeuer it doth mollifie the body yet it bringeth vigor and addeth strength thereto Contrary it is to the stomacke it encreaseth filthinesse in vlcers doth exasperat the throat and dul the strength of all poisons especially of ceruse or white lead and plastre namely if it be drunk with honied water
rind thereof incorporat with wax and rosin healeth all maner of scales within â—…o daies The same boiled and applied accordingly cureth the accidents befalling to the cods and genetoirs The very perfume thereof coloreth the haire of the head black and the suffumigation fetcheth downe the dead infant out of the mothers belly It is giuen inwardly in drinke for the infirmitie of the kidnies bladder precordial parts how beit an enemy it is vnto the head and sinews A decoction or bathe thereof if a woman sit in it staieth the immoderat fluxe both of Matrice and belly Likewise the ashes taken in white wine are singular for the pains and torments of the collick as also a collution therewith is as effectuall to cure the fal of the Vvula and other defects incident to that part CHAP. VI. ¶ The medicin able vertues considered in the floures leaues fruit boughes branches bark wood iuice root and ashes of many trees of seuerall kinds IT remaineth now to decipher the manifold medicines which apples such like fruits tender skinned do affoord according to the variety of trees which bring them forth Of which thus much in generall is to be noted That all fruits which ripen in the Spring while they be soure and harsh be enemies to the stomack they trouble the belly disquiet the guts and bladder and withall be offen siue to the sinews but if they be ful ripe or sodden they are the better But to grow vnto particulars Quinces if they be boiled baked or rosted are sweeter and more pleasant to the tast than raw Yet being throughly ripe vpon the tree although they be eaten raw they are good for those that spit and reach bloud and are diseased with the bloudy flix such also as vpon the violent motion of vnbridled cholerick humors void vpward and downward as also for them who be subiect to continual loosnesse of the belly occasioned by the feeblenes of the stomack Being once boiled or baked they are not of the same operation for they lose therby that astringent vertue which their iuice had In hot and sharp feuers they serue for to be applied to the brest And yet if they be sodden in rain water they will do well in those cases aboue recited but for the pain of the stomack it matters not whether they be raw sodden or baked so they be reduced into the form of a cerot laid too Their down or mossinesse which they beare if it be boiled in wine and reduced into a liniment with wax healeth carbuncles And the same maketh the haire to grow again in bald places occasioned by some disease Raw Quinces condited and preserued in hony do stir the belly moue to siege They impart vnto the hony a pleasant tast whereby it is more familiar and agreeable to the stomack But such as being parboiled before are then kept and confited in honey be thought good for the stomacke in the opinion of some who ordaine and prescribe to stamp them first and then to take them in manner of a meat or consâ—…ue beeing incorporaâ—… with Rose leaues boyled for the infirmities of the Stomacke The juice of raw Quinces is a soueraigne remedy for the swoln spleen the dropsie and difficulty of taking breath when the patient cannot draw his wind but vpright The same is good for the accidents of the breasts or paps for the piles and swelling veines The floure or blossom of the Quince as well green and fresh gathered as drie is held to be good for the inflammation of the eies the reaching and spitting of bloud and the immoderat flux of womens monthly terms There is a mild juice drawn also from these floures stamped with sweet wine which is singular for the flux proceeding from the stomack and for the infirmities of the liuer Moreouer the decoction of them is excellent to soment either the matrice when it beareth down out of the body or the gut Longaon in case it hang forth Of Quinces also there is made a soueraigne oile which is commonly called Melinum but such Quinces must not grow in any moist tract but come from a sound and dry ground which is the reason that the best Quinces for this purpose be those that are brought out of Sicily The smaller Pear Quinces called Struthia are not so good although they be of the race of Pome Quinces The root of the Quince tree tied fast vnto the Scrophules or Kings-euill cureth the said disease but this ceremony must be first obserued That in the taking vp of the said root there be a circle made round about it vpon the earth with the left hand and the party who gathereth it is to say What root he is about to gather and to name the Patient for whom he gathereth it and then as I said it doth the deed surely The Pome-Paradise or hony Apples called Melimela and other fruits of like sweetnesse do open the stomacke and loosen the belly they set the body in a heat and cause thirstinesse but offensiue they be not to the sinews The round Apples bind the belly stay vomits and prouoke vrine Wildings or Crabs are like in operation to the fruits that be eaten soure in the Spring and they procure costiuenesse And verily for this purpose serue all fruits that be vnripe As touching Citrons either their substance or their graines and seed within taken in wine are a counterpoison A collution made either with the water of their decoction or their juice pressed from them is singular to wash the mouth for a sweet breath Physitians giue counsell to women with child for to eat the seed of Citrons namely when their stomackes stand to coles chalk and such like stuffe but for the infirmity of the stomack they prescribe to take Citrons in substance howbeit hardly are they to be chewed but with vineger As for Pomgranats needlesse altogether it were now to iterate and rehearse the nine kinds thereof Sweet Pomgranats all the sort of them which by another name we called Apyrena are counted hurtfull to the stomack they ingender ventosities and be offensiue to the teeth and gums But such as in pleasant tast are next vnto them which we called Vinosa hauing smal kernels within are taken and found by experience to be somwhat more wholsom they do stay the belly comfort and fortifie the stomack so they be eaten moderatly and neuer to satisfie the appetite to the full yet some there be who forbid sick persons once to tast of these last named yea and in no hand wil allow any Pomgranats at all to be eaten in a feuer forasmuch as neither their juice and liquor nor the carnous pulp of their grains is good for the patient In like maner they giue a charge and caueat not to vse them in vomits nor in the rising of choler Certes Nature hath shewed her admirable worke in this fruit for at the very first opening of the rind she presently maketh shew of
root resembling the leaues of Branc-vrsin there riseth vp a stem between them both in the mids carrying an incarnat floure in the head like a rose Pompeius Lenaeus who by the commandement of Pompey the Great translated into Latine the Physick notes and receits of K. Mithridates saith moreouer that the said prince found out another herb named Scordotis or Scordium and that among other his writings hee met with the description of the said herb set down vnder the kings own hand in this manner namely That it grew a cubit high with a main stem four-square and the same full of branches garnished with downy or furred leaues indented and cut like to those of the oke This herb is found ordinarily growing within the region of Pontus in battle and moist champian grounds and in taste is very bitter There is another kind of Scordium with larger and broader leaues and like it is vnto wild Minth or Calamint both the one the other be of great vse in Physicke either by themselues alone or els put into opiats and antidots among other ingredients Touching Polemonia which others call Philetaeria it tooke the name vpon ocasion of the strife and controuersie betweene certaine princes which debated about the first inuention thereof The Cappadocians know it by the name Chiliodynama i. as one would say endued with a thousand vertues This plant hath a thicke and grosse root but smal slender branches from the tops whereof there hang down certaine berries in tufts and clusters inclosing within them black seed in all other respects it resembles rue groweth commonly vpon mountaines As for Agrimony called otherwise Eupatoria it hath gotten credit reputation by a king as it may appeare by the name The stalk or stem of this herb is of a wooddy substance blackish in colour hairy and of a cubit in height or rather more The leaues grow disposed and distant by certaine spaces asunder much like vnto those of cinquefoile or hempe snipped cut about the edges ordinarily in fiue parts the same are of a blackish or dark green and full of a kinde of plume or downe The root is superfluous for any operation that it hath in Physick the seed of this herb drunk in wine is a singular remedy for the dysentery or bloudy flix The greater * Centaury is that famous herbe wherewith Chiron the Centaure as the report goeth was cured at what time as hauing entertained Hercules in his cabin hee would needs be handling tempering with the weapons of his said guest so long vntill one of his arrows light vpon his foot and wounded him dangerously wherupon some there be who name it Chironion The leaues grow large broad and long indented or cut rather like a saw round about the edges neare vnto the root they come vp very thick the stems run vp three cubits high full of knots and joints all the way knobbed in the top like vnto Poppie heads the root is of a mighty bignesse inclining to a red colour howbeit tender and easie to break or knap in sunder two cubits it beareth in length full of a liquid juice bitter in taste and yet sweet withal it loueth to grow vpon banks and prety hils where the ground is fat and battle The best Centaury of this greater kinde commeth out of Arcadie Elis Messenia Pholoe and mount Lycaeus and yet there is good found vpon the Alpes and in many other places Some there be who out of this plant draw a juice in manner of Lycium Of such efficacy it is to incarnat wounds that by report if it be put into the pot to seeth among many gobbets or pieces of flesh it wil cause them to grow together and vnite The root only is to be giuen inwardly and namely in drinke to the weight of two drams in such cases as I will shew hereafter with this charge That if the Patient haue an ague hanging vpon him it be stamped and taken in water others may drink it well enough in wine Also the juice drawn forth of it when it is boiled is good for the diseases or rot of sheep Another Centaury there is syrnamed also in Greeke Lepton i. Small for that it hath little leaues in comparison of the other some name it Libadion for that it loueth to grow neere to springs or fountains it is somwhat like to Origan saue that the leaues be narrower and longer the stalk is cornered rising vp to a smal height to wit a hand-breadth or a span at most the same also putteth forth little branches the floure hath some resemblance of the red-Rose campion the root is small needlesse for any Physicke vse but the juice of the herb it selfe is of singular operation This herb would be gathered in Autumne when it is fresh full of leaues and floures for then it yeeldeth best iuice Some take the stalks and branches thred them smal let them lie infused in water 18 daies and then presse forth the juice This is that Centaury which we here in Italy call Fel Terrae i. the Gal of the earth by reason of the exceeding bitternesse which it hath the Gauls terme it Exacos because if it be drunk it sendeth downeward by seege out of the body any hurtfull poison whatsoeuer There is a third Centaury named Centauris knowne by the addition Triorches whosoeuer commeth to cut this herb he quits himselfe wel and escapeth faire if he wound not himselfe This plant yeeldeth forth a certaine red juice like vnto bloud Theophrastus hath deliuered in his history of Plants that the hawkes * Triorchides protect and defend this herbe are ready to incounter and fight with them that come to gather it wherupon it took the foresaid name Triorchis But many ignorant and vnskilfull persons there be who write confusedly of all these Centauries and attribute this last property and name to the first Centaurie the great CHAP. VII ¶ Of Clymenos Gentian Lysimachia Parthenis or Artemisia Ambrosia Nymphaea Heraclium and Euphorbium with their operations in Physicke THe herb Clymenos beareth the name of K. Clymenus the first inuenter and finder out therof Leafed it is like vnto Ivie full of branches the stalkes or stems be hollow and emptie within diuided by joints and partitions of a strong and vnpleasant smell the seed resembleth the grains or berries of Ivie and it taketh pleasure to grow in wilde woods and among mountains As touching the operations which it hath namely what diseases it cureth being taken in drink I will shew hereafter mean while I will not put off any longer but aduertise the Reader euen in this place That this herb as it doth good one way so it hurteth another for if they be men that drink it wel may it cure them of the maladies for which it is giuen but surely it killeth their naturall seed and disableth them for getting children so long as they vse it The Grecian writers described it to
vntoward for to be healed but a peculiar property it hath by it selfe to cure any vlcer occasioned by the snow Our Herbarists vse this kind much for the squinancy and to ease the head-ach make a garland thereof appointing it to be set vpon the head but to represse any violent catarrhs they prescribe to weare it about the neck In Tertian agues some giue direction to pluck it out of the ground with the left hand and then to tie it to the arm or other part of the patient And there is not an herb or plant that they be more careful to keep dry and to haue alwaies ready at hand than Polygonon for to stanch any issue or flix of bloud whatsoeuer Pancration which some chuse rather to cal the little Squilla or sea-onion beareth leaues resembling the white Lilly but that they be longer and thicker with a great bulbous root the same in color red The juice of it taken with the floure of Eruile maketh the belly laxatiue and outwardly applied mundifieth vlcers For the dropsie and hardnesse of the spleene it is giuen with hony in maner of a syrrup Some take the root and boile it in water vntill the liquour be sweet which they poure forth and then stamp the said root and reduce it into bals or trosches which they lay to dry in the Sun and vse them afterwards as occasion serueth for the skals or vlcers of the head and all other sores that require mundification Semblably they giue thereof as much as one may take vp with three fingers in wine for the cough and in a liquid electuarie or lohoch for the pleurisie and peripnewmonie They prescribe it likewise to be drunke in wine for the Sciatica to allay also the gripes and wrings of the belly and to procure the monethly termes of women Peplos called by some Syce by others Meconion Aphrodes from one smal root busheth into many branches the leaues be like vnto Rue but that they be somewhat broader the seed appeareth vnder the leaues round but that they be smaller not vnlike to the white Poppie Ordinarily it is found among Vines and they gather it in haruest time They hang it forth seed and all together a drying setting water vnderneath that the said seed or fruit may fall down into it If it be taken in drinke it purgeth the belly and doth euacuat both choler and fleagme The measure of one acetable is counted an ordinary and indifferent potion to be drunk in three hemines of mead or honied water With this seed they vse to pouder meats and viands thereby to keep the body soluble Periclymenos is also a bushie plant and loueth to branch much it beareth whitish soft leaues disposed two by two at certain spaces distances very orderly In the top of the branches it beareth hard seeds between the leaues which hardly may be plucked off It groweth in tilled corn fields hedges winding about euery thing that it can catch hold of for to support and beare it vp The seed after it is dried in the shade folk vse to pun in a morter and so to make it vp into trochisks In case that the spleen be swollen or hard they take of these trosches and after they be dissolued giue thereof a sufficient quantity in 3 cyaths of white wine for 30 daies together which drink is of such operation that it will wast and spend the spleen partly by vrine which wil appeare bloudy and partly also by seege and this will be perceiued sensibly by the tenth day of the cure The leaues also be diureticall and a decoction made with them prouokes vrine The same likewise are good for those that cannot draw their wind but sitting with their body vpright Being drunk in like manner they help women who are in sore trauell to speedie deliuerance and fetch away the after-birth As touching Pelecinum it groweth as I said before among corn branching thick and garnished with leaues like vnto the cich pease It beareth seed in certain cods which crook in manner of little horns and those be four or fiue in number together The said seed resembleth Gith so far as euer I could see and is bitter but good for the stomack one of the ingredients that goe into antidotes and preseruatiues against poison Polygala reacheth vp with a stem a span high in the top wherof it beareth leaues resembling the Lentils of an astringent tast which being drunk causeth nources to haue plenty of milk in their breasts Poterion or as some call it Phrynion or Neurada brancheth and spreadeth much armed it is with sharp pricks and besides full of a kind of thick down the leaues be small and round the branches slender long soft and pliable the floure in form long of a grasse green color The seed is of no vse in Physick but of a quick and sharp tast odoriferous also and pleasant to the smell It is found growing as well in watery places as also vpon little hils Two or three roots it hath which run down two cubits deep into the ground ful of cords or sinews white and of a firm and hard substance About Autumne they vse to dig round about it hauing before cut the plant it selfe aboue ground which yeeldeth thereby a juice like vnto a gum The root is by report of wonderfull operation in healing wounds and especially of sinews cut in sunder if it be applied thereto in a liniment Also the decoction thereof drunke with honey in manner of a syrrupe helpeth the feeblenesse and dissolution of the sinewes and namely when they bee wounded and cut Phalangites by some is called Phalangion by others Leucanthemon or as I find in some copies Leucacantha Little branches it putteth forth neuer fewer than twaine and those tending directly a contrary way The floures white fashioned like the red Lilly the seed blacke broad and flat shaped after the manner of halfe a Lentill but much lesse and the root is of a greenish colour The leafe floure and seed of this herbe is a singular remedie against the venomous sting of scorpions the spiders Phalangia and serpents also for the wringing torments of the belly As for Phyteuma somewhat els I haue to do rather than to describe it considering there is no vse of it but in amatorious medicines to procure womens loue There is an herbe called by the Greekes Phyllon growing vpon stony mountaines standing much vpon a rocke The female of this kinde is of a deepe greene colour the stem is slender the root small the seed round and like vnto that of Poppie This hearbe serueth for the getting and conceiuing either of boyes or girles according as the male or the female is vsed which differ only in seed or fruit which in the male resembleth an oliue that is new come forth and biginneth only to shew But both of them are for the said purpose to be drunke in wine Phellandrion groweth in moory grounds and in leafe
shels and all into a plaister or liniment but especially such as be found sticking to the roots of shrubs and bushes The ashes of the serpent Aspis calcined are likewise very good for this disease if they be incorporat with buls tallow so applied Some vse snakes grease and oil together also a liniment made with the ashes of snakes burnt tempered either with oil or wax Moreouer it is thought that the middle part of a snake after the head and taile both be cut away is very wholsome meat for those who haue the kings euill or to drink their ashes being in the same manner prepared and burnt in a new earthen pot neuer occupied mary if the said snakes chanced to be killed between two cart-tracts where the wheeles went the medicine will look much more effectually Some giue counsell to apply vnto the affected place Crickets digged out of the earth with the mould and al that commeth vp Also to apply Pigeons dung only without any thing els or at the most to temper it with Barley meale or Oatmeale in vinegre Likewise to make a liniment of a Moldwarps ashes incorporat with hony Some there be who take the liuer of a Moule crush and bruise it between their hands working it into a liniment and lay the same to the sore and there let it drie on the place and wash it not off in three daies And they affirme That the right foot af a Moule is a singular remedie for this disease Others catch some of them cut off their heads stampe them with the mould that they haue wrought and cast vp aboue ground reduce them into certain trochisks which they keep in a box or pot of tinne and vse them by way of application to all tumors and impostumes which the Greeks call Apostemata and especially those that rise in the necke but then they forbid the patient to eat porke or any swines flesh during the cure Moreouer there is a kind of earth-beetles called tauri i. Buls which name they took of the little hornes that they carry for otherwise in colour they resemble tickes some tearme them Pedunculos terrae earth lice These also worke vnder the ground like wants and cast vp mould which serueth in a liniment for the Kings euil such like swelling as also for the gout in the feet but it must not be washed off in three daies space Howbeit this is to be noted that this medicine must be renued euery year for the said mould wil continue no longer in vertue than one year In sum there be attributed to these beetles all those medicinable properties which I haue assigned vnto the crickets called Grylli Moreouer some there be who vse in manner and cases aforesaid the mould which ants do cast vp Others for the Kings euil take iust as many mads or earthworms in number as there be wens gathered and knotted together and bind the same fast vnto them letting them to drie vpon the place and they are persuaded that the said wens will drie away and consume together with them There be again who get a Viper about the rising of the Dog star cut off the head and taile as I said before of snakes and the middle part betweene they burne the ashes that come thereof they giue afterwards to be drunke for three weeks together euery day as much as may be comprehended and taken vp at three fingers ends and thus they cure and heale the kings euill Moreouer there be some that hang a Viper by a linnen thread fast tied somewhat vnder the head so long till she be strangled and dead and with that thread bind the soresaid wens or Kings euill promising vnto their patients assured remedie by this meanes They vse also the Sowes called Multipedae and incorporat the same with a fourth part in proportion to them of true Turpentine and they be of opinion That this ointment or salue is sufficient to cure any impostumes whatsoeuer As touching the paines that lie in the shoulders there is a proper medicine made in forme a liniment with the ashes of a Weazill tempered with wax which easeth the same To keepe young boies from hauing any haire growing on their face that they may seem alwaies young it is good to annoint their cheekes and chin with Ants egges Also the marchants or hucksters that buy yong slaues to sell them againe for gaine vse to hinder the growth of hair as well of the visage as in the armeholes and vpon the share that they may be taken for young youths still by annointing those parts with the bloud that commeth from lambs when they be libbed which ointment doth good also to the armpits for to take away the ranke and rammish smell thereof but first the haire there growing ought to be pulled vp by the roots Now that I am come to speake of the precordiall region of the body know this That by this one word Praecordia I meane the inwards or entrailes in man or woman called in Latine Exta whensoeuer then there shall be pain felt in these parts or any of them apply thereto a yong sucking whelpe and keepe it hard huggled to the place doubtlesse the said griefe will passe away from the part to the puppie it selfe as men say and this hath been found true by experience in one of those whelpes ripped and opened aliue and the said bowels taken forth for looke what part in man or woman was grieued the very same was seene infected thereupon in the puppie And such whelpes thus vsed for the curing and taking vpon them our maladies were wont to be enterred with great reuerence and ceremoniall deuotion As touching the pretty little dogs that our daintie dames make so much of called Melitaei in Latine if they be euer and anon kept close vnto the stomacke they ease the paine therof And in very truth a man shall perceiue such little ones to be sicke yea and many times to die thereupon whereby it is euident that our maladies passe from vs to them CHAP. VI. ¶ Of the diseases incident to the lights and liuer Of those that vse to cast and reach vp bloud at the mouth MIce are very good for the infirmities of the lungs especially those of Barbarie if they be first flaied then sodden in oile and salt and so giuen to the patient for to eat Thus prepared and vsed they cure them that either spit purulent and filthy matter or else reach vp shere bloud But a dish of meat made of snailes with shels is most excellent for the stomacke But for the better ordering and dressing of them first they ought to siver ouer the fire and take a few waulmes till they be parboiled without touching or medling one jot with their body afterwards they must be broiled vpon the coales without putting any thing in the world vnto them and then to be serued vp in wine and fish pickle or brine called Garum and so eaten But the best for
hare or leueret it is wonderfull to see how effectually they will worke Snakes bones incorporat with the rennet of any foure-footed beast whatsoeuer within lesse than 3 daies shew the same effect and draw forth any thing that sticketh within the body Finally the flies called Cantharides are much commended for this operation if they be stamped and incorporat with barly meale CHAP. XIIII ¶ Proper remedies for the cure of womens maladies and to help them for to goe out their full time and bring forth the fruit of their wombfully ripe and accomplished THe skin or secundine which an Ewe gleaneth after she hath yeaned and which inlapped the lambe within her belly prepared ordered and vsed as I said before as touching goats it is very good for the infirmities that properly bee incident vnto women and occasioned by their naturall parts The dung likewise of sheep be they rammes ewes or weathers hath the same operation But to come vnto particulars the infirmity which otherwhiles putteth them to passe their vrine with difficulty and by dropmeale is cured principally by sitting ouer a perfume or suffumigation of Locusts If a woman after that she is conceiued with child vse eft-soons to eat a dish of meat made of cock-stones the infant that she goeth with shall proue a man child as it is commonly thought and spoken When a woman is with childe the meanes to preserue her from any shift and slip that she may tarry out her full terme is to drink the ashes of Porkepines calcined also the drinking of a bitches milk maketh the infant within the womb to come on forward to grow to perfection before it seek to come forth vntimely also if the child stick in the birth or otherwise make no haste to come forth of the mothers body when the time is come the skin wherein the bitch bare her whelps within her body and which commeth away from her after she hath puppied hasteneth the birth if so be it were taken away from her before it touch the ground If women in labour drinke milke it will comfort their loins or smal of the back Mice dung delaied and dissolued in rain water is very good to annoint the brests of a woman new laied to break their kernel and to allay their ouermuch strutting presently after childbirth The ashes of hedgehogs preserueth women from abortion or vntimely births if they be annointed with a liniment made of them and oile incorporat together The better speed and more ease shall those women haue of deliuerance which in the time of their trauell drinke a draught of Goose dung in two cyaths of water or else the water that issueth out of their owne body by the natural parts a little before the child should be borne and that out of a weazils bladder A liniment made of earth-wormes if the nouch or chine of the necke and the shoulder blades be annointed therewith preserueth a woman from the pain of the sinews which commonly followeth vpon child-bearing and the same send away the after-birth if when they bee newly brought to bed they drink the same in wine cuit A cataplasme made of them simply alone without any other thing and applied to womens sore brests which are impostumat bring the same to maturation breake them when they are ripe draw them after that they runne and in the end heale them vp cleane and skin all again The said earthwormes also if they be drunk in honied wine bring down milk into their brests There be certain little wormes found breeding in the common Coich-grasse called Gramen which if a woman weare about her neck serue very effectually to cause her for to keep her infant within the wombe the ordinary terme but she must leaue them off when she drawes neere to the time when she should cry out for otherwise if they be not taken from her they would hinder her deliuerance Great heed also there must be taken that these wormes bee not laid vpon the ground in any hand Moreouer there be Physitians who giue women to drink 5 or 7 of them at a time for to help them to conceiue If women vse to eat snailes dressed as meat they shall be deliuered with more speed if they were in hard labour let them be applied to the region of the matrice or naturall parts with Saffron they hasten conception If the same be reduced into a liniment with Amylum and gum Tragacanth and laid too accordingly they do stay the immoderat flux of reds or whites Being eaten in meat they are soueraigne for their monthly purgations And with the marrow of a red Deere they reduce the matrice againe into the right place if it were turned a to-side but this regard must be had that to euery snaile there be put a dram weight of Cyperus also If the matrice be giuen to ventosities let the same snails be taken forth of their shels stamped and laid too with oile of Roses they discusse the windinesse thereof And for these purposes before named the snailes of Astypalaea be chosen for the best Also for to resolue the inflation of this part there is another medicine made with snailes especially those of Barbarie namely to take two of them and to stampe them with as much Fenigreeke seed as may be comprehended with three fingers adding thereto the quantity of four spoonfuls of hony and when they be reduced all into a liniment to apply the same to the region of the womb after the same hath been well and throughly annointed all ouer with the iuice of Ireos i. Floure-de-lis There be moreouer certaine white snailes that be small and long withall and these be commonly wandering here and there in euery place These beeing dried in the Sun vpon tiles and reduced into pouder they vse to blend with bean floure of each a like quantity And this is thought to be an excellent mixture for to beautifie their body and make the skin white and smooth Also if the itch be offensiue so as a woman be found euer and anone to scratch and rub those parts there is not a better thing therefore than the little flat snails if they be brought into a liniment with fried Barly groats If a woman with child chance to step ouer a Viper shee shall be deliuered before her time of an vnperfect birth The like accident wil befal vnto her in case she go ouer the serpent Amphisbaena if the same were dead before And yet if a woman haue about her in a box one of them aliue shee shall not need to feare the going ouer them though they were dead And one of these Amphisbaenes dead as it is and preserued or condite in salt procureth safe and easie deliuerance to a woman that hath it about her A wonderfull thing that it should be so dangerous for a woman with childe to passe ouer one of them which hath not bin kept in salt and that the same should be harmelesse and do no hurt at all if
againe is subiect no more vnto putrifaction And as for cesterne waters the Physicians also themselues confesse That they breed obstructions and schirrhosities in the bellie yea and otherwise be hurtfull to the throat As also that there is not any kinde of water whatsoeuer which gathereth more mud or engendreth more filthie and illfauoured vermine than it doth Neither followeth it by and by that all great riuer waters indifferently are the best no more than those of any brooke or the most part of ponds and pooles are to bee counted and esteemed most wholesome But of these kinds of water wee must conclude and resolue with making destinction namely That there be of euery sort thereof those which are singular and very conuenient howbeit more in one place than in another The kings and princes of Persia bee serued with no other water for their drinke but from the two riuers Choaspes and Eulaeus onely And looke how farre soeuer they make their progresse or voyage from them two riuers yet the water thereof they carry with them And what might the reason be therefore Certes it is not because they be riuers which yeeld this water that they like the drinke so well for neither out of the two famous riuers Tygris and Euphrates nor yet out of many other faire and commodious running streames doe they drinke Moreouer when you see or perceiue any riuer to gather abundance of mud and filth wote well that ordinarily the water therof is not good nor wholesome and yet if the same riuer or running streame bee giuen to breed great store of yeeles the water is counted thereby wholesome and good ynough And as this is a token of the goodnesse so the wormes called Tineae engendered about the head or spring of any riuer is as great a signe of coldnesse Bitter waters of all others bee most condemned like as those also which soone follow the spade in digging and by reason that they lie so ebbe quickly fill the pit And such be the waters commonly about Troezen As for the nitrous brackish and salt waters found among the desarts such as trauell through those parts toward the red sea haue a deuise to make them sweet and potable within two houres by putting parched barley meale into them and as they drinke the water so when they haue done they feed vpon the said barly grots as a good and wholsom gruel Those spring waters are principally condemned which gather much mud and settle grosse in the bottome those also which cause them to haue an il colour who vse to drink thereof It skilleth also very much to mark if a water staine any vessels with a kinde of greene rust if it be long before pulse will be sodden therein if being poured vpon the ground it be not quickly sucked in and drunk vp and lastly if it fur those vessels with a thicke rust wherein it vseth to be boiled for all these be signes of bad water Ouer and besides it is a fault in water not only to stink but also to haue any smack or tast at all yea though the same be pleasant and sweet enough and inclining much to the rellice of milk as many times it doth in diuers places In one word would you know a good and wholsome water indeed Chuse that which in all points resembleth the aire as neere as is possible At Cabura in Mesopotamia there is a fountaine of water which hath a sweet and redolent smel setting it aside I know not any one of that qualitie in the whole world againe but hereto there belongs a tale namely that this spring was priuiledged with this extraordinary gift because queen Iuno forsooth sometimes bathed and washed her selfe therein for otherwise good and wholesome water ought to haue neither tast nor odor at all Some there be who iudge of their wholsomnesse by their ballance and they keep a weighing and poising of waters one against another but for all their curiositie they misse of their purpose in the end for seldom or neuer can they find one water lighter than another Yet this deuise is better and more certain namely to take two waters that be of equal measure and weight for looke whether of them heateth and cooleth sooner the same is alwaies the better And for to make a trial herof lade vp some seething water in a pale or such like vessel set the same down vpon the ground out of your hand to ease your arm of holding it hanging long in the aire and if it be good water they say it will immediatly of scalding hot become warm and no more Well what waters then according to their sundry kindes in generalitie shall we take by all likelihood to be best If we go by the inhabitants of cities and great towns surely wel-water or pit water I see is simply the wholsomest But then such wels or pits must be much frequented that by the continual agitation and often drawing thereof the water may be more purified and the terren substance passe away the better by that means And thus much may suffice for the goodnesse of water respectiuely to the health of mans body But if we haue regard to the coldnesse of water necessarie it is that the Wel should stand in some coole and shadowie place not exposed to the Sun and nathelesse open to the broad aire that it may haue the full view and sight as it were of the sky And aboue all this one thing would be obserued and seen vnto that the source which feedeth it spring and boile vp directly from the bottom and not issue out of the sides which also is a main point that concerns the perpetuitie thereof and whereby we may collect that it will hold stil and be neuer drawn dry And this is to be vnderstood of water cold in the owne nature For to make it seem actually cold to the hand is a thing that may be done by art if either it be forced to mount aloft or fal from on high by which motion and reuerberation it gathers store of aire And verily the experiment hereof is seene in swimming for let a man hold his winde in he shall feele the water colder by that means Nero the Emperor deuised to boile water when it was taken from the fire to put it into a glasse bottle and so to set it in the snow a cooling and verily the water became therby exceeding cold to please and content his tast and yet did not participate the grossenesse of the snow nor draw any euill qualitie out of it Certes all men are of one opinion that any water which hath been once sodden is far better than that which is still raw Like as that after it hath been made hot it will become much colder than it was before which I assure you came first from a most subtil and witty inuention And therefore if we must needs occupy naughty water the only remedy that we haue to alter the badnesse thereof
is to seeth it wel vntil the one halfe be consumed Now if a man desire to know the vertue and commoditie of cold water first it ordinarily stancheth any flux of bloud if it be cast vpon the place Also if one be not able to endure the heate in a bain or hot-house the best way to auoid this inconuenience is to hold in his mouth cold Water all the while Moreouer many a man hath found by a verie familiar experience that the coldest water in the mouth is not alwaies the coldest in the hand And contrariwise when it is exceeding cold without to be felt it is not so sensibly cold within to be drunk Of all Waters in the world that which wee call here in Rome Martia carrieth the greatest name by the generall voice of the whole City in regard both of coldnesse and wholesomnesse And verily we may esteeme this water for one of the greatest gifts that the gods haue bestowed vpon our city In times past it was called Auffeia and the very fountaine from whence it commeth Piconia The head or source thereof ariseth at the foot of the vtmost mountains of the Pelignians it runneth through the Marsians country and passing through the lake Fucinus it tendeth no doubt euen then directly toward Rome but anon it is swallowed vp within a hole vnder the ground so as it is no more seen vntill it shew it selfe again in the territorie of the Tiburtines from which place it is conueyed vnder vaults and so carried through to Rome by arch-worke for the space of nine miles The first that began to bring this water to the city was Ancus Martius one of the Roman Kings Afterwards Qu. * Martius Rex in his Pretorship finished the said worke and when in processe of time it was fallen to decay M. Agrippa repaired it againe who also brought the water named Virgo to the city which hath her head eight miles from Rome in a certaine nouke or by-corner about two miles turning from the great port way leading to Praeneste Neere vnto it runneth the riuer Herculaneus but this water keepeth stil behinde as though it fled from it whereupon it tooke the name Virgo Compare these two riuers together which are conueyed to Rome you shall see the difference beforesaid as touching the coldnesse of waters for looke how cold Virgo is to the hand so much is Martia in the mouth But long ago haue wee of Rome lost the pleasure and commoditie of these two Rills through the ambition and auarice of some great men who haue turned away these waters from the City where they yeelded a publique benefit to the Commonwealth and deriued them for their priuat delight and profit into their owne mannors and houses in the country for to water their gcrdens and serue to other vses And here in this place I thinke it not impertinent to adioine to this present treatise the maner and skill of searching and finding out waters And first to speake in general terms springs ordinarily be found in Vallies in the pitch or crest of some little hill where it hath a fall and descent or else at the foot of great mountaines Many are of opinion That in any tract whatsoeuer that side or coast which regardeth the North is giuen to haue water in it And verily it were not amisse to shew how Nature disporteth her selfe and worketh variably in this behalfe First a man shall neuer see it raine on the South side of the mountaines in Hyrcania which is the reason that on that part onely which lieth to the North they are giuen to beare wood and be full of forrests But Olympus Ossa Pernassus Apenninus and the Alpes be replenished with Woods on all sides and are furnished with their Springs and Riuers euerie where In some countries the hills be greene and watered on the South side onely As for example in Candy the mountaines called Albi so that there is no heed to be taken by this for the rule holdeth not alwayes But to come now vnto particulars Looke where you see growing Rushes Reeds or the Herbe whereof I made relation before be sure you shall find water vnderneath Item Wheresoeuer you finde Froggs lying in any place vpon their breasts make account of good store of water there As for the wilde and wandering Sallow the Aller tree Agnus-Castus or Yvie they come vp many times of their owne accords in some low grounds where there is a setling or stay of raine water fallen from higher places insomuch as they that goe by these signes to finde some Spring may soone be deceiued A surer aime yet by farre is a mist or exhalation which a man may discouer a farre off a little before the Sunne rising And for to espie it the better some there be who get vp into an high place and lay themselues grouelong with their chinnes touching the ground and by that meanes discerneth where any such smoke or vapor doth arise There is also another speciall means besides to find out Waters but knowne it is vnto those onely who be skilfull and expert in this feat For they that are guided by this direction to Water goe forth in the hottest season of the yeare and about the noone-tide of the day to marke the reuerberation of the Sunne beames in any place for if this repercussion and rebounding appeare moist and namely when the face of the earth looketh dry and thirstie they then make nodoubt but to finde Water there But they had need to looke so intentiuely and earnestly that oftentimes their eyes ake and be pained withall For auoiding which trouble and inconuenience some betake themselues to other experiments and namely they dig a trench or ditch fiue foot deep within the ground the mouth wherof they couer all ouer with earthen vessels of potters worke vnbaked or els with a barbars brasen bason well enhuiled and withall a lamp burning ouer all which they make a little arch-work of leaues and boughs and mould thereupon Now if they come within a while after to this place and either see the earthen pots broken or wet or perceiue a dew or sweat standing vpon the brasse or finde the lamp aforesaid gon out and yet no want of oile to maintaine light or if they feele a lock of wool which they hung within the trench to be moist they assure themselues they shall find water if they sink the pit deeper Some there be who for better assurance hereof make a fire in the place and burne it throughly for then the vessels aforesaid if they proue to be wet giue a more infallible hope of a spring Moreouer the very leire it selfe of the soile if it be spotted with white specks or be altogether of a reddish bright colour promiseth spring water to be vnderneath for if the ground look black lightly the water wil soon fail if there be any spring there found If you chance to light vpon a vein of potters clay or chalk make
verily so aduerse and contrary are they vnto Scorpions that if they be punned with Basill into a certaine composition it will kill them if the same be but laid vpon them Of the same force they are against the sting or biting of any other venomous beast besides and more especially of the pernicious hardishrew Scytale of snakes sea-hares and hedge-toads Many there be who vse to saue the ashes of Creyfishes calcined as a soueraigne remedy for all such as be in danger to fall into the symptome of fearfulnesse to drink incident to those that are bitten by mad-dogs some adde thereto the herbe Gentian and giue both together in wine to drink but if the sayd symptome of Hydrophobie haue surprized them already then the said ashes or powder ought to bee reduced by the meanes of wine into trosches or pils which they prescribe vnto their patients for to be swallowed downe The Magitians proceed farther and affirme that if a man take ten Creifishes and tie them all together with a good bunch or handfull of basill all the Scorpions that be thereabout will assemble together to that one place and they giue order that if a man be hurt already with a scorpion there should be a cataplasme made of them or at leastwayes of their ashes mixed with Basill and so applied to the place affected The sea-crabs are nothing so good of operation in all these causes as the Land-crabs or Creifishes aforesaid according as Thrasillus mine Authour doth report Howbeit hee sayth neuerthelesse that there are no such enemies to serpents as Crabs and he affirmeth moreouer That if swine be stung or hurt by serpents they helpe and cure themselues by feeding vpon sea-Crabs onely and seeke for no other helpe or remedie Hee addeth furthermore and auoucheth that serpents are ill at ease yea and much tormented with paine when the Sunne is in the signe of the crab called commonly Cancer To come now to the riuer shell-snailes most certaine it is that their flesh whether it bee raw or boyled is singular good to resist the venome of scorpions inflicted by their pricke or sting and some there be who for to haue them in a readinesse to serue in those cases keep them in salt and they ordaine them to be applied vnto the very sore it seife occasioned by their foresayd sting As for the blacke fishes named Coracini they are peculiar and appropriate vnto the riuer Nilus howsoeuer my determination and purpose is to deliuer medicines profitable and beneficiall to all parts of the earth in general Their flesh is good to be applied vnto the sores caused by scorpions The Sea-swine or Porpuis hath pricky fins vpon his back and those are counted amongst other venomous things that the sea yeeldeth putting them to much paine that are wounded or hurt thereby but what help therfore surely the very muddy slime that gathereth about the body of the same fish is the onely remedy The Sea-calfe otherwise named a Seale hath a certaine greace wherewith it is good to annoint the face or visage of those who by reason that they are bitten with a mad dog are afraid to drink and cannot away with water but it will worke the better if there be mingled therewith the marrow of an Hyaena the oile of the Mastich tree and wax that all may be reduced into a liniment As for the biting of a Lamprey there is not a better thing to heal it than the ashes of a lampreys head The Puffin likewise or Fork-fish cureth the wound that himselfe inflicted namely if the place be annointed with his own ashes tempered with vineger or mixt with the ashes of any other fish If a man would make meat of this fish there ought to be taken out of the backe whatsoeuer is there found like to saffron likewise the head all and whole would be taken away and yet to maintain and keep the tast thereof the same must be washed but a little and no more than all shell fishes for otherwise all the pleasantnesse in the eating would be clean gone The mischieuous venome of the sea-hare called otherwise Imbriago is quenched clean and mortified by taking the flesh of the sea-Horse any way in drinke Against the poison of deadly dwale the meat of sea-vrchins is soueraigne whosoeuer haue drunk the dangerous juice of Carpasum find much ease and help especially by supping their decoction To conclude the broth of sea-crabs likewise taken is thought to be effectual against the foresaid dwale named Dorycnium CHAP. VI. ¶ Of Oisters and Purple shell-fishes of Sea-mosse or Reits and the remedies which they affoord MOreouer Oisters haue a speciall vertue to resist the venome of the sea-hare And albeit I haue written already of oisters yet me thinks I cannot speak sufficiently of them seeing that for these many yeres they haue bin held for the principal dish daintiest meat that can be serued vp to the table This fish loueth to haue fresh water joieth to be in those coasts where most riuers do run into the sea which is the reason few of them are found in the deep called therupon Pelagia and those thriue not but are in comparison very small Howbeit they breed and ingender otherwhiles among rocks in such holes which want the recourse of sweet waters as for example about Grynia and Myrina They wax big and full according to the encrease of the Moon as I haue shewed already in my treatise of creatures liuing in waters but principally about the spring prime when they be full of a certain humour or moisture like vnto milk and in those shallow places where the sun pearceth with his beams to the very bottom of the water And this seemeth to be the reason that in other coasts and parts of the sea they bee found far lesse for shade hindreth their growth and for want of the cheerfull sight of the sunne they haue lesse appetite to meat feed not moreouer this is to be noted that oisters differ one from another in colour In Spaine they be reddish whereas in Sclauonia they be brown and duskish but about the cape Circeij in Italy their shell and flesh both be blacke In what coast or countrey soeuer they be found the best and principall those are held to be which be massie and compact not glib and slippery without with their owne humour and moisture and rather bee they chosen which are thicke than broad and flat such also as bee taken neither in muddy nor yet in sandie places but vpon the sound and firme ground in the bottome hauing their white meat trussed vp short and round and not flaggie as flesh the same not jagged and fringed about in the edges with smal strings but lying all close vnited together as it were couched within the belly They that be more expert and practised in the choice of oisters adde one marke more to chuse them by namely if there be a purple thread or string that compasseth them about
the edges and by this signe they know the oisters of the best kind and race from others and call them by a proper name Calliblephara Oisters delight as I may so say to trauell into strange quarters to be transported from their naturall seat into other vnknown waters Thus the oisters bred about Brindis and remoued from thence to the lake Auernus and beeing there fed are suppoposed by that means to keep still their own natiue juice and humidity and besides to gain nouriture by the moisture of Lucrinus Thus much as touching the substance and body of Oisters it remaineth now to speake of those parts and tracts where the best oisters are to be had to the end that such coasts may not be defrauded of the honour due and appertaining vnto them But of this point speake I will by the tongue of another and alledge his speech who is thought to haue written hereof with best judgement of any man in our time These therefore bee the verie words of Mutianus which I will put downe as followes The oisters quoth he of Cyzicum taken about the straights of Callipolis be the fairest of all other and bigger than those which are fed or bred in the lake Lucrinus sweeter than those of Brittain more pleasant in the mouth than the Edulian quicker in tast than those of Leptis fuller than the Lucensian drier than those of Coryphanta more tender than the Istrian and last of all whiter than the oister of Circeij and yet there haue not bin found any oisters either more sweet or tender than these last named The Historiographers who wrote of Alexanders voiages and exploits haue left in writing that within the Indian sea there be oisters found a foot long euery way Moreouer there is among vs a certain Nomenclator or Controller belonging to one of our prodigall and wastful spend thrifts here at Rome who haue giuen a proper name to certain oisters and termed them Tridacna his desire was by that significant name to expresse thus much That they were so big as that they would make three good bits or mouths-full a piece Now proceed I will to their medicinable vertues before I go any further in this very place set down how far forth they serue in physick First and formost they be the only meat to comfort and refresh a decaied stomack they recouer an appetite that was cleane gone But see the practise of our delicat wantons to coole oisters forsooth they must needs whelm couer them all ouer with snow which is as much as to bring the tops of mountaines and bottom of the Sea together and make a confused medley of all This good moreouer do oisters that they gently loose the belly and make a body soluble seeth the same with honied wine they cure the Tinesme which is an inordinat and bootlesse desire to the stoole without doing any thing especially if the tiwil which is the place affected be not exulcerat oisters likewise so prepared clens and mundifie the vlcers of the bladder eat them in their shel with their water as they came closed and shut from the sea you shall find them wondrous good for any rheumes or distillations The ashes of an oister shell calcined and incorporat with honey be singular for the paine of the uvula and assuage the inflammation of the tonsils semblably they represse the swelling kernels that rise vnder the ears assuage the biles and botches called Pani mortifie the hard tumours of womens brests and heal the sores or scalls of the head if they be applied accordingly with water and in the same order prepared they rid away wrinkles and make womens skin to lie smooth and euen These ashes are a soueraigne powder to be cast vpon any place that is raw by reason of a burne or scalding and the same is commended for an excellent dentifrice to clense whiten the teeth withall temper the said ashes with vineger it killeth the itch and healeth angrie wheales the small pocks also and meazils Oisters punned raw and reduced into a cataplasme heale the kings euill and kibed heels if they be applied accordingly Moreouer the Shell-fishes called Purples are very good against poison As for the reits Kilpe Tangle such like sea-weeds Nicander saith they are as good as treacle Sundry sorts there be of these reits going vnder the name of Alga as I haue already declared some are long leafed some large others of a reddish colour and some haue curled and jagleaues the best simply of all others be they of the Island Creta which grow near the ground vpon rocks and namely for to dye wooll woollen cloth for they set so sure a colour as neuer will shed or be washed off afterwards Nicander giueth direction to take the said treacle in wine CHAP. VII ¶ Medicines against the shedding of haire For to colour the haire of the head Also against the accidents of the eares teeth and vis age IF by occasion of some infirmity the haire be fallen off or grow very thin the ashes of the fish called the Sea-hors mingled with sal-nitre and swines grease or applied simply with vineger replenish the bare places with new haire and cause it to come vp thick again and for to apply such medicines for this purpose the pouder of a cuttle bone prepareth the skinne well before-hand Also the ashes of the sea-Tortoise incorporat with oile of a sea-vrchin likewise burnt and calcined flesh and all together as also the gall of a scorpion be appropriat medicines to recouer haire that was lost In like maner take the ashes of 3 frogs burnt together aliue in an earthen pot meddle them with hony it is a good medicine to cause haire to grow but the operation will be the better in case the same be tempered with liquid pitch or tar If one bee disposed to colour the haire of the head black let him take horse-leeches which haue putrified and been resolued together in some grosse red wine for the space of 60 daies he shall find this to be an excellent medicine Others there be who giue order to put as many horse-leeches as a sextar will hold in two sextars of vineger and let them putrifie within a vessell of lead as many daies together and when they be reduced into the form of a liniment to annoint the haire in the sunshine for the same purpose And Sornatius attributeth so much power vnto this composition that vnlesse they that haue the annointing of the haire with it hold oile in their mouths all the while their teeth also by his saying who haue the doing of it wil turn black The ashes of Burrets or Purples shels incorporat in hony serue passing well in a liniment to heale scald heads and the pouder of the foresaid fish shels although they be not burnt and calcined tempered with water is as good for the head-ach Of the same operation is Castoreum incorporat with Harstrang in oile rosat The fat or grease of all fishes
the name of Miltos and yet some terme it Cinnabari and hereof arose the error occasioned by the Indian name Cinnabari For so the Indians call the bloudy substance of a dragon crushed and squeesed with the weight of the Elephants lying vpon them ready to die to wit when the said dragons are full with sucking out the Elephants bloud before and now their owne and it are mingled together according as I haue shewed before in the story of those beasts And verily there is not a color besides which expresseth the liuely colour of bloud in pictures so properly as Minium As for that other Cinnabaris of India it is most wholsom to be put into antidots preseruatiues and countrepoisons yea and other souerain medicines to be taken inwardly But our physitians beleeue me for that by an error Minium or vermilion is called Cinnabaris vse in stead of Sanguis draconis the said Minium which in very truth is no better than a meere poison as I will shew anon Wel in old time they vsed to draw those pictures and pourtraits which consist of one single colour and bee called Monochromata with this colour Cinnabaâ—…s They painted also with the Minium of Ephesus but they gaue it ouer in processe of time because such colors were so costly required such pains ere they were prepared and made perfect Besides both the one and the other were thought to be ouer-quick and stinging in hand and therfore they betook themselues to the red earth Rubrica and Sinopis of which colours I will speak more in their proper places But to returne again to Cinnabaris or Sangdragon it is sophisticated and corrupted either with Goats bloud or else with the fruit of Seruoises punned But the true Cinnabaris or Sangdragon is worth fifty Sesterces by the pound As for Minium or Vermilion aforesaid K. Iuba saith that it groweth plentifully also in Carmania And Hermogenes affirmeth that Aethiopia likewise is not without good store of it But from neither of those two countries is it brought vnto vs nor to say a truth out of any other place but Spain The best and most excellent is that which comes out of the territory of Sisapone in the Realm of Granada or Boetica a part of Spain euen from a Mine of Vermilion there which payeth a great custome and yeelds much reuenue to the people of Rome and there is nothing looked to more streightly for feare of fraud and imposture for lawfull it is not there to dresse and refine it but vncocted and crude is it brought to Rome in the masse as it lay within the vein sealed by the sworn masters of the mine which yeelds one yeare with another 10000 pound weight or much thereabout At Rome it is washed and a price there is set vpon it by an expresse Act namely That it should not be sold aboue seuentie deniers the pound But many wayes is it sophisticated whereby the societie and fellowship of the Publicanes who had the ordering of it at Rome robbed the Commonweale and gained themselues For a second kind there is of Minium found almost in euerie mine of siluer lead the which is made of a certain stone intermingled in the veins of those mettals after the same is burnt and not of that red stone which yeeldeth forth the humor that I named before Quicke-siluer for this stone may it selfe by boiling be brought to siluer but of other red pieces of earth found together with the said true Vermilion which are knowne to be barraine and void of the right Vermilion onely by the leaden hue which they haue for vnlesse it be in the furnace they neuer wax red and then being fully burnt and calcined they are beaten to pouder This is that Minium of a second sort and much inferiour vnto those naturall pouders and sands of the true Minium notwithstanding very few there bee that know it Well this is that Minium wherewith the true Vermilion is sophisticated in the Worke-houses and shops of those Publicanes whose Companie and Fellowship had the ordering of it like as it is corrupted also with Scyricum But how this colour Scyricum is made I will in due place write hereafter Certes our painters to giue the better lustre vnto Minium yea and to saue charges haue deuised to lay the first ground vnder it of this Scyricum Besides this they haue another cast to gain or steale rather by Minium for by reason that it sticketh to their pensils euer and anon they wash it off when they be full this setleth down to the bottom of the water where it remaines and the painters take it for their auailes but they were as good pick their masters purse who setteth them aworke But if a man would know the true and sincere Vermilion indeed it ought to haue the rich and fresh colour of skarlet As for the brightnesse that is in the second sort if a wall bee painted therewith the naturall moisture and dankenesse that commeth from thence will abate the lustre soon And yet this Minium is taken to be but a kind of rust in mettals either siluer or lead as they lie in the mines Moreouer the minerall Vermilion found naturally in the foresaid Minium mines of Sisapona haue no siluer mixed therwith boyle and trie it in the fire as much as you will Also the way to find true Minium from false is by the means of gold for touch the sophisticat Minium with a piece of gold red hot it will wax blacke whereas the true Minium keepeth colour still Where by the way note That I read it may be falsified with Quicklime And after the same maner if there be no gold at hand to trie it by you shal soon see the proofe and find the falsehood by a plate of yron red hot and vsed accordingly Furthermore this hath beene obserued That the shining beams either of Sun or Moone do much hurt to the lustre of Vermillion or any thing painted therewith But what meanes to preuent this inconuenience Euen to vernish the wall after the colour is dried vpon it in this manner Take white Punicke wax melt it with oyle and while it is hot wash the said painting all ouer with pensils or fine brushes of bristles wet in the said vernish But when this vermish is laid on it must be well chafed heat again with red hot coales made of Gall-nuts held close to it that the wall may sweat and frie again which done it ought afterwards to be rubbed ouer well with cerecloths and last of all with cleane linnen cloths that it may shine again and be slicke as statues of marble be Moreouer the workemen that are emploied in their shops about the making of Vermillion doe bind vnto their faces in manner of Maskes large bladders that they may take and deliuer their wind at libertie and yet not be in danger of drawing in with their breath that pernicious and deadly pouder which is no better than poyson yet so as they may
shapes and portraits of so worthy personages against the injury of time which weareth and consumeth all things indeuoring by this means as it were in a kind of emulation striuing to do as much for them in this behalf as the gods could do not only in giuing them immortality but also by dispersing those pourtraits into all parts of the world to shew them personally in euery place to the eies of men as if they were present CHAP. III. ¶ At what time scutchions and shields with images ingrauen in them were first erected in publique place Where they beg an to be set vp in priuat houses The originall of pictures The first pourtrait that was of one single colour Of the first Painters How antient the Art of Painting was in Italy ANd this verily which Varro did namely to insert the names counterfeits of famous men in his books was to gratifie strangers only But of those who were desirous in this kinde to honour Romans I find in the Chronicles that Appius Claudius was the first him I meane who in the 259 yeare after the foundation of the city of Rome bare the Consulship with Seruilius and namely by dedicating in temples and publicke places of the city the shelds of his predecessours by themselues alone For within the chappell of Bellona hee caused to bee set vp the scutchions and shields of his ancestors taking great contentment to haue the armes of his predecessors seen on high and the same accompanied with the titles of their honorable dignities to be read A goodly shew no doubt and a magnificent in case there should be shewed withall a long descent of petty images representing a numâ—…er of children as it were the nest of a faire brood and off-spring for who would not take great joy and pleasure to see such a sight who would not fauorably behold the arms of such a race and linage After that Appius Claudius had giuen this precedent at Rome there followed M. Aemilius companion in the same Consulship with Q. Luctatius who not contented to haue the Armoires and coats of his Progenitors to be aduanced aloft in the stately hall and pallace Aemilia only tooke order that they should stand also at home in his owne house and this also was a matter of right great consequence beeing done according to the pattern and example of the martiall worthies in Homer for within these shields scutchions resembling those which were vsed in old time in the battels before Troy were represented the images of such as serued with them ingrauen therein for thereupon such shields took the name Clypei i. chased and ingrauen not of the old word in Latine Cluere which signifieth to fight or to be well reputed as our thwarting Grammarians would with their subtile sophistrie seeme to etymologize and deriue it Certes this originall of shields and coats of armours implied abraue mind and noble spirit ful of vertue and valour when euery mans shield shewed the liuely pourtrait of him that bare it in the warres The Carthaginians were wont to make their targuets of beaten gold and those likewise they caused to bee ingrauen with their own portraits carried the same with them to the wars And verily Q. Martius that worthy warriour and reuenger of the 2 Scipio's in Spain hauing defeated the Carthaginians taken many of them prisoners found among other spoils and pillage the shield of Asdrubal made in maner aforesaid Which shield was erected hung vp ouer the porch of Iupiters temple vpon Capitoll hill and remained there vnto the first fire that consumed the temple And seeing I am fallen vpon this poynt namely of erecting the armours woon from enemies in publicke place I may not passe ouer in silence the securitie and carelesse regard that our forefathers had in this behalfe which was so great that M. Aufidius who farmed and vndertook the custody or keeping of the Capitoll the temple and all therein the same yeare wherein L. Manlius and Q. Fulvius were Consuls and which was from the foundation of the city of Rome 575 yeares aduertised the Senat That those shields there which for so long together were appointed assigned thither by the Censors were not of brasse as they had been taken for but of siluer Concerning pictures and the first originall of painters art I am not able to resolue and set downe any thing for certain neither is it a question pertinent to my designe and purpose I am not ignorant that the Aegyptians do vaunt thereof auouching that it was deuised among them and practised 6000 yeres before there was any talk or knowledge therof in Greece avain brag and ostentation of theirs as all the world may see As for the Greeke writers some ascribe the inuention of painting to the Sicyonians others to the Corinthians But they do all jointly agree in this That the first pourtrait was nothing els but the bare pourâ—…ing and drawing onely the shadow of a person to his just proportion and liniments This first draught or ground they began afterwards to lay with one simple colour and no more which kind of picture after that they fell once to more curious workmanship they called Monochromaton i. a pourtrait of one colour for distinction sake from other pictures of sundry colours which notwithstanding yet this plaine manner of painting continueth at this day and is much vsed As for the linearie portraying or drawing shapes and proportions by lines alone it is said that either Philocles the Aegyptian or els Cleanthes the Corinthian was the inuentor thereof But whosoeuer deuised it certes Ardices the Corinthian and Telephanes the Sicyonian were the first that practised it howbeit colours they vsed none yet they proceeded thus far as to disperse their lines within as well as to draw the pourfle and all with a coale and nothing els And therefore their manner and order was to write also the names of such as they thus painted and alwaies to set them close to the pictures But the first that tooke vpon him to paint with colour was Cleophantus the Corinthian who as they say took no more but a piece of a red potsherd which he ground into pouder and this was all the colour that he vsed This Cleophantus or some other of that name was he who by the testimony of Cornelius Nepos as I will anon shew more at large accompanied Demaratus the father of Tarquinius Priscus king of Rome when he fled from Corinth to auoid the wrongs of Cypsellus the tyrant who persecuted and oppressed him But it cannot be so for surely before this Tarquines time the art of painting was grown to some perfection euen in Italy for proofe wherof extant there be at this day to be seen at Ardea within the temples there antique pictures and indeed more antient than the city of Rome and I assure you no pictures came euer to my sight which I wonder so much at namely that they should continue so long fresh and
in manner aforesaid As touching cerusse burnt the inuention thereof came by meere chance vpon occasion of a skare-fire happening in the harbor of Piraeeum which caught the pots and boxes wherein the Athenian dames that dwelt by the said harbor kept their blanch of cerusse for complexion and this cerusse thus calcined the first that vsed in picture was Nicias of whom I haue already spoken The best that we haue in these daies comes out of Asia and for that it inclineth to a purple colour they cal it Purpurea a pound of it is fold for 16 deniers Roman This also is made in Rome namely by cal cining Sil or ochre minerall which standeth much vpon marble and then quenching it with vineger Such vse the painters make thereof thus burnt that no shadowes will do well without it Concerning Eretria another kind of white earth it takes the name of the place from whence it commeth Nicomachus Parasius vsed this colour much In Physick it is found to be cooling and emolitiue Being burnt or calcined it is an excellent incarnatiue singular good for to drie any sore proper also to be applied to the forhead for the headach like as to discouer any festring or rankling matter that lieth secret within for if a place be anointed therwith when it is reduced into a liniment with water in case it wax not dry be sure there is some suppuration vnderneath As touching Sandaracha and Ochra K. Iuba writeth that they are to be found in Tapazus an Island within the red sea but that which we haue was neuer brought from thence How Sandaracha is ingendred I haue said already in the discourse of mines There is an artificiall and sophisticat Sandaracha made of cerusse burnt in a furnace The colour of Sandaracha ought to be fiery like a flame a pound thereof is bought for 5 Asses i. halfe a denier Calcine this and Ruddle together and of both being concorporat in equall quantity you shall haue the color called Sandyx Howbeit I do obserue in Virgil that he took Sandyx for an herb as may appear by this verse Sponte sua Sandyx pascentes vestiet agnos A ruddie fleece shall Sandyx yeeld To lambs as they do graze in field This Sandyx to be bought and sold carrieth but halfe the price of Sandaracha neither bee there any colours more weighty than these in the ballance Among the artificiall and made colors I reckon Scyricum which as I haue already said serueth for a good ground to take vermillon The maner of making it is to mix the best ruddle Sinopis and this Sandyx together Painters black called in Latine Atramentum I count an artificiall colour although I know there is a vitrioll or coperose going vnder that name which is minerall and is ingendred two manner of waies for either it issueth and ooseth out of the mine in maner of a salt humor or liquor or els there groweth an earth it self of a brimstone colour which serueth for it that it may be drawn out thereof Some painters haue bin knowne who for to get black haue searched into sepulchres for the coles there among the reliques and ashes of the dead But in mine opinion all these be but new deuises and foolish irregular toies without any reason for a man need seek no farther but to soot and that made many waies by burning either of rosin or pitch in which regard many haue built places and forges of purpose to burn them in without any emissaries tunnels or holes that the said soot or smoke may not get forth but the best black in that maner made comes of the smoke of torchwood This fine soot is sophisticat with grosse soot that doth gather and ingender in forges furnaces stouphs and this is that inke wherewith wee vse to write our books Some there be who take the lees or dregs of wine and when it is dried boile it throughly and they affirme that if the wine were good whereof those lees came the said inke or black will make a colour like Indico And in truth Polygnotus and Mycon two as renowned painters as euer were vsed no other black at all but that which they made of the mare or refuse of grapes after they be pressed this they cal Tryginon Apelles deuised a way by himself to make it of yuorie or the elephants tooth burnt and this they named therupon Elephantinum as touching the black called Indicum it is brought from India but as yet I know not the maner either of the making or the ingendring of it A kind thereof I see the diers do make of that black florie which sticketh to their coppers Also there is a black made of torchwood burnt the coles that come of it punned to powder in a mortar And here commeth to my mind the wonderfull nature of Cuttle fishes which do yeeld a black humor from them like to ink howbeit I do not find that painters or writers make any vse thereof But all blacks whatsoeuer take their perfection by sunning if it be writing inke with gum Arabick if to colour pargetting or walls with glew among and looke what blacke is dissolued and liquified in vineger the same will hold well and hardly be washed off And thus much of the ordinary colours low prized Of all the colours besides which as I said once before for their high price the poore painters be serued with from their masters hands who set them on worke the rich roset or purple red that is made of Tripolie or goldsmiths earth is simply the best for this Tripolie is commonly died together with purples and no silk wooll or cloth wil so soon take that tincture as it The principal is that which hauing had the floure of a fatt hath drunk the fil as it were whiles the liquor is yet boiling and the drugs within the caudron be in their verdure and haue not lost the heart When this first Tripoly thus deepely died is cast vp and taken forth that which is put in next into the said liquor is counted the second in goodnes so consequently by degrees for the former euer taketh the higher die the oftner you dip therein the weaker will the tincture be which is the reason that the roset or purple red of Puteoli is more commended than either the Tyrian Getulian or Lacedemonian notwithstanding from thence come the most rich and pretious pearls The reason is because the Tripoli in Puteoli is died most with the juice of the Magaleb berries among which yeelds the gallant red besides is forced to drink the tincture of Mader That roset which is made at Canusium is the worst of all other and carieth the lowest price a pound of roset costeth vsually 30 deniers Roman Painters or complexioners when they would counterfeit a lustre or glosse of vermilion lay a ground first with Sandyx and then charge roset vpon it with the white of an egg but if they be desirous to make a
purple colour the first course or ground is azur and straitwaies they come vpon it with roset and the white of an egg abouesaid After this rich and liuely rosat or purple red Indico is a colour most esteemed out of India it comes wherupon it took the name and it is nothing els but a slimy mud cleaning to the fome that gathereth about canes and reeds while it is punned or ground it looketh black but being dissolued it yeelds a wonderfull louely mixture of purple and azur There is a second sort of it found swimming vpon the coppers or vats in purple Diers worke-houses and in truth nothing els but the very fome or scum that the purple casts vp as it boileth in maner of a florey Some there be that do counterfeit and sophisticat Indico selling in stead therof pigeons dung Selinusian earth and Tripoli died and deeply coloured with the true Indico but the proofe thereof is by fire for cast the right Indico vpon liue coles it yeeldeth a flame of most excellent purple and while it smoketh the fume senteth of the sea which is the reason that some do imagine it is gathered out of the rockes standing in the sea Indico is valued at 20 denarij the pound In physicke there is vse of this Indico for it doth asswage swellings that doe stretch the skin it represseth violent rheums and inflammations and drieth vlcers The land of Armenia doth furnish vs with the colour verd d'azur and of that country it is named Armenicus a stone it is that is likewise died before it can die in manner of Borras or verd d'terre the best is the greenest yet withall it doth participat the colour of azur in which regard it may properly be called Verd d'azur In times past a pound of it was held at 300 Sesterces but since there was found in Spain a kind of sand that would take the like tincture and do as well the price hath bin well abated and is come downe to six deniers All the difference between this colour and azur is this for that it stands more vpon the white which causeth this colour to be lighter and weaker The only vse that it hath in physick is to nourish hairs especially those of the eie lids Ouer and besides all these colours aboue named there be two more newly come vp and those beare but a very low price to wit the green called Appianum oft times it is taken for Borras or Verd d'terre as if there were not other things enough that did counterfeit and resemble it Made it is of a certain greene chalky earth is worth but one Sesterce a pound The second new colour is a white called Anulare being that which in womens pictures giues a lightsom carnation white this also is made of a kind of chalk certain glassy gems or bugles which the common sort vse to weare in rings thereupon is called Anulare CHAP. VII ¶ What Colours refuse to be layd vpon some grounds with what colours they painted in old time and when the fight of Sword-fencers was first proposed to be seen at Rome OF all colours Roset Indico Azur Tripoli or Melinum Orpiment white lead or Cerusse loue not to be laid vpon plaister-work or any ground while it is moist yet wax wil take any of these colours abouesaid to be imploied in those kind of works which are wrought by sire so it be not vpon plastre parget wals for that is impossible whether they be inameld or damaskd yea and in their painting of ships at sea as well hulks hoies of burden as gallies and ships of war for now wee are come forsooth to inamel and paint those things that are in danger to perish be cast away euery houre so as we need not maruel any longer that the coffin going with a dead corps to a funerall fire is richly painted and we take a delight when wee mind to fight at sea to sail with our fleet gallantly dight inriched with colours which must cary vs into dangers either to our own death or to the carnage of others And when I consider so many colours those so variable as be now adaies in vse I must needs admire those artificers of old time and namely of Apelles Echion Melanthius and Nicomachus most excellent painters and whose tables were sold for as much apiece as a good town was worth and yet none of these vsed aboue foure colours in all those rich and durable workes And what might those be Of all whites they had the white Tripoli of Melos for yellow ochres they took that of Athens for reds they sought no farther than to the red ochre or Sinopie ruddle in Pontus their black was no other than ordinarie vitriol or shoomakers black And now adaies when we haue such plenty of purple that the very walls of our houses be painted all ouer therwith when there commeth from India store enough not only of Indico which the mud of their riuers do yeeld but also of Cinnambre which is the mixed bloud of their fel dragons and mighty elephants yet among all our modern pictures we cannot shew one faire piece of worke insomuch as wee may conclude All things were done better then notwithstanding the scarsitie that was of stuffe and matter But to say a truth the reason is Giuen wee are now as I haue oftentimes said to esteem of things that be rich and costly neuer regarding the art that is imployed about them And here I thinke it not amisse to set down the outragious excesse of this age as touching pictures Nero the emperor commanded that the portraict of himselfe should be painted in linnen cloth after the maner of a gyant-like colosse 120 foot high a thing that neuer had been heard or seen before But see what became of it when this monstrous picture which was drawne and made in the garden of Marius was don and finished the lightning and fire from heauen caught it and not only consumed it but also burnt withall the best part of the building about the garden A slaue of his infranchising as it is wel known when he was to exhibit at Antium certain solemnities and namely a spectacle of sword-fencers fighting at sharp caused all the scaffolds publique galleries and walking places of that city to be hung tapissed with painted cloths wherein were represented the liuely pictures of the sword-players themselues with all the wifflers and seruitors to them belonging But to conclude the best and most magnanimous men that for many a hundred yeares our country hath bred haue taken delight I must needs say in this art and set their minds vpon good pictures But to portray in imagery tables and painted cloth the publick shews of fencers sword-plaiers and to set them vp to be seen in open place to the view of the world began by C. Terentius a Lucan for this man to honour his grandfather who had made him his
the race of these both father grandsire sons nephewes wrought only in white marble digged out of the â—…and Paros and this stone men began to call Lychnites that is to say the candle marble not for the lightsome white colour which it caried for many quarries were found afterwarde of whiter and brighter marble and namely of late daies in those about Luna in Tuscane but as Varro mine Author saith for that the pioners vndermined the ground for that stone and laboured in hewing it continually by candle light But here commeth to my remembrance a strange thing that is recorded of the quarries in the Island Paros namely That in one quarter thereof there was a vein of marble found which when it was clouen in twain with wedges shewed naturally within the true image and perfect portraiture of a Silenus imprinted in it Neither must I foâ—… to note That this art of grauing images in stone is of greater antiquitie by farre thâ—…â—…er painters craft or founderie and casting statues for both painters and also imagâ—… in mettal began with Phidias about the 83 Olympias which falleth out to be 332 yeâ—…s after Malas the first grauer in stone of name This Phidias though otherwise a paintâ—…â—…t the beginning and a caruer in Ivorie was himselfe also a grauer in marble and the image of Venus which now stands among the stately buildings of Octavia was as they say oâ—… his cutting a braue piece of worke and in beauty surpassing This is knowne for certaine That Alcamenes the Athenian a most excellent grauer in stone learned his skill vnder him of whose workmanship there be a number of statues to be seene at Athens within the sacred temples Besides one image there is of Venus most exquisitly wrought standing without the wall of the city and is knowne by the name of Aphrodite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. Venus in the gardens and as it is said Phidias with his own hands finished this Venus who also had another prentise vnder him named Agoracritus of Paros whom he loued also for his sweetly youth in regard of which affection it is said that many braue pieces of his own handiwork he was content should passe vnder his name which hee dedicated to the immortal memorie of Agoracritus Now these two apprentises of his stroue a-vie whether of them could make the statue of Venus better and so it fell out that Alcamenes won the victorie not in regard of finer and more cunning workmanship but for that the city of Athens in fauor of their own countryman gaue sentence on his side against Agoracritus a stranger and Parian borne who tooke this repulse and disgrace in such displeasure and indignation that by report when he sold the said Venus of his owne making he would by no meanes passe it away but with this condition That it should neuer stand in the city of Athens and withall he named it Nemesis i. Vengeance and therefore set vp it was at Rhamnus a village so called within the territorie of Attica Which image of Venus M. Varro preferred before all other statues whatsoeuer Within the foresaid city of Athens and in the chappell dedicated to the honor of Cybele the great mother of the gods there was another mostexcellent statue or image wrought by the hands of Agoracritus As touching Phidias no man doubteth but he was the most excellent grauer that euer was as all nations will confesse who euer haue heard of that statue of Iupiter Olympius which his own hands wrought but that all others also may know who neuer saw his work nor the statues that he made that he wel deserued the name which went of him I wil lay abroad some smal pieces as arguments of his handiwork and those only that may testifie his fine head rare inuention neither wil I alledge for proofe hereof either the beautifull image of Iupiter Olympius which hee made at Olympia noâ—… the stately statue of Minerva that he wrought at Athens which carâ—…ied in height 26 cubits and was all made of Iuory and gold but I will take the shield or targuet that the said goddesse is portraied with in the embossed and swelling compasse whereof he ingraued the battell wherin the Amasons were defeated by Theseus within the hollow part and concauitie he inâ—…hased the conflict between the gods and the gyants vpon the shoos or pantofles that she weâ—…reth he portraied the fight betwixt the Lapithae and the Centaurs so ful compact of art wâ—… euery thing about her and so curiously and artificially contriued Now in the base or pied â—…all vnder the statue the work that was cut he called the Genealogie of Pandora A man mighâ—… there see the natiuity of the gods to the number of 30 among them the goddesse Victory oâ—… admirable workmanship Moreouer artificers that are seen skilful in these matters do greaâ—…ly admire the fel serpent as also the monster Sphinx made in brasse vnder the very spear that Mâ—…nerua holdeth in her hand This may serue by the way in a word or two touching that famous most renowned Artist Phidias whom no man is able to commend sufficiently that it may be known likewise that the sufficiencie of his workmanship was the same stil euen in small matters as well as great To come now to Praxiteles what time hee liued I haue declared already in my catalogue of Founders and Imageurs in brasse who albeit he was singular in that kind yet in marble he went beyond himselfe his workes are to be seen at Athens in that conspicuous street called Ceraunicum but of all the images that euer were made I say not by Praxiteles onely but by all the workmen that were in the world his Venus passeth that hee made for them of Gnidos and in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exquisit and singular it was that many a man hath embarked taken sea and sailed to Gnidos 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 other busines but onely to see and behold it Hee made two of them and sould them both togetâ—… the one with a vaile and arraied decently in apparell which in that regard the men of Cos boughâ—… for being put to their choice they like honest men preferred it before the other which was naked â—…otwithstanding Praxiteles tendred them both at one and the same price in the good mind that they carried and hauing respect and regard vnto their grauity and modest carriage of themselues that which they refused and reiected the Gnidians bargained for and indeed to speak of workmanship it was infinitely better and there was no comparison betweene them by the generall fame and opinion of all men and verily King Nicomedes would afterwards gladly haue bought it againe of the Gnidians and offered them enough for he promised in consideration thereof to discharge al debts that their city was ingaged in which were very great summes but they would not giue eare or hearken vnto him content they were rather to liue in debt and danger still yea and to abide and endure
in the Capitoll hil is at this day built I am not able to say for certaine for as yet I do not reade or find by any sign that Italy knew how to slit marble into leaues But surely whosoeuer deuised that inuention to â—…aw marble stone and to slit it into leaues for to serue the turne of riotous and wastful persons had a perillous head of his own and a shrewd But would you know the cast of slitting marble It is done with a kind of sand and yet a man would think that it were the saw alone that doth the deed for when there is an entry once made by a very smal line or trace they strew the said sand aloft al the length ther of then they set the saw to it and by drawing it to and fro the sand vnder the teeth thereof maketh way downwards still so the stone as hard as it is they cut through in a trice now for this purpose the Aethyopian sand hath no fellow and to this passe forsooth we are come that we cannot haue marble to serue our turns vnlesse we send as far as into Ethyopiaâ—…ay we must bee prouided of sand to slit our marble with out of India from whence in times past during the antient discipline of Rome it was thought too much and a shamefull thing to fetch rich pearles And yet this Indian sand is commended in a second degree but the Aethyopian is the softer and better simply for that sand cutteth smooth and cleane as it goeth and leaues no race at all in the work the Indian maketh not so euen and neat plates howbeit they that polish marble fit themselues with this sand when it is burnt and calcined for if they rub their leaues and plates therewith it wil make them slick fair for otherwise if it be not calcined to a fine pouder of it self it is churlish and rugged which is the fault likewise of the sand that commeth from Naxos and Coptis which commonly is called the Aegyptian sand for these sands verily were vsed in old time to the cutting of marbles Afterwards they met with a sand as good as the best and went no farther than to a certain bay or creek in the Adriatick sea or Venice gulfe which being left bare when the tide is gone they may at a low water easily discerne to haue bin cast vp by the floud And now adaies our sawyers of marble make no more ado but take the first sand they come by it makes no matter out of what riuer it be this serues their turne well enough and thus they abuse and deceiue the world although few chapmen there bee that know what losse there is by their marble leaues sawne in that sort howbeit such grosse sand as that first makes a wider slit in the main stone and by consequence spendeth and consumeth more of the marble again there is more work and labour about the polishing thereof the saw and sand beforesaid leaueth the faces of the stone so rugged and vneuen and by this meanes the plates become sleight and thin before they can be imploied To conclude the sand from Thebais in high Egypt is very good to polish withall like as the grit that commeth of grauelly stones or pumish ground serueth very well for the said purpose CHAP. VII ¶ Of Whetstones and Grindstones comming out of Naxos and Armenia Of diuers kindes of Marble FOr polishing of statues and images made of Marble for cutting filing and trimming of precious stones Naxium serued a long time and was commended before any other stone for by this word Naxium I vnderstand the whet-stones and grinde-stones that come out of the Island Cyprus but afterwards those which were brought from Armenia woon the name from them and were esteemed better As for the sundry sorts of Marble and their colours to discourse of them in generall were needlesse they are so well and easily knowne and to reckon them all in particular were endlesse they be in number so many and infinit for what corner of the world is there where you shal not find one marble or other different from the rest And yet in my Cosmography I haue already written of the best and most excellent kinds of marble as I had occasion to speak of the nations and countries where they be found Howbeit this would be noted that all sorts of marble bee not found in quarries and rocks that stand vpon veines thereof for much you shall meet with lying ebbe in the ground and the same scattering by pieces here and there But the green marble that commeth from Lacedaemon is esteemed most precious and to be more gay and pleasant than all other As touching the marbles called Augustum and Tiberium they were found in Aegypt first after that sort lying loose and scattered during the time that Augustus and Tiberius were Emperors of Rome of whom they took their name And albeit these marbles bee flecked and spotted yet they differ from the Serpentine marble called Ophites for that the speckles in Ophites do resemble those in a serpents skin whereupon it took that name whereas the other two be distinguished with spots after a diuers sort for Augustum hath veines curled after the manner of waues running round as it were like whirle pooles and Tiberium spreadeth rather abroad in strakes winding yet and turning after the order of whitish haire Neither be there any pillars found of the foresaid Serpentine marble vnlesse they be very small And of this marble there be two kinds the white which is gentle and soft the blacke which is churlish and hard Both of them are said to ease the head-ache and to cure the sting of serpents if they be but carried about one in pieces either hanging at the neck or otherwise tied to any part Some there be who prescribe the whiter kind to be applied accordingly for the phrensie and lethargy howbeit against serpents there be who commend especially aboue the rest that which of the colour of ashes they commonly cal * Tephria As touching the marble of Memphis or great Caire in Aegypt named thereupon Memphites it is of the nature of these precious stones rather than of quarries The vse herof is to be ground into pouder with vineger to be reduced into a liniment for to be applied to those parts that are to be cauterized or cut for it so astonieth and benummeth the member that it feeleth no pain either by the searing iâ—…on or the Chyrurgians lancet The Porphyrite marble which also comes out of Aegypt is of a red colour of which kinde look which hath white spots or streaks running among is called thereupon Leucostictos And quarries there be in Egypt standing wholly vpon this marble which yeeld so sufficient cut and hew therout as big and as huge pieces as you will Triarius Pollio Procurator general vnder Claudius Caesar in the prouince of Egypt brought for the Emperor certain statues of this Porphyry out of Aegypt which
the Pyramides abouesaid a great name there is of a tower built by one of the kings of Egypt within the Island Pharos and it keepeth commands the hauen of Alexandria which tower they say cost 800 talents the building And here because I would omit nothing worth the writing I cannot but note the singular magnanimity of K. Ptolome who permitted Sostratus of Gnidos the master workeman and architect to graue his owne name in this building The vse of this watch-tower is to shew light as a lanthorne and giue direction in the night season to ships for to enter the hauen where they shall auoid bars and shelues like to which there be many beacons burning to the same purpose and namely at Puteoli and Rauenna This is the danger onely lest when many lights in this lanterne meet together they should be taken for a star in the skie for that a far off such lights appeare to sailers in manner of a star This enginer or master workman beforesaid was the first man that is reported to haue made the pendant gallery and walking place at Gnidos CHAP. XIII ¶ Of the Labyrinths in Aegypt Lemnos and Italy SInce wee haue finished our Obelisks and Pyramides let vs enter also into the Labyrinths which we may truly say are the most monstrous workes that euer were deuised by the head of man neither are they incredible fabulous as peraduenture it may be supposed for one of them remaineth to be seen at this day within the jurisdiction of Heracleopolis the first that euer was made to wit three thousand and six hundred yeares ago by a king named Petesuccas or as some thinke Tithoes and yet Herodotus saith it was the whole worke of many KK one after another and that Psammerichus was the last that put his hand to it and made an end thereof the reason that moued these princes to make this Labyrinth is not resolued by writers but diuerse causes are by them alledged Demoteles saith that this Labyrinth was the roiall pallace and seat of king Motherudes Lycias affirmeth it to be the sepulchre of K. Moeris the greater part are of opinion that it was an aedifice dedicated expressely and consecrated vnto the Sun which in my conceit commeth nearest to the truth Certes there is no doubt made that Daedalus tooke from hence the pattern and platforme of his Labyrinth which he made in Crete but surely he expressed not aboue the hundreth part thereof chusing onely that corner of the Labyrinth which containeth a number of waies and passages meeting and incountring one another winding and turning in and out euery way after so intricat manner and so inexplicable that when a man is once in he cannot possibly get out againe neither must wee thinke that these turnings and returnings were after the manner of mazes which are drawne vpon the pauement and plain floore of a field such as we commonly see serue to make sport and pastime among boies that is to say which within a little compasse and round border comprehend many miles but here were many dores contriued which might trouble and confound the memorie for seeing such variety of entries allies and waies some crossed encountred others flanked on either hand a man wandred still and knew not whether he went forward or backward nor in truth where he was And this Labyrinth in Crete is counted the second to that of Aegypt the third is in the Isle Lemnos the fourth in Italy made they were all of polished stone and besides vaulted ouer head with arches As for the Labyrinth in Aegypt the entrie thereof whereat I much maruell was made with columns of stone and all the rest stuffed so substantially and after such a wonderfull maner couched and laid by art of Masonrie that impossible it was they should in many hundred yeres be disjointed and dissolued notwithstanding that the inhabitants of Heracleopolis did what they could to the contrary who for a spight that they bare vnto the whole worke annoied and impeached it wonderfully To describe the site and plot therof to vnfold the architecture of the whole and to rehearse euery particular therof it is not possible for diuided the building is into sixteene regions or quarters according to the sixteene seuerall gouernments in Aegypt which they call Nomos and within the same are contained certain vast stately pallaces which bear the names of the said jurisdictions and be answerable to them besides within the same precinct are the temples of all the Aegiptian gods ouer and aboue fifteen little chappels or shrines euerie one enclosing a Nemesis to which goddesse they be all dedicated to say nothing of many Pyramides forty ells in height apiece and euery of them hauing six walls at the foot in such sort that before a man can come to the Labyrinth indeed which is so intricat inexplicable wherein as I said before he shall be sure ro lose himselfe he may make account to be weary tyred out for yet he is to passe ouer certain lofts galleries garrets all of them so high that he must clime staires of ninety steps apiece ere he can land at them within the which a number of columns and statues there be all of porphyrit or red marble a world of images and statues representing as well gods as men besides an infinit sort of other pieces pourtraied in monstrous and ougly â—…hapes and there erected What should I speake of other roums and lodgings which are framed and situat in such manner that no sooner are the dores and gates opened which lead vnto them but a man shall heare fearfull cracks of terrible thunder furthermore the passages from place to place are for the most part so conueighed that they be as dark as pitch so as there is no going through them without fire light and still be we short of the Labyrinth for without the main wall therof there be two other mighty vpright wals or wings such as in building they call Ptera when you are passed them you meet with more shrouds vnder the ground in manner of caues and countermines vaulted ouer head and as dark as dungeons Moreouer it is said that about 600 yeares before the time of K. Alexander the Great one Circamnos an eunuch or groome of K. Nectabis chamber made some small reparations here about this Labyrinth neuer any but hee would go about such a piece of work It is reported also that while the main arches and vaults were in rearing and those were made all of foure square ashler stone the place shone all about and gaue light with the beams and plancher made of the Aegyptian Acacia sodden in oile And thus much may serue sufficiently for the Labyrinths of Aegipt and Candy The Labyrinth in Lemnos was much like to them only in this respect more admirable for that it had a hundred and forty columns of marble more than the other all wrought round by turners craft but with such dexterity that a very
their paine The Amiant stone is like Alume being put into the fire loseth nothing of the substance a singular propertie it hath to resist all inchantments and sorceries such especially as Magitians do practise As for Gaeodes the Greeks haue giuen it this significant name because it containeth inclosed within the belly a certaine earth a medicine soueraigne for the eies as also for the infirmities incident as well to womens paps as mens genitoirs The stone Melitites hath that name because if it be bruised or braied it yeeldeth from it a certaine sweet juice in manner of honey the same being incorporat in wax is good to cure the flegmatick wheales and other pushes or specks of the body it healeth likewise the exulceration of the throat applied with wool it takes away the chilblanes or angry bloudifalls called Epinyctides also the griefe of the matrice it easeth in the same manner The Gete which otherwise we call Gagates carrieth the name of a towne and riuer both in Lycia called Gages it is said also that the sea casteth it vp at a full tide or high water into the Island of Leucola where it is gathered within the space of twelue stadia and no where els black it is plaine and euen of an hollow substance in manner of a pumish stone not much differing from the nature of wood light brittle and if it be rubbed or bruised of a strong sauor Looke what letters are imprinted in it into any vessel of earth they will neuer be got out again whiles it burneth it yeelds a smel of brimstone but a wonderful thing it is of this jeat stone that water will soone make it to flame and oile will quench it againe in burning the perfume thereof chaseth away serpents and recouers women lying in a trance by the suffocation or rising of the mother the said smoke discouereth the falling sicknesse and bewraieth whether a yong damsell be a maid or no being boiled in wine it helpeth the tooth-ache and tempered with wax it cures the swelling glandules called the Kings euil They say that Physitians vse this â—…et stone much in their sorceries practised by the means of red hot axes which they call Axinomantia for they affirme that being cast thereupon it will burn and consume if what we desire and wish shall happen accordingly As for Spunges I mean by them in this place certain stones found in Spunges and the same also do ingender naturally within them Some there be who cal them Tecolithos because they are good for the bladder in this respect that they breake the stone being drunk in wine As concerning the Phrygian stone it beareth the name of the country where it is ordinarily found and it groweth in hollow lumps in manner of a pumish stone the order is to steep it well in wine before it be calcined and in the burning to maintain the fire with blast of bellows vntil it wax red then to quench it again in red wine continuing this course three times being thus prepared it is good only to scoure cloth and make it ready for the Dier to take a colour CHAP. XX. ¶ Of the red Bloud-stone Hoematites and the fiue sorts thereof also of the blacke sanguine stone called Schistos THe bloud-stone Schistos and Hoematites both haue great affinitie one with another As for the bloud-stone Hoematites a meere mineral it is and found in mines of mettal being burnt it comes to the colour of Vermilion the manner of calcining it is much after that of the Phrygian stone but wine serueth not to quench it Many sophisticate it with Schistos and obtrude the one for the other but the difference is soon known for that the right Hoematites hath red veins in it and besides is by nature fraile and easie to crumble of wonderful operation it is to help bloud-shotten eies the same giuen to women to drink staieth the immoderat flux that followes them they also that vse to cast vp bloud at the mouth find helpe by drinking it with the juice of a pomgranat in the diseases likewise of the blader it is very effectual and being taken in wine it is souerain against the sting of serpents In all these cases the bloud-stone Schistos is effectual but weaker only it is in operation and yet among these sanguine or bloud-stones those are taken for the best and most helpfull which in colour resemble saffron such haue a peculiar resplendant lustre by themselues This stone being applied to weeping and watery eies with womans milk doth them much good and is soueraign also to restrain and keep them in if they be ready to start out of the head And this I write according to the mind and opinion of our modern writers But Sotacus a very antient writer hath deliuered vnto vs fiue kinds of bloud-stones besides that Hoematites called Magnes or the Load-stone among which he giues the chiefe prize and principall praise to the Aethiopian for that it is so souerain to be put into medicines appropriat to the eies as also into those which for their excellent operation be called Panchresta A second sort he saith is called Androdamas black of colour and for weight and hardnesse surpassing all the rest whereupon it took that name and of this kind there are found great store in Barbary He affirmeth moreouer That it hath a qualitie to draw vnto it siluer brasse and iron and for triall whether it be good or no it ought to be ground vpon the touch called Basanitis for it will yeeld a bloudy juice the which is a right soueraign remedie for the diseases of the liuer The third kind of bloud-stone he maketh Arabick for that it is brought out of Arabia as hard it is as the other for hardly will there any juice come from it though it be put to the grindstone and the same otherwhile is of a Saffron colour The fourth sort he saith is called Elatites so long as it is crude but being once calcined it is named Miltites a very excellent thing for burns and scaldings and in all cases much better than any ruddle whatsoeuer In the fift place he reckons that which is called Schistos this is held to be singular for repressing the flux of bloud from the hemorrhoid veins But generally of all these bloud stones he concludes thus That if they be puluerised and taken in oile vpon a fasting stomack to the weight of 3 drams they be right soueraign for all fluxes of bloud The same author writes of another Schistos which is none of these Hoematites and this they call Anthracites and by his saying found there is of it in Africk black of colour which if it be ground vpon a whetstone or grindstone with water yeelds toward the nether end or side thereof that lay next the ground a certaine blacke juice but on the other side of a saffron colour and he is of opinion that the said juice is singular for those medicines appropriat to the eies
exhibit a spectacle wherat the world should lament and cry out in detestation of Fortune no lesse ywis than if they had bin the bones and reliques of king Alexander the Great his corps to be laid solemnly in his sepulchre and herein he pleased himselfe not a little Titus Petronius late Consull of Rome when he lay at the point of death called for a faire broad-mouthed cup of Cassidoine which had cost him before-time three hundred thousand sesterces and presently brake it in pieces in hatred and despight of Nero for feare lest the same prince might haue seazed vpon it after his disease and therewith furnished his own bourd But Nero himselfe as it became an Emperour indeed went beyond all others in this kind of excesse who bought one drinking cup that stood him in three hundred thousand festerces a memorable matter no doubt that an Emperour a father and patron of his country should drink in a cup so deare But before I proceed any farther it is to be noted that we haue these rich Cassidoine vessels called in Latine Murrâ—…ina from out of the Leuant for found they be in many places of the East parts and those otherwise not greatly renowned but most within the kingdom of Parthia howbeit the principall come from out of Carmania The stone whereof these vessels be made is thought to be a certaine humour thickened and baked as it were within the ground by the naturall heat thereof In no place shali a man meet with any of these stones larger than small tablements of pillars or counting-bourds and seldome are they so thicke as to serue for such a drinking cup as I haue spoken of already resplendant they are in some sort but that brightnesse is not pearcing and to say a truth it may be called rather a polishing glosse or lustre than a radiant and transparent clearenesse but that which maketh them so much esteemed is the variety of colours for in these stones a man shall perceiue certaine vains or spots which as they be turned about resemble diuers colours enclining partly to purple and partly to white he shall see them aâ—…o of a third colour composed of them both resembling the flame of fire Thus they passe from one to another as a man holdeth them in so much as their purple seemeth to stand much vpon white and their milkie white to beare as much vpon the purple Some esteemed those Cassidoine or Murrhene stones richest which represent as it were certain reuerberations of sundry colours meeting all together about their edges and extremities such as we obserue in rainbowes others are delighted with cerataine fattie spots appearing in them and no account is made of them which shew either pale or transparent in any part of them for these be reckoned great faults and blemishes In like maner if there be seene in the Cassidoine any spots like corns or graines of salt if it containe resemblances of werts although they beare not vp but lie flat as they doe many times in our bodies finally the Cassidoine stones are commended in some sort also for the smell that they do yeeld As touching Crystall it proceedeth of a contrary cause namely of cold for a liquor it is congealed by extream frost in maner of yce and for the proofe hereof you shal find crystal in no place els but where the winter snow is frozen hard so as we may boldly say it is very yce and nothing els whereupon the Greeks haue giuen it the right name Crystallos i. Yce We haue this crystall likewise out of the East-parts but there is none better than that which India sends to vs. Ingendred it is also in Asia and namely about Alabanda Ortosia and the mountains adioyning but in request it is not no more than that which is found in Cyprus howbeit there is excellent crystall within Europe and namely vpon the crests of the Alps. King Iuba writeth that in a certaine Island lying beyond the red sea ouer-against Arabia named Neron there growes crystall as also in another thereby which yeeldeth the Topase pretious stone where Pythagoras lieutenant or gouernour vnder king Ptolome digged forth a piece which carried a cubit in length Cornelius Bocchus affirmeth that in Portugall vpon certaine exceeding high mountaines where they sinke pits for the leuell of the water there be found great crystal quarters or masses of a wonderfull weight But maruellous is that which Xenocrates the Ephesian reporteth namely that in Asia and Cyprus there be pieces of crystall turned vp with the very plough so ebb it lierh within the ground an incredible thing considering that before-time no man beleeued that euer it could be found in any place standing vpon an earthly substance but onely among cliffes and craggs It soundeth yet more like a truth which the same Xenocrates writeth namely that oftentimes it is carried down the streame running from the mountains As for Sudines hee saith confidently that crystall is not engendred but in places exposed onely to the South and verily this is most true for you shall neuer meet with it in waterish countries lying Northerly be the climat neuer so cold no though the riuers be frozen to an yce euen to the very bottome Wee must conclude therefore of necessitie that certaine coelestiall humours to wit of raine and some small snow together do concurre to the making of crystall and here upon it comes that impatient it is of heat and vnlesse it be for to drinke water or other liquor actually cold it is altogether reiected but strange it is that it should grow as it doth six angled neither is it an easie matter to assigne a sound reason thereof the rather for that the points be not all of one fashion and the sides betweene each corner are so absolute euen and smooth as no lapidarie in the world with all his skil can polish any stone so plain The greatest most weightie piece of crystal that euer I could see was that which Livia Augusta the Empresse dedicated in the Capitoll which weighed about fiftie pounds Xenocrates mine authour aboue-named affirmeth that there was seene a vessell of crystall as much as an Amphore and some besides him doe say that there haue beene brought out of India crystall glasses containing foure sextars a piece Thus much I dare my selfe auouch that crystall groweth within certaine rockes vpon the Alps and those so steep and inaccessible that for the most part they are constrained to hang by ropes that shall get it forth They that be skilfull and well experienced therein go by diuers markes and signes which direct them to places where there is cristall and where also they can discerne good from bad for this you must think there be many imperfections and faults therein as namely when it is rough or rugged in hand rustie like yron cloudie and full of speekes otherwhiles there is a secret hidden fistulous vlcer as it were within there lieth also in
them behinde for the hunters seeing themselues in danger of death for them In the Opall there be obserued also diuers blemishes and imperfections as wel as in other stones namely if the colour resemble the floure of that herb which is called Heliotropium i. Turnsole also if it look like crystal or haile likewise if there be a spot comming between in maner of a grain or kernel of salt if it be rough in handling or if there be certain small pricks or spots represented to the eies neither is there any pretious stone that the Indians can counterfeit so well by the meanes of glasse as this insomuch as hardly a man shall discerne the naturall Opal from the false when they haue done withall But the only triall is by the Sun for if a man hold an Opall betwixt his thumbe and finger against the beams of the Sun if it be a counterfeit he shall find those diuers colours which shewed therein to run all into one and the same transparent colour and so to rest in the body of the stone whereas the brightnesse of the true Opal eftsoons changeth and sends forth the lustre to and fro more and lesse yea and the glittering of the light shineth also vpon the fingers This gem for the rare and incomparable beauty and grace that is in it most Writers haue called Paederos There is also another kind of Opalos apart by it self according to the opinion of some who say it is called by the Indians Sangenon It is said that that there be Opals in Egypt and in Arabia like as in the kingdom also of Pontus but such of all other beare the lowest price In Galatia likewise and in the Isles Thrasos and Cyprus for albeit they haue the louely beautie of the Opalus yet their lustre is nothing so liuely and lightsome and seldome shal you meet with any of them that is not rugged their chief colours stand much vpon brasse and purple the fresh verdure of the green Emeraud is away which the true Opal doth participate This is generally held that they are more commendable which be shadowed as it were with the colour of wine than delaied with the clearnesse of water Thus far forth haue I written of gemmes and pretious stones which be esteemed principall and most rich according to the decree generally set downe and pronounced by our nice and costly dames for we may conclude vpon this point more certainely going by their sentence than grounding vpon the iudgement of men for men kings especially and great men make the price of each gem according to their seuerall fancies Claudius Caesar the Emperour made no reckoning of any but the Emeraud and the Sardonyx and these ordinarily he wore vpon his fingers but Scipio Africanus as saith Demostratus tooke a liking to the Sardonyx before him and was the first Roman that vsed it and euer since this gem hath bin in great request at Rome in regard of which credit I will raunge it next to the Opall In old time the Sardonyx as may appeare by the very name was taken for the pretious stone which seemed to be a Cornalline vpon white that is to say as if the ground vnder a mans naile were flesh and both together transparent and cleare and in very truth the Sardonyx of India is such according to Ismentas Demostratus Zenathemis and Sotacus As for these two last named they verily doe name all the rest that are not cleare and shew not through them Blind Sardonyches such as the Arabian be and these haue carried away the name of Onyx without any mention or apparence at all of the Sarda or Cornalline and these stones haue begun of late to be knowne and distinguished by their sundry colours for some of them haue their ground blacke or much vpon azure and the naile of a mans hand for it hath bin generally thought and beleeued that such hath a tincture of white and yet not without a shew of purple as if the said white enclined to a vermillion or Amethyst Zenathemis writeth that these stones were not set by among the Indians notwithstanding otherwise they were so large and bigg as thereof they made ordinarily sword handles and dagger hafts and no maruaile for certaine it is that in those parts land flouds comming downe with a streame from the hils haue discouered such and brought them to light He saith also that they were at the beginning highly accepted of in those parts for that there is not in maner a stone engrauen that will imprint the seale vpon wax cleanly without plucking the wax away but it and through our persuasions the Indians also grew into a good conceit of them and tooke pleasure in wearing the same and verily the common people of India make holes through them and so weare them enfiled as carkans and collars about their neckes only And hereupon it commeth that those are taken to be Indian Sardonyches or Cornallines which be thus bored through As for the Arabicke excellent they are thought to be which are environed with a white circle and the same very bright and most slender neither doth this circle shine in the concauitie or in the fall of the gem but glittereth onely in the very bosses and besides the very ground thereof is most blacke True it is that the ground of these Sardoins is found in the Indian stones to resemble wax or horne yea within the white circle in so much as there is a resemblace in some some sort of a rainbow by means of certain cloudie vapors seeming to proceed from them and verily the superficiall face of this stone is redder than the shels of Lobsters As touching those that be in colour like to hony or lees for this is taken to be an imperfection and fault in Cornallies they be all rejected likewise if the white circle that girdeth it about spread and do not gather round and compact together semblably it is counted a great blemish in this gem if it haue a veine of any other colour but that which is naturall growing out of square for the nature of this stone is such like as of al things els not to abide any strange thing to disturbe the seat therof There be also Armeniacke Cornallines which in all respects else are to be liked but for the pale circle that claspeth them By occasion of this stone Sardonyx I am put in mind for the names sake to write of the gem Onyx also for notwithstanding there be a stone so called in Carmania which is the Cassidoin yet there goeth also a gem vnder that name Sudines saith that the pretious stone Onyx hath a white in it resembling the naile of a mans finger it hath likewise quoth hee the colour of a Chrysolith otherwise called a Topase of a Cornalline also and a Iasper Zenathemis affirmeth that the Indian Onyx is of diuers and sundry colours to wit of a fiery red a blacke a horne grey hauing also otherwhiles certaine white
and dreams in the night all that hee is desirous to know euen as well as an oracle As for Eumetres the Assyrians call it the stone or gem of Belus the most sacred god among them whom they honor with greatest deuotion as green it is as a leeke and serueth very much in their superstitious inuocations sacrifices and exorcisms Eupetalos hath foure colors to wit of azur fire vermilion and an apple Eureos is like the stone of an oliue chamfered in manner of winkle shels but very white it is not Eurotias seemeth to haue a certain mouldines that couers the black vnderneath Eusebes seemeth to be that kind of stone whereof by report was made the feat in Hercules temple at Tyros where the gods were wont to appear and shew themselues Mereouer any precious stone is called Epimelas when being of it selfe white it is ouercast with a blacke colour aloft The gem Galaxias some call Galactites like vnto those last before-named but that it hath certain veins either white or of a bloud color running between As for Galactites indeed it is as white as milk and therupon it took that name Many there be who call the same stone Leucas Leucographias Synnephites which if it be bruised yeeldeth a liquor resembling milk both in color and tast in truth it is said that it breeds store of milke in nources that giue suck also that if it be hung about the necks of infants it causeth saliuation but being held in the mouth it melteth presently Moreouer they say that it hurteth memory and causeth obliuion this stone commeth from the riuer Achelous Some there be who call that Emeraud Galactires which seemeth as it were to be bound about with white veins Galaicos is much like to Argyrodamus but that it is somewhat souler commonly they are found by two or three together As for Gasidanes we haue it from the Medians in colour it resembleth blades of corne and seemes beset here and there with floures it groweth also about Arbelae this gem is said likewise to be conceiued with young and by shaking to bewray and confesse a child within the wombe and it doth conceiue euery three moneths Glossi-petra resembleth a mans tongue and groweth not vpon the ground but in the eclipse of the Moone falleth from heauen and is thought by the magitians to be very necessary for pandors and those that court faire women but we haue no reason to beleeue it considering what vaine promises they haue made otherwaies of it for they beare vs in hand that it doth appease winds Gorgonia is nothing els but Coral the name Gorgonia groweth vpon this occasion That it turneth to be as hard as a stone it assuageth the trouble of the sea and maketh it calme the magitians also affirme that it preserueth from lightning and terrible whirlewinds As vaine they be also in warranting so much of the hearbe Guniane namely that it will worke reuenge and punishment vpon our enemies The pretious stone Heliotropium is found in Aethiopia Affricke and Cyprus the ground thereof is a deepe green in maner of a leeke but the same is garnished with veins of bloud the reason of the name Heliotropium is this For that if it be throwne into a pale of water it changeth the raies of the Sun by way of reuerberation into a bloudie colour especially that which commeth out of Aethiopia the same being without the water doth represent the body of the Sun like vnto a mirroir and if there be an eclipse of the Sun a man may perceiue easily in this stone how the moone goeth vnder it and obscureth the light but most impudent and palpable is the vanity of magitians in their reports of this stone for they let not to say that if a man carrie it about him together with the herbe Heliotropium and besides mumble certaine charmes or prayers he shall goe inuisible Semblably Hephaestites is of the nature of a looking-glasse for although it be reddish or of an orenge colour yet it sheweth ones face in it the meanes to know this stone whether it be right or no is this in case being but into scalding water it presently cooleth it or if in the Sun it wil set on fire any dry wood or such like fewel this stone is found growing vpon the hill Corycus Horminodes is a stone so called in regard of the greene colour that it hath resembling the herbe Clarie for otherwhiles it is white and sometime againe blacke yea and pale now and then howbeit hooped about it is with a circle of golden colour Hexecontalithos for bignesse is but small and yet for the number of colours that it hath it got this name found it is in the region of the Troglodytes Hieracites changeth colour all whole alternatiuely by turns it seemeth to be blackish among kites feathers Hamnites resembleth the spawne of fishes and yet some of them be found as it were composed of nitre and otherwise it is exceeding hard The pretious stone called Hammons-horne is reckoned among the most sacred gems of Aethyopia of a gold colour it is and sheweth the forme of a rams horne the magicians promise that by the vertue of this stone there will appeare dreames in the night which represent things to come Hormesion is thought to be one of the loueliest gems that a man can see for a certaine fiery colour it hath and the same spreadeth forth beams of gold and alwaies carrieth with it in the edges a white and pleasant light Hyenia tooke the name of the Hyens eie sound they are in them when they be assailed and killed and if we may giue credit to Magitians words if these stones be put vnder a mans tongue hee shall presently prophesie of things to come The bloud-stone Haematites is found in Aethiopia principally those be simply the best of al others howbeit there are of them likewise in Arabia and Affrick in colour it is like vnto bloud and so called a stone that I must not ouerpasse in silence in regard of my promise that I made to reproue the vanities and illusions of these impudent barbarous magicians who deceiue the world with their impostures for Zachalias the Babylonian in those books which he wrote to king Mithridates attributeth vnto gems all the destinies and fortunes that be incident vnto man and particularly touching these bloud-stones not contented to haue graced them with medicinable vertues respectiue to the eies and the liuer he ordained it to be giuen vnto those for to haue about them who carry any Petition to a king or great prince for it would speed and further the suit also in case of law matters it giueth good issue and sentence on their side yea and in wars victory ouer enemies There is another of that kinde called by the Indians Henui but the Greekes name it Xanthos of a whitish colour it is vpon a ground of a yellow tawnie The stones called Idaei Dactyli be found in Candy
Fistulaes how to be kept open 191. c Fistulous sores in the secret parts how healed 136. k. See Priuities Fistula betweene the angle of the eye and the nose how it is to bee cured 125. e. 146. m. 286. g. it is called Aegilops 235. a Fistulaes how they are bred in any part of the bodie 262. h Fits cold and shaking in an ague how to be put by 57. d 61. b. 143. a. 162. h. 260. â— 313. a. 314. i. 316. l. Fits otherwise of chill cold how to be cased 57. f. 61. a. 67. d See more in cold Fiue-finger or fiue-leaued grasse See Cinquefoile F L Flags what hearbe See Xiphion Flancke diseased how to be cured 37. e. 40. k. 54. i. 275. e Flatuositie See Ventositie Cn. Flauius for what demerit he was created Aedile curule and Tribune of the Commons 457. a. b Flax the wonderfull power thereof 1. d. e. f the plant thriueth apace 2. h. the seed how it is sowne how it commeth vp and groweth 2. i Flax of Spaine 3. a. b Flax of Zoela 3. c Flax of Cumes ibid. Flax of Italy 3. d spinning of Flax what manner of worke 4. k Flax how to be dressed hetchelled spun beaten wouen c. 4 k. l Fleawort the hearbe descriBed 233. c. the diuerse names it hath ibid. the nature and vertues ibid. Fleas how to be killed 60. l. 63. c. 120. l. 124 m. 186. h against the breeding of Fleas 387. f Fleagme viscous sticking in the chest and throat how to be cut and dissolued 46. g. h. 64. l. 73. c. 74. g 107. d. 121. e 122. h. 130. i. 167. d. 173. e. 183. c. 198. i. 200. i. 206. i 246. g. i. 257 a. 277. b. 329. b. Fleagme and fleagmaticke humors how to be purged downward 72. h. 75. c. 140. h. 150. h. 170. g. 172. h. 182. h 185. c. 186. g. 198 l. 218. i. 250. l. m. 251. a. b. 252. h. l 281. b. 288. g 291. b. Flemmings vsed Flax and made linnen in old time 2. l Flesh ranke and proud in vlcers how to be repressed 50. m 61. b. See more in Vlcers and Excrescence Flesh meat how it may be kept fresh and sweet all Summer long 71. a how it is preserued from maggot and corruption 342. i Flexumines at Rome who they were 461. a Flint stone where it is cut with the saw 588. i Flory of Painters what it is 531. b Flos-Salis i. Sperma Ceti 416. k Flos or floure of Antimonie what it is 474. g Floures that bring tidings of the spring 92. g Floure-de-Lis root medicinable 87. d Floure-de-Lis where the best groweth ibid. d. e Floure-de-Lis of Illyricum of two sorts ibid. e Floure-de-Lis called Rhaphantis and why so ibid. why it is named Rhizotomus ibid. the ceremonious manner of taking vp the root 87. e. f Floure gentle surpasseth all floures for pleasant colour 89. a. the description and nature thereof ibid. why it is called Amaranthus ibid. b Spring Floures 92. g Summer Floures ibid. k Autumne Floures 92. l Floures of hearbes different 19. f Floures and their varietie 79. e. f Floures differ in smell colour and iuice i. tast 86. l Floures in Aegipt why they sent not well 87. b what Floures be employed in guirlands 89. e Flux of the stomacke or laske called Caeliaca passio how to be staied 39. e. 43. d. 49. d. 55. c 59. d 66. h. k. 68. h. 73. d 76. g. i. 106. l. 108 g. 111. a. 122. g. 124. k. 128. l. 139 f 144. i. 147. b. 148. h. i. 163. e. 164. g. l. 151. f. 153. c. f 156. g. 158. g. i. 165. b. e. 167. f. 168. g. 172. l. 174. k 177. c. f. 178. k. 188. l. 192. h. 195. e. 196. g. m. 197. e 216. h. 249. a. 250. g. 285. d. 289. c. 219. d. 307. c 318. l. 332. g. 331. b. c. d. e. f. 352. h. i. 353. b. c. 382. l m 422. l. if it be inueterat and of long continuance 418. k. Flux called Lieuterie how staied 165. e. See Laske Flies where they are not at all 95. b. how to be killed 220 g. Flies witlesse creatures 364. k. they flie like clouds out of the territorie of Olympia at a certaine time ibid. vpon what occasion ibid. their heads bloud ashes c. yeeld medicines ibid. F O Foemur Bubulum what hearbe 282. g Fole-foot the hearbe why called in Greeke Asarum 86. g Fole-foot another herbe called in Greeke Chamaeleuce aâ—d in Latine Farfugium 199. a. the description ibid. the vertues that it hath ibid. b why called Bechion and Tussilago 246 i. two kindes of it ibid. wild Fole foot a direction to find water 246 i. the description thereof ibid. the second Fole-foot called Saluia described ibid k Fome of a Dog and Horses mouth how they were liuely painted by chance and fortune 542. l Fome of water medicinable 414. h Food of light digestion 141. b Forke fish See Sea-Pussin Formacei what walls they be 555. b Fortune or Chance accounted a goddesse 270. l Fortuna huiusce diei 497 d. a temple for her at Rome ibid. Forum of Rome spread with caltraps 5. e. and why ibid. paued with fine workes in colours ibid. Forum of Augustus Caesar at Rome a sumptuous building 581. f. what Caesar paid for the plot of ground where this Forum stood 582. g Founderie i. the feat of casting images and workes of mettall so excellent that it was ascribed to some of the gods 487. c. an ancient art in Italy 493. e a Fountaine purging and clensing of it selfe euerie ninth yeare 411. b Fountaines which be naturally hot doe engender salt 414. m. Fountaines yeelding diuerse sorts of water some hot some cold others both 401. c Fountaines yeelding water not potable for beasts but medicinable onely for men ibid. d Fountaines giuing names to gods goddesses and cities ibid. Fountaines standing vpon diuerse minerals ibid. Fountaines of hot waters able to seeth meats ibid. e. Licinian Fountaines hot rising out of the sea ibid. red fountaines in Aethyopia 402. m. the vertues of them ibid. a Fountaine yeelding water resembling wine 403. e a Fountaine casting vp an vnctuous water seruing in stead of oyle to maintaine lampes ibid. f a Fountaine seething vp with water of a sweet smell 407. b the reason thereof ibid. number of Foure forbidden in some cases 305. f Fox greace gall and dung effectuall in Physicke 324. h Fox pizzle medicinable ibid. k Fox tongue medicinable 325. d Fox taile described 99. b Foxes how they may be kept from Geese Hens and Pullaine 342. k F R Fractures or bones broken how to be knit and soudered 58. k. 119. d. 183. a. 200. l. 233. b. 275. f. 335. e. 394. k. l 412. k. Freckles how to be scoured out of the face 140. m. 161. b. e 168. k. 173. c. 174. l. 175. b. 308. g. 314. k. See more in Face and Visage Fresh water at sea how Saylers may haue at all times 413. f. 414
Herberie in old time yeelded a reuenue to the state of Rome 12. g. how we come to the knowledge of Herbs 211. e Herbarists their maliciousnesse 105. e. f Herbs written of after diuerse sorts 210. h Herbs are of mightie operation and yet the opinion of them is greater 211. c Pythagoras wrote of Herbs and attributed their inuention to the Gods 211. a Herbs growing vpon statues 205. b. of what effects such are ibid. Herbs some will continue longer than others 291. e Herbs haue eternised the names of the inuentors 208. m 213. a. M Cato the first Roman who wrote of Herbs 209. b C. Valgius wrote of Herbs and dedicated his book to Augustus Caesar. 209 c Pompeius Lenaeus wrote of Herbs ibid. Herbs pourtraied in colours giue no great light to the readers 210. g. h Herculaneae certaine pismires medicinable to scoure the skin 377. d Herculaneus a riueret about Rome 408. h Hercules the patron of the Carthaginians why his image standeth at Rome vpon the bare ground without a Piedstail 570. g Hercules Triumphalis an image at Rome why so called 493. f. Hercules Oeteus of brasse in what habit and countenance pourtiaied 504. m. 505. a three titles thereupon 505. a. vnknowne who was the workeman thereof 504. m Hercules his statue of yron and steele wherefore 414. g Hermerotes what images 569. b Hermesias what composition 204. h the wonderfull operation thereof ibid. Hermippus a writer 372. h. he commented vpon the Poeme of Zoroastres concerning magicke 372. l Hermodorus honored with a statue erected vpon a columne at Rome for translating the lawes of the twelue tables 491. c. Herophilus a singular Physician he cured altogether with simples 242. k. he first searched into the causes of diseases 243. b. his Apothegme as touching the operation of white Ellebore 219. b. he altered the course of the fosmer Physicke 344. i. he obserued the pulses ibid. Herpes a running cancerous sore called if some a Wolfe 394 h. Herpes a worme soueraigne for the sore of that name 394. g Hert fainting how to be relieued 37. d. 60. h. 238. m Hertlesse how to berecouered 136. g Hert trembling and beating how cured 312. i See more in trembling Hesperis the herb why so called 87. c H I Hiberis an hearb and deuised name by Seruilius Danocrates 224. k. the description ibid. the vertues in Physicke ib. how to be vsed ibid. l Hibiscum or Hibiscus what herb it is 40. h. the medicines that it doth affourd ibid. Hicesius a Physician and writer 41. b. 123. a Hieracia what hearb 45. d. why so called ibid. Hieracites a pretious stone 627. d. the description ibid. Hieracium a collyrie or composition 508. m. the vertues medicinable thereof 509. a Hierobotane an hearb See Veruaine High-taper See Lungwort Hicket or Hocquet See Yex Hickway a bird enuious to the gathering of Paeonie 214. i 282. l. Hills some admit raine and are greene with woods on the North side some one the South side onely and others all ouer 408. k Hinds not enuious to mankinde but doe shew vs medicinable hearbs 255. c they haue a stone in their excrements or wombe that is medicinable 339. c bones found in the heart and wombe of an Hind medicinable ibid. Hippace what it is 318. l Hippace another thing 331. c Hippiades certaine images resembling women 569. c Hippice what hearb 223. f Hippocrates the Physician 71. b. when and where hee flourished 343. f. the first Clinicke Physician 344 g he first reduced Physicke into an Art 242. i. he dealt onely with simples 242. i Hippocus a Magician 372. i Hippolytus raised from death by Aesculapius 343. e Hippomanes a venomous thing 326. l Hippomarathrum what kinde of Fennell 77. c Hipponax the Poet how he was abused by Anthermus and Bupalus 564. m. how he was reuenged of them ibid. Hippope an hearbe described 121. a. the reason of the name ibid. Hippophaeon See Epithymum Hippophaston 283. e. the description ibid. Hippophyes an hearbe described 120. m. the reason of the name 121. a Hippuris See Equisetum the Greeke writers varie much about the name of this hearbe 263. c. why it is called Anabasis ibid. H O Hogs greace how to be prepared and tried 320. i See Greace Holcus an hearbe 283. d the description ib. the vertues ib. why it is called Aristida ibid. Holland fine linnen made in old time 2. l Holme oke what vertues it affourdeth in Physicke 177. d the graine of Holme oke medicinable ibid. e Holcchrysos an hearbe the vertues 106. i Holoscâ—…os a kinde of rush 100. k Holosphyratun what kinde of Image 470. g Holosteon an hearbe 283. d. why so called ibid. the description ibid. Homer the Poet Prince of learning and father of antiquities 210. l Honey commended and compared with Laser 135. c Honey when and where it is venomous 94. g how to be discerned from that which is wholesome 94. h what symptomes happen to them that eat of this honey 94. i. the present remedies of this kind of poysonous hony 94. i. 362. k. 433. d. the singular properties that honey hath 135. d. the discommodities of honey 135. e Honey called Maenomenon and why 94. k Honey of Carina medicinable 95. b Honey-combes their vertues 137. b Honey-combs wholesome and hurtfull in one and the same hiue 94. l a glut or surfet of Honey how to be helped 433. e Honey wherein Bees haue been extinct ar stifled medicinable 362. k Hoplitides what pictures 536. g Horatius Cocles his statue erected vpon a columne at Rome for making good the bridge against king Porsena 491. c Horehound an herbe 74. m. the sundry names that it hath ibid. the iuice of Horehound of what vertue it is and how to be vsed 75. a Horehound to be taken warily for danger of exulceration of reins or bladder 75. c Horehound of two sorts ibid. stinking Horehound 272. g. the sundry names description and vertue 278. h Hormesion a louely pretious stone 627. e. the description ib. Horminodes a pretious stone 627. d. the reason of the name ibid. the description ibid. Horminum a kinde of graine or corne described 144. k. the vertues that it hath ibid. Hornets sting what remedies therefore 40. h. 56 m. 75. f 110. l. 153 b. 166. l. 173. a. 361. d. 418. m. Horsetaile an hearbe 263. b. the vertue that it hath in wasting the swelled spleene ibid. Horses haue agues and how to be cured 260. k Horse dung greene burnt into ashes medicinable 325. e Horse-flesh and horse-dung aduerse to serpents 322 k Horses how they shall neuer tire 341. c wild Horses are medicinable and more than tame 323. b Horses loden with fruit are soone wearie 176. h. what remedie ibid. riuer-Horse taught vs the feat of Phlebotomie or Bloud-letting 316. k. he yeeldeth many medicines ibid. his bloud Painters vse 316. l sea Horse Hippocampe medicinable 436. h. 437. f. 440. l haw in Horse eyes how to be cured 438. l. See Eyes Horses and mares pained
Waters brackish how to be made fresh and sweet 176. i drinke of Water how it nourisheth 152. g offence by vnwhole some waters how to be helped 60. l Waters running how to be diuided that the same may bee seene bare 316. h Water how to be laden out of pits where it commeth vpon the pioners 469. a good Waters from bad how trauailers may discerne and know 414. g Waters change their colour at certaine times 411. c Waters when heauiest ib. Water maintained and cherished by ploughing of the ground 410. l Water creatures are medicinable 400. l Waters some coldin the Spring others in the Dogge daies 409. e. f. Water a powerfull element 400. l. m. 401. a. b Water suspected how it may be altered and made good 407. e. of well VVaters or pit waters 407. c Waters where they be exceeding hot actually 404. h Waters deadly 405. a. b Water faire to sight yet hurtfull both to man and beast 405. b. Waters growing to a stonie substance 405. b. c. d Water cold what operation it hath 407. f Waters of a corrosiue and fretting qualitie 405. c Water how it may be made most cold actually 407 d e standing VVaters condemned 405. f a discourse what VVater is best 406. g Waters which are knowne to be cold ibid. m Waters which are to be reiected 406. g. 407. a Waters salt and brackish how they may be soone made potable 407. a Water ought to haue no tast at all ib. b Water best which commeth nearest to the nature of aire 407. b. Waters not to be tried by the ballance 407. c how the triall is to be taken ibid. Watery humors what medecines purge downeward out of the body 108 g. 110 m. 130 l. 149 b. 174 g. 181. c 182 g. 185 c e. 186 g. 190 g. 252 g. 253 a. 281 b c 284 i. 442 l. Wax how it is made 96. g Wax Punica therbest 96. h Wax of Pontica ib. Wax of Candic ibid. Wax of Corsica ibid. the white wax Punica how it is wrought ib. best for medicines ibid. i how wax may be made blacke ib how it may be coloured ibid. how wax may be brought to any colour ibid the vses of wax 96. k the properties of Wax 137. a b Wax contrary in nature to milke ib. i W E Wearie vpon trauell or otherwise how to be refreshed 64. m 66. l. 121. e. 160. k. 161. e. 173. d. e. 180. k. 187. c. 289. b 319. d. 400. g. 419. e. 422. i. 624. h. how to be be preuented 266. i Weazils armed with rue against they should fight with serpents 56. m Weazils how they are brought together from far 316. g Weazils of two kinds 533. e Weazils fetides their gall is both a poyson and also a countrepoison ibid. Weazils flesh medicinable ibid. Weazils wild be venomous 363. e what remedy therefore ibid. Wens called Ceria by what means cured 37 c. 167 a 168 k. Wins named Melicerides how to be cured 73 d. 107 a Wens Stratomata how cured 265. c Werts what meanes to take away and cause to fall off 55. d 58 h. 105 d. 108 g. 125 h l. 127 e. 142 m. 146 i 166 l. 168 h. 185 b. 198 m. 218 k. 266 h. 280 l 302 k. 307 b. 335 a. 370 k. 386 l m. 414 h. 448 h 470 k. Werts beginning to breed how repressed 418. m Wertwals what doth cure 75. c Wesand appropriat remedies therefore 167. c See Throat against the enuie of the Wesps sting 40. h. 56. m. 63. f. 71. c 106. k. 153. b. 166. l. 173. b. 361. d. 418. m. W H VVhales and such other fishes fat how emploied by merchants 427. c Wheales angry small pocks and such like eruptions how to be cured 46. k. 70 g. 140. i. l. 161. c. 173. f. 174. k 178. g. 183. b. 187. c. 219. f. 317. d. 320. h. 337. a. 421. e 443. b. 437. d. 558. i. 559 b. 589. b. Wheazing in the chest how helped 134. l. 154. g Whey of cows milke for what medicinable 318. i Whelpes or young puppies sucking were thought fine meat at Rome 355. b they serued there for an expiatory sacrifice ib. they made a dish of meat at their solemne feasts 355. c VVhet stones of sundry kinds 593. a which be vsed with water which with oyle 593. a. b Spanish VVhite See Ceruse burnt Spanish VVhite or Ceruse naturall 529. e VVhites in women how repressed 516. h. See more in VVomen VVhite flaws about the nailes how to be healed 75. c. 105. d 141. a. 147. b. 158. k. 160 g. 174. l. 177. f. 272. k. 300. l 516. h. VVhite stones 588. i W I VVild-fires and such like fretting humors how to be extinguished 72. g. 75. b. 106. i. 124. h. 146. k. 157. e. 265. d 287. b. 529. b. VVildings or crab apples and their nature 164. i Wild-vine called Ampelos Agria described 149. b. 276. h the vertues ibid. VVild-vine Labrusca 149. b VVild white vine Ampeloleuce 149. c the root hath many vertues 149. d herbe VVillow See Lisimachia Willow or Withie what medicinable vertues it hath 186. l VVillow yeeldeth a juice of three kinds 186 l VVine of Bacchus what 403. a VVines how they may be soone refined and made readie to draw 176. 〈◊〉 See more in VVyne for co cleanse and discharge the VVindpipes being stuffed appropriat remedies 133 e. 148 k. 194 g. 277 b. 329. e Windpipes enflamed and exulcerat how to be cured 140. l. 328. i. for all infirmities of the Windpipes conuenient remedies 122 g. 134 k. 138 m. 170 h. 289 e. how a horse will proue broken Winded 342. h. i broken Wind in horses how to helped 246. h holding of the Wind in what cases good 305. d shortnes of Wind by what medicines it may be helped 37. a 39 c. 44 g. 52 g. 56 h. 57 d. 58 h. 61 b. 65 c. 70 g. 73. a 104 h. 105 d. 107 e. 109 a. 127. c. 144 i. 150 g. 154. g 162 g. 164 g. 167 c. 173 b. 180 g k. 183 e. 192. l 193 a. 200 l. 201 f. 247 a b d. 248 h. 263 d. 274 g 289 d. 329 c. 359 c. 381 a. 422 k. 432 i. 442. h. 521. a 556 m. 557 d. what mooueth to breake Wind vpward 237. a. 253 e 277 b. 290 k. Winter-cherrie why called Versicaria 112. h the description thereof ibid. Wisards prophets and Phisicians put downe by Tiberius Caesar 374. g Wit helped by some water 403. e bereft of Wit how to be cured 52 l. 260 l. 306. k. l Withwind an herbe and the floure thereof described 84. l Withie See Willow Witchcraft condemned by Pliny 213. c Witchcraft and enchantments forbidden expressely by the lawes at Rome 296. h Witchcraft and sorcerie auaile not nor be of force where no regard is made thereof 296. g against the practise of Witches good preseruatiues 108. m 300 g. W O Woad an herb the properties medicinable that it hath 45. c bodies of men