too much for why there is some good vse thereof in Physicke But I must tell you againe our women regard not that one whit that is not it wherfore they take so great a liking to Ambre True it is that a collar of Ambre beads worne about the neck of yong infants is a singular preseruatiue to them against secret poyson a countercharme for witchcraft and sorcerie Callistratus saith That such collars are very good for all ages and namely to preserue as many as weare them against fantasticall illusions and frights that driue folke out of their wits yea and Amber whether it be taken in drinke or hung about one cures the difficulty of voiding vrin This Callistratus brought in a new name to distinguish yellow Ambre from the rest calling it Chryselectrum which is as much to say as gold Ambre And in very truth this Amber is of a most louely and beautifull colour in a morning This property it hath besides by it selfe that it will catch fire exceeding quickly for if it be neer it you shal see it will soon be of a light fire He saith of this yellow Amber that if it be worn about the neck in a collar it cures feauers and healeth the diseases of the mouth throat and jawes reduced into pouder and tempered with hony and oile of roses it is soueraign for the infirmities of the ears Stamped together with the best Attick hony it makes a singular eie-salue for to help a dim sight puluerized and the pouder thereof taken simply alone or els drunk in water with masticke is soueraign for the maladies of the stomacke Furthermore Amber is very proper to falsifie many pretious stones which are commended for their perspicuity and transparent clearenesse but specially to counterfeit Amethysts by reason that I haue already said it is capable of any tincture that a man would giue it The froward peeuishnes of some Authors who haue written of Lyncurium enforceth me to speak of it immediatly after Amber for say that it be not Electrum or Amber as some would haue it yet they stand stiffely in this that it is a pretious stone mary they hold that it commeth from the vrine of an Once by reason that this wild beast so soon as it hath pissed couereth it with earth vpon a spight and enuie to man that he should haue no good therby They affirme moreouer That the Once stone or Lyncurium is of the same colour that Ambre ardent which resembleth the fire that it serueth well to be engrauen neither by their saying doth it catch at leaues only and strawes but thin plates also of brasse and yron and of this opinion was Dimocles and Theophrastus For mine own part I hold all to be mee re vntruths neither do I think that in our age there hath been a man who euer saw any pretious stone of that name Whateuer also is written as touching the vertues medicinable of Lyncurium I take them to be no better than fables namely that if it be giuen in drink it wil send out the stone of the bladder if it be drunk in wine it will cure the jaundise presently or if it be but carried about one it wil do the deed but ynough of such fantasticall dreames and lying vanities and time it is now to treat of those precious stones wherof there is no doubt made at al and to begin with those that by al mens confession are most rich and of highest price In which discourse I wil not prosecute this theame only but also for to aduance the knowledge of posterity in those things that may profit this life I meane eftsoones to haue a fling at Magicians for their abhominable lies and monstrous vanities for in nothing so much haue they ouerpassed themselues as in the reports of gems pretious stones exceeding the tearms and limits of Physick whiles vnder a color of faire and pleasing medicines they hold vs with a tale of their prodigious effects and incredible CHAP. IIII. ¶ Of Diamants and their sundry kinds Their vertues and properties medicinable Of Pearles THe Diamant carieth the greatest price not only among pretious stones but also aboue aâ—… things els in the world neither was it knowne for a long time what a Diamant was vnlesse it were by some kings and princes and those but very few The only stone it is that we find in mines of mettal Very seldome it is and thought a miracle to meet with a diamant in a veine of gold yet it seemes as though it should grow no where but in gold The writers of antient time were of opinion that it was to be had in the mines only of Aethiopia and namely between the temple of Mercurie and the Island Meroë affirming moreouer that the fairest Diamant that euer was found exceeded not in bignesse a Cucumber seed whereunto also it was not vnlike in color But in these daies there be known six sorts of Diamants The Indian is not engendred in mines of gold but hath a great affinitie with Crystall and groweth much after that manner for in transparent and cleere color it differeth not at all neither yet otherwhiles in the smooth sides and faces which it carrieth between six angles pointed sharpe at one end in manner of a top or els two contrary waies lozengewise a wonderful thing to consider as if the flat ends of two tops were set and joined together and for bignesse it hath bin knowne of the quantity of an Hazel-nut or Filbard kernill The Diamants of Arabia be much like to the Indian only they are lesse they grow also after the same order As for the rest they are of a more pale and yellow color testifying out of what country and nation they come for they breed not but in mines of gold and those the most excellent of all others The triall of these Diamants is vpon a smiths Anuill for strike as hard as you will with an hammer vpon the point of a Diamant you shall see how it scorneth all blowes and rather than it will seeme to relent first flieth the hammer that smiteth in pieces and the very anuill it selfe vnderneath cleaueth in twaine Wonderful and inenarrable is the hardnesse of a Diamant besides it hath a nature to conquer the fury of fire nay you shall neuer make it hot doe what you can for this vntameable vertue that it hath the Greekes haue giuen it the name Adamas One of these kinds the said Greekes call Cenchron for that it is as big ordinarily as the millet seed a second sort they name Macedonicum found in the mine of gold neer Philippi and this is that Diamant which for quantity is compared to the Cucumber seed After these there is the Cyprian Diamant so called because it is found in the Isle Cyprus it enclineth much to the color of brasse but in cases of Physick as I will shew anon most effectual Next to which I must raunge the Diamant Sideritis which shines as bright
all other the thinnest hauing but one kernel within which they call Gigarton and the same very small and a man shall not find a bunch without one or two passing great grapes aboue the rest there is also a kind of black Aminean grape which some name Syriaca likewise the grape of Spain which of the base and common kinds carries the greatest credit and is most commended As touching both vines and grapes that run and traile vpon frames there be those which are called Escariae good only for to eat and namely those which haue grains or stones like to Ivie berries as well white as black Grapes resembling great dugs named therupon Bumasti both black and white are carried vpon frames in like sort But al this while we haue not spoken of the Aegyptian and Rhodian grapes ne yet of the Ounce-grapes whereof euery one weighes a good ounce and thereupon tooke that name Item the grape Pucina the blackest of all others the Stephanitis also wherein Nature hath seemed to disport her selfe for the leaues run among the grapes in manner of a garland plaited with them Moreouer the market-grapes called Forenses they grow and are ripe with the soonest vendible at the very first sight and sold with the best and most easie to be carried from market to market But contrariwise the ash-coloured grape Cinerea the silk-russet grape Ravuscula the asse-hued grape Asinisca please not the eie but are presently reiected and yet the Fox-tailed grape Alopecis for that it resembles Rainards taile is not so displeasant nor so much discommended as the former About a cape or crest of the hill Ida which they call Phalacra there is a vine named Alexandrina smal of growth and puts forth branches of a cubit in length the grapes be black as big as beans the pepin or kernell within soft tender and exceeding small the bunches are crooked full of grapes passing sweet and finally the leaues little round and not cut or iagged at all Within these seuen yeres last past about Alba Eluia a city in Languedock or the prouince of Narbon there was found a vine which in one day both floured and shed her floures by which meanes most secured it was from all dangers of the weather They call it Narbonica or the vine of Languedock and now it is commonly planted all that prouince ouer and euery man desireth to store his vineyard therewith CHAP. IIII. ¶ Notable considerations about the husbandrie and ordering of Vineyards THat noble and worthy Cato the first of that name renowned among other dignities for his honorable triumph and the incorrupt administration of his Censorship and yet more famous and renowned to posterity for his singular knowledge and learning and namely for the good precepts and ordinances tending to all vertues and commendable parts which he left in memory for the people of Rome principally touching agriculture as he was by the common voice and generall accord of that age wherein he liued reputed for an excellent husbandman and one who in that profession had neither peere nor second that came neere vnto him This Cato I say hath in his workes made mention but of a few kinds of vines and yet some of them already be growne out of knowledge so as their verie names are quite forgotten Yet neuerthelesse his opinion and judgement would be set downe in particular as it may be gathered out of his whole treatise to the end that we might both know in euery kind of vine which were of most account in his daies to wit in the 600 yere after the foundation of Rome about the time that Carthage and Corinth were forced and woon when he departed this life and also learn how much we haue profited and proceeded in good husbandry and agriculture from his death vnto this present day namely for the space of 230 yeares As concerning vines and grapes therefore thus much hath Cato deliuered in writing and in this manner following All places or grounds quoth he exposed to the Sun-shine and which in other regards shall be found good for to plant vineyards in see they bee employed for the lesse Aminean for both the Eugenian Vines and the smaller Heluine Item In euery tract that is more grosse thicke and mistie looke that you set the greater Aminean or the Murgentine the Apician also and the Lucane Vine All other vines and the common mingled sort especially will agree well enough with any ground The right keeping of grapes is in a small thinne wine of the second running The grapes Duracinae and the greater Amineans are good to be hanged or else dried before a blacke-smithes forge and so they may be well preserued and goe for Raisins of the Sun Loe what the precepts of Cato be neither are there any of this argument more antient left vnto vs written in the Latine tongue Whereby we may see that we liue not long after the very first rudiments and beginnings of knowledge in these matters But by the way the Amineans last named Varro calleth Scantians And in very truth few there be euen in this our age who haue left any rules in forme of Art as touching the absolute skill in this behalfe Yet such as they be and how few soeuer we must not leaue them behinde but so much the rather take them with vs to the end it may be knowne what reward profit they met with who trauelled in this point of husbandry reward I say and profit which in euery thing is all in all To begin therefore with Acilius Sihenelus or Stelenus a mean commoner of Rome descended from the race of Libertines or Slaues newly infranchised he attained to the highest glory and greatest name of all others for hauing in the whole world not aboue 60 acres of land lâ—…ing all in vineyards within the territory of Nomentum he plaied the good husband so well therâ—…n that he sold them again at the price of 400000 Sesterces There went a great bruit and fame likewise of one Verulenus Aegialus in his time a man but of base condition by birth and no better than the former namely come of the stocke of freed-men who by his labor husbandry greatly inriched a domain or liuing at Liternum in Campaine and the more renowned he was by occasion of the fauour of so many men affectionate vnto Africanus whose very place of exile he held in his hands and occupied so well for vnto Scipio the aboue said Liternum appertained But the greatest voice and speech of men was of Rhemnius Palaemon who otherwise by profession was a famous and renowned Grammarian for that he by the means and helpe of the foresaid Sthenelus bought a ferme within these twenty yeares for 600000 Sesterces in the same territorie of Nomentum about ten miles distant from Rome lying somewhat out of the high way Now is it well knowne farre and neare of what price and account all such fermes are and how cheape such ware is lying so neere to the
Trees and their medicinable vertues I must needs say we are beholden to them yet for one excellent medicine more which is called Oporice by the Greeks as one would say made of fruits This composition is singular for the bloudy flix or exulceration of the guts also for the infirmities of the stomack The manner of making it is in this wise Take 5 quinces with their kernels seeds all as many pomgranats likewise let them boil gently ouer a soft fire in one gallon of new white wine put therto the weight or measure or one sextar of Seruises and as much in quantity of the Sumach which is called Rhus Syriacum together with halfe an ounce of saffron seeth all these together to the height or consistence of hony Thus much concerning the properties of trees seruing in Physicke It remaineth now to annex hereunto a discourse of those plants which the Greek writers by giuing them names in some analogie respectiue vnto trees haue left an ambiguity and made vs doubt of them whether they be trees or herbs CHAP. XV. ¶ Of Chamaedrys i. Germander Chamaedaphne i. Lawrcoll Chamelaea Chamaesyce Chamaecissos i. Ale-hooue Chamaeleuce i. Fole-foot Chamaepeuce Chamae-cyparissus i. Lauander-cotton Ampelo-prasos Stachys Clinopodium Centunculus and Clematis Aegyptia with the medicines that they affoord GErmander is an herb called in Greek Chamaedrys and in Latine Trissago some haue named it Chamaedrope others Teucrion it beareth leaues for bignes resembling mints in colour like vnto the oke leaues cut and indented also after the same maner Of some it is called Serrata and they affirme that the first pattern of a saw was taken from the leafe of this herb whereupon it should be so called The floure beareth much vpon the purple colour it loueth to grow in stony places and would be gathered whiles it is full of juice and thus gathered in due season whether it be taken in drink or taken outwardly in a liniment most effectuall it is against the poison of serpents likewise it is wholsome for the stomack good against an inueterat cough singular to cut dissolue and raise the tough fleam sticking in the throat a special remedy for ruptures convulsions and pleurisies it waneth away the ouergrown spleen it prouokes vrine and womens fleurs in which regard a bundle or handfull of Germander boiled in 3 hemines of water vntill a third part be consumed maketh a soueraigne decoction or drinke for those who are newly faln into a dropsie Some there be who stamp this herb and sprinkle water among and so reduce it into troschs Ouer and besides the vertues before rehearsed it it is good to heale botches newly broken and full of matter yea old vlcers though they be filthy and putrified if it be applied thereto for the spleen it is vsually taken with vineger this juice doth chause and heat those parts which be annointed therewith As touching Lawreol called by the Greeks Chamaedaphne it ariseth vp with one only stem of a cubit high or thereabout the leaues are but smal howbeit like to those of the Lawrell it bringeth forth a reddish seed appearing among the leaues which being vsed in a liniment fresh and green easeth the head-ach The same cooleth all excessiue heats and if it be drunk in wine appeaseth the wrings and torments of the belly The juice thereof taken in drink drawes downe womens fleurs and prouokes vrine the same applied in wooll to the naturall parts of a woman causeth her to be soon deliuered when she is in hard trauell of child-birth As for Chamelaea it hath leaues like vnto those of the oliue the same be bitter in tast and in smell odoriferous This plant groweth in stony grounds and exceedeth not in heigth a hand-breadth or span at most a purgatiue herb it is for thereof is made an excellent syrrup to euacuat fleame and choler namely if there be taken one part of the leaues of this herbe with two parts of wormwood and so boiled for certainly this decoction drunk with hony is singular for to purge the foresaid humors A cataplasme made with the leaues clenseth vlcers It is commonly said that if this herb be gathered before the sun-rising and the party to say expressely in the gathering That it is for the pin and web in the eies it will dispatch and rid away the said infirmity if one do but weare it tied about him And how soeuer it be gathered whether it be with any such circumstance and ceremony or without yet is it singular for the haw gnawing in the eies of horses and sheepe Chamaesyce beareth leaues resembling those of the Lentil but they alwaies creep along the ground and rise not vp This herbe groweth in drie and stony grounds the same boiled in wine and vsed as a liniment vnto the eies cleareth their sight for it is singular to dispatch and remoue cataracts suffusions and cicatrices growing therein as also to rid away the misty clouds and films that ouercast the sight Being put vp into the matrice within a linnen cloath in manner of a pessarie it allaieth the paines thereof VVarts of all sorts it taketh away if they be annointed therewith It is a soueraigne remedy also for those who cannot take their wind but sitting vpright Chamaecissos groweth vp spiked with an ear like vnto wheat and ordinarily putteth forth fiue branches and those ful of leaues VVhen it sheweth in the floure a man would take it to be the white Violet or Gillofre The root is but small They that are troubled with the Sciatica vse to drinke the leauâ—… thereof to the weight of three oboli in two cyaths of wine for seuen daies together but it is an exceeding bitter potion As for Fole-foot it is called in Greeke Chamaeleuce but we in Latine name it Farranum or Farfugium It loueth to grow by riuers sides The leaues somwhat resemble those of the Poplar but that they be larger If the root of Fole-foot be burnt vpon the coles made with Cypres wood the smoke or perfume thereof receiued or drunk through a pipe or tunnell into the mouth is singular for an old cough Touching Chamaepeuce in leafe it is like vnto the Larch-tree a plant very appropriat to the paine of the back and the loins The herb Chamaecyparissos if it be drunk in wine is singular good against all the venomous stings of serpents and scorpions The herb Ampeloprasos groweth in vineyards bearing leaues resembling Porret but it causeth them to belch soure that eat thereof Howbeit of great power it is against the sting of serpents It prouoketh vrine womens monthly terms And yet whether it be drunke or applied outwardly it is passing good for them that pisse bloud represseth the issue eruption thereof Our midwiues vse to giue it vnto women newly deliuered and brought to bed likewise it is found to auaile much vnto them that be bitten with mad dogs Moreouer
if health consisted in this That a man should become as bloudie as a sauage beast or that be counted a remedy which indeed is cause of a mischiefe and malady And wel deserue such bloud-suckers and cruell leeches to be frustrat of their cure and thereby to worke their owne bane and destruction for if it be held vnlawfull and abhominable to prie and look into the entrails and bowels of a mans body what is it then to chew and eat them But what monster was hee who first broched this geare and deuised such accursed drugs Ah wicked wretch the inuenter and artificer of those monstrosities thou that hast ouerthrowne all law of humanity for with thee wil I haue to do against thee will I whet my tongue and turne the edge of my style who first didst bring vp this bruitish leech-craft for no other purpose but to be spoken of another day and that the world might neuer forget thy wicked inuentions What direction had he who thus began to deuoure mans body lim by lim nay what conjecture or guesse moued him so to do what might the originall and foundation be whereupon this diuelish Physick was grounded what should he be that bare men in hand and would persuade the world That the thing which is vsed as a poison in witchcraft and sorcerie should auaile more to the health of man than other knowne and approued remedies Set case that some barbarous people vsed so to do say that strange nations and far remoued from all ciuility had these manners among them must the Greekes take vp those fashions also yea and credit them so much as to reduce them into a method amongst other their goodly Arts And yet see what Democritus one of them haue done there be extant at this day books of his inditing and penning wherein you shal reade That the soul of a wicked malefactor is in some cases better than that of an honest person and in other That of a friend and guest preferred before a stranger As for Apollonius another of that brood hee hath written That if the gums be scarrified with the tooth of a man violently slain it is a most effectuall and present remedy for the tooth-ach Artemon had no better receit for the falling sicknesse than to draw vp water out of a fountaine in the night season and to giue the same vnto the Patient to drink it in the brain-pan of a man who died some violent death so he were not burnt And Antheus took the scull of one that had bin hanged and made pills thereof which he ministred vnto those who were bitten by a mad dog for a soueraigne remedy Moreouer these writers not content to vse these sorceries about men imploied the medicines also of the parts of man to the cure of foure footed beasts and namely if kine or oxen were dew-blowne or otherwise puffed vp they were wont to bore holes through their horns so to inlay or interlard them as it were with mens bones finally when swine were diseased they tooke the fine white wheat Siligo being permitted to lie one whole night in the very place where some men were killed or burnt and gaue it them to eat As for me and all vs that are Latine writers God forbid we should defile our papers with such filthinesse our intention is to put downe in writing those good and wholsome medicines which man may affoord vnto man and not to set abroad any such detestable and hainous sorceries as for example to shew what medicinable vertue there may be in brest-milke of women newly deliuered what healthfull operation there is in our fasting spittle or what the touching of a man or womans body may auaile in the cure of any malady and many other semblable things arising from naturall causes For mine owne part verily I am of this mind That we ought not so much to make of our health or life as to maintain and preserue the same by any indirect course and vnlawful meanes And thou whosoeuer thou be that doest addict thy selfe to such villanies whiles thou liuest shalt die in the end a death answerable to thy beastly and execrable life To conclude therefore let euery man for to comfort his heart and to cure the maladies of his mind set this principle before his eies That of all those good gifts which Nature hath bestowed vpon man there is none better than to die in a fit and seasonable time and in so doing this is simply the best That in his power it is and the meanes hee hath to chuse what death he list CHAP. II. ¶ Whether Words Spels or Charmes are auaileable in Physicke Also whether wonders and strange prodigies may be either wrought and procured or put by and auoided by them or no. THe first point concerning the remedies medicinable drawn from out of man which mooueth the greatest question and the same as yet not decided and resolued is this Whether bare Words Charms and Inchantments be of any power or no If it be granted Yea then no doubt ought we to ascribe that vertue vnto man But the wisest Philosophers and greatest Doctors take them one by one doubt thereof and giue no credit at all thereto And yet go by the common voice of the whole world you shall find it a generall beleefe and a blinde opinion alwaies receiued whereof there is no reason or certain experience to ground vpon For first and formost we see that if any beast be killed for sacrifice without a sett forme of praier it is to no purpose and held vnlawfull semblably if these inuocations be omitted when as men seeke to any Oracles and would be directed in the wil of gods by beasts bowels or otherwise all booteth not but the gods seem displeased thereby Moreouer the words vsed in crauing to obtaine any thing at their hands run in one form and the exorcismes in diuerting their ire turning away some imminent plagues are framed after another sort also there be proper termes seruing for meditation only and contemplation Nay we haue seene and obserued how men haue come to make suit and tender petitions to the soueraign and highest magistrats with a preamble of certain set prayers Certes so strict and precise men are in this point about diuine seruice that for fear least some words should be either left out or pronounced out of order there is one appointed of purpose as a prompter to read the same before the priest out of a written booke that hee misse not in a tittle another also set neare at his elbow as a keeper to obserue and mark that he faile not in any ceremony or circumstance and a third ordained to goe before and make silence saying thus to the whole assembly congregation Favete linguis i. spare your tongues and be silent and then the fluits and haut-boies begin to sound and play to the end that no other thing be heard for to trouble his mind or interrupt him the while And
out vnto the souldiers their wages and their very pay thereupon was called Stipendiam from whence commeth Stipend a word commonly receiued According to which manner and custome all buyings and sellings at this day which passe with warrantise are vsually performed by interposition of the ballance which fer ueth to testifie the realitie of the contract and bargaine on both parts Touching brasse mony Servius Tullius a king of Rome caused it first to be coined with a stampe for before his daies they vsed it at Rome rude in the masse or lumpe as Remeus mine author doth testifie And what was the marke imprinted thereupon euen a sheepe which in Latine they call Pecus and from thence proceedeth the word Pecunia that signifieth mony And note here by the way that during the reigne of that king the best man in all Rome was valewed to be worth in goods not aboue 110000 Asses in brasse and at this rate were assessed the principall houses of the city in the kings bookes and this was counted the first Classis Afterwards in the 485 yere from the foundation of the city when Q. Ogulnius and C. Fabius were Consuls fiue yeares before the first Punicke warre they began to stampe siluer mony at Rome and three seuerall pieces were coined At what time ordained it was That the Denarius or Denier should goe for tenne Asses or pounds of brasse mony the halfe Denier Quinarius should be currant for fiue and the Sesterce reckoned worth two and a halfe Now for as much as during the first Punick war against the Carthaginians the ctiy was growne much behind hand and farre indebted so as they were not able to goe through the charges which they were to defray agreed it was and ordained to raise the worth of the brasen mony by diminishing the poise wheras therfore the Asse weighed a pound of twelue ounces they made the Asse of two ounces By which deuise the Commonwealth gained fiue parts in six and the Fisque or city chamber by that means was soone acquit of all debts But if you would know what was the marke of this new brasen Asse of the one side it was stamped with a two faced Ianus on the other side with the beake-head of a ship armed with brasen pikes Other smaller pieces there were according to that proportion to wit Trientes the third part of an Asse and Quadrantes the fourth which had the print of punts or small boats vpon them As for the piece Quadrans it was before time called Triuncis because it weighed three ounces Howbeit in processe of time when Anniball pressed hard vpon the city and put them to an exigent for mony to maintaine the wars against him driuen they were to their shifts and forced when Q. Fabius was Dictator to bring downe the foresaid Asse of two ounces vnto one Yea and enected it was That the siluer denier which went before time for ten Asses should be worth sixteene the halfe Denier or Quinare eight and the Sesterce foure and by this means the State gained the one halfe full And yet I must except the mony paied to souldiers for their wages for a Denier vnto them was neuer reckoned aboue ten Asses As for the siluer Deniers stamped they were with the pourtraiture of coches drawne with two horses or foure horses whereupon they were called Bigati and Quadrigati Within a while after there passed an act promulged by Papyrius by vertue whereof the Asses weighed not aboue halfe an ounce Then came Livius Drusus in place who being one of the Prouosts or Tribunes of the commons brought in base money and delaied the siluer with one eight part of brasse Touching that piece of coine which now is called Victoriatus stamped it was by an Act proposed by Clodius for before his time those pieces of mony were brought out of Sclauonia and reckoned as merchandise and stamped it is with the image of Victorie of which it tooke that name Concerning gold coined into mony it came vp threescore and two yeres after the stamping of siluer pieces and a scriptule of gold was taxed and valued at twenty sesterces which ariseth in euery pound according to the worth of sesterces as they were rated in those daies to nine hundred Sesterces But afterwards it was thought good to cast and stampe pieces of gold after the proportion of fiftie to a pound And those the Emperors by little and little diminished stil in poise till at length Nero brought them downe to the lowest and caused them to be coined after the rate of fiue and fiftie pieces to the pound In summe the very source and originall of all auarice proceedeth from this mony and coine deuised first by lone and vsurie and continued still by such idle persons that put forth their mony to worke for them whiles they sit still and find the sweetnes of the gaine comming in so easily But this greedy desire of hauing more still is growne after an outragious manner to be excessiue and no more to be named couetousnesse but rather insatiable hunger after gold insomuch as Septimuleius an inward and familiar friend of C. Gracchus forgat all bonds of amitie and hauing cut off his friends head vpon promise to haue the weight of it in gold brought the same vnto Opimius howbeit he poured molten lead into the mouth thereof to make it more heauie and so together with this parricide and vnnaturall murtherer cousened also beguiled the Commonweale But to speak no more of any particular citizen of Rome the whole name of the Romanes hath beene infamous among forraine nations for auarice and corruption in this kind as may appeare by the conceit that king Mithridates had of them who caused Aquilius a Generall of theirs whose hap was to fall into his hands for to drinke molten gold See what couetousnesse brings home with it in the end Now when I behold and consider no more but these strange names of our vessell in plate which are newly deuised in Greek from time to time according as the siluer is either double or parcell gilt or the gold enclosed and bound within worke I am ashamed of it and the rather for that in regard of these deuised names and daintie toies such plate as well of beaten gold as guilded only should be so vendible and sell so deare especially knowing as we do full well the good order that Spartacus held in his campe expressely commanding that no man should haue any plate of gold or siluer A great reproch to vs Romans that our fugitiues banished persons should shew a more nobler spirit than we our selues Messala the great Oratour hath left in writing That M. Antonius vsed to discharge all the ordure and filthy excrements of the body into vessels of gold yea and allowed Cleopatra likewise to do the same by her monthly superfluities most shamefully Noted it was among forrein Nations for excessiue licentiousnesse and that in the highest degree that K. Philip of Macedony
and indured all labours and perils whatsoeuer Here à lso in Rome we may see certain drinking cups of steele dedicated in the temple of Mars the Reuenger But to come vnto the nature of yron herein appeareth still the same goodnesse of Nature that this mettall working such mischiefe as it doth should be reuenged of it selfe and receiue condigne punishment by the own rust See also the wonderful prouidence of Nature who maketh nothing in the world more subject to death and corruption than that which is most hurtfull and deadly to mankind As touching mines of yron ore they are to be found almost in euery country for there is not so much as the Island Ilua here within Italy but it breedeth yron And lightly wheresoeuer any such be they are easily found for the very leere of the earth resembling the colour of ore bewraieth where they lie And when it is found out they burn try and fine it as other veins of mettall Onely in Cappadocia there is some question and doubt made whether in the making of yron they be more beholden to the earth that yeeldeth the ore or to the water for the preparing and ordering of it for this is certain that vnlesse the vein of ore bee well drenched and soked with the water of one riuer there it will neuer yeeld yron out of the furnace As for the kinds of yron many they are and all distinct The first difference ariseth from the diuersity of the soile and climats where the mines be found for in some places the ground the position of the heauens do yeeld onely a soft ore and comming nearer to the substance of lead than yron in another the mettall is brittle and short standing much vpon a veine of brasse such as will not serue one whit for stroke and naile to bind cart-wheels withall which tire indeed would be made of the other that is gentle and pliable Moreouer some kind of yron there is that serueth onely if it be wrought in short and ' smal works as namely for nailes studs and tackes imploied about greeues and leg-harneis another againe that is more apt to take rust and canker than the rest Howbeit all the sorts of yron ore are termed in Latine Stricturae a word appropriat to this mettall to no other à stringenda acie i. of dazling the eies or drawing a naked sword But the furnace it self where the ore or yron stone is tried maketh the greatest difference that is for there in you shall haue to arise by much burning and fining the purest part thereof which in Latine is called Nucleus ferri i. the kernell or heart of the yron and it is that which we call steele and the same also of diuers sorts for the best is it that hardeneth the edge of any weapon or toole there is of it which serueth better for stithy or anuill heads the faces of hammers bits of mattocks and yron crowes But the most variety of yron commeth by the means of the water wherein the yron red hot is eftsoons dipped and quenched for to be hardened And verily water onely which in some place is better in other worse is that which hath innobled many places for the excellent yron that commeth from them as namely Bilbilis in Spaine and Tarassio Comus also in Italy for none of these places haue any yron mines of their owne and yet there is no talk but of the yron and steele that commeth from thence Howbeit as many kinds of yron as there bee none shall match in goodnesse the steele that commeth from the Ceres for this commoditie also as hard ware as it is they send and sell with their soft silks and fine surs in a second degree of goodnesse may be placed the Parthian yron And setting aside these two countries I know not where there be any bars or gads tempered of fine and pure steel indeed for all the rest haue a mixtue of yron more or lesse And generally in this West part of the world wherin wee liue all our steel is of a more soft and gentle temperature than that of the Leuant This goodnesse of steele in some countries ariseth from the nature of the mine as in Austrich in others from the handling and temperature thereof like as by quenching as I said before and namely at Sulmo where the water serueth especially for that purpose and no maruell for we see a great difference in whetting and sharpening the edge of any instrument between oyle whetstones that barbars vse and the common water grind-stones for surely the oilegiueth a more fine and delicat edge Furthermore this is strange that when the ore or vein is in the furnace it yeeldeth yron liquid cleare as water and afterwards being reduced into bars and gads when it is red hot it is spungeous and brittle apt to break or resolue into flakes And considering the difference that is betweene the nature of oile and water as I haue said this is to be obserued that the finer any edge tooles bee the manner is to quench them in oile for to harden the edge for feare lest the water should harden them ouer much and make the edge more ready to breake out into nickes than to bend and turne again But wonderfull it is aboue all that mans bloud should haue such a vertue in it as to be reuenged of the yron blade that shed it for being once embrued therin it is giuen euer after eftsoones to rust and canker Concerning the load-stone and the great concord or amity betweene yron and it I meane to write more amply in the due place Howbeit for the present thus much I must needs say that yron is the only mettall which receiueth strength from that stone yea and keepeth the same a long time insomuch as by vertue therof if it be once well touched rubbed withal it is able to take hold of other pieces of yron and thus otherwhiles we may see a number of rings hanging together in manner of a chaine notwithstanding they be not linked and inclosed one within another The ignorant people seeing these rings thus rubbed with the load-stone and cleauing one to another call it quick-yron Certes any wound made by such a toole are more eager and angry than by another This stone is to be found in Biskay scattered here and there in smal pieces by way of bubbation for that is the term they vse but it is not that true Magnet or load-stone indeed which growes in one continued rock And I wot not whether these be so good for glasse-makers and serueth their turn so well in melting their glasse as the other for no man yet hath made experiment therof But sure I am that if one do rub the edge back or blade of a knife therewith it doth impart an attractiue vertue of yron thereunto as well as the right Magnet An here I cannot chuse but acquaint you with the singular inuention of that great architect and
edge weapon what healing medecines they require 338. k Wounds occasioned by the whip or scourge together with the wales of their lashes remaining after blacke blew how to be healed 394. k Wound-hearbes and great healers 201 e. 202 g. 204. m 205 a 215 a. 264 l. 272 i. 273 d. 274 g. 275. f. W R Wrath and rigour of pimples how to be appeased 357. b 359. b. Wrestlers and champions what imageurs delighted to represent in brasse 503. e. f. 504. g Wrings in the bellie and guts how to be appeased 40. h 49 b. 57 d. 67 c. 75 c. 119 c. 128 m. 155 d. 160 k 165 b. 171 c. 173 f. 186 k. 188 i. 190 h. 193. c 195 d. 198 k. 202 g. 206 l. 219 e. 247 d. 249 b 250. g. k. l. 253 c. 274 l. 275 e. 277 a. 283 a. 287. f 289 d. 313 e. 318 l. 330 h. 331 c. 353 c. 383 b c 413 c. 419 c. 430 g 422 i. 431 a. 443 c e. See Bellie-ach W Y Wyne whether more wholesome or hurtfull to mans body 151. a. Wyne of Dates wherefore good 155. c of VVine Asclepiades compiled one entire treatise 151. b Wynes medicined with marble plastre and quickelime hurtfull 153. e Wyne tunned vp or delayed with sea-water 153. e touching Wines which be best great varietie and discension of anthours 151. b c what VVyne is most wholesome 153. e Wynes dressed with rosin how they be wholesome and how hurtfull ibid. Wyne Falerne the properties thereof 151. d the discommodities that it bringeth 151. e Wyne Albane the operations of it and the discommodities ibid. Wynes Helvenaca 154. h Wyne Surrentine wholesome 151. e Wyne Coecubum out of vse ibid. Wyne Sâ—…tine the vertues thereof ibid. Wyne wherein rosin hath beene newly put is vnwholsome 153. f. Wynes Statane their properties 151. f as touching the vertues of VVyne in generall a discourse 152. g. the conuenient time to drinke VVyne 155. a Asclepiades his proud praise of VVyne 151. h Wynes artificiall needlesse and superfluous 155. b which Wyne beareth most water 152. i what VVynes least inebriat ibid. which be easiest of concoction ibid. what VVynes be not nutritiue ibid. which most vnwholesome 152. k Wynes not to be mixed 152. l VVyne drunke vpon an emptie stomacke hurtfull both to body and mind 152. m. 153. a Wyne Merum what it is and the operation thereof 153. b when VVyne is to be delayed with water ibid. Wyne in what measure and proportion to water wee ought to drinke 155. b Wyne somewhat delaied with water wherefore good 153. b what persons may drinke VVyne 155. 〈◊〉 the drinking of wyne hindreth the growth of certain beasts as apes c. 153. d Wyne of Campaine for gentlemens tables 153. d mixing bruing and medecining wynes vnwholesome 153. e Wynes prepared with pitch alone 154. g Wyne Picatum what it is 154. h whether Wyne may be giuen to a patient in an ague or no 154. h. whether women in childbed may drinke Wyne 154. i who are forbidden and in what cases to drinke Wyne 154. i X A XAnthus an ancient Chronicler 211. b Xanthus a pretious stone See Henui X E Xenocrates an imageur and writer of imagerie 503. b X I Xiphion what herbe 233. b. the description ibid. X Y Xyris a wild floure-deÌ„-lis the vertues that it hath 105. e to be vsed with great ceremony ibid. Xystion a gem common among the Indians 622. Y A YArrow an herbe 201 e. the description thereof and the vertues ibid. why it is called Myriophyllon Millefolium and Millefoile ibid. mans Yard exulcerat how to be healed 272. i Y C Yce water what is to be thought of it 406 g h Y E Yeels wearing earings taking meat at mans hand 428. l Yellow colour very ancient 89. m Yest See Barme Yeugh tree the vertues that it hath 195. f Yex or Yox by what meanes it is staied 50. g. 59. e. 66. h 67. c. 76. a. 102 g. 130. g. 155. e. 218. l. 248. h. 274. l 289 d. 304 k. 342 h. 431 c. 444. h. Y N Ynke-blurs how to be taken out 306. b Y O Youth and youthfull countenance how it may be preserued 65. c. 101. b. 167. b. Y R Yron praised and dispraised 513. c. d. e Yron scales the medicinable vses thereof 516. i of Yron and steele the vse in Physicke 515. 〈◊〉 Yron how preserued from rust ibid. d Yron forbidden but in tillage of the ground 513. e quicke Yron what it is 515. b of Yron and steele drinking cups 514. g Yron reuenged of it selfe by the rust 514. g Yron mines in all countries to be found 514. b Yron ore how to be burnt tried and fined ibid. Yron tried by the means of one onely riuer in Cappadocia 514. h. of Yron sundry sorts 514. h. i. k Yron better or worse by reason of the water 514. k for good Yron and steele countries renowmed ibid. of Yron sundry degrees in goodnesse 413. k. l edged tooles of Yron how to be hardened 513. m Yron blade hauing once shed mans bloud giuen euer after to rust and canker 515. a Yron what vertue it receiueth from the loadstones ibid. Yvorie See Elephants tooth Yuray See Darnell Z A ZAchalias a Babylonian and writer in magicke 627. e Zanthenes a pretious stone 630. g Zaratus a magitian 37â—… i Zarmocenidas a magitian ibid. Z E Zea or Spelt a graine what vertue it hath in Physicke 138. l. Zedoarium See Setwall and Phu Zeno the Philosopher his image Cato would not sell with other pillage 504. m Zenodorus an excellent imageur and engrauer 496. g he made the Colosse of Mercâ—…rie at Auvergne in France ibid. how long hee was about it and what paiment hee had for it 496. h Zenon a writer in Physicke 131. e Zenathemis a writer in Naturall Philosophie 606. h Zeros a pretious stone 623. c Zenxis a most renowmed painter 534 h. whon he flourished ibid. his praise ib. i. his wealth ibid. his bountifull mind and high opinion of his owne pictures ibid. his Mot vnder Penelope by him drawne in a picture ib. his other works 534. l what was his faults 534 l. 535. a. b. c Z M Zmilaces a pretious stone 630. g Zmilus one of the architects that made the Labyrinth in Lemnos 579. c Z O Zoophthalmos what herbe 237. c Zopirus a notable grauer 483. f two cups of his making of great price ibid. Zopissa what it is 184. g. which is best ib. the vertues ibid. Zoroastres first practised art Magicke 372. h Zoronisios the Magicians gem 630. g Z V Zura what it is 145. b Z Y Zythus a kind of ale or drinke made of corne 145. b An Aduertisement WHereas in the former edition this page was stuffed full of Errata which were occasioned by reason of the various matter and words vsed in this Historie not common obvious in other Authors such care in this second Edition hath beene taken as that they haue all beene amended
docilitie and gentlenesse of some fish where they will come to hand and take meat at a mans hand in what countries fishes serue in stead of oracles 3. Of those fishes that liue both on land and water the medicines and obseruations as touching Castoreum 4. Of the sea Tortoise many vertues medicinable obserued in sundry fishes 5. Receits of medicins taken from water creatures digested and set in order according to sundry diseases first against poyson and venomous beasts 6. Of Oisters Purple shell-fishes sea-weeds called Reits their vertues medicinable 7. Medicins against the shedding of the haire how to fetch haire againe also against the infirmities of eies ears teeth and to amend the vseemely spots in the face ly 8. Many medicins set down together vnorder 9. Remedies for the diseases of the liuer and sides stomacke and bellie others also disorderly put downe 10. Against feuers and agues of all sorts and many other infirmities 11. A rehearsall of all creatures liuing in the sea to the number of 122. In summe ye hauehere medicines stories and obseruations 928. Latine Authors Licinius Macer Trebius Niger Sexitius Niger who wrote in Greeke Ovid the Poet Cassius Hemina Mecanas and L. Atteius Forreine Writers K. Iuba Andreas Salpe Pelops Apelles of Thasos Thrasillus and Nicander ¶ THE XXXIII BOOKE DECLARETH the natures of Mettals Chap. 1. In what estimation were the mines of gold at the first in the old world the beginning of gold rings the proportion of gold that our ancestors had in their treasure the degree of knights or gentlemen at Rome the priuiledge to weare gold rings and who only might so do 2. The courts and chambers of judges or justices at Rome how often the gentlemen of Rome and men of armes changed their title the presents giuen to valiant souldiours for their braue seruice in the wars the first crowns of gold that were seene 3. The ancient vse of gold besides both in men women of the golden coine when copper and brasse money was first stamped when gold and siluer was put into coine before mony was coined how they vsed brasse for exchange in old time At the first taxation and leuie made of Tribute what was thought to be the greatest wealth and at what rate were the best men sessed How often and at what time gold grew into credit and estimation 4. The mines of gold and how naturally it is found when the statue or image of gold was first seene medicinable vertues in gold 5. Of Borras and six properties of Borras in matters of Physicke the wonderfull nature that it hath to soder all mettals and giue them their perfection 6. Of Siluer Quick-siluer Antimonie or Alabaster the drosse or refuse of siluer also the scum or some of siluer called Litharge 7. Or Vermilion in what account it was in old time among the Romanes the inuention thereof of Cinnabaris or Sangdragon vsed in painting and Physick diuers sorts of vermillion and how painters vse it 8. Of Quicksiluer artificiall the maner of gilding siluer of touchstones diuers experiments to trie siluer the sundry kinds therof 9. Of mirroirs or looking-glasses of the siluer in Aegypt 10. Of the excessiue wealth of some men in money who were reputed for the richest men when it was that at Rome they began to make largesse and scatter money abroad to the commons 11. Of the superfluitie of coine and the frugalitie of others as touching siluer plate beds and tables of siluer when began fitst the making of excessiue great and massiue platters and chargers of siluer 12. Of siluer statues the grauing and chasing in siluer other workmanship in that mettall 13. Of Sil of Azur of superfice Azur named Nestorianum also of the Azur called Coelum that euery yere these kinds be not sold at one price This booke hath in it of medicines stories and obseruations 1215. Latine Authors alledged L. Piso Antius Verrius M. Varro Cor. Nepos Messula Rufus Marsus the Poet Buthus Iulius Bassus and Sextius Niger who wrote both of Physicke in Greeke and Fabius Vestalis Forreine Writers Democritus Metrodorus Sceptius Menaechmus Xenocrates and Antigonus who wrate all three of the feat and skill of grauing chasing and embossing in mettall Heliodorus who wrote a booke of the rich ornaments and oblations of the Athenians Pasiteles who wrote of wonderfull pieces of worke Nymphodorus Timaeus who wrate of Alchymie or minerall Physicke Iolla Apollodorus Andreas Heraclydes Diagoras Botryensus Archimedes Dionysius Aristogenes Democritus Mnesicles Attalus the Physician Xenocrates the sonne of Zeno and Theomnestes ¶ THE XXXIIII BOOKE TREATETH of other Mettals Chap. 1. Mines of Brasse Copper Iron Lead Tin 2. Sundry kinds of Brasse namely Corinthian Deliacke and Aegineticke 3. Of goodly candlesticks other ornaments of temples 4. The first images made at Rome the originall of statues the honour done to men by statues sundry sorts and diuers forms of them 5. Of statues pourtraied in long Robes and of many others who first erected images vpon columnes and pillars at Rome when they were allowed first at the cities charges also what maner of statues the first wer at Rome 6. Of statues without gowne or cassocke and some other the first statue pourtraied on horsebacke at Rome when the time was that all Images as well in publike places as priuat houses were abolished at Rome and put downe what women at Rome were allowed to haue their statues and which were the first erected in publike place by forrein nations 7. The famous workemen in making casting Images the excessiue price of Images of the most famous and notable colosses or gyant-like images in the citie of Rome 8. Three hundred sixtie and six peeces of work wrought in brasse by most curious and excellent artificers 9. What difference there is in Brasse the diuers mixtures with other mettals how to keepe brasse 10. Of Brasse ore called Cadmia and for what it is good in Physicke 11. The refuse or scum of Brasse Verdegris the skales of brasse and copper steele copper rust or Spanish greene of the collyrie or eye-salue called Hieracium 12. Of a kinde of Verdegris named Scolecia of Chalcitis i. red Vitrioll Mysy Sory and Copporose or Vitrioll i. blacke Nil 13. Of the foile of Brasse named white Nil or Tutia of Spodium Antispodium of Diphryges and the Trient of Servilius 14. Of Iron and mines of Iron the difference also of Iron 15. Of the temperature of Iron the medicinable vertues of Iron and the rust of Brasse and Iron the skales of Iron and the liquid plastre named of the Greekes Hygemplastrum 16. The mines of Lead of white and blacke Lead 17. Of Tin Of Argentine Tin and some other minerals 18. Medicins made of Lead refuse of Lead of Lead ore of Ceruse or Spanish white of Sandaricha of red Orpiment In summe here are contained natable matters stories and obseruations 815. Latine Authours cited L. Piso Antias Verrius M. Varro Messala Rufus Marsus the
23. Of Cesterns of Limestone sundry sorts of sand the tempering of sand and lime for mortar the ill building of some walls of parget and roughcast also columnes and buttresses in building 24. The medicinable vertues of Quickelime of Maltha and Plaster 25. Of pauements when they were first vsed at Rome of terraces and paued floores lying open to the aire aboue of certaine pauements called Graecanica and when arched and embowed worke first began 26. The first inuention of glasse the manner of making it of a kind of glasse called Obsidianum sundry sorts of glasse in great varietie 27. Wonderfull operations of fire the vertues thereof medicinable and the prodigious significations and presages by fire In summe here you may find medicines stories and obseruations in all 523. Latine Authors M. Varro Caelius Galba C. Ictius Mutianus Cor. Nepos L. Piso Tubero Seneca Fabius Vastalis Annius Faecialis Fabius Cato Censorius and Vitruvius Forreine Writers Theophrastus Praxitiles K. Iubn Nicander Sotacus Sudines Alexender Polyhistor Apion Plistonicus Duris Herodotus Euemerus Aristagoras Dionysius Artemidorus Butoridas Antisthenes Democritus Demoteles and Lyceas ¶ IN THE XXXVII BOOKE IS DECLARED the originall of pretious stones Chap. 1. The pretious stone of Polycrates the tyrant also of K. Pyrrhus who were the best lapidaries could cut excellently wel in stone the first man that at Rome ware a pretious stone vpon his finger 2. The rich stones that were shewed in the triumph of Pompey the Great the nature and vertues of the Crystall stone the costly vessels made thereof and the superfluous expence that way when the vessels of Cassidoine called Myrhhina were first inuented the wastfull expence in them the nature and properties of them what lies the Greekes haue told as touching Amber 3. The true original and beginning of Amber the medicinable vertues thereof the sundry kinds and the excessiue cost that folke were at to get them of Lincurium and the preperties of it 4. Of Diamonds and their kinds their vertues also of Pearls 5. Of the Hemerauld and diuers sorts of it of other greene pretious stones cleare and transparant 6. Of the true Opall stones their diuers kinds and which be counterfeit the meanes how to try them also of diuers other rich stones 7. Of Rubies and carbuncles which be counterfeit the waies to proue whether they be good or no. Also of other ardent stones like fire 8. Of the Topaze and all the kinds of the Turquois of other greene stones that bee not cleare through 9. Sundry sorts of the Iasper stone 10. Of cerraine pretious stones set downe in order according to the Alphabet 11. Of some pretious stones which take their denomination of the parts of mans bodie also from other liuing creatures of those which haue the names from other things 12. Of other new stones growing naturally of counterfeit and artificiall stones of their sundry formes and fashions 13. The manner and way how to proue fine stones from other In summe here are to be read of notable matters worthy histories and speciall obseruations to the number of 1300 gathered out of Latine Authours M. Varro the Records of Romane triumphs Mecoenas Iacchus and Cornelius Bocchus Forreine Writers K. Iuba Xenocrates the disciple of Zeno Sudines Aeschylus Philoxenus Euripides Nicander Satyrus Theophrastus Chares Philomenes Democrates Xenotimus Metrodorus Sotacus Pytheas Timaeus the Sicilian Niceas Theocrestus Asaruba Mnasea Theomenes Ctesias Mithridates Sophocles K. Archelaus Callistratus Democritus Ismenias Olympicus Alexander Polyhistor Apion Horus Zoroastres and Zactalias THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF NATVRE WRITTEN BY C. PLINIVS SECVNDVS CHAP. I. ¶ Whether the World be finite and but one THE World and this which by another name men haue thought good to call heauen vnder the pourprise and bending cope whereof all things are emmanteled and couered beleeue we ought in all reason to be a God eternall vnmeasurable without beginning and likewise endlesse What is without the compasse hereof neither is it fit for men to search nor within mans wit to reach and conceiue Sacred it is euerlasting infinit all in all or rather it selfe all and absolute finite and limited yet seeming infinite in all motions orderly and certaine how beit in shew and iudgement of man vncertaine comprehending and containing all whatsoeuer both without and within Natures worke and yet very Nature it selfe producing all things Great folly it is then and meere madnesse that some haue deuised and thought in their minde to measure it yea and durst in writing set down the dimensions thereof that others againe by occasion hereupon taken or giuen haue deliuered and taught That worlds there were innumerable as if we were to beleeue so many natures as there were Heauens or if all were reduced to one yet there should be so many Sunnes and Moones neuerthelesse with the rest also of those vnmeasurable and innumerable starres in that one as though in this pluralitie of worlds we should not alwaies meet with the same question still at euery turne of our cogitation for want of the vtmost and some end to rest vpon or if this infinitenesse could possibly be assigned to Nature the worke-mistresse and mother of all the same might not be vnderstood more easily in that one Heauen which wee see so great a worke especially and frame as it is Now surely a fantasticall folly it is of all other follies to go forth of it and so to keepe a seeking without as if all things within were well and clearely knowne already as who would say a man could take the measure iust of any third thing who knoweth not his owne or the minde of man see those things which the very World it selfe may not receiue CHAP. II. ¶ Of the forme and figure of the World THat the forme of heauen is round in fashion of an absolute and perfect globe the name thereof principally and the consent of all men agreeing to call it in Latine Orbis i. a roundle as also many naturall reasons do euidently shew to wit not onely for that such a figure euery way falleth and bendeth vpon it selfe is able to beare and vphold it selfe includeth and compriseth it selfe hauing need thereto of no ioints as finding in any part thereof no end nor beginning or because this forme agreeth best to that motion whereby euer and anon it must turne about as hereafter it shall appeare but also because the eiesight doth approue the same in that look which way soeuer you will thereupon it seemeth to bend downeward round and euen on all sides shewing a iust Hemisphere a thing not incident possibly to any other figure CHAP. III. ¶ Of the motion of Heauen THat the world thus framed in a continuall and vncessant circuit with vnspeakable swiftnesse turneth round about in the space of foure and twenty houres the rising and setting ordinarily of the Sunne hath left cleare and doubtlesse Now whether it being in height infinite and therefore the sound of so huge a frame
fast vnto a ship bringing messengers from Periander with commission to gueld all the Noblemens sonnes in Gnidos and stayed it a long time notwithstanding it was vnder saile and had a strong gale of a fore-winde at the poupe And hereupon it is that these Shell fishes for that good seruice are honoured with great reuerence in the Temple of Venus among the Gnidians But to returne again vnto our Stay-Ship Echeneis Trebius Niger saith it is a foot long and fiue fingers thicke and that oftentimes it stayeth a ship And moreouer as he saith it hath this vertue being kept in salt to draw vp gold that is fallen into a pit or well being neuer so deep if it be let downe and come to touch it CHAP. XXVI ¶ The changeable nature of Fishes THe Cackarels change their colour for these fishes being white all Winter wax blacke when Summer comes Likewise the Mole or Lepo called Phycis doth alter her hue for howsoeuer all the yeare besides it be white in the Spring it is speckled This is the only fish that builds vpon the reites and mosse of the sea and layes her egs or spawneth in her nest The sea Swallow flieth and it resembleth in all points the bird so called The sea Kite doth the same CHAP. XXVII ¶ Of the fish called the Lanterne and the sea Dragon THere is a fish comes ordinarily aboue the water called Lucerna for the resemblance that it hath of a light or lantern for it lilleth forth the tongue out of the mouth which seemeth to flame and burne like fire and in calme and still nights giues light and shineth There is another fish that puts forth hornes aboue the water in the sea almost a foot and halfe long which thereupon tooke the name Cornuta Againe the sea Dragon if he be caught and let go vpon the sand worketh himselfe an hollow trough with his snout incontinently with wonderfull celeritie CHAP. XXVIII ¶ Of bloudlesse fishes SOme fishes there be which want bloud whereof wee now will speake Of them are three sorts first those which be called Soft secondly such as be couered within crusts in the last place they that are inclosed within hard shels Of the first sort counted soft be reckoned the sea Cut or Calamarie the Cuttle the Polype and the rest of that sort These haue their head betweene their feet and the belly and euery one of them haue 8 feet As for the Cuttil and Calamarie they haue two feet apiece longer than the rest and the same rough wherewith they conuey and reach meat to their mouths and with those they stay themselues as it were with anchor hold against the surging waues the rest of their feet be smal like hairs and with them they hunt and catch their prey CHAP. XXIX ¶ Of the Calamaries Cuttles Polypes and Boat-fishes called Nautili ALso the Calamarie lanceth himselfe out of the water as if he were an arrow and euen so doth little Scalops The male of the Cuttles kind are spotted with sundry colors more dark and blackish yea and more firme and steady than the female If the female be smitten with a Trout-speare or such like three-forked weapon they wil come to aid succor her but she again is not so kind to them for if the male be stricken she will not stand to it but runs away But both of them the one as wel as the other if they perceiue that they be taken in such streights that they cannot escape shed from them a certain black humor like to ink and when the water therewith is troubled and made duskish therein they hide themselues and are no more seen Of Polypes or Pourcontrels there be sundry kinds They that keep neere the shore are bigger than those that haunt the deep All of them help themselues with their fins and armes like as we do with feet and hands as for their taile which is sharp and two forked it serueth them in the act of generation These Pourcontrels haue a pipe in their back by the help wherof they swim all ouer the seas and it they can shift one while to the right side another while to the left They swim awry or sidelong with their head aboue which is very hard and as it were puft vp so long as they be aliue Moreouer they haue certain hollow concauities dispersed within their clawes or arms like to ventoses or cupping glasses whereby they will stick to and cleaue fast as it were by sucking to any thing which they clasp hold so fast lying vpward with their bellies that it cannot be plucked from them They neuer settle so low as the bottom of the water and the greater that they be the lesse strong they are to clasp or hold any thing Of all soft fishes they only go out of the water to dry land especially into some rough place for they canot abide those that are plaine and euen They liue vpon Shell-fishes and with their haires or strings that they haue they will twine about their shels and crack them in pieces wherefore a man may know where they lie and make their abode by a number of shels that lie before their nest And albeit otherwise it be a very brutish and senslesse creature so foolish withall that it will swim and come to a mans hand yet it seems after a sort to be witty and wise keeping of house and maintaining a familie for all that they can take they carry home to their nest When they haue eaten the meat of the fishes they throw the empty shels out of dores and lie as it were in ambuscado behind to watch and catch fishes that swimme thither They change their colour estsoons and resemble the place where they be especially when they be afraid That they gnaw and eat their own clees and arms is a meere tale for they be the congres that do them that shrewd turn but true it is that they will grow againe like as the taile of snakes adders lizards But among the greatest wonders of nature is that fish which of some is called Nautilos of others Pompilos This fish for to come aloft aboue the water turnes vpon his back and raiseth or heaueth himself vp by little and little and to the end he might swim with more ease as disburdened of a sinke hee dischargeth all the water within him at a pipe After this turning vp his two foremost clawes or armes he displaieth and stretcheth out betweene them a membrane or skin of a wonderfull thinnesse this serueth him in stead of a saile in the aire aboue water with the rest of his arms or claws he roweth and laboreth vnder water with his taile in the mids he directs his course and steereth as it were with an helme Thus holds he on and maketh way in the sea with a faire shew of a foist or gally vnder saile Now if he be afraid of any thing in the way he makes no more ado but drawes in water to
of branches but the hole first ought to be made easie and large with a strong stake or crow of iron In sum all these boughs ought to be 3 foot long smaller in compasse than a mans arme sharpned at the one end and with the barke saued whole and sound with great care As for the Myrtle tree it wil come also of a cutting the Mulberry will not otherwise grow for to couch and plant them with their branches we are forbidden for feare of the lightnings And forasmuch as we are fallen into the mention of such cuttings I must now shew the manner of planting them also aboue all things therefore regard would be had that they be taken from such trees as be fruitfull that they be not crooked rough and rugged nor yet sorked ne yet slenderer than such as would fil a mans hand or shorter than a foot in length Item That the barke be not broken or rased that the nether end of the cut be set into the ground and namely that part alwaies which grew next the root and last of al that they be banked wel with earth about the place where they spring and bud forth vntil such time as the plant haue gotten strength CHAP. XVIII ¶ The manner of planting ordering and dâ—…essing Olive trees Also which be the conuenient times for graffing WHat rules by the iudgment of Cato are to be obserued in the dressing and husbanding of Oliues I think it best to set down here word for word as he hath deliuered them Thus he saith therefore The trunches or sets of Oliue trees which thou meanest to lay in trenches make them 3 foot long handle them gently and with great care that in cutting sharpning or squaring them the bark take no harm nor pill from the wood As for such as thou dost purpose to plant in a nourse-garden for to remoue again see they be a foot in length and in this manner set them Let the place be first digged throughly with a spade vntill it be well wrought lie light and brought into temper when thou puttest the said truncheon into the ground beare it downe with thy foot if it goe not willingly deepe enough by that means driue it lower with a little beetle or mallet but take heed withall that thou riue not the barke in so doing A better way there is To make a hole first with a stake or crow before thou set it into the ground and therein maist thou put it at ease and so will it liue also and take root the sooner when they be three yeares old haue then a carefull eye to them in any case and marke where and when the bark turneth If thou plant either in ditches or furrowes lay three plants together in the earth but so as their heads may stand a good way asunder aboue the ground also that there be no more seen of them than the bredth of foure fingers or els if thou thinke good set the buds or eyes only of the Oliue Moreouer when thou art about to take vp an oliue plant for to set again be wary and carefull that thou break not the root get as many spurres or strings called the beard as thou canst earth and all about them and when thou hast sufficiently couered those roots with mould in the replanting be sure thou tread it down close with thy foot that nothing hurt the same Now if a man demand and would gladly know what is the fittest time for planting oliues in one word I will tell him Let him chuse a dry ground in seed time i. in Autumne and a fat or battle ground in the spring furthermore begin to prune thy Oliue tree 15 daies before the Aequinox in the spring and from that time forward for the space of sorty daies thou canst not do amisse The maner of pruning or disbranching them shall be thus Looke where thou seest a place fertile if thou spy any dry or withered twigs or broken boughs that the wind hath met withall be sure thou cut them away euerie one but if the plot of ground be barren eare it vp better with the plough take pains I say to till it well to breake all clots and make it euen to clense the trees likewise of knurs and knots and to discharge them of all superfluous wood also about Autumne bate the earth from about the roots of Oliues and lay them bare but in stead thereof put good mucke thereto Howbeit if a man do very often labor the ground of an olive plot and take a deep stitch he shall now and then plough vp the smallest roots thereof so ebbe they will run within the ground which is not good for the trees for in case they spread aloft they will wax the thicker and so by that means the strength and vertue of the Oliue will turne all into the root As touching all the kinds of Olive trees how may they be also in what ground they ought to be set and wherein they will like liue best likewise what coast of the heauen they should regard we haue shewed sufficiently in our discourse and treatise of Oile Mago hath giuen order in his books of husbandry that in planting them vpon high grounds in dry places and in a vein of clay the season should be between Autumne and mid-Winter but in case you haue a fat moist or waterish soile he sets down a longer time namely from haruest to mid-winter But this rule of his you must take to be respectiue to the clymat of Africk only for in Italy at this day verily men vse to plant most in the Spring howbeit if a man hath a mind to be doing also in Autumne he may be bold to begin after the Equinox for during the space of 40 dayes together euen to the setting of the Brood-hen star there are no more but 14 days ill for planting In Barbarie the people haue this practise peculiar to themselues For to graffe in a wilde Oliue stock whereby they continue a certain perpetuity for euer as the boughs that were graffed and as I may say adopted first wax old and grow to decay a second quickly putteth forth afresh taken new from another tree and in the same old stock sneweth yong and liuely and after it a third successiuely and as many as need so as by this meanes they take order to eternise their Oliues insomuch as one Oliue plant hath bin known to haue prospered in good estate a world of yeares This wilde Oliue aforesaid may be graffed either with sions set in a cliffe or els by way of inoculation with the scutcheon aforesaid But in planting of Oliues this heed must be taken that they be not set in a hole where an Oke hath been stocked vp by the root for there be certain canker-wormes called Erucae in Latine or Raucae breeding in the root of an Oke which eat the same and no doubt will do as much by the Oliue tree Moreouer it is found by experience
of the stomack The Empresse Iulia Augusta passed not a day without eating the Elecampane root thus confected and condite and therupon came it to be in so great name and bruit as it is The seed therof is needlesse and good for nothing therefore to maintaine and increase this plant gardeners vse commonly to set the joints cut from the root after the order as they doe Reeds and Canes The manner is to plant them as well as Parsnips Skirwirts and Carrots at both times of seednes to wit the Spring and the Fall but there would be a good distance betweene euery seed or plant at least three foot because they spread and braunch very much and therewith take vp a deale of ground As for the Skirwirt or Parsnip Siser it will do the better if it be remoued and replanted It remaineth now to speak in the next place of plants with bulbous or onion roots and their nature which Cato recommendeth to Gardeners and he would haue them to be set and sowed aboue all others among which he most esteemeth them of Megara Howbeit of all this bulbous kind the Sea-onyon Squilla is reputed chiefe and principall notwithstanding there is no vse of it but in Physick and for to quicken vinegre As there is none that groweth with a bigger head at the root so there is not any more aegre and biting than it Of these Sea-onyons there be two kinds medicinable the male with the white leafe the female with the blacke There is a third sort also of Squillae which is good for to be eaten the leaues whereof be narrower and not so rough and sharp as the other and this they cal Epimenidium All the sort of these squilles are plentifull in seed howbeit they come vp sooner if they be set of cloues or bulbes which grow about their sides And if a man would haue the head of the root wax big the leaues which vsually be broad and large ought to be bended downe into the earth round about and so couered with mould for by this means all the sap and nourishment is diuerted from the leafe and runneth backe into the root These Squils or sea-onions grow in exceeding great abundance within the Baleare Islands and Ebusus as also throughout all Spaine Pythagoras the Philosopher wrote one entire volumne of these onions wherein he collected their medicinable vertues and properties which I meane to deliuer in the next booke As touching other bulbous plants there be sundry kinds of them differing all in colour quantity and sweetnesse of tast for some there bee of them good to be eaten raw as those of Cherrhonesus Taurica Next vnto them are they of Barbary and most commended for goodnesse and then those that grow in Apulia The Greeks haue set downe their distinct kindes in these terms Bulbine Setanios Pythios Acrocorios Aegylops and Sisyrinchios But strange it is of this Sisyrinchios last named how the foot and bottom of the root wil grow down stil in winter but in the Spring when the Violets appeare the same diminisheth and gathereth short vpward by which meanes the head indeed of the root seedeth and thriueth the better In this rank of bulbous plants is to be set that which in Egypt they call Aron i. Wake-Robin for bignesse of the head it commeth next to Squilla beforesaid the leaues resemble the herb Patience or garden Dock it riseth vp with a streight stem or stalke two cubits high as thicke as a good round cudgell As touching the root it is of a soft and tender substance and may be eaten raw If you would haue good of these bulbous roots you had need to dig them out of the ground before the spring for if you passe that time they will presently be the worse You shall know when they be ripe and in their perfection by the leaues for they will begin to wither at the bottom If they be elder or if their roots grow small and long they are reiected as nothing worth Contrariwise the ruddy root the rounder and the biggest withall are most commended know this moreouer That the bitternesse of the root in most of them lyeth in the crowne as it were or top of the head for the middle parts be sweet The antient writers held opinion That none of these bulbous plants would grow but of seed only howbeit both in the pastures and fields about Preneste they come vp of themselues and also among the corn lands and arable grounds of the Rhenians they grow beyond all measure CHAP. VI. ¶ Of the roots leaues floures and colours of Garden-herbes ALl Garden plants ordinarily put out but one single root apiece as for example the Radish Beet Parsley and Mallow howbeit the greatest and largest of all others is the root of the herb Patience or garden Docke which is knowne to run downe into the ground three cubits deep In the wild of this kind which is the common docke the roots be smaller yet plumpe and swelled whereby after they be digged vp and laied aboue ground they will liue a long time Some there be of them that haue hairy strings or beards hanging to the roots as namely Parsley or Ach and Mallows Others there be againe which haue branching roots as the Basill As the roots of some be carnous and flâ—…ie altogether and namely of the Beet but especially of Saffron so in others they consist of rind and carnositie both as we may see in Radishes and Rapes or Turneps And ye shall haue of them that be knotty and full of ioints as for example the root of the Quoich grasse or Dent-de-chien Such hearbs as haue no streight and direct root run immediatly into hairie threds as we may see plainly in the Orach and Bleet as for the sea Onion Squilla and such bulbous plants the garden Onions also and Garlicke they put forth their roots streight and neuer otherwise Many hearbes there be which spring of their own accord without setting or sowing and of such many there be that branch more cloue in root than in leafe as we may see in Aspalax Parietarie of the wall and Saffron Moreouer a man shall see these hearbes floure at once together with the Ash namely the running or creeping Thyme Southernewood Naphewes Radishes Mints and Rue and by that time as others begin to blow they are ready to shed their floures whereas Basill putteth forth floures by parcels one after another beginning first beneath and so going vpward by leisure which is the cause that of all others it is longest in the floure The same is to be seene in the herb Heliotropium i. Ruds or Turnsol In some the floures be white in others yellow and in others purple As touching the leaues of herbes some are apt to fall from their heads or tops as in Origan and Elecampane yea and otherwhiles in Rue if some iniurie be done vnto it Of all other herbes the blades of Onions and Chibbols be most hollow Where by
to leaue the heauen and those coelestiall Bodies in their maiestie What is the cause that as the Magnet or loadstone draweth iron vnto it so there is another stone abhorreth the same and driueth iron from it What should the reason be of the Diamond that peerlesse stone the chiefe iewell wherein our rich worldings repose their greatest ioy and delight a stone otherwise inuincible and which no force and violence besides can conquer but that it remaineth still infâ—…ngible and yet that the simple bloud of a poore Goat is able to burst it in pieces Besides many other secrets in nature as strange yea and more miraculous All which we purpose to reserue vnto their seuer all places and will speake of them in order Mean while may it please the Reader to pardon vs and to take in good part the manner of our entrance into this matter for albeit we shall deale in the beginning with the smallest and basest things of all others yet such they be as are wholsome and concerne much the health of man and the maintenance of his life And first will we set in handwith the garden and the herbes that wee finde there CHAP. I. ¶ Of the wilde Cucumber and the juice thereof Elaterium THis wild Cucumber as we haue said heretofore is far lesse than that of the Garden Out of the fruit hereof there is a medicinable juice drawne which the Physitians call Elaterium For to get this juice men must not stay vntill the Cucumber be fullâ—… ripe for vnles it be taken betimes and cut down the sooner it wil leap flurt in the handling from the stele whereto it hangeth against their faces with no smal danger of their eye-sight Now when it is once gathered they keepe it soone whole night The next morrow they make an incision and slit it with the edge of a cane They vse to strew ashes also thereupon to restrain and keep down the liquor which issueth forth in such abundance which done they presse the said juice forth andreceiue it in raine water wherin it setleth and afterwards when it is dried in the Sunne they make it vp into Trochisques And certaine these Trochisques are soueraigne for many purposes to the great good and benefit of mankind For first and foremost it cureth the dimnesse and other defects or imperfections of the eyes it healeth also the vlcers of the eye lids It is said moreouer that if a man rub neuer so little of this juice vpon vine roots there will no birds come neere to pecke or once touch the grapes that shall hang thereon The root of this wild Cucumber if it be boiled in vinegre and made into a liniment and so applied is singular good for all kinds of gout but the juice of the said root helpeth the tooth-ach The root being dried and incorporat with rosin cureth the ringworme tettar wild scab or skurf which some cal Psora and Lichenes it discusseth and healeth the swelling kernels behind the eare the angrie pushes also and biles in other Emunctories called Pani and reduceth the stooles or skars left after any sore and other skarres to their fresh and natiue colour againe The juice of the leaues dopped with vinegre into the ears is a remedie for deafenesse As for the liquor concrete of this cucumber named elaterium the right season of making it is in autumne neither is there a drug that the Apothecaries hath which lasteth longer than it doth howbeit before it be three yeres old it begins not to be in force for any purpose that a man shal vse it and yet if one would occupie it fresh and new before that time he must correct the foresaid Trosch es with vinegre dissoluing them therin ouer a soft fire in a new earthen pot neuer occupied before but the elder they be the better and more effectuall they are insomuch as by the report of Theophrastus Elaterium hath bin kept and continued good 200 yeares And for fiftie yeares it is so strong full of vertue that it wil put out the light of a candle or lamp for this is the triall and proofe of good Elaterium it being set neer therto before that it puts out the light it cause the candle to sparkle vpward and downward That which is pale of color and smooth is better than that which is of a greenish grasse color rough in hand the same also is somwhat bitter withall Moreouer it is said that if a woman desire to haue children do cary about her the fruit of this wild Cucumber fast tied to her bodie she shall the sooner conceiue and proue with child prouided alwaies that in the gathering the said Cucumber touched not the ground in any case Also if it be lapped within the wooll of a Ram be bound to the loins of a woman in trauell of childbirth so that she be not her selfware therof she shal haue the better speed and easier deliuerance but then so soon as the infant the mother be parted the said Cucumber must be had out of the house in all hast where the woman lyeth Those writers who magnifie these wild Cucumbers and set great store by them affirm That the best kind of them groweth in Arabia and the next about Cyrenae but others say That the principall be in Arcadia That the plant resembleth Turnsol That betweene the leaues and branches thereof there groweth the fruit as big as a Wallnut with a white taile turning vp backeward in manner of a Scorpions taile whereupon some there bee who giue it the name of the Scorpion Cucumber True it is indeed that as wel the fruit it selfe as the juice therof called Elaterium be most effectuall against the pricke or sting of the Scorpion as also that it is a medicine purgatiue of the bellie but especially cleanseth the wombe or matrice of women The ordinarie dose is from half an Obulus to a Solid i. an obole or half a scruple according to the strength of the patient A greater receit than one Obulus killeth him or her that taketh it but being taken within that quantitie aboue named in some broth or conuenient liquor it is passing good for the dropsie yea and to euacuat those filthie humors thar engender the lowsie diseas Being tempered with honey and old oile and so reduced into a thin ointment or liniment it cureth the Squinancie and such diseases incident to the windpipes CHAP. II. ¶ Of the Serpentine Cucumber called otherwise the Wandering Cucumber also of the Garden Cucumbers Melons or Pompions MAny there be of opinion that the Serpentine Cucumber among vs which others call the wandring Cucumber is the same that the former Cucumber which yeeldeth Elaterium The decoction whereof is of that vertue that whatsoeuer is besprinckled therewith no myce wil come neer to touch it The same being sodden in vinegre and brought to the consistence of an ointment is a present remedie to allay the pains of gout
alwaies felt alike This poisonsome honey may be knowne by these signs first it will neuer thicken but continue liquid stil secondly the colour is more deep and reddish than ordinary thirdly it carrieth a strange sent or smell with it and will cause one to sneese presently last of all it is more ponderous and heauy than the good and harmlesse hony The symptomes or accidents that insue vpon the eating of this honey are these They that haue tasted thereof cast themselues vpon the ground and there fall a tumbling they seek by all means they can to be cooled and no maruell for they run all to sweat that one drop ouertakes the other Howbeit there be many remedies for this poison which I will shew in place conuenient Mean while because a man would not be without some good thing ready at hand since the world is so ful of villany set vpon such secret mischiefe I must needs put down one good receit and that is this take honied wine that is old mingle and incorporat it with the best hony you can meet withal and Rue together vse this confection at your need Item Eat much of salt-fish although it come vp again and that your stomack do cast it Moreouer this hony is so pernicious that the very dogs if they chance to lick vp any excrements that passe from the partie so infected either by reaching spitting vomit or seege they are sure to be sped therewith and to feele the like torments Howbeit the honied wine that is made therewith if it may haue age enough and be stale is knowne for a certainty to do no creature harm And there is not a better medicine in the world either to fetch out spots in womens faces and make their skin faire and cleare if it be applied with Costus or to take out the black and blew marks remaining after stripes in eye or elswhere so it be tempered with Aloe Another kind of honey there is in the same region of Pontus and namely among the Sanni a people there inhabiting which because it driueth folke into a fit of rage and madnesse they call in Greeke Maenomenon Some attribute the occasion hereof to the floure of the Oleander whereof the woods and forrests there be full This nation selleth no hony at all because it is so venomous and deadly notwithstanding they do pay for tribute a huge masse of wax vnto the Romans euery yeare Moreouer in the kingdome of Persis and in Getulia which lieth within Mauritania Caesariensis a country confining and bordering vpon the Massaesuli there be venomous hony-combs yea you shall haue in one hiue some hony combs full of poisoned hony whereas others be sound and good a dangerous thing no doubt and than which there could be no greater deceit to poison a number of people but that they may be known from the rest by their leaden and wan hew that they haue What should we think was Natures meaning and intent by these secret sleights and hidden mischiefes That either the same Bees should not euery yeare gather venomous hony or not lay the same vp in all their combs differently Was it not enough that she had bestowed vpon vs a thing wherein poyson might be soonest giuen and least perceiued Was she not content thus to indanger our liues but she must proceed farther euen to incorporat poison her selfe in hony as it commeth from the Bee for to empoison so many liuing creatures Certes I am of this mind and beliefe verily That shee had no other purpose herein than to make men more warie what they eat and lesse greedy of sweet meats to content and please the tooth For the very honey indeed she had not generally infected with this hurtful quality like as she had armed all Bees with sharp pricks and stings yea and the same of a venomous nature and therfore against these creatures verily she hath not deferred and put off to furnish vs with a present remedy for the juice of Mallowes or of Yvie leaues serueth to annoint the stinged place and keep it from rankling yea and it is an excellent thing for them that be stung to take the very Bees in drink for it is an approued cure But this I maruell much at That the Bees themselues which feed of these venomous herbs that cary the poison in their mouths and are the makers of this mischievous honey do escape and die not thereof Whereof I can giue no reason at all vnlesse dame Nature that lady and mistresse of the world hath giuen vnto these poore Bees a certaine Antipathy and vertue contrary vnto poison like as among vs men to the Marsi and Psylli shee hath imprinted as it were a repugnancy in their bodies to resist the venome of all Serpents whatsoeuer CHAP. XIIII ¶ Of a certaine kind of honey which Flies will not touch Of Bee-hiues How to order the same and namely when Bees want meat and are in danger to be famished The manner also of making Wax THere is in Candy another strange and wonderful thing as touching hony gathered about the mountaine Carina which taketh nine miles in compasse within which space and circuit of ground there is not a Flie to be had and the honey there made Flies wil not touch in any place wheresoeuer By which experiment this honey is thought to be singular for medicines and therefore choise is made thereof before any other As touching Bee-hiues they ought to stand on the open side vpon the Aequinoctiall Sunne rising that is to say when the daies and nights be equall And in any wise regard would be had that they open not in the Northeast and much lesse the full West The best Bee-hiues be made of barks and rinds of trees the second in goodnesse be those of Ferula or Fenell-geant In the third placeare such as be wrought of oisier twigs Many haue made them of Talc which is a kind of transparent glasse stone because they would see through them how the Bees do worke and labor within Daubed they should be if they were well serued both without within with Oxe dung The couer and lidde thereof ought to be moueable and haue liberty to play vp and down behind that it may be let down far within-forth in case either the hiue be too large of greater receit in proportion than the Bees are in number for feare they should slack their work and giue ouer their trauell dispairing euer to fill the same seeing it so big and of so great capacity and being thus let downe to make their hiue seem the lesse it must be gently drawn vp again by little little that the Bees may be deceiued thereby not perceiue how their worke grows vpon them In Winter time Bee-hiues should be couered with straw oftentimes perfumed with beasts dung especially for this is agreeable to their nature Ouer and besides it killeth the wicked verm in that breed in them Spiders Butterflies and Wood-worms yea and
in the Sea-onion Squilla first sheweth the stalk and then afterwards the floure breaketh out of it The same Squilla floureth thrice in the yeare as I haue said heretofore shewing thereby the three seasons of seednes In the range of these bulbous and onion-rooted plants some place the root of Cyperus that is to say of Gladiolus i. Petie-gladen Flags or Sword-wort this is a sweet root and being sodden or baked with bread it giueth it a more pleasant tast besides it mendeth the weight of bread wel if it be wrought kneaded with it in dough Not vnlike to it is that herbe which they call Thesion but that the root is harsh and vnpleasant Al others of the same kind differ in leafe the Asphodell hath long and narrow leaues Squilla is broad leafed and may be handled without offence wheras the Gladen leafe is like a sword blade indeed and keen-edged according to the name both in Greek and Latine The Asphodell seed is good to be eaten if it be parched or fried so is the bulbous root of it also but this should be rosted vnder the embers then eaten with salt and oile Ouer and besides if it be stamped with figs it is an excellent dish and this indeed according to Hesiodus is the only way to dresse it Moreouer it is said that Asphodels planted before the gates of any ferme house in the countrey preserue the place from all charms and sorceries Homer also the Poet hath made mention of the Asphodell The root resembleth Navews of a mean bignesse and there is not another root with more heads for oftentimes a man shal see 80 bulbs clustred in a bunch together Theophrastus and all Greeke writers almost and namely Pythagoras the chiefe prince of Philosophers describe this plant to haue a stem of of one cubit in length yea and oftentimes of two with leaues like to wild Porret and the sayd stem they called Anthericon but the root i. those bulbs resembling onions Asphodelas but our countrymen haue named in Latin the stem Albucus but the root Hastula Regia This is the name also of the stalk full of grains or berries and thereof they would make two kinds the male and the female Well the stem of the Asphodell then is commonly a cubit long large and big clean and smooth Of this herb Mago hath written and ordained that it should be cut down in the going out of March and entrance of Aprill namely after it hath don flouring and before that the seed be swelled and grown to any bignesse then vpon the fourth day after when the said stems are slit and clouen they must be laid abroad to drie in the Sunne when they be dried they ought to be made vp into knitchets or handfuls He saith moreouer that the Greeks name that herb Pistana which we cal in Latin Sagitta growing in marishes and moores among other fenny weeds This also would he haue to be cut downe and gathered betweene the Ides of May and the end of the month of October then to be pilled and so to be dried by little and little with the moderat heat of the Sun The same author giueth order likewise that the other kind of Gladiolus which they call Cypiros which also is an herbe growing about lakes and meeres any time within Iuly should be cut downe to the very root and the third day after to be dried in the Sun vntill it looke white but euery day that it lieth abroad it must be brought into the house before the Sun go downe because all herbs growing vpon marish grounds take harm by dewes in the night CHAP. XVIII ¶ Of Rushes six kinds and of Cyperus their medicinable vertues Of Cypirus and the sweet Rush Scoenanth MAgo writing of the Rush commonly called Mariscon saith That for to twist and weaue into mats it ought to be gathered out of the marish ground where it groweth in Iune vntill mid-Iuly As for the drying of it the same order must be obserued in all points as we haue set downe before in the discourse of other marais weeds Hee maketh a second kinde of water Rushes which I find to be called the sea Rusn and of the Greekes Oxyschoenon i. the sharp Rush which also is subdiuided into three other sorts for there is the barren rush called also the male in Greek Oxys the female Rush bearing a black seed which they call Melancranis This is thicker than the other fuller also of branches and tufts And the third more than it which is named Holoschoenus Of all these Melancranis commeth vp of the own seed without any other kinds intermingled with it but Oxys and Holoschoenus grow both together out of one turfe Of all others the great Rush Holoschoenus is best for to be wrought in mats and such like implements about an house because it is soft and fleshy it beareth a fruit hanging clustering together in maner of fish spawn As for that rush which we called the male it groweth of it selfe by reason that his top fasteneth in the ground and so taketh root by way of propagation but Melancranis soweth her owne selfe and commeth vp of feed for otherwise their race would perish considering the roots of them all euery yere do die These Rushes are vsed to make leaps and weels for fishers at sea fine dainty wicker vessels also candle-wick matches especially the marow or pith within which is so great especially about the foot of the Alps reaching to the sea-side that when a Rush is slit there is found in the belly a pith almost an inch broad by the rule And in Egypt there be found Rushes so big that they will serue to make sieues rangers and vans In such sort that the Egyptians can finde no matter for that purpose better Some there be that would haue the triangled or three square rush Cyperus to be a seuerall kind by it selfe This Cyperus many there be that cannot distinguish from Cypirus by reason of the great affinity of their two names but I mean to put a difference betweene them both for Cypirus is the Petie-glader or Sword-grasse as I haue before shewed with a bulbous or onion root the best of which kind groweth in the Island of Crete next to it in goodnesse is that of the Isle Naxos and in a third degree is to placed that of Phoenice and indeed that of Crete or Candy in whitenesse and odor commeth neere to Nard The Naxian Cypirus hath a quicker sent the Phoenician Cypirus smelleth but a little as for that in Egypt it hath no sauor at all for there also groweth Cypirus But now to come vnto the properties thereof it hath vertue to discusse and resolue hard swellings in the body For now my purpose is to speake of their medicinable vertues forasmuch as there is great vse in Physicke as well of such aromaticall simples as odoriferous floures As touching Cypirus therefore I professe verily that I will follow
as would trouble and disquiet the head Violets being drunk with water doe cure the Squinancie That which is purple in the floure of the Violets helpeth the falling euil in children especially if they drink it with water Violet seed resisteth the poison of scorpions Contrariwise the floure of the white Violet to wit the bulbous stocke-Gillofre is good to break all impostumat swellings whereas March violets did resolue them But as wel the white Violets as the yellow wall-floures are singular good to extenuate the grosse bloud of womens terms and to moue vrine Violets if they be fresh and new gotten are not so effectuall for these purposes as the dry and old gathered and therefore they would haue a whole yeares drying before they be vsed The wall-floure being taken to the quantitie of halfe a cyath in three cyaths of water stirreth womens fleurs and draweth them downe A liniment made with the root and vinegre together do mitigate and allay the pain of the spleen likewise it asswageth the gout and being tempered with myrrh and saffron it is singular for inflammations of the eyes The leaues mixed with hony clense the head from scurfe and skall reduced into a cerot it healeth vp the chaps in the seat or fundament as also all such Fissures in any moist place whatsoeuer And with vinegre they be good for all collections of humors and apostemations Bacchar also is an herb whereof there is good vse in physick Some of our countrymen haue called it in Latine Perpensa It affourdeth a good remedie against serpents it qualifieth the excessiue heat of the head allaieth the ach and restraineth the flux of humours downe into the eyes A cataplasme is made thereof for womens breasts swelling immediatly after childbirth for to breake the kernell Also for fistulous vlcers beginning to breed betweene the corners of the eies and of the nose and Saint Anthonies fire The very odour thereof is a good inducement to sleep The root sodden and taken in drink is singular for them that are troubled with cramps and convulsions that haue fallen from on high that be drawn togetther with spasmes and finally for such as labor for wind A decoction made of three or foure of the roots boiled away to the thirds is giuen with good successe for an old cough And this drink or Iuleb is very conuenient for to purge women that haue trauelled and bin deliuered before their time It taketh away the stitches in the side cureth the pleurisie and skoureth the stone Herof be bags and quilts made and those if they be laid in a wardrobe among cloathes and apparel causeth them to smell sweet As for Combretum which I said was much like vnto Bacchar if it be beaten to pouder and tempered with hogs grease it maketh a soueraign salue that healeth wounds wonderfully Asarum by report is an appropriat medicine for the liuer if an ounce of it be taken in one hemine of honied wine It purgeth the belly as violently as Ellebore In case of the dropsy it is singular as also for the midriffe precordial parts the Matrice and the Iaunise If it be put into new wine when it worketh and so tunned vp it maketh a singular diuretick wine for to prouoke vrin It must for this purpose be digged out of the ground when the leaues begin to put forth Dried it ought to be in the shade although it be subiect to corruption and mouldeth very soon CHAP. XX. ¶ Of French Nard and Saffron The medicinable vertues of Saffron and the cake or dregs thereof Of Saliunca Polium and Floure de-lis Of Holochryson Chrysocome and Melilote FOrasmuch as some haue taken rustick-Nard to be the root of Bacchar and so named it the which hath put me in mind of French Nard and the promise which I made in my treatise of strange and forrein trees to put off no longer than this place for to speake of it and the properties thereto belong To acquit my selfe therefore I will here set down the vertues of the said Nard as touching the vse thereof in Physicke First therefore if two drammes of French Nard be taken in wine it is singular against the sting and biting of serpents Item if one drinke it either in wine or water it easeth the passions of the Collick proceeding from the inflammation of the gut Colon. In like sort it cureth the inflaammtion of the liuer and the reins the ouerflowing also of the gal and the Iaunise thereupon Taken alone by it selfe or with Wormewood it is a good remedy for the Dropsie It represseth the immoderat flux of womens fleurs As touching Setwall or Valerian which in the foresaid place we named Phu the * root either beaten into pouder or sodden and so giuen in drinke is excellent for the rising of the Mother which threatneth suffocation for the pains of the breast and pleurisie The same prouoketh the course in womens terms so it be taken in wine Saffron will not resolue nor be mixed wel with hony or any sweet thing Howbeit in wine or water it wil dissolue very soon and be incorporated therewith A soueraign spice this is singular for many maladies The best way to keep saffron is within a box of horn It discusseth verily all inflammations but principally those of the eies if together with an egge it be applied in forme of a liniment Excellent it is for the suffocation of the matrice the exulcerations of the stomacke breast kidnies liuer lungs and bladder and more particularly if any of these parts be enflamed a proper remedie also it is in that case Likewise it cureth the cough pleurisie It killeth an itch and prouoketh vrin Our wine-knights when they purpose to sit square at the tauerne and carouse lustily if they drinke Saffron neuer feare surfeit nor the ouerturning of their braine and they are verily persuaded that this keepeth them from drunkennesse and maketh them carie their drinke well Certes a Chaplet of Saffron vpon the head dooth allay the fumes ascending vp thither and preuent drunkennesse Saffron induceth sleep but it troubleth the braine somewhat it pricketh forward to wanton lust The floure of Saffron reduced into a liniment with white Fullers earth helpeth the Shingles and S. Anthonies fire And saffron it self entereth into very many compositions of Physicke One Collyrie or eye-salue there is which taketh the name also of saffron And when the ointment made of Saffron called Crocinium is strained and pressed out the grounds which remaine is named Crocomagma which also is not without some speciall vses for it cureth the suffusion of the eyes or the cataract but it causeth ardeur and heat of vrine more than Saffron it selfe The best is that accounted which if a man tast in his mouth doth colour his spittle and staine his teeth As touching the Flower-de-lis the red is thought to be better than the white Certes if little infants do wear it tied about them by way of necklace collar
being chewed staieth bleeding in a wound To conclude some haue written that it expelleth the stone and grauell CHAP. X. ¶ Of the Caltrop thistle Tribulus The sundry kinds thereof and the medicines which they yeeld SOme of these Thistles come vp in gardens others grow in and about riuers only The juice which is drawne from these is thought to be good for the eies for this herb being as it is of a cooling nature is a singular remedy for inflammations and gathering of imposthumes A good medicine for all vlcers but those especially which break out of themselues in the mouth it cureth likewise those of the Amygdales or almonds of either side of the throat If it be taken in drink it fretteth breaketh the stone The Thracians dwelling vpon the riuer Strymon feed their horses fat with the leaues of this herb and liue themselues with the kernels or fruit therof making a kind of sweet bread therewith which also bindeth the belly The root if it be gathered by the chast and pure hands of a virgin discusseth and dissolueth the kings euill The seed if it be tied to the swelling vains assuageth their pain Lastly being beaten into pouder and cast into water it killeth the fleas in any place where that water is thrown or sprinckled CHAP. XI ¶ Of Stoebe and the medicines which it affoordeth SToebe which some call Phleon boiled in wine is a soueraigne remedy for eares that run with atter likewise for bloud shotten eies especially vpon a stripe or stroke giuen Beeing ministred by way of clyster it is good for the bloudy flix and the exulceration of the guts CHAP. XII ¶ Of Hippophyes and Hippope with iheir medicinable vertues HIppophyes is an hearbe growing in grauelly and sandy places and namely along the sea-side armed with white prickes or thornes it beareth berries by clusters after the manner of Iuie and those be partly white partly red The root is ful of a certain juice which is good either to be condite and confected alone or els to be reduced into Troschs with Eruile meale this being taken to the weight of one Obolus purgeth cholericke humors and a most wholesome medicine it is especially with honied wine Another herb ther is named Hippope which neither riseth vp in stalk nor beareth floure but hath leaues only and those small The juice also of this herb is wonderfull good for those who are in a dropsie Where it is to be noted That these two herbs should haue some especiall properties respectiue to the nature of horses considering both their names are deriued from nothing else for in very truth some things there be which Nature hath brought forth as appropriat remedies for certain particular beasts whereby we may see her diuine power and how wel appointed she is and prouided for to bring forth medicines of all sorts so as the depth of her prouidence canot be sounded neither are we able sufficiently to admire her wit and descrition in disposing and digesting her remedies according to sundry kinds of creatures according to diuers causes and different seasons insomuch as the remedies seruing one are not fitted for another neither are they of the same effect and operation at all times nay there is not a day almost in the yere throughout but it yeeldeth a remedy respectiue vnto it CHAP. XIII ¶ Of the Nettle and the medicinable vertues thereof IS there any thing more hated and odious than the Nettle and yet to say nothing of the oile made of it in Egypt according as we haue shewed heretofore indued shee is and furnished with many good properties seruing for Physick For first as touching Nettle seed Nicander affirms That it is a very counterpoison against Hemlock venomous mushrums and Quick siluer Apollodorus addeth moreouer and saith That being boiled in the broth of a Tortoise it is singular good for the poison of Salamanders also that it is contrary to the pernicious nature of Henbane and the deadly poyson of serpents namely of scorpions Euen that very bitternesse and mordacity which the Nettle hath causeth the Vvula in the mouth which is falne to knit vp againe the matrice also which is ouer-loose and beareth downe to arise into the place yea and the tuill or fundament in children hanging forth of the body to return abide where it ought to be only with touching these parts therewith If the legs be rubbed and the forehead especially with Nettles it is a good meanes to awake them out of their drowsie and dead sleep who are surprised with a lethargy The same being applied with salt is passing good for the biting of dogs If it be bruised and put vp to the nosthrils it stancheth bleeding at the nose but principally the root of it If it be tempered with salt it mundifieth cancerous and foule filthie vlcers likewise it helpeth dislocations and bones out of joint it discusseth or ripeneth botches in the emunctories and the swelling kernels behind the eares and healeth vp the places where the fleshy parts be gon from the bones Nettle seed taken in wine cuit as a drinke openeth the matrice when it is ready to strangle or suffocate a woman and being applied with wine it staieth bleeding at the nose If one driake Nettle seed after supper with hony and water to the quantity of two oboles weight it openeth the passages maketh way for to womit with greater facility but the weight of one Obolus taken in wine refresheth those who haue a lassitude or wearinesse vpon them The same being parched against the fire and drunk to the measure of one Acetabulum is singular for the imperfections of the matrice and in cuit it withstandeth the ventosities and inflations of the stomack Giuen inwardly with hony in the form of a loch it doth them good who labor for wind and cannot take their breath but sitting vpright and after the same manner it cutteth fleame and clenseth the brest of it Being applied in a bag together with line-seed it taketh away the stitch and pain in the sides but some put hyssope therto and a little pepper A liniment made therewith cureth the spleen Being parched or rosted and so â—…aten with meat it keepeth the body soluble And Hippocrates affirmeth that the said seed is very good to be taken in drink for to cleanse the matrice in women and being so parched and giuen to the quantity of one Acetabulum in sweet wine cuit it allaieth the griefe and paine of the said part in case withall there be a cataplasme applied to the region thereof together with the juice of Mallows If it be taken in hydromel i. honied water together with salt it expelleth by his saying the worms in the belly Applied in a liniment to the bare and naked places of the head it causeth the haire to grow again and bringeth all to the former beauty Many do vse to make a cataplasme of Nettle-seed and old oile or els stamp the leaues together with
Bears grease for the pain of the gout and verily for that purpose as also for the spleen the root pouned with vineger is no lesse effectuall Being boiled in wine it discusseth and driueth down risings in the groine and such like emunctories so it be laid too with old hogs grease salted But the same root dry is a very depilatorie and fetcheth haire off Phanias the naturall Philosopher and Physitian in a seuerall treatise which he made in the praise of Nettles professeth That he knoweth not the like remedy to the Nettle boiled first and then condite for the windpipe the cough the distillation and flux of the belly the stomacke the biles and botches in the emunctories the swelling and inflamed kernels behind the eares and kibed heels The same with oile procureth sweat and sodden with muscles and such like shell-fishes it moueth to the stoole with ptisane or barly broth it purgeth the brest and sendeth down womens terms applied with salt it restraineth vlcers that be corrosiue and apt to run spread farther The juice also of the Nettle serueth to many vses for being pressed forth laied as a liniment to the forehead in a frontall it stancheth bleeding at the nose The same taken in drinke prouoketh vrine and breaketh the stone but if one gargle with it it staies the Vvula from falling as for the seed it ought to be gathered in haruest time that which is brought from Alexandria is esteemed best for all the particular diseases aboue rehearsed the kinder and gentler Nettles also euen those that be yong and tender are knowne to be of good operation but principally that wild kind beforesaid and this property moreouer it hath To rid away the leprosie out of the face if it be taken in wine Finally if a soure-sooted beast will not abide to be couered or serued with the male of that kind an ordinary practise it is to rub the nature or shap with a Nettle for that will make her stand to the fellow CHAP. XIIII ¶ Of Lamium and the medicinable vertues thereof AS touching that dead-Nettle which among the other kinds we named before Lamium i. Archangell it is the mildest of all others and most tractable for the leaues bite not nor sting at all The same if it be applied with some corns of salt to contusions and bruises to deep burns the Kings euill swellings gouts and wounds cureth them all The white that it hath in the mids of the leafe is singular for S. Anthonies fire the shingles and such like Some there be of our Latine writers who treating of Nettles haue couched them in their ranks respectiuely to the time saying That the root of a Nettle which commeth in the Autumne cureth the tertian ague but it must be tied fast to the Patient and these ceremonies are to be obserued also in the taking it forth of the ground That the party be named for whom it is gathered the feuer also of what type or kind it is yea and who be the parents of the sick person and then hee or shee shall be sure to be deliuered of that disease The said root with the same circumstances is of the like operation to driue away the quartan ague also The selfesame authors do assirme moreouer That the root of a Nettle being applied with salt draweth forth all thorns and shiuers that stick within the flesh Also that a cataplasm of the leaues and hogs grease incorporat together doth resolue the scrophules or swelling kernels called the Kings-euill or if they are come to suppuration eateth and worketh them forth and doth incarnat fil vp the place again CHAP. XV. ¶ Of the herb Scorpius the sundry kinds thereof and the medicinable properties THere is an herb called Scorpius which took that name of the resemblance that the head hath to a scorpions taile Few leaues it beareth but according to the name it is good against the sting of scorpions Another herb there is of the same appellation of like effect to the other but it sheweth no leaues at all the stalke is smooth and resembleth garden Sperage in the top or head whereof there is a pricke to be seen like a sting which gaue occasion of the foresaid name CHAP. XVI ¶ Of Leucacantha and the vertues thereof good in Physicke THe Greeks some cal this Thistle Leucacantha or the white thistle others Phyllon some Ischias others Polygonaton but be the name what it will it hath a root resembling that of Cyperus which if it be chewed in the mouth allaieth the tooth-ache Hicesius saith likewise That if either the seed or the juice of the root therof be taken in drinke to the weight of eight drams it assuageth the pain of the sides and loins The same also cureth ruptures convulsions and crampes CHAP. XVII ¶ Of Helxine or Perdicium called also Parthenium or Sideritis and the vertues medicinable AS for Helxine some cal it Perdicium because Partridges delight most to feed thereupon others name it Sideritis and many giue it the name of Parthenium Leaues it carrieth of a mixt form and resemblance between Plantain and Horehound The branches or small stalks grow in thick tufts and those be of a light reddish colour the seed in the head of a Bur kind which sticketh to folks cloaths whereupon they would haue it to be called Helxine But in the former booke I haue described the form of the right Helxine or Parietarie indeed The property of this herb is to giue a tincture or die to wooll it healeth the shingles and S. Anthonies fire it cureth swellings and all apostemations of humours yea and also burnes The juice thereof incorporat with ceruse or white lead and so applied serueth greatly for biles and botches S. Anthonies fire tumors gatherings and risings in the flesh yea and helpeth them whose throat begins to swell Also if a man take the quantity of one cyath thereof it cureth inueterat and old coughs it healeth all infirmities either occasioned by phlegmatick humors or els incident to moist parts like as with oile rosat it is a proper medicine for the accidents of the amygdales about the passage to the throat and for the swelling of veins Moreouer if it be reduced into the form of a cerot with goats suet and wax of Cypres and so applied it cureth the gout Moreouer Perdicium or Parthenium for Sideritis is another herb our countreymen cal in Latine Vrceolaris of others Astericum In leafe it is like to Basil saue only that it is blacker it groweth vpon tile-houses and old decaied wals and such ruinous places Being beaten into powder applied with corns of salt it hath the same operation that the Nettle Lamium and cureth the self same diseases and the one is vsed in like sort as the other if the juice be drunk hot it is singular for inward and secret imposthumes ful of filthy matter and driueth them outward Also it is
who saith that it delighteth principally to grow vnder the Yuie tree which if it be taken to the weight of 3 oboli in a sextar of water helpeth those that haue their heads bodies drawn far back and such as be troubled with the contraction and shrinking of sinues As touching Acanthus or Brankursine an herb it is cherished much is gardens proper for vinets and story-workes bearing vpright and long leaues wherewith beds-sides and borders of quarters in gardens are decked and beautified Two kinds there be of it one with pricky leaues in maner of thistles and the same jagged which is the lesse lower of the twain but the greater which some in Greek call Paederos others Melamphyllon is smooth leaued The leaues of this Brankursine being applied are wondrous good for burns and dislocations Also being sodden with meat and especially with Ptisane or husked barly it is singular for those who are bursten troubled with the crampe and subiect to the consumption of the lungs Also if they be stamped and reduced into the form of a liniment and laid too hot they cure the gouts proceeding from an hot cause The herb Bupleuron is reckoned by the Greeke writers in the number of worts that grow of themselues a stem it hath of a cubit in height many leaues and those growing long in a spoke-tuft or rundle in the head in maner of Dill highly commended by Hippocrates for good meat but Glycon and Nicander praise it as much for the vse thereof in Physick and in very truth the seed is powerfull against serpents The leaues also or the very juice incorporate with wine into the form of a liniment they imploy for to bring down the afterbirth of women newly deliuered as also the leaues with salt and Wine are vsed by way of cataplasme for to dissolue the swellings called the Kings euill As for the root it is vsually giuen in wine against venomous serpents and to prouoke vrine * Buprestis is an herb about which the Greek writers haue shewed themselues namely how inconstant and light of credit they be in that they haue so highly praised it to be a speciall wholsom meat yea and a singular remedie against poisons For the very name sheweth euidently that it is a poison it selfe of kine and oxen at lestwise And they themselues do confesse that if such cattel tast of Buprestis it wil make them inraged and fall a gadding vntil they burst in sunder And therefore I will not speak any more of this herb for there is no reason that may induce me to describe these venimous weeds among those that serue for the green garlands aforesaid made of grasse vnlesse haply it be this That some one or other would seek after this herbe to weare it in a chaplet for lust-sake which indeed they say it wil prouoke no lesse that way than if it were taken in drinke Elaphoboscon is an herb growing vp with a main stem after the maner of Fenel-geant the same is full of knots and joints as thick as a mans finger The seed is made after the fashion of berries hanging downe in maner of Sili or Siler-mountaine howbeit nothing bitter they are and the leaues resemble those of Alisanders This herb is taken for a commendable meat and in truth is kept also and preserued a long time confected and condite for a singular remedie to procure vrin to allay the pain of the sides in the pleurisie to heale ruptures to cure convulsions and cramps to discusse ventosities to asswage the dolorous torment of the collicke yea and as a very countre-poyson against the sting of serpents and all other creatures armed with stings for the report goeth That stags and hindes by feeding thereupon withstand the venom of Serpents The root also reduced into a liniment with Sal-nitrum put thereto and incorporate together cureth old sores called fistulaes But the said root ought to be dried first for those purposes to the end that it should not be full of the own juice and moisture and yet this humour dulleth not the vertue thereof nor maketh it lesse effectuall against the sting of serpents Touching the herb * Scandix the Greeks haue ranged it also among the wild worts or pot-herbs good for to be eaten according to Opion and Erasistratus The same being sodden knitteth the belly and stoppeth a laske The seed taken with vinegre presently stayeth the yox or hicquet it prouoketh vrin and serueth well in a liniment to heale vp burns The juice of it being boiled to a juleb is good for the stomack liuer kidnies and bladder This is the herb which Aristophanes the Comaedian twitted the Tragicall Poet Euripides by obiecting vnto him merily by way of a scoffe that his mother who was a gardener vsed to sit in the market and sel neuer a good wort or pot-herb indeed but made her markets only of Scandix And verily I would say that * Anthriscus were the same herb if it had smaller tenderer and sweeter leaues This peculiar praise and commendable propertie it hath that if the body be ouerlayed and wearied with the vse of women it restoreth the spirits and refresheth them again Yea such as be wel stept in yeares and begin to droup it maketh lusty and able to perform the act of generation youthfully It stayeth the flux of the whites in women Moreouer * Iasione is counted also a wilde wort comming vp of it selfe and good to be eaten This herb creepeth by the ground full of milk it is and beareth a white floure which some call Concilium The like name and commendation there goeth of this herbe for stirring vnto letcherie Being taken raw with meat in a vinegre sauce it breedeth plenty of milke in women A singular restoratiue it is for them that feele themselues wearing decaying by a consumption A liniment made therwith and applied to the head of yong infants causeth hair to come vp thicke and by shutting the pores of the skin more close it is a means to retain the hair still that it shed not easily As for * Caucalis an herb like to Fenel but that it hath a short stalke and a white floure it is good also to be eaten and is besides counted a cordial A drink likewise is made of the juice thereof passing comfortable to the stomack of power to prouoke vrin to expel grauel stone and to stay the itching within the bladder it doth subtiliat the grosse and tough flegm which causeth obstructions in the spleen liuer and kidnies The seed being taken inwardly helps forward the monthly sicknesse of women when it stayeth vpon them and drieth vp the cholericke humors which flow after child-birth or the after burden It is giuen also to men for the spilling of natural seed or the running of the reins Chrysippus is of opinion that it is singular good to help women for to conceiue if they be desirous of children But the maner
is to drinke it in wine next the heart fasting And as Petricus the Poet hath deliuered in verse a liniment of this herb is singular against the poisons of venomous sea-beasts Among these herbs is reckoned * Sion a plant growing in waters of it selfe with leaues like Parsly or Smallach but that they be larger fatter of a deeper blackish green it beareth seed plentifully and in tast resembleth water-Cresses It is thought to be excellent good for those that canot make water for the diseases of the reins and paine of the spleene yea and for women whose monethly termes are suppressed whether the substance thereof be taken as meat or the juice of the herb decocted or the seed drunk in wine to the weight of two drams It breaks the stones ingendred within the body and notwithstanding it groweth in water yet it euacuateth those aquosities and waterie humors which ingender the same Being clisterized it helps those that haue the bloudy flix If women anoint their faces with a liniment made of it ouer-night it doth embellish their skin at one instant and with one dressing yea it taketh away the pimples and spots that disfigure the face in maner of Lentils This ointment is held also to be good for the farsins and such sores in horses and such like beasts and to mitigat the grieuous paines and trouble of any ruptures As concerning Silybus an herbe like vnto the white Chamaeleon and as full of thornes it groweth abundantly in Cilicia Syria and Phoenice and yet in these countries they make not so much account of it as to bestow the dressing of it it asketh so much adoe in the kitchen before it be in case to be serued vp in the hall And for physicke there is no goodnesse in it at all The plant * Scolymus is vsed also much to be eaten in the East parts where they call it by another name Limonia It neuer exceedeth a cubit in height the leaues be crested the root blacke but yet sweet Eratosthenes commendeth it as a principal dish for a poor mans table and it is said that it hath a special vertue to prouoke vrine and with vinegre if it be applied to cure the soule tettars called Lichenes and the leprosie also by the testimony of Hesiodus and Alcaeus if it be taken in wine it inciteth to wantonnesse and fleshly pleasures These Poets doe write That when this hearb doth flourish and is at the best then grashoppers chaunt loudest and sing most shril and as women at such a time be most desirous of mens company and hottest in lust so contrariwise men are most loth to turn vnto them and least able to content their appetite as if Nature to satisfie the pleasure of these good wiues had prouided against that faint season the help of the Artichoke as a viand most powerful at this time to set their husbands in a heat and to enable them to that businesse Moreouer an ounce of the root cleansed from the pith sodden to the thirds in three hemines of the best Falerne wine and either taken in drinke vpon an emptie stomack presently after that one hath sweat and is new come soorth of the Baine or else to the quantitie of one cyath immediatly after euery meale doth correct and take away the stinke and ranke smell of the arme-pits And a straunge thing it is that Xenocrates affirmeth vpon his owne experience and promiseth That this decoction is of such efficacie that it causeth the said strong sent to passe away by the vrine Moreouer the Sowthistle is an hearbe for to be eaten for we read in the Poet Callimachus That the poore old woman Hecale at what time as prince Theseus fortuned on necessitie to take his repast in her simple cottage made him a feast and set before him a principal dish of Sowthistles Two kinds there be of them the white and the black both like vnto lectuce but that they are full of pricks They run vp into a stalke of a cubite in height the same is cornered and hollow within but breake it and you shall see it run out with milke plentifully The white which hath that bright colour of the milke within it is thought to bee as good as Lectuces for those that be streight winded and cannot take their breath but vpright Erasistratus sheweth plainely That if it be eaten it expelleth grauell by vrine and chewed only it correcteth the stinking sauour of the mouth and causeth one to haue a sweet breath The juice thereof drawn to the measure of three ciaths made hot in white wine and oile and so taken helpeth women in labor that they may be soone deliuered but presently after they haue drunk it they ought to stir their bodies and walke vp and down their chamber Also it is vsed to be sodden in broth and so supped vp The very stalke therof being boiled maketh milch nources to haue good store of milk and the children at their breast to be better coloured But most excellent it is for such nources as feele their milk to cruddle in their breasts The juice thereof dropped into the ears doth them much good and a measure of one cyath drunk hot is as good for the strangurie But in the fretting and gnawing of the stomack it would be taken with Cucumber seed and Pine-nut kernils Applied in form of a liniment it cureth the apostemations in the fundament A drinke is made thereof which is a countrepoison against serpents and scorpions but then the root also must be laid outwardly vnto the sore place The same root boiled with oile within the pill of a pomgranat is a good remedie for the paines and maladies of the ears Note that all these vertues must be vnderstood of the white Sowthistle And Cleemporus doth accord hereunto as touching the white but he alloweth in no wise to eat of the black for he is of opinion that it breedeth diseases Agathocles also prescribeth the juice of the white Sowthistle to them who haue drunk Bulls bloud and suspect themselues poysoned therwith Howbeit they be all agreed that the blacke is refrigeratiue in which regard it ought to be applied outwardly with Barly groats Zenon declareth That the root of the white Sow-thistle cureth the strangurie As for Chondrillon or Chondrille it hath leaues like to Endiue or Cichory leaues gnawed or eaten round about a stem not a foot high and the same full of a bitter iuice a root like vnto Beane and otherwhile there be many of them together This hearbe putteth forth close to the ground a certain kind of gum like Mastick swelling out to the bignesse of a Bean which being applied to the naturall parts of women is said to draw down their monthly courses The same hearbe being stamped root and all together and digested into trosches is thought to bee singular good against serpents and a probable reason herof is collected because the field mice and rats when they are stung by
drink The leaues boiled in rain water together with the barke of the blacke fig-tree and the vine do make a lauature or water to colour the haire blacke The iuice of mulberries doth work speedily and prouoke to the siege and the very fruit or mulberry it selfe for the present is comfortable to the stomacke it cooleth for the time but bringeth thirst with it If a man eat them alone or last and lay no other meat vpon them they swell in the stomack and be very flatuous The juice drawn out of vnripe mulberries are of vertue to bind the belly In sum there be strange and wonderfull properties worthy to be obserued in this tree which seemeth to haue some sense and vnderstanding as if it were a liuing and sensible creature whereof I haue already written more at large in the description of it and the nature thereof There is a notable composition made of mulberries respectiue to the mouth and throat called thereupon Panchrestos Stomatice and by another name Arteriace the receit and making whereof is in this manner Recipe of the juice drawne out of Mulberries three sextars seeth it ouer a gentle and soft fire or rather let it stew in balneo Mariae vntil it be reduced to the consistence of hony afterwards put thereto of veriuice made of dried grapes the weight of two deniers or drams of myrrhe the poise of one denier of saffron likewise one dram or denier Let these ingredients I say be first beaten to pouder such I mean as need pulverising and so mingle them together with the foresaid decoction and put it vp for your vse A better and more pleasant medicine there is not for the mouth the windpipe the uvula and the stomack There is another way of making it in this sort Take of the juice aforesaid the quantity of two measures called sextars of Atticke hony one sextar seeth them together as before Many maruels besides are reported of this tree of which I will giue you a little tast Spie where the little mulberries that shall be are newly knit to wit when the tree first buddeth and before the leaues be fully out gather their yong knots of the fruit toward which the Greeks call Ricinos but in any case with the left hand take heed also that they touch not the ground how soeuer you do and if when you haue obserued these circumstances you weare them about your wrests hang them about your necke or otherwise tie them about you be sure they will stanch bloud whether it gush downe from your nosthrils flow out of a wound run out of the mouth or issue by the haemorrhoid veins And in truth folke vse to keepe these little buds or knots very carefully for this purpose The same vertue and operation the branches haue as they say but then they must be broken from the tree at the full of the moon when they begin to knit giue some hope of fruit if the same touch not the ground then they haue a speciall property respectiue vnto women for to restrain the immoderat flux of their monthly terms being tied or fastened to their arms And it is thought that they work this effect if the woman her selfe do gather them at any time whensoeuer prouided alwaies that the branch in any wise touch not the ground and that shee weare it fast about her in manner aforesaid The leaues of the mulberry tree stamped greene or beeing dry and boiled serue in a cataplasme to be applied vnto those places which are stung by serpents the same good they do also if they be taken in drink The juice of the bark which grew to the root if it be drunk either in wine or oxycrat i. vineger and water together is singular against the pricke of scorpions But here I must set downe the compositions that our antients deuised and made of mulberries first and formost they tooke a quantity of the juice pressed out of mulberries as well ripe as vnripe which they sod in a brasse pan vnto the consistence or thicknesse of honey Some vsed to put thereunto myrrh and Cypresse setting all to frie and take their fermentation in the sun vntil it grew to hardnesse in the foresaid vessell stirring it thrice a day with a spatule This was the stomaticall medicine of the antients which they vsed also in healing skinning vp wounds And yet there was another kind made after this sort they pressed forth the juice of the vnripe mulberries but first they let the said fruit to be very wel dried this serued them in lieu of sauce which gaue an excellent tast to their other meats In physick also they imploied it much namely about corrosiue and eating vlcers and for to euacuat tough fleame out of the brest they vsed it also as need required as an astrictiue to corroborat the noble and principall parts within the body It stood them also in good stead for collutions to wash the teeth withall Moreouer a third kind of juice they had which they drew from the leaues and roots after they were wel boiled and with this juice oile together they were woont to annoint any burnt or scalded place of the body for which purpose the leaues also they applied alone without more ado As touching the root of the Mulberry tree it yeeldeth in haruest time by way of incision an excellent juice for the tooth-ach for biles and impostumes especially such as are growne to suppuration and be at hand to break the same purgeth the belly The leaues of the Mulberry tree infused soked in vrine fetch off the haire from those skins which are to be courried and dressed Cherries loosen the belly and be hurtfull to the stomack yet if they be hanged vp and dried they do bind the belly and prouoke vrine I find a notable experiment in some authors That if a man eat Chery-stones and all in a morning new gathered from the tree with the dew vpon them they will purge so effectually that he shall find himselfe cleane rid from the gout of the feet if he were diseased that way Medlars all of them except those great ones called Setania which indeed are more like to Apples do close vp the stomack and bind the belly In like manner Sorueises if they be dried for being fresh and new gathered they be good to scoure and send excrements speedily out of the stomacke and belly both CHAP. XVIII ¶ Of Pine-nuts or Pine-apples of Almonds Filberds and Hazell-nuts of Wal-nuts Fisticks Chestnuts Carobs and Cornoils Of the fruit of the Arbut or Strawberry tree and the Bay THe Pine apples or nuts which haue rosin in them if they be lightly bruised and then sodden to the half in water with this proportion to wit one sextar of water to euery such apple do yeeld a decoction singular good for such as reach and spit vp bloud so that the patient drink two cyaths thereof at one time The decoction
medicines which they cal Styptick or astringent there is not a better thing than to boile the root of this blackberry bramble in wine to the thirds and namely to make a collution therwith to wash the cankers or sores breeding in the mouth or to foment the vlcers growing in the fundament And verily of such a binding and astringent force is this bramble that the very spungeous bals that it beareth will grow to be as hard as stones Another kind of brier or bramble there is vpon which groweth a rose some cal it Cynosbatos others Cynospastos it beareth a leafe like to the print or sole of a mans foot A little bal or pill it breedeth furred or bristled much after the maner of the Chestnut which serueth as a speciall remedy for those that be subiect to the stone As for Cynorrhonos it is another plant different from this wherof I will speak in the next book CHAP. XIV ¶ Of Cynosbatos and the Raspice of the Rhamnos and of Lycium and Sarcocolla Of a certaine composition in Physicke called Oporice AS for the bramble named Chamaebatos it beareth certain black berries like grapes within the kernell wherof it hath a certain string like a sinew whereupon it came to be called Newâ—…ospastos it is a different plant from the Caper which the Physitians haue named also Cynosbatos Now the tender stems of the foresaid Cynosbatos or Chamaebatos condite in vineger are good for them to eat who are troubled with the opilation of the spleen with ventosities for it is a singular remedy for those infirmities The string or sinew thereof chewed with Mastick of Chios purgeth the mouth The wild roses that grow vpon this brier being incorporat with swines grease are excellent for to make the haire grow againe when it is shed by some infirmity The beries of these brambles if they be tempred with oile oliue made of green and vnripe oliues colour the haire black The proper season to gather the floures of these brambles that cary beries like to mulberies is in haruest time the white kind of them drunk in wine is a soueraign remedy for the pleurisie the flux of the stomack the root sodden to thethirds stoppeth a lask and staieth the flux of bloud likewise a collution made therwith fastneth loose teeth if they be washed withall The same decoction or liquor is good to foment the vlcers of the seat priuy parts The ashes of the root burnt keep vp the uvula from falling The Raspis is called in Latin Rubus Idaeus because it groweth vpon the mountain Ida and not elswhere so plenteously Now is this bramble more tender lesse in growth it putteth forth also fewer stalkes vpright and those more harmelesse and nothing so pricky as the other brambles before named besides it loueth well to grow vnder the shade of trees The floures of this bramble reduced into a liniment with hony restrain the flux of rheumaticke humors into the eies and keepeth down the spreading of S. Anthonies fire and giuen in water to drink it cureth infirmities of the mouth In all other cases it hath like operations to the former brambles Among the diuers kinds of brambles is reckoned the Rhamne which the Greeks cal Rhamnos notwithstanding that it is whiter more branching than the rest This Rham beareth many flours spreading forth his branches armed with pricks not crooked or hooked as the rest but streight and direct clad also with larger leaues A second kind there is of them growing wilde in the woods blacker than the other yet inclining in some sort to a red colour this carieth as it were certain little cods Of the root of this Rham boiled in water is made the medicine that is called Lycium The seed of this plant draws down the after-birth The former of these two which also is the whiter hath a vertue more astringent and cooling than the other therfore better for impostumations and wounds howbeit the leaues of both either green or boiled are vsed in liniments with oile for the said purpose But as touching Lycium the best of all other is by report made of a certain Thorne tree or bush which they cal Pyxacanthos Chironia the form wherof I haue described among the Indian trees indeed the most excellent Lycium by many degrees is that Indian Lycium thought to be The manner of making this Lycium is in this wise they take the branches of this plant together with the roots which be exceeding bitter after they be well punned and stamped seeth them in water within a brasen pan for three daies together or therabout which don they take forth the wood set the liquor ouer the fire again where it taketh a second boiling so long till it be come to the consistence or thicknes of hony howbeit sophisticated it is many times with some bitter juices yea and with the lees of oile beasts gall The very froth scum in maner of a flory that it casteth vp some vse to put into colyries medicines for the eies The substance of the juice besides is abstersiue it mundifieth the face healeth scabs cureth the exulcerations or frettings in the corners of the eies it represseth old rheumes distillations clenseth ears running with filthy matter represseth the inflammations of the almonds in the mouth called Tonsillae of the gums staieth the cough restraineth the reaching casting of bloud if it be taken to the quantity of a bean being spred in maner of a plaster or liniment and so applied it drieth vp running and watery sores it healeth the chaps and clifts in any part of the body the vlcers of the secret parts seruing for generation any place fretted or galled new and green vlcers yea and such as be corrosiue and withall growing to putrefaction it is singular for the calosities werts or hardcorns growing in the nosthrils and all impostumations moreouer women find great help by drinking it in milke for any violent shift or immoderat flux of their monthly sicknes the best Indian Licium is known by this That the masse or lump therof is black without-forth red within when it is broken but soon it commeth to a black colour An astrictiue medicine this is and bitter withal and hath the same effects which the other Lycium is reported to haue but specially if it be applied to the priuie members of generation As touching Sarcocolla some be of opinion that it is the gum or liquor issuing from a certain thorny plant or bush and they hold that it resembleth the crums of frankincense called Pollen or Manna Thuris in tast seemeth to be sweetish yet quick and sharpe withall This Sarcocoll stamped with wine and so applied represseth all fluxes in a liniment good it is for yong infants This gum also by age and long keeping waxeth black but the whiter is the better thereby is the goodnesse knowne But before I depart from this treatise of
still and beareth vs in hand that in the realme Ariana there is found the herbe Arianis of the colour of fire The inhabitants of that country vse to gather it when the Sun is in the signe Leo and they affirme that if it do but touch any wood besmeared and rubbed ouer with oile it will set the same a burning on a light fire What should I write of the plant Therionarca which whensoeuer it beginneth to come vp and rise out of the ground all the wilde beasts will lie benummed and as it were dead neither can they be raised or recouered again vntill they be sprinkled with the vrine of Hyaena The herb Aethiopis by his report groweth in Meroe for which cause it is called also Merois In leafe it resembleth Lectuce and being drunk in mead or honied water there is not such a remedy againe for the dropsie Ouer and besides he speaketh of the plant Ophiusa found in a country of the same Aethyopia named Elephantine of a leaden hue it is and hideous to see to whosoeuer drinke thereof shal be so frighted with the terrors and menaces of serpents represented vnto their eies that for very feare they shall lay violent hands on themselues and therefore church robbers are inforced to drink it How beit if a man take after it a draught of Date wine he shall not be troubled with any such fearfull visions and illusions Moreouer there is found saith Democritus the herbe Thalassegle about the riuer Indus and thereupon is knowne by another name Potamantis which if men or women take in drink transporteth their sences so far out of the way that they shall imagine they see strange sights As for Theangelis which by his saying groweth vpon mount Libanon in Syria and vpon Dicte a mountain in Candy also about Babylon and Susis in Persia if the wise Phylosophers whom they term Magi drinke of that herb they shal incontinently haue the spirit of prophesie and foretell things to come There is besides in the region called Bactriana about the riuer Borysthenes another strange plant named Gelotophyllis which by his report if one do drink with Myrrh and wine it will cause many fantasticall apparitions and the party shal therupon fal into a fit of laughter without ceasing and intermission and neuer giue ouer vnlesse it be with a draught of Date wine wherein were tempered the kernels of Pine nuts together with pepper and honey Touching the herb of good fellowship Syssitieteris found in Persis it tooke that name because it maketh them exceeding mery who are met together at a feast They call the same herb likewise Protomedia for that it is so highly esteemed among kings and princes And another name it hath besides to wit Acasignete because it commeth vp alone no other herbs neere vnto it yea and one more yet namely Dionysonymphas because wine and it sort so well together and make as it were a good mariage The same Democritus talketh also of Helianthe an herb leaued like to the Myrtle growing in the country Themiscyra and the mountains of Cilicia coasting a long the sea And he giues out that if it be boiled with Lions grease and then together with Safron and Date wine reduced into an ointment the forefaid Magi and the Persian kings therewith annoint themselues to seem thereby more pleasant and amiable to the people which is the reason that the same herb is called Heliocallis Ouer and besides he maketh mention of Hermesias for so he termeth not an herb but a certain composition singular for the getting of children which shall proue faire and of good nature besides Made it is of Pine nut kernels stamped and incorporat with hony Myrrh Safron and Date wine with an addition afterwards of the hearbe Theombrotium and milke and this confection he prescribeth to be drunk by the man a little before the very act of generation but by women vpon their conception yea and after their deliuery all the while they be nources and giue suck and in so doing they may be assured those children of theirs thus gotten bred and reared shall be passing faire and well fauoured of an excellent spirit and courage and in one word euery way good Of all these herbes before specified he setteth down also the very names which the said Magi call them by Thus much for the Magicke herbes found in Democritus his booke Apollodorus one of his disciples and followers comes in with his two herbs to the other before named The one he calleth Aeschynomaene because it draweth in the leaues if one come neare vnto it with the hand the other Crocis which if the venomous spiders Phalangia do but touch they will die vpon it Cratevas writeth of an herb called Oenotheris which being put in wine if any sauage beasts be sprinckled therewith they will become tame gentle and tractable A famous Grammarian of late daies made mention of another herb Anacampseros of this vertue That if a man touched a woman therewith were she departed from him in all the hatred that might be she should come again and loue him entirely The same benefit also should the woman find therby in winning the loue of a man This may suffice for the present to haue written of these wonderfull Magick herbes considering that I meane to discourse more at large of them and their superstition in a more conuenient place CHAP. XVIII ¶ Of Eriphia Lanaria and Stratiotis with the medicines which they yeeld MAny writers haue made mention of Eriphia This herb hath within the straw of the stem a certain flie like a beetle running vp and down and by that meanes making a noise like vnto a yong kid whereupon it took the foresaid name There is not a better thing in the world for the voice than this herb as folk say The herb Lanaria giuen to ewes in a morning when they are fasting causeth their vdders to strout with milk Lactoris likewise is a common herb and as well known by reason that it is so full of milk which causeth vomit if one tast thereof neuer so little Some there be who say that the herb which they cal Militaris is all one with this Lactoris others would haue it to be very like vnto it and that it should haue that name because there is not a wound made with sword or edged weapon but it healeth it within fiue daies in case it be applied thereto with oile Semblably the Greek writers make great reckoning of their Stratiotes but this hearl 〈◊〉 groweth onely in Egypt and namely in floten grounds where the riuer Nilus hath ouerflowed and like it is vnto Sengreen or Housleek but that it hath bigger leaues It is exceeding refrigeratiue and a great healer of green wounds being made into a liniment with vineger moreouer it cureth S. Anthonies fire and all apostumes which are broken and run matter if it be taken in drinke with the male Frankincense it is wonderfull to see
mixe with Fenigreek a fourth part of the seed of garden cresses wel clensed to temper them in the strongest vineger that he could come by which he took to be an excellent medicine for the leprosie Damion ordained to make a drink with half an acetable of Fenigreek seed put into 9 cyaths of cuit or sheere water and so to giue it so prouoking of womens fleurs no man doubts but the decoction of Fenigreeke is most wholsome for the matrice and the exulceration of the guts like as the seed it self is excellent for the ioints precordial parts about the heart But in case it be boiled with Mallows it is good for the matrice guts so there be put to the said decoction some honied wine then giuen in drink for euen the very vapor or fume of the said decoction doth much good to those parts Also the decoction of Fenigreeke seed rectifieth the stinking rank smel of the arm-pits if they be washed therewith The floure made of Fenigreeke seed incorporat with nitre wine quickly clenseth the head of scurfe scales dandruffe But boiled in hydromell i. honyed water and brought into a liniment with hogs grease it cureth the swelling and inflammation of the members seruing to generation likewise it is singular for the broad and flat apostems called Pani the swelling kernels and inflammations behinde the ears the gout as well of the feet as of the hands and other ioints also the putrifaction of the flesh ready to depart from the bone and being incorporat in vineger it helpeth dislocations being boiled in vineger and hony only it serueth as a good liniment for the spleen and tempered with wine it clenseth or mundifieth cancerous sores but put thereto hony it healeth them throughly in a short time The said floure of Fenigreeke seed taken in a broth or supping is an approued remedy for an vlcer within the brest and any inueterat cough but it asketh long seething euen vntill it haue lost the bitternesse and afterwards hony is put thereto and then it is a singular grewell for the infirmities before said Thus you see what may be said of those hearbes which are in comparison but of a mean account it remaineth now to discourse of those which are of more account and estimation than the rest THE TVVENTY FIFTH BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF NATVRE WRITTEN BY C. PLINIVS SECVNDVS CHAP. I. ¶ The nature and properties of Hearbs growing wild and of their owne accord WHen I consider the excellency of such hearbes whereof now I am to treat and which the earth seemeth to haue brought forth onely for the vse of Physick I cannot chuse but grow withall into a wonderfull admiration of the great industry and careful diligence of our Antients before-time who haue made experiments of all things and left nothing vntried neither reserued they afterwards this hidden knowledge to themselues nor concealed ought but were willing to communicate the same vnto posteritie for their good and benefit but we contrariwise in these daies are desirous to keep secret and to suppresse the labors of other men yea and to defraud the world of those commodities which haue been purchased by the sweat of other mens browes for verily we see it is an ordinary course that such as haue attained to some knowledge envie that little skil vnto their neighbours and to keepe all forsooth to themselues and teach none their cunning they thinke the onely way to winne a great name and opinion of some deepe and profound learning And so far be we off from deuising new inuentions and imparting the same to the generall profit of mankinde that for this long time men of great wit and high conceit haue studied and practised to compasse this one point That the good deeds of their Ancestours might with themselues die and be buried for euer But certes wee see and know that the seueral inuentions of some one thing or other haue caused diuers men in old time to be canonized as gods in such sort as their memoriall hath beene eternized by the names euen of hearbes which they found out so thanke full was the age insuing as to recognize and acknowledge a benefit from them receiued and by this meanes in some measure to make recompence This care and industrie of theirs if it had beene imployed in Domesticall Plants neere home which either for pleasure and delight or else for the Kitchin and Table are set and sowed could not haue beene so rare and wonderfull but they spared not to climbe vp the top of high mountaines and to rocks vnaccessible to trauell through blind and vnpeopled desarts to search euery veine and corner of the earth all to find and know the vertues of herbs of what operation the root was for what diseases the leaues were to be vsed yea and to make wholsom medicines for mans health of those simples which the very four-footed beasts of the field neuer fed vpon nor once touched CHAP. II. ¶ The Latine Authors who haue written of herbs and their natures At what time the knowledge of Simples began to be practised and proffssed in Rome The first Greeke writers who trauelâ—…d â—…n this Argument The inuention of herbs The antient Physicke and the manner of curing diseasâ—…s in old time What is the cause that Simples are not now so much vsed for remedies of diseases as they haue bin Finally of the sweet Brier or Eglantine and the herb Dragons with their medicinable vertues WE Romans haue bin more slack and negligent in this behalfe than was beseeming vs considering how otherwise there was not a nation in the world more apprehenâ—… of all vertues and things profitable to this life than ours For to say a truth M. Caâ—…o that famous clerke and great professor so well seen in all good Arts and Sciences was the first and for a long time the only author who wrate of Simples and howsoeuer he handled that argument but briefly and summarily yet he omitted not the leech-craft belonging also to kine and oxen Long after him C. Valgius a noble gentleman of Rome a man of approued literature compiled a treatise of Simples which he left vnperfect howbeit he dedicated the book to â—…ugustus Caesar the Emperor as may appeare by a preface by him begun wherein after a religious and ceremonious manner of supplication he seemeth to beseech the said prince That it might please his Majesty especially to â—…ure all the maladies of mankind And before his time the only man among our Latines as far as euer I could find who wrot of Simples was Pomâ—… us â—…aeus the vassall or freed man of Pompey the Great And this was the first time that the knowledge of this kind of learning was set on foot and professed at Rome For Mithridates the most mightie and puissant king in that age whose fortune notwithstanding was to be vanquished and subdued by Pompey was well knowne vnto the world not only by the fame that went
say Sowbread it staies any bleeding whether it be at the mouth raught vp from out of the body or at the nosthrils whether it run by the fundament or gush from the matrice of women Likewise Lysimachia stancheth bloud either in drink liniment or Errhin put vp into the nose The like effect hath Plantain seed Cinquefoile also both taken inwardly and applied outward ly Moreouer if the nose bleed take the seed of Hemlocke beat it into pouder mixe it with water and so put it vp handsomly into the nosthrils Also Sengreene and the root of Astragulus To conclude wild Hirse called in Greek Ischaemon and Achillaea do stay any issue of bloud CHAP. XIII ¶ Of the herbe Equisetum of Nenuphar Harstrang Sideritis and many more effectuall to stanch bloud Of Stephanomelis and Erisithale Also remedies against wormes and vermine HOrse-taile named in Latine Equisetum and by the Greeks Hippuris an herb which heretofore I disallowed to grow in any medows and it is esteemed the very haire proceeding out of the earth like for all the world to the haire of an Horse-taile if it bee boiled in a new earthen pot neuer occupied before so as the pot be brim full when it is set on the fire and so to continue seething vntill a third part be consumed doth wast the spleen of lackies footmen if for 3 daies together they drink one hemine of the decoction at a time and besides this charge they ought to haue in any wise to forbeare all fat and oily meats for 24 houres before they begin this diet drink In describing of this herb the Greeks do not agree but are of diuers opinions some giue that name to a certain herb with blackish leaues resembling those of the Pine tree and they report a wonderfull vertue thereof and namely that if it doe but touch a man it wil stanch any issue of bloud And as some name it Hippuris so others called it * Ephedros and there be again who giue it the name Anabasis because forsooth as they say it climes vpon trees and hangeth down from thence with many blackish slender haires in manner of rishes resembling horse tailes Small branches it hath ful of joints and few leaues which be also fine and small The * seed that it beareth is round like vnto Coriander and the root of a wooddy substance this kind say they groweth principally in thickets and groues An astringent and binding power it hath The juice if it be conueighed vp into the nosthrils stenteth bleeding at nose though it gushed out from thence it knitteth also the belly and stoppeth a lask Taken in sweet wine to the quantity of 3 cyaths it helpeth the bloudy flix Vrine it prouoketh the cough it staieth and cureth straitnesse of winde when the patient is forced to sit vpright for to draw his breath It healeth ruptures and represseth those sores that loue to spread and run ouer the body The leaues are good to be drunk for the infirmities that offend guts bladder a speciall vertue it hath to cure those that be bursten bellied and haue their guts slipping downe in the bag of their cods The said Greek writers describe also another Horse-taile by the name of Hippuris with shorter softer and whiter haires than the former and they commend it as a soueraigne herb for the sciatica and for wounds to be applied vnto the place with vineger namely for to stanch bloud in which case the root of Nenuphar serueth very well if it be stamped and laid vpon a green wound If a man or woman void bloud at the mouth which doth rise from the parts below there is not a better thing than Harstrang taken in drinke with the seed or berries of the Cypresse tree And as for Sideritis the herb it is so powerfull that way that it stancheth bloud out of hand if it be applied kept fast to the wounds of these sword fencers that fight at sharp bleed they neuer so fresh the which effect we may see in the ashes and coles of Fennell-geant but the toad stoles or Mushrums growing about the root of the said plant doth the feat more surely in case the nose gush out with bloud Hemlock seed also beaten to pouder tempered with water and so put vp is counted very effectuall to stay the bleeding in like maner * Stephanomelis if it be applied with water The pouder of Betonie dried and drunk in Goats milk stancheth bloud issuing out of womens brests by the nepples The same doth Plantaine bruised and laid too in a pultesse The juice of Plantaine is good to be giuen them that vomite bloud For a bloud that runneth vp and downe breaking out one while here and another while there a liniment made of a Burre root and a little swines grease is commended to be excellent For such as be bursten or haue any rupture within be plucked with convulsions or haue faln from on high Centaury the greater the root of Gentian being stamped into pouder or boiled the juice of Betonie be counted singular means to recouer and more than that if a vein be broken by ouermuch straining the voice or the sides Likewise Panaces Scordium and Aristolochia taken in drinke serue well for the same purpose Moreouer if any be bruised within the body or haue bin ouerturned backeward and throwne downe it is good for them to drinke the weight of two oboli of Agarick in three cyaths of honied wine or in case an ague follow them withall in honied water for which purpose serueth also that kind of Verbascum or Mullen the floure whereof resembleth gold the root also of Acorus All the kindes of Housleeke to wit Prick-madam Horse-taile or Stone-crop but indeed the iuice of the biggest is most effectuall In like manner the decoction of Comfrey root and Carot taken raw There is an herbe called Erisithales with a yellow floure and leafed much after the manner of Brankvrsine the same ought to be drunk in wine as also Chamerops in the same case As for Irio it would be giuen in some supping and Plantain may be vsed any way it matters not how which herb hath this good property ouer and besides to cure the lowsie disease whereof Scylla the Dictatour died who was eaten with lice A wonderfull thing that in the very masse of bloud there should be ingendered such creatures to consume mans body But the juice of the wild vine called Vva Taminia as also of Ellebore is soueraigne against this foule and filthy maladie in case the body be annointed all ouer with a liniment made of it and oile together As for the said Taminia if it boyled in vineger it killeth such vermine breeding in clothes or apparell so they be washed or rubbed therewith CHAP. XIIII ¶ For vlcers and wounds To take away werts Of the herbe Polycnemon VLcers as they be of many sorts so they are cured after diuers manners If they be such as run and yeeld
blacke and blew vnder the eies with hony it reduceth the place to the natiue colour againe The vapour or fume of the decoction of wormwood receiued into the eares assuageth their paine or if they run with corrupt matter it is good to apply the same reduced into pouder and incorporat in hony Take three or foure sprigs of wormwood one root of Nardus Gallicus boile them in six cyaths of water it is a soueraigne medicine to drinke for to prouoke vrine and bring downe the desired sicknesse of women or beeing taken simply alone with hony and withall put vp in a pessarie made with a locke of wooll it is of speciall operation to procure their monthly terms with honey and sal-nitre it is singular for the Squinancie it healeth chill-blanes if they be bathed with the decoction thereof in water applied vnto fresh or green wounds in a cataplasme before any cold water come vnto them it healeth them and besides in that manner it cureth the scals in the head being incorporat with Cyprian wax or figges and so applied to the flankes or hypochondrial parts it hath a particular vertue by it selfe to helpe their griefes Moreouer it killeth any itch Howbeit this would be noted that wormewood in no case must be giuen to those that haue an ague Let a man or woman vse to drinke wormewood they shall not be sea-sicke nor giuen to heauing as commonly they be that are at sea If wormewood be worne in a trusse to the bottome of the bellie it allayeth the swelling in the share The smell of wormewood procureth sleepe or if it be laid vnder the pillow or bolster prouided alwaies that the patient be not ware of it Either basted within cloaths or strewed vpon them it keepeth away the moth If one rub his body therewith and oile together it driueth gnats away so doth the smoke therof also when it burneth If writing inke be tempered with the infusion of wormewood it preserueth letters and bookes written therewith from being gnawne by mice The ashes of wormewood burnt and incorporate with oile Rosat to an ointment coloureth the haire of the head black There is yet another kinde of Sea-wormewood which some call Seriphium and excellent good is that which groweth about the city Taphositis in Aegypt Of this wormewood it is that the priests of Isis in their solemne marches and processions vse to beare branches before them The leaues be somewhat narrower than those of the former and the bitternesse not altogether so much An enemy it is to the stomacke howbeit the belly it loosneth and chaseth worms out of the guts for which purpose it is good to drink it with oile and salt or else the infusion therof in a supping or grewell made with the floure of the three moneth corne To make the decoction of wormwood well there would be taken a good handfull of wormwood and sodden in a sextar of water to the consumption of the one halfe CHAP. VIII ¶ Of stinking Horehound of Mille-graine or Oke of Ierusalem of Brabyla Bryon Bupleuros Catanance of Calla Circaea and Cersium of Crataeogonon and Thelygonum of Crocodilium and Cynosorchis of Chrysolachanon Cucubalon and Conserua STinking Horehound which some Greeks call Ballote others Melamprasion i. Black Horehound is an herbe tufted full of branches the stems be black and cornered the leaues wherwith they be clad and garnished are somewhat hairy resembling those of sweet or white Horehound but that they be bigger blacker and of a stinking sauor but the leaues stamped and applied with salt be very effectuall against the biting of a mad dog also if they be wrapped in a Colewort or Beet leafe and so rosted vnder the embers they are commended for the swelling piles in the fundament This Horehound made into a salue with honey clenseth filthie vlcers Botrys is an herb ful of branches and those of a yellowish colour and beset round with seed the leaues resemble Cichorie Found it is commonly growing about the banks of brookes and riuerets Good it is for them that be streight winded and cannot draw their breath but sitting vpright The Cappadocians call it Ambrosia others Artemisia As for Brabyla they be astringent in manner of Quinces More than so I find not any Author to write thereof Bryon no doubt is a Sea-herbe like in leaues to Lettuce but that they be riuelled and wrinkled as if they were drawne together in a purse no stem it hath and the leaues come forth at the bottom from the root it groweth ordinarily vpon rockes bearing out of the sea and ye shall find it also sticking to the shels of certaine fishes especially such as haue gathered any mud or earth about them The herbe is exceeding astringent and desiccatiue by vertue whereof it is a singular repercussiue in all impostumes and inflammations of the gout especially such as require to be repressed or cooled Touching Bupleuros I read that the seed thereof is giuen against the sting of serpents and that the wounds inflicted by them are to bee washed or somented with the decoction of the herb putting thereto the leaues of the Mulberrie tree or Origan Catanance is a meere Thessalian herb and growing no where els but in Thessalie and forasmuch as it is vsed only in amatorious matters and for to spice loue drinks withall I meane not to busie my selfe in the description therof howbeit thus much it would not be amisse to note for to detect and lay open the folly and vanities of Magitians namely that they went by this conjecture onely that it should be of power to win the loue of women because forsooth when it is withered it draweth it selfe inward like a dead Kites foot For the same reason also I will hold my tongue and say neuer a word of the herb Cemos Cala is of two sorts the one like to Aron which loueth to grow in toiled and ploughed grounds the time to gather this herb is before it begin to wither the same operation it hath that Aron and is vsed to the like purposes the root thereof is commended to be giuen in drink for a purgation of the belly and to prouoke the monethly termes of women the stalkes boyled leafe and all together with some pulse or other into a pottage and so taken cure the inordinate prouocations to the stoole and streinings therupon without doing any thing The second kind some call Anchusa others Rhinochisia the leaues resemble Lettuce but that they be longer ful of plume or down the root red which being applied with the floure of barly groats healeth shingles or any other kind of S. Anthonies fire but drunke in white wine cureth the infirmities of the liuer Circaeum is an herb like to winter Cherry or Alkakengi but for the flours which are black the seed small as the graine of Millet and the same groweth in huskes or bladders resembling little hornes the root is halfe a foot long forked
their breath stopped For the gnawing in the stomack the same being either eaten or applied in a liniment are singular good impostumations likewise growing to suppuration if they be taken betimes may be resolued with a plaster made of the black berries and say they were of long continuance the red will do the deed But as well the black as the red are soueraigne for those who be stung with serpents as also for young children who haue the stone and be entring into the strangury and pisse drop-meale Cudwort or Cottonweed some there be who call Gnaphalion others Chamaezelon The white soft and delicat down of the leaues many vse in stead of flocks and surely it is not much vnlike This herb is good to be giuen in some austere and styptick wine for the bloudy flixe It staieth lasks and restraineth the immoderat flux of womens sleurs Being clysterized it is singular for the Tinesme that is to say the continual prouocations to the seege without any voidance of excrements Last of all in a liniment it serueth well to be applied in vlcers tending to putrifaction As touching Galedragon an herb so called by Xenocrates it resembleth the Thistle named Leucacanthe i. S. Mary thystle and groweth full of sharp pricks in moory grounds The stem riseth vp tall in maner of Ferula or Fennell geant in the very head and top whereof it beaâ—…eth a thing resembling an egge in which there breed they say in processe of time certain grubs or litle worms which are excellent for to ease the tooth-ach if they be kept in a box with bread and as need requireth tied fast vnto the arm of the patient on that side where they ake for it is wonderfull how soon the paine wil by this means cease Mary they ought to be changed euery yere for after one yeare they be of no vertue in this case and in any wise they must at no time touch the ground As for Holcus it groweth vpon stony grounds and those that be dry It riseth vp with a stem like vnto the straw of that Barly which springeth euery yere without sowing in the top whereof it beareth slender spikes or eares This herb bound about the head or the arme draweth forth of the body any spils what soeuer whereupon some name it Aristida Hyoseris resembleth Cichory or Endive but that it is lesse and in handling more rough a soueraigne vulnerary herb so it be stamped and laid to a wound Holosteon which the Greeks so call by the contrary is an herbe without any hardnesse at all as if we should terme Gall by the name of Sweet So small and slender it groweth that a man would take it to be all hairs soure fingers long in manner of quich-grasse or stitchwort The leaues be narrow and haue an a stringent tast It commeth vp ordinarily vpon banks hillocks which be all earth and nothing stony Being drunke in wine there is great vse thereof for convulsions spreins and ruptures It is a great healer besides and skinneth greene wounds and experience hereof may be soone seene for if it be put among pieces of flesh in the pot whilest they boile it will cause them to grow together and vnite Hippophae ston is a certain pricky bush growing by the sea-side wherewith Fullers and Diers fil their leads coppers without stem without floure it bringeth forth certain little knobs or buttons only those hollow leaues also it hath smal and many in number of a grasse green colour the roots be white and tender out of which there is a juice drawne by way of expression in Summer time which is singular good for to purge the belly if it be taken to the weight of three oboli and principally helpeth those that be subject to the falling sicknesse trembling of the members and the dropsie it cureth also those that be giuen to the swimming and dizzines of the braine to straitnesse of winde and who cannot breath but vpright and last of all to such as be entering into a palsie CHAP. XI ¶ Of Hypoglossa and Hypecoon Idaea Isopyron Lathyris Leontopetalon Lycopsis Lithospermon The vulgar stone Of Limeum Leuce and Leucographis HYpoglossa hath leaues fashioned like vnto Butchers broome and those turning hollow and pricky within which concauities there come forth certaine little leaues resembling tongues A garland or chaplet made of these leaues and set vpon the head easeth the pain thereof Hypecoon groweth amongst corne and is leafed like vnto Rue It hath the same nature and properties that Opium or the juice of Poppie As for the herb Idaea the leaues therof resemble those of ground-Myrtle or Butchers broom vnto which there grow close certaine tendrils and those carry floures It stoppeth a lask staieth the immoderat flux of womens moneths and stancheth all vnmeasurable bleeding for by nature a stringent it is and repercussiue Isopyron some there be who call it Phasiolum because the leaf otherwise like vnto Annise doth turne and writh like vnto the tendrils of Phasils In the top of the stemme it beareth small heads or buttons full of seed resembling Nigella Romana A soueraigne hearbe taken either in hony or mead against the cough and other infirmities of the breast likewise for the accidents of the liuer Spurge hath many leaues resembling Lectuce besides which it putteth forth as many other slender and small branches containing in little tunicles or husks certain seeds in manner of capers which being dried and taken forth resemble for bignesse corns of Pepper white in colour sweet in tast easie to be clensed from their husk Twenty of these seeds drunk either in cleare water or mead do cure the dropsie besides watersh humors they euacuat choler They that desire to be throughly purged would haue them to work strongly vse to take them husk and all but certainly so taken they hurt the stomack and therfore there is a deuise of late found out to giue them either with fish or els in some broth of a cock or capon Leontopetalon which some cal Rhapeion carieth leaues like to Coleworts and a stalk halfe a foot high garnished with many branches resembling wings and seed it beareth in the head contained within cods after the maner of ciches The root is made much after the fashion of a rape or turnep big and black withall This herb groweth in corne grounds The root is a singular counterpoison to be giuen in wine against the sting or venome of any serpents and verily there is not in the world a more speedy remedy Very good it is for the Sciatica Lycopsis hath leaues like to Lectuce but that they be longer and thicker it riseth vp with a long stem and the same hairv with many branches growing thereto of a cubit in length and beareth little Purple floures It loueth to grow vpon champion plaines A liniment made with it and barly meale is good for the shingles and S.
liuing creature whatsoeuer will touch the roots vnlesse it be Spondylis and that is a kind of serpent which indeed spareth none As for this one point namely that the roots of herbs be lesse in force and of weaker operation in case the seed bee suffered to ripen vpon the plant no man maketh any doubt as also that their seeds be nothing so effectuall if incision were made in the roots for to draw juice out of them before the said seed is fully ripe Furthermore this is known found by experience that the ordinary vse of all simples doth alter their properties and diminish their strength insomuch as whosoeuer is daily accustomed vnto them shall not find when need requires their vertue powerfull at all either to do good or to work harme as others shall who seldome or neuer were acquainted with them Ouer and besides all herbs be more forcible in their operations which grow in cold parts exposed to the Northeast winds likewise in dry places than in the contrary Also there is no small difference to be considered betweene nation and nation for as I haue heard them say who are of good credit as touching worms and such like vermin the people of Egypt Arabia Syria and Cilicia be troubled infested with them wheras contrariwise some Graecians Phrygians haue none at all breeding among them But lesse maruel there is of that considering how among the Thebans and Boeotians who confine vpon Attica such vermine is rife and common and yet the Athenians are not giuen at all to ingender and breed them the speculation whereof carrieth me away again vnto a new discourse of liuing creatures and their natures and namely to fetch from thence the medicins which Nature hath imprinted in them of greater proofe and certainty than any other for the remedy of all diseases Certes this great Mother of all things entended not that any liuing creature should serue either to feed it selfe only or to be food for to satisfie others but her will was and she thought it good to insert and ingraffe in their inward bowels wholsom medicines for mans health to counterpoise those medicinable vertues which she had ingrauen and bestowed vpon those surd and sencelesse herbes nay her prouidence was such that the soueraigne and excellent means for maintenance of our life should be had from those creatures which are indued with life the contemplation of which divine mysterie surpasseth all others and is most admirable THE TVVENTY EIGHTH BOOK OF THE HISTORIE OF NATVRE WRITTEN BY C. PLINIVS SECVNDVS CHAP. I. ¶ The medicinable vertues of liuing creatures HAuing discouered as well all those things which are ingendred between Heauen and Earth as also their natures there remained nothing for me to discourse of saue only the Minerals digged out of the ground but that this late Treatise of mine as touching the medicinable properties of Herbs Trees and other plants draweth me quite a side from my purpose and haleth me back againe to consider the foresaid liuing creatures themselues euen the subject matter of Physicke in regard of greater meanes found out euen in them to aduance Physicke and cure diseases For to say a truth since I haue described and pourtraied both Herbes and Floures since I haue discouered many other things rare and difficult to be found out should I conceale such meanes for the health of man as are to be found in man himselfe or should I suppresse other kind of remedies which are to be had from creatures liuing amongst vs as wee doe if they may benefit vs especially seeing that our very life is no better than torment and miserie vnlesse we be free from paine and sicknesse No verily and far be it from me that I should so do But on the contrary side I will do my best indeuor to performe and finish this task also how long and tedious soeuer it may seem to be for my full intent and resolution is so I may benefit posteritie and doe good to the common life of man the lesse to respect the pleasing of fine eares or to expect thanks from any person And to bring this my purpose about I mean to search into the customes of forre in countries yea and to lay abroad the rites and fashions of barbarous nations referring the readers who shal make scruple to beleeue my words vnto those Authors whom I alledge for my warrant And yet herein this care I haue euer had To make choice in my reports of such things as haue bin held and in manner adjudged true by a generall consent approbation of all writers as coueting to stand more vpon the choice of substance than the variety and plenty of matter But before I enter into this argument I thinke it very necessary to aduertise the Reader thus much That whatsoeuer I haue heretofore written of liuing creatures concerneth the instinct of Nature wherewith they be indued and certain simples whereof they haue giuen vs the knowledge for surely as much good haue they done vnto vs by the medicinable herbs by them found out as possibly they can by the remedies which themselues do affoord from their own bodies But now it remaineth to shew simply the medicinable helpful properties in themselues which notwithstanding in the former treatise were not altogether left out and passed ouer And therefore this my present discourse of those creatures howsoeuer it is in nature different yet it dependeth of the other Begin then I will at Man himselfe to see what Physick there may be found in him to help his neighbor In which first entrance of mine there presenteth it selfe vnto mine eie one object that troubleth and offendeth my mind exceeding much for now adaies you shal see them that are subiect to the falling euil for to drink the very bloud of fencers and sword-plaiers as out of liuing cups a thing that when we behold within the same shew-place euen the tygres lyons and other wild beasts to do we haue it in horrour as a most fearfull and odious spectacle And these monstrous minded persons are of opinion That the said bloud forsooth is most effectuall for the cure of that disease if they may sucke it breathing warme out of the man himselfe if they may set their mouth I say close to the veine to draw thereby the very heart bloud life and all how vnnaturall soeuer otherwise it be holden for a man to put his lips so much as to the wounds of wild beasts for to drinke their bloud nay there be others that lay for the marow bones the very braine also of young infants and neuer make strange to find some good meat and medicine therein Ye shall find moreouer among the Greeke writers not a few who haue deciphered distinctly the seuerall tastes as well of euery inward part as outward member of mans body and so neare they haue gone that they left not out the paring of the very nailes but they could pick out of them some fine Physicke as
also are of this nature that they be able to cure and ease such as are stung already either by touching only or else by a medicinable sucking of the place of which kind are the Psylli and Marsi those also in the Island Cyprus whom they call Ophugenes and of this race and house there came an Embassador out of the said Island whose name was Exagon who by the commandement of the Consuls was put into a great tun or pipe wherein were many serpents for to make an experiment and trial of the truth and in very deed the said serpents licked his body in all parts gently with their tongues as if they had bin little dogs to the great wonder of them who beheld the manner of it A man shall know those of this family if any of them remain at this day by this signe that they breath a strong and stinking sent from them especially in the Spring season Now these people beforenamed had not only a gift to cure folk with their spittle but their very sweat also had a medicinable vertue against the sting of serpents For as touching those men who are born and bred in Tentyrus an Island lying within the riuer Nilus so terrible they be vnto the Crocodiles that they wil not abide so much as their voice but flie from them so soon as they heare it Moreouer it is knowne for certaine that all the sort of these people who haue their bodies thus priuiledged by that secret antipathie in nature between them serpents are able to ease those who are stung if they do but come in place where they be like as a wound will be more angry and sore if they come neare who at any time before haue been hurt by sting of serpent or tooth of mad dog such also carry about with them in their bodies so venomous a quality that their onely presence is enough to marre the egs that a brood-hen sits vpon and make them all addle yea and to driue ewes and other cattell to cast their yong before the time such a virulent property remaineth still behind in their bodies who haue bin once stung and bitten that notwithstanding they be cured thereof yet venomous they are now and hurtfull to others who beforetime were poisoned themselues But the only way to remedy this inconuenience is to cause them to wash their hands before they enter into the roome where the patients lie and with the same water to besprinckle and wash them who are to be cured Againe this is to be obserued that whosoeuer at any time haue bin pricked with a scorpion shal neuer afterwards be stung by hornets waspes or bees A strange thing this is no doubt howbeit no great wonder vnto them who know that a garment or cloth which had bin vsed at funerals wil neuer be afterwards moth eaten and how that serpents hardly can be plucked out of their holes vnlesse it be by the left hand CHAP. IIII. ¶ Of certaine Sorceries and the properties of a mans spittle Also against Magitians THe inuentions of Pithagoras as touching numbers beare a great stroke in these matters and lightly misse not but principally in this That the said Philosopher would giue judgment by the vowels contained in the proper name of any person concerning their fortunes for in case the vowels were in number odde he pronounced that if the party euer proued lame of a lim lost an eie or met with any such like accidents the same should happen vpon the right side of the body but contrariwise if the number of vowels were euen then these infirmities should befall the left side Furthermore it is commonly said that if one take a stone dart or instrument of shot wherewith a man hath killed these three liuing creatures a man a wilde Bore and a Bear one after another that with one single stroke to euery one of them and fling the same clean ouer an house where there is a woman in hard trauell of child-birth so as it light on the other side without touching any part thereof the woman shal presently be deliueed More reason there is that a light jauelin or Pertuisan should do this feat which had bin drawn forth of a mans body so as it neuer touched the ground after for do but bring this murdering jauelin into the place where a woman is in labor it wil forthwith procure her deliuerance Orpheus and Archelaus do write much after the same maner of arrows pulled out of men bodies namely that if care be had that they touch not the earth then be laid vnder the bed where man or woman lieth they wil cause the parties to be enamored vpon them that bestowed the said arrows there and these authors report moreouer that the venison of any wild beast killed with the same weapon which was the death of a man before is singular to cure the falling sicknesse As some men there be whose bodies all throughout be medicinable so there be others who haue certain parts onely of the same vertue according as I haue written already concerning the thumbe of king Pyrrhus In the citie Elis also the inhabitants were wont to shew as a wonderfull monument the rib of Pelops which they auouched to be all of Iuory And euen at this day many there are who make great scruple to shaue or clip the haire growing in any molle or wert vpon the face As touching the fasting spittle specially of man or woman I haue shewed already how it is a soueraigne preseruatiue against the poison of serpents But that is not all for in many other cases it is found by daily experience to be of great operation and to worke effectually For first and formost if we see any surprised with the falling sicknesse we spit vpon them and by that means we are persuaded that we our selues auoid the contagion of the said disease Item an ordinary thing it is with vs to put by the danger of witch-craft by spitting in the eies of a witch so do we also when we meet with one that limpeth and is lame of the right leg Likewise when we craue pardon of the gods for some audacious and presumptuous praiers that wee make we vse to spit euen into our bosoms Semblably for to fortifie the operation of any medicines the manner is to pronounce withal a charm or exorcisme three times ouer and to spit vpon the ground as often and so we doubt not but it will do the cure and not faile Also when we perceiue a fellon or such like vncom sore a breeding the first thing that we doe is to marke it three times with our fasting spittle I will tell you of a strange effect and whereof it is no hard matter yw is to make the triall If one man hath hurt another either by reaching him a blow neare at hand or by letting flie somwhat at him farther off repent him when he hath so done let him presently spit just in
receiue nor hold any thing it is good to presse hard and straine the feet together or els to thrust both hands into hot water To come now vnto our speech and exercise of the tongue in many cases and for diuers causes it is wholsom to speak but little I haue head say that Mecaenas Messius inioined himselfe three yeres silence and during that time neuer spake word for that in a fit of a convulsion or crampe he had beforetime cast vp bloud In case any thing be ready to fall or rush violently against vs and that we be in danger of some stroke say that we be climbing vp hill or turned downe backward or lying along there is not the like meanes againe to preserue our bodies as to hold our winde and this inuention we had from a bruit and dumbe beast according as I haue shewed before Moreouer it is said that to stick down a spike or yron naile in that very place where a man or womans head lay during the fit of the falling sicknesse at the very first time that hee or she fell secureth the party that so doth for euer being troubled with that disease Also it is holden for a singular thing to mitigat the intollerable torments of the reins loins and bladder to pisse with the body bending forward and groueling in the bathing tubs within the baines As for greene wounds it is wonderfull how soon they will be healed in case they be bound vp and tied with a Hercules knot and verily it is thought that to knit our girdles which we weare about vs euery day with such a knot hath a great vertue in it by reason that Hercules first deuised the same Demetrius in a treatise that he compiled as touching the number of foure affirmeth that it is of great efficacy and he alledgeth reasons why it is not good to prescribe in any medicine to be drunke the quantitie of foure sextars or foure cyaths To rub the ears behind is supposed to be very good for them that are giuen to be bleare-eied like as to rub the forehead forweeping or watering eies Concerning the signs of life death which may be found in man this is one That so long as the Patients eie is so cleare that a man may see himselfe in the apple of it wee are not to despaire of life As for the Vrine of mankind diuers authors haue treated of it who as I find haue not onely set downe their reasons in nature as touching the vertue thereof but also haue bin very ceremonious and superstitious in handling that argument yea and they haue written distinctly of the seuerall kinds of vrine digested into certain principal heads And among other things I remember that they set down the vrine of men that are vnable for generation to be singular good by way of injection to make women fruitfull But to speak of such remedies as we may be bold to name with honesty the vrine of yong children who be not yet vndergrowne nor 14 yeres of age is good against the venomous humor of the Aspides or Adders which the Greeks name Ptyades for that they spit their poison vpon the eies and faces of men and women Also the same is held to be singular for the pearle the cataract the filmes the pin and web in the eies like as for the eie-lids also and the accidents happening vnto them Being incorporate with the floure of Eruile it is good for sun-burnings sodden also with bolled leeks to the consumption of the one halfe in a new earthen pot which was neuer occupied it is excellent to mundifie the eares that run with matter or that haue any worms or vermin within them and verily a stouph made with the vapour of this decoction bringeth downe the desired sicknesse of women Dame Salpe ordaineth to foment the eies with the said decoction for to fortifie the sight and to strengthen them that they fal not out of the head she appointeth to make a liniment with it and the white of an egge but principally if it be of an ostrich and therewith to annoint the skin that hath bin tanned and burnt in the Sun for the space of two houres together with it a man may wash away any blots or blurs of ink Mans vrine is much commended for the gout in the feet as wee may see by Fullers who neuer be goutie because ordinarily their feet are in mens vrine Stale chamber-lie or vrin long kept and incorporat together with the ashes of oister shels cureth the red-gomb in yong infants and generally in all running vlcers the same so prepared serueth in a liniment for eating cankers burns and scalds the swelling piles the chaps and rifts in the seat and feet also for the sting of serpents The most expert and skilfull midwiues haue pronounced all with one resolution that for to kill an itch in any part of the body to heale a scald head to scoure away dandruffe and scurfe in the head or beard and to cure the corroding vlcers in any place but in the priuy members especially there is not a liquor more effectuall than vrine with a little sal-nitre put thereto But surely euery mans own water if I may for reuerence of manhood so say is simply best and namely if the Patient that is bitten with a dog do straightways bath the place therewith or in case there be any prick of vrchin hedghog or such like spill sticking in the flesh to apply the same thereto in spunges or wooll and so let it lie on But say it was a mad dog that bit the Patient or that he be stung with a serpent it is good to temper it with ashes and lay it vnto the sore For as touching the vertue thereof against Scolopendres it is wonderfull what is reported namely That whosoeuer be hurt by them if they doe wet the crown of their heads but with one drop of their own vrine it will presently cure the same so as they shall feele no more pain nor harm thereby Ouer and besides by the speculation of our vrine we are able to giue iudgement and pronounce of health and sicknesse for if the first water made in a morning be white and cleare and the next after it higher coloured and inclining to a deep yellow the former sheweth that concoction was then begun and the second is a signe that digestion is now perfect A red vrine is naught but the black is worst of all likewise if it be ful of bubbles and froth aloft and be withal of a grosse and thick subsistence the same is but a bad water If the Hypostasis or Sediment which setleth heauy to the botom be white it signifieth that there is some pain and grieuance like to insue about the joints or principall parts within the body Doth an vrine look greenish it betokeneth some obstruction or disease already in the noble bowels and inwards is it of a pale hew it saith that choler aboundeth in that
it to be an excellent remedy for to rid away the ringing end thumping within the ears And to conclude it is a generall speech That if dogs do lap and tast the milke of a woman which hath borne a maid child they will neuer run mad As touching the fasting spittle of a woman it is judged to be a proper medicine for bloud-shotten eies also for the rheum that hath taken a course thither if so be the corners of the eyes be euer and anone bathed and wet therewith when they be hot and inflamed but more effectually will this remedy work in case the woman forbeare all meat and wine the day before I read moreouer in some Authors That if the head be bound vp with a womans haire-lace or fillet it easeth the pain thereof And thus much in some good sort as touching the medicines proceeding from women As for the rest that are written and reported they exceed all reason and there is no end of them For first and formost it is said that if a woman whiles her monthly sicknesse is vpon her bee set into the wind abroad with her belly naked she will scar away hailestorms whirlewindes and lightenings yea and aâ—…ert any violence of the weather whatsoeuer And at sea verily any woman standing openly against the weather bare although she haue not her fleurs is enough to secure the sailers and passengers from all tempests As for the very monthly flux itself of women a thing in other respects and at all times as I haue shewed before of a monstrous nature there be writers who tell and presage wonders thereof such as be horrible abhominable and indeed not to be spoken and yet some of these things I hold it no shame to deliuer in writing namely If it fall out just in the eclipse of Sun or Moon that a woman hath her sicknesse come down the same is a pestilent quality and apt to breed diseases incureable Likewise if haply the time of the change when the Moon is in coniunction with the Sun and those things concurre together the man who medleth with her during that time shall not auoid his bane but it will bring vpon him some pestilent malaâ—…y remedilesse Moreouer the venome thereof is so strong at that time especially more than at any other that the presence or breath only of a woman then will infect and staine any purple cloth And yet bad enough it is at all times for whensoeuer they are in their fleurs it skills not in what quarter of the Moone if they goe about any field of corn with their nakednesse vncouered yee shall see the canker wormes caterpillers beetles and all such wormes and hurtfull vermine to fall from the corn as they passe along This inuention by the saying of Scepsius and Metrodorus came from the Cappadocians who being infested with a number of those green flies called Cantharides deuised this means to be rid of them for they caused their women at the time of their monthly terms sauing the reuerence of womanhood be it spoken to go through the standing corne with their cloths tuckt vp round about their wast and all bare beneath In other countries yet they are more mannerly and in a better respect to the honor of women put them only to go barefoot for this purpose with their haire hanging loose about their eares vngirt vnlaced and vnbraced Howbeit great heed must be taken that they walke not thus at the Sunne-rising for then surelv all the crop vpon the ground will wither and dry away to nothing Also if a woman during her natural courses doe but touch any yong vines it is enough to marre them for euer As for Rue and Iuie Plants otherwise of themselues most medicinable and indued with singular vertues against poison they will presently die with their touch Much I haue already said of this strong and pestiferous venome and yet I haue not written all For ouer and besides certaine it is that if a menstruous woman doe no more but touch a Bee-hiue all the Bees will be gone and neuer come to it againe Also if at such a time she handle any skains or slips of linnen yearn and set them ouer the fire to seeth they will in the boiling turn black Let her but take a barbers rasor in her hand the edge wil turn and become blunt nay if she do no more but touch any brasen vessel it is wonderfull what a strong sauor it wil cast and how it wil rust and canker therupon and the rather if this fall out to be in the decrease or wane of the moon Doth a woman at such a time touch a mare that is in fole it is enough to make her cast the same before due time And not onely so but the very sight of women in that case although they be a great way off is able to do much harm but principally the first time that they haue the said fleurs after the losse of their maidenhead or otherwise during their virginity when they first come down by course of nature of the owne accord The malignitie of this venomous humor is so great that the slime ingendred within the lake of Sodome in Iury as viscous as it is otherwise will forgoe all that tenacity and diuide in sunder by nothing els but a thred infected with the said menstrual bloud according as I haue declared heretofore So forcible it is besides that the very fire which is of power to ouercome all things and change their nature is not able to conquer and alter this for burne or calcine it to ashes and strew neuer so little thereof vpon any cloths that are to be washed or scoured in the Fullers mill it wil change their color though they were of purple and cause any die whatsoeuer to lose the fresh lustre And more than that so pernicious is the quality of this venome that as naturall otherwise as it is to women it is no better than a poison to those of their own sex for in case one woman with child be annointed about her naturall parts with the foresaid bloud of another or do but step ouer the place where it is she will immediatly fall to labour and slip an abortiue birth As for the famous curtizans Lais and Elephantis who haue written so contrary one to the other of this argument and namely as touching abortions and of what efficacy the cole of Colewort Myrtle or Tamariske root is after it hath bin quenched in the said bloud as also how she Asses will not conceiue for so many yeres as they chance to eat Barly corns infected therewith besides other strange deuises that they haue set abroach I think them incredible I would not haue any credit at all giuen vnto their writings considering the monstruosities contrarieties which they haue put down whiles the one prescribeth medicines for to make fruitful the other ordaineth the very same to hinder conception and cause them to be barren Moreouer Bythus
the eie and darkneth the sight thereof They will make vs beleeue that the Hyaenes teeth are good for the tooth-ach if the pained teeth be but touched therwith or if the said teeth be arranged in order and so applied fast vnto the patients teeth as they may fit euery tooth in his head The shoulders also of the Hyaene are proper to ease the paines that lie in our shoulders and arms both so they be set likewise orderly and hanged close to the grieued parts The teeth of the said Hyaene plucked out of the left side of the chaw and bound vp sure within a piece of a sheep or goats skin is right soueraigne to be worn in manner of ascutcheon or stomacher for to ease the intollerable paines of the stomacke A dish of meat made of their lungs and eaten is soueraigne for the flux proceeding from a feeble stomack But if the same be burnt and reduced into ashes and so brought into the form of a liniment with oile and applied accordingly it comforteth the stomack mightily The pith or marrow taken out of the backe-bone along and incorporat with old oile and gall is passing good for the nerues The liuer of the Hyaene driueth away Quartan agues in case the patient take three bits thereof one after another before the accesse Take the ashes of the Hyaenes ridge bone the tongue and right foot of a Seale put thereto a Buls gall seeth them all together and make a cataplasme thereof spreading the same vpon a piece of a Hyaenes skin and apply it accordingly you shall see how it will ease the pain of the gout The very gal likewise of this beast mixed with the pouder of the stone Asius is commended by them for to cure the said malady They that are subiect to trembling and to the cramp such also as be giuen to leap out of their beds or are troubled with the beating and panting of the heart ought to take and boile the heart of the Hyaene and eat one part therof and with the other being burnt to ashes and with the brains of the said Hyaene together reduced into a liniment to annoint the grieued part This composition likewise serueth to take away the hairs of any place if it be annointed either with it alone or els with the gall in case one would not haue them euer to come vp againe they ought to be plucked vp before and then the place to be annointed Thus they vse to rid away the haires of the eie-lids that be troublesome In like manner for the pains of the loins the flesh about the Hyaenes loines is prescribed to be eaten and therwith oile together and the place also is to be rubbed well and besmeared They say moreouer that if a woman which is barren eat the eie of a Hyaene with Liquorice and Dill she shall proue fruitful and so neare they go as to promise she shal conceiue within three daies after And by their report whosoeuer are haunted with sprites in the night season and be affrighted with such bugbears let them but take one of the master teeth of the Hyaene weare it about them tied by a linnen thred they shall be freed from all such fantastical illusions these Magitians also giue direction to those that be out of their wits and gon besides themselues to haue a persume made with the smoke of those teeth and to weare one of them hanging before the brest with the fat growing about the kidnies or els with the liuer or the skin If a woman be with child and would gladly go out her full time let her take a peece of the white flesh of this beast and 7 haires neither more nor lesse together with a stags pizzle bind them all fast within the skin of a Buck or Doe and so weare them hanging about her necke just against her breast she shall not slip an vntimely fruit Furthermore they promise in the behalfe of this beast that if a man or woman do eat the genitall member of a Hyaene according to their sex they shall be prouoked to fleshly lust how cold soeuer the man were before and could not abide to imbrace a woman Ouer and besides if the said pizzle and shap of this beast be kept in any house together with a joint of the ridge bone skin al as it groweth too the whole family shal agree together well and liue peaceably now this ioint or knot abouesaid they call Atlantion and it is the very first spondyle of them all The same also they make no small reckoning of but hold it for a speciall remedy for the falling sicknesse Fry the grease or fat of an Hyaene the fume therof by report wil chase away serpents a piece of the chawbone beaten smal to pouder eaten together with anise seed doth mitigat the quiuering quaking in a cold ague fit A suffumigation made therwith draweth down womens sicknesse if we may beleeue magitians who are grown to this passe in their vanity that they auouch for certain that if an archer do bind vnto his arm a tooth of an Hyaene growing on the right side of the vpper chaw hee shall shoot point blanke and neuer misse his mark Take the palat or roufe of the mouth of this beast dried and made hot together with Aegyptian Alumne put the same into the mouth and change it three times for new stil they promise it shal correct a stinking breath and heale any vlcers or cankers in the mouth And as for those that weare vnder the soles of their feet within the shoo a Hyaens tongue there is not a dog will be so hardy as to bay or bark at them The brain of the Hyaene lying in the left side of the head easeth any deadly diseases of man or beast if the nosthrils be annointed therewith The skin of the forehead serueth as a countercharm against all witch-craft and inchauntments The flesh growing to the nape of the necke being dry and made into pouder appeaseth the pain in the loins of the backe either eaten or drunk it skils not whether For the griefe of sinews they giue order to make a suffumigation with the nerues of Hyaena which run along the shoulders and back And the haris growing about the muzzle of this beast haue an amatorious vertue with them to make a woman loue a man in case her lips be but touched therewith The liuer of the Hyaena giuen in drink cureth the cholique and stone As for the heart be it taken in meat or drink it easeth all the pains of the body the milt cureth the spleen the kell with the fat about it helpeth any inflammation of vlcers if it be applied with oile the marrow within the bones appeaseth the griefe of the backbone and sinews and finally doth recouer and refresh the wearinesse of the reins and kidnies The sinews of this beast drunk in wine with frankincense restore women to the fruitfulnesse of the wombe especially when by
one be poisoned with swallowing down those venomous flies called Buprestes he shall find great help by eating lard and drinking the broth or decoction thereof Furthermore if a man round an asse in the eare and say closely That he is wounded by a scorpion the pain and grieuance thereof will immediatly passe away yea and any venomous thing whatsoeuer will flie from the fume of his lungs as it burneth also it is good for those who are stung by scorpions to be perfumed with the smoke of calues dung If a man be wounded by the biting of a mad dog some there be who cut round about the place to the very quick laying therto the raw flesh of a calfe and then giue the patient to drink the broth of the said flesh boiled or els hogs grease stamped with quick-lime Others highly praise the liuer of a buck Goat affirming that if it be once applied he shall not fall into that symptome of hydrophobie or fearing water incident to those that be bitten with a mad dog They commend also a liniment made of goats dung and wine or hony tempered together like as the decoction of a grey or badger of a cuckow and a swallow taken in drink For the biting of other beasts it is an ordinary practise to lay vnto the sore dry cheese made of goats milk together with origan but they giue direction to drink the same in some conuenient liquor in case one be bitten by a mans tooth they prescribe boeuse sodden and applied howbeit the flesh of a calf is more effectual with this charge that this cataplasm be not remoued before the fift day It is a common saying that the muffle or snout of a Wolfe kept long dried is a countercharm against all witchcraft and sorcery which is the reason that they vsually set it vpon gates of countrey ferms The same force the very skin is thought to haue which is flaied whole of it self without any flesh from the nape of the neck And in truth ouer and aboue the properties which I haue reported already of this beast of such power and vertue it is that if horses chance to tread in the tracts of a Wolfe their feet will be immediatly benummed and astonied Also their lard is a remedy for those who are empoisoned by drinking quick-siluer Asses milke if it be drunke doth dull and mortifie the force of any poison but more particularly if any haue taken Henbane the viscous gum of the herb Chamaeleon Hemlock the sea-Hare the iuice of Carpathum the poison Pharicum or Dorycnium also in case that crudled milk haue done harm to any for surely it is no better than poison especially the first beestings if it quaile and cruddle in the stomacke To conclude Asses milke hath many other medicinable properties which we will speake of hereafter But remember alwaies to vse this milke whiles it is fresh and new drawne out of the vdder or els not long after then it must be warmed for there is not any milk that sooner loseth the vertue Moreouer the bones of an Asse well broken bruised and sodden are giuen for a counterpoison against the venome of the sea-Hare And for all these purposes before said the milke and bones of the wild Asses be thought more effectuall As touching wild horses the Greeks haue written nothing because throughout all Greece there are none of them to be seene Howbeit whatsoeuer medicinable vertues be attributed to horses the same we must think more forcible in the wild than in others Neither had the Greeks any experience of those Neat or Buffles called Vri and Bisontes yet the forest of India be ful of wild buls kine Now by good reason and proportion we are to think that whatsoeuer commeth from them is more auaileable in Physicke than from the tame of that kind And verily Cow milk is said to be a generall counterpoison able to kill any of those venoms abouenamed Ouer and besides if the dangerous Lilly called Ephemerum Colchicum be taken inwardly and setled in the stomack or if the greene flies Cantharides haue bin giuen in drink the said milke will send vp all againe by vomit And as for the Cantharides the broth of Goats flesh will doe the like Against those corrosiue poisons which kill by exulceration the tallow of a calfe or any Boeufe is a soueraigne medicine As for the danger that commeth by drinking Horse-leaches Butyr made of Cows milk is a singular remedy if it be taken with vineger heat with a gad of steele The same alone without any other thing is a good counterpoison for if oile be wanting butter may serue the turn as well Being ioined with hony it healeth the sores occasioned by the biting of the Porcelets called Multipedae The broth made of their tripes if it be drunke is thought to kil any poison abouenamed and besides the Aconite and Hemlock so doth the suet of a Calfe Greene cheese made of Goats milk is good for them that haue drunk the venomous viscositie issuing out of the herb Chamaeleon called Ixias but their milke is a remedy against the flies Cantharides and the venomous hearbe Ephemerum if it bee drunke with the grape Taminia Goats bloud sodden together with the marrow is taken against the poisons called Toxica and kids bloud against the rest The rennet found in the maw of a kid hath a peculiar vertue to mortifie the venom of the foresaid viscous gum Ixia as also of the herb it self Chamaeleon the white yea and Buls bloud for which the rennet of an Hare with vineger is a singular defensatiue Against the venomous Raie or Puffen called Pastinaca Marina the pricke or sting also of any sea-fish the said rendles of an Hare Kid or Lamb is a singular antidot taken to the weight of one dram in wine As for the rennet of an Hare it is one of the ordinary ingredients that go to the composition of all preseruatiues and counterpoisons There is a kind of Butterflie that vseth to fly about candles as they are burning which is reckoned among poisons The aduersatiue remedy against it is a Goats liuer like as their gal is soueraigne against any venomous drinkes made of the rusticke weazill CHAP. XI ¶ Receits and remedies for many kinds of maladies taken from sundry beasts BVt now will I returne to the remedies appropriate to diseases respectiue to the particular members of the body and first to begin at the head Bears grease mixed with Ladanum and that kind of Maidenhaire which is called Adiantum retaineth the haire of the head which is giuen to fall off also the places that be already bare it replenisheth again with new haire the same being incorporat with the fnngous excrescence growing about the candle-snuffe as also with the soot found sticking to the sockets of lamps and candlestickes causeth the haire of the eie-lids to come thick Mixed with wine it is good against the skurfe and dandruffe among the hairs for which purpose serueth the ashes
to the heat of the Sun that it may frie therein vntill it be blanched white and look pure and cleare then is it put vp in tin boxes or peuter pots and reserued for vse The true mark to know which is good Oesypum after it is thus tried putrified is thus if it haue a rank smel stil of the first filthines which it had from the sheep also if when you rub it with your hand in water it melt not but in the working look whitish like vnto cruse or white lead a soueraigne thing it is for the inflammation of the eies for the hard callosities also that grow vpon the eye-lids Some there be who torrifie the foresaid greasie wooll into an earthen pot or pan so long vntill it haue forgone and yeeldeth forth all the sweet and fattinesse the which they suppose to be the best Oesypum that is for any erosion fretting or hardnesse of the eyelids or to cure the scabs and sores yea and the watering of the angles of the eies Well this fatty excrement thus clarified incorporat with goose grease cureth not only the vlcers of the eies but of the mouth also and members of generation the same tempered with Melilot and Butyr maketh an excellent linement for all inflammations of the matrice the chaps also and swelling piles or biggs in the fundament Many other vertues it hath which I will digest into their seuerall places and speake of them accordingly As touching the filthy excrements hanging to sheeps tailes and baltered together into round pils or bals if they be dried and so beaten to pouder are singular for the teeth yea though they shooke in the head if they be rubbed therwith also for the gums though there were gotten into them a cankerous sore Now concerning fleece wooll that is pure and washed either by it selfe alone or else with sulpher vif it is passing good to be applied to any place in paine whereof the cause is not euident and known which also being reduced into ashes is soueraign for the accidents which happen vnto the priuie parts In sum of such vertue is wooll that there is no cataplasme pultesse or plaister in manner applied to a grieued place but the same hath wooll laid ouer it The same also hath a singular vertue aboue all things to recouer the appetite of meat in the very sheep that beare it in case they haue lost their stomacks and feed not for pluck the wooll that groweth to their tailes and therwith tie the same as hard as is possible you shall see them presently fall to their meat But it is said withall that the rest of the taile which is vnderneath the said knot where it was bound will quickly become mortified and die CHAP. XIII ¶ The nature and properties medicinable of Eggs. GReat societie and affinitie there is between wooll egs in this regard That if they be applied both together in a frontall to the forehead they represse all violent flnxes rheums falling into the eies but you need not take for this purpose any wool that hath bin dressed or clensed with the Fullers scouring weed neither is it required that in this case there should be vsed any more but the white of an egg and the same ought to be infused or spread vpon the foresaid wooll with the pouder of Frankincense in very truth the white of an egg alone if it be instilled or dropped into the eies is sufficient to restraine the flux of humors thither yea and to coole any hot rheume or inflammation incident to them Howbeit some think it better to put saffron therto and vse this gleere or white of the egg beaten in stead of water for all collyries or medecins appropriat to the eies The white of an eg incorporat whit fresh butyr is so soueraign for the red and bloud shotten eies which put little children to pain as none in the world better nay there is not in a maner any other vsed in that case The same beaten and tempered with oile assuageth the heat of S. Anthonies fire if there be leaues of beets laid vpon the place and kept bound thereto The white of an egg incorporat with salhormoniacke finely puluerized doth extend and turn backward the haires of the eielids which grow inward into the eies the same with pine nut-kernels a little hony mingled withall and so reduced into a liniment takes away the pimples that arise in the face annoint the visage therwith it will keep it from being sun-burnt If one be scalded with hot water lay quickly an egg to the place yelke white and altogether it will take out the fire and preserue it from blistering some put thereto barley meale and a little salt but say the place be blistered exulcerat with any burne or scald parched barley with the white of an egg and swines grease is an excellent medicine to heale the sore and the same cataplasme is much vsed in the cure of the haemorroids piles and chaps of the fundament and especially in children for to reduce the tiwill into the right place if it hang forth for the rifts and chaps which appeare in the feet take the white of an egg sodden or rosted the weight of two deniers of ceruse as much of letharge of siluer and myrrhe with a little quantitie of wine incorporat all together into a cataplasme there is not a better medicine for them and for the inflammation called S. Anthonies fire the white of an eg beaten together with Amydum or starch-floure is right soueraign It is said moreouer that the white of an egg is very good to conglutinat or sowder any wound yea and two expell the stone and grauell out of the body The yelke of an egg sodden vntill it be hard and tempred with a little saffron with hony also and brest-milke and so reduced into a liniment allaieth the pain of the eies if they be anointed or fomented therewith or if the same be incorporat with oile rosat honied wine and so spred vpon a quilt of wooll and applied it workes the same effect Others there be who take the yelke or an hard egg mix therwith the pouder of persley seed adding thereto fried barly meale dried and honied wine with which composition they annoint the sore eies Also the yelk of a soft egg alone supped off and swallowed down cleare that it touch not the teeth by the way is singular good for those that be troubled with the cough with the rheume or catarrhe that hath taken a way to the brest or pectorall parts yea and the roughnesse of the throat pipes which causeth hoarsenesse but principally if one be bitten with a worme or serpent called Haemorrhois let him both sup off the yelke of an egg raw or soft and apply it also to the wounded place It helpeth the infirmities of the reins it healeth the fretting excoriation and vlcers of the bladder yea and cureth those that reach cast vp
ought to be buried in snow a pleasant smel it hath and is held to be a soueraigne ointment for any through-cold and quiuering fit for convulsions for sodain pains whereof no euident cause is known and in one word for all lassitudes and what infirmities soeuer be cured by the medicins called in Greeke A copa in such sort as that it serueth not only for an outward ointment but also for an inward medicine This Comagenum is made in Syria after another maner namely of the fat or grease of birds which is clensed tried and purified according as I haue before said with an addition of Erysisceptron Xylobalsamum the barke or young shoots of the Date tree and sweet Calamus of each as much as amounteth to the weight of the greace aforesaid and all these together must be put into wine and set ouer the fire for siuer and to take two or three waulms Now this is to be noted that the conuenient time of making it is in winter because it will neuer jellie and grow to any thick consistence in Summer vnlesse there be wax put into it Many other good medicines and ointments there be made of Geese whereat I marueile as much as at Goats for it is said that all Summer long euen vnto the fall of the leafe Geese and Rauens be continually sicke Finally as touching the honour which Geese deserued and woon by discouering the skallade that the Frenchmen made into the Capitoll hill of Rome I haue written heretofore CHAP. IIII. ¶ Medicinable receits taken from dogs and other beasts which are not tame but wild also from foules Remedies against the pricke or sting of the venomous spiders Phalangia VPon the foresaid occasion for the dogs which had the custome of the Capitoll barked not when the Gaules skaled the Capitoll there is a custome yearely obserued at Rome to trusse certain dogs to forkes and thus as it were crucified to hang them aliue vpon an Elder tree for examplarie justice which execution was performed between the temple of Ieventus and Summanus But seeing I am thus light vpon the mention of dogs I must needs discourse of them more at large and the rather for that our ancestours in old time obserued many ceremonies about this beast First and formost the ancient Romanes thought the flesh of sucking whelps to be so pure and fine a meat that they vsed to sacrifice and offer them as an expiatorie oblation to their gods for to appease their indignation And verily at this day they make no scruple to sacrifice a yong whelpe before it be full a day old and especially such an one as the bitch puppied the same morning yea and at the solemne festiuall suppers ordained for the honour of the gods they forget not this day to serue vp at the table certain dishes of yong whelps flesh that sucke their dams Moreouer that young dogs flesh was an ordinarie seruice at those sumptuous feasts called Aditiales it appeareth plainely by the testimonie of Plautus in his Comaedies Certes it is generally thought that for the venome called Toxicum there is not a better counterpoyson than dogs bloud It seemeth also that this domesticall creature taught men first the manner of discharging and purging the stomacke by vomit In summe there are a number of other medicinable vertues in a dog highly commended whereof I will write as occasion shall be offered in conuenient place But for this present I will proceed orderly according to my first intention and purpose To returne againe vnto the stinging of serpents these remedies following are taken to be effectuall to wit sheeps treddles and Goats dung fresh gathered and boiled in wine to the consistence of a liniment and so applied vnto the place also mice and rats splitted and so laid hot vnto the wound And verily how basely soeuer men thinke of this kind of cattell and hold them no better than vermine yet they are not without certaine naturall properties and those not to be despised but principally in regard of the sympathy betweene them and the planets in their ascent as I haue noted heretofore and namely considering how the lobes and filaments of their liuers and bowels do encrease or decrease in number according to the daies of the Moons age And these magicians do report That if one do giue vnto hogs the liuer of a mouse or rat within a fig they will follow the partie that gaue them that morcell They say moreouer that the same is able to do as much in a man but in case a cyath of oile be drunke vpon it it looseth all the vertue As touching Weasels there be two kinds of them for there be wild sort different from the rest in bignes for they be smaller and those the Greeks call Ictides their gall is said to be very effectuall against the sting of the Aspis whereas otherwise it is a very poyson it selfe As for that kind which keepeth about our houses wandering here and there in euery corner and vseth to carie her kitlings in her mouth to and fro euery day from place to place and neuer resteth as mine author Cicero doth write shee is an enemie to serpents and naturally persecuteth them Their flesh being salted is giuen to the weight of one denier in three cyaths of wine with great successe vnto those that be stung by serpents also their maw farced with coriander seed and kept in salt or brine is good for the same purpose if it be drunke in wine But the young kitling of the Weasell is best and most effectuall Other vile creatures there are besides which for their basenesse I bash to name and relate in this place howbeit because so many authors with one consent haue so constantly commended their medicinable properties I make it a matter of conscience to passe them ouer in silence considering that all our medicins proceed from that conuenience and repugnancie which is in the nature of all things whereof we haue so much spoken As we may see for example in these punies or wall lice the most ilfavoured and filthy vermine of all other and which we loth and abhor at the very naming of them for naturally they are said to be aduersatiue to the sting of all serpents and principally of the Aspis nay they are thought to be a counterpoyson against any venomous thing whatsoeuer and folke ground their reason hereupon because looke what day that Hens do eat a wal-louce the same day there shall no Aspis haue power to kill them And it is said moreouer That the very flesh of such hens as haue eaten such punies is singular good for those that be stung alreadie by the said serpents Other receits there be set downe by our great masters in Physicke as touching this foule vermine but those which carie most modestie with them and haue greatest respect vnto manhood humanity are these namely to rub or annoint the place which is stung with
Quoist boiled in vineger and water is of the same effect The milt of a sheep first torrified then puluerized and taken in wine helpeth much this infirmitie A liniment likewise made of Pigeons dung and hony is of great vertue if the patients belly be annointed therewith Touching those that haue feeble stomacks and cannot concoct and digest their meat It is said That the maw or gisier of that kind of Geire or Vulture which is called in Latine Ossifragus dried puluerized and drunk is right soueraigne Nay if the patient doe but hold the same gisier in his hand whiles he is at his repast it will help digestion And in truth there bee diuers that for this cause weare these gisiers ordinarily about their necks but I think it not wholsome to do so long for it maketh them leane as many as vse it and spendeth their body To stay a flux of the belly the bloud of Mallards or Drakes is thought also to be singular good The meat made of shell-snailes discusseth and scattereth ventosities The Milt of a Mutton broiled to ashes and giuen in wine is singular good to allay the wrings and torments of the belly Of the same operation is the wild Quoist or Ringdoue sodden in vineger and water The greater kind of Swallows or Martins called Apodes are no lesse powerfull if they bee sodden and taken in wine The ashes of the bird Ibis plucked burnt without his feathers so giuen to drink work the same effect But strange it is and wonderfull if that be true which is reported as touching this malady namely that if a Ducke bee applied aliue vnto the belly which is tormented with such wrings she shal draw away the disease into her own body and die of the torment but the patient shal be eased by that means These painful gripes likewise are cured with sodden hony wherein Bees sometimes were drowned to death As for the Collick there is nothing so good to assuage the paine thereof as to eat Larkes which the Latines name Galeritae Howbeit some giue aduise and think it better to burne and calcine them in their feathers within a new earthen vessel so to stamp them to ashes or pouder and to drink therof foure daies together in water by three spoonfuls at a time Others make no more ado but take the heart of a Lark and bind it to the inward part of the thigh and there be againe who would haue the same to be swallowed downe whole newly taken out of the bird while it was warme There is a family of the Asprenates men of good quality and reputation for that they had bin somtimes Consuls of Rome in which house of two brethren the one was fully cured of the collick by eating these birds and by wearing ordinarily the heart of one of them about his arme inclosed within a bracelet of gold the other being likewise troubled with the said disease found remedy by a kind of sacrifice which he offered in a little chappell made with vnbaked brickes piled vp archwise in manner of a furnace and so soon as the sacrifice was finished he stopt vp the same againe That Vulture which is called Ossifragus hath one gut of wonderfull nature for it is able to concoct and digest whatsoeuer the said foul deuoureth And for certain this is known and generally receiued that the nethermost end therof cureth the collick if the patient do but carry it about him There are other secret and hidden diseases incident to the guts wherof there be wonders told and namely that in these cases if yong whelpes before they can see be applied for 3 daies together vnto the stomack especially and the brest so that they suck milke from out of the patients mouth the while the said disease shall passe into the body of the poore whelps whereof in the end they shall die Let the same be ripped opened then it wil appear euidently what the cause was of the foresaid secret malady of the patient But such whelps ought when they are dead to be enterred buried As for the Magitians they auouch That if the belly be annointed lightly with the bloud of a Bat the party thus dressed shall not need to feare any paine of that part for one whole yeare after or if it chance that one be pained in the belly let him say they indure to drinke the water that runneth down from his feet when his legs be washed and he shall find help anone CHAP. VIII ¶ Medicines against the stone and grauell the paines of the bladder The swellings in the cods and the share Also for the biles and botches called Pani FOr them that are troubled with the stone it is good to annoint the region of the belly with Mouse dung It is said that the flesh of an Vrchin or Hedgehog is very good meat pleasant in tast if so be he were killed outright in the head at one blow before that he had time to shed his owne vrine vpon himselfe and looke whosoeuer eat this flesh shall neuer be subject to the disease of the strangury The flesh of an Vrchin killed in this sort helpeth the bladder in case the vrine passe by dropmeale from it But contrariwise if the Vrchin chance to wet and drench himselfe with his owne vrine as many as eat of the flesh shal fal into the infirmity of the strangury or pissing dropmeale Moreouer it is said That earthworms drunke either in wine or cuit is of great efficacy to breake or dissolue the stone as also that snailes prepared in that sort as they are ordained to be dressed for shortnesse of wind work the like effect Take snails naked out of their shels and stamp them giue 3 of them to the Patient to drinke in a cyath of wine the first day two the morrow after and the third day one againe you shall see how it will helpe the strangurie or pissing dropmeale But let the empty shels be burnt the ashes therof wil scoure away and expell the stone Semblably it is said that the same effect followeth vpon drinking the liuer of a water-snake the eating of the ashes of scorpions calcined either in bread or with locusts Likewise to take the little stones or grit that be found in the craw of a cocke or in the gisier or maw of a stock-doue to beat the same to pouder and therewith to spice the drinke is singular good for the infirmity aforesaid To do the like with the skin of a Cocks or Hens gisier dried or if it be new and fresh to rost and eat it Also for the stone and other difficulties or impediments of the bladder it is good to take the dung of Quoists or Stock-doues with Beane meale In like manner there is much help found by the ashes of Quoists feathers such as be of a wilder kind than the rest taken with Oxymell Moreouer the ashes of the guts of this bird giuen to the quantity of three spoonfuls as also the
all the corne vpon the ground The like also fell as often in Egypt for the rain that fel caused all the washes arising from the riuer Nilus which watred the grounds to be bitter whereupon insued a great plague and pestilence to the whole region It chanceth many times that presently vpon the cutting and stocking vp of Woods there arise and spring certaine fountaines which beforetime appeared not but were spent in the nourishment of the tree roots as it fell out in the mountain Haemus when as Cassander held the Gallogreeks besieged for when the woods thereupon were cut down to make a palaisad for a rampier presently there issued forth springs of water in their place Moreouer it hath bin oft times known that by occasion of spoiling some hils of the wood growing therupon the springs haue met altogether in one streame and done much hurt in sudden ouerflowing the vaile beneath whereas the trees before-time had wont to drink vp digest and consume all the moisture wet that fell and fed the said waters And verily it auaileth much for the maintenance of water to stirre with the plough and to till a ground thereby to break vp and loose the vppermost callositie and hide as it were of the earth that kept it clunged and bound Certes it is recorded for a truth that vpon the rasing and destroying of Arcadia a towne so called in Creet wherby the place was dispeopled all the fountaines waxed dry and the riuers in that tract which were many came to nothing but six yeares after when the said town was re-edified euen as the inhabitants fell to earing and ploughing any grounds within their territorie the foresaid fountains appeared again and the riuers returned to their former course CHAP. V. ¶ Divers historicall obseruations touching this point MOreouer Earthquakes as they discouer sometimes new springs and sources of water so otherwhiles they swallow them vp that they are no more seene like as it hapned as it is well knowne 5 times about the riuer Pheneus in Arcadia And in manner abouesayd there issued forth a riuer out of the mountaine Corycus so soone as the peisants of the country began to break it vp for tillage But to return again to the change and alteration of waters wonderfull they must needs be no doubt when there is no euident cause thereof to be knowne as namely in Magnesia where al the hot waters of the bains suddenly became cold without any other change besides of the tast also in Caria where standeth the temple of Neptune the riuer which was knowne before to be fresh and potable all on a sudden turned into salt water Ouer and besides is not this a strange miracle that the fountain Arethusa in Syracuse should haue a sent or smell of dung during the solemne games and exercises at Olympia But there is some probable reason to be rendred hereof Because the riuer Alpheus passeth from Olympus vnder the very bottom of the sea into that Island of Sicily where Syracuse standeth and so commeth to the foresaid fountain The Rhodians haue a fountain within their Chersonese which euery ninth yere purgeth it self sends out an infinit deale of ordure and filthines And as the tast smell of waters do alter so their colours also do change as for example there is a lake in the country of Babylon which euery summer for the space of 11 daies looketh red and Borysthenes also in the summer time runneth with a blewish colour like violets or the sky and yet a most pure and subtill water it is of all other which is the reason that it swims aloft and floteth naturally vpon Hypanis the riuer In which two riuers there is another maruell reported That all the while a Southern wind bloweth the riuer Hypanis is discerned aboue it But there is one argument more besides that proueth the water of Borysthenes to be passing light thin for that there arise no mists out of it nay it is not perceiued to yeeld any exhalation or breath at al from it To conclude they that would seem to be curious and skilfull in these matters do obserue and affirme That generally all waters grow to be heauier after that mid-winter is once past CHAP. VI. ¶ The maner of water-conduits How and when those waters which naturally are medicinable ought to be vsed Also for what diseases it is good to saite and take the aire of the Sea The vertues and properties of sea waters as touching Physicke IF a man would convey water from any head of a spring the best way is to vse pipes of earth made by potters art and the same ought to be 2 fingers thick and one jointed within another so as the end of the vpper pipes enter into the nether as a tenon into a mortaise or as a box into the lid the same ought to be vnited and laid euen with quicklime quenched and dissolued in oile The least leuell for to carry and command water vp hill from the receit is one hundred foot but if it be conueyed but by one canel and no more it may be forced to mount the space of two Actus i. 240 foot As touching the pipes by means whereof the water is to rise aloft they ought to be of lead Furthermore this is to be obserued That the water ascend alwaies of it self at the deliuerie to the heigth of the head from whence it gaue receit if it bee fetched a long way the worke must rise and fall often in the carriage thereof that the leuell may bee maintained still As for the pipes ten foot long apiece they would bee if you do well Now if the said pipes of lead be but fiue fingers in compasse ordinarily they should weigh sixty pound if they be of eight fingers size they must carry the weight of one hundred pound but in case they bear a round of 10 fingers their poise would be at the least 120 pound and so the rest more or lesse according to this proportion Those pipes be called properly in Latine Denariae the web or sheet whereof beareth ten fingers in breadth before it be turned in and brought to the compasse of a pipe like as Quinariae when the same is halfe so broad Moreouer this is to be obserued That in euery turning and twining of an hill the pipe ought of necessity to be fiue fingers round and no more for to represse and breake the violence of the water in the current Likewise the vaulted heads which receiue and contain water from all the sources meeting together musâ—… be of that capacity as need requireth And since I am falne into the treatise and discourse of fountains I wonder much at Homer that he hath made no mention at all of hot springs and yet otherwise throughout his whole poëme hee bringeth in oftentimes those who bathed and washed in hot baines But it may verie wel be that the reason therof is because in those times
Cavallerie changed The gifts and rewards represented vnto valiant souldiers for their braue seruice And at what time Coronets of gold were seene THe chamber of the foresaid judges consisted of diuers estates and degrees distinguished all by seuerall names for first and foremost there were of them called Tribuni aeris as it were Generall receiuers or Treasurers secondly Selecti chosen from among the Senators and last of all those who simply were named Iudices or Iudges taken from among the knights or men of armes Ouer and besides these they had others called Nongenti choice men selected from out of all the estates who had the keeping of those chists or caskets wherin were put the voices of the people in their solemn elections And by reason of a proud humor in men chusing themselues names to their owne liking great diuisions and factions arose in this house and chamber of the foresaid Iudges whiles one would needs be called Nongentus another Selectus and a third gloried in the title of Tribune or Receiuer But at length in the ninth yere of the reigne of the Emperor Tiberius Caesar the whole estate of the gentrie or cauallerie of Rome was reduced to an vniformitie and an order was set downe whereby it was knowne who might weare rings and who might not which fell out to be in that yeare when C. Asinius Pollio and C. Antistius Vetus were Consuls together and in the 775 yere alter the foundation of Rome city And verily this vniforme regularity was occasioned by a trifling cause to speak of and whereat wee may well maruell and thus stood the case C. Sulpitius Galba desirous in his youth to win some credit with the foresaid Emperour Tiberius and namely by deuising meanes how to bring Taueâ—… Cooks shops and victualing houses in danger of the law and to forfeit penalties pleaded against 〈◊〉 and complained before the Senat That those who were the vndertakers and Tenants 〈◊〉 â—…re of the foresaid Tauerns c. and made their gaine thereby had no other meanes to bearâ—…â—…mselues out nor plea to defend their faults and disorders but their rings The Senat taking knowledge hereof ordained an act That none from that time forward might bee allowed to weare the said rings vnlesse he were free borne and that both himselfe his father and grand sire by the fathers side were assessed in the Censors booke 400000 sesterces and by vertue of the law Iulia as touching the publicke Theatre had right to sit and behold the plaies in the first and foremost 14 ranks or seats for knights appointed Howbeit afterwards euery man labo red and made means one with another to be allowed to weare this ornament of a ring Now in regard of these disorders and variances aboue rehearsed prince Caius Caligula the Emperour adjoyned to the former foure a fifth Decurie And shortly after men gtew to that height and pride in this behalfe of wearing rings and the company so surcreased that whereas in Augustus Caesars dayes there could not be found knights and Gentlemen sufficient throughout all Rome to furnish those Decuries by this time they could not be contained all within the Chamber of Iudges or Decuries abouesaid insomuch as now adaies no sooner are there any slaues manumised and affranchised but presently by their good will they must be at their rings A thing that neuer before was knowne in Rome for aforetime when a man spake of the iron ring he was vnderstood presently to point at the Gentlemen and Iudges before named but the said ornament or badge became so commonly to be taken vp by one as well as another that a gentleman of Rome Flauius Proculus by name indited 400 at once before Claudius Caesar Censor for the time being and declared against them for this abuse and offence See what inconuenience insued vpon the act of rings for whiles thereby a distinction was made between that degree other free-born citizens streight-waies base slaues leapt in and were so bold as to take that ornament vpon them And here by the way it is to be noted that the two Gracchi Tiberius and Caius brethren vpon a certain desire and inbred affection that they had to maintaine and nuzzle the people in sedition and to beare a side alwaies against the Senat for to currie fauour with the Commons and to do them a pleasure deuised first to haue al them called Iudges who by vertue of the foresaid statute or edict might weare rings and this he did to crosse and beard the Senat. But after the fire of tbis sedition was quenched and the popular authors thereof who stirred blew the coles were murdered the denomination of these criminall Iudges after diuers troubles and seditions with variable and alternatiue fortune fell in the end to the Publicans and Farmers of the reuenues of the State and being thus deuolued vpon them there continued insomuch as for a good while the said Publicans made vp the third degree betweene the Senatours and the Commons Howbeit M. Cicero when he was Consull re-established the Knighthood Cauallerie of Rome in their former estate and place and so far preuailed that hee reconciled them againe vnto the Senat giuing out openly that he himselfe was come of that degree and by that means by a certain popularity sought to draw them all to side with him From this time forward the men of arms were installed as it were in the third estate of Rome insomuch as al edicts and publick acts passed in the name of the Senat People and Cauallerie of the citie And for that these knights or gentlemen were last incorporated into the body of the Common-weale this is the only reason that euen now also they are written in all publicke Instruments after the People As touching the name or title attributed to this third estate or degree of Horsemen or men of Arms it hath bin changed and altered oftentimes for in the daies of Romulus and other KK of Rome they were called Celeres afterwards Flexumines and in processe of time Trossuli by occasion that these horsmen without any aid at all of the Infanterie had woon a towne in Tuscane nine miles on this side Volsinij called Trossuli which name continued in the Cauallerie of Rome vntill the time of C. Gracchus and afterward And verily Iunius who vpon the great amitie betweene Gracchus and him was syrnamed Gracchanus hath left these words in writing as touching this matter concerning the degree of knights quoth hee those who now are called Equites i. Horsemen beforetime had to name Trossuli the change of which name arose vpon this that many of these Gentlemen ignorant in the originall and first occasion of the foresayd name Trossuli and what the meaning thereof was were ashamed so to be called He alledgeth moreouer the cause of the said name and yet notwithstanding quoth hee they cannot away with the name at this day but are so called against their wils To come again vnto our former discourse of
wit Sil and Azur As for Sil to speake properly it is a kind of muddy slime the best of this kind is called Atticum and euery pound of it is worth 32 deniers The next in goodnesse is hard as stone or marble and carieth hardly halfe the price of the other named Atticum there is a third sort of a fast compact substance which because it is brought out of the Island Scyros some call Scyricum and yet of late verily we haue it out of Achaia also and this is the Sil that painters vse for their shadows this is sold after two sesterces the pound As for the Sil which commeth out of France called the Bright Sil it is sold in euery pound two asses lesse than that of Achaia This Sil and the first called Atticum painters vse to giue a lustre and light withall but the second kinde which standeth vpon marble is not imploied but in tablements and chapters of pillers for that the marble grit within it doth withstand the bitternesse of the lime This Sil is digged likewise out of certain hils not past 20 miles from the city of Rome afterwards they burne it and by that means do sophisticate and sell it for the fast or flat kinde named Pressum but that it is not true and natural but calcined appeareth euidently by the bitternesse that it hath and for that it is resolued into pouder CHAP. XIII ¶ Of Sil Caeruleum Nestorianum and Coelum Also that all these kindes keep not the same price euerie yeare POlygnotus and Mycon were the first Painters who wrought with Sil or Ochre but they vsed onely that of Athens in their pictures The age insuing imploied it much in giuing light vnto their colours but that of Scyros and Lydia for shadowes As for the Lydian ochre it was commonly bought at Sardis the capitall city of Lydia but now it is growne out of all remembrance As touching Caeruleum or Azur it is a certaine sandy grit or pouder of which in old time there were knowne 3 kinds to wit the Aegyptian most commended aboue the rest the Scythian which is easie to be dissolued and tempered and in the grinding turneth into foure colours namely the Azur which is of a pallet colour called therefore the whiter the blacker Azur of a deeper blew there is the Azur also of a grosser substance and the fourth of a finer The Cyprian Azur is preferred before that of Scythia Ouer and aboue those Azures before-named wee haue some from Puteoli and Spaine where they be artificiall and they haue taken to making it of a kind of sand All the sorts of these Azurs receiue first a dye and are boiled with a certain hearbe appropriat to it called Oad the colour and juice whereof Azur is apt to drinke in and receiue As for all the preparation and making of it otherwise it is the same that belongeth to Chrysocolla or Borax Of Azur there is made that powder which wee call in Latine Lomentum for which purpose it must be first punned puluerized and washed and this is whiter indeed than the Azur it selfe sold it is after three and twentie deniers the pound whereas Azur may bee bought for eighteene Herewith they vse to paint walls that be ouercast with plastres for lime it will not abide Of late daies there is a kinde of Azur growne into request called Nestorianum taking that name of him who first deuised it made it is of the lightest part of the Aegyptian Azur and it costeth 40 deniers the pound Of the same vse also is the Azur of Puteoli saue only in windows and this some call Coelon It is not long since another kind of Azur or blew named Indico began to be brought ouer vnto vs out of India which is prized at 17 deniers the pound It serueth painters wel for the lines called Incisurae that is to say for to diuide shadows from lights in their workes To conclude there is another kinde of Lomentum or blew powder of the basest account of all other some call it Tritum and it is not esteemed worth aboue fiue asses the pound But to try the right and perfect Azur indeed the best experiment is to see whether it will flame vpon a burning cole As for the false and sophisticat Azur it is thus made they take the floures of violets dried and boile them in water the juice they presse forth through a linnen cloth and mix the same with the chaulky earth called Eretria vntill such time as it be well incorporat with it To proceed vnto the medicinable vertues of Azur It is holden to be a great clenser therfore it mundifieth vlcers in which regard it entreth into plasters as also into potentiall cauteries As touching Ochre or Sil it is exceeding hard to be reduced into pouder and this also serueth in Physicke for it hath a mild kind of mordacity astringent it is besides incarnatiue in which respect soueraigne to heale vlcers but before that it will doe any good it ought to be burnt and calcined vpon an earthen pan To conclude with the prices of all those things named heretofore howsoeuer hitherto I haue set them downe yet I am not ignorant how they vary according to the place yea and alter in manner euery yeare and well I wot that as shipping and nauigation speeds well or ill as the Merchant buyeth cheap or deare the price may rise and fall Againe it falleth out that sometime one rich munger or other buying vp a commodity and bringing it wholly into his owne hands for to haue the Monopoly of it raiseth the market and inhaunceth the price for I remember well how in the daies of Nero late Emperor all the spicers druggers and Apothecaries preferred a Bill of complaint vnto the Consuls against one Demetrius a regrater Yet notwithstanding I thought it necessarie to put downe the prices of things as they are ordinarie valued at Rome one yeare with another to shew in some sort by a generall aestimat the worth of such wares and commodities whereof I haue written THE XXXIV BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF NATVRE WRITTEN BY C. PLINIVS SECVNDVS The Proem CHAP. I. ¶ The Mines of Brasse IT is now time to go in hand with Mines of Brasse a mettall esteemed most of all other next to Gold and Siluer in regard of the vses about which it is imployed nay if I should say truly preferred it is especially that which is called the laton of Corinth in diuers respects before siluer yea and gold it selfe for brasse I may tell you is of great authority in the campe and carrieth no small stroke among souldiers in regard of their pay which as I haue said before was weighed them out in brasse and hereupon their wages-money is vsually called by the name of Aera militum From this mettall likewise the generall Receiuers and Treasurers take their title of credit and place for at Rome they be called Tribuni aerarij as a man
master deuiser of Alexandria in Aegypt Dinocrates who began to make the arched roofe of the temple of Arsinoe all of Magnet or this load-stone to the end that within that temple the statue of the said princesse made of yron might seeme to hang in the aire by nothing But pre uented he was by death before he could finish his worke like as K. Ptolomaee also who ordayned that temple to be built in the honour of the said Arsinoe his sister But to returne again to our yron of all mines that be the vein of this mettall is largest and spreadeth it self into most lengths euery way as we may see in that part of Biscay that coasteth along the sea and vpon which the Ocean beateth where there is a craggy mountaine very steepe and high which standeth all vpon a mine or veine of yron A wonderfull thing and in maner incredible howbeit most true according as I haue shewed already in my Cosmography as touching the circuit of the Ocean CHAP. XV. ¶ The temper of yron The medicinable vertues thereof as also of the rust of Brasse and yron Of the skales that shed and flie from yron and of the liquid emplaster called by the Greekes Hygrimplastrum IRon made once hot in the fire vnlesse it be hardened with the Hammer doth soone waste and corrupt So long as it looketh but red it is not ready for the hammer neither would it be beaten before it begin to look white in the fire Besmeare it with vineger and Allum it wil looke like copper or brasse If you be desirous to keep any yron-worke from rust giue it a vernish with cerusse plaster and tar incorporat all together And this is that composition which is called by the Greeks Antipathia And some say also that there is a kind of hallowing yron that will preserue it from rust as also that there is at this day to be seen the chaine of yron within the city called Zeugma seated vpon Euphrates wherwith king Alexander the Great somtime bound and strengthened the bridge ouer the riuer there the linkes whereof as many as haue been repaired and made new since doe gather rust whereas the rest of the first making be all free therfrom As touching the vse of yron and steele in Physicke it serueth otherwise than for to launce cut and dismember withall for take a knife or dagger and make an imaginarie circle two or three times with the point thereof vpon a yong child or an elder body and then goe round withall about the party as often it is a singular preseruatiue against all poisons sorceries or inchantments Also to take any yron naile out of the coffin or sepulchre wherein man or woman lieth buried and to sticke the same fast to the lintle or side-post of a dore leading either into the house or bed-chamber where any doth lie who is haunted with spirits in the night hee or shee shall be deliuered and secured from such phantasticall illusions Moreouer it is said That if one be lightly pricked with the point of sword or dagger which hath beene the death of a man iâ—… is an excellent remedy against the paines of sides or brest which come with sudden pricks and stitches An actuall cauterie of yron red hot cureth many diseases and especially the biting of a mad dog in which case it is so effectuall that if the poison inflicted by that wound haue preuailed so far that the patient be fallen into an Hydrophobie thereby and cannot abide drinke or water let the sore be seared therewith the party shall find help presently Gads of steele or other yron red hot quenched in water so long vntil the same water be hot causeth it to be a wholsome drinke in many diseases but principally in the bloudy flix The very rust of yron also is counted medicinable for so Achilles is said to haue healed Telephus but whether the head of his speare were yron or brasse of which he vsed the rust I doe not certainly know Certes he is paynted thus with his sword scraping and shaking off the rust into the wound But if you would fetch off the rust from any old nails scrape it with a knife wet before in water As touching the vertues thereof it is cleansing exiccatiue and astringent it recouereth the haire in places despoiled thereof if they be annointed therewith in the forme of a liniment being reduced into a salue with wax and oile of Myrtles incorporate together many vse it for roughnesse about the eie-lids the pimples also breaking forth all ouer the body For shingles and S. Antonies fire it is singular good to apply it in an vnguent with vineger likewise it killeth scabs and healeth whitflawes of the fingers and the excrescence or turning vp of the flesh about the roots of the nails if linnen rags wet there in be applied conueniently The same conueyed vp in wooll after the manner of a pessary into the naturall parts of women staieth the immoderat flux both of whites and reds The rust of yron tempered in wine and wrought together with Myrrhe is good for a greene wound put thereto vineger and then it helpeth the piles and swelling bigges of the fundament A liniment made with it mitigateth the paine of the gout As touching the skales of yron that flie from the edge or point of any weapon wrought in the smiths forge they serue in the same cases that the rust doth and haue the like effects saue only this that they haue greater acrimonie and work more eagerly in which regard they are emploied about the repressing of the flux that falleth into watering eies But marke this one thing Yron being that which woundeth most and sheddeth bloud yet the skales that come from it stanch the same a property they haue besides to stop the flux in women and being applied to the region of the spleene they do open the obstructions thereof and ease other infirmities incident thereto the running haemorrhoids they represse and such vlcers as are giuen to spread farther and corrode as they go Reduced into a fine powder and gently strewed vpon the eye-lids they are good for the accidents thereto belonging But the principal vse of them and for which they are most commended is in a certain liquid plaster called Hygremplastrum which serueth to mundifie wounds vlcers and fistulaes to eat away all callosities and to incarnate and engender new flesh about bones that are perished And this is the receit of that composition Take of the scouring Tuckers earth the weight of two oboli of brasse six drams of the skales of yron as much and no lesse of wax incorporat all these according to art in one sextar of oile But in case there be need to mundifie any sores or to incarnat there would be put therto some plain cerot besides CHAP. XVI ¶ Of the Mines of Lead ore of white lead and blacke NOw insueth the discourse of lead and the nature of it of which there be two
this In the ranke of these most memorable workes of man I may well raunge the mountaine that was digged through by the same Claudius Caesar for to void away the water out of the lough or meere Fucinus although this work was left vnfinished for hatred of his successour which I assure you cost an incredible and inenarrable sum of mony besides the infinit toil and labour of a multitude of workemen and labourers so many yeres together as well to force the water which came vpon the pioners from vnder the ground with deuise of engines and windles vp to the top of the hill whereas it stood vpon meere earth as to cut and hâ—…w through hard regs and rockes of flint and all this by candlelight within the earth in such sort that vnlesse a man had bin there to haue seene the manner of it vnpossible it is either to conceiue in mind or expresse with tongue the difficultie of the enterprise As for the peere and hauen at Ostia because I would make an end once of these matters I will not say a word thereof nor of the waies and passages cut through the mountaines ne yet of the mighty piles and damns to exclude the Tuscane sea for the Lucrine lake with so many rampiers and bridges made of such infinit cost Howbeit among many other miraculous things in Aegypt one thing more I will relate out of mine author Papyrius Fabianus a great learned Naturalist namely That marble doth grow daily in the quarries and in very truth the farmers of those quarries and such as ordinarily do labour and dig out stone do affirme no lesse who vpon their experience doe assure vs that looke what holes and caues be made in those rockes and mountaines the same will gather againe and fill vp in time which if it be true good hope there is that so long as marbles do liue excesse in building will neuer die CHAP. XVI ¶ The sundry kinds of the Load-stone and the medicines thereto depending NOw that I am to passe from marbles to the singular admirable natures of other stones who doubts but the Magnet or Loadstone will present it self in the first place for is there any thing more wonderfull and wherein Nature hath more trauelled to shew her power than in it True it is that to rockes and stones she had giuen voice as I haue already shewed whereby they are able to answer a man nay they are ready to gainsay and multiply words vpon him But is that all what is there to our seeming more dull than the stiffe and hard stone And yet behold Nature hath bestowed vpon it sence yea hands also with the vse thereof What can we deuise more stubborne and rebellious in the own kind than the hard yron yet it yeelds and will abide to be ordered for loe it is willing to be drawne by the load stone a maruellous matter that this mettall which tameth and conquereth all things els should run toward I wot not what and the nearer that it approcheth standeth still as if it were arrested and suffereth it selfe to be held therwith nay it claspeth and clungeth to it and will not away And hereupon it is that some call the load-stone Sideritis others Heracleos As for the name Magnes that it hath it tooke it as Nicander saith of the first inuentor and deuiser thereof who found it by his saying vpon the mountaine Ida for now it is to be had in all other countries like as in Spaine also and by report a neat-heard he was who as he kept his beasts vpon the foresaid mountaine might perceiue as he went vp and downe both the hob nailes which were in his shooes and also the yron picke or graine of his staffe to sticke vnto the said stone Moreouer Sotacus ascribeth and setteth downe fiue sundry kinds of the load-stone the first which commeth out of Aethyopia the second from that Magnesia which confineth vpon Macedonie and namely on the right hand as you go from thence toward the lake Boebeis the third is found in Echium a town of Boeotia the fourth about Alexandria in the region of Troas and the fift in Magnesia a country in Asia Minor The principall difference obserued in these stones consists in the sex for some be male others female the next lieth in the colour As for those which are brought out of Macedonie and Magnesia they be partly red and partly blacke The Boeotian loadstone standeth more vpon red than black contrariwise that of Troas is black and of the female sex in which regard it is not of that vertue that others be But the worst of all comes from Magnesia in Natolia and the same is white neither doth it draw yron as the rest but resembles the pumish stone In sum this is found by experience That the blewer any of these loadstones be the better they are and more powerful And the Ethyopian is simply the best insomuch as it is worth the weight in siluer found it is in Zimiri for so they cal the sandy region of Ethyopia which country yeeldeth also the sanguine load-stone called Haematites which both in color resembleth bloud and also if it be bruised yeeldeth a bloudy humour yea and otherwhiles that which is like to saffron As for the property of drawing yron this bloud-stone Haematides is nothing like to the loadstone indeed But if you would know and try the true Ethyopian Magnet it is of power to draw to it any of the other sorts of loadstones This is a generall vertue in them all more or lesse according to that portion of strength which Nature hath indued them withal That they are very good to put into those medicines which are prepared for the eies but principally they do represse the vehement flux of humors that fall into them beeing calcined and beaten into pouder they do heale any burne or scald To conclude there is another mountaine in the same Ehyopia and not far from the said Zimiris which breedeth the stone Theamedes that will abide no yron but rejecteth and driueth the same from it But of both these natures as well the one as the other I haue written oftentimes already CHAP. XVII ¶ Of certaine stones which will quickly consume the bodies that be laid therein Of others againe that preserue them a long time Of the stone called Assius and the medicinable properties thereof WIthin the Isle Scyros there is a stone by report which so long as it is whole sound will swim and flote vpon the water breake the same into small pieces it will sink Near vnto Assos a city in Troas there is found in the quarries a certaine stone called Sarcophagus which runneth in a direct veine and is apt to be clouen and so cut out of the rocke by flakes The reason of that name is this because that within the space of forty daies it is knowne for certaine to consume the bodies of the dead which are bestowed therein skin
engrauer 483 e. sundry peeces of his handy-worke ibid. Acro who was the first Empericke Physician that euer was 344. h Acrocorios a kinde of Bulbe 19 a Act of generation how it is helped 130 h. 131 a 132 g. See more in Venus how it is hindered 58. k 59 d. 187 a. 190 h. 221 d. 256 l. See more in Venus L. Actius the Poet. 490. l L. Actius being of low stature caused his statue to be made tall ibid. Actius Nauius the Augur 491 b Actius Nauius his statue erected vpon a Columne at Rome ibid. A D Adad the Assyrian god 630. h Adad-Nephros a pretious stone ibid. Adamantis a magicall hearbe 203. c. why so called ibid. the strange vertues and properties thereof ibid. A arca See Calamochnus Adarce what it is 74 l. the vertues and properties that it hath ibid. Adders tongue See Lingulaca Aditiales Epulae or Adijciales what feasts they be 355. c Admiranda the title to a booke of M. Ciceroes 403. b Adonis garden 91. c Adonium a floure ibid. in Adoration of the gods what gesture obserued 297. e Adulterie how a woman shall loath and detest 434. k A E Aegilops a kinde of bulbe 19. b Aegilops an hearbe 235. a. the qualitie that the seed hath 99. c. Aegilops what vlcer ibid. Aegina an Island famous for brasse founders 488. h in great name for the branchworke of brasen candlestickes there made ibid. k Aegipt stored with good hearbes 96. l. what they be ib. 97. b Aegypt famous for singular hearbes and commended therefore by Homer 210. l Aegiptian beane 111. c. the vertues ibid. Aegiptilla a pretious stone 625. a. the description ib. Aegles why they hatch but two at one airie 590. k Aegle stone See Aëtites Aegophthalmus a pretious stone 630. i Aegolethron an hearbe 94 h. why so called ibid. Aegonichon See Greimile Aegypios a kinde of Vulture or Geere 365. d Aera Militum what 486. i Aerarium the treasurie of Rome why so called ibid. l Aerarij Tribuni what officers in Rome ibid. Aëroïdes a kinde of Berill 613. d Aerosum what gold 472. g Aechines a Physitian af Athens 301. e Aeschynomene a magicall hearbe 204. i. why so called ib. the strange qualitie that it hath ibid. Aesope the player his earthen platter 554. g Aesope the Philosopher 578 g. a bondslaue together with Rhodope the harlot ibid. Aeëtites a pretious stone why so called 396. l. 590. k. foure kindes thereof ibid. male and female ibid. their description ibid. the vertues of them all ibid. m Aeëtites a pretious stone 630. i Aethiopis a magicall hearbe 244 g. the incredible effects thereof ibid. from whence we haue it 269. d the description of it 271. c. the roots medicinable ibid. d A F Africa the word is a spell in Africke 297. d A G Agaricke what it is 227 d. male and female ibid. d e the ill qualitie that the male hath ibid. Agath a pretious stone 623 d. why called Achates ibid. the sundry names that it hath ibid. Indian Agaths represent the forme of many things within them 623 f the Agath serueth well to grind drougs into fine powder 623 f. diuerse kindes of Agaths 624. g the chiefe grace of an Agath ibid. incredible wonders reported of the Agath by Magicians 623 h. Agath of King Pyrrhus with the nine Muses and Apollo therein naturally 601 a b Agathocles a Physician and writer 131. e Agelades a famous Imageur in brasse 497 e. hee taught Polycletus ibid. his workes ibid. he taught Myro 498. h Ageraton an hearbe 271. d. the description ibid. why so called and the vertues ibid. Aglaophotis a magicall hearbe 203 a. why so called ibid. why named Marmaritis ibid. vsed in coniuring and raising spirits ibid. b Agnels how to be cured 38 i. See more in Cornes Agnus Castus a tree 257. c Agogae what conduits they be 468. m Agoracritus an Imageur in Marble 565 d. beloued exceedingly by his master Phidias ibid. Agrimonie an hearbe 220 k. why called Eupatoria ibid. the description ibid. the vertues ibid. l Agrion a kinde of Nitre 420. h Agrippa Menenius enterred at the common charges of the Romane Citizens 480. i M. Agrippa how he cured the gout with vinegre 156. k his admirable workes during the yeare of his Aedileship 585 e. how he conueighed seuen riuers vnder Rome 582. h Agues what medicines they do require 137. a. See more in Feuers A I Aire of sea water wherefore good 412. k Aire which is good to recouer strength after long sicknesse 181. d. change of Aire for what diseases good 303. c A L Alabastrum See Stimmi Alabastrites what kinde of stone 574. g. what vses it serued for ibid. the degrees thereof in goodnesse ibid. h Alabastrites a pretious stone 624 i. the place where it is found ibid. the description and vertue ibid. Alabastrites a kinde of Emeraud 613. a Albicratense a goldmine in France yeelding the best ore with a 36 part of siluer and no more 469. c Albi hils in Candie 408. k Albucum what it is 100 g Albulae what waters about Rome 402. m Alcamenes a fine Imageur and engrauer in brasse and marble 501 a. his workes ibid. 565. d Alcaea an hearbe 249. b Alcaea an hearbe 272 k. the description ibid. l Alcaeus a Poet and writer 131. a Alcibiades honoured with a statue at Rome 492. i. reputed the hardest wariour ibid. Alcibiades most beautiful in his youth childhood 568. g Alcibion an hearbe 275. e. the vertues ibid. Alcimachus a feat painter 549 c. his workemanship ibid. Alcisthene a woman and a paintresse 551. a Alcmena hardly deliuered of Hercules 304 m. the cause thereof ibid. Alcon the Imageur 514. g. he made Hercules of yron and steele ibid. Alcontes a rich Chirurgian 348. g. well fleeced by Claudius Caesar ibid. Alder tree what vertues it hath in Physicke 189. â— Alectoriae pretious stones 624. i. why so called ib. the vertues ib. why Milo the wrestler caried it about him ibid. Ale an old drinke 145 b. what nourishment it yeelds 152. g Alectorolophos an hearbe 275. c. the description and vertues ibid. Alâ—…x wâ—…at kinde of sauce 418 g. how made ibid. the vertue and vse thereof in Physicke ibid. i Aleos a riâ—…er of a strange nature 403. d Alexander otherwise called Paris excellently wrought in brasse by Euphraner resembling a iudge a louer and a murderer 502. g K. Alexander the great vsed to visit Apelles the painter his shop 538. m. he gaue away his concubine faire Campaspe to Apelles 539. a. a conqueror of his owne affections ib. b Alexipharmaca what medicines they be 106. h Aliacmon a riuer 403. d Alica what it is 139. c. compared with Ptisane 140. k See Frumentâ—…e Alincon described 128. l. m. two kindes thereof and their vertues 129. a Alisanders an bearbe 24. g. how strangely it groweth 30. g the vertues thereof 54. i. See Hipposelinum Alisma what hearbe 231. a. the names that it hath ibid. the description ibid. the
incredible things reported by this hearbe ibid. h Anthalium an hearbe in Aegypt 97 a. the description and vse thereof ibid. b Anthalium 111. d Anicetum See Anisum Anisum an hearbe 30 l. 65 d. how necessarie it is in the kitchia and otherwise ib. the degrees of Annise in goodnesse ibid. f. why it is called in greeke Anicetum ibid. how it is â—…urtfull to the stomacke 67 b Antachaâ—…s a preâ—…ious stone 623. e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hearbe 125. e Antheâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 255 b. the description ibid. 〈◊〉 what 〈◊〉 188. k Antheâ—…con the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 128 g. annoied much by Snailes ibid. Anthologicaeum bookes treating of floures 82. 〈◊〉 Anthracites a kinde of Schistos 590. i. the description and nature ibid. Anthriscus an hearbe 130. h Anthyllion or Anticellis an hearbe 111. d the description and vertues 254. m Anthyllis an hearbe described ibid. m Antimonium 366. k. See Stibi or Stimmi Anthracites 630. l Anthermus See Bupalus Antidotus a cunning painter 547 e. wherein he excelled ibid. he taught Nicias ibid. Antheus reproued by Pliny for making medicines of a mans skull 294. g Anthropographus the surname of a painter 544. k Antidotes what they are 289. f Antipater a fine grauer 483 e K. Antipater practised with Aristotle to kill K. Alexander the great 400. h Antipathia a kinde of vernâ—…sh for yron workes 515. e Antipathie betweene the Puffin or Forke-fish and plants 430 h. Antipathiâ—… betweene red Deere and Serpents 321. d Antipathes a pretious stone 624. k. the forme and triall of it ibid good against eie-biting of Witches ibid. other vertues thereâ—…f ibid. Antiphilus a commendable Painter 549 a. his workes ib. 〈◊〉 544. k l. Antirrhinon an hearbe See Calues snout or Snapdragon Antispodium what it is and the vertues thereof in Physicke 159 f. 168 h. Antispodos what 512. i Antistius Vetus possessed of Ciceroes Academia maintained it 402. h Antonius Musa a renowned Physitian 344. i. he changed the order of Physick before his time k. his cure of Augustus Caesar contrarie to the course of other Physicians ib. M. Antonius his Admirallship staied by the fish Echeneis before Actium 426 g. he made counterfeit money and sent it abroad 479 a. See more in Cleopatra S. Antonies fire a disease the remedies for it 38 i. 41 d. 45 c 46 i. 47 b. 58 h. 68 h. 70 h. 71 b. 72 k. 102 l. 103 b 104 h. 105 a. 111 f. 122 k 123 c. 140 h. 142 g 146 k. 158. g l. 159 c. 161 a. 174 k. 184 g. 191 d 193 d. 194 m. 197 a. 205 a. 278 l. 284 k. 307 c 309 d. 336 m. 336 a. 351 d f. 391 f. 392 g. 419 d 424 h. 433 b. 446 l. 450 k. 475 a. Anubis the god of the Aegyptians 478. 〈◊〉 Anulare a kinde of white colour 531 d. why so called ibid. A P Apparell how to be kept sweet 162 i. 110. i how to be preserued from vermine 264. 〈◊〉 Aparine what hearbe 274. 〈◊〉 Aphaca an hearbe 99 d Aphace an hearbe 275 b. the description ibid. Apelles a writer in Physicke 316 i Apelles the most excelleÌ„t painter that euer was 437 d. wheÌ„ he flourished ibid. his perfection ibid. he wrot bookes of painting ibid. his grace or Venus in all pictures inimitable ibid. he knew when to make an end 537. c. wherefore he reproued Protogenes in his worke ibid. the historie of him and Protogenes at Rhodes 538. g. h. i. his excellent hand in drawing a small line ibid. his ordinarie and daily exercise and his Apothâ—…gme thereupon ibid. k. hee exposed his pictures to the censure of people passing by in the street ibid. k. l Apelles thought not scorne to be reproued in his workemanship ibid. l. his apothegme to a shoomaker finding fault with somewhat aboue the shooe in his picture ibid. m. his courtesie and faire language ibid. beloued of King Alexander the great ib. how mildly he reproued king Alexander being in his shop 539. a. in loue with Campaspe whom he drâ—…w naked ibid. by what patterne he made Venus Anadyomâ—…ne ibid. b. of a kinde nature to other painters of his time ibid. how he brought Protogenes into credit ibid c. his dexteritie in resembling fauour and countenance most liuely ibid. d. what welcome he had in king Ptolomees court in Aegipt ibid. c. how he was cousened there and how he detected the cousener ib. how he painted king Antiochus who had but one eie ibid. f. his picture of king Alexander holding lightening in his hand 540. 〈◊〉 the price thereof ibid other workes of his ibid k. l. m. 541. a. b. c. the horse which he painted in contention with others 540. m. his deuise to haue iudgement passe iustly on his owne side 541. a. how he painted things that cannot be pourtraied ibid. b. the secret of his blacke vernish ibid. c Aphrodisiace 624. m Aphrodisium a riuer 403 a Aphron a kinde of Poppie why so called 69. a. b Aphye what fish and why so called 418. h Aphytacores certaine trees 606. m. what the word signifieth ibid. Apiastrum whaet hearbe according to Plinie 54. i. the vertues and effects ibid. Apicius the glutton loathed the crops of Coleworts 26. g Apilascus what it is 467. a Apion surnamed Plistonices 613 b. he raised vp spirits to know what countriman Homer was 375. c Apios-Ischas what hearbe 253. b. the description ibid. the root medicinable and when to be digged ibid. why it is called the wild Radish ibid. Apocynon a bone in a Toads side of wonderfull power 435. a. why so called ibid. Apocynon a shrub described 193. a. bane to dogs and other foure-footed beasts ibid. Apollodorus a most curious workeman in brasse 502. l. hee neuer rested content with his owne workemanship ibid. surnamed Insanus i. Mad and why ibid. m Apollodorus a writer in Physicke 119. a. two of that name 39. d. Apollodorus an excellent Painter 534. h. what were his inventions ibid. his workes ibid. he opened the dore for other artisans ibid. Apollonius Pytaneus a writer in Physicke 366. i Apollonius reproued for vsing the members of maâ—…s body in Physicke 294. g Apollonides a cutter in pretious stones 601. d a great Magician 373. c Apollophanes an herbarist and writer in Physicke 126. h Apostopos a picture 549. b Apothecaries their deceitfull dealings 507. 〈◊〉 against them and their compositions 176. l Apoxyomenos a brasse image of Lysippus his making 499. b Tiberius the Emperour was enamored on it ibid. Apostemes or swellings tending to suppuration how they are cured 38. h. See more in Impostumes and Tumors Appetite to meat what medicines stir vp 41. b. 59. c. 63. e. 65. e. f. 108. g. 143. e. 147. b. 148 g. 155. e. 171. d. 174. k. 194. h. 202. h. 277. a. 286. m. 359. c. 416. l. 418. k. l. 437. c. Apples Melimela or honey Apples what medicinable vertues they haue 164. h Apples round what vertues they haue in Physicke 164. i Apronia what plant 150. i Aproxis an herbe the
a Colosse of Hercules at Tarentum wonderfully made ib. b Colosse of the Sunne at Rhodes seuentie cubits high all of brasse ibid. c Colosses made by Italian workemen as well as by strangers ib. e Colosse of Apollo at Rome an excellent peece of workemanship ibid. Coluber a water snake 435 b. the efficacie thereof in hunting crocodiles ib. he is called in Greeke Enhydris 440. k his teeth are good to skarifie the gumbs for toochach ib. Comagenum a sweet composition 354 k. why so called ib. how it is made ib. l m. the vertues ibid. Comagene an hearbe and a countrey 354. l Combretum the hearbe and floure 85 f. the vertues 104. i Comfrey the hearbe 249 b. See Cumfrey Compitalia festiuall holidaies instituted by K. Serv. Tullius vpon what occasion 599 d a Complexion for a red See Fuk. against compositions and mixtures in Physicke Plinie inveigheth 137. c. 348. i. k Conception of men children how to be procured 79. a. See more in Boies Conception by what meanes it may be helped 36. i. 40. l 43. c. 62. k. 130. k. 178. i. 279. b. 339. e. 340. l. 341. a 396. g. 399 a. what hindreth Conception 58. k. 179. d. 360. h Conchylium a shelfish the bloud whereof is medicinable 439. e. Concilium what hearbe 130. h Condrylla an hearbe 99. d Conduits and their pipes 411. d. the manner of carrying water by them from the head of the spring 411. d the Conduits begun by Caligula the Emperour and finished by Claudius his successor were wonderfull 585. f the charges of making those conduits with their manifold vses 586. g Colewort See Coules Come an hearbe See Tragopogon Condurdum an herb 245. e. the description and vertues ib. Conserua what it is 280. h. a wonderfull cure done by it ib. Coniurations whether they be of power to raise thunder and lightening 295. c Coniurations of sundry sorts 313. e. how they may be preuented and withstood ib. Consiligo i. Bearefoot an hearbe 224. i Consumption of the lungs 422 m. See Phthysicke Consumption of the whole bodie by lungs hecticke feuer or otherwise how to be recouered 134 l. 259. c. 310. m Conyza an hearbe 90. m. two kindes male and female and their description 91. a. 267. e Coponius a cutter in stone 570. i. his workemanship ib. Q Coponius condemned for sending an earthen amphore to one for his voice at the election of magistrates 553. f Copper how to be calcined and washed 507. a. b Coracini fishes medicinable 435 f. 438. i Corallis a pretious stone 625. d Corall highly esteemed among the Indians 429. d. where the best is to be found ib. how it is gotten forth of the sea ib. whereupon it is named Curalium ib. in great account among the priests and wisards of India 429. f it resisteth the power of fire 430. g. how the Frenchmen vse it ibid. how it is become scarse ibid. the medicinable vertues of corall 430. g Corallo-Achates 623. e. called the sacred agath in Candie ibid. the vertues ibid. Corallo-achates a pretious stone 625. d Corchoros See Pimpernell Corchorum an hearbe much vsed by the Aegiptians 113. b Cordiall medicines 41. b. 119. c. 130. i. 247. c. See Counterpoisons Cordyla the Tunie fish when so called 451. d Coriacesia an herbe and the admirable nature of it 202. k Coriander an herbe 70. k. the vertues thereof the best commeth out of Aegipt ibid. Coriander rectified and corrected by wine 153. b the strange effects that Coriander worketh as touching womens tearmes 71. a Corinthas See Menais Corinthian works 496. k. so much esteemed that many carie them wheresoeuer they went ibid. Corinthian gallerie at Rome 489. b. why so called ibid. Corion what hearbe 255. a Coris what hearbe ibid. b Corke tree what vertues medicinable it hath 178. l Corns of the feet or elsewhere how to be cured 38. g. 65. d 76. m. 103. a. 105. d. 134. g h. i k. 139. b. 141. a. 143. a 180. k. 186 l. 258. m. 302. l. 320. g. 334. l. 386. l Cornaline a pretious stone See Sarda and Sardoin Corne what vertues in Physicke 〈◊〉 doth affourd 137. f Corollae and Corollaria what they were 80. m Coronarium what kind of brasse 479. a Coronae and Coronets 80. i. the originall of these tearms ib. Coronets of gold bestowed vpon Romane Citizens for good seruice in the wars 461. c. by whom giuen first ibid. Coronopus what hearbe 98 m. 124. i. k Corpulencie how it may be procured 152. m Corroboratiue medicins 152. g. 178. k. See more in Cordials and Caunterpoisons Corrofiue medicins 159. f. 160. g. 168. i. 191. f 286. f. 338. i 441. d. 447. e. 516. k. 521. a. See Causcicke Corynda the wild Sperage what other names it hath 28. i 53. c. the vertues ib. hurtfull to the bladder 53. d Corrugi what they be 468 i Corsici pretious stones 631. c. their properties ibid. Corsoeides a pretious stone 625. d Corycia certaine caues 405. d Corymbi in Ferula what they be 32. g Corymbias what it is ibid. Corythia shee fishes See Collycia Cossi what wormes 339. f Cossinus killed with a potion of Cantharides 261. f Coticula See Touchstone Cotonea what hearb 248. h. the description and vertues ib. Cotton and the shrub that beareth it 3. e. f Cotton found in certaine fruits as Apples and gourds 4. g Cotton-weed See Cudword Cotyledon an hearbe See Vmbilicus Veneris Coughwort what hearbe 246. i Cough busie in the night how to be staied 329. b for the Cough remedies appropriat 37 b e. 39 b. 41 d. 41 e. 42 l. 43 c. 44 i l. 52 g. 56 h. 57 d. 60 l 61 a. 63 c. 64 i. 66 g. 67 d. 72 h m. 75 a b. 101 c. 104 h 105 a c. 107 d. 108 k. 110 g. 122. g. 123 c. 128 i 134 k. l. 136 i. 138 m. 141 c. 144 h. 145. a 148 k 151 d. 153 c f. 154 g. 156 g. 158 h. 159 a. 167 d 171 f. 172 g k. 173 b. 179. f. 180 g l. 182 g i. m 183 d e. 184 h. 186 i. 191 c. f. 192 l. 193 c. 194 h 195 d. 197 d. 198 i. 199 b. 200 k l m. 208 g. 219 e 245 f. 246 g h i k. 247 d. e. 249 e. 263 d. 275 c 284 h. 287 f. 290 i. 303 e. 304 g. 305 b. 315 a. 319. d 329 a. 336 k. 352 g. 353 a. 380 l m. 381 c. 382 i 419 e. 422 k. 442 i. 521 a. 557 d. Coules or Coleworts of three kindes 26 g. 49 c. when to be sowne set and cut ibid. how they will cabbage and grow faire in the head ibid. how they will proue sweet in tast ibid. how to be dunged ibid. Couleworts of sundrie countries ibid. k the crops or Couleworts called their Cymae how to be cut ibid. m. the commendable of properties Couleworts 48 i k Couleworts contrary to wine 49 c. how they bind and loosen the bellie ibid. their discommodities 50 k Couleworts
Ieat 589. c. by what meanes else it may be disconered 335. d. For to preuent and cure the falling sickenesse appropriat remedies 40. l. 44. l. 49. f. 57. e. 60. k. 66. l. 69. b 70. h. 72. k. 74. g. h. 78. k. 103. e. 107. e. 111. e. 119. d 126. i. 134. m. 140. h. 142. l. 149. e. 157. a. 167. c 171. e. 177. b. 178. i. 180 g. 181. a. 185. b. 218. g 219. d. 239. a. 260. g. h. 273. e. 283. e. 299. f. 300. g 301. d. 305. e. 309. e. 310. m. 311. b. c. 312. m. 314. k 318. g. 335. a. b. c. 341. c. d. 378 f. 388. g. h. i. l. m 389. a. b. c. 431. a. 431. c. 432. h. 445. c. 591. a 626. h. for the verie sit of the Falling sickenesse what remedies be conuenient 432. i. k. 445. c. d. a singular clyster for this purpose 445. d Falling sickenesse thought to be cured by drinking of mans bloud 293. c Falne from an high place how to be â—…urod 350. i. See more in Bruises Families driuing serpents away with their very presence 298. m. a Familie how to be kept in concord and agreement 312. m how it shall be fortunat 357. a Fantasticall imaginations how to be preuented 65. c. 313. c Fantasticall hol-â—…oblins called Fatui how to be driuen away 286. h. See Illusions Far a kinde of wheat for what to be vsed 138. h Farfugium an hearbe See Fole-foot Earcins 〈◊〉 Horses and scabs in beasts how to bee healed 128. l. 130. l. 161. e. 183. f. 184. g. 196. i. 218. k. 310. g 338. l. See Scab and Mange Farcins in horse-neckes how to be cured 150. i. 281. f Fascinus what it is and of what force 300. l Fasting precisely from all meat is medicinable 303. c Fat of beasts much esteemed 319. b Fatnesse and corpulencie what things doe procure 134. k 172. k. 303. d. 318. l. 445. c. what doth diminish 443 c. Fauete Linguish what it meaneth 294. m F E Feet benummed with cold how to be recouered 38. k. 334. k Feet pained and swelled about the anckles how to be eased 185. d. 414. h. 560. h. Feet fretted ga ed and excoriat how to be remedied 334. k. l. 386. k. Feet scorched with heat of Sunne how to be reduced into temper 334. k Feet chapped how to be helped 431. f. See Fissures Feet surbatted how to be eased 334. k Feet galled by stubborne shooes how to be cured 334. l Feet of Kine Oxen how to be kâ—…pt from surbatting 342. l Fel terrae an hearbe See Centaurie the lesse Fellons how to be healed and preuented 56. i. 64. m. 71. b 140. i 141. c. 144. k. 161. b. e. 167. a. d. 180. g. 188. m 262. g. 300. h. 309. d. 320. g. 337. b. 370. l. 392. i. k 419. b. 588 m. Fennell an hearbe wherein serpents delight much 31. e. 77. b Fennel cleareth the sight 77. b Fennell iuice how to be drawne ibid. c. which is best ibid. Fennell of diuers kindes ibid. d Fennell much vsed in the kitchen pastrie and bake-house ibid. Fernell-geant an hearbe See Ferula Fenigreeke 87. a. 207 c. the sundry names that it hath ib. why it is called Buceras and Aegoceras ib. the vertues thereof ibid. Ferne of two kindes male and female 281. d. why it is called in Greeke Pteris ibid. the roots when and how to be vsed ibid. e women must beware of Ferne for feare of abort and barrennesse ibid. f Oke Ferne 280. l. the description ibid. Ferula what plant 32. g. the description 78. i the stalkes good to be eaten ibid. how to be serued vp to the table ibid. Ferula an enemie to Lampries ibid. k poyson to Horses 176. h Ferulacea what they be 13. d Ferus Oculus what hearbe 234. l. the vertues thereof ibid. Feuers periodicall what they be 38. g. 314. h. how to be cured ibid. i. 335. e. 445. e Feauers intermitted how to be cured 38. g. 260. i. 310. h See more in Tertian Quartan and Quotidian day-Feauer See Diarie Feauers called Stegnae what they be 167. b Feauers ardent what remedies they require 50. h. 70. h 148. g. 160. l. Feauers cold i. comming with cold fits how cured 260. h 445. e. See intermittent for Feauers in generall proper remedies 187. b. 260. i. 310. i 335. e. 446. l. 435. b. 609. b. Feuerfew an hearbe 111. e. the description ibid. the sundry names it hath ibid. F I Figwort an hearbe See Celendine the lesse Figtree yeeldeth a milkie iuice medicinable 166. k Figtree ashes medicinable 167. f Figtree barke reduced into pouder what remedies it affourdeth 168. h Figs their properties good and bad 167. a. b Filberds and Hazellnuts 172. g. their medicinable vertues ibid. their discommodities ibid. k Filicula what hearbe 251. a Fingers which were honoured with rings first 458. i middle finger adorned with a ring in Brittain and France ibid. Finials in house-tops who deuised 552. g Finkle See Fennell Fire what doth soonest quench 472. h Fire auerted by powerfull words 296. l. See Fyre Fishes reduced into 176 kinds 450. m. their names according to the A B C. ibid. Fish glew what vertues it hath in Physicke 439. a. 441. a Fishes cured by Persely 53 e Fish broth is laxatiue 442. l ordinance of king Numa as touching Fish 429. c Fishes small deuoured by great for what they are medicinable 445. a sea Fish in request at Rome from the beginning 429. c Fishes where they bee in steed of an Oracle 404. k Fishes in some water all blacke ibid. m. in what water they be all deadly 404. m. 405. a Fishes in the Arabian seas of extraordinary bignesse 427. c the wit of some fishes wonderfull ibid. b Fishes tame and comming to hand 428. k Fishes lured with a whistle ibid. l they giue presage of future euents ibid. Fishes tame playfull and wanton within the poole of Uenus 428. m Fishes about Pele tast all bitter 429. a. where they be all of a sweet tast ibid. where Fishes of the sea be naturally salt ibid. salted Fish which be medicinable 434. g. h. 440. g. h 444. m. salt Fish in Italy may be made very fresh at Beneuentum 429. b Fissures chaps and clifts in the fundament how to be cured 104. g. 105. e. 120. i. 146. k. 169. e. 187. e. See Fundament Fissures or chaps in the feet how to be healed 52. g. 128. h 169 a. 183. d. 258. l. 306 i. 334 k. 351 c. See more in Feet Fissures or chaps in any place of the bodie what things doe cure 128 g. 141 e. 159 d. 161 d. 169 a. 197 d 320. g. Fistulaes or hollow sores what remedies are appropriat for them 44 k. 49 a. 50 m. 61 c. 104 h. 130 g. 144 i 146. l. 159 a d. 181 a. 185 d. 201 e. 218 k. 264 l 265 b. 279 c. 280 l. 285 c. 290 l. 307 c. 350 i 430 h. 448 g. 470 k. 509 b. 510 k. See more in
lawes in Rome to represse that excesse 563 b d. grauers cutters and caruers in Marble who were the first 564 h. grauing in Marble as ancient as the reckoning of yeares by Olympiades ibid. l Marble of Paros white 565 b Marble spotted 571. b. of sundry sorts ibid. Marble pillers and columnes in building of temples why at first vsed ibid. men of Chios built therewith the walls of their citie 571. c. the scoffe of M. Cicero vnto them by that occasion ibid. d Marble slit into thin plates whose inuention 571. d who seeled the wals of his house first with Marble at Rome 571. e. who built his house first at Rome vpon Marble pillers ibid. f K. Mausolus first garnished his pallace with marble of Proconnesus 571. d Marble Lucullian whereupon it tooke the name 572. g. it is blacke ibid. where it groweth ibid. Marble stone slit and sawed after what manner ibid. h Marble of sundrie kindes 573. a Marble of Lacedaemon esteemed best ibid. Marble Augustum and Tiberium why so called 573. b how they differ ibid. Marble serpentine ibid. the medicinable vertues thereof ib. Marble of Memphis with the medicinable properties 573 c Marble Coraliticum where it is found and the nature of it 574. i. Marble Alabandicum why so called ibid. it will melt and drinking glasses be made thereof ibid. Marble Thebaicke 574 i. the vertues that it hath ibid. k Marble Syenites why so called 574 k. it is named also Pyrrhopoecilos ibid. it serued for long Obeliske ibid. Marble gray or Sinadian Marble 522. i Marble doth liue and grow in the quarrey 586. i Marchesin or Marquesit stone See Cadmia and Pyrites Marcion of Smyrna a writer of hearbes 300. k Marcipores what they were 459 a C. Marius Censorinus how rich he died 479 e. f Q Marcius Tremellius his statue in a gowne for what desert 491. e Marigolds and their floures compared with Violets 85. e Mariscon a kinde of rishi 106. k C. Marius dranke ordinarily out of a wooden tankard after the example of Bacchus 482. l Markes remaining after the cauterie or searing-yron how to be taken away 377. f Marmaridius a Magician 372. i Marrow of what vertue it is 320. m what Marrow is best ib. how to be ordered and prepared ib. Marsians people resisting all poyson 95. a. b Marsians descended from Circe 210. l. they cure the sting of serpents by touching or sucking onely ibid. Martia a water seruing Rome 408. g. most cold and holesome ibid. from whence it commeth ibid. who conueied it to Rome and maintained it ibid. how it tooke that name 585. d Q. Martius Rex his wonderfull workes performed during his Pretourship 585. d Mascellin mettall of gold siluer and brasse 487. q. c Maspetum what it is 8. l Massaris 146 g. a wilde Vine ibid. 147. c. how employed ibid. Massurius a writer of Histories 320. k Thistle-Masticke what it is 98. i Masticke the gum of the Lentiske tree and the medicinable vertues 182. l. 184. h Matrice pained and vexed with throwes what remedies for it 39 f. 53 b 66 k. 106. i m. 121. f. 186 k. 198 m 207 d. 266 l. 267 b. f. 268 g. 279 a. 283 a. 308 g. 339 c 340. g. Matrice puffed vp swelled and hard how to be assuaged and mollified 72 l. 103 c. 111 c. f. 162 k. 180 l. 183. d 186 g. 339 c. f. 340 g. 352 i. 396 h. 397 a. Matrice enflamed and impostumat how to be cured 55 e 59 d. 71 b. 267 d. 303 a. 350 g. 351 a. Matrice sore and exulcerat how to be healed 140 i. 159. d 161 c. 175 a. 267 d. 340 g m. Matrice ouermoist and slipperie how to be helped 340 l Matrice drawne in and contracted how to be remedied 303. a. Matrice peruerted fallen downe or displaced how to be reduced and settled againe 303 a. 339 b. 340 h. 396. h 557 f. 591 b. See more in Mother Matrice obstructed and vncleane how to be opened clensed and mundified 43. b. c. 55. d. 57. c. 62. k. 77. b. 101. d 168. i. 180. l. 268. g. 340. k. 104. i. 121. f. 133. e. 158. h 175. b. 182. g. 187. d. 192. l. 266. l 267. c. d. 271. d. for the infirmities of the Matrice in generall comfortable medicines 102. h. k. 108. k. 109. b. c. 111. d. 119. d 121. e. 154. g. 173. a. 175. a. 179. f. 181. b. 183. e. 193. b 196. g. 207. c. 267. f. 271. d. 313. c. 318. h. 339. d. 340. i. l 395. c. 448. i. 449. b. 589. b. Maturatiue medicines 76. k. 103. c. 139. a. 183. d. 303. a 556. l. Mattiaci what springs 404. h Maur-hils corruptly called Moul-hils what they be 397. d Mausoleum the renowmed tombe erected by queene Artemisia for king Mausolus her husband 568. i. the description thereof and the workemen ibid. M E Mead or honied water See Hydromell one Meale a day no good diet 304. h Mechopanes a painter full of curious workemanship 548. m Mecoenas Messius held his peace voluntarily for three years space 305. d Mecoenas signed with the print of a Frog 601. f Mecon a kinde of wild Poppie 69. c Meconis a Lectuce why so called 24. i Meconites a pretious stone 628. i Meconium whaet it is 68. i remedie against Meconium 160 k Meconium Aphrodes an hearbe 257 f Mecontum what kinde of medicine to make a woman fruitfull 303. b Medea a pretious stone 628. i. by whom found ibid. Medea queene of Colchis a famous witch 210. k Medion an hearbe with the description 285. e Medius a writer in Physicke 39. e Medlers the fruit and their medicinable vertues 171. b Megabizus what he is 548. i Meges a Chirurgian 439. c Mel-frugum See Panicke Melamphyllon what hearbe 129. c Melampodium what hearbe and of whom it tooke that name 217. b Melamprasium 278. g Melampus a famous Diuinor or Prophet 217. a Melancholie the disease what remedies are appropriat for it 46. i. 50. l. 72. k. 107. e. 140. h. 157. a. 219. d. 283. a 304. l. 316 g. 318. g. 336. h. Melancholie the humour what medicines doe purge 111. f 188. g. 235 f. 412. m. Melandrium what hearbe 248. g Melanthemon what hearbe 125. d Melas a fountaine the water whereof maketh sheepe white 403. c. Melas a cutter in marble of great antiquitie 564. k Melichloros a pretious stone 630. m Melichrus a pretious stone ibid. Mililot an hearbe 90 g. why called Sertula-Campana the description thereof ibid. the vertues medicinable 106. l Melinum a Painters white colour 528. k. why so called 529. d. how it is gotten ibid. the vse in Physicke and the price ibid. Melitaei what dogs 380. h Melites a pretious stone 630. m Melities a kinde of Honied wine 136. m. the properties it hath 137. a Melitites a stone why so called 589. b. the vertues that it hath ibid. Melons their meat and medicinable properties 37. c Melopepones what they be 14. k Melothron what plant 149. c Membranes wounded
d. 173. e. 180. g. k 184. l. 186. i. 193. a. 196. m. 198 i. 200. l. 248. h. 255. b 271. d. 287. f. P O smal Pockâ—… and such like eruptions how to be cured 418. m 421. c. 422. h. 437. d. 443. b. ale-Pocks about the nose how to be healed 128. h Poecile the gallerie at Athens why so called 523. f Poenalties at Rome leuied at the first of boeufes and muttons and not of come 455. a Poenicum what stone 592. g Poets ignorant in Cosmographie 606 g Polea what it is 330. i Polemonia an herb thought to be Sauge de Bois 230. i Polemonia an hearb how it tooke that name 220. k. why it is named Chiliodynama â—…bid the description ibid. Polenta what it is 139. a. the medicinable vertues thereof ibid. Polia a pretious stone 630. m Polion an hearb highly commended by Musaeus and Hesiodus 211. a Polium an hearb 88. i. two kinds thereof and the vertues ibid. commended much by some and condemned againe by others 106 g. h Pollio Asinius erected a Bibliotheque or Librarie at Rome 523 f. he furnished it with statues and images of rare workemanship 569. a Pollio Romilius his Apothegme as touching honied wine and oile 136. m Pollution or shedding of seed in sleepe vpon weakenesse by what remedies it is cured 46. l. 48. g. h. 58. k. 59. c. 70. i 256. l. 518. l. Polyanthemon an hearb 286. m. called Batrachion ibid. Polybius a Greeke writer 424. l Polycles an imageur and his works 502. l Polycletus a famous imageur in brasse 488. i he vsed Diliacke mettall ibid. his exquisit works 497. e he brought the Art of founderie into a method 497. f diuers pieces of his making ibid. Polyclitus a writer 403. f Polycnemon an hearb described 265. f. the vertues 266. g Polycrates the tyrant his ring and stone in it 449. b. it was a Sardonax 601. a. he wilfully threw into the deepe sea 600. l. he found it againe in a fishes belly 601. a Polygala an hearb why so called 288. i Polygnotus a famous painter 484. k. his deuises and inuentions 533. e. his rare workemanship ibid. his liberall mind ibid f. how he was honoured by the states of Greece 534. g Polygnaton what hearbe 123. a. 287. a Polygonum an hearb 287. a. why so called ibid. Polygynaecon what picture of Atheman his drawing 548 h Polypus an vlcer in the nose 251. b. See Nose vlcers Polypodium what herb 251. a. the description ibid. why called also Filicula ib. the vertues ib. the offences that it worketh 251. b Polyrrhizon what hearb 216. e. 289. a Polyrrhizos what hearb 226. i. the vertues ibid. k Polytricha and Callitricha two capillare hearbs their description and how they differ 232. i Polytrix a pretious stone 630. l Polyzonos a pretious stone ibid. a Pomado for chaps in lips or face 327. f Pomadoes of other sorts 320 k. l Pomegranats their properttes in Physicke 164. k. whether to be eaten in a feuer or no ibid. Pomegranate rind what it serueth for 164 l. why called Malicorium ibid. Pomona compared with Ceres Flora and Tellus by the way of Prosopopoea 145. c. f Pompeius Lenaeus a Grammarian and Linguist 209. f he translated into Latine the medicinable receits found in K. Mithridates his closet 209. f. Pompeius Magnus his glorious third triumph 602. k what gold siluer iewels pretious stones he then shewed 602 k. l Plinie enueigheth bitterly against Pompey for this triumph 602. m his bounteous liberalitie in the said triumph 603. a his triumph set the Romans a longing after pearles and pretious stones 602. h he brought Cassidoine cups first into Rome 603. c Pompholix what it is and how it differeth from Spodos 511. d. e. the vertue thereof 511. e Pompions See Melons Pond-weed See Water Speeke Ponticae the pretious stones of Pontus 629. b. the sundry sorts ibid. Pontifie or high Priest letting fall a morsell of meat at the bourd was ominous 298. h Poplar white a tree what vertues it hath in Physick 185. a Poppaea the Empresse bathed ordinarily in asses milke for to make her skin faire soft and smooth 327. c Poppaea shod her horses with gold 480. m shee kept fiue hundred shee asses for to bath with their milke 327. d Poppies of three kinds 30. l the seed of the white Poppie confected ib. It seasoned bread 30. m white Poppie heads medicinable 67. c blacke Poppie 31. a. wandring Poppie ibid. the description of wandring Poppies 68. l Poppies wild their seuerall kinds and vertues 67. e. f. 68. g K. Tarquinius the Proud topt off Poppie heads 31. a what he meant thereby 31. b Poreblind or short sighted how to be helped 367. c the Porcellane shelfish stated Periander his ship at sea 426 i consecrated at Gnidos 426. i Porcius Cato a great student and looking pale therewith 61. d. his schollers affected to looke pale like him by eating Cumin ibid. Pourcuttle fish Polypus how he auoideth the hooke like to catch him 427. f Pourcuttles not to be sodden with salt and why 447. a Porphyrite marble 573. c Porpuis fish described 436. g. his sinnes venomous ibid. The remedy ibid. his fat medicinable 440. l Porret a kitchen hearb how to be sowne and ardered 21. a. b the medicinable vertues therof 42. l. See more in Leeks Porus what stone 587. b Pourfiling what it is 535. d. the hardest point in painting ibid. Pose or a cold what medicins do break and resolue 65. b 289. e. 304. k. 377. f. See Rheume Posidianus a fountaine why so called and the nature of it 401. e. Posidonius a renowmed grauer 483. e Potamogeiton what herb 250 g. the description according to Castor and how he usedit ib. the aduersatiue nature of it to Crocodils 250. h Peteron what hearb 231. a. 288. i. the description ib. k Pothos what floure 92. k Potterie or working in clay more antient than founderie of brasse and other imagerie 494. h. 552. 1 places ennobled for Potters worke 553. d. e Potterie or workemanship in cley how it began 551. e Potterie ware of great vse and estimation 553. d. e Potterie mother of founderie or casting mettall 552. l much practised in Tuscan 552. m a confraternitie of Potters instituted at Rome by K. Numa 553. c. manifold vses of Potterie and works in cley ibid. Posis a famous Potter and his fine works 552. k excellent workemen in Potterie as well for cley as playster and alabastre 551. e. f. 552. g. h. i. c. See Plasticae and Plastae Poysons septicke or corrosiue their remedies 323. c. See Corrosiue and Causticke preseruatiues against poysoned drinkes giuen by witches and sorcerers 67. d. 231. d. e. f. deinceps Poysons cold how to be corrected 159. b. 187. c Poyson worne in the collets of rings 456. k. 458. l Poysons whether they may be put downe in writing or no 213. c. d. Poysons may be made counterpoysons 215. d for Poysons in generall remedies 38. k.
75. c. See Countrepoysons P R Praecordiall parts what is meant by them 380. g pain and gripes about those parts how to be eased 153. e 163. c. 380. g. 413. c. brused or hurt how to be cured 274. g. See Midriffe Praeâ—…estina the best goldfoile why so called 465. e the Praeseruatiue confection of K. Mithridates how it is made 172. k a Praeseruatiue against all misfortunes 193. e Prasion i. Horehound an herbe 74. m. See Horehound Prasius a kind of pretious stone of a greene colour 619. d the seuerall kinds and their description ibid. Praxagoras a Physition and writer 44. g. he vsed hearbs onely in all his cures 242. k Praxiteles a most excellent imageur and grauer 483. e he practised as well to cut in marble as to cast mettall 500. i. his workes 500. k. 566. h. i. l. m. 567. 2. b his good nature and benignitie 500. m Pressior what kind of Sinopre 528. l. the price and vse ib. Prester a venomous flie or worme what remedies against it 69. e. 153 b. 196. g. 431. b. 434. h Pretious stones 454. i Pretious stones taking name frrom the parts of mans body 630. h. from beasts 630 i. from plants hearbs seeds and diuersthings 630. k Pretious stones engendred new daily 631. b all pretious stones fairer for being boiled in hony 631. c rules how to know and distinguish Pretious stones 631. e how Pretious stones may be artificially falsified 631. f how such falsified stones may be found out 632. g when Pretious stones are to be tried 632. h stones that will not be engrauen 632. i all Pretious stones may be cut with a Diamond 632. i riuers yeelding pretious stones ibid. lands wherein be best Pretious stones ibid. Pretious stones haue been of men diuersly esteemed 615 a Prick of vrchin hedghog or such like how to be cured 306 i Prickly hearbs 97 d. they are medicinable 118. k why nature hath armed them with Pricks 118. 〈◊〉 l Prick-madam what hearb 237 c. why it is called â—…rithales ibid. Priuet or Primprint a small tree or shrub what vses it affourdeth in Physicke 189. c Priuities or members of generation sore and grieued by what medicins to be cured 385 a b. 509 e Itching and fretting how to be eased 183 a. 385. a exulcerat how to be healed 306 i. 385 b. 445. a carbuncle how to be remedied 318 m. 392. h impostumat or vexed with botches how to be helped 444 l m. werts arising there how to be taken away 385. a Priuie parts 〈◊〉 in generall what medicines do helpe and comfort 42. g. 50. h. 63 c. 70 l. 75 b. 77 f. 101. d 111 b. 120 i. 138 k. 165 a b e. 195 a c. 196 g. 197. a d 208 g. 254 i. 255 d. 257 〈◊〉 273 a. 320 i 333 a. 351 a b 353 a. 558 l. Priuities of men diseased how cured 510 k Priuities or naturall parts of women by what medicines comforted and preserued from maladies 136 k. 141 f 181 b. 301 b. 509 e. hauing a schirre how to be mollifieâ—… 207 c if the necke be ouerstreight how to be enlarged ibid. excoriat how to be healed 397 b Prodicus the authour of the Physicke Iatraleptice 344. g Prodigies whether they may be auerted and altered by words or no 295 d K. Proetus his daughter cured of her melancholie by what meanes 217 b Prometheus pourtraied with a ring of yron and wherefore 455 a. thought to be the first deuiser of wearing a stone in a ring 600 k Propolis what it is 135 c. the vertues medicinable that it hath ib from whence Bees gather it 185 b Prosedamum what infirmitie in horses 257 c Proserpinaca an hearb 289 b Proteus a great sercerer and his transformations 372 k Protogenes a famous Imegeur in brasse and a cunning painter withall 504 k. 537 e. 543. c he had this fault that he knew not how to make an end 537 e. his kindnesse to Apelles his concurrent and chalenger 538 i. not regarded by the Rhodians his owne countrymen 539 e. poore at the beginning 542 g ouer curious in his workemanship ibid. his famous Iâ—…lysius with his dog pictured 542. h why he liued of Lupins onely when he painted this table 542 i. he was helped by fortune in the finishing thereâ—…f 542 l. he followed his worke when Rhodes his natiue citie was beleaguered 543 a. his answer to K. Dâ—…metrius for so doing ib. diuers pictures of his making 543 a b c he gaue himselfe to curious works 543 c Protypa what they are and who deuised them 532 g Prytaneum the towne hall of Cizicum 581 b P S Psaronium what kind of marble 591. f Psegma what it is 512. k Psâ—…ud â—…chusa what hearbe it is 124. m Pseudis domon what kind of building in masonrie 593 f Pseudodictamoâ—… what hearb 225. d Pseudospâ—…ces bastardwâ—…sps 390 i. their description ib. their effects in curing quartans ibid. Psilothrum what plant 149. c Psimmythium See Câ—…ruse Psoricum what medicine 509. f Psycotrophon an hearb See Betonie Psylli people withstanding poyson 95. b Mountebanks 231. a by touching or sucking onely they cure the sting of serpents 298. m Psyllion an hearb See Fleawoort P T Ptera in building what they are 579. b Pteris an hearb See Ferne. Pterygia what imperfections or accidents about the nails 101 d. how they are cured 150 g. 245 e Pterygiae a fault in Beryll 613. f Ptisana husked barley 139 c. the medicinable vertues thereof ibid. Hippocrates made one whole booke of it 140. k K. Ptolomaeus his exceeding wealth 480. g his royall and sumptuous court that he kept ibid. K. Ptolomaeus Philadelphus erected an Obeliske fourescore cubits high 575. e Ptyas a serpent with a deadly sting how remedied 413. b why so called 306. g P V Publicans at Rome Fermers to the state became Iudges 460 l. the middle degree betweene commons and Senatours ibid. Puffes a kind of Mushroms 133. a Puffin of the sea called Pastinaca Marina a venomous fish how the poysonfull pricke is cured 142 i. 323 e 4â—… i. 433 e. 436 h. Puffin pursued and plagued by the Lamprey Galeos 430 h how a meat may be made of a Puffin 436. h Puffin liuer medicinable 440. l Pullain how they may be kept from the weazill 399 b from rauening birds 150. k Pulmo Marinus a sea-fish medicinable 444 g the strange vertue thereof to giue light 450 k Pumices in architecture what they be 591 b Pumish stones 591 c. their vse to slicke the skin and polish books c. ibid. where the best be found ibid. how to be calcined and prepared 591. c Punaises how to be killed and kept away 449 d. See Wall-lice Puppies or little whâ—…lps laid to the bare body draw the disease from the patient into themselues 380 g h. 383 e Purgatiue medecins by the seege 44 g. 45 e. 51 c 52 g. 56 g. 68 m. 69 a c. 104 i. 108 g. 110 l 126 h. 127 e. 149 d. 160 m. 170 g. 171 a.
kinds 19. d Roots lying hidden all winter season 13. d Root of an herbe broken within the ground thirty foot long 214. g. Roots lesse effectuall if the herbes be suffered to seed 291. f Ropes made of rushes and other matter 7. a Rose bushes how to be set or planted 84. h Roses graffed ibid. the Rose bush and the Rose described 83. a vse of Roses 83 b the medicinable vertues of Roses ib. Roses serued vp with viands ibid. the best Rose 83. d Roses their seuerall parts and names to them 102. h their distinct vertues ibid. Rose of Praeneste 83. 6. of Capua Miletum Trachiniae and Alabanda ibid. Rose Spineola 83. c Rose Centifolie why so called 83. d Rose Campion 83. c Greeke Rose ibid. the Rose Graecula ib. Rose Mosceuton ibid. Rose Coroneola 83. f where the best Roses grow ib. Rose of Campaine 84. g Rose bushes how to be ordered 84. h Rose leaues how to be dried 162. l. m. their vertues ibid. hastie Roses flouring all winter long 84. g Roset oile odoriferous 83. b Roset wine 102. h Roset oyle ibid. Rose juice medicinable 102. i. k Rose of Iericho See Amomum water Rose See Nenuphar Rosemary called Libanotis 34. g Rosemary of two kinds 193. a in Rosemarie what Cachrys is ibid. Rosat a rich painters colour 528. i how it is made of Tripoly or goldsmiths earth died 530. l. m Roset of Puteoli the best and why 531. a the price of Roset ibid. Rosins of sundry kinds 182. h Rosins dry of Pine and Pitch trees 182. h the medicinable vertues of all Rosins ibid. i. l of what trees the Rosins be best 182. k. l of what countries and places the Rosin is best 182. k Rosins how to be dissolued for plaisters and outward medecins 182. k. how for potions ibid. Rostra the publicke place of orations at Rome why so called 491. a Rowing vpon the water for what diseases good 303. d R V Rue killed with the touch of a menstruous woman 308. m Rue a medicinable herbe 56. k the juice of Rue taken in great quantitie is poyson ib. what is the remedy ibid. Rue stolne thriueth best 23. e when and where to be sowne 29. a. b Rue giuen in a largesse at Rome 29. b Rue and the Fig-tree sort well together ibid. Rue doth propagat and set it selfe 29. c the weeding of Rue is trouble some ib. how that may be helped 56. i Rue a counterpoyson for Libard-baine ibid. Rue male and female 57. b Rue killeth the infant newly conceiued 58. k. l Rubbing of the body maketh for health 303. d hard and sost worke diuers effects ib. See more in Frictions Rubie a pretious stone 616. h why Rubies be called Apyroty ibid. Rubies of diuers sorts ibid. Rubies of India ib. of the Garamants or Carchedonij ibid. Rubies of Aethiopia and Alexandria 616. i Rubies Alabandines or Almandines why so called ibid. Rubies male and female with their descriptions 616. i. k Rubies Amethystizontes which they be 616. i Rubies Syrtitae what they are ibid. Rubies of India called Lithizontes 616. k Rubies Orchomenian ibid. m Rubies Troezenian ib. Corinthian 617. a Rubies of Marsils and Lisbon 617. a Rubies are much sophisticated 617. a. how the fraud is discouered 617. b Rubie minerall called Anthracites ibid. b Rubies of other sorts ibid. f Rubrica a red earth or ruddle in great request in Homers time 476. g Ruddle or Rubrica a painters colour 528. i Rubrica of Lemnos counted the best and most medicinable 528. m. Ruddle for carpenters which is best 529. b Rumax what herbe 73. b Running of the reins how it may be staied 72. i. 130. k Ruptures inward spasmes and convulsions how to be helped 167. f. 272. l. 385. a. 444. h Rupture when the guts be falne downe how cured 444. h. i Rupture waterish called Hydrocele how to be healed 385. c Ruptures in young children bursten what remedies 397. e. f 398. h. against all Ruptures in generall good medecins 39. e. 41. d 44 k. 48 g. 58. i. 64 k. 72 l. 75 b. 103 b. 108 k. 123 a d 128 i m. 129 c. f. 130 l. 138 h. 142 h. 150 g. 154 g 162 h. 178 m. 179 a f. 180 g. 186 k. 198 i. 199 c. 248 h 254 g h i. 263 d. 264 g. 275 c. 283 e. 286 m. 289 c 290 i. 313 c d. 320. g. 332 h. 398 g. Ruscus an hearb 111. a. the vertues thereof ibid. bow it is to be prepared for medicins ibid. of Rushes or Rishes diuers kinds and their vses 100. k Rust of yron how it is soonest scoured away 413. c Rust of yron medicinable 516. g S A SAbine stone how it will burne of a light fire 588. l Sacall the same that Ambre 606. k Sacopenum a physicall herbe 30. l. called Sagapenum 67. d the vertues which it hath ibid. Sacrificing mans flesh when forbidden at Rome 373. f Saffron a medicinable spice 104. m Saffron the hearb and floure 86. g how to be set ib. where is the best ibid. the manner of choosing Saffron 86. h. i how it is vsed 86. k the manner of the growing 99. c Sagda a pretious stone 629. d Sagitta what herbe 110. h Sagmina what they are 115. d Salin Crystall what it is 605. a Salads of herbs commended 12. i. k Salamanders poyson with what medecins repressed 56. m 121. c. 150. l. 157. c. 160. k. 318. h. 358. m. 432. h. k 434. i. Salamander of all serpents most dangerous 358. k. l he destroieth whole nations at once ibid. by what meanes ibid. his venome is Narcoticke and extreame cold ibid. of Salamanders swine feed without danger 385. l whether his body do extinguish fire or no 359. a Salicastrum what plant and why so called 149. c. the vertues thereof ibid. Salij the priests what chaplets of floures they wore 82. g Siliunca an herbe described 82. h the vse thereof ibid. 105. f Salâ—…gem 415. d Salow See Willow Sal Theriacus or Theriacalis a kind of medicinable salt 366. l. m. Salpe a learned and expert midwife who wrote of Physicke 300. k Sal-petre 421. b. how the best is knowne ibid. c Salsugo or Salsilago what it is 417. d Salt seasoneth viands 176. i Salt be it naturall or artificiall proceedeth of two causes 414. i. Salt in what places made by drying in the Sun ibid. k Salt an houshold gruell 417. b Salt Spanish for what infirmities it is most medicinable 419. a. Salt compounded for to get an appetite 416. l Salt mountains 415. a Salt minerall ib. walls and houses built of Salt ibid. Salt for Physicke which is best 416. k Salt growing sensibly in the night season 415. b Salt best for poudring or seasoning meat 416. l Salt Ammoniacke 415. b. why so called ib. the description ibid. it is medicinable 415. c light within earth heauie aboue ground and the reason why ib. how it is sophisticat ib. pit or poole Salt 415. c the manifold vses of Salt in Physicke
by Vespasian the Emperour a stately piece of worke 581. f Temple of Fortuna Sera built by Nero the Emperor all of Phengites stone 592. m Tephria what kind of Marble 573 c Tephritis a pretious stone 629. f. the description ibid. Tepula a water seruing Rome 585. d Terebinth or Terpontine tree what medicinable vertues it hath 181. c Terpentine rosin is the best 182. k. good to nourish the body and make it fat ibid. l Terra Sigillata or Lemnia 529 a. it was sealed in old time and thereupon called Sphragis ib. the medicinable vertues thereof 529. a Terraces whose inuention 596. i for Tertian agues what remedies are conuenient 70. l 112 g. 122. k. 125 a. 126. k. l. 205. b. 223. d. 260. h. k 287. c. d. 302. h. 309. e. 310. i. 391. c. 403. b. 424. i 446. i. Testiculus Canis an hearb 279. d. the description ib. a double root it hath like to dog stones ib. the different vertue and operation of these roots ib. Tetheae what fishes 442. k. their description and vertues medicinable 443. c. d Tetradoron what kind of bricke 555. d Tetragnathium a kind of Phalangium or venomous spider 360. k. the manner of their pricke and the accidents ensuing thereupon ibid. Tetters called Lichenes disfiguring the face how cured 156. g. 173. a. 183. c. 192. 〈◊〉 244. l m. 245 a. b. 377. c. e 556. l. 557. d. 560 h. for other tettars meet remedies 36. g. 45 c. 49. e. 52. i. 56. k 72. g. 75. b. 103. b. 124. h. 128. k. 142. l. 143. c. 144. l 146. i. 157. c. 166 l. m. 168. k. 169 a. 172 i. 187 e 252. h. 300. i. 413. b. 419. b. Teuca queene of the Illyrians put Romane embassadours to death 491. f Teucer a famous grauer 484 g Teucria an hearb 247. b. a speciall hearb for the liuer ib. Teucrion an hearb why so called 216. l. the description and vertues ibid. m T H Thalassegle what hearbe 203. e. why called Potamantis ib. the strange effects thereof ibid. Thalassomeli a syrrup how to be made 413. d. e. the singular vertues thereof ibid. Thalietrum or Thalictrum an hearbe 291. a. the description and vertue ibid. Thapsia an hearbe the root whereof is medicinable 245. b. Theamides contrary in nature to the Loadstone and reieteth yron 587. c Theangelis a magicall hearbe and the vertues thereof 203. f. Theatre of M. Scaurus a most wonderfull and sumptuous piece of worke 583. e. with the description thereof ib. Thebais salt for what infirmities good 419. b Thebes a city in Aegipt built hollow vpon vaults 580. h it had about it an hundred gates ibid. Thelygonum what hearbe 257. d. the vertues that it hath 268. h Thelyphonon what hearbe 230. l. the description ib. l. m the reason of the name ib. Thelypteris a kind of Fearne 281. d Themison a professour in Physicke 344. i. he wrote a Treatise in praise of Plantaine 223. b scholler to Asclepiades ib. he reiected his masters Physicke and brought in new 344. i Theodorus a writer in Physicke 52. i Theodorus a most curious and fine Imageur and grauer in brasse 503. a. he cast his owne image and a coach c. most artificially ibid. Theodorus one of the Architects that built the Labyrinth in Lemnos 579. c Theodorus a painter for what pictures hee was famous 550. h. i. Theombrotion a magicall hearbe described 203. c the nature thereof ibid. Theomenes his opinion as touching Amber 606. l Theon a painter and his workes 550. i Theophrastus his opinion of Amber 606. k Theophrastus wrote of floures and hearbes 82. l Theriace a kind of grape 148. i. the medicinable vertues thereof ibid. Theriaci what trosches 397. e. f. how they be made ib. their vse in preseruatiue antidots ib. Therionarca a magicall herbe the strange effects thereof 203. d. Therionarca another herbe described 229. c the reason of the name and the effects that it hath ib. Theseus a picture of Euphranor his doing compared with another that Parasius made 547. d Thesium what hearbe 127. e Thesmophoria what feasts 187. b Thespiades the nine Muses wrought in brasse by Euthicratis 500. g Thespiades also engrauen in marble 570. g Thessalie practised Magicke whereupon Magicians were called Thessalians 377. i Thessalica a comedie of Menander detecting the vanities of Magicke 372. m Thessalus a Physician 344. l when he flourished ibid. he altered the Physicke of his predecessors 344. m he inveâ—…ghed openly against them ib. he entituled himselfe vpon his tombe Iatronices 345. a Theudactylos a pretious stone 930. h Theutalis an herbe 287. a Thiatis what moneth in Aegipt 286. g against Thirstinesse appropriat remedies 43. b. 51. e. 60. h. i 67. b. 70. g. 73. a. 120. h. 129. b. 171. c. 275. e 624. g. Tâ—…laspi or Thlaspe what herbe 291 a of two kinds ibid. their description ib. why so called ibid. Thorne Arabian the medicinable vertues that it hath 194. i. Thracia a pretious stone of three kinds 629. f Thracian stone soonest burneth by the meanes of water 472. h. Thrasillus a writer in Physicke 435. d Three-leafe grasse See Trefoile and Clauer a fish bone slicking in the Throat how to be remoued 302. l 328. k. Throat swelled how to be assuaged 158. i Throat sore and exulcerat how to be healed 418. h. 328. i 378. g. 589. b. 609. b. for Throat infirmities generall remedies 41. f. 59. e. 74. k 120. h. 123. c. 157. b. 180. l. 245. b. 246 i. 317. a 328. i. Thryallis what herbe 230. k Thumbe of of K. Pyrrhus medicinable 295. f Thumbe hending downward a signe of approbation 297. d Thurtanus a famous potter 553 a he made the Image in the Capitoll of Iupiter in clay ib. Thunderbolts do sent or smell of brimstone 557. a Thuscanica what petie images 494. g Rome full of them ibid. h. i Thyme of Attica is best and therfore the hony from thence is chiefe 90. k. l Thyme of two kinds ibid. k when it floureth and how ib. 107. c. d by it is knowne what a yere will be of hony ibid. the description and nature of Thyme 90. k the vertues 107. d running Thyme 75. d why it is called Serpyllum ib. wild Thyme where and how it groweth 31. c. d the properties that it hath 75. d Thymbraeum what herbe 233. e. the vertue ibid. Thysselium what herbe 233. e. the vertue ibid. Thystles and their sundry kinds 98. g. h Thystles wild of two sorts 78. l Thystles forbidden to be eaten by Roman Commoners 11. d T I Tiberius Caesar a grim sir yet delighted in pictures 527. f See Tyberius Tiâ—…r of Flax 4. i. k Tikes in dogs how to be killed 124. i Tikes highly esteemed by Magicians 387. b. c their fooleries in the vse of Tikes ibid. Timagoras an antient painter 537. d Timaeus a naturall Philosopher 666. i Timanthes an excellent painter 536. k. famous for the picture of Iphigenia in Aulides ib. a man of fine conceit ib. Timarete a
of them apart according to their nature Now are we to treat of the rest which are of a carnous substance and those are diuided into fruits that be soft and pulpous and into berries The carnosity in Grapes and Raisons in Mulberries and the fruit of the Arbut tree differs one from the other Againe the fleshy substance in Grapes between the skin and the liquid juice is one and that in Sebesten is another Berries haue a carnosity by themselues as namely Oliues Mulberies yeeld a juice or liquor within the pulpe thereof resembling wine They be ordinarily of three colours at the beginning white soone after red and when they be ripe blacke The Mulberrie tree bloometh with the last but the fruit ripeneth with the first Mulberries when they be sull ripe staine a mans hand with the juice thereof and make them blacke but contrariwise being vnripe they scoure them cleane There is not a tree againe wherein the wit of man hath bin so little inuentiue either to deuise names for them or to graff them or otherwise saue only to make the fruit fair and great There is a difference which we at Rome doe make betweene the Mulberries of Ostia and Tusculum There is a kind of Mulberries growing vpon the bramble but their skin is much harder than the other Like as the ground-strawberries differ in carnositie from the fruit of the Arbut tree and yet it is held for a kind of Strawberrie euen as the tree it selfe is tearmed the Strawberrie tree And there is not a fruit of any other tree that resembleth the fruit of an hearb growing by the ground but it The Arbut tree it selfe spreadeth full of branches the fruit is a whole yeare in ripening by which means a man shall find alwaies vpon the tree yong and old fruit together one vnder another and the new euermore thrusts out the old Whether it be the male or female that is barren writers are not agreed Surely the fruit is of base and no reckoning at all no maruell therefore if the Latines gaue it the name Vnedo for that one of them is enough to be eaten at once And yet the Greeks haue two names for it to wit Comarum Memecylon whereby it appeareth that there be as many kinds among the Latines also although it be tearmed by another name Arbutus K. Iuba saith that these trees in Arabia grow to the heigth of fiftie cubites As touching Graines and liquid Kernels there is great difference betweene them for first and formost among very grapes there is no small diuersitie in the skin either for tendernes or thicknesse in the inner stones or pepins which in some grapes are but single or one alone in others double and those commonly yeeld not so much wine as the others do Secondly those of Iuie and Elder differ very much yea and the graines within a Pomegranat are not like to others in their forme for they alone be made cornered and angle-wise and seuerall as they bee they haue not a particular skin of their own but they are altogether clad within on which is white and yet they stand all wholly of a liquor and pulpous carnositie especially those which haue within them but a small stone or woodie kernell Semblably there is as much varietie in berries for oliues differ much from Bay berries likewise those of a Lote tree are diuers from them which the Corneil tree beares The Myrtle also differeth from the Lentisk in the verie berrie As for the huluer or hollie berries and the hawes of the white-thorn they are without any juice or liquor wheras Cherries be of a middle kind betweene berries and graines This fruit is white at the first as lightly all berries be whatsoeuer but afterwards some waxe greene as Oliues and Baies others turn red as Mulberies Cherries and Cornoiles but in the end they all become blacke as Mulberries Cherries and Oliues CHAP. XXV ¶ Of Cherries eight kinds BEfore the time that L. Lucullus defeated K. Mithridates there were no cherrie-trees in Italy but after that victorie which was about the 680 yeare from the foundation of the citie of Rome he was the man that brought them first out of Pontus and furnished Italie so well with them that within sixe and twentie yeres other lands had part therof even as far as Britain beyond the ocean Howbeit as we haue before said they could neuer be brought to grow in Aegypt for all the care and industrie employed about them Of Cherries the reddest sort bee called Apronia the blackest Actia the Caecilian be round withall The Iulian Cherries haue a pleasant tast but they must be taken new from the tree and presently eaten for so tender they be otherwise that they will not abide the carriage Of all other the Duracine Cherries be the soueraign which in Campaine are called Pliniana But in Picardie and those low countries of Belgica they make most account of the Portugall Cherries as they do also who inhabite vpon the riuer Rhene They haue a hew with them composed of three colors between red black and green and alwaies look as if they were in ripening still It is not yet full 5 yeres since the Cherries which they call Laurea were known so called they be because they were graffed on a Bay-tree stocke and thereof thy take a kind of bitternes but yet not vnpleasant to the tast There be moreouer Macedonian Cherries growing vpon a small tree seldome aboue three cubits high and yet there be certain dwarfe Cherries not full so tall called Chamecerasti i. ground cherry-shrubs The Cherry-tree is one of the first that yeelds fruit to his master in token of thankfulnesse recognisance of his paines all the yeare long It delights to grow in cold places and exposed to the North. The Cherrie wil drie in the sun and may be kept in barrels like Oliues CHAP. XXVI ¶ Of the Corneile and Lentiske tree THe same care is had in conditing the berries of the Corneil and the Lentiske as in preseruing Oliues so curious are men to content their tooth as if all things were made to serue the belly Thus we see how things of diuers relishes are mingled together and one giues a tast vnto another and causeth to be pleasant at the tongues end Nay we entermingle all climats and coasts of heauen and earth to satisfie our appetite for to one kind of meat wee must haue drugs spices fetcht as far as from India to another out of Aegypt Candie and Cyrene and in one word for euery dish we haue a seuerall land to find vs sawce To conclude wee are growne to this passe that we cease not to sophisticate our viands euen with hurtfull things so they tast well yea and to make dishes of very poisons because we would deuoure and send all downe the throat But more plainely hereof in our professed discourse of the nature and vertue of Hearbs CHAP. XXVII ¶ The diuersitie of tasts and sauours IN the meane time
as touching those things which are common as well to all fruit as juices and liquors first and formost we find of tasts 13 seuerall kinds to wit sweet pleasant fattie bitter harsh and vnpleasant hot and burning at the tongues end sharpe and biting tart or astringent sowre and salt Ouer and besides all these there be three others of a most strange and wonderfull nature The first is that wherin a man may haue a smacke of many tasts together as in wines for in them a man shall find an harsh sharpe sweet and pleasant rellish all at once and yet these all differ from the natiue verdure of wine A second sort there is besides which caries a strange different tast verily from the thing it self and yet it hath besides the proper and peculiar tast of the owne substance as the Myrtle for it carrieth a seuerall tast by it selfe proceeding from a certaine kind mild and gentle nature which cannot truly be called either sweet fattie or pleasant if we would speake precisely Last of all water hath no tast at all of any juice or liquor whatsoeuer and yet therein is a flat tast by it selfe which is called waterish that nothing else besides hath for if a man do tast in water a rellish of any sap or liquor it is reputed for a bad and naughtie water Furthermore a great and principall matter of all these tasts lyeth in the sauour and smell which is connaturall vnto the tast and hath a great affinitie with it and yet in water is neither one or other to be perceiued or if any be felt either by tongue or nose it is faultie that is certaine Finally a wonderfull thing it is to consider that the three principall Elements whereof the world is made namely Water Aire and Fire should haue no tast no sauor nor participation of any sap and liquor at all CHAP. XXVIII ¶ The juice and sap of Fruits and Trees their colours and odours the nature of Apples and such soft Fruits and the singular commendation of all Fruits TO begin withall The Peare The Mulberry the Myrtle-berrie haue a juice or sap within them resembling wine no maruell then of Grapes if they haue the like Oliues Bay-berries Walnuts and Almonds haue a fattie liquor in them The Grape the Fig and the Date carie a sweet juice with them Plums haue a waterish tast There is no small difference in the colour also that the juice of fruits do beare Mulberries Cherries and Corneils haue a sanguine and bloudie liquor so haue the blacke grapes but that of the white grapes is likewise white The juice of Figs toward the head or neck of the fruit is white like milke but of another color in all the bodie besides In Apples it is in manner of a froth or some in Peaches of no colour and yet the Duracina of that kind be full of liquor but who was euer able to say what colour it was of The odor and sauor likewise of fruits is as strange and admirable for the smell of Apples is sharpe and piercing of Peaches weake and waterish As for sweet fruits they haue none at all for verily we see that sweet wines likwise haue little or no smell wheras the small and thin are more odoriferous and all things in like manner of a subtill substance do affect the nosthrills more than the thicke and grosser doe for whatsoeuer is sweet in sent is not by and by pleasant and delicate in tast for sent and smacke are not alwaies of like sort which is the reason that Pomecitrons haue a most piercing and quick sauor wheras in rellish they are rough and harsh and so it fares in some sort with Quinces As for Figs they haue not any odor And thus much may suffice in generall for the sundrie kinds and sorts of fruits which are to be eaten it remaineth now to search more narrowly into their nature To begin then with those that are enclosed within cods or husks ye shal haue some of these cods to be sweet and the fruit or seed contained within bitter and contrariwise many of those graines or seeds are pleasant and toothsome enough but eaten with the huskes they be starke naught and loathsome As touching berries there be that haue their stone or wooddie substance within and the fleshy pulp without as Oliues and Cherries and there be again that within the said woody stone haue the carnositie of the berry as some fruits in Aegypt whereof we haue alreadie written As for berries carnous without-forth pulpous fruit called Apples they be of one nature Some haue their meat within their woodie substance without as nuts others their carnosity without and their stone within as Peaches and Plums So that in them we may say That the faultie superfluity is enuiroued with the good fruit wheras fruit otherwise is ordinarily defended by the said imperfection of the shell Walnuts and Filberds are enclosed with a shell Chestnuts be contained vnder a tough rind that must be pulled off before they be eaten wheras in Medlars the cornositie and it be eaten together Acornes and all sorts of mast be clad with a crust Grapes with a skin Pomegranats with a rind and a thin pannicle or skin besides Mulberies do consist of a fleshy substance and a liquor Cherries of a skin and a liquid juice Some fruits there be the substance whereof will soon part from their woodie shell without or stone within as nuts and Dates others sticke close and fast thereto as Oliues and Bay berries And there be againe that participate the nature of both as Peaches for in those that be called Duracina the carnous substance cleaueth hard to the stone so as it cannot be plucked from it wheras in the rest it commeth easily away Now ye shall meet with some fruits that neither without in shell nor within-forth in kernell haue any of this woodinesse as a kind of Dates named Spadones And there be againe whose very kernell and wood is taken for the fruit it selfe and so vsed as a kind of Almonds which as we said doe grow in Aegypt Moreouer yee shall haue a kind of fruits furnished with a double superfluity of excrement to couer them without-forth as Chestnuts Almonds and Walnuts Some fruits haue a substance of a threefold nature to wit a bodie without then a stone or wood vnder it and within the same a kernell or seed as Peaches Some fruits grow thick and clustred together vpon the tree as Grapes and likewise Seruises which claspe about the branches and boughes bearing and weighing them downe as well as grapes Others for it hang here and there very thin as Peaches And there be againe that lye close contained as it were within a wombe or matrice as the kernells of the Pomegranates Some hang by smal steles or tailes as Peares others in bunches as Grapes and Dates Ye shall haue some fruit grow by clusters and yet hang by a long taile as the
or their cods yea and when their bladder is pained moreouer if it be applied as a cataplasme with wine it assuageth all tumors and bringeth downe swellings it staieth also the impetuous and violent flux of any humours to a place readie to breed an impostumation But if the same be applied with vinegre it taketh away werts and hard callosities It is good for the Sciatica and other gouts for dislocations and lims out of joint being beaten to pouder and bestrewed vpon a quilt of wooll moistned and bathed with oile and so laid to the place in manner of a fomentation A potion also thereof is vsually giuen in case of the gout to wit the weight of 3 Oboles in as many cyaths of vinegre and honey Also when the stomacke riseth against meat and refuseth it a drage or pouder of it with salt brings the appetite againe The day Lillie Hemerocalles hath leaues of a pale and wannish green colour otherwise soft and gentle the root is bulbous or Onion like and odoriferous which if it bee laid to the bellie in manner of a cataplasme doth euacuat waterie humors yea and thick bloud that lieth cluttered within the bodie ready to do a mischiefe The leaues make an excellent liniment to anoint the eies and the parts about it as a defensatiue against the rheum falling thither with violence as also to be applied vnto the paps and breasts of women which ake and are pained presently after child-birth Helenium an hearbe which sprang first from the teares of lady Helena as I haue already shewed is thought to haue a special vertue to preserue beauty and to maintain the skin fair pure and delicat as well in the face of women as in other parts of their body Moreouer a deepe opinion there is of this hearb that whosoeuer vse it shall proue amiable and gracious they shall I say win loue and fauour whersoeuer they come Also there is attributed and prescribed to this herb if it be taken in wine a mightie operation to procure mirth and make the heart mery and it is thought to be as effectuall that way as was that noble drinke Nepenthes so highly commended in Homer so called for that it puts away al heauinesse sorrow and melancholy And in faith the juice of Helenium is passing sweet and pleasant the root of Helenium taken in water vpon an emptie stomacke when a man is fasting is very good for them that are streight winded and cannot take their breath but vpright Now is the root white within and sweet also as is the hearb The same is giuen to drinke in wine against the sting of serpents To conclude being beaten into pouder it is said for to kill Mice As touching Abrotonum I find that there be two kinds of it The one of the plaines which I take to be the male the other of the mountaines which I would haue to goe for the female Neither of them both there is but it is as bitter as Wormwood The best is that which growes in Sicilie next to which that of Galatia is most esteemed The leaues are much vsed but the seed much more for to heat and chaufe any part of the bodie And therfore it is good and comfortable for the sinewes it cureth the cough it procureth them libertie of breath who cannot fetch their wind lying or leaning with their heads it helpeth the crampe it consolidateth ruptures it easeth the paine of the loines and maketh free passage for vrine The right manner of the decoction as well of the one as the other is to seeth them in bunches or bundles like handfulls vntill a third part of the water be consumed and foure cyaths is an ordinarie draught of this decoction The seed also being beaten into pouder is giuen to the weight of a dram in water for a drink And indeed so taken it comforteth the matrice and the natural parts of women A poultesse made of it and Barley meale applied vnto dull and broad swellings which gather not quickely to an head doth ripen them apace and bring them to suppuration Also beeing reduced into a liniment with a quince rosted or baked it cureth the inflammation of the eyes if they be annointed therwith it hath a vertue to driue a way serpents in case one be stung with them alreadie it expelleth the poison taken inwardly in drinke or laid too outwardly in forme of an ointment draweth it forth But most effectually is the power thereof seen in those poisoned and venomous stings which cause the bodie to shake chill and quake for cold as namely those of scorpions and the spiders called phalangia Moreouer good it is also for other poisons if it be taken in drinke and so it helpeth those that be surprised with any extreme cold how soeuer This propertie likewise it hath to draw forth of the bodie all spills or any thing else that sticketh within the same It driueth out of the body the worms engendred in the guts Finally it is said that if a branch therof be laid vnder the pillow where folk lieth in bed it wil put them in mind of wantonnesse and prouoke them to lust and against all charmes enchantments and witchcrafts which cool the heat of the flesh and disable or bind any person from the act of generation it is the most powerfull hearb of all others CHAP. XXII ¶ The medicinable vertues of Leucanthemum and Sampsuchum i. Marjerom LEucanthemum mingled with 2 parts of vinegre and so giuen to drinke is good for those that be short winded As for Sampsuchum or Amacacum that of Cyprus is most commended and the sweetest of all other this hearb brought into a liniment and applied with vinegre and salt is good against the venom of Scorpions Moreouer if it be put vp into the naturall parts of a woman in forme of a pessarie it helpeth much to bring downe their monethly courses for if it be taken in drinke it is not so effectuall Appled as a liniment after it is incorporat with barley groats it restraineth the flux of humors to the eyes The juice therof when it is sodden discusseth and dissolueth the ventosities that moue pangs and wrings in the belly a good medicine it is to prouoke vrine and by consequence for those that be in a dropsie Marjoram dried mooueth sneesing Thereof is made an artificiall oile called Sampsuchinum or Amaracinum singular for to heat the sinewes and to mollifie their stiffenesse and hardnesse as also by the heat thereof to comfort the matrice The leaues applied with hony serue very well to reduce the black and blew marks occasioned by stripes or bruises to their natural and liuely colour and brought into a cerot with wax it is good for dislocations of joynts CHAP. XXIII ¶ The vertues and properties of Anemone or Windfloure requisit in Physicke WHe haue discoursed of Anemone and those kinds thereof which go to the making of chaplets and guirlands it remaineth now therefore to speake of
those which serue for good vse in Physicke But first as touching Anemone in generall some there bee who call it Phenion and two principal kinds there be of it The first groweth wild in the woods the second commeth in places wel tilled and in gardens but both the one and the other loue sandy grounds As for this later kind it is subdiuided into many speciall sorts for some haue a deepe red skarlet floure and indeed such are found in greatest plenty others bear a purple floure and there be again which are white The leaues of all these three be like vnto Parsly None of them ordinarily grow in height aboue halfe a foot and in the head of their stemme they shoot forth sprouts in manner of the tendrils of Asparagus The floure hath this property Neuer to open but when the wind doth blow wereupon it tooke the name Anemone in Greek But the wild Anemone is greater and taller the leaues also are larger and the floures are of a red colour Many writers being carried away with an error thinke this Anemone and Argemone to bee both one others confound it with that wild Poppy which we named Rhoeas but there is a great difference betweene them for that both these hearbes doe floure after Anemone neither doe the Anemonae yeeld the like juice from them as doth either Argemone or Rhoeas before-named they haue not also such cups and heads in the top but only a certaine musculositie at the ends and tips of their branches much like to the tender buds of Asparagus All the sorts of Anemone or Wind-floure bee good for the head-ach and inflammations thereof comfortable to the matrice of women and increaseth their milk Being taken inwardly in a Ptisane or barly gruell or applied outwardly as a cataplasme with wooll this hearb prouoketh their monthly tearms The root chewed in the mouth purgeth the head of fleame and cureth the infirmities of the teeth The same being sodden and laid to the eyes as a cataplasm represseth the vehement flux of waterie humours thither The Magicians and Wise men attribute much to these hearbes and tell many wonders of them namely That a man should gather the first that he seeth in any yeare and in gathering to say these words I gather thee for a remedie against tertian and quartan agues which done the partie must lap and bind fast in a red cloth the said floure and so keep it in a shady place and when need requireth to take the same and either hang it about the necke or tie it to the arme or some other place The root of that Anemone which beareth the red floure if it be bruised and laid vpon any liuing creature whatsoeuer raiseth ablisâ—… by that caustik and corrosiue vertue which it hath and therfore it is vsed to mundisie and 〈◊〉 filthie vleers CHAP. XXIIII ¶ The vertues of Oenanthe in Physicke OEnanthe is an hearb growing vpon rocky and stony grounds The leafe resembleth those of the Parsnep roots it hath many and those big The stemme and leaues of this herb if they be taken inwardly with honey and thicke sweet wine doe cause women in labor to haue easie deliuerance and withall doe clense them wel of the after-birth Eaten in an Electuarie or licked in a lohoch made with hony the said leauesdoe rid away the cough and prouoke vrine To conclude the root also is singular for the infirmities and diseases of the bladder CHAP. XXV ¶ The medicines made wich the hearbe Heliochryson HEliochryson which others name Chrysanthemon putteth forth little branches very faire and white the leaues are whitish too much like vnto Abrotomum From the tips and ends of which branches there hang down certaine buttons as it were like berries round in a circle which with the repercussion and reuerberation of the Sun-beames doe shine againe like resplendent gold These tufts or buttons doe neuer fade nor wither which is the cause that the chaplets wherewith they crowne and adorne the heads of the gods be made thereof a ceremonie that Ptolomaeus K. of Aegypt obserued most precisely This herbe groweth in rough places among bushes and shrubs If it be taken in wine it prouoketh vrine and womens fleures All hard tumors and inflammations it doth discusse and resolue without suppuration A liniment made with it honey is good to be applied to any place burnt or scalded It is giuen in drinke vsually for the sting of serpents for the paines and infirmities also of the loines If it be drunke in honyed wine it dissolueth and consumeth the cluttered bloud either in the belly and guts or the bladder The leaues taken to the weight of three Oboli in white wine do stay the immoderat flux of the whites in women This hearbe if it be laid in wardrobes keepeth apparel sweet for it is of a pleasant odour CHAP. XXVI ¶ The vertues and properties of the Hyacinth and Lychnis in Physicke THe Hyacinth loueth France very well and prospereth there exceedingly The French vse therewith to die their light reds or lustie-gallant for default of graine to color their scarlet The root is bulbous Onion-like well known to these slaue-coursers who buy them at best hand and after tricking trimming and pampering them vp for sale make gain of them for being reduced into a liniment they vse it with wine to annoint as well the share of youths as the chin and checks to keep them for euer being vnder-grown or hauing haire on their face that they may appeare young still and smooth It is a good defensatiue against the prick of venomous spiders and besides allaieth the griping torments of the belly It forciby prouoketh vrine The seed of this hearbe giuen with Abrotonum is a preseruatiue against the venome of serpents and scorpions it cureth the jaundise As touching Lychnis that fllaming hearbe surnamed Flammea the seed of it beaten to pouder and taken in wine is singular good against the sting of serpents scorpions hornets and such like The wild of this kind is hurtfull to the stomacke and yet it is laxatiue and purgeth downward Two drams thereof is a sufficient dose to purge choller for it worketh mightily Such an enemie it is to scorpions that if they doe but see it they are taken with a nummednesse that they cannot stir In Asia or Natolia they call the root of this hearbe Bolites which if it be laid vpon the eies and kept bound thereto taketh away the pin and the web as they say CHAP. XXVII ¶ The medicinable vertues of Pervincle Rusâ—…us Batis and Acinos ALso the Peruincle called by the Greeks Chamaedaphne if it be stamped drie into pouder and a spoonful thereof giuen in water to those that are full of the dropsie it doth euacuat most speedily the waâ—…y humors collected in their belly or otherwise the same root rosted in embres and well sprinkled and wet with wine discusseth and drieth vp all tumors being applied thereto The iuyce thereof dropped into
wine for to bath kibed heels for which purpose it is boiled in oile and so applied In like manner it serueth to soften hard callosities in any place whatsoeuer and for the foresaid corns of the feet especially if they be scarrified scraped before it is of great efficacy Singula it is against vnwholsom waters pestilent tracts and contagious airs as in times suspected of infection Soueraigne it is for the cough the fall of the Vvula and an old jaunise or ouerflowing of the gall for the dropsy also and hoarsnesse of the throat for presently it skoureth the pipes cleers the voice again and maketh it audible If it be infused and dissolued in water and vinegre and so applied with a spunge It assuageth the gout Taken in a broth or thin supping it is good for the pleurisie especially if the patient purpose to drink wine after it being couered al ouer with wax to the quantity of one cich pease it is giuen very well in case of contractions shrinking of sinewes and namely to such as cary their heads backward perforce by occasion of some crick or cramp For the squinance it is good to gargarize therwith Semblably it is giuen with leeks and vinegre to those that wheaze in their chest and be short winded haue had an old cough sticking long by them also with vinegre alone to such as haue supped off and drunk quailed milke that is cluttered within their stomack Taken in wine it is singular for the faintings about the heart as also for colliquations and such as are faln away and far gone in a consumption those that be taken with the falling sicknes but in honied water it hath a special operation respectiue to the palsie or resolution of the tongue With sodden honey and Laser together there is made a liniment very proper to annoint the region of the hucklebone where the Sciatica is seated and the small of the backe to allay the pain of the loins I would not giue counsel as many writers doe prescribe for to put it in the concauitie or hole of a rotten tooth and so stop vp the place close with wax for feare of that which might ensue thereupon for I haue seene the fearfull sequel of that experiment in a man who vpon the taking of that medicine threw himselfe headlong from an high loft and brake his necke such intolerable paines he sustained of the tooth-ache and no maruell for do but anoint the muffle or nose of a Bull therewith it wil set him on a fire make him horn-mad and being mingled with wine if serpents as they are most greedie of wine chance to lap or lick thereof it wil cause them to burst And therefore I would not aduise any to be anointed with it and hony of Athens incorporat together howsoeuer there be some physitians who set down such a receit Certes if I should take in hand to particularize of the vertues that Laser hath being mingled with other matter in confections I should neuer make an end But my purpose is to deale with simples only wherein Natures work is most apparant euident to be seen whereas in compositions we go altogether by coniectures which many times deceiue vs neither can a man be assured of their operation for who is able to obserue the iust proportion in these mixtures either of the contrarieties and repugnances or the concord and agreement of the ingredients in Nature But of this point I will write more at large hereafter CHAP. XXIV ¶ Of the nature and properties of Hony Of honied water or Mead called Hydromel How it commeth to passe that the manners and behauiours of men be altered by meat and viands Of honied wine named Melitites and of Wax Also against the abuse in composition of medicines HOny were it not so common as it is and euery where to be had would be as high esteemed and of as great price as Laser As for this drug Nature hath framed and made it immediatly her own self but for the getting and working of hony she hath created a liuing creature of purpose as we haue already said by means whereof we haue this coelestial liquor which serueth for an infinite number of vses considering how often it entreth into mixtures and compositions And first to speak of that cereous substance Propolis which as it hath bin shewed already offereth it selfe first to be seen at the very entry of the Bee-hiue These vertues medicinable it hath namely to draw forth all pricks thorns and what offensiue thing soeuer sticketh within the flesh of a body to dissolue and dissipate all tumours and swelling bunches to concoct and mollifie any hardnesse to assuage the pains of sinews and finally to incarnat heale vp and skin any desperat vlcers As touching Hony it selfe of this nature verily it is That it wil suffer no dead bodies to putrifie notwithstanding it be of a sweet and pleasant tast far from any aegrenesse and contrary to the nature of salt for the throat the kernels of each side thereof called the Tonsils or Amygdals for the squinancie and all the accidents befalling to the mouth as also for the drinesse of the tongue through extremitie of heate in feuers it is the most soueraigne thing in the world Hony boiled is singular for the inflammation of the lungs and for the pleurisie also it cureth the wounds inflicted by the sting or teeth of serpents and helpeth those who haue eaten venomous mushroms Being taken in dulcet or honied wine it cureth those that lie of a palsie although indeed the said honied wine alone hath many gifts and properties by it selfe Hony together with oile of Roses dropped into the ears cureth their singing and pain Good it is also for to kil lice and such like vermin in the head and to rid away nits where note by the way that if hony be dispumed that is to say skummed and clarified it is euermore the better for any vse Howbeit the stomack it puffeth vp and maketh to swel with ventosities it ingendreth and encreaseth cholerick humors and taketh away appetite to meat yea and some are of opinion that being vsed simply alone and not compounded with other things it is hurtfull to the eies and yet others giue counsel to touch and anoint the corners of the eies therewith when they be exulcerat Touching the materiall causewhereof honey is ingendred the maner how the diuers sorts the countries where it is made the price also and value with the sundry proofs and tria's thereof I haue written already once in my treatise of Bees and a second time in my discourse of the nature of Floures for so the order and course of this my Worke forced me to treat distinctly of those matters which they that be desirous to know exactly the nature of Simples may put together and mingle again at their pleasures By the same reason also since we are entred into the vertues and operations of Hony I must of necessitie
handle and declare the qualitie of Hydromel or honied water so neere a dependant thereto Of which there be two kinds the one is fresh and new made in hast vpon occasion and presently vsed the other is kept and preserued As touching the former Hydromel if it be made as it should be of dispumed and clarified hony it is of singular vse in that exquisit spary diet fit for sick persons and namely in meats of light digestion such as is a thin gruell made of naked frumenty washed in many waters also to be ioyned in restoratiues for to recouer the Patients strength much enseebled Moreouer good it is for the mouth and the stomacke to mitigat the fretting humors setled and bedded therin to cool the extremity of heat for I find in good authors that to ease and mollifie the belly it is better to be giuen cold than otherwise aâ—… also that it is a proper and conuenient drink for those who chil and quake for cold likewise for such as be heartlesse haue smal or no courage at all whom those writers cal Micropsychos Moreouer there is a reason rendred full of infinite subtiltie and the same fathered first vpon Cato Why the same things feel not alwaies bitter or sweet alike in euery mans tast for he saith that this diuersitie proceedeth from those little motes or bodies that go to the making of all things whiles some of them be smooth others rough rugged some cornered others round in sum according as they be more or lesse respectiue and agreeable to the nature of each man this is the cause that those persons who are ouer-wearied or exceeding thirsty be more cholerick and prone to anger Good reason therefore that such asperity of the spirit or rather indeed of the vital breath should be dulced and appeased by the vse of some sweet and pleasant liquor which may lenifie the passage and mollifie the conduits of the said spirit that they do not cut race and interrupt it going in out in drawing or deliuering the wind And in very truth euerie man may find by experience in his own self how meat and drink doth moderat and appease anger sorrow heauinesse and any passion or perturbation of the mind whatsoeuer And therefore those things would be obserued which make not onely to the nourishment and health of the body but also serue for to rectifie and reform the maners and demeanor of the mind Now to return again vnto our Hydromel or honied water very good by report it is for the cough and being taken warm it prouoketh to vomit put oile thereto and it is singular against the poison of Ceruse or white lead A countre-poison also it is and a preseruatiue to such as haue eaten Henbane and Dwale especially taken with asses milk as I haue obserued hertofore Instilled into the ears or poured into the fistulous sores of the secret parts it is thought to be excellent Incorporat with the crums of soft bread and reduced into the form of a pessarie and so put vp it is singular for the infirmities of the natural parts of women and being applied accordingly it taketh down all sudden swellings occasioned by windines cureth dislocations and in one word mitigateth all pains Thus much of Hydromel new made for our moderne physitians haue vtterly condemned the vse of that which is kept vntil it be stale And this they generally hold That it is not so harmlesse as water nor so solid and powerfull in operation as wine Howbeit let it be long kept it turneth into the nature of wine and as all writers do accord then is it most hurtfull to the stomack and contrary to the sinewes As for honied wine the best and most wholsome is alwayes that which is made of the oldest wine that is hard and indeed with it you shall haue it to incorporat very easily which it will neuer do with any that is new sweet and being made of green harsh or austere wine it doth not fill and charge the stomacke no more it doth being made of boiled honey and ingendreth lesse ventosities which is an vsual thing with hony This honey bringeth them to appetite of meat who haue lost their stomack Taken actually cold in many it loosneth the belly but being hot it stayeth and bindeth the same The honied wine is very nutritiue and breedeth good flesh Many haue held out a long time fresh and lusty in their old age with the nourishment of honied wine alone without any other food whereof we haue one notable example of Pollio Romilus who being aboue an hundred yeres old bare his age passing well whereat the Emperour Augustus of famous memorie maruelled much and being vpon a time lodged as a guest in his house he demanded of him what means he vsed most so to maintaine that fresh vigour both of body and mind to whom Pollio answered By vsing honied wine within and oile without Varro saith that the yellow jaundise was called a Kings disease or a sicknesse for a King because it was cured ordinarily with this honied wine called Mulse As touching another kind of honied wine named Melitites how it is made of Must or new wine hony together I haue declared sufficiently in my treatise of wines But I suppose there hath bin none of this sort confected these hundred yeares past and aboue for that it was found to be a drink which bred ventosities in the stomacke and other inward parts Howbeit the manner was in old time to prescribe it for to bee giuen in agues to make the bodie soluble prouided alwaies that it had the due age also to those who lay of the gout to such likewise as had weake and feeble sinews and to women who abstained altogether from meere wine Next after Honey the treatise of Wax which is correspondent to the nature of honey by good order followeth Corcerning the originall working and framing thereof the goodnesse the seueral kinds according to diuers countries I haue written in conuenient place This is generally obserued that al sorts of wax be emollitiue heating and incarnatiue but the newer and fresher they are the better they are thought to be Wax taken inwardly in a supping or broth is singular for the bloudy flix and exulceration of the guts so be the very honey-combes giuen in a gruell made of frumenty first parched and dried at the fire Contrarie it is to the nature of milk for take ten grains of wax made in smal pills of the bignesse of millet corns in some conuenient lipuor they will not suffer the milke to cruddle in the stomacke If there be a rising or swelling in the share the present remedie is to sticke a plastre of white wax vpon the groine Moreouer to reckon vp and decipher the sundry vses that wax is put vnto in matters of Physicke as it is mixed with other things it is no more possible for a Physician than to particularize of other simples and
vntil in the end al their Physicke proued nothing but words and bibble babbles for beleeue me his schollers and disciples thought it more for their ease and pleasure to sit close in the schooles and heare their doctours out of the chaire discourse of the points of Physicke than to go a simpling into the desarts and forrests to seeke and gather herbs at all seasons of the yere some at one time and some at another CHAP. III. ¶ Of the new practise in Physicke of Asclepiades the Physitian and what course he tooke to alter and abolish the old Physicke for to bring in the new WHat cunning means soeuer these new Physitians could deuise to ouerthrow the antient manner of working by simples yet it maintained still the remnants of the former credit built surely vpon the vndoubted grounds of long experience and so it continued till the daies of Pompey the Great at what time Asclepiades a great Oratour and professor of Rhetoricke went in hand to peruert and reiect the same for seeing that he gained not by the said Art sufficiently was not like to arise by pleading causes at the bar to that wealth which he desired as he was a man otherwise of a prompt wit and quick spirit he resolued to giue ouer the law and suddenly applied himselfe to a new course of Physick This man hauing no skill at all and as little practice considering he neither was well studied in the Theoricke part of this science nor furnished with knowledge of remedies which required continuall inspection vse of simples wrought so with his smooth and flowing tongue and by his daily premeditat orations gained so much that he withdrew mens mindes from the opinion they had of former practise and ouerthrew all In which discourses of his reducing all Physick to the first and primitiue causes he made it a meere coniecturall Art bearing men in hand that there were but fiue principall remedies which serued indifferently for all diseases to wit in Diet Abstinence in meat Forbearing wine otherwhiles Rubbing of the body Walking and the Exercise of gestations In sum so far he preuailed with his eloquent speech that euery man was willing to giue eare applause to his words for being ready enough to beleeue those things for true which were most easie and seeing withall that whatsoeuer he commended to them was in each mans power to perform he had the general voice of them so as by this new doctrine of his he drew al the world into a singular admiration of him as of a man sent descended from heauen aboue to cure their griefs and maladies Moreouer a wonderfull dexterity and artificiall grace he had to follow mens humors and content their appetites in promising and allowing the sick to drink wine in giuing them eftsoons cold water when he saw his time and all to gratifie his patients Now for that Herophylus before him had the honor of being the first Physitian who searched into the causes of maladies and because Cleophantus had the name among the Antients for bringing wine into request and setting out the vertues thereof this man for his part also desirous to grow into credit reputation by some new inuention of his own brought vp first the allowing of cold water beforesaid to sick persons as M. Varro doth report took pleasure to be called the Cold-water Physitian He had besides other pretty deuises to flatter please his patients one while causing them to haue hanging litters or beds like cradles by the mouing rocking whereof too and fro he might either bring them asleep or ease the pains of their sicknes otherwhiles ordaining the vse of bains a thing that he knew folk were most desirous of besides many other fine conceits very plausible in hearing and agreeable to mans nature And to the end that no man might think this so great alteration and change in the practise of Physick to haue bin a blind course and a matter of smal consequence one thing aboue the rest that woon himfelfe a great fame and gaue no lesse credit and authority to his profession was this that meeting vpon a time by chance with one he knew not carried forth as a dead corse in a biere for to be burned he caused the body to be carried home from the funerall fire and restored the man to health again Certes this one thing wee that are Romanes may be well ashamed of and take in great indignation That such an old fellow as he comming out of Greece the vainest nation vnder the sun beginning as he did of nothing should only for to inrich himself lead the whole world in a string and on a sudden set down rules and orders for the health of mankind notwithstanding many that came after him repealed as it were and annulled those lawes of his And verily many helps had Asclepiades which much fauored his opinion and new Physick namely the manner of curing diseases in those daies which was exceeding rude troublesome painfull such adoe there was in lapping and couering the sicke with a deale of cloaths and causing them to sweat by all meanes possible such a worke they made sometime in chafing and frying their bodies against a good fire but euery foot in bringing them abroad into the hot Sunne which hardly could be found within a shadie and close citie as Rome was In lieu whereof not onely there but throughout all Italy which now commanded the whole World and might haue what it list hee followed mens humours in approouing the artificiall baines and vaulted stouves and hot houses which then were newly come vp and vsed excessiuely in euery place by his approbation Moreouer he found means to alter the painefull curing of some maladies and namely of the Squinancie in the healing whereof other Physitians before him went to worke with a certain instrument which they thrust down into the throat He condemned also worthily that dog-physick which was in those daies so ordinarâ—… that if one ailed neuer so little by and by he must cast and vomit He blamed also the vse of purgatiue potions as contrary and offensiue to the stomack wherein he had great reason and truth on his side for to speake truely such drinks are by most Physitians forbidden considering our chiefe care and drift is in all the course of our physick to vse those means which be comfortable and wholsom for the stomack CHAP. IIII. ¶ The foolish superstition of Art-Magicke which here is derided Of the tettar called Lichen remedies proper for it and the diseases of the throat ABoue all other things the superstitious vanities of Magitians made much to the establishing of Asclepiades his new Physicke for they in the heigth of their vanity attributed so strange and incredible operations to some simples that it was enough to discredit the vertues of them all First they vaunted much of Aethyopus an hearbe which by their saying if it were but cast into any great riuer
or poole it would draw the same dry and was of power by touching onely to open lockes or vnbolt any dore whatsoeuer Of Achoemenis also another herb they made this boast That beeing throwne against an armie of enemies ranged in battel array it would driue the troups and squadrons into feare disorder their ranks and put them to flight Semblably they gaue out and said That when the king of Persia dispatcâ—…ed his Embassadors to any forrein states and Princes he was wont to giue them an herb called Latace which so long as they had about them come where they would they should want nothing but haue plenty of all that they desired besides a number of such fooleries wherewith their bookes bee pestered But where I beseech you were these herbs when the Cimbrians and Teutons were defeated in a most cruell and terrible battell so as they cried and yelled again What became of these Magitians and their powerfull herbs when Lucullus with a small army consisting of some few legions ouerthrew and vanquished their owne kings If herbs were so mighty what is the reason I pray you that our Romane captaines prouided euermore aboue all things how to be furnished with victuals for their camp and to haue al the waies and passages open for their purveâ—…ours In the expedition of Pharsalia how came it to passe that the souldiers were at the point to be famished for want of victuals if Caesar by the happy hauing of one hearbe in his campe might haue injoied the abundance of all things Had it not bin better think ye for Scipio Aemilianus to haue caused the gates of Carthage to flie open with the help of one herbe than to lie so many yeres as he did in leaguer before the city with his engins ordinance to shake their wals batter their gates Were there such vertue in Ethiopius aforesaid why do we not at this day dry vp the Pontine lakes and recouer so much good ground vnto the territory about Rome Moreouer if that composition which Democritus hath set downe and his bookes maketh prayse of to be so effectual as to procure men to haue faire vertuous and fortunat children how happeneth it that the kings of Persia themselues could neuer attaine to that felicity And verily wee might maruell well enough at the credulity of our Ancestors in doting so much vpon these inuentions howsoeuer at the first they were deuised and brought in to right good purpose in case the mind and wit of man knew how to stay and keepe a meane in any thing els besides or if I could not proue as I suppose to doe in due place that euen this new leech-craft brought in by Asâ—…lepiades which checketh those vanities is growne to farther abuses and absurdities than are broched by the very Magitians themselues But this hath beene alwaies and euer will bee the nature of mans mind To exceed in the end and go beyond all measure in euery thing which at the beginning arose vpon good respects and necessary occasions But to leaue this discourse let vs proceed to the effects and properties remaining behind of those herbs which were described in the former booke with a supplement also and addition of some others as by occasion shall be offered and presented vnto vs. Howbeit to begin first with the remedies of the said Tettars so foule and vnseemly diseases I mean to gather a heape of as many medicines as I know appropriat for that malady notwithstanding I haue shewed alreadie of that kind not a few Well then in this case Plantaine stamped is very commendable so is Cinquefoile and the root of the white Daffodill punned and applied with vineger The young shoots or tender branches of the fig-tree boiled in vineger likewise the root of the Marsh-Mallow sodden with glow in a strong and sharpe vineger to the consumption of a fourth part Moreouer it is singular good to rub tettars throughly with a pumish stone first to the end that the root of Sorrell stamped and reduced into a liniment with vineger might be applied afterwards therupon with better successe as also the floure of Miselto tempred incorporat with quick-lime the decoction likewise of Tithymale together with rosin is much praised for this cure but the herb Liuerwort excelleth all the rest which therupon tooke the name Lichen it groweth vpon stony grounds with broad leaues beneath about the root hauing one stalke and the same small at which there hang downe long leaues and surely this is a proper herb also to wipe away all marks and cicatrices in the skin if it be bruised and laid vpon them with hony Another kind of Lichen or Liuerwort there is cleauing wholly fast vpon rockes and stones in manner of mosse which also is singular for those tettars being reduced into a liniment This herb likewise stancheth the flux of bloud in green wounds if the juice be dropped into them and in a liniment it serueth well to be applied vnto apostumat places the jaundise it healeth in case the mouth and tongue be rubbed and annointed with it and hony together but in this cure the Patients must haue in charge To bathe in salt water to anoint themselues with oile of almonds and in any case to abstain from all salads and pothearbs of the garden For to heale tettars the root of Thapsia stamped with hony is much vsed As for the Squinsie Argemonia is a soueraigne remedy if it be drunk in wine Hyssop also boiled in wine and so gargarized likewise Harstrang with the rennet of a Seale or Sea-calse taken both of them in equall portion moreouer Knot-grasse stamped with the pickle made of Cackrebs and oile and so gargled or els but held only vnder the tongue Semblaby the juice of Cinquefoile being taken in drink to the quantity of three cyaths this juice besides in a gargarisme cureth all other infirmities of the throat And to conclude with Mullen if it be drunk in water it hath a speciall vertue to cure the inflammation of the amygdals or almond kernels of the throat CHAP. V. ¶ Receits for the scrophules ar wens called the Kings-euill for the paines and griefes of the singers for the diseases of the breast and namely for the Cough PLantaine is a soueraigne herb to cure the Kings euill also Celendine applied with honey and hogs lard so is Cinquefoile The root of the great Clot-bur serueth for the same purpose if it be incorporat with hogs grease so that the place after it is annointed therewith be couered with a leafe of the said Bur laid fast vpon it in like manner Artemisia or Mugwort also a Mandrage root applied with water is good for that purpose The broad leafed Sideritis or Stone-sauge being digged round about with a spike of yron and taken vp with the left hand and so applied vnto the place cureth the kings euill prouided alwaies that the Patients when they be healed keep the same herbe still by them