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
great leafed wild Basill riseth from a bushy roote with a rough or hayrie stalke spreading forth into divers other branches whereon grow larger leaves below and smaller upwards two together at the setting on of the leaves which are also rough or hairy very like unto the leaves of the greater Basil but somewhat smaller and longer endented about the edges and each of them standing on a long stalke towards the tops the flowers grow much and are many spike fashion of a purplish colour very like unto the flowers of the garden Basill after which come the seed vessels containing within them small round blackish seed The Place The first groweth most usually in the borders of fields even among the corne as at Sutton in Kent not farre from Dartford at Thetford in Norfolke and in other dry sandy and untilled grounds The second groweth upon the hills that are neere the Baths at Baden in Austria as Clusius saith and upon Mount Baldus as Pona of Verona saith The third also groweth upon Mount Baldus in Italy as the same Pona setteth downe in the description of the hearbes growing thereon The fourth is found sometimes in the corne fields of our owne Countrie but more often in the more open Woods and in Copses that have beene feld in many places of England The fift Clusius saith he found likewise in Kent while he stayed a while at the Lord Cobhams wayting for his passage over Sea but it is found in divers other places of Kent and other parts besides The last Fabius Columna saith groweth plentifully at Naples in their Gardens The Times They doe all of them flower about the beginning of Iune and their seed is ripe in August and sometimes sooner The Name Clinopodium is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi lectipes quod surculi alijs ut Plinio orbiculati florum ambitus speciem pedum lecti praebeant in English Bedsfoot flower because the branches say some but Pliny saith the round compasse of the flowers doe resemble the feet of a bed whereupon I have so entituled the first as most agreeing thereunto 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Dioscorides herba odorata coronaetia ocimo similis Acinus is a sweet hearb fit for Garlands and is like unto Basill Pliny saith Acinos that is called Epipetron never flowreth therein confounding the Epipetron of Theophrastus which he saith never flowreth with Acinus but Dioscorides saith no such thing and therefore Pliny was much mistaken herein as he was in many other things The first is called Ocimum Silvestre and Clinopodium minus or vulgare by Lobel and Clusius and Acinos by Fuchsius in Iconibus and by Dodonaeus Clinopodium of Turner and Anguillara Clinopodium majus of Camerarius Pulegium petraeum of Gesner Clinopodium alterum or pseudo-clinopodium of Matthielus Ocimastrum of Fuchsius Bauhinus calleth it Clinopodium arvense ocimi facie it is the Basilicum 3. of Tragus who calleth it also Calamintha montana but of all other most improperly in English Field Basill because it is chiefly found in the Fields the Country people call this as well as the fift where it groweth Horse Time and Poley mountaine The second Clusius calleth Clinopodium Austriacum and saith he might as well call it Acinos Austriaca Bauhinus calleth it Montanum in English Austrian wild Basill The third Pona calleth Clinopodium Alpinum having found it onely upon Mons Baldus not farre from Verona but why Bauhinus should call it Teucrium Alpinum coma purpurocaerulea in his Chapter of Teucrium having called it Clinopodium Alpinum hirsutū among the other sorts of Clinopodium I see no reason in English mountaine wild Basill The fourth is the first Clinopodium vulgare of Matthiolus and called Clinopodium majus of Camerarius Lobel and Dalechampius call it Acinos and Guilandinus Betonica Pauli it is the first Calamint of Turner Pulegium montanum of Lonicerus and Polycnemon of Gesner Bauhinus calleth it Clinopodium Origano simile in English great wild Basill The fift is thought by Clusius to be the true Acinos of Dioscorides Bauhinus calleth it Clinopodium ocimi facie alterum The last is called Acinos of Fabius Columna in his Phytobasanos and saith it is generally called Vrtichella of the Neapolitans because it hath such like roughnesse and hairynesse although not stinging as nettles have and is an annuall plant to bee new sowne every yeare But it is much to bee doubted whether any of these hearbs be the right Acinos or Clinopodium that Dioscorides and Theophrastus have set forth in regard their temperature and qualities doe not agree as you shall heare presently although Pena and Lobel thinke their Clinopodium to be the right The Italians call it Clinopodio the Spaniards Albahaca Sauvage the French Basilicq Salvage the Germanes wild Basilich the Dutch wild Basilicon and wee in English wild Basill Field Basill or as beforesaid The Vertues Of these hearbs I know no author hath set downe any tryed remedy found by them for in regard that Galen saith Clinopodium is of thin parts and may be accounted to be in the third degree of heate and drynesse being somewhat sharpe in taste and a little bitter withall neither of which as saith Matthiolus can be found in these yet because they doe so neerely in face and shew resemble the true plants they may beare their names untill they gaine truer and that the vertues are found out whereunto they may be applyed Dioscorides saith that his Clinopodium is applyed to those that are troubled with convulsions or crampes ruptures or burstings or strangury that it is a remedy against the sting or byting of venemous Serpents and that it bringeth downe the courses of women and expelleth the dead child and taketh away those warts that are long and hang downe if it be drunke for certaine dayes together It stayeth the loosenesse of the belly if it be given after it hath beene boyled to the thirds in wine to them that have no feaver and in water to them that have a Feaver Of Acinos Dioscorides writeth that being drunke it stayeth both the fluxe of the belly and the courses in women and healeth hot swellings and those are called Saint Anthonies fire Where you may observe that Acinos should not be Clinopodium both in regard Dioscorides maketh them two distinct plants and besides giveth them contrary qualities for Acinos he saith stayeth the loosenesse of the belly and the overmuch flowing of womens courses whereas hee saith Clinopodium procureth the courses and expelleth the birth yet he saith also that it stayeth the loosenesse of the belly and as Galen saith is hot and dry in the third degree and of thin parts CHAP. X. Polium Poley or Polemountaine ALthough Dioscorides Galen and Pliny have remembred but two sorts of Polium yet our later Writers have found out divers other sorts which they referre thereunto some of them grow naturally neere the Sea and therefore called of some Polium maritimum others not onely
Raddish and therefore may be used in the same manner and to the same purposes that it is CHAP. XLI Baccharis Bacchar ALthough sundry Writers have set forth divers hearbes for the true Baccharis of Dioscorides and other learned men have refused them yet these hearbes come nearest thereunto the one the learned of Mompelier account the truest and with them many others doe agree the other Rauwolfius setteth forth which are therefore here proposed unto you 1. Baccharis Monspeliensium French Bacchar 1. Baccharis Monspeliensium French Bacchar This hearbe hath divers somewhat long and large leaves lying upon the ground full of veines which make it seeme as if it were crumpled soft and gentle in handling and of an overworne greene colour seeming to be woolly from among which in the Summer time riseth up a strong stiffe stalke three or foure foote high set with divers such like leaves but smaller up to the toppe where it is divided into many branches at the ends whereof come forch divers flowers three or foure for the most part at the end of every severall branch and every one on a small foote-stalke which flowers consist wholly of small threads or thrums standing close and round and never laid open like other flowers that consist of leaves of a dead or purplish yellow colour out of greenish scaly heads which thrums turne into a whitish downe at the bottome whereof is the seed small and chaffy which together with the downe a carried away with the winde and riseth up in sundry places of a garden where it is once planted and beareth seed the roote consists of many strings and fibres bushing somewhat thick not running deepe into the ground but so taking hold of the upper face of the earth that it may easily be pulled up with ones hand the smell whereof is somewhat like unto Avens but lesse in gardens than growing wild even as Avens doth in gardens and divers other sweet hearbes that are of thin parts and subtile 2. Baccharis Dioscoridis Rauwolfio Syrian Bacchar The Syrian Bacchar brancheth forth from an hoary stalke about a foote high into many smaller sprigges bearing somewhat long and narrow leaves thereon as white hoary and woolly as Mullein leaves without any foot-stalke at the bottome but compassing the stalke about these being larger below yet lesse than Mullein and those above smaller and smaller to the tops whereon stand the flowers very thicke set together somewhat like unto golden Tufts or Mountaine Cotton weed called also Cats foote of a paâ—e purplish colour the roote was not fully observed but seemed by some parts thereof to be fibrous like blacke Hellebor and sweet also The Place The first groweth plentifully neare Mompelier and nany other places also The other in Syria The Time The first flowreth with us about the end of Iuly or beginning of August The other time is not expressed The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Baccharis or as some would 2. Baccharis Dioscoridis Rauwolsius Syrian Bacchar have it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Paccharis as though it should bee named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pancharis from the excellent smell it hath Pliny saith that some in his time called it Nardus rustica but saith hee they were in an errour that did so call it for Asarum is most truely and properly called of the Greekes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nardus rustica and therefore Gerard in following the old error reprehended so long agoe giveth it the English name of Plowmans Spikenard whereunto it hath no resemblance neither for forme nor vertues and his figure also is rather the figure of Matthiolus Baccharis then of this and although in former times divers did thinke that Asarum and Baccharis in Dioscorides were all one hearbe and thereupon came the name of Asarabaccara some taking Asarum to be Baccharis and so contrarily some taking Baccharis to be Asarum for Cratevas his Asarum is not Dioscorides his Asarum but his Baccharis as any may plainely see that shall read his description yet now time and diligence have expelled those errours The first of these is called Baccharis Monspeliensium whereunto it doth more fitly agree than any other hearbe that others have set forth as Pena and Lobel Clusius and others doe agree although Dodonaeus calleth it Conyza major altera and saith it hath little or no likenesse unto Dioscorides his Baccharis Matthiolus his Conyza major is said by the Author of Lugdunensis to be this Baccharis Monspeliensium and Lobel and Pena say that the plant which Matthiolus set forth for Baccharis cannot agree unto that of Dioscorides but is a kind of sweet Mullein or a kinde of Moth Mullein yet Bauhinus in his Pinax calling this Conyza major vulgaris shewing thereby that many did call it so referring it as well to Matthiolus his Conyza major as to his Baccharis which Lugdunensis saith are so contrary one unto the other as that they cannot be accounted both one plant as in the Chapter of Baccharis he sheweth They of Salmanca in Spaine as Clusius saith called it Helenium and divers both women and Monkes used both the roote and the hearbe for scabs and itches which is one of the properties whereunto the true Helenium serveth The other Rauwolfius onely finding in Syria seemeth to referre unto Dioscorides his Baccharis which Clusius thinketh rather to bee a kinde of that Mountaine Cotton weed which Fuchsius calleth Pilosella minor and therefore Bauhinus calleth it Gnaphalio montano affinis Aegyptiaca The Vertues Dioscorides saith that the rootes of Baccharis boyled in water and drunke helpeth those that are troubled with convulsions and crampes as also those that have ruptures and are bursten such as have bruses by falls or otherwise and those that can hardly draw their breath or are short-winded as also for old coughs and the difficulty in making water it also procureth the feminine courses and is very profitable against the bytings of venemous creatures being taken in wine the greene roote being bound or hanged to expelleth the birth and is good for women in travell to sit over the warme fumes of the decoction thereof For the sweet smell thereof it is put into Wardrobes to perfume and the smell thereof procureth sleepe But the greene leaves by reason of their astriction are good to ease the paines of the head the inflammations of the eyes and the watering of them in the beginning the hot swellings of womens breasts after childing and those hot inflammations called Saint Anthonies fire being applyed to the places affected Pliny saith further that it helpeth to breake the stone and to take away â—nes and prickings in the sides Paulus Aegineta saith moreover that the decoction of the roote openeth obstructions and that the leaves are helpefull by their astringent quality to stay fluxes Virgil in his seventh Eclogue saith that is was used in his time as a garland to secure one from witchery and charmes in these verses At si ultra placitum
within them small blackish seed the stalke hath little or no scent yet not unpleasant saith Alpinus being bitter with a little acrimony therein but Bauhinus saith it is of an aromaticall taste and very bitter This saith Alpinus the Arabians and Egyptians doe use and call it Caessabeldarira that is Calamus Aromaticus from them all other Christian nations have so accepted it but how improbable let any others judge that will beleeve Theophrastus Dioscorides Galen Pliny and others who doe all call it a Reed when as this you see is none and as Theophrastus Pliny say differeth not in forme from other Reeds for Pliny reckoneth up 29 sorts of Reeds whereof this is one in their times and for the sweetnesse thereof onely used in sweet oyntments for the taste also Dioscorides saith it hath some astringency and a little acrimony therein but mentioneth no bitternesse when as this hath more bitternesse in it than any other taste which could not be forgotten by Dioscorides if his had any in it This plant groweth both in sundry moist places in Egypt as also by the lake Gennasareth in Iudaea and in divers places also of Syria and Arabia and for ought that wee can perceive is rather a kinde of yellow Lysimachia than any other plant 3. Acorus verus sive Calamus officinarum The sweet smelling Flagge This sweet smelling Flagge hath many flaggy long and narrow fresh greene leaves two foote long apeece or more yet oftentimes somewhat brownish at the bottome the one rising or growing out of the side of the other in the same manner that other Flagges of Flower-deluces grow which are thin on both sides and ridged or thicke in the middest the longest for the most part standing in the midst and some of them as it were curled or plaited towards the ends or toppes of them smelling very sweet as well when they are greene and fresh as when they are dryed and so kept a long time which doe so abide in a garden along time as though it never did or never would beare flower the leaves every yeare dying downe to the ground and shooting out fresh every Spring but after two three or foure yeare abiding in a place without removing besides the leaves it shooteth forth not any stalke as other Flower-deluces doe a narrow long leafe by it selfe 3. Acorus verus sive Calamus officinarum The sweet smelling Flagge flat like unto the other leaves especially from the middle thereof upwards but from the bottome to the middle it is thicker narrower or founder where it beginneth to grow flat at which place commeth forth one long round head very seldome two in forme bignes like unto the Catkin or Aglet of the Hasselnut tree growing upright and of the length thicknesse of ones finger or rather bigger set with severall small lines and divisions like unto a greene Pine apple of a purplish greene colour for the most part out of which bunches shoote forth small pale whitish flowers consisting of foure small leaves a peece without any so good scent as the leaves falling quickly away and not giving any seed that ever I could observe or understand the roote is thicke and long lying under the upper face of the ground shooting forward and with small rootes as suckers on all sides like unto the garden Valerian whitish on the outside or greenish if it lye above the ground and more pale or whitish on the inside with many joynts thereabouts and whereat it hath or doth shoote forth long thicke fibres underneath whereby it taketh strong hold in the ground of a firme or fast substance yet not hard or wooddy but easie to be cut of a sweet scent and somewhat bitter taste The Place The first is thought by Matthiolus and others to grow in India Syria Iudea The dry stalkes of the a are said to grow at the foot of Mount Libanus in Syria not far from Tripoli in the wet grounds there the other as is said before The other Calamus of the shops or true Acorus groweth in many places of Turky in moist grounds for so with us it joyeth and flourisheth better than in dry from whence the largest roots the firmest whitest sweetest are brought unto us but it groweth also in Russia and those other places thereabouts in very great plenty but the rootes being dryed are more lanke or small not so firme or white nor of so singular a good scent The Time These Reeds are strangers not growing with us we having no further knowledge of them the sweet smelling Flagge beareth his catkin in the beginning or middle of Iuly and August The Names The first and second have their names in their titles as their Authors have called them but whether either of them be the true Calamus Aromaticus of Dioscorides Galen and others it were worthy the knowledge for although it be commonly so taken to be yet Clusius in part improving it and I shewing more doubts doe make it the more improbable and it is very certaine that we have no true Calamus Aromaticus brought unto us in these dayes for even thorow all Turkie with both Physicians and Druggists or Merchants for they have no Apothecaries such as are in Christendome it is not seene or knowne for the Arabian word of Cassab eldherira which is Calamus Aromaticus they understand not what it is and being demanded for it by that name although the Arabian tongue be very frequent among them they still will give contrary things for it as Matthiolus in his Epistles and Bellonius in his observations doe declare Now whether it should be called Calamus Aromaticus or odoratus it is worth the scanning also because very many doe thinke the word aroma from whence commeth Aromaticus is the same with odor and odoratus but I finde Garcias a very learned Writer and others also to contrary that opinion saying that the Arabian words derire or dherira signifying aroma as Cassab doth Arundo or Calamus is properly a drogue or drugge whether they be spices that smell sweet or any other thing used in medicine that hath either a strong or no smell for so the Hebrew word deror signifyeth also as Mor deror Myrrha aroma or aromatizans the best Myrrhe in the Scripture Exod. the 30. chapter and 23. verse was appointed among other spices to make the holy anoynting oyle and in the 34. verse of the same Chapter with Galbanum which hath no sweet scent as I thinke every one knoweth and other gums to make perfume to burne and Myrrhe although it be reckoned with Aloes and Cassia as a sweet thing in many places of the Scripture yet it is not sweet to us as wee account sweet things in these dayes and Myrrhe and Aloes are called Aromata in the 19. chapter of Saint Iohns Gospell Garcias saith Calamus aromaticus he knew well and was of much use in India both with himselfe and other Physitians as also with many persons of high and low
knowne The Names Casia or Cassia is a word of divers significations for it is either the Aroma of the ancients Theophrastus Dioscorides Galen c. like unto Cinamon called Cassia lignea in the Apothecaries shoppes or this Cassia fistula or else a shrubbe called Cassia poetica or Monspeliaca but it is very likely that this tree nor his fruite was knowne to any of the antient Greeke Writers unlesse as Cordus saith it might be the Faba Indica of Aristobulus and some others but the later Greeke Authors as Actuarius and others since his time called it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cassia nigra from the Arabians who first brought in the use thereof and called it Cassia fistula and because it was not knowen where else it did grow then in Egypt it was called by many Siliqua Egyptia and is thought by divers that it may be the Siliqua called Ficus Egyptia by Theophrastus in his first Booke and 18. Chapter and of others Cassia solutiva the usuall name is Cassia fistula in all Apothecaries shoppes but why the name of Cassia should be given to this treee or his fruite is not easie to know or learne Pena and Lobell in their Adversaria thinke it might come from the Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod coriaceum vocant because the cods or canes are like leather but I verily beleeve the Arabians and it may be those from whom the Arabians had it called it Cassia in regard of the sweetenesse of the flowers like unto the Cassia aromatica or odorata and Solomon in the 4. Chapter and 14. verse of the Cantieles maketh mention of this Cassia tree as I take it for in the Latine Translation of Saint Ierome I find it is fistula which the Translators make to be Calamus in English And it is not improbable that the true Cassia aromatica or odorata was called Fistula because the peeces of the barke were rowled together and hollow like a pipe even as Cinamon which is congenor if not idem is which in some countries is called Canella and I finde that the people both in Italy and in Spaine doe call the Cassia aromatica by the name of Canella yet to this day either from the forme of Cinamon which is like unto a pipe or from Canna a reede or Cane as I thinke rather and the diminitive thereof is Canella a small Cane reede They are much deceived that thinke the barke of the pipes or fruite of this Cassia fistula is of any more force than a dry chippe to procure womens courses c. as some in former times did for the error is grosse The other is called by Lobel Cassia siliqua Brasiliana purgatrix compressa who first gave us the knowledge thereof in his Pharmacopaea Rondeletiaa The Vertues The inner blacke substance or pulpe clensed from the shells seeds and skins that grow together with them is the onely medecinall part that is used taken by it selfe in balls or bits or in potions or drinkes and is very effectuall to purge the reines kidneyes and bladder for it tempereth the heate of them cleanseth the humors that lie therein both by urine and the stoole and thereby giveth much ease to those that are troubled with the stone if they use it often taken with Rubarbe and a few Anniseed and Licoris to correct the windinesse thereof it is an especiall good medecine in gonorrhaea to clense the reines that other helpes may be the more availeable afterwards as also to clense the liver the stomach and mesentery veines from choller and flegme cleaâ—eth the bloud and quencheth the heate thereof and is therefore profitable in all hot agues it is very effectuall against all Rheumes and sharpe distillations and against chollericke and melancholike diseases it is often used in all the kindes of pectorall diseases as old coughes shortnesse of breath wheesings and the like if it be taken with Agaricke as some advise it is not so convenient for those that have moist weake and slippery bowells unlesse it be given with Mirobalans Rubarbe Spicknard or Masticke else it may be safely given to all sorts of people ages and conditions and to prevent the danger of such lubricitie divers doe use to give it with Hiera picra The young cods taken while they are small and greene boyled a little and then laid in the shadow a while to drie and after boyled in Suger or Hony doth purge the body as the pulpe or blacke substance and is a delicate medecine fit for tender and weake stomackes that abhorre all manner of Phisicke and here of the usuall quantitie is three or foure ounces to be taken at a time for elder persons and one ounce for the younger the use of Cassia outwardly either in ointments or plaisters is much commended of many for all hot pimples and other eruptions in the skinne and also to ease paines of the gout and hot inflammations and paines in the joynts The other sort of Cassia is more effectuall in purging for it hath beene tryed by experience that one ounce hereof is as forcible as two ounces of the other and is effectuall to all the diseases aforesayd CHAP. XXXIIII Siliqua dulcis sive Ceratonia The sweete Beane or Carob tree OF this kind of sweete Beane or Carob tree there hath beene one other also lately found out and made knowne to the world by Pona for the ordinary sort being well knowne to most especially iâ— Spaine and Italy and other the hotter Countries of the East is remembred by the ancients 1. Siliqua dulcis sive vulgatior The ordinary sweete Beane or Carob tree The Carobe or sweete Beane tree that hath beene of longest knowledge to all groweth in the hot Countries as Spaine and Italy to be a very great tree covered with an ash coloured barke spreading very much in breadth with very faire great branches the younger being reddish at the first whereon doe grow sparsedly winged leaves very like unto the leaves of the purging Cassia tree but that they are rounder at the ends or points and somewhat harder in handling of a darke greene colour on the upperside and of a paler greene underneath it beareth a long cackin in the winter like unto that of the Wallnut which in the spring time openeth into many darke purplish flowers and afterwards bringeth crooked cods of the bignesse of a large beane cod in some larger in others smaller greene at the first and of a brownish colour when they are ripe wherein are flat and round seedes very like unto those of Cassia and are of an unpleasant taste while they are fresh but gather more sweetenesse being kept to be dry the shell thereof although hard is eaten aswell as the inner substance which that I may use the words of Plinye is neither of a fleshie wooddy or skinnie substance but of them all as it were mixed together In the hotter countries of India c. as Strabo in his Geoghraphie writing of the trees of India doth report
there is a certaine thicke substance lying within these cods which being taken forth serveth the Indians and those other people where they grow in stead of Sugar or Honey to preserve the young cods of Cassia Gingar Mirobalans and other fruites withall 2. Caroba sive Siliqua ex Guinea purgatrix The Carob or purging Beane of Ginnye The Carob or purging Beane of Ginny groweth no doubt in his naturall place to be a great tree but in the lesse warme Countries as Italy whereunto it was first brought it cannot doe so but sheweth by the growing that it much differeth not from the former bearing his leaves after the same manner the fruite for we have no knowledge of the flower as yet is crooked thicke and short and as Pona saith somewhat like an Anacarde or Cajous about three inches long of a browne colour on the outside very like unto the other having a bowing or roundnesse all the length of the backe and an eminence or list as it were in the hollownesse within which is Siliqua dulcis vulgatior The ordinary sweete Beane or Carob tree 1. Flores fructus Siliquae dulcis vulgaris 2. Et ex Guinea foure or five somewhat rounder and not so flat seedes more pointed below and round at the head the taste is more sharpe and quicke even almost burning the throate which peradventure is but from the nature of the hot Country where it grew and may grow more milde after it hath beene inured unto a more temperate climate The Place The first as is before sayd groweth in all the South and East Countries as India Armenia Syria Arabia Egypt c. and in Greece Spaine Italy c. frequently in many places as both Matthiolus and Clusius make mention the other is originally from Ginny and is set forth onely by Pona of Verona in his Italian booke who had it from Signor Contarni of Venice The Time The first flowreth in the very beginning of the spring and the fruite is riper in the hot time of the Sommer onely of the other there is no further knowledge as yet than of the fruite The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ceratia of Dioscorides id est siliqua 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ceratonia Ceronia quasi cornuta Siliqua of Galen Aegineta and others because the cods are crooked or bowing inwards like a sithe or horne But that siliqua whereof Theophrastus maketh mention in his fourth booke and second chapter and which the Ionians called Ceronia and some as he saith ficus Aegyptia but falsely with a white flower and fruite growing from the body of the tree more plentifully than from the branches cannot bee this siliqua but some other even as Lugdunensis and others affirme also Plinye calleth it Siliqua dulcis and so doth Alpinus and others in some Apothecaries shops beyond Sea Xylocaracta or rather Xylocaratia the Arabians call it Charnebium in Italy they call it Carobe and Carobole and in Naples Salequa corruptly from siliqua as Matthiolus saith the Spaniards call it Algarrovas the Germaines and Dutch call it Saint Ioans brot that is Saint Iohns bread supposing that Saint Iohn fed upon these fruites and wilde honey while he did abide in the wildernesse of Iudea as in Matth. 3.4 but they are much deceived for the word in the Hebrew text as Junius and Tremellius doe note upon the 22 vers of the 11. chap. of Levitticus is Arbis whereof there were foure kindes of each whereof it was lawfull for the Israelites to eate translated into Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine Locustae which are kindes of grashoppers peculiar to those Easterne Countries much differing from ours but this siliqua or sweete Beane tree is the same mentioned in the 15 chap. and 16 vers of the Gospell according to Saint Luke whereof the swine fed themselves and the prodigall child would faine have eaten of them to stay his hunger but could not have them for in all these Countries where they grow the poorer sort of people doe often eate them and the hogges for the most part consume the rest the seede of this Beane was that kinde of weight in ancient times called Karat and among the goldsmithes a Carret weighing sixe graines formerly although in these dayes they account it to be but foure The Vertues The fruite while it is fresh and new gathered helpeth to purge the belly but being dryed doth rather binde it and is then more beneficiall to the stomacke than while it is fresh because it somewhat troubleth it with the evill taste and hard digesting thereof the sweete substance within them is often also used as honey both to loosen the belly almost as much as the extracted pulpe of Cassia and is also good for the inflammations of the reines and backe to temper the heate and is effectuall in the diseases of the chest as coughes and shortnesse of breathes as Cassia is which things also the decoction of the cods performeth very well Galen in his second booke of Aliments condemneth the use of them for meate saying they are hard of disgestion and are not easily avoyded forth of the body and in his seventh booke of simple medicines hee saith they are of a drying and binding quality although they conteine in them some sweetenesse and that they are somewhat like unto Cherries that being fresh they loosen the belly and being dry binde it because the moyst substance being consumed the thicker essence remaineth CHAP. XXXV Tamarindus The Tamarind or sower Beane tree THe Tamarind or sower Beane tree groweth to be as great as a Plum tree with many branches thicke set with pale greene winged leaves that is many set together on both sides of the middle rib but smaller then either those of the Cassia or Carob tree having alwayes an oddeone at the end which usually close themselves together both at the setting of the sunne and upon raine and open againe at the rising thereof and faire weather of a sower or acide taste the flowers are somewhat large and white like unto flowers of the Orange tree consisting of eight leaves smelling very sweete having foure small white threds standing in the middle about the umbone which after groweth to be the fruite and when it is ripe is much larger than any kidney beane cod some greater and lesse than others as in all sorts of fruite somewhat bending or crooked wherein is contained a blacke substance not distinguished into cels as the Cassia solutiva is but the seede lying dispersed among the pulpe hath diverse bigge and long strings running through it of a very acide sowre or sharpe sweete taste very pleasing to the palate and stomacke the seede or kernels are greater than those of Cassia and as it were square and somewhat flat also the tree never looseth his leafe but will endure no cold as hath beene often tryed in those colder Countries The Place This tree naturally groweth in
in wine or in milke doth mervellously help all the diseases of the chest and lungs that proceede of hot causes as excoriations the ptisicke plurifie and the rest if it be continued for some time together the leaves and the rootes worke the same effects let any one take which of them they thinke best or most ready at hand agreeing to their disposition they helpe much also in the excoriations of the guts and bowells and hardnesse of the mother and in all hot and sharpe diseases thereof as also the Alcea fruticosa pentaphyllea the juyce drunke in wine or the decoction of them in wine doth help women to a speedy easie delivery the common Alcea or Vervaine Mallow is thought to be most effectuall for burstings or ruptures and the bloudy flixe and also for the shrinking of sinewes and the crampe the distilled water of them when they are in flower worketh to the same purposes but more weakely yet it is much commended to be used in hot agues or severs Pliny saith that whosoever shall take a spoonefull of the juyce of any of the Mallowes shall that day be free from all diseases that may come unto him and that it is especiall good for the falling sicknesse The syrupe also â—d conserve made of the flowers are very effectuall for the same diseases and to open the body when it is coâ— or bound by accident or a naturall disposition the young leaves are often eaten with salt as a sallet the leaves bruised and laid to the eyes with a little hony taketh away the impostumations of them which by sufferance might grow to a Fistula the leaves bruised or rubbed upon any place stung with Bees Waspes or the like yea of the Scorpion and the biting of the deadly Spider called Phalaegium and is said presently to take away paines rednesse and swellings that rise thereupon and keepeth them from stinking if they be rubbed therewith aforehand and as Dioscorides saith the decoction of the leaves and rootes helpeth all sorts of poyson so as the poyson be presently voided by vomite a pultis made of the leaves of Mallowes boyled and bruised whereunto some Beane or Barley flower and oyle of Roses is put is an especiall remedy against all hard tumours and inflammations of impostumes and swellings of the coddes and other parts and easeth the paines of them as also against the hardnesse of the spleene or liver to be applied to the places the juyce of Mallowes boyled in old oyle and applied taketh away all roughnesse of the skinne as also the falling of the haire the scurfe dandruffe or drie scabbes in the head or other parts if they be anointed therewith or washed with the decoction the same also is effectuall against the scaldings by water and burnings by fire and to helpe also the disease called Saint Anthonies fire and all other hot red and painefull swellings in any part of the bodie the flowers of Mallowes boyled in oyle or water as every one is disposed whereunto a little hony and allome is put is an excellent gargle to wash any sore mouth or throate for it clenseth and healeth them in a short space if the feete be bathed or washed with the decoction of the leaves rootes and flowers it helpeth much the defluxions of rheume from the head which rose out of the stomack if the head be washed therewith it stayeth the falling and shedding of the haire thereof the greene leaves saith Pliny beaten with niter and applied draweth out thornes or prickes in the flesh The French and curled Mallowes and the Hollihocks are of the same nature and quality and work to the same effect that the other do The Marsh Mallow is the chiefest Mallow of all other and most effectuall in all the diseases before specified and therefore as I said before it was called Bismalva for that it was twise as good in effect as the other the leaves are likewise used in stead of the common Mallowes to loosen the belly gently and are effectuall in decoctions of glisters for to ease all the paines of the body opening the straight passages and making them lubricke whereby the stone may descend the more easily and without paine out of the reines and kidnies and the bladder and to ease the torturing paines comming thereby but the rootes are of more especiall use for those purposes as well as for the diseases of the breast and lunges as coughes hoarsenesse of the throate and voyce wheesings and shortnesse of breath c. being boyled in wine or honied water and drunke the rootes boyled in water very well and after they be strained forth the decoction being boyled againe with Sugar to a just consistence and thereof made into rowles or trochisces or the like are a Polychreston and much used for all the purposes aforesaid the rootes and seedes of the Marsh Mallow boyled in wine or water is with good effect used by them that have any excoriations in the guts or the bloudy flixe not so much by any binding qualitie in them as by qualifying the violence of the sharpe cholericke fretting humors that are the cause thereof and by the fliminesse easing the paines and healing the sorenesse and in some sort staying the further eruption of bloud therefrom at that time or any other after it is profitably taken of them that are troubled with ruptures crampes or convulsions of the sinewes and boyled in white wine for the impostumes of the throate called the Kings evill and of those kernells that rise behind the eares and inflammations or swelings in womens breasts the dried rootes boyled in milke and drunke are specially good for the chin cough Hippocrates used to give the decoction of the rootes or the juyce thereof to drinke to those that were wounded and were ready to faint thorough the expense and losse of bloud and applied the same mixed with hony and rosen unto the wounds the rootes boyled in wine he gave also to drinke to those that had received hurt by bruises or falls or by blowes and stripes to those that had any bone or member out of joynt and to those that had any swelling paine or ach in the muscles sinewes or arteries of the body it is good also to be used in all the ulcers and sores that happen in any cartilaginous place The Muccilage of the rootes and of lineseede and fenegreâ—e put together is much used in pultises ointments and plaisters that serve to mollifie and digest all hard tumors and the inflammations of them and to give ease of the paines in any part of the body the seede either greene or drie mixed with vinegar clenseth the skinne of the morphew and all other discolouring thereof whatsoever being bathed therewith in the Sunne the seede of the yellow Mallow hath beene tried even as the seede of the Marsh Mallow hath beene also to be of singular good effect against the stone if a dramme or a dramme and a halfe at the most being made into pouder be
Theophrastus and Dioscorides to be one and transferring that which is proper to the one unto the other The sundry fables hereof reported in Matthiolus and others are not fit here to be related who so are desirous to know them may reade them in thir Authors or Relators The Arabians call it Iabora and Yabroâ—ach the Italians Mandragora the Spaniards Mandracola the French Mandragore and Mandagloire the Germans Alraum the Dutch Mandragora and we in English Mandrake The Vertues The Mandrake as Galen saith is of an exceeding cold qualitie even in the third degree yet hath in it some heate in the barke of the roote is some drinesse and in the apple some moisture whereby it is of a soporiferous propertie causing sleepinesse or drowsinesse as Levinus Lemnius in his Herball to the Bible maketh mention of an experiment of his owne that upon a suddaine became drowsie sitting at his booke in his study and musing what should be the cause found that it proceeded from the sent of one of these apples which he had laid on a shelfe therein which being removed he found no further inconvenience the barke or the juice taken therefro is given to those that in their sickenesse cannot sleepe the decoction of the roote in wine also doth the same and is exhibited to those as is aforesaid that are to be seared or a limbe or member to be cut off to induce the lesse sence of paine the condensate juice taken to the waight of one scruple in sweete wine purgeth flegme and melancholy by vomit like unto Hellebor but taken in a greater quantity it killeth it is used also in pessaries either of it selfe or with other emollient thinges to take away the hardnesse of the matrix to procure their courses and to expell the dead birth But see that not above halfe a scruple be used at a time the said juice is also used with those ocular medicines that coole inflammations in the eyes the leaves are likewise used for the same purpose as also impostumes and discusse all hardnesse knots and kernels in the flesh and take away the scars of burning being often rubbed therewith the roote beaten with vinegar and applyed to those inflammations called Saint Anthonies fire doth heale them and applyed with honey or oyle taketh away the sting of Serpents It is said that if Ivory be boild with the roote hereof six houres together it will so mollifye it that it will take what forme or impression you will give it the apples and especially the seeds in them doe purge and coole the hot matrix as Serapio Avicen and Paulus Aegineta after Dioscorides have set downe which peradventure Rachel knowing to be availeable for her hot and dry body which was the cause of her barennesse and her beauty argueth a probability of such a constitution desired the more earnestly the Mandrake apples that Ruben Leaâ— sonne had brought his mother as it is Genesis 30. v. 14. the strong sent of these apples is remembred also Cant. 7 13 although some would divert the signification of the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is the same in both places unto Violets or some other sweete flowers that Rachel desired and the fruite of Musa or Adams apples to that in the Canticles Hamilcar the Carthaginian Captaine is said to have obtained a famous victory over the Libians by infecting their wines with the apples of Mandrake whereby being made drowsie they left their wals unmand CHAP. VI. Solanum Nightshade THere are diverse sorts of Nightshades properly so to be called and there be some other that are referred thereunto for the likenesse of the leaves flowers or fruite or for the properties in the operation Of those that are referred unto the Nightshade I have already spoken of diverse in my former booke whereunto I referre them that would be enformed of them not meaning to repeate their descriptions but denominations in this place which are Mirabilia Pervana the Mervaile of Peruor of the world Pomum amoris fructu majore Apples of love the greater sort Stramonium sive Pomum spinosum majus flore simpli albo purpureo Datura Turcarum flore albo simplici flore duplici purpureo Thorne apples the greater with a single white or single purple flower and the lesser with a single white flower or a double purple flower Solanum arborescens or fruticosum called also Pseudocapsicum Dodonaei or Amomum Plinij Solanum Americanum Cerasa Indiana Tree Nightshade the Mumme tree or Winter Cherry tree Solanum vesicarium or Alkekengi Winter Cherries Potatoes of Virginia called of many apples of youth and of Bauhinus in his Matthiolus Solanum tuberosum esculentum and thought by Clusius that it did in many things resemble the Pycnocomon of Dioscorides moved chiefely thereunto from the likenesse of the figure thereof which he saw in a written copy of Dioscorides that had figures as also that it might be Arachidna of Theophrastus but setteth it downe in his History of Plantes by the name of Papas Peruvianorum and called by the Indians or Spaniards Papas as Gomara and others say and although the common wild Nightshade is not dangerous as divers others are nor planted in Gardens with us as it was in former times to be as a potherbe or salletherbe usually eaten but now adayes utterly refused and therefore called Garden Nightshade yet let me set it with the rest of the familye and not disjoine it from them 1. Solanum vulgare Common Nightshade The Common Nightshade hath an upright round greene hollow stalke about a foote or halfe a yard high bushing forth into many branches whereon grow many darke greene leaves somewhat broad and pointed at the ends soft and full of juice larger than the leaves of Bassill else somewhat like and a little unevenly dented about the edges at the toppes of the stalkes and branches come forth three or foure or more white flowers made of five small pointed leaves a peece standing on a stalke together one by or above another with yellow pointels in the middle composed of foure or five yellow threds set together which afterwards turne into so many pendulous greene berries of the bignesse of small pease full of greene juice and small whitish round flat seede lying within it the roote is white and a little wooddy when it hath given flower and fruite with many small fibres at it the whole plant is of a waterish insipide taste but the juice within the berryes is somewhat viscous like unto a thin mucilage and is of a cooling and binding quality 2. Solanum vulgare baccis rubris Red berryed common Nightshade I call this common Nightshade because it is in all things like the former common Nightshade except that the leaves hereof are somewhat harder and rougher and the berries when they are ripe are either of a yellow or of a yellowish red colour the whole plant growing also little bigger then the other this sort we have had out of Spaine but endured
in Narcoticke medicines and is an ingredient of much respect in those great compositions of Theriaca and Mithridatium c. whereof a small quantity hath beene gathered in some Christian Countryes and my selfe and others in our owne land have gathered a little from the greene heads as they stand and are but halfe growne ripe slit or cut with a knife in two or three places that the milke issuing forth may be gathered into some convenient thing and hardned afterwards in the Sunne but not at the fire which will not be so blacke as that Opium that commeth usually to us which is rather Meconium as Dioscorides setteth it downe which is made of the juice of both leaves and heades pressed forth of the white as well as of the blacke Poppy for the true best Opium is somewhat of a whitish yellow or brownish colour and giveth no such yellow tincture as that which is sophisticate and made with Glaucium which is the yellow juice of an herbe with leaves like unto horned Poppy but divers have thought Glaucium to be the juice of Chelidonius majus others of Pomum amâ— majus and lastly Bauhinus and some others thinke it to be of this thorny Poppy because it giveth a yellow juice but as Bellonius writeth that to have any quantity of true Opium it rather consisteth in the multitude of gatherers for it must be both speedily gathered and in the heat of the day then in the great quantity of ground sowen therewith it being a tedious worke for a very small quantity can be but gathered by any one in a day in that every head yeeldeth but little and must be attended to be taken from them before it be dryed too much upon them The Vertues All the sorts of Poppyes are cold in the fourth degree but especially Opium or the condensate juice as Galen and divers other authours doe affime yet Matthiolus sticketh thereat thinking it rather to be hot by the sharpenesse and bitternesse thereof and is Anodinum medicamentum that is such a medicine that by procuring sleepe easeth many paines for the present which indeede it doth but palliate or cause to be quiet for a time the continuall use whereof bringeth very often more harme and a more dangerous disease then it hath allayed that is an insensiblenesse or stupefaction of a part or member which commeth to be the dead palsie for although Dioscorides Galen and others write that the white seed is familiarly taken in bread and made into cakes and eaten with pleasure and Matthiolus and divers others have observed that in our dayes the white Poppy seede is sowen in Italy and other places and much used yea and the blacke seede also although as they all agree it is stronger in operation and onely medicineable or onely to be used in Physicke to helpe diseases for Matthiolus writeth that the inhabitants about Trent doe sow the blacke seede in their fields and grounds among Beanes and other pulse which they familiarly eate being made into cakes that are made of many foldes the seede being cast in betweene the folds and so kneaded together and yet hee saith they are no whit more sleepy or drowsie then those that eate none of them as also that in Stiria and the upper Austria the inhabitants doe eate the oyle pressed out of the blacke seede in their meates familiarly in the stead of Sallet oyle and finde no inconveniency of drowsinesse at all thereby which made him as he saith venture to give the creame of the seede made up with Barly water oftentimes and in great quantity in the hot fits of agues and burning feavers both to aswade thirst and to procure rest and hereby as he saith he shooke of that feare of Poppy that his wise Masters had by their grave admonitions seasoned him withall in former times the Garden Poppy heads with seedes made into a Syrupe is both frequently used in our dayes and to very good effect to procure rest and sleepe in the sicke and weake and to stay catarrhes and defluxions of hot and thinne rheume from the head into the stomacke and upon the lungs causing a continuall cough the forerunner of a consumption but hath not halfe that force in those that are stronger for the strength or debility of nature worketh divers effects as you see as well in this as in all or most other things the same also helpeth the hoarsenesse of the throate and when one hath lost their voyce which the oyle of the seede doth likewise the blacke seed boyled in wine and drunke is said also to stay the fluxe of the belly and the immoderate course of womens sickenesse the empty shels of the Poppy heades are usually boyled in water and given to procure rest and sleepe so doe the leaves in the same manner as also if the head and temples be bathed with the decoction warme or with the oyle of Poppyes the greene leaves or heads bruised and applyed with a little vinegar or made into a pultis with Barly meale and Axungia cooleth and tempereth all inflammations as also that disease called Saint Anthonyes fire The Opium but I may rather say the Meconium which is the juice of the Poppy thickned that is commonly used in the Apothecaries shops and is much weaker by the judgement of all both moderne and ancients then the true Opium is much colder and stronger in effect than any other part of the plant but if we may know the temperature and qualities of things by their taste and effect we may rather judge Opium to be hot then cold or at the least to have very hot parts in it witnesse the bitternesse thereof the heate and sharpenesse that is felt in the mouth upon the tasting and keeping it in the mouth a while that it is ready to blister both tongue and pallate as also the grievous or heady heavy smell as well in it as in the whole plant but it may be saith Matthiolus the bitternesse heate and sharpenesse in Opium or Meconium is rather accessory then innate and is therein by the mixture and adulterating of it with Glaucium and to give a yellow juice for our Opium if it be dissolved doth shew a brownish yellownesse yet by his leave I may say that even the fresh milke with us is bitter and strong in smell like the Meconium or Opium but because our ancients who have found out the qualities of things and left them for our knowledge have so found and judged of Opium I must as Matthiolus saith leave it for others to descant theron as reason and experience shall direct them It is generally used as I said before in Treakle and Mithridatum and in all other medicines that are made to procure rest and sleepe and to ease paines in the head as well as in other parts as I said before or rather to palliate them it is used also both to coole inflammations agues or frensies and to stay defluctions which cause a cough or consumption as
leaves separate a sunder with small foote stalkes unto them which are somewhat broad and ending in a point some of them cut in on the edges more deepely and all of them dented about the edges of a sad greene colour among these leaves rise up diverse somewhat weake smooth round stalkes halfe a yard or two foote high yet not bending but standing upright having three or foure such like leaves thereon as grew below but with shorter stalkes at the toppes of the stalkes stand a tuft or bush of white flowers every one consisting of five small leaves with many whitish threds in the middle and after they are fallen come small round berries greene at the first and blacke when they are ripe the roote is blacke without and a little yellowish within and somewhat thicke with diverse blackish strings or great fibres annexed thereunto which perisheth not although the stalkes and leaves doe die downe every yeare fresh springing up againe 2. Christophoriana Americana baccis niveis rubris Herbe Christopher of America This stranger shooteth forth in the Spring many reddish stalkes about a foote high with diverse leaves thereon divided into many parts somewhat resembling the former but larger rougher and of a sadder greene colour at the toppes whereof standeth a large tuft of white flowers composed in a manner wholly of threds yet if they be more neerely vewed there will appeare for every flower sixe small white leaves with their threds in the middle compassing a round greene button which comming to maturitie is either white with a purple tippe and foote stalke or reddish wholly the roote is blacke thicke short and crooked not growing downewards nor creeping but with many fibres thereat The Place The first groweth generally in the woods of mountaines that are somewhat open and not too much shadowed and other like places as well in our owne as other countries The other both in our Plantations and the French in America The Time They flower after Midsomer and the berries are ripe in August Christophoriana vulgaris Ordinary herbe Christopher Christophoriana Americana Herbe Christopher of America The Names It hath no Greeke or scarse any good Latin name although commonly with most it be called Christophoriana or herba sancti Christophori but for what cause and respect I cannot learne and many do doubt of the Saints name thinking it but composed as relative bearing Christ according to the morall of the story and not essentiall and indeede Some call it as Lugdunensis saith Napellus leucanthemos and some Aconitum bacciferum Lugdunensis saith it is called with them Napellus racemosus and so with Marantha as Camerarius saith some againe call it Costus niger Pena and Lobel make a doubt whether it be nor Actaea of Pliny in his 27. Booke and 7. Chapter because his Actaea beareth blacke berries like Ivie but diverse good and judicious Herbarists doe rather take Actea to be Ebulus for this hath no rough stalke as Actaea hath but a smooth and Paulus Aegineta interpreteth the roote of Actaea to be the roote of Sambucus Bauhinus calleth it Aconitum racemosum and seemeth to leane to Lobel his opinion whether it be not Pliny his Actaea or no. Some also doe call Scrophularia by this name of herbe Christopher Camerarius saith it is called in high Dutch Wolfs worts when as Tragus and others say the Aconitum Lycoctonum that is Luparia or Lupicida is so called also with them Camerarius saith also it is called with them Christoffels kraut But Tragus saith that a kind of Vetch or Pulse which he thinketh is the Aracus of Dioscorides is called with them Sant Christoffels kraut The other is called by Iacobus Coruntus in his Canadensium plantarum historia Panaces 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sive racemosum Canadense but why Panax being no wound herbe I see no cause unlesse it were for want of a bettername but I thinke I have entituled it more truely I am sure more nearely resembling this herbe than any Panax that I know The Vertues The Inhabitans of all the mountaines and places wheresoever the first groweth as some Writers say doe generally hold it to be a most dangerous and deadly poison both to men and beast and that they use to kill Wolves herewith very speedily it must therefore be cautelously used or rather utterly refused but I much doubt whether those Mountainers meane not rather that Aconitum Lycoctomum called Lupicida and although many good Authours hold it dangerous yet cannot I in my judgement so thinke not finding herein by the taste any pernitious qualitie but I cannot learne what helpe this hath procured to any Cornutus saith of his Panuces Carpimon that it is eaten familiarly both with the naturalls and French inhabitants with them as a sallet herbe CHAP. XIX Clematites Climers or Clamberers THere are diverse sorts of Climers or Clamberers most of which are sharpe hot and causticke or exulcerating the skinne if they lie any little time thereon and thereby dangerous although not deadly diverse of them have beene declared in my former Booke whereunto I referre them that would be enformed of them yet I thinke it not amisse to let you see some of their figures the descriptions of the rest shall follow 1. Clematis sylvestris latifolia sive Viorna The great wild Climer or Gerards Travellers Joy This wild Climer or Travellers joy as some call it hath in some places especially if it have stood long in a place a thicke and strong ragged wooddie stemme or trunke with diverse chops or riftes in the barke which is of a grayish colour from whence shoote forth many long pliant grayish greene branches more strong and wooddie than any of the other Climers so that their branches doe in many places serve as withes to winde about garden and field gates or to binde any bundle together these branches spread upon the hedges or trees whatsoever it standeth next unto dividing it selfe into many other twigges whereon are set at the severall joynts two long stalkes of winged leaves consisting of five leaves two and two together and one at the end each dented on the sides with small notches of a pale greene colour and tasting sharpe and hot biting upon the tongue but not so much as the burning Climer or Virgins bower these branches winde themselves about any thing standeth neare unto them for a great way but have no clasping tendrells like the Vine to take hold and winde it selfe thereby as Gerard saith it hath so farre as ever I could observe at the joynts where the leaves stand come forth likewise towards the toppes of the branches diverse bunches or tufts of white flowers set together upon small long foote stalkes with diverse yellow threds in the middle smelling very sweete and after they are past there arise in their places severall heads of many long hoary silver-like plumes as if they were feathers set together with a brownish flat seede at the bottome of every of them which abide a great while
unto them for the forme and manner of growing the roote is hard and wooddy brownâ—sh red on the outside and not colouring the hands with any red colour or very little such as the rest doe 5. Anchusa humilis Cretica The low Alkanet of Candy From a small long reddish roote of a fingers bignesse spring small stalkes halfe a finger long bearing thereon many small white leaves on each side of them set very thicke together like but lesse then the other Alkanets at the toppes whereof stand reddish flowers inclining to purple larger then those of Alkanet and formed like those of bastard Sena after which come small long rough vessels containing within them the small seede in the Summer time the roote will give a red juice that will die their fingers that touch it which is much commended by the natives to be singular good against the poyson of any Serpent 6. Anchusa arborea Great and tall Alkanet The roote of this Alkanet is insipide wooddy long and of a fingers thicknesse somewhat reddish within and with a thinne blackish rough barke without the stalke is thicke and rugged shooting forth divers branches and they other smaller with many small leaves like Savory set together at the joynts and small white prickes about them but on the small branches they stand single for the most part one above another at equall distances at the ends whereof grow small flowers somewhat like unto the ordinary Alkanet of a yellowish purple colour and the like seede succeeding and is not of any knowne use The Place The first groweth both in Italy Spaine and France as well neare the Sea as further of into the land I have not yet heard of any that have seene it growing any where in our Country The second Columna saith groweth in Naples The third about Mompelier and Lions as Lobel saith and this I thinke is the same that groweth in our Country namely in Kent neare Rochester in a field neare Sr. Iohn Leveson his house and in some other places thereabouts as also in the West parts as Devonshire and Cornwall as it hath beene affirmed The fourth also about Marseilles and Frontignana as Pena saith the two last in Candy The Time They flower in Iuly for the most part and sometimes in August but their rootes have their bravest colour in Iuly and August or thereabouts The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anchusa 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod vim suffocatoriam habet ut aliqui volunt sed alij mâ—lius verius a Graeco verbo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod est fucare colorare formam eo derivatum nomen â—b radicis sanguineum floridum ve colorem for the beautifull red colour in these rootes hath not onely made them knowne but distinguished from Echium Lycopsis Buglossum and the rest that are like unto them in leaves but want that colour in their rootes some have called it Alkanna but very falsely others Fucus herba The first is thought to be the third kinde of Anchusa whereof Matthiolus giveth a figure although he saith that all the Anchusa's that were knowne to him bore purplish flowers it is called Pseuda anchusa by Dodonaeus and is the same Anchusa exalbido flore that Clusius setteth forth in his History of Plants it is also very likely to be the same that Cordus upon Dioscorides maketh his first sort and Lobel calleth Anchusa lutea The second Columna calleth Anchusa Echioides minor The third Camerarius in his Epitome calleth Anchusa altera minor and Bauhinus Anchusa minor Patavina and yet he distinguisheth it from the Anchusa minor Alcibiadionsive Onochiles of Lobel and Clusius making them to be two sorts Lonicerus calleth it Buglossa rubra The fourth is called by Lobel and Pena in their Adversaria Anchusa lignosior angustifolia and by Clusius Anchusa lignosior Bauhinus calleth it in his Pinax Anchusa angustifolia and saith it is the same he formerly in his Phitopinax called Lithospermum minus repens and in his Matthiolus Lithospermum fruticosum angustifolium and saith also that this is the same that Lugdunensis setteth forth under the title of Tragoriganum Monspeliense Dalechampij The two last are remembred by Alpinus in his History of strange Plants under the same titles they are here expressed The Italians call it Anchusa the Spaniards Soagem and as Clusius saith Argamulo the French Orchanette the Germanes Oxenzunge the Dutch Ghile Anchusa and take it for a wilde Buglosse we in English after the French word Alkanet The Vertues Dioscorides saith that his first kinde which as I suppose is that I have described in this and my former Booke with a purplish flower doth helpe old ulcers and those that are burnt with fire being made into a salve with waxe and oyle and used with barly flower it cureth all hot inflammations and even that which is called Saint Anthonies fire used with vinegar it helpeth the morphew lepry and the like the same also applyed to the lower parts draweth forth the dead childe the decoction thereof made in water for those that are aguish or else in wine is profitable for those that are troubled with the yellow Iaundise the spleene or gravell and the stone in the kidneys the Apothecaries that used to make ointments saith he used it to thicken their ointments which Pliny altereth as he doth in some other things relating the text of Dioscorides and saith it is used to colour oyntments and for that purpose they take Cinnabaris and Anchusa To the second kinde which we generally take to be that with the yellow flower and is the first here described Dioscorides giveth these properties that whether it be eaten or drunke or but bound to the wound it helpeth all such as are bitten by Serpents especially by the viper or adder and that if any that hath eaten hereof shall but spit it into the mouth of any Serpent it will presently kill it the leaves but much more the roote being drunke in wine stayeth the fluxe of the belly Pliny addeth hereunto somewhat more the chiefest strength hereof saith he is in harvest time a draught of wine wherein some of the dryed leaves and rootes have beene boyled and given to those that are troubled with the falling downe of the mother doth helpe them it killeth wormes being taken with Hyssope it is good also taken in wine for the paines of the backe and reines as also for the liver Galen doth more acurately and distinctly set them forth in this manner Oâ—clea saith he hath a roote astringent and somewhat bitter and thereby fit both to condensate the thinne humours in the body and somewhat to extenuate those that are thicke and as well to clense the chollericke as to wash the salt humours therein for it is said before that a harsh tasted quality joyned with a bitter can performe those properties in the like manner it is profitable for the yellow jaundise for those that are spleneticke and for those
〈◊〉 Bunias or the wilde kindes of eyther the Latines call it Barbarea Sanctae Barbarae herba Nasturtium Barbaricum and of some Nasturtium hybernum from whence came our English name of Winter Cresses but as I said being nearer both in forme and qualitie unto a Rocket then unto Cresses the most judicious have hereunto referred it Gesner in hortis calleth it Nasturtium palustre and Lugdunensis Eruca palustris Camerarius Bunium adulterinum Dodonaeus Pseudobunias Anguilara Scopa regia and Fuchsius Sideritis latissima Tragus maketh it his Sinapi 5. genus and Bauhinus calleth it Eruca lutea latifolia sive Barbarea the second Bauhinus onely hath written of and calleth it Eruca lutea sive Barbarea flore pleno the last Lobel calleth Barbarea minor Herba Sancti Alberti Bononiensium and so doth Caesalpinuus also Bauhinus putteth it among his sorts of Erysimum and calleth it Erysimo similis laevis laciniata floribus luteis The Italians and Spaniards are scarse aquainted herewith being more peculiar to these colder climates The French high and low Dutch and we doe follow the Latine names some of Saint Barbary and some of Winter Cresses or as I sayd before more properly to be called Winter Rocket The Vertues This is somewhat sharpe in taste and withall somewhat binding whereby it may easily be knowne to bee hot and dry and is profitable to provoke urine and helpeth the strangury and to expell gravell and the stone it is also of good effect in the Scorbute or Scurvey and may be used for it to very good purpose it is also found by good experience to be a singular good wound herbe both to clense inward wounds the juice or decoction of the herbe to be drunke or outwardly applied to wash fowle ulcers and sores clensing them by the sharpenesse and abâ—ting the dead flesh growing therein or hindering it from growing therein and healing them by the drying qualitie It is used as Rocket or Cresses eaten in Winter when varietie of Sallets are not to be had with as great desire and content as any other for that time CHAP. IIII. Eruca marina Sea Rocket OF the Sea Rockets there are three or foure sorts with notable differences as you may perceive iâ— the succeeding Chapter 1. Eruca marina Anglica English Sea Rocket The English Sea Rocket for so I call it for distinctions sake and that this sort and none of the other groweth on our coasts although it grow in other countries also hath divers stalkes some trayling upon the ground others standing more upright but brought into Gardens it somewhat varieth the face both in stalkes and leaves scatteringly set with small long leaves thereon waved as it were on the edges like Groundsell or Rocket but longer and lesser in the Garden at the toppes of the stalkes grow the flowers of a pale purplish colour of the fashion of the flowers of Raddish composed of foure leaves after which come seede fashioned like a wheate Corne such also it beareth in the Garden but greater which are somewhat spongie and not solid not two joyned together as it is set downe to have by the Sea side but every seede single by it selfe 2. Eruca maritima Cretica Candy Sea Rocket The Sea Rocket of Candy hath divers short and narrow rough greene leaves next the roote cut and divided on the edges into small parts the stalkes are straked and crooked about halfe a foote long bearing flowers at the toppes which Bauhinus who giveth us the knowledge thereof hath not set downe but if it be the same that Lugdunensis setteth forth by the name of Eruca maritima which as he saith Mâ—us sâ— out of Spaine as I am verily perswaded it is it hath purplish flowers and three square pods with seede and after them divers rough crooked and joynted pods three or foure inches long containing small reddish seede the plant is hoary all over both stalkes and leaves 1. Eruca marina Anglica English Sea Rocket 3. Eruca Monspeliaca siliqua quadrangula Square codded Rocket 4. Eruca maritima Italica Italian Sea Rocket 3. Eruca Monspeliaca siliqua quadrangula Square codded Rocket This square codded Rocket hath the lower leaves small long and narrow hairy rough and waved or cut in on the edges like Groundsell or Rocket from whence rise two or three stalkes that are round rough and reddish at the bottome set with some lesser leaves lesse divided then those below and when it is full of flowers almost not at all the stalkes are branched at the toppes bearing many small yellow flowers of foure leaves a peece after which succeede small square smooth pods hard when they are ripe with a rough sharpe point at the end and open into two parts with one brownish seede lying in each part or side and is turned like a snaile pointed at the ends and sharpe in taste upon the tongue the roote is somewhat thicke and white with some fibres fastned thereto 4. Eruca maritima Italica Italian Sea Rocket The Italian Sea Rocket hath some long and narrow leaves growing next to the roote very much and finely cut into divers small parts having the stalke branched diversly and set with the like leaves but lesser and lesse divided still up to the toppes where the flowers being purplish consisting of foure leaves stand one above another in small huskes with two points a peece wherein when the flowers are faded and gone stand small pointed heads fashioned like a Speares point wherein is coâ—ned a white kernell the roote creepeth under ground with some strings but perisheth after it hath borne seede The Place The first groweth on our owne Sea coasts in many places both of Kent and Sussex especially yet it is not proper onely to our coasts but is found in the like places in divers Countries the second was sent by Honorius Bellus from Candy unto Bauhinus as hee saith the dryed plant with seede thereto but no flowers and therefore I could not expresse them but as I sayd in the description it is very probable to be the same that Lugdunensis saith Myâ— sent from Catalonia in Spaine where it grew to Lyons the third groweth about Mompeller and the last about the Sea coasts of Italy both Venice and other places The Time They doe all flower and seede in the Sommer moneths for they are all but annuall plants and are to be soweâ— in Gardens in the spring of the yeare The Names The first is called by Lobel Eruca marina Kakile Serapionis and so it is also by Anguilara Camerarius Colâ— and Lugdunensis the second is called by Bauhinus Eruca maritima cretica siliqua articulata and is likely as 〈◊〉 said to bee the same of Myconus which Lugdunensis calleth Eruca maritima having three square cods of seedâ— which is a manifest difference from the former the third is called also by Bauhinus Eruca Monspeliaca siliqâ— quadrangula aechinata which Lugdunensius calleth Sinapi echinatum the fourth is called by Bauhinus Eruca maritima Italica haste cuspidi simile
but perisheth as the rest doe 5. Thlaspi incanum Mechliniense Hoary Thlaspi of Machliâ— This Thlaspi of Machlin groweth first with many long and whitish hoary leaves lying on the ground and afterwards bushing thicke upon the slender weake stalkes beare a number of small white flowers at the toppes in tufts and afterwards spread more in length where follow small round seede vessells a little pointed at the ends containing small seede therein and lesse sharpe then any others the roote is long and white perishing after seede time every yeare Flore duplici but raysing it selfe againe of the shed seede Sometimes I have seene this kind to give double flowers but no seede neither did it endure long after in my Garden 1. Thlaspi fruticosum folio Leucoij angustifolium Narrow leafed wooddy Treakle-mustard 3. Thlaspi fruticosum Hispanicum Spanish wooddy Treakle-mustard 4. Thlaspi spinosum fruticosum Thorny Treakle-mustard 5. Thlaspi incanum Mechliniense Hoary Thlaspi of Mechlin The Place These sorts grow in severall countries some in France about Marselles and Mompelier some in Spaine and Italy and some in the Low Countries the same also that were thought proper to some countries have beene found also in others The Time They all flower in Summer and give their ripe seede shortly after but few of them abiding after the seede is ripe The Names The first is called by Bauhinus Thlaspi fruticosum Leucoij folio latifolium as it is in the title the second is called by Lobel in his Observations Thlaspi fruticosum folio Lencoij marini minoris whom Lugdunensis and Tabermontanus doe follow but Bauhinus calleth it Thlaspi Leucoij folio angustifolium and Camerarius Thlaspi semperviâ— biflorum the third is called by Lobel Thlaspi fruticosum alterum and so doe Lugdunensis and Tabermontanus and as Clusius thinketh is his Thlaspi sextum Hispanicum albo flore by Bauhinus Thlaspi fruticosum folio Thyâ—bra hirsuto the fourth is called by Lobel and other since him Thlaspi fruticosum spinosum Narbonense or Thlaspi spinosum the fift is called by Lobel and Clusius Thlaspi incanum Mechliniense by Bauhinus Thlaspi fruticosum incaâ— who taketh it to be Thlaspi incanum fruticosum Franconiae of Camerarius in horto as also the Iberis of Tabermontanus which Gerard hath expressed under the title of Thlaspi fruticosum The Vertues Some of these sorts as are sharpe as any of the former which therefore may be judged as conduceable for the greefes the first sorts were appropriate as they the others that are little or nothing sharpe are held to be unprofitable CHAP. XVII Thlaspi exoticum Strange fashioned Thlaspi THe last kinde of these Treakle-Mustards are such as are in forme of leaves or growing farre differing from all the other kindes and not from the strange countries where they grow 1. Thlaspi hederaceum Ivie leafed Treakle-Mustard This Thlaspi shooteth up with many weake tender stalkes leaning downewards and rather creeping upon the ground than raising it selfe to be much above a spanne high dispersedly set with small broad leaves thicke and short broad at the bottome cornered about the middle and pointed at the end somewhat resembling Ivye leaves the flowers are small and white growing spike fashion at the toppes of the branches which afterwards yeeld small round seede vessells parted at the ends containing small seede and sharpe like Thlaspie the roote is small long and fibrous perishing every yeare 1. Thlaspi Hederaceum Ivie leafed Treakle-Mustard 2 Thlaspi aliud Lunatis folijs sive Lunaria Magorum Arabian Lobelij Strange Moonewort-like Treakle Mustard 2. Thlaspi aliud Lunarijs folijs sive Lunaria MagoruÌ„ Arabum Lobelio Strange Mooneworte-like Treakle-Mustard Although it be not determined by Lobel to what genus this plant is to be referred yet I have presumed to place it next unto the Ivie leafed kind untill it can be otherwise disposed his discription thereof being briefe thus It shooteth forth in March from an ash coloured bending wooddy roote divers leaves somewhat like unto a Lunaria or like unto the new sprung leaves of the French round leafed Sorrell and almost like also to those of the Ivie leafed Treakle-Mustard hee neither saw flowers nor fruit he found this hee saith onely in Savoy in the vallyes that are betweene that high hill called Mons Seny and Saint Iean de Morienne 3. Thlaspi Alexandrinum Levant Thlaspi or of Alexandria This is a small plant but very beautifull scarse halfe a foote high from whose roote which is long and slender riseth vp divers branched stalkes at each joint whereof where it brancheth groweth a large round leafe compassing the stalke on both sides round like unto those of Thoroughwaxe from the toppes of the branches come forth many flowers and after them small round seede vessells ending in a point parted in the middle by a skinne in each whereof lie small seede The Time The first Lobel saith hee soundin Portland which is an Iland belonging to Cornewall nor farre from Plimmouth in the West of England and in divers of the sea coastes thereabouts the second he likewise found he saith in Savoy as it is set downe in the description the last came from Alexandria and other parts of Syria The Place The first flowreth and seedeth plentifully both in the naturall places and whether it is transplanted in the Summer moneths but the second as is said was not knowne the last as comming out of an hotter climate is somewhat more tender and hard to be kept a Winter for it beareth not the first yeare and hardly the next but very late The Names The first is called by Lobel Thlaspi hederaceum and so doth Lugdunensis and others that have made mention thereof since Bauhinus calleth it Thlaspi repens hederae folio the second is called by Lobel Lunaria Magorum Arabus as he saith the Italians doe call it Bauhinus calleth the last Thlaspi Alexandrinum being so called by Cortusus who sent the seede The Vertues There hath no triall beene made of any of these sorts by any that I know and therefore thus much shall suffice to have spoken of both of those and the others before for I intended not to invent receipts of those things I mention but to relate what I have reade or knowne to be practised CHAP. XVIII Draba sive Arabis Arabian Mustard AS nearest both in forme and qualitie unto the Thlaspi is this herbe Draba which I have Englished Arabian Mustard for want of a fitter name for although the Latine or Greeke name whether ye will or neither if ye will may seeme to 1. Draba vulgaris The more common or knowne Arabian Mustard urge an Arabian originall yet we find that it is as an adulterate a Greek name as a Latine and not thought to be of Dioscorides his owne setting downe but intruded by others into some copies of his because others that are more authenticke have it not at all the ancients have mentioned but one sort but these later times have produced divers others which have beene so called of the
by Bauhinus Genista spinosa minor Germanica the fift is called by Bauhinus in his Pinax Genista spinosa minor Hispanica villosissima but in his Prodrâ—mus Genistella Monspeliaca spinosa and saith that some of Mompelier called it Corruda lutea the last Bauhinus calleth Genistella minor Aspalatoides vel Genista spinosa Anglica saying it was sent out of England by the name of Genista spinosa which is probable was found in some place of our Land unknowne to us as the plant it selfe is and sent him as a raritie who saith the like thereunto was found about Orleance in France The Italians call the first Scorpione herba the Dutch Guspeldoren and wee in English Furse Gorse and of some Whinne and thorny Broome but that may be generally given to all these thorny bushes and more particularly is appropriate to the fourth sort which the French call Geneste picquant the Germanes Stechend Pfriâ—â—â—es and the Dutch Stechende Brem and we in English the small prickly Broome The Vertues The first and third are held to be hot and dry good to open obstructions of the Liver and Spleene some have used the flowers of eyther in a decoction against the Iaundies as also to provoke Vrine and to clense the Kidneyes of gravell or stones ingendred in them The others no doubt are participant of the same qualities CHAP. XXIII Rhamnus Buckes thorne VNder the name of Rhamnus are comprehended divers sorts of shrubbes some much differing from other the elder age in Theophrastus his time acknowledged two sorts the one white the other blacke and both ever greene Dioscorides in his time acknowledged three which have beene controverted by writers in these later times wherein there are some sorts found out some of our later writers have called one Rhamnus solutivus that is purging Ramme as a distinction from the other that are not so whereof I have entreated in the second Classis of this worke and of the third Rhamnus of Dioscorides as the most judicious doâ— account it called Paliurus Christs thorne I have entreated in my former booke the rest that are referred thereunto and called Rhamnus by other authors shall follow in this Chapter and beginne with that which is most frequent in the Low Countries by the Seaside as well as in the upland countries and in our owne land by the Sea coasts in many places also 1. Rhamnus primus Dioscoridis Lobelio sive littoralis Sea Buckes thorne with Willow-like leaves This Buckes thorne shooteth forth many and sundry pliant twiggie stemmes branched into divers smaller branches whereon are set many long and narrow leaves without order covered as it were with a white dust or powder as the stalkes are also with divers small thornes standing among them at the joynts with the leaves from the middle upwards grow sundry small greenish mossie flowers together which turne into round berries greene at the first and of a yellowish rednesse when they are ripe having a juice or fleshie substance within the outer skinne and a flattish round gristly kernell within of a blackish browne colour the roote is tough long and spreading much under ground this abideth with the leaves on the twigges all the winter long and so doth the fruit also Bauhinus upon Matthiolus setteth downe that this Rhamnus doth varie in some places neare the Rhyne viz. that the one sort that hath broader and longer leaves hath but one or two berries set together upon a stalke but that sort that groweth by the Danow and the River Lycus hath shorter and narrower leaves and hath divers berries set together 2. Rhamnus secundus Monspeliensium sive primus Clusij White flowred Buckes thorne This Buckes thorne is a bush fit to make hedges withall rising up with divers straight upright stems divided into many branches armed with very strong and sharpe thornes standing out from whence the small long and narrow thicke fleshy leaves come forth foure or five standing together almost round at the point seldome falling away before other have sprung forth the flowers stand at the sayd joynts with the leaves in hoary buckes three or foure together being somewhat long and round ending in five leaves of a pure white colour where after they are fallen a certaine round thing groweth like unto that of the Iasmine which seldome commeth where any fruite the roote is thicke and long creeping farre away 3. Rhamni primi Clusij altera species Red flowred Buckes thorne This other buckes thorne is like unto the last in most things onely growing not so high bushing with more 1. Rhamnus primus Dioscoridis Lobelio sive littoralis Sea Buckes thorne with willow-like leaves 2. Rhamnus secundus Dioscoridi◠〈…〉 sive primus Clusij White flowred Buckes thorne 3. Rhamni primi Clusij species altera Red flowred Buckes Thorne Paliurus sive Rhamnus tertius Dioscoridis Christs Thorne branches and somewhat lesser leaves thicker whiter and 4. Rhamnus niger Theophrasti Blacke berried Buckes thorne 5. Rhamnus Bavaricus The Bavarian Buckes thorne 6. Rhamnus Myrtifolius ex Insula Sancti Christophori Buckes thornes with Myrtle-like leaves of Saint Christrohers Iland of a more saltish taste the flowers stand in the same manner but are of a purplish red colour 4. Rhamnus niger Theophrasti Blacke berried Buckes thorne The blacke Buckes thorne groweth unto the bignesse of a Blacke thorne bush having a blackish barke covering the gâ—â—test armes and body set with divers narrow and long thicke greene leaves together at the joynts like unto the other before but of a more astringent taste like unto Rubarbe armed with long sharpe thornes each branch ending also in a long sharpe thorne the flower is small and of a greenish colour comming forth in the spring of the yeare and the fruit followeth in the Sommer which is small and blacke like unto a Sloe and harsh also in taste 5. Rhamnus Bavaricus The Bavarian Buckes thorne The Bavarian Buckes thorne groweth to the height of a man with a reddish barke with many very sharpe long thornes thicke set on the branches and leaves thereon of a pale greene colour somewhat broad and long like unto the llex or evergreene Oake finely dented about the edges and with some smaller and rounder leaves set with them also each twigge ending in a thorne what flowers or fruite this beareth is not yet come to our knowledge but for the likenesse of the growing and being a thorny everliving plant it hath beene accounted a species of Rhamnus and so called 6 Rhamnus Myrtifolius ex Insula Sancti Christophori Saint Christophers Myrtle leafed Ramme In the naturall places this groweth great and tall but in France whether it was brought scarse a cubit high the barke being greene and smooth the leaves many set together on the stalkes by couples somewhat like as the Wallnut tree leaves grow but each leafe resembling those of the greatest Myrtle at each knot on the branches where the leaves shoot stand one or two small short weake thornes on each side the further relation wee cannot
Tragacantha Goates thorne after which followed small cods not bigger than those of Orobus containing one seede within each like Fenugreeke 7. Onobrychris clypeata aspera minor The lesser buckler Fetchling The greater sort hereof is set forth in my former Booke under the title of Hedysarum â—lypeatum The red Sattin 1. Onobrychis vulgaris The ordinary Cockes-head 2.5 Onobrychis spicata flore purpureo quarta Clusij Spiked Cockes-head with purple flowers and mountaine Cockes-head 3. Onobrychis floribus caerulâ—e Blew flowred Cockes head 9. Onobrychis minima The least Cockes-head flower but this lesser groweth very low not above an hand breadth high the leaves likewise are small and narrow the flowers are small and of an excellent crimson colour the seede vessells that follow are flat and rough containing small seede within them the roote is thicke and threaddy 8. Onobrychis clypeata levis Small buckler Fetchling This smooth Fetchling riseth up but wiâ—h one stalke or two at the most a foote high set with joynts where stand winged leaves consisting of many smooth long leaves and an odde one at the end from the joynts of the leaves spring up small and long stalkes whereon the flowers stand in a spike fashion of a blewish purple colour and have afterwards flat and smooth huskes buckler fashion three for the most part standing one above another with small seede within them 9. Onobrychis minima The least Cockes-head This small plant Pena saith he found on the hills of Provence with a small roote downeward but thicke at the head and a thicke barke having many hairy stalkes two or three inches long with small leaves on them like unto Lentills or Astragulus hoary hard and bare towards the toppes and many small pale yellowish white flowers set together in a tuft of a drying taste like Birds foote Lobel in Adversaria calleth it Astragalus persimilis palmaris pusilla planta The Place and Time The first groweth under hedges and sometimes in the open fields in divers places of our Land but all the rest are strangers and kept in Gardens with us by them onely that are curious conservers of rare plants and flower from the end of Iune to the end of August and the seede ripeneth in the meane time The Names It is generally taken now adayes by all those that are judicious Herbarists to be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Onobrychis of Dioscorides and Caput gallinaceum in Latine the first is called Onobrychis by Dodonaeus Clusius Thalius and many others Gesner in hortis calleth it Glaux sive Onobrychis Lobel Caput gallinaceum Belgarum Lugdunensis saith it was called Polygala by many the lesser hereof is called by Bauhinus in Prodromo Caput gallinaceum minus the second here is the first Ombrychis Pannonica with Clusius which Pona in the description of Mount Baldus calleth Cicer Astragalâ—ides the third is the second with him the fourth is his third the fift is his fourth Onobrychis and the sixt his fift the seventh is as I said before The lesser sort of that Hedysarum clypeatum of Lobel that I have set forth in my former Booke being generally so called now adayes with most and which Dodonaeus calleth Onobrychis altera and Camerarius Securidaca clypeata but Bauhinus calleth it Onobrychis clypeata asperat minor as he doth the next Onobrychis clypeata levis the last is called by Lobel as I said Astragalo planta persimilis The Italians call it Vpuparia de Maghi the French Saint foin and we in English Cockes-head or Medicke Fetchling The Vertues Galen saith hereof that it hath a power to raresie and digest and therefore the greene leaves bruised and laid as a plaister disperseth knots nodes or kernells in the fâ—esh and if when it is drie it be taken in wine it helpeth the strangury and being anointed with oyle it provoketh sweate Dioscorides and Pliny saith the same things and therefore neede not be repeated it is knowne generally to be a singular foode for cattle to cause them to give store of milke CHAP. XX. Astragalus The milke Vetch THE knowledge of the true Astragalus hath troubled most of our moderne Writers many of them having set forth divers plants for it which others have misliked and therefore in such a confusion it is hard to determine of any certaintie yet the most likely I will endeavour to shew you here 1. Astragalus Baeticus Clusij The Spanish milke Vetch of Clusius This Spanish plant hath sundry stalkes afoote high of the bignesse of ones little finger being five cornered or crested all the lengh of them hard somewhat reddish and hoairy with all the leaves are woolly or hoary many set oneach side of a middle ribbe of an astringent taste at the first and afterwards hot the flowers stand at the tops of long footestalkes that shoot out from the joynts and grow into a very long spike of large flowers each as large as of the Beane or Lupine wholly of a white colour when they are blowne open but of a brownish yellow being in the bud after they are past there follow full swollen long cods of two inches and a halfe long and one thicke like unto those of the wilde Pease which being shaked when they are drie the round seede in them will make a noise and being tasted doe inflame the mouth and tongue mightily the roote for the smallnesse of the plant is very great about the length of ones hand of the thickne of ones arme and thence branching forth into sundry other smaller ones rugged and blacke one the outside and whitish within hard and wooddy which when it is drie is harder than an horne 2. Astragalus marinus Baeticus The Sea Spanish milke Vetch This Sea Spanish milke Vetch which Boelius brought me with very many other things at my charge out of Spaine groweth often upright and sometimes leaning downe with one or two round reddish stalkes a little hary set with sundry winged leaves on both sides of the stalkes one above another consisting of tenne or a dozen small fresh greene leaves somewhat like to those of the lesser Sicklewort from betweene the stalke the leaves and at the toppes of them also come forth branches of the like leaves in some places and at others many small pale coloured flowers which turne into so many three square cleare skinned whitish cods the inner edge being thinner and a little bowing the other two forming as it were a backe dividing it selfe into two parts with divers small hard yellowish seede within them almost like Fenugreeke seede the roote is small long and divided perishing yearely with us Altera supinus I had from Boelius above named another sort hereof which he named Astragalus marinus Boeticus supinus but what other chiefe difference it had from the other but the leaning to the ground-ward I know not for the plant dying with me that rose from the seede I could not so exactly observe the varietie and since then could never get of the same
or cottony matter which bindeth and dryeth exceedingly 6. Iuncus acutus maritimus caule triangulo Sea sharpe Rushes with three square stalkes The roote hereof is creeping and fibrous sending forth a few short leaves and long three square stalkes about a foote in length very sharpe pointed at the end two or three inches under which breake forth sundry scaly and woolly heads of a brownish colour 7. Iuncus acutus maritimus Anglicus English Sea hard Rushes Our English Sea Rushes differ little in the growing from the other Sea Rushes but that the pannickle is longer and slenderer composed of many chaffie huskes 8. Iuncus maritimus Narbonensis The Sea hard Rushes of Languedocke This French Rush hath many slender tough and pliant long and sharpe pointed Rushes of a pale greene colour from among which riseth a small stalke little longer then the leaves bearing at the toppe three leaves whereof one is exceeding long and the other are short in the middle of whom standâ— large roâ—â—d head composed of many long sharpe huskes set in eares of a pale brownish colour wherein lye small seede the roote is browne long small and creeping set with divers short fibres thereat smelling reasonably well The Place and Time The first groweth in many low moist neglected grounds and fields where it taketh up much roome and doth little good The second was found by Doctor Lobel in his life time upon a high hill in Wales called 〈◊〉 in sundry the wet and moorish grounds in many places thereabouts The third about Moâ—pelier 〈◊〉 thereabouts The fourth and fifth in Narbone as Lobel saith and betweene Saint Iohns de lâ—ce and Bayon aâ— we have beene enformed The sixth both on the Venetian shore and in the way from Mompelier to the Sea The seventh groweth on many of our English coasts And the last about Narbone in France also And doe all flowrish in the end of Summer The Names The Greekes call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oxyschaenos and in Latine thereafter Iuncus acutus asper The first is called Iuncus acutus vulgatior by Lobel and Dodonaeus The second hath not beene set forth before and therefore hath the name according to the place of the growing thereof The third is also but now made knowne to all The fourth and fifth are set forth by Lobel and Pena in their Adversaria under the title of Iuncus maritimus duplex The former Bauhinus calleth Iuncus acutus capitulis Sorghi Oxyschaenos Dioscoridis The later is referred by him unto the Iuncus Holoschaenâ—s major of Lugdunensis and was brought by Boel from Bayon by the name of Iuncus Coriandri semine rotundo and taken to bee the true Oxyschaenos of Dioscoriâ—â—s The sixth Bauhinus calleth as it is in the title The seventh is peculiar to our Coasts and hath the name accordingly The last is the Iuncus maritimus Narbonensis of Lobel whereof I cannot finde that Bauhinus hath made any mention The Vertues The properties of this hard Rush are referred to the former working the like effects as it is thought but more weakely CHAP. XXXII Iuncus acumine reflexo Hard Rushes with bending heads THere are yet some other kindes of Rushes to be handled which because I would not huddle together I must distribute into sundry Chapters that so every species may be under his owne genus as neere as may be 1. Iuncus acumine reflexo major The greater bending Rush The greater of these turning Rushes groweth after the manner of the greater soft Rushes hath for his rootes somewhat round heads covered with blackish browne coates or filmes and under them tuâ—ts of threds from which heads rise sundry 1.3 Iuncuâ— acumine reflexo major trifiduâ— The greater bending Rush and the triple tufted Rush long Rushes halfe a yard long or more breaking a good way under the toppe which bendeth or turneth downewards out of a round skinny head into many skinny round heades standing on short footestalkes which have as it were five corners full of cornered sharpe very small yellowish seede of a little harsh taste 2. Iuncus acumine reflexo alter Another turning or bending Rush This other hath the Rushes more then halfe a yard long having a blackish shining tuft or umbell breaking forth two or three inches under the turning end and standing without any footestalke which are composed all of threds or thrums and blewish at the toppes 3. Iuncus acumine reflexo trifidus The triple tufted Rush The roote hereof is blacke joynted and fibrous the Rushes are many slender and foure or five inches long the stalkes are parted at the toppes into three and seldome into fower slender long Rushes three or foure inches long a peece betweene which come forth three small chaffie tufts or panickles The Place and Time They all grow in France and Germany and keepe the sâ—me time that others doe The Names The first is called by Lugdunensis Iuncus Melancranis of Theophrastus who taketh it also to be the Juncus Oxyschaenos faemina of Theophrastus Gesner and Tabermontanus call it Iuncus laevis and may be Thalius his 〈◊〉 Lychnanthemos The other two are remembred by Bauhinus in his Pinax and Prodromus but in my opinion the last is the small Iuncus maritimus alter of Lobel as whoso will compare them shall finde The Vertues Wee have no other certainty of the Vertues of these but a likelihood to be as effectuall as the last kinde of Rushes CHAP. XXXIII Iuncus aquatîcus capitulis Equiseti Aglet headed Water Rushes THere are two or three sorts of this Aglet headed kind of Rush which for the difference sake from the other kindes of Rushes I thought good to entreate of by themselves 1. Iuncus capitulis Equiseti Aglet headed Rushes This lesser sort bringeth forth from a creeping spreading roote stored with many intricate fibres divers slender naked Rushes about a cubit long full of whitish pith and having at the bottomes of them certaine reddish skinnes compassing them and bearing each of them at their toppes a small catkin or Aglet like the first head of an Asparagus blooming with small white threds like a Plantane head which fall away quickly 2. Iuncus capitulis Equiseti alter Another Aglet headed Rush This other Rush hath sundry short Rushes rising from the creeping roote from among which other slender and taller Rushes doe spring about a foote high each of them bearing such a like Aglet as the former but somewhat lesser 1. Iuncus aquaticus capitulis Equiseti Aglet headed Rushes 2. Iuncus Equiseti capitulis alter The other Aglet headed Rush 3. Iuncellus capitulis Equiseti fluitans Floting Rushes with Aglet toppes This small Rush hath from a small threddy roote commeth forth a very small slender bowing Rush which divideth it selfe into many other small Rushes about two or three inches long floating upon the waters where it groweth Whereof some grow upright and others doe bow or bend downe againe each of them bearing a small head like the former with a small long Rush growing by it The
Pas de cheval and Pasâ— ' asne The Germanes Brandat lettich quasi Vstulorum lactuca and Roshub that is Vngula Caballina The Dutch Hoef bladeren that is foote leafe And we in English Folefoote and Coltsfoote and Horse hoofe The Vertues Coltsfoote while it is fresh is cooling and drying but when it is dry the cooling quality which remained in the moisture being evaporate it is then somewhat hot and dry and is best for those that have thinne rheumes and distillations upon the Lungs causing the cough thereby to thicken and dry it as the fresh leaves or juyce or Syrup made thereof is fittest for an hot drycough and for wheesings and shortnesse of breath the dryed leaves taken as Tabacco is in the like manner good for the thinne rheumes distillations and coughes as also the roote taken in like sort as Dioscorides and Galen say The distilled water hereof simply or with elder flowers and Nightshade is a singular remedy against all hot Agues to drinke two ounces at a time and to have some clothes wet therein and applyed to the head and stomack the same also applyed to any hot swellings or any other inflammations Tussilago Herba sive flore Colts foote without flowers Tussilago florens Colts foote in flower doth much good yea it helpeth that disease called Saint Anthonies fire and burnings also and is singular good to take away wheales and small pushes that rise through heate as also against the burning heate of the piles or of the privy parts to apply wet clothes therein to the places Matthiolus sheweth that in the roote of this Colts foote there groweth a certaine Cotten or white Wooll which being clensed from the rootes and bound up in linnen clothes and boyled in lye for a while and afterwards some salt niter added unto it and dryed up againe in the Sun is the best tinder to take fire being stroke from a flint that can be had CHAP. VIII Cacalia Great and strange Colts foote OF this kinde of Colts foote as I may so call it there are two sorts described by authors which I meanâ— to shew you in this place and unto them adde another American plant which in my opinion commeth nearest unto the others 1. Cacalia incano rotundo folio Hoary strange Colts foote The hoary strange Colts foote hath a long white roote divided into many heads with many long strings and fibres thereat of a clammy taste like unto gum Tragacant encreasing thereby much and shooting up many hoary reddish striped stalkes with large round leaves on them bigger and thicker then Colts foot and more woolly also on the upper side yet with a greenenesse to bee seene in them but very woolly and white underâ—eath with some ribbes and veines in them of a little bitterish unpleasant taste from among which rise up the striped woolly yet reddish stalkes two or three foote high having sundry lesser leaves on them and all of them dented about the edges branching forth at the toppe into sundry small sprigges of pale purplish flowers made of foure small leaves a peece with some threds in the middle which after they have beene a while blowne doe passe away into downe that is carried away with the winde Dalechampius saith that in the middle of the flowers are found hanging downe small white graines like pearles to make it answeare to Plinies description 2. Cacalia glabro folio acuminato Smooth strange Colts foote This other sort hath as large leaves as the former but thicker harder greener and smoother and not hoary at all but dented or waved on the edges and pointed also with the roundnesse and not open at the stalkes as the other the stalkes are in like manner smooth and striped bearing the like flowers at the toppes but somewhat paler the roote also is alike 1. 2. Cacalia folio incano rotundo glabro acuminato Hoary and Smooth strange Colts foote 3. Cacalia Americana Colts foote of America 3. Cacalia Americana Strange Coltsfoote of America This stranger riseth up with many round stalkes about a yard high and two somewhat round but pointed leaves a little dented about the edges at each joynt of them the upper leaves being smaller and little or nothing dented at the toppes of the stalkes come forth divers branches with pure white flowers divers small ones made of five leaves a peece rising out of each huske which being past there succeede small long seede sticking each to a little downe which are carryed away together with the winde The roote consisteth of a bush of blackish threds or fibres which abideth the extremity of the Winter both stalkes and leaves perishing yearely but grow brownish at the end this hath no sent that I could perceive neither in roote leafe nor flower whatsoever Cornâ—tus saith thereof The Place and Time The two first sorts grow in the vallies of mountaines in sundry places beyond Sea and by the Bathes where they want not moisture but not in our owne Land that as yet I can heare of and flower and seede in the Summer time The last in America both Virginia and Canada The Names It is generally taken by all our later Writers to be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sive 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Dioscorides which Galen calleth Cacanum and not Cancanum as some copies have it for he mentioneth not Cacalia as Dioscorides hath it yet giveth the same properties to Cacanum that Dioscorides doth to Cacalia which is not usuall with him unlesse he meane the same thing These plants are called by no other name then Cacalia by any Writer but Lugdunensis who calleth the second Tussilago Alpina sive montana Dalechampij Bauhinus would make a third sort of these European kinds but I finde his description so answerable to the first sort that I thinke it is the very same and therefore give no further description of it The last Iacobus Cornutus calleth Valeriana Vrticae folio flore albâ— because he hath another of that sort with a purple flower saying the roote smelleth like Nardus or Valeriana But I can find no such thing in it I have called it great and strange Coltssoote and not mountaine Coltsfoote as some have done because there are other herbs more properly to be called Mountaine Coltsfoote which grow alwaies on the dryer grounds as shall be shewed in due place and these in the moister parts of the mountaines and because the flowers are white and stand like a Valerian I have therefore as I thinke added it to these Cacalia's for by that name did Master Tradescant receive it first from beyond Sea of whom I received the plant that groweth with me The Vertues The roote steeped in wine and eaten is good for the cough and the hoarsenesse of the throate which Galen confirmeth saying the same of his Cacanum that it is without sharpenesse and good for the hoarsenesse Dioscorides addeth that the Pearelike graines which are found in his Cacalia beaten and mixed with a cerote or ointment doth
is the huske out of which commeth a white flower consisting of three leaves with divers yellowish hairy threds in the middle under these leaves there is a small short head broadest next unto the leaves and smallest downewards from whence doe proceede sundry long strings like small wormes wherewith as Dodonaeus saith some crafty men and women leeches putting them into glasses with water to make them shew the greater make others beleeve that they are wormes which came out of their bodies to whom they have given medicines for that purpose which take roote in the mudde under the Water 2. Stratiotes Aquatica vera Dioscoridis Aegyptiaca The true Water Houseleeke of Egypt This Water Houseleeke hath divers large and broad thicke hard and hairy whitish greene leaves lying on the water in three or foure rowes round compassed together like unto those of the great tree Houseleeke but greater the outer most row of them being broadest and the inner smaller and smaller Alpinus sheweth them to be pointed 1. Stratiotes sive Militaris Aizoides The water Souldier 2. Stratiotes aquatica vera Dioscoridis Aegyptiaca The true water Houseleeke of Egypt but Veslingius round and plaited and the ends a little foulded backwards as Veslingius hath it which I give you here together this hath not beene observed by either of them what stalkes or flowers it beareth the roote as Alpinus saith is a small thin peece of wooll that hangeth downe from under the leaves which lye on the water like Ducks meate but Veslingius saith it hath smal threddy fibres passing downe to the ground although Dioscorides said it had no rootes the leaves are of a drying stipticke or astringent taste no lesse then Acacia The Place and Time The first groweth in Germany and the Low Countries also plentifully and in Italy and other Countries also the other hath beene observed in Egypt by Alpinus and Veslingius and no where there but in the watery ditches neere Damiata or Pelusium The Names Dioscorides hâ—s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereunto is added 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that it may be knowne from his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is called by Matthiolus Stratiotes aquaticus in Latine and so also by Lugdunensis and is my second sort here exprest in my judgement rather then the first because the leaves and the posture also doe more resemble Houseleeke then the former which is like unto Aloes although it be called also Sedum marinum and againe because it hath not beene observed any where but in Egypt as I said by Alpinus and Veslingius however Lobel calleth the former Stratiotes sive Militaris Aizoides and Dodonaeus Stratiotes potamios sedum aquatile Bauhinus placeth the former with the sorts of Aloes and calleth it Aloes palustris and the other he placeth among the Lenticulae and calleth it Lenticula palustris Aegyptiaca sive Stratiotes aquatica folijs Sedo majore lâ—â—ioribus Alpinus saith that the Egyptians call it with them Hayhalemel maoni that is as much to say as Sedum aquaticum It is probable that Theophrastus meant this plant whereunto he giveth no name speaking thereof in the end of the ninth Chapter of his fourth Booke growing in ponds like a Lilly with many leaves of a greene colour c. The Vertues Each of these are very cooling and drying and astringent withall but Galen saith it is cold and moist and as he and Dioscorides say stayeth the fluxe of blood that passeth from the kidneys if it be taken in drinke Pliny addeth thereunto some Olibanum it stayeth likewise the swellings of wounds and causeth that they be not enflamed it helpeth other inflammations called Saint Anthonies fire and swellings in other parts it healeth also all wounds and vlcers and is good for fistulaes or hollow ulcers Alpinus saith that the Egyptian women use the juice decoction or pouther of the herbe a dramme every morning to stay their courses or other issues of blood in any other part of the body as also the Country people use it to heale any wound in bruising the leaves and laying them thereon which wonderfully healeth them CHAP. XXVIII Gladiolus lacustris Clusij sive Leucoium palustre flore subcaeruleo Bauhini Water Gladioll THis plant that was sent to Clusius from Groening by a worthy Apothecary there called Dortman found by him in a great pond or Gladiolus Lacustris Clusij sive Leucoium paâ—ustre flore subcaeruleo Bauhini Water Gladioll Lake of water where no other herbe did grow besides in the Country of Drentia neere unto a small village called Norcke and Westervelde is set downe by him with this description The leaves doe seldome exceede the length of nine inches being thicke and hollow severed with a partition like the cods of Stocke-Gilloflowers or the like but greene and sweete in taste being an acceptable food for the Duckes that dive to the bottome of the water to feede on it which is divers elles depth under the water yet the stalke that springeth from among those leaves is seene to rise above the water furnished with white flowers larger then those of Stockgilloflowers the hollow and lowest part which is next to the stalke being of a blewish colour somewhat resembling the forme of a Gladiolus or Corne flagge but yet not much like it consisting of five leaves the two uppermost whereof doe turne backeward to the stalke the other three which are the larger hang downe unto these flowers succeede round heads or seede vessels broad below and pointed at the end full of red seede This was observed in flower in the end of July The Place Time and Names Are related in the foregoing title and description as much as can be said of it for although Clusius would not alter the name thereof whereby it was sent that others might know with what title it came to him Yet Bauhinus thinking it better to agree in leafe and flower unto the Leucoium rather chose to call it Leucoium palustre flore subcaeruleo but I dare not herein follow him for it hath as little correspondence with the Stocke Gilloflower as with the Gladiolus or Corne Flagge neither leafe nor flower being like a Stocke gilloflower but in that the leaves are made like the double huske or seede vessell of Leucoium which maketh littâ—e resemblance of a plant but the flowers doe more answer to the forme of the flower of Gladiolus and therefore I so entitle it And for the Vertues there is none knowne or made to appeare that the neighbouring people make any uâ—e of it in medicine or any other wayes more then is before said for the Duckes to feede on CHAP. XXIX Nymphaea The Water Lilly THere are divers sorts of Water Lillyes both great and small both white and yellow as shal be shewed 1. Nymphaa alba major vulgaris The great common white Water Lilly This Water Lilly hath very large very round and thicke darke greene leaves lying upon the water like unto those of Faba Aegyptia as Dioscorides saith
Pliny hath recorded that he knew one cured incredible quickly with his Conferva of a fall from a tree while he was lopping it which fall brake almost all his bones by having the herbe bound to his whole body when it was fresh and moistened with the water thereof as often as it grew dry and but seldome changed CHAP. XXXIIII Lens palustris sive Lenticula aquatica Water Lentills THere are three or foure herbes to be referred to these Lentils which are differing one from another their place of breeding being their chiefest cause of affinity 1. Lens palustris sive aquatica vulgaris Duckes meate This small water herbe consisteth of nothing but small round greene leaves lying on the toppe of standing waters in ponds pooles and ditches without either flower or seede that ever could be observed onely from the middle of each leafe on the underside there grow certaine small threds finer than haires which passe downe into the water but are not thought to descend to the ground from thence to draw nourishment Matthiolus and from him Lugdunensis reporteth a strange narration and I may say incredible That if it should happen as sometimes it commeth to passe by inundations that these small Lentils or Duckes meate be carried away into running rivers as soone as they cleave to the shore they are wonderfully encreased for by the rootes that will grow from them like threds they fasten themselves into the ground and then growing becommeth to be plantes like unto Sisymbrium water Mintes or Ladies smockes and that this thing hath beene observed by diligent searchers of nature not without much wonder of the matter scilicet 2. Lens palustris sive aquatica quadrifolia Crosse leafed water Lentils or Duckes meate This other Lens hath a small long slender roote shooting forth square slender weake and trailing stalkes with sundry small leaves upon severall long foote stalkes standing together at the joynts distinct one from an other which are parted into foure leaves a peece and sometimes it hath beene observed with six leaves each end being round and lying in a square forme like a crosse upon the water at the joynts likewise with the leaves come forth diverse small heads of seede in clusters wherein are enclosed small blackish seede like unto the fielde Lentils but not so flat being thicke and hard Lugdunensis setteth forth this kinde of water plant by the name of Lemma Theophrasti in a much differing manner 3. Lens palustris latifolia punctata Broad leafed spotted water Lentils This water Lentill hath sundry round leaves set by couples on long stalkes of an excellent greene colour on the upperside prickt very full of very fine spots and under them many small Lentill like heads cleaving unto them some having but one others two three or foure at a place covered with a rough or rugged thin huske very full of fine small yellowish seede at the bottome of these winged stalkes of leaves grow the rootes which are a tuft of long strings and fibers it is onely of a waterish taste 4. Lenticula aquatica bifolia Neapolitana Neapolitane water Lentils The water Lentils of Naples hath very fine long slender stalkes with leaves set together by couples lying along upon the water having seede vessels growing hard unto them foure usually joyned together The Place and Time The first onely of these is familiar in our land as I take it the third Bauhinus saith groweth in the watery ditches at Padoa in the river Auxeris by Pisa and in Silesia neere unto Vratislavia the rest are all strangers and are in their freshest beauty in the beginning of the yeare 1. Lens palustris sive aquatica vulgaris Duckes meate 2. Lens palustris quadrifolia Crosse leafed water Lentils or Duckes meate The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some take 3. Lens palustris latifolia punctata Lenticula aquatica Neapolitana Broad leafed spotted Water Lentils and that of Naples it to bee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Theophrastus in Latine Lens palustris and Lenticula palustris aquatica and so do all Authors call the first sort the second is the Lens palustris altera of Matthiolus and Lemma Theophrasti by Lugdunensis as also the Lenticule alterum genus of Caesalpinus which Bauhinus calleth Lenticula palustris quadrifolia the third is called by Bauhinus in his Pinax Lens palustris latifolia punctata being better exprest in his Matthiolus then in his Phytopinax and by Caesalpinus taken to bee Stratiotes aquatica Dioscoridis The last is mentioned by Columna by the name of Callitriche of Pliny li. 2 〈◊〉 11. mervailing at Lobel for supposing the Cotylidon aquaticum as it is erroniously called being a marsh Crowefoote as the hot sharpe taste thereof doth testifie to be Callitriche of Pliny but yet saith this of his is not the right but taketh that Pliny meant the Trichomanes by his Callâ—triche which I thinke cannot hold good neither the one nor the other for Pliny his words in the place before cited are these Fit ex Callitriche sternitamentum folia sunt Lenticulae similia caulis juneis tenuissimis â—aâ—ico minina noscitur in opacis humidis gustatu fervens thus much Pliny which it is likely made Columna comparing his with this of Pliny both for forme and quality not to dare to affirme it the same because saith Pliny it is gustufervens which neither his nor Trichomanes is Bauhinus calleth it Lenticula palustris bifolis fructu tetragonâ— The Arabians call it Tahaleb and Thaleb the Italians Lente de palude and Lenticularia the Spaniards Lentille del lagua the French Lentille d'eau the Germanes Wasser linsen the Dutch Water linsen but more usually Euden gruen that is Duckes herbe and so we in English Duckes meate and of some Water Lentils the second sort is called by the Italians with whom it is plentifull Lente palustre del seme The Vertues It is cold and moist as Galen saith in the second degree and is effectuall to helpe inflammations and Saint Anthonies fire as also the Goute either applied by it selfe or else in a pultis with barlie meale it is also good for ruptures in young children Some saith Matthiolus do highly esteeme of the destilled water of the herbe against all inward inflammations and pestilent feavers as also to helpe the rednesse of the eyes the swellings of the cods and of the brests before they be growen too much for it doth not weakely repell the humours the fresh herbe applied to the forehead easeth the paines of the headache comming of heate Duckes do greedilie devoure it and so will Hens if it be given then mingled with branne CHAP. XXXV Pseudoâ—ypâ—ri Bastard or unsavoury Cyperus IN the end of the first Classis or Tribe of this Worke I have shewed you sundry sorts of sweete smelling Cyperus but there are many other sorts that smell not at all called either bastard or unsavoury Cyperus somewhat resembling the sweete sorts both the round and long rooted
therefore the Spaniards use to bring them to Sea with them and call it Jgname cicorero the other will last nothing so long whereof that which groweth in the Country of Benim is of an excellent rellish but that of Manicongo is the worst and that of Saint Thome which is as yellow as a Carrot is of most esteeme the planting hereof saith he is wonderful for it is not done by putting the rootes into the ground but a stalke taken therefrom cut in long peeces and holding some barke thereon and so thrust into the ground will in five moneths be good to be gathered it hath saith he a leafe somewhat like unto that of the Citron tree both in forme and luster but smaller and thinner it runneth on poles that are set for it like Hoppes the roote like the Reede or Dragons hath foure or five suckers joyned â—o it this manner of planting this Inhame savoureth something of that of the Manihot or Iucca wherof the Cassavi is made if there be not a mistake it is wonderfull that two rootes should be so propagated CHAP. XXX Rosa Hiericontea The Rose of Hiericho THere hath beene observed two sorts of this small plant called the Rose of Hiericho the one accounted a wilde sort and yet the one groweth in as barren places as the other 1. Rosa Hiericontea vulgo dicta The vulgar Rose of Hiericho The Rose of Hiericho is a small bushy plant growing full of wooddy brittle branches set in a round compasse and sundry small leaves on rhem farre lesser rhen those of the Willow and more neere unto the Privet the flowers stand thicke clustring together made of Rosa Hiericontea foure white leaves growing out of long huskes wherin afterwards is contained two small seede the roote is long and wooddy This is said to smell somewhat sweete but I could never finde it so and to taste somewhat sharpe 2. Rosa Hiericontea sylvestris The wilde Rose of Hiericho The wild sort groweth in the same manner as the former but the wooddy stalkes are stiffer and harder to breake and hath as it is said neither smell nor taste The Place and Time Both these sorts grow in Syria and Arabia as Bellouius and Ranwolfius have observed in their travailes The Names It is called Rosa de Hierirho and Hiericcontea and Rosa Mariae by all that have written of it the Monkes as Bellonius saith being the first inventers of the name and of the superstitions they added to it when as he saith he found none hereof growing about Hiericho but onely in Arabia in the desart land neere the red Sea except Cordus and his Father before him who tooke it to be Amomum but saith Anthonius Musa contraryed that opinion for divers respects and yet hee contumatiously would uphold his fathers error which sheweth how necessary it is to see the face of things growing as Camerarius and others who having sowne the seede doth say it doth in some sort represent a Thlaspi having but a little sharpe taste in the branches onely and roote Rauwolfius saith he found the other sort in Syria growing among the rubbish and on the houses and therefore called it a wilde kinde Cordus to put a distinction betweene these two sorts called the former Amomum and the later Amomis comparing and fitting the description of Amomum in Dioscorides unto the forme end parts thereof yet how like soever he would make it it commeth farre short of the true Amomum as it is well knowne now adayes Gerard on the contrary side would referre it to a Heath who is as farre wide as the other The Vertues It is not found usefull in physicke for any respect that I can learne this onely property is in it that how dry soever the plant is being brought from beyond Sea yet if it be set in water for a while it will dilate and open it selfe abroad that all the inward parts may be distinctly observed how it groweth and although the leaves are all lost yet the seede and the vessells remaine from whence if it be fresh the seede taken hath growne and will close up againe after a while that it is taken out of the water not as the superstitious Monkes falsely fained that it did open miraculously that night that our Saviour was borne and that it would doe so in what house soever it is when the woman with childe abiding therein shall be neere her time of delivery for with moysture as I said it will open and not without it ARBORES ET FRVTICES TREES AND SHRVBS CLASSIS DECIMA SEXTA THE SIXTEENTH TRIBE CHAP. I. Quercus The Oke IN this Classis I am to shew you all those kindes of Trees whether they be tall and great or lesser usually called Shrubbes which grow naturally in these Countries of Asia minor the hether part of Africa best and longest knowne to us and Europe and that have not beene dispersedly already spoken of heretofore For the infinite kindes that grow in Asia major the East India and America the West India besides that we want the knowledge of the most of them would furnish a capacious volume by themselves and therefore in my last Classis I will onely give you a hint of some either of best use or best knowne and in this as I thinke is fittest begin with the Oke The Trees that beare Acornes called in Latine Glandiferae arbores doe comprehend five severall kindes which are Quercus Ilex Suber Smilax Arcadum glaudifera and Phellodrys and for want of fit English names to sort unto each we are forced to call them all Okes and to distinguish them give them severall epithites according to their qualities The Quercus or Oke is parted againe into five sorts all of them having divided leaves called first Platyphyllos Latifolia Quercus Hemeris sive Etymodrys Veriquercus or Robur Phagos Esculus Aegilops Cerrus mas vel majore glande and Haliphlaeos Cerrus faemina sive minore glande Of these and their severall species in this Chapter and of the rest in the succeeding every one in their order 1. Quercus latifolia The broad leafed Oke This Oke which as I take it is the most common in our Land groweth to be a great tree and of long continuance especially if it grow in a fertile soyle the truncke or body whereof is covered with a thicke rough barke full of chops and clists the armes or boughes likewise are great dispersing themselves farre abroad and bluntly cut in or gashed about the edges smooth and of a shining greene colour whereon is often found a most sweete dew somewhat clammy and upon divers of them are found growing a round spongye substance called an Oke Apple whereof I shall speake more hereafter among the sorts of excressences It beareth small yellowish mossie flowers standing close together upon long stalkes which wholly fall away in the beginning of the Spring The fruite or Acornes rising up in sundry other places upon short stalkes two or three for the most
is like the former in growing with little difference onely the berries are smaller redder and of a pretty tart taste and sweet withall A third sort groweth very like the ordinary sort of yellow both in heighth branch and leafe the berries are as large as the largest sise of the other and of a very fine red colour untill they be suffered to hang long on the bushes which then are of a darkish red colour very pleasant in taste 3. Gossularia cerulaea The blew Gooseberry The blew Gooseberry riseth up to be a small bush having broader and redder leaves at the first shooting out then the second red Gooseberry the berryes are more sparingly set on the branches also and for bignesse neere unto the small red Gooseberry but lesser and somewhat sweete and of a blewish colour like a Damion before the colour be wiped off 4. Gossularia viridis hirsuta The hairy or prickely greene Gooseberry This greene Gooseberry is very like unto the ordinary Gooseberry in stemme and branches but not furnished with such sharpe prickles as it the younger branches also have smaller greene leaves the flowers are alike and so are the berryes of a middle size but greene when they are through ripe with a shew of small haires or prickes on them which yet are as harmelesse as if there were none but of a more pleasing reliish then any of the other the seede hereof hath produced bushes bearing smooth berries with few or no haires on them The Place and Time The ordinary sorts grow usually in the hedges in sundry places of France but I thinke rather planted there for defence onely rather then that they are naturall to the Country for even there as well as here they are planted in Gardens and Orchards also all the other sorts likewise are kept in Gardens they all flower very earely in the Spring presently after the leaves begin to come forth and the berries are ripe from the middle of Iuly to the end of August or as the yeare proveth The Names It cannot be certainely knowne that any of these fruites were knowne to any of the ancient Greeke or Latine writers for although some have referred some of them unto the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isos or Oesos of Theophrastus whereof he saith one hath a white flower and fruite and another both blacke yet he remembreth no thornes in it as that hath which so curious a Writer would not have omitted and therefore is not likely to be this some againe would have it to be Vitis precia of Pliny but that cannot be because he numbreth it among the other sorts of Vines that beare wine as one of them Gesner in hortis taketh it to be the Ceanothus spina of Theophrastus but Anguillara rather judgeth his Ceanothos to be a kinde of Thistle whereof we have entreated among the Thistles it is called Vvacrispa by divers and Vvacrispina because the leaves seeme to be crispt or curld and Gossularia by others because they are like Grossos small greene Figges and by some also Vva marina but I know not upon what cause The Italians call it Vva spina the Spaniards Vva crespe and Espina the French Groselles the Germanes Krussbeer and Kruselbeer the Dutch Stekelbesien Knoselen and Croesbesien and we in English Gooseberries but in some places Feaberries and Wineberries The Vertues The greene and unripe fruite of the ordinary sorts are somewhat sharpe and tart and serve to rellish brothes for the sicke as neede requireth as well as the sound to stirre up a fainting or decaying appetite or overcome with chollericke humours but otherwise yeeld small nourishment to the body and that but cold and crude for they doe a little helpe to binde the belly and stay fluxes of blood in man or woman and stay their longings yet they are not to be tollerated to cold or windy stomackes least by breeding more winde they bring the chollicke and griping paines in the belly the juyce of the berries or of the leaves is helpefull to coole and restraine hot swellings and chollericke inflammations called Saint Anthonies fire the ripe fruite is more pleasant and more desired for the sweetenesse to be eaten at pleasure then for any proper or speciall effect for any disease but by reason of their good and sweete rellish and moist lubricity they easily descend out of the stomacke without any offence at all CHAP. CVII Ribes fructu rubro albo nigro Red white and blacke Currans THe stemme or stocke of the red Curran bush hath a very thinne brownish outer barke and greenish underneath and of the bignesse of a good great staffe wholly without thornes on any branch whereon grow large cornered blackish greene leaves cut in on the edges into five parts somewhat like a Vine leafe but a great deale lesse the flowers come forth at the joynts of the leaves many together on a long stalke hanging downe about a fingers length of an herby colour after which follow round berries greene at the first and of a cleere red colour when they are ripe of a little pleasant and tart taste withall wherein lye small seed the roote is wooddy and spreadeth diversly There is another sort hereof whose berries are twise as bigge as the former and are of a better rellish Fructu rubro majore Ribes alba 1. Ribes fructu rubro majore The greater red Currans 2. Ribes fructu albo White Currans 3. Ribes fructu nigro blacke Currans The blacke Curran riseth higher then the last more plentifully stored with branches round about and more pliant also the younger covered with a paler and the elder with a browner barke the leaves are somewhat like the former but smaller and often with fewer cuts or devisions therein the flowers also are alike but of a greenish purple colour which turne into small blacke berries like the former both leaves and fruite have a kinde of strong evill sent but yet are wholesome although not so pleasant as any of the former and eaten by many The Place and Time All these sorts have beene found growing naturally wild some in Savoy and Switzerland as Gesner saith and some in Austria as Clusius saith he observed the white sort is not knowne or at least recorded by few but kept in Gardens as the more rare sort and last knowne to us They flower and fructifie at the same time with Gooseberries but abide longer on the bushes before they fall or are withered The Names The name of Ribes and Ribesius frutex is generally given to these plants for some likenesse not onely in the berries but much more in the properties to the Ribes of Serapio which as he saith hath reddish greene tendrels large round greene leaves and berries whose taste is sweete with some tartnesse and are cold and dry in the second degree This is the description of Serapio his Ribes and although all doe generally consent it is not that of Serapio as not having tendrels nor large round leaves yet is it generally received
in the stead thereof onely Dodonaeus would frame it into the same mould but I doubt his skill is too weake and his allegations too much wrested or too selfe conceited Some have tought this to be more answerable unto Theophrastus his Isos because this hath no thornes as the Gooseberries have as Lobel doth also But Bellonius in his Booke de coniferis arboribus and Rauwolfius doe both say they found the Ribes Arabum on the mount Libanus Bellonius describeth it with sixe or seven leaves of a Docke but greater and rounder rising from the roote and with red berries hanging downe in clusters comming out from the middle of a leafe like as the Ruscus and Laurus Alexandrina doe Rauwolfius saith he found it onely with two large round leaves like unto the Petasites from whose stalkes a sowre juyce is pressed that is pleasant and used of the richer sort whereof because we have no further knowledge we here leave them Gesner calleth this Ceanothus levis most doe account it a kinde of Grossularia and therefore call it Grossularia rubro and Grossularia ultramarina Clusius only and Besler in horto Eystetensi make mention of the white Ribes and Bauhinus who calleth it Grossularia hortensis margaritis similis The blacke sort it generally called Ribes fructu nigro yet Gesner in horto sheweth that some would make it to be a sort of Amomum and therefore called Amomum falsum or Pseudoamomum and some Pipirella as Lugdunensis saith The Italians call it Vnettarossa the French Groiselles doâ—â—remer the Germans St. Johans trenblin and Sant Iohans beerlin and Keozbeer as Gesner saith the Dutch Besickeâ—s over zee and we Red Currans the white Ribes as I am given to understand is called Gozell in some parts of Kent The Vertues The red and white Currans are good to allay the heate and fainting of the stomacke to quench thirst and to provoke an appetite and therefore are safely permitted in hot and sharpe agues for it tempereth the heat of the liver and blood and the sharpenesse of choller and resisteth putrefaction it taketh away likewise the loathing of meate and the weakenesse of the stomacke by much casting and is good for those that have any loosenesse of the belly Gesner saith that the Swissers about Berne where it naturally groweth use it for the cough The blacke Currans are used in sawses and so are the leaves also by many who are well pleased with the taste and sent of them although some doe mislike them for both EXOTICAE ET PEREGRINAE PLANTAE STRANGE AND OVTLANDISH PLANTES CLASSIS VLTIMA THE LAST TRIBE CHAP. I. Agallochum sive Lignum Aloes ENTRING now into my last quarter so to consummate this revolution I must use another manner of Method then formerly I have done in the precedent Tribes for intending to shew you as well those Out-landish Plants that are called spices and drogues in our Apothecaries shoppes as other fruites and strange trees growing in the East or West Indies I would first perfect the more usuall Physical part of them in an Alphabeticall order and with them insert a few other the more principall things although not plants or taken from them that are for the most part in our shops used in medicines shewing the place and names of them all in a continued stile and not in fractions as in the foregoing parts Lignum Aloes or the wood of the Aloe tree 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Agallochum and Xyloaloe in Greeke is called also Agallochum sive Lignum Aloes in Latine and so in English or the wood of the Aloe tree is a drogue rare to be had and of much worth but as it is with many other things that come out of the East Indies unto us of small knowledge what it is and where and how it groweth For but that Garcias ab Orta saith that the tree is like unto an Ollive tree and sometimes greater and that he had the Agallochum sive Lignum Aloes Lignum Aloes or the wood of the Aloe tree branches of the tree brought him to see but neither flower nor fruite the places being very dangerous by the haunt of Tigers therein we should not know what forme it bore none of the Ancients either Greekes or Arabians having set downe any thing thereof although they have all mentioned it and the choyce of the best with the Vertues onely Serapio in the 197. Chapter of his Booke of Simples saith it beareth small berries like unto Pepper but red yet Garcias maketh some doubt thereof as he doth of sundry other his relations in that Chapter For although Serapio in that place reckoneth up divers sorts and Ruellius speaketh of foure yet Garcias saith he knew but one true sort of Lignum Aloes which grew in India and that the other sorts that were so called were but sweete woods assimulating it but were not the true and right wood which the Arabians call Agalugin and Huud and they of Surrat and Decan Vd as it is likely from the Arabians Haud which word with them properly signifieth but Lignum wood and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 praestantissimum but they of Malacca and Sumatra where the true groweth call it Garro and the best Calambac yet as Garcias saith that that sort of sweet wood that commeth from Comorin and Zeilan and there called Aguila brava that is to say Lignum Aloes sylvestre is not true Lignum Aloes which true sort as all the Auncient Authours doe set it downe is a blackish wood in peeces some accounting the greater peeces to be the better but yet somewhat discoloured with veines some Authours saying it is so weighty and heavy that it will sinke and not swimme being put into water but others doe not allow of that note saying that the best that it will swimme and full of an oyleous substance of a fine sweete and aromaticke sent which it will swâ—â—e forth when it is burned Now to come to our later times and shew you that for many yeares together as many other such like rare drogues true Lignum Aloes was not knowne to the Physitions or Apothecaries of Euâ—â—pe for they used instead thereof a kinde of Lignum Rhodium which Ruellius tooke to be Aspalathus and but that the Venetians of late dayes by their travell and search both in Cairo and the East Indies caused some of the true sort to be sent unto Venice and was upon view and tryall approved the Portugalls Sea voyages to the East Indies did first make it knowne in these later times to Christendome but now in our Droguist and Apothecaries shops there is much variety and counterfeit stuffe obtruded on the ignorant divers sorts being to be seene and yet scarce one of them true Lignum Aloes having those markes and notes formerly set downe and acknowledged by the Ancients which are the onely true notes whereby to know the best and such no doubt is our best sort which are knobbed or uneven peeces very brittle and breaking short somewhat blacke