Allium siue Moly Virginianum ⡠¶ The nature Galen saith Phalangium is of a drying qualitie by reason of the tenuitie of parts ¶ The vertues Dioscorides saith That the leaues seed and floures or any of them drunke in Wine preuaileth against the bitings of Scorpions and against the stinging and biting of the Spider called Phalangium and all other venomous beasts The roots tunned vp in new ale and drunke for a moneth together expelleth poyson yea although it haue vniuersally spred it selfe through the body CHAP. 40. Of the Floure de-luce ¶ The kindes THere be many kindes of Iris or Floure de-luce whereof some are tall and great some little small and low some smell exceeding sweet in the root some haue no smell at all some floures are sweet in smell and some without some of one colour some of many colours mixed vertues attributed to some others not remembred some haue tuberous or knobby roots others bulbous or Onion roots some haue leaues like flags others like grasse or rushes ¶ The Description 1 THe common Floure de-luce hath long and large flaggy leaues like the blade of a sword with two edges amongst which spring vp smooth and plaine stalkes two foot long bearing floures toward the top compact of six leaues ioyned together whereof three that stand vpright are bent inward one toward another and in those leaues that hang downward there are certaine rough or hairie welts growing or rising from the nether part of the leafe vpward almost of a yellow colour The roots be thicke long and knobby with many ãâã threds hanging thereat 2 The water Floure de-luce or Water flag or Bastard Acorus is like vnto the garden Floure de-luce in roots leaues and stalkes but the leaues are much longer sometimes of the height of foure cubits and altogether narrower The floure is of a perfect yellow colour and the Root knobby like the other but being cut it seemeth to be of the colour of raw flesh 1 Iris vulgaris Floure de-luce 2 Iris palustris lutea Water-flags or Floure de-luce ¶ The place The Water Floure de-luce or yellow flag prospereth well in moist medows and in the borders and brinks of riuers ponds and standing lakes And although it be a water plant of nature yet being planted in gardens it prospereth well ¶ The Names Floure de-luce is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Athenaeus and Theophrastus reade ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as though they should say Consecratrix by which name it is also called of the Latines Radix Marica or rather Radix Naronica of the riuer Naron by which the best and greatest store do grow Whereupon Nicander in his Treacles commendeth it thus Iridem quam aluit Drilon Naronis ãâã Which may thus be Englished Iris which Drilon water feeds And Narons bankes with other weeds The Italians Giglio azurro in Spanish Lilio Cardeno in French Flambe The Germanes ãâã ãâã in Dutch ãâã The second is called in Latine ãâã palustris lutea Pseudoacorus and Acorus palustris in English Water flags Bastard Floure de-luce or Water Floure de-luce and in the North they call them Seggs ¶ The nature 1 The roots of the Floure de-luce being as yet fresh and greene and full of juyce are hot almost in the fourth degree The dried roots are hot and dry in the ãâã degree burning the throat and mouth of such as taste them 2 The bastard Floure de-luce his root is cold and dry in the third degree and of an astringent or binding facultic ¶ The vertues The root of the common Floure de-luce cleane washed and stamped with a few drops of Rose water and laid plaister-wise vpon the face of man or woman doth in two dayes at the most take away the blacknesse or blewnesse of any stroke or bruse so that if the skinne of the same woman or any other person be very tender and delicate it shall be needfull that ye lay a piece of silke sindall or a piece of fine laune betweene the plaister and the skinne for otherwise in such tender bodies it often causeth heate and inflammation The iuyce of the same doth not onely mightily and vehemently draw forth choler but most especially watery humors and is a speciall and singular purgation for them that haue the Dropsie if it be drunke in whay or some other liquor that may somewhat temper and alay his heate The dry roots attenuate or make thinne thicke and tough humours which are hardly and with difficultie purged away They are good in a loch or licking medicine for shortnesse of breath an old cough and all infirmities of the chest which rise hereupon They remedie those that haue euill spleenes and those that are troubled with convulsions or cramps biting of serpents and the running of the reines being drunke with vinegre as saith Dioscorides and drunke with wine it bringeth downe the monethly courses of women The decoction is good in womens baths for it mollifieth and openeth the matrix Being boyled very soft and laid to plaister-wise it mollifieth or softneth the kings euil and old hard swellings â¡ The roots of our ordinary flags are not as before is deliuered cold and dry in the third degree nor yet in the second as Dodonaeus affirmes but hot and dry and that at the least in the second degree as any that throughly tastes them will confesse Neither are the faculties and vse as some would persuade vs to be neglected for as Pena and Lobell affirme though it haue no smell nor great heat yet by reason of other faculties it is much to be preferred before the Galanga major or forreigne Acorus of shops in many diseases for it imparts more heate and strength to the stomacke and neighbouring parts than the other which rather preyes vpon and dissipates the innate heate and implanted strength of those parts It bindes strengthens and condenses it is good in bloudy flixes and stayes the Courses â¡ CHAP. 40. Of Floure de-luce of Florence ¶ The Description 1 THe Floure de-luce of Florence whose roots in shops and generally euery where are called Ireos or Orice whereof sweet waters sweet pouders and such like are made is altogether like vnto the common Floure de-luce sauing that the flowers of the Ireos is of a white colour and the roots exceeding sweet of smell and the other of no smell at all 2 The white Floure de-luce is like vnto the Florentine Floure de-luce in roots flaggy leaues and stalkes but they differ in that that this Iris hath his flower of a bleake white colour declining to yellownesse and the roots haue not any smell at all but the ãâã is very sweet as we haue said 3 The great Floure de-luce of Dalmatia hath leaues much broader thicker and more closely compact together than any of the other and set in order like wings or the fins of a Whale fish greene toward the top and of a shining purple colour toward the bottome euen to the ground amongst which riseth vp a stalke of foure
Dioscorides writeth that all the Dockes beeing boiled doe mollifie the bellie which thing also Horace hath noted in his second booke of Sermons the fourth Satyre writing thus Si dura morabitur alvus Mugilus viles pellent obstantia conchae Et lapathi brcuis herba He calleth it a short herbe being gathered before the stalke be growne vp at which time it is fittest to be eaten And being sodden it is not so pleasant to bee eaten as either Beetes or Spinage it ingendreth moist bloud of a meane thicknesse and which nourisheth little The leaues of the sharpe pointed Dockes are cold and drie but the seed of Patience and the water Docke doe coole with a certaine thinnesse of substance The decoction of the roots of Monkes Rubarbe is drunke against the bloudy flix the laske the wambling of the stomacke which commeth of choler and also against the ãâã of serpents as Dioscorides writeth It is also good against the spitting of bloud being taken with Acacia or his succedaneum the dried iuice of sloes as Plinie writeth Monkes Rubarb or Patience is an excellent wholesome pot-herbe for being put into the pottage in some reasonable quantitie it doth loosen the belly helpeth the iaunders the timpany and such like diseases proceeding of cold causes If you take the roots of Monkes Rubarb and red Madder of each halfe a pound Sena soure ounces annise seed and licorice of each two ounces Scabiouse and Agrimonie of each one handfull slice the roots of the Rubarb bruise the annise seed and licorice breake the herbes with your hands and put them into a stone pot called a steane with foure gallons of strong alc to steepe or infuse the space of three daies and then drinke this liquour as your ordinarie drinke for three weekes together at the least though the longer you take it so much the better prouiding in a readinesse another steane so prepared that you may haue one vnder another being alwaies carefull to keepe a good dict it cureth the dropsie the yellow iaunders all manner of itch scabbes breaking out and manginesse of the whole body it purifieth the bloud from all corruption ãâã against the greene sicknesse very greatly and all oppilations or stoppings maketh young wenches to looke faire and cherrie like and bringeth downe their tearmes the stopping whereof hath caused the same The seed of bastard Rubarb is of a manifest astringent nature insomuch that it ãâã the bloudy flix mixed with the seed of Sorrell and giuen to drinke in red wine There haue not beene any other faculties attributed to this plant either of the antient or later writers but generally of all it hath beene referred to the other Docks or Monks Rubarb of which number I assure my selfe this is the best and doth approch neerest vnto the true Rubarb Manie reasons induce me so to thinke and say first this hath the shape and proportion of Rubarbe the same colour both within and without without any difference They agree as well in taste as smell it coloureth the spittle of a yellow colour when it is chewed as Rubarb doth and lastly it purgeth the belly after the same gentle manner that the right Rubarb doth onely herein it differeth that this must be giuen in three times the quantitie of the other Other distinctions and differences with the temperature and euery other circumstance I leaue to the learned Physitions of our London colledge who are very well able to search this matter as a thing farre aboue my reach being no graduate but a Countrey Scholler as the whole framing of this Historie doth well declare but I hope my good meaning will be well taken confidering I doe my best not doubting but some of greater learning will perfect that which I haue begun according to my small skill especially the ice being broken vnto him and the wood rough hewed to his hands Notwithstanding I thinke it good to say thus much more in mine owne defence that although there bee many wants and defects in me that were requisite to performe such a worke yet may my long experience by chance happen vpon some one thing or other that may do the learned good considering what a notable experiment I learned of one Iohn Bennet a Chirurgion of Maidstone in Kent a man as slenderly learned as my selfe which he practised vpon a Butchers boy of the same towne as himselfe reported vnto me his practise was this Being desired to cure the foresaid lad of an ague which did grieuously vex him he promised him a medicine for want of one for the present for a shift as himselfe confessed vnto me he tooke out of his garden three or foure leaues of this plant of Rubarb which my selfe had among other simples giuen him which he stamped strained with a draught of ale and gaue it the lad in the morning to drinke it wrought extremely downeward and vpward within one houre after and neuer ceased vntill night In the end the strength of the boy ouercame the force of the Physicke it gaue ouer working and the lad lost his ague since which time as hee saith he hath cured with the same medicine many of the like maladie hauing euer great regard vnto the quantitie which was the cause of the violent working in the first cure By reason of which accident that thing hath been reuealed vnto posteritie which heretofore was not so much as dreamed of Whose blunt attempt may set an edge vpon some sharper wit and greater iudgement in the faculties of plants to seeke farther into their nature than any of the Antients haue done and none fitter than the learned Physitions of the Colledge of London where are many singularly wel learned and experienced in naturall things The roots sliced and boiled in the water of Carduus Benedictus to the consumption of the third part adding thereto a little honie of the which decoction eight or ten spoonfuls drunke before the fit cureth the ague in two or three times so taking it at the most vnto robustous or strong bodies twelue spoonfuls may be giuen This experiment was practised by a worshipfull Gentlewoman mistresse Anne Wylbraham vpon diuers of her poore Neighbours with good successe CHAP. 83 Of Rubarb â¡ IT hath happened in this as in many other forreine medicines or simples which though they be of great and frequent vse as Hermodactyls Muskc Turbeth c. yet haue we no certaine knowledge of the very place which produces them nor of their exact manner of growing which hath giuen occasion to diuers to thinke diuersly and some haue been so bold as to counterfeit figures out of their owne fancies as Matthiolus so that this saying of Pliny is found to be very true Nulla medicinae pars ãâã incerta quam quae ab alio quam nostro orhe petitur But we will endeauour to shew you more certaintie of this here treated of than was knowne vntill of very late yeres ⡠¶ The Description 1 THis kinde of Rubarb hath very
like those of the last described And the seed also growes like vnto that of the Water ãâã last described 5 There is also another kinde of water Milfoile which hath leaues very like vnto water Violet smaller and not so many in number the stalke is small and tender bearing yellow gaping floures fashioned like a hood or the small Snapdragon which caused Pena to put vnto his ãâã this additament Galericulatum that is hooded The roots are small and threddy with some few knobs hanging thereat like the sounds of fish 2 Millesolium aquaticum Water Yarrow 3 Millesolium siue ãâã flore ãâã ãâã aquatici ãâã facie Crow-foot or water Milsoile â¡ 6 To these may we adde a small water Milfoile set sorth by Clusius It hath round greene stalkes set with many ioynts whereout come at their lower ends many hairy fibres whereby it taketh hold of the mud the tops of these stems stand some handfull aboue the water and at each ioynt stand fiue long finely winged leaues very greene and some inch long which wax lesse and lesse as they stand higher or neerer the top of the stalke and at each of these leaues about the top of the stem growes one small white floure consisting of six little leaues ioyned together and not opening themselues and these at length turne into little knobs with foure little pointals standing out of them Clusius calls this Myriophyllon aquaticum minus â¡ â¡ 4 Millefolium tenuifolium Fennell leaued water Milfoile â¡ 5 Millefolium palustre galericulatum Hooded water Milfoile ¶ The Place They be found in lakes and standing waters or in waters that run slowly I haue not found such plenty of it in any one place as in the water ditches adioyning to Saint George his field neere London ¶ The Time They floure for the most part in May and Iune ¶ The Names The first is called in Dutch water Uiolerian that is to say Viola aquatilis in English Water Gillofloure or water Violet in French Gyroflees d'eaue Matthiolus makes this to be also Myrophylli ãâã or a kinde of Yarrow although it doth not agree with the description thereof for neither hath it one stalke onely nor one single root as Myriophyllon or Yarrow is described to haue for the roots are full of strings and it bringeth forth many stalkes The second is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Millefolium and Myriophyllon and also Supercilium Veneris in shops it is vnknowne This Yarrow differeth from that of the land the rest are sufficiently spoken of in their titles ¶ The Nature and Vertues Water Yarrow as Dioscorides saith is of a dry facultie and by reason that it taketh away hot inflammations and swellings it seemeth to be of a cold nature for Dioscorides affirmeth that water Yarrow is a remedie against inflammations in greene wounds if with vineger it be applied greene or dry and it is giuen inwardly with vineger and salt to those that haue fallen from a high place Water Gillofloure or water Violet is thought to be cold and dry yet hath it no vse in physicke at all CHAP. 301. Of Ducks meate Lens palustris Ducks meate ¶ The Description DVckes meate is as it were a certaine greene mosse with very little round leaues of the bignesse of Lentils out of the midst whereof on the nether side grow downe very fine threds like haires which are to them in stead of roots it hath neither stalke floure nor fruit ¶ The Place It is found in pounds lakes city ditches and in other standing waters euery where ¶ The Time The time of Ducks meate is knowne to all ¶ The Names Duckes meate is called in Latine Lens lacustris Lens aquatilis and Lens palustris of the Apothecaries it is ãâã Aquae Lenticula in high-Dutch Meerlinsen in low-Dutch ãâã and more vsually Enden gruen that is to say Anatum herba Ducks herbe because Ducks doe feed thereon whereupon also in English it is called Ducks meate some terme it after the Greeke water Lentils and of others it is named Graines The Italians call it Lent ãâã in French Lentille d eaue in Spanish Lenteias de agua ¶ The Temperature Galen sheweth that it is cold and moist after a sort in the second degree ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides saith that it is a remedie against all manner of inflammations Saint Anthonies fire and hot Agues if they be either applied alone or else vsed with partched barley meale It also knitteth ruptures in young children Ducks meate mingled with fine wheaten floure and applied preuaileth much against hot swellings as Phlegmons Erisipelas and the paines of the ioynts The same doth helpe the fundament fallen downe in yong children CHAP. 302. Of Water Crow-foot 1 Ranunculus aquatilis Water Crow-foot ¶ The Description 1 WAter Crow-foot hath slender branches trailing far abroad whereupon grow leaues vnder the water most finely cut and iagged like those of Cammomill Those aboue the water are somwhat round indented about the edges in forme not vnlike the smal tender leaues of the mallow but lesser among which do grow the floures small and white of colour made of fine little leaues with some yellownesse in the middle like the floures of the Straw-berry and of a sweet smell after which there come round rough and prickly knaps like those of the field Crowfoot The roots be very small hairy strings â¡ There is sometimes to be found a varietie of this with the leaues lesse and diuided into three parts after the manner of an Iuy leafe and the floures are also much lesser but white of colour with a yellow bottome I question whether this be not the Ranunculus hederaceus Daleschampij pag. 1031. of the hist. Lugd. â¡ 2 There is another plant growing in the water of smal moment yet not amisse to be remembred called Hederula aquatica or water Iuie the which is very rare to finde neuerthelesse I found it once in a ditch by Bermondsey house neere to London and neuer elsewhere it hath small threddy strings in stead of roots and stalkes rising from the bottome of the water to the top wherunto are fastned small leaues swimming or floting vpon the water triangled or three cornered like to those of barren Iuie or rather noble Liuerwort barren of floures and seeds 2 Hederula aquatica Water Iuie â¡ 3 Stellaria aquatica Water Starwort 3 There is likewise another herbe of small reckoning that floteth vpon the water called Stellaria aquatica or water Star-wort which hath many small grassie stems like threds comming from the bottome of the water vnto the vpper face of the same whereupon do grow smal double floures of a greenish or herby colour â¡ I take this Stellaria to be nothing else but a water Chickeweed which growes almost in euery ditch with two long narrow leaues at each ioynt and halfe a dozen or more lying close together at the top of the water in fashion of a starre it may be seene in this shape in the end of
or six inches in length like to Fox-taile they in colour resemble white silke or siluer Thus much Lobell Our Author described this in the first place Ch. 23. vnder Iuncus Marinus Gramineus for so Lobell also calls it â ¶ The place 1 This growes in Africa Nabathaea and Arabia and is a stranger in these Northerne Regions 2 The place of the second is mentioned in the description ¶ The time Their time answereth the other Reeds and Flags ¶ The Names 1 Camels Hay is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Iuncus odoratus and Scoenanthum in shops Squinanthum that is Flos Iunci in French Pasteur de Chammeau in English Camels Hay and Squinanth 2 This Lobell calls Iuncus marinus gramineus and Pseudoschaenanthum We call it Bastard Squinanth and Fox-taile Squinanth ¶ The temper This plant is indifferently hot and a little astrictiue ¶ The vertues Camels Hay prouoketh vrine moueth the termes and breaketh winde about the stomacke It causeth aking and heauinesse of the head Galen yeeldeth this reason thereof because it heateth moderately and bindeth with tenuitie of parts According to Dioscorides it dissolues digests and opens the passages of the veines The floures or chaffie tufts are profitable in drinke for them that pisse bloud anywayes It is giuen in medicines that are ministred to cure the paines and griefes of the guts stomacke lungs liuer and reines the fulnesse loathsomenesse and other defects of the stomacke the dropsie conuulsions or shrinking of sinews giuen in the quantitie of a dram with a like quantitie of Pepper for some few dayes The same boyled in wine helpeth the inflammation of the matrix if the woman do sit ouer the fume thereof and bathe her selfe often with it also CHAP. 36. Of Burre-Reed ¶ The Description 1 THe first of these plants hath long leaues which are double edged or sharpe on both sides with a sharpe crest in the middle in such manner raised vp that it seemeth to be triangle or three square The stalkes grow among the leaues and are two or three foot long being diuided into many branches garnished with many prickly huskes or knops of the bignesse of a nut The root is full of hairy strings 2 The great Water Burre differeth not in any thing from the first kind in roots or leaues saue that the first hath his leaues rising immediately from the tuft or knop of the root but this kinde hath a long stalke comming from the root whereupon a little aboue the root the leaues shoot out round about the stalke successiuely some leaues still growing aboue others euen to the top of the stalke and from the top thereof downeward by certaine distances It is garnished with many round wharles or rough coronets hauing here and there among the said wharles one single short leafe of a pale greene colour ¶ The place Both these are very common and grow in moist medowes and neere vnto water-courses They plentifully grow in the fenny grounds of Lincolnshire and such like places in the ditches about S. George his fields and in the ditch right against the place of execution at the end of Southwark called S. Thomas Waterings ¶ The time They bring forth their burry bullets or seedy knots in August 1 Sparganium Ramosum Branched Burre-Reed 2 Sparganium latifolium Great Water-Burre ¶ The Names These Plants of some are called Sparganium Theophrastus in his fourth Booke and eighteenth Chapter calleth them Butomus of some Platanaria I call them Burre-Reed in the Arabian tongue they are called Safarhe Bamon in Italian Sparganio of Dodoneus Carex Some call the first Sparganium ramosum or Branched Burre-Reed The second Sparganium non ramosum Notbranching Burre-Reed ¶ The temperature They are cold and dry of complexion ¶ The vertues Some write that the knops or rough burres of these plants boyled in wine are good against the bitings of venomous beasts if either it be drunke or the wound washed therewith CHAP. 37. Of Cats Taile ¶ The Description CAts Taile hath long and flaggy leaues full of a spongeous matter or pith among which leaues groweth vp a long smooth naked stalke without knot fashioned like a speare of a firme or solid substance hauing at the top a browne knop or eare soft thicke and smooth seeming to be nothing else but a deale of flockes thicke set and thrust together which being ripe turneth into a downe and is carried away with the winde The Roots be hard thicke and white full of strings and good to burne where there is plenty thereof to be had ¶ The place It groweth in pooles and such like standing waters and sometimes in running streames I haue found a smaller kinde hereof growing in the ditches and marshie grounds in the Isle of Shepey going from Sherland house to Feuersham ¶ The time They floure and beare their mace or torch in Iuly and August Typha Cats Taile ¶ The Names They are called in Greeke ãâã in Latine Typha of some Cestrum Morionis in French Marteau Masses in Dutch ãâã and ãâã In Italian Mazza sorda in Spanish Behordo and Iunco amacorodato In English Cats Taile and Reed-Mace Of this Cars Taile Aristophanes maketh mention in his Comedy of Frogs where he bringeth them forth one talking with ãâã being very glad that they had spent the whole day in skipping and leaping inter Cyperum Phleum among Galingale and Cats Taile Ouid seemeth to name this plant Scirpus for he termeth the mats made of the leaues Cats-taile Mats as in his sixth Booke Fastorum At Dominus discedite ait plaustróque morantes Sustulit in plaustro scirpea matta fuit ¶ The nature It is cold and dry of complexion ¶ The vertues The soft Downe stamped with swines grease well washed healeth burnings or scaldings with fire or water Some practitioners by their experience haue found That the Downe of the ãâã taile beaten with the leaues of Betony the roots of Gladiole and the leaues of Hippoglosson into powder and mixed with the yelks of egges hard sodden and so eaten is a most perfect medicine against the disease in children called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã which is when the gut called Intestinum caecum is fallen into the cods This medicine must be ministred euery day fasting for the space of thirtie dayes the quantitie thereof to be ministred at one time is 1. This being vsed as before is specified doth not onely helpe children and striplings but growne men also if in time of their cure they vse conuenient ligature or trussings and fit consounding plaisters vpon the grieued place according to art appointed for that purpose in Chirurgerie This Downe in some places of the Isle of Elie and the low countries adioyning thereto is gathered and well sold to make mattresses of for plowmen and poore people It hath beene also often proued to heale kibed or humbled heeles as they are termed being applied to them either before or after the skinne is broken CHAP. 38. Of Stitchwort ¶ The
Drehen ¶ The Temperature and Vertues It is not vsed in Physicke that I can finde in any authoritie either of the antient or later Writers but is esteemed as a degenerate kinde of Orchis and therefore not vsed THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF PLANTS Containing the description place time names nature and vertues of all sorts of Herbes for meate medicine or sweet smelling vse c. WE haue in our first booke sufficiently described the Grasses Rushes Flags Corne and bulbous rooted Plants which for the most part are such as with their braue and gallant floures decke and beautifie Gardens and feed rather the eyes than the belly Now there remaine certaine other bulbes whereof the most though not all serue for food of which we will also discourse in the first place in this booke diuiding them in such sort that those of one kinde shall be separated from another â¡ In handling these and such as next succeed them we shall treat of diuers yea the most part of those Herbes that the Greekes call by a generall name ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and the Latines Olera and we in English Sallet-herbes When we haue past ouer these we shall speake of other plants as they shall haue resemblance each to other in their externall forme â¡ CHAP. 1. Of Turneps ¶ The Kindes THere be sundry sorts of Turneps some wilde some of the garden some with round roots globe fashion other ouall or peare fashion and another sort longish or somwhat like a Radish and of all these there are sundry varieties some being great and some of a smaller sort ¶ The Description 1 THe Turnep hath long rough and greene leaues cut or snipt about the edges with deepe gashes The stalke diuideth it selfe into sundry branches or armes bearing at the top small floures of a yellow colour and sometimes of a light purple which being past there do succeed long cods full of small blackish seed like rape seed The root is round like a bowle and sometimes a little stretched out in length growing very shallow in the ground and often shewing it selfe aboue the face of the earth â¡ 2 This is like the precedent in each respect but that the root is not made so globous or bowle-fashioned as the former but slenderer and much longer as you may perceiue by the sigure wee here giue you â¡ 3 The small Turnep is like vnto the first described sauing that it is lesser The root is much sweeter in taste as my selfe hath often proued 4 There is another sort of small Turnep said to haue red roots â¡ and there are other-some whose roots are yellow both within and without some also are greene on the outside and othersome blackish ⡠¶ The Place The Turnep prospereth wel in a light loose and fat earth and so loose as ãâã Crescentius saith that it may be turned almost into dust It groweth in fields and diuers vineyards or Hop gardens in most places of England The small Turnep groweth by Hackney in a sandy ground and those that are brought to Cheape-side market from that Village are the best that euer I tasted ¶ The Time Turneps are sowne in the spring as also in the end of August They floure and seed the second yeare after they are sowen for those which floure the same yeare that they are sowen are a degenerate kinde called in Cheshire about the Namptwitch Mad neeps of their euill qualitie in causing frensie and giddinesse of the braine for a season 1 Rapum majus Great Turnep â¡ 2 Rapum radice oblonga Longish rooted Turnep ¶ The Names The Turnep is called in Latine Rapum in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the name commonly vsed in shops and euery where is Rapa The Lacedemonians call it ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the Boetians ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as Athenaeus reporteth in high Dutch Ruben in low Dutch Rapen in French Naueau rond in Spanish Nabo in English Turnep and Rape ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The bulbous or knobbed root which is properly called Rapum or Turnep and hath giuen the name to the plant is many times eaten raw especially of the poore people in Wales but most commonly boiled The raw root is windy and engendreth grosse and cold bloud the boyled doth coole lesse and so little that it cannot be perceiued to coole at all yet it is moist and windy It auaileth not a little after what manner it is prepared for being boyled in water or in a certaine broth it is more moist and sooner descendeth and maketh the body more soluble but being rosted or baked it drieth and ingendreth lesse winde and yet it is not altogether without winde But howsoeuer they bedressed they yeeld more plenty of nourishment than those that are eaten raw they do increase milke in womens brests and naturall seed and prouoke vrine The decoction of Turneps is good against the cough and hoarsenesse of the voice being drunke in the euening with a little sugar or a quantitie of clarified honey ãâã writeth That the Turnep it selfe being stamped is with good successe applied vpon mouldie or kibed heeles and that also oile of roses boiled in a hollow turnep vnder the hot embers doth cure the same The young and tender shootes or springs of Turneps at their first comming forth of the ground boiled and eaten as a sallade prouoke vrine The seed is mixed with counterpoisons and treacles and being drunke it is a remedie against poifons They of the lowe countries doe giue the oile which is pressed out of the seed against the after throwes of women newly brought to bed and also minister it to young children against the wormes which it both killeth and driueth sorth The oile washed with water doth allaie the feruent heat and ruggednesse of the skin CHAP. 2. Of wilde Turneps ¶ The Kindes THere be three sorts of wilde Turneps one our common Rape which beareth the seed whereof is made rape oile and feedeth singing birds the other the common enemy to corne which call Charlock whereof there be two kindes one with a yellow or els purple floure the other with a white floure there is also another of the water and marish grounds 1 Rapum syluestre Wilde Turneps 2 Rapistrum aruorum Charlocke or Chadlocke ¶ The Description 1 WIlde Turneps or Rapes haue long broad and rough leaues like those of Turneps but not so deeply gashed in the edges The stalkes are slender and brittle somewhat ãâã of two cubits high diuiding themselues at the top into many armes or branches whereon doe grow little yellowish flowers which being past there doe succeed small long cods which containe the seed like that of the Turnep but smaller somewhat reddish and of a firie hot and biting taste as is the mustard but bitterer The root is small and perisheth when the seed is ripe 2 Charlocke or the wilde rape hath leaues like vnto the former but lesser the stalke and leaues being also rough The stalkes bee of a cubite high
The Names It shall be needlesse to trouble you with any other Latine name than is exprest in their titles the people neere the sea side where it groweth do call it Marsh Lauander and sea Lauander â¡ This cannot be the Limonium of Dioscorides for the leaues are not longer than a ãâã nor the stalke so tall as that of a Lillie but you shall finde more hereafter concerning this in the Chapter of water Plantaine I cannot better refer this to any plant described by the Antients than to Britannica described by Dioscorides lib. 4. cap. 2. ⡠¶ The Nature The seed of Limonium is very astringent or binding ¶ The Vertues The seed beaten into pouder and drunke in wine helpeth the collicke strangurie and Dysenteria The seed taken as aforesaid staieth the ouermuch flowing of womens termes and all other fluxes of bloud CHAP. 93. Of Serapias Turbith or Sea Starwort 1 Tripolium vulgare ãâã Great Sea Starwort â¡ 2 Tripolium vulgare minus Small Sea Starwort ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Tripolium hath long and large leaues somewhat hollow or furrowed of a shining greene colour deolining to blewnesse like the leaues of Woade among which riseth vp a stalke of two cubits high and more which toward the top is diuided iuto many small branches garnished with many floures like Camomill yellow in the middle set about or ãâã with small blewish ãâã like a pale as in ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã which ãâã ãâã a whitish rough ãâã that flieth away with the ãâã The ãâã is long and ãâã 2 There is another kinde of Tripolium like the first but much smaller wherein ãâã the difference ¶ The Place These ãâã grow plentifully alongst the ãâã coasts in many places as by ãâã fort ãâã Grauesend in the I le of Shepey in sundry places in a marsh which is ãâã the towne walls ãâã Harwich in the marsh by Lee in ãâã in a ãâã which is between the I le of Shepey and ãâã especially where it ebbeth and ãâã being brought into gardens it flourisheth a ãâã time but there it waxeth huge great and ranke and changeth the great roots into strings ¶ The Time These herbs do floure in May and Iune ¶ The Names It is reported by men of great fame and learning that this plant was called Tripolium because it doth change the colour of his floures thrice in a day This run our we may beleeue and it may be true for that we see and perceiue things of as great and greater wonder to proceed out of the earth This herbe I planted in my garden whither in his season I did repaire to finde out the truth hereof but I could not espie any such variablenesse herein ãâã thus much I may say that as the heate of the sunne doth change the colour of oiuers floures so it fell out with this which in the morning was very faire but afterward of a pale or wan colour Which ãâã that to be but a fable which Dioscorides saith is ãâã by some that in one day it changeth the colour of his floures thrice that is to say in the morning it is white at noone purple and in the euening ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã or crimson But it is not ãâã that there may be sound three colours of the floures in one day by reason that the floures are not all ãâã together as before I ãâã touched but one after another by little and little And there may easily be obserued three colours in them which is to be vnderstood of them that are beginning to floure that are perfectly floured and those that are falling away For they that are blowing and be not wide open and perfect are of a purplish colour and those that are ãâã and wide open of a whitish blew and such as haue fallen away haue a white down which changing hapneth ãâã sundry other plants This herbe is called of ãâã Turbith women that ãâã by the sea side call it in English blew Daisies or blew Camomill and about ãâã it is called Hogs beanes sor that the swine do greatly desire to seed thereon as also for that the knobs about the roots doe somewhat resemble the Garden Beane It is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and diuers others ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã it may be fitly called Aster Marinus or Amellus Marinus in English Sea ãâã Serapio's Turbith of some Blew Daisies The Arabian ãâã doth call Sea ãâã Turbith and after ãâã ãâã yet Actuarius the Grecian doth thinke that Turbith is the root of Alypum Mesues iudged it to be the root of an herbe like fennell The Historie of Turbith of the shops shall be discoursed vpon in his proper place ¶ The Nature Tripolium is hot in the third degree as Galen saith ¶ The Vertues The root of Tripolium taken in wine by the quantitie of two drams driueth forth by siege ãâã and grosse humors for which cause it is often giuen to them that haue the dropsie It is an excellent herbe against poison and comparable with Pyrola if not of greater efficacy in healing of wounds either outward or inward CHAP. 94. Of Turbith of Antioch ¶ The Description GArcias a Portugal Physition saith that Turbith is a plant hauing a root which is neither great nor long the stalke is of two spans long sometimes much longer a finger thicke which creepeth in the ground like Iuie and bringeth sorth leaues like those of the marish Mallow The floures be also like those of the Mallow of a reddish white colour the lower part of the stalke only which is next to the root and gummie is that which is profitable in medicine and is the same that is vsed in shops they chuse that for the best which is hollow and round like a reed brittle and with a smooth barke as also that whereunto doth cleaue a congealed gum which is said to be gummosum or gummy and somewhat white But as Garcias saith it is not alwaies gummie of his owne nature but the Indians because they see that our merchants note the best Turbith by the gumminesse are wont before they gather the same either to writhe or else lightly to bruse them that the sap or liquor may issue out which root being once hardned they picke out from the rest to sell at a greater price It is likewise made white as the ãâã Author sheweth being dried in the sunne for if it be dried in the shadow it waxeth blacke which notwith standing may be as good as the white which is dried in the Sunne Turbith Alexandrinum officinarum Turpetum or Turbith of the shops ¶ The Place It groweth by the sea side but yet not so neere that the wash or water of the sea may come to it but neere about and that for two or three miles in vntilled grounds rather moist than drie It is found in Cambaya Surrate in the I le Dion ãâã and in places hard adioining also in Guzarate where it groweth ãâã from ãâã great abundance of
it is brought into Persia Arabia Asia the lesse and also into Portingale and other parts of Europe but that is preferred which groweth in Cambaya ¶ The Names It is called of the Arabians Persians and Turkes Turbith and in Guzarata ãâã in the prouince Canara in which is the city Goa Tiguar likewise in Europe the learned call it diuersly according to their seuerall fancies which hath bred sundry controuersies as it hath fallen out aswell in Hermodactyls as in Turbith the vse and possession of which we cannot seeme to want but which plant is the true Turbith we haue great cause to doubt Some haue thought ãâã Tripolium marinum described in the former chapter to be Turbith others haue supposed it to be one of the Tithymales but which kinde they know not Guillandinus saith that the root of Tithymalus myrsinitis is the true Turbith which caused Lobeltus and Pena to plucke vp by the roots all the kindes of Tithymales and drie them very curiously which when they had beheld and throughly tried they found it nothing so The Arabians and halfe Moores that dwell in the East parts haue giuen diuers names vnto this plant and as their words are diuers so haue they diuers significatious but this name Turbith they seeme to interpret to be any milky root which doth strongly purge flegme as this plant doth So that as men haue thought good pleasing themselues they haue made many and diuers constuctions which haue troubled many excellent learned men to know what root is the true ãâã But briefly to set downe my opinion not varying from the iudgment of men which are of great experience I thinke assuredly that the root of Scammony of Antioch is the true and vndoubted Turbith one reason especially that moueth me so to thinke is for that I haue taken vp the roots of Scammony which grew in my garden and compared them with the roots of Turbith between which I found little ãâã no difference at all â¡ Through all Spain as Clusius in his notes vpon Garcias testifies they vse the roots of Thapsia for Turbith which also haue been brought hither and I keepe some of them by me but they purge little or nothing at all being drie though it may be the green root or juice may haue some purging faculty ⡠¶ The Temperature and Vertues The Indian physitions vse it to purge flegme to which if there be no feuer they adde ginger otherwise they giue it without in the broth of a chicken and sometimes in faire water Mesues writeth that Turbith is hot in the third degree and that it voideth thicke tough flegme out of the stomacke chest sinewes and out of the furthermost parts of the body but as he saith it is slow in working and troubleth and ouerturneth the stomacke and therefore ginger masticke and other spices are to be mixed with it also oile of sweet almondes or almondes themselues or sugar least the body with the vse herof should pine and fall away Others temper it with Dates sweet Almonds and certaine other things making thereof a composition that the Apothecaries call an Electuarie which is named ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã common in shops and in ãâã vse among expert Physitions There is giuen at one time of this Turbith one dram more or lesse two at the most but in the decoction or in the infusion three or foure CHAP. 95. Of Arrow-head or Water-archer 1 Sagittaria maior Great Arrow-head 2 Sagittaria minor Small Arrow-head ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of Water-archer or Arrow-head hath large and long leaues in shape like the signe Sagittarius or rather like a bearded broad Arrow head Among which riseth vp a fat and thicke stalke two or three foot long hauing at the top many prettie white floures declining to a light carnation compact of three small leaues which being past there come after great rough knops or burres wherein is the seed The root consisteth of many strings 2 The second is like the first and differeth in that this kinde hath smaller leaues and floures and greater burres and roots 3 The third kinde of Arrow-head hath leaues in shape like the broad Arrow-head standing vpon the ends of tender foot stalkes a cubit ãâã among which rise vp long naked smooth stalks of a greenish colour from the middle whereof to the top doe grow floures like to the ãâã The root is small and threddie ¶ The Place These herbes doe grow in the watrie ditches by Saint George his field neere vnto London in the Tower ditch at London in the ditches neere the wals of Oxford by Chelmesford in Essex and many other places as namely in the ditch neere the place of execution called Saint Thomas Waterings not far from London ¶ The Time They floure in May and Iune ¶ The Names Sagittaria may be called in English the Water-archer or Arrow-head â¡ Some would haue it the ãâã of Theophrastus and it is the Pistana Magonis and Sagitta of ãâã lib. 21. cap. 17. ¶ The Nature and Vertues I finde not any thing extant in writing either concerning their vertues or temperament but doubtlesse they are cold and drie in qualitie and are like Plantaine in facultie and temperament CHAP. 96. Of Water Plantaine 1 Plantago aquatica maior Great Water Plantaine 2 Plantago aquatica minor stellata Starry headed small Water ãâã 3 Plantago aquatica humilis Dwarfe water Plantaine ¶ The Description 1 THe first kinde of water Plantaine hath faire great large leaues like the land Plaintaine but smoother and full of ribs or sinewes among which riseth vp a tall stemme foure foot high diuiding it selfe into many slender branches garnished with infinit small white floures which being past there appeare triangle huskes or buttons wherein is the seed The root is as it were a great tuft of threds or thrums â¡ 2 This plant in his roots and leaues is like the last described as also in the stalke but much lesse in each of them the stalke being about some foot high at the top whereof stand many pretty starre-like skinny seed-vessels containing a yellowish seed â¡ 3 The second kinde hath long little and narrow leaues much like the Plantaine called Ribwoort among which rise vp small and feeble stalks branched at the top whereon are placed white floures consisting of three slender leaues which being fallen there come to your view round knobs or rough burs the root is threddy ¶ The Place 1 This herbe growes about the brinkes of riuers ponds and ditches almost euery where â¡ 2 3 These are more rare I found the second a little beyond Ilford in the way to Rumford and Mr. Goodyer found it also growing vpon Hounslow heath I found the third in the Company of Mr. William Broad and Mr. Leonard Buckner in a ditch on this side Margate in the Isle of Tenet ⡠¶ The Time They floure from Iune till August ¶ The Names The first kinde is called Plantago ãâã that is water Plantaine â¡ The second
Lobell calls Alismapusillum Angustifolium muricatum and in the Hist. Lugd. it is called Damasonium stellatum â¡ The third is named Plantago aquatical humilis that is the low water Plantaine â¡ I thinke it fit here to restore this plant to his antient dignitie that is his names and titles wherewith he was anciently ãâã by Dioscorides and Pliny The former whereof calls it by sundry names and all very significant and proper as ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã thus many are Greek and therefore ought not to be reiected as they haue been by some without either reason or authoritie For the barbarous names we can say nothing now it is said to be called Limonium because ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã it growes in wet or ouerflowen medowes it is called Neuroides because the leafe is composed of diuers strings or fibres running from the one end thereof to the other as in Plantain which therfore by Dioscordies is termed by the same reason ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Also it may be as fitly termed Lonchitis sor the similitude which the leafe hath to the top or head of a lance which ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã properly signifies as that other plant described by Dios. lib. 3. cap. 161. for that the seed a lesse eminent part resembles the same thing And for Potamogeiton which signifies a neighbour to the Riuer or water I thinke it loues the water aswell and is as neere a neighbour to it as that which takes it's name from thence and is described by Dioscorides lib. 4. cap. 101. Now to come to Pliny lib. 20. cap. 8. he calls it Beta silvestris Limonion and Neuroides the two later namesare out of Dioscorides and I shall shew you where also you shall finde the former in him Thus much I thinke might serue for the vindication of my assertion sor I dare boldly affirme that no late writer can fit all these names to any other plant and that makes me more to wonder that all our late Herbarists as Matthiolus Dodonaeus ãâã Caesalpinus Daleschampius but aboue all Pena and Lobell who Aduers pag. 126. call it to question should not allow this plant to be Limonium especially seing that Anguillara had before or in their time asserted it so to be but whether he gaue any reasons or no for his assertion I cannot tell because I could neuer by any meanes get his Opinions but only finde by Bauhine his Pinax that such was his opinion hereof But to returne from whence I digrest I will giue you Dioscorides his description and a briefe explanation thereof and so desist it is thus It hath leaues like a Beet thinner and larger 10. or more a stalke slender straight and as tall as that of a Lilly and full of seeds of an astringent taste The leaues of this you see are larger than those of a Beet and thin and as I formerly told you in the names neruous which to be so may be plainely gathered by Dioscorides his words in the description of white Hellebore whose leaues he compares to the leaues of Plantaine and the wilde Beet now there is no wild Beet mentioned by any of the Antients but only this by Pliny in the place ãâã quoted nor no leafe more fit to compare those of white Hellebore to than those of water Plantaine especially sor the nerues and fibres that run alongst the leaues the stalke also of this is but slender considering the height and it growes straight and as high as that of a Lilly with the top plentirifully stored with astringent seed so that no one note is wanting in this nor scarse any to be found in the other plants that many haue of late set forth for Limonium ⡠¶ The Nature Water Plantaine is cold and dry of temperature ¶ The Vertues The leaues of water Plantaine as some Authors report are good to be laid vpon the legs of such as are troubled with the Dropsie and hath the same propertie that the land Plantaine hath â¡ Dioscordies and Galen commend the seed hereof giuen in Wine against ãâã Dysenteries the spitting of bloud and ouermuch flowing of womens termes Pliny saith the leaues are good against burnes â¡ CHAP. 97. Of Land Plantaine 1 Plantago latifolia Broad leaued Plantaine 2 Plantago incana Hoarie Plantaine ¶ The Description 1 AS the Greekes haue called some kindes of Herbes Serpents tongue Dogs tongue and Oxe tongue so haue they termed a kind of Plantaine Arnoglosson which is as if you should say Lambes tongue very well knowne vnto all by reason of the great commoditie and plenty thereof growing euery where and therefore it is needlesse to spend time about them The greatnesse and fashion of the leaues hath been the cause of the varieties and diuersities of their names 2 The second is like the first kinde and differeth in that that this kinde of Plantaine hath greater but shorter spikes or knaps and the leaues are of an hoarie or ouerworne greene colour the stalkes are likewise hoary and hairy 3 The small Plantaine hath many tender leaues ribbed like vnto the great Plantaine and is very like in each respect vnto it sauing that it is altogether lesser 4 The spiked Rose Plantaine hath very few leaues narrower than the leaues of the second kinde of Plantaine sharper at the ends and further growing one from another It beareth a very double floure vpon a short stem like a rose of a greenish colour tending to yellownesse The seed groweth vpon a spikie tuft aboue the highest part of the plant notwithstanding it is but very low in respect of the other Plantaines aboue mentioned 4 Plantago Rosea spicata Spiked Rose Plantaine 5 Plantago Rosea exotica Strange Rose Plantaine â¡ 6 Plantago panniculis sparsis Plantaine with spoky tufts 5 The fifth kinde of Plantaine hath beene a stranger in England and elsewhere vntill the impression hereof The cause why I say so is the want of consideration of the beauty which is in this plant wherein it excelleth all the other Moreouer because that it hath not bin written of or recorded before this present time though plants of lesser moment haue beene very curiously set forth This plant hath leaues like vnto them of the former and more orderly spred vpon the ground like a Rose among which rise vp many small stalks like the other plantaines hauing at the top of euery one a fine double Rose altogether vnlike the former of an hoary or rusty greene colour â¡ I take this set forth by our Author to be the same with that which Clusius receiued from Iames Garret the yonger from London and therefore I giue you the figure thereof in this place together with this addition to the historie out of Clusius That some of the heads are like those of the former Rose Plantaine other some are spike fashion and some haue a spike growing as it were out of the midst of the Rose and some heads are otherwise shaped also the whole plant is more hoary than the common Rose
Brook-limes ¶ The Temperature Brook-lime is of temperature hot and dry like water Cresses yet not so much ¶ The Vertues Brooke-lime is eaten in sallads as Water-Cresses are and is good against that ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã malum of such as dwell neere the Germane seas which they call Seuerbuycke or as we terme it the Scuruie or Skirby being vsed after the same manner that Water Cresses and Scuruy grasse is vsed yet is it not of so great operation and vertue The herbe boyled maketh a good fomentation for swollen legs and the dropsie The leaues boyled strained and stamped in a stone morter with the pouder of ãâã Lincseeds the roots of marish ãâã and some hogs grease vnto the forme of a cataplasine or pultesse taketh away any swelling in leg or arme wounds also that are ready to fall into apostumation it mightily defendeth that no humor or accident ãâã happen thereunto The leaues of Brooke-lime stamped strained and giuen to drinke in wine helpeth the strangurie and griefes of the bladder The leaues of Brook-lime and the tendrels of Asparagus eaten with oyle vineger and Pepper helpeth the strangurie and stone CHAP. 196. Of stinking Ground-Pine ¶ The Kindes â¡ DIoscorides hath antiently mentioned two sorts of Anthyllis one with leaues like to the Leatill the other like to Chamoepitys To the first some late writers haue referred diuers plants as the two first described in this Chapter The Anthyllis Leguminosa Belgarum hereafter to be described the Anthyllis Valentina Clusij formerly set forth Chap. 171. To the second are ãâã the Iua Moschata Monspeliaca described in the fourth place of the 150. Chap. of this booke the ãâã described formerly chap. 165. in the 14. place and that which is here described in the third place of this chapter by the name of ãâã altera Italorum ⡠¶ The Description 1 THere hath beene much adoe among Writers about the certaine knowledge of the true Anthyllis of Dioscorides I will therefore set downe that plant which of all others is found most agreeable thereunto It hath many small branches full ioynts not aboue an handfull high creeping sundry wayes beset with small thicke leaues of a pale colour resembling Lenticula or rather Alsine minor the lesser Chickweed The floures grow at the top of the stalke starre-fashion of an herby colour like boxe or Sedum minus it fostereth his small seeds in a three cornered huske The root is somewhat long slender ioynted and deepely thrust into the ground like Soldanella all the whole plant is saltish bitter in taste and somewhat ãâã â¡ 1 Anthyllis lentifolia siue Alsine cruciata marina Sea Pimpernell â¡ 2 Anthyllis Marina incana ãâã Many floured Ground-Pine â¡ This description was taken out of the Aduersaria pag. 195. where it is called ãâã prior lentifolia Peplios ãâã maritima also Clusius hath described it by the name of Alsines genus pelagicum I haue called it in my last iournall by the name of Alsine cruciata marina because the leaues which grow thicke together by couples crosse each other as it happens in most plants which haue square stalkes with two leaues at each ioynt I haue Englished it Sea Pimpernell because the leaues in shape are as like those of Pimpernel as of any other Plant and also for that our Author hath called another plant by the name of Sea Chickeweed The figure of the Aduersaria was not good and Clusius hath none which hath caused some to reck on this Anthyllis of Lobel and Alsine of Clusius for two seuerall plants which indeed are not so I haue giuen you a figure hereof which I tooke from the growing plant and which well expresseth the growing thereof â¡ 3 Anthyllis altera Italorum Stinking ground ãâã 2 There is likewise another sort of ãâã or Sea Ground ãâã but in truth nothing els than a kinde of Sea Chickeweed hauing small branches trailing vpon the ground of two hands high whereupon do grow little leaues like those of Chickweed not vnlike those of ãâã or Sea Lentils on the top of the stalks stand many small mossie floures of a white colour The whole plant is of a bitter and ãâã taste â¡ This is the Marina incana ãâã Alsiae folia Narbonensium of Lobel it is the Paronychia altera of Matthiolus â¡ â¡ 3 To this sigure which formerly was giuen for the first of these by our Authour I will now giue you a briefe description This in the branches leaues and whole face thereof is very like the French Herbe-Iuie or Ground Pine but that it is much lesse in all the parts thereof but chiefely in the leaues which also are not snipt like those of the French Ground ãâã but sharp pointed the tops of the branches are downie or woolly and set with little pale yellow floures ⡠¶ The Place These do grow in the Soath Isles belonging to England especially in Portland in the grauelly and sandy foords which lie low and against the sea and likewise in the ãâã of Shepey neere the water side â¡ I haue onely sound the first described and that both in Shepey as also in West-gate bay by Margate in the Isle of Thanet ⡠¶ The Time They floure and flourish in Iune and ãâã ¶ The Names Their titles and descriptions sufficiently set forth their seuerall names ¶ The Temperature These sea herbes are of a temperate facultie betweene hot and cold The Vertues Halfe an ounce of the dried leaues drunke preuaileth greatly against the hot pisse the ãâã or difficultie of making water and pnrgeth the reines The same ãâã with Oxymell or honied water is good for the falling sicknesse giuen first at morning and last at night CHAP. 197. Of Whiteblow or Whitelow Grasse ¶ The ãâã 1 THe first is a very slender plant hauing a fewe small leaues like the least Chickeweede growing in little tufts from the midst whereof riseth vp a small stalke three or foure inches long on whose top do grow very little white floures which being past there come in place small flat pouches composed of three filmes which being ripe the two outsides fall away leauing the middle part standing long time after which is like white Sattin as is that of ãâã which our women call white Sattin but much smaller the taste is somewhat sharpe 2 This kinde of ãâã hath small thicke and fat leaues ãâã into three or more diuisions much resembling the ãâã of Rue but a great deale smaller The stalks are like the former ãâã leaues also but the cases wherein the seede is contained are like vnto the ãâã ãâã of Myositis Scorpioides or Mouseare Scorpion grasse The floures are small and white There is another sort of Whitlow grasse or ãâã that is likewise a low or base herbe hauing a small tough roote with some threddie strings annexed thereto ãâã which rise vp diuers slender tough stalkes set with little narrow leaues consusedly like those of the smallest Chickweed whereof doubtlesse these be kindes alongst the
standing waters elswhere This description was made vpon sight of the plant the 2. of Iune 1622. Tribulus aquaticus minor muscat ãâã floribus 1 Tribulus aquaticus Water Caltrops â¡ 2 Tribulus aquaticus minor quercus floribus Small water Caltrops or Frogs-lettuce â¡ 3 Tribulus aquaticus minor Muscatellae floribus Small Frogs-Lettuce ¶ The Place Cordus saith that it groweth in Germany in myrie lakes and in citie ditches that haue mud in them in Brabant and in other places of the Low-countries it is found oftentimes in standing waters and springs Matthiolus writeth that it groweth not only in lakes of sweet water but also in certaine ditches by the sea neere vnto Venice ¶ The Time It flourisheth in Iune Iuly and August ¶ The Names The Grecians call it ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the Latins Tribulus aquatilis and aquaticus and Tribulus lacustris the Apothecaries Tribulus marinus in High Dutch ãâã ãâã the Brabanders ãâã ãâã and of the likenesse of yron nailes ãâã the French men Macres in English it is named water Caltrops Saligot and Water nuts most do call the fruit of this Caltrops Castaneae aquatiles or water ãâã nuts ¶ The Temperature Water Caltrop is of a cold nature it consisteth of a moist essence which in this is ãâã waterie than in the land Caltrops wherein an earthie cold is predominant as Galen saith ¶ The Vertues The herbe vsed in manner of a pultis as Dioscorides teacheth is good against all inflammations or hot swellings boiled with honie and water it perfectly healeth cankers in the mouth sore gums and the Almonds of the throat The Thracians saith Plinie that dwell in Strymona do fatten their horses with the leaues of Saligot and they themselues do feed of the kernels making very sweet bread thereof which bindeth the belly The green nuts or fruit of Tribulus aquaticus or Saligot being drunke in wine is good for them which are troubled with the stone and grauell The same drunke in like manner or laied outwardly to the place helpeth those that are bitten with any venomous beast and resisteth all venome and poison The leaues of Saligot be giuen against all inflammations and vlcers of the mouth the ãâã and corruption of the iawes and against the Kings euill A pouder made of the nuts is giuen to such as pisse bloud and are troubled with grauell and it doth bind the belly very much â¡ The two lesser water Caltrops here described are in my opinion much agreeable in temper to the great one and are much fitter Succidanea for it then Aron which some in the composition of Vnguentum Agrippae haue appointed for it â¡ CHAP. 299. Of water Sengreene or fresh water Soldier Militaris Aizoides Fresh water Soldier ¶ The Description FResh water Soldier or water Housleeke hath leaues like those of the herbe Aloe or Semper vivum but shorter and lesser setround about the edges with certaine stiffe and short prickles amongst which commeth forth diuers cases or huskes verie like vnto crabbes clawes out of which when they open grow white floures consisting of three leaues altogether like those of Frogs-bit hauing in the middle little yellowish threds in stead of roots there be long strings round white vetic like to great Harp-strings or to long wormes which falling downe from a short head that brought sorth the leaues go to the bottom of the water and yet be they seldome there fastened there also grow from the same other strings aslope by which the plant is multiplied after the manner of Frogs-bit ¶ The Place â¡ I found this growing plentifully in the ditches about Rotsey a smal village in Holdernesse And my friend Mr. William Broad obserued it in the Fennes in Lincolne-shire â¡ The leaues and floures grow vpon the top of the water and the roots are sent downe through the water to the mud ¶ The Time It floures in Iune and sometimes in August ¶ The Names It may be called Sedum aquatile or water Sengreen that is to say of the likenesse of herbe Aloe which is also called in Latine Sedum of some Cancri chela or Cancri forficula in English VVater Housleeke Knights Pondwoort and of some Knights water Sengreene fresh water Soldier or wading Pondweed it seemeth to be Stratiotes aquatilis or Stratiotes potamios or Knights water Wound-woort which may also be named in Latine Militaris aquatica and Militaris ãâã or Soldiers Yarrow for it groweth in the water and floteth vpon it and if those strings which it sendeth to the bottome of the wat er be no roots it also liueth without roots ¶ The Temperature This herbe is of a cooling nature and temperament ¶ The Vertues This Housleeke staieth the bloud which commeth from the kidneies it keepeth green wounds from being inflamed and it is good against S. Anthonies fire and hot swellings being applied vnto them and is equall in the vertues aforesaid with the former CHAP. 300. Of Water Yarrow and water Gillofloure 1 Viola palustris Water Violet â¡ Viola Palustris tenuifolia The smaller leaued water violet ¶ The Description 1 WAter Violet hath long and great iagged leaues very finely cut or rent like Yarrow but smaller among which come vp small stalkes a cubit and a halfe high bearing at the top small white floures like vnto stocke Gillofloures with some yellownes in the middle The roots are long and small like blacke threds and at the end whereby they are fastened to the ground they are white and shining like Chrystall â¡ There is another varietie of this plant which differs from it only in that the leaues are much smaller as you may see them exprest in the figure â¡ 2 Water Milfoile or water Yarrow hath long and large leaues deepely cut with many diuisions like ãâã but finelier iagged swimming vpon the water The root is single long and round which brings vp a right straight and slender stalke set in sundry places with the like leaues but smaller The floures grow at the top of the stalke tuft fashion and like vnto the land Yarrow 3 This water Milfoile differeth from all the kindes aforesaid hauing a root in the bottom of the water made of many hairy strings which yeeldeth vp a naked slender stalke within the water and the rest of the stalke which floteth vpon the water diuideth it selfe into sundry other branches and wings which are bedasht with fine small iagged leaues like vnto ãâã or rather resembling hairy tassels or fringe than leaues From the bosomes whereof come forth small and tender branches euery branch bearing one floure like vnto water Crow-foot white of colour with a little yellow in the midst the whole plant resembleth water Crow-foot in all things saue in the broad leaues â 4 There is another kinde of water violet very like the former sauing that his leaues are much longer somewhat resembling the leaues of Fennell fashioned like vnto wings and the floures are somewhat smaller yet white with yellownesse in their middles and shaped
without taste it hath little agreement with Bryonie for the root of Bryonie is verie bitter Diuers name it Rha ãâã or white Rubarbe but vnproperly being nothing like It commeth neere vnto ãâã and if I might yeeld my censure it seemeth to be Scammonium ãâã Americanum or a certain Scammonie of America ãâã creepeth as wee haue sayd after the manner of Bindweed The root is both white and thicke the iuice hath but little taste as also hath this of Mechoacan it is called in English Mechoca and Mechocan and may bee called Indian ãâã ¶ The Temperature The root is of a meane temperature between hot and cold but yet drie ¶ The Vertues It purgeth by siege especially flegme and then waterish humours It is giuen from one ful dram weight to two and that with wine or with some distilled water according as the disease requireth or els in flesh broth It is to be giuen with good effect to all whose diseases proceed of flegme and cold humors It is good against head-ache that hath continued long old coughes hardnesse of breathing the colick paine of the kidneies and ioints the diseases of the reines and belly CHAP. 323. Of the Manured Vine ¶ The Kindes THe Vine may be accounted among those plants that haue need of staies and props and cannot stand by themselues it is held vp with poles and frames of wood and by that meanes it spreadeth all about and climbeth aloft it ioyneth it selfe vnto trees or whatsoeuer standeth next vnto it Of Vines that bring forth wine some be tame and husbanded and others that be wilde of tame Vines there are many that are greater and likewise another sort that be lesser ¶ The Description THe trunke or bodie of the Vine is great and thicke very hard couered with many barkes and those full of cliffes or chinkes from which grow forth branches as it were armes many waies spreading out of which come forth iointed shoots and springs and from the bosome of those ioints leaues and clasping tendrels and likewise bunches or clusters filled ful of grapes the leaues be broad something round fiue cornered and somewhat indented about the edges amongst which come forth many clasping tendrels that take hold of such props or staies as do stand next vnto it The grapes do differ both in colour and greatnesse and also in many other things the which to distinguish seuerally were impossible considering the infinite sorts or kindes and also those which are transplanted from one region or climate to another do likewise alter both from the forme and taste they had before in consideration whereof it shall be sufficient to set sorth the figure of the manured grape and speake somewhat of the rest There is found in Graecia and the parts of Morea as Pantalarea Zante Cephalonia and ãâã wherof some are Islands and the other of the continent a certaine Vine that hath a trunke or bodie of a wooddie substance with a scaly or rugged bark of a grayish colour whereupon do grow faire broad leaues sleightly indented about the edges not vnlike vnto those of the Marsh-mallow from the bosome whereof come forth many small clasping tendrels and also tough and pliant foot-stalkes whereon do grow verie faire bunches of grapes of a watchet blewish colour from the which fruit commeth forth long tender laces or strings such as is found among Sauorie whereupon wee call that plant which hath it laced Sauorie not vnlike that that groweth among and vpon Flax which we call Dodder or Podagra lini ãâã is made a blacke wine which is called Greeke wine yet of the taste of Sacke The laced fruit of this Vine may be fitly termed Vuabarbata Laced or bearded grapes The plant that beareth those small Raisins which are commonly called Corans or Currans or rather Raisins of Corinth is not that plant which among the vulgar people is taken for Currans being a shrubbe or bush that bringeth forth small clusters of berries differing as much as may bee from Corans hauing no affinitie with the Vine or any kinde thereof The Vine that beareth small Raisins or Corans hath a bodie or stocke as other Vines haue branches and tendrels likewise The leaues are larger than any of the others snipt about the edges like the teeth of a saw among which come forth clusters of grapes in forme like the other but smaller of a blewish colour which being ripe are gathered and laid vpon hurdles carpets mats and such like in the Sun to drie then are they carried to some house and laied vpon heapes as we lay apples and corne in a garner vntill the merchants do buy them then do they put them into large Buts or other woodden vessels and tread them downe with their bare feet which they call Stiuing and so are they brought into these parts for our vse â¡ And they are commonly termed in Latine ãâã Corinthiacae and ãâã minores â¡ Vitis Vinifera The manured Vine â¡ There is also another which beareth exceeding faire grapes whereof they make Raisins whiter coloured and much exceeding the bignesse of the common Raisin of the Sunne yet that Grape whereof the Raisin of the Sun is made is a large one and thought to be the Vua Zibibi of the Arabians and it is that which Tabernamontanus figured vnder that name who therein was followed by our Authour but the figures being little to the purpose I haue thought good to omit them â¡ There is another kinde of Vine which hath great leaues very broad of an ouerworne colour whereupon do grow great bunches of Grapes of a blewish colour the pulpe or meate whereof ãâã or cleaueth so hard to the graines or little stones that the one is not easily diuided from the other resembling some starued or withered berrie that hath been blasted whereof it was named ãâã There be some vines that bring forth grapes of a whitish or reddish yellow colour others of a deepe red both in the outward skinne pulpe and iuyce within There be others whose grapes are of a blew colour or something red yet is the iuyce like those of the former These grapes do yeeld forth a white wine before they are put into the presse and a reddish or paller Wine when they are trodden with the husks and so left to macerate or ferment with which if they remaine too long they yeeld forth a wine of a higher colour There be others which make a blacke and obscure red wine whereof some bring bigger clusters and consist of greater grapes others of lesser some grow more clustred and closer together others looser some haue but one stone others more some make a more austere or harsh wine others a more sweet of some the old wine is best of diuers the first yeares wine is most excellent some bring forth fruit ãâã square of which sorts or kindes we haue great plenty ¶ The Place A fit soile for Vines saith Florentinus is euery blacke earth which is not very close nor clammy hauing some moisture
ãâã it after the number of the leaues ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and Septifolium in English Setfoile and Tormentill in high-Dutch ãâã most take it to be Chrysogonon whereof Dioscorides hath made a briefe description ¶ The Temperature The root of Tormentill doth mightily dry and that in the third degree and is of thin parts it hath in it very little heat and is of a binding quality ¶ The Vertues Tormentill is not only of like vertue with Cinkefoile but also of greater efficacie it is much vsed against pestilent diseases for it strongly resisteth putrifaction and procureth sweate The leaues and roots boiled in wine or the iuice thereof drunken prouoketh sweat and by that means driueth out all venome from the heart expelleth poison and preserueth the bodie in time of pestilence from the infection thereof and all other infectious diseases The roots dried made into pouder and drunke in wine doth the same The same pouder taken as aforesaid or in the water of a Smiths forge or rather the water wherein hot steele hath been often quenched of purpose cureth the laske and bloudy flix yea although the patient haue adioined vnto his scouring a grieuous feuer It stoppeth the spitting of bloud pissing of bloud and all other issues of bloud as well in men as women The decoction of the leaues and rootes or the iuice thereof drunke is excellent good for all wounds both outward and inward it also openeth and healeth the stoppings of the liuer and lungs and cureth the iaundice The root beaten into pouder tempered or kneaded with the white of an egge and eaten staieth the desire to vomite and is good against choler and melancholie CHAP. 384. Of wilde Tansie or Siluer-weed Argentina Siluerweed or wilde Tansie ¶ The Description WIlde Tansie creepeth along vpon the ground with fine slender stalkes and clasping tendrels the leaues are long made vp of many small leaues like vnto those of the garden Tansie but lesser on the vpper side greene and vnder very white The floures be yellow and stand vpon slender stems as doe those of Cinkfoile ¶ The Place It groweth in moist places neere vnto high waies and running brookes euery where ¶ The Time It floureth in Iune and Iuly ¶ The Names The later Herbarists do call it Argentina of the siluer drops that are to be seene in the distilled water therof when it is put into a glasse which you shall easily see rowling and tumbling vp and downe in the bottome â¡ I iudge it rather so called of the fine shining Siluer coloured leaues â¡ It is likewise called Potentilla of diuers Agrimonia syluestris Anserina and Tanacetum syluestre in High Dutch ãâã in Low Dutch ãâã in French Argentine in English Wilde Tansie and Siluerweed ¶ The Temperature It is of temperature moderatly cold and dry almost in the third degree hauing withall a binding facultie ¶ The Vertues Wilde Tansie boiled in wine and drunk stoppeth the laske and bloudy flix and all other flux of bloud in man or woman The same boiled in water and salt and drunke dissolueth clotted and congealed bloud in such as are hurt or bruised with falling from some high place The decoction hereof made in water cureth the vlcers and cankers of the mouth if some honie and allom be added thereto in the boiling Wilde Tansie hath many other good vertues especially against the stone inward wounds and wounds of the priuie or secret parts and closeth vp all greene and fresh wounds The distilled water taketh away freckles spots pimples in the face and Sun-burning but the herbe laid to infuse or steepe in white wine is far better but the best of all is to steepe it in strong white wine vinegre the face being often bathed or washed therewith CHAP. 385. Of Auens or Herbe Bennet 1 Caryophyllata Auens or herbe Bennet 2 Caryophyllata montana Mountaine Auens ¶ The Description 1 THe common Auens hath leaues not vnlike to Agrimony rough blackish and much clouen or deepely cut into diuers gashes the stalke is round and hairy a soot high diuiding it selfe at the top into diuers branches whereupon do grow yellow floures like those of Cinkefoile or wilde Tansie which being past there follow round rough reddish hairy heads or knops ful of seed which being ripe wil hang vpon garments as the Burs doe The root is thicke reddish within with certaine yellow strings fastened thereunto smelling like vnto Cloues or like vnto the roots of Cyperus 2 The Mountain Auens hath greater and thicker leaues than the precedent rougher and more hairie not parted into three but rather round nicked on the edges among which riseth vp slender stalkes whereon doe grow little longish sharpe pointed leaues on the toppe of each stalke doth 3 Caryophyllata Alpina pentaphyllaea Fiue leaued Auens â¡ 4 Caryophyllata montana purpurea Red floured mountaine Auens â¡ 5 Caryophyllata Alpina minima Dwarfe mountaine Auens 3 Fiue finger Auens hath many small leaues spred vpon the ground diuided into siue parts somewhat snipt about the edges like Cinkefoile whereof it tooke his name Among which rise vp slender stalkes diuided at the top into diuers branches whereon do grow small yellow floures like those of Cinkefoile the root is composed of many tough strings of the smell ãâã Cloues which makes it a kind of Auens otherwise doubtles it must of necessitie be one of the Cinksoiles â¡ 4 This hath ioynted stringy roots some finger thick from whence rise vp many large and hairy leaues composed of diuers little leaues with larger at the top and these snipt about the edges like as the common Auens amongst these leaues grow vp sundry stalkes some foot or better high whereon grow floures hanging downe their heads and the tops of the stalkes and cups of the floures are commonly of a purplish colour the floures themselues are of a pretty red colour and are of diuers shapes and grow diuers wayes which hath beene the reason that Clusius and others haue iudged them seuerall plants as may be seene is Clusius his Workes where he giues you the floures which you here finde exprest for a different kind Now some of these floures euen the greater part of them grow with fiue red round pointed leaues which neuer lie faire open but only stand straight out the middle part being filled with a hairy matter and yellowish threds other-some consist of seuen eight nine or more leaues and some againe lie wholly open with greene leaues growing close vnder the cup of the floure as you may see them represented in the figure and some few now and then may be found composed of a great many little leaues thick thrust together making a very double floure After the floures are falne come such hairy heads as in other plants of this kinde amongst which lies the seed Gesner calls this Geum rivale Thalius Caryophyllata maior purpurea Camerarius Caryophyllata aquatica Clusius Caryophyllata mont ana prima tertia 5 The root of this
it to be the Sycomore tree and they as much that would haue it to be the Lote or Nettle tree it may be named in English Bead tree for the cause before alledged The other is altera species Zizyphi or the second kinde of Iuiube tree which Columella in his ninth booke and fourth chap. doth call Zizyphus alba or white ãâã tree for difference from the other that is syrnamed Rutila or glittering red Pliny calleth this ãâã Cappadocica in his ãâã booke ninth chapter where he entreateth of the honour of Garlands of which he saith there be two sorts whereof some be made of floures and others of leaues I would call the floures saith he brooms for of those is gathered a yellow floure and Rhododendron also Zizypha which is called Cappadocica The ãâã of these are sweet of smell and like to Oliue floures Neither doth Columella or Pliny vn ãâã take this for Zizyphus sor both the leaues and floures grow out of the tender and yong sprung twigs as they likewise do out of the former the floures are very sweet of smel and cast their sauor far abroad the fruit also is like that of the former ¶ The Temperature Auicen writing and intreating of Azadaraeth saith that the floures thereof be hot in the third degree and dry in the end of the first Zizyphus Cappadocica is cold and dry of complexion ¶ The Vertues The floures of Zizyphus or Azadaraeth open the obstructions of the braine The distilled water thereof killeth nits and lice preserueth the haire of the head from falling especially being mixed with white wine and the head bathed with it The fruit is very hurtfull to the chest and a troublesome enemie to the stomacke it is dangerous and peraduenture deadly Moreouer it is reported that the decoction of the barke and of Fumitorie with Mirobalans added is good for agues proceeding of flegme The iuice of the vppermost leaues with honey is a remedie against poison The like also hath Rhasis the Beade tree saith he is hot and dry it is good for stoppings of the head it maketh the haire long yet is the fruit thereof very offensiue to the stomacke and oftentimes found to be pernitious and deadly Matthiolus writeth that the leaues and wood bringeth death euen vnto beasts and that the ãâã ãâã is resisted by the same remedies that Oleander is ãâã Cappadocica preuaileth against the diseases aforesaid but the decoction thereof is verie ãâã ãâã ãâã whose water scaldeth them with the continuall issuing thereof as also ãâã such as haue the running of the reines and the exulcerations of the bladder and priuy parts A looch or licking medicine made thereof or the syrrup is excellent good against spitting of bloud proceeding of the distillations of sharpe or salt humors CHAP. 123. Of the Lote or Nettle tree Lotus arbor The Nettle tree ¶ The Description THe Lote whereof we write is a tree as big as a Peare tree or bigger and higher the body and armes are very thicke the barke whereof is smooth of a gallant green colour tending to blewnesse the boughes are long and spread themselues all about the leaues be like those of the Nettle sharpe pointed and nicked in the edges like a saw and dasht here and there with stripes of a yellowish white colour the berries be round and hang vpon long stalkes like Cherries of a yellowish white colour at the first and afterwards red but when they be ripe they be somewhat blacke ¶ The Place This is a rare and strange tree in both the Germanies it was brought out of Italy where there is found store thereof as Matthiolus testifieth I haue a small tree thereof in my garden There is likewise a tree thereof in the garden vnder London wall sometime belonging to Mr. Gray an Apothecary of London and another great tree in a garden neere Coleman street in London being the garden of the Queenes Apothecarie at the impression hereof called Mr. Hugh Morgan a curious conseruer of rare simples The Lote tree doth also grow in Africke but it somewhat differeth from the Italian Lote in fruit as Pliny in plaine words doth shew in his thirteenth booke seuenteenth chapter That part of Africke saith he that lieth towards vs bringeth forth the famous Lote tree which they call Celtis and the same well knowne in Italy but altered by the soile it is as big as the Peare tree although Nepos Cornelius reporteth it to be shorter the leaues are full of fine cuts otherwise they be thought to be like those of the Holme tree There be many differences but the same are made especially by the fruit the fruit is as big as a Beane and of the colour of Saffron but before it is thorow ripe it changeth his color as doth the Grape It growes thicke among the boughes after the manner of the Myrtle not as in Italy after the manner of the Cherry the fruit of it is there so sweet as it hath also giuen a name to that countrie and land too hospitable to strangers and forgetfull of their owne countrey It is reported that they are troubled with no diseases of the belly that eate it The better is that which hath no kernell which in the other kinde is stony there is also pressed out of it a wine like to a sweet wine which the same Nepos denieth to endure aboue ten daies and the berries stamped with Alica are reserued in vessels for food Moreouer we haue heard say that armies haue been fed therewith as they haue passed too and fro thorow Africke The colour of the wood is blacke they vse to make flutes and pipes of it the root serueth for kniues hafts and other short workes this is there the nature of the tree thus farre Pliny In the same place he saith that this renowmed tree doth ãâã about Syrtes and ãâã and in his 5. booke 7. chapter he sheweth that there is not far from the lesser Syrtis the Island Menynx surnamed Lotophagitis of the plenty of Lote trees Strabo in his 17. booke ãâã that not onely Menynx but also the lesser Syrtis is said to be ãâã first saith he lieth Syrtis a certaine long Island by the name Cereinna and another lesser called Circinnitis next to this is the lesser Syrtis which they call Lotophagitis Syrtis the compasse of this gulfe is almost 1600. furlongs the bredth of the mouth 600. By both the capes there be Islands ioined to the maine land that is Circinna and Menynx of like bignesse they thinke that Menynx is the countrey of the Lotophagi or those that feed of the Lote trees of which ãâã Homer maketh mention and there are certaine monuments to be seen and ãâã Altar and the fruit is selfe for there be in it great plenty of Lote trees whose fruit is wonderful sweet thus saith Strabo This Lote is also described by Theophrastus in his ãâã booke he saith that there be very many kindes which be seuered by the fruit the fruit is of
and rheumaticke bodies or for vnhealthie and cold stomackes The common blacke Cherries do strengthen the stomack and are whole somer than the red Cherries the which being dried do stop the laske The distilled water of Cherries is good for those that are troubled with heate and inflammations in their stomackes and preuaileth against the falling sicknesse giuen mixed with wine Many excellent Tarts and other pleasant meats are made with Cherries sugar and other delicat spices whereof to write were to small purpose The gum of the Cherrie tree taken with wine and water is reported to helpe the stone it may do good by making the passages slippery and by tempering alaying the sharpnesse of the humors and in this maner it is a remedy also for an old cough Dioscorides addeth that it maketh one well coloured cleareth the sight and causeth a good appetite to meat CHAP. 131. Of the Mulberrie tree 1 Morus The Mulberrie tree 2 Morus alba The white Mulberrie tree ¶ The Description 1 THe common Mulberie tree is high and ful of boughes the body wherof is many times great the barke rugged that of the root yellow the leaues are broad and sharp pointed something hard and nicked on the edges in stead of floures are blowings or ãâã which are downie the fruit is long made vp of a number of little graines like vnto a blacke-Berrie but thicker longer and much greater at the first greene and when it is ripe blacke yet is the ãâã whereof it is full red the root is parted many waies 2 The white Mulberrie tree groweth vntill it be come vnto a great and goodly stature almost as big as the former the leaues are rounder not so sharpe pointed nor so deeply snipt about the edges yet sometimes sinuated or deeply cut in on the sides the fruit is like the former but that it is white and somewhat more tasting like wine ¶ The Place The Mulberry trees grow plentifully in Italy and other hot regions where they doe maintaine great woods and groues of them that there Silke wormes may feed thereon The Mulberry tree is fitly set by the slip it may also be grafted or inoculated into many trees being grafted in a white Poplar it bringeth forth white Mulberies as Beritius in his Geoponickes reporteth These grow in sundry gardens in England ¶ The Time Of all the trees in the Orchard the Mulberry doth last bloome and not before the cold weather is gone in May therefore the old Writers were wont to call it the wisest tree at which time the Silke wormes do seeme to reuiue as hauing then wherewith to seed and nourish them selues which all the winter before do lie like small graines or seeds or rather like the dunging of a flesh ãâã vpon a glasse or some such thing as knowing their proper time both to performe their duties for which they were created and also when they may haue wherewith to maintaine and preserue their owne bodies vnto their businesse aforesaid The berries are ripe in August and September Hegesander in Athenaeus affirmeth that the Mulberie trees in his time did not bring forth fruit in twentie years together and that so great a plague of the gout then raigned and raged so generally as not onely men but boies wenches eunuchs and women were troubled with that disease ¶ The Names This tree is named in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Morus in shops Morus Celsi in high Dutch ãâã in low Dutch ãâã boom in French Meurier in English Mulberry tree The ãâã is called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Morum in shops Morum Celsi in high Dutch ãâã in Italian Moro in French Meure in Spanish ãâã and Mores in English Mulberry ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Mulberries being gathered before they be ripe are cold and dry almost in the third degree and do mightily binde being dried they are good for the laske and bloudy flix the pouder is vsed in meat and is drunke with wine and water They stay bleedings and also the ãâã they are good against inflammations or hot swellings of the mouth and iawes and for other inflammations newly beginning The ripe and new gathered Mulberries are likewise cold and be ful of iuice which hath the taste of wine and is something drying and not without a binding qualitie and therefore it is also mixed with medicines for the mouth and such as helpe the hot swellings of the mouth and almonds of the throat for which infirmities it is singular good Of the iuice of the ripe berries is made a confection with sugar called Diamorum that is after the manner of a syrrup which is exceeding good for the vlcers and hot swellings of the tongue throat and almonds or Vuula of the throat or any other malady arising in those parts These Mulberries taken in meat and also before meat do very speedily passe through the belly by reason of the moisture and slipperinesse of their substance and make a passage for other meats as Galen saith They are good to quench thirst they stir vp an appetite to meat they are not hurtfull to the stomacke but they nourish the body very little being taken in the second place or after meat for although they be lesse hurtfull than other like fruits yet are they corrupted and putrified vnlesse they speedily descend The barke of the root is bitter hot and drie and hath a scouring facultie the decoction hereof doth open the stoppings of the ãâã and spleen it purgeth the belly and driueth forth wormes The same bark being steeped in vineger helpeth the tooth ache of the fame effect is also the decoction of the leaues and barke saith Dioscorides who sheweth that about haruest time there issueth ãâã of the root a iuice which the next day after is found to be hard and that the same is very good against the tooth-ache that it wasteth away Phyma and purgeth the belly Galen saith that there is in the leaues and first buds of this tree a cerraine middle facultie both to binde and scoure CHAP. 132. Of the Sycomore tree Sycomorus The Sycomore tree ¶ The Description THe Sycomore tree is of no small height being very like to the mulberie tree in bignesse shew as also in leafe the fruit is as great as a Fig and of the same fashion very like in iuice and taste to the wilde Fig but sweeter and without any grains or seeds within which groweth not forth of the tender boughes but out of the body and great old armes very fruitfully this tree hath in it plenty of milkie iuice which so soon as any part is broken or cut doth issue forth ¶ The Place It groweth as Dioscorides writeth very plentifully in Caria and Rhodes and in sundry places of Egypt as at the great Cayre or Alkaire and in places that doe not bring forth much wheat in which it is an helpe and sufficeth in stead of bread
that of an Oliue It beares ãâã twise a yeare ãâã it hath ripe fruit both in the Spring and sall yet the vernall fruit seldom comes to good Oenoplia non spinosa The great Iuiubes tree by reason of the too much moisture of the season which causes it to become worme-eaten The Thorny kinde is described by Alpinus who rightly iudges it the Connarus of ãâã but the figure he giues is not very accurate That which wants prickles growes as well as the prickly one in Aegypt and Syria as also in the city Rhetimo in Candy whither it was brought out of Syria The historie of both these trees is in Serapio by the name of Sadar but he according to his custome confounds it with the Lotus of Dioscorides from which it very much differs Bellonius in his second booke and 79. chap. of his Obseruations reckons vp Napeca amongst the trees that are alwaies greene which is true in those that grow in Egypt and Syria but false in such as grow in Candy That tree in Aegypt and Syria is called Nep or Nap. Alpinus calls it Paliurus Athenaet or Nabca ãâã thinking it as I formerly said the Connarus mentioned in the 14. booke of Athenaeus his Deipnosophists ¶ The Vertues out of Alpinus The fruit is of a cold and dry facultie and the vnripe ones are frequently vsed to strengthen the stomacke and stop lasks the iuice of them being for this purpose either taken by the mouth or injected by clyster of the same fruit dried and macerated in water is made an infusion profitable against the relaxation and ãâã of the guts The decoction or infusion of the ripe dried fruit is of a very frequent vse against all pestilent feuers for ãâã affirme that this fruit hath a wonderfull efficacie against venenate qualities and putrifaction and that it powerfully streng thens the heart Also the iuice of the perfectly ripe fruit is very good to purge choler forth of the stomacke and first veines and they willingly vse an infusion made of them in all putride feuers to ãâã their heate or burning CHAP. 14. Of the Persian Plum ¶ The Description 1 THis tree is thought by Clusius to whom I am beholden for the historie and figure to be the ãâã arbor mentioned by Pliny and ãâã but he somewhat doubts whither it be that which is mentioned by Theophrastus Dioscorides also ãâã and Strabo make mention of the Persea arbor and they all make it a tree alwaies greene hauing a longish fruit shut vp in the shell and coat of an Almond with which how this agrees you may see by this description of Clusius This tree saith he is like to a Peare tree spreading it selfe far abroad and being alwaies green hauing branches of a yellowish green colour The leaues are like those of the broadest leaued Bay-tree greene aboue and of a grayish colour vnderneath firm hauing some nerues running ãâã of a good taste and smell yet biting the tongue with a little astriction The floures are like those of the Bay growing many thicke together and consist of six small whitish yellow leaues The fruit at the first is like a Plum and afterwards it becomes Peare fashioned of a blacke colour and pleasant taste it hath in it a heart ãâã kernell in taste not vnlike a Chesnut or sweet Almond I found it flouring in the Spring and I vnderstood the fruit was ripe in Autumne by the relation of ãâã Persea arbor The Persian Plum Iohn Placa Physition and Professor of ãâã who shewed me the tree growing in the garden of a Monasterie a mile from Valentia brought thither as they say out of America and he said they called it ãâã but the Spaniards who haue described America giue this name to another tree But diuers yeares after I vnderstood by the most learned Simon de Tovar a Physition of Ciuil who hath the same tree in his garden with other exoticke plants that it is not called Mamay but Aguacate Thus much out of Clusius where such as are desirous may finde more largely handled the question whither this be the Persea of the Antients or no Rariorum plan Hist. l. 1. c. 2. CHAP. 15. Of Gesners wilde Quince ¶ The Description Cotonaster Gesneri Gesners wilde Quince THe shrub which I here figure out of Clusius is thought both by him and others to be the Cotonastrum or Cidonago mentioned by Gesner in his Epistles lib. 3. pag. 88. It hath branches some cubit long tough and bare of leaues in their lower parts couered with a blacke barke and towards the tops of the branches grow leaues somewhat like those of Quinces of a darke greene aboue and whitish vnderneath snipt about the edges at the tops of the branches grow vsually many floures consisting of fiue purplish coloured leaues a piece with some threddes in their middles these decaying vnder them grow vp red dry berries without any pulp or iuice each of them containing foure triangular seeds Clusius found this flouring in Iune vpon the tops of the Austrian Alpes and he questions whether it were not this which Bellonius found in the mountains of Candy and called Agriomaelea lib. 1. cap. 17. This is not vsed in Physicke nor the faculties thereof knowne CHAP. 16. Of Tamarindes Tamarindus The Tamarinde Tamarindi siliqua The cod of the Tamarinde ¶ The Description TAmarinds which at this day are a medicine frequently vsed and vulgarly knowne in shops were not knowne to the antient Greekes but to some of the later as Actuarius and that by the name of Oxyphoenicae that is soure Dates drawne as it may seeme from the Arabicke appellation Tamarindi that is Indian Date but this name is vnproper neither tree nor fruit being of any affinitie with the Date vnlesse the Arabicke Tamar be a word vsed in composition for fruits of many kindes as the Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the Latine Malum and Apple with vs in English for we call the Cone of the Pine and excrescence of the Oke leafe by the name of Pine Apple and Oke Apple But how soeuer it be it is no matter for the name whether it be proper or no if so be that it serue to distinguish the thing from others and we know what is denoted by it In Malauar they call it Puti in Guzarat Ambili by which name it is knowne in most parts of the East Indies This tree is thus described by Prosper Alpinus de Plant. Aegypti cap. 10. The Tamarind saith he is a tree of the bignesse of a Plum tree with many boughes and leaues like those of the Myrtle many standing vpon one rib one against another with a single one at the end it carrieth white floures very like those of the Orange tree out of whose middle comes forth foure white and very slender threds after these come thicke and large cods at first greene but when they are ripe of an ash colour and within these are contained thicke hard brownish cornered seeds and a blacke acide pulpe These
foot high as my selfe did measure oft times in my garden whereupon doth grow faire large floures of a light blew or as we terme it a watchet colour The floures do smell exceeding sweet much like the Orenge floure The seeds are contained in square cods wherein are packed together many flat seeds like the former The root hath no smell at all 1 Iris Florentina Floure de-luce of Florence 2 Iris alba White Floure de-luce 3 Iris Dalmatica major Great Flourede-luce of Dalmatia 4 Iris Dalmatica minor Small Dalmatian Iris. 5 Iris Biflora Twice-flouring Floure ãâã 6 Iris ãâã Violet Floure de-luce 7 Iris Pannonica Austrian Floure de luce â 8 Iris Camerarij Germane Floure de-Iuce 4 The small Floure de-Iuce of Dalmatia is in shew like to the precedent but rather resembling Iris biflora being both of one stature small and dwarfe plants in respect of the greater The floures be of a more blew colour They flower likewise in May as the others do but beware that ye neuer cast any cold water vpon them presently taken out of a Wel for their tendernesse is such that they wither immediatly and rot away as I my selfe haue proued but those which I left vnwatred at the same ãâã liue and prosper to this day 5 This kinde of Floure de-luce came first from Portugal to vs. It bringeth forth in the Spring time floures of a purple or violet colour smelling like a violet with a white hairy welt downe the middle The root is thick and short stubborne or hard to breake In leaues and shew it is like to the lesser Floure de-luce of Dalmatia but the leaues be more spred abroad and it commonly hath but one stalke which in Autumne floureth againe and bringeth forth the like floures for which cause it was called Iris biflora 6 Iris violacea is like vnto the former but much smaller and the floure is of a more deepe violet colour 7 Carolus Clusius that excellent and learned Father of Herbarists hath set forth in his Pannonicke Obseruations the picture of this beautifull Floure de-luce with great broad leaues thicke and fat of a purple colour neere vnto the ground like the great Dalmatian Floure de-luce which it doth very well resemble The root is very sweet when it is dry and striueth with the Florentine Iris in sweetnesse The floure is of all the other most confusedly mixed with sundry colours insomuch that my pen cannot set ãâã ãâã line or streake as it deserueth The three leaues that stand vpright do claspe or embrace one another and are of a yellow colour The leaues that looke downward about the edges are of a pale colour the middle part of white mixed with a line of purple and hath many small purple lines stripped ouer the said white floure euen to the brim of the pale coloured edge It smelleth like the Hauthorne floures being lightly smelled vnto 8 The Germane Floure de-luce which Camerarius hath set forth in his Booke named Hortus Medicus hath great thicke and knobby roots the stalke is thicke and full of iuyce the leaues be very broad in respect of all the rest of the Floure de-luces The floure groweth at the top of the stalke consisting of six great leaues blew of colour welted downe the middle with white tending to yellow at the bottome next the stalke it is white of colour with some yellownesse fringed about the said white as also about the brims or edges which greatly setteth forth his beautie the which Ioachimus Camerarius the sonne of old Camerarius of Noremberg had sent him out of Hungarie and did communicate one of the plants thereof to Clusius whose figure he hath most liuely set forth with this description differing somewhat from that which Ioachimus himselfe did giue vnto me ãâã his being in London The leaues saith he are very large twice so broad as any of the others The stalke is single and smooth the floure groweth at the top of a most bright shining blew colour the middle rib tending to whitenesse the three vpper leaues somewhat yellowish The root is likewise sweet as Ireos ¶ The place These kindes of Floure de-luces do grow wilde in Dalmatia Goritia and Piedmont notwithstanding our London gardens are very well stored with euery one of them ¶ The time Their time of flouring answereth the other Floure de-luces ¶ The Names The Dalmatian Floure de-Iuce is called in Greeke of Athenaeus and Theophrastes ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã it is named also ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã of the heauenly Bow or Rainbow vpon the same occasion ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã or Admirable for the Poets sometime do call the Rainbow ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Iris and in English Floure de-luce Their seuerall titles do sufficiently distinguish them whereby they may be knowne one from another ¶ The nature The nature of these Floure de-luces are answerable to those of the common kinde that is to say the dry roots are hot and dry in the latter end of the second degree ¶ The vertues The iuyce of these Floure de-luces doth not onely mightily and vehemently draw forth choler but most especially waterie humors and is a singular good purgation for them that haue the Dropsie if it be drunke in sweet wort or whay The same are good for them that haue euill spleenes or that are troubled with cramps or convulsions and for such as are bit with Serpents It profiteth also much those that haue the ãâã or running of the reines being drunke with Vineger as Diosc. saith and drunke with Wine they bring downe the monethly termes CHAP. 42. Of Variable Floure de-luces 1 Iris lutea variegata Variable Flourede ãâã â 2 Iris Chalcedonica Turky Floure de ãâã ¶ The Description 1 THat which is called the Floure de-luce of many colours loseth his leaues in Winter and in the Spring time recouereth them anew I am not able to expresse the sundrie colours and mixtures contained in this floure it is mixed with purple yellow blacke white and a fringe or blacke thrum downe the middle of the lower leaues of a whitish yellow tipped or frized and as it were a little raised vp of a deep purple colour neere the ground 2 The second kinde hath long and narrow leaues of a blackish greene like the stinking Gladdon among which rise vp stalkes two foot long bearing at the top of euery stalke one floure compact of six great leaues the three that stand vpright are confusedly and very strangely stripped mixed with white and a duskish blacke colour The three leaues that hang downeward are like a gaping hood and are mixed in like manner but the white is nothing so bright as of the other and are as it were shadowed ouer with a darke purple colour somewhat shining so that cording to my iudgement the whole floure is of the colour of a Ginny hen a rare and beautifull floure to behold â¡ 3 Iris maritima Narbonensis The Sea Floure de-luce 4 Iris syluestris Bizantina Wilde
colour red the which do clip or embrace the stalkes almost round about like the leaues of Thorow-wax At the top of the stalke groweth a faire bush of very red floures among the which floures do grow many small sharpe pointed leaues The seed I could neuer obserue being a thing like dust that flieth in the winde 2 The other Marish handed Satyrion differeth little from the precedent but in the leaues and floures for that the leaues are smaller and narrower and the floures are faire white gaping wide open in the hollownesse whereof appeare certaine things obscurely hidden resembling little helmets which setteth forth the difference 1 Serapias Dracontias palustris Marish Dragon Satyrion 2 Serapias palustris leptophylla ãâã The other Marish handed Satyrion 3 This third handed Satyrion hath roots fashioned like an hand with some strings fastned to the vpper part of them from which riseth vp a faire stiffe stalke armed with large leaues very notably dasht with blackish spots clipping or embracing the stalke round about at the top of the stalke standeth a faire tuft of purple floures with many greene leaues mingled amongst the same which maketh the bush or tuft much greater The seed is nothing else but as it were dust like the other of his kinde â¡ and it is contained in such twined vessels as you see exprest apart by the side of the figure which vessels are not peculiar to this but common to most part of the other Satyrions â¡ 4 The creeping rooted Orchis or Satyrion without testicles hath many long roots dispersing themselues or creeping far abroad in the ground contrarie to all the rest of the Orchides which Roots are of the bignesse of strawes in substance like those of Sopewort from the which immediately doth rise foure or fiue broad smooth leaues like vnto the small Plantaine from the which shooteth vp a small and tender stalke at the top whereof groweth a pleasant spikie eare of a whitish colour spotted on the inside with little speckes of a bloudie colour The seed also is very small 3 Palma Christi palustris The third handed marish Satyrion 4 Palma Christi radice repente Creeping Satyrion â¡ 5 Palma Christi maxima The greatest handed Satyrion It delights to grow in grounds of an indifferent temper not too moist nor too dry It floures from mid-May to mid-Iune â¡ The Place They grow in marish and fenny grounds and in shadowie woods that are very moist The fourth was found by a learned Preacher called Master Robert Abbot of Bishops Hatfield in a boggy groue where a Conduit head doth stand that sendeth water to the Queenes house in the same towne â¡ It growes also plentifully in Hampshire within a mile of a market Towne called Petersfield in a moist medow named Wood-mead neere the path leading from Peters-field towards Beryton ⡠¶ The Time They floure and flourish about May and Iune ⡠¶ The Names â¡ 1 This is Cynosorchis ãâã of Lobell and Gemma 2 This is Cynosorchis palustris alter a Leptaphylla of Lobell Testiculus Galericulatus of Tabernamontanus 3 Lobell and Gemma terme this Cynosorchis palustris altera Lophodes velnephelodes 4 This is Orchis minor radice repente of Camerarius 5 This by Lobell and Gemma is called Cynosorchis macrocaulos siue Conopsoea ¶ The Temperature and Vertues There is little vse of these in physicke onely they are referred vnto the handed Satyrions whereof they are kindes notwitstanding Dalescampius hath written in his great Volume that the Marish Orchis is of greater force than any of the Dogs stones in procuring of lust Camerarius of Noremberg who was the first that described this kinde of creeping Orchis hath set it forth with a bare description onely and I am likewise constrained to do the like because as yet I haue had no triall thereof CHAP. 118. Of Birds nest 1 Satyrium abortinum siue Nidus anis Birds nest ¶ The Description 1 BIrds Nest hath many tangling roots platted or crossed one ouer another very intricately which resembleth a Crowes nest made of stickes from which riseth vp a thicke soft grosse stalk of a browne colour set with small short leaues of the colour of a dry Oken leafe that hath lien vnder the tree all the winter long On the top of the stalke groweth a spikie eare or tuft of floures in shape like vnto Maimed Satyrion whereof doubtlesse it is a kinde The whole plant as well sticks leaues and floures are of a parched browne colour â¡ I receiued out of Hampshire from my often remembred friend Master Goodyer this following description of a Nidus auis found by him the twenty ninth of Iune 1621. ¶ Nidus avis flore caule ãâã ãâã ãâã an Pseudoleimodoron Clus. Hist. Rar plant pag. 270. This riseth vp with a stalke about nine inches high with a few smal narrow sharpe pointed short skinny leaues set without order very little or nothing at all wrapping or inclosing the stalke hauing a spike of floures like those of Orobanche without tailes or leaues growing amongst them which fallen there succeed small seed ãâã The lower part of the stalke within the ground is not round like Orobanche but slender or long and of a yellowish white colour with many small brittle roots growing vnderneath confusedly wrapt or solded together like those of the common Nidus auis The whole plant as it appeareth aboue ground both stalkes leaues and floures is of a violet or deepe purple colour This I found wilde in the border of a field called Marborne neere Habridge in Haliborne a mile from a towne called ãâã in Hampshire being the land of one William Balden In this place also groweth wilde the ãâã called Corona fratrum Ioh. Goodyer ¶ The Place This bastard or vnkindely Satyrion is very seldome seene in these Southerly parts of England It is reported That it groweth in the North parts of England neere vnto a village called Knaesborough I found it growing in the middle of a Wood in Kent two miles from Grauesend neere vnto a worshipfull Gentlemans house called Master William Swan of Howcke Greene. The wood belongeth to one Master Iohn Sidley which plant I did neuer see elsewhere and because it is very rare I am the more willing to giue you all the markes in the wood for the better finding it because it doth grow but in one piece of the Wood that is to say The ground is couered all ouet in the same place neere about it with the herbe Sanycle and also with the kinde of Orchis called ãâã or Butter-fly Satyrion ¶ The Time It floureth and flourisheth in Iune and August The dusty or mealy seed if it may be called seed falleth in the end of August but in my iudgement it is an vnprofitable or barren dust and not any seed at all ¶ The Names It is called Satyrium abortirum of some Nidus auis in French Nid d'oiseau in English Birds nest or Goose-nest in Low-Dutch Uogels nest in High-Dutch Margen
slender and branched the floures are sometimes purplish but more often yellow The rootes are slender with certaine threds or strings hanging on them â¡ There is also another varietie hereof with the leaues lesse diuided and much smoother than the two last described hauing yellow floures and cods not so deeply joynted as the last described this is that which is set sorth by Matthiolus vnder the name of Lampsana 3 Water Chadlock groweth vp to the height of three foot or somewhat more with branches slender and smooth in respect of any of the rest of his kinde set with rough ribbed leaues deeply indented about the lower part of the leafe The floures grow at the top of the branches vmble or tust fashion sometimes of one colour and sometimes of another â¡ The root is long tough and sull of strings creeping and putting forth many stalkes the seed vessells are short and small ãâã hath this vnder the title of Raphanus ãâã alter â¡ 2 Rapistrum aruense alterum Another wilde Charlocke 3 Rapistrum aquaticum Water Chadlocke ¶ The Place Wilde Turneps or Rapes doe grow of themselues in fallow fields and likewise by highwayes neere vnto old walls vpon ditch-bankes and neere vnto townes and villages and in other vntoiled and rough places The Chadlocke groweth for the most part among corne in barraine grounds and often by the borders of fields and such like places Water Chadlocke groweth in moist medowes and marish grounds as also in water ditches and such like places ¶ The Time These doe floure from March till Summer be farre spent and in the meane season the seed is ripe ¶ The Names Wilde Turnep is called in Latine Rapistrum Rapum syluestre and of some Sinapi ãâã or wild mustard in high Dutch ãâã in low Dutch ãâã in French Vclar in English Rape and Rape seed Rapistrum aruorum is called Charlock and Carlock ¶ ãâã Temperature The seed of these wild kindes of Turneps as also the water Chadlock are hot and drie as mustard seed is Some haue thought that Carlock hath a drying and clensing qualitie and somewhat digesting ¶ The Vertues Diuers vse the seed of Rape in steed of mustard seed who either make hereof a sauce bearing the name of mustard or else mixe it with mustard seed but this kinde of sauce is not so pleasant to the taste because it is bitter Galen writeth that these being eaten engender euill blood yet Disoscorides saith they warme the stomacke and nourish somewhat CHAP. 3. Of Nauewes ¶ The Kindes THere be sundrie kindes of Nape or Nauewes degenerating from the kindes of Turnep of which some are of the garden and other wilde or of the field ¶ The Description 1 NAuew gentle is like vnto Turneps in stalkes floures and seed as also in the shape of the leaues but those of the Nauew are much smoother it also differeth in the root the Turnep is round like a globe the Nauew root is somewhat stretched forth in length 1 Bunias Nauew Gentle 2 Bunias ãâã ãâã Wilde Nauew 2 The small or wilde Nauew is like vnto the former sauing that it is altogether lesser The root is small somewhat long with threads long and tough at the end thereof ¶ The ãâã Nauew-gentle requireth a loose and yellow mould euen as doth the Turnep and prospereth in a fruitfull soile he is sowen in France Bauaria and other places in the fields for the seeds sake as is likewise that wild Colewort called of the old writers Crambe for the plentifull increase of the seeds bringeth no small gaine to the husbandmen of that countrey because that being pressed they yeeld an oile which is vsed not onely in lampes but also in the making of sope for of this oile and a lie made of certaine ashes is boiled a sope which is vsed in the Lowe-countries euery where to scoure and wash linnen clothes I haue heard it reported that it is at this day sowen in England for the same purpose The wilde Nauew groweth vpon ditch bankes neere vnto villages and good townes as alsovpon fresh marshie bankes in most places ¶ The Time The Nauew is sowen floureth and seedeth at the same time that the Turnep doth ¶ The Names The Nauew is called in Latine Napus and also Bunias in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the Germaines call it Steckruben the Brabanders Steckropen in Spanish Naps in Italian Nauo the Frenchmen Naueau in English Nauew-gentle or French Naueau The other is called Napus sylvestru or wild Nauew ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The Nauew and the Turnep are all one in temperature and vertues yet some suppose that the Nauew is a little drier and not so soone concocted nor ãâã downe so easily and doth withall ingender lesse winde In the rest it is answerable to the Turnep â¡ The seeds of these taken in drinke or broth are good against poyson and are vsually put into Antidotes for the same purpose â¡ CHAP. 4. Of Lyons Turnep or Lyons leafe Leontopet alon Lyons leafe ¶ The Description LYons Turnep or Lyons leafe hath broad leaues like vnto Coleworts or rather like the pionyes cut and diuided into sundry great gashes the stalke is two foot long thicke and full of iuyce diuiding it selfe into diuers branches or wings in the tops whereof stand red floures afterward there appeareth long cods in which lie the seeds like vnto tares or wilde chichs The root is great bumped like a Turnep and blacke without ¶ The Place It groweth among corne in diuers places of Italy in Candie also and in other Prouinces towards the South and East The right honorable Lord Zouch brought a plant hereof from Italy at his returne into England the which was planted in his garden But as farre as I doe know it perished ¶ The Time It floureth in winter as witnesseth Petrus Bellonius ¶ The Names The Grecians call it ãâã that is Leonis folium or Lyons leafe Plinie doth call it also Leontopetalon Apuleius Leontopodion yet there is another plant called by the same name There bee many bastard Names giuen vnto it as Rapeium Papauerculum Semen Lconinum Pes Leoninus and Brumaria in English Lyons leafe and Lyons Turnep ¶ The Temperature Lyons Turnep is of force to digest it is hot and drie in the third degree as Galen teacheth ¶ The Vertues The root saith Dioscorides taken in wine doth helpe them that are bitten of Serpents and it doth most speedily alay the paine It is put into glisters which are made for them that bee tormented with the Sciatica CHAP. 5. Of Radish ¶ The Kindes THere be sundrie sorts of Radish whereof some be long and white others long and blacke some round and white others round or of the forme of a peare and blacke of colour some wilde or of the field and some tame or of the garden whereof we will intreat in this present chapter â 1 Raphanus sativus Garden Radish â 2 Radicula satina minor Small garden Radish ¶ The Description 1 THe
bended round and laced or as it were wouen one with another looking very beautifully like to Crimson veluet this is seldome to be found with vs but for the beauties sake is kept in the Gardens of Italy whereas the women esteemed it not only for the comelinesse and beautious aspect 1 Atriplex satiua alba White Orach â 2 Atriplex satiua ãâã Purple Orach 3 Atriplex ãâã siue Polyspermon Wilde Orach or All-seed â 4 Atriplex marina Sea Orach ¶ The Place and Time These pleasant floures are sowen in gardens especially for their great beauty They floure in August and continue flourishing till the frost ouertake them at what time they perish But the Floramor would be sowne in a bed of hot horse-dung with some earth strewed thereon in the end of March and ordered as we doe muske Melons and the like ¶ The Names This plant is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã because it doth not wither and wax old in Latin Amaranthus purpureus in Duch Samatbluomen in Italian Fior velluto in French Passe velours in English floure Gentie purple Veluet floure Floramor and of some floure Velure ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Most attribute to floure Gentle a binding faculty with a cold and dry temperature It is reported they stop all kinds of bleeding which is not manifest by any apparantquality in them except peraduenture by the colour only that the red eares haue for some are of opinion that all red things stanch bleeding in any part of the body because some things as Bole armoniacke sanguis Draconis terra Sigillata and such like of red colour doe stop bloud But Galen lib. 2. 4. de simp. facult plainly sheweth that there can be no certainty gathered from the colours touching the vertues of simple and compound medicines wherefore they are ill persuaded that thinke the floure Gentle to stanch bleeding to stop the laske or bloody flix because of the colour only if they had no other reason to induce them thereto CHAP. 45. Of Orach ¶ The Description 1 THe Garden white Orach hath an high and ãâã stalke with broad sharpe pointed leaues like those of Blite yet ãâã and softer The floures are small and yellow growing in clusters the seed round and like a leafe ãâã with a thin skin or filme and groweth in clusters The root is wooddy and fibrous the leaues and stalkes at the first are of a glittering gray colour and sprinkled as it were with a meale or floure 2 This differs from the former only in that it is of an ouerworne purple colour â¡ 3 This might more fitly haue beene placed amongst the Blites yet finding the figure here though a contrary discription I haue let it inioy the place It hath a white and slender root and it is somewhat like yet lesse then the Blite with narrow leaues somewhat resembling Basill it hath aboundance of small floures which are succeeded by a numerous sort of seeds which are blacke and shining â¡ 4 There is a wilde kinde growing neere the sea which hath pretty broad leaues cut deepely about the edges sharpe pointed and couered ouer with a certaine mealinesse so that the whole plant as well leaues as stalkes and floures looke of an hoary or gray colour The stalks lye spred on the shore or Beach whereas it vsually growes â¡ 5 The common wilde Orach hath leaues vnequally sinuated or cut in somewhat after the manner of an oaken leafe and commonly of an ouerworne grayish colour the floures and seeds are much like those of the garden but much lesse 6 This is like the last described but the leaues are lesser and not so much diuided the seeds grow also in the same manner as those of the precedent 7 This also in the face and manner of growing is like those already described but the leaues are long and narrow sometimes a little notched and from the shape of the leafe Lobell called it Atriplex Syluestris polygoni aut Helxines folio 8 This elegant Orach hath a single and small root putting forth a few fibers the stalkes are some foot high diuided into many branches and lying along vpon the ground and vpon these grow leaues at certaine spaces whitish and vnequally diuided somewhat after the manner of the wilde Orach about the stalke or setting on of the leaues grow as it were little berries somewhat like a little mulberry and when these come to ripenesse they are of an elegant red colour and make a fine shew The seed is small round and ash coloured ⡠¶ The Place The Garden Oraches grow in most gardens The wilde Oraches grow neere paths ãâã and ditch sides but most commonly about dung-hils and such fat places Sea Orach I haue ãâã at Queeneborough as also at Margate in the I le of Thanet and most places about the sea side â¡ The eighth groweth only in some choice gardens I haue seen it diuers times with Mr. Parkinson â¡ â¡ 5 Atriplex syluestris vulgaris Common wilde Orach â¡ 6 Atriplex syluestris altera The other wilde Orach â¡ 7 Atriplex syluestris angustifolia Narrow leaued wilde Orach â¡ 8 Atriplex baccifera Berry-bearing Orach ¶ The Time They floure and seed from Iune to the end of August ¶ The Names Garden Orach is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Atriplex and Aureum Olus in Dutch ãâã in French Arrouches ou bonnes dames in English Orach and Orage in the Bohemian tongue Leboda Pliny hath made some difference betweene Atriplex and Chrysolachanum as though they differed one from another for of Atriplex he writeth in his twentieth booke and of Chrysolachanum in his twenty eighth booke and eighth chapter where hee writeth thus Chrysolachanum saith he groweth in Pinetum like Lettuce it healeth cut sinewes if it be forthwith applied 3 This wilde Orach hath beene called of Lobel Polyspermon Cassani Bassi or All seed ¶ The Temperature Orach saith Galen is of temperature moist in the second degree and cold in the first ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides writeth That the garden Orach is both moist and cold and that it is eaten boyled as other sallad herbes are and that it softneth and looseth the belly It consumeth away the swellings of the throat whether it be laid on raw or sodden The seed being drunke with meade or honied water is a remedie against the yellow jaundice Galen thinketh that for that cause it hath a clensing qualitie and may open the stoppings of the siuer CHAP. 46. Of Stinking Orach Atriplex olida Stinking Orach ¶ The Description STinking Orach growes flat vpon the ground and is a base and low plant with many weak and feeble branches whereupon doe grow small leaues of a grayish colour sprinkled ouer with a certaine kinde of dusty mealinesse in shape like the leaues of Basill amongst which leaues here and there confusedly be the seeds dispersed as it were nothing but dust or ashes The whole plant is of a most loathsome sauour or
Description PEllitorie of the wall hath round tender stalkes somewhat browne or reddish of colour and somewhat shining the leaues be rough like to the leaues of Mercurie nothing ãâã about the edges The floures be small growing close to the ãâã the seed is blacke and very small couered with a rough huske which hangeth fast vpon garments the root is somewhat reddish Parietaria Pellitorie of the wall ¶ The Place It groweth neere to old walls in the moist corners of Churches and stone buildings among rubbish and such like places ¶ The Time It commeth vp in May it seedeth in ãâã and August ãâã the root onely continueth and ãâã to be sound in Winter ¶ The Names It ãâã commonly called ãâã or by a ãâã word ãâã because it groweth ãâã to ãâã and ãâã the same cause it is named of ãâã ãâã also ãâã of ãâã and ãâã of the ãâã y. There is also another ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã some call it ãâã of ãâã which somtimes seed hereon ãâã ãâã and ãâã because it serueth to scoure glasses pipkins and such like it is called in high ãâã Tag vnd nacht in Spanish ãâã del muro in English Pellitorie of the wall in French ãâã ¶ The Temperature Pellitorie of the wall as Galen saith hath force to scoure and is something cold and moist ¶ The Vertues Pellitory of the wall boyled and the ãâã of it drunken helpeth such as are vexed with an old cough the grauell and stone and is good against the difficultie of making water and stopping of the same not onely inwardly but also ãâã applied vpon the region of the bladder in manner of a fomentation or warme bathing with spunges or double clouts or such like Dioscorides saith That the iuyce tempered with Ceruse or white leade maketh a good ointment against Saint Anthonies fire and the Shingles and mixed with the Cerot of Alcanna or with the male Goats tallow it helpeth the gout in the feet which ãâã also ãâã Lib. ãâã cap. 17. It is applied saith he to paines of the feet with Goats suet and wax of Cyprus where in stead of wax of Cyprus there must be put the ãâã of Alcanna Dioscorides addeth That the iuyce hereof is a remedy for old ãâã and taketh away hot swellings of the almonds in the throat if it be vsed in a gargarisine or otherwise applied it mitigateth also the paines of the eares being poured in with oile of Roses mixed therewith It is affirmed That if three ounces of the iuyce be drunke it prouoketh vrine out of hand The leaues tempered with oyle of sweet almonds in manner of a pultesse and laid to the pained parts is a remedie for them that be troabled with the stone and that can hardly make water CHAP. 51. Of French Mercurie ¶ The Kindes THere be two kindes of Mercury reckoned for good and yet both somtimes wilde besides two wilde neuer found in gardens vnlesse they be brought thither ¶ The Description 1 THe male garden Mercurie hath tender stalks full of ãâã and branches whereupon do grow greene leaues like Pellitorie of the wall but snipt about the edges ãâã which come forth two hairy bullets round and ioyned together like those of Goose-grasse or Cleuers each containing in it selfe one small round seed the root is tender and ãâã of white hairy strings 2 The female is like vnto the sormer in leaues stalks and manner of growing differing but in the floures and seed for this kinde hath a greater quantitie of floures and seed growing together like little clusters of grapes of a yellowish colour The seed for the most part is lost before it can be gathered 1 Mercurialis mas Male Mercurie 2 Mercurialis foemina Female Mercurie ¶ The Place French Mercurie is sowen in Kitchen gardens among pot-herbes in Vineyards and in moist shadowie places I found it vnder the dropping of the Bishops house at Rochester from whence I brought a plant or two into my garden since which time I cannot rid my garden from it ¶ The Time They floure and flourish all the Sommer long ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã or Mercurie his herbe whereupon the Latines call it Mercurialis it is called in Italian Mercorella in English French Mercurie in French Mercuriale Vignoble and Foirelle quia Fluidam laxamue alvum reddit Gallobelgae enim foize foizeus ventris Fluorem vocant ¶ The Temperature Mercury is hot and dry yet not aboue the second degree it hath a cleansing facultie and as Galen writerh a digesting qualitie also ¶ The Vertues It is vsed in our age in clisters and thought very good to clense and scoure away the excrements and other filth contained in the guts It serueth to purge the belly being eaten or otherwise taken voiding out of the belly not only the excrements but also phlegme and choler Dioscorides reporteth that the decoction hereof purgeth waterish humors The leaues stamped with butter and applied to the fundament prouoketh to the stoole and the herbe bruised and made vp in manner of a pessary cleanseth the mother and helpeth conception Costaeus in his booke of the nature of plants saith that the iuyce of Mercurie Hollihocks purslane mixed together and the hands bathed therein defendeth them from burning if they be thrust into boyling leade CHAP. 52. Of Wilde Mercurie â¡ 1 Cynocrambe Dogs Mercury 2 Phyllon arrhenogonon siue ãâã Male childrens Mercury 3 Phyllon Thelygonon siue Foeminificum Childrens Mercurie the female ¶ The Description 1 DOgs Mercurie is somewhat like vnto the garden Mercury sauing the leaues hereof are greater and the stalke not so tender and yet very ãâã growing to the height of a cubit without any branches at all with smal yellow floures The seed is like the female Mercurie â¡ It is also found like the male Mercurie as you see them both exprest in the figure and so there is both male female of this Mercury also â¡ 2 Male childrens Mercury hath three or foure stalkes or moe the leaues be somwhat long not much vnlike the leaues of the oliue tree couered ouer with a soft downe or ãâã gray of colour and the seed also like those of Spurge growing two together being first of an ash-colour but after turne to a blew â¡ 3 This is much in shape like to the last described but the stalkes are weaker and haue more leaues vpon them the ãâã also are small and mossy and they grow vpon long ãâã whereas the seeds of the other are ãâã to very short ones the seed is ãâã in round little heads being sometimes ãâã otherwhiles three or more in a cluster ⡠¶ The Place They grow in woods and copses in the borders of fields and among bushes and hedges ãâã But the two last described are not in England for any thing that I know â¡ The Dogs Mercurie I haue found in many places about Green-hithe Swaines ãâã ãâã Grauesend and South-fleet in Kent in Hampsted wood
winter Cherrie is brought out of Spaine and Italy or other hot regions from whence I haue had of those blacke seeds marked with the shape of a mans hart white as aforesaid and haueplanted them in my garden where they haue borne floures but haue perished before the fruit could grow to maturitie by reason of those vnseasonable yeeres 1594. 95. 96. ¶ The Time The red winter Cherrie beareth his floures and fruite in August The blacke beareth them at the same time where it doth naturally grow ¶ The Names The red winter ãâã is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Vesicaria and Solanum Vesicarium in shops ãâã Plinie in his 21. booke nameth it Halicacabus and Vesicaria of the little bladders or as the same Author writeth because it is good for the bladder and the stone it is called in Spanish Vexiga de porro in French Alquequenges Bagenauldes and Cerises d'outre mer in English red Nightshade Winter Cherries and Alkakengie 1 ãâã ãâã Red winter Cherries 2 Halicacabum Peregrinum Blacke winter Cherries The blacke winter Cherrie is called Halacacabum Peregrinum Vesicaria Peregrina or strange ãâã Cherrie of Pena and Lobel it is called Cor Indum Cor Indicum of others Pisum ãâã in English the Indian heart or heart pease some haue taken it to be Dorycnion but they are greatly deceiued being in truth not any of the Nightshades it rather seemeth to agree with the graine named of Serapio Abrong or Abrugi of which he writeth in his 153. chapter in these words It is a little graine spotted with blacke and white round and like the graine Maiz with which notes this doth agree ¶ The Temperature The red winter Cherrie is thought to be cold and drie and of subtile parts The leaues differ not from the temperature of the garden Nightshade as Galen saith ¶ The Vertues The fruite brused and put to infuse or steepe in white wine two or three houres and ãâã boiled two or three bublings straining it and putting to the decoction a little sugar and cinnamon and drunke preuaileth very mightily against the stopping of vrine the stone and grauell the difficultie and sharpenes of making water and such like diseases if the griefe be old the greater quantity must be taken if new and not great the lesse it scoureth away the yellow jaundise also as some write CHAP. 58. Of the Maruell of the World Mirabilia Peruuiana flore luteo The maruell of Peru with yellowish floures â¡ Mirabilia Peruuiana flore albo The maruell of Peru with white floures The description THis admirable plant called the maruell of Peru or the maruell of the World springeth forth of the ground like vnto Basill in leaues amongst which it sendeth out a stalke two cubits and a halfe high os the thickenesse of a finger full of iuice very firme and of a yellowish greene colour knotted or ãâã with ioints somewhat bunching forth of purplish color as in the female Balsamina which stalke diuideth it selfe into sundrie branches or boughes and those also knottie like the stalke His branches are decked with leaues growing by couples at the ioints like the leaues of wilde Peascods greene fleshie and sull of ioints which beeing rubbed doe yeeld the like vnpleasant smell as wilde Peascods doe and are in taste also verie vnsauorie yet in the latter end they leaue a taste and sharpe smacke of Tabaco The stalkes towards the top are garnished with long hollow single flowers folded as it were into fiue parts before they be opened but being fully blowne doe resemble the flowers of Tabaco not ending into sharpe corners but blunt and round as the slowers of Bindeweede and larger than the flowers of Tabaco glittering oftentimes with a sine purple or Crimson colour many times of an horse-flesh sometime yellow sometime pale and sometime resembling an old red or yellow colour sometime whitish and most commonly two colours occupying halfe the flower or intercoursing the whole flower with streakes and orderly streames now yellow now purple diuided through the whole hauing sometime great sometime little spots of a purple colour sprinkled and scattered in a most variable order and braue mixture The ground or field of the whole flower is either pale red yellow or white containing in the middle of the hollownesse a pricke or pointell set round about with sixe small strings or chiues The flowers are verie sweet and pleasant resembling the ãâã or white Daffodill and are very suddenly fading for at night they are flowred wide open and so continue vntill eight of the clocke the next morning at which time they beginne to close or shut vp after the manner of the Bindeweede especially if the weather be very hot but if the aire be more temperate they remaine open the whole day and are closed onely at night and so perish one flower lasting but onely one day like the true Ephemerum or Hemerocailis This maruellous varietie doth not without cause bring admiration to all that obserue it For if the flowers be gathered and reserued in seuerall papers and compared with those flowers that will spring and flourish the next day you shall easily perceiue that one is not like another in colour though you should compare one hundreth which slower one day and another hundred which you gathered the next day and so from day to day during the time of their ãâã The cups and huskes which containe and embrace the flowers are diuided into fiue pointed sections which are greene and as it were consisting of skinnes wherein is contained one seede and no more couered with a blackish skinne hauing a blunt point whereon the flower groweth but on the end next the cup or huske it is ãâã with a little fiue cornered crowne The seed is as bigge as a pepper corne which os it ãâã ãâã with any light motion Within this seede is contained a white kernell which being bruised resolueth into a very white pulpe like starch The root is thicke and like vnto a great ãâã outwardly blacke and within white sharpe in taste wherewith is mingled a superficiall sweetnes It bringeth new floures from Iuly vnto October in infinite number yea euen vntill the ãâã ãâã cause the whole plant to perish notwithstanding it may be reserned in pots and set in chambers and cellars that are warme and so defended from the iniurie of our cold climate prouided alwaies that there be not any water cast vpon the pot or set forth to take any moisture in the aire vntill March following at which time it must bee taken forth of the pot and replanted in the garden By this meanes I haue preserued many though to small purpose because I haue sowne seeds that haue borne floures in as ample manner and in as good time as those reserued plants Of this wonderfull herbe there be other sorts but not so amiable ãâã so full of varietie and ãâã the most part their floures are ail of one color But I haue since by practise found out another
the taste pleasing and strong the qualitie thereof is cold in the fourth degree Which description agreeth herewith except in the forme or shape it should haue with Nux vomica Anguillara suspecteth it to be Hippomanes which Theocritus mentioneth wherewith in his second Eclog he sheweth that horses are made mad for Crateuas whom Theocritus his Scholiast doth cite writeth That the plant of Hippomanes hath a fruit full of prickles as hath the fruit of wilde Cucumbers In English it may be called Thorne-apple or the Apple of Peru. â¡ The words of Theocritus Eidyll 2. are these ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Which is thus in English Hippomanes'mongst the Arcadians springs by which euen all The Colts and agile Mares in mountaines mad do fall Now in the Greeke Scholia amongst the Expositions there is this ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã c. That is ãâã saith That the plant hath a fruit like the wilde Cucumber but blacker the leaues are like a poppie but thorny or prickly Thus I expound these words of the Greeke Scholiast being pag. ãâã of the edition set forth by Dan. Heinsius Ann. Dom. 1603. Iulius Scaliger blames Theocritus because he calls Hippomanes ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã a Plant but Heinsius as you may see in his notes vpon Theocritus pag. 120 probably iudges that ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in this place signifies nothing but ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã a Thing growing Such as are curious may haue recourse to the places quoted where they may finde it more largely handled than is fit for me in this place to insist vpon There is no plant at this day knowne in mine opinion whereto Crateuas his description may be more fitly referred than to the Papauer spinosum or ãâã infernalis which we shall hereafter describe ⡠¶ The Nature The whole plant is cold in the fourth degree and of a drowsie and numming qualitie not inferior to Mandrake ¶ The Vertues The iuyce of Thorne-apples boiled with hogs grease to the forme of an vnguent or salue cureth all inflammations whatsoeuer all manner of burnings or scaldings as well of fire water boyling leade gun-pouder as that which comes by lightning and that in very short time as my self haue found by my dayly practise to my great credit and profit The first experience came from Colchester where Mistresse Lobel a Merchants wise there being most grieuously burned with lightning and not finding ease or cure in any other thing by this found helpewhen all hope was past by the report of Mr. William Ramme publique Notarie of the said towne was perfectly cured The leaues stamped small and boiled with oyle Oliue vntill the herbes be as it were burnt then strained and set to the fire againe with some wax rosin and a little Turpentine and made into a salue doth most speedily cure old vlcers new and fresh wounds vlcers vpon the glandulous part of the yard and other sores of hard curation CHAP. 63. Of Bitter-sweet or Wooddy Nightshade ¶ The Description BItter-sweet bringeth forth wooddy stalkes as doth the Vine parted into many slender creeping branches by which it climeth and taketh hold of hedges and shrubs next vnto it The barke of the oldest stalkes are rough and whitish of the colour of ashes with the outward rinde of a bright greene colour but the yonger branches are greene as are the leaues the wood brittle hauing in it a spongie pith it is clad with long leaues smooth sharpe pointed lesser than those of the Binde-weed At the lower part of the same leaues doth grow on either side one small or lesser leafe like vnto two eares The floures be small and somewhat clustered together consisting of fiue little leaues apiece of a perfect blew colour with a certaine pricke or yellow pointall in the middle which being past there do come in place faire berries more long than round at the first green but very red when they be ripe of a sweet taste at the first but after very vnpleasant of a strong sauour growing together in clusters like burnished coral The root is of a meane bignesse and full ãâã strings I haue found another sort which bringeth forth most pleasant white floures with yellow pointals in the middle in other respects agreeing with the former ¶ The Place Bitter-sweet doth grow in moist places about ditches riuers and hedges almost euery where Amara-dulcis Bitter-sweet The other sort with the white floures I found in a ditch side against the right honorable the Earle of Sussex his garden wall at his house in Bermonsey street by London as you go from the court which is full of trees ãâã farme house neere thereunto ¶ The Time The leaues come forth in the Spring the floures in Iuly the berries are ãâã in August ¶ The Names The later Herbarists haue named this plant Dulcamara Amarodulcis and Amaradulcis that is in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã they call it also ãâã lignosum and Siliquastrum Pliny calleth it Melortum Theophrastus Vit is syluestris in English we call it Bitter-sweet and Wooddy Nightshade But euery Author must for his credit say somthing although to small purpose for Vit is syluestris is that which we call our Ladies Seale which is no kinde of Nightshade for Tamus and Vitu sylucstris are both one as likewise Solanum lignosum or Fruticosum and also Solanum rubrum whereas indeed it is no such plant nor any of the Nightshades although I haue followed others in placing it here Therfore those that vse to mixe the berries thereof in compositions of diuers cooling ointments in stead of the berries of Nightshade haue committed the greater errour for the fruit of this is not cold at all but hot as forthwith shall be shewed Dioscorides saith it is ãâã altera describing it by the description of those with white floures aforesaid whereunto it doth very well agree â¡ Dioscorides ãâã his Muscoso ãâã with a mossy floure that is such an one as consists of small chiues or threds which can by no meanes be agreeable to the floure of this plant ⡠¶ The Temperature The leaues and fruit of Bitter-sweet are in temperature hot and dry clensing and wasting away ¶ The ãâã The ãâã of the leaues is reported to remoue the stoppings of the liuer and gall and ãâã be drunke with good successe against the yellow jaundice The iuyce is good for those that haue fallen from high places and haue beene thereby bruised or dry beaten for it is thought to dissolue bloud congealed or cluttered any where in the intrals and to heale the hurt places Hieronymus Tragus teacheth to make a decoction of Wine with the wood finely sliced and cut into small pieces which he reporteth to purge gently both by vrine and siege those that ãâã the dropsie or jaundice Dioscorides doth ascribe vnto Cyclaminus altcra or Bitter-sweet with white floures as I conceiue it the like faculties The fruit saith he being drunke in the weight of one dram with three ounces of white wine for forty
ãâã ãâã that may be found carlesly cast abroad in the sowing without raking it into the ground or any such paine or industrie taken as is requisite in the so ving of other seeds as my self haue found by proofe who haue experimented euery way to cause it quickly to grow for I haue committed some to the earth in the end of March some in Aprill and some in the beginning of May because I durst not hasard all my seed at one time lest some vnkindely blast should happen after the sowing which might be a great enemie thereunto ¶ The Names The people of America call it Petun Some as Lobel and Pena haue giuen it these Latine names Sacra herba Sancta herba and Sana Sancta Indorum and other as Dodonaeus call it Hyoscyamus ãâã or Henbane of Peru Nicolaus Monardus ãâã it Tabacum That it is Hyoscyami species or a kind of Henbane not onely the forme being like to yellow Henbane but the qualitie also doth declare for it bringeth drowsinesse troubleth the sences and maketh a man as it were drunke by taking of the fume onely as Andrew Theuet testifieth and common experience sheweth of some it is called Nicotiana the which I refer to the yellow Henbane for distinctions sake ¶ The Temperature It is hot and dry and that in the second degree as Monardis thinketh and is withall of power to discusse or resolue and to cleanse away filthy humors hauing also a small astriction and a stupifying or benumming qualitie and it purgeth by the stoole and Monardis writeth that it hath a certaine power to resist poyson And to proue it to be of an hot temperatute the biting qualitie of the leaues doth shew which is easily perceiued by taste also the greene leaues laid vpon vlcers in ãâã parts may serue for a proofe of heate in this plant because they do draw out filth and corrupted matter which a cold Simple would neuer do The leaues likewise being chewed draw forth flegme and water as doth also the fume taken when the leaues are dried which things declare that this is not a little ãâã for what things soeuer that being chewed or held in the mouth bring forth flegme and water the same be all accounted hot as the root of Pellitorie of Spaine of Saxifrage and other things of like power Moreouer the benumming qualitie hereof is not hard to be perceiued for vpon the taking of the fume at the mouth there followeth an infirmitie like vnto drunkennesse and many times sleepe as after the taking of Opium which also sheweth in the taste a biting qualitie and therefore is not without heate which when it is chewed and inwardly taken it doth forthwith shew causing a certaine heat in the chest and yet withall troubling the wits as Petrus Bellonius in his third Booke of Singularities doth declare where also hee sheweth that the Turkes oftentimes doe vse Opium and take one dramme and a halfe thereof at one time without any other hurt following sauing that they are thereupon as it were taken with a certaine light drunkennesse So also this Tabaco being in taste biting and in temperature hot hath notwithstanding a benumming qualitie Hereupon it seemeth to ãâã that not onely this Henbane of Peru but also the iuice of poppie otherwise called Opium ãâã of diuers parts some biting and hot and others extreame cold that is to say stupifying or benumming if so bee that this benumming qualitie proceed of extreme cold as Galen and all the old Physitions doe hold opinion Then should this bee cold but if the benumming facultie doth not depend of an extreme cold qualitie but proceedeth of the effence of the substance then Tabaco is not cold and benumming but hot and benumming and the latter not so much by reason of his temperature as through the propertie of his substance no otherwise than a purging medicine which hath his sorce not from the temperature but from the essence of the whole substance ¶ The Vertues Nicolaus Monardis saith that the ãâã hereof are a remedy for the paine in the head called the Megram or Migraime that hath beene of long continuance and also for a cold stomacke especially in children and that it is good against the paines in the kidneies It is a present remedie for the fits of the Mother it mitigateth the paine of the gout if it bee rosted in hot embers and applied to the grieued part It is likewise a remedie for the tooth-ache if the teeth and gums be rubbed with a linnen cloth dipped in the iuice and afterward a round ball of the leaues laid vnto the place The iuice boiled with Sugar in forme of a sirrup and inwardly taken driueth forth wormes of the bellie if withall a leafe be laid to the Nauell The same doth likewise scoure and clense old and rotten vlcers and bringeth them to perfect digest ion as the same Author affirmeth In the Low Countreyes it is vsed against scabbes and filthinesse of the skinne and for the cure of wounds but some hold opinion that it is to bee vsed but onely to hot and strong bodies for they say that the vse is not safe in weake and old folkes and for this cause as it seemeth the women in America as Theuct sayth abstayne from the hearbe Petun or Tabaco and doe in no wise vse it The weight of foure ounces of the iuice heereof drunke purgeth both vpwards and downewards and procureth after a long and sound sleepe as wee haue learned of a friend by obseruation affirming that a strong Countreyman of a middle age hauing a dropsie tooke of it and being wakened out of his sleepe called for meat and drinke and after that became perfectly whole Moreouer the same man reported that he had cured many countriemen of agues with the distilled water of the leaues drunke a little while besore the fit Likewise there is an oile to be taken out of the leaues that healeth merry-gals kibed heels and such like It is good against poison and taketh away the malignitie thereof if the iuice be giuen to drink or the wounds made by venemous beasts be washed therewith The drie leaues are vsed to be taken in a pipe set on fire and suckt into the stomacke and thrust forth againe at the ãâã against the pains of the head rheumes aches in any part of the body whereof soeuer the originall proceed whether from France Italy Spaine Indies or from our familiar and best knowne diseases those leaues doe palliate or ease for a time but neuer performe any cure absolutely for although they emptie the body of humours yet the cause of the griefe cannot be so taken away But some haue learned this principle that repletion requireth euacuation that is ãâã craueth emptinesse and by euacuation assure themselues of health But this doth not take away so much with it this day but the next bringeth with it more As for example a Well doth neuer yeeld such store of water as when it is most drawne and emptied
that hard to be cured as a dead palsie and such like The vse of it as Galen in his 11. booke of medicines according to the places affected saith is so offensiue to the firme and solide parts of the body as that they had need afterwards to be restored So also colliries or eie medicines made with Opium haue beene hurtfull to many insomuch that they haue weakned the eies and dulled the sight of those that haue vsed it what soeuer is compounded of Opium to mittigate the extreeme paines of the eares bringeth hardnesse of hearing Wherefore all those medicines and compounds are to bee shunned that are to be made of Opium and are not to be vsed but in extreme necessitie and that it is when no other mitigater or asswager of paine doth any thing preuaile as Galen in his third booke of Medicines according to the places affected doth euidently declare The leaues of poppie boiled in water with a little sugar and drunke causeth sleep or if it be boiled without sugar and the head feet and temples bathed therewith it doth effect the same The heads of Poppie boiled in water with sugar to a sirrup causeth sleepe and is good against ãâã and catarrhes that distill fal downe from the brain into the lungs easeth the cough The greene knops of Poppie stamped with barley meale and a little barrowes grease helpeth S. Anthonies fire called Ignis sacer The leaues knops and seed stamped with vineger womans milke and saffron cureth an Erysipelas another kinde of S. Anthonies fire and easeth the gout mightily and put in the fundament as a clister causeth sleepe The seed of black Poppy drunke in wine stoppeth the flux of the belly and the ouermuch flowing of womens sicknesse A Caudle made of the seeds of white poppy or made into Almond milk and so giuen causeth sleepe â It is manifest that this wilde Poppy which I haue described in the fifth place is that of which the composition Diacodium is to be made as Galen hath at large treated in his seuenth booke of Medicines according to the places affected Crito also and after him Themison and Democrates do appoint ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã or the wilde Poppy to be in the same composition and euen that same Democritus addeth that it should be that which is not sowen and such an one is this which groweth without sowing Dod. CHAP. 74. Of Corne-Rose or wilde Poppy 1 Papauer Rhoeas Red Poppy or Corne-rose â¡ 4 Papauer spinosum Prickly Poppy ¶ The Description 1 THe stalkes of red Poppy be blacke tender and brittle somewhat hairy the leaues are cut round about with deepe gashes like those of Succory or wilde Rocket the floures grow forth at the tops of the stalks being of a beautifull and gallant red colour with blackish threds compassing about the middle part of the head which being fully growne is lesser than that of the garden Poppy the seed is small and blacke â 2 There is also a kinde hereof in all ãâã agreeing with the former sauing that the floures of this are very double and beautifull and therein only consists the difference â â¡ 3 There is a small kinde of red Poppy growing commonly wilde together with the first described which is lesser in all parts and the floures are of a fainter or ouerworne red inclining somewhat to orange â¡ 4 Besides these there is another rare plant which all men and that very fitly haue referred to the kindes of Poppy This hath a slender long and fibrous root from which arises a stalke some cubit high diuided into sundry branches round crested prickly and full of a white pith The leaues are diuided after the maner of horned poppy smooth with white veins prickly edges the floure is yellow and consists of foure or fiue leaues after which succeeds a longish head being either foure fiue or six cornered hauing many yellow threds incompassing it the head whilest it is tender is reddish at the top but being ripe it is blacke and it is set with many and stiffe pricks The seed is round blacke and pointed being six times as big as that of the ordinary Poppy ⡠¶ The Place They grow in earable grounds among wheat spelt rie barley otes and other graine and in the borders of fields â¡ The double red and prickly Poppy are not to be found in this kingdome vnlesse in the gardens of some prime herbarists ⡠¶ The Time The fields are garnished and ouerspred with these wilde poppies in Iune and August ¶ The Names â Wilde Poppy is called in Greeke of Dioscorides ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Papauer erraticum ãâã according to the Greeke nameth it Papauer sluidum as also Lobel who cals it Pap. Rhoe as because the floure thereof soone falleth away Which name ãâã as may for the same cause be common not onely to these but also to the others if it be so called of the speedy falling of the floures but if it be syrnamed Rhoe as of the falling away of the seed as it appeareth then shall it be proper to that which is described in the fifth place in the foregoing chapter out of whose heads the seed easily and quickly falls as it doth also out of this yet lesse manifestly They name it in French Cocquelicot Confanons Pauot sauvage in Dutch Collen bloemen Coren rosen in high Dutch Klapper Rossen in English Red Poppy and Corne-rose â¡ 4 Some haue called this Ficus infernalis from the Italian name Figo del inferno But Clusius and Bauhine haue termed it Papauer spinosum and the later of them would haue it and that not without good reason to be Glaucium of Dioscorides ãâã 3. cap. 100. And I also probably coniecture it to be the Hippomanes of Crateuas mentioned by the Greeke Scholiast of Theocritus as I haue formerly briefely declared Chap. 62. ⡠¶ The Nature The facultie of the wilde poppies is like to that of the other poppies that is to say cold and causing sleepe ¶ The Vertues Most men being led rather by false experiments than reason commend the floures against the Pleurisie giuing to drinke as soone as the paine commeth either the distilled water or ãâã made by often infusing the leaues And yet many times it happeneth that the paine ceaseth by that meanes though hardly sometimes by reason that the spittle commeth vp hardly and with more difficultie especially in those that are weake and haue not a strong constitution of body Baptista Sardus might be counted the Author of this error who hath written That most men haue giuen the floures of this poppy against the paine of the sides and that it is good against the spitting ofbloud CHAP. 75. Of Bastard wilde Poppy ¶ The Description THe first of these bastard wilde Poppies hath slender weake stemmes a foot high rough and hairy set with leaues not vnlike to those of Rocket made of many small leaues deeply cut or iagged about the edges The floures grow at the
haue somewhat the smell of a Primrose whence Mr. Parkinson gaue it the English name which I haue also here giuen you after the floures are fallen the cods grow to be some two inches long being thicker below and sharper at the top and somwhat twined which in fine open themselues into foure parts to shatter their seed which is blacke and small and sowne it growes not the first yeare into a stalke but sends vp many large leaues lying handsomely one vpon another Rose-fashion It floures in Iune and ripens the seed in August â¡ 5 The second kinde of Willow-herbe in stalks and leaues is like the first but that the leaues are longer narrower and greener The floures grow along the stalke toward the top spike-fashion of a faire purple colour which being withered turne into downe which is carried away with the winde 5 Lysimachia purpurea spicata Spiked Willow-herbe 6 Lysimachia siliquosa Codded Willow-herbe 6 This Lysimachia hath leaues and stalkes like vnto the former The floure groweth at the top of the stalke comming out of the end of a small long cod of a purple colour in shape like a stocke Gillofloure and is called of many Filius ante Patrem that is The Sonne before the Father because that the cod commeth forth first hauing seeds therein before the floure doth shew it selfe ãâã â¡ The leaues of this are more soft large and hairy than any of the former they are also snipt about the edges and the floure is large wherein it differs from the twelfth hereafter described and from the eleuenth in the hairinesse of the leaues and largenesse of the floures also as you shall finde hereafter â¡ 7 This being thought by some to be a bastard kinde is as I do esteeme it of all the rest the most goodly and stately plant hauing leaues like the greatest Willow or Ozier The branches come out of the ground in great numbers growing to the height of six foot garnished with braue floures of great beauty consisting of foure leaues a piece of an orient purple colour hauing some threds in the middle of a yellow colour The cod is long like the last spoken of and full of downy matter which flieth away with the winde when the cod is opened â 7 Chamaenerion Rose bay Willow-herbe â¡ 8 ãâã alterum angastifolium Narrow leaued Willow-floure â¡ 9 Lysimachia coerulea Blew Loose-strife â¡ 10 Lysimachiagalericulata Hoodéd Loose-strife 11 Lysimachia campestris Wilde Willow-herbe 9 There is another bastard Loose-strife or Willow-herbe hauing stalkes like the other of his kinde whereon are placed long leaues snipt about the edges in shape like the great Veronica or herbe Fluellen The floures grow along the stalkes spike-fashion of a blew colour after which succeed small cods or pouches The root is small and fibrous it may be called Lysimachia coerulea or blew Willow-herbe 10 We haue likewise another Willow-herbe that groweth neere vnto the bankes of ãâã and water-courses This I found in a waterie lane leading from the Lord Treasurer his house called Theobalds vnto the backeside of his slaughter-house and in other places as shall be declared hereafter Which Lobel hath called Lysimachia galericulata or hooded Willow-herbe It hath many small tender stalkes trailing vpon the ground beset with diuers leaues somwhat snipt about the edges of a deep green colour like to the leaues of Scordium or water Germander among which are placed sundrie small blew floures fashioned like a little hood in shape resembling those of Ale-hoofe The root is small and fibrous dispersing it selfe vnder the earth farre abroad whereby it greatly increaseth 11 The wilde Willow-Herbe hath fraile and very brittle stalkes slender commonly about the height of a cubit and sometimes higher whereupon doe grow sharpe pointed leaues somewhat snipt about the edges and set together by couples There come forth at the first long slender coddes wherein is contained small seed wrapped in a cottony or downy wooll which is carried away with the winde when the seed is ripe at the end of which commeth forth a small floure of a purplish colour whereupon it was called Filius ante Patrem because the floure doth not appeare vntill the cod be filled with his seed But there is another Sonne before the Father as hath beene declared in the Chapter of Medow-Saffron The root is small and threddie â¡ This differeth from the sixth onely in that the leaues are lesse and lesse hairy and the floure is smaller â¡ 12 The Wood VVillow-hearbe hath a slender stalke diuided into other smaller branches whereon are set long leaues rough and sharpe pointed of an ouerworne greene colour The floures grow at the tops of the branches consisting of foure or fiue small leaues of a pale purplish colour tending to whitenesse after which come long cods wherein are little seeds wrapped in a certaine white Downe that is carried away with the winde The root is threddie â¡ This differs from the sixth in that it hath lesser floures There is also a lesser sort of this hairie Lysimachia with small floures There are two more varieties of these codded Willow-herbes the one of which is of a middle growth somewhat like to that which is described in the eleuenth place but lesse with the leaues also snipped about the edges smooth and not hairie and it may fitly be called Lysimachia siliquosa glabra media or minor The lesser smooth-leaued Willow-herbe The other is also smooth leaued but they are lesser and narrower wherefore it may in Latine be termed Lysimachia siliquosa glabra minor angustifolia in English The lesser smooth and narrow leaued Willow-herbe â¡ 13 This lesser purple Loose-strife of Clusius hath stalkes seldome exceeding the height of a cubit they are also slender weake and quadrangular towards the top diuided into branches growing one against another the leaues are lesse and narrower than the common ãâã kinde and growing by couples vnlesse at the top of the stalkes and branches whereas they keepe no certaine order and amongst these come here and there cornered cups containing floures composed of six little red leaues with threds in their middles The root is hard woody and not creeping as in others of this kinde yet it endures all the yeere and sends forth new shoots It floures in lune and Iuly and was found by Clusius in diuers wet medowes in Austria ⡠¶ The Place The first yellow Lysimachia groweth plentifully in moist medewos especially along the medowes as you go from Lambeth to Battersey neere London and in many other places throughout England â¡ 13 Lysimachia purpurea minor Clus. Small purple Willow herbe â¡ The second and third I haue not yet seene The fourth groweth in many gardens â¡ The fift groweth in places of greater moisture yea almost in the running streames and standing waters or hard by them It groweth vnder the Bishops house wall at Lambeth neere the water of Thames and in moist ditches in most places of England The sixth groweth neere the waters and in
the waters in all places for the most part The seuenth groweth in Yorkshire in a place called the Hooke neer vnto a close called a Cow pasture from whence I had these plants which doe grow in my garden very goodly to behold for the decking vp of houses and gardens â¡ The eighth I haue not yet found growing The ninth growes wild in some places of this kingdome but I haue seene it only in Gardens The tenth growes by the ponds and waters sides in Saint Iames his Parke in Tuthill fields and many other places â¡ The eleuenth groweth hard by the Thames as you goe from a place called the Diuels Neckerchiefe to Redreffe neere vnto a stile that standeth in your way vpon the Thames banke among the plankes that doe hold vp the same banke It groweth also in a ditch side not farre from the place of execution called Saint Thomas Waterings â¡ The other varieties of this grow in wet places about ditches and in woods and such like moist grounds ⡠¶ The Time These herbes floure in Iune and Iuly and oftentimes vntill August ¶ The Names Lysimachia as Dioscorides and Pliny write tooke his name of a speciall vertue that it hath in appeasing the strife and vnrulinesse which falleth out among oxen at the plough if it bee put about their yokes but it rather retaineth and keepeth the name Lysimachia of King Lysimachus the sonne of Agathocles the first finder out of the nature and vertues of this herb as Pliny saith in his 25. book chap. 7. which retaineth the name of him vnto this day and was made famous by Erasistratus Ruellius writeth that it is called in French Cornelle and Corneola in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã of the Latines Lysimachium of Pliny Lysimachia of the later Writers Salicaria in high Dutch ãâã in English Willow herbe or herbe Willow and Loose strife Chamaenerium is called of Gesner Epilobton in English Bay Willow or bay yellow herbe â¡ The names of such as I haue added haue been sufficiently set sorth in their titles and Histories ⡠¶ The Nature The yellow Lysimachia which is the chiefe and best for Physicke vses is cold and drie and very astringent ¶ The Vertues The iuice according to Dioscordies is good against the bloudy flix being taken either by potion or Clister It is excellent good for greene wounds and stancheth the bloud being also put into the nosthrils it stoppeth the bleeding at the nose The smoke of the burned herbe driueth away serpents and killeth flies and gnats in a house which Pliny speaketh of in his 25. book chap. 8. Snakes saith he craull a way at the smell of Loos-strife The same Authour affirmeth in his 26 booke last chap. that it dieth haire yellow which is not very vnlike to be done by reason the floures are yellow The others haue not been experimented wherefore vntill some matter worthy the ãâã doth offer it selfe vnto our consideration I will omit further to discourse her ãâã The iuice of yellow Lysimachia taken inwardly stoppeth all fluxe of bloud and the Dysenteria or bloudy flix The iuice put into the nose stoppeth the bleeding of the same and the bleeding of wounds and mightily closeth and healeth them being made into an vnguent or salue The same taken in a mother suppositorie of wooll or cotton bound vp with threds as the manner thereof is well knowne to women staieth the inordinate flux or ouermuch flowing of womens termes It is reported that the fume or smoke of the herbe burned doth driue away flies and gnats and all manner of venomous beasts CHAP. 130. Of Barren-woort Epimedium Barren Woort ¶ The Description THis rare and strange plant was sent to me from the French Kings Herbarist Robinus dwelling in Paris at the signe of the blacke head in the street called Du bout du Monde in English The end of the world This herbe I planted in my garden in the beginning of May it came sorth of the ground with small hard woodie crooked stalks whereupon grow rough sharpe pointed leaues almost like Alliaria that is to say Sauce alone or lacke by the hedge Lobel and Dod. say that the leaues are somewhat like Iuie but in my indgement they are rather like Alliaria somewhat snipt about the edges and turning themselues flat vpright as a man turneth his hand vpwards when hee receiueth money Vpon the same stalkes come forth small floures consisting of soure leaues whose outsides are purple the edges on the inner side red the bottomeyellow the middle part of a bright red colour and the whole floure somewhat hollow The root is smal and creepeth almost vpon the vppermost face of the earth It beareth his seed in very small cods like Saracens Consound â¡ to wit that of our Author ãâã described pag. 274. â¡ but shorter which came not to ripenesse in my garden by reason that it was dried away with the extreme and vnaccustomed heat of the Sun which happened in the yeare 2590. since which time from yeare to yeare it bringeth seed to perfection Further Dioscorides and Pliny do report that it is without floure or seed ¶ The place â It groweth in the moist medowes of Italie about Bononia and Vincentia it groweth in the garden of my friend Mr. Iohn Milion in Old-street and some other gardens about towne ¶ The Time It floureth in Aprill and May when it hath taken sast hold and setled it selfe in the earth a yeare before ¶ The Names It is called Epimedium I haue thought good to call it Barren woort in English not because that Dioscorides saith it is barren both of floures and seeds but because as some authors affirme being drunke it is an enemie to conception ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Galen affirmeth that it is moderately cold with a waterie moisture we haue as yet no vse hereof in Physicke â¡ CHAP. 131. Of Fleabane â¡ 1 Conyza maior Great Fleawoort â¡ 2 Conyza minor vera Small Fleabane â¡ THe smalnesse of the number of these plants here formerly mentioned the confusion notwithstanding in the figures their nominations historie not oneagreeing with another hath caused me wholly too mit the descriptions of our Authour and to giue you new agreeable to the figures together with an addition of diuers other plants ãâã to this kindred Besides there is one thing I must aduertise you of which is that our Authour in the first place described the Bacchar is Monspeliensium of Lobel or Conyza maior of Matthiolus it is that which grows in Kent and Essex on chalkie hils yet he gaue no figure of it but as it were forgetting what he had don allotted it a particular chap. afterwards where also another figure was put for it but there you shall now finde it though I must confesse that this is as sit or a fitter place for it but I will follow the course of my Authour whose matter not method I indeauour to amend ¶ The Description 1 This great
the fundament and being taken in a small quantity it bringeth down the monthly course it is thought to be good and profitable against obstructions and stoppings in the rest of the intrals Yet some there be who thinke that it is not conuenient for the liuer One dramme thereof giuen is sufficient to purge Now and then halfe a dramme or little more is enough It healeth vp greene wounds and deepe sores clenseth vlcers and cureth such sores as are hardly to bee helped especially in the fundament and secret parts It is with good successe mixed with ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã or medicines which stanch bleeding and with plaisters that be applied to bloudy wounds for it helpeth them by reason of his emplaisticke qualitie and substance It is profitably put into medicines for the eies sorasmuch as it clenseth and drieth without biting Dioscorides saith that it must be torrified or parched at the fire in a cleane and red hot vessell and continually stirred with a Spatula or Iron Ladle till it bee torrified in all the parts alike and that it must also bee washed to the end that the vnprofitable and sandie drosse may sinke downe vnto the bottome and that which is smooth and most perfect bee taken and reserued The same Authour also teacheth that mixed with honie it taketh away blacke and blew spots which come of stripes that it helpeth the inward ruggednesse of the eye-lids and itching in the corners of the eies it remedieth the head-ache if the temples and forehead bee annointed therewith being mixed with vineger and oile of Roses being tempered with wine it staieth the falling off of the haire if the head be washed therewith and mixed with wine and honie it is a remedie for the swelling of the Vuula and swelling of the Almonds of the throte for the gums all vlcers of the mouth The iuice of this herbe Aloe whereof is made that excellent and most familiar purger called Aloe Succotrina the best is that which is cleere and shining of a browne yellowish colour it openeth the bellie purging cold flegmaticke and cholericke humours especially in those bodies that are surcharged with surfetting either of meat or drinke and whose bodies are fully repleat with humours fairing daintily and wanting exercise This Aloes I say taken in a small quantitie after supper or rather before in a stewed prune or in water the quantitie of two drammes in the morning is a most soueraigne medicine to comfort the stomacke and to clense and driue foorth all superfluous humours Some vse to mixe the same with Cinnamon Ginger and Mace for the purpose aboue said and for the Iaundies spitting of bloud and all extraordinarie issues of bloud The same vsed in vlcers especially those of the secret parts or fundament or made into pouder and strawed on fresh wounds staieth the bloud and healeth the same as those vlcers before spoken of The same taken inwardly causeth the Hemorrhoids to bleed and being laid thereon it causeth them to cease bleeding CHAP. 142. Of Housleeke or Sengreene ¶ The Kindes SEngreene as Dioscorides writeth is of three sorts the one is great the other small and the third is that which is called ãâã biting Stone-crop or VVall pepper ¶ The Description 1 THe great Sengreene which in Latine is commonly called Iovis Barba Iupiters beard bringeth forth leaues hard adioyning to the ground and root thicke fat full of tough iuice sharpe pointed growing close and hard together set in a circle in fashion of an eye and bringing forth very many such circles spreading it selfe out all abroad it oftentimes also sendeth forth small strings by which it spreadeth farther and maketh new circles there riseth vp oftentimes in the middle of these an vpright stalke about a foot high couered with leaues growing lesse and lesse toward the points parted at the top into certaine wings or branches about which are floures orderly placed of a darke purplish colour the root is all of strings 2 There is also another great Housleek or Sengreen syrnamed tree Housleeke that bringeth sorth a stalke a cubit high sometimes higher and often two which is thicke hard woody tough and that can hardly be broken parted into diuers branches and couered with a thicke grosse barke which in the lower part reserueth certaine prints or impressed markes of the leaues that are fallen away The leaues are fat well bodied full of juice an inch long and somewhat more like little tongues very curiously minced in the edges standing vpon the tops of the branches hauing in them the shape of an eye The floures grow out of the branches which are diuided into many springs which floures are slender yellow and spred like a star in their places commeth vp very fine seed the springs withering away the root is parted into many off-springs This plant is alwaies greene neither is it hurt by the cold in winter growing in his natiue soile whereupon it is named ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and Semperuivum or Sengreene 1 ãâã maius Great Housleeke â¡ 2 Sedum maius arborescens Tree Housleeke 3 There is also another of this kinde the circles whereof are answerable in bignesse to those of the former but with lesser leaues moe in number and closesly set hauing standing on the edges very fine haires as it were like soft prickles This is somewhat of a deeper greene the stalke is shorter and the floures are of a pale yellow â¡ This is the third of Dodonaeus description ãâã 1. lib. 5. cap. 8. â¡ 4 There is likewise a third to be referred hereunto the leaues hereof be of a whitish greene and are very curiously nicked round about â¡ The floure is great consisting of six white leaues This is that described by Dodonaeus in the 4. place and it is the Cotyledon altera secunda of Clusius â¡ 5 There is also a fourth the circles whereof are lesser the leaues sharpe pointed very closely set of a darke red colour on the top and hairy in the edges the floures on the sprigs are of a gallant purple colour â¡ This is the fift of Dodonaeus and the Cotyledon alterateria of Clusius ⡠¶ The Place 1 The great Sengreen is well knowne not onely in Italy but also in France Germany Bohemia and the Lowe-Countries It groweth on stones in mountaines vpon old walls and ancient buildings especially vpon the tops of houses The forme hereof doth differ according to the nature of the soile for in some places the leaues are narrower and lesser but mo in number and haue one onely circle in some they are fewer thicker and broader they are greene and of a deeper greene in some places and in others of a lighter greene for those which we haue described grow not in one place but in diuers and sundry â¡ 5 Sedum maius angustifolium Great narrow leaued Housleeke 2 Great Sengreene is found growing of it selfe on the tops of houses old walls and such like places in very many prouinces of the East and of
afresh for certaine yeeres after ¶ The Time It may be sowne in March or Aprill it flourisheth and is greene in Iune and afterwards euen vntill winter ¶ The Names Purslane is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Portulaca in high Dutch Burkelkraut in French Poupier in Italian ãâã in Spanish Verdolagas in English Purslane and Porcelane ¶ The Temperature Purslane is cold and that in the third degree and moist in the second but wilde Purslane is not so moist ¶ The Vertues Rawe Purslane is much vsed in sallades with oile salt and vineger it cooleth an hot ãâã and prouoketh appetite but the nourishment which commeth thereof is little bad cold grosse and moist being chewed it is good for teeth that are set on edge or astonied the juice doth the same being held in the mouth and also the distilled water Purslane is likewise commended against wormes in young children and is singular good especially if they be feuerish withall for it both allaies the ouermuch heate and killeth the wormes which thing is done through the saltnes mixed therewith which is not only an enemy to wormes but also to putrifaction The leaues of Purslane either rawe or boiled and eaten as sallades are good for those that haue great heate in their stomackes and inward parts and doe coole and temper the inflamed bloud The same taken in like manner is good for the bladder and kidnies and allaieth the out ragious lust of the body the juice also hath the same vertue The juice of Purslane stoppeth the bloudy fluxe the fluxe of the hemorroides monthly termes spitting of bloud and all other fluxes whatsoeuer The same thrown vp with a mother syringe cureth the inflammations frettings and ãâã of the matrix and put into the fundament with a clister pipe helpeth the vlcerations and ãâã the guts The leaues eaten rawe take away the paine of the teeth and fasteneth them and are good for teeth that are set on edge with eating of sharpe or soure things The seed being taken killeth and driueth forth wormes and stoppeth the laske CHAP. 149. Of sea Purslane and of the shrubby Sengreens ¶ The Description 1 SEa Purslane is not a herbe as garden Purslane but a little shrub the stalkes whereof be hard and wooddy the leaues fat full of substance like in forme to common Purslane but much whiter and harder the mossie purple floures stand round about the vpper parts of the stalkes as do almost those of Blyte or of Orach neither is the seed vnlike being broad and flat the root is wooddy long lasting as is also the plant which beareth out the winter with the losse of a few leaues â 2 There is another sea Purslane or Halimus or after Dodonaus Portulaca marina which hath leaues like the former but not altogether so white yet are they somewhat longer and narrower not much vnlike the leaues of the Oliue tree The slender branches are not aboue a cubit or cubit and halfe long and commonly lie spred vpon the ground and the floures are of a deepe ouerworne herby colour and after them follow seedes like those of the former but smaller â¡ 3 Our ordinary Halimus or sea Purslane hath small branches some foot or better long lying commonly spred vpon the ground of an ouerworne grayish colour and sometimes purple the leaues are like those of the last mentioned but more fat and thicke yet lesse hoary The floures grow on the tops of the branches of an herby purple colour which is succeeded by small seeds like to that of the second kinde â¡ 4 There is found another wilde sea Purslane whereof I haue thought good to make mention which doth resemble the kindes of Aizoons The first kinde groweth vpright with a trunke like a small tree or shrub hauing many vpright wooddy branches of an ashe colour with many thicke darke greene leaues like the small Stone crop called Vermicularis the floures are of an herby yellowish greene colour the root is very hard and fibrous the whole plant is of a salt tang taste and the juice like that of Kaly 5 There is another kinde like the former and differeth in that this strange plant is greater the leaues more sharpe and narrower and the whole plant more wooddy and commeth neere to the forme of a tree The floures are of a greenish colour â¡ 1 Halimus latifolius Tree Sea Purslane â¡ 2 Halimus angustifolius procumbens Creeping Sea Purslane 3 Halimus vulgaris siue Portulaca marina Common Sea Purslane â¡ 4 Vermicular is frutex minor The lesser shrubby Sengreen â¡ 5 Vermicularis frutex major The greater Tree Stone-crop ¶ The Place â¡ The first and second grow vpon the Sea coasts of Spaine and other hot countries â¡ and the third groweth in the salt marishes neere the sea side as you passe ouer the Kings ferrey vnto the isle of Shepey going to Sherland house belonging sometime vnto the Lord Cheiny and in the yeare 1590 vnto the Worshipfull Sr. Edward Hobby fast by the ditches sides of the same marish it groweth plentifully in the isle of Thanet as you go from Margate to Sandwich and in many other places along the coast The other sorts grow vpon bankes and heapes of sand on the Sea coasts of Zeeland Flanders Holland and in like places in other countries as besides the Isle of Purbecke in England and on Rauen-spurne in Holdernesse as I my selfe haue seene ¶ The Time These flourish and floure especially in Iuly and August ¶ The Names Sea Purslane is called Portulaca Marina In Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã it is also called in Latine Halimus in Dutch Zee ãâã in English Sea Purslane The bastard ground Pines are called of some Chamepitys virmiculata in English Sea ground Pine â¡ or more fitly Tree Ston-crop or Pricket or Shrubby Sengreene ⡠¶ The Temperature Sea Purslane is as Galen saith of vnlike parts but the greater part thereof is hot in a meane with a moisture vnconcocted and somewhat windie ¶ The Vertues The leaues saith Dioscorides are boyled to be eaten a dram weight of the root being drunke with meade or honied water is good against crampes and drawings awrie of sinewes burstings and gnawings of the belly it also causeth Nurses to haue store of milke The leaues be in the Low-countries preserued in salt or pickle as capers are and be serued and eaten at mens tables in stead of them and that without any mislike of taste to which it is pleasant Galen doth also report that the yong and tender buds are wont in Cilicia to be eaten and also laid vp in store for vse â¡ Clusius saith That the learned Portugal Knight Damianus a Goes assured him That the leaues of the first described boyled with bran and so applied mitigate the paines of the Gout proceeding of an hot cause â¡ CHAP. 150. Of Herbe-Iuy or Ground-Pine ¶ The Description 1 THe common kinde of Chamaepitys or Ground-Pine is a small herbe and very tender creeping vpon the
Nauelwoort or Penniwoort of the Wall ¶ The Description 1 THe great Nauelwoort hath round and thicke leaues somewhat bluntly indented about the edges and somewhat hollow in the midst on the vpper part hauing a short tender stemme fastened to the middest of the leafe on the lower side vnderneath the stalke whereon the floures doe grow is small and hollow an handfull high and more beset with many small floures of an ouerworne incarnate colour The root is round like an oliue of a white colour â¡ The root is not well exprest in the figure for it should haue been more vnequall or tuberous with the fibers not at the bottome but top thereof â¡ 2 The second kinde of Wall Penniwoort or Nauelwoort hath broad thicke leaues somewhat deepely indented about the edges and are not so round as the leaues of the former but somewhat long towards the setting on spred vpon the ground in manner of a tuft set about the tender stalke like to Sengreene or Housleeke among which riseth vp a tender stalke whereon do grow the like leaues The floures stand on the top consisting of fiue small leaues of a white colour with red spots in them The root is small and threddie â¡ This by some is called Sedum Serratum â¡ â¡ 3. This third kinde hath long thicke narrow leaues very finely snipt or nickt on the edges which lie spred very orderly vpon the ground and in the midst of them rises vp a stalke some foot high which beares at the top thereof vpon three or foure little branches diuers white floures consisting of fiue leaues apiece 4 The leaues of this are long and thicke yet not so finely snipt about the edges nor so narrow as those of the former the stalke is a foot high set here and there with somewhat shorter and rounder leaues than those below and towards the top thereof out of the bossomes of these leaues come sundry little foot-stalkes bearing on their tops pretty large floures of colour white and spotted with red spots The rootes are small and here and there put vp new tufts of leaues like as the common Housleeke â¡ 5 There is a kinde of Nauelwoort that groweth in waterie places which is called of the husbandmen Sheeps bane because it killeth sheepe that do eat thereof it is not much vnlike the precedent but the round edges of the leaues are not so euen as the other and this creepeth vpon the ground and the other vpon the stone walls 1 Vmbilicus Veneris Wall Penniwoort â¡ 2 Vmbilicus Ven. sive Cotyledon altera Iagged or Rose Penniwoort â¡ 6 Because some in Italy haue vsed this for Vmbilicus Veneris and othersome haue so called it I thought it not amisse to follow Matthiolus and giue you the history thereof in this place rather than to omit it or giue it in another which may be perhaps as vnfit for indeed I cannot sitly ranke it with any other plant Bauhine sets it betweene Hedera Terrestris and ãâã ãâã and Columna refers it to the Linaria's but I must confesse I cannot referre it to any wherefore I thinke it as proper to giue it here as in any other place The branches of this are many long slender and creeping vpon which grow without any certaine order many little smooth thicke leaues fashioned like those of Ivie and fastened to stalkes of some inch long and together with these stalkes come sorth others of the same length that carry spur-fashioned floures of the shape and bignesse of those of the female Fluellen their outside is purple their inside blew with a spot of yellow in the opening The root is small creeping and threddie It floures toward the end of Sommer and growes wilde vpon walls in Italie but in gardens with vs. ãâã calls it Cymbalaria to which Lobel addes Italica Hederaceo folio Lonicerus termes it Vmbilicus Veneris ãâã and lastly Columna cals it Linaria hederae folio ⡠¶ The Place The first kind of Penniwoort groweth plentifully in Northampton vpon euery stone wall about the towne at Bristow Bathe Wells and most places of the West Countrie vpon stone walls It groweth vpon Westminster Abbey ouer the doore that leadeth from Chaucers tombe to the old palace â¡ In this last place it is not now to be found â¡ The second third and fourth grow vpon the Alpes neere Piedmont and Bauier and vpon the mountaines of Germanie I found the third growing vpon Bieston Castle in Cheshire â¡ The fifth growes vpon the Bogges vpon Hampstead Heath and many such rotten grounds in other places ⡠¶ The Time They are greene and flourish especially in VVinter They floure also in the beginning of Sommer ¶ The Names Nauelwoort is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Vmbilicus Veneris and Acetabulum of diuers Herba Coxendicum Iacobus Manlius nameth it Scatum Coeli and Scatellum in Dutch ãâã in Italian Cupertoiule in French Escuelles in Spanish Capadella of some Hortus Veneris or Venus garden and Terrae vmbilicus or the Nauel of the earth in English Penniwoort Wall-penniwoort Ladies nauell Hipwoort and Kidney-woort VVater Penniwoort is called in Latine Cotyledon palustris in English Sheepe-killing Pennigrasse Penny-rot and in the North Countrey VVhite-rot for there is also Red-rot which is Rosa solis in Northfolke it is called Flowkwoort â¡ Columna and Bauhine fitly refer this to the Ranunculi or Crowfeet for it hath no affinitie at all with the Cotyledons but onely in the roundnesse of the leafe the former of them cals it Ranunculus aquaticus vmbilicatofolio and the later Ranunculus aquat Cotyledonis folio ¶ The Temperature Nauelwoort is of a moist substance and somewhat cold and of a certaine obscure binding qualitie it cooleth repelleth or driueth backe scoureth and consumeth or wasteth away as Galen testifieth â¡ The VVater Pennywoort is of an hot and vlcerating qualitie like to the Crowfeet whereof it is a kinde The bastard Italian Nauelwoort seemes to partake with the true in cold and moisture ⡠¶ The Vertues The iuice of VVall Pennywoort is a singular remedie against all inflammations and hot tumors as Erysipelas Saint Anthonies fire and such like and is good for kibed heeles being bathed therwith and one or more of the leaues laid vpon the heele The leaues and rootes eaten doe breake the stone prouoke vrine and preuaile much against the dropsie The ignorant Apothecaries doe vse the VVater Pennywoort in stead of this of the wall which they cannot doe without great error and much danger to the patient for husbandmen know well that it is noisome vnto Sheepe and other cattell that feed thereon and for the most part bringeth death vnto them much more to men by a stronger reason 3 Vmbilicus Veneris minor Small Nauelwoort â¡ 4 Cotyledon minor montana altera The other small mountaine Nauelwoort 5 Cotyledon palustris Water Penniwoort â¡ 6 Cymbalaria Italica Italian Bastard Nauelwoort CHAP. 152. Of Sea Pennywoort 1 Androsace Matthioli Sea Nauel-woort 2 Androsace
the stopping of the liuer and gall it is a remedie against lingring agues bastard and long tertians quartains also and properly agues in infants and young children as Mesues ãâã in Scrapio who also teacheth that the nature of Dodder is to purge choler by the stoole and that more effectually if it haue Wormewood ioined with it but too much vsing of it is hurtfull to the stomacke yet Auicen writeth that it doth not hurt it but strengtheneth a weake or feeble stomacke which opinion also we do better allow of ãâã or the Dodder which groweth vpon Tyme is hotter and drier than the Dodder that groweth vpon flax that is to say euen in the third degree as Galen saith It helpeth all the ãâã of the milt it is a remedy against obstructions and hard swellings It taketh away old head-aches the salling sicknesse madnesse that commeth of Melancholy and especially that which proceedeth from the spleene and parts thereabout it is good for those that haue the French disease and such as be troubled with contagious vlcers the leprosie and the scabbie euill It purgeth downewards blacke and Melancholicke humours as Aetius Actuarius and Mesue write and also flegme as Dioscorides noteth that likewise purgeth by stoole which groweth vpon Sauorie and Scabious but more weakly as Actuarius saith ãâã or Dodder that groweth vpon flax boiled in water or wine and drunke openeth the stoppings of the liuer the bladder the gall the milt the kidneies and veines and purgeth both by siege and vrine cholericke humours It is good against the ague which hath continued a long time and against the iaundise I meane that Dodder especially that groweth vpon brambles Epiurtica or Dodder growing vpon nettles is a most singular and effectuall medicine to prouoke vrine and to loose the obstructions of the body and is proued oftentimes in the West parts with good successe against many maladies CHAP. 177. Of Hyssope ¶ The Description 1 DIoscorides that gaue so many rules for the knowledge of simples hath left Hyssope altogether without description as beeing a plant so well knowne that it needed none whose example I follow not onely in this plant but in many others which bee common to auoid tediousnesse to the Reader 1 ãâã ãâã Hyssope with blew floures 2 Hyssopus Arabum slore rubro Hyssope with reddish floures 3 Hyssopus albis floribus VVhite floured Hyssope 4 Hyssopus tenuifolia Thinne leafed Hyssope â¡ 5 Hyssopus parva angustis folijs Dwarfe narrow leaued Hyssope 2 The second kind of Hyssope is like the former which is our common Hyssope and differeth in that that this Hyssope hath his small and slender branches decked with faire red floures 3 The third kinde of Hyssop hath leaues stalkes branches seed and root like the common Hyssope and differeth in the floures only which are as white as snow 4 This kinde of Hyssope of all the rest is of the greatest beauty it hath a wooddie root tough and full of strings from which rise vp small tough and slender flexible stalkes wherupon do grow infinite numbers of small Fennel-like leaues much resembling those of the smallest grasse of a pleasant sweet smel aromatick taste like vnto the rest of the Hyssops but much sweeter at the top of the stalks do grow amongst the leaues smal hollow floures of a blewish colour tending to purple The seeds as yet I could neuer obserue â¡ 5 This differs from the first described in that the stalkes are weaker and shorter the leaues also narrower and of a darker colour the floures grow after the same manner are of the same colour as those of the common kinde â¡ We haue in England in our gardens another kinde whose picture it shall be needlesse to expresse considering that in few words it may be deliuered It is like vnto the former but the leaues are some of them white some greene as the other and some green and white mixed and spotted very goodly to behold Of which kinde we haue in our gardens moreouer another sort whose leaues are wonderfully curled rough and hairie growing thicke thrust together making as it were a tuft of leaues in taste and smell and in all other things like vnto the common Hyssope I haue likewise in my garden another sort of Hyssope growing to the forme of a small wooddie shrub hauing very faire broad leaues like vnto those of Numularia or Monywoort but thicker fuller of iuice and of a darker greene colour in taste and smell like the common Hyssope ¶ The Place All these kindes of Hyssope do grow in my garden and in some others also ¶ The Time They floure from Iune to the end of August ¶ The Names Hyssope is called in Latine Hyssopus the which name is likewise retained among the Germans Brabanders French-men Italians and Spaniards Therefore that shall suffice which hath been set downe in their seuerall titles â¡ This is by most Writers iudged to be Hyssope vsed by the Arabian Physitions but not that of the Greekes which is neerer to Origanum and Maricorme as this is to Satureia or Sauorie ⡠¶ The Temperature and Vertues A decoction of Hyssope made with figs and gargled in the mouth and throte ripeneth breaketh the tumors and imposthumes of the mouth and throte and easeth the difficultie of swallowing comming by cold ãâã The same made with figges water honie and rue and drunken helpeth the inflammation of the lungs the old cough and shortnesse of breath and the obstructions or stoppings of the breast The sirrup or iuice of Hyssope taken with the sirrup of vineger purgeth by stoole tough and clammie flegme and driueth forth wormes if it be eaten with figges The distilled water drunke is good for those diseases before named but not with that speed and force CHAP. 178. Of Hedge Hyssope ¶ The Description 1 HEdge Hyssope is a low plant or herbe about a span long very like vnto the common Hyssope with many square stalkes or slender branches beset with leaues somewhat larger than Hyssope but very like The floures grow betwixt the leaues vpon short stems of a white colour declining to blewnesse All the herbe is of a most bitter taste like the small Centory The root is little and threddy dilating it selfe farre abroad by which meanes it multiplieth greatly and occupieth much ground where it groweth 1 ãâã Hedge Hyssope â¡ 2 Gratiola angustifolia Grasse Poley 3 Gratiola latifolia Broad leaued Hedge Hyssope â¡ 2 Narrow leaued Hedge Hyssope from a small fibrous white root sends vp a reddish round crested stalke diuided into sundry branches which are set with leaues like those of knot grasse of a pale greene colour and without any stalkes out of the bosome of these come floures set in long cups composed of foure leaues of a pleasing blew colour which are succeeded by longish seed-vessells conteyning a small dusky seed The whole plant is without smell neither hath it any bitternesse or other manifest taste It varies in leaues sometimes broader and otherwhiles
them let fresh Lauander and store Of wild Time with strong Sauorie to floure Yet there is another Casia called in shops Casia Lignea as also Casia nigra which is named Casia ãâã and another a small shrubbie plant extant among the shrubs or hedge bushes which some thinke to be the Casia Poetica mentioned in the precedent verses ¶ The Temperature Lauander is hot and drie and that in the third degree and is of a thin substance consisting of many airie and spirituall parts Therefore it is good to be giuen any way against the cold diseases of the head and especially those which haue their originall or beginning not of abundance of humours but chiefely of a cold quality onely ¶ The Vertues The distilled water of Lauander smelt vnto or the temples and forehead bathed therewith is a refreshing to them that haue the Catalepsie a light Migram to them that haue the falling sicknesse and that vse to swoune much But when there is abundance of humours especially mixt with bloud it is not then to be vsed safely neither is the composition to be taken which is made of distilled wine in which such kinde of herbes floures or seeds and certaine spices are infused or steeped though most men do rashly and at aduenture giue them without making any difference at all For by vsing such hot things that fill and stuffe the head both the disease is made greater and the sicke man also brought into danger especially when letting of bloud or purging haue not gone before Thus much by way of admonition because that euery where some vnlearned Physitions and diuers rash and ouerbold Apothecaries and other foolish women do by and by giue such compositions and others of the like kinde not only to those that haue the Apoplexy but also to those that are taken or haue the Catuche or Catalepsis with a Feuer to whom they can giue nothing worse seeing those things do very much hurt and oftentimes bring death it selfe The floures of Lauander picked from the knaps I meane the blew part and not the huske mixed with Cinamon Nutmegs and Cloues made into pouder and giuen to drinke in the distilled water thereof doth helpe the panting and passion of the heart preuaileth against giddinesse turning or swimming of the braine and members subiect to the palsie Conserue made of the floures with sugar profiteth much against the diseases aforesaid if the quantitie of a beane be taken thereof in the morning fasting It profiteth them much that haue the palsie if they bee washed with the distilled water of the floures or annointed with the oile made of the floures and oile oliue in such manner as oile ãâã roses is which shall be expressed in the treatise of Roses CHAP. 180. Of French Lauander or Stickeadoue ¶ The Description 1 FRench Lauander hath a bodie like Lauander short and of a wooddie substance but slenderer beset with long narrow leaues of a whitish colour lesser than those of Lauander it hath in the top bushy or spikie heads well compact or thrust together out of the which grow forth small purple floures of a pleasant smell The seede is small and blackish the roote is hard and wooddie 2 This iagged Sticadoue hath many small stiffe stalks of a wooddy substance whereupon do grow iagged leaues in shape like vnto the leaues of Dill but of an hoarie colour on the top of the stalkes do grow spike floures of a blewish colour and like vnto the common Lauander Spike the root is likewise wooddie â¡ This by Clusius who first described it as also by Lobel is called Lavendula multisido folio or Lauander with the diuided leafe the plant more resembling Lauander than Sticadoue â¡ 3 There is also a certaine kind e hereof differing in smalnesse of the leaues onely which are round about the edges nicked or toothed like a saw resembling those of Lauander cotton The root is likewise wooddie â¡ 4 There is also another kinde of Stoechas which differs from the first or ordinarie kind in that the tops of the stalkes are not set with leaues almost close to the head as in the common kinde but are naked and wholly without leaues also at the tops of the spike or floures as it were to recompence their defect below there growe larger and fairer leaues than in the other sorts The other parts of the plant differ not from the common Stoechas â¡ â 1 Stoechas sive spica hortulana Sticadoue and Sticados 2 Stoechas multisida Iagged Sticados 3 Stoechas folio serrato Toothed Sticadoue â¡ 4 Stoechas summis cauliculis nudis Naked Sticadoue ¶ The Place These herbes do grow wilde in Spaine in Languedocke in France and the Islands called Stoechades ouer against Massilia we haue them in our gardens and keepe them with great diligence from the iniurie of our cold clymate ¶ The Time They are sowne of seed in the end of Aprill and couered in the Winter from the cold or els set in pots or tubs with earth and carried into houses ¶ The Names The Apothecaries call the floure Stoecados Dioscorides ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Galen ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã by the dipthong in the first syllable in Latine Stoechas in High Dutch Stichas kraut in Spanish Thomani and Cantuesso in English French Lauander Steckado Stickadoue Cassidonie and some simple people imitating the same name do call it Cast me downe ¶ The Temperature French Lauander saith Galen is of temperature compounded of a little cold earthie substance by reason whereof it bindeth it is of force to take away obstructions to extenuate or make thinne to scoure and clense and to strengthen not onely all the entrails but the whole bodie also ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides teacheth that the decoction hereof doth helpe the diseases of the chest and is with good successe mixed with counterpoisons The later Physitions affirme that Stoechas and especially the floures of it are most effectuall against paines of the head and all diseases thereof proceeding of cold causes and therefore they be mixed in all compositions almost which are made against head-ache of long continuance the Apoplexie the falling sicknesse and such like diseases The decoction of the husks and floures drunke openeth the stoppings of the liuer the lungs the milt the mother the bladder and in one word all other inward parts clensing and driuing forth all cuill and corrupthumours and procuring vrine CHAP. 181. Of Flea-wort ¶ The Description 1 PSyllium or the common Flea-wort hath many round and tender branches ãâã full of long and narrow leaues somewhat hairy The top of the stalkes are garnished with sundrie round chaffie knops beset with small yellow floures which being ripe containe many little shining seeds in proportion colour and bignesse like vnto sleas 2 The second kinde of Psyllium or Flea-wort hath long and tough branches of a wooddy substance like the precedent but longer and harder with leaues resembling the former but much longer and narrower The chaffie tuft which
containeth the seed is like the other but more like the eare of Phalaris which is the eare of Alpisti the Canarie seed which is meate for birds that come from the Islands of Canarie The root hereof lasteth all the Winter and likewise keepeth his greene leaues whereof it tooke this addition of Sempervirens 1 Psyllium siue pulicaris herba Flea-wort 2 Psyllium sempervirens Lobelij Neuer dying Flea-wort ¶ The Place These plants are not growing in our fields of England as they doe in France and Spaine yet I haue them growing in my garden ¶ The Time They floure in Iune and Iuly ¶ The Names Flea-wort is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Pulicaria and Herba Pulicaris in shops Psyllium in English Flea-wort not because it killeth fleas but because the seeds are like fleas of some Flea-bane but vnproperly in Spanish Zargatona in French L'herbe aus pulces in Dutch Duyls vloye-cruyt ¶ The Temperature Galen and Serapio record that the seed of Psyllium which is chiefely vsed in ãâã is cold in the second degree and temperate in moisture and drinesse ¶ The Vertues The seed of Flea-wort boyled in water or infused and the decoction or infusion drunke purgeth downewards adust and cholericke humors cooleth the heate of the inward parts hot ãâã burning agues and such like diseases proceeding of heate and quencheth drought and ãâã The seed stamped and boyled in water to the forme of a plaister and applied taketh away all swellings of the ioynts especially if you boyle the same with vineger and oyle of Roses and apply it as aforesaid The same applied in manner aforesaid vnto any burning heate called S. Anthonies fire or any hot and violent impostume asswageth the same and bringeth it to ripenesse Some hold that the herbe strowed in the chamber where many fleas be will driue them away for which cause it tooke the name Flea-wort but I thinke it is rather because the seed doth resemble a flea so much that it is hard to discerne the one from the other ¶ The Danger Too much Flea-wort seed taken inwardly is very hurtful to mans nature so that I wish you not to follow the minde of Galen and Dioscorides in this point being a medicine rather bringing a maladie than taking away the griefe remembring the old prouerbe A man may buy gold too ãâã and the hony is too deare that is lickt from thornes â¡ Dioscorides nor Galen mention no vse of this inwardly but on the contrarie ãâã in his sixth booke which treats wholly of the curing and preuenting of poysons mentions this in the tenth chapter for a poyson and there sets downe the symptomes which it causes and ãâã you to the foregoing chapter for the remedies â¡ CHAP. 185. Of Gloue Gillofloures 1 Caryophyllus maximus multiplex The great double Carnation 2 Caryophyllus multiplex The double Cloue Gillofloure ¶ The Kindes THere are at this day vnder the name of Caryophyllus comprehended diuers and sundry sorts of plants of such various colours and also seuerall shapes that a great and large volume would not suffice to write of euery one at large in particular considering how insinite they are and ãâã euery yeare euery clymate and countrey bringeth forth new sorts such as haue not ãâã bin written of some whereof are called Carnations others Cloue Gillofloures some Sops in wine some Pagiants or Pagion colour Horse-flesh blunket purple white double and single Gillofloures as also a Gillofloure with yellow floures the which a worshipfull Merchant of London Mr. Nicolas ãâã procured from Poland and gaue me thereof for my garden which before that time was neuer seene nor heard of in these countries Likewise there be sundry sorts of Pinkes comprehended vnder the same title which shall be described in a seuerall chapter There be vnder the name of Gillofloures also those floures which wee call Sweet-Iohns and Sweet-Williams And first of the great Carnation and Cloue Gillefloure â¡ There are very many kindes both of Gillofloures Pinkes and the like which differ very little in their roots leaues seeds or manner of growing though much in the colour shape and magnitude of their floures wherof some are of one colour other some of more and of them some are striped others spotted c. Now I holding it a thing not so fit for me to insist vpon these accidentall differences of plants hauing specifique differences enough to treat of refer such as are addicted to these commendable and harmelesse delights to suruey the late and ost mentioned Worke of my friend Mr. Iohn Parkinson who hath accurately and plentifully treated of these varieties and if they require further satisfaction let them at the time of the yeare repaire to the garden of Mistresse Tuggy the wife of my late deceased friend Mr. Ralph Tuggy in Westminster which in the excellencie and varietie of these delights exceedeth all that I haue seene as also ãâã himselfe whilest he liued exceeded most if not all of his time in his care industry and skill in raising encreasing and preseruing of these plants and some others whose losse therefore is the more to be lamented by all those that are louers of plants I will onely giue you the figures of some three or foure more whereof one is of the single one which therefore some ãâã a Pinke though in mine opinion vnfitly for that it is produced by the seed of most of the double ones and is of different colour and shape as they are varying from them onely in the singlenesse of the floures â¡ â¡ Caryophyllus maior minor rubro albo variegati The white Carnation and Pageant â¡ Caryophyllus purpureus profunde laciniatus The blew or deep purple Gillofloure ¶ The Description 1 THe great Carnation Gillow-floure hath a thicke round wooddy root from which riseth vp many strong ioynted stalkes set with long greene leaues by couples on the top of the stalkes do grow very faire floures of an excellent sweet smell and pleasant Carnation colour whereof it tooke his name 2 The Cloue Gillofloure differeth not from the Carnation but in greatnesse as well of the floures as leaues The floure is exceeding well knowne as also the Pinks and other Gillofloures wherefore I will not stand long vpon the description ¶ Caryophyllus simplex maior The single Gillofloure or Pinke ¶ The Place These Gillofloures especially the Carnations are kept in pots from the extremity of our cold Winters The Cloue Gillofloure endureth better the cold and therefore is planted in gardens ¶ The Time They flourish and floure most part of the Sommer ¶ The Names The Cloue Gillofloure is called of the later Herbarists ãâã flos of the smell of cloues wherewith it is possessed in Italian Garofoli in Spanish Clauel in French Oeilletz in low-Dutch Ginoffelbloemen in Latine of most Ocellus Damascenus Ocellus Barbaricus and Barbarica in English Carnations and Cloue Gillofloures Of some it is called Vetonica and Herba Tunica The which ãâã Gordonius hath set downe for
descriptions ¶ The Time The Chickweeds are greene in Winter they floure and seed in the Spring ¶ The Names Chickweed or Chickenweed is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine it retaineth the same name Alsine of some of the Antients it is called Hippia The rest of the plants are distinguished in their seuerall titles with proper names which likewise setteth forth the place of their growings ¶ The Temperature Chickweed is cold and moist and of a waterish substance and therefore it cooleth without astriction or binding as Galen saith ¶ The Vertues The leaues of Chickweed boyled in water very soft adding thereto some hogs grease the pouder of Fenugreeke and Lineseed and a few roots of marsh Mallowes and stamped to the ãâã of cataplasme or pultesse taketh away the swellings of the legs or any other part bringeth to suppuration or matter hot apostumes dissolueth swellings that wil not willingly yeeld to suppuration easeth members that are shrunke vp comforteth wounds in sinewie parts defendeth foule maligne and virulent vlcers from inflammation during the cure in a word it comforteth digesteth defendeth and suppurateth very notably The leaues boyled in Vineger and salt are good against mangines of the hands and legs if they be bathed therewith Little birds in cadges especially Linnets are refreshed with the lesser Chickweed when they loath their meat whereupon it was called of some Passerina CHAP. 193. Of the bastard Chickweeds ¶ The Description 1 GErmander Chickweed hath small tender branches trailing vpon the ground beset with leaues like vnto those of Scordium or VVater Germander Among which comeforth little blew floures which being saded there appeare small flat husks or pouches wherein lieth the seed The root is small and threddy which being once gotten into a garden ground is hard to be destroyed but naturally commeth vp from yeare to yeare as a noisome weed 1 Asine folijs trissaginis Germander Chickweed 2 Alsine corniculata Clusij Horned Chickweed 3 Alsine ãâã Iuy Chickweed 4 Alsine Hederula altera Great Henne-bit 2 Clusius a man singular in the knowledge of plants hath set downe this herbe for one of the Chickweeds which doth very well resemble the Storks bill and might haue been there inserted But the matter being of small moment I let it passe for doubtlesse it participateth of both that is the head or beake of Storkes bill and the leaues of Chickweed which are long and hairy like those of Scorpion Mouse-eare The floures are small and of an herby colour after which come long horned cods or seed-vessels like vnto those of the Storks bill The root is small and single with strings fastened thereto 3 Iuie Chickeweed or small Henbit hath thin hairy leaues somewhat broad with two cuts or gashes in the sides after the maner of those of ground Iuie whereof it tooke his name resembling the backe of a Bee when she flieth The stalkes are small tender hairy and lying flat vpon the ground The floures are slender and of a blew colour The root is little and threddy 4 The great Henbit hath feeble stalkes leaning toward the ground whereupon doe grow at certaine distances leaues like those of the dead Nettell from the bosome whereof come forth slender blew floures tending to purple in shape like those of the small dead Nettle The root is tough single and a few strings hanging thereat ¶ The Place These ãâã are sowne in gardens among potherbes in darke shadowie places and in the fields after the corne is reaped ¶ The Time They flourish and are greene when the other Chickweedes are ¶ The Names The first and third is called Morsus Gallinae Hens bit Alsine Hederula and Hederacea Lobell also calls the fourth Morsus Galinae folio ãâã alter in high Dutch Hunerbisz in French Morsgelin and Morgeline in low Dutch Hoenderebeet in English Henbit the greater and the lesser ¶ The Temperature and Vertues These are thought also to be could and moist and like to the other Chickweeds in vertue and operation CHAP. 194. Of Pimpernell 1 Anagallis mas Male Pimpernell 2 Anagallis foemina Female Pimpernell ¶ The Description 1 PImpernell is like vnto Chickeweed the stalkes are foure square trailing here and there vpon the ground whereupon do grow broad leaues and sharpe pointed set together by couples from the bosome whereof come forth slender tendrells whereupon doe grow small purple floures tending to rednesse which being past there succeed fine round bullets like vnto the seed of Corianders wherein is conteined small dustie seed The root consisteth of slender strings 2 The female Pimpernell differeth not from the male in any one point but in the colour of the floures for like as the former hath reddish floures this plant bringeth forth floures of a most perfect blew colour wherein is the difference â¡ 3 Of this there is another variety set forth by Clusius by the name of Anagallis tenuifolia Monelli because he receiued the figure and History thereof from Iohn Monell of I ournay in France it differs thus from the last mentioned the leaues are longer and narrower somewhat like those of Gratiola and they now and then grow three at a joint and out of the bosomes of the leaues come commonly as many little footstalkes as there are leaues which carry floures of a blew colour with the middle purplish and these are somewhat larger than them of the former otherwise like â¡ â¡ 3 Anagallis tenuifolia Narrow leaued Pimpernell 4 Anagallis lutea Yellow Pimpernell 4 The yellow Pimpernell hath many weake and seeble branches trailing vpon the ground beset with leaues one against another like the great Chickweed not vnlike to Nummularia or Money woort betweene which and the stalkes come forth two single and small tender footestalkes each bearing at their top one yellow floure and no more The root is small and threddy ¶ The Place They grow in plowed sields neere path waies in gardens and vineyardes almost euery where I found the female with blew floures in a chalkie corne field in the way from Mr. William Swaines house of Southfleet to Long field downs but neuer any where else â¡ I also being in Essex in the company of my kind friend Mr. Nathaniel Wright found this among the corne at Wrightsbridge being the seate of Mr. Iohn Wright his brother â¡ The yellow Pimpernell growes in the woods betweene High-gate and Hampstead and in many other woods ¶ The Time They floure in Summer and especially in the moneth of August at what time the husbandmen hauing occasion to go vnto their haruest worke will first behold the floures of Pimpernell whereby they know the weather that shall follow the next day after as for example if the floures be shut close vp it betokeneth raine and foule weather contrariwise if they be spread abroad faire weather ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine also Anagallis of diuers as Pliny reporteth Corchorus but vntruly of Marcellus an old Writer Macia the
like those of the first but much lesse and snipt onely from the middle to the end the floures grow after the manner of the former and as Clusius thinkes are like them as is also the seed Clusius hath this by the name of Sideritis 4. 4 The same Authour hath also giuen vs another which from the top of the root sends soorth many branches partly lying spred on the ground and partly standing vpright being hairy iointed and square like those of the former and such also are the leaues but that they are lesse snipt about the edges and in their bosomes from the bottome of the stalkes to the top grow roundles of whitish floures shaped like others of this kinde Clusius calls this Sideritis 5. He had onely the figures of these elegantly drawne by the hand of Iaques Plateau and so sent him 5 This from a small wooddie root sends forth a square hairie stalke some halfe foot high and sometimes higher and this stalke most commonly sends forth some foure branches which subdiuide themselues into smaller ones all of them sometimes lying vpon the ground and the stalke standing vpright the leaues grow by couples at each ioint from a broader bottome ending in an obtuse point the lower leaues being some inch long and not much lesse in breadth the floures are whitish or light purple small and hooded ãâã the stalkes in roundles which falling ãâã longish blacke seeds are contained in fiue cornered vessels I first found it August 1626 in floure and seed amongst the corne in a field ioining to a wood side not far from Greene-hiue in Kent and I at that time not finding it to be written of by any called it Sideritis humilis ãâã ãâã folio but since I finde that ãâã hath set it forth in his Prodromus by the name of Sideritis Alsine Trissaginis folio 6 This which Tabernamontanus calls Alyssum ãâã and whose figure was formerly giuen with the same title by our Authour in the 118 Chapter of the former Edition with a Description no waies agreeing therewith grows vp with square stalkes some cubite high set with pretty large and greene smooth leaues snipt about the edges the floures grow in roundles at the tops of the branches being hooded and of a pale yellow colour This grows in the Corne sields in some places of Germany and Italy and it is the Sideritis 2. of Matthiolus in ãâã opinion who cals it Sideritis aruensis latifolia glabra 7 There is another plant that growes frequently in the Corne fields of Kent and by Purfleet in Essex which may fitly be ioined to these for ãâã calls it Sideritis arvensis flore rubro and in the Historia Lugd. it is named Tetrahit angustifolium and thought to be Ladanum ãâã of Pliny mentioned lib. 29. cap. 8. and lib. 26. cap. 11. It hath a stalke some ãâã or better high set with sharp pointed longish leaues hauing two or three nickes on their sides and growing by couples at the top of the branches and also the maine stalke it selfe stand in one or two roundles faire red hooded floures the root is small and fibrous dying euery yeare when it hath ãâã the seed It floures in Iuly and August This is also sometimes found with a white floure ¶ The Time Place c. All these are sufficiently deliuered in the descriptions ¶ The Temperatures and Vertues These plants are drie with little or no heat and are endued with an astrictiue faculty They conduce much to the healing of greene wounds being beaten and applied or put in vnguents or plaisters made for that purpose They are also good for those things that are mentioned in the last chapter in B and C. Clusius saith the first and second are vsed in Stiria in fomentations to bathe the head against the paines or aches thereof as also against the stiffenesse and wearinesse of the limbs or ioints And the same Author affirmes that he hath knowne the decoction vsed with very good successe in curing the inflammations and vlcerations of the legs â¡ CHAP. 233. Of Water Horehound â¡ 1 Marubium aquaticum Water Horehound ¶ The Description 1 WAter Horehound is very like to blacke and stinking Horehound in stalke and floured cups which are rough pricking compassing the stalks round about like garlands the leaues thereof be also blacke but longer harder more deeply gashed in the edges than those of stinking Horehound yet not hairie at all but wrinkled the floures be small and whitish the root is fastened with many blacke strings ¶ The Place It growes in Brooks on the brinks of water ditches and neere vnto motes for it requireth store of water and groweth not in drie places ¶ The Time It flourishes and floures in the Sommer moneths in Iuly and August ¶ The Names It is called Aquatile and Palustre Marubium In English water Horehound Matthiolus taketh it to be Species prima Sideritidis or a kind of Ironwoort which Dioscorides hath described in the first place but with this doth better agree that which is called Herba Iudaica or Glid woort it much lesse agreeth with Sideritis secunda or the second Ironwoort which opinion also hath his fauourers for it is like in leafe to none of the Fernes Some also thinke good to cal it Herba Aegyptia because they that feine themselues Egyptians such as many times wander like vagabonds from citie to citie in Germanie and other places do vse with this herbe to giue themselues a swart colour such as the Egyptians and the people of Africke are of for the iuice of this herbe doth die euery thing with this kinde of colour which also holdeth so fast as that it cannot be wiped or washed away insomuch as linnen cloth being died herewith doth alwaies keepe that colour ¶ The Temperature It seemeth to be cold and withall very astringent or binding ¶ The Vertues There is little vse of the water Horehound in Physicke CHAP. 234. Of blacke or stinking Horehound ¶ The Description 1 BLacke Horehound is somewhat like vnto the white kinde The stalkes be also square and hairie The leaues somewhat larger of a darke swart or blackish colour somewhat like the leaues of Nettles snipt about the edges of an vnpleasant and stinking sauour The floures grow about the stalks in certain spaces of a purple colour in shape like those of Archangell or dead Nettle The roote is small and threddie â¡ I haue found this also with white floures â¡ 2 To this may fitly be referred that plant which some haue called Parietaria Sideritis and Herbaventi with the additament of Monspeliensium to each of these denominations but Bauhine who I herein follow calls it Marrubium nigrum longifolium It is thus described the root is thicke and very fibrous sending vp many square rough stalkes some cubite high set at certaine spaces with leaues longer and broader than Sage rough also and snipt about the edges and out of their bosomes come sloures hooded and purple of colour
inflammation of the Vuula The seed of Nettle stirreth vp lust especially drunke with Cute for as Galen saith it hath in it a certaine windinesse It concocteth and draweth out of the chest raw humors It is good for them that cannot breathe vnlesse they hold their necks vpright and for those that haue the pleurisie and for such as be sick of the inflammation of the lungs if it be taken in a looch or licking medicine and also against the troublesome cough that children haue called the Chin-cough Nicander affirmeth that it is a remedie against the venomous qualitie of Hemlocke Mushroms and Quick-siluer And Apollodoris saith that it is a counterpoyson for Henbane Serpents and Scorpions As Pliny witnesseth the same Author writeth that the oyle of it takes away the stinging which the Nettle it selfe maketh The same grossely powned and drunke in white wine is a most singular medicine against the stone either in the bladder or in the reines as hath beene often proued to the great ease and comfort of those that haue been grieuously tormented with that maladie It expelleth grauell and causeth to make water The leaues of any kinde of Nettle or the seeds do worke the like effect but not with that good speed and so assuredly as the Romane Nettle CHAP. 238. Of Hempe 1 Cannabis mas Male or Steele Hempe â¡ 2 Cannabis foemina Femeline or Female Hempe ¶ The Description 1 HEmpe bringeth forth round stalkes straight hollow fiue or six foot high full of branches when it groweth wilde of it selfe but when it is sowne in fields it hath very few or no branches at all The leaues thereof be hard tough somewhat blacke and if they be bruised they be of a ranke smell made vp of diuers little leaues ioyned together euery particular leafe whereof is narrow long sharpe pointed and nicked in the edges the seeds come forth from the bottomes of the wings and leaues being round somewhat hard full of white substance The roots haue many strings 2 There is another being the female Hempe yet barren and without seed contrarie vnto the nature of that sex which is very like to the other being the male and one must be gathered before the other be ripe else it will wither away and come to no good purpose ¶ The Place Hempe as Columella writeth delighteth to grow in a fat dunged and waterie soile or plaine and moist and deepely digged ¶ The Time Hempe is sowne in March and Aprill the first is ripe in the end of August the other in Iuly ¶ The Names This is named of the Grecians ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã also of the Latines Cannabis the Apothecaries keep that name in high-Dutch ãâã hanff of the Italians Canape of the Spaniards Canamo in French Chanure of the Brabanders Kemp in English Hempe The male is called Charle Hempe and Winter Hempe the female Barren Hempe and Sommer Hempe ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The seed of Hempe as Galen writeth in his bookes of the faculties of simple medicines is hard of digestion hurtfull to the stomacke and head and containeth in it an ill iuyce notwithstanding some do vse to eate the same ãâã cum alijs tragematis with other junkets It consumeth winde as the said Author saith in his booke of the faculties of medicines and is so great a drier as that it drieth vp the seed if too much be eaten of it Dioscorides saith That the iuyce of the herbe dropped into the eares asswageth the paine thereof proceeding as I take it of obstruction or stopping as Galen addeth The inner substance or pulpe of the seed pressed out in some kinde of liquor is giuen to those that haue the yellow jaundice when the disease first appeares and oftentimes with good successe if the disease come of obstruction without an ague for it openeth the passage of the gall and disperseth and concocteth the choler through the whole body Matthiolus saith that the seed giuen to hens causeth them to lay egges more plentifully CHAP. 239. Of wilde Hempe 1 Cannabis Spuria Wilde Hempe â¡ 2 Cannabis Spuria altera Bastard Hempe â¡ 3 Cannabis Spuria tertia Small Bastard Hempe ¶ The Description 1 THis wilde Hempe called Cannabis Spuria ãâã Bastard Hempe hath smal slender hoary and hairie stalkes a foot high beset at euery ioynt with two leaues smally indented about the edges somewhat like a Nettle The floures grow in rundles about the stalkes of a purple colour and sometimes also white the root is little and threddy 2 There is likewise another kind of wild Hempe which hath ãâã stalkes and leaues like the former but the floures are greater gaping wide open like the floures of Lamium or dead Nettle whereof this hath been taken for a kinde but hee that knoweth any thing may easily discerne the sauor of hempe from the smell of dead Nettle The floures are of a cleare and light carnation colour declining to purple 3 There is also another kinde of wilde Hempe like vnto the last before mentioned sauing that it is smaller in each respect and not so hairy The lease is somewhat rounder the root small and threddy the ãâã is larger being purple or white with a yellow spot in the inside ¶ The Place These kinds of wild or bastard Hempe do grow vpon hills and mountaines and barren hilly grounds especially in earable land as I haue often seene in the corne fields of Kent as about Grauesend ãâã and in all the tract from thence to Canturbury and in many places about London ¶ The Time These herbes do floure from Iuly to the end of August ¶ The Names It shall suffice what hath been set downe in the titles ãâã the Latine names in English Wilde Hempe Nettle Hempe and Bastard Hempe ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The temperature and faculties are referred to the ãâã Hempe notwithstanding they are not vsed in physicke where the other may be had CHAP. 240. Of Water-Hempe ¶ The Description 1 WAter-Hempe or Water-Agrimony is seldome found in ãâã regions for which cause it is called Eupatorium Cannabinum foemina Septentrionalium and groweth in the cold Northerne countries in moist places and in the midst of ponds slow running riuers and ditches The root continueth long hauing many long and slender strings after the nature of water herbes the stalkes grow a cubit and a halfe high of a darke purple colour with many branches standing by distances one from another The leaues are more indented and lesse hairy than the male kind the floures grow at the top of a browne yellow colour ãâã with blacke spots like Aster atticus which consisteth of such a substance as is in the midst of the Daisie or the Tansie floure and is set about with small and sharpe leaues such as are about the Rose which causeth the whole floure to resemble ãâã ãâã and it sauoreth like gum Elemni Rosine or Cedar wood when it is burned The seed is long ãâã Pyrethrum closely thrust together and lightly cleaueth
blackish green colour somewhat rough and strongly smelling the floures grow at the top of the stalks of a golden yellow colour with certaine threds in the middle thereof The root differeth not from the precedent 3 Candle weeke Mullein hath large broad and woollie leaues like vnto those of the common Mullein among which riseth vp a stalke couered with the like leaues euen to the branches wheron the floures do grow but lesser and lesser by degrees The stalke diuideth it selfe toward the top into diuerse branches whereon is set round about many yellow floures which oftentimes doe change into white varying according vnto the soile and clymate The root is thick and wooddy 1 Verbascum album Base white Mullein 2 Verbascum nigrum Base blacke Mullein 3 Verbascum Lychnite Matthioli Candle-weeke Mullein 4 Verbascum Lychnite minus Small Candle-weeke Mullein 4 The small Candle-weeke Mullein differeth little from the last rehearsed sauing that the whole plant of this is of a better ãâã wherein especially consisteth the difference â¡ The floure also is much larger and of a straw or pale yellow colour ⡠¶ The Place These plants do grow where the other Mulleins do and in the like soile ¶ The Time The time likewise answereth their flouring and seeding ¶ The Names Their capitall names expressed in the titles shal serue for these base Mulleins considering they are all and euery of them kindes of Mulleins ¶ The Temperature These Mulleins are drie without any manifest heat yet doubtlesse hotter and drier than the common Mullein or Hygtaper ¶ The Vertues The blacke Mullein with his pleasant yellow floures boiled in water or wine and drunken is good against the diseases of the brest and lungs and against all spitting of corrupt rotten matter The leaues boiled in water stamped and applied pultis wise vpon cold swellings called Oedemata and also vpon the vlcers and inflammations of the eies cureth the same The floures of blacke Mullein are put into lie which causeth the haire of the head to wax yellow if it be washed and combed therewith The leaues are put into cold ointments with good successe against scaldings and burnings with fire or water Apuleius reporteth a tale of Vlysses Mercurie and the inchantresse Circe and theirvse of ãâã herbes in their in cantations and witchcrafts CHAP. 271. Of Moth Mullein 1 Blattaria Plinij Plinies Moth Mullein 2 Blattaria flore purpureo Purple Moth Mullein ¶ The Description 1 PLinie hath set forth a kinde of Blattaria which hath long and smooth leaues somewhat iagged or snipt about the edges the stalke riseth vp tothe height of three cubits diuiding it selfe toward the top into sundry armes or branches beset with yellow floures like vnto blacke Mullein 2 Blattaria with purple floures hath broad blacke leaues without any manifest snips or notches by the sides growing flat vpon the ground among which riseth vp a stalke two cubits high garnished with floures like vnto the common Blattaria but that they are of a purple colour and those few threds or chiues in the middle of a golden colour the root is as thick as a mans thumb with some threds hanging thereat and it indureth from yeare to yeare 3 There is another kinde like vnto the blacke Mullein in stalks roots and leaues and other respects sauing that his small floures are of a greene colour 4 There is another like vnto the last before written sauing that his leaues are not so deepely cut about the edges and that the small floures haue some purple colour mixed with the greennesse â¡ 3 Blattaria flore viridi Greene Moth Mullein â¡ 4 Blattaria flore ex viridi purpurascente Moth Mullein with the greenish purple coloured floure â¡ 5 This is somewhat like the first described in leaues and stalks but much lesse the floures also are of a whitish or grayish colour and therein consists the chiefest difference 6 There is also another varietie of this kinde which hath very faire and large floures and these either of a bright yellow or else of a purple colour 7 This hath long narrow leaues like those of the second snipt about the edges and of a darke greene colour the stalkes grow some two cubits high and seldome send forth any branches the floures are large and yellow with rough threddes in their middles ãâã with red and these grow in such an order that they somewhat resemble a flie the seed is small and contained in round buttons This is an annuall and perisheth when the seed is ripe â¡ â¡ 5 Blattaria flore albo White floured Moth Mullein â¡ 6 Blattaria flore amplo Moth Mullein with the great floure â¡ 7 Blattaria flore Luteo Yellow Moth Mullein ¶ The Place â The first and fift of these grow wilde in sundrie places and the rest onely in gardens with vs. ¶ The Time They floure in Iuly and August ¶ The Names The later Herbarists call Moth Mullein by the name of Blattaria and doe truly take it to bee that which Plinie describeth in his 22. booke cap. 9. in these words There is an herbe like Mullein or Verbascum nigrum which oftentimes deceiueth being taken for the same with leaues not so white moe stalks and with yellow floures as wee haue written which do agree with blacke Mullein but we haue not as yet learned by obseruation that they do gather mothes and flies vnto them as wee haue said Valerius Cordus names it Verbascum Leptophyllon or narrow leafed Mullein their seueral titles sufficiently set forth their English names ¶ The Nature and Vertues Concerning the plants comprehended vnder the titles of Blattaria or Moth Mulleins I find nothing written of them sauing that moths butterflies and all manner of small flies and bats do resort to the place where these herbs are laied or strewed â¡ The decoctioÌ of the floures or leaues of the first described opens the obstructions of the bowels as also of the Meseraicke veins as Camerar affirmes â¡ CHAP. 272. Of Mullein of Aethiopia ãâã Aethiopian Mullein ¶ The Description MVllein of Aethiopia hath many very broad hoary leaues spred vpon the ground very soft and downy or rather woolly like to those of Hygtaper but farre whiter softer thicker and fuller of woollinesse which wooll is so long that one may with his fingers pull the same from the leaues euen as wooll is pulled from a Sheeps skinne among which leaues riseth vp a foure square downy stalke set with the like leaues but smaller which stalke is diuided at the top into other branches set about and orderly placed by certaine distances hauing many floures like those of Archangell of a white colour tending to blewnesse which being past there succeedeth a three square browne seed the root is blacke hard and of a wooddy substance ¶ The Place It groweth naturally in Ethiopia and in Ida a hill hard by Troy and in Messenia a prouince of Morea as Pliny sheweth in his twenty seuenth booke chap. 4. it also groweth in Meroe an Island in the
Aprill and beginning of May I haue not yet obserued either the floure or seed thereof ⡠¶ The Place Water Crow-foot groweth by ditches and shallow Springs and in other moist and plashie places ¶ The Time It floureth in Aprill and May and sometimes in Iune ¶ The Names Water Crow-foot is called in Latine Ranunculus aquatilis and Polyanthemum aquatile in English Water Crow-foot and white water Crow-foot most Apothecaries and Herbarists do erroneously name it Hepatica aquatica and Hepatica alba and with greater error they mix it in medicines in stead of Hepatica alba or grasse of Parnassus â¡ I know none that commit this great error here mentioned neither haue I knowne either the one or the other euer vsed or appointed in medicine with vs in England though Dodonaeus from whom our Author had this and most else doe blame his countreymen for this mistake and error ⡠¶ The Temperature and Vertues Water Crow-foot is hot and like to common Crow-foot CHAP. 303. Of Dragons 1 Dracontium maius Great Dragons â 2 ãâã minus Small Dragons ¶ The Description 1 Dracunculus aquatious Water Dragons 2 The lesser Dragon is like Aron or wake Robin in leaues hose or huske pestell and berries yet are not the leaues sprinkled with blacke but with whitish spots which perish not so soone as those of wake-Robin but endure together with the berries euen vntil winter these berries also be not of a deepe red but of a colour enclining to Saffron The root is not vnlike to the Cuckow-pint hauing the forme of a bulbe full of strings with diuers rude shapes of new plants whereby it greatly encreaseth â¡ The figure which our Authour heere gaue by the title of Dracuntium minus was no other than of Aron which is described in the first place of the next chapter neither is the description of any other plant than of that sort thereof which hath leaues spotted either with white or blacke spots though our Author say onely with white I haue giuen you Clusius his figure of Arum Byzantinum in stead of that which our Author gaue â¡ 3 The root of water Dragon is not round like a bulbe but very long creeping and ioynted and of meane bignesse out of the ioynts whereof arise the stalkes of the leaues which are round smooth and spongie within and there grow downewards certaine white and slender strings The fruit springs forth at the top vpon a short stalke together with one of the leaues being at the beginning couered with little white threds which are in stead of the floures after that it groweth into a bunch or cluster at the first greene and when it is ripe red lesser than that of Cuckow-pint but not lesse biting the leaues are broad greenish glib and smooth in fashion like those of Iuy yet lesser than those of Cuckow-pint and that thing whereunto the clustered fruit growes is also lesser and in that part which is towards the fruit that is to say the vpper part is white 4 The great Dragon of Matthiolus his description is a stranger not onely in England but elsewhere for any thing that we can learne my selfe haue diligently enquired of most strangers skilfull in plants that haue resorted vnto me for conference sake but no man can giue me any certaintie thereof and therefore I thinke it amisse to giue you his figure or any description for that I take it for a feigned picture ¶ The Place The greater and the lesser Dragons are planted in gardens The water Dragons grow in ãâã and marish places for the most part in fenny and standing waters ¶ The Time The berries of these plants are ripe in Autumne ¶ The Names The Dragon is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Dracunculus The greater is named Serpentariamaior of some Bisaria and Colubrina Cordus calleth it Dracunculus Polyphyllos and Luph Crispum in high-Dutch Schlangenkraut in low-Dutch Speerwortele in French Serpentaire in Italian Dragontea in Spanish Taragontia in English Dragons and Dragon-wort Apuleius calleth Dragon Dracontea and setteth downe many strange names thereof which whether they agree with the greater or the lesser or both of them he doth not expound as Pythonion Anchomanes Sauchromaton Therion Schoenos Dorcadion Typhonion Theriophonon and Eminion Athenaeus sheweth that Dragon is called Aronia because it is like to Aron ¶ The Temperature Dragon as Galen saith hath a certaine likenesse with Aron or wake-Robin both in leaues and also in root yet more biting and more bitter than it and therefore hotter and of thinner parts it is also something binding which by reason that it is adjoined with the two former qualities that is to say biting and bitter is is made in like manner a singular medicine of very great efficacy ¶ The Vertues The root of Dragons doth clense and scoure all the entrailes making thinne especially thicke and tough humours and it is a singular remedy for vlcers that are hard to be cured named in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã It scoureth and clenseth mightely aswell such things as haue need of scouring as also white and blacke morphew being tempered with vineger The leaues also by reason that they are of like qualitie are good for vlcers and greene wounds and the lesse dry they are the fitter they be to heale for the dryer ones are of a more sharpe or biting quality than is conuenient for wounds The fruit is of greater operation than either the leaues or the root and therefore it is thought to be of force to consume and take away cankers and proud flesh growing in the nostrils called in Greeke Polypus also the juice doth clense away webs and spots in the eies Furthermore Dioscorides writeth that it is reported that they who haue rubbed the leaues or root vpon their hands are not bitten of the viper Pliny saith that serpents will not come neere vnto him that beareth Dragons about him and these things are read concerning both the Dragons in the two chapters of Dioscorides Galen also hath made mention of Dragon in his booke of the faculties of nourishments where he saith that the root of Dragon being twice or thrice sod to the end it may lose all his acrimony or sharpenesse is sometimes giuen as Aron or wake-Robin is when it is needfull to expell the more forceable thicke and clammy humours that are troublesome to the chest and lungs And Dioscorides writeth that the root of the lesser Dragon being both sodde and rost with honie or taken of it selfe in meate causeth the humours which sticke fast in the chest to be easily voided The juice of the garden Dragons as saith Dioscorides being dropped into the eies doth clense them and greatly amend the dimnesse of the sight The distilled water hath vertue against the pestilence or any pestilentiall feuer or poison being drunke bloud-warme with the best treacle or mithridate The smell of the floures is hurtfull to women newly conceiued with child CHAP. 304. Of Cockow pint or wake-Robin
them little ill iuyce especially when they be thorow ripe Grapes may be kept the whole yeare being ordered after that manner as Ioachimus Camerarius reporteth You shall take saith he the meale of mustard seed and strew in the bottome of any earthen pot well leaded whereupon you shall lay the fairest bunches of the ripest grapes the which you shall couer with more of the foresaid meale and lay vpon that another sort of Grapes so doing vntill the pot be full Then shall you fill vp the pot to the brim with a kinde of sweete Wine called Must. The pot being very close couered shall be set into some Cellar or other cold place The Grapes you may take forth at your pleasure washing them with faire water from the powder ¶ Of Raisins OF Raisins most are sweet some haue an austere or harsh taste Sweet Raisins are hotter austere colder both of them do moderately binde but the austere somewhat more which doe more strengthen the stomacke The sweet ones do neither slacken the stomacke nor make the belly soluble if they be taken with their stones which are of a binding qualitie ãâã the stones taken forth they do make the belly loose and soluble Raisins do yeeld good nourishment to the body they haue in them no ill iuyce at all but doe ingender somewhat a thicke iuyce which notwithstanding doth nourish the more There commeth of sweet and fat Raisins most plenty of nourishment of which they are the best that haue a thin skin There is in the sweet ones a temperate and smoothing qualitie with a power to clense moderately They are good for the chest lungs winde-pipe kidneyes bladder and for the stomacke for they make smooth the roughnesse of the winde-pipe and are good against hoarsenesse shortnesse of breath or difficultie of breathing they serue to concoct the spittle and to cause it to rise more easily in any disease whatsoeuer of the chest sides and lungs and do mitigate the paine of the kidneyes and bladder which hath ioyned with it heate and sharpenesse of vrine they dull and allay the malice of sharpe and biting humors that hurt the mouth of the stomacke Moreouer Raisins are good for the liuer as Galen writeth in his seuenth booke of medicines according to the places affected for they be of force to concoct raw humors and to restrain their malignitie and they themselues do hardly putrifie besides they are properly and of their owne substance familiar to the intrals and cure any distemperature and nourish much wherein they are chiefely to be commended for Raisins nourish strengthen resist putrifaction and if there be any distemperature by reason of moisture or coldnesse they helpe without any hurt as the said Galen affirmeth The old Physitians haue taught vs to take forth the stones as we may see in diuers compositions of the antient writers as in that composition which is called in Galen Arteriaca Mithridatis which hath the seeds of the Raisins taken forth for seeing that Raisins containe in them a thicke substance they cannot easily passe through the veines but are apt to breed obstructions and stoppings of the intrals which things happen the rather by reason of the seeds for they so much the harder passe through the body and do quicklier and more easily cause obstructions in that they are more astringent or binding Wherefore the seeds are to be taken out for so shall the iuyce of the Raisins more easily passe and the sooner be distributed through the intrals Dioscorides reporteth That Raisins chewed with pepper draw flegme and water out of the head Of Raisins is made a pultesse good for the gout rottings about the ioynts gangrens and mortified vlcers being stamped with the herbe All-heale it quickly takes away the nailes that are loose in the fingers or toes being laid thereon ¶ Of Must. MVst called in Latine Mustum that is to say the liquor newly issuing out of the grapes when they be trodden or pressed doth fill the stomacke and intrals with winde it is hardly digested it is of a thicke iuyce and if it do not speedily passe through the body it becommeth more hurtfull It hath onely this one good thing in it as Galen saith that it maketh the body soluble That which is sweetest and pressed out of ripe Grapes doth soonest passe through but that which is made of soure and austere grapes is worst of all it is more windy it is hardly concocted it ingendreth raw humors and although it doth descend with a loosenesse of the ãâã notwithstanding it oftentimes withall bringeth the collicke and paines of the stone but if the belly be not mooued all things are the worse and more troublesome and it oftentimes brings an extreame laske and the bloudy flix That first part of the wine that commeth forth of it selfe before the Grapes be hard pressed is answerable to the Grape it selfe and doth quickly descend but that which issues forth afterward hauing some part of the nature of the stones stalks and skins is much worse ¶ Of Cute OF Cute that is made of Must which the Latines call Sapa and Defrutum is that liquor which we call in English Cute which is made of the sweetest Must by boyling it to a certain thicknesse or boyling it to a third part as Columella writeth Pliny affirmeth That Sapa and Defrutum do differ in the manner of the boyling and that Sapa is made when the new wine is boyled away till onely a third part remaineth and Defrutum till halfe be boyled Siraeum saith he in his fourteenth booke cap. 17. which others call ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and we Sapa a worke of wit and ãâã of nature is made of new wine boyled to a third part which being boiled to halfe we call Defrutum Palladius ioyneth to these Caroenum which as he saith is made when a third part is boiled away and two remaine ãâã in his Geoponicks sheweth that Hepsema must be made of eight parts of new wine and an hundred of wine it selfe boyled to a third Galen testifieth that ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã is new wine very much boyled The later Physitians do call Hepsemae or Sapa boyled wine Cute or boyled wine is hot yet not so hot as wine but it is thicker yet not so easily distributed or carried through the body and it slowly descendeth by vrine but by the belly oftentimes sooner for it moderately maketh the same soluble It nourisheth more and filleth the body quickly yet doth it by reason of his thicknesse sticke in the stomacke for a time and is not so fit for the liuer or for the spleene Cute also doth digest raw humors that sticke in the chest and lungs and raiseth them vp speedily It is therefore good for the cough and shortnesse of breath The ãâã of the Low-countries I will not say of London doe make of Cute and Wine mixed in a certain proportion a compound and counterfeit wine which they sell for Candy wine commonly called Malmsey
wine which Hippocrates writeth of in his booke of the manner of diet be not as a nourishment but rather as of a medicine For wine as it is a medicine doth dry especially being outwardly applied in which case for that it doth not nourish the body at all the drines doth more plainly appeare and is more manifestly perceiued Wine is a speciall good medicine for an vlcer by reason of his heate and moderate drying as Galen teacheth in his fourth booke of the method of healing Hippocrates writeth That vlcers what manner of ones soeuer they are must not be moistned vnlesse it be with wine for that which is dry as Galen addeth commeth neerer to that which is whole and the thing that is moist to that which is not whole It is manifest that Wine is in power or facultie dry and not in act for Wine actually is moist and liquid and also cold for the same cause it likewise quencheth thirst which is an appetite or desire of cold and moist and by this actuall moisture that we may so terme it it is if it be inwardly taken not a medicine but a nourishment for it nourisheth and through his moisture maketh plenty of bloud and by increasing the nourishment it moistneth the body vnlesse peraduenture it be old and very strong for it is made sharpe and biting by long lying and such kinde of Wine doth not onely heate but also consume and dry the body for as much as it is not now a nourishment but a medicine That wine which is neither sharpe by long lying nor made medicinable doth nourish and moisten seruing as it were to make plenty of nourishment and bloud by reason that through his actuall moisture it more moistneth by feeding nourishing and comforting than it is able to dry by his power Wine doth refresh the inward and naturall heate comforteth the stomacke causeth it to haue an appetite to meate moueth coucoction and conueyeth the nourishment through all parts of the body increaseth strength inlargeth the body maketh flegme thinne bringeth forth by ãâã cholericke and waterie humors procureth sweating ingendreth pure bloud maketh the body wel coloured and turneth an ill colour into a better It is good for such as are in a consumption by reason of some disease and that haue need to haue their bodies nourished and refreshed alwaies prouided they haue no feuer as Galen saith in his seuenth booke of the Method of curing It restoreth strength most of all other things and that speedily It maketh a man merry and ioyfull It putteth away feare care troubles of minde and sorrow It moueth pleasure and lust of the body and bringeth sleepe gently And these things proceed of the moderate vse of wine for immoderate drinking of wine doth altogether bring the contrarie They that are drunke are distraughted in minde become foolish and oppressed with a drowsie sleepinesse and be afterward taken with the Apoplexy the ãâã or altogether with other most grieuous diseases the braine liuer lungs or some other of the intrals being corrupted with too often and ouermuch drinking of wine Moreouer wine is a remedy against taking of Hemlocke or green Coriander the iuyce of black Poppy Wolfs-bane and Leopards-bane Tode-stooles and other cold poysons and also against the biting of serpents and stings of venomous beasts that hurt and kill by cooling Wine also is a remedie against the ouer-fulnesse and stretching out of the sides windy swellings the greene sicknesse the dropsie and generally all cold infirmities of the stomack liuer milt and also of the matrix But Wine which is of colour and substance like water through shining bright pure of a thin substance which is called white is of all wines the weakest and if the same should be tempered with water it would beare very little and hereupon Hippocrates calleth it ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã that is to say bearing little water to delay it withall This troubbleth the head and hurteth the sinewes lesse than others do and is not vnpleasant to the stomacke it is easily and quickly dispersed thorow all parts of the body it is giuen with far lesse danger than any other wine to those that haue the Ague except some inflammation or hot swelling be suspected and oftentimes with good successe to such as haue intermitting feuers for as Galen lib. 8. of his Method saith it helpeth concoction digesteth humors that be halfe raw procureth ãâã and sweat and is good for those that cannot sleepe and that be full of care and sorrow and for such as are ouerwearied Blacke wine that is to say wine of a deepe red colour is thicke and hardly dispersed and doth not easilv passe through the bladder it quickly taketh hold of the braine and makes a man drunk it is harder of digestion it remaineth longer in the body it easily stoppeth the liuer and spleene for the most part it bindes notwithstanding it nourisheth more and is more fit to ingender bloud it filleth the body with flesh sooner than others do That which is of a light crimson red colour is for the most part more delightfull to the taste fitter for the stomacke it is sooner and easier dispersed it troubleth the head lesse it remains not so long vnder the short ribs and ãâã descendeth to the bladder than blacke wine doth it doth also make the belly costiue if so be that it be not ripe For such crude and rough wines do oftentimes molest weake stomackes and are troublesome to the belly Reddish yellow wine seemeth to be in a meane betweene a thin and thicke substance otherwise it is of all vines the hottest aand suffereth most water to be mixed with it as ãâã writeth The old vine of this kinde being of a thin substance and good smell is a singular medicine for all those that are much subject to swouning although the cause thereof proceed of choler that ãâã the mouth of the stomacke as Galen testifieth in the ãâã booke of his method Sweete wine the lesse hot it is the lesse doth it trouble the head and offend the minde and it better passeth through the belly making it oftentimes soluble but it doth not so easily passe or descend by vrine Againe the thicker it is of substance the harder and slowlier it ãâã through it is good for the lungs and for those that haue the cough It ripeneth raw humours that sticke in the chest and causeth them to be easilier spit vp but it is not so good for the liuer whereunto it bringeth no small hurt when either it is inflamed or schirrous or when it is stopped It is also an enemy to the spleene it sticketh vnder the short ribs and is hurtfull to ãâã that are full of choler For this kind of wine especially the thicker it is is in them very speedily turned into choler and in others when it is well concoctod it increaseth plenty of nourishment Austere wine or that which is somewhat harsh in tast nourisheth not much and if so be that
thin parts hot and dry in the later end of the third degree especially the purest spirits thereof for the purer it is the hotter it is the dryer and of thinner parts which is made more pure by often distilling This water distilled out of wine is good for all those that are made cold either by a long disease or through age as for old and impotent men for it cherisheth and increaseth naturall heate vpholdeth strength repaireth and augmenteth the same it prolongeth life quickeneth all the senses and doth not only preserue the memory but also recouereth it when it is lost it sharpeneth the sight It is fit for those that are taken with the Catalepsie which is a disease in the braine proceeding of ãâã and cold and are subject to dead sleepes if there be no feuer joined it serueth for the weakenesse trembling and beating of the hart it strengtheneth and heateth a ãâã stomacke it consumeth winde both in the stomacke sides and bowels it maketh good concoction of meate and is a singular remedy against cold poisons It hath such force and power in strengthening of the hart and stirreth vp the instruments of the senses that it is most effectuall not onely inwardly taken to the quantitie of a little spoonefull but also outwardly applied that is to say set to the nosthrils or laid vpon the temples of the head and to the wrests of the armes and also to foment and bath sundry hurts and griefes Being held in the mouth it helpeth the tooth-ache is is also good against cold cramps and convulsions being chafed and rubbed therewith Some are bold to giue it in quartaines before the fit especially after the height or prim of the disease This water is to be giuen in wine with great iudgement and discretion for seeing it is extreme hot and of most subtill parts and nothing else but the very spirit of th wine it most speedily peirceth through and doth easily assault and hurt the braine Therefore it may be giuen to such as haue the apoplexie and falling sicknesse the megrim the headach of long continuance the Vertigo or giddinesse proceeding through a cold cause yet can it not be alwaies safely giuen for vnlesse the matter the efficient cause of the disease be small and the sicke man of temperature very cold it cannot be ministred without danger for that it spredeth and disperseth the humours it filleth or stuffeth the head and maketh the sicke man worse and if the humours be hot as bloud is it doth not a little increase inflammations also This water is hurtfull to all that be of nature and complexion hot and most of all to cholericke men it is also offensiue to the liuer and likewise vnprofitable for the kidnies being often and plentifully taken If I should take in hand to write of euery mixture of each infusion of the sundry colours and euery other circumstance that the vulgar people doe giue vnto this water and their diuers vse I should spend much time but to small purpose ¶ Of Argall Tartar or wine Lees. The Lees of wine which is become hard like a crust and sticketh to the sides of the vessell and wine casks being dried hard sound and well compact and which way be beaten into powder is called in shops ãâã in English Argall and Tartar These Lees are vsed for many things the siluer-Smiths polish their siluer herewith the Diers vse it and it is profitable in medicine It doth greatly dry and wast away as Paulus Aegineta saith it hath withall a binding facultie proceeding from the kinde of wine of which it commeth The same serueth for moist diseases of the body it is good for them that haue the greene sicknes and the dropsie especially that kinde that lieth in the flesh called in Latine Leucophlagmatica being taken euery day fasting halfe a penny weight or a full penny weight which is a dram and nine graines after the Romanes computation doth not onely dry vp the waterish excrements and voideth them by vrine but it preuaileth much to clense the belly by siege It would worke more effectually if it were mixed either with hot spices or with other things that breake winde or else with diuretickes which are medicines that prouoke vrine likewise to be mixed with gentle purgers as the sicke mans case shall require The same of it selfe or tempered with oile of Myrtles is a remedy against soft swellings as Dioscorides teacheth it staieth the laske and vomiting being applied outwardly vpon the region of the stomacke in a pultis and if it be laid to the bottome of the belly and secret parts it stoppeth the whites wasteth away hot swellings of the kernels in the flankes and other places which be not yet exulcerated it asswageth great brests and dryeth vp the milke if it be annointed on with vineger These Lees are oftentimes burnt if it become all white it is a signe of right and perfect burning for till then it must be burned being so burnt the Grecians terme it ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as Aegineta saith the Apothecaries call it Tartarum vstum and Tartarum calcinatum that it to say burnt or calcined Tartar It hath a very great causticke or burning qualitie it clenseth and throughly heateth bindeth eateth and very much drieth as Dioscorides doth write being mixed with Rosin it maketh rough and ill nailes to fall away Paulus saith that it is mixed with causticks or burning medicines to increase their burning qualitie it must be vsed whilest it is new made because it quickly vanisheth for the Lees of wine burned do soone relent or wax moist and are speedily resolued into liquor therefore he that would vse it dry must haue it put in a glasse or glassed vessell well stopped and set in a hot and dry place It melteth and is turned into liquor if it be hanged in a linnen bag in some place in a celler vnder the ground The Apothecaries call this liquor that droppeth away from it oile of Tartar It retaineth a causticke and burning quality and also a very dry facultie it very soon taketh away leprie scabs retters and other filth and deformitie of the skin and face with an equall quantitie of Rose water added and as much Ceruse as is sufficient for a liniment wherewith the blemished or spotted parts must be anointed ouer night ¶ The briefe summe of that hath been said of the Vine THe iuyce of the greene leaues branches and tendrels of the Vine drunken is good for those that vomit and spit bloud for the bloudy flix and for women with childe that vomite ouermuch The kernell within the grapes boyled in water and drunke hath the same effect Wine moderately drunke profiteth much and maketh good digestion but it hurteth and distempereth them that drinke it seldome White wine is good to be drunke before meate it preserueth the body and pierceth quickely into the bladder but vpon a full stomacke it rather maketh oppilations or stoppings because it doth swiftly driue downe
the edges the floure resembles a crosse with foure sharpe pointed rough leaues of a whitish blew colour which containe diuers small loose little leaues in their middles The root is long and lasting It growes vpon the rocky places of mount Baldus in Italy where Pona found it and he calls it Clemat is cruciata Alpina â¡ â¡ 6 Clematis cruciata Alpina Virgins Bower of the Alps. ¶ The Place These plants do not grow wilde in England that I can as yet learne notwithstanding I haue them all in my garden where they flourish exceedingly ¶ The Time These plants do floure from August to the end of September ¶ The Names There is not much more found of their names than is expressed in their seuerall titles notwithstanding there hath beene somewhat said as I thinke by hearesay but nothing of certaintie wherefore let that which is set downe suffice We may in English call the first Biting Clematis or white Clematis Biting Peruinkle or purging Peruinkle Ladies Bower and Virgins Bower ¶ The Temperature The leafe hereof is biting and doth mightily blister being as Galen saith of a causticke or burning qualitie it is hot in the beginning of the fourth degree ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides writeth that the leaues being applied do heale the scurfe and lepry and that the seed beaten and the pouder drunke with faire water or with mead purgeth flegme and choler by the stoole CHAP. 328. Of Wood-binde or Hony-suckle The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of Wood-bindes some of them shrubs with winding stalks that wrappe themselues vnto such things as are neere about them Likewise there be other sorts or kindes found out by the later Herbarists that clime not at all but stand vpright the which shall bee set forth among the shrubbie plants And first of the common Woodbinde ¶ The Description 1 WOodbinde or Honisuckle climeth vp aloft hauing long slender wooddie stalkes parted into diuers branches about which stand by certaine distances smooth leaues set together by couples one right against another of a light greene colour aboue vnderneath of a whitish greene The floures shew themselues in the topps of the branches many in number long white sweet of smell hollow within in one part standing more out with certaine threddes growing out of the middle The fruit is like to little bunches of grapes red when they be ripe wherein is contained small hard seed The root is wooddie and not without strings 2 This strange kind of Woodbind hath leaues stalks and roots like vnto the common Woodbinde or Honisuckle sauing that neere vnto the place where the floures come forth the stalkes ãâã grow through the leaues like vnto the herbe Thorow-wax called Perfoliata which leaues do resemble little saucers out of which broad round leaues proceed faire beautifull and well smelling floures shining with a whitish purple colour and somewhat dasht with yellow by little and little stretched out like the nose of an Elephant garnished within with small yellow chiues or threddes and when the floures are in their flourishing the leaues and floures do resemble saucers filled with the floures of Woodbinde many times it falleth out that there is to be found three or foure saucers one aboue another filled with floures as the ãâã which hath caused it to be called double Hony-suckle or Woodbinde 1 Periclymenum Woodbinde or Honisuckles 2 Periclymenum perfoliatum Italian Woodbinde ¶ The Place The VVoodbinde groweth in woods and hedges and vpon shrubbes and bushes oftentimes winding it selfe so straight and hard about that it leaueth his print vpon those things so wrapped The double Honisuckle ãâã now in my garden and many others likewise in great plenty although not long since very rare and hard to be found except in the garden of some diligent Herbarists ¶ The Time The leaues come forth betimes in the spring the floures bud forth in May and Iune the fruit is ripe in Autumne ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Volucrum maius of Scribonius Largus Syluaemater in shops Caprifolium and Matrisylua of some Lilium inter spinas in Italian vincibosco in High Dutch Geysbladt in Low Dutch Gheytenbladt and Mammekens Cruit in French Cheurefueille in Spanish ãâã in English VVoodbinde Honisuckle and Caprifoly ¶ The Temperature There hath an errour in times past growne amongst a few and now almost past recouerie to bee called againe being growne an errour vniuersall which errour is how the decoction of the leaues of Honisuckles or the distilled water of the floures are rashly giuen for the inflammations of the mouth and ãâã as though they were binding and cooling But contrariwise Honisuckle is neither cold nor binding but hot and attenuating or making thinne For as Galen saith both the fruit of VVoodbinde and also the leaues do so much attenuate and heat as ãâã somewhat too much of them be drunke they will cause the vrine to be as red as bloud yet do they at the first onely prouoke vrine ¶ The Vertues Dioscorides writeth that the ripe seed gathered and dried in the shadow and drunke vnto the quantitie of one dram weight fortie daies together doth waste and consume away the ãâã of the spleene remoueth wearisomnesse helpeth the ãâã and difficultie of breathing cureth the hicket procureth bloudie vrine after the sixt day and causeth women to haue speedie trauell in childe bearing The leaues be of the same force which being drunk thirty daies together are reported to make men barren and destroy their naturall seed The floures steeped in oile and set in the Sun is good to annoint the bodie that is benummed and growne verie cold The distilled water of the floures are giuen to be drunke with good successe against the pissing of bloud A syrrup made of the floures is good to be drunke against the diseases of the lungs and spleene that is stopped being drunke with a little wine Notwithstanding the words of Galen or rather of ãâã it is certainely found by experience that the water of Honisuckles is good against the sorenesse of the throte and uvula and with the same leaues boiled or the leaues and floures distilled are made diuers good medicines against cankers and sore mouths as well in children as elder people and ãâã ãâã vlcerations and ãâã in the priuie parts of man or woman if there be added to the decoction hereof some allome or Verdigreace if the sore require greater clensing outwardly ãâã alwaies that there be no Verdigreace put into the water that must be iniected into the secret parts CHAP. 329. Of Jasmine or Gelsemine 1 Iasminum album VVhite Gessemine 2 Iasminum Candiflorum maius Great white Gessemine ¶ The Description 3 Iasminum luteum Yellow Iasmine 2 Lobel reporteth that he saw in a garden at Bruxels belonging to a reuerend person called Mr. Iohn Boisot a kinde of ãâã very much differing from our Iasmine which he nourished in an earthen pot it grew not aboue saith he to the height of a cubit
in stalkes ãâã or floures the fruit hereof is for the most part fashioned like a bottle or flagon wherein especially consisteth the difference 1 Cucurbita anguina Snakes Gourd 2 Cucurbita lagenaria Bottle Gourds ¶ The Place The Gourds are cherished in the gardens of these cold regions rather for pleasure than for profit in the hot countries where they come to ripenesse there are sometimes eaten but with small delight especially they are kept for the rindes wherein they put Turpentine Oyle Hony and also serue them for pales to fetch water in and many other the like vses ¶ The Time They are planted in a bed of horse-dung in April euen as we haue taught in the planting of cucumbers they flourish in Iune and Iuly the fruit is ripe in the end of August ¶ The Names The Gourd is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Cucurbita edulis ãâã ãâã of Pliny Cucurbita Cameraria because it climeth vp and is a couering for arbours and walking places and banqueting houses in gardens he calleth the other which climeth not vp but lyeth crawling on the ground Cucurbita ãâã in Italian Zucca in Spanish ãâã in French Courge in high Dutch ãâã in low-Dutch ãâã in English Gourds ¶ The Temperature The meate or inner pulpe of the Gourd is of temperature cold and moist and that in the second degree ¶ The Vertues The iuyce being dropped into the eares with oyle of roses is good for the paine thereof proceeding of a hot cause The pulpe or meate mitigateth all hot swellings if it be laid thereon in manner of a pultis and being vsed in this manner it taketh away the head-ache and the inflammation of the eyes The same Author affirmeth that a long Gourd or else a Cucumber being laid in the cradle or bed by the young infant whilest it is asleepe and sicke of an ague it shall be very quickely made whole The pulpe also is eaten sodden but because it hath in it a waterish and thinne iuyce it yeeldeth small nourishment to the body and the same cold and moist but it easily passeth thorow especially being sodden which by reason of the slipperinesse and moistnesse also of his substance mollifieth the belly But being baked in an ouen or fried in a pan it loseth the most part of his naturall moisture and therefore it more slowly descendeth and doth not mollifie the belly so soone The seed allayeth the sharpnesse of vrine and bringeth downe the same CHAP. 348. Of the wilde Gourd 1 Cucurbita lagenaria syluestris Wilde Bottle Gourd 2 Cucurbita syluestris fungiformis Mushrome wilde Gourd ¶ The Description 1 THere is besides the former ones a certaine wilde Gourd this is like the garden Gourd in clymbing stalkes clasping tendrels and soft leaues and as it were downy all and ãâã one of which things being farre lesse this also clymbeth vpon Arbours and banquetting houses the fruit doth represent the great bellied Gourd and those that be like vnto bottles in forme but in bignesse it is very farre inferiour for it is small and scarse so great as an ãâã Quince and may be held within the compasse of a mans hand the outward rinde at the first is greene afterwards it is as hard as wood and of the colour thereof the inner pulpe is moist and very full of iuyce in which lieth the seed The whole is as bitter as Coloquintida which hath made so many errors one especially in taking the fruit Coloquintida for the wilde Gourd 2 The second wilde Gourd hath likewise many trailing branches and clasping tendrels wherwith it taketh hold of such things as be neere vnto it the leaues be broad deepely cut into diuers sections like those of the Vine soft and very downy whereby it is especially knowne to be one of the Gourds the floures are very white as are also those of the Gourds The fruit succeedeth growing to a round forme flat on the top like the head of a Mushrome whereof it tooke his syrname ¶ The Place They grow of themselues wilde in hot regions they neuer come to perfection of ripenesse in these cold countries ¶ The Time The time answereth those of the garden ¶ The Names The wilde Gourd is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Cucurbita syluestris or wilde Gourd Pliny lib. 20. cap. 3. affirmeth that the wilde Gourd is named of the Grecians ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã which is hollow an inch thicke not growing but among stones the iuyce whereof being taken is very good for the stomacke But the wilde Gourd is not that which is so described for it is aboue an inch thicke neither is it hollow but full of iuyce and by reason of the extreme bitternesse offensiue to the stomacke Some also there be that take this for Coloquintida but they are far deceiued for Colocynthis is the wilde ãâã Cucumber whereof we haue treated in the chapter of ãâã ¶ The Temperature The wilde Gourd is as hot and dry as Coloquintida that is to say in the second degree ¶ The Vertues The wilde Gourd is extreme bitter for which cause it openeth and scoureth the stopped passages of the body it also purgeth downwards as do wilde Melons Moreouer the wine which hath continued all night in this Gourd likewise purgeth the belly mightily and bringeth forth cholericke and flegmaticke humors CHAP. 349. Of Potato's Sisarum Peruvianum ãâã Batata Hispanorum Potatus or Potato's ¶ The Description THis Plant which is called of some Sisarum Peruvianum or Skyrrets of Peru is generally of vs called Potatus or Potatoes It hath long rough flexible branches trailing vpon the ground like vnto Pompions whereupon are set greene three cornered leaues very like vnto those of the wilde Cucumber There is not any that haue written of this planthaue said any thing of the floures therefore I refer their description vnto those that shall hereafter haue further knowledge of the same Yet haue I had in my garden diuers roots that haue flourished vnto the first approch of Winter and haue growne vnto a great length of branches but they brought not forth any floures at all whether because the Winter caused them to perish before their time of flouring or that they be of nature barren of floures I am not certaine The roots are many thicke and knobbie like vnto the roots of Peionies or rather of the white Asphodill ioyned together at the top into one head in maner of the Skyrrit which being diuided into diuers parts and planted do make a great increase especially if the greatest roots be cut into diuers goblets and planted in good and fertile ground ¶ The Place The Potatoes grow in India Barbarie Spaine and other hot regions of which I planted diuers roots that I bought at the Exchange in London in my garden where they flourished vntil Winter at which time they perished and rotted ¶ The Time It flourisheth vnto the end of September at the first approch of great frosts the
in the Turkish tongue Torobolos Catamer ãâã in English the double red Ranunculus or Crow-foot The fourth is called Ranunculus Tripolitanus of the place from whence it was first brought into these parts of the Turks Tarobolos Catamer without that addition ãâã which is a proper word to all floures that are double ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Their temperature and vertues are referred to the other Crow-feet whereof they are thought to be kindes CHAP. 370. Of Speare-woort or Bane-woort ¶ The Description 1 SPeare-woort hath an hollow stalke full of knees or ioynts whereon do grow long leaues a little hairy not vnlike those of the willow of a shining green colour the floures are very large and grow at the tops of the stalks consisting of fiue leaues of a faire yellow colour verie like to the field gold cup or wilde Crow-foot after which come round knops or seed vessels wherein is the seed the root is contract of diuers bulbes or long clogs mixed with an infinite number of hairy threds 1 Ranunculus flammeus maior Great Speare-woort 2 Ranunculus flammeus minor The lesser Speare-woort 2 The common Spearewoort being that which we haue called the lesser hath leaues floures and stalks like the precedent but altogether lesser the roote consisteth of an infinite number of threddie strings 3 Ranunculus flammeus serratus Iagged Speare-woort 4 Ranunculus palustris rotundifolius Marish Crow-foot or Speare-worts 3 Iagged Speare-woort hath a thicke fat hollow stalke diuiding it selfe into diuers branches whereon are set somtimes by couples two long leaues sharp pointed cut about the edges like the teeth of a saw The floures grow at the top of the branches of a yellow colour in form like those of the field Crowfoot the root consisteth of a number of hairy strings 4 Marsh Crow-foot or Speare-woort whereof it is a kinde taken of the best approued authors to be the true Apium risus though diuers thinke that Pulsatilla is the same of some it is called Apium ãâã riseth forth of the mud or waterish mire from a threddie root to the height of a cubit sometimes higher The stalke diuideth it selfe into diuers branches whereupon doe grow leaues deeply cut round about like those of Doues-foot and not vnlike to the cut Mallow but somewhat greater and of a most bright shining green colour the floures grow at the top of the branches of a yellow colour like vnto the other water Crow-feet ¶ The Place They grow in moist and dankish places in brinkes or water courses and such like places almost euery where ¶ The Time They floure in May when other Crow-feet do ¶ The Names Speare-woort is called of the later Herbarists Flammula and Ranunculus Flammeus of Cordus Ranunculus ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã or broad leaued Crow-foot of others Ranunculus longifolius or long leafed Crow foot in Low Dutch ãâã in English Speare-Crowfoot Speare-woort and Banewoort because it is dangerous and deadly for sheep and that if they feed of the same it inflameth their liuers fretteth and blistereth their guts and intrails ¶ The Temperature of all the Crowfeet Speare-woort is like to the other Crow-feet in facultie it is hot in the mouth or biting it exulcerateth and raiseth blisters and being taken inwardly it killeth remedilesse Generally all the Crow-feet as Galen saith are of a very sharpe or biting qualitie insomuch as they raise blisters with paine and they are hot and drie in the fourth degree ¶ The Vertues of all the Crowfeet The leaues or roots of Crowfeet stamped and applied vnto any part of the body causeth the skin to swell and blister and raiseth vp wheales bladders causeth scars crusts and ouglie vlcers it is laid vpon cragged warts corrupt nailes and such like excrescences to cause them to fall away The leaues stamped and applied vnto any pestilentiall or plague sore or carbuncle staieth the spreading nature of the same and causeth the venomous or pestilentiall matter tobreath forth by opening the parts and passages in the skin It preuaileth much to draw a plague sore from the inward parts being of danger vnto other remote places further from the heart and other of the spirituall parts as hath beene declared in the description Many do vse to tie a little of the herbe stamped with salt vnto any of the fingers against the pain of the teeth which medicine seldome-faileth for it causeth greater paine in the finger than was in the tooth by the meanes whereof the greater paine taketh away the lesser Cunning beggers do vse to stampe the leaues and lay it vnto their legs and arms which causeth such ãâã vlcers as we daily see among such wicked vagabonds to moue the people the more to pittie The kinde of Crowfoot of Illyria being taken to be Apium risus of some yet others thinke Aconitum Batrachioides to be it This plant spoileth the sences and vnderstanding and draweth together the sinewes and muscles of the face in such strange manner that those who beholding such as died by the taking hereof haue supposed that they died laughing so forceably hath it drawne and contracted the nerues and sinewes that their faces haue been drawne awry as though they laughed whereas contrariwise they haue died with great torment â¡ CHAP. 371. Of diuers other Crowfeet â¡ 1 Ranunculus Creticus latifolius Broad leaued Candy Crowfoot â¡ 2 Ranunculus folio Plantaginis Plantaine leaued Crowfoot ¶ The Description â¡ 1 THe roots of this are somwhat like those of the Asian Ranunculus the leaues are verie large roundish of a light green colour cut about the edges here and there deeply diuided the stalke is thicke round and stiffe diuided into two or three branches at the setting on of which grow longish leaues a little nickt about the end the floures are of an indifferent bignesse and consist of fiue longish round pointed leaues standing a little each from other so ãâã the green points of the cups shew themselues between them there are yellow threds in the middle of these floures which commonly shew themselues in Februarie or March It is found only in some gardens and ãâã onely hath set it forth by the name we here giue you 2 This also that came from the Pyrenaean hills is made a Denizen in our gardens it hath a stalke some foot high set with neruous leaues like those of Plantaine but thinner and of the colour of Woad and they are something broad at their setting on and end in a sharpe point at the top of the stalke grow the floures each consisting of fiue round slender pure white leaues of a reasonable bignesse with yellowish threds and a little head in the middle the root is white and fibrous It floures about the beginning of May. Clusius also set forth this by the title of ãâã ãâã albo flore 3 The same Author hath also giuen vs the knowledge of diuers other plants of this kinde and this hee calls ãâã montanus 1. It hath many round leaues here and there
thin and waterish and if they happen to putrifie in the stomacke their nourishment is naught The distilled water drunke with white Wine is good against the passion of the heart reuiuing the spirits and making the heart merry The distilled water is reported to scoure the face to take away spots and to make the face faire and smooth and is likewise drunke with good successe against the stone in the kidnies The leaues are good to be put into Lotions or washing waters for the mouth and the priuie parts The ripe Straw-berries quench thirst coole heat of the stomack and inflammation of the liuer take away if they be often vsed the rednesse and heate of the face CHAP. 387. Of Angelica ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers kindes of Angelica's the garden Angelica that of the water and a third sort wilde growing vpon the land 1 Angelica satina Garden Angelica 2 Angelica syluestris Wilde Angelica ¶ The Description 1 Concerning this plant Angelica there hath bin heretofore some contention and controuersie Cordus calling it Smyrnium some later writers Costus niger but to auoid cauill the controuersie is soone decided sith it and no other doth assuredly retaine the name Angelica It hath great broad leaues diuided againe into other leaues which are indented or snipt about much like to the vppermost leaues of Sphondylium but lower tenderer greener and of a stronger sauor among which leaues spring vp the stalkes very great thicke and hollow sixe or seuen soot high ioynted or kneed from which ioynts proceed other armes or branches at the top whereof grow tufts of whitish floures like Fennell or Dill the root is thicke great and oilous out of which issueth if it be cut or broken an oylie liquor the whole plant as well leaues stalkes as roots are of a reasonable pleasant sauour not much vnlike Petroleum There is another kinde of true Angelica found in our English gardens which I haue obserued being like vnto the former sauing that the roots of this kinde are more fragrant and of a more aromaticke sauor and the leaues next the ground of a purplish red colour and the whole plant lesser â¡ 3 Archangelica Great wilde Angelica 2 The wilde Angelica which seldome growes in gardens but is found to grow plentifully in water soken grounds and cold moist medowes is like to that of the garden saue that his leaues are not so deepely cut or iagged they be also blacker and narrower The stalkes are much slenderer and shorter and the floures whiter the root much smaller and hath more threddy strings appendant thereunto and is not so strong of sauour by a great deale 3 Matthiolus and Gesner haue made mention of another kinde of Angelica but we are very slenderly instructed by their insufficient descriptions notwithstanding for our better knowledge and more certain assurance I must needs record that which my friend Mr. Bredwell related to me concerning his sight thereof who found this plant growing by the ãâã which compasseth the house of Mr. Munke of the parish of Iuer two miles from Colbrook and since that I haue seene the same in low fenny and marshy places of Essex about Harwich This plant hath leaues like vnto the garden Angelica but smaller and fewer in number set vpon one rib a great stalke grosse and thicke whose ioynts and that small rib whereon the leafe growes are of a reddish colour hauing many long branches comming forth of an husk or case such as is in the common garden Parsnep the floures doe grow at the top of the branches and are of a white colour and ãâã fashion which being past there succeed broad long and thicke seeds longer and thicker than garden Angelica the root is great thicke white of little sauour with some strings appendant thereto â¡ This of our Authors description seemes to agree with the Archangelica of Lobel Dodonaeus and Clusius wherefore I haue put their figure to it ⡠¶ The Place The first is very common in our English gardens in other places it growes wilde without planting as in Norway and in an Island of the North called Island where it groweth very high It is eaten of the inhabitants the barke being pilled off as we vnderstand by some that haue trauelled into Island who were sometimes compelled to eate hereof for want of other food and they report that it hath a good and pleasant taste to them that are hungry It groweth likewise in diuers mountaines of Germanie and especially of Bohemia ¶ The Time They floure in Iuly and August whose roots for the most part do perish after the seed is ripe yet haue I with often cutting the plant kept it from seeding by which meanes the root and plant haue continued sundry yeares together ¶ The Names It is called of the later age Angelica in high-Dutch ãâã Brustwurtz or des ãâã ãâã ãâã that is Spiritus sancti radix the root of the holy Ghost as witnesseth Leonhartus Fuchsius in low-Dutch Angeliika in French Angelic in English also Angelica It seemeth to be a kind of Laserpitium for if it be compared with those things which Theophrastus at large hath written concerning Silphium or Laserpitium in his sixth booke of the historie of plants it shall appeare to be answerable thereunto But whether wild Angelica be that which Theophrastus calleth Magydaris that is to say another kinde of Laserpitium we leaue to be examined and considered of by the learned Physitians of our London Colledge ¶ The Temperature Angelica especially that of the garden is hot and dry in the third degree therefore it openeth attenuateth or maketh thin ãâã and procureth sweat ¶ The Vertues The roots of garden Angelica is a singular remedy against poison and against the plague and all infections taken by euill and corrupt aire if you do but take a peece of the root and hold it in your mouth or chew the same between your teeth it doth most certainely driue away the pestilentiall aire yea although that corrupt aire haue possessed the hart yet it driueth it out again by vrine and sweat as Rue and Treacle and such like Antipharmaca do Angelica is an enemy to poisons it cureth pestilent diseases if it by vsed in season a dram weight of the pouder hereof is giuen with thin wine or if the feuer be vehement with the distilled water of ãâã benedictus or of Tormentill and with a little vineger and by it selfe also or with Treacle of Vipers added It openeth the liuer and spleene draweth downe the termes driueth out or expelleth the secondine The ãâã of the root made in wine is good against the cold shiuering of agues It is reported that the root is auaileable against witchcraft and inchantments if a man carry the same about them as Fuchsius saith It attenuateth and maketh thin grosse and tough flegme the root being vsed greene and while it is full of juice helpeth them that be asthmaticke dissoluing and expectorating the stuffings therein by cutting off and clensing the parts affected
foot high diuided into sundry branches whereon grow vmbels of whitish floures the seeds are like but larger than those of the common Parsley and when they are ripe they commonly sow themselues and the old roots die and the young ones beare seed the second yeere after there sowing ⡠¶ The Place It is sowne in beds in gardens it groweth both in hot and cold places so that the ground be either by nature moist or be oftentimes watered for it prospereth in moist places and is delighted with water and therefore it naturally commeth vp neere to fountaines or springs Fuchsius writeth that it is found growing of it selfe in diuers fenny grounds in Germany ¶ The Time It may be sowne betime but it slowly commeth vp it may oftentimes be cut and cropped it bringeth forth his ãâã the ãâã ãâã the ãâã be ripe in Iuly or August ¶ The ãâã Euery one of the ãâã is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã but this ãâã named ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã that is to say Apium hortense the Apothecaries and ãâã ãâã name it Petroselinum in high ãâã ãâã in low Dutch ãâã ãâã in French du Persil in Spanish ãâã ãâã and Salsa in Italian ãâã in English Persele Parsely common Parsley and garden Parsley Yet is it not the true and right Petroselinum which groweth among rockes and ãâã whereupon it tooke his name and whereof the best is in Macedonia therefore they are ãâã who thinke that garden Parsley doth not differ from stone Parsley and that the onely difference is for that Garden Parsley is of lesse force than the wilde for wilde herbes are more strong ãâã operation than those of the garden ¶ The Temperature Garden Parsley is hot and dry but the seed is more hot and dry which is hot in the second degree and dry almost in the third the root is also of a moderate heate ¶ The Vertues The leaues are pleasant in sauces and broth in which besides that they giue a ãâã taste they be also singular good to take away stoppings and to prouoke vrine which thing the roots likewise do notably performe if they be boiled in broth they be also delightful to the taste and agreeable to the stomacke The seeds are more profitable for medicine they make thinne open prouoke vrine dissolue the stone breake and waste away winde are good for ãâã as haue the dropsie draw downe menses bring away the birth and after-birth they be commended also against the cough if they be mixed or boiled with medicines made for that purpose lastly they resist poisons and therefore are mixed with treacles The roots or the seeds of any of them boiled in ale and drunken cast forth strong venome or poison but the seed is the strongest part of the herbe They are also good to be put into clysters against the stone or torments of the guts CHAP. 367 Of water Parsley or Smallage Eleoselinum siue Paludapium Smallage ¶ The Description SMallage hath greene smooth and glittering leaues cut into very many parcels yet greater and broader than those of common Parsley the stalkes be chamfered and diuided into branches on the tops whereof stand little white floures after which doe grow seeds something lesser than those of common Parsley the roote is fastened with many strings ¶ The Place This kinde of Parsley delighteth to grow in moist places and is brought from thence into gardens â¡ It growes wilde abundantly vpon the bankes in the salt marshes of Kent and Essex ⡠¶ The Time It flourishes when the garden Parsley doth and the stalke likewise commeth vp the next yeere after it is sowne and then also it bringeth forth seeds which are ripe in Iuly and August ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã of Gaza Paludaplum in shops Apium absolutely without any addition in Latine Palustre Apium and Apium rusticum in high Dutch ãâã in low Dutch ãâã and of diuers ãâã in Spanish and Italian Apio in French de ãâã in English Smallage Marsh Parsley or water Parsley ¶ The Temperature This Parsley is like in temperature and vertues to that of the garden but it is both hotter and drier and of more force in most things this is seldome eaten neither is it ãâã good for ãâã but it is very profitable for medicine ¶ The Vertues The juice thereof is good for many things it clenseth openeth attenuateth or maketh thin it remooueth obstructions and prouoketh vrine and therefore those syrrups which haue this mixed with them as that which is called Syrupus ãâã open the stoppings of the liuer and spleene and are a remedy for long lasting agues whether they be tertians or quartains and all other which proceed both of a cold cause and also of obstructions or stoppings and are very good against the yellow jaundise The same juice doth perfectly cure the malicious and venomous vlcers of the mouth and of the almonds of the throat with the decoction of Barly and Mel Rosarum or hony of Roses added if the parts be washed therewith it likewise helpeth all outward vlcers and foule wounds with hony it is profitable also for cankers exulcerated for although it cannot cure them yet it doth keep them from putrifaction and preserueth them from stinking the seed is good for those things for which that of the Garden Parsley is yet is not the vse thereof so safe for it hurteth those that are troubled with the falling sickenesse as by euident proofes it is very well knowne Smallage as Pliny writeth hath a peculiar vertue against the biting of venomous spiders The juice of Smallage mixed with hony and beane floure doth make an excellent mundificatiue for old vlcers and malignant sores and staieth also the weeping of the cut or hurt sinewes in simple members which are not very fatty or fleshie and bringeth the same to perfect digestion The leaues boiled in hogs grease and made into the forme of a pultis take away the paine of felons and whitlowes in the fingers and ripen and heale them CHAP. 398. Of Mountaine Parsley Oreoselinum Mountaine Parsley ¶ The Description THe stalke of mountaine Parsley as Dioscorides writeth is a span high growing from a slender root vpon which are branches and little heads like those of Hemlock yet much slenderer on which stalkes do grow the seed which is long of a sharpe or biting taste slender and of a strong smell like vnto Cumin but we can not find that this kinde of Mountaine Parsley is knowne in our age the leaues of this we here giue are like those of common parsley but greater and broader consisting of many slender footstalkes fastened vnto them the stalke is short the floures on the spoked tufts be white the seed small the root is white and of a meane length or bignesse in taste somewhat biting and bitterish and of a sweet smell ¶ The Place Dioscorides writeth that mountaine Parsley groweth vpon rockes and mountaines And Dodonaeus affirmeth that this
in the North part of England called Crag close and in the foot of the mountaine called Ingleborow Fels â¡ The sourth may be found in some gardens with vs. The fifth growes in the East Indies in the ãâã of Mandou and Chito in the kingdome of Bengala and Decan The last growes in Prouince in France neere a little city called Gange ⡠¶ The Time The leaues grow to withering in September at which time they smell more pleasantly than when they flourished and were greene ¶ The Names Nardus is called in Pannonia or Hungarie of the countrey people Speick of some Bechi ãâã that is the herbe of Vienna because it doth grow there in great aboundance from whence it is brought into other countries of Gesner Saliunca in English Celticke Spikenard of the Valletians ãâã and Nardus Celtica ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Celticke Narde mightily prouokes vrine as recordeth Rondeletius who trauelling through the desart countrey chanced to lodge in a monasterie where was a Chanon that could not make his water but was presently helped by the decoction of this herbe through the aduice of the said ãâã â¡ The true Spikenard or Indian Nard hath a heating and drying facultie being according to Galen hot in the first degree yet the Greeke copy hath the third and dry in the second It is composed of a sufficiently astringent substance and not much acride heate and a certaine light bitternesse Consisting of these faculties according to reason both inwardly and outwardly vsed it is conuenient for the liuer and stomacke It prouoketh vrine helps the gnawing paines of the stomacke dries vp the defluxions that trouble the belly and intrals as also those that molest the head and brest It stayes the fluxes of the belly and those of the wombe being vsed in a pessarie and in a bath it helpes the inflammation thereof Drunke in cold water it helpes the nauseousnesse gnawings and windinesse of the stomacke the liuer and the diseases of the kidneyes and it is much vsed to be put into Antidotes It is good to cause haire to grow on the eye lids of such as want it and is good to be strewed vpon any part of the body that abounds with superfluous moisture to dry it vp The Celticke-Nard is good for all the forementioned vses but of lesse esficacie vnlesse in the prouoking of vrine It is also much vsed in Antidotes The mountaine Nard hath also the same faculties but is much weaker than the former and not in vse at this day that I know of â¡ CHAP. 442. Of Larkes heele or Larkes claw ¶ The Description 1 THe garden Larks spur hath a round stem ful of branches set with tender iagged leaues very like vnto the small Sothernwood the floures grow alongst the stalks toward the tops of the branches of a blew colour consisting of fiue little leaues which grow together and make one hollow floure hauing a taile or spur at the end turning in like the spurre of Tode-flax After come the seed very blacke like those of Leekes the root perisheth at the sirst approch of Winter 2 The second Larks spur is like the precedent but somewhat smaller in stalkes and leaues the floures are also like in forme but of a white colour wherein especially is the difference These floures are sometimes of a purple colour sometimes white murrey carnation and of sundry other colours varying infinitely according to the soile or countrey wherein they liue â¡ 3 Larks spur with double floures hath leaues stalkes roots and seeds like the other single kinde but the floures of this are double and hereof there are as many seuerall varieties as there be of the single kinde to wit white red blew purple blush c. 4 There is also another varietie of this plant which hath taller stalkes and larger leaues than the common kinde the floures also are more double and larger with a lesser heele this kind also yceldeth vsually lesse seed than the former The colour of the floure is as various as that of the former being either blew purple white red or blush and sometimes mixed of some of these â¡ 5 The wilde Larks spur hath most sine iagged leaues cut and hackt into diuers parts consusedly set vpon a small middle tendrell among which grow the floures in shape like the others but 1 Consolida regalis satiua Garden Larks heele 2 Crnsoliaa ãâã ãâã ãâã vel ãâã White or red Larks spur â¡ 3 Consolida regalis flore duplict Double Larks spur â¡ 4 Consolida reg elatior ãâã ãâã Great double Larks spur 5 Consolidaregalis syluestris Wilde Larkes heele ¶ The Place These plants are set and sowne in gardens the last groweth wilde in corne fields and where corn hath grown â¡ but not with vs that I haue yet obserued though it be frequently found in such places in many parts of Germanie ⡠¶ The Time They floure for the most part all Sommet long from Iune to the end of August and oft-times after ¶ The Names Larks heele is called Flos Regius of diuers Consolida regalis who make it one of the Consounds or Comfreyes It is also thought to be the Delphinium which Dioscorides describes in his third booke wherewith it may agree It is reported by Gerardus of Veltwijcke who remained Lieger with the great Turke from the Emperor Charles the fifth That the said Gerard saw at Constantinople a copy which had in the chap. of Delphinium not leaues but floures like Dolphines for the floures and especially before they be perfected haue a certaine shew and likenesse of those Dolphines which old pictures and armes of certain antient families haue expressed with a crooked and bending figure or shape by which signe also the heauenly Dolphine is set forth And it skilleth not though the chapter of Delphinium be thought to be falsified and counterfeited for although it be some other mans and not of Dioscorides it is notwithstanding some one of the old Writers out of whom it is taken and foisted into Dioscorides his bookes of some it is called Bucinus or Bucinum in English Larks spur Larks heele Larks toes and Larks claw in high-Dutch ãâã spooren that is Equitis calcar Knights spur in Italian Sperone in French Pied d' alouette ¶ The Temperature These herbes are temperate and warme of nature ¶ The Vertues We finde little extant of the vertues of Larks heele either in the antient or later writers worth the noting or to be credited for it is set downe that the seed of Larks spur drunken is good against the stingings of Scorpions whose vertues are so forcible that the herbe onely thrown before the Scorpion or any other venomous beast causeth them to be without force or strength to hurt insomuch that they cannot moue or stirre vntill the herbe be taken away with many other such trifling toyes not worth the reading CHAP. 443. Of Gith or Nigella ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of Gith or Nigella differing some in the colour of the
like cluster buttons but if they had more diligently pondered Dioscorides his words they would not haue been of this opinion the lesser Sothernwood is Mas the male and is also Plinies champion Sothernwood in Latine Campestre The third as we haue said is likewise the female and is commonly called sweet Sothernwood because it is of a sweeter sent than the rest Dioscorides seemeth to call this kind Siculum Sicilian Sothernwood ¶ The Temperature Sothernwood is hot and dry in the end of the third degree it hath also sorce to distribute and to rarifie ¶ The Vertues The tops floures or seed boyled and stamped raw with water and drunke helpeth them that cannot take their breaths without holding their neckes straight vp and is a remedie for the cramp and for sinewes shrunke and drawne together for the sciatica also and for them that can hardly make water and it is good to bring downe the termes It ãâã wormes and driueth them out if it be drunke with wine it is a remedie against deadly poysons Also it helpeth against the stinging of scorpions and field spiders but it hurts the stomacke Stamped and mixed with oyle it taketh away the shiuering cold that commeth by the ague fits and it heateth the body if it be anointed therewith before the fits do come If it be pouned with barley ãâã and laid to pushes it taketh them away It is good for ãâã of the eyes with the pulpe of a rosted ãâã or with crummes of bread and applied pultis wise The ashes of burnt Sothernwood with some kinde of oyle that is of thin parts as of Palma Christi Radish ãâã oyle of ãâã Marierome or Organie cureth the pilling of the haire off the head and maketh the beard to grow quickly being strewed about the bed or a fume made of it vpon hot embers it driueth away serpents if but a branch be layd vnder the beds head they say it prouoketh venerie The seed of Sothernwood made into pouder or boyled in wine and drunke is good against the difficultie and stopping of vrine it expelleth wasteth consumeth and digesteth all cold humors tough slime and ãâã which do vsually stop the spleene kidneyes and bladder Sothernwood drunke in wine is good against all venome and poyson The leaues of Sothernwood boyled in water vntill they be soft and stamped with barley meale and barrowes grease vnto the forme of a plaister dissolue and waste all cold tumors and swellings being applied or laid thereto CHAP. 455. Of Oke of Jerusalem and Oke of Cappadocia 1 Botrys Oke of Ierusalem 2 Ambrosia Oke of Cappadocia ¶ The Description 1 OKe of Ierusalem or Botrys hath sundry small stems a foot and a halfe high diuiding themselues into many small branches beset with small leaues deeply cut or iagged very much resembling the leafe of an Oke which hath caused our English women to call it Oke of Ierusalem the vpper side of the leafe is of a deepe greene and somewhat rough and hairy but vnderneath it is of a darke reddish or purple colour the seedie floures grow clustering about the branches like the yong clusters or blowings of the Vine the root is small and threddy the whole herbe is of a pleasant smell and sauour and of a feint yellowish colour and the whole plant dieth when the seed is ripe 2 The fragrant smell that this kind of Ambrosia or Oke of Cappadocia yeeldeth hath moued the Poets to suppose that this herbe was meate and food for the gods Dioscorides saith it groweth three ãâã high in my garden it groweth to the height of two cubits yeelding many weake crooked and streaked branches diuiding themselues into sundrie other small branches hauing from the middest to the top thereof many mossie yellowish floures not much vnlike common Wormwood standing one before another in good order and the whole plant is as it were couered ouer with bran or a mealy dust the floures do change into small prickly cornered buttons much like vnto Tribulus terrestris wherein is contained blacke round seed not vnpleasant in taste and smell the leaues are in shape like the leaues of Mugwort but thinner and more tender all the whole plant is hoary and yeeldeth a pleasant sauor the whole plant perished with me at the first approch of Winter ¶ The Place These plants are brought vnto vs from beyond the seas especially from Spaine and Italy ¶ The Time They floure in August and the seed is ripe in September ¶ The Names Oke of Ierusalem is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Botrys In Italian Botri in Spanish ãâã granada in high-Dutch ãâã and ãâã in French and low-Dutch Pyment in English Oke of Ierusalem and of some Oke of Paradise Oke of Cappadocia is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Ambrofia neither hath it any other knowne name Pliny saith that Ambrosia is a wandering name and is giuen vnto other herbes for Botrys Oke of Ierusalem as we haue written is of diuers also called Ambrosia In English it is called Oke of Cappadocia ¶ The Temperature These plants are hot and dry in the second degree and consist of subtill parts ¶ The Vertues These plants be good to be boyled in wine and ministred vnto such as haue their brests stopt and are short winded and cannot easily draw their breath for they cut and waste grosse humours and tough flegme The leaues are of the same force being made vp ãâã sugar they commonly call it a conserue It giueth a pleasant taste to flesh that is sodden with it and eaten with the broth It is dried and layd among garments not onely to make them smell sweet but also to preserue them from moths and other vermine which thing it doth also performe CHAP. 456. Of Lauander Cotton Chamaecyparissus Lauander Cotton ¶ The Description LAuander Cotton bringeth forth clustred buttons of a golden colour and of a sweet smell and is often vsed in garlands and decking vp of gardens and houses It hath a wooddy stocke out of which grow forth branches like little boughes slender very many a cubit long set about with little leaues long narrow purled or crumpled on the tops of the branches stand vp floures one alone on euery branch made vp with short threds thrust close together like to the floures of Tansie and to the middle buttons of the floures of Cammomill but yet something broader of colour yellow which be changed into seed of an obseure colour The root is of a wooddy substance The shrub it selfe is white both in branches and leaues and hath a strong sweet smell â¡ There are some varieties of this plant which Matthiolus Lobel and others refer to Abrotanum foemina and so call it and by the same name our Authour gaue the figure thereof in the last chapter saue one though the description did not belong thereto as I haue formerly noted Another sort thereof our Authour following Tabernamontanus and Lobel set forth a little before by the
hath not expressed therefore it would be hard to ãâã this to be the same that his Leucographis is and this is thought to bee Spina alba called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã or white Thistle Milk Thistle and Carduus Ramptarius of the Arabians ãâã or Bedeguar as Matthoeus Syluaticus testifieth ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The tender leaues of Carduus ãâã the prickles taken off are sometimes vsed to bee eaten with other herbes Galen writeth that the roots of Spina alba do drie and moderately binde that therefore it is good for those that be troubled with the lask and the bloudy flix that it ãâã bleedings wasteth away cold swellings easeth the paine of the teeth if they bee washed with the decoction thereof The seed thereof is of a thin essence and hot facultie therefore he saith that it is good for those that be troubled with cramps Dioscorides affirmeth that the seeds being drunke are a remedie for infants that haue their ãâã drawne together and for those that be bitten of serpents and that it is thought to driue away serpents if it be but hanged about the necke CHAP. 478. Of the Globe Thistle ¶ The Description GLobe Thistle hath a very long stalke and leaues iagged great long and broad deeply gashed strong of smell somewhat greene on the vpper side and on the nether side whiter and downy the floures grow forth of a round head like a globe which standeth on the tops of the ãâã they are white and small with blew threds in the midst the seed is long with haires of a meane length the root is thicke and branched 2 There is another Globe Thistle that hath lesser leaues but more full of prickles with round heads also but there groweth out of them besides the floures certaine long and stiffe prickles 3 There is likewise another kinde resembling the first in ãâã and figure but much lesser and the floures thereof tend more to a blew 4 There is also another Globe Thistle which is the least and hath the sharpest prickles of all the rest the head is small the floures whereof are white like to those of the first 1 Cardnus globosus The Globe-Thistle â¡ 2 Carduus ãâã ãâã Prickly headed Globe-Thistlë â¡ 3 Carduus globosus minor Small Globe-Thistle â¡ 5 Carduus globosus capitulo latiore Flat headed Globe-Thistle 5 There is a certaine other kinde hereof yet the head is not so ãâã that is to say flatter and broader aboue out of which spring blew floures the stalke hereof is slender and couered with a white thin downe the leaues are long gashed likewise on both sides and armed in euery corner with sharpe prickles 6 There is another called the Down-Thistle which riseth vp with thicke and long ãâã The leaues thereof are iagged set with prickles white on the nether side the heads be round and many in number and are couered with a soft downe and sharpe prickles standing forth on ãâã ãâã being on the vpper part fraughted with purple floures all of strings the seed is long and ãâã as doth the seed of many of the Thistles â¡ 6 Carduus eriocephalus Woolly headed Thistle ¶ The Place They are sown in gardens and do not grow in these countries that we can finde â¡ I haue found the sixth by Pocklington and in other places of the Woldes in Yorkeshire Mr. Goodyer also found it in Hampshire ⡠¶ The Names They floure and flourish when the other Thistles do ¶ The Names Fuchsius did at the first take it to be Chamoeleon niger but afterwards being better aduised he named it Spina peregrina and ãâã duus globosus Valerius Cordus doth fitly call it Sphoerocephalus the same name doth also agree with the rest for they haue a round head like a ball or globe Most would haue the first to be that which Matthiolus setteth downe ãâã Spina alba this Thistle is called in English Globe Thistle and Ball-Thistle The downe or woolly headed Thistle is called in Latine being destitute of another name Eriocephalus of the woolly head in English Downe Thistle or woolly headed Thistle It is thought of diuers to be that which Bartholomoeus ãâã and ãâã Palea Franciscan Friers report to be called Corona Fratrum or Friers Crowne but this Thistle doth far differ from that as is euident by those things which they haue written concerning Corona Fratrum which is thus In the borders of the kingdome of Aragon towards the kingdome of Castile we finde another kind of Thistle which groweth plentifully there by common ãâã and in wheate fields c. Vide Dod. Pempt 5. lib. 5. cap. 5. ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Concerning the temperature and vertues of these Thistles we can alledge nothing at all CHAP. 479. Of the Artichoke ¶ The Kindes THere be three sorts of Artichokes two tame or of the garden and one wilde which the Italian esteemeth greatly of as the best to be eaten raw which he calleth Cardune ¶ The Description 1 Cinara maxima Anglica The great red Artichoke 2 Cinara maxima alba The great white Artichoke 3 Cinara syluestris Wilde Artichoke 2 The second great Artichoke differeth from the former in the colour of the fruit otherwise there is little difference except the fruit hereof dilateth it selfe further abroad and is not so closely compact together which maketh the difference 3 The prickly Artichoke called in Latine Carduus or Spinosa Cinara differeth not from the former saue that all the corners of the leaues hereof and the stalkes of the cone or fruit are armed with stiffe and sharp prickles whereupon it beareth well the name of Carduus or Thistle ¶ The Place The Artichoke is to be planted in a ãâã and fruitfull soile they do loue water and moist ground They commit great error who cut away the side or superfluous leaues that grow by the sides thinking thereby to increase the greatnesse of the fruit when as in truth they depriue the root from much water by that meanes which should nourish it to the feeding of the fruit for if you marke the trough or hollow channell that is in euery leafe it shall appeare very euidently that the Creator in his secret wisedome did ordaine those furrowes euen from the extreme point of the leafe to the ground where it is fastned to the root for no other purpose but to guide and leade that water which falls far off vnto the root knowing that without such store of water the whole plant would wither and the fruit pine away and come to nothing ¶ The Time They are planted for the most part about the Kalends of Nouember or somewhat sooner The plant must be set and dunged with good store of ashes for that kinde of dung is thought best for planting thereof Euery yeare the slips must be torne or slipped off from the body of the root and these are to be set in Aprill which will beare fruit about August following as Columella Palladius and common experience teacheth ¶ The
root hereof as Galen saith containeth in it a deadly qualitie it is also by Nicander numbred among the poysonous herbes in his booke of Treacles by Dioscorides lib. 6. and by Paulus Aegineta and therefore it is vsed only outwardly as for scabs morphewes tetters and to be briefe for all such things as stand in need of clensing moreouer it is mixed with such things as doe dissolue and mollific as Galen saith CHAP. 484. Of Sea Holly ¶ The Kindes DIoscorides maketh mention onely of one sea Holly Pliny lib. 22. cap. 7. seemes to acknowledge two one growing in rough places another by the fea side The Physitians after them haue obserued more ¶ The Description 1 SEa Holly hath broad leaues almost like to Mallow leaues but cornered in the edges and set round about with hard prickles fat of a blewish white and of an aromaticall or spicie taste the stalke is thicke aboue a cubit high now and then somewhat red below it breaketh forth on the tops into prickly or round heads or knops of the bignesse of a Wall-nut held in for the most part with six prickely leaues compassing the top of the stalke round about which leaues as wel as the heads are of a glistring blew the floures forth of the heads are likewise blew with white threds in the midst the root is of the bignesse of a mans finger very long and so long as that it cannot be all plucked vp vnlesse very seldome set here and therewith knots and of taste sweet and pleasant 2 The leaues of the second sea Holly are diuersly cut into sundry parcels being all ful of prickles alongst the edges the stalke is diuided into many branches and bringeth sorth prickly heads but lesser than those of the other from which there also grow forth blew floures seldome yellow there stand likewise vnder euery one of these six rough and prickly leaues like those of the other but thinner and smaller the root hereof is also long blacke without white within a finger thicke of taste and smell like that of the other as be also the leaues which are likewise of an aromaticall or spicie taste which being new sprung vp and as yet tender be also good to be eaten 1 Eryngium marinum Sea Holly 2 Eryngium mediterraneum Leuant sea Holly ¶ The Place Eryngium marinum growes by the sea side vpon the baich and stony ground I found it growing plentifully at Whitstable in Kent at Rie and Winchelsea in Sussex and in Essex at Landamer lading at Harwich and vpon Langtree point on the other side of the water from whence I haue brought plants for my garden Eryngium Campestre groweth vpon the shores of the Mediterranean sea and in my garden likewise ¶ The Time Both of them do floure after the Sommer solstice and in Iuly ¶ The Names This Thistle is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and likewise in Latine Eryngium and of Pliny also Erynge in shops Eringus in English Sea Holly sea Holme or sea Huluer The first is called in Latine Eryngium marinum in low-Dutch euery where Cryus distil Eindeloos Meerwortele in English sea Holly The second is named of Pliny lib. 22. cap. 8. Centum capita or hundred headed Thistle in high-Dutch ãâã Branchendistell Radendistel in Spanish Cardo corredor in Italian Eringio and Iringo this is syrnamed Campestre or Champion sea Holly that it may differ from the other ¶ The Temperature The roots of them both are hot and that in a mean and a little dry also with a thinnesse of substance as Galen testifieth ¶ The Vertues The roots of sea Holly boyled in wine and drunken are good for them that are troubled with the Collicke it breaketh the stone expelleth grauell and helpeth also the infirmities of the kidnies prouoketh vrine greatly opening the passages being drunke fifteene dayes together The roots themselues haue the same propertie if they be eaten and are good for those that be ãâã sicke and for such as are bitten with any venomous beast they ease cramps convulsions and the falling sicknesse and bring downe the termes The roots condited or preserued with sugar as hereafter followeth are exceeding good to be giuen vnto old and aged people that are consumed and withered with age and which want naturall moisture they are also good for other sorts of people that haue no delight or appetite to venerie nourishing and restoring the aged ãâã amending the defects of nature in the younger ¶ The manner to condite Eryngos Refine sugar fit for the purpose and take a pound of it the white of an egge and a pint of cleere water boile them together and scum it then let it boile vntill it be come to good strong syrrup and when it is boiled as it cooleth adde thereto a saucer full of Rose-water a spoone full of Cinnamon water and a graine of Muske which haue been infused together the night before and now strained into which syrrup being more than halfe cold put in your roots to soke and infuse vntill the next day your roots being ordered in manner hereafter following These your roots being washed and picked must be boiled in faire water by the space of foure houres vntill they be soft then must they be pilled cleane as ye pill parsneps and the pith must bee drawne out at the end of the root and if there be any whose pith cannot be drawne out at the end then you must slit them and so take out the pith these you must also keepe from much handling that they may be cleane let them remaine in the syrrup till the next day and then set them on the fire in a faire broad pan vntill they be verie hot but let them not boile at all let them there remaine ouer the fire an houre or more remoouing them easily in the pan from one place to another with a woodden slice This done haue in a readinesse great cap or royall papers whereupon you must straw some Sugar vpon which lay your roots after that you haue taken them out of the pan These papers you must put into a Stoue or hot house to harden but if you haue not such a place lay them before a good fire In this manner if you condite your roots there is not any that can prescribe you a better way And thus may you condite any other root whatsoeuer which will not onely bee exceeding delicate but very wholesome and effectuall against the diseases aboue named A certaine man affirmeth saith Aetius that by the continual vse of Sea Holly he neuer afterward voided any stone when as before he was very often tormented with that disease It is drunke saith Dioscorides with Carrot seed against very many infirmities in the weight of a dramme The iuice of the leaues pressed forth with wine is a remedie for those that are troubled with the running of the reines They report that the herbe Sea Holly if one Goat take it into her mouth it causeth her first to stand still and
is giuen with good successe against intermitting feuers whether they be quotidian or ãâã As touching the faculties of Saint Barnabies Thistle which are as yet not found out we haue nothing to write CHAP. 487 Of Teasels ¶ The Kindes OVrage hath set downe two kindes of Teasels the tame and the wilde These differ not saue only in the husbanding sor all things that are planted and manured doe more ãâã and become for the most part fitter for mans vse 1 Dipsacus ãâã Garden Teasell 2 Dipsacus syluestris Wilde Teasell â¡ 3 Dipsacus minor sive Virga pastoris Sheepheards-rod ¶ The Description 1 GArden Teasel is also of the number of the Thistles it bringeth ãâã a stalke that is ãâã very long iointed and ful of prickles the leaues grow sorth of the ioints by couples not onely opposite ãâã set one right against another but also compassing the stalke about and fastened together and so fastened that they hold dew and raine water in manner of a little bason these be long of a light greene colour and like to those of Lettice but full of prickles in the edges and haue on the outside all alongst the ridge stiffer prickles on the tops of the stalkes stand heads with sharpe prickles like those of the Hedge-hog and crooking backward at the point like hookes out of which heads grow little floures The seed is like Fennell seed and in taste bitter the heads wax white when they grow old and there are found in the midst of them when they are cut certaine little magots the root is white and of a ãâã length 2 The second kinde of Teasell which is also a kinde of Thistle is very like vnto the sormer but his leaues are smaller narrower his sloures of a purple colour and the hooks of the Teasell nothing so hard or sharpe as the other nor good for any vse in dressing of cloath 3 There is another kinde of Teasell being a wilde kinde therof and accounted among these Thistles growing higher than the rest of his kindes but his knobbed heads are no bigger than a Nutmeg in all other things else they are like to the other wilde kindes â¡ This hath the lower leaues deeply cut in with one gash on each side at the bottome of the leafe which little ears are omitted in the figure the leaues also are lesse than the former and narrower at the setting on and hold no water as the two former do the whole plant is also much lesse ⡠¶ The Place The first called the tame Teasell is sowne in this countrey in gardens to serue the vse of Fullers and Clothworkers The second kinde groweth in moist places by brookes riuers and such like places The third I found growing in moist places in the high way leading from Braintree to Henningham castle in Essex and not in any other place except here there a plant vpon the high way from Much-Dunmow to London â¡ I sound it growing in great plentie at Edgecombe by Croyden close by the gate of the house of my much honoured friend Sir Iohn Tunstall ¶ The Time These floure for the most part in Iune and Iuly ¶ The Names Teasell is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and likewise in Latine Dipsacus Labrum Veneris and Carduus Veneris it is termed Labrum Veneris and Lauer Lauacrum of the forme of the leaues made vp in fashion of a bason which is neuer without water they commonly call it Virga pastoris minor and Carduus fullonum in high Dutch Karden Distell in low Dutch Caerden in Spanish Cardencha and Cardo ãâã in Italian Dissaco and Cardo in French Chardon de foullon Verge à bergier in English Teasell Carde Teasell and Venus bason The third is thought to be Galedragon Plinij of which he hath written in his 27. book the tenth Chapter ¶ The Temperature The rootes of these plants are drie in the second degree and haue a certaine clensing facultie ¶ The Vertues There is small vse of Teasell in medicines the heads as we haue said are vsed to dresse woollen cloth with Dioscorides writeth that the root being boiled in wine stamped till it is come to the substance of a salue healeth chaps and ãâã of the fundament if it be applied thereunto and that this medicine must be reserued ina box of copper and that also it is reported to be good for all kindes of warts It is needlesse here to alledge those things that are added touching the little wormes or magots found in the heads of the Teasell and which are to be hanged about the necke or to mention the like thing that Pliny reporteth of Galedragon for they are nothing else but most vaine and trifling toies as my selfe haue proued a little besore the impression hereof hauing a most ãâã ague and of long continuance notwithstanding Physicke charmes these worms hanged about my neck spiders put into a walnut shell and diuers such foolish toies that I was constrained to take by fantasticke peoples procurement notwithstanding I say my helpe came from God himselse for these medicines and all other such things did me no good at all CHAP. 488. Of Bastard Saffron â¡ 1 Carthamus siue Cnicus Bastard Saffron 2 Cnicus alter caeruleus Blew floured Bastard Saffron ¶ The Description 1 CNicus called also bastard Saffron which may very wel be reckoned among the Thistles riseth vp with a stalke of a cubite and a ãâã high straight smooth round hard and wooddy branched at the top it is defended with long leaues somthing broad sharp pointed and with prickles in the edges from the tops of the stalks stand out little heads or knops of the bignesse of an Oliue or bigger set with many sharpe pointed and prickly scales out of which come forth floures like threds closely compact of a deepe yellow shining colour drawing neere to the colour of Saffron vnder them are long seeds smooth white somewhat cornered bigger than a Barly corne the huske whereof is something hard the inner pulpe or substance is fat white sweet in taste the root slender and vnprofitable 2 There is also another kinde of Bastard Saffron that may very well be numbred amongst the kindes of Thistles and is very like vnto the former sauing that his flockie or threddie floures are of a blew colour the root is thicker and the whole plant is altogether more sharpe in prickles the stalks also are more crested and hairie ¶ The Place It is sowne in diuers places of Italy Spaine and France both in gardens and in fields Pliny lib. 25. cap. 15. saith that in the raigne of Vespasian this was not knowne in Italy being in Egypt onely of good account and that they vsed to make oile of it and not meat ¶ The Time The floures are perfected in Iuly and August the root after the seed is ripe the same yeare it is sowne withereth away ¶ The Names It is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine also Cnicus
time and wither away at the approch of Winter ¶ The Names It is called both in Greeke and Latine ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Euphorbium Pliny in one place putteth the herbe in the feminine gender naming it Euphorbia the iuyce is called also Euphorbion and so it is likewise in shops we are faine in English to vse the Latine word and to call both the herbe and iuyce by the name of Euphorbium ãâã other name we hauenone it may be called in English the Gum Thistle ¶ The Temperature Euphorbium that is to say the congealed iuvce which we vse is of a very hot and as Galen testifieth causticke or burning facultie and of thinne parts it is also hot and dry in the fourth degree ¶ The Vertues An emplaister made with the gumme Euphorbium and twelue times so much oyle and a little wax is very singular against all aches of the ioynts lamenesse palsies crampes and shrinking of sinewes as Galen lib. 4. de ãâã ãâã genera declareth at large which to recite at this present would but trouble you ouermuch Euphorbium mingled with oyle of Bay and Beares grease cureth the scurfe and scalds of the head and pildnesse causing the haire to grow againe and other bare places being anointed therewith The same mingled with oyle and applied to the temples of such are very sleepie and troubled with the lethargie doth awaken and quicken their spirits againe If it be applied to the nuque or nape of the necke it bringeth their speech againe that haue lost it by reason of the Apoplexie Euphorbium mingled with vineger and applied taketh away all foule and ill fauoured spots in what part of the body soeuer they be Being mixed with oyle of ãâã floures as Mesues saith and with any other oyle or ointments it quickly heateth such parts as are ãâã cold It is likewise a remedie against ãâã paines in the huckle bones called the Sciatica ãâã Paulus ãâã and ãâã doe report That if it be inwardly taken it purgeth by siege water and ãâã but withall it setteth on fire scortcheth and fretteth not onely the throat and mouth but also the stomacke liuer and the rest of the intrals and inflames the whole bodie For that cause it must not be beaten smal and it is to be tempered with such things as allay the heate and sharpenesse thereof and that make glib and slipperie of which things there must be such a quantitie as that it may be sufficient to couer all ouer the superficiall or outward part thereof But it is a hard thing so to couer and fold it vp or to mix it as that it will not burne or scortch For though it be tempered with neuer so much oyle if it be outwardly applied it raiseth blisters especially in them that haue soft and tender flesh and therfore it is better not to take it inwardly It is troublesome to beate it vnlesse the nostrils of him that beats it be carefully stopped and defended for if it happen that the hot sharpnesse thereof do enter into the nose it presently causeth ãâã and moueth neesing and after that by reason of the extremitie of the heate it draweth out aboundance of flegme and filth and last of all bloud not without great quantity of ãâã But against the hot sharpnesse of Euphorbium it is reported that the inhabitants are remedied by a certaine herbe which of the effect and contrarie faculties is named Anteuphorbium ãâã plant likewise is full of iuyce which is nothing at all hot and sharpe but coole and ãâã allaying the heate and sharpnesse of Euphorbium We haue not yet learned that the old writers haue set downe any thing touching this herbe notwithstanding it seemeth to be a kinde of Orpine which is the antidote or counterpoyson against the poyson and venome of Euphorbium â¡ CHAP. 493. Of soft Thistles and Thistle gentle â¡ THere are certaine other plants by most writers referred to the Thistles which being omitted by our Author I haue thought fit here to giue you â¡ Cirsium maximum Asphodeli radice Great soft bulbed Thistle 2 Cirsium maius alterum Great soft Thistle ¶ The Description 1 THe first and largest of these hath roots consisting of great longish bulbes like those of the Asphodill from whence arise many large stalkes three or foure cubits high crested and downy the leaues are very long and large iuycie greenish and cut about the edges and set with soft prickles At the tops of the stalkes and branches grow heads round and large out whereof come floures consisting of aboundance of threds of a purple colour which flie away in downe This growes wilde in the mountainous medowes and in some wet places of Austria I haue seene it growing in the garden of Mr. Iohn Parkinson and with Mr. Tuggye It floures in Iuly Clusius hath called it Cirsium maximum mont incano folio bulbosa radice But he gaue no figure thereof nor any else vnlesse the Acanthium peregrinum in Tabernamont which our Author formerly as I before noted gaue by the name of ãâã lutea ãâã were intended for this plant as ãâã verily thinke it was I haue giuen you a figure which I drew some yeares ãâã ãâã the plant it selfe 2 The root of this is long yet sending forth of the sides creeping fibres but not ãâã the leaues are like those of the last mentioned but lesse and armed with sharpe prickles of a ãâã colour with the middle rib white the heads sometimes stand vpright and ãâã long downe they are very prickly and send ãâã floures consisting of many ãâã purple threds The stalkes are thicke crested and welted with the setting on of the leaues This growes wilde ãâã ãâã sea ãâã of Zeeland Flanders and Holland it floures in Iune and Iuly it is the ãâã ãâã of ãâã and Cirsium maius of Lobel 3 This whose root is fibrous and liuing sends forth lesser narrower and ãâã leaues than those of the former not iagged or cut about their edges nor hoary yet set about with prickles the stalkes are crested the heads are smaller and grow three or foure together carrying such purple floures as the former This is that which Matthiolus ãâã and others haue set forth ãâã ãâã ãâã for Cirsium 2. and Clusius hath it for his ãâã quartum or Montanum secundum â¡ 3 Cirsium folijs non hirsut is Soft smooth leaued Thistle â¡ 4 Cirsium montanum capitulis paruis Small Burre Thistle 4 The leaues of this are somewhat like those of the last described but larger and welting the stalkes further at their setting on they are also set with prickles about the edges the stalks are some two cubits high diuided into sundry long slender branches on whose tops grow little rough prickly heads which after the floures come to perfection doe hang downewards and at the length turne into downe amongst which lies hid a smooth shining seed This groweth wilde in diuers wooddy places of Hungarie and Austria It is the Cirsium of ãâã the ãâã 2. or
longer and narrower than those of the wild strong smelling Rue the floures be white composed of fiue white leaues the fruit is three square bigger than that of the planted Rue in which the seed lieth the root is thick long and blaekish this Rue in hot countries hath a maruellous strong smell in cold Countries not so â¡ 6 This which Matthiolus gaue for ãâã 3. and Lobel Clusius and others for Ruta canina hath many twiggy branches some cubit and halfe high whereon grow leaues resembling those of the Papauer Rhaeas or Argemone lesser thicker and of a blackish greene the floures are of a whitish purple colour fashioned somewhat like those of Antirrhinum the seed is small and contained in such vessels as those of Rue or rather those of Blattaria The whole plant is of a strong and vngratefull smell it growes in the hot and dry places about Narbon in France Rauenna and Rome in Italy ⡠¶ The Place Garden Rue ioyeth in sunny and open places it prospereth in rough and brickie ground and among ashes it cannot in no wise away with dung The wilde are found on mountaines in hot countries as in Cappadocia Galatia and in diuers prouinces of Italy and Spaine and on the hills of Lancashire and Yorke Pliny saith that there is such friendship betweene it and the fig tree that it prospers no where so well as vnder the fig tree The best for physicks vse is that which groweth vnder the fig tree as Dioscorides saith the cause is alledged by Plutarch in the first booke of his Symposiacks or Feasts for he saith it becommeth more sweet and milde in taste by reason it taketh as it were some part of the sweetnes of the fig tree whereby the ouer rancke quality of the Rue is allayd vnlesse it be that the fig tree whilest it draweth nourishment vnto it selfe it likewise draweth away the rancknesse of the Rue ¶ The Time They floure in these cold countries in Iuly and August in other countries sooner ¶ The Names The first which is Hortensis Ruta garden Rue in high-Dutch Rauten in low-Dutch ãâã the Italians and Apothecaries keepe the Latine name in Spanish Aruda in French Rue de ãâã in English Rue and Herbe-Grace Wilde Rue is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Peganon in Latine Ruta syluestris or wilde Rue in Galatia and Cappadocia ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã of diuers Harmala of the Arabians Harmel of the Syrians Besara ¶ The Temperature Rue is hot and dry in the later end of the third degree and wild Rue in the fourth it is of ãâã and subtill parts it wasts and consumes winde it cutteth and digesteth grosse and tough humors ¶ The Vertues Rue or Herbe-Grace prouokes vrine brings downe the sicknes expels the dead child and after-birth being inwardly taken or the decoction drunke and is good for the mother if but smelled to Plin. lib. 20. ca. 13. saith it opens the matrix and brings it into the right place if the belly all ouer and the share the brest say the old false copies be anointed therewith mixed with hony it is a remedie against the inflammation and swelling of the stones proceeding of long abstinence from venerie called of our English Mountebanks the Colts euill if it be boyled with Barrowes grease Bay leaues and the pouders of Fenugreeke and Linseed be added thereto and applied pultis wise It takes away crudity and rawnesse of humors and also windines and old paines of the stomack Boiled with vineger it easeth paines is good against the stitch of the side and chest and shortnes of breath vpon a cold cause and also against the paine in the ioynts and huckle bones The oile of it serues for the purposes last recited it takes away the collicke and pangs in the ãâã not only in a clister but also anointed vpon the places affected But if this oile be made of the oile pressed out of Lineseed it will be so much the better and of singular force to take away hard swellings of the spleene or milt It is vsed with good successe against the dropsie called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã being applied to the belly in manner of a pultis The herb a little boiled or scalded and kept in pickle as Sampier and eaten quickens the sight The same applied with honey and the iuyce of Fennell is a remedie against dim eyes The iuyce of Rue made hot in the rinde of a pomegranat and dropped into the eares takes away the paine thereof S. Anthonies ãâã is quenched therewith it killeth the shingles and running vlcers and sores in the heads of yong children if it be tempered with Ceruse or white Lead vineger and oile of roses and made into the forme of ãâã or Triapharmacon Dioscorides saith that Rue put vp in the nosthrils stayeth bleeding Of whose opinion Pliny also is when notwithstanding it is of power rather to procure bleeding through the sharpe and biting qualitie that it hath The leaues of Rue beaten and drunke with wine are an antidote against poisons as Pliny saith Dioscorides writeth that a twelue penny weight of the seed drunke in wine is a counterpoyson against deadly medicines or the poyson of Wolfs-bane Ixia Mushroms or Tode-stooles the biting of Serpents stinging of Scorpions spiders bees hornets and wasps and it is reported that if a man be anointed with the iuyce of Rue these will not hurt him and that the Serpent is driuen away at the smell thereof when it is burned insomuch that when the Weesell is to fight with the Serpent she armeth her selfe by eating Rue against the might of the Serpent The leaues of Rue eaten with the kernels of wallnuts or figs stamped together and made into a masse or paste is good against all euill aires the pestilence or plague resists poyson and all venom Rue boiled with Dil Fennell seed and some Sugar in a sufficient quantitie of wine swageth the torments and griping paines of the belly the paines in the sides and breast the difficulty of breathing the cough and stopping of the lungs and helpeth such as are declining to a dropsie The iuyce taken with Dill as aforesaid helpeth the cold fits of agues and alters their course it helpeth the inflammation of the fundament and paines of the gut called Rectum intestinum The iuyce of Rue drunke with wine purgeth women after their deliuerance driuing forth the secondine the dead childe and the vnnaturall birth Ruevsed very often either in meate or drinke quencheth and drieth vp the naturall seed of generation and the milke of those that giue sucke The oile wherein Rue hath beene boyled and infused many dayes together in the Sun warmeth and chafeth all cold members if they be anointed therewith also it prouoketh vrine if the region of the bladder be anointed therewith If it be ministred in clisters it expells windinesse and the torsion or gnawing paines of the guts The leaues of garden ãâã boiled in water and drunke causeth one to make water
Rose commonly called the great Prouince Rose We haue in our London gardens one of the red Roses whose floures are in quantitie and beauty equal with the former but of greater estimation of a perfect red colour wherein especially it differeth from the Prouince Rose in stalks stature and manner of growing it agreeth with our common red Rose ¶ Te Place All these sorts of Roses we haue in our London gardens except that Rose without prickles which as yet is a stranger in England The double white Rose doth grow wilde in many ãâã of Lancashire in great abundance euen as Briers do with vs in these Southerly parts ãâã in a place of the countrey called Leyland and in a place called Roughford not far ãâã Latham ãâã in the said Leyland fields doth grow our garden Rose wilde in the plowed fields among the ãâã in such abundance that there may be gathered daily during the time many ãâã els of Roses equall with the best garden Rose in each respect the thing that giueth great cause of worder is that in a field in the place aforesaid called Glouers field euery yeare that the field is ãâã ãâã corne that yeare the field will be spred ouer with Roses and when it lyeth as they call it ley and not ãâã then shall there be but few Roses to be gathered by the relation of a curious Gentleman there dwelling so often remembred in our Historie â¡ I haue heard that the Roses which grow in such plenty in Glouers field euery yeare the field is plowed are no other than corne Rose that is red Poppies howeuer our Author was informed ⡠¶ The Time These floure from the end of May to the end of August and diuers times after by reason ãâã tops and superfluous branches are cut away in the end of their flouring then do they sometimes floure euen vntill October and after ¶ The Names The Rose is called in Latine Rosa in Greeke ãâã and the plant it selfe ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã which in Latine keepeth the same name that the floure hath and it is called Rodon as Plutarch saith because it sendeth forth plenty of smell The middle part of the Roses that is the yellow chiues or seeds and typs is called Anthos and Flos Rosae the floure of the Rose in shops Anthera or the blowing of the rose The white parts of the leaues of the floure it selfe by which they are fastened to the cups be named Vngues or ãâã That is called Calix or the cup which containeth and holdeth in together the yellow part and leaues of the floure Alabastri are those parts of the cup which are deeply cut that compasse the floure close about before it be opened which be in number fiue two haue beards and two haue none and the fift hath but halfe one most do call them Cortices Rosarum or the husks of the roses the shoots of the plant of roses Strabo Gallus in his little garden doth call Viburna The white Rose is called Rosa alba in English the white Rose in high Dutch Weisz Roosen in low Dutch Ditte Roosen in French Rose Blanche of Plinie Spincola Rosa or Rosa Campana The red Rose is called in Latine Rosa rubra the Frenchmen Rose Franche Rose de Prouins a towne in Campaigne of Plinie Trachinia or Praenestina The Damaske Rose is called of the Italians Rosa incarnata in high Dutch Leibfarbige Roosen in low Dutch Prouenice Roose of some Rosa Provincialis or Rose of Prouence in French of some Melesia the Rose of Melaxo a citie in Asia from whence some haue thought it was first brought into those parts of Europe The great Rose which is generally called the great Prouence rose which the Dutch men cannot endure for say they it came first out of Holland and therefore to be called the Holland Rose ãâã by all likelihood it came from the Damaske rose as a kinde thereof made better and fairer by art which seemeth to agree with truth The rose without prickles is called in Latine Rosa sine spinis and may be called in English the rose without thornes or the rose of Austrich because it was first brought from Vienna the Metropolitan citie of Austrich and giue nto that famous Herbarist Carolus Clusius ¶ The Temperature The leaues of the floures of roses because they doe consist of diuers parts haue also diuers and sundry faculties for there be in them certain that are earthy and binding others moist and watery and sundrie that are spirituall and airie parts which notwithstanding are not all after one sort for in one kinde these excell in another those all of them haue a predominant or ouerruling cold tempe rature which is neerest to a meane that is to say of such as are cold in the first degree moist airie and spirituall parts are predominant in the White roses Damaske and Muske ¶ The Vertues The distilled water of roses is good for the strengthning of the heart refreshing of the spirits and likewise for all things that require a gentle cooling The same being put into iunketting dishes cakes sauces and many other pleasant things giueth a fine and delectable taste It mitigateth the paine of the cies proceeding of a hot cause bringeth sleep which also the fresh roses themselues prouoke through their sweet and pleasant smell The ãâã of these roses especially of Damask doth moue to the stoole and maketh the belly ãâã but most ãâã that of the Musk roses next to them is the iuice of the Damask which is more commonly vsed The infusion of them doth the same and also the syrrup made thereof called in Latine ãâã or Serapium the Apothecaries call it Syrrup of roses solutiue which must be made of the infusion in which a great number of the leaues of these fresh roses are diuers and sundry times steeped It is profitable to make the belly loose soluble when as either there is no need of other stronger purgation or that it is not fit and expedient to vse it for besides those excrements which stick to the bowels or that in the first and neerest veines remaine raw flegmaticke and now and then cholericke it purgeth no other excrements vnlesse it be mixed with certaine other stronger medicines This syrrup doth moisten and coole and therefore it alayeth the extremitie of heart in hot burning feuers mitigateth the inflammations of the intrails and quencheth thirst it is scarce good for aweake and moist stomacke for it leaueth it more slacke and weake Of ãâã vertue also are the leaues of these preserued in Sugar especially if they be onely bruised with the hands and diligently tempered with Sugar and so heat at the fire rather than boiled ¶ The Temperature of Red Roses There is in the red Roses which are common euery where and in the other that be of a deep purple called Prouence roses a more earthie substance also a drying and binding qualitie yet not without certaine moisture ioined being in them when
wine and with a few Anise seeds for so it worketh without any maner of trouble and helpeth those that haue the dropsie But it must be ãâã for certaine daies together in a little wine to those that haue need thereof The gelly of the Elder otherwise called ãâã eare hath a binding and drying qualitie the infusion thereof in which it hath bin steeped a few houres taketh away inflammations of the mouth and almonds of the throat in the ãâã if the mouth and throat be washed therewith and doth in like manner helpe the uvula Dioscorides saith that the tender and greene leaues of the Elder tree with barley meale parched do ãâã hot swellings and are good for those that are burnt or scalded and for such as be bitten with a mad dog and that they glew and heale vp hollow vlcers The pith of the young boughes is without qualitie This being dried and somewhat pressed or quashed together is good to lay vpon the narrow orifices or holes of fistula's and issues if it be put therein CHAP. 78. Of Marish or Water Elder 1 Sambucus aquatilis siue palnstris Marish or water Elder 2 Sambucus Rosea The Rose Elder ¶ The Description 1 MArish Elder is not like to the common Elder in leaues but in boughes it groweth after the manner of a little tree the boughes are couered with a barke of an ill fauoured Ash colour as be those of the common Elder they are set with ioints by certaine distances and haue in them great plenty of white pith therefore they haue lesse wood which is white and brittle the leaues be broad cornered like almost to Vine leaues but lesser and foster among which come forth spoked rundles which bring forth little floures the vttermost whereof alongst the borders be greater of a gallant white colour euery little one consisting of fiue leaues the other in the midst and within the borders be smaller and it floures by degrees and the whole ãâã is of a most sweet smell after which come the fruit or berries that are round like those of the common Elder but greater and of a shining red colour and blacke when they be withered 2 Sambucus Rosea or the Elder Rose groweth like an hedge tree hauing many knotty branches or shoots comming from the root full of pith like the common Elder the leaues are like the vine leaues among which come forth goodly floures of a white colour ãâã and dashed here and there with a light and thin Carnation colour and do grow thicke and closely compact together in quantitie and bulke of a mans hand or rather bigger of great beauty and sauoring like the floures of the Haw-thorne but in my garden there groweth not any fruit vpon this tree nor in any other place for ought that I can vnderstand 3 This kinde is likewise an hedge tree very like vnto the former in stalks and branches which are iointed and knotted by distances and it is full of white pith the leaues be likewise cornered the floures hereof grow not out of spoky rundles but stand in a round thicke and globed tuft in bignesse also and fashion like to the former sauing that they tend to a deeper purple colour wherin only the difference consists ¶ The Place Sambucus palustris the water Elder growes by running streames and water courses and in hedges by moist ditch sides The Rose Elder groweth in Gardens and the floures are there doubled by Art as it is supposed ¶ The Time These kindes of Elders do floure in Aprill and May and the fruit of the water Elder is ripe in September ¶ The Names The water Elder is called in Latine Sambucus aquatica and Sambucus palustris it is called Opulus and Platanus and also Chamaeplatanus or the dwarfe Plane tree but not properly Valerius Cordus maketh it to be Lycostaphylos the Saxons saith Gesner do call it Vua Lupina from whence Cordus inuented the name ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã it is named in high-Dutch ãâã holder and ãâã holder in low Dutch Swelcken and Swelckenhout of certaine French men Obiere in English Marish Elder and Whitten tree Ople tree and dwarfe Plane tree The Rose Elder is called in Latine Sambucus Rosea and Sambucus aquatica being doubtles a kind of the former water Elder the floures being doubled by art as we haue said it is called in Dutch ãâã Roose in English Gelders Rose and Rose Elder ¶ The Temperature and Vertues Concerning the faculties of these Elders and the berries of the Water Elder there is nothing found in any writer neither can we set downe any thing hereof of our owne knowledge CHAP. 79. Of Dane-Wort Wall-Wort or Dwarfe Elder ¶ The Description DAne-wort as it is not a shrub neither is it altogether an herby plant but as it were a Plant participating of both being doubtles one of the Elders as may appeare both by the leaues floures and fruit as also by the smell and taste Wall-wort is very like vnto Elder in leaues spoky tufts and fruit but it hath not a wooddie stalke it bringeth sorth only greene stalks which wither away in Winter these are edged and full of ioynts like to the yong branches and shoots of Elder the leaues grow by couples with distances wide and consist of many small leaues which stand vpon a thicke ribbed stalke of which euery one is long broad and cut in the edges like a saw wider and greater than the leaues of the common Elder tree at the top of the stalkes there grow tufts of white floures tipt with red with fiue little chiues in them pointed with blacke which turne into blacke berries like the Elder in the which be little long seed the root is tough and of a good and reasonable length better for Physicks vse than the leaues of Elder Ebulus siue Sambucus ãâã Dane-wort or dwarfe Elder ¶ The Place Dane-wort growes in vntoiled places neere common waies and in the borders of fields it groweth plentifully in the lane at Kilburne Abbey by London also in a field by S. Ioans neere Dartford in Kent and also in the high-way at old Branford townes end next London and in many other places ¶ The Time The floures are perfected in Sommer and the berries in Autumne ¶ The Names It is named in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã that is humilis Sambucus or low Elder it is called in Latine Ebulus and Ebulum in high-Dutch Attich in low-Dutch Adich in Italian Ebulo in French Hieble in Spanish Yezgos in English Wall-wort Dane-wort and dwarfe Elder ¶ The Temperature Wall-wort is of temperature hot and drie in the third degree and of a singular qualitie which Galen doth attribute vnto it to wast and consume and also it hath a strange and speciall facultie to purge by the stoole the roots be of greatest force the leaues haue the chiefest strength to digest and consume ¶ The Vertues The roots of Wall-wort boiled in ãâã and drunken are good against the dropsie for they purge downwards watery
the name of VVitch Hasell as 8. El. 10. This hath little affiaitie with ãâã which in Essex is called VVitch Hasell Vlmus folio glabro VVitch Elme or smooth leauen Elme 4 This kinde is in bignesse and height like the first the boughes grow as those of the VVitch Hasell doe that is hanged more downewards than those of the common Elme the barke is blacker than that of the first kinde it will also peele from the boughes the floures are like the first and so are the seeds the leaues in forme are like those of the first kinde but are smooth in handling on both sides My worthy friend and excellent Herbarist of happy memorie Mr. William Coys of Stubbers in the parish of Northokington in Essex told me that the wood of this kinde was more desired for naues of Carts than the wood of the first I obserued it growing very plentifully as I rode between Rumford and the said Stubbers in the yeere 1620. intermixed with the first kinde but easily to be discerned apart and is in those parts vsually called VVitch Elme ⡠¶ The Place The first kinde of Elme groweth plentifully in all places of England The rest are set forth in their descriptions ¶ The Time The seeds of the Elme sheweth it selfe first and before the leaues it falleth in the end of Aprill at what time the leaues begin to spring ¶ The Names The first is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Vlmus in high Dutch ãâã holtz ãâã ãâã in low Dutch Oimen in French Orme and Omeau in Italian Olmo in Spanish Vlmo in English Elme tree The seed is named by Plinie and Columella Samera The little wormes which are found with the liquor within the small bladders be named in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Culices and Muliones The other Elme is called by Theophrastus ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã which Gaza translateth Montiulmus or mountaine Elme Columella nameth it Vernacula or Nostras Vlmus that is to say Italica or Italian Elme it is called in low Dutch Herseleer and in some places Heerenteer ¶ The Temperature and Vertues The leaues and barke of the Elme be moderately hot with an euident clensing facultie they haue in the chewing a certaine clammie and glewing qualitie The leaues of Elme glew and heale vp greene wounds so doth the barke wrapped and swadled about the wound like a band The leaues being stamped with vineger do take away scurffe Dioscorides writeth that one ounce weight of the thicker barke drunke with wine or water purgeth flegme The decoction of Elme leaues as also of the barke or root healeth broken bones very speedily if they be fomented or bathed therewith The liquor that is found in the blisters doth beautifie the face and scoureth away all spots freckles pimples spreading tetters and such like being applied thereto It healeth greene wounds and cureth ruptures newly made being laid on with Spleenwoort and the trusse closely set vnto it CHAP. 117. Of the Line or Linden Tree ¶ The Description 1 THe female Line or Linden tree waxeth very great and thicke spreading forth his branches wide and farre abroad being a tree which yeeldeth a most pleasant shadow vnder and within whose boughes may be made braue sommer houses and banqueting arbors because the more that it is surcharged with weight of timber and such like the better it doth flourish The barke is brownish very smooth and plaine on the outside but that which is next to the timber is white moist and tough seruing very well for ropes trases and halters The timber is whitish plaine and without knots yea very soft and gentle in the cutting or handling Better gunpouder is made of the coles of this wood than of VVillow coles The leaues are greene smooth shining and large somewhat snipt or toothed about the edges the floures are little whitish of a good sauour and very many in number growing clustering together from out of the middle of the leafe out of which proceedeth a small whitish long narrow leafe after the floures succeed cornered sharpe pointed Nuts of the bignesse of Hasell Nuts This tree seemeth to be a kinde of Elme and the people of Essex about Heningham wheras great plenty groweth by the way sides do call it broad leafed Elme 1 Tilia faemina The female Line tree 2 Tilia mas The male Line tree 2 The male Tilia or Line tree groweth also very great and thicke spreading it selfe far abroad like the other Linden tree his bark is very tough and pliant and serueth to make cords and halters of The timber of this tree is much harder more knottie and more yellow than the timber of the other not much differing from the timber of the Elme tree the leaues hereof are not much vnlike luy leaues not very greene somewhat snipt about the edges from the middle whereof come forth clusters of little white floures like the former which being vaded there succeed small round pellets growing clustering together like Iuy berries within which is contained a little round blackish seed which falleth out when the berry is ripe ¶ The Place The female Linden tree groweth in some woods in Northampton shire also neere Colchester and in many places alongst the high way leading from London to Henningham in the countie of Essex The male Linden tree groweth in my Lord Treasurers garden at the Strand and in sundry other places as at Barn-elmes and in a garden at Saint Katherines neere London â¡ The female growes in the places here named but I haue not yet obserued the male ⡠¶ The Time These trees floure in May and their fruit is ripe in August ¶ The Names The Linden tree is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Latine Tilia in high Dutch Linden and Lindenbaum in low Dutch Linde and Lindenboom the Italians Tilia the Spaniards Teia in French Tilet and Tilieul in English Linden tree and Line tree ¶ The Temperature The barke and leaues of the Linden or Line tree are of a temperate heat somewhat drying and astringent ¶ The Vertues The leaues of Tilia boiled in Smithes water with a piece of Allom and a little honey cure the sores in childrens mouthes The leaues boiled vntill they be tender and pouned very small with hogs grease and the pouder of Fenugrecke and Lineseed take away hot swellings and bring impostumes to maturation being applied thereto very hot The floures are commended by diuers against paine of the head proceeding of a cold cause against dissinesse the Apoplexie and also the falling sicknesse and not onely the floures but the distilled water thereof The leaues of the Linden saith Theophrastus are very sweet and be a fodder for most kinde of cattle the fruit can be eaten of none CHAP. 118. Of the Maple tree â¡ 1 Acer maius The great Maple â 2 Acer minus The lesser Maple ¶ The Description THe great Maple is a beautifull and high tree with a barke of a meane smoothnesse
the world conserued the Chebulae and of them the best are somewhat long like a small Limon with a hard rinde and black pith of the tast of a conserued Wall-nut and the Bellericae which are round and lesser and tenderer in eating Lobel writeth that of them the Emblicae do meanly coole some do drie in the first degree they purge the stomacke of rotten flegme they comfort the braine the sinewes the heart and liuer procure appetite stay vomite and coole the heat of choler helpe the vnderstanding quench thirst and the heate of the intrailes the greatest and heauiest be the best They purge best and with lesser paine if they be laid in water in the Sun vntill they swell sod on a soft fire after they haue sod and be cold preserued in foure times so much white honey put to them Garcias found the distilled water to be right profitable against the French disease and such like insections The Bellericae are also of a milde operation and do comfort and are cold in the first degree and ãâã in the second the others come neere to the Emblicae in operation CHAP. 129. Of the Juiube tree Iuiube Arabu sive Ziziphus Dodonaei The Iuiube tree ¶ The Description THe Iuiube tree is not much lesser than ãâã candida hauing a wreathed trunke or body and a rough barke full ãâã rifts or cranies and stiffe branches beset with strong and hard prickles from whence grow out many long twigs or little stalkes halfe a foot or more in length in shew like Rushes limmer and ãâã bowing themselues and very ãâã like the twigges of Spartum about which come ãâã leaues one aboue another which are somewhat long not very great but hard and tough like to the leaues of Peruinca or Peruinckle among these leaues come forth pale and mossie little floures after which succeed long red well tasted sweet berries as big as Oliues of a meane quantity or little Prunes or smal Plums wherin there are hard round stones or in which a small kernell is contained ¶ The Place There be now at this day Iuiube trees growing in very many places of Italy which in times past were newly brought thither out of ãâã and that about Pliny his time as he himselfe hath written in his 17. book 10. chap. ¶ The Time It ãâã in Aprill at which time the seeds or stones are to be set or sowne for increase ¶ The Names This tree is called in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã with Iota in the second syllable in Latine likewise Zizyphus and of Petrus Crescentius ãâã in English Iuiube tree The fruit or Plums are named in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Galen calleth them ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as ãâã plainely sheweth in his 369. chapter intreating of the Iuiube in which be set downe those things that are mentioned concerning Serica in Galens books of the faculties of Nourishments in Latine likewise Zizypha and Serica in shops Iuiubae in English Iuiubes ¶ The Temperature Iuiubes are temperate in heate and moisture ¶ The Vertues The fruit of the Iuiube tree eaten is of hard digestion and nourisheth very little but being taken in syrrups electuaries and such like confections it appeaseth and mollifieth the roughnesse of the throat the brest and lungs and is good against the cough but exceeding good for the reines of the backe and kidneies and bladder CHAP. 130. Of the Cherrie Tree ¶ The Kindes THe antient Herbarists haue set down foure kindes of Cherrie trees the first is great and wilde the second tame or of the garden the third whose fruit is ãâã the fourth is that which is called in Latine Chamaecerasus or the dwarfe Cherrie tree The later writers haue found diuers ãâã more some bringing forth great fruit others lesser some with white fruit some with blacke others of the colour of blacke bloud varying infinitely according to the climate and countrey where they grow 1 Cerasus vulgaris The common English Cherrie tree 3 Cerasus Hispanica The Spanish Cherrie tree ¶ The Description 1 THe English Cherrie tree groweth to an high and great tree the body whereof is of a meane bignesse which is parted aboue into very many boughes with a barke somewhat smooth and of a browne crimson colour tough and pliable the substance or timber is also browne in the middle and the outward part is somewhat white The leaues be great broad long set ãâã veines or nerues and sleightly nicked about the edges the floures are white of a mean bignes consisting of fiue leaues and hauing certaine threds in the middle of the like colour the Cherries be round hanging vpon long stems or foot-stalks with a stone in the midst which is couered with a pulpe or soft meat the kernell thereof is not vnpleasant to the taste though somewhat bitter 2 The Flanders Cherry tree differeth not from our English Cherrie tree in stature or forme of leaues or floures the difference consisteth in this that this tree bringeth forth his fruit sooner and greater than the other wherefore it may be called in Latine Cerasus precox sive Belgica 5 Cerasus Serotina Late ripe Cherrie tree 6 Cerasus vno pediculo plura The Cluster Cherrie tree 3 The Spanish Cherrie tree groweth vp to the height of our common Cherrie tree the wood or timber is soft and loose couered with a whitish scalie barke the branches are knottie greater fuller of substance than any other Cherry tree the leaues are likewise greater and longer than any of the rest in shape like those of the Chestnut tree the floures are like the others in forme but whiter of colour the fruit is greater and longer than any white for the most part all ouer except those that stand in the hottest place where the Sun hath some reflexion against a wall they are also white within and of a pleasant taste 4 The Gascoine Cherrie tree groweth very like to the Spanish Cherry tree in stature floures and leaues it differeth in that it bringeth forth very great Cherries long sharpe pointed with a certaine hollownesse vpon one side and spotted here and there with certaine prickles of purple colour as small as sand the taste is most pleasant and excelleth in ãâã 5 The lateripe Cherry tree groweth vp like vnto our wilde English Cherry tree with the like 7 Cerasus multiflora fructus edens The double floured Cherry tree bearing fruit 8 Cerasus multiflora pauciores fructus edens The doule floured barren Cherry tree 9 Cerasus auium nigra racemosa Birds Cherry and blacke Grape Cherry tree 10 Cerasus racemosarubra Red Grape Cherry tree 6 The Cluster Cherry-tree differeth not from the lastdescribed either in leaues branches or ãâã the floures are also like but neuer commeth any one of them to be double The fruit is round red when they be ripe and many growing vpon one stem or footstalke in clusters like as the Grapes do The taste is not
but the Arabians haue mentioned this Indian Nut tree the body whereof is very great smooth and plaine void of boughes or branches of a great height wherefore the Indians do wrap ropes about the body thereof as they doe vpon the tree last described for their more ease in gathering the fruit the timber whereof is verie spongie within but hard without a matter fit to make their Canoos and boats of on the top of the tree grow the leaues like those of the Date tree but broad and sharpe at the point as thornes whereof they vse to make needles bodkins and such like instruments wherewith they sow the sailes of their ships and do such like businesse among these leaues come forth clusters of floures like those of the Chestnut tree which turne into great fruit of a round forme and somwhat sharp at one end in that end next vnto the tree is one hole somtimes two bored through this Nut or fruit is wrapped in a couerture consisting of a substance not vnlike to hempe before it be beaten soft there is also a ãâã and gentler stuffe next vnto the shell like vnto Flax before it be made soft in the middle whereof is contained a great Nut couered with a very hard shell of a browne colour before it be polished afterward of a blacke shining colour like burnished horne next vnto the shell vpon the inside there cleaueth a white cornelly substance firme and sollid of the ãâã and taste of a blanched Almond within the cauitie or hollownes thereof is contained a most delectable liquor like vnto milke and of a most pleasant taste 2 We haue no certaine knowledge from those that haue trauelled into the Indies of the tree which beareth this little Indian Nut neither haue we any thing of our owne knowledge more than that we see by experience that the fruit hereof is lesser wherein consisteth the difference 1 Nux Indica arbor The Indian Nut tree Nux Indica The Indian Nut. 2 Nucula Indica The little Indian Nut. ãâã 3 ¶ The Place This Indian Nut groweth in some places of Africa and in the East Indies and in all the Islands of the West Indies especially in Hispaniola Cuba and Saint Iohns Island and also vpon the continent by Carthagena Nombre de Dios and Panama and in Virginia otherwise called Norembega part of the same continent for the most part neere vnto the sea side and in moist places but it is seldome found in the vplandish countries ¶ The Time It groweth greene Winter and Sommer ¶ The Names The fruit is called in Latine Nux Indica of the Indians Cocus of the Portugals that dwell in the East Indies Cocco taken from the end wherein are three holes representing the head of a Monkie Serapio and Rhasis do call this tree Iaralnare idest Arborem Nuciferam the tree bearing Nuts of ãâã Glauci al hend of the vulgar people Maro and the fruit Narel which name Narel is common among the Persians and Arabians it is called in Malauar Tengamaran the ripe fruit ãâã and the greene fruit Eleri in ãâã it is called Lanhan in Malaio Triccan and the Nut ãâã The distilled liquor is called Sula and the oile that is made thereof Copra ¶ The Temperature It is of a meane temper betwixt hot and cold ¶ The Vertues and vse The Indians do vse to cut the twigs and tender branches toward the euening at the ends whereof they haue bottle gourds hollow canes and such like things fit to receiue the water that droppeth from the branches thereof which pleasant liquor they drinke in stead of wine from the which is drawne a strong and ãâã Aqua Vitae which they vse in time of need against all manner of sicknesses of the branches and boughes they make their houses of the trunk or body of the tree ships and boates of the hempon the outward part of the fruit they make ropes and cables and of the siner stuffe sailes for their ships Likewise they make of the shell of the Nut cups to drinke in which we likewise vse in England garnished with siluer for the same purposes The kernell serueth them for bread and meat the milkie iuice doth serue to coole and refresh their wearied spirits out of the kernel when it is stamped is pressed a most precious oile not onely good for meat but also for medicine wherewith they annoint their feeble lims after their tedious trauell by meanes whereof the ache and paine is mitigated and other infirmities quite taken away proceeding of other causes CHAP. 141. Of the Dragon Tree 1 Draco arbor The Dragon tree Draconis fructus The Dragon tree fruit ¶ The Description THis strange and admirable tree groweth very great resembling the Pine tree by reason it doth alwaies flourish and hath his boughes or branches of equal length and bignesse which are bare and naked of eight or nine cubits long and of the bignesse of a mans ãâã from the ends of which do shoot out leaues of a cubit and a halfe long and full two inches broad somewhat thicke and raised vp in the middle then thinner and thinner like a two edged sword among which come forth little mossie floures of small moment and turne into berries of the bignesse of Cherries of a yellowish colour round light and bitter couered with a threesold skin or filme wherein is to be seene as ãâã and diuers other report the forme of a Dragon hauing a long necke or gaping mouth the ridge or backe armed with sharpe prickles like the Porcupine it hath also a long taile foure feet very easie to be discerned the figure of it we haue set forth vnto you according to the greatnesse thereof because our words and meaning may be the better vnderstood and also the ãâã of the tree in his full bignesse because it is impossible to be expressed in the figure the trunke or body of the tree is couered with a rough barke very thin and ãâã to be opened or wounded with any small toole or instrument which being so wounded in the Dog daies bruised or bored doth yeeld forth drops of a thicke red liquour which of the name of the tree are called Dragons teares or Sanguis Draconis Dragons bloud diuers haue doubted whether the liquour or gummie iuice were all one with Cinnabaris of Dioscorides not meaning that Cinaber made of Quicksiluer but the receiued opinion is they differ not by reason their qualitie and temperature worke the like effect ¶ The Place This tree groweth in an Island which the Portugals call Madera and in one of the Canarie Islands called Insula Portus Sancti and as it seemeth it was first brought out of Africke although some are of a contrary opinion and say that it was first brought from Carthagena in America by the Bishop of the same Prouince ¶ The Time The time of his growing we haue touched in the description where wee said that it flourisheth and groweth greene all the yeare ¶ The Names The names haue
swellings proceeding of a cold cause it preuaileth also against all cold poisons as Hemlocks and such like Of this gum there are made sundry excellent perfumes pomanders sweet waters sweet bags and sweet washing balls and diuers other sweet chaines bracelets whereof to write were impertinent to this historie CHAP. 144. Of the Sorrowfull tree or Indian Mourner ¶ The Description ARbor tristis the sad or sorrowfull tree waxeth as big as an Oliue tree garnished with many goodly branches set full of leaues like those of the Plum tree among which come forth most odoriferous and sweet smelling floures whose stalkes are of the colour of Saffron which flourish and shew themselues onely in the night time and in the day time looke withered and with a mourning cheere the leaues also at that time shrinke in themselues together much like a tender plant that is frost bitten very sadly lumping lowring and hanging downe the head as though it loathed the light and could not abide the ãâã of the Sun I should but in vain lose labour in repeating a foolish fansie of the Poeticall Indians who would make fooles beleeue that this tree was once a faire daughter of a great Lord or King and that the Sun was in loue with her with other toies which I Arbor tristis The sorrowfull tree omit â¡ The floures are white somewhat like those of Iasmine but more double and they are of a very sweet smell there succeed them many little cods containing some six seeds a piece somewhat like those of Stramonium ⡠¶ The Place Time and Names This tree groweth in the East Indies especially in Goa and Malayo in Goa it is called Parizataco in Malayo Singadi in Decan Pul of the Arabians Guart and of the Persians and Turkes Gul in English the Sad or Sorrowfull tree or the Indian mourner The time is specified in the description ¶ The Temperature and Vertues We haue no ceartaine knowledge of the temperature hereof neuerthelesse we read that the Indians do colour their ãâã and meates with the stalkes of the floures hereof in stead of Saffron or whatsoeuer that they desire to haue of a yellow colour It is reported that if a linnen cloth be steeped in the distilled water of the floures and the eyes bathed and washed therewith helpeth the itching and paine therof and staieth the humours that fall downe to the same There is made of the splinters of the wood certaine tooth-pickes and many pretty toies for pleasure CHAP. 145. Of the Balsam tree ¶ The Kindes THere be diuers sorts of trees from which do flow Balsames very different one from another not onely in forme but also in fruit liquour and place of growing the which to distinguish would require more time and trauell than either our small time wil affoord or riches for our maintenance to discouer the same in their naturall countries which otherwise by report to set downe certaine matter by incertainties would discredit the Author and no profit shall arise thereby to the Reader notwithstanding we wil set downe so much as we haue found in the workes of some trauellers which best agree with the truth of the historie ¶ The Description 1 THere be diuers trees growing in the Indies whose fruits are called by the name of the fruit of the Balsam tree among the rest this whose figure we haue set forth vnto your view we our selues haue seene and handled and therefore the better able to describe it It is a fruit very crooked and hollowed like the palme of an hand two inches long halfe an inch thicke ãâã with a thicke smooth ãâã of the colour of a drie Oken leafe wherein is contained a kernell of the same length and thicknesse apt to ãâã said shell or rinde of the substance of an Almond of the colour of ashes fat and oilie of a good smell and very vnpleasant in taste 2 The wood we haue dry brought vnto vs from the Indies for our vse in Physicke a small description may serue for a dry sticke neuerthelesse wee haue other fruits brought from the Indies whose figures are not set forth by reason they are not so well knowne as desired whereof one is of the bignes of a Wal-nut somewhat broad on the vpper side with a rough or rugged shell vneuen blacke of colour and full of a white kernell with much iuice in it of a pleasant taste and smell like the oile of Mace the whole fruit is exceeding light in respect of the quantitie or bignesse euen as it were a piece of Corke which notwithstanding sinketh to the bottome when it falleth into the water like as doth a stone 1 Balsamifructus The fruit of the Balsam tree â¡ 3 Balsamum Alpini cum Carpobalsamo The Balsam tree with the fruit This tree saith Garcias that beareth the fruit Carpobalsamum is also one of the Balsam trees it groweth to the height and bignesse of the Pomegranate tree garnished with very many branches whereon do grow leaues like those of Rue but of colour whiter alwaies growing greene amongst which come forth floures whereof we haue no certaintie after which commeth forth fruit like that of the Turpentine tree which in shoppes is called Carpobalsamum of a pleasant smell but the liquour which floweth from the wounded tree is much sweeter which liquour of some is called Opobalsamum â¡ Prosper Alpinus hath writ a large Dialogue of the Balsam of the Antients and also figured and deliuered the historie thereof in his booke De Plant. Aegypti cap. 14. whether I refer the curious I haue presented you with a slip from his tree and the Carpobalsamum ãâã forth by our Author which seemes to be of the same plant The leaues of this are like to those of Lentiscus alwaies greene and winged growing three fiue or seuen fastened to one foot-stalke the wood is gummie reddish and well smelling the floures are small and ãâã like those of Acatia growing vsually three nigh together the fruit is of the shape and bignesse of that of the Turpentine tree containing yellow and well smelling seeds filled with a yellowish moisture like honey their taste is bitterish somwhat biting the tongue â¡ Of these Balsam trees there is yet another sort the fruit whereof is as it were a kernell without a shell couered with a thin skin straked with many veines of a browne colour the meat is firm and solid like the kernell of the Indian Nut of a white colour and without smell but of a grateful tast and it is thought to be hot in the first degree or in the beginning of the second There be diuers sorts more which might be omitted because of tediousnesse neuerthelesse I wil trouble you with two speciall trees worthy the noting there is saith my Author in America a great tree of monstrous hugenesse beset with leaues and boughes euen to the ground the trunke wherof is couered with a twofold bark the one thick like vnto Corke another thin next to the tree from betweene