our common Germander thereby transferring the Chamaedrys to be the taller shrub and Teucrium the lesser and lower yet as he saith seeing Dioscorides himselfe saith that in his time they were transferred for the likenesse of their leaves one unto another it is not absurd to call them as they are usually entituled but as I shall shew you in the next Chapter the Teucrium of Dioscorides is better to bee explaned than Dodonaeus doth It seemeth also that Dodonaeus having beene in an errour in his former workes concerning Hierabotane mas faemina giving the figures of the Chamaedrys sylvestris thereunto reclaimed himselfe in his later History or Pemptades and left them both out as not allowing of his former opinion The Arabians call it Damedrios Chamedrius and Kemadriut the Italians Chamedrio and Quercivola and some Calamandrina the Spaniards Chamedrios the French Germandree the Germanes Gamanderle and Bathengel the Dutch Gamandree and we in English Germander The Vertues Germander is hot and dry in the third degree and is more sharpe and bitter than Teucrium and as Dioscorides saith is a remedy for coughes taken with honey for those whose spleene is become hard for those that can hardly make their water and helpeth those that are falling into a dropsie in the beginning of the disease especially if a decoction be made thereof when it is greene and drunke It doth likewise bring downe the termes helpe to expell the dead child and taken with vineger doth waste or consume the spleene it is most effectuall against the poison of all Serpents both drunke in wine and laid to the place used with honey it cleanseth old and foule ulcers and taketh away the dimnesse and moistnes of the eyes being made into an oyle and annoynted It is likewise good for the paines in the sides and for crampes The decoction thereof taken for some dayes together driveth away and cureth both quartane and tertian agues The Tuscans as Matthiolus saith doe highly esteeme thereof and by their experience have found it as effectuall against the plague or pestilence as Scordium or water Germander It is also as he saith good against all the diseases of the braine as the continuall paines of the head the falling sicknesse melancholicke fullennesse the drowsie evill those that are sottish through the dulnesse of the spirits and for crampes convulsions and palsies a dramme of the seed taken in powder doth purge choller by urine and is thereby good for the yellow jaundise the juyce of the leaves dropped into the eares killeth the wormes in them It is also given to kill the wormes in the belly which a few toppes of them when they are in flower laid to steepe a day and a night in a draught of white wine and drunke in the morning will doe also Theophrastus in setting downe the properties of Germander saith that the one part of the roote purgeth upwards and the other part downewards whereof there is more wonder than for Thapsia and Ischias that is blistering Fennell and tuberous or knobbed Spurge to doe so Andreas Vesalius pag. 49. speaking of the China roote saith that if a decoction hereof bee made in wine and taken for 60. dayes continually foure houres before meate it is a certaine remedy for the gowt Durantes giveth the receipt of a Syrupe very effectuall for the spleene in this manner Take saith he Germander Chamaepitys or Ground Pine Ceterach or Milt waste and Madder of each one handfull the barke of the roote of Capers the rootes of Smallage Elecampane Orris or Flagge Flower-de-luce and Liquorice of each halfe an ounce Of the leaves and barke of Tamariske and of Cyperus of each three drammes of the seed of Anise Fennell and Smallage of each one dramme of Raisins stoned one ounce Let all these be boyled according to art in a sufficient quantity of Posset that is of vineger and water equall parts Vnto each pound of this decoction being strained put sixe ounces of Sugar and three ounces of Cinamon water which being made into a cleare Syrupe take foure ounces every morning fasting The decoction thereof is good to stay the whites in women if they sit therein while it is warme and likewise easeth the passions of the mother being boyled in vineger and applyed to the stomacke with a little leaven stayeth vomitings that rise not from chollericke or hot causes the leaves hereof and the seed of Nigella quilted in a Cap stayeth the catarrhe or distillation of raw cold and thinne rheumes being boyled in lye with some Lupines or flat beanes and the head washed therewith taketh away the dandraffe or scurfe thereof The mountaine Germander is used by those of the Alpes where it groweth to stay all manner or fluxes whether of the belly or of the blood the feminine courses and the bloody flixe as also to stay vomitings CHAP. XXXIX Teucrium Tree Germander IT remaineth that I shew you in this Chapter the rest of the Germanders called Teucria Tree Germanders to distinguish them from the former sorts whether they be true or false 1. Teucrium majus vulgare The more common Tree Germander Tree Germander groweth like a little shrubbe with hard 1. Teucrium majus vulgare The more common Tree Germander wooddy but brittle stalkes a foote or two and sometimes a yard high if it be well preserved and defended from the injuries of the Winters branching forth on all sides from the very bottome bearing alwayes leaves by couples smaller smoother and thicker that those of Germander of a darke shining greene colour on the upperside and grayish underneath and dented also about the edges like them the gaping flowers stand about the toppes of the branches spike fashion one above another of a pale whitish colour saith Clusius of a purplish saith Lobel of both which I have had plants somewhat larger than those of Germander and without any hood above having a few threads standing forth the seed is small blackish and round contained in small round but pointed huskes the roote is somewhat wooddy with many blackish fibres the whole plant is of a fine weake scent but somewhat stronger if it be a little bruised holding the stalkes and greene leaves continually if it be not exposed to the sharpnesse of the Winter season 2. Teucrium Creticum Tree Germander of Candy This shrubby Germander of Candy riseth up with such like wooddy brittle stalkes as the former but somewhat smaller and whiter whereon doe grow such like leaves and in the same manner but somewhat lesser lesse greene and shining above and more hoary underneath two alwayes set at a joynt but on the contrary side with the leaves towards the toppes come forth five or sixe flowers standing in a huske like unto the former but a little lesse and of a purple colour after which come small round seed like the other the whole plant is somewhat sweeter than the former 3. Teucrium Boeticum Tree Germander of Spaine This Spanish shrubby Germander groweth in some places of Spaine
resembling a small lambe whose coate or rinde is wolly like unto a Lambes skinne the pulpe or meate underneath which is like the flesh of a Crevise or Lobster having as it is sayd blood also in it it hath the forme of an head hanging downe and feeding on the grasse round about it untill it hath consumed it and then dyeth or else will perish if the grasse round about it bee cut away of purpose it hath foure legges also hanging downe the Woolves much affect to feede on them CHAP. LXVIII Manobiforte Brasilianorum Indian earth nuts or Pease THere is growing in sundry places in Brassil and in America also neare the River Maranon a certaine fruit or Pease breeding under the ground like as puffes doe without either leafe or roote as it is sayd but they are no bigger then great Pease and inclosed in a small grayish thicke and short cod very like a small Pescod with one or two Pease therein of a pale reddish colour on the outside and white within tasting like unto an Almond which will rattle being shaked in the skinne growing many together and tyed by small strings The fruits are eaten as junkets with great delight for their pleasant tastes sake eyther fresh or dryed but a little tosted make them rellish much better and are served to the table of the better sort as an after course and doe dry and strengthen the stomacke very much but taken too liberally breed head ach and heavinesse CHAP. LXIX Radix Sancta Helenae Saint Helens beads or Indian round sweet Cyperus NEare the Port of Saint Hellen which is in Florida grew certaine rootes very long and full of knots or round joynts as great as ones thumbe blacke Radix Sancta Helene Saint Helens Beads or Indian round sweet Cyperus without and white within tasting somewhat aromaticall like Galanga which when they are dry are as hard as an horne the leaves are large and very greene growing on stalkes that spread on the ground it groweth in moist grounds and is drying in the beginning of the second degree and heating in the end of the same the pouther of them taken in wine is used against the paines of the stomacke and bowels easing the collicke and stone in the Kidneyes and provoking urine The Indians use to sprinkle the pouther of the rootes all over their bodies being ready to goe into the Baths because as they say it bindeth the skinne and strengthneth the members of the body by its sweet sent They use there to disjoynt these round knots of the rootes which being drilled and strung serve them in stead of Beads to tell God how many prayers they will give him at a time Clusius thinketh these roots may not unfitly bee referred to some kind of Cyperus but I thinke the large leaves contradict it CHAP. LXX Radix Quimbaya Carthagenas purging roots PEtrus Cieca maketh mention of these roots in the first part of his Peruvian history that they are slender of about a fingers thicknesse growing among the trees in Quinbaya a Province in Feru whose cheife city is Carthage if some of these roots be taken and steeped in a good quantitie of water all night they will drinke up most of the water but yet three ounces thereof remaining being drunke doe purge the body so gently and without trouble or perturbation as if it had beene purged with Rubarbe this hath beene often tryed Clusius thinketh that these rootes were the same or very like unto such as was sent him by a friend by the name of Bexugo vel Peru which he tooke to be no other then the branches of Atragene or Viorna of that Countrey they were so like CHAP. LXXI Rhabarbarum Americanum Rubarbe of America or West Indie Rubarbe MOnardus saith that among other things were sent him out of the maine of the West Indies he had a peece of a roote which they called there by the name of Rubarbe and was very like the East Indian kind for as hee saith it was round with a brownish coate and reddish core or inside which being broken had some whitenesse mixed among it and coloured the spittle yellow like Saffron being bitter withall but what leaves it bore was not signified This is not the white Rubarbe of America for that as is sayd in its place in the Mechoacan CHAP. LXXII Carlo Sancto The Indian Hoppe-like purger OVt of the Province of Mexico commeth this root which they there call Carlo Sancto for what cause is not well knowne it groweth after the manner of Hoppes climing on poles or other high things or else it will lye on the ground the leaves are like unto Hoppe leaves of a very sad greene colour and of a strong heady sent it is not knowne whether it beare eyther flower or fruite the roote is great at the head having sundry smaller sprayes issuing from it each of the bignesse of ones greater finger and white the barke or tinde whereof is easily separated from the rest and is of most use smelling somewhat sweet and tasting bitter and somewhat sharpe withall the pith of the roote consisteth as it were of many small and very thinne filmes which may easily Carlo Sancto The Indian Hoppe-like purger be separated one from another it is hot and dry in the beginning of the second degree The barke of the roote being a little chewed in the mouth draweth downe from the head much flegme whereby rheumes catarrhes and destillations therefrom are voyded and the parts much eased of paines and other griefes in some also it causeth a vomit avoyding thereby much choller and flegme from the stomacke that oppressed it before and strengthned it afterwards the decoction thereof worketh better thereon if a purgation fitting the person be taken before this evacuation upwards it will doe the more good the barke being chewed helpeth loose gummes putrid and rugged teeth and maketh a sweete breath but it were good to wash the mouth with a little wine afterwards to take away the bitternesse the pouther thereof taken in a little white wine or the decoction thereof with Maiden haire and a little Cinamon easeth women of the obstructions of the mother the staying of their courses and consumeth winde in their bodies being formerly purged and prepared and using Liquidambar Vng Dealthaea of equall parts mixed together to annoint the lower parts of the belly all the while the same also helpeth the Simptomes of the heart as swounings and other the passions thereof especially rising from the defects of the mother This decoction likewise is very beneficiall for them that are so troubled that is to take two drams of the barke and boile it in three pints of faire water putting in at the end thereof foure drammes of the barke of Pomcitrons and two drammes of Cinamon which afterwards being strained six ounces of this decoction is to be taken with a little Sugar every morning the body being purged before hand This pouther and decoction is commended likewise against the French disease the
de methodo medendi Mesues againe saith that Turbith is the roote of an herbe that giveth milke whose leaves are like unto Thapsia or Ferula Fennell giant and there upon diverse have taken the rootes of Thapsia to be true Turbith Serapio taketh the roote of Tripolium or Sea Starwort to be the true Turbith and lastly the roote of Scammonye iâ— taken of some to come neerest the true Turbith as hath beene shewed in the chapter of Scammonye here before Matthiolus saith that all the sorts of Tithymall were indifferently taken and used for Esula by Physitions and Apothecaries in his time but assuredly the Turbith officinarum which is most likely to be the same of the ancients is not the roote of any of the Tithymalls or Spurges because all of them are hot and sharpe whether fresh or dryed and the true Turbith is almost insipid and because they being dry break short without any of those long threds that are in the true Turbith neither can it be Alypum or Esula for they are hot likewise It cannot be the roote of Thapsia which besides the heate and sharpenesse is too white also and the roote of the true Turbith is somewhat blackish on the outside and not so white within as Thapsia is That Tripolium cannot be it Dioscorides and Galen declare sufficiently who say it is sharpe in taste and hot in the third degree which qualities are not to be found in Turbith Lastly that Turbith should be the roote of Scammomye I cannot thinke because they doe quickly grow greater than the rootes of Turbith are ever seene to be The Arabians call Tithymall Xanxer Ethutia Mesues Scebran Alscebran the Italians Titimalo Tortumaglio the Spaniards Leche nersna Leche tregna the French Herbe au laict the Germanes Wolffs milke the Dutch Wolfs milck and we in English Milkewort or Spurge in generall and particularly Sea Spurge Wood Spurge c. as is extant in the titles The Vertues All these Spurges except the last are heating and exulcerating the skinne if they be outwardly applyed and are vehement and excoriating purgers taken inwardly without great care and caution for as Mesues saith in his booke of purging Herbes they are all offensive to the heart liver and stomacke they breake the veines shave the guts and heate the whole body so much that thereupon they raise fevers many times the first ill qualities therefore he saith are taken away if those things be put thereto in the taking that doe strengthen the heart liver and stomacke The second and third are taken away by putting thereto such things as have a glutinous quality and such are gum Tragacant Bdellium and the muccilage or expression of the seedes of Fleaworte and Purslaine The fourth evill quality is taken away by mixing cold and moyst things with it and such are the juyces of Sowthistle Endive Purslaine Nightshade or the seedes of Quinces well beaten with Vinegar These Tithymals or Spurges doe purge with great violence both upward by vomits and downeward by the stoole flegmaticke humors both from the stomacke and from the joynts as also blacke choller melancholy and the dropsie but they wast and macerate the body and consume generation 3 or 4 droppes of the milke taken fresh is often put into a dry figge which is taken by strong Country people to purge them but it requireth some caution in gathering of the milke that they stand with their backes and not their faces to the winde and especially that they touch not their face or eyes with their hands The milkie juyce of them is the strongest worker the seedes and leaves are next in quality thereto and the rootes of most are of the same operation but not so strong yet they being boyled in Vinegar helpe the toothach especially if they be hollow and the milke put into them so as it touch not any of the other teeth or gummes doth worke more effectually and speedily the same milke layd also upon any hairy place taketh away the haires but it is necessary that it lye not long at a time that the places be anointed with oyle of roses and Nightshade quickly after the same also taketh away callous knots and all other callous or hard kernels or cornes of the feete or other parts of the body if they be first pared to the quick and some thereof dropped on or layde to the same also boyled in some oyle of bitter Almonds clenseth the skinne of the markes or scarres that come of sores as also other deformities and discolouring of the skinne and the scabbes and scurfes of the head The Myrtle leafed Spurge is effectuall in all these diseases excepting vomiting wherein it is weaker The rest are all of a like quality but the Helioscopius is the weakest yet the leaves of the greater sorts in generall although some attribute it to the broad leafed Spurge onely cast into the water causeth the fish therein to rise up to the toppe thereof which lying thereon as halfe dead for a while may be easely taken with ones hand or otherwise A lye made of the ashes of them and the ashes themselves also are answerable to the same effects before set downe in many things The sweete Spurge as Tragus saith doth strongly provoke vomitings if the roote thereof be taken inwardly The outer barke of the roote being steeped a day and a night in Vinegar and then taken forth dryed and powdered halfe a dramme of that powder taken in wine or honyed water doth purge all waterish humors downewards as also choller and is very profitably given to those that have the dropsie the roote also wonderfully sodereth and healeth all manner of greene wounds Tragus also sheweth the manner of making certaine pills that are very effectuall for the dropsie and those that are short-winded which may be taken as he saith without either paine or danger Take of the rootes of Esula prepared as aforesayd halfe an ounce of aloes one ounce of Masticke one dramme these being beaten into powder each by it selfe are to be made up with Fennell water into great or small pills CHAP. XVII Lathyris sive Cataputia minor Garden Spurge VNto these greater Spurges I must adjoyne this other kinde of Spurge which by all authors both before and since Galens time was accounted to be neerest unto them and yet differing from them and therefore fittest to be expressed in a Chapter by it selfe yet hereof there are two or three sorts observed one greater than another as shall be presently shewed 1. Lathyris major hortensis The greater garden Spurge The greater of these garden Spurges riseth up but with one hollow straight whitish stalke as big as a finger shaddowed as it were over with browne on which grow up to the toppe for the first yeare many thicke fat long and somewhat narrow leaves of a blewish greene colour on the upperside and more whitish underneath somewhat like unto Willow leaves for the forme yeelding milke as plentifull as any of the rest
beaten and mixed with barly meale and applyed to hot inflammations asswageth them and helpeth places that are burnt either by fire or water cureth fistulous ulcers being layde thereupon and easeth the paines of the goute being beaten and boyled with the tallow of a bull or goate and layd warme thereon the juyce of the leaves snuffed up into the nostrills purgeth the tunicles of the braine the juyce of the berries boyled with a little honey and dropped into the eares easeth the paines of them the decoction of the berries in wine being drunke provoketh urine the powder of the seedes first prepared in vinegar and then taken in wine halfe a dramme at a time for certaine dayes together is a meanes to abate and consume the fat flesh of a corpulent body and keepe it leane the berries so prepared and as much white tartar and a few aniseede put to them a dramme of this powder given in wine cureth the dropsie humour by purging very gently the dry flowers are often used in the decoctions of glisters to expell winde and ease the chollicke for they lose their purging quality which they have being greene and retaine an attenuating and digesting propertie being dryed the distilled water of the flowers is of much use to cleare the skinne from sunne burning freckles morphew or the like and as Matthiolus saith both the forepart and hinderpart of the head being bathed therewith it taketh away all manner of the headach that commeth of a cold cause The Vinegar made of flowers of the Elder by maceration and insolation is much more used in France than any where else and is grate full to the stomacke and of great power and effect to quicken the appetite and helpeth to cut grosse or tough flegme in the chest A Syrupus acetosus made hereof would worke much better than the ordinary for these purposes The leaves boyled and layd hot upon any hot and painefull apostumes especially in the more remote and sinewie parts doth both coole the heate and inflammation of them and ease the paines The distilled water of the inner barke of the tree or of the roote is very powerfull to purge the watery humors of the dropsie or timpanie taking it fasting and two houres before supper Matthiolus giveth the receipt of a medecine to helpe any burning by fire or water which is made in this manner take saith he one pound of the inner barke of the Elder bruise it or cut it small and put it into two pound of fine sallet oyle or oyle Olive that hath beene first washed oftentimes with the distilled water of Elder flowers let them boyle gently a good while together and afterwards straine forth the oyle pressing it very hard set this oyle on the fire againe and put thereto foure ounces of the juyce of the young branches and leaves of the Elder tree and as much new wax let them boyle to the consumption of the juyce after which being taken from the fire put presently thereunto two ounces of liquid Vernish such as Ioyners use to vernish their bedsteeds cupboords tables c. and afterwards of Olibanum in fine powder foure ounces and the whites of two egges being first well beaten by themselves all these being well stirred and mixed together put it up into a cleane pot and keepe it for to use when occasion serveth The young buddes and leaves of the Elder and as much of the rootes of Plantaine beaten together and boyled in old Hogs grease this being laid warme upon the place pained with the gout doth give present ease thereto The leaves also burned and the pouder of them put up into the nostrills staieth the bleeding being once or twise used If you shall put some of the fresh flowers of Elders into a bagge letting it hang in a vessell of wine when it is new made and beginneth to boyle I thinke the like may be tried with a vessell of ale or beere new tunned up and set to worke together the bagge being a little pressed every evening for a seaven night together giveth to the wine a very good rellish and a smell like Muscadine and will doe little lesse to ale or beere The leaves of Elders boyled tender and applied warme to the fundament easeth the paines of the piles if they be once or twice renued growing cold The foule inflamed or old ulcers and sores of the legges being often washed with the water of the leaves or of the flowers distilled in the middle of the moneth of May doth heale them in a short space The distilled water of the flowers taketh away the heate and inflammation of the eyes and helpeth them when they are bloud shotten The hands being washed morning and evening with the same water of the flowers doth much helpe and ease them that have the Palsie in them and cannot keepe them from shaking The pith in the middle of the Elder stalkes being dried and put into the cavernous holes of Fistulous ulcers that are ready to close openeth and dilateth the orifices whereby injections may be used and other remedies applied for the cure of them It is said that if you gently strike a horse that cannot stale with a sticke of this Elder and binde some of the leaves to his belly it shall make him stale quickly The Mushromes of the Elder called Iewes eares are of much use being dried to be boyled with Ale or Milke with Columbine leaves for sore throates and with a little Pepper and Pellitory of Spaine in powder to put up the uvula or pallet of the mouth when it is fallen downe Matthiolus saith that the dried Iewes eares steeped in Rosewater and applied to the temples and forehead doe ease the paines of the head or headach The Mountaine or red berried Elder hath the properties that the common Elder hath but weaker to all purposes the berries hereof are taken to be cold and to procure sleepe but the frequent use of it is hurtfull It is said that if a branch of this Elder be put into the trench that a moale hath made it will either drive them forth or kill them in their trench The Marsh Elder is of the like purging qualitie with the common especially the berries or the juyce of them Mens and birds doe feede upon them willingly in the Winter The Wallwort or Danewort is more forceable or powerfull than the Elder in all the diseases and for all the purposes whereunto it is applied but more especially wherein the Elder is little or nothing prevalent the Wallwort serveth to these uses The young and tender branches and leaves thereof taken with wine helpeth those that are troubled with the stone and gravell and laid upon the testicles that are swollen and hard helpeth them quickly the juice of the roote of Wallwort applied to the throate healeth the Quinsie or Kings evill the fundament likewise is stayed from falling downe if the juyce thereof be put therein the same also put up with a little wooll into the mother
ordinary great one having such like red flowers and yet he maketh the same to be Clusius his Cynoglossum pumilum sive Austriacum alterum and also Columna his Cynoglossa minor montana serotina altera Plinij who both say that theirs have blew flowers as the Elatine of Tragus and the Lappula rusticorum of Lugdunensis which are both one and the same with it this also Bauhinus himselfe maketh his tenth species calling it Cynoglossum minus and there also making it to be the same Cynoglossa Plinij of Columna before set downe so that he confoundeth them much maketh that sort with red flowers to be the same with that of Tragus and Lugdunensis which hath blew flowers and doth corresponde altogether with theirs which errour in him is usuall in many other places of his Pinax and not in this onely It is called by the Italians Cinoglossa and Lingua di canc by the Spaniards Langua de perro by the French Langue de chien by the Germans Hundss zungin by the Dutchmen Honts tonghe and we in English Hounds tongue generally or of some Dogges tongue The Vertues Hounds tongue is temperately cold drying and astringent and yet hath a mollifying qualitie The roote is very effectually used in pills as well as in decoctions or otherwise to stay all sharpe and thin defluxions of rheume from the head into the eyes or nose or upon the stomacke or lungs as also for coughs and shortnes of breath for which purpose the Pilulae de Cynoglossa either of Mesues or Trallianus description or as it is corrected by Fernelius is singular good which is set downe in this manner Take of Myrrhe five drammes Olibanum sixe drammes of Opium of the seedes of white Henbane and the barke of the dried rootes of Hounds tongue of each foure drams or halfe an ounce of Saffron and Castor of each one dramme and a halfe let all these be made into a masse or lumpe for pilles according to art with the syrupe of Staechados the leaves boiled in wine saith Dioscorides but others do rather appoint it to be made with water and to add thereunto oyle and salt mollifieth or openeth the belly downewards the same also taken doth helpe to cure the biting of a mad Dogge and applying some of the leaves also to the wound the leaves bruised or the juice of them boyled in Axungia that is Hogges larde and applied cureth the falling away of the haire which commeth of hot and sharpe humours the same also is a very good remedy to apply to any place that is scalded or burnt with fire the leaves of themselves bruised and laid to any greene wound doth heale it up quickly the same ointment aforesaid with a little Turpentine added thereunto as also the juyce used with other fit things doth wonderfully helpe all old ulcers and deepe or much spread sores in the legges or other parts of the body and taketh away all inflammation that rise about them or any where else in the body be it St. Authonies fire or the like the roote likewise baked under the embers either wrapped in paste or wet papers or in a wet double cloth and thereof a suppository made and put up into the fundament or applied to the fundament doth very effectually helpe the painefull piles or hemorrhoides the distilled water of the herbe and rootes is very good to all the purposes aforesaid to be used as well inwardly to drinke as outwardly to wash any sore places for it doth heale all manner of wounds or punctures and those foule ulcers that rise by the French Poxe CHAP. XX. Auchusa Alkanet THere are divers sorts of Alkanet whereof I have given you the description of one and under it have made mention of some other sorts in my former Booke but because I there did not shew you them at the full I will in this place make further mention thereof with the rest of it is kinde 1. Anchusa lutea major The greater yellow Alkanet This yellow Alkanet hath many long and narrow hoary leaves lying on the ground and thicke set on the stalkes likewise which riseth not much above a foote and a halfe high at the toppes wherof stand many yellow flowers with a small leafe at the foote of every flower which are somewhat long and hollow very like unto Comfrey flowers but a little opening themselves at the brimmes like unto Buglosse flowers with a pointell in the middle after they are past there come in their places small long blackish seede not unlike both to Buglosse and Comfrey seede the roote is of the bignesse of ones finger and of the length of two whose outward barke is somewhat thicke and of an excellent orient red colour ready to colour their hands and fingers with its red colour that shall handle it the inner pith being white and wooddy the whole herbe is of an astringent taste 2. Anchusa lutea minor The lesser yellow Alkanet This small Alkanet is very like unto the former but that the leaves are narrower and not so long yet covered 1. Anchusa lutea major Thâ— great yellow Akanet 2. Aâ—chusa lutea â—r The lesser yellow Alkanet 3. Anchusa minor purpurea Small Alkanet with purple flowers 5. 6. Anchusa arboreâ— Anchusa hâ— Tall and low Alkanet with an hairy hoarinesse as the stalkes are also which in some are but a foote in others a foote and a halfe high with smaller leaves thereon the flowers are hollow and yellow like the other but lesser the seede also is alike the roote is great in respect of the plant red and tender while it is young but growing wooddy when it is old and blackish but liveth and abideth after seed time which some others doe not 3. Anchusa minor purpurea Small Alkanet with purple flowers The small purple Alkanet hath greater and longer leaves then the last hairy and greene like unto Buglosse and somewhat like unto the first but yet lesser and narrower although more plentifull that lye upon the ground and those also that rise up with the stalkes which are many tender and slender Altera supina atro purpureo flore whose flowers being like the others are of a reddish purple colour the seede following is more gray the roote is greater and thicker then the other We have another sort hereof whose small flowers scarse rising out of the huskes are of a sad or dead red colour the seede blackish rising againe yearely of its owne sowing and leaning downe to the ground 4. Anchusa lignosior angustifolia Wooddy Alkanet This smallest Alkanet which scarse deserveth to be accounted one of them both for the want of colour in the roote and the hardnesse of both rootes and stalkes for the stalkes are scarse a foote high hard and wooddy having many small and narrow sad greene hairy leaves much smaller and shorter then the last the flowers stand on crooked stalkes bending inwards like Heliotropium and are hollow but smaller then the former and of a very blew colour like
in imitation of the Greek Pliny saith that some called Myrrhis by the name of Smirnisusa and others Myrrha yet some have it 〈◊〉 from the likenesse unto Smyrnium as before the Smyrnium was likened to Myrrhis some also call it 〈◊〉 and some Cicutaria from the likenesse of the leaves and of some Conilaus the first is generally called 〈◊〉 most authors yet Anguilara calleth it Seseli Peleponense and is Gaesalpinus his Cicutaria tertia and by 〈◊〉 Caerefolium Hispanicum and by Bauhinus Myrrhis major vel Cicutaria odorata the second Lobel 〈◊〉 Myrrhis altera parua and Camerarius Myrrhis sativa minor and is the second Cicutaria of Caesalpinus and by 〈◊〉 Myrrhis montana the third is the Myrrhis of Fuchsius and others which Camerarius calleth sylvestris and Gesner in hortis Cicutaria similis Cicutae herba that grew in the fields and was not 〈◊〉 which Bauhinus calleth Myrrhis sylvestris seminibus â—evibus because hee calleth the last Myrrhis syl 〈…〉 which Columna called Myrrhis sylv nova Aequicolorum and I have added to the title Anglicanum because it is 〈◊〉 like his The Italians call it Mirrhida the French Persil d'asne the Germans Wilder kerffell the Dutch 〈◊〉 Kervell and we in English sweete Chervill great Chervill and sweet Cicely The Vertues Galen saith that Myrrhis is hot in the second degree with some 〈◊〉 of parts both leaves seede and 〈◊〉 are so fine and pleasant in Sallets as no other is comparable to it and give a better rellish to any other 〈…〉 put with it the seedes while they are fresh and greene sliced and put among other herbes make them the very pleasant the roote boyled and eaten with oyle and Vinegar or without oyle if any mislike oyle doth 〈…〉 pleasâ— and warme a cold or old stomacke oppressed with flegme or winde or those that have the 〈◊〉 or Consumption of the Lungs the roote drunke with wine is a remedy against the biting of the venemous 〈◊〉 Phalangium as also the Plague or Pestilence the same also provoketh womens courses and expelleth the after birth it also procureth an appetite to meate and helpeth to expell winde the juice is good to 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of the head and face the candid rootes of this Chervill are held as effectuall as Angelica to preserve the spiritâ— from infection in the time of a Plague as also to warme and comfort a cold weake stomacke CHAP. XXXIIII Levisticum vulgare Ordinary Lovage HAving finished the two former rankes or order of umbelliferous plants I am come now to speake of the third and last sort which is of such as have broader leaves like Panax or Angellica and because I could not well place the Lovage among the Selina or Apia although it be most like unto them and not to be accounted one of them let me set it in the forefront of this broad leased order whose description is thus It hath many long and great stalkes of large winged leaves divided into many parts somewhat like unto Smallage but much larger and greater every leafe being cut about the edges broadest forwards and smallest at the stalke of a sad greene colour smooth and shining from among which rise up sundry strong and tall hollow greene stalkes five or six foote high yea eight foote high in my Garden full of joynts and such like but lesser leaves set at them then grow below and with the leaves come forth toward the toppes long branches bearing at their toppes large umbells of yellow flowers and after them flat brownish seede bigger by much then Dill and lesser then Parsneps and thicker also the roote groweth great and deepe spreading much and enduring long of a brownish colour on the outside and whitish within the Levisticum vulgare Ordinary Lovage Levisticum vulgare Germanicum The Lovage of Germany 〈◊〉 plant and every part of it smelleth somewhat strongly and aromatically and of an hot sharpe biting taste Having another figure of Levisticum which Camerarius in his Epitome upon Matthiolus exhibiteth I could not 〈◊〉 insert it here that the difference from the other may be seene our rootes being great and thicke Germanicum and nothing 〈…〉 and in the flowers which they say are white and are yellowish with us which Dodonaeus noteth also so that either they observed it not well when it was in flower or theirs doth differeth from ours therein â—ven as it is noted in the Paâ—ax Heracleum The Place and Time It groweth no where wilde in Europe that I can here of but is onely planted in Gardens where it will grow 〈◊〉 and great if it be suffered it flowreth in the end of Iuly and seedeth in August The Names It is called usually in Latine Levisticum for Greeke name it hath none and not Ligusticum being farre differing plants although some have taken them to be both one deceived chiefely by the vicinitie of the name as namely Cordus Gesner Tragus Camerarius and Tabermontanus who all call it Ligusticum either sativum or vulgar Fuchsius calleth it Libysticum and Smyrnium also for which he is reprehended by Matthiolus Anguilara tooke it to be Laserpitium and Dodonaeus saith it is likely to be a kind of Laserpitium and Lobel calleth it Laserpitiuâ— Germanicum but Lugdunensis maketh it to be Hpposelinum after Matthiolus his opinion who saith if this be not Dioscorides his Hipposelinum he knoweth no other Matthiolus Dodonaeus and Lobel doe call it Levisticum Bauhinus setteth it among the Libanotides and called it Ligusticum vulgare and Libanotis fertilis Theophrasti For the true Ligusticum called Siler montanum and in shoppes Siselios I have shewed you here before The Italians call it Levestico the French Levesche the Germanes Libstockel the Dutch Laverse and Lavas and wee in in English Lovage The Vertues Lovage is hot and drie in the beginning of the third degree and is of thinne parts also and thereby doth open out and digest humours and doth mightily provoketh womens courses and urine as much as any of the kindes of Parsley the dried roote in powder taken to the weight of halfe a dramme in wine doth wonderfully warme a cold stomacke helping digestion and consuming all superfluous moisture and raw humours therein easeth all inward griplings and paines dissolveth winde and resisteth poyson and infection effectually the greene roote hereof bruised in a stone morter and steeped for twelve houres in faire water then strained and drunke first in the morning and last at night two or three spoonefulls at a time asswageth any drought or great desire to drinke more than a carouse of cold drinke found true by often experience although the roote is well knowne to be hot it is a knowne remedy and of much and continuall experience in divers shires of this Land to drinke the decoction of the herbe for any sort of ague whether it be quotidian tertian or quartaine and to helpe the paines and torments in the body and bowells comming of cold the seede is effectuall to all the properties aforesaid
that it dryeth up thinne humours digesteth the 〈◊〉 and tough and purgeth blacke or burnt choller and especially tough and thicke flegme and thinne flegme 〈◊〉 even from the joynts which the inhabitants about the Rivers of Rheine and Mosa doe finde to be true as Doâ—â—â— relateth it who by using the decoction of Polypody a good while together are freed from those tumors in their hands feete knees and joynts wherewith they are much troubled and is therefore good for those are â—â—â—led with Melancholy or Quartaine Agues especially if it be taken in Whey or Mede that is honied water or in Barly water or the broth of a Chicken with Epithymum or with Beetes and Mallowes it is also good â—r the hardnesse of the Spleene and for those prickings or stitches that happen in the sides as also for the chollicke taken any manner of wayes some use also to put to it some seedes of Fennell and Anise or Ginger to correct 〈◊〉 â—â—sea or loathing that he saith it bringeth to the stomacke and to strengthen it the better yet some hold it is â—â— free of danger that it bringeth no trouble to the stomacke but is a safe and gentle medicine fit for all seasons and persons which daily expecience confirmeth and yet a greater quantitie may be given in a decoction then â—â— appointeth even an ounce or more if there be not Sene or some other strong purger put with it a dramme or 〈◊〉 if neede be of the powder of the dryed rootes taken fasting in a cup full of honyed water worketh gently and for the same purposes aforesaid The distilled water both of rootes and leaves is much commended for â—â—e quartaine Ague to be taken many dayes together as also against Melancholy and fearefull or troublesome â—â—eepes and dreames and with some Sugar Candy dissolved therein against all the ill affects of the Lungs as the Cough shortnesse of breath and wheesings and those thinne distillations of rheume upon the Lungs which often turneth into a Consumption or Tisicke Some commend the salt made thereof to be mixed with the water â— rogus saith that a decoction of the Pollypody made with wine or the rootes themselves rather as I thinke given â—nto Hogges preserveth them from the Plague or Pestilence whereunto they are subject by purging them therewith which thing without doubt is effected as hee saith by the purging of flegme wherewith they are most doubled the fresh rootes beaten small or some in the stead thereof take them dry in powder mixed with 〈◊〉 and applyed to the joynts of any member or part out of his place doth much helpe it applyed also to the 〈◊〉 cureth the disease called Polypus which is a peece of flesh growing therein that by time and sufferance â—â—ppeth the passage of breath through that nostrill it helpeth also those clefts or chappes that happen to come 〈◊〉 â—ene the fingers of the hands or toes of the feete CHAP. V. Dryopteris Oake Ferne. OF the Oake Fernes there are two sorts one set forth by Lobel the other by Dodonaeus whereof I meane to entreate in this Chapter 1. Dryopteris repens Creeping Oake Ferne. This small Ferne sendeth forth divers slender blackish stalkes little more then halfe a foote high bearing many small winged leaves each against the other somewhat like unto those of the female â—erne but much smaller and finer and of a darkish greene colour the backeside of whom have not browne but white spots on them set in a double row as Lobel saith which 2. Dryopteris alba White Oake Ferne. Dryopteris sive Filix querna repius Creeping Oake Ferne. others mention not the roote is small and blackish creeping under the upper crust of the earth with divers small blacke fiâ—â—es growing from them and are somewhat like unto the rootes 〈◊〉 Pollypody but much smaller and slenderer of a more austere 〈◊〉 and stipticke taste then Pollypody 2. Dryopteris alba White Oake Ferne. This other Ferne groweth not much higher then the former but the leaves are broader shorter more deepely cut in on the edges and of a paler greene colour spotted also on the backside of them like unto the male Ferne the roote is composed of many â—â—ish threads or fibres issuing from a thicke roote The Place Both these sorts grow in the shadowey thicke woods on the sometimes and sometimes in the open valleyes neare them and sometimes also out of the mosse of old bushes and other trees The Time They both loose their leaves in Winter and spring up a fresh late in the Spring The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dryopteris that is Filix querna yet Oribasius calleth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bryopteris 〈◊〉 Filix muscosa Mosse Ferne of the growing among the Mosse on trees the first is simply called Dryopteris by Lâ—â—bel Matthiolus Gesner and others Dryopteris sive Filix arborea by Tragus and Pterion famina by Cordus 〈…〉 first Booke and eighteenth Chapter and so also by Thalius in Harcynia sylva but is not the Filix puâ—â—ila saâ—â—â— prima of Clusius as I shall shew you in the next Chapter save one although it seeme to bee like it for the roâ—â— shew their difference The other is called Dryopteris candida by Dodonaeus and as Lobel saith is the Adiantum album Plinij and of the Shoppes also by Bauhinus Filicula fontana major sive Adiantum filicis folio The Vertues The first as Lobel saith was in former times used by the Apothecaries beyond Sea in stead of Pollypody as not knowing a righter neyther were they shewed by their Physitions to forbeare it and use any other but rather appointed by them so to do which as he saith some affirmed Rondeletius to say that in stead of a purging quality proper to Pollypody it had a pernitious operation in some of his sicke patients it is a remedy to take away haires 〈◊〉 Dioscorides saith if the rootes and leaves bee bruised together and applyed after sweating Matthiolus saith thâ—â— the rootes in powder with a little salt and Branne is given to Horses for the wormes The other sort is mode 〈◊〉 in taste somewhat drying and therefore may safely be used in stead of the true Adiantum or Maidenhaire as it is usuall now a dayes Lobel saith that the last sorts was safely used in the Apothecaries shoppes of divers countries for Adiantum album and nigrum CHAP. VI. Lanchitis aspera Rough Splenewort OF these Spleneworts there are divers sorts described by divers authors as shall be shewed and first of the greater kinde of Matthiolus 1. Lonchitis aspera major Matthioli The greater rough Splenewort This greater Splenewort hath divers stalkes of leaves somewhat like unto Miltwast but nearer unto Pollypody about a spanne long cut on both sides with uneven divisions dented about the edges with sharpe points and rough on both sides without such spots on the backes of them as Pollypody and Miltwaste have the roote is composed of many reddish strings or
Spaniards Tomilho the French Thym Marjolaine d' Angleterre the Germanes Quendel the true kind Romscher Quendel welsher Quendel the Dutch Thymus we in English Tyme or garden Tyme or as they are in their titles Serpillum or Serpyllum is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a serpendo dictum of the Arabians Hemen of the Italians Serpillo of the Spaniards Serpilio of the French Serpollet of the Germanes Huner Kol of the Dutch Quendel or wilde Thymus we in English wild Tyme or Mother of Tyme The first true Tyme is usually called by all that have written of it Thymum legitimum or Capitatum or Creticum as Cordus Camerarius do but it is not that which the old Gerard setteth downe for it the second is called Thymus vulgaris nostras by many authors and Thymum durius nigrum by others by Caesalpinus Pepolina the fourth is called by Lobel Thymum latifolium and Serpyllum hortense by others but Bauhinus doth not number it among his Tymes but calles it Serpillum jus latifolium and is the same with Matthiolus his Serpillum although Bauhinus doth distinguish them the fift is from Bauhinus the sixt is called by Lobel Serpyllum Narbonense and by Clusius Serpyllum sylvestre Zygis Dioscorides the seventh Camerarius calleth Serpyllum majus flore purpureo and that with the white flower flore candido but both the old and new Gerard have erred in the figure and discription therof for this majus and the folijs Amaraci are both one the eighth is of Bauhinus his relation and denomination the ninth of both sorts Clusius calleth Serpyllum Pannonicum and Bauhinus angustifolium glabrum hirsutum the tenth is called by most authors Serpyllum or Serpyllum vulgare minus by others the rest have their names in their titles as whereby they may fitliest be called The Vertues The true Tyme or in the want thereof our garden Tyme as nearest thereunto although not altogether so effectuall doth helpe somewhat to purge flegme if as Dioscorides saith it be taken with hony salt and vinegar the decoction thereof is good for those that are troubled with shortnes or straightnesse of breath it killeth the wormes in the belly procureth the monethly courses of women expelleth the secondine or afterbirth after it hath holpen the delivery of the child causeth easie expectorations of tough flegme being taken with hony in an Electuary it dissolveth tumours or swellings when they are fresh the juyce thereof being annoynted or bathed on the place with some vinegar taketh away loose or hanging warts it helpeth those that have the Sciatica applyed with wine and meale it helpeth those that are dull sighted and is of good vse in meates and brothes to warme and comfort the stomacke and to helpe to breake winde as well for the sicke as the sound Galen saith the same things almost It is found by experience saith Aetius that if 4. dragmes of dried Tyme in powther be given in Oxymel fasting to them that have the gowte it helpeth them for it purgeth choller and other sharpe humours and that if one dragme thereof bee given fasting with meade it dissolveth the hard swellings of the belly It is profitable for those that have swellings in their sides and paines in their loynes and hippes it is likewise given fasting to those that have greate paines in their eyes and are bleare-eyed it is with wine applyed to the cods that are swollen Wild Tyme or Mother of Tyme if it be boyled and drunke moveth vrine and the monethly courses helpeth such as have griping paines in the belly or that have cramps or are bursten bellied or are troubled with inflamation of the liver being taken inwardly or applyed outwardly with Rosemary and vinegar to the head it ceaseth the paines thereof and is very helpefull to those that are troubled with either Frensye or Lethargy foure dragmes of the juyce drunke with a little vinegar is very availeable to those that spitt or vomit blood taken with hony licoris and aniseede in wine it helpeth a dry cough and is comfortable both to the head stomacke and reines and helpeth to expell winde the distilled water therof applyed with vinegar of Roses to the forehead easeth the rage of Frensye expelleth Vertigo that is the swimming or turning of the braine helpeth to breake the stone in the bladder CHAP. IIII. Cuscuta Dodder VNder this title of Dodder I comprehend not onely Epithymum as the chiefest kinde thereof but all the other sorts of laces or threads that grow either upon hearbes and shrubbes c. or upon the ground and because I would not speake of them in many places as I shall doe of the plants whereon they grow in severall places of this worke I though it more fitt to include them in one Chapter and give you knowledge both of their formes and vertues in one place rather then in many I acknowledge I might more fitly have placed this plant among the purgers but that for the names sake I would set it next unto the Tymes Epithymum The Dodder of Tyme Pliny setteth downe in the eigth Chapter of his 26. booke two sorts of Epithymum which Matthiolus seemeth to confute the one to be the flowers of Tyme as Dioscorides before him did both greene and white the other to be red haires growing without roote now most of our moderne writers doe acknowledge but one kinde Tragus as I thinke first mentioned both white red strings growing on severall hearbs even as I have done also which yet are but one and the same thing in it selfe growing in the same manner upon Tyme or Savory as it doth upon any other plant being red on some hearbes and white on others as may bee observed on sundry plants on Hampstead heath It first from seedes giveth rootes in the ground which shoote forth threads or stringes grosser or 1. Epithymum The Dodder of Tyme 2. Cuscuta Dodder finer as the property of the plants whereon it groweth and the climate doth suffer although Matthiolus and others have thought it to grow without roote creeping and spreading on that plant whereon it fasteneth bee it high or low clasping the very grasse if it meete with none else although Ruellius saith it groweth not on the grounde but on hearbes as upon some vines also in Narbone as Pena saith he observed these strings have no leaves at all upon them but winde and enterlace themselves so thicke oftentimes upon a small plant that it taketh away all comfort as one would thinke of the Sun from it and ready to choake or strangle it after these strings are risen up to that height that they may draw nourishment from the plant you shall scarse see any appearance of strings from the ground they being broken off either by the strength of their rising or withered by the heate of the Sunne and if they meete with no herbe or plant whereon to spreade they will soone perish of themselves as I have
is of a manifest heating quality and a little binding and Aetius saith the same also but he further saith that some report that the fumes thereof being taken when it is burnt doth stay the immoderate fluxe of womens courses and all other fluxes of theirs Agrippa saith that if childing women whose wombes be too moist and slippery not able to conceive by reason of that default shall take a quantity of the juyce of Sage with a little salt for foure dayes before they company with their Husbands it will helpe them to conceive and also for those that after they have conceived are subject often to miscarry upon any small occasion for it causeth the birth to be the better retained and to become the more lively therefore in Cyprus and Aegypt after a great plague women were forced to drinke the juyce of Sage to cause them to be the more fruitfull Orpheus saith that three spoonefuls of the juyce of Sage taken fasting with a little honey doth presently stay the spitting or casting up of blood For them that are in a consumption these Pills are much commended Take of Spiknard and Ginger of each two drammes of the seed of Sage a little tosted at the fire eight drammes of long pepper twelve drammes all these being brought into fine powder let there bee so much juyce of Sage put thereto as may make it into a masse formable for pills taking a dramme of them every morning fasting and so likewise at night drinking a little pure water after them Matthiolus saith that it is very profitable for all manner of paines of the head comming of cold and rheumaticke humours as also for all paines of the joynts whether used inwardly or outwardly and therefore It helpeth such as have the falling sicknesse the lethargie or drowsie evill such as are dull and heavie of spirit and those that have the palsie and is of much use in all defluxions or distillations of thin rheume from the head and for the diseases of the chest or brest The leaves of Sage and Nettles bruised together and laid upon the impostume that riseth behind the eares doth asswage and helpe it much also the juyce of Sage taken in warme water helpeth an hoarsnesse and the cough the leaves sodden in wine and laid upon any place affected with the Palsie helpeth much if the decoction be drunke also Sage taken with Wormewood is used for the bloody fluxe Pliny saith it procureth womens courses and stayeth them comming downe too fast helpeth the stinging and bytings of Serpents and killeth the wormes that breed in the eares and also in sores Sage is of excellent good use to helpe the memory by warming and quickning the sences and the conserve made of the flowers is used to the same purpose as also for all the former recited diseases they are perswaded in Italy that if they eate Sage fasting with a little salt they shall be safe that day from the danger of the byting of any venemous beast they use there also never to plant Sage but with Rue among it or neare it for feare of Toades and other Serpents breeding under it and infecting it with their venemous spittle c. the danger whereof is recorded in Boccace of two Friends or Lovers that by eating the leaves of that Sage under which a Toade was found to abide were both killed thereby and therefore the Poet joyneth them both together to have wholesome drinke saying Salvia cum ruta faciunt tibi pocula tuta Sage hath beene of good use in the time of the plague at all times and the small Sage more especially which therefore I thinke our people called Sage of Vertue the juyce thereof drunke with vineger The use of Sage in the Moneth of May with butter Parsley and some salt is very frequent in our Country to continue health to the body as also Sage Ale made with it Rosemary and other good hearbes for the same purpose and for teeming women or such as are subject to miscary as it is before declared Gargles likewise are made with Sage Rosemary Honisuckles and Plantaine boyled in water or wine with some Honey and Allome put thereto to wash cankers sore mouthes and throats or the secret parts of man or woman as need requireth And with other hot and comfortable hearbes to be boyled to serve for bathings of the body or legges in the Summer time especially to warme the cold joynts or sinewes of young or old troubled with the Palsie or crampe and to comfort and strengthen the parts It is much commended against the stitch or paines in the side comming of winde if the grieved place be fomented warme with the decoction thereof in wine and the hearbe after the boyling be laid warme also thereto CHAP. XX. Horminum Clary THere are divers sorts of Clary some manured onely called Garden Clary others growing wilde whereof I shall here shew you many collected from sundry parts 1. Horminum sativum vulgare sive Sclarea Garden Clary Our ordinary Garden Clary hath foure-square stalkes with 1. Horminum sativum vulgare sive Sclarea Garden Clary broad rough wrinckled whitish or hoary greene leaves somewhat evenly cut in on the edges and of a strong sweet scent growing some neare the ground and some by couples upon the stalkes The flowers grow at certaine distances with two small leaves at the joynts under them somewhat like unto the flowers of Sage but smaller and of a very whitish or bleack blue colour the seed is brownish and somewhat flatt or not so round as the wild the rootes are blackish and spread not farre and perish after the seed time it is most usuall to sow it for the seed seldome riseth of it owne shedding 2. Horminum genuinum sativum Dioscoridis The true garden Clary of Dioscorides This small Clary riseth up but with one square hairy stalke about halfe a yard high as farre as ever I could yet observe divided into severall square branches whereon are set at every joynt two leaves one against another which are somewhat broad and round a little rugged like unto Horehound but more greene than white and of a reasonable good and small scent at the toppes of the stalkes stand divers leaves one row under another of a very fine deepe purple violet colour yet the lowest are paler than the uppermost and seeme a farre of to be flowers but nearer observed are discerned to bee but the toppe leaves the flowers comming forth under them at spaces about the stalkes of a whitish purple colour smaller than any of the sorts of Clary standing in brownish purple huskes which after the flowers are past while the seed ripeneth turne themselves downeward whereby the seed is lost if it be not gathered in fit time the roote is small and perisheth every yeare requiring to bee new sowne in the Spring for it seldome commeth of the seed that it shed the Frosts and Winter most likely killing it 3. Horminum Syriacum Assirian Clary Assirian Clary is somewhat like
is observed by Matthiolus that halfe a dramme of the pouder of the dryed leaves of Lavender Cotton taken in a little of the distilled water of Fetherfew every morning fasting for ten dayes together at the least and afterwards every other day is a very profitable medicine for women troubled with the whites to stay them Pliny saith that his Chamaecyparissus which as I said before is taken by some to be this Lavender cotton is good against the poison of all venemous Serpents and Scorpions being taken in wine The seed is generally in all our Country given to kill the wormes either in children or elder persons and accounted to be of as great force as Wormeseed the leaves also are good when seed cannot be had but are not of so great vertue Clusius saith that in Spaine they use the decoction of the Spanish kindes to take away the itch and scabbes in whomsoever have them but he adviseth there should be caution used in giving it CHAP. XXXVI Absinthium Wormewood ALthough Dioscorides and Galen also make mention but of three sorts of Wormewood the one a common sort well knowne as he saith the best growing in Pontus and Cappadocia The other Sea Wormewood or Seriphium and the third Santonicum of the Country beyond the Alpes in France yet there hath since beene found out many hearbes accounted to be kindes or sorts of them for some likenesse of face or vertues or both as shall be declared hereafter 1. Absinthium vulgare Common Wormewood Common Wormewood is well knowne to have many large whitish greene leaves somewhat more hoary underneath much divided or cut into many parts from among which rise up divers hard and wooddy hoary stalkes 1. Absinthium vulgare Common Wormewood 3. Absinthium Ponticum sive Romanum vulgare Common Roman Wormewood two or three foote high beset with the like leaves as grow below but smaller divided at the toppes into smaller branches whereon grow many small buttons with pale yellow flowers in them wherein afterward is conteined small seed the roote is hard and wooddie with many strings thereat the stalkes hereof dye downe every yeare but the roote holdeth a tuft of greene leaves all the winter shooting forth new againe which are of a strong scent but not unpleasant Arborescens and of a very bitter taste There is a Tree Wormewood like hereunto but growing greater and higher in the warme Countries 2 Absinthium Ponticum verum True Roman Wormewood This Wormewood hath more slender and shorter stalkes by a foote at the least than the former and reasonable large leaves yet smaller and more finely cut in and divided then it but as white and hoary both leaves and stalkes the flowers also are of a pale yellow colour standing upon the small branches in the same manner so that but that it is smaller in each part it is altogether like it the rootes likewise are smaller lesse woody and fuller of fibres the smell thereof is somewhat aromaticall sweete and the bitternesse is not so loathsome to taste Vnto this answereth the Absinthium Ponticum Creticum of Bauhinus but that it is in his owne Country more sweet in scent and little or nothing bitter in taste but somewhat altereth in another soyle 3. Absinthium Ponticum sive Romanum vulgare Common Romane Wormewood This is a small low hearbe if I may call it a Wormewood with much more slender short stalkes than the last whereon grow very smal and fine short hoary white leaves smaller and finer than those of the fine Sothernwood which grow at severall joynts many comming forth together at the tops of the stalkes grow small yellowish flowers neither so many nor so great as the last the roote from a short head shooteth forth many long fibres whereby it is nourished in the ground sending forth divers sprouts round about it whereby it is much encreased the smell hereof is faint and farre weaker than the other the taste thereof much lesse bitter 4. Absinthium tenuifolium Austriacum Five leafed Wormewood of Austria This small Wormewood hath many small hard and stiffe hoary stalkes whereon are set without order small and somewhat long hoary leaves very like unto the leaves of Sea Wormewood which stalkes are divided towards the toppes into many other small and slender branches rising from the joynts where the leaves doe grow with many small heads which shew forth many small whitish flowers 5. Absinthium inodorum Vnsavory Wormewood The Vnsavory Wormewood is in leafe so like the first common Wormewood both for the whitenesse largenesse and divisions thereof that it cannot be knowne from it at all unlesse you make your nose the judge of the scent which in this is so small that it is generally said to be without any at all yet it hath in the heate of Summer a small weake smel such as is found in some of the Sothernwoods the flowers and all things else are alike but this is somewhat more tender to be preserved in the Winter than the former 6. Absinthium album sive Vmbelliferum White tufted Wormewood This white Wormewood hath his roote composed of many small blacke fibres which shooteth forth many heads of long somewhat thick and broad hoary white leaves cut in about the edges in some places more than in others narrower at the bottome and broader at the point made somewhat like unto the leaves of the great field Daisie but smaller from some of these heads doe shoot forth slender hoary stalkes about a foote and a halfe high set here and there with such like leaves as grow below but smaller at the tops whereof stand many scaly silver white and greene heads in a tuft together out of which breake forth silver white small 4. Absinthium tenuifolium Austriacum Fine leafed Wormewood of Austria 6. Absinthium album sive Vmbelliferum White tufted Wormewood 7. Absinthium umbelliferum tenuifolium White tufted Wormewood with fine leaves flowers made of many leaves standing in a double row in the middle tipt with a little yellow the whole tuft of flowers doth somewhat resemble the flowers of Yarrow but much more pleasant to behold which stand a great while in flower and afterwards turne into small chaffy seed this holdeth some heads on the leaves all the Winter but are very small untill the Spring begin to come on which then shoote forth and become as large as is expressed before having little or no smell at all but exceeding bitter 7. Absinthium umbelliferum tenuifolium White tufted Wormewood with fine leaves This other white Wormewood hath much smaller and finer cut leaves than the former but as hoary white as the other the stalkes are shorter not rising so high the umbell or tuft of flowers is somewhat smaller also but as white so that it differeth in nothing from the former but in the smalnesse of the plant and in the small and fine divisions of the leaves neither hath it any more smell or lesse bitter taste Bauhinus maketh two sorts more of this
called Caballina either because they gave it horses being the coursest or because it was not fit for men but horses the knowledge as well as importation whereof is almost utterly forgotten and neglected It is called in English hearbe Aloes after the Greeke and Sea Housleeke after the Latine name and Aygreene that is Evergreene Pliny and others have written of an Aloe metallica or fossilis in Iudea and other places but it is found by divers Writers to be an errour in them and no such thing to be found The second as Gamara in the end of his Mexican History saith is called of some of the Indians Meâ— and of some others Magney of some Spaniards Cardon because of the prickes about and at the end of the leaves and of others Fil y Aguilla that is to say thread and needle because it supplieth both their uses the sharpe end thornes serving as an aule or needle and the threads running within the leaves being spunne serving as thread Clusius calleth it Aloe Americana and so almost all other Authors after him onely Lobel calleth it Aloe folio mucronato Fragosus saith that the pricke of the thornes hereof are venemous The Vertues The first hearbe Aloe is usually hung up in houses to bee ready at hand upon all occasions to apply a little of the juyce of a leafe presently cut of or the peece of a leafe it selfe upon any cut or fresh wound which is found to bee singular good to soder and heale them even as Dioscorides saith that that sort which grew in Asia Arabia c. is of more use to glue or soder wounds than that which commeth out of India the leaves also are found to be exceeding cold in the hot Countres and of very great use and effects for all manner of scalding with water or burning with fire gun-powder or the like healing them quickly the nature of the juyce or Aloes it selfe is fit to thicken to dry to procure sleepe and moderately to heate it openeth the belly purgeth the stomacke and the yellow jaundise and stayeth the spitting or vomiting of blood if a dramme thereof be taken in faire water it is not onely a good purger of it selfe but is added also with other purgers to cause the lesse trouble in the stomack it healeth greene wounds and bringeth old sores to cicatrizing as also those of the genitors it healeth the chappes of the fundament the piles and breaking forth of blood from them being used outwardly but assuredly it is found not convenient for those that are troubled with the piles to take thereof inwardly because it heateth and maketh the blood of them to be the more sharpe and fretting It is also found to be more helpefull to flegmaticke than to hot dry and cholericke constitutions It easeth the paines of the head to â—ee taken in pills or being dissolved to anoynt the forehead and temples dissolved in wine and honey it helpeâ— the forenesse of the reynes and gums and all ulcers in the mouth being torrified in a cleane earthen vessell it is in especiall good medicine to be used with others for the eyes Galen sheweth that it is hot in the first degree compleat or second inchoate and dry in the third and hath a little astringent faculty therein also but exceeding bitter it openeth the belly and purgeth moderately the stomacke chiefly whereunto it is most friendly and comfortable above all other medicines for whereas all other purgers doe trouble and weaken the stomacke this onely is found to comfort and strengthen it and those humours that are in the lower parts next unto the passage for it is no strong or generall purger of the whole body to expell grosse humours but those onely that be in and about the belly And for this purpose the Aloes simply it selfe is fittest to be used for if it be washed it loseth the most part of the purging quality and hath onely a comforting and strengthening property left And therefore if Aloes that is washt be given to those that are feverish howsoever it may doe small harme to some yet it is found to doe much to others Masticke or Cinamon are accounted the best correctors or helpers to be mixt therewith when it is given It healeth also those ulcers that are hardly cured and especially those in the fundament and secret parts Mesues saith it cleanseth the head and stomacke and easeth those paines are incident unto them and that the continuall use thereof preserveth any from dangerous and deadly diseases and with Mirrhe preserveth the bodies not onely of the living but of the dead from all putrefaction and corruption which effects long before his time were well knowne to the world for the manner of embalming the bodies of the dead with Aloes and Myrrhe which was used among the Iewes as appeareth in the 19. Chapter of Saint Iohns Gospell the 39. verse where it is said that Nicodemus brought about 100. pound weight of Mirrhe and Aloes mixed together which was laid with the body of our Saviour Iesus in the Sepulchre But the Aloes that is mentioned in all other places of the Scriptures is understood to bee the Lignum aloes which the Apothecaries use in their shops in many medicines appointed both by Greeke and Arabian Authors as well inward as outward for sweet oyntments perfumes and other compositions and the Aloe tree is onely once or twice named as in the 24. of Numb and the 6. verse The parable of Balaam concerning the beauty of Iacob or the children of Israel in the faire spreading of their habitations to be like valleies stretched forth like gardens by the River side like the Aloe trees which Saint Ierome translateth Tabernacles that God planted as the Cedars beside the waters And in the 45. Psalme where Saint Ieromes translation hath Myrrha Gutta Casia it should be Myrrâ— Aloe Casia for the Hebrew word Ahalod which the most juditious doe translate Agallochum into Greeke and Lignum aloes into Latine It is often given to children for the wormes either of it selfe or in a few Raisons of the Sunne opened and the stones taken forth and some put therein or outwardly applyed to the belly under the navill made into a plaister with a little oyle of Wormewood or some other such thing Aloes also is often used in medicines for the eyes with a little honey to allay the heate in them to cleanse the inward roughnesse of the eye-lids and cleare the dimnesse of the sight that commeth by moist humours distilling into them by drying it up without sharpnesse or offence it healeth also the itching in the corners of them Being mixed with a little vinegar and oyle of Roses and the temples and forehead anoynted therewith about the time of rest doth much helpe the headach and is a meanes to procure sleepe to those that want if it be dissolved in wine and the head washed therewith it stayeth the falling of or shedding of the haire used with honey and wine it cleanseth
made into powder and drunke in a draught of white wine or steeped therein all night and taken fasting or put among other purgers as shall be thought convenient clensing the stomacke and Liver and thereby the blood opening obstructions and helping those griefes that come thereof as the Iaundise the Dropsie the swelling of the spleene tertian and day agues and the pricking paine of the sides as also stayeth the spitting of blood comming as well from the Lunges as any other part the powder taken with Cassia dissolved and a little washt Venice Turpentine clenseth the Reines and helpeth to strengthen them afterwards and is very effectuall to stay the Gonorrhoea or running of the reines It is also given for the paines and swellings in the head for those that are troubled with melancholy and helpeth the Sciatica and Goute and the paines of the Crampe for which purpose one dramme or two of the extract thereof made in this manner and given in broth doth work effectually Let a sufficient quantitie of Rubarbe be steeped in Cinamon water which being strongly pressed forth let it be stilled in a glasse Limbeck in balneo untill the water be drawne forth and the substance remaining be of the thicknesse of honey which keepe in a close covered pot or glasse for the use aforesaid The powder of Rubarbe taken with a little Mumia and Madder rootes in some red wine dissolveth congealed or clotted blood in the body happening by any fall or bruise and healeth burstings and broken parts as well inward as outward the oyle likewise wherein it hath beene boyled being anointed worketh the same effect It helpeth the yexing or hickocke and all fluxes of the belly if it be toasted or dryed a little by the fire but much more if it be more roasted to be halfe burnt and taken in wine after this manner Take a pint of good Claret wine and burne it with some Sugar and a toppe or two of Rosemary into which put a dramme and a halfe of Rubarbe torrified or roasted by the fire as is aforesaid and one dramme of Chebul Myrobalanes a little broken or bruised let these stand in the burnt wine all night by the fire and straine it forth in the morning giving this at two times fasting which will in three or foure dayes stay any scowring or laxe strengthning the stomack and inward parts afterwards It is used to heale those Vlcers that happen in the eyes and eyelids being steeped and strayned as also to asswage the tumors and allay the inflammations and applyed with honey or cute that is to say boyled wine it taketh away all blacke and blew spots or markes that happen therein This Rubarbe is so gentle a medicine that it may be given to all sorts of gentle constitutions but in robustions or strong bodies it purgeth little or nothing whether they be children or women with childe and that safely at all times of the yeare the whey of milke but especially of Goates milke is the best and most accommodate liquor wherein it is to be steeped taken or else in white wine and it worketh thereby the more effectually in opening obstructions and in purging the stomacke and Liver from choler and flegme and most doe use a little Indian Spiknard as the best corrector thereof The other two last sorts of Rubarbe are not much or often used and their qualities are more astringent then opening little experience having beene made with us to shew you more of them CHAP. III. 1. Colocynthis Vulgaris Coloquintida or the bitter Gourde THis bitter Gourd runneth with his branches upon the ground as a Gourd or Cowcumber doth having diverse rough hairy leaves thereon every one by it selfe which are lesser and somewhat longer than those of the Cowcumber and more divided or cut in at the edges most usualy into five or seaven parts each partition also dented in or notched round about the leaves of the forme doe very much resemble those of the Citrull Cowcumber at the joynts with the leaves come forth the flowers which are yellow of the same fashion with them but somewhat smaller and also small tendrells or twining stalkes as the Vine hath wherewith it windeth about any plants or other things that stand next unto it thereby strangling or killing them the fruite that followeth is small and round as a ball many of them not much bigger than a great Crabbe or Peare-maine greene at the first on the outside and afterwards growing to be of a browne yellow which shell is as hard as any Pompion or Gourde and is usually pared away while it is greene the substance under it being white very light Colocynthis Pomiformis Pyriformiâ— The round and Peare fashioned bitter Gourde spongie or loose and of an extreame bitter taste almost indurable and provoking loathing or casting in many that taste it having therein sixe orders or rowes of white hard seede of the bignesse of Cowcumber seede but fuller harder and rounder and nothing so bitter or forceable in working as the white pulpe or substance is the roote is not very great but stringie and quickly perishing with the first cold approach of winter 2. Colocynthis major rotunda The greater Coloquintida or bitter Courde This sort of bitter Gourde differeth not from the former either in leafe or flower or manner of growing but onely in the fruite which groweth to be twice as big as the former and as round greene at the first but of a pale yellow when it is ripe whose pulpe or inner substance is also white and spongie and in a manner as bitter with such like seedes as are in the former and disposed for the most part into eight rowes or partitions the roote perisheth as the former 3. Colocynthis oblonga The long bitter Gourde This kind or Colloquintida differeth not from the last great sort for either manner of growing forme of the leaves or flowers but onely in the fruit which is as great almost as the last but is not so sphericall or round like a ball but somewhat long with the roundnesse and being a little flat at the head the shell or outer rinde thereof is greene at the first and afterwards groweth to be whitish with many spots thereon thâ— is also bitter but not so extreame as the first 4. Colocynthis pyriformis Peare-fashioned Coloquintida or bitter Gourd This Peare-fashioned kinde hath many trayling rough branches like the first and such like long and round pointed leaves cut in also on the edges but not so deepely neither so large or great and of a darker greene colour at the joynts with the leaves come forth the flowers being yellow but smaller than the first and likewise small twining claspers as the other which taketh hold on every thing that it may comprehend the fruite is small not bigger than a large Catherine Peare and many smaller yet all fashioned like a Peare the head whereof is somewhat rounder than a Peare the shell or outward rinde whereof is greene
made quickely into a very fine and white powder this I mention comparatively for it will be a very hard matter for any to know the best by relation but by inspection and chiefely by comparison of the good and bad together that so you may learne to know either of them at the first sight The dosis hereof as it is appointed by Dioscorides and others doth so farre exceede the proportion of our moderne Physitians that it hath made Pena to doubt that the Scammonye in Dioscorides time was more corrupt and encreased with other things than ours is because he gave so much and we doe give so little and Matthiolus on the otherside to doubt whether wee have any sincere Scammonye brought unto us at all or else that the text of Dioscorides is corrupt where he appointeth a dramme or foure obolos that is two scruples to be taken at a time and he setteth downe also that if a purging medicine be required to be effectuall you should take 3 aboli that is halfe a dram of Scammonye 2 oboli that is one scruple of blacke Hellebor and one dram of Aloes all these to be taken together at one time but the greatest dosis now adayes exceedeth not halfe an obolus to astrong body and lesse to the weaker or more tender Pena in his diligent observations and declarations hereof set downe in his Adversaria hath caused all whom it may concerne both to understand the choyse of this Scammonye as also thereby to bethinke them of the sincerity of other drugges and that as he guesseth the quantity of Scammonye is so great that is spent in all countries which is made onely in one that unlesse the quantity were augmented by mixture there could not be sufficient sincere and pure juyce to serve them by much and although in former ages and even in our former times there hath beene much false and corrupt Drugges brought into Europe and all the countries thereof farre and neere yet the skill and curiositie of these times is such that our Merchants taking onely the best for us of all sorts and refusing the course hath I thinke lessened if not worne out that sophisticating art in the masters thereof when they see that none but true and sincere is affected and bought the worst to lye on their hands untill it grow better It purgeth both flegme yellow choler and watery humors very stongly but if it bee indiscreetly or carelessely given without due respect it will not onely trouble the stomacke more than any other medecine but will also scowre fret and rase the gutts in working too forceably oftentimes unto blood and oftentimes causing faintings and swounings Our Physitians therefore doe seldome give to any tender and gentle body any Scammoniate Electuary and but in pills seldome any at all to avoyd the dangerous symptomes that often happen thereupon for Plinye Paulus Aeginata and others shew the dangers thereof and Mesues also declareth three severall hurts or harmes that come to the body thereby and the remedies of them which is not from the purpose to bee here set downe The first is saith he that it engendreth certaine gnawing windes in the stomacke so much offending it that it procureth a disposition to vomite To be baked therefore in a quince and some parslye fennell or wilde carrot seed or Galanga mixed with it is the remedy hereof The next is that it enflameth the spirits by the overmuch sharpnesse or fiercenesse therein whereby it readily induceth feavers especially in those that are subject to obstructions repleate with putrid humors which inconveniences are taken away by putting those things into your decoctions that doe coole and quench the heate thereof and such are the muccilage of the seedes of Psyllium or Fleawort Prunes boyled or rather the pulpe of them the juyce or the Iulep or the water of Roses or Violets or if before the boyling thereof that is the Scammonye you steepe it in the oyle of Roses or Violets or in the juyce of a sowre sweete quince and mingle with it a little Sumach or Spodium A third is that having a strong opening and drawing faculty it causeth immoderate fluxes of the belly by opening the mouth of the veines more than is fit This harme also is taken away by mixing astringent and restraining things with it such as Masticke is and especially yellow Myrobolanes and quinces or the juyce of them Againe it raseth or shaveth the intrales and guttes by reason of that sharpe juyce wherewith it doth abound and by which it procureth torments and paines therein the disease called Dysenteria which wee call the bloody flixe and Tenasâ—s which is a disease when one desireth to goe often to the stoole and can doe nothing but this danger is remedyed if moyst fat and slippery medecines be used as gum Tragacantha bdellium and oyle of Almonds and Roses as also the pulpe of prunes made up with Sugar the muccillage of Psyllium or Fleaworte seedes Masticke and quinces taken afterwards and warme water last of all all which cause it to passe the quicklier from the stomacke and bowels and thereby stay it from doing harme whereby those that are wise are taught to give the broth of barly sweetned with Sugar to drinke to those that have taken thereof This fault also is helped if cold medicines as well as hot being mixed together be given thereby to yeeld helpe to the heart liver and stomacke thus farre Mesues The juyce saith Dioscorides applyed to the wombe destroyeth the birth being mixed with honey and Oxe gall and rubbed on wheales pimples and pushes taketh them all away and boyled in Vinegar and annointed taketh away the Lepry or outward markes in the skinne being dissolved in Rosewater and vinegar and the head moystned therewith easeth the continuall paines therein A dramme or two of the rootes of Scammonye purge in the same manner that the juyce doth if some of the things appointed therewith be given with it the rootes boyled in water and made into a pultis with barly meale easeth the Sciatica being layd thereon it taketh away scurfes and scabbes if they be washed with the Vinegar wherein the rootes have beene boyled and also healeth apostumes Our English Bindweede hath beene experienced to be purging the rootes especially being boyled and the decoction thereof taken in a reasonable proportion That of Candy is mentioned in the description They of Mompelier have often used the dryed juyce of the fourth in stead of the true Scammonye when it was wanting but in a double quantity which yet did not worke so effectually CHAP. VI. Scammonia supposititia Supposed or Bastard Scammonyes THere be some other plants to be joyned next unto the true Scammonye for the strong purging quality in them but not either deadly or dangerous as the Apocynam is which else for the outward likenesse might be referred unto them 1. Scammonia Monspeliacae affinis Spanish Bastard Scammonye This Spanish kinde of Climer is very like unto the great
hath it taken therefrom which thing Iunius Solinus Polyhister confirmeth in the 48 chapter of his booke onely he varyeth from Aristotle in saying it is of a brownish yellow colour which hee said was blacke And Plinye writeth also the same thing in his 8 booke and 42 chapter although he said also it was an other thing as you have heard before Virgill in his third booke of Georgickes hath these verses to shew what it is and whereto used taken as it should seeme from Aristotle Hinc demum Hippomanes vero quod nomine dicunt Pastores lentum distillat ab inguine virus Hippomanes quod saepe male legere novercae And Tibullus the Poet in his 2. booke and 4. Elegie hath the same also in effect in these verses Et quod ubi indomitis gregibus Venus afflat amores Hippomanes cupidae stillat ab inguine equae Anguillara is of opinion that the Hippomanes of Theocritus is the lesser Stramonium or thorne apple and the Cratevas whom Theocritus his interpreter doth cite saith that it is a plant whose fruite is like the wilde Cowcumber fruits but full of thornes Now if the ancients have left these doubts whether Hippomanes be an herbe or made of an hearbe and shew not certainely what the hearbe is or doe not all agree that it is the sperme of mares how shall we in these times compound the controversie The Vertues Dioscorides saith that the pure juyce of Hippophaes it selfe being dryed and the weight of halfe a scruple thereof taken or the weight of two scruples if it be made up with the meale of the bitter Vetche taken in meade or honyed water purgeth downewards flegme choller and water the whole plant rootes and all being bruised and put into meade and about a quarter of a pint thereof taken worketh in the same manner the juyce taken from both the plant and the roote as it is used to be done with Thapsia a dramme thereof taken at a time is a purgation of it selfe for the same purposes The juyce pressed out of the rootes leaves and heads of Hippophaestum is to be dryed and halfe a dramme thereof given to whom you will in meade or honyed water draweth forth flegme and water principally and chiefely this purgation is fit or convenient for those that are troubled with the falling sickenesse shortnesse of breath and aches in the joynts and sinewes CHAP. XX. Alypum Monspelâ—â—sium sive Herba terribilis Narbonensium Herbe Terrible BEcause this herbe is of a most violent purging quality sharpe and exulcerating withall very like unto the former Tithymalls I thinke it fittest to joyne it next unto them and another with it which by Pena his judgement is very like thereunto both for face and quality 1. Alypum Monspeliensium Herbe Terrible This terrible herbe hath many wooddy stalks rising two or three foote high dividing itselfe into smaller branches covered with a thinne barke the elder branches being of a darke purplish colour and the younger more red thicke set with small hard and dry leaves without order from the bottome to the toppe which are somewhat long and small at the setting on broader in the middle and sharpe pointed somewhat like unto small Mirtle leaves of a greenish colour on the upperside and whitish underneath at the top of every branch standeth a round flower in a scaly head consisting of many purplish thrummes or threds paler in the middle than round about somewhat like unto the head of a Scabious or rather Knapweede the roote is of a fingers thicknesse long wooddy and of a brownish colour somewhat salt if it grow neere the sea shore where it may drinke any of the Sea water or else not salt at all but bitter if it grow further off the leaves also tasting after the same manner 1. Alypum Monspeliensium sive Herba Terribilis Herbe Terrible Hippoglossum Valentinam Clusie 2. Tarton raire Massilicusium Gutworte or Trouble belly 2. Tarton raire Massiliensium Gutwort or Trouble belly The herbe Gutworte or Trouble belly hath very many hoary or silver white slender and very tough branches two foote high divided into many other smaller whereon grow many small white hoary leaves round about them smaller than those of Alypum the flowers are white and small set close together in a long tuft but so covered with the white woollinesse that they can scarse bee perceived after which come small blacke seede bitter and unpleasant and so fiery hot that if any shall either chew of them or the leaves a little in their mouth they will so heate the mouth lippes and jawes that no washing will for a long time take it away the roote is small long and wooddy with many fibres at it yellowish on the outside and white within nothing so hot bitter or unpleasant as the leaves or seede yet leaving a small hot taste at the end without any sent and not giving any milke it is saith Pena very like unto the Turbith of Alexandria or of the shoppes in the forme thereof The Place The first groweth on the mountaine or hill called Cestius or Cap de ceste and in other rockes and stony places hard by Marseilles in France as also in diverse places in Spaine as Clusius saith The second doth likewise grow neere Marseilles by the Seaside on a small hill neere thereunto called Mondrond as Pena saith and all a long the coast of Liguria and the Isles of Corsica and Sardinia as Lugdunensis saith The Time They flower not untill it be late with us but Clusius found the first in flower in the moneths of February and March as he saith in Spaine The Names 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greeke quasi indolens inoffensumque remedium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 per contrarium enim se habet quemadmodum in aliis Grace scilicet fella 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sive dulcia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Holostium tota ossea cum herba sit tenera appellans except it might rather be said to come from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est salsum vel maritimum because it groweth neere the sea in Latine it is called also Alypum herba terribilis according as the common people of Provence doe call it from the effects it worketh It is called also Alypias by Actuarius yet some thinke that his Alypias which as he saith purgeth flegme doth differ from his Alypum which purgeth blacke choller but Paulus reconcileth this doubt in his seaventh booke and fourth chapter where hee saith that the seede of Alypum purgeth downewards blacke choller taken with a little salt and Vinegar in the same quantity that Epithymum doth but if we credit Dioscorides saith he it doth lightly exulcerate the guts but is the same in my judgement saith Paulus which is now called Alypias the roote hereof as I sayd in the chapter of Tithymalls is called by Actuarius Turpetum album as that of Esula minor Turpetum nigrum There is some doubt with many whether we have the true
Lugdunensis who saith it doth best agree with Clusius his first Sanamunda The last is not remembred by any before The Vertues The first Spurge Olive worketh very churlishly with whomsoever and in whatsoever manner you give it viz. the leaves prepared beaten to powder and taken in wine or broth or the berries swallowed whole or bruised and taken by themselves for as Dioscorides saith if twenty foure of the berries be taken in drinke this proportion is answerable to the rest of the phisicke in those times as I have often said or the inner pulpe of them onely it purgeth downewards very strongly both Choller Flegme and water but as he saith they will burne the jawes and throate and therefore they had neede be rowled or otherwise given with flower or barley meale or swallowed in meale or in raisins the stones taken out or taken with purified honey being beaten with niter and vinegar it is applied to them that are given to over much sweating He that will give the ponder of the leaves had neede first to take away the strings that runne in the leaves which may be done while it is grossely beaten before it be beaten finer which prepared in this manner may be made into Trochisces or balls to keepe all the yeare the leaves being gathered in Autumne It is a remedy also for them that have eaten and drunken Hemlocke the poysonfull herbe All the Sanamunda's likewise are violent purgers for halfe a dramme of the juyce of the berries taken in wine or in broth which is the better and the safer way purgeth watery humours aboundantly and therefore if it be taken with good advise warily it may doe good in Dropsies Gouts Joynt-aches the Sciatica and the like in Spaine they usually give a dramme in the decoction of red Cicers which purgeth flegmaticke and melanchancholy humors wonderfully and consequently is availeable to all such diseases as rise from such humours Lugdunensis recordeth a cure of one in the Hospitall at Lions who was grievously tormented with the Crampe performed by Dalechampius by giving him a dramme of the leaves of the fourth kinde here set downe in pouder in a little barley water which wrought as forceably as if he had taken Colocynthis and thereby was restored to his health The country people as Matthiolus sheweth doe often take of those berries to purge themselves thinking to be their owne Physitions herein and deceive them of their fee due for their counsell but as he there saith they often deceive themselves by their unskilfull foole-hardinesse and make more worke for the Phisitions to cure them of the paines and torments and other dangerous diseases that follow the taking of these violent purgers if they free them not of further trouble by their owne deaths Pliny is justly to be taxed for writing in his 27. booke and 9. Chapter that the Coccognidium which as I said before is called by the Grecians the fruite of Thymelaea doth stay or bind the belly Sistit alvum is the word in the generall Copie which yet some would impute to be the errour of the Writer out thereof when it should be Ciet alvum when Galen and all other Authors acknowledge it to be a strong purger Mesues adviseth that Mesereon which I said before the Arabians doe confound and is to be understood this Thymelaea as well as that Chamaelaea c. is not to be given without the correctors appointed for it and yet not but unto strong able bodies All these therefore are not safe to be given to weake bodies or stomackes to women with child or to children that are not strong except they be strongly infected CHAP. XXII Laureola Laurell or Spurge Laurell THis Laurell or Spurge Laurell that it may be knowne from the Bay tree which is of divers called the Laurell tree riseth up usually but with one stemme yet sometimes with more very tough and pliant covered with a whitish thicke tough barke branching forth into divers parts toward the toppes whereon are set many long smooth thicke somewhat broad and shining darke greene leaves somewhat like unto Bayleaves but longer smoother softer and not with hard veines therein as Bayleaves have the flowers come forth towards the toppes of the stalkes and branches and at the joynts with the leaves many set together which are somewhat long and hollow ending or spreading into foure small leaves of a whitish yellow greene colour after which come small round and somewhat long blacke berries when they are ripe wherein lieth a white kernell the roote groweth downe deepe into the ground and spreadeth likewise tough long white strings somewhat woodie both leafe and flower both barke and roote are very hot and sharpe in taste heating and burning the mouth and throate of any that shall taste them it keepeth the greene leaves all the Winter and doth not shed them 2. Chamaedaphnoides sive Laureola Cretica Candie Laurell From a crooked small white roote rise up three or foure crooked and bending blackish stalkes thicke set with leaves without order covering them allmost wholly which are long and small towards the bottomes and grow broader to the ends being thicke and hard greene above and grayish below tasting very hot and burning both mouth and throate very notably what flowers or fruit it beareth hath not beene seene but referred unto this Laurell for the forme and propertie and groweth very low The Place The first groweth wild in many places of this realme as well as beyond the seas and being brought into gardens will there abide and flourish sufficiently well the other was sent out of Candie to Prosper Alpinus who hath given this remembrance of it The Time The first flowreth very early in the yeare even in Ianuary or February and sometimes before if the Winter be milde the berries are ripe about June the other hath not floured as is before said The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Lauri foliorum similitudine and the Latines accordingly Laureola quasi pusilla Laurus Some doe appoint two kinds of Laureola mas faemina some accounting this to be mas and Chamalaea Germanica to be faemina others this to be faemina and Chamaelaea to be mas so variable are divers in their opinions Matthiolus taketh this to be Chamaedaphne of Dioscorides and the Chamaelaea to be Daphnoides but in both 1. Laureola Floâ—ens Lawrell in flower 2. Laureola cum baccis Laurell with berries he is much mistaken Lobel and Lugdunensis doe take this Laureola which he calleth Mas to be Daphnoides and the Chamaelaea Germanica to be Chamaedaphne or Laureola foemina Tragus also is much deceived in mistaking this plant for Dioscorides his Thymelaea Most of other writers doe call it Daphnoides or Laureola Dodonaeus as I said before would make it to be Cneorum nigram of Theophrastus and the Chamaelaea his Cneorum album In my former booke I was partly perswaded that Chamaeadaphne of Dioscorides was the Chamaelaea Germanica or came
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is granum pedicularium in Latine Staphis agria in the Apothecaries shoppes beyond sea Staphusaria and Pedicularis and Peduncularis and Pituitaria sic dicta a viribus quas habet pediculos enecando fervore pituitam educendo and thereupon Cordus on Dioscorides calleth it Pthirococtonon Pliny seemeth to call it Vva Taminia in his 26. Booke and 13. Chapter but in his 23. Booke and first Chapter hee saith that Astaphis agria or Staphis is corruptedly called Vva Taminia The seede thereof is so called also being onely in use and to be had in shoppes The Arabians call it Alberas Habebras Muthuzagi Mibbezegi the Italians Staphusaria the Spaniards Fabaraz Paparraz yerva pionta is pioybeyra the French Estaphisagria Paenilleuse and herbe aux povileux or povileux the Germans Bissmints the Dutch Luyscruidt and we in English Stavesacre and Lousewort The Vertues Staphysagria Stavesacre or Lousewort A few of the seed bruised and strained into posset drinke and drunke worketh very strongly upon the stomacke bringing forth abundance of slimie grosse flegme but there had neede of great caution to be used of whosoever shall take it for in that it heateth extreamely and bringeth danger of strangling by the violence thereof it is not used but by ignorant or desperate Surgions or countrie leeches without such correction and things as may mittigate the force thereof that thereby it may do no harme which being so ordered it is then used to be given to those that are troubled with itch scabbes the leprie or foule scurfe as well inwardly as to wash the places outwardly with the docoction of the seede which helpeth much as also to kill lice and vermine growing in the heads or bodies of any or the seeds mixed with oyle and axungia and anointed on the places Some use to make an Electuary of them by boyling them in water with some few correctors unto which liquor being strained so much Sugar is put as may be sufficient to make it up with the powder of Aniseede and Cinamon into an Electuarie whereof a dragme is a sufficient proportion at a time and is profitable for the diseases aforesaid as also to procure womens monethly courses it is also good to wash foule ulcers in the mouth or throate but if the decoction be too strong you may alay it with some vinegar and a little honey mixed therewith and so use it the seeds bruised and boyled in vinegar is good to helpe the toothach if the teeth and gummes be washed therewith for it draweth downe abundance of rheume which peradventure was the cause thereof being bruised also with a little pelletory of Spaine or without it and put into a fine linnen cloth and chewed where the teeth paine you most doth the like and often easeth and sometimes taketh away the paine Some say that if the flowers be chewed in the mouth and some of them laid upon the hurt place of any stung or bitten by any serpent they will heale them the seede beaten and mingled with meale and of it selfe so laid or made up into a paste with some hony will kill Mise and Ratts and such like vermine that doe eate it CHAP. XXIX Euphorbium The burning thornie plant called Euforbium Anteuphorbium The remedy for the Euforbium or the burning thorny plant AS the most extreme of all violent purging plants I bring this to your consideration not having any to exceede it in the qualitie of heate or violence and thereunto as many other Authors before me have done I joyne that other cooling herbe which is accounted the onely helpe and remedy against the fierie heate thereof 1. Euphorbium The burning thornie plant called Euforbium This strange thornie plant from a leafe thrust into the ground will shoote forth rootes and grow to have divers thicke and long leaves round also and not flat halfe a yard in length set with divers great ribbes which are armed all the length of them with a double row of small sharpe thornes or prickes two for the most part set together like unto the middle bone of a fish c. what fruit or flower it beareth we have not learned of any that hath seene it growing in Barbery from whence it hath beene brought both into our countrie and into others the rootes are great thicke and long spreading very much but impatient to endure any cold as the leaves are also there issueth out of the leaves as some say or out of the rootes as others say a pale yellowish gumme in small droppes or peeces most violent fierce even to smell unto but being tasted doth burne the mouth and throate not to be endured the dust also and fuming vapours that arise from it when it is stirred but much more when it is beaten to powder doe so fiercely penetrate into the head and mouth but especially the nostrills that it procureth frequent and strong neesing often times even unto delacrymation and if any shall touch their face or any other part of the skinne that is tender with their hands after they have handled it it will burne and enflame it so terribly that oftentimes it will raise blisters and wheales the furie whereof will not be allaid scarse in halfe a day after although cold water or any other cold thing be applied to mitigate the strength thereof and therefore in the same naturall places groweth with it as the chiefe and onely remedy thereof the 2. Anteuphorbium The remedy for Euforbium The Anteuphorbium hath divers fat thicke greene stalkes with many thicke and long leaves thereon somewhat like unto the leaves of Purslane but much bigger both stalkes and leaves being full of a cold and slimie moisture most fit and apt to temper the heate of the former we have likewise no further understanding of either flower or seede that it beareth the rootes are great and thicke from whence shoote forth many long and great strings and small fibres but as quickly subject to the cold as the former and perisheth upon the first cold blast that commeth upon it 1. Euphorbium The burning thorny plant called Euphorbium Anteuphorbium The remedy for Euphorbium The Place Both these plants have beene brought out of Barbery as I said from many places there as also other Iles there abouts and here they have thrived well all the heate of the yeare but as I said will endure no manner of cold and therefore without extraordinary care and keeping not to be kept in our land The Time The time of the well thriving is formerly expressed for it never bore flower with us or with any that hath had it as farre as we can learne The Names The Greeke name is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines have no other name than Euphorbium for it although Pliny calleth the plant Euphorbia and the gumme Euphorbium Iuba that was father to Ptolomy and first ruled both the countries of Mauritania is said by Pliny to have first found this plant and gave it the name Euphorbium
are pained either by the wind as in stitches and the like or in the spleene easeth them in once or twise using it the same also boyled in oyle is the safest and surest medicine to kill lice and other vermine growing in the head or body of any the same also is an especiall remedy for joynt aches and swollen knees that come by the falling downe of humors upon a confusion or puncture The Broome Rape is commended by some to be as good a sallet as Asparagus taken when they are young and eaten either raw or boyled but it is much more bitter If Kine feede thereon it maketh them sooner desire the bull and therefore in Spaine they call it yervatâ—ra the decoction thereof in wine is thought to bee as effectuall in helping to avoyd the stone in the Kidneyes and bladder and to provoke urine as the Broome it selfe the juyce thereof is accounted a singular good helpe to cure as well greene wounds as old and filthy sores and malignant Vlcers the insolate oyle wherein there have beene three or foure repetitions of infusion of the toppe stalkes with flowers strayned and cleered clenseth the skinne of all manner of spots markes and freckles that rise by the heate of the sunne or the malignity of humors All the other sorts of lesser Broome have the like qualities and may be conducible for the same diseases but every one in his owne proper existence some being weaker or stronger than other The Spanish Broome over and above the same properties as also to purge downewards and to provoke vomits especially the seede taken to the quantitie of a dramme in mead or honied water purgeth by vomit as Hellebor doth without trouble or danger the flowers thereof boyled in meade and drunke or the pouder of them taken in a reare egge or the juyce of the young branches drunke fasting doe cure the Kings evill and the hippe goute and an oximell made of them and the seed often used breaketh and healeth all impostumes of the Spleene by causing the corrupt matter to void it selfe upwards often and draweth also flegme and raw humors from the joynts CHAP. XXXIII Cassia solutiva Purging Cassia IN former times there was onely one sort of purging Cassia knowne but there hath beene since brought to our knowledge an other whereof I meane to give you the relation in this place 1. Cassia solutiva vulgaris The ordinary purging Cassia The purging Cassia tree groweth in Assiria about Babylon and in the Jndies to be a wonderfull great tree spreading both in height and breadth very much but in Arabia Egypt and Italy much lesse yet growing to be a tree of a large size or bignesse whose wood is solid and firme yellowish towards the sappe or outside and blackish like Lignum vitae at the heart covered with a smooth soft and ash coloured barke very likeunto the Wallnut tree the branches are not very great and but thinly stored with winged leaves consisting of eight or tenne leaves for the most part five standing on each side of the stalke without any odde one at the end each whereof is larger and longer pointed than the leaves of the Carob or sweete Beane tree that followeth in the next Chapter to be described the flowers are yellow and large many growing together on a long stalke and hanging downe somewhat like as the Laburnum or Beane Trefolie doth consisting of foure leaves for the most part or sometimes of five leaves with many greenish threads in the middle standing about a small long crooked umbone or horne of a very sweete sent especially in the morning before the Sunne shine upon them but grow weaker in smell as the Sunne groweth hotter upon them the small horne in the middle of the flower groweth to be the pod which while it is young is greene but in time commeth to be of a darke purple colour and being suffered to grow longer or taken at the time and kept turne blacke being of divers sizes both for length and greatnesse some being smaller and some greater some a foote or a foote and a halfe or two foote long with a hard round wooddy wrinkled shell not very thicke or very hard to breake with a seame as it were or list all the length thereof at the backe eminent to be seene and with another small one against it upon the other side which causeth it to be easily broken into two parts by the middle long wayes and 1. Cassia solutiva vulgaris The ordinary purging Cassia 2. Cassia Brafiliana The great Cassia of Brasill distinguished inwardly into many skinny wood-like partitions on both sides of which partitions grow a soft blacke substance like unto hony and very sweete which is that part onely that is to be used and no part thereof else beside betweene these cells or partitions lie round and flat gristly seed of a darke brownish colour very like unto the seede of the Carob tree the rootes are great and grow deepe in the ground the choise of the best cods or canes is that they be moist within and that the seeds doe not rattle when they are shaken 2. Cassia solutiva Brasiliana Purging Cassia of Brassill There is another sort of Cassia that hath beene brought from Brassill which differeth not much from the former either in the forme of the tree or fruite for the tree it selfe groweth as by relation it is affirmed great and hath such like winged leaves as the former hath the fruit onely or chiefely differeth from the other in this that it is about two foote long especially such as we have seene and more than two inches broad and about an inch and a halfe thicke whose barke or outward rinde is much harder thicker browner and flatter than the other but with great wrinkles or furrowes crossing it as the other hath the seames likewise at the backe and against it are greater and more eminent and the seede lying in the cells larger and flatter also the pulpe or blacke substance lying upon the wooddy skinnes is as sweete as the other but of more force in working by the one halfe at the least The Place The first groweth plentifully in Egypt but yet not naturally for it is onely in their orchards where it hath beene planted for it is generally held to be first brought thither and to Arabia also from Syria and Armenia and they from the East Indies it groweth also in the West Indies first planted by the Spaniards in Hispaniola in so great abundance that from thence the most store that is spent in Europe is brought The other groweth in Brassill from whence it was brought into these parts The Time The first flourisheth chiefely in Iune and the fruite hanging upon the tree all the yeare are gathered much about the time of the flowring for the tree holding his greene leafe all the Winter hath usully both blossomes and greene fruite and ripe all as it were at one time The other hath not beene hitherto further described or
any other discolouring of the skinne but they that use it had neede to take heede that they use it not too strong nor let it lie on too long but rather wash it off againe with faire water within two or three houres after it hath beene used The dryed rootes called Orris being beaten either alone of themselves into pouder or with other sweete things are used to be layd in presses chests and wardrops to sweeten and perfume garments of linnen and silke especially and all things that you will put it to and thus much of the Flowerdeluce But there are but few that have written of the Gladwin or that have remembred the purging qualitie therein yet many of our country people in many places doe with the decoction of the rootes purge themselves and thereby avoyd much corrupt tough flegme and choller yet some that will not have it worke so strongly doe but infuse the sliced rootes in Ale and some take the leaves which serveth well for the weaker and tender stomacks the juice hereof procureth sneezing being put up or snuffed up into the nose and draweth downe from the head much corruption and the pouder thereof doth the same the pouder also drunke in wine helpeth those that are troubled with Crampes and Convulsions or with the Sciatica or Goute and giveth ease to those that have any griging paines in their body or belly and helpeth those that have the Strangurie that is that cannot make their water but by drops it is with much profit also given to those that have had long Fluxes by the sharpe and evill qualities of humors which it stayeth having first clensed and purged them by the drying and binding propertie therein even as Rubarbe and some other such like things doe the roote procureth womens monethly courses very effectually if it bee drunk after it hath beene boyled in wine and some of them shred and boyled in wine and vinegar in equall parts that shee may sit over the hot fumes being close covered untill it grow neare cold the roote used as a pessarie worketh the same effect but in women with child it causeth Abortion that is the delivery afore the due time the seed beaten to pouder and taken to the quantity of halfe a dram in wine helpeth those that cannot make water very effectually the same taken with vinegar disolveth both the hardnesse the tumors of the spleene the root is very effectuall in all wounds and specially of the head as also to draw forth any splinters thornes broken bones or any other thing sticking in the flesh without causing any paine used with a little Verdigrease and hony and the great centory roote the same also boyled in vinegar and layd upon any hard tumors doth very effectually dlissolve and consume them yea even those swellings of the throate called the Kings Evill the juice of the leaves and rootes is profitably used to heale the itch and all running or spreading scabs or sores and blemishes or scarres in the skinne some doe suppose by the sharpenesse of the taste in the roote especially more then in the seede which is more drying that it hath as well a corrosive as opening quality therein some also doe appropriate it to the effects of the chests and lungs for which the Iris or Flowerdeluce is more proper and effectuall some also to stay the involuntary passage of the sperme following Pliny therein and some also to heale the hemorrhoides and others the diseases of the fundament It is thought also to bee effectuall against the poyson of Serpents and thus much for the stinking Gladwin CHAP. XLVIII Cnicus sive Carthamus Bastard or Spanish Saffron ALthough these sorts of Cnicus might well be placed among the Thistles as other Authors doe and with these that other wilde kind called Attractylis but because these onely have purging qualities I thought it best thus to separate them and intreate of these in this place 1. Cnicus sive Carthamus sativus The manured bastard Saffron The manured bastard Saffron hath sundry large leaves lying next the ground without any pricks or with very few white ones at the corners of the leaves and divisions among which riseth a strong hard round stalke three or foure foote high branching it selfe up to the top bearing shorter leaves sharpe pointed 1. Cnicus sive Carthamus sativus The ordinary Spanish Saffron 2. Cnicus alter Creticus Wilde or bastard Saffron of Candye 3. Cnicus alter perennis Clusil Clusius his everliving bastard Saffron and prickly at the edges and at their ends a great open scaly head out of which thrusteth forth many gold yellow threds of a most orient and shining colour which being gathered in a dry warme time and kept dry will abide in the same delicate colour that it bare when it was fresh for a very long time the seed when it commeth to maturity is white and hard somewhat long and round and a little cornered the roote is long white and wooddy perishing yearly after seede time This hath beene found with a white flower but very bare 2. Cnicus alter Creticus Wild or bastard Saffron of Candy This other bastard Saffron of Candye from a thicke and long blacke root riseth one straight round stalke halfe a cubit high set here and there with long sharpe pointed leaves thicke set with prickles at the dentes of the edges at the toppe whereof standeth a scaly head compassed with prickly leaves of the bignesse of the Attractylis or Distaffe Thistle out of which breake forth divers thicke yellow Saffron like threads thicke thrust together after which the seede groweth therein being white and as great as the greater Centory seede 3. Cnicus alter perennis Clusii Clusius his everliving bastard Saffron This bastard Saffron riseth up with divers hard strong and round stalkes without any branches at all from them to the height of three or foure foote bearing thereon at severall places somewhat large and long leaves dented about the edges of a sad or duskie greene colour at the top of every stalke standeth one great close hard scaly head but not prickly at all not so great as the other Cnicus or bastard Saffron never opening the scales of the head as it doth from the middle whereof commeth divers threds yet nothing so many as in the other of a sad blewish ashcolour and whitish at the bottome of them the seede which lyeth among the downe in those heads is greater although Clusius saith smaller for I set you forth the plant as it groweth with us then of the other thick and short but not white and in lesser quantity then it the rootes runne downe deepe into the ground and being there encreased doe runne and spread themselves taking up a great deale of roome The Place The first is generally sowen in Spaine Italy and other places for the especiall use thereof The second Alpinus saith was brought out of Candye The last groweth wilde in Spaine as well about Sevill as Cordula and in other places as
Clusius saith Pona remembreth it to grow upon Mount Baldus The Time They flower in the end of Iuly or about the beginning of August and the seede is ripe about the end thereof The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cnicus and Cnecus either 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod est pungere vel mordere or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod pungendo pruriginem excitet but is more properly to be understood of the wilde kind or rather a floris colore cum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exponatur croceus vel rutilus it is called Cnicus and Cnâ—cus also in Latin and Carthamus in the Apothecaries shops 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it is thought quod est purgare but more truly from the Arabians Kartam The first is called Cnicus sativus urbanus and vulgaris by most Authors and Carthamus as I said in the Apothecaries shoppes of some also Crocus Saracenicus The second is remembred onely by Alpinus in his booke de plantis exoticis by the name of Cnicus singularis the last Clusius calleth Cnicus alter coeruleo flore and so doe all other after him without any great variation The Arabians call it Kartam the Italians Saffaranâ— Sarasenisco the Spaniards Alacor and Acafran salvaja The Germaines call it Wilder Saffran the French Saffran bastard and graine de Perroquets because they use to feede Parrats with the seede in English Wilde Saffron Bastard Saffron Spanish Saffron and Catalonia Saffron The Vertue The first Spanish Saffron flowers are much used in Spaine and other places to bee put into their brothes and meates to give them a yellow colour which doth much please them for as for any relish of spice or hot quick taste they have none nor any comfortable qualities that they should be desired or used neither have they any great use in Physicke that I know but many pounds of them are spent in dying silke into a kind of Carnation colour the seede is chiefly used in Physick or rather the kernells within the seede which beaten and the emulsion thereof with honyed water or with the broth of a pullet taken fasting doth open the body and purgeth waterie and flegmatick humours both upwards and downewards which humors also it voydeth if the emulsion of the seede be given in a glister and thereby helpeth the collicke and dropsie and those other diseases that proceede from those humors being made into a Lohoc or licking electuary with Sugar and hony and a few almonds and pine kernells it clenseth the brest and lungs of flegme sticking therein wonderfully causing it to be easily spit forth it also cleareth the voyce and encreaseth sperme by the often use of it but it doth somewhat trouble the stomacke and therefore some stomachicall helpers are fit to be given with it as Aniseede Galanga Masticke or if neede be of more forcible Cardamoms Ginger sal gemma c. a dram of the flowers in pouder taken in hydromel or honyed water or in barly water helpeth the Iaundise a dram of the pulpe of the seede taken with an ounce of the Syrupe of Wormewood doth the like also the confection made of the seeds hereof called in shoppes Diacarthamum is an especiall good medecine both to purge choller and fleagme as also to cleare and clense the body of the watery humors of the Dropsie Parrots doe most willingly feede upon this seede yet doth it not move their bodies a white The second sort Alpinus saith is used by the naturalists in the same manner and to the same purposes to purge that the first is used Of the last there is little written but wee may onely suppose that being so like in forme it should so be also in quality CHAP. XLIX Papaver corniculatum Horned Poppie THere are at this day two or three sorts of horned Poppies knowne to us whereas there was but one sort knowne to Dioscorides and other the antient Greeke and Latin writers 1. Papaver corniculatum luteum Yellow horned Poppie This horned Poppie hath divers long and somewhat large whitish or hoary leaves lying upon the ground very much cut in or torne on the edges and somewhat rough or hayrie from among which rise up divers weake round stalkes leaning downe rather then standing upright somewhat hayrie also spreading forth into some branches and bearing a large flower at the top of every one of them consisting of foure leaves of a fine pale yellow colour with a few threds in the middle standing about a small crooked pointell which in time groweth to be a long naked round pod halfe a foote long or better with a small head or button as it were at the end thereof wherein is conteyned small blackish round seede the roote is white long and tough spreading divers wayes enduring many yeares and keeping his leaves all the winter every part hereof yeeldeth forth a yellow juice being broken of bitter tast 2. Papaver Corniculatum rubrum Red horned Poppie The red horned Poppie hath fewer lesser and more jagged leaves then the former nothing so whitish but of a sullen greene colour somewhat hairy also the stalks are slenderer and lower bearing flowers at the tops of them like the other and consisting of foure leaves a peece but much smaller and of a pale reddish colour for the most part yet sometimes sadder after which come such like crooked or horned pods but smaller then the other having such like small blackish seede within them the roote is long and slender perishing every yeare and raiseth it selfe oftentimes from it owne sowing or else must bee sowen every yeare in the spring this yeeldeth no yellow juice when it is broken like the other 3. Papaver Corniculatum flore violaceo Blew horned Poppie The blew horned Poppie groweth much lower and with smaller leaves very much or finely cut and divided into many parts of a sad greene colour the stalkes are low and slender yet somewhat hairy rising not much 1. 2. Papaver corniculatum luteum sive rubrum Horned Poppie yellow and red 3. Papaver corâ—ulatum violaceum Blew Horned Poppie above a foote or halfe a yard high at the most with small flowers at the toppes of them like unto the last for forme that is consisting of foure leaves but of a faire deepe purple colour almost like unto a violet after which come small slenderer and shorter pods not above a fingers length wherein lyeth such like blackish seede but smaller the roote is small and perisheth every yeare The Place The first groweth naturally by the sea side as well beyond sea as on the coastes of our owne country in many places both of the Kentish and Essex shore as at Rie and Lid at Harwich and Whitstable in the Iles of Tennet and Shepey and is much desired and planted in Gardens for the beautifull aspect thereof as well as the vertues the other two Clusius saith hee first found in Spaine growing by the way sides and in the corne fields as
in Spaine and other places and with us also to this day but the descriptions of them being so diverse if they had beene regarded or lookt into which was utterly neglected and those times led onely by tradition without searching out the veritie of things would make one mervaile how they could be so much mistaken as from the ignorance of some that called Asarum Bacchar to make one name of both but the errour being so old even before Plinye his time may seeme to make it the more excusable but we should not continue in the same course they formerly did seeing Plinye sheweth the errour and findeth fault with them that were so led as is shewed in the chapter of Baccharis The first is called Asarum by all our later writers except Lobel that calleth it Asarum Baccharis sive Bacchatus The second we have imposed the name according to the forme it carrieth as it is in the title The third Matthiolus first called Asarina and so doe others that set it forth after him onely Clusius doth much suspect it to be his second Tussilago Alpina and that his figure was taken from a dry plant and before it had brought forth the flowers to perfection but by the sharpe taste and creeping roote it may more probably be taken to be the Catyledon palustris acris or urens The Arabians call it Asaron the Italians Asaro and Bacchara the Spaniards Asarabaccara and we in English Asarabacca or Asarobacca The Vertues Dioscorides saith it hath an heating quality where or howsoever applyed and that it provoketh urine easeth the paines of the stone is profitable for dropsies and for the old paines of the Sciatica and that sixe drammes of the rootes being drunke in honeyed water procureth womens courses and purgeth like unto blacke Hellebor Mesues placeth it among other purging hearbes and so doe I for being drunke it not onely provoketh vomiting but worketh downewards and by urine also purging both choller and flegme it is made the more strong if some Spiknard be added with the whey of goates milke or honyed water but it purgeth flegme more manifestly than choller and therefore doth much helpe those that are troubled with the paines in the hippes and the parts thereabout especially if it be either steeped or boyled in whey it doth wonderfully helpe the obstructions of the liver and spleene and therefore profitable for those that are troubled with the dropsie and the overflowing of the gall which is the Iaundise being steeped in wine and drunke it helpeth those continuall agues that come by the plenty of stubborne humors An oyle made thereof by setting it in the sunne and whereunto some Laedanum is added provoketh sweating if the ridge of the backe be annointed therewith and thereby driveth away the shaking fits of agues It will not abide any long boyling the chiefest strength thereof vanishing thereby nor much beating for the finer powder doth provoke vomits and urine and the courser purging downewards thus saith Mesues hereby as Matthiolus saith the Germaine Country people were taught to cure both tertian and quartaine agues by drinking a draught of the decoction thereof made with wine wherein a little Mace or Cinamon or honey is put either every day or every other day which purgeth the body and often procureth vomitings as also they anoint the ridge of the backe and the soles of their feete with the warme oyle made thereof by long sunning upon the accesse or comming of the fit being in their warme bed whereby they prevent the shaking fits and provoke much sweate and are thereby cured that have long lingred under the disease It is profitable for those that have convulsion of the sinewes and an old cough The common use hereof is to take the juyce of 5 or 7 leaves in a little drinke to cause vomitings the rootes also worke in the same manner but not so forcibly but an extract made thereof according to art with wine might be more safe and effectuall and may be kept all the yeare to be at hand ready to be given when there is occasion the quantity onely is to be proportioned according to the constitution of the patient as the learned Phisition can best appoint It is also effectuall against the bitings of serpents the roote especially and therefore is put among other simples both into Mithridatum and Andromachus Treakle which is usually called Venice Treakle Galen saith that the rootes of Asarum have the same property that Acorus hath but more strong and Paulus Aegineta agreeth with him but Lugdunensis findeth fault with them both because they have a purging quality whereof they make no mention A dramme of the roote in powder given in white wine a little before the fit of an ague taketh away the shaking fit and thereby causeth the hot fit to be the more remisse and in twise taking expelleth it quite It is said that the leaves being a little bruised and applyed to the forehead and temples doe ease the paines of the head and procureth sleepe and applied to the eyes taketh away the inflammation of them the juice with a little Tutia prepared put to it and dropped into the corner of the eyes sharpneth the eyesight and taketh away the dimnesse and mistinesse that is often in them The leaves and rootes being boyled in lye and the head washed therewith often while it is warme comforteth the head and braine that is ill affected by taking cold and helpeth the memory also The Virginia Asarum hath beene but little experienced by any that I know and therefore can say nothing thereof but it is probable to be of the like effects being so much more aromaticall and sweet The Bastard Asarum as Matthiolus saith hath a little clensing quality but a greater propertie to attenuate or make thin that which is thicke to cut or breake that which is tough and to open that which is obstruct a dram of the pouder hereof taken in sweete wine or honyed water doth loosen the belly and purgeth from thence tough and thicke flegme and blacke or burnt humors It is to very good purpose and profit given to those that have the Yellow Iaundise to those that have the Falling sicknesse and to those that have the Palsie the herbe eyther taken of it selfe and eaten as in Sallets or the decoction thereof made and drunke It killeth also the wormes of the belly I confesse I might have placed these herbes among the other sorts of sweete herbes but the purging qualities being so prevalent both in procuring vomit and working downewards by the stoole hath rather moved me to insert them here CHAP. LIII Brassica Colewort ALl the edible sorts of Coleworts and Cabbiges with some others of delight I have mentioned in my former worke so amply that who so will may finde them there at large declared I will onely in this place give you some figures of them and their vertues more amply because I was then so briefe and with them show you some wilde
humors or from obstructions that are the cause of cholericke and putride feavers the same is good also for the jaundise and spendeth it by the urine which it procureth in abundance as Aegineta saith The juyce thereof saith Tragus and the pouder of the roote of Esula prepared in equall proportion that is a dramme provoketh vomiting where there is cause being taken in warme water and cureth the dropsie because it is somewhat windie it is good to use aniseede and fennell seede with it the pouder of the dried herbe given for sometime together hath cured a melancholy person as Brasavola saith but the seede is strongest in operation for all the purposes aforesaid The distilled water of the herbe is much used also and thought to cause good effect in all the former diseases and beside as Tragus saith conduceth much against the Plague or Pestilence being taken with good Treakle which it driveth forth by sweate the same water also with a little water and hony of Roses helpeth all the sores in the mouth and throate being gargled often therewith the juyce dropped into the eyes cleareth the sight and taketh away the rednes and other defects in them although it procure some paine for the present and bringeth forth water or teares Dioscorides saith that it hindereth any fresh springing of the haires on the eye liddes if after they be pulled away the eye browes be anointed with the juyce that hath Gun Arabeck dissolved in it the juyce of Fumiterry and of Docks mingled with vinegar and the places gently washed or wet therewith cureth all sores of scabbes itches wheales pimples or pushes that rise in the faceor hands or in any other part of the skinne of the body The lesser or fine leafed Fumitterry as also the climing Fumiterry worke to the same purposes but more weakely the yellow Fumiterry is also effectuall in most of the diseases aforesaid and besides that it provoketh urine abundantly it is very effectuall for the cholicke taken greene or dry in wine for many dayes Those Fumiteries with hollow and firme rootes are each of them effectuall both against poison and the pestilence being made into pouder and drunke and afterward the party laid to sweate the same also provoketh urine and helpeth the jaundise the seede being bruised and drunke helpeth fluxes and laskes the rootes are also singular good to heale and drie up putrid and running ulcers CHAP LXIII Aristolochia Birthwort ALthough divers doe thinke that none of the Aristolochia's or Birthworts doe purge or open the belly at all yet because Mesues the great Arabian Physitian numbreth it among his purging plants and Dodonaeus doth in the same manner I thinke it not amisse to doe so likewise Of these Birthworts Dioscorides and Galen have onely made three sorts which are the round the long and the running Birthworts Pliny hath added a fourth which he calleth Pistolochia or Polyrrhizos of all which there are some differences observed in these latter dayes which shall be declared in this Chapter 1. Aristolochia rotunda vulgatior The more ordinary round rooted Birthwort This round rooted Birthwort sendeth forth diverse long trayling square stalkes sometimes halfe a yeard long or better not able to stand upright but lie or leane downe to the ground with few or no branches issuing from them but with many round yellowish greene leaves full of veines standing at distances without order one beyond the other every one upon a short footstalk at every joynt with the leaves from the middle of these stalks upwards to the top commeth forth one long hollow flower apeece smaller at the bottome broader at the top with along peece or flippet as it were at one side of the top bending downe both of them of a deadish yellow or somewhat brownish colour and somewhat blackish purple on the inside this flower Dioscorides compareth to a cap or hood which as it should seeme was their fashion in his time after the flowers are past come in their places small round and somewhat long fruite of diverse sises some as bigge as a Wallnut without the shell some as bigge as it is with the outward greene shell and some lesser than both which when it is ripe openeth into three parts shewing the seede lying in order within it separated by certaine skinnes somewhat flat and round the roote is tuberous bunched out diversly of a darke or swart colour on the outside and more yellow within 1. Aristolochia rotunda vulgatior Round rooted Birthwort 3. Aristolochia longa vera The true long rooted Birthwort 5. Aristolochia Clematitis The running rooted Birthwort 2. Aristolochia rotunda altera Another round rooted Birthwort This other Birthwort is like the former for the manner of growing but the stalkes are more and shorter the leaves are somewhat greater and have each a longer foote stalke the flowers are of a pale or whitish purple on the outside and browne on the inside with a few haires set therein scarse to be discerned as is usuall to all the sorts the fruite is somewhat longer and peare fashion more pointed at the end the seede is flat somewhat lesse and red the roote is like the other but a little yellower 3. Aristolochia longa vera The true long rooted Birthwort The long rooted Birthwort is so like unto the round that it is very hard for one not throughly exercised in the knowledge of both to distinguish them the chiefe differences be these the stalke is shorter the leaves are smaller harder and paler the flowers are more whitish and greenish but like in forme the fruite is somewhat long like a peare somewhat like the other or last round rooted Birthwort but not so much pointed the seede differeth not but the roote hereof is long and not round or tuberous like the other as bigge as a mans wrest sometimes or bigger but most usually lesse of halfe a foote or a foote in length sometimes 4. Aristolochia longa Hispanica The Spanish long Birthwort This Spanish kinde differeth very little from the last recited long rooted Birthwort for in the flower and roote is the onely difference to be observed the flower in this is somewhat more purple both the flippet or eare and the innerside of the toppe of the flower the roote likewise is shorter for the most part and blunter at the lower end or nothing so much pointed 5. Aristolochia Clematitis The running rooted Birthwort The running rooted Birthwort groweth with longer stronger and rounder stalkes than the former even three or foure foote long branched oftentimes like the long rooted kind whereon grow much larger and broader leaves and of a paler greene colour then any of the other at the joynts with the leaves come forth the flowers as the other sorts doe but whereas none of them bring above one flower at a joynt this bringeth three or foure like unto the rest for forme but of a pale greene colour like the long the fruite hereof likewise is greater than any of the other as the
in wine or in milke doth mervellously help all the diseases of the chest and lungs that proceede of hot causes as excoriations the ptisicke plurifie and the rest if it be continued for some time together the leaves and the rootes worke the same effects let any one take which of them they thinke best or most ready at hand agreeing to their disposition they helpe much also in the excoriations of the guts and bowells and hardnesse of the mother and in all hot and sharpe diseases thereof as also the Alcea fruticosa pentaphyllea the juyce drunke in wine or the decoction of them in wine doth help women to a speedy easie delivery the common Alcea or Vervaine Mallow is thought to be most effectuall for burstings or ruptures and the bloudy flixe and also for the shrinking of sinewes and the crampe the distilled water of them when they are in flower worketh to the same purposes but more weakely yet it is much commended to be used in hot agues or severs Pliny saith that whosoever shall take a spoonefull of the juyce of any of the Mallowes shall that day be free from all diseases that may come unto him and that it is especiall good for the falling sicknesse The syrupe also â—d conserve made of the flowers are very effectuall for the same diseases and to open the body when it is coâ— or bound by accident or a naturall disposition the young leaves are often eaten with salt as a sallet the leaves bruised and laid to the eyes with a little hony taketh away the impostumations of them which by sufferance might grow to a Fistula the leaves bruised or rubbed upon any place stung with Bees Waspes or the like yea of the Scorpion and the biting of the deadly Spider called Phalaegium and is said presently to take away paines rednesse and swellings that rise thereupon and keepeth them from stinking if they be rubbed therewith aforehand and as Dioscorides saith the decoction of the leaves and rootes helpeth all sorts of poyson so as the poyson be presently voided by vomite a pultis made of the leaves of Mallowes boyled and bruised whereunto some Beane or Barley flower and oyle of Roses is put is an especiall remedy against all hard tumours and inflammations of impostumes and swellings of the coddes and other parts and easeth the paines of them as also against the hardnesse of the spleene or liver to be applied to the places the juyce of Mallowes boyled in old oyle and applied taketh away all roughnesse of the skinne as also the falling of the haire the scurfe dandruffe or drie scabbes in the head or other parts if they be anointed therewith or washed with the decoction the same also is effectuall against the scaldings by water and burnings by fire and to helpe also the disease called Saint Anthonies fire and all other hot red and painefull swellings in any part of the bodie the flowers of Mallowes boyled in oyle or water as every one is disposed whereunto a little hony and allome is put is an excellent gargle to wash any sore mouth or throate for it clenseth and healeth them in a short space if the feete be bathed or washed with the decoction of the leaves rootes and flowers it helpeth much the defluxions of rheume from the head which rose out of the stomack if the head be washed therewith it stayeth the falling and shedding of the haire thereof the greene leaves saith Pliny beaten with niter and applied draweth out thornes or prickes in the flesh The French and curled Mallowes and the Hollihocks are of the same nature and quality and work to the same effect that the other do The Marsh Mallow is the chiefest Mallow of all other and most effectuall in all the diseases before specified and therefore as I said before it was called Bismalva for that it was twise as good in effect as the other the leaves are likewise used in stead of the common Mallowes to loosen the belly gently and are effectuall in decoctions of glisters for to ease all the paines of the body opening the straight passages and making them lubricke whereby the stone may descend the more easily and without paine out of the reines and kidnies and the bladder and to ease the torturing paines comming thereby but the rootes are of more especiall use for those purposes as well as for the diseases of the breast and lunges as coughes hoarsenesse of the throate and voyce wheesings and shortnesse of breath c. being boyled in wine or honied water and drunke the rootes boyled in water very well and after they be strained forth the decoction being boyled againe with Sugar to a just consistence and thereof made into rowles or trochisces or the like are a Polychreston and much used for all the purposes aforesaid the rootes and seedes of the Marsh Mallow boyled in wine or water is with good effect used by them that have any excoriations in the guts or the bloudy flixe not so much by any binding qualitie in them as by qualifying the violence of the sharpe cholericke fretting humors that are the cause thereof and by the fliminesse easing the paines and healing the sorenesse and in some sort staying the further eruption of bloud therefrom at that time or any other after it is profitably taken of them that are troubled with ruptures crampes or convulsions of the sinewes and boyled in white wine for the impostumes of the throate called the Kings evill and of those kernells that rise behind the eares and inflammations or swelings in womens breasts the dried rootes boyled in milke and drunke are specially good for the chin cough Hippocrates used to give the decoction of the rootes or the juyce thereof to drinke to those that were wounded and were ready to faint thorough the expense and losse of bloud and applied the same mixed with hony and rosen unto the wounds the rootes boyled in wine he gave also to drinke to those that had received hurt by bruises or falls or by blowes and stripes to those that had any bone or member out of joynt and to those that had any swelling paine or ach in the muscles sinewes or arteries of the body it is good also to be used in all the ulcers and sores that happen in any cartilaginous place The Muccilage of the rootes and of lineseede and fenegreâ—e put together is much used in pultises ointments and plaisters that serve to mollifie and digest all hard tumors and the inflammations of them and to give ease of the paines in any part of the body the seede either greene or drie mixed with vinegar clenseth the skinne of the morphew and all other discolouring thereof whatsoever being bathed therewith in the Sunne the seede of the yellow Mallow hath beene tried even as the seede of the Marsh Mallow hath beene also to be of singular good effect against the stone if a dramme or a dramme and a halfe at the most being made into pouder be
smell so strong nor doth it give any milkie but a watery juice when it is broken so farre as ever I could observe 3. Asclepias Cretica Swallow-wort of Candy This Candy Swallow-wort riseth up in the same fashion that the former doe with many slender flexible greene branches with leaves set at the joynts on either side as the white kinde hath and are very like unto them but somewhat of a paler greene colour the flowers stand in the same manner three or foure together upon a stalke but are somewhat of a paler white colour not so white as they to whom succeede sometimes but one but most usually two pods together which are thicker and shorter then those of the white kinde straked all along and double forked at the ends wherein lye seedes and silke as in the former the rootes have not so many strings as the last and have as well as the rest of the Plant a strong smell resembling Boxe leaves The Place The two first grow in rough untilled places and in mountaines in divers places both in France about Narboâ— Marseilles and Mompelier and in Italy also and in other places The last grew in Candy from whence the seed came The Time They all flower in the moneths of Iune and Iuly and sometimes not untill August if the yeare be backeward and their cods with seede is ripe about a moneth after the empty huskes abiding on the dry branches when the seed and silke is shed out and fallen on the ground or blowne away with the wind The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Asclepias ab Aesculapio qui 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Graecie dicitur antiquo medicinae doctoreâ— some bastard names it hath also as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi hederula and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 haederefolium and thereupon or from the forme of the leaves like unto Ivy Ruellius calleth it Hederalis in Latine it is called usually Asclepias and Vincetoxicum which is as a generall word to denominate any Counterpoison for Vincetoxicum quasi Alexipharmicâ— dictum quod illi insignis adversus venena vis insit it was anciently called Hirundinaria although both the kindes of Chelidonium majus and minus be also called Hirundinaria of some quia acutae aperta ejus siliquae cum câ—dida lanugine volanti hirundini fere similis est alij vero a semine lanugine pinnato ita dici aiunt that is it is called Swallow-wort of some because the pointed cods when they are open and the silke appeareth out of them doe somewhat resemble a Swallow flying others say from the likenesse of the seed fethered as it were with the downe about it it is called in Italian Venci tassico Asclepiade in high Dutch Schwallen wurtz in low Dutch Swalnwe wortel and in English Swallow-wort and of some silken Cicely It is generally by the most writers and most judicious Herbarists now a dayes acknowledged to be the true Asclepias of Dioscorides although Anguillara doubteth of it and Matthiolus denieth it and contesteth against Fuchsius that said it was Vincetoxicum For first concerning the leaves to be like Ivye as Dioscorides saith and long as it is in some copyes but Oribasius as he saith hath it not so and Marcellus doth thereunto agree led peradventure as he saith by the sight of some ancient copies the leaves being like unto Bay leaves but sharper pointed secondly that the flowers had no strong or evill sent thirdly that the leaves and rootes did not smell sweet and lastly the seede was not like those of Pelecinum Securidaca the Hatchet Fetch all which Dodonaeus retorteth saying all his exceptions and reasons are nothing worth but I may say all Dioscorides his comparisons are not so stricktly to be stucke unto for in the description of the cods of Apocynum he saith they are like Beane cods when as all know they are more like the cods of Oleander and in the description of the leaves of Periclymenum he saith they are like those of Ivy unto whom they are in all mens judgement very little like and so in a number of other things Concerning the rootes Matthiolus saith that an ancient Manuscript hath not the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 multas but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tenues but which of them both is taken doth not much alter the matter but that they are not sweete no man that hath his sence of smelling perfect can say so if he feele their sent as they grow naturally in the Mountaines and for the evill smell of the flowers the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 virus redolens is not in all things of one equality and for the seede although â—it be not as square as the Securidaca yet is flat and in colour and bignesse like it Fabius Columna as it is set downe in the Chapter before tooke the Italian Asclepias to be rather Apocynum of Dioscorides and Lobel also calleth the blacke Swallow-wort Periploca minor belike because it riseth higher and clambereth like a Periploca or more then the white or peradventure because of the blacke flowers but I shewed you before the chiefest note to know Asclepius from Periploca or Apocynum There is little variation in the denominations of these plants by any writers more then is here expressed some calling them by the one and some by the other name and therefore not worthy further trouble The Vertues The rootes have a most soveraine quality against all poysons but in particular as is said before against the Apocynum or Dogs bane It is effectually given to any that are bitten by any venemous beast or stunge by any Serpent or other Creature as also against the biting of a mad dogge a dramme and a halfe thereof taken in Cardus Benedictus water for divers dayes together It is taken also in wine every day against the Plague or Pestilence a dramme thereof taken in Sorrell or Buglosse water is very effectuall against all the passions of the heart if a few Citron seedes be taken therewith taken in the same manner and measure it easeth all the griping paines in the belly the decoction of the rootes made with white wine taken for divers dayes together a good draught at a time and sweating presently thereupon cureth the dropsie the same also helpeth the jaundise provoketh urine and easeth the cough and all defects of the chest and lunges the powder of the rootes taken with Peony seede is good against the falling sickenesse or with Bassill seede or the rinde of Pomecitrons is good against Melancholly and taken with the rootes of Dictamnus albus or Fraxinella bastard Dittany will kill and expell the wormes of the maw or belly the rootes are very effectually used with other things made for bathes for women to sit in or over to ease all paines of the mother and to bring downe their courses the decoction likewise of the rootes hereof and of Cumfrye made with wine is much commended to helpe those that are
pointed at the ends but two or three very narrow and long leaves also with them comming from the roote the stalke is scarse an hand breadth high with many such whitish flowers thereon as are in the other small ones The Place The two first grow at the foote of hills and in the shadowie moist woods neare unto them in many places of Germany and in our countrie likewise in the like places but chiefely is nourished up in gardens The third groweth on the high hills in Silesia and other places the fourth groweth especially in the North as in Lancashire Yorkeshire and Cumberland in diverse places The two last are found likewise on the Alpes in diverse places but the last among the Switzers The Time They all flower about the end of May and the seede is ripe about the beginning of Iuly The Names It is called generally Bistorta quod radice in se serpentis modo contorta convoluta constet of Tragus Lonicerâ— and others Colubrina from the Germane title of Schlangenwurtzel and Natterwurtzel of Fuschius Serpentaris quod venenosorum serpentium ictibus succurrit of Gesner in hortis Germaniae Limonium Fracastorius calleth it Bâ—lapathum as well as Bistorta Lobel and Clusius thinke it may be Britannica of Dioscorides and Pliny Bauhinus calleth the first Bistorta major radice minus intorta Some call it Behen rubrum others take it to be Molybdeâ— of Pliny Some also doe take it to be the second Dracunculus of Pliny lib. 4. cap. 16. the second is called by Tragus Colubrina minor Bauhinus calleth it Bistorta major radice magis intorta The third Bauhinus that hath first set it forth as I thinke calleth it Bistorta Alpina maxima the fourth I take to be differing from the next and therefore call it Nostras the fifth is called by Camerarius Clusus Lobel Bauhinus and all others that have writteâ— 1. 4. Bistorta major vulgaris minor Great and small Bistorte or Snakeweede 5. 6. Bistorta minor Alpina Alpina pumila varia Small Bistorte of the Alpes anduariabbe leafed Bristorte â—hereof Bistorta minor or Alpina minor onely Gesner in hortis Germaniae reckoneth it to be a small sort of Limoniâ— But in that Bistorta cannot be Britanica this sheweth in the description thereof that the leaves are rough or â—airy when these are smooth and that the rootes of Britanica are small and short when these are not small alâ—hough short and Galen in his sixt Booke of Simples saith that although the leaves of Britanica be somewhat â—ke unto Docke leaves yet they are blacker and more hairy And that it cannot be Behen rubrum the faculties doe â—sily declare for the rootes of the true Behen rubrum album are both sweete in smell and are of an hot quaâ—tie that they are effectuall to procure venery or bodily lust which these cannot the last is not remembred by â—ny Author before this time The Italians Spaniards and French doe follow the Latine as we doe also the Low Dutch the Germanes in their appellations which is Natterwortele The Vertues Both the leaves and rootes of Bistort have a powerfull facultie to resist all poyson a dramme of the roote 〈◊〉 pouder taken in drinke expelleth the venome of the plague or Pestilence the small Pocks Measells Purples â—r any other infectious disease driving it forth by sweating the same roote in pouder or the decoction thereof 〈◊〉 wine being drunke staieth all manner of inward bleeding or spitting of bloud as also any fluxes of the body 〈◊〉 man or woman as also when one is troubled with vomiting the pouder also of the roote or the decoction â—hereof being drunke is very availeable against ruptures or burstings or all bruises or falls whatsoever dissolving â—e congealed bloud and easing the paines that happen thereupon the same also helpeth the Iaundise the water distilled from both leaves and rootes is a singular remedy to wash any place bitten or stung by any venemous creature as Spiders Toades Adders or the like as also for any the purposes before spoken of and is very â—ood to wash any running sores or ulcers the decoction of the roote in wine being drunke hindereth abortion â—at is when women are apt to miscarrie in child bearing the leaves also killeth the wormes in children and is 〈◊〉 great helpe to them that cannot keepe their water if they put thereto some juyce of Plantaine and applied â—utwardly doth give much helpe in the gonorrhaea or running of the reines a dramme of the pouder of the roote â—ken in the water thereof wherein some iron or steele being red hot hath beene quenched is an admirable helpe â—hereunto so as the body be first prepared and purged from the offensive humours the leaves or seedes or â—ootes are all very good to be put into decoctions or drinkes or lotions for either inward or outward wounds or other sores and the pouder strowed upon any cut or wound in a veine c. that is apt to bleede much staieth the immoderate fluxe thereof the decoction of the rootes in water whereunto some Pomgranet â—ills and flowers are added serveth for an incection into the matrice as well to stay the accesse of humours to â—he ulcers thereof as also to bring it to the place being fallen downe and to helpe to stay the abundance of their â—ourses the roote of Bistort and Pellitory of Spaine and burnt Allome of each alike quantitie beaten small made â—nto a paste with some hony a little peece hereof put into an hollow tooth or holden betweene the teeth if â—here be no hollownesse in them staieth the defluxions of rheume upon them when it is the cause of paine in them and helpeth to clense the head and avoide much offensive matter the distilled water is very effectuall to wash those sores or cankers that happen in the nose or any other part if the powder of the roote be applied thereto afterwards it is good also to fasten the gummes and to take away the heate and inflammation that happen as well in the jawes almonds of the throat ot mouth if the decoction of the rootes leaves or seedes be used â—or the juyce of them the rootes are more effectuall to all the purposes aforesaid than either leaves or seede CHAP. XXIV Tormentilla Tormentill or Setfoile ALthough formerly there hath but one kind of Tormentill or Setfoile beene knowne to our English Writers yet now there is found out and made knowne to us two other sorts which shall be all declared in this Chapter 1. Tormentilla vulgaris Common Tormentill The common Tormentill is so like unto Cinquefoile that many doe mistake it for it may well be reckoned as one of them hath many reddish slender weake branches rising from the roote lying upon the ground or rather leaning than standing upright with many short leaves that stand closer to the stalkes than the other Cinkefoiles doe with the foote stalke encompassing the branches at severall places but those that grow next to the ground are set
call it Polygonum montanum and Bauhinus Polygonum minus candicans the second Columna calleth Vermiculata montana nova and Bauhinus Polygonum montanum Vermiculatae folijs the third Clusius calleth Anthyllis Valentina because he saith Plaza and other the learned Phisitions of the Vniversitie of Valentia in Spaine did so account and call it which as he saith although it might be a kind thereof yet it could not be Dioscorides his fifth Anthyllis because it hath upright stalkes which this hath not but all other Herbarists doe account it a kinde of small Knotgrasse and so have I called it although somewhat differing from him Bauhinus maketh it an Anthyllis among his Anthyllides and a Polygonum also among these calling it Polygonum gramineo folio majus erectum which in my opinion is not fitting unto it in that it neither groweth upright nor hath such long leaves that they should resemble grasse the fourth Bauhinus in his Pinax maketh to be both his ninth small Knotgrasse calling it Polygonum minus tenâ—ifolium and also his twelfth by the name of Polygonum minus lentifolium and in both places referreth us to the fourth Polygonum described in his Prodromus whereby he filleth up the number of sorts without reason the fifth Bauhinus so calleth as it is in the title the sixt Lobel calleth Polygonum alterum pufillum vermiculata Serpillâ— folio and Lugdunensis Polygonum alterum Serpilli folio but Bauhinus Polygonum maritimum minus folio Serpilli the seventh Tragus accounteth to be a kinde of Polygonum which they of his countrie called Knawel hee also thinketh it might be called Policarpon of the abundance of seede and Polycnemon of the vertues Lugdunensis also calleth it Polycarpon and Dodonaeus in his Pemptades taketh it to be a Polygonum exignum Gerard calleth it Pologonum Selinoides sive Knavel wherein hee is deceived many wayes First in that he giveth the name Selinoides unto Knawel when as his owne description and figure thereof might have plainely convinced that errour in him in that Knawel hath not leaves like Selinum or Parsly secondly that he maketh Knawel and Parsly pert to be one whereas they are two plants then againe that he thinketh that Saxifraga Anglicana of Lobel which he saith he found about Chipnam in the West countrie to be Parsly pert when as Lobel and Pena their description and figure doth contrary also that opinion although their figure be somewhat like as Gerard himselfe confesseth which he calleth Selinoides againe that he thinketh the Parsly pert that was shewed by a country Empericke to Mr. Bredwell was Knawel which as it is likely Mr. Bredwell shewed him and yet he could not discerne the face of the one herbe from the other and lastly he findeth fault with the name Parsly pert calling it a barbarous word and would amend it with his owne fine Latine word Petra pungens not understanding the true Etymologie of the word being corrupted as for the most part all unusuall or hard words are to the vulgar sort for the uncorrupted word is Percepierre a true French word and signifieth the same that Lithontribon in Greeke Saxifraga in Latine or Gerard his Petra pungens if ye like it Breakestone in English of all which I shall speak more fully in the next Chapter but I have here before given you my opinion of the Saxifraga Anglicana of Lobel neither can I thinke the Knawel of Tragus to be it as many might imagine by the likenesse of their figures being compared together but surely it may be a kinde thereof the forme and strong sweet smell which Tragus saith it hath inducing me in part so to thinke but that the small greene flowers and seede in them be much differing from the Pincke like white flower in that the eight I call Polygonum alterum Germanicum another Germane Knawel because it is so like thereunto and that Bauhinus saith the Germane Knawel hath many varieties whereof I thinke this to be one and it is probable also that both the Polygonum montanum niveum and the Anthyllis Valentina may be a species thereof Bauhinus himselfe calleth it Polygonum litoreum minus flosculis spadiceo albicantibus the ninth is called Empetron by Tragus and Lonicerus but not truely Polygonum minus by Matthiolus and Castor Durantes that followeth him Herba Cancri minor by Cordus in his Scholiastes and Millegrana in his history of plants Epipactis by Anguillara Herba Turca by Lobel and Caesalpinus Herniaria multigrana Serpylli folio by Pena in his Adversaria and generally Herniaria and so by Gesner in hortis Germania and in libello de collectione stirpium by Camerarius Dodonaeus Thalius Lugdunensis Tabermontanus and Gerard and by Bauhinus Polygonum minus seâ— Millegrana major the tenth we have imposed the name as it is in the title and most suting thereunto the last is called Millegrana minima by Lobel in his Dutch Herball and in his Icones stirpium by Thalius Herniaria altera and therefore I call it Herniaria minor Bauhinus calleth it Polygonum minimum sive Millegrana minima The Vertues All or most of these sorts of Knotgrasse doe participate with the former in the binding qualities although not altogether so much in the cooling some of them having a little bitternesse or sharpenesse in them which declareth some heate and therefore hath not that abundant moisture which Galen saith is in the former whereby as he saith they have their cooling qualitie they serve to provoke urine and helpe to breake and expell the stone and gravell by urine as the others doe yet wee have not so evident testimony of the operations of the five first sorts howsoever the delicacie of forme in some of them doe argue in mans judgement some singular vertue which yet doth not alwayes follow for in many deformed there is found much more helpe as we have of the rest which are these in particular Tragus saith that Knawel hath the same properties that Knotgrasse hath and may serve in the stead thereof to all purposes as well inward as outward remedies when the other is not at hand and that it is very powerfull to breake the stone being boyled in wine and drunke which our owne people doe averre also the other Germane Knawel or Knotgrasse being of the same kinde worketh the like effects Rupture wort hath not his name in vaine for it is found by daily experience in a number that have taken it to helpe and cure the rupture not onely in children but in elder persons so as it be not too old and inveterate by taking either a dramme of the powder of the dried herbe every day in wine for certaine dayes together as the strength of the disease and age of the patient doe require or the decoction made of the herbe in wine and drunke or the juice or distilled water of the greene herbe taken in the same manner and helpeth all other fluxes either of men or women vomitings also and the Gonorrhea being taken any of those wayes
aforesaid it doth most assuredly helpe also those that have the strangurie and have their urine stopped or are troubled with the stone or gravell in their reines or bladder causing them that take it to urine plentifully and thereby to remove and wash downe whatsoever sticketh or is offensive in the passages thereof Vide Hollerium de morbis interniis lib. 1. c 62. fol. 268. the same also helpeth much all stitches in the sides all griping paines or torments in the stomacke or belly caused by collericke or sharpe or salt humours it helpeth the obstructions of the liver and cureth the yellow jaundise likewise it killeth also the wormes in children being outwardly applied it conglutinâ—th wounds very notably and helpeth much to stay defluxions of rheume from the head to the eyes nose or teeth being bruised greene and bound thereto or the decoction of the dried herbe to bathe the forehead and temples or the nape of the necke behinde it doth also drie up the moisture of fistulous ulcers or any others that by the much accesse of sharpe humors are growne foule and spreading the lesser Rupturewort is not much wanting in all the faculties of the other CHAP. XVI Polygonum Solinoides Parsly pert or Parsly Breakestone I Have as you see separated this kinde of Knotgrasse from all the other in the last Chapter and not without just reason as I take it because the face and forme thereof is so much differing from them as the ensuing description will declare the roote in very small and threddy but abiding divers yeares in the naturall places from whence come many leaves spread upon the ground each standing on a small long foote stalke and being as broad as the naile of a mans finger or Sive Percepierre Anglorum Polygonum Selinoides Parsly pert or Parsly breakestone â—humbe is very much jagged on the edges making it seeme somewhat like unto a Parslye leafe whereof came the name â—ut of an overworne or dusky greene colour from among which riseth up weake and slender stalkes about three or foure â—ingers long set full of the like leaves but smaller up to the â—oppes that almost no part of the stalkes can be seene and all â—or the most part standing close thereunto few of them having â—ny footestalke at all or very short among these leaves come forth very small greenish yellow flowers scarse to be discerned where afterwards groweth the seede as small as any of the former The Place This groweth naturally in most countries of this land if it be observed by any that have skill but especially in such barâ—en and sandy grounds as doe not want moisture for it joyeth much more in the wet places then in the dry I found it upon Hampsteed Heath by the foote pathes where being a dry ground and in a dry time it was very small which else in 〈◊〉 moister time and in a moister place upon the same Heath was much greater as also neare unto the meerestones by Lambeth which divide the liberties of London from Surrey The Time It is to be found all times of the Sommer Spring and Harvest even from Aprill unto the end of October in severall places for in the open and Sunny places it will be withered when in the shadowy and moist it will continue The Names This plant being of long continuance in our land and knowledge to us by the properties for it hath not beene mentioned by any the most curious searchers and writers of herbs beyond sea as being onely peculiar I thinke to our Country before Lobel came to us who called it Percep er Anglorum and Lugdunensis from him hath received no Latine name at all and therefore I have transferred the name Polygonum Selinoides hereunto as more proper unto it then Gerards Knawell is unto it for it may most fitly be reckoned a Polygonum by the manner of the growing and the name Selinoides may most fitly agree unto it from the forme of the leaves being derived from the Greeke word Selinon for Knawel hath no likenesse with Selinum Parsly In the former Chapter I shewed you Gerard his errours herein now let me shew you mine also if peradventure I speake not per Antiphrasim concerning these names of Percepier or Perch pier as some call it and Parsly pert or Parsly breakestone as they are usually called in English I shewed you before that the word Parsly pert was but a corruption of time in the vulgar sort and Percepier also derived from the French word Percepierre which as I said before signifieth as much as Lithontribon in Greeke Saxifraga Petrifindula an old outworne word and calculum frangens in Latine pierce stone or breakestone in English some call it Parsly pert and derive it from petra but the more proper English is Parsly breakestone Now concerning this and Lobel his Saxifraga Anglicana both of them are affirmed by Lobel to grow in the West Country and both are used for one purpose yet Lobel seemeth to referre the Percepier unto the Cerefolium Scandix sive Pecten Veneris or partaking of both of them but most unproperly in my minde which hath caused Bauhinus in his Pinax following his opinion to make it a species of Cerefolium calling it Chaerophyllo nonnihil similis planta and Tabermontanus thereupon calleth it Scandix minor and Columua was also much deceived in thinking this to be an Alchymilla calling it minima montana The Vertues This herbe hath properly with the vulgar sort both men and women leeches who have had most practice of it not found any other operation then to helpe to provoke urine and breake the stone in those that are troubled therewith for which purposes it is most availeable for they use to eate it familiarly as a Sallet herbe and pickle it up as a Sampire to eate in winter but is used also more Physically either by it selfe or with other things and either in powder or in juice decoction or water distilled from it whose severall wayes that I may declare them a little more amply are these Take of the juice of the herbe about three ounces put this with so much white wine as is fit to make a posset take hereof every morning and evening a draught or ye may adde hereto Wild Time or Mother of Time and some Camomill You may also boyle these herbes aforesaid in white wine or in water if wine be not at hand and drinke it when it is strayned in the same manner the powder also of the dryed herbe to the quantity of a dramme or lesse in white wine or in other drinke where wine is wanting for divers dayes first and last and the distilled water of the herbe taken with a little Sugar in the same manner is found to be a singular remedy to provoke urine when it is stopped wholly or passeth away by drops with paine or unsensibly without paine expelleth store of gravell in those that breede it and the stone also in the reines or kidneyes in washing it downe by the
the other and somewhat great but stand not so thicke â—stering together being of a daintie purple blew colour with a yellow spot in the mouth the heads for seede that follow are somewhat great having blackish flat seede within them the roote is small and white spreading divers wayes under ground and perisheth not in the Winter 6. Linaria lutea Moravica Clusij The small yellow Moravia Flaxeweede This small kinde of Todefluxe is somewhat like unto the last kinde in the precedent ranke but that it hath more store of stalkes that doe not stand upright having many small ash coloured leaves set upon them which are rounder and more sappy the stalkes beare at the toppes of them many yellow flowers with yellow spots in them but the least of all these in this third ranke the seede is small and blacke and the roote perisheth every yeare The Place The first groweth about Salamanca in Spaine the second and third in some other parts of Spaine it is not certainely knowne where the fourth on the hills in Moravia as the last doth also the fift groweth as well in Stiria as Clusius saith as among the Switzers and the hills in Rhaetia The Time They doe all flower in Sommer and give their seede quickly after The Names The first is the fift Spanish kinde of Clusius which Bauhinus calleth Osyris flava sylvestris and Tabermontaâ— Osyris minor the second is the fourth Spanish kinde of Clusius as the third is his second Spanish kinde the fourth is Clusius his second Linaria of Moravia as the last is his first Moravian kinde the fift is called by Clusius Linaria Stiriaca by Gesner in hortis Germaniae and in his Epistles Linaria Alpina Helvetica by Tabermontaâ— Linaria Alpina pumila and by Bauhinus Linaria quadrifolia supina the last is called by Clusius Linaria Moravica prima in his History The Vertues All these sorts are in some degree more or lesse effectuall but the most common kinde is the most used to provoke urine both when it is stopped as also in those that are troubled with the dropsie to spend the abundance of those watery humours by urine and by the drawing downe of much vrine doth in some sort helpe to wash the reines and uritory parts from gravell or stones gathered therein the decoction of the herbe both leaves and flowers in wine taken and drunke doth somewhat move the belly downewards openeth the obstructions of the liver and helpeth the yellow jaundise expelleth poison provoketh womens courses driveth forth the after-birth and dead child the distilled water of the herbe and flowers is effectuall for all the same purposes and in especiall being drunke with a dramme of the powder of the seedes or barke of the roote of Wallwort and a little Cinamon for certaine dayes together is held to be a singular remedy for the dropsie to spend the water and humors the juice of the herbe or the distilled water dropped into the eyes is a certaine remedy for all heate inflammation and rednesse in the eyes the juice or water put into foule ulcers whether they be cancrous or fistulous with tents rowled therein or the parts washed or injected therewith clenseth them throughly from the bottome and healeth them up safely the same juice or water also clenseth the skinne wonderfully of all sorts of deformity thereof as lepry morphew scurffe wheales pimples or any other spots and markes in the skinne applied of it selfe or used with some powder of Lupines CHAP. XXII Halicacabum sive Alkakengi Winter Cherries IN the reare of this Classis commeth the Winter Cherrie to be declared whereof there are some other sorts knowne to us more than in former times as I shall presently shew you 1. Halicacabum sive Alkakengi vulgare The ordinary Winter Cherry The ordinary Winter Cherry is described unto you in my former Booke therefore I doe here but onely make mention of it that you may take knowledge the next is differing from it 2. Halicacabum sive Alkakengi Virginense Virginian Winter Cherries This Virginian spreadeth the branches with leaves on the ground scarse raising it selfe up so much as the former but the branches are greater and foure the leaves also and more unevenly dented about the edges of a sad or sullen greene colour at the â—oâ—s come forth the flowers singly that is one at a place and more toward the bottome than upwards to the height of the branches which are rather smaller than the former composed of five small whitish leaves with a circle of red or every leafe spotted circlewise towards the bottomes of them the fruite that followeth is a small berry enclosed in a thinne skinne or bladder as the former but greene and not red when it is full ripe smaller likewise than it the berrie filling the skinne or bladder more than it and not leaving so much void â—me or the bladder as the former yet hath it small whitish seede within it as the other the roote spreadeth under ground not very farre and perisheth in Winter I have here onely given you three or foure leaves and a flower hereof with the figure of the former 3. Halicacabum Indicum rectum Vpright Indian Winter Cherries This Indian kinde riseth up to be about foure foote high with strong upright stalkes knotty and cornered shooting out many branches whereon grow faire greene leaves like unto those of the ordinary Winter Cherrie but somewhat larger and dented about the edges at the joints with the leaves come forth the flowers of a whitish colour as it is in the ordinary sort every one by it selfe which are composed but of one leafe having five corners somewhat crumpled about the edges and although they be not divided into five leaves yet in the bottome of them there doth appeare five blackish purple spots in the bottome of every flower with divers other purplish threds in the middle tipt with blackish blew chives after the flowers are past there commeth in their places the fruit which are bladders or thinne skinnes with berries in them like unto the ordinary Winter Cherrie but that the berrie hereof is larger than the other not onely filling the whole skinne or bladder but oftentimes breaking it and opening into foure parts which when it is ripe will be greene as well as the bladder saving sometimes that part that hath the Summe beâ—s most upon it will be of a darke greenish purple colour the whole plant is without taste yet yeelding forth at the joâ—s certaine glutinous matter or juyce of a strong sent like 1. 2. Alkakengi sive Halicacabum vulgare Virginense The ordinary and Virgini a Winter Cherry unto that of the Ponoa amoris or Love apples this perisheth every yeare in these colder climates at the first approach of Winter and whether it abideth in the naturall places wee know not nor to what physicall use it is applied or whether it be used to be eaten The Place The first groweth by the hedge sides in moist and shadowie place but is
both the face and qualities of the one unto the other and Pliny also in his 25. Booke and 6. Chapter runneth into the same error with them who although be agreeth with Dioscorides in the description of it yet saith it hath a certaine bitternesse in it which is not found in this greater but the lesser kinde The second is called by Cornutus among his Canada plants Centauriâ— folijs Cynarae Pona saith in the description of the plants growing upon Mount Baldus that the third kind was called of divers there about Rheu Baldensis and Clusius saith the Portugals where he found it called it Rapontis Bauhinus saith that the last he received from out of the garden at Padoa by the name of Rhaponticum Lusitanicum The Vertues The roote of the great Centory saith Matthiolus being steeped in wine or the powder thereof given in wines is with great good successe and profit used for those that are fallen into a dropsie or have the jaundise or are troubled with the obstructions of the liver two drammes of the rootes beaten to powder and taken in wine or in water helpeth those that spit blood or that bleede much at the mouth if they have an ague to take it in water or else in wine it is likewise used for ruptures cramps and pleurisies and for those that have an old or long continued cough and for those that are short winded or can haâ—dly draw their breath it is good also to ease the griping paines in the belly and those of the mother being scraped and put up as a pâ—ssary into the mother it procureth womens courses and causeth the dead birth to be avoided the juice thereof used in the same manner worketh the same effect some copies of Dioscorides have this it is called Panacea because it helpeth all diseases and sores where there is inflammation or bruises causing it it helpeth the Strangury or pissing by droppes if it be injected as also the stone the decoction or juice of the roote or a dramme in powder thereof drunke and the wound washed therewith taketh away all the paine and danger of the bitings or stingings of venemous creatures it helpeth to sharpen the eyesight if it be steeped in water and dropped into them Galen in 7. simp sheweth that it hath contrary qualities in it and therefore worketh contrary effects the sharpe taste shewing an hot quality whereby it provoketh womens courses c. and the astringent a cold grosse earthly quality glueing or sodering the lippes of wounds and staying the spitting of blood and by all the qualities joyned together helpeth ruptures crampes and the diseases of the Lungs the sharpenesse procuring evacuation and the astriction the strengthning of the parts the whole plant as well herbe as roote is very availeable in all sorts of wounds or ulcers to dry soder clense and heale them and therefore is a principall ingredient or should be in all vulnerary drinkes and injections CHAP. II. Iacea Knapweede THere are a very great many of herbes that beare the name of Iacea which I must to avoide confusion distribute into severall orders that so the memory being not confounded with a promiscuous multitude each may be the better understood in their severall ranckes Iaceae non Laciniatae Knapweedes with whole leaves Ordo primus The first ranke or order 1. Iacea nigra vulgaris Our common Matfellon or Knapweede THe common Knapweede hath many long and somewhat broad darke greene leaves rising from the roote somewhat deepely dented about the edges and sometimes a little rent or torne on both sides in two or three places and somewhat hairy withall among which riseth up a strong round stalke foure or five foote high divided into many small branches at the toppes whereof stand great scaly greene heads and from the middle of them thrust forth a number of darke purplish red thrums or threds and sometimes white but very rarely which after they are withered and past there is found divers blacke seede lying in a great deale of downe somewhat like unto Thistle seed but smaller the roote is white hard and wooddy with divers fibres annexed thereunto which perisheth not but abideth with leaves thereon all the Winter and shooting out fresh every Spring 2. Iacea nigra angustifolia Narrow leafed Knapweede This Knapweede hath a round rough greene stalke about a foote and a halfe high whereon are set on each side narrow rough short and somewhat hoary greene leaves compassing it at the bottome and divided into some other branches above on each whereof standeth a scaly whitish greene head out of the middle whereof rise many small long threds like unto the former but smaller and of a pale reddish colour after which followeth small blacke seede like the other the roote is blackish and parted into many small fibres Of this sort also there is one whose stalke and leaves are longer smooth and all hoary soft and woolly 3. Iacea nigra humilis The smaller dwarfe Knapweede This low Knapweede hath small weake and round hoary stalkes about a foote high bending to the ground 1. Iacea nigra vulgaris The common wild Knapweede 6. Iacea Austriaca latifolia villoso capite The greater hairy headed Knapweede with leaves thereon of an inch in breadth and two in length not divided or dented about the edges at all but being a little rough and hoary as it were thereabouts compassing the stalkes at the bottome at the toppes whereof stand such like scaly heads as in the others with purplish threds or thrummes rising thereout as in the rest 4. Iacea montana Austriaca major The greater mountaine Hungarian Knapweede This greater mountaine Knapweede is very like unto the former common wilde kinde being somewhat broad and long dented about the edges and rough and hairy also and of a darke greene colour but those that grow upon the straked stalkes are still up higher smaller and more cut in on the edges the heads that stand at the toppes of the stalkes are not rough or hairy but smooth and scaly crackling if they be lightly touched brownish upward and whitish lower the flowers consist of many purple whitish leaves cut in the ends into five slits or divisions like as those of the Cyanus with many purplish long threds in the middle and a purple stile in the middle of them besprinkled at the head with a mealely whitenesse the seede that followeth is like unto the other but somewhat larger the roote also is blackish and stringy like the former and abideth as the rest doe 5. Iacea montana Austriaca minor The lesser mountaine Hungarian Knapweede The lesser Hungarian kinde is in most things like the last but that it groweth lower and the leaves and stalkes are nothing so hairy and rough but smooth and hoary the flowers also are of a paler purple colour and the seede is not blacke but of a whitish gray or ash colour 6 Iacea Austriaca latifolia villoso capite The greater hairy headed Knapweepe This greater hairy headed
thereon all the Winter 9. Veronica Tenerij facie Germanderlike Speedewell This Speedewell hath square rough stalkes about a foote high with long narrow dented leaves set by couples at the joynts the toppes ending in a long spiked head of foure leafed blew flowers and seede succeeding like the greater Speedewels The Place The first groweth in all Countries of this land upon dry bankes and wood sides and other waste sandy groâ— especially The second groweth in Austria and other parts of Germany The third and fourth grow as well on the mountaines of Hungary as in the vallies at the foote of the Alpes in Austria Stiria c. The fifth groweth in some places of this Land as well as beyond the Sea The sixth Clusius saith he found on the hill in Stâ— â—led Sneberg whereon Snow lyeth almost all the yeare through The seventh was found on the Pyrâ— his by Doctor Burserus who brought it to Bauhinus The eighth and the last on Mount Baldus The Time They flower in Iune and Iuly and their seede is ripe in August The Names It hath no Greeke name that I know being not knowne to the ancient writers Dodonaeus onely taketh it to be the other Batonica Panâ— Aeginetae which he saith is like unto Penniroyall but not that is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wherby the Greekes call the true and right Betony and thereupon this is very ordinarily called of many Betoâ— Pauli or Veronica mas and supina to distinguish it from the other Tragus in his time tooke it to be Teâ—iâ— and many learned men doe likewise referre most of the other sorts thereunto The second ordinary upright sort is called by Casalpinus Auricula muris tertia as the spicata is his fourth and the fifth here his prima which Dodonaeus calleth pratensis Tragus Teucrium alterum and Branfelsius Enfragia nobilis but Lobel in his Adversaria Veronica minor serpilli folia Dodonaeus in his French Herball calleth this famina and so did Taberâ— but by the judgement of the best Herbarists of our times all these sorts are species of the male kind the female being another herbe of a differing forme as you shall presently understand Gerard hath foully erred not onely in the figure but in the description also of his second Veronica which is called recta not onely in saying that it creepeth contrary to the very little but in the flowers also saying they are yellow All the rest have their names in their titles as proper to them by most other authours and therefore I shall not neede a further explanation of them The Italians call it Veronica maschio The Germanes Grundheyl and Ehrenpreiss i. e. landata nobiliâ— that is to say honour and praise and so the Dutch as Lobel saith call it In English Speedewell and Paules Betony and of some Fluellen which being a Welch name is more proper I thinke to the female kinde whereof they give admirable praises The Vertues The male Speedwell is temperately hot and dry the bitternesse thereof shewing it and is held a singular good remedy for the Plague and all Pestilentiall Fevers and infectious diseases to expell the venome and poyson from the heart and afterwards to corroborate and strengthen it from noysome vapours if the ponder of the hearbe to the quantity of a dramme or two be given with a dramme of good Treacle in a small draught of wine and they be layd to sweate the decoction of the herbe in wine on the distilled water thereof given in some wine performeth the same thing it is reported that a French King troubled with the Leprosie was cured thereof by this hearbe one of his huntsmen advising him thereunto it doth also wonderfully helpe the memory and to ease all turnings and swimmings and other paines of the heâ—d and as it is sayd helpeth women to become fruitfull that were barren it clenseth the blood from corruption the decoction of this hearbe in water or the powder thereof dryed and given in it owne distilled water is singular good for all 〈◊〉 of coughes and diseases of the brest and â—inges by the warming and drying quality which thing the Shepheards have sufficiently tryed who give their sheepe thâ— are troubled with the cough or the like some of 〈◊〉 hearbe and a little saâ— with it it openeth the obstructions of the 〈◊〉 and is therefore good for the yellow â—aundise it openeth also the obstruction of the spleâ— being taken for some time together inwardly or the herbe bruised and applyed with some Vinegar to the reâ— of the fifteene outwardly iâ—â—enseth the eâ—cerations of the reines and bladder or of the mother also or any other inward wounds or sores it provoketh Value and helpeth thereby to breake the stone and as Paâ—s Aegineâ— saith is of much good use in all the 〈◊〉 â—r the backe and reines it it is singular good to heale◠〈…〉 â—ds and cuts in the flesh speedily 〈◊〉 lippes of them together and not suffering them to gather corruption it is no lesse effectuall also for â—ng â—tters and for fâ—le or old frettings or running sorâ— or places that are of hard curation or are of long continuance it stayeth the bleedings of woâ— or 〈…〉 of blood in any other part and dissolveâ—â—umâ— and swellings especially those in the necke The distilled water of the herbe either simple of it selfe or the hearte first steeped in wine for twelve 〈◊〉 â—east and then distilled in an ordinary still but not in any Limbecke to make it â—n hot water as others 〈◊〉 that manner doth wonderfully helpe for all the purpose aforesayd either for the the Plague the Cough Consumptions c. and all the other diseases before mentioned as also to wash woâ— and sores therewith 〈◊〉 coperas also dissolved in the sayd distilled water doth wonderfully helpe all itches scabbes and scurâ— letters also and the morphew and all discolourings of the skinne as freckles spots and markes whatsoever either risen from the infection of the blood and from hot and sharpe salt humours or 〈◊〉 scarres that remaine after huâ— or bâ—ses if they be bathed therewith a little alome dissolved in the sayd distilled water and sprinkled upon 〈◊〉 keepeth them from moths that spoyle them CHAP. XXXVIII Veronica faemina sive Elatine Fluellen or the female Speedwell OF this Elatine there are some varieties observed by diverse namely two sorts but we must thereunto adde a third as followeth 1. Elatine folio subrotundo Round leafed Flvellen This Fluellen shooteth forth many long branches partly lying upon the ground and part standing upright set with almost round leaves yet a little pointed at the ends and sometimes more long than round without order thereon being somewhat hoary and of an evill greenish white colour at the joynts all along the stalkes and with the leaves come forth small flowers one at a place upon a very small short foote stalk gaping somewhat like those of Snapdragon or rather Linaria Todeflaxe whose upper jaw is of a yellow colour and the lower
made into pouder and drunk with the juice of Knotgrasse helpeth all manner of spitting and vomiting of blood bee it by any veine broken inwardly by bruises falls or howsoever the same also helpeth all those that are bitten or stunge by any venemous creature And is good for those that are troubled with the stone in their kidneys or cannot make water and being applyed provoketh womens courses two drams of the seede made into pouder and drunk in a little broth doth gently expell choller or congealed blood in the stomack and mesentery veines the decoction of the leaves and seeds being drunk somewhat warme before the fits of agues whether they be tertians or quartians doth helpe to alter the fits and by often using taketh them quite away the seede is much commended being drunke for 40. dayes together to helpe the Sciatica or Hippe Goute Falling sicknesse and Palsie also The herbe that is both the leaves flowers and seede steeped in wine for 12. houres and then distilled in an ordinary Still the water hereof being drunke with a little Sugar therein is accounted as effectuall as any decoction or other preparation and killeth the wormes in the belly or stomacke The oyle of S. Iohns wort eyther simple or compound but the compound is more effectuall is singular good both for all greene wounds and old sores ulcers in the legs or else where that are hard to be cured and is effectuall also for crampes and aches in the joynts and paines in the veines and sinewes and is also good for all burnings by fire to be presently used or the juice of the green leaves applyed the hearbe dryed and made into pouder is as effectuall for wounds and sores to be strowed thereon as the oyle or juice The simple oyle is made of foure ounces of the flowers infused in a pint of oyle Ollive called Sallet oyle and three ounces of white wine for 10. or 12. dayes to bee set in the Sunne and afterwards boyled in a Balneo or Kettle of seething water strayned forth and refreshed with new flowers so set in the Sunne and in the same manner boyled strained forth and renewed the third time with fresh flowers which after they have lastly stood in the Sunne a fortnight or more are to be boyled in the sayd Balneo or Kettle of seething water strayned forth and the oyle having some fine turpentine dissolved in it whiles it is hot and so kept is singular good for the purposes aforesayd Like hereunto Gerard hath set downe away which is with Sallet oyle two parts white wine and oyle of Turpentine one part set in the Sunne with the leaves flowers and seedes of S. Iohns wort for 8. or 10. dayes and boyled and renewed the third time in the manner aforesayd But the compound oyle is made of the simple oyle after the last infusion being strained forth there is added Dittani of Candy Gentian or Felwort Cardus Benedictus or Blessed thistle and Tormentill of each a small quantitie and some earth wormes washed and slit and all of them infused in the sayd oyle and set in the Sunne and after boyled strayned forth and Turpentine and oyle of Wormewood put thereto which then is to bee reserved in some pot or glasse close stopped to be used as occasion doth require CHAP. LI. Ascyrum S. Peters wort OF this herbe likewise formerly there hath beene but one sort knowne and described but wee have two other to shew not long since found and brought to our knowledge 1. Ascyrum vulgare Ordinary S. Peters wort This S. Peters wort that is most common in our land riseth upwith square upright stalkes for the most part somewhat greater and higher then S. Iohns wort but browne in the same manner and at every joynt having two leaves somewhat like those of S. Iohns wort but larger a little rounder pointed and with very few or no holes to be seene therein and having sometimes some smaller leaves rising from the bosome of the greater and sometimes a little hayrie also as the stalkes will bee at the toppes of the stalkes stand many yellow starre-like flowers with yellow threds in the middle very like unto those of S. Iohns wort so that but for the largenesse and height it is hardly by many discerned from S. Iohns wort and that it giveth not so bloody a juice being bruised betweene the fingers having also such like seede of as strong a resinous sent the roote abideth long sending forth new shoots every yeare 2. Ascyrum magno flore Great flowred S. Peters wort This other S. Peters wort is like the former having a round browne upright stalke two foote high at the least with such like but larger leaves and round pointed of a paler greene colour on the upperside and whiter underneath the flowers that stand at the end of the stalke are of pale yellow colour like the other but a good deale larger with yellow threds therein also 3. Ascyrum supinum villosum palustre Creeping S. Peters wort of the Marsh The Marsh S. Peters wort is like the last in the round stalkes but that they are woolly and soft and stand not upright but leaning downeward taking roote at the joynts having somewhat rounder pointed leaves set at the joynts two for the most part together the flowers are as yellow and of the same bignesse as the ordinary but give not that red juice that they doe and these things make the whole difference from the former besides the naturall place 4. Ascyroides cretica major Great S. Peters wort of Candy This differeth from the former onely in the largenesse of the leaves and flowers which are foure times bigger then it The Place The first groweth in many Groves and small low Ascyrum vulgare Ordinary S. Peters wort Woods in divers places of this Land as in Kent Huntington Northampton and Cambridge shires as also 〈◊〉 waâ— coursed in other places The second 〈◊〉 â—d on the â—yrani◠〈◊〉 The third in the 〈◊〉 of the Low Countries and the last in Candy The Times They 〈◊〉 all flower in Iune and Iuly and the seede is ripe in August The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ascyrum and Ascyroides contrario dictum putatur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 asperitate illis significat The Latines have no other name then Ascyrum from the Greekes to call it Dioscorides saith it was also called Androsâ— and Hypericum too and Galen therefore 〈◊〉 â—neth it a kind of Androsaemum The first is usually called by most writers Ascyrum as Matthiolus doth it is probable to bee the first Hypericum in demetis nascâ—ns of Tragus and is the first Androsaemum of Fuchsius and by Dodonaeus set for Hyperioum in his French Edition but called Androsamum alterum hirsutum by Fabius Columna who yet doubted whether to call it Hypericum or Androsaemum saying it came nearest unto Ascyrum although somewhat differing from it which it may bee is but the soyle and climate
Bauhinus calleth it Androsaemum hirsutum the next two have their names in their titles that Bauhinus giveth them yet the third is called by Clusius in the Auctuarium of his other Appendix Ascyrum supiâ—m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the last is called by Alpinus lib. de exoticis as it is in the title all nations christned take it as another kind of S. Iohns wort and so call it and we S. Peters wort The Vertues It is of the same propertie with S. Iohns wort but somewhat weake and therefore more seldome used the seede to the quantitie of two drams taken at a time in Meade or honyed water purgeth saith Dioscorides Pliny and Galen chollericke humours and thereby helpeth those that are troubled with the Sciatica or paine in the hippes the leaves are used as S. Iohns wort to helpe those places of the body that have beene burnt with fire CHAP. LII Androsamum Tutsan or Parke leaves ALthough our Tutsan be not the right Androsaemum of Dioscorides c. yet because it is so generally called and accounted by most let it receive his place here among some other plants called Androsaemum by divers writers that thereby you may see and know the difference betweene them 1. Androsaemum vulgare Common Tutsan or Parke leaves Our Tutsan hath not square but brownish shining round stalkes crushed all the length thereof rising to be two or sometimes three foote high branching forth even from the bottome but more thiâ—ly set or farther asunder having divers joynts and at each of them two faire large leaves standing but more thinly set then of the other sorts which are of a darke blewish greene colour on the upper side and of a yellower greene underneath turning reddish towards Autumne but abiding on the branches all the winter at the topes of the stalkes and branches stand larger yellow flowers then in any of the former â—orm and heads with seede likewise larger which being greene at the first and afterwards reddish turne to be of a blackish purple colour when they are through ripe with small brownish seede within them and then yeeld a reddish juice or liquor of a reasonable good sent somewhat resinous and of an harsh or stipticke taste as the leaves also and the flowers bee although much lesse but doe not yeeld such a cleare Claret wine liquor as Gerard following Dodonaeus therein saith it hath the roote is brownish somewhat great hard and wooddy spreading well in the ground 2. Androsaemum Matthioli Matthiolus his Tutsan This Tutsan for other English name I know not well what it may have unlesse you would call it a great S. Iohns wort because it is so like it hath brownish round stalkes with two leaves at every joynt fuller of branches else very like unto S Iohns wort but more sparingly or thinly set thereon much smaller and greener then the former Tutsan and greater then those of S. Iohns wort without any hoales at all in them the flowers are yellow likewise and greater then they and so are the heads with seede but spotted with blacke streakes on them the roote is brownish and abideth yet the stalkes 1. Androsaemum Vulgare Tutsan or Parke leaves 2. Hypericum mâ—jus sive Androsaemum Matthioli Matthiolus his Tutsan 4. Androsamum faetidum Stinking Tutsan perish the leaves hereof as well as flowers doe give a red juice like S. Iohns wort whereof it may best be discerned but because S. Peters wort doth the like also therefore divers doe mistake one for another and the rather for that S. Peters wort is found to have a round stalke although ordinarily it be square 3. Androsaemum alterum Apulum Tutsan of Naples This Neapolitane Tutsan is more bushie but groweth not so high as the last for it sendeth forth from a reddish roote somewhat threddy reddish or brownish round stalkes not much above a foote high with two crested strakes like filmes all the length of them and are full of branches with two leaves at every joynt so closely set thereunto at the bottome that the stalkes seeme to runne through them and yet are lesser then the last recited Tutsan sharpe pointed of a fresher greene colour and smooth on the upper side white underneath and having many small holes therein almost not to bee perceived and for the most part are greater and broader towards the toppes then they are below the flowers at the toppes of the branches are of a paler yellow colour many more set together then in the other whose greene huskes wherein they stand have blackish spots on them which so abide when the leaves are full of seede both leaves and flowers yeeld a blooddy or reddish juice being buised betweene the fingers as any of the other doe 4. Androsaemum faetidum Stinking Tutsan This stinking Tutsan groweth upright with hard wooddy stalkes three or foure and sometimes unto five cubits high as great as ones arme below and of a reddish colour branching forth upwards with divers wings of fresh greene leaves set thereon two at every joynt somewhat like unto those of Licoris and doe alwayes aside on the branches winter as well as Summer in the warme countries wherein it is naturall but doth hardly enâ—ure our cold climate although kept and defended with all the care wee can use at the ends of the stalkes stand yellow flowers like the common Tutsan upon slender but longer soo estalkes then in any of the former sorts and the yellow threds in the middle of them longer also which after they are past yeeld round and somewhat long heads like unto the berries of the Turpentine tree never falling away from the bushes of themselves wherein â—ye very small seede In Candy it yeeldeth a liquid Rosen or Turpentine that smelleth strong more like 〈◊〉 then any Rosen even as the leaves and all the rest of the plant doth this yeeldeth no red or blooddy 〈…〉 as the true Androsaemum and Ascyrum doe The Place The first groweth in many Woods Groves and wooddy grounds as Parkes and Forrests and by hedge sides in many places of this land as in Hampsted Wood by Raily in Essex in the wealde of Kent and many other places needelesse to recite The second is found also about Bristow and Bath and in other parts of the West country The third Fabius Columna saith hee found on the hills Cirinola which are to the Southward in Naples And the last Hanrius Bellus saith groweth by the brookes and springs of waters in Candy and no where else but â—t groweth upon Mount Baldus as Pona saith in the description thereof The Time They all flower later then S. Iohns wort or S. Peters wort and the last later then any of the other The Names It is called Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Androsaemon a sanguine humano cui comae succus assimilatur Galen saith it was of â—wo sorts the one whereof was called Dionisias by some in his time the other Ascyrium and Ascyroides The first so called by Dodonaeus Androsaemum and so it is also by
unto Cicers having small whitish red flowers and afterwards many long Cods growing together and hanging downewards like unto the wormes called Ascarides which we call Arsewormes yet somewhat thicke and full of blacke seede de Laet addeth in a Parenthesis Some say the seede is like unto Fenugreck flat at both ends as if it had beene cut of For the manner of making whereof hee saith They cast the leaves into a brasse vessell pouring thereon scalding hot water or rather lukewarme yet some allow of cold water as best stirring them very well that the water may draw out the tincture which they poure out into another vessell that hath an hole therein somewhat high whereout the cleare water may passe the thicke coloured substance remaining behinde which afterwards they straine through a cloth or bag setting the thicke substance in the Sunne and make it into cakes which is then dryed and hardened in pans at the fire Thus farre de Laet. The other description is by Mr. William Finch a London Merchant as it is set downe by Mr. Purchas in his fourth Booke of Pilgrims the 4 Chap. pag. 429. It is a shrub saith he not above a yard high and as bigge as a mans thumbe at the biggest the branches are wooddy like unto Broome having many leaves set together on a short footestalke in forme like Cives misprinted for Cicerâ— or Ciche pease or like those of Sena but shorter and broader the flower saith he is like unto an Hearts case the seede is inclosed in a small round cod about an inch long resembling Fenegreck seede but more blunt at both ends such very seedes for colour also we have often had sent for Indico seede yet never any sprang with us but once and that but one plant and over hastily plucked up before it had any forme to be discerned yet the small threddy roote was of a pale blew colour which I doe keepe by me to shew the seede also while it is fresh being steeped in water gave a blewish colour These descriptions so like in most things and so nearely also resembling Alpinus his Sesban but that it hath a yellow flower perswadeth me that Sesban being undoubtedly a kind of Glaux Leguminosa so may Indico be also but differing in the Dye The manner of making at Mr Finch saith is thus being variously described by others They gather the leaves when they have cut the branches in August and September after the raines the seede being ripe in November and cast them into a long Cesterne powring water thereon and presse them downe with stones that they may be overcovered so abiding for certaine dayes that the substance of the herbe may be drawne out into the water which they let forth into another round Cesterne in the minst whereof is another small Cesterne or Center the meaning whereof I doe not understand and labour it with great staves like batter or white Starch scumming of the cleare water after it is setled then labour it afresh and draw off the cleare water againe being setled doing thus so often untill nothing but a thicke substance remaine which they dry in the Sunne being spread upon cloth and after it is a little hardned they make it into small balls with their hands laying them to dry on the sand for any other thing would drinke up the colour as also if it take raine in the drying it will lose his colour and glosse After it is sowen it endureth three yeares that Indico of the first yeare while the plant is tender is weighty and reddish called Notee that of the second yeare is rich being very light and of a perfect violet colour swimming on the water and is called Câ—eree that of the third yeare when the plant is declining and peradventure but fabulous traditions is a weighty blackish Nil the worst of the three and called Catteld The best is made saith hee about Biany neere 20. miles beyond Fetipore in the Mogols country in the East Indies And Ximenes aforesaid as de Laet hath it saith the Indians of the West call the Plant Xihuiquilitl pitzahuac and the Mexicans call the tincture made thereof Mohuitli and Tlecohuitli but the other Barbarians Tlacchoylinuhuitl and therewith colour their haire blacke I have not heard that good Indico is one of the Merchandises of the West but of the East Indies onely De Laet having given the figure of a branch of Indico I doe here likewise exhibite the same The Place The wilde kinde groweth in sundry untilled places and fields in Germany as it is sayd but the manured is sowen as well in Germany France and Spaine as in Italy also in Vmbria neare unto Nocera as Matthiolus saith where there is a towne called Gnado of the Woade that grew there abundantly and in the Ilands of Terceras belonging to Spaine Some have sowen it in our owne land but they have found it to be the cause of the destruction of their Bees for it hath beene observed that they have dyed as it were of a Flix that have tasted thereof it is sayd that in some places they sow their Woade upon the same ground that afterwards they sowed their Corne which crop of Woade is three times cut in a yeare and that these rootes that are not turned up with the Plough will beare seede among the Corne. The Plant whereof the Nil or Indico is made groweth in divers places of the East Indies but especially in Guzurate and the best in and about Bianie in the Mogols countrey The Time Woade flowreth in Iâ—ne but the seede is late ripe The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Isatis in Latine Glastum also and Guadum of some after the Italian word Guado whereby they call Woade Caesar in his first booke de Bello Gallico maketh mention of Glastum wherewith the ancient Brittaines did colour themselves to seeme the more terrible to their enemies in battaile as it is thought or that they did then as the Savages of the West Indies doe now delight in such a colour to paint their naked skinnes therewith Pliny also speaketh of the Brittaines using of Glastum in his 22. Booke and first Chap. but divers doe diversly imagine from whence the word Glastum should be derived some have imagined that in both those Authors the word Vitrum should be read in stead of Glastum because the Germane word Glâ— from whence they thinke Glastum is derived is signified by Vitrum and some also would turne Viâ— to Nitrum but Nitrum is not for such use for it is yet very rare or scarse seene of any with us the Aâ—liâ— call it Pili Deligi Chate charis Alchat Alden or Adhlen or as Avicen in his 512. Chap. saith Nil yet 〈◊〉 306. Chap. he hath another Nil which is a kind of Convenvulus or blew Bellflower whereof I have sp◠〈◊〉 former Booke which Serapio calleth Hab alnil granum nil but this Nil for Nir in the Arabicâ—e 〈◊〉 as some say
other but larger and in some white and in others purplish the cods and seedes are like the rest but the roote hereof is not so much parted as the former but more thicke and tuberous 6. Dentaria angustifolia bulbifera Bulbed narrow leafed Corallwort This Corallwort riseth up with a stalke or two bearing long and narrow leaves denâ— about the edges of sad greene colour and pâ—ed at the ends somewhat like the leaves of Ptarmica sylvestris called wilde Pelletory every one standing singly by it selfe and at the joynts therewith come forth such like scaly â—alâ—bs as are in the first sort but thicker and of a darke purplish colour but none among the flowers which grow many together of 1. Dentaria Bulbifera Bulbed Corallwort 2. Dentaria pentaphylles triphyllos Cinquefoile and trefoile Corallwort 5. Dentaria Heptaphyllos Setfoile Corallwort 6. Dentaria angustifolia Bulbifera Bulbed narrow leafed Corallwort the same fashion with the other that is of foure leaves 7. Alabastrites sive Dentaria minima The leaft Corallwort a peece but they are of a whitish colour after which come long pods with seede like the other the roote is white and somewhat short growing aslope as the rest doe set together with joynts somewhat closer and more even with some fibres at it 7. Alabastrites sive Dentaria minima The leaft Corallwort Although I know that this plant is referred by most unto the Laâ—tuli or Crowfeet so have I done here before not having gained a more perfect figure thereof and considering the small likenesse it hath with any sort of Crowfoote and the nearer resemblance of it unto these kindes of plaâ— have presumed to insert it in this place for the 〈◊〉 sake and likenesse of the roote although you have the exact description thereof among the Crowfeete under the name of Ranunculus nemorosus Moschatella dictus The Place The first and the last have beene found in our land the first at Mayfield in Sussex in a wood called Highreede and in another wood there also called Foxholes both of them belonging to one Mr. Stephen Forkhurst at the writing hereof the rest in the shadowie woods of Germany Switzerland and Savoy Naples Italy and divers other places The Time They floweâ— about the end of Aprill and beginning or middle of May and are withered and gone before Iuly for the most part the rootes abiding safe under ground The Names Neither Dioscoriâ—es nor Pliny nor any other of the ancient writers as divers have supposed have made any mention of these plants but being found out by later searchers are called diversly some from the forme and colour of the rootes calling them Dentaria Dentillaria Coralloides and Alablastrites as Lobel and Dentaria Coralloid radice as a difference from other Dentarias and some also thereupon tooke it to be an Aconitum as Dalechampius doth in Lugdunensis some both from the roote and the flowers that are like unto Stocke Gilloflowers which were anciently comprehended under the name of Viola called it Viola Dentaria as Dodonaeus some from the effects and properties as Cordus lib. 2. plantarum historia cap. 111. and Gesner in hortis Saâ—cula alba and Sanifraga montana and saith that about Savoy they call it Pulmonaria but Coluâ— taketh it to bee Ceratia Plinij and sheweth plainely that this Dentaria hath all the properties that Pliny ascribeth unto his Ceratia for whereas Pliny saith it hath but one leafe so saith Columna this hath but one sometimes for hee maketh that leafe to bee but one that standeth upon one stalke howsoever divided into 3.5.7 or more parts as is to bee seene in the Ashtree Quicken tree Service and Wallnut c. the whole leafe springing forth together and falling away all together and not one peece after another as in others that are single which is a true note how to know a winged leafe from others as I shewed you formerly in another place The first and sixt are called Deâ—tariae bulbifeâ— or baccifarae because they onely and none of the rest doe heare any bulbes like berries upon their stalkes They are all generally called Dentaria and most of them from the number of their leaves called eyther triphyllos pentaphyllos or heptaphyllos but the â—riphyllos is also called by Lobel Eâ—rphyllos onely the two last differ in some things from all the rest the sixt being called by Besberâ— that set forth the great booke of Hortus Eystensis Dentaria anguâ— bacciferâ— and Bauhinus thereupon Dentaria â—accifera folijs Dâ—armicae Cordus in his second booke 111. Chap. of his History of Plants setteth forth the figure thereof in my minde but without any bulbes at the leaves under the name of Coralloides alia species Gesner in his â—â—â—ia at the end of that Chapter saith that 〈◊〉 Dentaria baccifera was called by some Consolida Saraâ—enita and judgeth it himselfe a kind of Aâ—a and the 〈◊〉 as I have declared in the first division of the Crowfeete The Vertues The roote of Corallwort is drying binding and strengthning yet it helpeth to provoke Vrine and to expell gravell and the stoâ— is some doâ— affirme it is exceeding good to ease the griping paines of the sides and bowells and for inward wounds thâ— are made in the breast longs and bowells a dram of the powder of the roote taken for many dayes together in red wine the same also given to them that are bursten or have a rupture it very 〈…〉 to be drunke in the distilled water of the herbe called Horsetaile it stayeth also Laskes and Fluxes that are not proceede of hot and â—lericke humours the decoction of the herbe is good to bee applyed both to gâ— wound quickly to 〈◊〉 â—ate them and for old filthy sores to dry up their moysture and thereby to caâ— them 〈◊〉 the sooâ— CHAP. LXXII Leucoium Stocke Gilloflowers I Have in my former booke shewed you many sorts of Stocke Gilloflowers there yet doe reâ—e divers others which are of lesse beauty and durabilitie to be entreated of here as I there promised And because the word Leucium in Latine is referred as well to these Stocke Gilloflowers as to the Wallflowers with this distinction of Luteum onely I will also distinguish and separate then entreating in the next Chapter of those that beare yellow flowers and greene leaves which is the distinction betweene a Wallflower and a Gilloflower yet I will here give you the figure of the single garden Stocke Gilloflowers 1. Leucoium marinum maximum The greatest Sea Stocke Gillowflower This Sea Stocke Gilloflower hath divers long thicke whitish soft leaves lying upon the ground one within another in a round compasse and are stiffer then the other Sea kinds or the garden kinds formerly set forth jagged also or cut in on both sides evenly into deepe dents like the knagges of a Bucks horne which 〈◊〉 it seeme the more beautifull thus it doth abide for the first yeares growing but the next yeare it beareth a â—ry white stalke three foote high or thereabouts
call it generally Kings Claver as the chiefest of all other three leafed grasses generally called Clavers or Claver grasses and Melilot after the Latine name to be the more easily understood yet in some places they call it Harts Claver because if it grow where Stagges and Deere resort they will greedily feede thereon And in some places of Essex they call it Hartwort because as they thinke the seede thereof happening into their bread caused paines in the stomacke and chest which they usually call the Heart burne or paines of the heart The first is called by most Authors Melilotus after the Greeke name the old Latine name of Serta or Sertula Campana being quite left Tragus calleth it Melilotus major vulgaris Camerarius Dodonaeus and Lobel call it Melilotus Germanica and Thalius Dodonaeus TrifoliuÌ„ odoratuÌ„ Matthiolus Durantes and Lugdunensis call it Lotus urbana and sativa Fuschius and Lonicerus Saxifraga Lutea and altera The second is scarse mentioned but under the other and is called by Tragus Melilotus major candida and of Dalechampius Lotus sylvestris flore albo The third Camerarius calleth Italica and Bauhinus Melilotus Italica folliculis subrotundis The fourth is called by Tragus tertia species Meliloti vulgaris who saith it is most likely to be Serapio his Melilot Fuschius Gesner Dodonaeus and Matthiolus make it to be Melilotus Italica but we have another more true species called Melilotus Italica here set downe the next before this and Lobel as you heard before called it Melilotus Syriaca odora and that because it came from Aleppo as hee saith it was much used in Italy for the true Melilot and therefore called Melilotus Italica Bauhinus calleth it corniculis reflexis major The fift Prosper Alpinus saith is called in Egypt Alchimelech and is the onely Melilot they use Bauhinus calleth it Corniculis reflexis minor The sixt Bauhinus onely giveth the name being brought to him out of Spaine The last hath his name in his title as it hath beene sent to us which as I said doth still continue There hath beene some controversie among our later writers what herbe should be the true Melilotus of Dioscorides some taking a kind of Citysus to be it others a Medica or Lagopus and others a kind of wild Lotus without sent and some also doubting of his Melilot holding it rather to be Dioscorides his Lotus urbana for as Dodonaeus saith all the Apothecaries in Germany were wont to use no other Melilot then the Trifolium odoratum but time by degrees hath worne out all these opinions and setled a more constant of this and is so now generally accepted for is former times almost every country had a severall Trefoile with yellow flowers to be their Mellilot The Arabians call it Alchilelmelich and the Italians Spaniards and French Melilote the Germanes Edlersteinklee the Dutch Groote Steenclayeren and Ghemayne Melilot and in English as I have said before The Vertues Dioscorides saith it hath an astringent or binding qualitie It mollifieth all hard tumours and inflammations that happen in the eyes or other parts of the body as the seate or fundament and the privie parts of man or women being boyled in wine and laide to the place and sometimes the yoalke of a roasted egge or the powder of Feâ—eke or Linseede or fine flower or Poppie seede or Endive is added unto it It healeth those impostumes that are fresh being applied with torra figillata and wine and the spreading ulcers also in the head being washed with a lye made thereof It easeth the paines of the stomacke applied either fresh or boyled with any other of the aforenamed things It helpeth also the paines of the eares being dropped into them and steeped in Vinegar or Rosewater it mitigateth the headach Thus saith Dioscorides Galen saith in his sixth Booke of simple Medecines that Melilot is of a mixt qualitie for it hath a little astringent facultie in it and yet it doth digest for the warming or hot qualitie is more abundant therein then the cold The Arabian Physitians doe appoint the cods and seede to be used in medicines and make no mention of flowers The Greekes contrariwise doe will the flowers onely to be used and never make use of seede or codds and therefore as Matthiolus saith it is no wonder that the compound plaister of Mellilot which the Apothecaries make not having any of the meale of the seede of the true Melilot therein doth not worke that effect that the Physitians doe expect for this compound plaister is appointed to be used to dissolve hardnesse windinesse tumours and swellings both of the spleene liver and belly as also mightily to ease the paine of them all and to heale the Hypochondria or sore part of the belly about the short ribbes when it is stretched or crackt by the swelling thereof but there is another plaister called Mellilot which is much used to draw and heale all sores and wounds that neede cleansing and is made of the juice of the greene young Mellilot boyled with Rossen Waxe Sheepe tallow and some Turpentine which if it be well made will be almost as greene as the herbe it selfe and smell very strong thereof although it be two or three yeares old The flowers of Mellilot and Camomill are much used to be put together into glysters that are given to expell winde to ease paines as also into pultoses that are made for the same purpose and to asswage swellings or tumors that happen either in the spleene or other parts by the mollifying or discussing qualities that are in it It helpeth also inflammations whether in the eyes or face or other parts of the body The juyce dropped into the eyes is a singular good medicine to take away any filme or skinne from them that groweth as a cloud to dimme the eyesight It is effectuall to be applied to those that have sodainely lost their senses by any paroxisme as also to strengthen the memorie to comfort the head and braines and to preserve them from paines and the feare of the Apoplexie if the head be often washed with the distilled water of the herbe and flowers or a lye made therewith The water also distilled serveth as a perfume to wash course gloves or other things The flowers and herbe of the white flowred Mellilot steeped in oyle Olive and set into the Sunne to digest for some time and after being boyled in a Balneo of hot water and strained forth and other fresh flowers and herbes being put thereto and Sunned as before and strained and so used at the second or third time is accounted a most soveraine Balme both for greene wounds and old sores for swellings inflammations crampes convulsions paines or aches whatsoever in any part of the body whether it be in any fleshy or musculous part or among the sinewes and veines The Italian Melilot is as effectuall as any of the other and by some accounted to be of more efficacie and vertue
leaves lying on the ground very much cut in or torne on the edges on both sides even to the middle ribbe ending in a point sometimes it is found to have a red ribbe or veyne downe the middle of the leaves from among which riseth up a hard round wooddy stalke spreading into many branches set with smaller and lesser divided leaves on them up to the toppes where stand the flowers both for forme and colour like unto the Garden kinde that is of a blew colour after which come the seede like thereunto also the roote is white but more hard and wooddy then the other the whole plant is exceeding bitter 3. Cichorium spinosum Creticum Thorny Succory of Candy This Thorny Succory hath the lower leaves next the ground somewhat long and narrow cut in somewhat roundly on the edges like the ordinary Succory into many short not deepe cuts the crested greene stalke that riseth Cichorium sativum vulgare Ordinary Garden Succory 1. Cichorium sativum flore rubello Garden Succory with red flowers 2. Cichorium sylvestre Wilde Succory 3. Cichorium sâ— Creticum Thorny Succory of Candy from among them is hard and wooddy spreading many such like branches from the very bottome all about making it seeme a round bush set with many narrower leaves and without any cut or division on the edges which quickly fall away leaving the stalkes bare or naked and each branch ending in one two or three sometimes long forked thornes at the joynts with the leaves which towards the toppes abide a little longer come forth small scaly huskes and out of them the flowers which are made of five leaves a peece broade at the ends and cut into two or thee dents of a blewish colour like unto Succory with some yellow threds in the middle the seede that followeth is like the ordinary sort and so is the roote but somewhat thicker and shorter and abideth as the Succory doth The Place The first sort is found wilde in some places of Italy from whence I had the seede and the white one in Germany the second is found in many places of our Land in waste untilled and barren fields the third by the Sea coasts and other sandy grounds in Candy The Time The two first sorts flower in the time that the other common sort doth but the last not untill August and hardly then so that in our Country it doth give no seede neither will well indure our Winters The Names 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greeke as I said before in the last Chapter and Intubum in Latine doe signifie Succory as well as Endive and the wild sort of Succory is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seris picris because it is more bitter then the rest Some take Hieracium and some Lactuca sylvestis to bee Seris or Intubum sylvestre but Matthiolus contesteth against them in Latine also Cichorium sylvestre Pliny lib. 22. cap. 8. saith that this Intubum sylvestre or Pictis or Cichorium erraticum was called by some in his time Ambugia but Celsus and some truer copies have Ambubeia Theophrastus calleth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Horace hath Cichoreum or Cichorea where he saith Me pascunt Olivae Me Cichorea levesque Malvae Tragui also hath Cichorea Of the first with red flowers I finde Tragus to note one that hath partim candidum partim roseum florem and from him Bauhinus to make mention and Thalius in Harcynia sylva of that with white flowers the second is called by Lobel Seris picris CichoriuÌ„ Seris sylvestris by Gesner Intubum sylvestre and Cichorium sylvestre and aguiste by Lâ—icerus by Lugdunensis Hypocheris Dalechampij whereof Theophrastus maketh mention in his seventh Book and 11. Chap. among the Cichoriacea which Gaza untowardly translateth Porcellia Brunfelsius calleth it Solse quium and Gerard putteth the figure hereof under the title of Hieracium latifolium and Bauhinus noteth it the third was first mentioned by Honorius Bellus in his fourth Epistle to Clusius by the name of Cichorium spinosum and Scamnagati id est Hydriae spina by the Cretans Clusius in his history of Plants calleth it Chondrillae elegans genus flore caeruleo and afterwards both by Pona in his Italian description of Mount Baldus and by Bauhinus in his Matthiolus and Prodromus Cichorium spinosum Creticum the Italians call Succory Girasole Radicchio Scariola and Cicorea and the wilde kinde Cicorea salvatica the Spaniards Almenera and Cicoria salvaja the French Cichoree sauvage by the Germans Wegwant by the Dutch Cichorrey and by us in English Succory and wilde Succory The Vertues Garden Succory as it is bitter is more dry and lesse cold then Endive and thereby more opening also An handfull of the leaves or rootes hereof boyled in wine or water and a draught thereof drunke fasting driveth forth chollericke and flegmaticke humors the same also openeth the obstructions of the Liver Gall and Spleene and helpeth the Yellow Iaundies the heate of the Reines and of the Vrine the Dropsie also and those that have an evill disposition in their bodies by long sicknesse evill dyet c. which disease the Greekes call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cachexia a decoction thereof made with wine and drunk is very effectuall against long lingering Agues and a dramme of the seede in powder drunke in wine before the fit of an Ague doth helpe to drive it away the distilled water of the herbe and flowers performeth the same properties aforesaid and is especiall good for hot stomacks and in Agues either pestilentiall or of long continuance and for swoundings and passions of the heart for the heate and headach in childâ— and to temper the distemperature of the blood and Liver the said water or the juice or the bruised leaves applyed outwardly allayeth tumors inflammations S. Anthonies fire pushes wheales and pimples especially used with a little Vinegar as also to wash pestiferous sores the said water is very effectuall for sore eyes that are inflamed or have any rednesse in them and for Nurses sore breasts that are pained by the aboundance of milke The wild Succory as it is more bitter so it is more strengthning to the stomack and Liver CHAP. XXV Pseudo-cichoria sive Cichoria sylvestria floribus luteis Bastard or wilde Succory with yellow flowers THere are divers other herbes which are accounted kindes of wilde Succory for their neare resemblance in forme but not in qualitie thereunto some whereof shall be set forth in this Chapter especially such as beare the title of Cichorium Succory For the Dens Leonis Dandelion and the Chondrilla Cum Succory that be kinds of Succory also so like unto it that many have mistaken the one for the other shall follow in their order 1. Cichorium pratense luteum asperum Rough yellow field Succory This rough yellow Succory hath longer and rougher leaves then those of the former wilde Succory in one sort with few or no cuts at all in others like unto it with deepe cuts and divisions
or sixe foote high with divers great joynts and leaves set on them whose foote stalkes doe compasse the maine stalke at the bottome and from thence also towards the toppe come forth branches with the like but lesser leaves at them and at their toppes large round spread umbells of white flowers but Brausus describeth his with yellow flowers which I never saw after which commeth the seede which is somewhat flat thicke short and white two alwayes set together and is usuall in all these umbelliferous plants and a little 1. Angelica sativa Garden Angellica 2. Angelica sylvestris Wilde Angellica 3. Angelica sylvestris montana ditarum specitrum Two sorts of Mountaine Angelica 4. Archangelica The great water Angellica crested on the round seede the roote groweth great and wooddy when it flowreth with many great long branches to it but perisheth after seede and will rise and spring againe better from the seede that doth fall of it selfe then what is sowen by hand at any other time the whole plant both leafe and seede and roote is of an excellent pleasant sent and taste very comfortable being not fierce or sharpe but rather sweete and giveth a most delicate rellish when it is tasted or used the leaves be the weakest and some hold the seede to bee next and the roote to be the strongest especially being not ready to grow up for stalke Of this kinde wee have another sort in our Gardens called sweet Angellica not differing in any thing from the former Dulcis but in that it hath a sweeter rellish then the other 2. Angelica sylvestris Wilde Angellica The wilde Angellica groweth up with large spread leaves on the ground having smaller stalkes and lesser divided leaves by much of a darke greene colour not smelling halfe so strong as the garden kinde yet savouring so much like Angelica that by the smell one may soone see and know it to be a kinde of Angellica though wilde the stalkes are much slender and smaller yet growing three or foure foote high with smaller joynts and lesser leaves thereat at the toppes grow lesser umbells of white flowers which turne into smaller seede and blacker the roote is nothing so great as the former neyther are the strings so great or long and of a blacker colour on the outside not smelling halfe so well Of this kinde likewise there is some varietie one growing likewise wilde with us not much differing in the leaves but being smaller and not so much divided the stalkes being reddish and the seede thicker and longer Sylvestris altera the roote being great and thicke 3. Angelica sylvestris montana Mountaine wilde Angellica Mountaine Angellica groweth like the former wilde kinde but much lower and smaller in every part the roote hereof differeth most in that it is nothing so great but sendeth forth many small brownish strings from the the head round about it yet holding the same strong sent of Angellica that the former doth I give you here the figures of two other sorts of Angellica taken out of Doctor Foxes booke of dryed herbes which he had from Padoa garden and might seeme to be the Laserpitium of Alpinus set forth before but that they had severall denominations to them 4. Archangelica The greater water Angellica This Angellica groweth with a taller and much greater stalke sometimes reddish the leaves likewise being more in number and smaller divided and of as deepe a greene colour as the first sort in the tufts of white flowers it is like the first garden Angellica and so is the seede but greater and blacker the roote is great according to the plant and endureth many yeares without perishing The Place and Time The first sorts are with us sowen in Gardens the second sort is wilde both in many places of Essex Kent and neare Kentish Towne by London also and in other places the third groweth on divers mountaines in Germany Hungary and the rest the last is not onely naturall to grow in watery ditches but in moist grounds also in many places with us and in the Marsh ditches by Rederiffe The Names This herbe hath gained many worthy names from sundry worthy persons for some have called it Sancti Spiritus radix Lacuna and Dodonaeus thinke it some kinde of Laserpitium Cordus and some others take it to be Smyrniâ—â— and Cordus to be Panax Heracleum but all in generall call it Angellica from the Angell-like properties therein All these sorts are so called by most Authors as their titles beare and therefore I neede not explaine them further onely the last is called Archangelica by Clusius and Angelica aquatica by Gesner All Christian nations likewise in their appellations hereof follow the Latine name as neare as their Dialect will permit onely in Sussex they call the wilde kinde Kex and the Weavers winde their Yarne on the dead stalkes The Vertues Angellica is hot and dry some put it in the second and others in the third degree It resisteth poyson by defending the heart the blood and spirits and giveth heate and comfort to them it doth the like against the Plague and infection of the Pestilence if the roote be taken in powder to the weight of halfe a dramme at a time with some good Treakle in Cardos water and layd to sweate thereupon in their bed if Treakle be not at hand take the roote alone in Cardus or Angellica water the stalkes or rootes candid and eaten fasting are good helpes also in time of infection and at other times to warme and comfort a cold or old stomack The root also steeped in Vinegar and a little of that Vinegar taken sometimes fasting and the roote smelled unto are both good preservatives for that purpose a water distilled from the rootes simply or steeped in wine and distilled in glasse is much more effectuall then the water of the leaves and this water being drunke two or three spoonefulls at a time doth ease all paines and torments that come of cold or winde so as the body be not bound the said water taken with some of the roote in powder helpeth the Plurisie being taken in the beginning as also all other diseases of the Lungs and breast as coughes and shortnesse of breath Tissickes and so doth the Syrupe of the stalkes mentioned in my former booke it helpeth likewise the torments of the Chollicke the strangury and stopping of the urine procureth womens courses and expelleth the afterbirth and briefely easeth and discusseth all inward tumors and windinesse it openeth the obstructions of the Liver and Spleene and the decoction thereof being drunke before the fit of an Ague so that they may sweate if it be possible before the fit come will in twice or thrice taking rid it quite away it helpeth also digestion in the stomacke and is a remedy for a Surfet The juice or the water dropped into the eyes cleareth the dimnesse of sight if any filmes doe begin to breed in them and helpeth deafenesse by dropping it into the eares
ferens of Henorius Bellus expressed in his first Epistle to Clusius but Bauhinus calleth it Carlina acaulis gummi fera whereof I much marvaile that he should continue that opinion of Chamaeleo albus and Carlina to be both but one plant knowing that Columna shewed them plainely in his booke to be different although that Carlina as well as Chamaeleo albus giveth a like gum also and that Theophrastus his Ixine hath such likewise which Columna as is sayd being deceived thought to be Carlina the second is the Carlina humilis of Columna taken by him to be the Ixine of Theophrastus as Anguilara did before him and Dodonaeus and called by Lobel Carlina herbaaiorum yet thought by him Clusius to be the Chamaelon albus of Dioscorides as Guilandinus in Papyro did thinke before as also by Matthiolus Cordus and Lugdunensis by Caesalpinus Carlina vulgo and by Gesner in hortis Cardopatium caule â—ullo by Ericius Cordus Carduus panis seu pacis by Camerarius Carlina sessili flore by Dodonaeus in former times taken to be Spina Arabica and by the Monkes that commented upon Mesues Acanthe lence of Dioscorides and by 〈◊〉 Carlina acanlos magno flore the third is the Carlina caulescens of Columna and Camerarius both in hortis 〈◊〉 in Epitome by Dodonaeus Carlina sive Leucacantha by Caesalpinus Carlinae alterum genus by Clusius Carlina major elatior by Lugdunensis Carlina caulem habens and taketh it also to be Crocodilion by Gesner in hortis Cardopatiâ—â—â— flore albo caulem habens and called by Lobel Chamaeleo albus cauledonatus but Chamaeleo niger by Lacuna Matthiolus and Lugdunensis Chamaeleon niger vulgaris by Tragus and Besler that set forth the Hortus Eystetensis by Brunfelsius as Bauhinus saith in his Matthiolus Eberwurtz that is Apri radix and from hence came the name of Carduus Snarius and Cardopacis but in his Pinax he referreth this name of Brunfelsius unto the Carlina acaulis so that it seemeth the Germanes call both sorts Eberwurtz he himselfe calling it in his Pinax Carlina caulescens magno flore and in his Matthiolus Carlina caule donatus the fourth is called Chamaeleon albus seu exiguus by Tragus and Lugdunensis and parvus by Louicerus by Columna Chamaeleon Septentrionalium exiguus appellaâ—us by Lobel Carduus acaulis Septentrionalium by Clusius Carlina minor purpureo flore who saith that some 〈◊〉 of opinion that it did not seeme unlike unto the Chamaeleon of Theophrastus in his sixt Booke and third Chapter and by Bauhinus Carlina acaulis minor purpureo flore the fift is the Carlina sylvestris vulgaris the first Carlina sylvestris of Dodonaeus and the Acarna vel Cirsium luteuÌ„ Sequanorum of Lobel c. the sixt is set forth by 〈◊〉 in his book de plantis exoticis and called also by him as Gaza did Carduus Pinea but is not although somewhat like the Iacea pinea called pumila Narbon of Lobel the last is called Chamaeleon niger Dioscoridis by Anguilara Maraâ—tha Cortusus Camerarius Lobel and Columna and Chamaeleon niger alter by Matthiolus Chamaeleon niger 〈◊〉 Dalechampij by Lugdunensis but thought to be Crocodilion by Tabermontanus and called by Bauhinus Chamaeleon niger umbellatus flore caeruleo hyacinthino The Italians call the white and blacke Chamaeleon Thistle Cameâ—â—â— and nero and the white more usually Carlina the Spaniards call both sorts Cardo pinto the French all the white Charline and Chamaeleon blanc but the blacke Chardonnette the Germanes as is said before call all 〈◊〉 Eberwurtz as the Dutch doe Ebewortele and wee in English Chamaeleon Thistle or Changeable Thistle 〈◊〉 or blacke or as they are set downe in their titles and the rest accordingly The Vertues The roote of the white Chamaeleon Thistle saith Dioscorides taken to the quantitie of a spoonefull in red wine wherein Origanum hath beene boyled killeth the broad wormes in the belly a dramme thereof taken in wine helpeth dropsie persons for it extenuates their belly the decoction thereof is profitable for them that cannot make water orderly Theophrastus and Pliny from him saith that the root hereof cut into peeces hung up on strings to drie afterwards boyled in broath or otherwise taken doth help the defluxions of rheume that fall from the head the eyes teeth nose or lungs If any saith he would trie whether a sicke person should die or live if he beare and endure three times washing with the decoction of the roote he shall not die it is as a Treakle or an antidote against poison being drunke in wine and from hence it is supposed that the Carline Thistle roote was used against the plague in the Emperour Charles his army although it be suggested to be declared by an Angell without an Allegory or allusion to the good Angell from due observation and practise which hath since found it very effectuall both to resist the infection as also very powerfull against the biting of a mad dogge or the sting of Serpents and yet Dioscorides saith the roote of Chamaeleon albus given to dogs swine or mise killeth them which propertie is also found in divers other things as on the contrary side divers creatures do feede on these things that are poysonous to men The blacke Chamaeleon Thistle is said by Dioscorides to cure the itch the roote being beaten and mixed with Axungia and so used and being boiled in vinegar and some brimstone put to it killeth tetters and ringwormes it clenseth the face and skinne from all blemishes deformities and discolouring being used with some brimstone it is put with other things that doe digest and mollifie and also with those that consume and eate the flesh and therefore is used to helpe foule sores and stincking ulcers hereby you see he doth not appoint it to be used inwardly for any disease by reason of the virulent qualitie therein but onely alloweth of the decoction thereof to gargle the teeth in the extreme paines of them or by the roote bruised and boyled in vinegar to helpe the tooth-ach and to breake them if they be touched therewith Of our wilde Carline Thistle I have not knowne or heard of any that have made any experiment although I am perswaded that it commeth neere to the qualities of the low Carline Thistle that is so much commended as you heard before and of the gummes either of the white Chamaeleon or Carline Thistle there is no other speciall propertie set downe by any than is declared before that as it is called Masticke of the Thistle so it is used as Masticke to chew in the mouth both to amend the evill savour of the breath and by reason of the glewing qualitie to stay rheume and to strengthen loose teeth for the juyce doth follow the propertie of the herbe or tree from whence it is taken and although the gumme of the white Chamaeleon be called Ixia as Dioscorides saith yet the Ixia that is poysonous is another thing quite differing from this for
with some spots on them as other Fernes have and onely foâ—ked at the toppes into two or three short parts bowing or bending downe their heads it agreeth saith Tragus with Ferne in smell and taste The Place These all doe grow in rockey and stony places and the sixt seaventh and eighth kinde as Lobel saith neere the sea in Cornewall in moyst rockie places The Time They flower with the rest of the Fernes 7. Filix marina Anglica The small English Sea Ferne. 8. Filix saxatilis Tragi Naked stone Ferne. The Names The first here set downe is the first Filix pumila saxatilis of Clusius according to his description but the second figure doth answere thereunto and not the first as you may observe by the creeping rootes in the second figure which he that onely regardeth the figure and doth not compare the description therewith may soone bee deceived and this transposition Bauhinus observed well although he doth not speake of it but onely entituleth it Filix saxatilis romosa nigris maculis puncta and questioneth if it be not the Filicula candida of Gesner in appendice the second is the second of Clusius by the former name and by Bauhinus Filix saxatilis non ramosa nigris maculis punctata and questioneth if it be not the Filicula saxatilis of Camerarius but the first figure in Clusius is set forth like the female branched Ferne the third is the third Filix petrea foemina of Tabermontanus and called by Bauhinus as it is in the title the fourth is the Filix saxatilis crispa of Pona in the description of Mount Baldus the fift is mentioned by Cornutas among his Canada plants which Mr. Iohn Tradescant the younger brought home with him from Virginia this present yeare 1638. presently after the death of his father the sixt is the Filicula fontana of Tabermontanus the seventh is the Chamae filix marina Anglica of Lobel and the last is the Holostium alterum of Lobel and the Holostium petraeunâ— of Tabermontanus Tragus calleth it Filix nuda sive saxatilis and Thalius Adianthum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seu furcatum and Bauhinus thereupon Filix saxatilis corniculata but why he should referre it also to the Muscus corniculatus of Tabermontanus and Gerard being different plants I know not The Vertues The faculties of these Fernes may be referred to the former CHAP. VIII Asplenum sive Ceterach Smooth Splene worte or Milt-waste THe smooth Splenewort I so call it in regard of the former which is rough from a blacke threddy and bushy roote sendeth forth many long single leaves cut in on both sides into round dents even almost to the middle ribbe which is not so hard as that of Pollipodye each division being not alwayes set opposite unto the other but betweene each smooth and of a light greene on the upperside and with a darke yellowish roughnesse on the backe foulding or rowling it selfe inward at the first springing up as many other Fernes doe and therein resembleth that Beare Worme that anglers use The Place and Time It groweth as well upon stone walls as moyst and shadowie places in many places of this Land as about Bristâ—â— and other the West parts plentifully as also on Framingham Castle on Beckensfeild Church in Barkeshire Stroude in Kent and else where and like Pollipody abideth greene in the winter The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Asplenum and 〈◊〉 sive Ceterach Smooth Spleenewort or Miltwaste Splenium quod splenem juvat which it holdeth also in Latine in Greeke also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Scolopendrium Scolopendra in Latine from the likenesse of the Worme so called as I sayd before Theophrastus calleth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it is in the vulgar copies as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hemionum which Galen translateth Mula herba in the Apothecaries shoppes Ceterach from the Arabians in the Antidotarium Bononiense it is called Digiti citrini the Apothecaries and Physitions in former times held the Harts-tongue to be the true Scolopendrium of the ancients but that errour is now sufficiently manifested and left as theirs also who held formerly that Asplenum was not Ceterach it is called of the later Arabians and Moores Scolofendrium of the Italians Aspleno and Scolopendria and herba inodorata of the Spaniards Doradilha of the French Ceterac of the Germanes Steynfarn of the Dutch Steenvaren and Miltcruit in English Spleenewort Miltwast and Scale-Ferne The Vertues It was and is generally used against the infirmities of the Spleene and as Vitruvius saith the Swine in Candy where it grew by feeding thereon were found to be without Spleenes when as others that did not eate thereof had them as the rest it helpeth the Strangury or pissing by droppes and wasteth the Stone in the Bladder and is good against the Yellow Jaundies and the hicket but the use of it in women hindereth conception Matthiolus saith that if a dramme of the dust that is on the backe of the leaves be mixed with halfe a dram of Amber in powder and taken with the juice of Purslane or Plantaine it will helpe the running of the Raines speedily and that the herbe and roote being boyled and taken helpeth all melancholicke diseases and those especially which rise from the French disease Camerarius saith that the distilled water thereof being drunke is very effectuall against the Stone both in the Reines and Bladder and that the Lye that is made of the ashes thereof being drunke for some time together helpeth Spleneticke persons it is used in outward remedies also for the same purpose CHAP. IX 1. Phyllitis sive Lingua Cervina vulgaris Ordinary Harts-tongue OVr ordinary Harts-tongue hath divers leaves rising 1. Phyllitis sive Lingua Cervina vulgaris Ordinary Harts-tongue from the roote every one severall which as the last and other Fernes fold themselves in the first springing and spreading when they are full growne are about a foote long smooth and greene above but hard or with little sappe in them and straked on the backe atwhart on both sides of the middle ribbe with small and somewhat long brownish markes the bottomes of the leaves are a little bowed on each side of the middle ribbe somewhat narrow with the length and somewhat small at the end the roote is of many blacke threads foulded or interlaced together Some doe make two sorts hereof and distinguish them into latifolia and angustifolia 2. Phyllitis laciniata Iagged Harts-tongue This Harts differeth in no other thing from the former then in the division of the toppes of the leaves which are diversly as it were torne or jagged some leaves much and some little according to the place of growing and time of abiding 3. Phyllitis ramosa Alpino Branched Harts-tongue according to Alpinus The rootes hereof are somewhat wooddy with the blacke fibres thereat shooting forth many slender broad stalkes of leaves two cubits long a little downy at
with them yet most used this This drieth more than Barly it selfe and bindeth the belly being drunke with red wine and allayeth inflammations and drunke with water it quencheth thirst it was often eaten with a little new wine or sodden wine put unto it as every one liked CHAP. XVI Maza MAza is but Polenta parched Barly moystened with some liquor as every one thought meete for some used nothing but Water others put to it both water and oyle together as Hesychius saith and some as Hippocrates sheweth did put sweete wine to it and some put honey also Galen declareth that Maza of it selfe doth hardlier digest in the stomacke and doth trouble the belly with winde if it abide long therein but it doth the sooner passe downe if it be much turned and honey be put to it CHAP. XVII Of Ptisana PTisana the most praysed and prayse-worthy drinke supping or pultage call it how you will was used anciently to be made of divers sorts of graine and not altogether of Barly for they had their Chondro Ptisana made of Zea Pyrina Ptisana made of Wheate and Pliny saith that Italy which was abounding in Rice made Ptisana thereof which others made of Barly and Galen also sheweth it was made of Pulse for he nameth Phacoptisana that is made of Lentills but Ptisana simply without any other addition is alwayes understood of Barley onely husked for the excellency thereof The manner of making it is set downe by divers authors as Pliny Galen Dydimus and others but because Hippocrates who is accounted the Prince of Physitions wrote a whole Treatise in prayse thereof I will here set downe his words of making it fit for meate or medicine Take saith he of the best Barley and moysten it with water let it so rest for 3. or 4. houres then put it into a course bagge and beate it with a mallet or pestell of wood untill it have cast off the huskes which then being washed to take them away drie it in the Sunne and keepe it to use as occasion serveth as Polenta but to make it Ptisana it is to be boyled gently in water untill it breake and that the liquor be thicke like creame which then is lenifying sweete and lubricke or slippery and being moderately liquid quencheth thirst it hath no astriction nor moveth perturbations nor swelleth in the stomacke for all the swelling is tooke away in the boyling it sticketh not in the breast or stomacke but by the lubricitie is easily digested and quencheth thirst by the moistening qualitie these properties saith Galen recorded by Hypocrates are availeable both for the sicke and for the sound Dioscorides further addeth the creame of Ptisana by reason of the boyling yeeldeth more nourishment than Polenta that is made of Barly and is profitable to helpe the sharpenesse and roughnesse of the throate and all exulcerations This was the manner of the ancients Ptisana for their manner of making and using but our Physitions in these times use onely Barly husked and boyled in water and then beaten and strained putting some blanched Allmonds or Pompion seede or other cold seedes beaten and strained with some Sugar and Rosewater and this is their most usuall Tisane or Barly creame Some appoint Barly to be lesse sodden which is called Barly-water and therewith is made either Tisane drinkes by adding Licoris Raisons of the Sunne Maidenhaire or the like for such as are troubled with coughes shortensse of breath c. or else with Almonds or cold seedes make it into an Almond milke with Suger and Rosewater or given to hecticke or macilent and weake bodies the Barly water alone or made into a Julip with Syrope of Violet or Lemonds or the like is a fit drinke for those that have hot or burning feaver on them or are otherwise distempered with heate or used with some pectorall Syrupes for the cough shortnesse of winde hoarsenesse or the like There yet remaineth Zythum and Curmi of the ancients to be spoken of and both as Dioscorides saith made of Barly which because wee suppose in these dayes they did point to our Ale and Beare which are made with Mault the substantiall part of the drinkes I thinke meete first to speake of Mault CHAP. XVIII Byne sive Maltum Mault AETius onely used this word Byne which by all is referred to Mault and as the by manner of making set downe by him is shewed plainely Maltum is a word made Latine from the Germans Manth and our Mault both signifying one thing that is that manner of prepared Barly as is fit therewith afterwards to serve to their use that would make of it either Ale or Beare the manner of making is as I take it in all countries alike without difference and so well knowne to all that it is in a manner needelesse for me to set it downe thereby to enforme any that having spent their time wholly thereon as being their profession can tell better how to enforme me but as in all the rest of this Worke my endeavours are to enforme shew those that not knowing wil not refuse to heare and understand and thus it is Barly is laid in water to soake for two or three dayes and nights which being swollen in that time the water is drained from it and is afterwardes spread equally on the floore of a garner or such like place that is close about halfe a foote thicke and covered with clothes or other things warme untill it beginne to sproute ready as it were to grow which will be performed within two or three dayes if the weather be warme or not very cold or else it will lye longer then doe they turne it before it grow too hot two or three times a day for a weeke or tenne dayes both to coole and to drie it then doe they bring it to the kill and there dry it throughly with fire made of straw or other such like light stuffe to cause it to have the sweeter relish for being dried with bavens or wood the mault will taste bitter of the smoake and is soone perceived in the drinke which will taste bittter This mault before it can be used is to be ground a little and then serveth it for the Brewer to use If Mault being ground be tried and applied in a bagge or double cloth hot to the sides or belly pained with stitches or gripings occasioned by cold or winde it giveth much ease and helpe and being made into a pultis asswageth tumors and swellings CHAP. XIX Of Zythum THeophrastus and Dioscorides onely and no other authors before them that I can finde have made mention of Zythum what it is or whereof it was made and yet they are so short therein that we rather understand this by others relation which thing sheweth it was so common a drinke there in those places of Greece c. that they thought it not worth their labour further to explane it even as Discorides hath done the like with many
a medicine for the foule Vlcers in the nose by boyling the whole herbe with the roote of the first wilde Oates in water untill a third part be consumed which being strained is to be boyled againe with as much hony unto the thicknesse of a Sâ—rupe some as he saith put some Aloes in powder to it and wetting tents therein to be put up into the nostrils the same herbe also he saith being boyled in Wine with some dryed Roses helpeth a stinking breath the rest are not knowne to be used to any Phisicall use CHAP. V. Gramina Avenacea arvorum The field Oaten Grasses THere are some other sorts of Grasses resembling wilde Oates and called Oate Grasses whereof some grow in the Fieldes others on the mountaines of those that are found in Corne grounds and other fields we will speake of in this Chapter and of the other in the next 1. Gramen Bromoides maximum hirtum Great hairy Oate Grasse This great Oate Grasse is all hairy the stalkes and leaves are greater then of Oates foure or five cubits high whose panicle at the toppe spreadeth into many chaffy bearded eares hanging downe their heads the roote is bushy this groweth in the pastures about London as also in Essex 2. Gramen Bromoides segetum latiore panicula Great Corne Oate Grasse This Corne-Grasse hath Oate-like stalkes three or foure cubits high the leaves are shorter and narrower the toppe is spread much divers stalkes with chaffye bearded eares in branches comming forth at a joynt broadest below and spiring small upwards 3. Gramen Auenaceum incanum Great hoary Oate Grasse This hath short narrow leaves somewhat hairy and a little hoary withall the stalke hath few joynts the panicle is spreade like the last but lesser and is somewhat hoary This is sometimes found lesser Minus and are both found in the borders of Cornefields both in Kent and Essex 4. Gramen Avenaceum pratense Medow Oaten Grasse The leaves hereof are many growing next the roote long and narrow the stalke is lesser and lower with such a pannicle at the toppe but lesser spread and not hoary this is in many Medowes 5. Gramen Avenaceum squamosa gluma Scaly eared Oaten Grasse This hath narrow leaves a little hairy a spanne long the slender stalke hath such alike panickle as the last but that the scaly eares stand single every one upon his owne small thredlike footestalke 6. Gramen Avenaceum pinnata longinscula spica Winged Oaten Grasse The stalke hereof is slender sometimes higher and sometime lower the leaves are narrower than the last the pannicle is somewhat long but small and not much spreade each part being as it were winged or devided into sundry peeces upon one ribbe or footestalke 7. Gramen Avenaceum filicea panicula Xerampelina Red Fernelike Grasse This beareth red shining stalkes a foote high the leaves are soft and narrow the pannicle at the toppe is three or foure inches long of a whitish greene colour divided into many winged branches many parts being set on both sides of the branch and each part divided like a Fearne leafe 8. Gramen Avenaceum murorum erectum Vpright Wall Oaten Grasse This Grasse groweth upright a spanne and sometimes a foote high the leaves are almost as small as any Grasse the spiked head is an handbreadth long sparsed or divided each small eare being bearded the roote is thready this is often found upon old mud Walles that close in Fieldes 1 2. Gramen Bromoides spicatum hirsutum alterum latiore panicula The great hairy and great Corne Oate-Grasse 4 5 6.7 Gramen avenaceum pratense Avenaceum squamosa gluma Pinâ—a longinscula spica Filicea panicula c. Medow scaly eared and winged Oaten-Grasse and the red Ferne-like Grasse 12. 11. Gramen Avenaceum altero alteri innatum exile mollicellis folijs Small Oaten Grasse one head set on another and small soft Oaten-Grasse 9. Gramen Avenaceum supiaum arvense Low Medow Oaten Grasse The leaves hereof are as small as the last an inch or an inch and a halfe long the stalkes are slender and weake leaning downewards with a few bearded huskes spike fashion at the toppe 10. Gramen Avenaceum supinum flosculos Secalinis Long winged Oate Grasse flowring like Rye This Grasse spreadeth many stalkes not being able to rise up of a cubit long full of joynts and small short leaves on them of a whitish greene colour the toppes are furnished with foure or five Oate like heads but more winged and with short aunes somewhat hard and flowring like Rye 11. Gramen Avenaceum exile mollicellis folijs Small soft leafed Oaten Grasse This small Grasse is very like the Gramen exile durius that it may easily be mistaken and differing from it onely in the leaves that are longer and soft as the whole plant else is not halfe a foote high and in the spiked toppe whose parts are winged 12. Gramen Avenaceum altero alteri innatum Small Oaten Grasse one head set on another This fine small Grasse resembleth well the Gramen Britanicum maritimum having divers haire like leaves and hard with such like span long stalkes some whereof beare their small sharpe huskes at their toppes onely as others doe and others out of a tuft of leaves in the middle of the stalke sendeth forth â—n other short stalke with such like sharpe huskes on them as the other The Place and Time All these sorts grow in the fieldes of this Land some in one place and some in another as they have beene observed either of plowed or fallow grounds and flower in the Summer season The Names Grasse is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod in agris proveniat and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est herba by Theophrastus which is common to all herbes in Latine Gramen a gradiendo The severall names of all these Grasses are expressed in their Titles as much as is convenient for them being all of late observation not specified that I know by any before The Vertues There is no especiall property knowne to be in any of them but are as yet onely knowne by their face and name CHAP. VI. Gramina Avenacea nemorum montana Wood and mountaine Oaten Grasses THE rest of these Grasses that doe resemble Oates shall be expressed here whether they be found in Woods or on hills and mountaines c. 1. Gramen montanum Avenaceum Clusij Mountaine Oate Grasse with hoary huskes This hath slender joynted stalkes a cubit high with very narrow and long leaves and at the toppe a long spiked head bowing the head close with woolly short huskes containing seede like unto those of naked Oates the roote is made of divers long fibres 2. Gramen montanum avenaceum alterum Mountaine Oate Grasse without hoary huskes This other differeth not in any thing from the former but in the spiked head whose huskes are not hoary as the other are 3. Gramen Avenaceum rariore gluma spicatum Oate Grasse of Denmarke This grasse hath slender
of sundry fishes being a soft herbe composed wholly of woolly white haires without any branch or stalke and is oftner found white then reddish or gray but is not greene There is another small sort hereof found growing on the stones by the Sea side as also sometimes upon wood and is likewise sometimes cast up by the Sea on the shore among the Alga of divers sorts growing somewhat like the former or ground Mosse but that it is white and tasteth a little saltish and binding 2. Muscus marinus Neapolitanus Sea Mosse of Naples This Sea Mosse likewise groweth unto some rocke or stone rising with a stalke more then foure inches high 1. Muscus marinus capillaceus Dioscoridis alter parvum Venetâ— The soft Sea Mosse and another small sort from the Venetian shore 2. Muscus marinus Neapolitanus Sea Mosse of Naples 3. Muscus marinus seu Alga tinctoria Dying red Sea Mosse 4. Muscus marinus vireus Fâ—niculaceus Short Fennell like Sea Mosse 5. Muscus marinus Ferulaceus Long Fennell like Sea Mosse 6. Muscus marinus Abrotonoides Southernewood like Sea Mosse 7. Muscus marinus argenteus plumiâ—ormis The silver like Sea Feather 8. Muscus marinus Venetus Costiradice effâ—gie The long close Sea Mosse of Venice 9. Penna aurea marina The goulden Sea Feather with sundry branches on both sides and they againe divided into lesser all of them plentifully stored with very fine leaves as small as Camomill leaves or finer then they if any other be finer soft in handling at the first easie to be bended and transparent if they be interposed to the light greene below at the lower part and purplish above this is not so brittle as Coâ—lline when it is dryed and groweth more rough by the drynesse although it may well be referred unto some kinde thereof and retaineth a very salt taste with it but being put into water oâ— a while steeped therein it will grow soft againe 3. Muscus maritimus tinctorius sive Alga tinctoria Lugdunensis Dying red Sea Mosse This small red Sea Mosse is somewhat like the last but with more store of soft stalkes and fewer branches and with as fine small leaves on them like unto Fennell of a reddish colour but with some whitenesse mixed together this is used by divers to strike a deepe crimson or reddish purple colour which will last long 4. Muscus marinus vireus Fâ—eniculaceus Short Fennell like Sea Mosse This short Fennell like Mosse groweth up from blackish round and fibrous rootes with divers fine short leaves like Fennell of an herby or greene colour among which an herby stalke riseth also with such like leaves on it and having sundry swolne eminences thereon 5. Muscus marinus Ferulaceus Long Fennell like Sea Mosse The leaves hereof are very long and fine like unto the Ferula or Fennell giant growing from stalkes neere a foote long divided into branches this springeth from Rockes or the like 6. Muscus marinus Abrotonoides The Southernewood like Sea Mosse This also riseth up from the Rockes with thicke stalkes and branches with fine cut leaves on them somewhat like unto Southernewood but much bigger and of a brownish red colour 7. Muscus marinus argenteus pluâ—formis The silver like Sea Feather This most beautifull Mosse groweth on the Rockes in the Sea upon the dry shels of Fishes and is also often found wrapped amongst the wrake or Sea weede cast upon the shore growing up as the figure sheweth into many particular parts or branches made as it were all of haires like other Mosses but verily representing severall sprigs of Feathers of so pure a white silverlike colour that it is to be wondered at that any Sea Mosse should become so white by nature or made by Art the property whereof is to waste the Spleene applyed with Vinegar it quickly also dissolveth the scrophules or kernels in the throate or elsewhere it helpeth the Dropsie in that it doth abundantly provoke urine it clenseth likewise the reignes and gravell or stones engendred in the kidneyes if a dramme of it in pouther be taken in the distilled water of Erysimum Hedge Mustard or Sea Holly with an equall proportion of the juice of Lemmons 8. Muscus marinus Venetus Costi Inditiradicis effigie The Venetian Costus like Mosse This Venetian Mosse groweth on rockes in the Sea which by the often agitation of the water is broken from it and carryed to the shore not having any roote but being made as it were of a tuft of small stickes set together and being dry resembleth the roote of Costus Indâ—eus but whiter and being moistened againe openeth it selfe into the forme aforesaid and as it is expressed in the figure it is very salt and full of it like sand 9. Penna marina aurea The goulden Sea Feather This Sea plant that for the beauty and excellency thereof doth worthily deserve his name although sent thus maiâ—ed as it were being but a peece as it is likely of what it was when it grew yet such as it is I here offer to your view being of a most shining gold colour both stalke and leaves which very neately resembleth the Spartum Austriacum of Clusius which we call the Feather grasse The Place and Time Their places are all declared by their titles to be the stones on the shore or Rockes in the Sea and the shells of fishes c. whereon many of them breede and but few spring out of the ground as the fourth doth some in other Countries and some on our owne causâ—â— and perish not in Winter or Summer The Names The Greekes call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Muscus marinus in Latine yet some promiscuously call these Fucus marinus as well as Muscus but Dioscorides distinguisheth betweene them entreating of them in two sundry Chapters and although Pliny be inconstant herein making Mosse sometimes an herbe sometimes a shrubbe and sometimes confounding both Muscus and Fucus together The first of both sorts is mentioned by Antonio Donati in his herbation of the I le of Leo of the Venetians and is also the Muscus marinus of Dioscorides according to Constantinus his more exact consideration as Lugdunensis doth relate it and the Fucus capillaceo folio of Theophrastus as it is thought The second is Clusius his Muscus marinus which he received from Imperatus of Naples and sent by the name of Palmula marina but nothing agreeing with that of Theophrastus The third is the Fucus sive Alga tinctoria of Lugdunensis The fourth is the Muscus marinus viteus which Casalpinus calleth Muscus marinus herbaceus mollier The fifth the Fucus Ferulaceus of Lobel The sixth is his Fucus marinus folijs Abrotani maris whom Lugdunensis followeth calling it Muscus marinus folijs Abrotani The seventh and the last are so called by Donatus as their titles declare them and the eighth is mentioned by Pona in his Italian Baldus The Arabians call the Sea Mosse Thahaleb and Thaleb the Italians Mosco marinio the Spaniards Malhoquiana yerva the
generally by all Dentaria and major the lesser being called by Clusius Dentaria aphyllos and Dentaria coralloide radice and minor by others The Italians as Matthiolus saith call Orobanche Herba Tora because Kine eating thereof will presently goe to the Bull some also as he saith Herba Lupa and some Coda di leâ—ne Because we had no proper English name for the former sorts and I thought it improper to call them Broome tapes as that is called which groweth from the Broome I have given them another English one fitting their property as I take it yet let every one doe as they thinke meetest The Vertues Dioscorides saith of his times that it was used to be eaten as other herbes are either raw or boyled with pulse which would helpe their digestion Galen saith it is cold and dry in the first degreeâ— our people doe many times use the latter sort in medicines for the Lungs having received it as a tradition from their ancestours and therefore called the greater Lungwort we have no other properties of any of these herbes to open unto you CHAP. XVII Cyclamen Sowbread ALthough I have given you in my former Booke a doozen sorts or more of Cyclamen or Sowbread for whose knowledge I must referre you thereunto a figure of one or two being here shewed you instead of the rest yet I have a strange plant to exhibite to your consideration which was found and sent for a bastard kinde thereof and withall shew you the properties of the right more amply Pro Cyclamino verno spurio missa plauta A strange plant sent for a bastard Sowebread of the Spring It had a tuberous roote varying from the forme of the Cyclamen roote being long and thicke small at the head and broad at the bottome with a dent in somewhat like unto the forme of an heart as it is pictured on the cards or rather like those pin-pillow-purses that poore women use to sticke their pinnes round about the brims or edges having a hard thicke skinne of a brownish colour with sundry hard long rough fibres underneath and about it from the toppe whereof rose divers somewhat round leaves a little pointed resembling those of the violet but smaller some being larger and smaller then others with three five or seven nerves or ribs in them each upon a long footestalke and of a brownish greene colour from among which riseth up a reddish stalke divided from the bottome into three or foure branches with the like leaves on them and at the head of every branch two or three small greenish yellow mossy flowers much like unto those of the Ribes or red Currans with divers yellow threds in the middle The Place and Time This grew on the Pyraenean hils sent by Venerius to Iohn Hogheland and other his friends in the low countries and flowring in the Spring time Cyclamen autumâ—ale folia Hâ—derae Ivy leafed Sowbread Pro Cyclamino verno spurio missa planta A strange plant sent for a bastard Sowbread of the Spring The Names â—â—â—rius sent this for a differing kind of Cyclamen by the title it beareth but as the description and figure declare â— is much different therefrom almost in every particular and therefore not knowing what other denomination 〈◊〉 it must hold the first imposed for me untill I or some other can better dispose of a more certainty The Vertues The plant being rare and lately found out and known but to few I have not yet learned that any experience hath 〈◊〉 thereof whether it hath any medicinal or other property therein but because in my former Booke I was 〈◊〉 in declaring the vertues of the true Sowbread I think good upon so fit an occasion to expatiate them furâ—â— here Although Mesues doth determine the degrees hereof to be hot and dry in the beginning of the third yet 〈◊〉 doth not so but saith only 70. Simplicium that it cutteth clenseth opneth the mouths of the veines drawâ—â— and digesteth which is plainely seene by the particular operations thereof for the juyce of it openeth the heâ—â—rrhoides or piles and strongly mooveth to the stoole being put up in wooll and saith Mesues it avoideth tough 〈◊〉 used in a glister it is also mixed with such medicines as discusse swellings kernels and other hard knots in any part of the body it helpeth also the pinne and webbe in the eyes being infused with honey as also avoideth it by the nostrils which Mesues also affirmeth and that by snuffing up the juice the head and braine is purged from those humours that offend it the ache also and daily paines of it and the Meagrome Galen further saith that if the belly be bathed with the juice it will forceably moove it downewards and kill the birth or to be put up in a 〈◊〉 and although the roote is weaker then the juyce yet the roote being either drunke or applyed provoketh 〈◊〉 and is profitable for those that have the yellow jaundice to drive it forth by sweating if after the 〈◊〉 of three drams thereof in powther in Meade or honied water they be carefully ordered to sweate it 〈◊〉 also to cleanse all the deformities or discolourings of the skin and the freckles and spots thereof as well 〈◊〉 â—s dry applyed to the region of the spleene it easeth the hardnesse thereof some also saith he gave the dryed 〈◊〉 to them that are pursie or short winded Matthiolus saith that the distilled water from the rootes snuffed 〈◊〉 into the nostrils stayeth their bleeding wonderfully and that if six ounces of that water be drunke with an 〈◊〉 of fine sugar it will stay the blood that commeth from the brest stomacke or Liver in a wonderfull manner or if any veine be broken in them and this is his attestation to hinder saith he the violence thereof in purging it is 〈◊〉 to mixe there with some Masticke or Nutmegge or a scruple of Rubarbe many have been holpen of the hardnesse and swelling of the spleene by the use thereof which could not be holpen by other things It easeth also the paines and torments in the bowels which we call the chollicke If saith he the roote hereof be beaten with new Peach stone kernels and bitter Almonds and after laid to steepe in Aquavitae for three dayes a drop or two of the expressed creame therof dropped into the eares that are deafe or have much noise in them helpeth them the juice mixed with honey or Plantane water helpeth all maner of sores in the mouth or throate being gargled therewith and the toothache also Dioscorides saith many of the same things and besides that the decoction thereof leâ—eth wounds the running sores also in the head bones or members out of joynts kibes or chillblanes and the â—oote Pliny saith the roote is good against the venome of Serpents and that it will kill Swine which is conâ—â—y to the received opinion of most that they are delighted therewith and greedily devoure the rootes after they have rooted them up from whence came
former times was much used to be put into sweete oyntments and commended by Gulen and others to bethe best next unto that of the Codar tree 4. Populus Lybica The Aspen tree The Aspe is somewhat like unto the blacke Poplar for the growing but lesser then either it or the white and with a darker coloured barke the leaves are also blacker harder and rounder then those of the other and a little unevenly dented about the edges and in some places spotted with white spots hanging by longer and slenderer footestalkes which by their continuall shaking and striking one against another make a noyse although the aire be calme the catkins hereof are longer and of a brownish ash colour which continue a while and then fall away with the seede in it the wood is white but nothing so tough This tree saith Pliny hath the best Mushromes growing under it 5. Populus rotundifolia Americana The round leafed Indian Poplar tree The branches onely of this tree were brought from the West Indies unto Mr. Morgan who was Queene Elizabeths Apothecary and by Doctor Lobel caused to be drawne to the life which he exhibited in his Adversaria and Dutch Herball the branches were a little crooked full of joynts at three or foure inches distance and at each a large perfect round leafe without any dent on the edges but where it is set on the short footestalke being thicke rougher and broader then the leaves of Arbor Iudae at the setting to of every which leafe commeth forth a small long catkin like a thong compassed with many small graines much resembling those of the Poplar for which cause he called it a Poplar the taste whereof was very astringent somewhat heating and saltish The Place and Time The foure former sorts grow in moist woods and by waters sides in sundry places of the land yet the white is not so frequent as the other The last is declared of what Country breeding it is their time is likewise expressed that the catkins come forth before the leaves and ripen in the end of Summer but it should seeme that the last hath leaves and catkins altogether The Names The white Poplar is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because of the whitenesse in Latine Populus alba and Farfarus of the Ancients the blacke is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Populus nigra but with Tragus it is his first Populus alba the Aspe is taken by many good Authours to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Theophrastus because he joyneth it next unto the two former lib. 3. c. 14. saying it is like unto the white Poplar which may breede some doubt whether he meaneth the Aspe or no which hath no such divided leaves as the white hath Gaza translateth it Alpina which it seemeth he doth from Pliny who called it montana as well as Lybica the other are expressed to be of Lobel his declaration and of none before him Homer in his fifth Iliad calleth the white Poplar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab Acheronte because wheen Hercules had overcome Cerberus he came crowned with this Poplars branches which he found growing by the river Acheron in triumph of that victory and from his example all that with glory have conquered their enemies in fight were wont to weare a garland of the branches thereof their errour that Suceinum yellow Amber was the gum of the blacke Poplar is so ridiculous that but to name it is sufficient confâ—tation especially seeing Matthiolus hath done it before The Arabians call the white and blacke Poplar Haur and Haur româ— the Italians Popolo bianco and nero the Spaniards Alamo blanco and nigrilâ—io the French Abeau and Peuplier and Tremble the Germanes Bellen Poppelbaum and Sarbaum the Dutch Abeelboom and Popelier worâ— and we in English the white and blacke Poplar tree and the other the Aspe or Aspen tree The Vertues The white Poplar saith Galen is of a mixt temper that is of an hot watery and of a thinne earthy essence and therefore it is of a clensing property the weight of an ounce in pouther of the barke of the white Poplar being drunke saith Dioscorides is a remedy for those that are troubled with the Sciatica or the Strangury and thereupon Serenus hath these Verses Saepius occultus victa coxendice morbus Perfurit gressus diro languore moratur Populus alba dabit medicos de cortice potus The juyce of the leaves dropped warme into the eares easeth the paines in them the young bourgeons or eyes before they breake out into leaves bruised and a little honey put to them is a good medicine for a dull sight The blacke Poplar is held to be more cooling then the white and therefore some have with much profit applyed the leaves bruiâ—ed with vinegar to the places troubled with the gout the seede is held good against the falling sickenesse to be drunke in vinegar the water that droppeth from the hollow places of the blacke Poplars doth take away warts pushes wheales and other the like breakings out in the body the young blacke Poplar buds saith Matthiolus are much used by women to beautifie their haire bruising them with fresh butter and strayning them after they have beene for some time kept in the Sunne the oyntment called Populeon which is made of this Poplar is singulas good for any heate or inflammation in any part of the body and doth also temper the heate of wounds it is much used to dry up the milke in womens brests after their delivery or when they have weyned their children The Aspen leaves are in the like manner cooling and are used for the same purposes that the blacke is but are in all things farre weaker Tragus it seemeth putteth the blacke Poplars instead of the white and the Aspen instead of the blacke as his descriptions and figures declare CHAP. XVII Taxus The Yew tree THe Yew tree groweth with us in many places Taxus The Yew tree to be a reasonable great tree spreading many large branches which make a goodly shadow covered with a reddish rugged barke the body and elder boughes being more grayish and the younger redder whereon grow many winged leaves that is many long and narrow darke greene leaves somewhat soft in handling and not hard as the Firre tree leaves are whereunto they are compared by many set on both sides of a middle stalke alwayes abiding greene and not falling away in Winter the flowers are small and yellow growing along close to the branches where afterwards the berries come forth of the bignesse and colour of the Holly or Asparagus berries sweete with a little bitternesse and procuring no harme to them that eate them for any thing that I have heard the wood hereof is reddish tough and strong The Place and Time This groweth in many places of this Land but planted in all whether at home or abroad it flowreth usually in Aprill or May and the berries be ripe in Semptember and October The Names It is called
leafed Maple or Sicomore tree The great Maple which hath beene with many falsely called the Sycomore tree groweth quickly to be a great 1. Acer majus latifolium Sycomorus falso dictum The great broad leafed Maple or Sycomore tree 2 3. Acer minus montanum Our common wood Maple and the mountaine kinde and a tall tree spreading many faire branches which make a goodly shadow covered with a reasonable smooth barke having many very faire large leaves thereon set upon reddish footestalkes cut somewhat deepely into five somewhat long parts or divisions all dented about the edges greene above and grayish underneath the flowers are of a whitish yellow greene colour standing on a long stalke with some few threds within them each flower yeelding two winged huskes parted at the stalke 4. Acer Creticum trifolium The three leafed Maple tree which are thinne skinnes at the ends and bunched out where the seede lyeth within and are very like unto the common or wood Maple but much larger and many more standing together the wood is whitish and smooth but not so white smooth and close as the wood kinde is 2. Acer minus sive vulgare Our common or wood Maple tree The common Maple tree groweth lower slower then the former somtimes in hedges no higher then those other hedge bushes or els much higher covered with a more rugged barke spreading neither so far not such great branches the leaves are much smaller thinner and not so deepely cut in but yet divided into five parts and somewhat broad at the setting on of the stalke of a deepe and shining green colour on the upperside and paler underneath the flowers and seede are very like the former but fewer set on the stalkes and lesser also in bulke or bignesse the wood hereof is very white very smooth and very close grained 3. Acer montanum The mountaine Maple tree This Maple differeth little from the last that groweth well and great differing chiefely in the leafe which is not flat next unto the stalke and is somewhat deepelier cut into more divisions 4. Acer Creticum trifolium The three leafed Maple of Candy This Maple groweth to be a tree of a meane sise spreading branches reasonable well the barke whereof is of a darke reddish colour having broad greene leaves full of veines divided into three parts standing equally distant one from another with a long slender footestalke under them the flowers stand onely a couple tegether on the stalke as the seede that followeth doth also winged somewhat like the last but smaller The Place and Time The first is no where found wilde or naturall in our Land that I can learne but onely planted in Orchards or walkes for the shadowes sake but groweth in sundry places in Germany c. The second and third are found both on high and low grounds in Woods and Groves Parkes Chases and the like through most Countries of this Kingdome the one in the moister grounds where the wood will be looser and the other in the dryer grounds firmer and closer but the last is also a stranger to us growing about Mompelier and Candy they all flower about the middle of Aprill and the seed is ripe in the end of September The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sphendamnus in Latine Acer The first is that which Clusius calleth latifolium because it hath the greatest and broadest leaves of any and therefore Tragus calleth it Platanus thinking as divers did that it was the true Platanus and therefore the French did call it Plane before the true one was discovered and knowne Ruellius and after him many others called it Sycomorus the Sycomore tree which in divers Countries doth still continue and with us also being called usually the Sycomore tree but by this name of Sycomorus the Sycomore tree divers Writers have called divers trees as first the true Sycomore or Mulberry Figge called of divers Ficus Pharaonis Ficus Aegyptia Morus Aegyptia and Ficus Cypria Matthiolus and others say that the Italians call the Azadarach by the name of Sycomorus And Petrus Crescentius calleth the Virga sanguinea by the name of Sycomorus And lastly Ruellius and others say that this Acer latifolium is called Sycomorus yet Clusius saith that the French call the lesser or wood sort so The second is that which is most frequent in our Land and called Acer tenuifolia by Cordus in histor Acer minor by Dodonaeus Clusius and Camerarius Opio by the Romanes Opulus by Gesner in hortis and Cordus and Opulus campestris by Lugdunensis who also taketh it to be Carpinus but not rightly The third is the Aceris altera species quae fortè Zygia Theophrasti of Lobel by Bellonius Acer montanum flavum crispum and Asphendamnos by the Country men of Candy by Lugdunensis Opulus montanus and can be no other then the Zygia of Theophrastus which Gaza calleth Carpinus which differeth much from the Ostrys which some as is before said call Carpinus And the last his Glinon which hee rendereth Gallicum The Italians call it Pie doca and Platano acquatico the French Erable the Germanes Masshoâ—der the common sort and Ahorne the greatest the Dutch Luytenhout and we in English Maple and some but as falsly as the French or any other the Plane tree The Vertues Neither Dioscorides nor Galen in his censure of simples make any mention of this tree yet lib. 8. med part cap. 8. in the medicines for the Liver written by Asclepias he appointeth a dramme of the roote to be beaten to pouther and given in water but Cornarius doubteth that the word is mistaken because none of the Greeke Writers have made any mention thereof or that it should be used in any disease And none but Pliny hath recorded any of these Maples but saith that the roote of the Maple being bruised is applyed with very great effect unto those that have obstructions or any other paines of the Liver or Spleene which Serenus delivereth in these Verses following Si latus immeritum morbo tentatur acuto Accensum tinges lapidem stridentibus undis Hinc bibis aut Aceris radicem tundis una Cum vino capis hoc praesens madicamen habetur Thy harmelesse side if sharpe disease invade In hissing water quench an heated stone This drinke Or Maple roote in pouther made Take oft in Wine a present med'cine knowne It is used in many joyners works especially the finest wrought grained wood which Pliny peradventure meant lib. 16. c. 16. by that which he there calleth Bruscus and Molluscus the more excellent both of them as he saith is tuber Aceris the knotty part of the tree or of the roote thereof which is held to be fuller of diversified veines therein either of which saith Pliny if they were large enough to make a table would excell the Cedar as some take it but others thinke it should be Citrus the Citron CHAP. XXVII 1. Platanus orientalis verus The true
shootes of this Cytisus are not above halfe a yard long slender and hoary whose Trefoile leaves on them have the two lowest smaller then the middlemost which is twise as long but of an hoary ash-colour standing on short footestalkes of an astringent drying taste the flowers stand with 2. Cytisus Creticus incanus sive Ebenus Cretica Belli Candy tree Trefoile or Candy Ebony 3. Cytisus incanus Germanicus The Germane hoary tree Trefoile 4 Cytisus Hispanicus arboreus The Spanish tree Cytisus or tree Trefoile 6. Cytisus Hispanicus sextus Clusij The low Spanish hoary Cistus 7. Cytisus Austriacus sive septimus Clusij The Austrian or Hungarian low Cytisus 10. Cytisus octavus Gerardi Gerard his eighth Cytisus the leaves at the joynts all along the branches two or three together sustained by soft hoary white huskes wherein they stand why Gerard should call this kinde semper virens and his Corrector after him so to let it passe I know not for neither Clusius first set it forth not any since him that have written of it have so related it 7. Cytisus Austriacus sive septimus Clusij The Austrian or Hungarian low Cytisus The slender lithy twigges of this Cytisus are pliable and hard to be broken lying on or neare the ground which are bare of leaves unto the branches whereon they stand without order upon long footestalkes shorter and greener then those of the third or Germane sort and more hairy greenish above and gray underneath the flowers grow two or three at a joynt as the last and at the ends of the branches also yellow at the first but before they are quite past turne more gold yellow so deepe that they seeme red withall the cods are small flat and hairy with small browne seede within them 8. Cytisus Pannonicus sive septimi species altera Clusij The hoary low Cistus This is somewhat like the last in the slender pliable twigs leaning downe to the ground and leaves like them the flowers also are like unto them but stand foure or five together at the ends of the branches and not at the joynts as in the last the cods and seede differ not there-from but the leaves are a little hoary and so are the cods also 9. Cytisus albicans Alpinus The whitish mountaine Cytisus There is little difference in this as by the notes thereof appeareth from others in the branches or leaves but that at some places two or three trefoile leaves are set at a joynt and the flowers are paler 10. Cytisus octavus Gerardi Gerard his eighth Cytisus Gerard and his Corrector after him mention this Cytisus as taken from Lobel and Pena when as it agreeth with neither of those that are extant in their Adversaria neither doth Bauhinus quote him for it as he doth all others that he knew for the eighth of Tabermontanus which might seeme to be this Bauhinus noteth to be his hirsutus the chiefest difference therein as Gerard saith is in the leaves which are a little dented on the edges which yet are not seene in the figure The Place and Time The first of these Bartholmeus Maranta found in Naples and Honorius Bellus in Candy as he did the second also all the rest except the sixth and last were found by Clusius in Hungary Austria and the parts thereabout they all flower in the Spring of the yeare but some earlier and some later and give their seede in August and September The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Cytisus in Latine a Cythnio insula as Pliny saith from whence it was carryed to the Cyclades to the Greekes and after to the Latines for the wonderfull fruitfullnesse it procureth both in men and cattle but especially in their heards and flockes the former times as Matthiolus and Tragus shew by their mistakings of the true Cytisus were smally verst in the knowledge of plants in that hot the most part whatsoever herbe offered it selfe next to hand that had but some shew like the true it was presently accepted for true although after upon better examination it proved farre short thereof The first of these is the Cytisus Maranthae of Matthiolus Lobel Lugdunensis and all others and taken by Camerarius and others to be the Cytisus verus of Galen Dioscorides c. the Italian Pena confounded this and the next together as Bellus seemed to doe also in calling it Cytisus Creticus which he said is like unto that of Marantha yea it is the same as he thought having the like crooked cods to be the Ebenus Cretica but he afterwards corrected himselfe in that it differeth much in the heads of flowers and seede from that of Marantha but Bauhinus saith he received from Bellus branches of each of these to shew the difference so that this first is the Lignum Rhodium or Cytisus verus And the second is that which he first called Cytisus Creticus and by the Cretanes Archâ—ntoxylum that is nobile lignum which for distinctions sake he calleth Ebenus Cretica The third is the first Cytisus of Clusius in his history and the Cytisus prior of Lobel and likewise the Cytisus albus sylvestris of Cordus in his History although Bauhinus doth sever them into three sorts as who so will heedefully marke them shall soone see that there is no such difference in them to cause them so to be severed The fourth is the third Cytisus of Clusius which Lobel and Lugdunensis call quartus Hispanicus because it is so in his Spanish Observations but we take them all in this worke according to the numbers expressed in his History of plants as I have shewed you in divers places before The foure last sorts have in their titles the number that you shall finde them in Clusius The Vertues The leaves of all these sorts for it is probable they doe not one differ from another are cooling and doe disperse tumours and hard swellings if they shall be beaten with bread and so applyed the decoction of them being drunke provoketh urine for as Galen saith the leaves have a digesting quality with some temperate humidity in them also as Mallow leaves have Columella sheweth that in former ages there was much profit made by the feeding of sheepe herewith to give store of milke and not onely to fatten them but Bullockes and Goates also and Hens and all other sorts of cattell but was planted also for Bees to feede on as from whence they did gather more honey then from any other plant whatsoever and besides it abideth greene eight moneths of the yeare for their pasture and may be kept dry the rest of the yeare following as the dry fodder if women that be Nurses have not any store of milke in their brests let them steepe some of the leaves and young branches hereof in faire water all night and being strained forth in the morning let them take three parts thereof with a fourth of wine which will breede good store of milke in them and make their
children strong and able the dryed leaves steeped all night in water and boyled afterwards strained and drunke is as effectuall as the juyce CHAP. LV. Pseudocytisus The bastard or base tree Trefoile THere are divers sorts also of this base or bastard kinde to shew you whereof one is the most adulterate of them all which therefore shall be last exprest 1. Pseudocytisus Hispanicus primus The first Spanish base tree Trefoile This first base tree Trefoile groweth up to the height of a small tree whose body and branches are covered with a grayish barke the younger twigges being hoary white the leaves are many and smaller then in any other sort of Cytisus three alwayes set on a stalke of a pale greene colour and abiding in the Winter contrary to any of the rest of a bitterish taste the flowers are yellower and smaller then Broome flowers standing as it were spike fashion at the end of the branches after which come rough hairy long pods wherein is thicke flattish blacke seede smaller then that of Broome the roote is wooddy and spreadeth divers wayes the wood is firme and yellowish 2. Pseudocytisus Hispanicus secundus The second Spanish base tree Trefoile This second Spanish sort riseth not much above a yard high full of shootes from the rootes which are branched forth and wholly white having hoary Trefoile leaves never open but as it were folded together the middle rib being great of an extreame bitter taste the deepe yellow flowers are somewhat sweete and stand at the end of the branches like the former and the pods that follow are long and rough of a blackish purple colour the points being turned downewards with greater and blacker seede in them the roote is like the former 3. Pseudocytisus niger Blacke base tree Trefoile This base tree Trefoile groweth with the limber pliant shootes it bringeth forth not so high but straighter and greater then the last the barke of them being of a darke grayish colour beset with small Trefoile leaves somewhat round and a little bitter in taste and of a darke greenish colour the flowers grow at the toppes of the stalkes many together spike fashion of a yellow colour and pretty sweete sent like unto honey the cods that follow are somewhat long and flat with brownish seede in them 4. Pseudocytisus folijs subrotundis Base tree Trefoile with roundish leaves The stem hereof hath sundry branches growing forth from it and set with small roundish darke greene leaves upon very short footestalkes the flowers are smaller then those of Broome and yellow but more store set together at the ends of the branches then the smallnesse of the plant might seeme to beare of a pretty sweete sent and a pulselike taste the pods and seede are small like the last 5. Pseudocytisus Hispanicus Bauhini Bauhinus his Spanish base tree Trefoile This Spanish base tree Trefoile hath hard round striped stalkes foure or five foote high branched into sundry branches somewhat woolly stored with divers small Trefoile leaves of a pale greene colour the flowers are small and yellow like the others unto which succeede many small pods like unto those of Birds-foote three foure or five joyned together on a stalke with small flat blackish seede in them this is not the same with the first of these base tree Trefoiles here set downe being much different 6. Cytisus facie quibusdam Alissum fruticans A Cytisus-like unlike plant Because others before me have placed this plant as last of the Cytisus so must I for this time which else might 1. Pseudocytisus Hispanicus primus The first Spanish base tree Trefoile Pseudocytisus Hispanicus secundus The second Spanish base tree Trefoile 3. Pseudocytisus niger Blacke base tree Trefoile 4. Pseudocytisus folijs subrotâ—ndis Base tree Trefoile with roundish leaves in some sort have beene set with the other Alyssa the description 6. Cytisus facie quibusdam Alissum fruticans A Cytisus-like unlike plant whereof is thus From a tough wooddy rootes grow up sundry pliant hoary greene stalkes spreading into branches set with divers hoary greene leaves together contrary to all the other Cytisiâ—s yet each leafe by it selfe somewhat like unto them but thicker and hairy also the flowers are many and yellow that stand at the toppes spike fashion composed of foure leaves like to Stocke Gilloflowers after which come seedes in round pods The Place and Time Three of these grow in Spaine the former two found by Clusius and the last by some other the other two in France and Germany and flower and seede in the time of the former The Names The first of these is the first Cytisus of Clusius which Lobel and Lugdunensis call Cytisus Hispanicus primus by Dodonaeus Pseudocytisus prior and Bauhinus Cytisus minoribus folijs ramulis tenellis villâ—sis The second is Clusius his second Cytisus called also Cytisus secundus Hispanicus by Lobel and Lugdunensis and by Dodonaeus Pseudocytisus alter The third is the Pseudocytisus seu niger Cordi the Cytisus niger sive major of Camerarius The fourth Cytisus of Clusius the Cytisus minor of Gesner which Lugdunensis calleth Cytisus Gesneri and by Bauhinus Cytisus glaber nigricans The fourth is the Cytisus alter minor of Lobel which Eystetensis calleth Trifolium arborescens The last Bauhinus onely hath described in his Prodromus by the same title I doe here give it you The Vertues We have nothing recorded of any particular any of these base shrubbes are indued withall and although some may thinke that they are of the same quality with the former I am not of that opinion in regard they are all much more bitter then the former and some intensively bitter which can be no helpe to encrease milke in any creature nor yet to fatten them as the former doe CHAP. LVI Cupressus The Cypresse tree SOme doe make two sorts of Cipresse trees the male and the female the one that spreadeth more then the other which groweth more upright not much differing in any thing else which maketh me thinke the diversity riseth from the soyle or some casualty and that the male which spreadeth is not a distinct species which preserveth the kinde naturally as all other things doe especially seeing as Theophrastus saith the one doth degenerate into the other and that both doe beare nuts and seede alike I shall therefore under one make mention of both sorts if they be so and shew you that the Cypresse groweth to be a great tall upright tree spreading out the branches so even round about that it seemeth to be so formed by Art being small below not farre above the ground then spreading out larger yet keeping a round close compasse and afterwards spiring up to the toppe lesse and lesse very well representing a Piramis or Spire steeple the body and armes are covered with a reddish barke the leaves are ever green but loosing much of the verdure in Winter which it regaineth the next Spring after and somewhat long slender and flattish round
The seventh is the Pinus maritima minor of Dodonaeus and Bauhinus and the third Hispanicus of Clusius The eighth is Clusius his Pinaster pumilio The ninth his Pinaster tertius Austriacus And the last is his Pinaster secundus Austriacus 〈◊〉 or â—â—ger The Arabians call the Pine Senabar the Italians and Spaniards Pino the French Pin and the kernells Pignons the Germanes Hartzbaum and Fichtembaum and Pijnholtz the Dutch Pinappelbâ—om and Wee the Pine tree or Pine Apple tree The Vertues The barke of the Pine tree is binding and drying staying the laâ—ke and provoking urine is helpeth the frettings and gallings of the skin ulcers also that possesse the upper parts and burnings with fire taken with Coratâ—â—â— Myrtinum or with Litharge and skinneth them after and mixed with Coperas it stayeth the fretting or creeping of ulcers the fumes thereof taken underneath causeth a delivery of the birth and expelleth the secondine the leaves are cooling and asswage inflammations and keepe ulcers from being inflamed a dramme of them taken in water or mede that is honyed water are good for the heate of the Liver if they be boyled in vinegar and gargled warme in the mouth it helpeth the paines in the teeth and gummes the like doth the shivers of the Torchpine boyled in vinegar and gargled The kernells of the Apples are wholesome and much nourishing while they are fresh and although they be somewhat hard of digestion yet they doe not offend especially â—t they be steeped three or foure houres in warme water before the taking to soake out their sharpenesse and oylinesse those that are of hot constitutions may take them with Sugar but those that are cold with hony and so they doe amend the putrefying humours in the stomacke and bowels and stir up bodily lust and encrease sperme if they be made into an electuary with a little pouther of penidij penâ—ies and some sweete wine also they much helpe an hoarse throate wheesings and shortnesse of breath and when the voyce is lost and expectorate flegme and are good for an old cough and the ulcers of the lungs they also lenifie the uritory passages being fretted with the stone and cause them to be easily avoyded they helpe also to ripen inward Impostumes and are singular good for macilent bodies to hearten them and make them grow fat being often taken they helpe the palsie shaking and numnesse of the members Both Comfitmakers and Cookes know how to make dainty Quec choses for their delight that will have them There is a water destilled from the greene cones or apples that is very effectuall to take away the wrinckles in the face to abate the over swelling breasts of Maides by bathing them with wet cloathes in the water laid on them and to restore such as are ravisht into better termes CHAP. CXV Picea The Pitch tree THe Pitch tree hath formerly beene comprehended under one kinde yet Pliny seemeth to reckon a sativa and a sylvestris the sativa to be Sapinus and the sylvestris Picea but we in these times knew but one sort untill Clusius hath added a dwarfe sort thereunto 1. Picea vulgaris The ordinary Pitch tree The Pitch tree is so like unto the Firre tree that it oftentimes deceiveth them that are not skilfull Picea The Pitch tree 2 Picea pumila The dwarfe Pitch tree or well excercised therein for it is to be discerned but by some espetiall notes It riseth up as high and groweth as great as the Firre steeple fashion with a thicke reddish ashcoloured barke rough and rough like leather and spreadeth the branches a crosse as that doth but bending downe notstanding upright as the Firre doth The leaves also are thicke set on all sides of the branches and not onely on two as the Firre being thicke and short round and not flat as the Firre leaves are softer also and not hard pointed at the ends like it the cones come forth at the ends of the branches after the catkins are fallen which are somewhat reddish at the first springing forth and being full growne are slender about seven or eight inches long bending downewards abiding so long on the trees untill the scales opening the seed within them which is small and blackish falleth out upon the ground the wood is smoother softer lesse knotty and with fairer and straighter graines and thereby more accepted in workes then the Firre from this tree is gathered small paeces of white hard dry Rossin distilling out thereof of it owne accord very like unto Olibanuâ— that many may be deceived with it as also a liquid Rossin or Turpintine by boring the tree as others are and Pitch also as from the Pine 2. Picea pumila The dwarfe Pitch tree This tree never riseth high but alwayes abideth low spreading the branches in manner of a crosse as the former beset with shorter and paler greene leaves all about them this beareth certaine small heads of the bignesse of an Hasellnut composed of scales laid close one upon another whose end is a prickly leafe which opening when it is ripe sheweth it to be like hollow voyd or empty places within and from the heads that are at the ends of the branches shootâ—â— forth oftentimes branches with sundry short and prickely leaves whether it bore either flowers or fruite Clusius saith he knew not for he saw none on any that he found The Place and Time The first groweth usually in all Countries with the Firre trees but seldome neere the Sea the other Clusius found in his search for simples in Germany but nameth no place The Pitch tree blossomes fall away in March and Aprill when the cones begin to come forth which are ripe before Winter but abide on as is said if they be not gathered untill it shed all the seede and that the windes and the weather have rotted and blowne downe the stalkes of the withered The Names It is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latine Picea because the pitch is made of this tree yet as all Authours doe agree the Pine tree is most usually taken for that purpose and of it is made both the best and the most store Bellonius as Clusius thinâ—eth was much deceived in the Pitch tree taking the wilde Pine tree for it in his second Booke and third Chapter where Clusius noteth it giveth it the figure of his Pitch tree which is the wilde Pine tree as be saith but Bellonius in his first Booke and 44. Chapter doth there give the figure of the Sapinus which he saith some French men call du Sapâ—â— and some de la Suiffe which as Lugdunensis saith is the name by which they call the Pitch tree so that it seemeth probable that Clusius hath herein mistaken Bellonius yet he saith in the said second Booke and third Chapter that the Inhabitants doe take Teda Torches from this tree and that they make pitch and Codria â—arre from it also which is most usually made of the wilde pine tree
upon long foote stalkes each whereof are like unto the leaves of Cinkefoile or five leafed grasse but somewhat longer and lesser and dented about the edges many of them divided but into five leaves but most of them into seaven whereof it tooke the name Setfoile and standing round with the divisions like a starre and therefore called Stellaria yet some may have sixe and some eight as the fertilitie of the soile and nature list to worke at the toppes of the branches stand divers small yellow flowers consisting of five leaves like unto those of Cinkefoile but smaller the roote is smaller than Bistort somewhat thicke but blacker without and not so red within yet sometimes a little crooked having many blackish fibres thereat 2. Tormentilla Alpina major The greater Tormentill This Tormentill differeth not from the former but in the largenesse of the leaves and rootes which are much greater and redder and of a better sent in all things else agreeing with the former 3. Tormentillae argentea Silver leafed Tormentill This white Tormentill hath many short low and thicke spread reddish stalkes with leaves like unto a Cinkefoile but much smaller than the first and consisting of five leaves in many of them and sixe and seaven in most of them sometimes more being somewhat longer each of them set upon very long footestalkes greene on the upperside and of a silver shining white colour underneath smooth and not snipt at all about the edges the flowers are smaller than in the first by the halfe and of a white colour set about the stalkes at the toppes at severall distances and standing in small huskes wherein afterwards is contained small yellowish seede the 1. Tormentilla vulgaris Tormentill or Setfoile 3. Tormentilla argentea Silver leafed Tormentill roote is thicke and somewhat long joynted or knotted blackish on the outside and somewhat reddish within with many fibres thereat The Place The common sort groweth as well in woods and shadowie places as in the open champion countrie about the borders of fields in many places of this land The second groweth among the Helvetians or Switsers as also in the county of Tiroll the last groweth upon the Alpes in divers rockie or stony places as also upon the Pyrâ— Mountaines and among the Savoyards likewise The Time They doe all flower in the Sommer from the beginning to the end but the last is latest The Names It hath beene not set forth by any of the antient Greeke or Latine Writers yet it hath obtained a Greeke naâ—e from the forme 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heptaphyllum or Septifolium Setfoile or Seven leaves but not properly for they are not seaven leaves but the number is seven of the divisions of every leafe for to speake properly it is but one leafe cut into five or seven divisions and not seven leaves for this is a generall rule in all leaves whether of herbes or of trees that what leafe falleth away wholly together with his stalke and not in partes and at severall times is but one leafe whether winged as we call it as the leaves of the Ash tree the Elder the Wallnut tree Horse Chesnut Virginia Sumacke c. the great Centory Agrimony Danewort Parsnep Valerian the Trefoiles Cinkefoiles and this Setfoile in herbes for in all these and the like the whole stalke with the leaves falleth away together and not any part of those leaves at one time and part at another as in all other tree and herbes that have not winged divided leaves Although this narration be somewhat prolixe and extravagant yet I hope to some good purpose in regard the use thereof may be profitable to young Herbarists that know not or regarded not so much before the first is called Tormentilla vulgaris and of some Stellaria from the forme of the leaves and yet there are divers other herbes called Stellaria as shall be shewed in their places and some Consolida rubra from the efficacie and colour of the root The Second Camerarius in horto calleth Tormentilla Alpina and Bauhinus Tormentilla Alpina vulgaris major The last is very variably entituled by divers as Pentaphyllum argenteum of Anguillara Pentaphyllum Alpinum petrosum minimum by Lobel Pentaphyllum petraeum Alpinum of Tabermontanus Caesalpinus taketh it to be Alchimillae alterum genus and Clusius somewhat leaneth to that opinion yet calleth it Heptaphyllon Tragus taketh it to be the true Pentaphyllum of Dioscorides and Theophrastus because it is found as often almost to have but five leaves as seaven and Gesner in hortis Germaniae Argentarea petraea of Camerarius Stellaria argentea and Argentea Heptaphyllos montana and of Lugdunensis Tormentilla candida Dalechamâ— it is very likely to be the Pentapyllum lupini folium of Thalius in Harcynia sylva Bauhinus calleth it Tormentilla Alpina flore sericeo Some also doe thinke it is Chrysogonum of Dioscorides but thereof he hath but a very short description saying Crysogonon busheth thickely with Oaken leaves whose flower is very like unto Verbascum Coronarium the roote whereof is like a Turneppe very red within and blacke without but this herbe hath not leaves like an Oake neither is the flower of any such beauty or respect that it might be put into garlands as the Verbascum Coronarium which is thought to be the Lychinis Coronaria Rosecampion with the red flower a fit and usuall flower for garlands for no other Verbascum is knowne to be put to that use neither is the roote like a Turneppe whereby you may see what great difference there is betweene this and that But the true Chrysogonum of Dioscorides Ranwolfinus found among the corne fields not farre from Aleppo in Syria as Lugdunensis setteth it forth in his Appendix to the generall History of Plants and Pona also sheweth in his Italian description of Mount Baldus as you shall have it more fully in his proper place the Germans call it Blutwurtzell and Rotwortzell that is radix Sanguinaria and radix rubra and some after the Latine Tormentill as most of the other Nations doe The Vertues Tormentill is of the same temperature and qualitie that Bistort is which hath caused divers to account it a kinde thereof being cold in the second and drie in the third degree and therefore most excellent to stay all kindes of fluxes of bloud or humors in man or woman whether at the nose mouth belly or any wound in the veines of any where else the juyce of the herbe or roote taken in drinke not only resisteth all poyson or venome of any creature but of the plague and pestilence it selfe and pestilentiall feavers and infectious diseases as the pockes measells purples c. by expelling the venome and infection from the heart by sweating if the greene roote is not at hand or not to be had readily the powder of the drie roote is as effectuall to the purposes aforesaid to take a dramme thereof every morning the decoction likewise of the herbes and rootes made in wine and drinke worketh
the same effect and so doth also the distilled water of the herbe and roote rightly made and prepared which is to steepe them in wine for a night and then distilled in Balneo mariae this water in this manner prepared taken with some Venice Treakle and thereupon being presently laid to sweate will certainely by Gods helpe expell any venome or poyson or the plague or any fever or horror or the shaking fit that happeneth for it is an ingredient of especiall respect in all antidotes or counterpoysons never to be forgotten out of them it is so effectuall in the operation against the plague yea it is said that good shepheards doe carefully preserve this herbe and give it their Sheepe for the rot and many other diseases in them for there is not found any roote more effectuall to helpe any fluxe of the belly stomacke spleene or bloud than this prepared after what manner one will to be taken inwardly or applied outwardly the juyce taken doth wonderfully open the obstructions of the liver and lungs and thereby certainely helpeth the yellow jaundise in a short space Some there be that use to make cakes hereof as well to stay all fluxes as to restraine all chollericke belchings and much vomitings with loathinge in the stomacke in this manner take the powder of the roote and of a peece of a Nutmeg beates made up with the white of an egge and as much meale of Oates as all of them come unto which being baked is to be taken every morning one untill you finde helpe or the powder of the roote onely made up with the white of an egge and baked upon an hot tile and so taken Andreas Valesius de radice Chinae pag. 84. holdeth this opinion thereof that the decoction of the roote is no lesse effectuall to cure the French poxe then Guaiâ—um or China because it so mightily resisteth putrefaction Lobel saith that Rondeletius used it in the stead or after in the same manner that he used Hermodactiles for joint aches the powder also or the decoction to be drunke or to fit therein as in a bath is an assured remedy against abortion in women that is when they use to miscarrie often in child bearing if it proceede from the over fluxibilitie or weakenesse of the inward retentive faculties as also a plaister made therewith and vinegar applied to the reines of the backe doth much helpe it doth much helpe likewise those that cannot hold their water the powder taken in the juice of Plantane and is commended also against the wormes in children it is very powerfull in ruptures and burstings as also for bruses and falls to be used as well outwardly as inwardly the roote hereof made up with pellitorie of Spaine and Allome and put into an hollow tooth doth not onely asswage the paine but staieth the fluxe of humors thereunto which was the cause thereof the juice hereof also being drunke is found effectuall to open the obstructions of the liver and gall Tormentill likewise is no lesse effectuall and powerfull a remedy for outward wounds sores and hurts than for inward and therefore it ought to be a speciall ingredient in all wound drinkes lotions and injections for foule and corrupt rotten sores and ulcers of the mouth or secret parts or any other part of the body and to put either the juice or powder of the roote into such ointments plaisters and such things that are to be applied to wounds and sores as cause shall require it doth also dissolve all knots kernells and hardnesse gathered about the eares the throate and jawes and the Kings evill if the leaves and rootes be bruised and applied thereunto the same also easeth the paines of the Scintica or Hippegout by restraining the sharpe humours that flow thereunto the juice of the leaves and rootes used with a little vinegar is also a speciall remedy against the running sores in the head or other parts scabbes also and the itch or any such eruptions in the skinne proceeding of salt and sharpe humours the same also is effectuall for the hemorrhoides or piles in the fundament if they be washed and bathed therewith or with the distilled water of the herbe and rootes it is found also helpefull to drie up any sharpe rheume that distilleth from the head into the eyes causing rednes paine waterings itchings or the like if a little prepared Tutia or white Amber be used with the distilled water hereof many women also use this water as a secret to helpe themselves and others when they are troubled with the abundance of the whites or reds as they call them both to be drunke and injected by a Syring CHAP. XXV Pentaphyllum sive Quinquefolium Cinkefoile or five leafed Grasse THe next unto the Tormentill must come the Cinkefoile to be intreated of not onely for the likenesse of the outward face or forme of the plant but of the properties also as you shall heare hereafter Hereof there are many more sorts found out and now made knowne than formerly there was and therefore I thinke it fit to expresse them in some method and order that is in three rankes the first shall be of those sorts that beare white or whitish flowers the second shall be of those that beare yellow flowers and lie downe with their leaves upon the ground or runne with their rootes the third shall be of those that stand more upright bearing yellow flowers Primus Ordo The first Ranke 1. Pentaphyllum majus luteo flore vel albo Great white or yellow Cinkefoile THis first and greatest upright Cinkefoile hath many leaves rising from the roote each upon his owne foote stalke divided in five parts as if they were five severall leaves dented about the edges and some times round pointed very like the great common yellow Cinkefoile but larger and a little hairy from among which rise up straight or upright stalkes and not much leaning downe to the ground as the next that followeth doth a little hairy also and divided at the toppes into two or three branches and they againe into other smaller upon every one whereof standeth one flower of a white colour and larger than in others but consisting of 〈◊〉 leaves as all others doe in the middle whereof standeth a small downy head encompassed with many red 〈◊〉 yellow threds the roote is somewhat thicke and long and reddish with all 2. Pentaphyllum majus alterum album Common great white Cinkefoile This other white Cinkefoile which is more common with all Herbarists have many leaves growing from the roote divided into five parts each of them somewhat longer a little dented and pointed also at the end greene on the upper side and hoary white underneath betweene these leaves grow weake branches leâ— downe to the ground scarfe a foote long with many such like leaves upon them but lesser than those below the flowers of these are almost as large as those before and of a white colour consisting of five more round pointed leaves than