Epilepsie or falling sicknesse in the younger sort the pouther thereof hath beene often found to cause women to have a speedy delivery and to take away the passion and faintings in their tedious travailes being taken either in wine or in some Orenge flower water the continuall use thereof 〈◊〉 beene tryed to amend a cold and weake stomake and to helpe such as could digest no meate the like use 〈◊〉 given remedy and perfect cure to those that have beene bursten so that they have not used any Trusse 〈◊〉 themselves being perfecty helped thereby CHAP. LXXIII Fabe sive Phaseoli purgantes Purging Beanes MOnardus speaketh of certaine purging Beanes that grow about Cartagena and Nombre de Dios very like unto our ordinary Beanes but lesser with Fabae sive Phaseoli purgantes Purging Beanes a thinne outer skinne dividing it in the middle which was to be cast away least it might procure too violent evacuation both upward and downeward even to the hazard of life With the Indians this is a famous and familiar medecine purging without trouble flegme and choller and grosse humors and that very gently the quantity to be taken is from foure of them or more according to every ones abilitie but you must regard that every one of them bee rosted well before they be used but Clusius saith he could never see such beanes as are here described but hath had a certaine kind of Phaseoli Kidney beanes sent him under the name of Fabae purgatrices whose figure is here exhibited being round and flat on both sides about a fingers thicknesse and two in breadth or more yet a little hollow on that side where it grew to the huske the outer haske is hard and in a manner woody smooth and of a darke red colour being white and of a firme substance within parting into two as most other pulses do of the like taste also at the first but quickly hot and sharpe upon the tongue from whence commeth as it is likly the purging quality because in some sort these resemble the forme of a heart therefore some called them Cor Divi Thomae Saint Thomas hearts and besides because they grow in Saint Thomas Island Clusius thinketh that this is the Beane of the Phasiolus Brasilinus whose pods I have shewed you in page 1057. Avellanae purgatrices Monardus also speaketh of purging nuts which he calleth Avellanae purgatrices which grew in Santo Domingo that were very like unto Hasell nuts but three square and browne on the outside with a tough thin shell the kernell being white and sweete withall whereby many were deceived for they purge very violently both upwards and downewards choller and flegme even almost to the danger of life which by roasting of them before the taking is avoyded they helpe the Chollicke and expell winde and are often put into glisters for that purpose but I have knowne a glister given in this manner to good purpose a glister being ready to be given with a bladder the small end of a Tobacco pipe was put into the bladder and tyed but so that it might bee drawne closer after the pipe is pulled out that had Tobacco in the Bole which onely blowing the smoake thereof into the bladder and so given hath given present ease CHAP. LXXIIII Faalim Theveti Mombazas Antidote or Counterpoyson ANdraeas Thevet mentioneth this herbe in his Cosmography to grow in the Island of Mombaza having many long leaves like unto Faalim Theveti Mombazas Antidote or Counterpoyson Elecampane which Island as it aboundeth with many singular good herbes both for meate and medecine so it doth also with venomous Serpents for whose remedy it is also especially provided of other powerfull herbes among whom this one is accounted a principall the experience whereof saith hee I have seene upon divers people bitten by a most virulent Serpent there called Alefah partly living in the waters and partly upon land whose venome was present death if the patient were not suddenly succored herewith CHAP. LXXV Herba Malucana The poore mans Chirurgery THis herbe riseth usually to be two or three cubits high but in more fertile places to be above five cubits of a fresh greene colour the stalke is slender weake and hollow leaning unto something to uphold it or else it will lye on the ground where it will take roote againe it spreadeth into sundry branches having tender soft leaves thereon like in forme and bignesse unto Elder leaves but dented about the edges the flowers are like Camomill but all yellow and greater it is greene all the yeare through those of Canaria call it Brungara aradua and the vulgar sort Poore mens remedy and Chirurgions bains because the common people of India doe generally plant it being naturally of Maluca and use it for all hurts eyther alone or mixed with other things that serve for the purpose the manner whereof is thus They boyle the bruised leaves in oyle which after it is well boyled and strained they make an ointment thereof with a little yellow Wax and herewith they dresse their sores be they old or young blooddy putrid malignant or fistulous and especially is good in the foule sores of the legges Another way they have to use it by taking the middle or inner rinde the outermost being taken away which is as easily done as in Hempe and annointing it with the oyle of the Indian Nut they rowle it in the leaves thereof and rost it under the hot embers which being growne soft they beate it and then apply it to all such wounds and sores aforesaid which are perfectly cured within a few dayes without inflammations or Impostumes to the wonder of all that knew it not before it likewise easeth all paines and stayeth all fluxes of blood and is a singular helpe to the joynts that are pricked or wounded and briefly serveth the people that use no other remedy to helpe themselves in any case of necessity without the use of a Chirurgion and trust thereto as unto an undoubted remedy the oyntment is carryed into sundry other Countryes also Caxella Another herbe called Centella groweth in the West Indies mentioned by Mâ—nardus out of Petrus de Osma his Letter to him who without any description thereof saith that the Indians doe familiarly use it and the Spaniards from them being bruised and laid to any tumour in the legges or thighes comming from a cold cause would cure them by raising blisters that the humours might be let out and the swelling asswaged Hâ—â—bae folia sanguinem ilico sistens Gramen quod ad pituâ—â—am Another herbe also Monardus there remembreth from him likewise that would stanch the blood of any wound suddenly seene and tryed by certaine captive Indians that through hunger cut off the calves of their owne legges and did eate them and presently applyed the leaves to them which stanched the blood to the great admiration of all that saw it The same de Osma saith there he used a kinde of herbe growing like grasse which
bitternesse for being dryed that bitternesse vanisheth when the other two doe abide the bitternesse therefore in the Roses when they are fresh especially the juice purgeth choller and watery humours which qualitie the Greeke authours it seemeth knew not but being dryed and that heate that caused the bitternesse being consumed they then have a stopping and astringent power Those also that are not full blowen doe both coole and binde more then those that are full blowne and the white Roses more then the red The decoction of red Roses made with wine and used is very good for the head-ache and paines in the eyes eares throate and gums the fundament also the lower bowels and the matrix being bathed or put into them the same decoction with the Roses remaining in them is profitably applyed to the region of the heart to ease the inflammations therein as also Saint Anthâ—cies fire and all other diseases of the stomacke being dryed and beaten to powder and taken in steeled wine or water doe helpe to stay womens courses they serve also for the eyes being mixed with such other medicines that serve for that purpose and are sometimes put into those compositions that are called Anthera as is before said The yellow threads in the middle of the red Roses especially which as I said bee erroniously called the Rose seedes being powdered and drunke in the distilled water of Quinses stayeth the aboundance of womens courses and doth wonderfully stay and helpe the defluxions of rheume upon the gummes and teeth and preserveth them from corruption and fastneth them being loose if they bee washed and gargled therewith and some Vinegar of Squilles added thereto the heads with seed being used in powder or in a decoction stayeth the Laske and the spitting of blood Red Roses doe strengthen the heart the Stomacke and Liver and the retentive faculties they mitigate the paines that arise of heate asswage inflammations procure sleepe and rest stay womens courses both white and red and the Gonorrhea the running of the reines and the fluxes of the belly the juice of them doth purge and clense the body from choller and flegme the huskes of the Roses with the beards and the nailes of the Roses are binding and cooling and the distilled water of eyther of them is good for the heate and rednesse in the eyes to stay and dry up the rheumes and watering of them Of the red Roses are usually made many compositions all serving to sundry good uses which are these Electuary of Roses Conserve both moist and dry which is more usually called Sugar of Roses Syrupe of dryed Roses and Hony of Roses the cordiall powder called Diorrhodon Abbatis and Aromaticum rosarum the distilled water of Roses Vinegar of Roses ointment and oyle of Roses and the Rose leaves dryed which although no composition yet is of very great use and effect to be last of all spoken To entreate of them all exactly I doe not entend for so a pretty volume of it selfe might be composed I will therfore only give you a hint of every one of them and referre the more ample declaration of them to those that would entreat onely of them The Electuary is purging whereof two or three drams of it selfe taken in some convenient liquor is a competent purgation for any of weake constitution but may bee encreased unto six drammes according to the qualitie and strength of the patient this purgeth choller without any trouble and is good in hot Fevers in paines of the head arising from hot and chollericke humors and heare in the eyes the Iaundies also and joynt aches proceeding from hot humors The moyst conserve is of much use both binding and cordiall for untill it be about two yeare old it is more binding then cordiall but afterwards it is mâ—re cordial then binding some of the yonger conserve taken with Mithridatum mixed together is good for those that are troubled with the distillations of rheume from the braine into the nose and defluxions of rheume into the eyes as also for fluxes and Laskes of the belly and being mixed with the same powder of Masticke is very good for the running of the reines and for other loosenesse of humors in the body The old conserve mixed with Diarrhodon Abbatis or Aromaticum rosarum is a very good cordiall against faintings swownings and weakenesse and tremblings of the heart it strengthneth also both them and a weake stomacke helpeth digestion stayeth casting and is a very good preservative in the time of infection The dry Conserve which is called Sugar of Roses is a very good Cordiall to strengthen the heart and spirits as also to stay defluxions The Syrupe of dryed red Roses strengthneth a relaxed stomacke given to casting cooleth an overheated Liver and the blood in Agnes comforteth the heart and resisteth putrefaction and infection and helpeth to stay Laskes and fluxes Hony of Roses is much used in gargles and lotions to wash sores eyther in the mouth throate or other parts both to clense and heale them and stay the fluxes of humors falling upon them hindering their heating it is used also in glisters both to coole and clense The cordiall powders called Diarrhodon Abbatis and Aromaticum Rosarum doth comfort and strengthen the heart and stomacke procureth an appetite helpeth digestion stayeth casting and is very good for those that have slippery bowels to strengthen and confirme them and to consume and dry up their moisture and slipperinesse Red Rose water is well knowne and of familiar use in all occasions about the sicke and of better use then Damaske Rose water being cooling and cordiall refreshing and quickning the weake and faint spirits eyther used in meates or brothes to wash the temples or to smell unto at the nose or else by the sweete vapours thereof out of a perfuming pot or cast on a hot fireshovell it is also of much use against the rednesse and inflammations in the eyes to bathe them therewith and the temples of the head also against paine and ache therein Vinegar of Roses is of much use also for the same purposes of paine and ache and disquitnesse in the head as also to procure rest and sleepe if some thereof and Rosewater together be used to smell unto or the nose and temples moistned therewith but more usually to moisten a peece of a red Rose cake cut fit for the purpose and heated betweene a double foulded cloth with a little beaten Nutmeg and Poppy seede strewed on that side shall lye next the forehead and temples and so bound thereto for all night The oyntment of Roses is much used against heate and inflammations in the head to annoint the forehead and temples and being mixed with some Populeon to procure rest as also it is used for the heate of the Liver of the backe and reines and to coole and heale pushes wheales and other red pimples rising in the face or other parts Oyle of Roses is not only used by it selfe to coole any hot
kind lesse sharpe or thorny than the other and calleth it Cardiaca Melica sive Molucca minus aspera Molucca Syriaca Bauhinus calleth it Melissa Moluccana odorata as he doth the fifth Melissa Moluccana foetida making the one to be sweet and the other stinking Lobel calleth it Molucca asperior Syriaca and saith moreover that it is called Maseluc of the Turkes Caesalpinus would referre both these kindes unto the Alissum of Dioscorides and Pliny and Bauhinus saith they are like to the Alissum of Galen They have their English names over their heads The last is called Cardiaca of most of our later Writers for it is likely it was not knowne to them of ancienter ages yet Dodonaeus formerly tooke it to be a Sideritis Tragus to be a wilde Baulme Brunfelsius to bee Marrubium mas Anguillara to bee Licopsis or Branca lupina Bauhinus calleth it Marrubium forte primum Theophrasti Caesalpinus thinketh that it is the Alissum of Galen and Aetius We doe call it Motherwort in English as truely from the effects to helpe the Mother as they call it Cardiaca from the effects to helpe the heart as you shall heare by and by the Arabians call Baulme Bederengie Bedarungi Cederenzegum Turungen or Trungian and Marmacor the Italians Melissa Codronella and Aranciata the Spaniards Torengil yerva cidrera the French Melisse Poncirade the Germanes Melissen Binenkrant and the Dutch Melisse Honichbaum Consille degreyn and we in English Bawme from the singular effects therein in imitation of the true naturall Baulme The Vertues The Arabian Physicians have extolled the vertues of Baulme for the passions of the heart in a wonderfull maner which the Greekes have not remembred for Serapio saith it is the property of Baulme to cause the minde and heart to become merry to revive the fainting heart falling into swounings to strengthen the weaknesse of the spirits and heart and to comfort them especially such who are overtaken in their sleepe therewith taking away all motion of the pulse to drive away all troublesome cares and thoughts out of the minde whether those passions rise from melancholly or black choller or burnt flegme which Avicen confirmeth in his booke of medicines proper for the heart where he saith that it is hot and dry in the second degree that it maketh the heart merry and strengthneth the vitall spirits both by the sweetnesse of smell austerity of taste and tenuity of parts with which qualities it is helpfull also to the rest of the inward parts and bowels It is to good purpose used for a cold stomack to helpe digestion and to open the obstruction of the braine It hath a purging quality therein also saith Avicen and that not so weake but that it is of force to expell those melancholly vapours from the spirits and from the blood which are in the heart and arteries although it cannot doe so in the other parts of the body Dioscorides saith that the leaves drunke in wine and laid to is a remedy against the sting of Scorpions and the poison of the Phalangium or venemous Spider as also against the bytings of Dogges and commendeth the decoction thereof for women to bathe or sit in to procure their courses and that it is good to wash the teeth therewith when they are full of paine and that it is profitable for those that have the bloody flixe The leaves also with a little Niter are taken in drinke against a surfet of Mushroms it helpeth the griping paines of the belly and is good for them that cannot take their breath unlesse they hold their necks upright being taken in a Lohoc or licking Electuary used with salt it taketh away wennes kernels or hard swellings in the flesh or throate it clenseth foule sores and is an helpe to ease the paines of the gowt Galen saith in his seventh Booke of Simples that Baulme is like unto Horehound in qualities but weaker by much and therefore few will use Baulme when Horehound is so plentifull and neere at hand to be had every where Pliny saith in lib. 20. cap. 11. that in Sardinia it is poyson wherein it is very probable that he was much mistaken and for Sardonia herba which is called of some Apium risus and of Apuleius Apiastellum he tooke this Apiastrum or Baulme the juyce thereof used with a little honey is a singular remedy for the dimnesse of the sight and to take away the mistinesse of the eyes It is of especiall use among other things for the plague or pestilence and the water thereof is used for the same purposes It is also good for the liver and spleene A Tansie or Caudle made with egges and the juyce thereof while it is young putting some Sugar and Rosewater unto it is often given to women in child-bed when the afterbirth is not throughly avoided and for their faintings upon or after their sore travels It is used in bathings among other warme and comfortable hearbes for mens bodies or legges in the Summer time to comfort the joynts and sinews which our former age had in much more use than now-adayes The hearbe bruised and boyled in a little wine and oyle and laid warme on a Bile will ripen and breake it There is an ordinary Aqua-vita or strong water stilled and called Baulme water used generally in all the Land which because it hath nothing but the simple hearbe in it which is too simple I will commend a better receit unto you Take two pound of Baulme while it is young and tender of Mints and Sage of each one pound bruise them well in a stone-morter and put them into a pot or Limbeck and put thereto of Aniseeds foure ounces of Cloves of Nutmegs of Cinamon of Ginger of Cubebes and of Galanga of each one ounce being all a little bruised and put into two gallons of good Sacke if you will have it excellent good or else into foure gallons of Ale and so still it as Aqua-vitae is distilled and let it distill as long as you shall finde any strength in the water yet so that the latter water bee not so weake to make all the rest white whereunto put a pound of Sugar shaking it well before you set it away and after it hath rested so one moneth you may use of it as occasion shall require for it is of especiall use in all passions of the heart swounings and faintings of the spirits and for many other purposes whereunto the hearbe is here declared to be availeable The hearbe is often put into oyles or salves to heale greene wounds and it is very probable the name of Baulme was given to this hearbe from the knowledge of the healing properties of the true and naturall Baulme It is also an hearbe wherein Bees doe much delight both to have their Hives rubbed therewith to keepe them together and draw others and for them to suck and feed upon and is a remedy against the stinging of them The Turkey Baulme is of as good
common Broome Spartium as if there were no difference when as yet they appoint the Spartium or Spartum Hispanicum Narbonenâ—e to be the true Spartium of Dioscorides which many call also Genista Hispanica Italica and Africana Many likewise mistooke the Spartum Iuncus which is a kinde of Rush wherewith in Spaine they make frailes or baskets to put Raysins Figges and other things in to be the Spartum frutex deceived by the name onely without further examining the matter But now in these dayes it is evidently knowne to all that are conversant in Herbarisme that Spartum or Spartium as some write it is one plant by it selfe and Genista another although the one be somewhat like the other and that Spartum frutex is differing from the other Spartum called Iuncus the first here set downe is generally by all writers called either Genista vulgaris or Genista angulosa or Scoparia vulgi Louicerus onely calleth it Genista minor sou non aculâ—ata and Caesalpinus Genista quadrato junco prima the Rapum Genista of all sorts I meane both of this Broome and of the other Dyers weede and of the hedge sides c. are called of Clusius Hemoderon according to Theophrastus lib. 8. c. 8. or Leimoderon as others have it and of most Orobanche although according to Theophrastiâ— there is another Orobanche that riseth up among the Ervum or Orobus and strangleth it as Tares doe Wheate whereof came the name the second is called by Lugdunensis Genista minima and by Bauhinus Genista ramosa foliis Hyperici the third is also called by Lugdunensis Genista Iluensis the fourth is by Tabermontanus called Genista alba and by Gerard after him Genista tenuifolia The fift is the same that Clusius calleth Chamaegenista Pannonica 7 a. and Gerard Chamaegenista Anglica howsoever the figures of them seeme diverse it is likely also to be the Genistae minoris species of Thalâ—us and of some is termed Chamaespartium the sixt is not onely remembred by Bauhinus in his Prodomus Pinax by the same name in the title but called also Spartium Creticum by Alpinus in lib. de plantis exoticis The seaventh is generally called Genista â—inctoria or infectoria and Genistella tinctoria Flos tinctorius of Brunfelsius and flos tinctorius of Fuchisus Lonicerus and Castor Durantes Tragus tooke it to be Ferula Leonicerus Lysimachia Anguillara and Caesalpinus Corneola Cordus calleth it Chamaeleuce and Bauhinus Genista tinctoria Germanica in English Greeneweede or Dyers weede because the Dyers doe dye a yellowish greene colour with the leaves and stalkes hereof and therefore provide thereof good store The eight is called by Clusius Genista tinctoria Hispanica of Lobel Genistella infectoria Lugdunensis thinketh it may be the Oricella of Thevet some take it to be the Lutea herba that Pliâ— mentioneth in lib. 33. c. 3. but therein they are much deceived as I shall shew you when I come to speak of that hearb Bauhinus calleth it Genista tinctoria frutescens foliis incanis The ninth is called by many Chamaegenista sagittalis by Camerarius Chamaegenista sagittalis Pannonica by Clusius Chamaegenista altera of Pena Lobel Genistella gâ—amiâ—a montana Gesner in hortis Germaniae calleth it Genista minima Cordus Genista angulosa Tragus Lonicerus Lugdunensis Tabermontanus call it Chamaespartium The tenth is called by Clusius Chamaegenista peregrina so doth Lugdunensis Lobel calleth it Genistella pinnata altera Hispanica Camerarius Genista pumila Dodonaeus Genista humilis Tabermontanus Chamaespartium tertium and Bauhinus Chamaegenista caule foliato The eleventh is called by Bauhinâ—s in Prodroâ— Genistae Hispanicae affinis and in his Pinax Sparto primo affinis but because it doth participate both with Spartum in some things and Genistella montana in others as I have shewed in the description I thought good to place it betweene them both and call it Pseudo Spartum Hispanicum in English bastard Spanish Broome The twelfth it called Spartum Hispanicum and Genista Hispanica Spartum Graecorum and Spartum frutex The thirteenth is called by Clusius Spartum 2 Hispanicum by Lobel Spartium Hispanicum alterum flore luteo by Dodonaeus Spartum frutex majus and by Bauhinus Spartium alterum monospermon semine reni simili The fourteenth is called by Clusius Spartum Hispanicum tertium by Lobel Spartium 2 flore albo by Dodonaeus Spartum frutex minus and by Bauhinus Spartium tertium flore albo The last is called by Columna Spartum Aequicolorum minimum montanum triphyllum The Italians call Spartum Spartio and Genista Genistra the Spaniards the one Spartio and the other Genistra Giesta and Geisteira the French Geneste and Geneste de Espaigne the Germanes call Spartum Pfrimmen and Genista Ginst the Dutch Brem and Spanische Brem and so we in English Broome and Spanish Broome The Vertues Our ordinary Broome doth much offend the stomacke and heart if Anniseedes or Fennell seedes or Roses or Masticke be not given with it being taken inwardly the juyce or decoction of the young branches as also of the seede or the powder of the seede taken in drinke purgeth downewards and draweth from the joynts flegmaticke and watery humors whereby it helpeth those that are troubled with the dropsie the goute the sciatica and the paines in the hippes and joynts it provoketh strong vomits also and helpeth the paines of the sides and swellings of the spleene clenseth also the reines kidnies and bladder of the stone engendred therein and hindreth the matter from encreasing or growing to be a stone therein againe and provoketh urine aboundantly the continuall use of the powder of the leaves and seede doth cure the blacke Iaundise the young buds of the flowers are gathered and kept in brine and Vinegar to be eaten all the yeare after as a sallet of much delight and are called Broome Capers which doe helpe to stirre up an appetite to meate that is weake or dejected helpeth also the obstructions of the spleene and to provoke urine that is stopped opening and clensing the uritory parts by the use of them very effectually The distilled water of the flowers is profitable for all the same purposes it helpeth also surfets and altereth also the fits of agues if 3 or 4 ounces thereof with as much of the water of the lesser Centory and a little Sugar be put therein and taken a little before the accesse of the fit first being layd downe to sweate in their bed the oyle or water that is drawne from the ends of the greene stickes heated in the fire helpeth the tooth-ach There is a lye made of the ashes of Broome which by art may be made as cleere as Claret wine which Camerarius commendeth to be profitable for those that have the Dropsie The juyce of the young branches made into an oyntment with old Axungia that is Hogges grease and anointed or the young branches bruised and heated in oyle or Axungia and layd to the sides that
these sorts of Myrobalanes have a gentle purging quality some more and some lesse then others some also purging choller some flegme and some melancholy but they have in them also an astringent quality much more then is in Rubarbe the Citrines and Bellericks that is the yellow and the round Myrobalanes doe purge choller gently the Chebules and Emblici that is the purple and six square Myrobalanes doe purge flegme and the Indies or black ones melancholly the decoction or infusion of them all doth purge better then any wayes else yet so gently that in evacuating the humors they strengthen the stomacke the liver and the heart but given in pouder they binde the body more then purge it and indeed the binding quality in them all especially in the dryed fruits is more prodominant and as Garzias saith the Indians wholly use them for that purpose and therefore they are the best medecines to be mingled with Scamony and all other violent purgers to restraine their violence and to correct their fiercenesse and yet as Mesues saith they are often put with Cassia Manna Tamarind to helpe the working of them as a most safe medecine the Bellericks and Emblicks by purging the stomack from rotten flegme lying therein and strengthning the braine and joynts the heart and liver and binding all other loose or fluent humors in the parts of the body are very effectuall as also for the trembling of the heart and to stirre up the appetite stay vomiting and restraine the fury and belchings of choller to increase the power and facultie of the spirits to qualifie the excessive heat of the inward parts and the thirst is raised thereof and doe helpe and give ease to those that are truobled with the hemorrhoides or piles by restraining the fiercenesse of choller flowing unto them and for this last effect the Citrines are most used also for all hot constitutions and in all hot agues where there are no obstructions for they as all the other sorts also doe rather cause obstructions and therefore in all such when they are to be used they are to bee corrected with Wormewood or the juice of Fumiterry or with Rubarbe Agarick Spiknard and the like as also with other opening and diureticall things the Chebules in especiall doe purge flegme sharpen the memory cleare the eye sight clense and strengthen the stomacke and are very effectuall against the dropsie and all old agues the Indies or blacke Myrobalanes in speciall doe purge melancholy and blacke or burnt choller and thereby are availeable for the quartaine Ague the Lepry or foule evill and all paralaticke diseases the Embliks and Bellericks in especiall purge flegme and comfort the braine very much as also the heart and stomacke stay vomiting and stirre up the appetite They all of them in generall are of especiall use in all Fluxes both of the stomack and belly by gently purging the maligne fluxibilitie of the humors and strengthning and binding the parts afterwards but as an especiall receit to binde or stay an old continued Laske I have knowne this medicine doe much good Take and burne a pint of Claret wine with a little Rosemary and Sugar whereinto put to steepe all night one dram of Rubarbe first sliced and tosted at the fire and halfe a dram of Chebule Myrobalanes which standing by the fire all night and strained forth in the morning is to be taken at two severall times a draught in the morning fasting which if it helpe not sufficiently the first time being renewed and taken two dayes more will certainly stay the laske wholly if the malignity and sharpenesse of the humors bee not so strong that scarse any medecine will cure it The Chebule Myrobalanes broken and steeped in Rosewater or in the clarified juice of Fennell for two or three dayes and after strained forth this water dropped into the eyes doth clere the sight and a fine cloth wet therein and often applyed taketh away the heat and inflammation in them and stayeth rheumes and distillations into them the pouder of any of the Myrobalanes and Masticke put into running Vlcers and sores dryeth up the moysture and consolidateth them The Chebules and the Emblicks are often brought over unto us preserved whereof the Chebules are more used Physically for such purposes as are before set downe then the Emblicks are which being nothing harsh in taste as the Chebuls but being very pleasant are more often used as a delicate preserved Plum among other junckets then for any Physicall respect CHAP. XLII Agaricus Terebinthina ex Larice Agaricke growing on the Larch tree and the fine cleare Turpentine taken from it also BEcause the Rosin or Turpentine of the Larch tree doth gently open and purge the belly but more especially the Agaricke that groweth thereon I must to shew you the manner of growing of Agaricke give you also the view of the body of the tree from whence it is taken and some branches and leaves thereon to be knowne by but the description of the tree it selfe shall be shewed you among the other Coniferas Resiniferas arbores trees that beare Cones or Pine apple like fruit and out of which is extracted a cleare liquid Rosin or Turpintine called in shoppes Agaricus ex Larice Agaricke growing on the Larch tree Venice Turpentine by boring the tree to the heart and receiving it into vessells and from the body of the tree when it is growne great and old in many places and from the greater armes and boughes also groweth certaine excressences like Mushromes but greater called Agaricke of divers and severall sises that is from the bignesse of ones hand lesse or more to be as bigge as any mans head and sometimes greater covered with a hard blackish barke which being cut and pared away the substance under it appeareth very white and if it be of the best sort very light also easie to breake loose or spungie and without strings through it somewhat sweete in taste at the first but very bitter afterwards and not having any hard barke on the outside the blacke heavy and hard is utterly unfit to be used in Physicke The Place The Larch tree groweth in many woods about Trent and Brixia in Italy and neare the rivers Benacus and Padus and in Galatia a Province of Asia as Dioscorides and Galen doe record and in Agaria a country of Sarmatia from whence the Agaricke tooke the name in Silesia also Moravia Lusatia And the Agaricke is gathered in most of these places so is the Turpentine likewise but especially from the woods about Trent c. The Time The Rosin or Turpentine is gathered in the hottest time of the yeare and the Agaricke at the latter end thereof that is November and December especially The Names This tree is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek and Larix or Larice in Latin Pliny hath in no one thing in all his History shewed his inconstancie and repugnancie more than in this one tree not onely in not
goe out of Dunstable way towards Gorkambury and not farre from the ruines of the old Cittie Verulam which is not farre from Saint Albones the fourth is not knowne from whence it came the fift upon divers of the Alpes and the last according to the title in Bavaria The Time These flower for the most part not untill August and that is later than the former and therefore deservedly have the name of Autumne Gentians The Names The first is set downe by Matthiolus Lobel Cordus Clusius and others some under the name of Gentiana minima as Matthiolus some Pneumonanthe as Cordus and Lobel some Calathiana viola as Gesner in hortis Germaniae some Campanula Autumnalis as Dodonaeus and of Lugdunensis Campanula pratensis the second Columnae onely mentioneth by the name of Gentianella caerulea fimbriata angustifolia autumnalis Bauhinus calleth it Gentianella caerulea oris pilosis the third is the tenth Gentian of Clusius and called by Eystotensis horti author Gentianella autumnalis folijs centaureae minoris flore caeruleo Lobel calleth it Gentiana minima Bauhinus Gentiana angustifolia autumnalis floribus ad latera pilosis the fourth is not mentioned by any before the fift is the eleventh small Gentian of Clusius the last is called by Camerarius Gentianella elegantissima Bavarica Bauhinus referreth it to the Gentiana verna Alpina I to the Calathiana verna Dalechampij of Lugdunensis but that Camerarius saith it flowreth in Autumne The Vertues The greater Gentians are more used in Physicke with us then the smaller although they be neare of one propertie and almost as effectuall both inwardly and outwardly and in the places where the smaller are in plentie to be had and the greater not so readily to be gotten they doe very well serve in their stead They are by their bitternesse so availeable against putrefaction venomne and poyson the plague also or pestilence being a most certaine and sure remedy that the Germans account it their Treakle holding nothing to be a more commodious counterpoison and for this purpose did formerly make a Treakle therewith and other things at Iena which was transported into our country and we thereupon called it Iene Treakle made of Gentian Aristolochia Bayberies and other things which were all good wholesome and effectuall for griefes and paines in the stomacke and an especiall medicine against the infection of the plague to expell the malignitie of that and all other infectious diseases and to preserve the heart to strengthen it also against faintings and swounings which Treakle was bitter and therefore the more likely to worke these and other good effects but that Ieane Treakle which hath since crept into the place of it among the vulgar because it is sweet and pleasant is for that cause greedily sought after and for the cheapenesse of most sorts of poore people desired but there is nothing in it that can doe them good nor hath beene found to helpe them of any disease being nothing but the drosse and worst part of Sugar taken from it in purifying the which they call refining and because the good is bitter therefore but few can away with it yet in London it hath beene upon occasion both censured and condemned by a Jury and many hundred weights thereof beene publikely burned in the open streetes before their doores that sold it as a just witnesse to all if they would understand their owne good and be perswaded by reason true judgement and experience that it is not a thing tollerable in a Common-wealth I have thus farre digressed from the matter in hand and yet I hope not without good and just cause to informe all of our countrie to submit their wills and affections unto those of learning and judgement in Phisicke and not be obstinate in their selfe willed opinions and ignorance for assuredly if that kind of Ieane Treakle were wholsome or effectuall to any good purpose it were as easie for the Phisitians to give way to the use thereof as for any other tollerated medicine but the saying is most true Nitimur invetitum semper cupimusque negatum the more a thing is forbidden the more it is desired for the wrong opinion of many is to thinke that it is for the private profit of some that the thing is forbidden and therefore stollen bread is sweetest But to the matter now in hand The powder of the dried rootes takes in wine either of themselves or with other things as Mirrhe Rue Pepper and the like is a certaine remedy against the stingins or bitings of Serpents Scorpions or any other venemous beasts and against the bitings of a madde dog being taken three or foure dayes together and care taken to keepe open the wound with Vinegar or salt water and to cleanse and dresse it in order as it should be the same rootes also taken in wine helpeth those that have obstructions in their livers or are liver growne as they call it or have paines in their stomackes those also that cannot keepe or rellish their meate or have dejected appetites to their meate for hereby they shall finde present ease and remedy being steeped in wine and drunke it refresheth those that are overwearied with travell and are by cold and ill lodging abroad growen starke or lame in their joynts these also that have any griping paines in their sides as prickings stitches or the like it helpeth those that are bruised by blowes or falls by dissolving the congealed bloud and easing the paines the same also is held very effectuall against all agues to take of the roote not in wine but some other drinke or the water distilled of the herbe the fresh roote or the dried made into a pessary and put into the matrice expelleth the dead child and the afterbirth for it throughly worketh upon those parts and therefore not to be given to women that are with child and being taken inwardly procureth their courses being stopped and the urine when it is staied the decoction of the roote it mervellous effectuall to helpe those that are pained with the stone the same also taken in wine doth mervellous much good to those that are troubled with crampes and convulsions in any parts it doth much good also to those that are bursten and have any ruptures Dioscorides saith that there is so great power and efficacie in the rootes hereof that it helpeth not men onely but beasts also that are troubled with coughes and the outgoings of their intrails and that it expelleth the wormes of the belly it breaketh much winde in the body and causeth it to avoid and generally it is availeable in all cold diseases either inward or outward and as Galen saith is most effectuall where there is any neede to extenuate or make thinne thicke flegme or grosse humors clensing of corrupt and filthy sores or ulcers purging of peccant and offensive humours and opening the obstructions of the liver and lungs gall and spleene and freeing the parts affected with any the diseases incident unto them
saith likewise groweth in many untilled grounds in the Kingdome of Naples neare the sea side and so doth the fourth neare the sea side but particularly in what countrie is not expressed the last groweth every where almost round about London in any moist ground or the foote of bankes where there is any low trench or rill that is not continually filled with water The Time They all flower and seede in May Iune and Iuly and their greene leaves abide fresh in a manner all the Winter The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coronopus a corvino pede quem effigiant folia saith Pena that is Crowfoote whereunto the leaves are like which name the Latines doe hold as also Cornu cervi or cervinum and Herba Stella both of them from the posture of their leaves Some also call it Hurenaria and Sanguinaria or Sanguinalis the one from the place of his growing the other from the effects or properties There hath beene much doubt formerly what herbe should be the true Coronopus of Dioscorides for the name signifying a Crowes foote deceived many and led them into that errour to thinke that the herbe called Pes corvinus and Pes gallinaceus should be it among whom are not onely the Comentators upon Avicen but Brunfelsius also of late dayes who carried away rather with the currant of the time and the signification of the name than with the opinion of others that contradicted it and without the due examination of the herbe it selfe held this opinion whom Matthiolus justly reprehendeth therefore shewing that it was a species of Ranunculus that was generally called Pes corvinus and Pes gallinaceus which is an exulcerating herbe and not this Coronopus which Dioscorides maketh a sallet herbe familiarly eaten and alloweth of Monardus Ferrariensis his judgement that set downe this Herba stelle or Cornu cervinum to be the true Coronopus of Dioscorides Matthiolus contesteth also against Lonicerus that tooke a kinde of grasse called gramen Manne esculentum and Pentadactylon which hee saith was called by his countrimen Capriola and Sanguinella in Matthiolus countrie to be the Coronopus of Dioscorides which grasse as he saith although it hath five small spikes growing at the toppes of the stalkes which being opened resemble in some manner the foote of a Crow or other bird as thereupon tooke the name Pentadactylon of five fingers of a spread hand yet this hath no divided leaves neither is a sallet herbe for men to eate but onely being a grasse serveth as hay for beastes there is also another controversie among divers what herbe Theophrastus should meane by his Coronopus which Gaza translateth Solidago and which hee placeth among the prickly plants whom Pliny also herein followeth in his 21. Booke and 16. Chapter and yet in his 22. Booke making mention thereof doth not speake of any prickles it hath following peradventure Dioscorides text therein but Motthiolus to excuse Theophrastus his prickles in Coronopus supposeth that the jagges or divisions of the leaves of Corum Corvinum might be taken or mistaken by Theophrastus to be thornes he might as well say hornes or prickles although they be not hard nor sharpe and therefore judgeth the Coronopus both of Dioscorides and Theophrastus to be one palnt which thing although with Matthiolus I thinke to be true yet doe I not thinke his reason therefore to be true but if I may give my judgement thereof I thinke it more probable that Theophrastus might see such a Coronopus as Fabius Columna calleth Insulae Prochytae which hath sharpe and prickly edges as is before said in the description thereof and therefore placed it inter aculeatas and Dioscorides such as we usually have which grew in milder places and is a tender herbe used to be eaten and hereby as I thinke they may be reconciled together The first is called Coronopus sativus by Cordus Gesner Camerarius and others and hortensis by Bauhinus because it was familiarly sowen in gardens for meate and Herba Stella as I said before by Lobel Dodonaeus and others and Cornu cervi and Cornu cervinum yet the same herbe is also called sylvestris being found wild by divers both the same and other Authors the second is as I said called Coronopus Insulae Prochytae by Fabius Columnae and by Bauhinus Coronopus sylvestris hirsutior the third the same Columna calleth Coronopus Neopolitanus tenuifolius minimus and minimus tenuifolius maritimus the fourth Bauhinus setteth forth under the name expressed in the title the last is thought by some to be the Coronopus of Dioscorides but called by some Nasturtium verrucarium yet is generally called Coronopus repens Ruellij but Dodonaeus thinketh it fitter to be called Pseudo coronopus or else Cornu cervi alterum vulgi the upright plant is Matthiolus his Ambrosia and Lobels Ambrosia spontanea strigosior and Bauhinus himselfe putteth it for a second Ambrosia because it is figured upright by Matthiolus and Lobel The first is called by the Italians Herba stella and Coronopo by the Spaniards Guiabella by the French Corne de Cerf and pied de cornolle by the Germans Krauwen fuss by the Dutch Hertzharren we in English call it Bucks horne Harts horne and Bucks horne Plantane and of some Herbe Ivye and Herbe Eve Gerard calleth it Swines Cresses but I do rather call it Wart Cresses according to the Latine name that some give from the forme of the huskes of seede The Vertues Buckshorne Plantane boiled in wine and drunke is an excellent remedy for the biting of a Viper or Adder for I hold our English Adder to be the true Viper both by the forme thereof the teeth it hath with poison in the gummes being deadly and dangerous upon the biting and by the breeding which is of quicke young ones and not by egges as snakes c. by laying some of the herbe to the wound the same also being drunke helpeth those that are troubled with the stone in the reines and kidneyes not that it breaketh the stone or expelleth it but by cooling the heate of the parts and strengthening the backe and reynes it stayeth likewise all bleedings and eruptions of bloud whether at the mouth or nose either by urine or the stoole and helpeth the laske of the belly and bowells and the disentery or bloudy fluxe it helpeth much also those that have weake stomackes and are much given to casting not containing their meate and this the herbe doth well but the roote more effectually Paulus Aegeneta in his seventh Booke writeth that it helpeth those that are troubled with the collicke of which some make a doubt that it might be an errour of the Writer in mistaking the word but that he in the same place presently after that he hath shewed that the Larke is a remedy for the collicke adioyneth this also that the rootes also of Coronopus doth helpe the cholicke it hath beene held profitable for agues to weaken their fits and to take them away to
tryall thereof CHAP. XLIIII Asperula Woodroofe THere are two or three sorts of this herbe Woodroofe whereof although some be common and well knowne yet the others are not so 1. Asperula odorata Common Woodroofe The Common Woodroofe or Woodrowell sendeth forth divers square stalkes halfe a foote high or more full of joynts and at every joynt seaven or eight faire greene shining leaves broader then those of Clevers in a manner smooth or but little rough at all at the toppes of the stalkes stand foure or five white sweete smelling flowers made of five leaves a peece laid open like a starre after which come small round seede a little rough or cleaving to whatsoever it toucheth the roote runneth creeping under ground and shooteth up new stalkes round about it every yeare 2. Asperula flore caeruleo Woodroofe with a blew flower This Woodroofe hath seldome more then one round stalke rising from the roote set full of joynts at every one whereof stand divers small and somewhat long greene leaves compassing it not so smooth and greene as the former and likewise small branches from the bottome almost up to the toppe set with the like leaves but smaller where the flowers stand three or foure together each upon a small footestalke which are of the same greatnesse with the former or rather somewhat lesse and of a faire blewish purple colour without any sent at all and after they are past in their places grow small round brownish seede not rough at all the roote is small somewhat yellowish and fibrous and perisheth every yeare and from the seede when it falleth springeth new plants every yeare 3. Asperula purpurea Woodroofe with a purple flower This is very like unto the last but with more store of stalkes and fewer pale greene leaves at the joynts of them having purplish flowers and small fat oylie seede 4. Asperula Muralis minima Small stony Woodroofe This small Woodroofe which doth in my judgement better resemble Gallium then Asperula yet because others so call it I am content to let it so passe also hath divers square rough and upright stalkes about halfe a foote high which are in a manner transparent being full of joynts and at every joynt sometimes foure or five but usually stand sixe small rough greene leaves somewhat hairy and bitter in taste at the joynts above the leaves come forth the flowers round about the stalkes at certaine distances up to the toppes of them which consist of foure small yellowish leaves the roote is threddy and small perishing also every yeare in these Countries 1. Asperula aut Aspergula odorata Common Woodroofe 2. Asperula caeruleâ— Woodroofe with blue flowers The Place The first is found in the open woods of Germany and other places oftentimes but is most usually planted in gardens as the second is also The third groweth as well in the fields as gardens about Lyons The last Columna saith hee found in stony or rockie places on the hils Valvenses which are in the Kingdome of Naples The Time They doe all flower early even about May and their seede is ripe while they are yet in flower or presently after The Names It is generally called Asperula Aspergula or Spergula odorata is put to the first to distinguish it from the other and not mentioned by any of the antient writers except it be as Gesner in collectione stirpium thinketh it to be Alyssum minus of Plinye in his 26. booke and 9. chap. and some others that tooke it to be Alyssum Galeni but erroniously the first hath beene diversly taken of divers of the later writers for Brunfelsius calleth it Caprifolium vel Stellaria or Herba Stellaris and Hepatica quarta Tragus Cordus Lonicerus and Thalius call it Matrisylva Dodonaeus Lobel and Lugdunensis Asperula Clusius and others Asperula odorata Pena in Adversariis Aspergula odora nostras Cordus upon Dioscorides Aparine sylvestris quaedam Gesner in his Appendix Rubia sylvestris alia minor and Tabermontanus Hepatica stellata but generally now adayes it is called of most men Asperula odorata although it hath but little roughnesse therein at all save onely as I sayd in the seede the Italians call it Asperulla the French Mugnet the Germanes Hertzfroidt waldneister Leberkrant the Dutch Waltneester and we in English Woodroofe and Woodrowell the second is called Asperula caerulea by Dodonaeus Lobel Camerarius and Lugdunensis and our English Turner calleth it Alysson and so doe others also but falsely Bauhinus calleth it Asperula caerulea arvensis the third is called Myagrum alterum minus Dalechampii by Lugdunensis and Asperula hexaphyllus purpurea by Bauhinus The last is called by Columna Asperula verticillata muralis minima and by Bauhinus Asperula verticillata luteola The Vertues The Germanes doe account very highly of this Woodroofe using it very familiarly in wine like as we doe Burnet to take away melancholy passions to make the heart merry and to helpe the stomacke dejected unto a good appetite and the Liver being oppressed and obstructed it is held also to be good against the Plague both to defend the heart and vitall spirits from infection and to expell the noysome vapours that are received it helpeth also to dissolve hard impostumes being bruised and applyed and in the same manner many Country people use it for any fresh or greene wound or cut in the flesh any where the distilled water of the herbe is no lesse effectuall for the purposes aforesayd either inwardly or outwardly CHAP. XLV Gallium Maidens haire or Ladies Bedstraw OF Gallium Ladies Bedstraw there are diverse sorts some growing with us others â—e 〈◊〉 brought from other places all which is fit that we should joyne in one chapter as followeth 1. Gallium luteum vulgare The common Ladies Bedstraw This Ladies Bedstraw riseth up with divers small browne and square upright stalkes a yâ— high or more sometimes branched forth into divers parts full of joynts and with divers very 〈◊〉 small leaves at every one of them little or nothing rough at all at the toppes of the branches grow 〈◊〉 long tufts or branches of yellow flowers very thicke set together one above another from the severall joynâ— which consist of foure small leaves a peece which smell somewhat strong or resinous yet not unpleas◠〈◊〉 seede is small and blacke like Poppie seede two for the most part joyned together the roote is reddish 〈◊〉 hath many small threds fastned unto it which take strong hold of the ground and creepeth a little also and the branches leaning a little downe to the ground take roote at the joynts thereof whereby it is easily encreased 2. Gallium flore rubro Red flowred Ladies Bedstraw This small plant hath slenderer and lower stalkes than the former yet divided into many branches as whole joynts stand 4. 5. or 6. long leaves and not of so darke a greene colour the flowers are of a red colour not so thicke set together as the former consisting of foure
call it generally Kings Claver as the chiefest of all other three leafed grasses generally called Clavers or Claver grasses and Melilot after the Latine name to be the more easily understood yet in some places they call it Harts Claver because if it grow where Stagges and Deere resort they will greedily feede thereon And in some places of Essex they call it Hartwort because as they thinke the seede thereof happening into their bread caused paines in the stomacke and chest which they usually call the Heart burne or paines of the heart The first is called by most Authors Melilotus after the Greeke name the old Latine name of Serta or Sertula Campana being quite left Tragus calleth it Melilotus major vulgaris Camerarius Dodonaeus and Lobel call it Melilotus Germanica and Thalius Dodonaeus TrifoliuÌ„ odoratuÌ„ Matthiolus Durantes and Lugdunensis call it Lotus urbana and sativa Fuschius and Lonicerus Saxifraga Lutea and altera The second is scarse mentioned but under the other and is called by Tragus Melilotus major candida and of Dalechampius Lotus sylvestris flore albo The third Camerarius calleth Italica and Bauhinus Melilotus Italica folliculis subrotundis The fourth is called by Tragus tertia species Meliloti vulgaris who saith it is most likely to be Serapio his Melilot Fuschius Gesner Dodonaeus and Matthiolus make it to be Melilotus Italica but we have another more true species called Melilotus Italica here set downe the next before this and Lobel as you heard before called it Melilotus Syriaca odora and that because it came from Aleppo as hee saith it was much used in Italy for the true Melilot and therefore called Melilotus Italica Bauhinus calleth it corniculis reflexis major The fift Prosper Alpinus saith is called in Egypt Alchimelech and is the onely Melilot they use Bauhinus calleth it Corniculis reflexis minor The sixt Bauhinus onely giveth the name being brought to him out of Spaine The last hath his name in his title as it hath beene sent to us which as I said doth still continue There hath beene some controversie among our later writers what herbe should be the true Melilotus of Dioscorides some taking a kind of Citysus to be it others a Medica or Lagopus and others a kind of wild Lotus without sent and some also doubting of his Melilot holding it rather to be Dioscorides his Lotus urbana for as Dodonaeus saith all the Apothecaries in Germany were wont to use no other Melilot then the Trifolium odoratum but time by degrees hath worne out all these opinions and setled a more constant of this and is so now generally accepted for is former times almost every country had a severall Trefoile with yellow flowers to be their Mellilot The Arabians call it Alchilelmelich and the Italians Spaniards and French Melilote the Germanes Edlersteinklee the Dutch Groote Steenclayeren and Ghemayne Melilot and in English as I have said before The Vertues Dioscorides saith it hath an astringent or binding qualitie It mollifieth all hard tumours and inflammations that happen in the eyes or other parts of the body as the seate or fundament and the privie parts of man or women being boyled in wine and laide to the place and sometimes the yoalke of a roasted egge or the powder of Feâ—eke or Linseede or fine flower or Poppie seede or Endive is added unto it It healeth those impostumes that are fresh being applied with torra figillata and wine and the spreading ulcers also in the head being washed with a lye made thereof It easeth the paines of the stomacke applied either fresh or boyled with any other of the aforenamed things It helpeth also the paines of the eares being dropped into them and steeped in Vinegar or Rosewater it mitigateth the headach Thus saith Dioscorides Galen saith in his sixth Booke of simple Medecines that Melilot is of a mixt qualitie for it hath a little astringent facultie in it and yet it doth digest for the warming or hot qualitie is more abundant therein then the cold The Arabian Physitians doe appoint the cods and seede to be used in medicines and make no mention of flowers The Greekes contrariwise doe will the flowers onely to be used and never make use of seede or codds and therefore as Matthiolus saith it is no wonder that the compound plaister of Mellilot which the Apothecaries make not having any of the meale of the seede of the true Melilot therein doth not worke that effect that the Physitians doe expect for this compound plaister is appointed to be used to dissolve hardnesse windinesse tumours and swellings both of the spleene liver and belly as also mightily to ease the paine of them all and to heale the Hypochondria or sore part of the belly about the short ribbes when it is stretched or crackt by the swelling thereof but there is another plaister called Mellilot which is much used to draw and heale all sores and wounds that neede cleansing and is made of the juice of the greene young Mellilot boyled with Rossen Waxe Sheepe tallow and some Turpentine which if it be well made will be almost as greene as the herbe it selfe and smell very strong thereof although it be two or three yeares old The flowers of Mellilot and Camomill are much used to be put together into glysters that are given to expell winde to ease paines as also into pultoses that are made for the same purpose and to asswage swellings or tumors that happen either in the spleene or other parts by the mollifying or discussing qualities that are in it It helpeth also inflammations whether in the eyes or face or other parts of the body The juyce dropped into the eyes is a singular good medicine to take away any filme or skinne from them that groweth as a cloud to dimme the eyesight It is effectuall to be applied to those that have sodainely lost their senses by any paroxisme as also to strengthen the memorie to comfort the head and braines and to preserve them from paines and the feare of the Apoplexie if the head be often washed with the distilled water of the herbe and flowers or a lye made therewith The water also distilled serveth as a perfume to wash course gloves or other things The flowers and herbe of the white flowred Mellilot steeped in oyle Olive and set into the Sunne to digest for some time and after being boyled in a Balneo of hot water and strained forth and other fresh flowers and herbes being put thereto and Sunned as before and strained and so used at the second or third time is accounted a most soveraine Balme both for greene wounds and old sores for swellings inflammations crampes convulsions paines or aches whatsoever in any part of the body whether it be in any fleshy or musculous part or among the sinewes and veines The Italian Melilot is as effectuall as any of the other and by some accounted to be of more efficacie and vertue
in his second Eclogue Alba ligustra cadunt Vaccinia nigra leguntur But Virgill in his tenth Eclogue sheweth he did not meane them for hee nameth them both as different herbes in these words Et nigrae Violae sunt Vaccinia nigra but I have shewed what is the true Vaccinium of Virgill in my former booke in folio 127. and 128. Vitruvius also in his seventh booke of Architecture distinguisheth Viola from Vaccinium by shewing the different colours they gave in dying of doth c. whereof came Ianthinus colour A Violet or purple colour some others thinke that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 came 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 aut provenire aut primum prorumpere veris enim praevia est Viola The Arabians call it Seneffigi Senefragi or Beâ—fifigi the Italians Viola porporea and Pavonazzo and Viola mamuolo the Spaniards Violetta the French Violette de Mars the Germanes Mertzen Violen the Dutch Violetten and we in English Violets March Violets and purple Violets The Hearts ease is called by us Pansyes from the French word Pensees as also love in idlenesse call me to you and three faces in a hood and in Latine Viola tricolor and Viola flammea for so that is 〈◊〉 Gaza translateth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some copies have of Theophrastus lib. 6. c. 6. some also call it Viola multicolor Herba Trinitatis Flos Trinitatis and Viola Trinitatis of the three colours herein Matthiolus also saith it was called Iacea but there is another Iacea called nigra whereof I have largely entreated before and some call it Herba Clavellata the Italians call it Iacea Fior di Giove and Minuti penfieri the French as I said before Pensees and Peâ—sâ—es minutees the Germans Freyschemkraut the Dutch Penseeâ— The first is called by Matthiolus Viola arborescens by Gesner Viola fruticosa by Clusius Viola Elatior by Lobel Viola Martia surrectis cauliculis by Dodonaeus Viola assurgens tricolor by Lugdunensis Mater violarum and by others Viola elatior and arborea the second is called by Clusius in his Curae posteriores folio 59. Viola montana pumila the third by him in his history Viola montana laciâ— the fourth and fift have not beene remembred by any before the two last are reckoned under the generall name of Viola tricolor with the addition of sylvestris to shew their distinctions The Vertues The Garden Violets and so likewise the wilde kindes are cold and moist while they are fresh and greene and are used to coole any heate or distemperature of the body eyther inwardly or outwardly the inflammations in the eâ—er in the mother or in the fundament when they are fallen downe are full of paine Impostumes also and but swellings to drinke the decoction of the leaves or flowers made with water or wine or to apply them poultiâ— wise to the grieved place it likewise easeth paines in the head which are caused through want of sleepe or in any other place arising of heate applyed in the like manner or with oyle of Roses a dram weight of the dryed leaves of the flowers of Violets but the leaves more strongly doth purge the body of chollerick humors and asswageth the heate being taken in a draught of wine or any other drinke the powder of the purple leaves of the flowers onely pickt and dryed and drunke in powder with water is said to helpe the Quinsie and the Falling sickness in children especially in the beginning of the disease the flowers of the white Violets ripeneth and dissolveth swellings the seede being taken resisteth the force of the Scorpion the herbe or flowers while they are fresh or the flowers when they are dry are effectuall in the Plurisie and all other diseases of the Lungs to knife the sharpenesse of hot rheumes and the hoarsenesse of the throate the heate also and sharpenesse of urine and all paines of the backe or reynes and the bladder it is good also for the Liver and the Iaundies and in all hot â—ues helping to coole the heate and quench thirst but the Syrupe of Violets is of most use and of better effect being taken in some convenient liquor and if a little of the juice or Syrupe of Lemons bee put to it or a few drops of the oyle of Vitrioll it is made thereby the more powerfull to coole the heate and to quench the thirst and besides the effect giveth to the drinke a Claret wine colour and a fine tart rellish pleasing to the taste Violets taken or made up with hony doth more clense then coole and with Sugar contrariwise the dryed flowers of Violets are accounted among the Cordiall flowers and are used in cordialls drinkes powders and other medâ—cines especially where cooling cordialls as Roses and Saunders are used the greene leaves are alwayes used with other herbes to make Cataplasmes and Poultises for inflammations or swellings and to ease paines wheresoever arising of heate and for the piles also being fryed with Yolkes of Egges and applyed thereto Pansyes or Hearts ease is like unto Violets in all the parts thereof but somewhat hotter and dryer yet very temperate and by the viscous or glutinous juice therein doth somewhat mollifie yet lesse then Mallowes it is conducing in like manner as Violets to the hot diseases of the lungs and chests for agues for convulsions and the falling sicknesse in children the places also troubled with the itch or scabs being bathed with the decoction of them doth helpe much it is said also to soder greene wounds and to helpe old sores to use the juyce or the distilled water Lugdunensis setteth it downe that many sacks full of the flowers and herbes are transported from Marseilles in France 〈◊〉 Alexandria and other parts of Egypt where they use them boyled in water which onely by their religion they are enjoyned to drinke not onely thereby to make it the more wholesome to be drunke but are perswaded also that it helpeth the diseases of the lungs and chest and the falling sicknesses CHAP. XVI Fragaria Strawberries IN my former Booke I have shewed you not onely most of the edible Strawberries but one wild sort also that was fit to furnish that Worke the figure of one which will decipher all the rest I give you here there are some other sorts to be entreated of fit to be eaten which were omitted and others that are wilde without edible fruit and therefore called by some barren or without fruite 1. Fragaria minor hispido folio Small Strawberries with hard leaves This Strawberrie groweth like to other Strawberries both in leaves flowers and fruite but lesse in all of them and to distinguish it the more certainely from the other sorts the leaves hereof are hard rough and hairie grayish as well on the upper as underside the berries when they are ripe are small but sufficient pleasant to eate red on the one side and white on the other as if they were equally divided 2.
Iâ—ica laciniatis foliis Italian jagged Lettice This Italian Lettice also differeth not from the ordinary sort but in the leaves which are cut into many small parts of a pale greene colour very tender and pleasant to eate The Place These sorts come from Ialy and are there noursed up in the Gardens of the curious but scarse knowne to us aâ— yet Lactuca sativa Garden Lettice 1. Lactuca oblongo folio 〈◊〉 Sharpe pointed Garden Lettice Lactuca aguina Lambes Lettice or Corne Sallet The Time Their time of flowring seeding and spending is the same with the common sort The Names Lettice is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thridax in Greeke and in Latine Lactuca a lactis copia The first is taken by Bauhinus to bee the Lactuca Gallica of Castor Durantes and calleth it himselfe Lactuca folio oblongo acuto the other also is called by him Lactuca Italica laciniata and we in English thereafter Italian jagged Lettice the Arabians call Lettice Chas and Cherbas the Italians Lattuga the Spaniards Lechuga and Alfalsa the French Laittue the Germans Lattik the Dutch Lattouwe and we in English Lettice The Vertues Although these sorts of Lettice doe differ in forme from the other each of them also one from another in the forme of their leaves yet in qualitie they are alike and acceptable to an hot stomacke troubled with choller yeelding good nourishment to the body as both Serapio and Galen testifie of the experience thereof on themselves and Pliny also sheweth that the learned Physition Musa did by Lettice ease Augustus of the violence of his disease Galen sheweth that the eating of boyled Lettice at night when hee went to bed procured him rest and sleepe who should have had none if hee had beene without it having used himselfe to watching from his yonger dayes the same is found effectuall also with divers or the juice thereof mixed or boyled with oyle of Roses and applied to the forehead and temples both to procure rest and sleepe and to ease the headach of any hot cause being eaten raw or boyled it helpeth to loosen the belly and the boyled more then the raw which eaten last performeth it the better and was generally so used in ancient dayes which made the Poet Martiall move this question seeing the contrary course held in his time Clandere quae caenas Lactuca solebat avorum Dic mihi cur nostras inchoat illa dapes Which may be thus Lettice that earst our Grandsires meales did close Why it begins pray tell me whence it growes It helpeth digestion quencheth thirst helpeth to encrease milke in Nourses and easeth all griping paines of 〈◊〉 stomacke or bowels that come of Choller it abateth bodily lust and therefore both it and Rue are commended for Moâ—kes Nunnes and the like sort of people to eate and use to keepe them the chastes it represseth also venerom dreames and applyed outwardly to the Cods with a little Camfire abuteth the pride and heare of lust which some call the Colterevill applyed also in the same manner to the region of the Heart Liver or Reynes or by bathing the said place with the juice or distilled water wherein some white Saunders and red Roses are put also is not onely a repercussive medicine to stay and represse the heate and inflammations therein but doth also comfort and strengthen those parts the same also tempereth the heate of Vrine Galen adviseth old men to use it with spices to conserve the radicall moysture and that where spices are wanting to adde Mintes Rocket and such like hot Sallet herbes or else Citron Lemon or Orrenge seedes or the young shootes of them to abate the cold of the one and the heate of the other The seede and the distilled water of the Lettice worke the like effects in all things but the use of the Lettice is chiefly forbidden those that are short winded or have any imperfection in their Lungs or doe use to spit blood Galen saith it did hurt his teeth and some say it hurteth the sight CHAP. XLIIII Lactuca sylvestris Wilde Lettice OF the wilde Lettice there are two or three sorts to bee declared in this Chapter wherewith I shall close and finish this Classis of cooling herbes 1. Lactuca sylvestris Endiviae folijs odore viroso Broad leafed wilde Lettice This wilde Lettice riseth up with foure or five somewhat long and large leaves smaller at the bottome and broader at the ends being round pointed unevenly dented about the edges but not cut in or torne at all of a pale or whitish greene colour and very like unto the Garden Lettice or Garden Endive leaves so that it will soone deceive one that never saw it before which doe soe abide the first winter after the sowing whether in the Spring or Autumne of the shed seede but in May following it beginneth to rise up to a stalke and then those lower leaves will have the middle ribbe on the backe side set full of small sharpe prickes the stalke hath risen in my Garden to be eight foote high at the least and as bigge as the thumbe of any mans hand at the lower joynt somewhat browne and spreading into divers very long branches whereon are set large leaves like the other but more crumpled the lower and so to the middle of the stalke set with prickes in the manner of the bottome leaves but lesser and higher somewhat more jagged or divided on the edges all and every part yeelding plenty of milke being broken which smelleth strong very like unto Opium or bitter in taste the flowers are very small and single somewhat like unto Lettice but smaller and paler yellow scarse opening themselves and scarse abiding also halfe a day open but turne into downe with small blacke seede therewith very like unto seeke Lettice seede and is carryed away with the winde the roote is white long and wooddy when it beareth 〈…〉 2. Lactuca sylvestris 〈…〉 Wh◠〈◊〉 with jagged leaves This other wilde Lettice groweth like the last but not so high or great the first leaves are of a grayer greene colour smaller and narrower then the other which so 1. Lactuca sylvestris Endiviae folijs odore viroso Broad leafed wilde Lettice abide and afterwards gaine thornes or prickes on their backsides as the other hath those that follow are much more jagged then the others and set with sharpe prickes also yelding milke as plentifull being broken and as bitter as the former but doth smell as strongly of Poppie or Opium as the other the flowers and seede are like it flying away with the winde but the roote hereof abideth after seede when as the other doth not 3. Lactuca sylvestris purpureo flore Wilde Lettice with purple flowers This great plant sometimes in moyst grounds riseth up to be foure or five cubits high but usually two or three with a strong great stalke set on each side with leaves smallest at the bottome and larger as they rise up higher being largest about the middle of the
or sixe foote high with divers great joynts and leaves set on them whose foote stalkes doe compasse the maine stalke at the bottome and from thence also towards the toppe come forth branches with the like but lesser leaves at them and at their toppes large round spread umbells of white flowers but Brausus describeth his with yellow flowers which I never saw after which commeth the seede which is somewhat flat thicke short and white two alwayes set together and is usuall in all these umbelliferous plants and a little 1. Angelica sativa Garden Angellica 2. Angelica sylvestris Wilde Angellica 3. Angelica sylvestris montana ditarum specitrum Two sorts of Mountaine Angelica 4. Archangelica The great water Angellica crested on the round seede the roote groweth great and wooddy when it flowreth with many great long branches to it but perisheth after seede and will rise and spring againe better from the seede that doth fall of it selfe then what is sowen by hand at any other time the whole plant both leafe and seede and roote is of an excellent pleasant sent and taste very comfortable being not fierce or sharpe but rather sweete and giveth a most delicate rellish when it is tasted or used the leaves be the weakest and some hold the seede to bee next and the roote to be the strongest especially being not ready to grow up for stalke Of this kinde wee have another sort in our Gardens called sweet Angellica not differing in any thing from the former Dulcis but in that it hath a sweeter rellish then the other 2. Angelica sylvestris Wilde Angellica The wilde Angellica groweth up with large spread leaves on the ground having smaller stalkes and lesser divided leaves by much of a darke greene colour not smelling halfe so strong as the garden kinde yet savouring so much like Angelica that by the smell one may soone see and know it to be a kinde of Angellica though wilde the stalkes are much slender and smaller yet growing three or foure foote high with smaller joynts and lesser leaves thereat at the toppes grow lesser umbells of white flowers which turne into smaller seede and blacker the roote is nothing so great as the former neyther are the strings so great or long and of a blacker colour on the outside not smelling halfe so well Of this kinde likewise there is some varietie one growing likewise wilde with us not much differing in the leaves but being smaller and not so much divided the stalkes being reddish and the seede thicker and longer Sylvestris altera the roote being great and thicke 3. Angelica sylvestris montana Mountaine wilde Angellica Mountaine Angellica groweth like the former wilde kinde but much lower and smaller in every part the roote hereof differeth most in that it is nothing so great but sendeth forth many small brownish strings from the the head round about it yet holding the same strong sent of Angellica that the former doth I give you here the figures of two other sorts of Angellica taken out of Doctor Foxes booke of dryed herbes which he had from Padoa garden and might seeme to be the Laserpitium of Alpinus set forth before but that they had severall denominations to them 4. Archangelica The greater water Angellica This Angellica groweth with a taller and much greater stalke sometimes reddish the leaves likewise being more in number and smaller divided and of as deepe a greene colour as the first sort in the tufts of white flowers it is like the first garden Angellica and so is the seede but greater and blacker the roote is great according to the plant and endureth many yeares without perishing The Place and Time The first sorts are with us sowen in Gardens the second sort is wilde both in many places of Essex Kent and neare Kentish Towne by London also and in other places the third groweth on divers mountaines in Germany Hungary and the rest the last is not onely naturall to grow in watery ditches but in moist grounds also in many places with us and in the Marsh ditches by Rederiffe The Names This herbe hath gained many worthy names from sundry worthy persons for some have called it Sancti Spiritus radix Lacuna and Dodonaeus thinke it some kinde of Laserpitium Cordus and some others take it to be Smyrniâ—â— and Cordus to be Panax Heracleum but all in generall call it Angellica from the Angell-like properties therein All these sorts are so called by most Authors as their titles beare and therefore I neede not explaine them further onely the last is called Archangelica by Clusius and Angelica aquatica by Gesner All Christian nations likewise in their appellations hereof follow the Latine name as neare as their Dialect will permit onely in Sussex they call the wilde kinde Kex and the Weavers winde their Yarne on the dead stalkes The Vertues Angellica is hot and dry some put it in the second and others in the third degree It resisteth poyson by defending the heart the blood and spirits and giveth heate and comfort to them it doth the like against the Plague and infection of the Pestilence if the roote be taken in powder to the weight of halfe a dramme at a time with some good Treakle in Cardos water and layd to sweate thereupon in their bed if Treakle be not at hand take the roote alone in Cardus or Angellica water the stalkes or rootes candid and eaten fasting are good helpes also in time of infection and at other times to warme and comfort a cold or old stomack The root also steeped in Vinegar and a little of that Vinegar taken sometimes fasting and the roote smelled unto are both good preservatives for that purpose a water distilled from the rootes simply or steeped in wine and distilled in glasse is much more effectuall then the water of the leaves and this water being drunke two or three spoonefulls at a time doth ease all paines and torments that come of cold or winde so as the body be not bound the said water taken with some of the roote in powder helpeth the Plurisie being taken in the beginning as also all other diseases of the Lungs and breast as coughes and shortnesse of breath Tissickes and so doth the Syrupe of the stalkes mentioned in my former booke it helpeth likewise the torments of the Chollicke the strangury and stopping of the urine procureth womens courses and expelleth the afterbirth and briefely easeth and discusseth all inward tumors and windinesse it openeth the obstructions of the Liver and Spleene and the decoction thereof being drunke before the fit of an Ague so that they may sweate if it be possible before the fit come will in twice or thrice taking rid it quite away it helpeth also digestion in the stomacke and is a remedy for a Surfet The juice or the water dropped into the eyes cleareth the dimnesse of sight if any filmes doe begin to breed in them and helpeth deafenesse by dropping it into the eares
doe not finde that any hath written being bushes more peculiar to this Land then others the fift Clusius calleth Rubus saxatilis sive petraeus sive Alpinus Gesner in hortis calleth it Rubus Alpinus humilis Thalius Rubus minimus and Bauhinus Chamaerubus saxatilis the sixt and the two last are mentioned by Clusius by the names of Chamaemorus Anglica Norwegica altera as they are in their titles the seventh hath a name or title given it as is fittest to expresse it and to put all out of doubt concerning Gerards Cloud berry as hee hath expressed it from the rude draught of Master Hoskets doing as it is very likely but the more exact figure is here exhibited The Arabians call the Bramble Buleich and Haleicho the Italians Rovo the Spaniards Carca sarsa the French Ronce the Germans Brombeer Bremen and Bramen Braemen also and wee in English Bramble or Blacke-berry bush the fruit or berries are called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Galen saith which some have made Vatina in Latine Mora rubi but in the Apothecaries shoppes Mora bati and of some Mora bussi the berries of the Mulberry tree being called by them Mora selsi The Vertues Galen lib. 6. simpl med saith that the buddes leaves flowers fruit and roote of the Bramble are all of a great binding quality but yet somewhat in a differing manner for the buddes leaves and branches while they are fresh and greene have a cold earthly quality joyned with a warme watery substance but little binding and therefore they are then of good use in the Vlcers and putride sores of the mouth and throate and for the Quinsie and likewise to heale other fresh wounds and sores but the fruit when it is ripe because it is sweet hath a temperate warming juice therein whereby and by that small astriction is in it it is not unpleasant to be eaten but being not yet ripe it is of an exceeding cold and earthly substance sower and very astringent and being kept doe more strongly bind then when they are fresh the flowers are of the same propertie that the unripe fruit is of both of them are very profitable for the Blooddy flux Laskes and the weakenesse of the parts comming thereby and is also a fit remedy against the spitting of blood the roote also beside the binding quality therein hath a thinne essence whereby it is available eyther the decoction or the powder taken to breake and drive forth gravell and the Stone in the Reynes and Kidneyes the leaves of Brambles as well greene as dry are excellent good for lotions for the sores in the mouth and secret parts the decoction of them and of the branches when they are dryed doe binde the belly much more and is good for women when their courses come downe too abundantly the berries saith Pliny or the flowers are a powerfull remedy against the most violent poyson of the Prester or Dipsas which are most violent Serpents the Scorpion and other venemous Serpents as well drunke as outwardly applied and helpeth also the sores of the fundament and the painefull and bleeding Piles the juice of the berries hereof mixed with that of Mulberries maketh the medicine more effectuall to bind and to helpe fretting or eating sores and Vlcers wheresoever and is good for the stomacke the sores in the mouth with the loosenesse of the gummes and teeth the same being taken alone or mixed with some Hipocistis and Hony saith Pliny is a remedy for choller when it gnaweth the stomacke which some call hartburning and is good also against the passions of the heart and faintings the distilled water of the branches leaves and flowers or of the fruit is as sweete as that of Violets and is very effectuall besides the facilitie and pleasantnesse in taking in all hot fevers or distemperatures of heate in the body the head eyes and other parts and for all the purposes aforesaid the leaves of Brambles boyled in lye and the head washed therewith doth heale the itch the mattering and running sores thereof and maketh the haire blacke the powder of the leaves strewed on cancrous and running Vlcers doth wonderderfully helpe to heale them Some use to condensate the juice of the leaves and some the juice of the berries to keepe for their use all the yeare for the purposes aforesaid the other sorts are very neare in qualitie unto it and therefore worke the same effects no doubt but the Norway Knotberry is much commended against the Scorbute or Scurvey and other crude putrid and melancholy diseases wherewith those Northerly people are much afflicted which Clusius out of Hierus Epistle declareth at large and the manner of the cure of a number infected therewith as well in Winter as in Sommer whereunto I refer them that would understand it more fully CHAP. XXVI Rosae sylvestres Wilde Roses or Bryer bushes HAving given you the knowledge of all or most of the manured Roses in my former Booke and with them some of the wilder kindes also as the Sweet bryer or Eglantine the evergreene Rose which is very like thereunto and the great Apple Rose which shall not be further related here I am to shew you all the rest in this Chapter Rosa Damasâ—â—â— The Damaske 1. Rosa sylvestris inodora sive Canina The ordinary wilde Bryer bush 1. Rosa sylvestris inodora sive Canina The ordinary wilde Bryer bush The wilde Bryer bush groweth of it selfe in the hedges very high with upright hard wooddy stemmes covered with a grayish barke especially the old ones set with sharpe thornes up to the toppes but not so thicke as the sweete Bryer having divers leaves somewhat larger thereon and not so greene on the upperside nor so grayish underneath as the other the middle ribbe whereof hath divers small crooked thornes and without any sent at all the flowers stand at the toppes of the branches divers set together of a whitish blush colour made of five 〈◊〉 pointed leaves somewhat longer then the Sweet bryer or Eglantine Rose standing in such like huskes as they or other Roses doe after the flowers are past come the fruit somewhat long and round of a yellowish red colour or reddish yellow colour when it is ripe having a soft sweetish pulpe under the skinne and seedes lying therein also which berries are much devoured by the poorer sort of women and children that eate them gladly the roote runneth deepe and farre in the ground growing somewhat great Rosarum pilulae sive Spongiola Plinie Vpon this Rose as well as upon the Eglaâ—tine is often found a burre or ball of browne threads and I have often seene it also upon the greater Apple Rose which is extant in my former Booke 2. Rosa sylvestris odorato carneo flore The wilde blush Bryer Rose This wild Bryer Rose is so like the former that it is hardly discerned from it eyther for the height of the stem or store of thornes or smalnesse of the leaves but onely for the flowers
and Theophrastus that â—heweth whereas Corne and other herbes doe delight and are furthered by dung the Ferne onely perisheth thereby CHAP. II. Filix foemina The female Ferne. OF the female Ferne likewise there is some diversitie 1. Filix foemina vulgaris The common female Ferne. more then formerly hath beene observed by others as you may here see 1. Filix foemina vulgaris The common female Ferne. This Ferne riseth up with one or two and sometimes more almost round stalkes from the roote somewhat higher then the formes and branches with such like winged leaves growing on both sides therof equally for the most part one against another every leafe being lesser then the male and more divided or dented yet not sharpe but round pointed of as strong a smell as the former and having the like spots on the backside of them which stalke if it be cut a slope somewhat long will in the white pith thereof shew some marke of a splayed Eagles the roote hereof is long and slenderer then the former of about a fingers thicknesse and blackish for the most part creeping under the ground 2. Filix foemina pinnulis dentalis Dented female Ferne. This other female Ferne hath the small winged leaves which are set on each side of the middle ribbe somewhat sharpe pointed of a â—ddeâ— greene colour and narrower then the former yet spared on the backside but the maine stalke is fuller of 〈◊〉 and not growing up so straight nor so high and differeth little in any thing else 3. Filix foemina aculeatis pinnulis Sharpe pointed female Ferne. This sharpe pointed female Ferne hath the maine stalkes about a foote long braâ—hing out into wings each whereof is not dented but whole ending in a small pricke or point The Place The first groweth more frequently than the male on barren heaths and shady hedge sides c. the other two grow rather on moist rockes and in the shaded hills The Time They flourish at the same time and perish in Winter I meane the leaves The Names It is cal'ed in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the lypteris and nymphaea pteris in Latine Filix fâ—emina the first is generally by most authors called Filix foemina yet Gesner in hortis calleth it Mas and Bauhinus in his Pinâ— Filix ramosa pinnulis obtusis non dentatis the second is called by Thalius Filix faemina altera teâ—â—ifolia the last iâ— called by Bauhinus in his Pinax Filix ramosa minor pinnulis dentatis which Cordus in historia calleth Ptoridum masculum as Thalius noteth it likewise it is called in Italian Felce foemina in Spanish Helecho and French Fengiore femelle in high Dutch Grosse Farnkraut in low Dutch Varen Wiffken and we in English Brake or common Ferne. The Vertues The rootes of both these sorts of Ferne are somewhat bitter with some astriction being bruised and boyled in Mede or honyed water and drunke killeth both the broade and long wormes in the body the same also abateth the swelling and hardnesse of the spleene the greene leaves eaten are sayd to open the belly and moveth it downewards yet it troubleth the stomacke and purgeth chollericke and waterish humours they are very dangerous to women with childe by destroying the birth and provoking aborsement yet is it but a fable to be any danger unto them to goe or stride over it for Lacuna sheweth that the greeke text is faulty in that word which bred that errour yet the use of it procureth barrennesse in them the rootes being bruised and boyled in oyle or Hogs grease maketh an oyntment very profitable to heale wounds punctures or prickes in any part and the powder of them used in fowle Vulcers dryeth up their malignant moisture and causeth their speedier healing thâ— rootes hereof with other things that goe into the oyntment called Agrippae are appointed as helping hydropicke persons the fume of Ferne being burned driveth away Serpents Gnats and other noisome Creatures that in the Fenny Countries much molest both strangers and inhabitants that lye in bed in the night time with their faces uncovered They use in Warwicke shire above any other Country in this Land in steed of Sope to wash their clothes to gather the female Ferne for that is most frequent with them about midsomer and to make it up into good big balls which when they will use them they burne them in the fire untill it become blewish which being then layd by will dissolve into powder of it selfe like unto Lime foure of these balles being dissolved in warme water is sufficient to wash a whole bucke full of cloathes CHAP. III. Osmunda regalis sive Filix florida Osmund or Water Ferne. ALthough this Ferne doth never grow naturally but in Bogs wet Moores and the like watry places and therefore may fitly challenge to be placed with those of the like nature yet because I would not transpose it alone from the rest of this Tribe let it take his place here with the rest of the Fernes It shooteth forth in the spring time for in the winter the leaves perish divers rough hard stalkes halfe round and hollowish or flat on the other side two foote high having divers branches of 1. Osmunda regalis sive Filix florida Osmund or water Ferne. Osmunda regalis suâ—mitatis cum floribus 〈◊〉 yellowish greene leaves on all sides each whereof standing one against another are longer narrower and 〈◊〉 or nicked on the edges as the former but somewhat like to the leaves of Pollipody from the top of some of these stalkes grow forth a long bush of small and more yellowish greene scaly aglets as it were set in the same manner on the stalkes as the leaves are which are accounted as the flower and seede the roote is rough thicke and scaly with a white pith in the middest which is called the heart thereof The Place It groweth as I before sayd on Moores Bogges and watery places in many places of this Land I tooke a roote thereof for my garden from the bogge on Hampsteed Heath not farre from a small cottage there The Time It is greene all the Summer and the roote onely abideth in winter to shoote forth a new in the Spring The Names It is called in Latine it hath no Greeke name Osmunda regalis of the singular properties therein it is also called by some Filicastrum Filix florida or florescons Filix palustris or aquatica and as Gosner saith Filix Lunaris and Lunaria major by Chimistes by Ruellius Sideritis forte by Anguilara Filix Mas and by Cordus in historia Filix latifolia it is called in Italian Osmunda in French Osmunde and Feugiere aquatique in high Dutch Wasser Farn and Grosse Farn in low Dutch Groote Varen and Wilt Varen some in English Osmund Ferne Osmund the waterman Osmund royall and S. Christophers herbe The Vertues Osmund is not particularly remembred by the ancients although it is probable enough they knew it and
Fuchsius Gesner Matthiolus Dodonaeus and others but Cordus on Dioscorides earnestly striveth to Pisum Cordatum vesicarium The bladder hart like spotted Pease make it the Dorycnium of Dioscorides whereunto it seemeth he was led not onely from the severall parts of the forme thereof except the leaves but also from the properties of the seede which as hee saith he tryed in himselfe to be dangerous in provoking sleepe if too much should be taken although as he saith it causeth a sweeter sleepe then Opium but Matthiolus contesteth against him for this his opinion but sheweth no reasons for it Dodonaeus misliking others opinions bringeth in one of his owne that this is Serapio his Abrong or Abrugi mentioned in his 153. Chapter in these words Abrong It is a small graine spotted with blacke and white and like unto the graine Maiz Lobel assenteth unto such of his friends as tooke it to be Dioscorides his Isopyrum whereunto it commeth neerer as he saith then unto any sort of Melanthium such as Matthiolus gave it for or as Dodonaeus in his French Herball Trifolium palustre but all alike every one wanting some thing or other Lobel calleth it therefore as it was usuall Cor Indum or Pisum Indicum Cordus granum cordis and Tabermontanus Cardispermon Tragus also saith it was called with them Muncks Kopfflin id est Monachi calvaria or as Gesner saith Caput Monachi Lobel also calleth it Pisum Cordatum but Bauhinus putting it among the Pease as a sort thereof calleth it Pisum vesicarium fructu nigro alba maculata notato The Vertues Some asignatur would make it availeable for faintings and other diseases of the heart but without experience as I thinke Cordus saith as is before related to be a great provoker to sleepe even to the danger of life if the quantity be not proportioned I find not any of the other Authours that hath written of it hath set downe any property they knew or heard to be in it CHAP. XXVII Delphinum sive Consolida regalis Larkes spurres or heeles I Have in my former Booke shewed you all the Delphinum sive Consolida regalis sylvestris Wild Larkes Spurres sorts of Larkes spurres both tame and wilde both single and double both simple and severall colours and party coloured that I have not any more to bring to your consideration Yet I thinke good here to present you with some figures of them that I had by mee and with them a kinde of different Nasturtium Indicum in the forme of the leaves which Lobel had formerly set forth taken as it is likely to the life of the viewed plant howsoever it hath beene since misliked by many others who since his time have not obtained the like to see againe yet that hindereth not much the verity of the thing no more then the relation of Hondius the younger of a white flower of this kinde which wee have not as yet seene neither Delphinum sive Consolida regalis latifolia Larke spurres with broader leaves Nastartium Indicum Indian Cresses CHAP. XXVIII Paeonia Peony ALthough in my former Booke I have shewed you some sorts of Peonies which were the male two sorts of double and three of the female single yet not all that are extant those that wanted there shall be supplyed here with the Vertues more largely amplyfied Of the male kinde I know but one sort which is single and not double howsoever Besler in horto Eystetensi erroniously hath entituled many therewith wherefore I thinke it not amisse to give you the figures of both sorts that the rest may be knowne by them 1. Paeonia faemina Hispanica pumila The Spanish dwarfe Peony This dwarfe Spanish kinde as Clusius saith rose with him from the seede he received thence growing with leaves that were more finely cut into divers parts and more pointed also greene on the upper side but not shining as others and hoary white underneath among which sprang slender pale greene stalkes lower then others and at the toppes of each a smaller flower made of eight leaves of a more purplish colour then the ordinary double Peony and as sweete with many white threds tipt with yellow standing about the middle bicornered head which growing ripe containeth within it blackish blew seede the roote is glandulous like other female Peonies but smaller 2. Paeonia faemina Aquilinae folijs Columbine leafed Peony This hath sundry dissected leaves rising from the roote which hath many long clogs hanging thereat as other sorts of female Peonies have parted into three divisions each producing three rounder pointed short leaves then in any other cut likewise in on the edges of a pale greene colour on the upperside and woolly or hoary white underneath so neerely representing Columbine leaves that it will soone deceive one that is not well verst in these things Clusius saith that Hogheland from whom he received the plant which as then had not borne flowers and therefore could not describe them signified unto him that it was a kinde of male Peony but I thinke hee was therein deceived the forme of the rootes being as others of the female kinde contradicting that opinion 3. Paeonia faemina versicolor The party coloured Peony The difference of this from the others consisteth chiefly in the flowers which are sometimes of a pale red and sometimes of a deeper red colour wholly and sometimes parted with both these colours either to the halves or with stripes and veines 4. Paeonia faemina Leucanthemos Ochranthemos The female white and pale yellow Peony Both these sorts of Peonies I must deliver you but upon trust of others fidelity that have related them the white Peony having two witnesses the one Bellonius in his Observations the other Honorius Bellus each of them attesting that in the Mountaine Ida in Candy there groweth in great plenty a white Peony and Honorius Bellus that in the whole Island there is no other sort of Peony to be found but yet is a promiscuous or doubtfull sort and yet since their time we have not heard of any hath enjoyed one of such a colour unlesse Besler in horto Eystetensi should meane it that he calleth Paeonia mas flore albo But Camerarius saith that that which passeth under that title is not perfit white but whitish with some rednesse among it which maketh a faint blush colour For the pale yellow Camerarius also saith that one by such a name he had out of the Lantsgrave of Hessen his Garden but had not as then when he wrote thereof flowred with him neither yet to this time that I write this can I heare of any that hath it but words enough I heare 5. Paeonia faemina promiscua The doubtfull female Peony Because the leaves of this Peony have some resemblance to those of the male it caused Lobel to entitle it Promiscua sive neutra saying if you behold what growes above ground you would say it were a male but if the rootes underground a female and saith that Pliny
them to fall downe into the middle againe which worke is continued so long untill they be all dead and dryed sufficient with the heate of the Sunne and are afterwards brought to the market and sold to the Merchants that will buy them Some doe this in a bagge or boulter shaking them in the Sunne or drying them in an oven Bellonius sheweth the way that they use in Candy is to make two sorts of Dyes of them the one of the pulpe the other of the bladders or shells and because the pulpe maketh the richer Dye it is sold at foure times the deerer rate 2 There is also found upon the branches of the greater Holme Oke scatteringly here and there and nothing so plentifully as in the other certaine small round graines of a darke red colour which for the most part are neglected and so soft 3. There is likewise found a kind of grayish Mosse made like unto a small long bush or locke consisting of grayish hoary haires but not sweete 4 There is a gum also found sticking to the Acornes of the great Holme Oke which is somewhat hot in taste but not unpleasant 5. Theophrastus maketh mention of Hyphear to grow as well as Missellto on the Ilex and that on the Southside theereof which cannot be but a differing thing from Missellto The Place and Time The place of growing of these berries hath beene set downe in the Chapter before and they beginne to appeare in Aprill and are gathered in May the rest in Greece Italy Spaine and France and are chiefely seene in the Summer The Names The Scarlet graine is called by Theophrastus in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coccus Phaenicea by Dioscorides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coccus Baphica in Latine of Pliny Granum Coccum Quisquilium Cusculium Scoletium and Vermiculum as also Hysginum both by him and Vitruvius taken from the word Hys whereby as Pausanias saith the Galatians beyond Phrigia did call it of the latter Writers Coccus infectorius Granum infectorium in shoppes Grana tinctorum and Chermes or Kermes and Grana kermes after the Arabian name by the Italians Grana di tintori in Spanish Grana de tintoreros and Granaen grano in French Vermillon and Graine de scarlate by the Germanes Scarlackbeer and in English the Scarlet graine or Chermes berry The second is called Granum Jligueum The third Muscus Iligneus The fourth Gummi Iilgneum And the last as is said Hyphear The Vertues The Scarlet graine is used to heale greene wounds and sinewes that are cut to be mixed with vinegar or Oxymell and is much commended and given by the later Physitians to women with child who by infirmity or other casualty are subject to miscarry with their children by untimely travell and birth but especially the confection which is called Alkermes which is made of the juyce of these berryes is effectuall for that purpose and is also a â—overaigne Cordiall to strengthen and revive the fainting spirits of the heart and to drive away melancholly 〈◊〉 confection also is dayly commended and used with good effect against the trembling and shaking of the heart 〈◊〉 against swounings it is often used likewise against Melancholly passions and sorrow proceeding of no evident cause and to procure mirth as much as Physicall meanes may effect but there hath beene formerly many errours committed in the composition of this confection first in the Lapis Lazuli first put in by Mesues the Arabian against Melancholly some condemning the use of it and some fearing the mention thereof by forcibly purging Melancholly have wholly left it out and others have put it in but without that due preparation it ought to have a second errour is concerning the silke that is appointed to be put into it some taking crimson silke dyed as our Dyes use it which may be dangerous in that they use divers things to strike that Dye that is not safe to be used inwardly and therefore some used to draw a tincture out of the dryed berries but our later age hath appointed a safer course namely to steepe the raw cods of silke that hath felt no art passe upon them in the true juice of the Chermes berries wherewith being imbibed and sufficiently tincted the juyce after boyling and straining is then fit to be used to make this confection a third errour rose from Dodonaeus that mistooke Sericam and made it Seta whose errour Doctor Priest that translated him into English did follow and gave occasion to Gerard so to publish it so in his Herball in that Gerard received that translation from Mr. Norton to finish a fourth errour hath risen from the Monckes that wrote Comentaries upon Mesues who affirmed that that kinde of Crimson graine that is gathered from the rootes of Burnet is this Kermes of the Arabians but Matthiolus hath confuted their opinion sufficiently a fifth errour is in many mens mistaking Cocheuille a certaine graine or rather flye knowne but of late dayes and brought from America for Kermes of ancient and speciall use with the old Arabian and Greeke Writers but now all these errours being taken away men may safely repose confidence in the goodnesse of this confection the faithfull preparations of the ingredients hereof as well as of other compositions being so carefully overseene by the guardians of the Apothecaries since they were joyned into a corporation that it may justly now compare who were farre behinde before with the most famous and expect in the art wheresoever the berries that are found on the great Holme Oke saith Matthiolus being bruised with vinegar are good to be applyed to greene wounds and put also into those eyes that are blood-shotten doe much good the other excressences are not put to any use that I know CHAP. VI. Suber The Corke tree OF the Corke tree there are three sorts observed by divers which yet may well be reduced into two in that the difference is not fit in my minde to make a speciall sort as you shall here 1. Suber latifolium The broad leafed Corke tree The broad leafed Corke tree groweth to be a great tree in many places but not so high as the Ilex or Holme Oke nor so farre spread but with a thicker body and fewer boughes yet in some places it groweth much lower for Pliny said it was a small tree the leaves hereof are very like unto the leaves of the Ilex but usually greater broader and more prickely then 1 2. Suber latifolium angustifolium The broad and narrow leafed Corke tree those of the elder Holme Okes and in most places abide alwayes greene on the trees but in some few doe fall away as the ordinary Okes doe which therefore being but peculiar to few cannot I thinke constitute another species The flowers are like the other Okes and the Ackornes smaller then those of the Ilex softer also as it were spongy and more unpleasant standing in very rough prickly cups the barke hereof is very
they exceede not the bignesse of a penny standing close together without either flower or seed that it can scarse be taken for a Willow 6. Salix Aegyptiaca Syriaca The Egiptian Willow or of Syria This Willow that groweth familiarly both in Egipt and Syria is neerer a shrub then a tree spreading into many slender flexible and yellowish branches and stemmes also from the roote whereon are set faire broad and large 2 3. Salix humilis latifolia Alpina repens The Creeping broad leafed and mountaine Willow 6. Salix Aegyptiaca Syriaca The Egyptian Willow or of Syria 7. Salix Arabica humilis solijs Atriplicis The Arabian dwarfe willow leaves on both sides yet but one at a place usually especially on the younger stemmes and branches but grow smaller on the elder with some lesser with them also greene on the upper side and grayish underneath at every joynt with the leafe usually commeth forth a whitish ball or tuft of a soft flocky substance which by time is dispersed into the aire without bearing any seede for ought that hath been observed yet may be in that flocky matter as is usuall in many other plants that beare flocky heads but because the flowers are very plentifull and sweete withall the Natives distill a water from them whereof they make a great account calling it Machaleb using it as an especiall helpe for all sorts of agues but especially in pestilentiall and putride feavers as also the infusion or decoction of the flowers and for paines in the head and faintings of the heart and the comforting and strengthening thereof 7. Salix Arabica humilis folijs Atriplicis The Arabian dwarfe Willow This Arabian likewise groweth low with many pale yellowish branches but thicker more solid and strong then the last beset on all sides with leaves that are of an handbreadth long and two inches broad somewhat jagged on the edges like unto a wild Arrache what flowers or fruite it bore was not observed but of the coles of this sort of Willow they make their best Gunpouther The Place and Time Some of these sorts are found in many places of this Land as upon Hampstead Heath Rumney Marshes and the like although Clusius Lugdunensis and Bauhinus have recorded them to grow in Germany Hungary and Savoy c. The two last according to their titles The Names Bauhinus calleth the first by the name in the title as he doth the fourth also The second and third Clusius calleth Salix pumila latifolia the third here being his first and his second the second here The fifth Lugdunensis calleth abortiva as it is in the title The sixt is remembred by Alpinus among his Egiptian plants calling it Calaf sive Bán and Veslingius saith the Egiptians and Syrians call it Caleb also Rauwolfius saith the Syrians called it Saffaf The last Rauwolfius also saith is called Garb by the Arabians and Garrab by the Moores CHAP. XXXII Salix pumila angustifolia Low narrow leafed Willowes HEreof there are divers kindes which grow diversly some in more wet places then others and first I must speake of the Osier because although it grow with longer twigges or roddes then many of the rest yet it beareth narrow long leaves 1. Salix aquatica humilis The Osier The Osier hath a stumpe or stocke of a tree as bigge as ones arme at the most and not above a foote high put with an head as bigge as a childes head being kept thus low of purpose because the shootes or wands that rise out of it are cut every yeare for use the barke whereof in some is yellowish or whitish in others brownish the leaves are long and narrow yet broader then any of the rest for the most part that follow dented about the edges darke greene on the upper side and whitish underneath this hath not beene observed to beare any flowers because all the shootes are yearely lopped off close to the head but the rods thrust into the ground will spring to be young trees to be dressed in like manner and so will any branch of the former greater sorts 2. Salix pumila angustifolia recta The straight dwarfe Willow with narrow leaves The stemmes of this Willow are slender yet upright not above a foote long covered with a yellowish barke the leaves are narrow and long like unto those of Line or Flaxe greene above and gray below the young ones being wholly gray and hoary the bloomings or catkins are soft and yellow like the greater kindes and come forth before the leaves and passe into downe being ripe that is blowne away with the winde the roote is blacke of a fingers bignesse with fibers thereat growing a slope 3. Salix humilis angustifolia repens Creeping low Willow with narrow leaves The branches of this low Willow grow to be a foote or more long but slender and leaning and lying upon the ground where it will shoote forth rootes againe set with shorter and narrow leaves divers comming forth together greene above and gray below in other things not unlike the former 1. Salix aquatica humilis The Osier 2. Salix pumila angustifolia recta The straight dwarfe Willow with narrow leaves 3. Salix humilis angustifolia repens Creeping low Willow with narrow leaves 4. Salix oblongo incano folio The blacke low Willow 5. Salix Helice Theophasti Hungarian low Willow 4. Salix oblongo incano acuto folio The blacke low Willow The stemme hereof is covered with a darke red barke parted into sundry short branches with narrow long and sharpe pointed darke greene leaves upon them and hoary underneath the rest agreeth with the former 5. Salix Helice Theophrasti Hungarian low Willow The branches of this Willow are very slender and pliant though the body bee somewhat great covered with a pale yellowish barke the leaves grow by couples being long narrow and sharpe pointed greene with a certaine hoarinesse above and gray underneath with some small leaves at the bottomes of them and with small reddish bals or blisters sometimes on them also the flowers c. agree with the former but this is proper hereunto to have scaly heads of leaves at the ends of the branches 6. Salix Alpina Pyrenaea Low Willow of the Pyrenean hils This small Willow riseth unto scarse halfe a cubits height with slender short branches full of small long leaves hairy all upon the edges and as soft as Velvet the stalke with the catkins thereon are an inch long being soft and slender but else like the rest 7. Salix Alpina repens angustifolia non incana The greene creeping Willow The branches hereof although some of them rise above the ground yet take they roote below having somewhat broad and long leaves on them wholly greene so that but that the flowers doe appeare like unto the rest none would take it to be a Willow 8. Salix angustissimis longissimis folijs The longest leafed Willow This low Willow hath yellowish rods with the longest â—â—â—rowest leaves of any
on the outside and more gray and discoloured within of a very small sent untill it be burned yet I have seene with Master Tradescant the elder before he dyed a great peece of true Lignum Aloes and of the best sort as bigge and as long as a mans legge without any knot therein which as he said our King Charles gave him with his owne hands but was here kept before and accounted by many as a great religious rellicke even to be a peece of the wood of that Crosse whereon our Saviour was crucified and therefore was fetched away againe from his Sonne to be kept as a monument or rellicke still but this is like all the other rellickes in the world even meere Impostures for assuredly if all those peeces of wood that are or were to be found in the world said to be parts of that Crosse were all set together they would goe neere to make one yea many cart loads full yet so fond and superstitious are men to beleeve lies rather then truthes that they will rather kill the gainesayers and thinke that therein they doe God good service then be wise to see their errours The other sorts which are smooth and plaine with long graines are no true Lignum Aloes although so called being neither of that worth in price nor goodnesse in effect The propertyes whereof are very cordiall for the heart and comfortable for the head and braine helping the memory and warming and drying up the defluxions of rheumaticke humours on those parts for it is hot and dry in the second degree a little astringent and bitter and of subtill parts it much conduceth to weake livers and fainting spirits and strengtheneth also a languishing stomacke helpeth disentries or laskes and the Pleuresie Although the subject matter of this whole worke is the description of Plants and of no other things yet I thinke it materiall to this Classis and among the other Physicall Drogues to treate of a few others that are not so especially such as are best knowne CHAP. II. Ambra Citrina Yellow Amber YEllow Amber is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Greekes Succinum by the Latines and Carabe by the Arabians and in the Apothecaries shops and is of sundry colours some peeces being whitish some yellow paler or deeper and some of a very deepe red colour and darke all the other being cleere and transparent but much more being polished It is generally taken to be a kinde of liquid Bitumen whose Springs and Fountaines are in the Germane Seas and running into peeces some greater and lesser then others and is taken up with iron hookes being soft under water but hardning in the aire like Corall that which is white as being accounted the lighter and sweeter is the best for 〈…〉 as the yellow for mechanicke uses and being rubbed a little while will then draw unto it strawes and other such like small things as the Loadstone doth iron it will also burne like Rossin or Bitumen with a 〈…〉 â—dy sent and the pouther thereof cast into the flame of a candle or other light will make a sudden flash 〈…〉 â—tening and being so bituminous it yeeldeth an oyle being destilled in a recorâ— which although at the first it is very red and smelleth very fierce and strong of the fire almost odious yet by being sundry times re-distilled it becommeth so rectifyed that both sent and colour is so farre amended that it is then fit to be used The Physicall properties of Amber are many for being moderately hot and dry being burned on quicke coales the fumes received to the head doe much helpe the moist destillations thereof on the eyes teeth nose or stomacke and is very convenient for those that have the falling sickenesse to lessen their fits and to restore them it is good to provoke womens courses and singular good to helpe the strangling of the mother and helpeth women with child both to goe out their full time with easâ— and to hinder their miscarrying that are subject thereunto to take halfe a dramme of the pouther in a reare egge or in Wine three or foure mornings together and this also helpeth them that have the whites and men that have the gonorrhaea or rumâ—ing of the reines constraineth the flux and strengthning the parts very much and is a certaine remedy for those that have their urine stopped many dayes together causing it to avoid plentifully being taken in Saxiâ—rage water it is also very good for old cougher and those that are fallen into a consumption to take the pouther thereof mixed with Conserve of red Roses in the mornings fasting and is very availeable for joynt aches and the running gout The Chimicall oyle of Amber being taken inwardly three or foure drops in a little Museadâ—â— doth wonderfully ease the stone and the stopping of urine or strangury â—â—king it by droppes two or three drops used outwardly on the â—â—â—ples thâ— nape of the necke or behind the eares doe warâ—â— and dry a cold moist brâ—â—â—e discusseth wiâ—de in the eares and head and strengtheneth the memory and is a singular helpâ— in all copâ—â—â—litall diseases CHAP. III. Amber grisea Ambergrise AMbergriese is better knowne to most by sight what sort is better then other then what it is or whereof it commeth the opinions of Authours are very variable hereof some supposing it to be the spawne of the Whale others the recrement of long continuance in the belly of the true Whale that hath no teeth and eateth soft fishes which it casteth forth at certaine times and by the agitation of the sea is cast on shore some others take it to be the excrement of certaine great sea fishes and some to be the some of the sea all which opinions are utterly erronious having no shew of truth in them for although Amber in the Ethiopian language signifieth a Whale as well as Ambergrise and yellow Amber also from whence rose that vulgar opinion of being the spawne of the Whale or because that in the belly of a Whale as Monardus relateth it taken about the Canary Islands there was neere an hundred pound weight of Amber found but in an hundred more taken afterwards was none at all found Yet the most likely and certaine received opinion of the most judicious is that it is a kind of Bitumen as the yellow Amber is before said to be and therefore have both one name of Amber being so neere one to another in their originall whose springes are in the Rockes of the Sea or as some of the Auncients supposed grew on the Rockes like Mushromes on trees condensate into that forme and substance usually observed having that oylinesse or unctiousnesse is in it from it owne originall and being light is carryed by the waves of the sea unto the shores of sundry Countries and climates Iosua Ferrus relateth the originall thereof as of his owne knowledge and that untill it hath attained the full maturity it hath not that true sent of Amber as after
of the stalke or by a naturall antipathy unto the Sunne not to abide the shining face thereof for some of the flowers doe abide on these branches that are most shadowed from the Sunne the following fruite they give is flat somewhat like a Lupine with a thicke skinne it must be but small store for what quantitie of fruite can this tree beare if all or the most of the flowers doe fall away yet heart fashion and of a greenish ash colour with a division in the middle in each part whereof is contained small flat beanes or kernells like unto those of the sweet beane or Carob tree heart fashion likewise and covered with a greenish skinne or peeling the inner kernell being white and somewhat bitter This tree hath been much desired to be transplanted into our Christian world but as some have sayd it would not abide notwithstanding all the care of earthen and woodden vessells wherein it was planted to be brought into Spaine or Portugall neither ever would the seede spring as it is affirmed but I have lately understood by a catalogue of the Plants growing in the garden of Signor Corvino of Rome that it groweth there being one of the plants named therein It plentifully groweth in Malabar and brought thence to Goa and sundry other places of the Indies where every branch being put into the ground will take roote and grow It is called in Malabar Mogli in Malayo Singadi in Decan Pul of the Arabians Guart of the Persians and Turkes Gul but at Goa and Canarin Parizataco from a certaine Nobleman so called as the Natives thinke and therein very neare intimating one of Ovids fabulous metamorphosis whose faire daughter the Sun having espyed fell in love withall and having deflowred her forsaken for another she slew her selfe from whose ashes of her burnt carkisse rose up this tree which is ever since ashamed to behold the face of the Sunne In many places of the Indies they distill the flowers for their sweet sent sake and keepe it for use which in Malabar they call the water of Mogli after the trees name the said water is good for sore eyes to coole their heate and rednesse if linnen cloathes being dipped therein be layd upon them the Indian Phisitions doe hold opinion that both flowers and fruite doe comfort the heart and refresh the fainting spirits thereof for they have some bitternesse in them it hath not beene observed that the Indians apply this tree to any other use then is formerly expressed and the colouring of their meates like as Saffron is used for the same purpose in Spaine and other countries CHAP. CXIX Arborfolijs ambulantibus Walking leaves NEare unto the I le of Cimbubon and in the I le it selfe there groweth a tree bearing leaves like unto those of the Mulberry tree having two small short and prickly feete as it were set on eyther side of them which falling to the ground doe seeme as it were to creepe as if it were some living creature and being touched by any will presently move it selfe Master Anthony Pigafetta saith that he kept one of these leaves in a continuall motion in a platter for eight dayes the motion whereof is likely to come by the ayre and then it ceased CHAP. CXX Arbor aquam fundeus The fountaine tree of water IN one of the Ilands of the Canaries called Ferro there groweth a reasonable great but faire spread tree bearing leaves like unto Wallnut tree leaves but larger abiding thereon and ever greene it beareth fruite like unto an Ackorne hanging downe from the branches which hath a kernell within of a very pleasant taste and almost like spice In some parts of the world besides are found the like tree the leaves whereof and branches doe perpetually droppe water Arbor aquam fundeus The fountaine tree of water in the whole Iland there being no other water to be had a thicke mist as it were or cloud encompawng it continually except when the Sunne shineth bright thereon which water being kept as it were in a fountaine made for the purpose to retaine it serveth the whole Iland for their use Our Countrey man Master Lewis Iackson dwelling in Holburne told Master Purchas as he hath set it downe in his seventh booke of Pilgrimages Fol. 1639 that in the yeare 1618. he had beene in the said Iland Ferro and had seene that tree and saith it is as bigge as an Oake of a middle size the barke white like Hardbeame six or seven yards high with ragged boughes the leafe like that of of the Bay white underneath and green above it beareth neither fruit nor flower thus saith he but it hath some other different relations which who so would see let them reade the place before recited the Ilanders call this tree Garoe the Spaniards Arbor Sancta but the ancient Historians call it Til. It is thought that Solinus and Pliny in his lib. 6. c. 32. meant this Iland under the name of Ombriom and Pluvialis for hee there saith that in the Iland Ombrion grow trees like unto Ferula from whence water is wronge out from the blacke ones commeth bitter water water and from the white that which is sweete and pleasant to drinke I might here insert the Barnacle tree but that it is found to be a fable Arâ—â—r tifer The Barnade tree of the Goose and that the Geese hatch their young as other Birds and fowles doe and therefore I forbeare to speake of it CHAP. CXXI Quercus natalitijs Divirens The Christtide greene Oake IN the new Forrest in Hampshiere neare a place called the Castle of Malwood groweth an old great doating Oake which by the relation of the neare Villagers is alwayes observed to shoot forth fresh but small greene leaves every yeare a little before Christide which abide not long thereon after that time but fall away others springing out in the due time that other Oakes doe bearing both leaves and fruit as usually other Oakes doe in their season King Iames in his time understanding of this tree went and saw it and caused it to be paled about and benches made thereat both for people to sit and contemplate the wondrous workes of God therein and to keepe unruly persons from breaking and spoyling it but nitimur invetitum semper the more it was intended to be preserved the more wilfull people were bent to breake and spoyle it being the more famoused by that provision and breake downe the pales and carry them away I have had both leaves and Ackornes brought me from this tree taken by Master John Goodier each in their season CHAP. CXXII Arbor Venereos stimulos domans The Chaste making tree PEtruâ— de Osina in his letter to Monardus maketh mention of a certaine tree growing there in the West Indies whose â—mber was of a spongie substance whereof the Indians would never take a sticke to burne neither by any meanes although they were treatned to death could be brought to burne it or abide
sylvestris flore pleno albo The double white wilde Anemone to be inserted in p. 325. 6. Pseudopacynum Virginianum alijs Gelsâ—minum Americanum maximum flore phaenicen The great Orrenge coloured Virginia Iasmine to be inserted p. 385. Of Phalangium in p. 418. The Vertues Spiderwort is of especiall property against all venome and poysons as well of animallâ— the Scorpion Spider Phalangium and other Serpents as of herbes and evill ayres or other quality whatsoever it is held also to be preservative against infection to continue the taking of the whole herbe with the rootes either the pouther in wine or the decoction for a time or to be tunned up with some Angelica Goateâ— Rue and Zedâ—aria it is singular good also against the winde and chollicke to ease the tormenting paines thereof and to avoid urine being stopped or the paines of the stone Râ—dix Contrayervae Hispanâ—rum at a Baptiâ—ta Cortesio exhibitur The roote of the Spâ—isti Contrayerva as Cortesiâ— setteth it forth to be referred to p. 421. 6. Polygonum Serpillifolio Lobelij Lobels Knotgrasse with Mother of Time leaves p. 446. 1. Prunella vulgaris Common Selfeheale p. 526. 5. Herâ—um sylvestris vulgare Our ordinary wilde Clary or Oculâ— Christi p. 551. 5. Gallum montanum Creticum Mountaine Candy Gillium p. 565. 16. Sideritis Heraclea Dioscoridis sive Sideritis marina Saluifolia nostra Donato Another Sage leafed sea Iron wort The roote is of the bignesse of ones little finger wrinckled and of a yellowish colour the stalke is wooddy and square at the bottome whereof come forth leaves like unto Sage but somewhat greener the leaves that grow upwards upon the stalke are like unto the Candy Horehound round about the tops of the branches doe the flowers stand somewhat like unto Sage set in certaine cups being of a whitish or yellowish ash-colour It healeth any wound or sore not suffering humours to flow thereto and some Arabians say it stayeth womens courses the leaves chawed doe taste like Masticke There is another hebre growing in the same Isle of Liâ— of the Venetians very like to this but that the leaves are smaller the stalke is slenderer and the flowers that grow at the tops Aâ—tera are more like unto those of the Common Calamint Ascyroidis Cretica major Great Saint Peters wort of Candy p. 574. 16. Sideritis Heraclea Dioscoridis sive marina Sideritis Saluifolio Sage leafed Sea Ironwort p. 588. 3. Alyssum montanum Columna Madwort of Columna p. 590. 3. Hesperiâ— Panâ—oâ—ica modora Vnsavoury Damâ—s Violets of Hungary p 628. 3. Alsâ—ae major quae media qu busdam Great Chickeweâ—d which with some is called a middle sorts p. 760. Violatricolor flore dupâ—ici Hearts easâ— with a double flower to be referred to p. 756. Page 733. Line the sixt before the last insert these references left out by oversight The fourth with both the sorts thereof are mentioned by Clusius under his second Cotyledon and the species thereof The fifth is onely remembred by Coluâ— who calleth it Semper vivum rubrum montanum gnaphaloides Bauhinus not making any mention thereof that I can find The sixt is the third Cotyledon of Clusius The figure of Alfine minor is to be taken away being the Anagallis faemina flâ—e caeâ—es unto whose family it should have beene referred but was negligently thrust in here instead of the Alfino major minor Hiâ—racium montanum tomentosum sive lanosum A mountaine hoary and woolly Hawkeweed to be inserted in p. 779. Melo vulgatis The ordinary Melâ—n p. 772. 3. Thlaspi bisbutaâ—um villosum flore calcari donato Spurre flowred Bucklet Thlaspi p. 845. 1. Thapsia quadam latiore folio Another broader leafed Fennell Thapsia p. 877. Libanotidis Galâ—ni petalon genuinum A true figure of a branch of the Fennell leafed Francumsence p. 881. 4. Pastinace Echino phora Apula Prickly wild Carrots of Naples p. 901. 〈◊〉 Apâ—j dulcis petalon A leafe of the sweet Selinumor Smallage p. 926 It may be a question whether this Selinum be not of the same quality with the sweete Fennell and sweete Cumin c. The sweetnesse onely caused by the heate of the climates which altereth in the colder Page 964. Line 15. All that first relation of Cuicus alter is to be blotted out and the second and third is to be made the first and second 2. Laserpitium Alpino Alpinus his Laser wort p. 937. Carliuâ— capitulum olausum The closed head of the Carline Thistle p. 968. Page 1086. Insert this 10. Astragollo similiâ— palmata pusilla plauta Lobelij Lobels French small Milke Vetch like plant This small plant saith Lobel he gathered on some of the hils of Province in France having long wooddy rootes covered with a thicke barke thereon foulding one within another and thickest at the head from whence sprung many stalkes that are hard and but two or three inches long whereon are set sundry winged hoary small hard leaves like unto those of Lentils the milke Vetch or the Goates Thorne at whose toâ—sstand tufts of yellowish or whitish flowers like unto those of Birds foote the plant is of a drying harshâ—asse 3. Scolymus Theophrasti sive Eryâ—gium luteum Monspeliensium The Golden Thistle p. 572. This true figure of the golden Thistle was I know not by what chance left out and a false one put in the place let this therefore supply the others defect 3. Rubus montanus odâ—ratus Sweete mountaine Bramble or Raspis p. 1013. 4. Fâ—lix saxatilis crispa Small curled stone Ferne. p. 104â— 5. Lathyrus arbensis radicibus tuberosis A differing sort of Earth nuts This sort differeth chiefly from this former fifth in having all the leaves onely set by couples whereas the former hath more and the ends of the pâ—ds are more twined This is Thalius his Astragâ—us arvensis p. 1062. 14. Trifolium corniculatum Creticum flore luteo Horned Trefoile of Candy with yellow flowers This other horned Trefoile that came from Candy 14. Trifolium corniculatum Lusitanuum flore rubeo Creticum flore luteo Horned Trefoile of Portugall with red flowers and one of Candy with yellow flowers p. 1103. Asphodelus minor albus The small white Asphodill p. 1218. 12. Linum umbillicatum Strange wild white flowered Flaxe p. 1336. where iâ— is naturall came to Alpinus as he saith among other of their seeds rising up with long and slender stalkes lying for the most part on the ground having sundry small Trefoile leaves like a Cytisus and somewhat broad forwards The flowers grow at the ends of small stalkes pease fashion but small and yellow with small round slender crooked pods succeeding containing foure or five small yellow pease which are eaten by the Natives even as the first sorts yet is it not the same for the pods hereof are slender and round although crooked when as the other are flat and bigger Alpinus onely hath made mention hereof and differeth also as he saith from the Trifolium Italicum cornicuâ—â—tum which is our